Foam-core structure with graphics-imprinted skin
US5211593A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 23, 1992 |
| Grant date | May 18, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 23, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB32B2323/04
- WIPO fieldSurface technology, coating
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A system is disclosed for applying a graphics-imprinted skin to a substrate of expanded polyolefin foam. The system is used to create bodyboards and other foam devices with durable graphic images. The skin is made of a plurality of thin-film polyethylene layers adhesively bonded together. The outermost layer is a sheet of nonopaque (i.e., clear) polyethylene with graphic images imprinted on one side. The images are printed in reverse pattern and viewed through the polyethylene sheet from the other side. The nonopaque sheet is then adhesively bonded to an opaque backing sheet along the graphic-imprinted surface. The result is a flexible laminated skin material with visible graphics on one side. The skin material is then thermolaminated to the foam substrate with the graphics facing outwardly. A method of continuous fabrication is also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.