ARTICLES BEARING IMAGE GRAPHICS

Abstract: The present invention provides an article bearing image graphics assembled by attaching two components, a substrate component and an imageable component. The substrate component comprises (i) a base sheet having a face side and thickness of at least 0.13 millimeters and (ii) an adhesive layer having first and second surfaces, the second surface disposed on the face side of the base sheet. The base sheet is an integral part and is the primary structural component of the inventive article. The imageable component comprises (i) a light transmissible imageable film having first and second surfaces and (ii) an image layer disposed in reverse image on the second surface of the imageable film. The components are assembled in such a fashion that the image layer lies adjacent to the first surface of the adhesive layer and appears as a right reading image to a viewer looking at the imaged side of the article.

Description: ARTICLES BEARING IMAGE GRAPHICS The present invention relates to articles bearing graphic or informational images. In particular, the articles of the present invention have a substrate component and an imageable component bearing an image, each component formed typically from a multilayer construction. The components are assembled together to form a unitary article such that the image is embedded in the inventive article. Background Image graphics can be applied to a variety of surfaces for decorative, informational, and functional reasons. As used in this document, "image graphics" and "informational images" are synonymous and mean that a colored layer or layers applied to a substrate (typically polymeric) by techniques such as, e.g., printing or laminating, for the purpose of communicating a message to a viewer. These images include, but are not limited to, text, photographs, icons, and four-color art images produced from an imaging machine, such as a four-colored printer. For example, merchants and advertisers typically want to display graphic or informational images on various substrates, such as windows, walls, vehicle surfaces, back lit signs, and the like to communicate to their customers. It is known in the art to apply the image graphic directly to a substrate that provides the primary structural layer of the article. For example, US Patent No. 5,468,532 (Ho et al.) describes a multilayer article bearing an image graphic. The article comprises a structural substrate, a color layer disposed on the substrate, and a clear or transparent, protective surface that overlies both the color layer and the substrate. Some manufacturers provide polymeric substrates that can be imaged directly. For example, Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing (3M) located in St. Paul, Minnesota supplies several different types of substrates such as 3M Panaflex Sign Face Materials, 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Sheeting. Also, various sign substrates are produced by companies such as Fasson-Avery and Cooley. In some applications, such substrates can be fed into an imaging device, such as a screen printing table, an inkjet printer, or a thermal transfer printer, where graphic or informational images are applied. In other applications, it is desirable to cut out the image graphic and laminate it to the polymeric substrate to form an article bearing an image graphic. In the case where an image graphic is laminated, printed, or otherwise disposed directly on the substrate that is the main structural component of the article, the image graphic is typically printed as a right reading image, meaning that is readable as it is first printed on the substrate. Any subsequent processing does not change the readability of the image. In contrast, a wrong reading image (sometimes referred to as a "reverse image") would initially appear to an observer to be a mirror image of the desired image when viewed from the printed side. In the latter case, the reverse image is applied to the substrate in such a fashion as to produce an article bearing a right reading image. Such an application results in the image being embedded in the article's construction, which typically results in a more durable image graphic. Some skilled in the art have used reverse images to create articles bearing image graphics. For example, US Patent No. 5,209,959 (McNaul et al.) discloses a subsurface printable sheet material for use in forming a wear-resistant printed laminate, such as, for example, an outdoor sign. 3M supplies a multipart system made from 3M™ Clear Imaging Media (product number 8501) and a 3M™ Translucent Diffuser (product number 8572). In use the 3M™ Clear Imaging Media is a 0.004 inch (about 0.10 millimeter (mm)) polyester film having a first and second surface, the second surface bearing an image graphic that is applied initially in reverse image. The 3M Translucent Diffuser is 0.002 inch (about 0.05 mm) vinyl film having first and second surfaces, the first surface having an adhesive layer disposed on it. An article is assembled by laminating the 3M™ Translucent Backing to the 3M™ Clear Imaging Media such that the image graphic lies next to the adhesive layer. The article is used in a backlit sign to communicate a message to the viewer. Summary Although the articles discussed above find utility in many applications, there exists a need to provide articles bearing image graphics that separates the imaging portion from the substrate portion of the article for large size (on the order of 2 feet by 4 feet or more) articles. The present invention provides an approach to de-couple the imaging portion from the substrate portion of an article bearing image graphics. Such a decoupling technique provides for manufacturing efficiencies because a wide variety of substrate components can be used with a wide variety of imaging components taking into consideration a wide range of imaging techniques. Furthermore, each component can be separately optimized. For example, the imaging component can be optimized for a particular imaging technique while the substrate component can be optimized for different durability needs. The present invention provides an article bearing an image that can be readily assembled by attaching several components together. In one embodiment, the article comprises or consists essentially of: (a) a substrate component comprising (i) a base sheet that is an integral part of the article, the base sheet having a face side and a thickness of at least 0.10 millimeters, and (ii) an adhesive layer having first and second surfaces, the second surface disposed on the face side of the base sheet; and (b) an imageable component comprising (i) a light transmissible, imageable film having first and second surfaces, and (ii) an image layer disposed in reverse image on the second surface of the imageable film, wherein the imageable component is disposed on the substrate component such that the image layer lies adjacent to the first surface of the adhesive layer. Preferably, the second surface of the imageable film has an additional layer useful to promote adhesion to inks, toners, and dyes. Optionally, a second adhesive layer and an optional liner can be applied to the side opposite the base sheeting's face side. The second adhesive layer provides for easy application to a surface, such as to floors, ceilings, walls, windows such as architectural glass, sides of vehicles, billboards, roadway signs, and the like. The present invention has a substrate component comprising a base sheet that is an integral part of the graphic article. The base sheet primarily supplies the strength and structure to the inventive article and is the main structural component of the inventive article. The base sheet does not directly bear the image graphic. Instead, the imageable film bears the image graphic. The imageable film can contribute some structural integrity to the inventive article, but it is not the dominant source. The present invention provides the advantage of separating the imaging component from the base sheet of the substrate component, the base sheet typically being the more expensive material in many articles bearing image graphics. Thus, if during an imaging step, an operator makes an error in creating an image graphic, the cost associated with imaging another imaging component is usually substantially less than imaging another base sheet. Furthermore, many base sheets now known in the art that provide the structural integrity to an article bearing an image graphic are difficult to image directly because the base sheets are not receptive to a wide variety of imaging techniques due to thickness, stiffness, or heat sensitivity. The present invention provides another advantage in inventory control. A substrate component can be inventoried as an intermediate product for the majority of the products using that base sheet. Different imaging components can then be attached, each optimized according to the imaging technique used, the durability requirements of a particular application for the article, and the permissible cost factors for a given installation. Using components of the present invention, an operator can take an imageable component, image the desired graphic, and laminate it to the substrate component. In this way, manufacturing cycle time can be better controlled and inventory of products can be reduced. Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be further explained with reference to the drawing, wherein: Figure 1 is a cross-section of a prior art graphic article before assembly; and Figure 2 is a cross-section of various components of the inventive article before assembly. These figures are idealized, are not to scale, and are intended to be merely illustrative and non-limiting. Detailed Description of the Invention Figure 1 represents a prior art graphic article before assembly and will be discussed in detail below as a basis of comparison of the unexpected advantages of Applicants' inventive article, one embodiment of which appears in Figure 2. As shown in prior art Figure 1, the article comprises a sheet material 20, which is a three-element composite structure consisting of a carrier tape 23, an application tape 22, and a poly vinyl chloride (PVC) film 21. The PVC film has a sign 4 printed in reverse image on the exposed surface 33 of the PVC film. The film 21 can include on a surface 32 a clear coat 32a. A transfer tape 40 is laminated to the sheet material 20. The tape 40 includes a substrate 41 comprising a web of paper or plastic film impregnated or coated with a suitable release agent (such as silicone or carbamate coating) and a layer of transfer adhesive 42 over one surface of the substrate 41. The transfer tape 40 is joined to sheet material 20 (as shown by arrow 50) with transfer adhesive layer 42 adhered to surface 33 of the PVC film. After the transfer tape 40 is joined with the sheet material 20, the carrier tape 23 can be removed. In a subsequent step, the application tape 22 can also be removed. An operator wishing to apply the article to a substrate, such as a side of a trailer, removes the substrate 41 and presses transfer adhesive 42 to the side of the trailer. The substrate 41 is not an integral part of the construction. Figure 2 shows the various components of the inventive article comprising a substrate component 102 and an imageable component 108. The substrate component 102 comprises a base sheet 104 and an adhesive layer 106. The base sheet 104 has a face side 104a and a backside 104b. The adhesive layer 106 has a first side 106a and a second side 106b, the second side being disposed on the face side of the base sheet. In practice, the substrate component can be stored in roll form while protected with an optional liner (not shown) disposed on the first side 106a of the adhesive layer 106. The imageable component 108 comprises a light transmissible, imageable film 122 having a first side 122a and a second side 122b, and an image layer 120 disposed on the second side of the imageable film. As shown, the image layer 120 can be discontinuous and be applied to the imageable film 122 in reverse image. In practice, it is typically desirable to have an additional layer (not shown) disposed on surface 122b to promote adhesion of inks, toners, dyes, and combinations thereof. This additional layer, if used, would be applied to the imageable film before application of the image layer. The unitary article bearing an image graphic is assembled by attaching the imageable component 108 to the substrate component 102 such that the image layer 120 lies adjacent to the first side 106a of adhesive layer 106 and the image layer appears as a right reading image to an observer, as depicted by the eye. The inventive article is intended for viewing from one-side. If the image layer 120 is discontinuous, then a portion of the second side 122b of the film 122 would also lie adjacent to the first side 106a of the adhesive layer 106. As used in this document, "adjacent" means "close to" or "near," so that it is within the scope of this invention if additional layers lie between the image layer and the adhesive layer. For example, it is possible to coat the image layer with a primer to increase adhesion to the adhesive layer. As used in this document, "light transmissible" means that a particular layer or medium transmits at least some of the incident light ranging from about 400 to 700 nanometers wavelength of the electromagnetic spectrum (i.e., the visible spectrum). The substrate component comprises a base sheet and an adhesive layer. Unlike the prior art, Applicants' base sheet can be a light transmissible or non-light transmissible polymeric film, a retroreflective sheeting, or combinations thereof. The base sheet provides the structural integrity to the overall inventive article. Thus, it should not be too thin or too flexible. The base sheet should have a thickness of at least 0.005 inch (0.13 millimeters (mm)), preferably a thickness of about 0.010 to 0.030 inch (0.25 to 0.76 mm), although thicker base sheets can be used. Retroreflective base sheets are typically multilayered in construction. Retroreflection describes the mechanism by which light incident on an article is reflected in the direction from which it came. There are essentially two types of retroreflective sheeting: microsphere-based sheeting (commonly referred to as "beaded sheeting") and cube-corner based sheeting. The retroreflective sheeting has a face side, which is defined as the side incident light strikes and is reflected. All retroreflective sheetings used in this present invention are supplied fully retroreflective, meaning that they are capable of reflecting incident light without any additional processing to the sheeting, without, e.g., the need to attach any other components to the sheeting. Any now known or yet to develop retroreflective sheetings are useful for the practice of the present invention. Beaded sheeting uses a multitude of independent beads (i.e., microspheres), either glass or ceramic, typically at least partially embedded in a binder layer and having associated specular or diffuse reflecting materials (e.g., pigment particles, metal flakes, or metal vapor coats) to retroreflect incident light. The beads act as optical elements. An illustrative example of a beaded sheeting is disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,950,525 (Bailey). Illustrative fully retroreflective beaded sheetings that are available commercially from 3M and are useful for the practice of this invention include 3M™ Scotchlite™ High Intensity Grade Reflective Sheeting Series 2870, 3870, 5870, and 6870; 3M™ Scotchlite™ Engineer Grade Reflective Sheeting Series 2200, 3200, 5200, and 3290-1; 3M™ Scotchlite™ High Intensity Flexible Work Zone Sheeting Series 3810. Cube-comer retroreflective sheeting uses an array of cube-comer elements to retroreflect incident light. The basic cube-corner retroreflective element is generally a tetrahedral structure having a base triangle (commonly referred to as the "base plane") and three mutually substantially perpendicular optical faces that cooperate to retroreflect incident light. The optical faces intersect at an apex. The base triangle lies opposite the apex. In operation, light incident on the base plane is transmitted into the cube-comer element, is reflected from each of the three optical faces, and is redirected toward the light source. An illustrative example of a cube-comer based sheeting is disclosed in US Patent Nos. 4,588,258 (Hoopman) and 5,450,235 (Smith et al). Illustrative fully retroreflective cube-comer based sheetings that are available commercially from 3M and are useful for the practice of this invention include 3M™ Scotchlite™ Diamond Grade™ LDP Reflective Sheeting Series 3970, 2970; 3M™ Scotchlite™ Diamond Grade™ Fluorescent LDP Reflective Sheeting Series 3960; 3M™ Scotchlite™ Diamond Grade™ VIP Reflective Sheeting Series 3990, 2990; 3M™ Scotchlite™ Diamond Grade™ Fluorescent Roll Up Sign Sheeting Series RS24. The base sheet can also be a polymeric film. Preferably, polymeric base sheets are flexible and have sufficient strength to provide structural integrity to the inventive article. Illustrative polymeric materials suitable as base sheets for the present invention include nylon, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride (PVC); α-olefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and blends and copolymers thereof; ethylene modified copolymers such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), ethylene-acrylic acid, ethylene- methacrylic acid, ethylene-methylacrylate and blends and mixed polymers of these materials such as ethylene-methylacrylate-acrylic acid terpolymers; polyurethanes; and rubbery polymers such as ethylene propylene diene monomer terpolymer, rubber modified polyolefins (e.g., ethylene-propylene rubber, olefins, etc.), and styrene- butadiene mbber. The base sheets may be reinforced with fibers or films chosen from the group of polymers or fiberglass. Illustrative polymer base sheets suitable for the practice of the present invention and that are commercially available from 3M include 3M™ Panaflex™ Enhanced Image Sign Facing Series 600 El, 645EI; and 3M™ Panaflex™ Flexible Substrate 930, 945 GPS. Most of these commercially available polymeric base sheets are not well suited for direct imaging using known techniques (such as electrostatic printing, off set printing, ink jet printing, pad printing, and electrographic printing) because of their thickness, electrostatic properties or lack thereof, and their heat sensitivity. An illustrative and useful electrostatic imaging or printing technique is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,262,259 (Chou et al.) The second component of the substrate component is an adhesive layer disposed on the face side of the base sheet. Suitable adhesives useful for the practice of this invention include pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA) and hot melt adhesives. PSA are typically solvent-based or water-based materials that are cast onto a substrate, such as a liner, and then dried and cured, typically in a series of ovens. Typical casting methods include, but are not limited to, notch bar coating and knife coating. The cast PSA can be laminated to the face side of a base sheet to yield a substrate component. One advantage of this cast and lamination technique is that one skilled in the art can choose a liner that would allow for direct windup of the substrate component. In an alternative technique, the PSA can be cast directly to the face side of the base sheet and then dried and cured. This technique is useful if the base sheet can withstand the temperature required to dry and cure the cast PSA. Generally, a hot melt adhesive uses components including solventless polymers and additives such as tackifying resins and plasticizers. The components in hot melt adhesives are processed so as to flow or creep under stress. Typically, hot melt adhesives are processed using extrusion. U.S. Patent No. 5,257,491 (Rouyer et al.) discloses a method of packaging an adhesive composition, especially a thermoplastic or thermoset hot melt adhesive useful for the practice of Applicants' invention. Rouyer supplies the adhesive components in a pillow package form. The packaging material is an integral part of the adhesive. Rouyer lists the useful thermoplastic resins, thermoset resins, as well as various tackifying resins and plasticizers. When Rouyer' s hot melt adhesive is used in Applicants' invention, it can be extruded directly onto the face side of the base sheet and then cured. Alternatively, the hot melt adhesive can be extruded onto a liner, cured, and then laminated to the face side of the base sheet. Depending on the chemistry of the hot melt adhesive, it can be cured by ultraviolet light or electron beam. U.S. Patent Nos. 5,539,033 and 5,550,175 both to Bredahl et al., disclose yet other solvent-free hot melt processes to prepare non- thermosettable pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA) useful for the practice of the invention. The adhesive can be light transmissible or opaque. The adhesive should be sufficiently thick to provide adequate adhesion between the base sheet and the imageable component. However, use of an excessively thick adhesive layer would be cost prohibitive. Where the base sheet is a retroreflective sheeting and the user desires the advantages of retroreflection, the adhesive layer should be light transmissible so that a portion of the incident light can pass through the adhesive layer and reach the optical elements, such as beads or cube-comer elements, in the base sheet. When used in combination with a retroreflective base sheet, the adhesive should also be of a comparable refractive index as that of the components used in the retroreflective base sheet. For example, many retroreflective sheetings have a polymeric topfilm (the outermost layer on the face side of the sheeting) having about a 1.5 refractive index. In such a case, the adhesive, besides being light transmissible, should also have a refractive index near 1.5. When the inventive article is used in a backlit sign, the adhesive layer is preferably light transmissible, although it can be translucent so as to let some light pass through. In general, a backlit sign is one where the light source lies behind the article bearing an image graphic, the entire assembly usually conveniently packaged in a structure, such as a box. When the inventive article is used as decorative or advertising graphics on a side of a vehicle, walls, windows, billboards and the base sheet is not a retroreflective sheeting and the construction is not used in backlit signs, the opacity of the adhesive layer is not important. In this latter case, the adhesive can be colored to provide for color contrast or for a better color scheme to the entire article. Preferably, the adhesive is light transmissible. The same family of adhesive used in the adhesive layer 106 of Figure 2 can be used for the second adhesive layer on the second surface 104b for direct attachment of the inventive article to a substrate. The second adhesive layer need not be light transmissible but should have good adhesion to the base sheet 104 and the surface to which the inventive article will eventually be attached. One skilled in the art should take care in selecting the second adhesive layer keeping these requirements in mind. The imageable component comprises a light transmissible, imageable film having first and second surfaces, and an image layer disposed on the second surface of the imageable film. The imageable film can also be colored, as long as at least some portion of the incident light in the visible spectrum (between about 400-700 nanometers) can be transmitted through the film. The imageable film is typically a polymeric film. Illustrative examples of suitable imageable film include image receptive polyester, polyvinyl chloride, acrylic, polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinylidene difluoride, polyamide, polycarbonate, polyacetal, polyolefins (such as polyethylene and polypropylene), glycol-modified polyesters (PETG), cellulose butyrate, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (EFTE), polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), ethylene vinyl acetate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyketones, transparent thermoplastic rubbers and elastomers, and acid-modified polyofefin and ionomers. Some commercially available films that are useful for the practice of this invention include Spectar R , a PETG film from Kodak Co., Rochester, NY, USA; Tefzel ® , an EFTE film from Du Pont Co., Willimington, DE, USA; and Surlyn ® , an acid-modified polyolefin also from DuPont Co. On the second side of the imageable film, it is commonly desirable to apply a layer to promote the adhesion of inks, toners, and/or dyes to the film. One skilled in the art should take care to select or to formulate the imageable film so as to provide sufficient adhesion of the image layer. Preferably, this adhesion promotion layer is also light transmissible. The imageable film should be of sufficient thickness and of sufficient flexibility so as to be capable of being processed through devices that apply the image layer. The imageable film should be about 0.001 to 0.010 inch (about 0.025 to 0.25 mm) thick. However, a film of any thickness can be used as long as it can be handled and processed through an imaging device. The film also needs to be receptive to the inks, pigments, binders and/or toners used to form the image layer. The imageable film can be in supplied in roll form or in sheets of convenient size. Such a versatile format allows easy adaptation to the different types of imaging devices available. If desired, a light transmissible protective coating can be applied to the first surface 122a in Figure 2 of the imageable film. The coating provides increased durability to the imageable film and image layer, if needed. The protective coating can be an extruded polymer film or a solution cast film. The protective coating can be made on a liner and then attached, e.g., by lamination, to the second side of the imageable film. Alternatively, the protective coating can be applied directly to the second side of the imageable film by casting from a solution or emulsion, or attaching it using an adhesive. Illustrative examples of protective coatings suitable for the practice of Applicants' invention include, but are not limited to aliphatic polyurethanes and acrylics (either solvent-based or water based), fluoropolymer coating, such as, e.g., Tefzel ® and Tedlar ® , and silicone alkyd coatings. A preferred solvent-based acrylic solution is Acryloid ® Al 1 from Rohm & Haas Co., Philadelphia, PA, USA. The image layer lies on one surface of the imageable film in reverse image. The image layer can be continuous or discontinuous. It can cover the entire second side 122b of the imageable film or just portions of it. Multiple image layers can be applied to the imageable film using several different means. Illustrative useful means for applying an image layer include imaging and solution coating. Imaging methods include, for example, electrostatic printing, electrostatic transfer, off set printing, inkjet printing, and pad printing. Solution coating methods include, for example, gravure printing, screen printing, notch bar coating, and combinations thereof. Digital imaging techniques are preferred because of the wide spread use of computer generated graphics. An advantage in using imaging techniques in this invention is the ease with which one can make intricate and specialized image graphics by taking the imageable film and feeding it into, for example, a color printer that is in communication with a computer. The imageable film could be conveniently supplied in cut sizes and fed into a commercially available color printer. Because of the diverse imaging techniques available, one skilled in the art should take care to choose an imageable film that is appropriate for the imaging technique, taking into account factors such as the film's thickness, flexibility, receptivity to the ink, pigments, binders and/or toner used in the printing or imaging system, and the film's heat sensitivity. One skilled in the art can also formulate the imageable film appropriate to a desired imaging technique. A method for making an article bearing an image graphic comprises or consists essentially of the steps of: (a) providing a substrate component comprising (i) a base sheet that is an integral part of the article, the base sheet having a face side and a thickness of at least 0.10 millimeters, and (ii) an adhesive layer having first and second surfaces, the second surface disposed on the face side of the base sheet; (b) providing an imageable component comprising a light transmissible, imageable film having first and second surfaces; (c) means for applying an image layer in reverse image on the second surface of the imageable film; and then (d) laminating the substrate component to the imageable component, whereby the image layer is disposed adjacent to the first surface of the adhesive layer. The lamination step can be done by any means to assemble the substrate component and the imageable component together. A typical lamination technique uses two rolls positioned close enough to one another so as to create a nip between them. The imageable component is allowed to contact one roll such that the imageable film lies next to the roll's surface and the image layer is exposed. The substrate component is allowed to contact a second roll such that the base sheet lies next to the second roll's surface and the adhesive layer is exposed as it enters the nip. Using pressure and heat, if necessary, the two components are laminated together in the nip created between the rolls so as to minimize wrinkles, air bubbles, and similar defects that detracts from the article's overall appearance. One of the major advantages of the present invention is that the components can be inventoried separately or as a kit. At the point where a particular image is desired, the imageable component is imaged and then assembled by, e.g., the lamination step described above, to the substrate component to yield an article bearing an image graphic. A kit for making an article bearing an image graphic comprises: (a) a substrate component comprising (i) a base sheet that is an integral part of the article, the base sheet having a face side and a thickness of at least 0.10 millimeters, and (ii) an adhesive layer having first and second surfaces, the second surface disposed on the face side of the base sheet; and (b) an imageable component comprising light transmissible, imageable film having first and second surfaces. The substrate component can be made so as to be capable of rolling up upon itself. In this case, the backside of the base sheet, shown as 104b in Figure 2, could have a release agent so that the adhesive layer 106 would not adhere thereto. The release agent, however, should not adversely affect the adhesion between the adhesive layer and the image layer. In a preferred embodiment, an additional liner (not shown in Figure 2) would be disposed on the first side 106a of the adhesive layer to provide protection to the adhesive layer and to allow for rolling up the substrate component. When an article bearing an image graphic is desired, an image layer is applied in reverse image to the second surface of the imageable film. An article bearing an image graphic is made by laminating the imaged imageable component to the substrate component such that that image layer is adjacent to the first surface of the adhesive layer. As a result, the image layer is embedded in the inventive article's construction. Examples The following example is provided to illustrate the embodiments and details of the invention. Although the examples serve this purpose, the particular ingredients and amounts used as well as other conditions and details are not to be construed in a manner that would unduly limit the scope of this invention. Example 1 A substrate component was made as follows. A commercially available acrylate adhesive from 3M, known as 3M™ Scotch™ Laminating Adhesive 467 MP, was supplied with first and second liners, one on each side of the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer was about 0.002 inch (about 0.05 mm). A commercially available base sheet from 3M, known as 3M™ Panaflex™ Enhanced Image 645 El Sign Facing, about 0.015 inch thick (about 0.38 mm) and having a face side, was supplied. The second liner of the adhesive layer was stripped off to expose adhesive' s the second surface. This surface was laminated to the face side of the Panaflex™ base sheet using a conventional nip roll apparatus to yield a substrate component. The apparatus essentially had a first roller positioned on top of a second roller close enough to one another so as to create a nip therebetween. The first roll exerted pressure on the second roll. Upon lamination, the second liner of the adhesive is allowed to contact a roll surface. The substrate component has, in multilayer form, the Panaflex™ base sheet, the adhesive layer, and the first liner. An imageable component was made as follows. A commercially available imageable film from 3M, known as 3M™ Clear Imaging Media 850 CP, a polyester film of about 0.004 inch (about 0.10 millimeter) thick, was supplied. The film had a first and second surface. Using a Hewlett-Packard thermal inkjet printer model Deskjet 1200C, a four-color image graphic layer was printed on the second surface of the imageable film. The image layer was printed in reverse image and covered only a portion of the imageable film. A unitary article bearing an image graphic was made by laminating the substrate component to the imageable component as follows. The first liner on the substrate component was stripped off exposing the adhesive 's first surface. This surface was laminated to the imageable component such that the image layer was adjacent to the first surface of the adhesive layer. Also, a portion of the imageable film's second surface (that portion which was not covered with an image layer) was in contact with the adhesive 's first surface. The assembled article bore a right reading image layer as seen by an observer looking at the front or imaged side of the inventive article. All documents cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Claims: What is claimed is: 1. An article bearing an image graphic, said article comprising: (a) a substrate component comprising (i) a base sheet that is an integral part of said article, said base sheet having a face side and a thickness of at least 0.10 millimeters, and (ii) an adhesive layer having first and second surfaces, said second surface disposed on said face side of said base sheet; and (b) an imageable component comprising (i) a light transmissible, imageable film having first and second surfaces, and (ii) an image layer disposed in reverse image on said second surface of said imageable film, wherein said imageable component is disposed on said substrate component such that said image layer lies adjacent to said first surface of said adhesive layer. 2. The article of claim 1, wherein said imageable component further comprises a light transmissible protective coating disposed on said first surface of said imageable film. 3. The article of claim 1, wherein said imageable film is selected from the group consisting of image receptive polyester, polyvinyl chloride, acrylic, polyvinylidene difluoride, polyamide, polyethylene, polycarbonate, polyacetal, polypropylene, glycol-modified polyester, cellulose butyrate, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyketone, and polymethyl methacrylate. 4. The article of claim 1, wherein said adhesive layer is selected from the group consisting of pressure sensitive adhesive and hot melt adhesive. 5. The article of claim 1, wherein said adhesive layer is light transmissible. 6. The article of claim 1 further comprising a second adhesive layer disposed opposite said face side of said base sheet. 7. The article of claim 1 applied to a surface selected from the group consisting of architectural glass, surfaces of structures, and combinations thereof. 8. The article of claim 1 wherein said base sheet is selected from the group consisting of retroreflective sheeting and polymeric film. 9. The article of claim 8 wherein said retroreflective sheeting is selected from the group consisting of microsphere-based and cube-comer based sheeting. 10. The article of claim 8 wherein said polymeric film is selected from the group consisting of nylon, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethanes, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene-acrylic acid, ethylene - methacrylic acid, ethylene-methylacrylate, ethylene propylene diene monomer terpolymer, ethylene-propylene rubber, and styrene-butadiene rubber. 11. A kit for making an article bearing an image graphic, said kit comprising: (a) a substrate component comprising (i) a base sheet that is an integral part of said article, said base sheet having a face side and a thickness of at least 0.10 millimeters and (ii) an adhesive layer having first and second surfaces, said second surface disposed on said face side of said base sheet; and (b) an imageable component comprising light transmissible, imageable film having first and second surfaces. 12. The kit of claim 11 further comprising an image layer disposed on said second surface of said imageable film. 13. The kit of claim 11, wherein said imageable component further comprises a light transmissible protective coating disposed on said first surface of said imageable film. 14. The kit of claim 11, wherein said imageable film is selected from the group consisting of image receptive polyester, polyvinyl chloride, acrylic, polyvinylidene difluoride, polyamide, polyethylene, polycarbonate, polyacetal, polypropylene, glycol-modified polyester, cellulose butyrate, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyketone, and polymethyl methacrylate. 15. The kit of claim 11, wherein said adhesive layer is selected from the group consisting of pressure sensitive adhesive and hot melt adhesive. 16. The kit of claim 11, wherein said adhesive layer is light transmissible. 17. The kit of claim 11 further comprising a second adhesive layer disposed opposite said face side of said base sheet. 18. The kit of claim 11 further comprising a liner disposed on said first side of said adhesive layer. 19. The kit of claim 11, wherein said base sheet is selected from the group consisting of retroreflective sheeting and polymeric film. 20. The kit of claim 19, wherein said retroreflective sheeting is selected from the group consisting of microsphere-based and cube-comer based sheeting. 21. The kit of claim 19, wherein said polymeric film is selected from the group consisting of nylon, polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethanes, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene-acrylic acid, ethylene- methacrylic acid, ethylene-methylacrylate, ethylene propylene diene monomer terpolymer, ethylene-propylene rubber, and styrene-butadiene rubber. 22. A method for making an article bearing an image graphic, said method comprising: (a) providing a substrate component comprising (i) a base sheet that is an integral part of said article, said base sheet having a face side and a thickness of at least 0.10 millimeters and (ii) an adhesive layer having first and second surfaces, said second surface disposed on said face side of said base sheet; (b) providing an imageable component comprising a light transmissible, imageable film having first and second surfaces; (c) means for applying an image layer in reverse image on said second surface of said imageable film; and then (c) laminating said substrate component to said imageable component, whereby said image layer is disposed adjacent to said first surface of said adhesive layer. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein said means for applying said image layer is selected from the group consisting of imaging means and solution coating means. 24. The method of claim 23 wherein said imaging means is selected from the group consisting of electrostatic printing, electrostatic transfer, off set printing, and inkjet printing. 25. The method of claim 23 wherein said solution coating means is selected from the group consisting of gravure printing, screen printing, notch bar coating, and combinations thereof.

Inventors: AELING ELLEN O, NIELSEN JOHN A, AELING, ELLEN, O., NIELSEN, JOHN, A.
Applicants: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO, 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B44C1
IPC codes: B41M1, B41M7, B44C1, G09F7, G09F13