Patent GB-661171-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to decorative sheet-like articles and process and apparatus for making same
Inventor: CHAVANNES MARC A
IPC: B29C41/28
Filed: 1947-10-14
Abstract: <PICT:0661171/IV (a)/1> <PICT:0661171/IV (a)/2> A flexible, decorative, continuous sheet or web is obtained by applying a layer of fluid film-forming substance of one colour to only the high points of an embossed supporting surface, applying over the deposited layer and over the exposed areas of the supporting surface at least one layer of a film-forming substance of a different colour so as to form a main film, drying, and stripping the film from the supporting surface.  The process may be carried out in a continuous manner.  A re-inforcing layer of fabric or plastic sheet material may be applied to the film while it is still on the supporting surface and while it is still in a tacky condition; the drying is then completed and the dried film with its adherent re-inforcing layer is stripped from the supporting surface.  Films with small or large coloured patterns in relief and intaglio may be obtained.  A film may be produced which has substantial variations in thickness, and swelling agents may be applied to the surface opposite to that bearing the coloured design so that undulations are formed in the areas of greater thickness. The film may be transparent so that any decorative design on the re-inforcing sheet, if present, may be seen through the film.  The film may exhibit a reptile-skin effect, a pebble-grained effect, or fabric-like appearance, or it may bear geometrical designs, or lettering.  As shown in Fig. 3, the supporting surface is formed by a continuously advancing flexible web or belt 12 of paper, metal, or other substance.  If a paper web is used it is preferably provided with a smooth coating of synthetic resin, shellac, gum, cellulose nitrate, casein, rubber, or other substance.  The supporting web or belt may be embossed before or after assembly.  As shown, the carrier web 12 is embossed by passage through the nip of rollers 14, 15, which carry the desired design in relief and intaglio.  The carrier 12 passes between rollers 16, 21 where a coloured film-forming composition is applied by roller 16 to the high points of the embossed carrier only.  This composition may be a solution, dispersion, emulsion, or organosol of a resin, e.g. a copolymer of vinyl acetate and vinyl chloride.  It may contain a plasticizer such as dioctyl phthalate, a solvent such as methyl ethyl ketone, and as colouring matter a pigment such as titanium dioxide.  After passing through drying-oven 22, the carrier 12 and the design layer are coated with a film-forming dispersion of a colour different from that of the first composition.  The second composition may be a dispersion of a vinyl acetate-chloride copolymer with a plasticizer, hydrocarbon diluents, and a pigment such as carbon black.  For a second coating, the carrier 12 passes between rolls 23, 27, the roll 23 applying a thin layer of the composition as its surface is wiped across the surface of the carrier.  The carrier may then pass through a drying-oven 28 and a further layer of film-forming composition may be applied, e.g. by roller 29.  While this layer is still wet a layer of fabric from roll 34 is brought into contact with it at the nip of rolls 35, 36.  The carrier, with its various layers, is then passed through oven 37, with drying and fusing sections 37a, 37b.  The completed article is stripped at rolls 38, 39, and wound on reel 40, the carrier being wound on reel 41.  Fig. 6 shows an alternative manner of applying a reinforcing fabric to the film.  The film 10 on carrier 12 and the fabric 11 from roll 34 are passed around a heated roller 44 and are pressed together by the belt 42 which also passes round roller 44.  Specification 650,784 is referred to.