US4869941A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Indication element with protective layer and process for producing the same
Assignee: Fujicopian Co Ltd
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Filing: 1987-07-13
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Granted: 1989-09-26
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Expires: 2007-07-13
Abstract
Abstract An indication element with a protective layer which comprises a receiving medium having an image in a desired pattern on one side thereof, said image being formed by transferring a transferable colored ink of a thermal transfer ink sheet to said receiving medium preferably by means of a thermal printer; and a laminating material laminated to the image-bearing side of said receiving medium, at least the surface layer of said receiving medium on the image-bearing side or at least the surface layer of said laminating material on the side in contact with said receiving medium being compatible with the vehicle of said transferable colored ink. The indication element has a clear image without defects caused by flowing of the image formed on the receiving medium. The production of the indication element can be automatized due to the formation of an image by means of a thermal printer.
Inventors
- 👤 Sadayuki Ohki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 16:41
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41M; B41M5/00; B41M5/26; B41M7/00; B41M7/0027; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/913; Y10S428/914; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/14; Y10T428/1438; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24802; Y10T428/24851; Y10T428/24868; Y10T428/24876
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
191 words
An indication element with a protective layer, comprising: a receiving medium having an image in a desired pattern thermally printed on one side thereof, said image being an image of a colored heat-sensitive transfer ink comprising a coloring agent and a vehicle transferred from a thermal ink sheet; and a laminating material directly laminated and bonded to the image-bearing surface of said receiving medium by heat and pressure, wherein at least one of the surface layer of said receiving medium on the image-bearing side and the surface layer of said laminating material on the side in contact with said receiving medium is compatible with said vehicle of said colored ink so that said colored ink is directly united to at least one of said surface layers by said heat and pressure, resulting in the colored ink constituting a part of the surface layer of at least one of said surface layers, and wherein at least said surface layer of the receiving medium on the image-bearing side thereof comprises a thermoplastic resin, said resin being compatible with said vehicle of the colored ink and having a softening temperature lower than the laminating
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
191 words
An indication element with a protective layer, comprising: a receiving medium having an image in a desired pattern thermally printed on one side thereof, said image being an image of a colored heat-sensitive transfer ink comprising a coloring agent and a vehicle transferred from a thermal ink sheet; and a laminating material directly laminated and bonded to the image-bearing surface of said receiving medium by heat and pressure, wherein at least one of the surface layer of said receiving medium on the image-bearing side and the surface layer of said laminating material on the side in contact with said receiving medium is compatible with said vehicle of said colored ink so that said colored ink is directly united to at least one of said surface layers by said heat and pressure, resulting in the colored ink constituting a part of the surface layer of at least one of said surface layers, and wherein at least said surface layer of the receiving medium on the image-bearing side thereof comprises a thermoplastic resin, said resin being compatible with said vehicle of the colored ink and having a softening temperature lower than the laminating
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The indication element of claim 1, wherein the laminating material is a transparent sheet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The indication element of claim 2, wherein the receiving medium is a thin flexible sheet and a release paper is bonded to the back surface of the receiving medium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The indication element of claim 3, wherein said release paper is bonded to the back surface of the receiving medium through an adhesive layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The indication element of claim 2, wherein the back surface of the receiving medium is bonded to a foundation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The indication element of claim 5, wherein the foundation is a member selected from the group consisting of a metal plate, a synthetic resin plate, a wood plate and a cloth.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The indication element of claim 6, wherein the back surface of the receiving medium is welded to the foundation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
218 words
An indication element with a protective layer, comprising: a receiving medium having an image in a desired pattern thermally printed on one side thereof, said image being an image of a colored heat-sensitive transfer ink comprising a coloring agent and a vehicle transferred from a thermal ink sheet; and a laminating material directly laminated and bonded to the image-bearing surface of said receiving medium by heat and pressure, wherein at least one of the surface layer of said receiving medium of the image-bearing side and the surface layer of said laminating material on the side in contact with said receiving medium is compatible with said vehicle of said colored ink so that said colored ink is directly united to at least one of said surface layers by said heat and pressure, resulting in the colored ink constituting a part of the surface layer of at least one of said surface layers, and wherein at least said surface layer of the laminating material on the side in contact with the receiving medium comprises a thermoplastic resin, and resin being compatible with said vehicle of the colored ink, and having a softening temperature lower than the laminating temperature so that said colored ink of said image is directly united to said surface layer, which is softened at the laminating temperature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
218 words
An indication element with a protective layer, comprising: a receiving medium having an image in a desired pattern thermally printed on one side thereof, said image being an image of a colored heat-sensitive transfer ink comprising a coloring agent and a vehicle transferred from a thermal ink sheet; and a laminating material directly laminated and bonded to the image-bearing surface of said receiving medium by heat and pressure, wherein at least one of the surface layer of said receiving medium of the image-bearing side and the surface layer of said laminating material on the side in contact with said receiving medium is compatible with said vehicle of said colored ink so that said colored ink is directly united to at least one of said surface layers by said heat and pressure, resulting in the colored ink constituting a part of the surface layer of at least one of said surface layers, and wherein at least said surface layer of the laminating material on the side in contact with the receiving medium comprises a thermoplastic resin, and resin being compatible with said vehicle of the colored ink, and having a softening temperature lower than the laminating temperature so that said colored ink of said image is directly united to said surface layer, which is softened at the laminating temperature.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The indication element of claim 8, wherein the receiving medium is a transparent thin flexible sheet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The indication element of claim 9, wherein a release paper is bonded to the back surface of the laminating material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The indication element of claim 10, wherein said release paper is bonded to the back surface of the laminating material through an adhesive layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The indication element of claim 9, wherein the back surface of the laminating material is bonded to a foundation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The indication element of claim 12, wherein the foundation is a member selected from the group consisting of a metal plate, a synthetic resin plate, a wood plate and a cloth.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The indication element of claim 13, wherein the back surface of the laminating material is welded to the foundation.
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) | 1992-09-25 | 1993-03-27 | 1993-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-09-25 | 1997-03-27 | 1997-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-09-25 | 2001-03-27 | 2001-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |