Abstract:
A decal body art method and means produces a simple adhesive bandage which has a substrate carrying a compound layer consisting of a pressure sensitive adhesive in which is dissolved an artificial tanning agent. The bandage, or its compound layer, is shaped or formed to depict a selected image. The compound layer is covered with a removable release liner. In use, the release liner is removed and discarded. The compound layer is directly adhered to the skin, whereupon a self-tanning image of a rich tan color is formed on the skin of the user.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0001]    Not applicable.  
         STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    Not applicable  
         REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX  
         [0003]    Not applicable.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    This invention relates to the field of decalcomania, or decal, body art, wherein the art of transferring an image containing a picture, pictorial matter or a design, or a composite of both, from a preformed article, can be practiced by applying and transferring the image to a selected location on the epidermis of a human being .  
           [0005]    The published application of Gueret US 2002/0192270 A1 dated Dec. 19, 2002 is believed to be the most pertinent prior art reference in that Gueret utilizes an “artificial tanning agent.” However, Gueret provides an applicator consisting of an adhesive matrix disposed between at least two layers, both of which are permanently bonded to the matrix. Moreover, Gueret requires that at least one of the layers be permeable to a liquid, for example, water or a liquid containing water and alcohol. The purpose of such permeability is to accommodate the use of a liquid activator since the artificial tanning agent is carried in an anhydrous compound and the usage of a liquid activator is necessitated with his applicator.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    An imaging article formed and shaped in a specifically selected design, or carrying a specifically selected picture or pictorial matter, takes the form of a simple adhesive bandage having a removable release liner. The liner is removed and the adhesive bandage is applied by the user to a selected location on the skin of the user. The imaging article has an impermeable substrate carrying a compound consisting of a pressure sensitive adhesive into which an artificial tanning agent such as dihydroxyacetone is dissolved. The article is adhered to the skin and remains in place a sufficient period of time to form a self-tanning image on the skin of the user corresponding to the image of, or on, the article. Such decal body art is accomplished without the use of any liquid or other activators or without the necessity of augmentation by sun or ultraviolet radiation. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
       [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 is an enlarged some-what schematic cross-sectional view of an imaging article provided in accordance with this invention.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but depicting another form of the invention with respect to the placement and formation of the image in the imaging article.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIGS. 1 and 2, but depicting yet another form of the invention with respect to the placement and formation of the image in the imaging article.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 4 is a plan view taken on the plane of  4 - 4  of FIG. 2.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIGS. 1-3, but depicting another form of the invention with respect to the details of an alternative form of substrate for the imaging article.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 6 is a plan view taken on the plane of  6 - 6  of FIG. 3.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 7 is a flow chart identifying the steps of manufacture in the production of an imaging article in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 8 is a flow chart depicting the steps followed by a user in the use and application of the imaging article of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]    Referring to the drawings, it will be noted that the end product of the present invention consists of an imaging article  10 ,  10   a,    10   b,  and  10   c,  each of which physically resembles a simple adhesive bandage consisting essentially of a unitary article having three distinct laminar parts, designated respectively in FIG. 1 at  11 ,  12  and  13  with counter-parts in FIGS. 2, 3, and  5  designated with like numerals, but with a corresponding suffix letter.  
         [0016]    First of all, an impermeable substrate is selected, for example. as shown at  11  in FIG. 1. Then secondly, there is bonded to the substrate  11  a specially formulated compound layer provided to form the center and operatively active core of the imaging article, for example, the compound layer  12  as shown in FIG. 1. Thirdly, the article  10  is completed with the provision of a removable release liner, for example, the release liner  13  as shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0017]    Since the imaging article  10  is intended for use in the practice of decal body art, it is desirable that the substrate  11  be made of an impermeable sheet-form material which will protect the user from prematurely, or accidentally, engaging the fingers or the hands of the user with the active core provided by the compound layer  12  of the imaging article  10 . In order to accomplish that objective I have found that a suitable substrate  11  can be selected from a relatively widespread class of sheet-form materials that exhibit the requisite degrees of imperviousness. Thus, the substrate  11  can be selected from a group of sheet-form elements which includes polyethylene film, polypropylene film, paper, vinyl film, woven or non-woven fabric, plastic film, and foil or metallic film. The substrate  11  must be sufficiently strong so that it will withstand handling by the user, but sufficiently thin so that it will be entirely flexible and readily conformable to the adjoining portions of the user&#39;s body, regardless of the epidermal site chosen by the user for application. Thus, in the various forms of the invention shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and  3 , the substrate  11 ,  11   a  or  11   b  is preferably in the range of thickness in the order of from about one (1) to eight (8) mil. By way of example, but not by way of limitation, I have produced satisfactory results with polypropylene film which is available at approximately 0.0030 thickness.  
         [0018]    It should be understood that the imaging article  10  can be provided with variations in the formation of the substrate  11 . For example, if it is desired to affix an image by printing, it may be desirable to employ a multi-medium substrate as depicted in FIG. 5. In that form of the invention, the substrate is identified generally for purposes of clarity at  11   c,  merely to distinguish it from the substrates  11 ,  11   a,  and  11   b.  The substrate  11   c  comprises three (3) separate layers (not to scale in FIG. 5). A first layer  17  is provided as a layer of paper particularly suitable for bearing a printed image and is placed immediately adjacent the compound layer  12   c.  A second layer  18  is provided as a layer made of polyethylene and overlies the first layer  17 . A third layer  19 , also made of paper, covers the second layer  18 . The layered construction insures the impermeability of the substrate  11   c  while accommodating printing techniques.  
         [0019]    In accordance with the principles of this invention, a specially formulated compound is provided of which the principal components constitute a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) and an artificial tanning agent. There are a number of artificial tanning agents available. However, for purposes of the present disclosure I have selected dihydroxyacetone (DHA) as a typical agent which is reliable in use and which is safe to use and is readily available.  
         [0020]    The pressure sensitive adhesive, or PSA, is an acrylic copolymer containing a vinyl acetate monomer suitable for direct contact with the skin of humans. It may be derived from one of the group of water based adhesives, viz, acrylic, vinyl, polyurethane, polyester, latex, rosin ester, and terpene adhesives.  
         [0021]    I start the mix with eighty percent (80%) proportion of the PSA. A twenty percent (20%) proportion of the DHA is slowly added under agitation. In terms of proportional limits, I have determined that it is important that the mixture of the compound includes ninety five point five percent to seventy percent (95.5% to 70%) PSA and point five percent to thirty percent (0.5% to 30%) DHA. The mixture is formed at ordinary ambient temperatures and is agitated by stirring until the DHA is thoroughly and completely dissolved with the PSA. Once this step of the process is complete, a satisfactory new compound suitable for practicing this invention has been formed.  
         [0022]    The resulting compound is then applied to one side of the substrate  11  to form the compound layer  12  in an amount sufficient to form a thickness of approximately two (2) mil, i.e., a thickness which should be in the order of from about one-half (0.5) mil to six (6) mil. This step of the manufacturing process can be accomplished via any one of a number of coating devices, viz, a coating device selected from a group comprising roll, knife, flex-graphic, silkscreen, rotogravure, and/or rod coating devices.  
         [0023]    In applying the compound layer  12  to the substrate  11 , it will be understood that this step may be executed by effecting complete coverage of the substrate surface so that a two-element sheet sub-assembly is achieved as depicted in the drawings. Minor alternative changes in the techniques of imaging, or in the provision of one or more of the layers, have been accommodated in this disclosure by describing forms of the invention in the separate figures used to describe the imaging articles  10 ,  10   a,    10   b,  and  10   c.  However, it should be understood that in each instance the basic provisions of a substrate, a compound layer and a release liner are employed.  
         [0024]    Thus, referring to FIG. 2, the imaging device  10   a  has a substrate  11   a  on which suitable blocking means have been utilized so that the compound layer  12   a  is actually configured in the shape of a selected pattern, or patterns. For example, by printing or overlaying the substrate  11   a,  or by selectively applying compound with no artificial tanning agent in the areas as shown at  15 , the compound layer  12   a  containing the DHA will provide a pattern or patterns as will be more clearly appreciated by referring to the plane view of FIG. 4 taken on line  4 - 4  of FIG. 2. On that view, the compound layer  12   a  is dispersed and spaced within the confines of the imaging article  10   a  to depict in spaced apart array, a circle, the number “1” and a bird-like figure. The remaining surface area is either empty space, or could be occupied by a physical blocking means  15 , or non-tanning agent substance. Thus, the active compound layer  12   a  and “15” is disposed between the substrate  11   a  and the release liner  13   a.    
         [0025]    In the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the imaging article  10   b  shows a blocking means  16  interposed between the compound layer  12   b  and the release liner  13   b  in which the pattern is recessed so that the active compound fills the recesses forming the pattern, or patterns. The plane view of FIG. 6 shows the active compound layer  12   b  extending into the recesses which are in the form of the circle, the numeral “1” and the bird-like figure.  
         [0026]    In accomplishing the imaging as in FIGS. 2-5, it will be understood that the partitioning or blocking means  15  or  16  can be provided, either by a separating element, or by printing, or by a neutral substance containing no active tanning agent, so long as it has sufficient thickness to ultimately control the contact of the active compound layers  12   a  or  12   b  with the skin. Thus, each of the active compound layers  12   a  and  12   b  will exhibit the requisite image in its operative surface.  
         [0027]    Following the formation of the compound layer  12 , it is then dried. When sufficiently dry, in order to place the article in condition for marketing and ultimate application by a user, a removable silicone release liner  13 ,  13   a,    13   b  or  13   c  is placed over the compound layers  12 ,  12   a - c,  respectively. The release liner  13 ,  13   a - c  may be anywhere from one (1) to fifteen (15) mil in thickness, depending on how the final form of the imaging device  10 ,  10   a - c  is employed. For example, if used in a greeting card format, the liner  13 ,  13   a - c  will be in the thicker portion of the range.  
         [0028]    Production of the product article as thus far described will produce a sheet-form article which can be placed and temporarily stock piled in roll form. The product can then be die-cut in any of many possible shapes and configurations, or the articles may, if desired be cut into smaller sheets to facilitate packaging so that the ultimate user can exercise the user&#39;s own discretion as to the characteristics of the decal body art image to be achieved.  
         [0029]    In use, no colorants, pigments or dyes are used or necessitated. The imaging article  10  is simply applied to the skin in the form of decal and can be utilized at home, and with no risk of harm to the body, or to the environment. The end user simply removes the silicone release liner  13  and applies the substrate  11  and the compound layer  12  of the imaging article  10  directly on the skin at any selected and desired locale. No activators need be used, nor are any liquids or liquid activators necessary. The release liner  13  is removed and discarded and the imaging article  10  is applied to the skin. It is retained in place adhesively so that the compound layer  12  is engaged directly in contact with the skin. It remains in place approximately four (4) hours with a full development after eight (8) to ten (10) hours. The image that appears is in the form of a deep rich tan. The tan image will remain visible for six (6) to fifteen (15) days while gradually fading away until the image is no longer visible.  
         [0030]    If utilized in sheet-form, the user may cut the imaging article  10  by hand with ordinary cutting instrument such as a scissors into any desired shape and proceed with the application of the imaging article  10  as described.  
         [0031]    While minor modifications might be suggested by those versed in the art, it should be understood that I wish to obtain within the scope of the patent warranted hereon all such modifications as reasonably and properly come within the scope of my contribution to the art.