GB2269342A

GB2269342A - Transferrable xerographic indicia.

Info

Publication number: GB2269342A
Application number: GB9216539A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jeh-Ching Yeh
Original assignee: YEH JEH CHING
Current assignee: YEH JEH CHING
Priority date: 1992-08-04
Filing date: 1992-08-04
Publication date: 1994-02-09
Also published as: GB9216539D0

Abstract

A process for making transfer lettering, particularly a process to make transfer lettering by printing out from laser printer using a computer typesetting system, includes formation of a strippable layer (2) on a carrier film (1), application of a layer of zinc oxide powders (3) on the surface of the strippable layer (2), xerographically printing characters or an image (4) on the film (eg with a laser printer and computer system) wiping with alcohol solvent (5) to remove the strippable layer (2) from between the indicia, and application of a glue (6) on the surface of the film to form a transfer lettering with the characters or image desired, and which can be transferred without residual glue. <IMAGE>

Description

A PROCESS TO MAKE TRANSFER LETTERING The present invention relates to a process for making transfer lettering, particularly a process for making transfer lettering, involving printing of an image by a laser printer, and without a platen.

The conventional process for making transfer lettering includes printing of an image on film by screen printing, followed by application of glue. A complicated procedure which involves manual art works and making a platen is necessary. To be viable, printing in considerable quantities is required due to economic considerations. When making transfer lettering manually in a small quantity or as samples, a complicated procedure involving the steps of artwork, production of a negative, inking on a transfer film, application of sensitiser, exposure of negative, developing, to application of glue is required.

According to the present invention, a process for making transfer lettering without a platen is provided. It is a process including the following steps: forming a strippable layer on a film, application of a layer of zinc oxide onto the strippable layer to provide a base for even distribution of carbon particles to form an image, printing of an image by laser printer, application of alcohol solvent to remove the strippable layer beyond the image, and application of glue to form a transfer lettering. It is a process which may be performed without the need of a platen, and it has the following merits: (1) Production without platen: This may allow for a fast, easy, and economic process.This process is suitable for transfer of characters or images in small quantities, for example when additional printing onto existing catalogues or other printed matter is required and when marking trademarks or instructional matter onto surfaces of machinery. It is particularly suitable for building up an image for any firm which have various versatile products which are sold in small quantities. It can also be used for printing of gifts and giveaway items. Its range of application is very comprehensive, and there is no limit on its application. Therefore, it has a high value in industrial utilisation.

(2) Pressure application type image transfer: Application of pressure can be effective to transfer the image, and hence the process is simple and easy to use.

(3) High adhesion: An image may be strongly adhered to any paper, fabrics, metal, glass or plastic product by a simple and easy transfer.

It provides a great benefit for production of samples in small quantity, particularly during the development or initial marketing stage of any product.

(4) No residual glue need be left after transfer: Again, the process may be fast, easy and economic, and it can replace the conventional process which used screen printing for making transfer lettering in a small quantity.

(5) Printing out an image by a computer system without preparation of a platen: Again, this may be fast, easy and economic. With the use of a computer system in combination with computer typesetting or a drawing program, any characters or images can be retrieved from a computer in various dimensions to meet different requirements. Its use is indeed very versatile.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a preferred embodiment illustrating the first step of an example process according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment illustrating the second step of the example process according to the present invention; Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment illustrating the third step of the example process according to the present invention; Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment illustrating the fourth step of the example process according to the present invention; Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the preferred embodiment illustrating the fifth step of the example process according to the present invention.

As shown in Fig. 1, which illustrates step 1 of the production process according to the present invention, the film (1) has a strippable layer (2) on its surface, in which the film (1) is preferably made of polyester, polypropylene or styrene resin, and the strippable layer (2) is formed by dispersion of tiny silicon particles, having a size of preferably 1 to 10 pm each, or any other appropriate size of any fraction or multiple of this size on the surface and then fully or partly covering of a polyamide resin.

As shown in Fig. 2, which illustrates step 2 of the production process according to the present invention, a layer of zinc oxide (3) in the form of fine or tiny powders is applied on the strippable layer (2) as a base with appropriate friction for even adhesion of carbon particles.

As shown in Fig. 3, which illustrates step 3 of the production process according to the present invention, a laser printer is used to print out an image on the film (1) by adhesion of carbon particles on the adhesive zinc oxide (3) applied on the strippable layer (2).

As shown in Fig. 4, which illustrates step 4 of the production process according to the present invention, alcohol solvent (5) is applied by means of a sponge over the surface of the film (1) to remove the zinc oxide (3) and strippable layer (2) beyond the carbon image (4) formed so that only the ginc oxide (3) and the strippable layer (2) below the carbon image (4) remain.

As shown in Fig. 5, which illustrates step 5, the final step of the production process according to the present invention, a layer of glue (6) is applied on the film (1), the glue (6) is then dried by an air steam to form the transfer lettering according to the present invention.

The alcohol solvent described above is preferably composed of: IPA : 59.7% Cyclohexane : 8.2% Alcohol : 5.7% Hexane : 3.2% Methyl : 23.2% The present invention provides a process for producing transfer lettering at high speed. As an alternative to a laser printer to print an image on it, an ordinary copying machine can be used to form an image on it. The glue on it can be dried by an ordinary hair dryer, for example, suitably immediately after application fo the glue to complete the production of the transfer lettering. The present invention is a process which is very different from the conventional process. It does not require formation of a platen, and need not have any residual glue. It is very convenient to use, and there is no limit on the type of object to receive the transfer or on the image to be transferred. Therefore, its application is very comprehensive.

Claims

1. A process for making transfer lettering without a platen, including the following steps: (i) formation of a strippable layer on a surface of a film; (ii) application of an appropriate zinc oxide powder to the strippable layer; (iii) production of a carbon image on the surface of the film by means of a laser printer or copying machine; (iv) application of an alcohol solvent to the surface of the film to remove the zinc oxide and strippable layer beyond the carbon image; (v) application of an appropriate glue on the film and drying the glue to form a transfer lettering.

2. A process according to Claim 1 wherein the alcohol solvent is composed of: IPA : 59.7% Cyclohexane : 8.2% Alcohol : 5.7% Hexane :

3.2t Methyl : 23.2% 3. A process according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein the film comprises a polyester, polypropylene or polystyrene resin.

4. A process according to any preceding claim wherein the strippable layer includes a dispersion of silicon particles in a polyamide resin.

5. A process substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying Figures 1 to 5.