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US5397634A
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Transferable protective cover layers
Assignee: PGI Graphics Imaging LLC
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Filing: 1993-07-22
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Granted: 1995-03-14
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Expires: 2013-07-22
Abstract
Abstract A novel transfer element for protecting, graphic arts images is disclosed. The transfer element consists essentially of, a temporary carrier layer, a substantially silane-free protective layer, and an adhesive layer permanently adhered to the protective layer. In particular, the temporary carrier layer is a polymeric sheet material, a foraminous sheet material, or composites thereof; and the protective layer comprises a cross-linked cellulose ester. When the transfer element of this invention is used, the temporary carrier layer is removed, as the final step, from the protective layer which remains substantially intact. The transfer element is useful in manufacturing protected images of all sizes and is particularly suited to protecting large format images such as billboards.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas A. Cahill
- 👤 Richard S. Himmelwright
- 👤 Francis J. Kearney
- 👤 Joseph M. Roach
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 07:35
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03C; G03C11/00; G03C11/08; B; B41; B41M; B41M7/00; B41M7/0027; C; C09; C09J; C09J7/00; C09J7/20; G03F; G03F1/00; G03F1/38; G03F1/48; G03G; G03G8/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/913; Y10S428/914; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24802; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249953; Y10T428/28; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31551; Y10T428/31786; Y10T428/31855; Y10T428/3188; Y10T428/31884; Y10T428/31888; Y10T428/31935; Y10T428/31971; Y10T428/31975; Y10T428/31978; Y10T428/31986
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A transfer element for protecting image surfaces consisting essentially of, in the order given; A) a temporary carrier layer selected from the group consisting of a polymeric sheet material, a foraminous sheet material, and composites thereof, B) a substantially silane-free protective layer which consists essentially of a cross-linked cellulose ester, wherein the protective layer may be removed, substantially intact, from the temporary carrier layer, and wherein the protective layer will withstand scribing with the point of a 4H pencil without breakthrough, and C) an adhesive layer permanently adhered to the protective layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A transfer element for protecting image surfaces consisting essentially of, in the order given; A) a temporary carrier layer selected from the group consisting of a polymeric sheet material, a foraminous sheet material, and composites thereof, B) a substantially silane-free protective layer which consists essentially of a cross-linked cellulose ester, wherein the protective layer may be removed, substantially intact, from the temporary carrier layer, and wherein the protective layer will withstand scribing with the point of a 4H pencil without breakthrough, and C) an adhesive layer permanently adhered to the protective layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The transfer element of claim 1 wherein the temporary carrier layer is a flexible web or sheet material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The transfer element of claim 1 wherein the temporary carrier layer is a polymeric film.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The transfer element of claim 3 wherein the polymeric film is polyethylene terephthalate or a polyolefin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The transfer element of claim 1 wherein the temporary carrier layer is a composite of the polymeric sheet material and the foraminous sheet material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The transfer element of claim 5 wherein the polymeric sheet material forms at least one surface of the composite, said surface being contiguous to the protective layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The transfer element of claim 1 wherein the cellulose ester is selected from the group consisting of cellulose acetate propionate; cellulose acetate butyrate; and combinations thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The transfer element of claim 1 wherein the protective layer contains a second polymeric film material selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride; polyvinyl butyral; polyesters; acrylics; polyurethanes; styrene copolymers; styrene acrylonitrile; and combinations thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The transfer element of claim 1 wherein the protective layer is visually transparent in at least one region within the visible spectral region.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The transfer element of claim 1 wherein the protective layer has a thickness in the range of about 0.5 μm to about 10 μm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The transfer element of claim 1 wherein the protective layer contains a UV absorbing material dispersed therein.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The transfer element of claim 1 wherein the adhesive layer comprises a thermally activated adhesive material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The transfer element of claim 12 wherein the thermally activated adhesive material is a thermoplastic polyurethane, polycaprolactone, acrylic copolymer, or combinations thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The transfer element of claim 12 wherein the adhesive layer is activated at a pressure and a temperature which is above ambient pressure and temperature.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The transfer element of claim 14 wherein the adhesive layer is activated under an applied pressure of about 70 p.s.i. (4.9 kg/cm 2 ) or greater and at a temperature of about 80° C. or greater.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The transfer element of claim 1 wherein the adhesive layer comprises a photo-activated adhesive material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
The transfer element of claim 1 wherein the adhesive layer is substantially tack-free.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The transfer element of claim 1 wherein the adhesive layer is visually transparent in at least one region within the visible spectral region.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The transfer element of claim 1 wherein the adhesive layer contains a UV absorbing material dispersed therein.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
101 words
A transfer element for protecting image surfaces consisting essentially of, in the order given; A) a temporary carrier layer selected from the group consisting of a polymeric sheet material, a foraminous sheet material, and composites thereof, B) a substantially silane-free protective layer which consists essentially of a cross-linked cellulose ester, wherein the protective layer may be removed, substantially intact, from the temporary carrier layer, wherein the protective layer will withstand scribing with the point of a 4H pencil without breakthrough, C) an adhesive layer permanently adhered to the protective layer, and D) a removable coversheet is adhered to the adhesive layer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
101 words
A transfer element for protecting image surfaces consisting essentially of, in the order given; A) a temporary carrier layer selected from the group consisting of a polymeric sheet material, a foraminous sheet material, and composites thereof, B) a substantially silane-free protective layer which consists essentially of a cross-linked cellulose ester, wherein the protective layer may be removed, substantially intact, from the temporary carrier layer, wherein the protective layer will withstand scribing with the point of a 4H pencil without breakthrough, C) an adhesive layer permanently adhered to the protective layer, and D) a removable coversheet is adhered to the adhesive layer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The transfer element of claim 20 wherein the removable coversheet is selected from the group consisting of a polymeric sheet material, a foraminous sheet material, and composites thereof.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The transfer element of claim 21 wherein the removable coversheet is a flexible polymeric film.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The transfer element of claim 22 wherein the flexible polymeric film is polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, or a polypropylene.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
The transfer element of claim 20 wherein the removable coversheet is surface treated or coated with a material to enhance desired release characteristics.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The transfer element of claim 24 wherein the removable coversheet is surface treated with a silicone release agent.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-03-13 | 1998-09-12 | 1999-03-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-03-13 | 2002-09-12 | 2003-03-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-03-13 | 2006-09-12 | 2007-03-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |