EP0097528A2 - Absorption von Farbmustern in Kunststoffen - Google Patents

Absorption von Farbmustern in Kunststoffen Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0097528A2
EP0097528A2 EP83303573A EP83303573A EP0097528A2 EP 0097528 A2 EP0097528 A2 EP 0097528A2 EP 83303573 A EP83303573 A EP 83303573A EP 83303573 A EP83303573 A EP 83303573A EP 0097528 A2 EP0097528 A2 EP 0097528A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
dye
article
plastic
pattern
dyes
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP83303573A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0097528A3 (de
Inventor
Donald C. Worra
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
HLH Corp
Original Assignee
HLH Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by HLH Corp filed Critical HLH Corp
Publication of EP0097528A2 publication Critical patent/EP0097528A2/de
Publication of EP0097528A3 publication Critical patent/EP0097528A3/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
    • B41M5/00—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein
    • B41M5/025—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein by transferring ink from the master sheet
    • B41M5/035—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein by transferring ink from the master sheet by sublimation or volatilisation of pre-printed design, e.g. sublistatic
    • B41M5/0358—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein by transferring ink from the master sheet by sublimation or volatilisation of pre-printed design, e.g. sublistatic characterised by the mechanisms or artifacts to obtain the transfer, e.g. the heating means, the pressure means or the transport means

Definitions

  • This invention relates'to dye absorption into plastics, particularly dye absorption on, into and below plastic surfaces.
  • Dye decorating and printing on plastic surfaces has frequently been attempted with varying degrees of success.
  • Surface printing of plastic articles eg. commercial signs, is done commercially with the drawback that surface printing and decoration is subject to wear and/or chipping and fading after several weeks exposure to the weather includinq the sun.
  • Attempts have been'made to dye decorate and print plastics below the surface thereof with sublimable dyes; see for example USP 3,860,388 to Haigh (1975) and UhP 4,059,471 also to Haigh (1977), which patents relate to dye absorption into thermoplastics and thermo-set plastics.
  • sublimation dyes are printed on paper, e.g., in patterns, known as heat transfer paper.
  • the heat transfer paper is placed e.g. against drapes or wall paper and heat applied, which causes the dyes to sublime from the heat transfer paper to form clear dye patterns in the drapes or wallpaper (or other fabric).
  • the heat transfer paper adheres to the heat-softened plastic, since the heat required to sublime the dyes is often sufficient to soften the plastic surface, to the detriment of the end product.
  • the present invention provides a method for transferring a dye pattern on and below the surface of a plastic article comprising applying one or more dispersed dyes in a desired pattern to the surface of the plastic article and applying sufficient subliming energy to such article and the dyes to sublime a substantial portion of the dyes on and below the surface of the plastic article.
  • heat energy is applied to the plastic article to heat such article to sublime the dyes into the plastic as aforesaid.
  • radio frequency eneray is applied to the plastic article to heat such article sufficiently.to sublime the dyes on and below the surface of the plastic article as aforesaid.
  • the printed dye receptor is laminated or fused to a substrate or issuing extrudate during the dye sublimation process.
  • the printed dye receptor is molded during or after the dye sublimation process.
  • the invention further provides decorated plastic articles, including molded articles and webs, having a surface penetrated with dispersed dyes in a pattern.
  • sublimeq energy sufficient energy applied to the dye receptor disclosed herein, to cause such dyes to vaporize or sublime and to cause the dye receptor to become susceptible to penetration by the sublimed dyes.
  • the above prior art patents disclose a method for transferring patterns of dispersed dyes to a plastic dye receptor by interposing a separator sheet between a heat transfer paper and the dye receptor plastic web, as shown or indicated in Figures 1 and 2. Accordingly polyethelene separator sheet 12 is placed between heat transfer paper 10 and dye receptor plastic web 1 4, between the plates 16 and 18 of the press 20, as shown in Fioure 1. The press is closed to press the above sheets together, e.g. at 10 psig and temperatures of over 230° F are applied, which causes the dyes to sublime from the heat transfer paper 10 through the separator sheet 12 and on and into the receptor plastic web 14 in a clearly defined pattern.
  • the sheets are then cooled in place or transferred to a coolinq station eg. station 22, shown in Figure 2; the transfer paper 10 and the separator sheet 12 are removed from the receptor plastic web 14 and a decorated plastic with a pattern which penetrates below the surface thereof is obtained.
  • a coolinq station eg. station 22, shown in Figure 2; the transfer paper 10 and the separator sheet 12 are removed from the receptor plastic web 14 and a decorated plastic with a pattern which penetrates below the surface thereof is obtained.
  • the present invention is an improvement on the above process in that certain of the above steps are omitted and such process is speeded-up. Accordingly, the heat transfer paper is omitted and the printing plate 24, carrying a desired pattern 25 thereon, eg. a photo-image or a raised or grooved image, is coated with selected dispersable dyes (eg. by brush, pad, roller or other means known in the art) and the coated pattern 25 is lowered into direct contact with the surface of a plastic article e.g. plastic receptor sheet 26, on support member 28, as shown in Figure 3 to print the resulting dye pattern on the surface thereof. The plate 24. is then raised above the printed sheet 26.
  • a desired pattern 25 thereon eg. a photo-image or a raised or grooved image
  • additional dyes can be added to the same or a different pattern on the plate 24 and the plate can be indexed to print in the same or a different location on the sheet 26, and the plate 24 is again lowered to further print a dye pattern on the surface of the receptor sheet 26.
  • the so-printed plastic sheet 26 is then advantageously placed between a pair of inert release sheets 34 and 36, which sheets are then placed between the plates 30 and 32 of the heating press 33, as shown in Figure 4.
  • the release sheets 34 and 36 are of inert material eq., polytetrafluoroethylene known as teflon, which release sheets serve to confine the vaporized or sublimed dyes and direct them into the receptor sheet 26 for virtually complete dye transfer and absorption into the receptor sheet 26.
  • the release sheets further assist the removal of the dye absorbed receptor sheet 26 from the press 33 after such dye transfer step.
  • the press 33 is closed e.q.
  • the plastic receptor sheet 26, printed on its surface with dyes as shown and discussed above relative to Figure 3, is placed in a dielectric heater or RF press 40, which emits radio frequency waves which heat a dielectric, ie. the dye receptor sheet 26, to a dye sublimation temperature, as indicated in Fiqure 6.
  • the receptor sheet 26 is placed between a brass plate 51, above, and a Bakelite pad 53 below, which plate 51 and pad 53 are slightly larger in area than the receptor sheet 26 and the three layers are placed in the RF press 40 between the two electrodes or plates 55 and 57 of such press 40, as shown in Figure 6.
  • the lower plate 57 advantageously has a resilient pad 59 mounted thereon, as shown in Figure 6.
  • the plates are connected by conductors 61 and 63 to a power source of eg 2-90 megahertz (mHz) produced by a high frequency oscillator (not shown).
  • the brass plate 51 serves to uniformly distribute the RF waves through the receptor sheet 26 and the Bakelite pad 53 prevents the PF waves from penetrating and damaginq the lower plate 57.
  • the Bakelite pad is an inert plastic pad of eg polyethylene, ABS or other inert plastic barrier.
  • Radio frequency signals of about 2 to 90 mBz at about .1 to .5 kw/sq. in. across the area of the sheet are generated for 1 to 12 seconds, which heats up the surface of the plastic receptor sheet 26 to sufficiently heat the dyes to sublime on and below the surface of said receptor again in a clearly defined pattern, as indicated in Figure 6.
  • the so-decorated receptor sheet 26 is then either cooled in-place or transferred e.g., with a cover sheet eq of teflon (not shown) and the Bakelite pad 53, to a cooling station, eg., station 38, shown in Figure 5.
  • the plastic sheet 26 is cooled, as discussed above, to obtain the dye-absorbed plastic product, e.g., product 42 having design 44, shown in Figure 9.
  • a pair of teflon release sheets can be placed above and beJow the receptor sheet 26, i.e., between said sheet 26 and the brass plate 51 above, and between said sheet 26 and the Bakelite pad 53 below.
  • the brass plate 51 and the Bakelite pad 53, in flanking the dye receptor sheet 26 serve also to confine the sublimed dyes therebetween in said sheet 26.
  • the nature of the RF energy applied to the molecules of the receptor sheet 26 attracts the sublimed dyes into said sheet, markedly reducing the tendency of such sublimed dyes to escape.
  • the sheet assembly can accordingly be inserted between the plat p s 30 and 32 of thermo-press 33, shown in Figure 4 or between the plates of radio frequency station 40, shown in Figure 6, the assembly being heated to sublime the dyes into the upper sheet 26 while laminating said sheet 26 to the substrate 27.
  • the so-bonded product with its release sheets 29 and 31, can be either cooled in-place or e.g. between the plates of the cooling station 38 of Figure 5 and the release sheets separated therefrom, to obtain the fused or laminated plastic, dye-absorbed product 45, shown in Figure 8.
  • a continous sheet of dye receptor plastic 50 issues from a feed roll 52, through the dye-depositing or printing station 54, around a guide roll 56, to a wind up roll 58, as shown in Figure 10.
  • the dye-depositing station is an ink applying roll 60, in contact with the pattern printing roll 62, which rotates into contact with the dye receptor plastic sheet 50, as it passes through the nip of the pattern roll 62, and the impression roll 64, which forms a pressure nip therewith and assists the transfer of a dye pattern from the pattern roll to the plastic web 50 and the so-printed dye pattern dries on the web,. in air or by drying means not shown, en route to wind-up on the roll 58, as indicated in Figure 10.
  • plastic sheet 66 from a stack of such sheets 68 is passed through a printing station 70, dried e.c. in air or at a drying station not shown, and stacked with other printed dye pattern sheets in a stack 72, as shown in Figure 11.
  • the printing station 70 includes one or more dye applying rolls 74 which distributes dyes on a pattern-bearing roll 76, the so-formed dye pattern being transferred to an intermediate or offset roll 78, which prints or deposits the dye pattern on the plastic sheet 66 as it passes through the nip of the offset roll 78 and the co-rotating impression roll 80, as shown in Figure 11.
  • plastic dye. receptor sheet 82 having a dye pattern'printed thereon, positioned between teflon release sheets 84 and 86 ride on endless belt 88, between the platens 90 and 92, of a thermal press 94, as shown in Figure 12.
  • the lower platen 92 advantageously is stationary and has a flexible pad 93 covering the major part of its upper surface and both platens 90 and 92 have heating means therein, e.g. electric heatinq coils, (not shown), for controlling the temperature thereof.
  • the upper platen 90 is raised and lowered against the lower platen, by means not shown, to obtain the desired pressure therebetween, as indicated in Figure 12.
  • cooling press 96 Spaced from the heating press 94, is cooling press 96, having an upper platen 98 and lower platen 100, advantageously surmounted with a surf-ace pad 102, as shown in Figure 12.
  • the upper and lower platens are cooled e.g. by liquid coils mounted therein (not shown) and the upper platen 98 is moveable up and down relative to the stationary lower platen 100, to adjust the pressure therebetween as desired.
  • the endless belt 88 is rotated and stopped as desired, by means not shown, which accordingly moves the printed dye receptor plastic sheet 82 and its release sheets 84 and 86 into and through the heating and cooling stations 94 and 96, as desired.
  • the dye receptor plastic sheet 82 and the release sheets 84 and 86 are advanced on the bell between platens 90 and 92 of the heating station 94.
  • One or both of the platens eg the upper platen 90, is heated to the desired temperature eg 350° F, and the upper platen is lowered, compressing the sheets 84, 82 and 86 against the now stationary belt 88, the press distribution pad 93 and the lower platen 92, at e.q. 30 psiq, for a desired period, e.g. 30 seconds, after which the platen 90 is raised and the endless belt 88 reactivated to move the plastic sheet 82 and release sheets 84 and 86 into the cooling station 96, between the platens 98 and 100.
  • the belt 88 then stops and the upper platen 98 is lowered into pressure contact with said 3 sheets at a desired pressure, e.g., of 10 psig and cooling liquid at eg 40° F, is circulated through the coils (not shown) of at least the upper platen 98, to cool the dye absorbed plastic sheet for the desired period, e.g. 30.seconds.
  • the platen 98 is raised and the endless belt 88 is activated to advance the 3 sheets out of the cooling station to near the end of the endless belt.
  • the release sheets 84 and 86 are then removed to obtain the dye pattern absorbed plastic sheet 83, as shown or indicated in Figure 12 and the cycle is repeated for successive dye printed plastic sheets.
  • the platen 90 of the heating station 94 need not exert pressure on the plastic receptor sheet 82 and the release sheets 84 and R6, provided sufficient heat of sublimation is supplied to the dye printed receptor sheet 82.
  • the platen 90 preferably does close on such layers to apply heat and pressure thereto for close uniform thermal contact, a reduced heatinq period, and shape control of the sheet 82 to effect the dye absorption of the invention.
  • the dye-absorbed receptor sheet may passively cool in air or between the platens of the press of the cooling stations, eg cooling station 96, shown in Figure 12, which platens can be open but are preferably closed for a shorter cooling dwell time and shape control of the dye pattern absorbed plastic sheet.
  • heating station 94 shown in Figure 12, can be replaced with a dielectric heater eg radio frequency station 40 shown in Figure 6, in which the endless belt and dye receptor plastic 82 and release sheets 84 and 86 pass between the spaced plates of such RF station 40, as indicated in Figures 6 and 12.
  • the belt and such tri-sheet assembly are stopped and the RF plates closed thereon eg at 30 psig during the PF heating step.
  • endless belts of teflon 104 and 106 travel between the platens of the heating stage 108 and the cooling stage 110 as shown in Figure 13.
  • the heating station 108 can be a thermal press, such as heating staqe 94 described above with respect to Figure 12 or can be a radio frequency transmitter, such as RF station 40 shown in Figure 6.
  • the cooling stage 110 can be a cooling press such as cooling press 96, described above in reference to Figure 12.
  • dye pattern printed plastic web 112 issues from a roll 114, in close contact with the nip of the endless belts 104 and 106, as indicated in Fiqure 13.
  • the dye pattern printed plastic sheet 112 and the endless belts 104 and 106 stop for eg 30 seconds at the heating station 108, where heat or heat and pressure (closed press) are applied to sublime the printed dyes into the plastic web.
  • the heated dye absorbed web and endless teflon belts 104 and 106 are then advanced to the cooling stage 110 between the plates thereof and such web and belts are halted eg. for an additional 30 seconds, to cool (eg by closed press) the dye absorbed plastic web below its softening temperature and to fix the dye pattern on and below the surface of such plastic web.
  • a substrate of the same or different material can be positioned between the dye pattern printed plastic sheet 82 and release sheet 86 and processed accordingly, as indicated in Figures 7 and 12, to obtain a laminated or fused dye pattern absorbed product, eg product 45, shown in Figure 8. Accordingly the heat of dye sublimation will be also employed for lamination or fusinq of the dye receptor plastic sheet and its substrate.
  • a substrate web 116 issuing from roll 118, can contact the bottom surface of the dye receptor web 112 and be laminated or fused thereto in the heating station 108, as indicated, in phantom, in Figure 13, to obtain a thickened, dye-absorbed product.
  • thermoplastic extrudate 120 issues from extruder dye 122, around a bondinq drum 124, as shown in Figure 14.
  • a roll of dye pattern printed plastic web 126 issues from the feed roll 12P and into contact with the hot extrudate 120, between the nip of drum 124 and the endless teflon belt 130, as shown in Figure 14.
  • the heat emitted by the extrudate 120 in contact with the dye printed plastic web 126 is sufficient to effect bonding thereto and sublimation and absorption of the dye pattern into the plastic web 126.
  • the fused or laminated dye pattern absorbed web 132 is passed through the cooling stage 134, eg similar to cooling staqe 96, shown in Figure 12, and the cooled dye pattern absorbed plastic web including the substrate web laminated or fused thereto ie web 132, printed side down, passes to wind up, around take-up roll 136, as shown in Figure 14.
  • dye pattern printed plastic sheet is dye absorbed and thermoformed. Accordingly dye pattern printed plastic sheet 140 is positioned by clamps 142 and 144 over vacuum- forming mold 146, having-vacuum ducts 148, as shown in Fiqure 15. An oven 150, having housing 152 and heater coils 154, 156 and 158, is lowered over the dye printed plastic sheet 140 and the vacuum mold 146, as shown in Figure 15. The heater coils are turned on, sufficient heat is applied to the printed plastic sheet 140 to soften or nearly soften the same, causing the printed dyes thereon to sublime into such sheet.
  • vacuum mold 146 Concurrently,vacuum is applied to the vacuum mold 146 through the vacuum ports 148, by means not shown, which draws the heated and dye pattern absorbed plastic sheet 140, over and around the mold 146, in close conformity therewith, as shown in Figure 16.
  • the heator housinq 15n is raised, the formed and dye pattern decorated plastic article 160 is cooled, the vacuum pump is turned off and the article 160 is removed from the vacuum mold 146 as a dye pattern absorbed and molded plastic article 160, as shown in Figure 17.
  • the dye receptor can be thermo formed during the dye sublimation step or after the dye sublimation step.
  • a previously dye pattern absorbed article can be later reheated and thermoformed including vacuum or pressure formed into a dye pattern aborbed and formed plastic article.
  • the methods of the present invention provide several processes for dye pattern absorption into plastic articles including webs and sheets as well as molded plastic articles.
  • the dye pattern absorption method of the invention is readily employed with thermoplastic articles eg polystyrene and vinyl sheets ahd further applies to thprmo-set plastic articles, eg polyester sheets and fiberglass sheets.
  • the heat applied to the dye pattern printed plastic article or web, sufficient to sublime the dyes thereon is also sufficient to render the surface of the plastic web receptive to dye penetration to a depth of 10 mils or more. Further data on dye pattern absorption into thermoplastic sheets and thermo-set plastic sheets is provided in Table I hereinafter.
  • the dye absorption method into plastics of the present invention eliminates certain steps and materials as noted above and includes the following novel steps:
  • the decorated plastic product produced by the above methods of the present invention is believed to have deeper colors and sharper definition, even reproducing "brush- strokes" of the original design over decorated products obtained with the above prior art methods. This is because there in no intervening separator sheet to absorb, screen out, defleet or distort even a small portion of the dispersed dyes oriqinally applied e.g. to a heat transfer paper. Accordingly it is believed that a novel decorated product with a pattern absorbed tberein with substantially pure vivid dye hues and "brushstroke” definition and clarity of pattern, is obtained by the methods embodying the present invention.
  • the present invention provides a method for ready and accurate transfer and absorption of dyes in various colors, prints, patterns, and the like, on and below the plastic surface to be decorated, in a novel, relatively low- cost process, to obtain a dyed plastic product of hiah clarity reproduction.
  • the so-deposited dyes upon sublimation, penetrate below the surface of the plastic article and are virtually wear-proof.
  • the dyes employed herein can be various dyes capable of sublimation at 200° F to 500° F or more, including those dyes in use on heat transfer papers for dye transfer in the textile industry. Preferred are medium energy dyes which sublime between about 300° F and 500° F.
  • the dye receptor can be any material, such as thermoplastics, which will absorb sublimed dyes and fix them in a durable manner.
  • the dye receptor materials suitable for the present invention include: polycarbonates, vinyls, acrylics, polystyrene, A.R.S. (Acrylonitrile - Butadiene-Styrene) and like extrudable polymers as well as thermo-set plastics inclucling polyesters.
  • the plastic dye receptor can he an article of various shapes, flat, rounded, angular, or a combination thereof, and can be pronounced three dimensional objects e.g., containers, thermoformed or molded products and the like or can be plastic webs including sheets, film and/or coating or other art icles which are receptive to penetration by dispersed dyes.
  • the desired dyces are applied to a printing plate or roll havinq the desired pattern engrave, embossed or photo-imaged thereon or otherwise placed thereon and the printinq plate is contacted with the dye receptor surface, one or more times, to deposit the desired dye pattern thereon.
  • the desired dyes and dye patterns can be deposited on the dye receptor by any suitable means, e.q., by hand, pen, brush, and the like, in preparation for the dye sublimation step of the present invention.
  • the dyes can be printed or otherwise deposited on two or more surfaces of a dye receptor e.q. on opposite sides of a plastic web or sheet and subjected to the dye sublimation and cooling steps described above to obtain a dye pattern absorbed article on two sides thereof on the same or different dye patterns.
  • the dyes can be printed or deposited upon the plastic receptor surface in a ranqe from a fraction of a second to 40 seconds or more, depending upon the comple y ity of the pattern, the number of dyes, and the number of printing steps employed.
  • the press is desirably aligned or indexed relative to the plastic receptor for accuracy in employing a sequence of printing steps thereon.
  • a suitable time for the above printing step can, for example, be about 30 seconds.
  • the temperatures necessary to effect dye transfer and absorption in the methods of the present invention have been found to be governed by the temperatures required for dye sublimation of the dyes employed and the temperatures at which the dye receptor surface energy level rises to become susceptible to dye penetration, which can be at or below the softening temperatures therefor. These dye absorption temperatures have been found to be from 200° to 500° F and up, depending upon the above materials employed. A preferred temperature range in thermal dye sublimation and absorption is 350° to 450° F. After the dye absorption step, the materials are cooled below the dye sublimation temperature and the plastic softening temperature, and a dye decorated plastic product is obtained e.g., a vivid and sharply defined pattern and/or printed letters and numbers in a plastic web.
  • the application of the heating stage and the coolinq stage in the dye absorption method of the invention can each be from a fraction of a second to 2 minutes or more depending on the dye receptor being processed and frequently runs from 20 to 80 seconds.
  • the pressures applied in the heat transfer step of the dyes into the plastic receptor can be from 0 (i.e. no pressure to 100 psig and up and preferably are from 20 to 60 psig.
  • the pressure in the cooling stage can be from 1 to 80 psig, and preferably are from 5 to 40 psig.
  • the dyes sublime rapidly so as to practically explode and penetrate into the dye receptor to a depth of several mils, as hereinafter discussed.
  • the dye absorbed plastic receptor is then cooled as stated above, to obtain the dye absorbed product.
  • the dye receptor is covered by a pair of release sheets 34 and 36 of, e.g., teflon, to confine the dyes to the plastic receptor and further to facilitate the separation of the plastic receptor from the press platen after the dye absorption step, as indicated in Figure 4.
  • the release layer can be of other materials, e.g., silicon.
  • the lamination as indicated can be carried out concurrently with the dye absorption step in the above temperature range of 200 to 500° F , depending upon the substrate employed.
  • the substrates suitable for laminate base material herein include: treated papers, fabrics, plastic materials, including thermoplastics and thermoset plastics, e.g., webs, sheet and film, and any other material bondable to the plastic dye receptor.
  • radio frequency waves are applied to the dye deposited plastic receptor, as discussed above, with respect to Figure 6. These RF waves when matched to the dielectric constant of the plastic receptor sheet, couple with the molecules thereof causing oscillitory or rotational motion thereof, which heats up the plastic and thus the dyes printed thereon to a sublimation temperature, causing the dyes to sublime into the plastic receptor web, as discussed above.
  • RF frequencies employed can range from 2 to 90 mHz or more with power output from 1 to 125 kw or more.
  • certain known shieldinq procedures are followed.
  • the dielectric constant of air is 1, the dielectric constant of many plastics ranges from 1 1/2 to to 5; eg at 1 mHz for: ABS-polycarbonate alloy 2.4 to 3.8; polycarbonates 2.92 to 2.93; polystyrene 2.4 to 3.8 and PVC 3.3 to 4.5. Accordingly the RF freauency selected depends upon the dielectric constant of the dye receptor plastic and when properly matched therewith, serves to couple with the molecules ; thereof and raise the temperature of the plastic to a sublimation temperature for the dyes printed thereon.
  • radio frequency siqnals of eq from 1 to 100 mHz at a suitable power eg 1 to 125 kw
  • a suitable power eg 1 to 125 kw
  • the power of the RF signal varies with the area of the dye receptor, eg for a web 3 ⁇ 4 in. (12 sq. in.), 6 kw or .5 kw/sq in. provides effective dye sublimation.
  • the power requirements of the RF siqnal appear to diminish per square inch as the area of the dye receptor increases and as indicated herein, has been found to range from about .09 to .5 kw/sq. in.
  • a suitable pressure range in the RF dye sublimation process extends from a fraction to 20 psig, eg a suitable pressure is 5 psiq and the time for applyinq such pressure ranqes from 1 to 12 seconds or more.
  • the dye receptor and accompanyirq layers are desirably transferred from the RF dye sublimation stage to a cooling staae, eg a cooling press.
  • a cooling staae eg a cooling press.
  • Such cooling press is desirably closed on the dye receptor itself or in combination with adjacent layers from the RF heating press (per Figure 6) at a pressure of a fraction to 20 psig and a suitable pressure is, eq 5 psig, for 1 to 20 seconds or more.
  • the cooling press is thereafter opened and a dye pattern absorbed plastic article obtained.
  • the cooling of the plastic dye receptor below the dye sublimation temperatures fixes the dyes and dye pattern in the receptor and the release sheets or other adjacent layers (per Figure 6) are then removed therefrom.
  • Heating and cooling the dye receptor under pressure is desirable since such pressure can prevent unwanted deforming of the dye receptor as it undergoes temperature charges above and then below its softening temparature.
  • the radio frequency dye-absorbed plactic product can be subsequently laminated to one or more substrates by applying heat and pressure as above described.
  • the above dye absorption methods whether by heated press or by RF heating, it is sufficient if the dye receptor is heated from above, where such receptor is a web 20 mils thick or less. Where such receptor has a thickness of greater than 20 mils, either singly or in combination with a substrate, it is desirable to heat such webs from below as well, e.q., a few degrees below the softening temperature thereof so that such web or webs are evenly heated during the dye sublimation process and/or laminating process and warping of the dye absorbed end-product is avoided.
  • thermo-set plastics as used herein, is included cross-linked polymers such as polyester webs, including' those under the trade name "Mylar”, as well as thermocast plastics including cross-linked polymers of e.g. glass fiber impregnated with polyester resin, known as fiberglass.
  • the methods of the invention produce the unexpected result of transmitting dye patterns of high definition into thermoplastics, e.g., nen-cross-linked polymers such as polystyrene and. vinyl, it i E even more unexpected that such dye patterns could also bo transmitted, below the surface of cured thermoset plastics.
  • the dye absorption methods of the present invention permit dyes and dye patterns to te absorbed several mils into and below the surface or a plastic dye receptor. Such depth of dye penetration will depend upon the nature of the dye receptor plastic, its thickness, the nature and amount of the dyes employed, the temperature, pressures, and radio frequencies applied, the duration or length of the dye absorption step and the like.
  • dye absorption into the various plastic-receptors are regularly obtained from fractions of a mil to 10 mils or more and preferable from 3 to 8 mils, to obtain a highly defined pattern with vivid colors in a wear-proof design.
  • a sheet of polystyrene 10 mils thick by 25" x 38" was passed through the nip of an offset printing press, such as shown in Figure 11 and a lithograph roll coated with dispersed dyes of various colors in a pattern, such as shown in Figure 9, contacted such sheet and printed the above pattern thereon in less than 2 seconds.
  • the so-printed sheet was dried in air at room temperature for 2 hours.
  • the so-printed sheet was then placed between a pair of teflon release sheets of slightly larger size and 8 mils thick each and the tri-sheet assembly was placed between the platens of a heating press, e.g., as shown in Figure 12.
  • the press which was heated to 400° F, was closed upon the tri-sheet assembly at a pressure of about 30 psig for about 30 seconds and then opened.
  • the tri-sheet assembly was then conveyed between the platens of the cooling stage 96, shown in Figure 12.
  • the upper platen being (liquid coil) cooled to about 50° F, was lowered into a pressure contact of about 5 psig with the tri-sheet assembly on the bottom platen for about 30 seconds.
  • the coolinq platen was raised, the tri-sheet assembly was conveyed clear of the cooling press, the release sheets were removed and the plastic web, cooled below its softening temperature, displayed a clear pattern of vivid colors with "brush stroke" definition, absorbed about 6 mils into the polystyrene, in a wear-proof design.
  • the quadri-sheet assembly was placed between the platens of the heatinq staqe 96, shown in Figure 12, the upper platen 96 was heated to about 400° F and the lower platen was heated to about 280° F ⁇ below the softeninq temperature of the APS layer and the remainder of the process of Example 1 followed.
  • Example 1 Another 10 mil polystyrene sheet of the dimensions of Example 1 is printed accordingly.
  • the so-printed plastic sheet is placed between a brass plate above and an Rakelite pad below and the tri-layer assembly is placed between the platens of a radio frequency press at about 5 psia, such as shown in Figure 6.
  • the lower press platen is surmounted by a resilient pad also in the manner shown in Figure 6.
  • the polystyrene sheet is determined to have a dielectric constant of 3.1 and an RF of 27.12 MHz at 100 kw is applied thereto for 5 seconds.
  • the PF press is opened and the polystyrene sheet with a cover sheet of teflon and the Pakelite pad are transferred to a cooling press such as cooling press 38 shown in Figure 5, the plates are closed thereon, eg, at 5 psig.
  • the polystyrene sheet is cooled below its softening temperature and the sublimation temperature for the dyes.
  • the press is opened and the polystyrene sheet dye receptor separated from the cover sheet and pad, to obtain the plastic sheet with wear-proof design.
  • the dye pattern absorbed polystyrene sheet displays a clearly defined vivid pattern, absorbed 6 to 7 mils into such web and is very similar in appearance and durability with the decorated plastic web made by the process of Example 1.
  • the heat transfer paper separates from the dye decorated product without sticking or adherinq to the dye receptor web provided such paper has been aged at least 30 days at room temperature (or higher). If the heat transfer paper has been dye printed within such 30 day period, the dye adhesives and carrier, which hold the dye pattern on the paper, can still be activated in the RF press and adherine of paper to dye receptor occurs.
  • a flexible vinyl sheet, 3" x 4" t.y 20 mils has been imprinted with a dye pattern on and below the surface thereof.
  • a fiberglass sheet of polyester resin impregnated in fiber glass matting, 3" x 4" by 31.25 mils (1/32") thick received a clear dye pattern therein on and below the surface thereof.
  • the RF waves were transmitted at 27.12 M Hz at 6 kw for 5 seconds and the so- heated wets were cooled below dye sublimation temperature in about two minutes.
  • Samples of the above dye pattern absorbed plastics were exposed for extended periods to ultra violet light and subjected to testinq including fadometer tests and were found to exhibit high durability of color retention and pattern definition equivalent to over 2 years in exposure to weather including the sun eg in Florida, Arizona and other states.
  • the dye pattern absorbed articles of the invention are "durable against weathering” ie. exhibit the above described durability for 6 months or more.
  • Prior art surface printed outdoor signs show significant weathering, ie, fading, blurring, chipping and wear-cff within three months.
  • the dye pattern absorbed articles of the invention include printed and decorated webs highly suitable for use as outdoor surfaces including signs.
EP83303573A 1982-06-21 1983-06-21 Absorption von Farbmustern in Kunststoffen Withdrawn EP0097528A3 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US39020082A 1982-06-21 1982-06-21
US390200 1982-06-21

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0097528A2 true EP0097528A2 (de) 1984-01-04
EP0097528A3 EP0097528A3 (de) 1985-08-14

Family

ID=23541518

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP83303573A Withdrawn EP0097528A3 (de) 1982-06-21 1983-06-21 Absorption von Farbmustern in Kunststoffen

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0097528A3 (de)
JP (1) JPS5964385A (de)
AU (1) AU1614083A (de)
DK (1) DK286983A (de)
ES (1) ES523480A0 (de)

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2142579A (en) * 1983-05-13 1985-01-23 Canon Kk Curing printed images
CH662787A5 (en) * 1984-12-19 1987-10-30 Teca Print Ag Method and device for producing a print on an object, for example a key body
EP0265139A2 (de) * 1986-10-15 1988-04-27 Polyplastics Co., Ltd. Durch Imprägnierung bedruckte Formartikel
WO1990005640A1 (en) * 1988-11-18 1990-05-31 The De La Rue Company Plc Imaging plastics articles
EP0549542A1 (de) * 1991-12-23 1993-06-30 FIAT AUTO S.p.A. Verfahren zum Transferdrucken von dekorativen Mustern auf Kunststoff oder Metall
US5364688A (en) * 1993-03-08 1994-11-15 Mahn Jr John Heat activated transfer for elastomeric materials
US5380391A (en) * 1993-03-08 1995-01-10 Mahn, Jr.; John Heat activated transfer for elastomeric materials
FR2714331A1 (fr) * 1993-12-23 1995-06-30 Hainaut Sa Fibres Procédé de traitement et d'impression d'un film en matière plastique, dispositif pour sa mise en Óoeuvre, applicatioons du film plastique coloré et imprimé obtenu par ce procédé.
EP0984453A2 (de) * 1998-09-04 2000-03-08 SONOPRESS PRODUKTIONSGESELLSCHAFT FÜR TON- UND INFORMATIONSTRÄGER mbH Kassette zur Aufnahme eines Informationsträgers sowie Verfahren und Einrichtung zum Bedrucken derselben
EP0993963A1 (de) * 1998-10-14 2000-04-19 Société d'Enduction et de Flockage Endlosdruckverfahren für einen Plastikfilm, Gerät hierfür, sowie damit hergestellter bedruckter Plastikfilm
FR2784619A1 (fr) * 1998-10-14 2000-04-21 Enduction Et De Flockage Soc D Procede d'impression en continu d'un film plastique plan, destine a etre thermoforme en une surface non plane et film thermoforme obtenu par ce procede
DE10061219A1 (de) * 2000-12-08 2002-06-20 Card Service Gmbh Bruettiselle Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Bedrucken von Kunststoff- bzw. Plastikkarten
EP1223041A2 (de) * 2001-01-11 2002-07-17 Seiko Epson Corporation Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Herstellung eines fälschungssicheren Bildes
FR2881986A1 (fr) * 2005-02-14 2006-08-18 Plastic Bm Sarl Procede d'impression de produits en matiere plastique par transfert sublimation
EP1790491A2 (de) * 2005-11-23 2007-05-30 Padaluma GmbH Verfahren zum Färben eines Glasfaservlieses
EP3115222A1 (de) * 2015-07-06 2017-01-11 Giesecke & Devrient GmbH Verfahren zur herstellung eines sicherheitsmerkmals auf einem tragbaren datenträger

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS615992A (ja) * 1984-06-20 1986-01-11 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd 定着方法

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB813930A (en) * 1956-07-12 1959-05-27 Atomic Energy Authority Uk Improvements in or relating to the treatment of articles made of polyethylene
CH532477A (de) * 1967-06-23 1973-01-15 Ciba Geigy Ag Verfahren zum ein- oder mehrfarbigen Bedrucken oder zum optischen Aufhellen von nichttextilen Flächengebilden aus Kunststoff
FR2318193A1 (fr) * 1975-07-18 1977-02-11 Ozalid Group Holdings Ltd Procede de coloration de pellicules transparentes

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB813930A (en) * 1956-07-12 1959-05-27 Atomic Energy Authority Uk Improvements in or relating to the treatment of articles made of polyethylene
CH532477A (de) * 1967-06-23 1973-01-15 Ciba Geigy Ag Verfahren zum ein- oder mehrfarbigen Bedrucken oder zum optischen Aufhellen von nichttextilen Flächengebilden aus Kunststoff
FR2318193A1 (fr) * 1975-07-18 1977-02-11 Ozalid Group Holdings Ltd Procede de coloration de pellicules transparentes

Cited By (23)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2142579A (en) * 1983-05-13 1985-01-23 Canon Kk Curing printed images
CH662787A5 (en) * 1984-12-19 1987-10-30 Teca Print Ag Method and device for producing a print on an object, for example a key body
EP0265139A2 (de) * 1986-10-15 1988-04-27 Polyplastics Co., Ltd. Durch Imprägnierung bedruckte Formartikel
EP0265139A3 (en) * 1986-10-15 1989-10-18 Polyplastics Co. Ltd. Impregnation-printed moulded article
WO1990005640A1 (en) * 1988-11-18 1990-05-31 The De La Rue Company Plc Imaging plastics articles
EP0549542A1 (de) * 1991-12-23 1993-06-30 FIAT AUTO S.p.A. Verfahren zum Transferdrucken von dekorativen Mustern auf Kunststoff oder Metall
US5364688A (en) * 1993-03-08 1994-11-15 Mahn Jr John Heat activated transfer for elastomeric materials
US5380391A (en) * 1993-03-08 1995-01-10 Mahn, Jr.; John Heat activated transfer for elastomeric materials
FR2714331A1 (fr) * 1993-12-23 1995-06-30 Hainaut Sa Fibres Procédé de traitement et d'impression d'un film en matière plastique, dispositif pour sa mise en Óoeuvre, applicatioons du film plastique coloré et imprimé obtenu par ce procédé.
EP0984453A3 (de) * 1998-09-04 2001-05-09 SONOPRESS PRODUKTIONSGESELLSCHAFT FÜR TON- UND INFORMATIONSTRÄGER mbH Kassette zur Aufnahme eines Informationsträgers sowie Verfahren und Einrichtung zum Bedrucken derselben
EP0984453A2 (de) * 1998-09-04 2000-03-08 SONOPRESS PRODUKTIONSGESELLSCHAFT FÜR TON- UND INFORMATIONSTRÄGER mbH Kassette zur Aufnahme eines Informationsträgers sowie Verfahren und Einrichtung zum Bedrucken derselben
EP0993963A1 (de) * 1998-10-14 2000-04-19 Société d'Enduction et de Flockage Endlosdruckverfahren für einen Plastikfilm, Gerät hierfür, sowie damit hergestellter bedruckter Plastikfilm
FR2784619A1 (fr) * 1998-10-14 2000-04-21 Enduction Et De Flockage Soc D Procede d'impression en continu d'un film plastique plan, destine a etre thermoforme en une surface non plane et film thermoforme obtenu par ce procede
FR2784618A1 (fr) * 1998-10-14 2000-04-21 Enduction Et De Flockage Soc D Procede d'impression en continu d'un film plastique, dispositif pour sa mise en oeuvre et film plastique imprime obtenu par le procede
US6249297B1 (en) 1998-10-14 2001-06-19 Societe D'enduction Et De Flockage Process for continuously printing a plastic film, device for carrying out the process and printed plastic film obtained by the process
DE10061219A1 (de) * 2000-12-08 2002-06-20 Card Service Gmbh Bruettiselle Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Bedrucken von Kunststoff- bzw. Plastikkarten
DE10061219C2 (de) * 2000-12-08 2003-02-27 Card Service Gmbh Muri Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Bedrucken von Plastikkarten
EP1223041A2 (de) * 2001-01-11 2002-07-17 Seiko Epson Corporation Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Herstellung eines fälschungssicheren Bildes
EP1223041A3 (de) * 2001-01-11 2003-05-28 Seiko Epson Corporation Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Herstellung eines fälschungssicheren Bildes
FR2881986A1 (fr) * 2005-02-14 2006-08-18 Plastic Bm Sarl Procede d'impression de produits en matiere plastique par transfert sublimation
EP1790491A2 (de) * 2005-11-23 2007-05-30 Padaluma GmbH Verfahren zum Färben eines Glasfaservlieses
EP1790491A3 (de) * 2005-11-23 2007-09-26 Padaluma GmbH Verfahren zum Färben eines Glasfaservlieses
EP3115222A1 (de) * 2015-07-06 2017-01-11 Giesecke & Devrient GmbH Verfahren zur herstellung eines sicherheitsmerkmals auf einem tragbaren datenträger

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ES8406301A1 (es) 1984-07-01
ES523480A0 (es) 1984-07-01
DK286983D0 (da) 1983-06-21
AU1614083A (en) 1984-01-05
DK286983A (da) 1983-12-22
JPS5964385A (ja) 1984-04-12
EP0097528A3 (de) 1985-08-14

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0097528A2 (de) Absorption von Farbmustern in Kunststoffen
US3860388A (en) Disperse dye transfer through polyolefin release layer to non-porous thermoplastic sheet dyed thereby
US5997677A (en) Method to apply a colored decorative design on a substrate of plastics
US4202663A (en) Method of dye absorption into the surface of plastic
US4354851A (en) Method for making a decorated, water-resistant, rigid panel and the product made thereby: transfer dye process onto rigid panel
US4059471A (en) Transfer dyeing of plastic surfaces which may be combined with lamination or molding procedures
EP0339079B1 (de) Formprägen von beschichteten blättern
US5164227A (en) Method for embossing a coated sheet with a diffraction or holographic pattern
US4465728A (en) Dye decorated plastic articles
US4913858A (en) Method of embossing a coated sheet with a diffraction or holographic pattern
US5155604A (en) Coated paper sheet embossed with a diffraction or holographic pattern
US4285744A (en) Process for the reproduction of oil paintings or similarly textured images
US4664672A (en) Transfer printing process for solid objects employing high-pressure gas
US4174250A (en) Apparatus for sublimation imprinting tiles
US5508248A (en) Heat transfer sheet and base sheet therefor
US4410560A (en) Continuous web printing apparatus, process and product thereof
US5142722A (en) Transfer printing of furniture end pieces
US2486259A (en) Method for printing on thermoplastic sheetlike material
KR890700546A (ko) 적층 유리시이트용 화장중간막의 제조 방법
US5856267A (en) Transfer printing metal substrates
US4596190A (en) Method for concurrently forming and hot-transfer printing a synthetic resin
US4681034A (en) Process for printing a substrate by the hot-transfer printing method
EP4070965A1 (de) Verfahren zur herstellung eines dekorativen körpers aus thermoplastischem kunstharz
GB1212866A (en) Method and apparatus for transfer of molecularly oriented motion patterns
JPH068254A (ja) 賦型フィルム及びその製造方法

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE FR GB IT LI LU NL SE

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE FR GB IT LI LU NL SE

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 19860415

RIN1 Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected)

Inventor name: WORRA, DONALD C.