Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture – Methods – Surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-15
2001-07-03
Yao, Sam Chuan (Department: 1733)
Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture
Methods
Surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
C156S239000, C156S241000, C156S247000, C156S252000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06254711
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to graphic or informational articles that may be applied to a surface of a translucent or substantially clear substrate so that the image may be viewed through the substrate. More particularly, the present invention relates to an indoor advertising system or kit. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to graphic articles that include two components. The first component is a substantially clear, perforated imageable film layer with a perforated adhesive layer on a surface thereof The second component is a non-perforated colorant transfer component that includes a removable carrier film with at least one color layer on a surface thereof.
The present invention further includes a process for making the graphic articles. In the process of the present invention, an image layer is formed on a first major surface of a substantially clear, perforated imageable film layer. A colorant transfer component with at least one colored layer is laminated to the imageable film layer such that the at least one colored layer is adhered to the unperforated areas of the image layer. The colorant adheres to the unperforated areas of the image layer without significant bridging across the perforated areas of the image layer.
When the graphic articles of the present invention are mounted on a substrate, an observer on one side of the substrate may view an image or a message through the substrate. An observer on the opposite side of the substrate enjoys a substantially unobstructed view through the image and the substrate.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Advertisers and merchants desire the ability to display graphic and/or informational images on a wide variety of surfaces. In recent years, transparent surfaces such as, windows, walls, and the like, have attracted a great deal of attention as substrates for advertising media. If a graphic image is applied to a transparent substrate, it is desirable that the image be visible when viewed from one side of the window while leaving the window and image substantially transparent when viewed from the other side of the window. Thus, for example, if the image is to be mounted on a window of a vehicle, such as a bus or taxicab, it is desired that passengers be able to see clearly through the window, while pedestrians outside of the vehicle see the graphic image.
Graphic articles achieving the effect typically are multi-layer film constructions with an opaque (light colored, usually white) film adapted to receive an image on one surface and a light absorbing (dark, usually black) film or ink applied to the opposite surface. A pressure sensitive adhesive and removable backing, or carrier, material is applied to the dark film or ink which allows the printed graphic to be handled and applied to a window.
Numerous perforations through the film layers create an optical illusion of “transparency” through the graphic article. The perforations are sized and spaced such that, when observed from the imaged side, a viewer has a tendency to focus on the image. However, when observed from the relatively darker side, the viewer has a tendency to see through the graphic article, leaving the window unobstructed. In addition, it is well known that windows appear dark or opaque when viewed from an area of relatively bright ambient light into a relatively darker area. When viewed from an area of relatively dark ambient light into a relatively brighter area, the windows appear transparent. The unidirectional effect of the graphic article is enhanced by this effect, which allows viewers in relatively darker areas, such as the interiors of vehicles and buildings, to see through the unidirectional graphic article, while viewers in relatively brighter ambient light will see the printed graphic.
Parties other than the film manufacturer typically image unidirectional graphic articles of the type described above. Since the film cannot be imaged through the adhesive and backing material, the image and backing material must be applied to the light side of the film. The graphic articles are then mounted on a window so that the imaged surface may be viewed directly and the dark surface may be viewed through the glass (referred to as a “first surface” application). As a result, when the window is a barrier between the indoors and the outdoors, the unidirectional film must be applied to the exterior of the window with the imaged surface exposed to the outside environment. Unfortunately, in some applications, exposure of the imaged surface of the graphic article to the environment is not ideal since the image must be durable, resistant to ultraviolet and other ambient light, and weatherable. Additionally, dirt and other contaminants may become entrapped within the perforations of the film and adhere to the pressure sensitive adhesive against the window, reducing the service life of the graphic article. Although application of a clear, un-perforated protective layer over the imaged surface may improve service life under certain conditions, such layers are expensive and require additional process steps that may be difficult for the end-user to perform.
To avoid the problems created by exposure of the imaged surface of the graphic article to the environment, it is desirable that the image be viewable through the transparent substrate (referred to as a “second surface” application). For example, the graphic article may be applied to the interior of a window so that the image may be viewed through the window glass by observers outside a building. However, to occupants of the building, the view outward through the window glass will be relatively unobstructed. This mounting procedure allows the window glass itself to act as a protective barrier for the imaged surface of the graphic article.
WO 96/11798 illustrates in
FIG. 6C
an example of an interior mount graphic article with an image that may be viewed unidirectionally. This article includes a single transparent panel
12
with a color image layer
22
applied on a first surface. The second surface of the image layer
22
includes an adhesive layer
48
that may be protected by an optional peel-off liner layer
50
. A light absorbing (black) paint layer
24
is applied over the image layer
22
. The entire construction is perforated with through holes
42
. As shown in
FIG. 6D
of WO '798, the liner layer
50
may be removed and the perforated construction may be attached to an interior surface of a window using the adhesive layer
48
.
Unidirectional graphic articles sold by Cadillac Plastic and Chemical Co. under the trade designation Interior Mount Clear Focus Film include a transparent, perforated poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) reverse imaged on one surface. The surface of the PVC film opposite the image includes a pressure sensitive adhesive layer that may be used to mount the graphic article on an interior surface of a window. After imaging, the imaged surface of the PVC layer is screen printed (flood coated) first with an opaque layer of white ink, and next is screen printed (flood coated) with a layer of black ink. Following the flood coating steps, the graphic article may be applied to an interior surface of a window with the pressure sensitive adhesive.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,436 to Andriash illustrates in
FIG. 2
a unidirectional interior mount graphic article
14
with a retro-reflective opaque sheet
12
. The opaque sheet
12
is imaged on a first surface and includes a dark adhesive layer
15
on a second surface. A double-sided transparent transfer adhesive
13
is placed over the image surface of the sheet
12
after printing. The composite structure is then perforated with a laser. A clear laminate
19
may be adhered to the black adhesive layer
15
to seal the structure and prevent entry of dirt into the perforations. The graphic article
14
may then be mounted on an interior surface of a window with the transfer adhesive
13
.
It is well known in the signage industry that advertisers and merchants prefer graphic articles that may be prepared at a local print shop.
Bull Sally J.
Rinehart Ernest M.
Wilson Kenneth D.
3M Innovative Properties Company
Bjorkman Dale A.
Yao Sam Chuan
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