US4465489A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Decorating metal containers
Assignee: METAL BOX P1C (FORMERLY METAL BOX LIMITED)
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Filing: 1982-07-14
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Granted: 1984-08-14
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Expires: 2002-07-14
Abstract
Abstract Metal containers, such as cans, are printed when empty by means of dye diffusion transfer, the dyes being first printed on to a paper web which is cut into individual carriers. Each carrier is secured, somewhat in the manner of a label, to a container by a water-soluble adhesive so that, upon being heated to effect dye transfer, the carrier comes into intimate contact with a suitably receptive coating, pre-applied to the container, solely by virtue of its own shrinkage. The carrier and adhesive are subsequently removed by water spray.
Inventors
- 👤 Leonard A. Jenkins
- 👤 Terence A. Turner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 03:15
CPC Classifications
B; B44; B44C; B44C1/00; B44C1/16; B44C1/165; B44C1/17; B44C1/1712; B44C1/1716; B41; B41M; B41M5/00; B41M5/025; B41M5/035; B41M5/0358
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of decorating metal containers, including, in respect of each of a succession of metal containers, the steps (1) applying a separate, flexible carrier having an area substantially equal to the area to be decorated and printed with indicia in sublimable dyestuff over a coating receptive to such dyestuff on a surface of the container, temporarily holding the carrier on the container by means of an adhesive such as to be removable without damage to the coating; (2) heating the container whilst the carrier is held to it, at such a temperature and for such a time that the carrier freely shrinks into intimate contact with the coating and a substantial proportion of the dyestuff sublimes so as to transfer the indicia into the coating; (3) allowing the container to cool; and (4) stripping the carrier and adhesive.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of decorating metal containers, including, in respect of each of a succession of metal containers, the steps (1) applying a separate, flexible carrier having an area substantially equal to the area to be decorated and printed with indicia in sublimable dyestuff over a coating receptive to such dyestuff on a surface of the container, temporarily holding the carrier on the container by means of an adhesive such as to be removable without damage to the coating; (2) heating the container whilst the carrier is held to it, at such a temperature and for such a time that the carrier freely shrinks into intimate contact with the coating and a substantial proportion of the dyestuff sublimes so as to transfer the indicia into the coating; (3) allowing the container to cool; and (4) stripping the carrier and adhesive.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the adhesive and carriers are applied by an automatic container-labelling machine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive is applied to each successive container immediately prior to the presentation of the carrier thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein the adhesive is applied to each successive container immediately prior to the presentation of the carrier thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein the adhesive is applied in liquid form by way of a spray or jet of adhesive.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 4, wherein the adhesive is applied in liquid form by way of a spray or jet of adhesive.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the containers are heated by hot air.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive is water soluble.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 8, wherein the carrier and adhesive are stripped by the application of a water spray.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein the containers are passed between a plurality of moving elements engaging the carrier so as to strip, or assist in stripping, the carrier and adhesive from the containers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 10, wherein the moving elements comprise endless belts of rubbery material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4352721A
Cited
US4323601A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-08-14 | 1988-02-13 | 1988-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-08-14 | 1992-02-13 | 1992-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-08-14 | 1996-02-13 | 1996-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |