Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US7632371?dq=552685
Timestamp: 2017-04-25 08:42:32
Document Index: 130901243

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', 'Application No. 01998050', 'Application No. 2001280771', 'Application No. 2002249810', 'Application No. 2', 'Application No. 2', 'Application No. 2001280771', 'Application No. 01821885', 'Application No. 01998050', 'Application No. 01998050', 'Application No. 2002', 'Application No. 2002', 'Application No. 2003', 'Application No. 2003', 'Application No. 2003', 'Application No. 01814634', 'Application No. 2', 'Application No. 01814634', 'Application No. 01814634']

Patent US7632371 - Flocked transfer and article of manufacture including the application of the ... - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsA flocked transfer is produced by applying a release agent to a release sheet, and then applying the flocking to a release agent. Unlike the traditional method, a binder and thermoplastic hot melt film is applied to the back of the flock. The transfer, which is essentially release sheet, is then applied...http://www.google.com/patents/US7632371?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7632371 - Flocked transfer and article of manufacture including the application of the transfer by thermoplastic polymer filmAdvanced Patent SearchTry the new Google Patents, with machine-classified Google Scholar results, and Japanese and South Korean patents.Publication numberUS7632371 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 11/876,524Publication dateDec 15, 2009Filing dateOct 22, 2007Priority dateJul 24, 2000Fee statusPaidAlso published asCN1264612C, CN1486223A, DE60136850D1, EP1351779A1, EP1351779A4, EP1351779B1, US7364782, US20020009571, US20080113144, US20100092719, WO2002058854A1Publication number11876524, 876524, US 7632371 B2, US 7632371B2, US-B2-7632371, US7632371 B2, US7632371B2InventorsLouis Brown AbramsOriginal AssigneeHigh Voltage Graphics, Inc.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (103), Non-Patent Citations (100), Referenced by (8), Classifications (42), Legal Events (2) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetFlocked transfer and article of manufacture including the application of the transfer by thermoplastic polymer film
US 7632371 B2Abstract
A flocked transfer is produced by applying a release agent to a release sheet, and then applying the flocking to a release agent. Unlike the traditional method, a binder and thermoplastic hot melt film is applied to the back of the flock. The transfer, which is essentially release sheet, is then applied to a substrate, such as item of clothing, a rubber pad, etc., by positioning a sheet of thermoplastic hot melt film on the substrate; placing the transfer on the hot melt with the flock in contact with the hot melt film, and applying heat and pressure. The heat melts the thermoplastic hot melt film to bind the flock to the substrate and binds the flocking together. This method reduces the cost involved in producing flocked articles, especially for articles produced on a continuous basis.
(a) providing a flocked release sheet, comprising flock fibers, a release sheet, a release adhesive adhered to the release sheet, and a plurality of flock fibers, with the flock fibers being adhered to the release sheet by the release adhesive;
(b) thereafter contacting the flock fibers with a pre-formed, solid, and self-supporting dual laminated film having first and second portions, with the flock fibers being substantially perpendicular to an adjacent surface of the pre-formed, solid, and self-supporting dual laminated film and the flock fibers being positioned between the release sheet and release adhesive one hand and the pre-formed, solid, and self-supporting dual laminated film on the other, wherein the flock fibers are positioned on the first portion; and
(c) while the flocked release sheet is in contact with the pre-formed, solid, and self-supporting dual laminated film, heating and applying pressure to the pre-formed, solid, and self-supporting dual laminated film to soften at least the first portion and adhere the pre-formed, solid, and self-supporting dual laminated film to the flock fibers and form an article of manufacture.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second portions have differing chemical compositions.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first portion comprises a polyester and the second portion comprises at least one of a polyethylene and ethylene vinyl acetate.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second portions have differing properties.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first and second portions have differing melting points.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the second portion is in contact with a substrate and wherein the first portion has a higher melting point than the second portion.
7. The method of claim 4, wherein the first and second portions have differing viscosities.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first portion is in contact with the flock fibers and wherein the second portion is in contact with a substrate and wherein the first portion has a higher viscosity than the second portion.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first portion comprises a polyester and wherein at least most of the flock is in direct contact with the first portion.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the ends of the flock fibers are embedded in the first portion.
(b) thereafter contacting the flock fibers with a pre-formed, solid, and self-supporting thermoplastic adhesive film, the pre-formed, solid, and self-supporting thermoplastic adhesive film having first and second portions, the first portion being in contact with the flock fibers, wherein the first and second portions have at least one different property; and
(c) while the flocked release sheet is in contact with the pre-formed, solid, and self-supporting thermoplastic adhesive film, heating and applying pressure to the pre-formed, solid, and self-supporting thermoplastic adhesive film to embed the flock fibers in the first portion and to adhere the pre-formed, solid, and self-supporting thermoplastic adhesive film to the flock fibers and form an article of manufacture.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the pre-formed, solid, and self-supporting thermoplastic adhesive film is a dual laminated film.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein the different property is chemical composition.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first portion comprises a polyester and the second portion comprises at least one of a polyethylene and ethylene vinyl acetate.
15. The method of claim 11, wherein the first and second portions have differing melting points.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first portion has a higher melting point than the second portion.
17. The method of claim 11, wherein the first and second portions have differing viscosities.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first portion has a higher viscosity than the second portion.
19. A method of producing a flocked transfer comprising:
(a) supplying a flocked release sheet comprising flock fibers, a release sheet, and a release adhesive adhering the flock fibers to the release sheet;
(b) supplying a pre-formed, solid, and self-supporting dual laminated adhesive sheet having first and second portions, wherein the first and second portions have different chemical compositions;
(c) thereafter contacting the flocked release sheet with the first portion;
(d) while the first portion is in contact with flocked release sheet, heating and applying pressure to the pre-formed, solid, and self-supporting dual laminated adhesive sheet to soften at least the first portion and embed the flock fibers into the pre-formed, solid, and self-supporting dual laminated adhesive sheet, thereby providing a flock transfer comprising the flocked release sheet and pre-formed, solid, and self-supporting dual laminated adhesive sheet.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the pre-formed, solid, and self-supporting dual laminated adhesive sheet is a thermoplastic adhesive.
21. The method of claim 19, wherein the first portion comprises a polyester and the second portion comprises at least one of a polyethylene and ethylene vinyl acetate.
22. The method of claim 19, wherein at least one of the following is true:
(i) the first and second portions have differing melting points; and
(ii) the first and second portion have differing viscosities.
23. The method of claim 19, wherein at least one of the following is true:
(i) the first portion has a higher melting point than the second portion; and
(ii) the first portion has a higher viscosity than the second portion.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein (i) is true.
25. The method of claim 23, wherein (ii) is true.
26. The method of claim 23, wherein both (i) and (ii) are true.
27. The method of claim 19, wherein the second portion is in contact with a substrate.
28. The method of claim 19, wherein the pre-formed, solid, and self-supporting dual laminated adhesive sheet has a substantially uniform thickness.
29. The method of claim 19, wherein there is no binder adhesive in contact with the pre-formed, solid, and self-supporting dual laminated adhesive sheet and wherein the heating and applying pressure steps are preformed substantially in the absence of a binder adhesive positioned between the pre-formed, solid, and self-supporting dual laminated adhesive sheet and the flock.
30. The method of claim 19, wherein at least most of the flock is in direct contact with the first portion.
The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/455,575, filed Jun. 4, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,381,284 of the same title, which is a divisional patent application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/735,721, filed Dec. 13, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,364,782 of the same title, which is a continuation-in-part patent application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/621,830, filed Jul. 24, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,344,769 entitled “FLOCKED TRANSFER AND ARTICLE OF MANUFACTURE INCLUDING THE FLOCKED TRANSFER”, each of which is incorporated in its entirety by this reference.
In my co-pending application, I have described the usage of a thermoset film in lieu of the bond and powder for adhesion, which film, when subject to heat, adheres to the substrate, functions as an adherent for the flock. This current invention adds further enhancements to this process, by allowing the application and usage of a thermoplastic film, for adherence of the flock transfer.
To form an article of manufacture with the flocked transfer, a hot melt film (in the form of a sheet are cut to shape) is positioned on the substrate to which the transfer is to be applied. The hot melt is preferably a blank or blank film, but can be any thermoplastic type of polymer film. The flock with the release adhesive and the release sheet (i.e., the transfer) is then placed on the sheet of hot melt film with the release sheet up, so that the flocking is in contact with the hot melt film. Heat is then applied to the transfer. The heat melts the hot melt film, and secures the flock to the substrate. Because the film is thermoplastic, even if it is subsequently subjected to heat, below a particular temperature, it will not remelt, nor become tacky, and hence, there is no risk of the fibers becoming matted down in any of this type of adhesive, which would otherwise ruin the plush pile effect. It is known that there is a enhanced adhesion with thermoplastic materials, because the thermoplastic materials will cross-attach, and thereby adhere the flock fibers to it, which may become chemically attached thereto. Through the usage of this invention, the finished flock surface is more plush, soft, because more of the fiber is exposed and extends upwardly out of the adhesive, than with the screen-printed latex, as currently used. Also, this affords better soil release during washing or cleaning because less fiber/adhesive entanglement occurs with the flock, during application.
In addition, it is possible to use a two-part thermoplastic type of film, such as commonly available in the industry, having different properties on each side in terms of, for example, melting point, and viscosity of structure. In this way, one can use a higher melting point holt melt film, of thermoplastic material, on the side that attaches to the flock fibers, so that the transfer is initially put together with higher heat in order to set the fibers in place, and then subsequently during application of the transfer to a textile, it may be done at a lower temperature to activate the hot melt on the substrate side while not hot enough to remelt the film holding the flock in place. Also, the hot melt holding the flock can be a very high viscosity, that is, it will not flow much when melted, in order to keep the fibers in place and not mat them together, while the film on the substrate side could be a lower viscosity type of film, that will readily flow so it will penetrate and establish a good mechanical adhesion of the transfer or grid to any substrate upon which the transfer is applied.
Thus, it is an object of this invention to provide for the development of a flock, that may be temporarily adhered onto a release film carrier, fabricated of a thermoplastic film. And, it is a further object that the hold melt film may be used as an intermediate layer, to attach the fibers to the substrate, when developing the transfer initially.
Corresponding reference numerals will be used throughout the several views of the drawings.
A prior art flock transfer 101 is shown in FIG. 1. As is known, such transfers include a dimensionally stable release sheet 103, to which a conventional flock transfer release adhesive 105 is applied in a pattern which corresponds to the overall image to be flocked. The flock 107 is then electrostatically coated to the release adhesive 105. A binder adhesive 109 is applied to the exposed ends of the flock to bind the flock together as a unit. Lastly, a hot melt adhesive 111 is applied. The transfer is then allowed to dry. The transfer is applied to a substrate, as is known, by positioning the transfer on a substrate, such as a shirt, coat, or other item of clothing, with the hot melt adhesive in contact with the substrate, and applying to the transfer. The heat activates the hot melt adhesive to adhere the transfer to the substrate. This process is described in my prior patent U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,549, as well as in my co-pending application, Ser. No. 09/548,839, filed Apr. 13, 2000, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
An article of manufacture, such as an item of clothing having a transfer 1 applied thereto, or a mouse pad, coaster, or any other numerous items having a flocked surface, can be manufactured in accordance with this invention and is easily produced using the transfer 1. Referring to FIGS. 2-5, the article of manufacture 11 is produced by positioning a hot melt sheet 13, between a substrate 15 and the flocked release sheet. The hot melt sheet is, for example, a sheet of thermoplastic polymer, comprising polyesters, and which is available from Bostik. The hot melt sheet can also be made from a thermoplastic polyurethane. Any other thermoplastic film should also work well. The substrate 15 can be item of clothing, a rubber pad (as for example, for producing a mouse pad or coaster), etc. The hot melt sheet can be precut to correspond to the shape of the transfer. The transfer 1 is then positioned on the hot melt sheet with the flock 7 against the hot melt sheet 13. Heat is applied to the transfer through the release sheet to activate the hot melt sheet. The hot melt sheet then acts to both bind the flock 7 together and to generally permanently adhere the flock 7 to the substrate 15. Preferably, to assemble the article, the flocked release sheet, the thermoplastic film, and the substrate are brought together and passed through a heat laminating press where the three parts are subject to a temperature of about 300° F. to 350° F. (generally in excess of 150° C.) and pressure (about 40-50 psi) for about 30 seconds. It has been found that a medium-to-firm pressure has been most advantageous in providing for assembly of this type of plush flocked transfer. The pressure and heat will cause the hot melt to adhere to the flock and the substrate. Additionally, the hot melt film will physically adhere or cure, to give a strong attachment of the flock to the substrate.
The basic premise of this application in utilizing a thermoplastic film which will semi-cure, after heat has been used to apply the transfer to a substrate, is that after heat application, if the temperature of the transfer does not rise to a particular heat level, it should not remelt again. In other words, the object is to use a hot melt film which has a melting point significantly high enough, so that when the transfer is applied through heat, it will adhere to the substrate, but that when the transfer and the substrate to which it is applied is not exposed to excessive heat, it will not remelt, even through the polymer film is thermoplastic, and for all practical purposes, in actual usage, the film will not remelt since it does not see those high temperatures again. In other words, if the melting point of the thermoplastic film is 350° F., and the top temperature that the flocked finished product will encounter, for example sunlight in a hot car, is only 250° F., then there is not a problem associated with the fact that the film is a thermoplastic and therefore can theoretically melt again, but only if it encounters those excessive temperatures.
Articles, such as mouse pads or coasters, in which the entire top surface of the article is covered with the flocking can be produced on a continuous basis, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Rolls 21, 23 and 25, of the flocked release sheet 1, the thermoplastic hot melt film 13, and the substrate 15, are provided. The three parts are brought together at a lamination station 33. Rollers can be provided in front of the station 33 so that the three elements are adjacent each other as they enter the lamination station. In the lamination station, heat and pressure are applied to the three sheets (the flocked release sheet, the hot melt film, and the substrate) to melt the hot melt film. The melted hot melt film will then cure or cross-link, as noted above, to adhere the flock to the substrate. A web 35 exits the laminating station. The web 35 is then allowed to cool. The web 35 is ultimately directed to a cutting station where it is cut into individual articles. Once the web 35 is cooled, it can be directed immediately to a cutting station (after the sheet 35 cools), or it can be wound up on an uptake roller to be cut into individual articles at a later time, or at a different location. At the cutting station, the release sheet is removed from the flock and gathered on a take-up roll or is otherwise disposed of. After the release sheet has been removed from the flock, the substrate with flock adhered thereto is cut to form the articles 11. It is also likely that one could remove the release liner either before or after the die cutting procedure. As shown in FIG. 3, a fringe material 50 can be applied to peripheral edges of the flocked release sheet 1 or substrate 15 during this manufacturing process.
Another one of the advantages of utilization of thermoplastics, in the fabrication of flocked transfers, is that the binder adhesives previously used in the flocking process, typically contain an acrylic, or other materials, which may be flammable. Thermoplastics avoid that predicament. Furthermore, the thermoplastic type binder exhibits wash fastness, and will hold the flock in place even during severe washing conditions. Furthermore, thermoplastic films exhibit better elasticity, than can be obtained from the thermoset or other binder hot melt systems now in use. In addition, the use of the film provides a thinner profile for the finished product, providing a less bulky type of flock transfer, both visually and structural wise, when applied to a garment or other textiles. For example, flock transfers made in accordance with this invention can even be used upon sheer garment textiles. The usage of the thermoplastic film of this invention, avoids the necessity for application of binders, as previously used, and which contain formaldehyde or other undesired chemicals, as used in previous adhesives to achieve cross linking for flocking purposes in the prior art. There are other miscellaneous film properties that are enhanced through the usage of thermoplastic films, versus the usage of the binder-hot melt powder combination, because there are films that have performance characteristics that cannot be obtained nor are they available for the binder-powder systems. For example, adhesions to leather, or other tough-to-stick-to-surfaces, that exhibit greater tensile strength, such as stretching that will not split, can be better accommodated through the usage of thermoplastic film.
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No. 29/058,551, filed Aug. 19, 1996, Abrams.* Cited by examinerReferenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS8168262Jun 14, 2010May 1, 2012High Voltage Graphics, Inc.Flocked elastomeric articlesUS9012005Feb 16, 2010Apr 21, 2015High Voltage Graphics, Inc.Flocked stretchable design or transfer including thermoplastic film and method for making the sameUS9051014Feb 9, 2012Jun 9, 2015Great Dane Limited PartnershipThermal-insulated wall and linerUS9175436Mar 11, 2011Nov 3, 2015High Voltage Graphics, Inc.Flocked articles having a resistance to splitting and methods for making the sameUS9180728Jun 20, 2011Nov 10, 2015High Voltage Graphics, Inc.Dimensional, patterned heat applied applique or transfer made from knit textileUS9180729Jun 20, 2011Nov 10, 2015High Voltage Graphics, Inc.Heat applied appliqué or transfer with enhanced elastomeric functionalityUS9193214Oct 14, 2013Nov 24, 2015High Voltage Graphics, Inc.Flexible heat sealable decorative articles and method for making the sameUSRE45802Sep 21, 2012Nov 17, 2015High Voltage Graphics, Inc.Flocked articles having noncompatible insert and porous filmClassifications U.S. Classification156/155, 156/250, 156/230, 156/247, 156/238, 156/240International ClassificationB29C65/02, B29L7/00, B44C1/165, B44C1/17, B29C65/40, B05D1/14, B32B7/06, B32B38/00, D06Q1/14, D04H11/00, B32B37/04, B32B37/16, B29L9/00Cooperative ClassificationY10T428/23993, Y10T428/23943, Y10T428/23914, Y10T428/23929, Y10T156/1052, Y10S428/914, D04H11/00, B32B37/04, B32B37/025, B44C1/1725, B44C1/172, B44C1/1712, B44C1/1716, B32B2037/1223, D06Q1/14European ClassificationB44C1/17F6, D04H11/00, B44C1/17F4, B32B37/02B, D06Q1/14, B32B37/04, B44C1/17F2, B44C1/17FLegal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionJun 26, 2013FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Jun 26, 2013SULPSurcharge for late paymentRotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services