Stock material or miscellaneous articles – Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or... – Physical dimension specified
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-18
2001-03-20
Hess, Bruce H. (Department: 1774)
Stock material or miscellaneous articles
Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or...
Physical dimension specified
C428S195100, C428S913000, C428S914000, C428S343000, C428S334000, C428S335000, C428S336000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06203896
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an image transfer sheet and method for transferring patterns, designs, photograph, and other images of an original via transfer paper onto metal, glass, ceramics, plastics, leather or other similar materials by means of an electrostatic process copying machine, electrostatic printer, hot-melt printer or sublimation printer. More specifically, this invention relates to such a method that is enhanced in its precision and definition, and also provided with facility in performing the transferring.
2. Description of the Related Art
A variety of methods have been proposed to transfer images of an original to metal, glass, ceramics, plastics and other materials, including screen process printing that is most widely adopted. These printing methods, however, fall short in cost effectiveness, especially when transferring a small number of images because they require an expensive, dedicated original for the transferring. Moreover, the plate making process for the original is time consuming, thus prolonging the overall process time to obtain the final product.
In order to solve the described shortcoming, a system was developed which, by employing copying machines or various types of printers, is able to perform image transfer inexpensively and in an expedited manner. This system utilizes a heat transfer sheet having a support layer and a thermal adhesive layer, instead of conventional sheets for use with copying machines or printers. According to this system, the image of the original is transferred to the surface of the heat transfer sheet. Then, a target body for the image is brought into contact with the surface of the heat transfer sheet. The target body and the heat transfer sheet are heated and press-bonded to each other, thereby transferring the image from the heat transfer sheet to the target body, together with the thermal adhesive layer.
Because the described system utilizes a special heat pressing machine in press-bonding the heat transfer sheet to the target body, it does not meet general purposes. Besides, the productivity of this system is poor. Further, the molding shape of the heat pressing machine limits the outer profile of the target body to which the image will be transferred.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An objective of the present invention is to provide an image transfer sheet and method for readily and inexpensively transferring the image of the original to a target body of various configurations without using special heat pressing machine.
In order to attain the stated objective, the image transfer sheet according to one aspect of the present invention includes a support base and synthetic resin layer detachably bound thereon. The synthetic resin layer has adhesive properties to adhere to a target body made of hard material, such as metal, glass, ceramics, leather, plastics, or similar materials. The synthetic resin layer is capable of binding with the toner of electrostatic process copying machine or electrostatic printer, and is of a thickness in the range of 10 to 500 ,m.
In another aspect of the invention, a water-soluble resin layer is interposed between the support base and the synthetic resin layer, such that when the image transfer sheet is immersed in water, the water-soluble resin layer is dissolved to release more easily the support base from the synthetic resin layer.
In still another aspect of the invention, the described synthetic resin layer that is detachably bound to the support base is a lamination of a first resin layer and a second resin layer, in which the first resin layer can adhere to the target body, and the second resin layer, laminated on the first resin layer, is capable of binding with the toner of electrostatic process copying machine or electrostatic printer. With such a double-layered construction, the synthetic resin layer has increased adhesion to the target body and more secure binding to the toner.
In still further aspect of the invention, the image transfer sheet further includes a water-soluble resin layer that is interposed between the support base and the first resin layer, such that when the image transfer sheet is immersed in water, the water-soluble resin layer is dissolved to readily release the image transfer sheet from the support base.
In still another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for transferring an image to a target body. The method includes the step of preparing an image transfer sheet having a support base and a synthetic resin layer of 10 to 500 &mgr;m thickness detachably bound thereon. The synthetic resin layer has the adhesive properties to adhere to the target body which can be made of metal, glass, ceramics, leather, plastics, or similar materials, and is capable of binding the toner of electrostatic process copying machine and electrostatic printer. The method also includes the steps of feeding the image transfer sheet into an electrostatic process copying machine or electrostatic printer; transferring a given image onto the image transfer sheet; binding the toner of electrostatic process copying machine or electrostatic printer on the synthetic resin layer, thereby forming an image transfer layer which is the synthetic resin layer and the toner bound to the synthetic resin layer; releasing the image transfer layer from the support base; applying the released image transfer layer to the target body; and drying or heating the target body, with the image transfer layer thereon, to fixate the image transfer layer on the target body.
In still further aspect of the invention, the method described above further includes the steps of interposing a water-soluble resin layer between the support base and the synthetic resin layer, transferring an image to the synthetic resin layer of the image transfer sheet by means of an electrostatic process copying machine or electrostatic printer; and immersing the image transfer sheet in water to dissolve the water-soluble resin layer and thereby release the image transfer layer from the support base.
In still further aspect of the invention, the method described above further includes the step of preparing a synthetic resin layer comprised of a first resin layer and a second resin layer laminated together, in which the first resin layer is adhesive to the target body, and the second resin layer is capable of binding with the toner of electrostatic process copying machine or electrostatic printer. The method also includes the steps of transferring an image onto the second resin layer by means of an electrostatic process copying machine or electrostatic printer; and releasing the first resin layer, together with the second resin layer, from the support base.
In still another aspect of the invention, the method described above includes the steps of interposing a water-soluble resin layer between the support base and the first resin layer; transferring an image onto the second resin layer by means of an electrostatic process copying machine or electrostatic printer; and immersing the image transfer sheet in water to dissolve the water-soluble resin layer and thereby release the image transfer layer from the support base.
The above description summarizes the invention. The specific details as to how the invention is constructed and operates will become apparent upon review of the following description which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Hess Bruce H.
Marks David L.
Maryland China Company
Shewareged B.
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