Card – picture – or sign exhibiting – Check – label – or tag – Fastener
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-30
2001-01-30
Silbermann, Joanne (Department: 3628)
Card, picture, or sign exhibiting
Check, label, or tag
Fastener
C040S661040, C040S661110
Reexamination Certificate
active
06178680
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to an applique attachable to apparel such as T-shirts, sweaters, hats, shorts, accessories water proof materials and the like and a technique for making such applique. More specifically this invention relates to an appliques which can be affixed to a promotion card and subsequently affixed to an apparel by the end user.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Appliques for attachment to apparel, such as hats, T-shirts and other clothing, are well known in the art. These can be affixed by way of heat seals, adhesives or R.F. welded directly to apparel or sewn on. The applique can be of many types and have a three dimensional characteristic by including a puffy foam laminated between opposing vinyl layers, one of which typically bears a decorative design.
Fasteners for attaching materials to penetrable surfaces are known in the art. For example, one such fastener involves a male element having a flat segment and an elongate pin extending therefrom. A female element having a central opening with spring loaded locks enables one to capture the pin extending through the material and thus attach it to the surface. Another known fastener is made with a flat metal piece that can be stamped out from a parent sheet and is provided with laterally located stems that can be folded over to clamp to a material.
When an applique carries a self sticking (pressure-sensitive) adhesive for attachment to an apparel, the adhesive is covered by a release liner that is peeled away prior to attachment. Attaching an applique with pressure sensitive adhesive to a garment is almost always of a temporary nature. Pressure sensitive adhesives, no matter how thick or of permanent composition, will have a tendency to be peeled off a fabric surface such as a garment or they will start to lift of their own accord during use. Most pressure sensitive adhesives perform very poorly on surfaces such as water repellant nylon ( as used on back packs and tote bags).
The applique should be attachable to most types of apparel, whether these be made of nylon, polyester, or other synthetic material or cotton, wool or combinations thereof. Typically an applique affixed with a pressure sensitive adhesive to an apparel tends to have an edge lift off due to movements by the wearer or the curvature of the apparel Adhesives are attractive to the manufacturer because they are easy to include in a manufacturing process for the applique as well as render it easy for the end user to apply the applique to an apparel.
Appliques are frequently used for promotion purposes and it is, therefore, advantageous to include the applique with appropriate promotional material in a convenient and display effective manner. When the applique is to be attached with an adhesive, combining of the applique in a unique or special manner with the promotional material adds complexity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the invention to provide an applique that is convenient to manufacture, releasably attachable to a carrier card and easy to remove from the carrier and to subsequently apply by an end user to suitable apparel, in a temporary or permanent manner, whether this be a T-shirt, sweater, hat, shorts, back pack, tote bag, umbrella or the like.
This is achieved in accordance with one embodiment of the invention by forming an applique having an adhesive layer on one side covered by a release liner and with an integrated mechanical fastener system. This fastener system enables the applique to be releasably attached to a carrier card and subsequently removed from the carrier. An end user may then attach the applique to an apparel by means of the adhesive and the mechanical fastener.
The integrated fastener can be of a conventional form as described above, but preferably is formed of a type which has a stem that can penetrate an apparel and be held to it by a removable cap or be bent over to clamp the apparel on its inner side. The fastener includes a generally flattened segment which is placed between inner and outer layers of the applique with a stem extending from the flat segment through the inner layer, the adhesive layer and the overlying release liner to extend outwardly from the applique.
The stem can be used to affix the applique to a carrier such as a promotion card. In such case the portion of the stem projecting from the applique is used to pierce the card from one side, either through the card material or through previously formed die cut holes. The cap is then applied to the end of the stem extending from the other side of the card to prevent release of the applique. The card can bear such promotional printing as is needed and is made available in that form to the end user.
In an alternate fastener the stem can be used to pierce the card and then is bent over to secure the applique to the card.
The end user removes the cap from the stem and the release liner from the applique. The applique is then applied to the apparel. The stem of the fastener will penetrate through the apparel, and the adhesive on the applique will be pressed up against the apparel to hold the applique somewhat to the apparel. The cap, or multiple caps if more than one stem is employed, is then snapped onto the protruding stem on the inside of the apparel, further securing the applique to the apparel. This enables the applique to be applied to many different materials and shapes while assuring a reliable and proper attachment.
A fastener can be used with which releasable attachment to an apparel can be made in a safe and reliable manner. This involves a male element having a flat segment and a specially shaped stem and a cap having a complementary shaped female receptacle. The stem has a piercing end and a laterally protruding edge that can move past a corresponding edge in the receptacle. In this manner the stem can be releasably captured inside the receptacle while the end of the stem is either covered by or recessed within the cap. By utilizing a releasable fastener, and knowing that pressure sensitive adhesives do not hold on clothing with a high degree of permanence, the applique can be easily removed from a garment and re-attached to another surface. Should the end user required an applique as a permanent attachment, then a permanent stem and cap fastener can be used.
It is, therefore, another object of the invention to provide an applique that is convenient to manufacture, ship to end users and then attach to an apparel in a secure manner.
These and other advantages and objects of the invention can be understood from the following description of several embodiments as shown in the drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 508149 (1893-11-01), Schumm
patent: 791912 (1905-06-01), Jackson
patent: 1805937 (1931-05-01), Berge
patent: 2146047 (1939-02-01), Bangs
patent: 2296373 (1942-09-01), Wax et al.
patent: 3408105 (1968-10-01), Portell
patent: 3449802 (1969-06-01), Mackey
patent: 5802754 (1998-09-01), Watanabe
patent: 0047697 (1982-03-01), None
Printmark Industries Inc.
Silbermann Joanne
St. Onge Steward Johnston & Reens LLC
LandOfFree
Applique for apparel and method for making the applique does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Applique for apparel and method for making the applique, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Applique for apparel and method for making the applique will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2552221