Patent ID: 6482285
Filing Date: 2002-11-19
Classification: B44C,Y10S,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of adhering a transfer, the method comprising:providing a heat sensitive polymer substrate having: (i) a heat sensitive opaque polymer film having top and bottom surfaces; (ii) a heat activated adhesive disposed upon one surface of the heat sensitive opaque polymer film; and (iii) a releasably coated carrier film which releasably carries the heat sensitive opaque polymer film with the heat activated adhesive disposed between the heat sensitive opaque polymer film and the releasably coated carrier film; providing a second carrier film including a second polymer film having first and second opposite surfaces and a second adhesive having a peel strength which decreases with increasing temperature, wherein the second adhesive is disposed on the first surface of the second film; printing resin solids in a desired graphic onto the top surface of the opaque polymer film, wherein the printing is at a temperature which is below the temperature at which the polymer substrate is activated and such that printing causes the resin solids to penetrate into the opaque polymer film to create a durable printed transfer; positioning the printed transfer on the first surface of the second film; and adhering the printed transfer onto a thermally adherable article on which the graphic is to appear by applying sufficient heat to the polymer substrate at a temperature which is above the temperature which the polymer substrate activates so as to activate the polymer substrate and bond the polymer substrate to the article and at which to substantially reduce the peel strength of the second adhesive, and by applying sufficient force to adhere the graphic to the article.