US4404249A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermal imprinting of substrates
Assignee: Dennison Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1980-10-06
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Granted: 1983-09-13
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Expires: 2000-10-06
Abstract
Abstract Thermal imprinting of substrates, for example one or more surfaces of multi-dimensional objects, using a heat transfer film formed by a carrier and a release layer of pigmented, low molecular weight polyolefin. The imprint is made by bringing the transfer layer into contact with the surface of an object and applying heat. This releases the transfer layer to the surface being imprinted. When the transfer layer is required to have any significant thickness, it desirably includes a low melting point wax or resin to provide flexibility. The release characteristic can be improved by the inclusion of a further crystalline wax layer between the transfer layer and the carrier.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward S. Margerum
- 👤 Norman A. Hiatt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 16:25
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41M; B41M5/00; B41M5/26; B41M5/40; B41M5/42; B41M5/423; B41M5/382; B41M5/392; B41M5/395; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/913; Y10S428/914; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24802; Y10T428/24843; Y10T428/24893; Y10T428/24901; Y10T428/24942; Y10T428/2495; Y10T428/24967; Y10T428/24975; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31786; Y10T428/31797; Y10T428/31801; Y10T428/31844; Y10T428/31855; Y10T428/31909; Y10T428/31913; Y10T428/31938
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
38 words
A heat transfer film comprising (a) a plastic film carrier; (b) a transfer layer consisting of a uniform blend of a pigmented polyolefin and a rosin ester applied as a single uniform hot melt coating to said carrier.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
38 words
A heat transfer film comprising (a) a plastic film carrier; (b) a transfer layer consisting of a uniform blend of a pigmented polyolefin and a rosin ester applied as a single uniform hot melt coating to said carrier.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A heat transfer film in accordance with claim 1 wherein the molecular weight of said polyolefin is below about 10,000.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A heat transfer film in accordance with claim 2 wherein said polyolefin is polyethylene resin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A heat transfer film in accordance with claim 2 wherein said polyolefin has a crystallinity below about 0.1 percent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A heat transfer film in accordance with claim 2 wherein said polyolefin has a softening point in the range from about 80° to 150° C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A heat transfer film in accordance with claim 2 wherein said polyolefin has a ring and bell softening point in the range from about 100° to about 150° C.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A heat transfer film in accordance with claim 2 wherein said polyolefin has a penetration hardness for 100 grams applied for 5 seconds at 25° C. in the range from about 0.1 to about 0.5 millimeters.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A heat transfer film in accordance with claim 2 wherein said polyolefin has a density at 25° C. in the range from about 0.8 to about 0.99 grams per cubic centimeter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A heat transfer film in accordance with claim 2 wherein said polyolefin has an acid number less than about 20.0.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
A heat transfer film in accordance with claim 2 wherein said polyolefin has a molecular weight in the range from about 2000 to about 20,000.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A heat transfer film in accordance with claim 2 wherein said polyolefin has a cloud point in the range from about 69° to about 104° C. for 2 percent paraffin at 130° F.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
A heat transfer film in accordance with claim 2 further including a crystalline wax transfer layer between said carrier and said transfer layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A heat transfer film in accordance with claim 2 wherein a dye is used in place of a pigment.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
A heat transfer film in accordance with claim 2 wherein the viscosity in said blend is below about 20 poises per second at a temperature of 125° C.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
A heat transfer film in accordance with claim 2 wherein the amount of pigment varies between 15 and 50 percent by weight of said blend.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
A heat transfer film in accordance with claim 2 wherein the polyolefin varies between 50 and 85 percent by weight of said blend.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A heat transfer film in accordance with claim 2 wherein said plastic film is polyester or polypropylene.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
A heat transfer film in accordance with claim 17 wherein the plastic film has a thickness in the range from about 0.5 to about 1 mil.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
A heat transfer film in accordance with claim 2 wherein the transfer coating is below about 0.0002 inch.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
A heat transfer film in accordance with claim 2 further including up to 20 percent resin by weight in said blend.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
A heat transfer film in accordance with claim 2 wherein the polyolefin is at least 25 percent of the blend.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-09-12 | 1987-03-14 | 1987-09-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-09-12 | 1991-03-14 | 1991-09-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-09-12 | 1995-03-14 | 1995-09-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |