NL1003650C2 - Method and device for printing textile labels, in particular heat-sealable textile labels. - Google Patents

Description

Title: Method and device for printing textile labels, in particular heat-sealable textile labels.

The invention relates to a method for printing textile labels. Such a method is known from practice.

In the known method, a mirror image of a desired print is printed on paper using transfer ink. This paper is then pressed and heated with the print against a surface to be printed, such that the transfer ink in plastic fibers is taken up from the surface to be printed. The ink, after cooling, is retained in the plastic fibers. As a result, a product thus printed is, for example, industrially washable and chemically cleanable.

This known method has the drawback that a relatively large number of processing steps is necessary to obtain the desired result. As a result, this known method is cumbersome and relatively expensive to use. In addition, a mirror image print has the disadvantage that it is difficult to control for a user. After all, text in particular will become difficult to read. A further drawback of this known method is that the printed product and the paper have to be heated together, preferably through the paper. As a result, it has to be heated for a relatively long time, which can have adverse effects, in particular for plastic fibers in the surface to be printed, while, moreover, flow of the ink can occur, with the result that the print on the printed product is somewhat blurry. can become.

Furthermore, a method is known from practice for printing textile labels, whereby, for example, screen printing techniques, an image is applied to the top side of a textile label with the aid of paint. The paint thereby remains mainly as a film on the textile label and is therefore relatively fragile, particularly during, for example, industrial washing and dry cleaning, but also during normal use. Moreover, with this known method, a separate screen must be manufactured for each printing, which is a time-consuming and expensive matter, while users are not able to use this method individually without expensive investments in, for example, equipment and training. . A further limitation of this known method is that relatively viscous paints 10 must be used in order to obtain sufficiently sharp prints, which considerably reduces the design freedom for the user.

The invention contemplates a method of the type described in the preamble, wherein the drawbacks mentioned are avoided, while the advantages thereof are retained. To this end, a method according to the invention is characterized by the measures according to claim 1.

In a method according to the invention, a printing with the aid of the sublimating or transfer ink 20 can be applied directly on a textile label, that is to say without the intervention of a mirror-image print which functions as a template. Surprisingly, it has been found that by using textiles comprising ink absorbing means in addition to the conventional plastic fibers, the ink is retained by the textile label both before and after heating the textile label to incorporate the ink into the plastic fibers. This surprising effect occurs in that the ink is absorbed and retained by the ink-absorbing means 30 during application at a relatively low temperature, such that the ink flows and lubricates, while the ink absorbs the ink when the textile label is sufficiently heated. means is released and is taken up by the plastic fibers, creating a high degree of adhesion between the ink and the plastic fibers. As a result, the textile label thus printed is easy to manufacture in an economical manner and yet is washable, in particular industrially washable or chemically cleanable.

As already appears from the foregoing, the term textile in this context should at least be understood to mean material which is manufactured at least partly by, for example, weaving, knitting, crocheting or the like, for instance from synthetic fibers and / or natural fibers. A textile label should at least include a piece of textile that can be used for, for example, marking, repairing or decorating a product, in particular a textile product such as clothing and the like or for informational purposes.

In further elaboration, a method according to the invention is characterized by the measures according to claim 2.

The ink-absorbing means offer the advantage that the ink is already sufficiently retained by the textile label at a relatively low temperature, so that afterwards only the textile label, in particular only the ink-carrying layer thereof, has to be heated in order to suit the ink in the appropriate manner. plastic fibers to be included. The synthetic fibers then provide adequate protection for the print.

In an advantageous embodiment, a method according to the invention is characterized by the measures according to claim 3.

By providing a textile label with at least a top layer which is composed of synthetic fibers and ink-absorbing fibers, preferably comprising natural fibers or at least such fibers, a textile label can be obtained in a simple manner with a suitable, preferably regular distribution of the different materials. As a result, a great accuracy can be obtained in the prints to be applied, with a high sharpness.

1 0 0 3 6 5 0 4

In an alternative embodiment, a method is characterized by the measures according to claim 5.

By equipping the textile label with a top layer, manufactured with synthetic fibers, which are at least partly provided with, for instance, an ink-absorbing coating, the textile label can easily be manufactured and provided with the desired amount of ink-absorbing means at the desired positions.

In a preferred embodiment, a method according to the invention is characterized by the measures according to claim 7.

By using a printer for printing the textile labels, a user is offered the option of producing individually determined textile labels in a particularly simple manner, for instance on a computer screen. Own designs can be used, as well as pre-entered designs and combinations thereof. Printings can easily be adjusted in, for instance, position, format, number, color and the like, without the necessity of always having to produce a new printing template. In addition, several textile labels can be easily manufactured at the same time. Precisely with a method according to the invention it is possible to choose from a large number of different printers, depending on the individual requirements and wishes of the users.

In a particularly advantageous further embodiment 30, a method according to the invention is further characterized by the measures according to claim 10.

The use of a heat-sealable textile label offers the advantage that the textile label can easily be attached in, for example, a textile product. By providing the textile label on the back side, ie the non-printable side with a backing, the heat-sealable layer which is usually applied on the side concerned is suitably protected against damage and contamination. Moreover, by providing the relevant backing in a thermally insulating manner, the advantage is achieved that the heat-sealable layer during printing of the textile label and / or possibly subsequent heating for transferring the ink to the synthetic fibers in a simple and suitable manner. is protected against excessive heating. After all, this layer may only be heated in such a manner when the textile label is to be secured in or on a suitable product by heat sealing.

Heat-sealing should at least be understood to mean heating of a thermally gluable layer or the like, such that the textile label is fixed on a product by these thermally gluable agents, for instance by a thermal reaction between polymers and the product or by fusion.

By affixing the backing to the back of the textile label, preferably against the thermally glueable layer, by means of an adhesive layer, such that the backing 20 is easily detachable while the adhesives retain their adhesive effect at least up to the heat sealing. achieves the advantage that the back is simply retained in the protective position, while the textile label can be attached temporarily, detachably in or on a product after removal of the back, for example for illustration, as a test or as a presentation aid, while the adhesives additionally during heat sealing ensure that the textile label remains in the desired position.

The invention further relates to a device for use in a method according to the invention, which is characterized by the measures according to claim 12. The invention furthermore relates to an ink container for use in a device 35 according to the invention, characterized by the measures according to claim 13 and a textile label suitable for use in a method according to the invention.

030 03 650 6

Further advantageous embodiments of methods and devices are shown in the description and the claims.

To clarify the invention, exemplary embodiments of methods and an apparatus, with reference to the drawing, will be described. In the drawing: Fig. 1 schematically shows a textile label in a device according to the invention; Fig. 2 shows a top view of a part of a textile label according to the invention, in a first embodiment; Fig. 3A is a cross-section of a textile label along the line III-III in Fig. 2, with a printing 15 applied, for heating or for transferring the ink; Fig. 3B shows a textile label along the line III-III in Fig. 3A, after heating or after transfer of the ink; Fig. 4 is a cross-section of a textile label 20 according to the invention, in a second embodiment.

Fig. 1 schematically shows a textile label 1, included in a printing device 2, provided with means for transferring ink directly to the textile label 1, for instance a printer of the bubble-jet, ink-jet or laser type. To this end, the printer 2 comprises a printer head 3 and one or preferably several ink holders 4, each filled with ink of the transfer or sublimation type, preferably in different colors. The printer 2 is controllable by means of a control device 5, which is shown in Fig. 1 in the form of a computer.

The textile label 1 is composed of a top layer 6, which comprises at least plastic fibers and ink-absorbing means. We will return to this top layer 6 in more detail. A thermally gluable layer 7 is provided under the top layer 6, for instance made of polymers such as polyurethane, polyester-urethane, polyether-urethane or polyester. This layer preferably extends under the entire surface of 1003650 7 the top layer 6 and is suitable for attaching the textile label 1 to, for example, textile by means of heat sealing, a heat treatment in which the thermally gluable layer 7 is heated by, for example, above the 60 ° C, preferably above 90 ° C and subsequent cooling forms a chemical and / or mechanical bond with an adhesive surface on which the textile label is printed. An adhesive layer 8 is provided under the thermally gluable layer 7, for instance formed from a pressure-sensitive adhesive such as 10 acrylates. This adhesive layer 8 also preferably extends under the entire surface of the top layer 6. In practice, sealing temperatures of 200 ° C or more may be suitable.

With the aid of the adhesive layer 8, the textile label 15 is detachably connected to a backing 9, for instance made of paper, plastic or textile. As shown in Fig. 1, a series of textile labels 1 are arranged one behind the other 9 in feed direction P of the printer. Similarly, textile labels 1 can be arranged side by side on a backing 9, such that rows and / or columns of textile labels on one backing 9 are obtained. Each row and / or each column can thereby comprise one or more textile labels 1 with the same or different shapes, dimensions and intended prints. The textile labels 1 can be fed through a printer 2 or the like printing device, using the backing 9 and a transport device 10, schematically shown in fig. 1 as two driving pressure rollers 11. It is of course also possible to use a different type of printing device, for instance a plotter, in which the ink head 3 moves relative to a stationary or moving textile label for applying the printing.

A heating means 12 for heating at least the or each printed part of a textile label, such that the print is at least substantially dry when leaving the printer 2, is provided on the side of the printer head 3 which is in the feed direction. A further purpose of this heating device 12, which for instance can also be arranged in one or both of the pressure rollers 11, will be further elucidated.

By using the adhesive layer 8, a textile label 1 according to the invention can simply be adhered to a product prior to heat sealing, such that the textile label cannot slip during heat sealing. By applying the thermally gluable means 7 and / or the adhesive layer 8 under the entire surface of the top layer 6, it is ensured that during temporary (detachable) adhesion and / or heat sealing an optimum manner is achieved in a particularly simple, fast and economical manner. connection is obtained between the textile label and the product. This prevents shifts, deformation, wrinkling and damage of the textile label 1 before and during use. Incidentally, it is noted that in a method according to the invention textile labels can also be used which are constructed differently, for instance without thermally gluable agents, without an adhesive layer and / or without a backing.

With reference to Fig. 2, a first embodiment of a top layer 6 of a textile label 1 according to the invention will be described. In this embodiment, the top layer 6 is formed by weaving, knitting or the like technique, comprising alternating horizontal and vertical threads (warps and wefts). A first series of threads 13 is at least partly made of ink-absorbing material, a second series of threads 14 at least partly of a plastic to be further described.

The first series of threads 13 is made, for example, from natural fibers and / or ink ad- or absorbent materials, for example cotton, silk, linen or wool or combinations of such materials. During a printing of the textile label, ink 15 is applied to the top layer 6 of the textile label 1, such that the ink 15 forms, for example, an at least partly covering layer on at least the first threads 13 or partially 1003650 9 is absorbed by these threads 13. A transfer ink or sublimating ink is used as ink 15.

The plastic from which the second threads 14 are made is of a kind which, upon raising the temperature to a temperature Tw near or above the transfer or sublimation temperature Ts of the ink 15 to be used, 'works' somewhat, such that of the second in question threads 14 at least the outer layer "opens" to allow the ink 15 to penetrate therein. The ink 15 is therefore transferred from or from the first series of wires 13 to the second series of wires 14. When the temperature is lowered to near or below the temperature Ts, the outer layer of the second wires 14 closes again, including the ink 15 In addition, a chemical reaction may also occur which further fixes the ink 15 in the second threads 14. As long as the temperature Tg to which the textile label is exposed during normal use is lower than the temperature Tw at which the plastic "works", the ink 15 will be trapped 20 remain in the plastic threads 14 and are therefore protected against damage. Washing temperatures for textiles will always be below the temperature Tw. As a result, the print remains protected against damage and wear even with repeated cleaning and long-term use. Polyester, polyamide or acrylic can for instance be used as plastics. Washing temperatures will generally be less than 100 ° C, sealing temperatures are generally much higher, for example around 200 ° C. The working temperature is always higher than the washing temperature.

Suitable thermally gluable agents 7 are, for example, polymers such as polyurethane, polyester-urethane, polyester-urethane, polyester and the like plastics.

Pressure sensitive glues such as acrylates are suitable for the adhesives 8. The self-adhesive layer 8 or the like should not form a barrier to the thermally gluable means 7. The adhesives 8 should therefore preferably be removed from the product on which the textile label is attached during sealing and / or during subsequent cleaning operations, for example by dissolving in washing water. Moreover, the thermally gluable means 7 and the adhesive means 8 can be arranged side by side in thin stripes or small areas.

Paper or textile, for example, is particularly suitable as the material for the backing 9.

By using the backing 9, if heat-sealable (thermally gluable) textile labels 10 are used, the thermally gluable means 7 are prevented from becoming too hot during raising the temperature of the plastic threads 14, in particular if they are thermally insulating or can dissipate heat quickly. This is of great importance since excessive heating of the thermally gluable means 7 during and immediately after printing would result in them becoming less or at least less suitable for subsequent heat sealing of the textile label. Moreover, contamination of the printing device 2 would thereby occur.

Textiles containing a combination of polyester and natural fibers, in a ratio of 20% to 80% polyester and 90% to 10% natural fibers, in particular polyester / cotton 65/35, have proved advantageous. This example should of course not be interpreted restrictively.

Textile labels can of course also be printed by means of a method according to the invention, which are not provided with a thermally glueable layer and / or a self-adhesive layer. For example, sewing labels and self-adhesive, non-heat-sealable textile labels can be printed in a similar manner. A spine 9 can be wholly or partly connected to the textile labels and can cover it wholly or partly on the side remote from the side to be printed.

FIG. 3A and 3B show a cross-sectional side view of a top layer 6 of FIG. 2, before and after heating above the transfer temperature of the ink, respectively.

1003650 11

In Fig. 3A, part of a printing, carried out in transfer ink, is incorporated in the ink-absorbing fibers of the first threads 13. In this figure, the ink-absorbing first threads 13 are shown as threads in a first direction (perpendicular to the sheet of the drawing) and the plastic second threads 14 as threads in the second direction (parallel to the sheet of the drawing), but it will be appreciated that first and second threads may be intertwined or otherwise joined in a variety of ways. depending on the desired distribution thereof. When the top layer 6 is heated, the structure of the plastic second threads 14 opens, while the transfer ink 15 tends to move from the ink-receiving threads 13 to at least the plastic second threads 14 adjacent thereto. To this end, the ink 15 can, for example, sublimate by heating and be sucked up by the opening plastic threads 14. This situation is largely shown in Fig. 3B. After the plastic threads 14 have cooled, they close again, thereby enclosing the ink 15.

Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment of a top layer 26 for a textile label 21 according to the invention. Equal parts have like numerals 1 and 2, plus twenty. In this embodiment, first 23 and second threads 24 are intertwined to form a network, the first 23 and second threads 24 may be the same and are made of plastic of the type described above. At least some of the wires 23, 24 are provided with an ink-absorbing layer 30 over the entire surface or over only a part thereof. When the top layer is heated to above Tw, the ink 15 initially absorbed by the ink-absorbing layer 30, for example by ad- or absorption, will transfer to the plastic cores of the threads 23, 24. In addition, it is particularly advantageous if the ink-absorbing layer 30 then disappears, for example as a result of the temperature increase or during a subsequent cleaning, such that the plastic threads 23, 24 become exposed. Incidentally, the ink-absorbing layer 30 can also be made transparent or during the heating. The ink absorbing layer can be applied to the wires 23, 24 prior to the composition of the top layer 26, but can also be applied afterwards.

In this way, with equal mesh, a greater density of plastic, ink-containing threads is obtained, whereby accurate sharp prints can be obtained.

The use of a heat-generating printer or like printing device has the advantage that, as a result of this, the temperature Tw is suitably reached immediately after applying the ink on the top layer, whereby the ink is directly introduced into the plastic threads 13, 23. included. As a result, smearing of the ink is effectively prevented during further treatment. This is particularly advantageous when using a method and textile label according to the invention for multicolour printing, because it prevents the colors from moving through in a particularly advantageous manner, which results in particularly accurate and sharp prints.

The invention is by no means limited to the exemplary embodiments given in the drawing and the description. Many variations on this are possible.

For example, several types of fibers can be used in a textile label according to the invention, while it is also possible to use threads spun, for example, from two or more different materials. In addition, for example, non-wovens can be used in which, prior to applying the printing with, for instance, a printer, a side to be printed is covered wholly or partly with a layer of ink-absorbing material of the type described above or is extruded. Heating of the top layer can be achieved in many other ways, for example by radiant heat or by means of heating pressure rollers and the like. Furthermore, combinations of the described 1003650 13 embodiments are of course possible. The materials, temperatures and the like mentioned in the description as examples should not be construed to be limitative.

These and many comparable modifications are considered to fall within the scope of the invention.

1003650

Claims (14)

Method for printing a textile label (1, 21), provided with at least one top layer (6, 26), which top layer (6, 26) comprises at least plastic, in particular intertwined plastic fibers (14, 24) and ink 5 includes recording means (13, 23, 30), comprising the following steps: applying a print using ink (15) of the sublimating or transfer type, said ink (15) directly on the textile label (1, 21 ) is applied and absorbed or at least retained by the ink-absorbing means (13, 23, 30); heating the textile label (1, 21) such that the ink (15) is transferred at least substantially from or from the ink receiving means (13, 23, 30) to the plastic (14, 24); and cooling the textile label (1, 21) such that the ink (15) is firmly bonded to the plastic (14, 24). Method according to claim 1, characterized in that at least the plastic (14, 24) is heated to a temperature (Tw) whereby the fiber structure thereof is opened near the ink-receiving means (13, 23, 30), the ink ( 15) is transferred from or from the ink-receiving means (13, 23, 30) to the plastic (14, 24) and at least substantially incorporated into the plastic (14, 24), and wherein the textile label (1, 21 ) is cooled such that the fiber structure of the plastic (14, 24) closes, enclosing the printing ink (15). Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a textile label (1, 21) is used, of which at least the top layer (6) is a mixture of synthetic fibers (14) and ink containing 1003650 fibers (13), preferably natural fibers includes. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that a textile label (1) is used in which the top layer (6) comprises between 40 and 90%, more in particular between 50 and 80% and preferably about 65% synthetic fibers (14). , in particular polyester or polyamide, and between 10 and 60%, more in particular between 20 and 50% and preferably about 35% natural fibers (13), in particular cotton. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a textile label (21) is used, of which at least the top layer (26) comprises a number of plastic fibers (23, 24), at least partly provided with a layer of ink-absorbing means (30). . Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the or each print is printed directly on the top layer (6, 26) of the or each textile label (1, 21) using a printer (2), wherein the transfer ink or sublimating ink (15) is contained in at least one ink cartridge or cartridge (4). Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the or each printing is carried out in a multicolored manner, wherein the ink (15) is at least partly dried during or after application by heating, which heating at least partly ensures the transfer of the ink (15) towards and / or into the plastic fibers (14, 24). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a heat-sealable textile label is used as the textile label (1, 21), wherein on the side of the textile label facing away from the top layer (6, 26) to be printed, a backing (9) is used. has been applied. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that a thermally insulating backing is used as the backing (9). Method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the backing (9) is detachably connected to the side of the textile label (1, 21) facing away from the top layer, preferably by means of an adhesive layer ( 8), wherein the spine (9) remains connected to the textile label in a position covering the said side of the textile label during the printing of the textile label (1, 21). Method according to claim 6 and any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the printer (2) uses a heat generating printer, in particular a printer of the inkjet, bubblejet or laserjet or laser type. Device for use in a method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device comprises a printer (2) of a heat generating type, in particular an inkjet, bubblejet, laserjet or laser printer, provided with at least one ink container (4) 15 which contains transfer ink or sublimating ink (15). Ink container, in particular an ink cartridge or ink cartridge (4), for use in a device according to claim 12, containing transfer ink or sublimating ink (15). Textile label, suitable for use in a method according to any one of claims 1-11. 1003650