Patent GB-1433192-A (GB)
Title: Decorative laminated sttructures
IPC: B44C3/02
Filed: 1973-04-24
Abstract: 1433192 Laminates DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO Ltd 24 April 1973 [20 April 1972 27 May 1972] 19320/73 Heading B5N A decorative laminated structure comprises a base, a sheet made from a heat-shrinkable resin, and a composite pattern consisting of one or more layers applied thereto, the composite pattern comprising a first pattern of a heatsensitive ink composition contacting the resin sheet and containing a heat-absorbing colouring agent and a second pattern comprising the parts of the composite pattern not covered by the heat-sensitive composition of the first pattern, of a heat insensitive ink composition, the portions of the heat shrinkable resin sheet covered by the first pattern having been shrunk to form recesses in a surface thereof, at least some of the recesses forming holes through the heat shrinkable resin sheet. The heat shrinkable resin sheet may be formed of polyvinyl or polyvinylidene chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyamide, polystyrene, polycarbonate or polyvinyl alcohol and is preferably bi- or uniaxially stretched. The base may be of paper, regenerated cellulose, cellulose diacetate, triacetate or acetate butylate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl or polyvinylidene chloride, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyamide, polyester, metal, wood, plywood or rubber and may itself be a laminate. The heatsensitive ink composition may be a known ink or paint composition comprising as vehicle a drying oil, a synthetic resin, a modified resin or a natural or synthetic rubber, e.g. a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl chloride, polyamide or polyester. The heat-sensitive ink composition may be a known ink or paint composition containing a black or dark colouring agent or containing a heat absorbent. In a preferred embodiment, the heat shrinkable resin sheet may carry on its surface a coating, e.g. of an alkyd resin, a butylated aminoaldehyde resin, a phenolic resin, a vinyl resin, an acrylic resin, an epoxy resin, a polyurethane, a polybutyral, nitrocellulose, acetyl cellulose, acetylbutyl cellulose or rubber, optionally admixed with a filler, e.g. alumina, titanium dioxide, gypsum, silica, calcium carbonate, barium sulphate or clay to regulate the glass or lustre of the structure or to protect the surface thereof, the coating being applied by roll, gravure, bar, flow, dip or spray coating; alternatively, a protective layer of a resin, e.g. polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polyvinylidene chloride, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyvinyl alcohol or polyamide may be applied by adhesion or fusion lamination. The and the heat shrinkable sheet may be adhesively bonded, specified adhesives being a vinyl chloride/vinyl acetate copolymer, an ethylene/ vinyl acetate copolymer or a polyester. The derivative laminated structure may be made by irradiating with infra-red or near infra-radiation, a laminated structure comprising a base and a sheet of heat shrinkable resin on which is applied a first pattern of heat-absorbing areas to shrink the areas of the resin covered thereby, the irradiation dosage and the heat absorbing properties of the first pattern being such that at least some of the recesses are in the form of holes through the resin sheet, the second pattern of heat-insensitive ink composition being applied before or after the irradiation. In preferred procedures described: (a) a composite pattern of both first and second patterns is formed on heat shrinkable sheet or the base prior to lamination and irradiation; (b) the resin sheet and the base are laminated, the pattern of heat-insensitive ink composition is formed on the free surface of the sheet or of the base, the other pattern is applied to the sheet and irradiation effected; and (c) the heat-sensitive ink composition pattern is formed on the sheet or base prior to lamination, the other pattern being applied after irradiation. The decorative laminated structure of the invention may be heat set by heating whilst the peripheral edges thereof are held fixed.