MX2010005566A - Process for printing and decorating articles by sublimation in 3d by wrapping and tightening actions. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a novel sublimation process for printing and/or decorating different articles in 3D, in an affordable and simple manner, which mainly comprises: manually wrapping an object of polyester, polyurethane or similar polymers, known or unknown, or having a coating of the aforesaid polymers, with printed transfer paper specially designed for this application; strongly tightening the wrapped object with a thin thread; heating the already wrapped and tightened product in an induction oven at a temperature of from about 220°C to about 250°C for 10 min to 30 min for performing the sublimation; then cooling the product and cutting the threads with scissors or a knife and detaching the paper.

Description

PROCEDURE TO PRINT AND DECORATE ARTICLES BY SUBLIMATION IN THREE DIMENSIONS THROUGH WRAPPING AND MOORING D E S C R I P C I O N.

Field encompassed by the invention: The present invention relates in general to a sublimation process for printing and decoration, and more particularly relates to a novel process for printing and decorating by sublimation in the third dimension.

Background of the invention: Sublimation printing systems are already known, especially by Laser printers and with "inkjet" printers, for example in the patent US 2002/0066378 a method and apparatus for transferring a printing by dye sublimation to a polymer coated article is disclosed.; It is also known from US 2003/0159250 a method of application by transfer to grippers for use in manual support systems with different materials. In addition, the sublimation printing system has been documented in some publications.

As it is known, sublimation is a physical procedure that consists of changing the state of the solid matter to the gaseous state, without going through the liquid state and without a change in its chemical composition.

Originally, sublimation was used as a printing technique (graphic, text or both) and decoration on polyester fabrics, giving as a result, designs of extraordinary sharpness, print quality and extreme resistance to washing, since the sublimation ink physically penetrates the pores of the polyester fabric.

The known method basically consists of transferring an impression (graphic, text or both) made on a special paper called "transfer element" towards a polyester fabric, by simultaneously heating to 240 ° C of this transfer paper and the polyester fabric. This temperature generates heat that converts the solid ink that was printed onto the "Transfer Paper" into gas and opens the pores of the polymer, so that the gas actually penetrates through the surface layer. Seconds later, as it begins to cool, the gas again returns to its solid state and the pores of the polymer close, trapping the ink inside. The fact that the ink or inks are embedded within the pores of the polymer explains the duration and resistance of the print. The sharpness and quality of printing depend on the pressure exerted by the heating press or heating calender that holds together both the transfer paper or element and the polyester fabric to be printed.

Subsequent developments of this application, have allowed to apply this technique of printing and decoration to any product that is made of polyester, polyurethane or similar polymers (specially developed for this application) or that are covered by a layer of paint, polyester, polyurethane or similar polymers (specially developed for this application) before the sublimation process, such as t-shirts, shirts, caps, pins, keys, key rings, cups, plates, metal plates, etc. The sublimation process in these cases, is done using presses or thermal plates that allow the transfer element or paper to be attached to the product to be printed or decorate, by sublimation. These presses or thermal plates only allow to print or decorate flat objects (one-dimensional) or when more semi-curved (two dimensions). In these cases and with the help of computer programs and high-tech printers, the sharpness and quality of printing can be and are extraordinarily good, to the degree of being able to sublimate photographs and artistic impressions. None of these presses or thermal plates allow to print and decorate articles simultaneously on all sides (third dimension), since these presses or plates are normally flat or semi-curved.

Recently, techniques and high vacuum machines have been developed, which allow to heat simultaneously the transfer element (in this case a plastic film) and the piece to decorate. At the appropriate time, the transfer element (plastic film where the design, graphic or text, etc.) has already been heated is stretched by a vacuum pump on the product to be printed or decorated.

The fact that the plastic transfer element is stretched by high vacuum to cover the product to be decorated, makes it lose sharpness and print quality, without achieving in almost any case photographic quality of imprésión, unless the product is practically flat or semi-curved, in which case it is much more economical to use a heating press or plate.

This high vacuum procedure only partially works, since the product to be decorated can only be printed on three sides, since one (usually the base) must be supported on the perforated plate through which the high vacuum is exerted to stretch the transmission element (in this case printed plastic film) already hot.

The plastic transmission element (special printed plastic), the process and the high vacuum equipment required, are of great investment and high cost per piece, which does not allow this technology to be suitable for high volume and low cost products such such as locks, padlocks, pull handles, knobs, hand tools, kitchen handles, cell phones, etc., with the disadvantage of only printing and partially decorating and especially the low sharpness and quality of printing.

From the above, it was necessary to design procedures to print and decorate items in third dimension, for which protection is requested in this new application, warning that in view of the proposed, modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Brief description of the invention: In general, the procedure consists of manually wrapping the article to be printed and transferred by sublimation paper with transfer paper and then tightly wrapping the article wrapped with thin thread, then the product treated in this way is heated in an oven between 220 and 250 °. C from 10 to 30 minutes; The pressure exerted by the strong tie with thread, will achieve that the sharpness and quality of impression are the optimal ones.

Detailed description of the invention and best way to carry it out.

Next, we will proceed to make a detailed description of the invention and better way to carry it out, given only as a non-limiting example, since in view of what is described, different embodiments can be made in the components, in its dimensions forms or materials, without contemplating another invention, since the latter must be contemplated in its broadest sense, including everything that is utilitarianly analogous, known or unknown.

The procedure includes the following stages: 1. - Manually wrapping with printed transfer paper the object of polyester, polyurethane or similar polymers, known or to be known, or having a coating of polymers mentioned, specially designed for this application. 2 - . 2 - Tie tightly the previous wrapped object, with thin thread. 3. - Heat the product already wrapped and moored in an induction oven between 220 and 250 ° C for a period of time of 10 to 30 minutes, to allow sublimation; Y 4. - After cooling the product, cut with scissors or razor the threads of the tie and remove the remaining paper.

Our method of wrapping and lashing for the printing and decoration of articles by sublimation in third dimension described above, is extremely economical and allows to carry it out in a simplistic way and with a low investment amount. This method of wrapping and lashing allows decorating and printing any metallic or plastic article, ceramic, glass, etc., in any shape or size, on all sides and without detriment to the sharpness and print quality. This procedure allows to transfer an impression (design, graphic, text, etc.) made on a "transfer paper" to any polyester object or article, polyurethane or similar polymers or having a coating of said polymers, specially designed for this application.

The pressure required to achieve sharpness and print quality is achieved by the pressure exerted by tying the item or product to print and decorate with several turns of thread. The suitable temperature will allow the ink of the transfer paper to sublime and penetrate the polymer product or polymer coated, with which the product or article to be decorated was painted.

The result is a product with printing or decorated on all sides (three-dimensional) with a design of high mechanical resistance, antioxidant protection and long-lasting, sharpness, high print quality and a very economical cost.

The application of this new simple and economical technology can be easily used in a wide variety of products, such as: locks, locks, keys, jaladoras, handles, knobs, hand tools. kitchen handles, cell phones, etc.

Claims (4)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N E S. Having described the invention, we consider as a novelty and therefore claim as our property, what is contained in the following claims:

1. - PROCEDURE FOR PRINTING AND DECORATING ARTICLES BY SUBLIMATION IN THREE DIMENSIONS THROUGH WRAPPING AND AMARRE, characterized in that it basically comprises the following stages: wrapping manually with transfer paper already printed the object of polyester, polyurethane or similar polymers, known or to be known, or having a coating of the aforementioned polymers, specially designed for this application; strongly tie the previous wrapped object, with thin thread; heat the product already wrapped and moored in an induction oven between 220 and 250 ° C for a period of time of 10 to 30 minutes, to allow sublimation; and after cooling the product, cut with scissors or razor the threads of the tie and remove the excess paper.

2. - PROCEDURE FOR PRINTING AND DECORATING ARTICLES BY SUBLIMATION IN THREE DIMENSIONS THROUGH WRAPPING AND MOORING, characterized in that, to achieve clarity and printing quality, the product to be printed and decorated is tied with several twists of thread.

3. - PROCEDURE FOR PRINTING AND DECORATING ARTICLES BY SUBLIMATION IN THREE DIMENSIONS THROUGH WRAPPING AND MOORING, characterized in that, it allows to decorate any metallic item, plastic, ceramic, etc.

4. - PROCEDURE FOR PRINTING AND DECORATING ARTICLES BY SUBLIMATION IN THREE DIMENSIONS THROUGH WRAPPING AND MOORING, characterized in that, it allows to decorate products such as: locks, locks, keys, jaladoras, handles, knobs, hand tools, kitchen handles, cell phones, etc. . R E S U E The present invention provides a novel sublimation process for the printing and / or decoration of various articles in third dimension, in an economical and simple way, which basically comprises: manually wrapping with printed transfer paper an object of polyester, polyurethane or polymers similar, known or to be known, or else having a coating of the aforementioned polymers, specially designed for this application; strongly tie the previous wrapped object, with thin thread; heat the product already wrapped and moored in an induction oven between 220 and 250 ° C for a period of time of 10 to 30 minutes, to allow sublimation; and after cooling the product, cut with scissors or razor the threads of the tie and remove the excess paper.