Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of applying decorative foil coated with an adhesive and ink to a material to produce an article having portions bearing ink and other portions bearing said decorative foil, comprising: applying ink in a desired pattern to the material to form an inked material having an ink-bearing and an ink-free portion, said ink having therein, a releasing agent which prevents the adhesive coating on said decorative foil from adhering to the said ink; curing said ink; disposing said decorative foil with the adhesive coating adjacent to said inked material; contacting both the ink-bearing and ink-free portions of said inked material with said adhesive coated decorative foil at a temperature and pressure which causes said adhesive to bond said decorative foil to said ink-free portion of said inked material but not to said ink-bearing portion; and removing said decorative foil from contact with said ink-bearing portion of said inked material, whereby is created an article having portions bearing said decorative foil and having adjacent portions in perfect registration therewith free of said decorative foil and bearing ink in said desired pattern.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of applying decorative foil coated with an adhesive and ink to a material to produce an article having portions bearing ink and other portions bearing said decorative foil, comprising: applying ink in a desired pattern to the material to form an inked material having an ink-bearing and an ink-free portion, said ink having therein, a releasing agent which prevents the adhesive coating on said decorative foil from adhering to the said ink; curing said ink; disposing said decorative foil with the adhesive coating adjacent to said inked material; contacting both the ink-bearing and ink-free portions of said inked material with said adhesive coated decorative foil at a temperature and pressure which causes said adhesive to bond said decorative foil to said ink-free portion of said inked material but not to said ink-bearing portion; and removing said decorative foil from contact with said ink-bearing portion of said inked material, whereby is created an article having portions bearing said decorative foil and having adjacent portions in perfect registration therewith free of said decorative foil and bearing ink in said desired pattern.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said decorative foil is selected from a group consisting of a metal foil, a pigmented foil and patterned foil.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said releasing agent is selected from a group consisting of a wax, a silicone and a fluorocarbon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said adhesive is a thermoplastic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said ink can be cured by exposure to ultraviolet light.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said decorative foil is contacted with said inked material by pressing said decorative foil between said inked material and a smooth, unembossed surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said smooth, unembossed surface is formed by a material selected from a group consisting of rubber and metal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the inked material including the decorative foil covered portion is covered with a protective transparent coating to reduce abrasion and damage to the decorative foil and the inked design.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said protective transparent coating is selected from a group consisting of a polyester and an epoxy.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the material to which said ink and decorative foil are applied is selected from a group consisting of thermoplastic, paper, paperboard, coated paper and coated paperboard.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said material to which said ink and decorative foil are applied is selected from a thermoplastic consisting of a polyolefin and a polystyrene.