US5935692A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Composite for in mold transfer printing
Assignee: Kittrich Corp
•
Filing: 1997-10-02
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Granted: 1999-08-10
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Expires: 2017-10-02
Abstract
Abstract A transfer composite for in-mold decoration of molded plastic or rubber articles complexing a casting substrate having a controlled release surface, and a thin discontinuously printed pressure sensitive adhesive tape-strippable pattern deposited on the casting substrate, whereby the transfer composite is suitable for inserting into a mold and adapted to resist print-distorting movement during flow of plastics or rubbers in the mold, yet capable of permanently bonding to the molded article without the use of adhesives. After removal from the mold the casting substrate and the controlled release surface are stripped from the decorated article.
Inventors
- 👤 John Ralph Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:07
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C43/00; B29C43/02; B29C43/18; B29C43/183; B29C37/00; B29C37/0025; B29C45/00; B29C45/14; B29C45/14827; B29C70/00; B29C70/68; B29C70/78; B44; B44C; B44C1/00; B44C1/16; B44C1/165; B44C1/17; B44C1/1712; B29C37/0028; B29C2037/0046; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/722; B29L2031/744; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/23; Y10T428/239; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24802; Y10T428/24851; Y10T428/24868; Y10T428/24876; Y10T428/24893; Y10T428/24901; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31678; Y10T428/31681; Y10T428/31721
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A transfer composite for the in-mold embedding of decorative indicia into the surface of a molded plastic or rubber article, said composite comprising: (i) a casting substrate; (ii) a printable controlled-release surface permanently adhered to the casting substrate; (iii) a thin discontinuous pattern of ink comprising a pigment or a dye and a polymeric vehicle wherein the discontinuous pattern of ink is semi-permanently adhered onto the controlled-release surface, is embedded in the surface of the molded plastic or rubber article to a depth about equal to the height of the discontinuous pattern of ink and is exposed at the surface of the plastic or rubber article.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
106 words
A transfer composite for the in-mold embedding of decorative indicia into the surface of a molded plastic or rubber article, said composite comprising: (i) a casting substrate; (ii) a printable controlled-release surface permanently adhered to the casting substrate; (iii) a thin discontinuous pattern of ink comprising a pigment or a dye and a polymeric vehicle wherein the discontinuous pattern of ink is semi-permanently adhered onto the controlled-release surface, is embedded in the surface of the molded plastic or rubber article to a depth about equal to the height of the discontinuous pattern of ink and is exposed at the surface of the plastic or rubber article.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The transfer composite as defined in claim 1 wherein the casting substrate comprises paper or a polymer film.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The transfer composite as defined in claim 2, wherein the polymer film is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, poly(vinyl chloride), polyester, polyurethane, polyacrylate, polycarbonate, polyamide, natural or synthetic rubber or a blend comprising any of the foregoing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
The transfer composite as defined in claim 1 wherein the release energy of the casting substrate having the controlled-release surface is about 23 dynes/cm or greater and, in addition, the controlled release surface has inherent film properties that are self supporting.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The transfer composite as defined in claim 4 wherein the release energy of the casting substrate having said controlled-release surface is about 25 dynes/cm or greater.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The transfer composite as defined in claim 1, wherein the ink comprises a pigment or a dye and the vehicle comprises a thermoplastic or a thermosetting resin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The transfer composite as defined in claim 6, wherein the vehicle is selected from the group consisting of a vinyl polymer or copolymer resin, a polyamide, a polyolefin, a polyester, a polylurethane, an epoxy resin, a styrene-butadiene resin, a nitrile rubber, or a mixture of any of the foregoing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The transfer composite as defined in claim 1 wherein said discontinuous pattern (A) (iii) is a pigmented opaque thin layer that provides the decorated surface of the molded article with the appearance of dry paint.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The transfer composite as defined in claim 1 further comprising a protective layer on the surface of the article and printing ink to enhance the abrasion resistance of the ink.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
108 words
A transfer composite for the in-mold embedding of decorative indicia into the surface of a molded plastic or rubber article, said composite consisting essentially of: (i) a casting substrate; (ii) a printable controlled-release surface permanently adhered to the casting substrate; and (iii) a thin discontinuous pattern of ink comprising a pigment or a dye and a polymeric vehicle wherein the discontinuous pattern of ink is semi-permanently adhered onto the controlled-release surface, is embedded in the surface of the molded plastic or rubber article to depth about equal to the height of the discontinuous pattern of ink and is exposed at the surface of the plastic or rubber article.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
108 words
A transfer composite for the in-mold embedding of decorative indicia into the surface of a molded plastic or rubber article, said composite consisting essentially of: (i) a casting substrate; (ii) a printable controlled-release surface permanently adhered to the casting substrate; and (iii) a thin discontinuous pattern of ink comprising a pigment or a dye and a polymeric vehicle wherein the discontinuous pattern of ink is semi-permanently adhered onto the controlled-release surface, is embedded in the surface of the molded plastic or rubber article to depth about equal to the height of the discontinuous pattern of ink and is exposed at the surface of the plastic or rubber article.
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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) | 2002-08-09 | 2003-02-08 | 2003-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-08-09 | 2007-02-08 | 2007-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-08-09 | 2011-02-08 | 2011-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |