Continuous process for indirect printing of polymeric films having texture
US6676869B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 21, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jan 13, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 21, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/2462
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Described is a method of indirect printing on a thermoplastic film having texture, wherein said method comprises: a) providing a heated thermoplastic melt; b) providing a tool having a molding portion that comprises a texture having a surface and a plurality of cavities in said surface, and that comprises a material having a surface energy sufficient to release ink; c) applying ink to said texture; d) substantially drying or curing said ink; e) contacting said thermoplastic melt with said molding portion having ink applied to it; f) forming a texture in said thermoplastic melt, wherein said texture comprises a plurality of protrusions and an area between said protrusions, that is the inverse of the texture of said molding surface; g) transferring said ink from said molding portion to said thermoplastic melt; h) quenching said thermoplastic melt to form a thermoplastic film; and i) removing said thermoplastic film from said molding portion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.