Patents Assigned to Foto-Wear, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20070172610
    Abstract: Provided is an image transfer material, comprising an optional support material, and a non-woven or woven fiber web layer, wherein the fiber web is impregnated or coated with a image receiving formulation. The fiber web layer is optionally attached to the support with an adhesion layer. Also provided is a heat transfer process wherein after imaging, the fiber web and adhesion layer are peeled from the optional support material and placed, preferably image side up (when imaged), on top of a receptor element. Alternatively, the fiber web and adhesion layer are peeled and then optionally imaged prior to being placed on the receptor element. Then, an optional non-stick sheet is placed over the imaged fiber web (if placed imaged side up) and heat is applied to the fiber web or the non-stick sheet, if present. The adhesion layer then melts and adheres the imaged web layer to the receptor element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: FOTO-WEAR, INC.
    Inventor: Scott Williams
  • Publication number: 20070172609
    Abstract: Provided is an image transfer material, comprising a support, optionally at least one barrier layer, a melt transfer layer, and an image receiving layer. Also provided is a process for preparing the image transfer material. Further provided is a heat transfer process using the disclosed material. In the heat transfer process, after imaging, the image receiving layer and melt transfer layer are peeled away from the optionally barrier-coated support material and placed, preferably image side up, on top of a receptor element. A non-stick sheet is then optionally placed over the imaged peeled material and heat is applied to the top of the optional non stick sheet. The melt transfer layer then melts and adheres the image to the receptor element. A composition comprising: at least one self-crosslinking polymer; and at least one dye retention aid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: FOTO-WEAR, INC.
    Inventor: Scott Williams
  • Patent number: 7220705
    Abstract: An image transfer sheet is provided which comprises a support, a barrier layer, a polyester layer and an optional a sublimation dye receiving layer; wherein the polyester is capable of being physically separated by the user without water, chemicals or heat. The peeled and imaged polyester is placed onto a receptor element and a non-stick sheet is optionally placed thereon. An iron is placed onto the optional non-stick sheet to drive the polyester and image into the receptor. The invention allows for both correct order image-wise printing and reverse order image-wise printing. This invention allows sublimation dye printing onto a cotton receptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Foto-Wear, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald S. Hare
  • Patent number: 7160411
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat-setting label sheet that is a polymeric transfer sheet that can be marked and transferred by the consumer. Also encompassed by the present invention is a method of transferring the heat-setting label sheets. The heat-setting label sheets of the present invention comprise a support; an optional pressure sensitive adhesive layer; an Adhesion Layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer which melts in the range of 50–250° C., a wax which melts in the range of 50–250° C., or combinations thereof; an optional opaque layer comprising a styrene-butadiene latex, thermoplastic polymer, elastomer, and optional pigment; and a second optional opaque layer comprising vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer, thermoplastic elastomer, elastomer and optional pigment. The heat-setting label sheet of the present invention can be imaged by an electrostatic printer or copier, ink jet printer, offset or screen printing, craft-type marking, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Fóto-Wear, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Williams, Heather Reid
  • Patent number: 7081324
    Abstract: An image transfer sheet is provided which comprises a support, a barrier layer, a dye sublimation ink layer and a polyester layer; wherein the image transfer sheet exhibits cold peel, warm peel and hot peel properties when transferred. A method for transferring an image to a receptor element using the image transfer sheet is also provided. More specifically, the invention relates to an image transfer sheet which can be applied to a receptor element, such as cotton or cotton/polyester blend fabrics or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Foto-Wear, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald S. Hare, Scott A. Williams
  • Patent number: 7021666
    Abstract: The invention relates to a greeting card containing a thermal transfer sheet. The transfer sheet of the present greeting card includes a (1) a support; (2) optionally at least one transfer layer; and (3) an image or an image receiving layer. According to the present greeting card, if the transfer material contains only (1) a support, and (3) an image, the image is not formed using a transferable ink. However, transferable inks may be used under specific conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Foto-Wear Inc.
    Inventor: Donald Hare
  • Patent number: 7008746
    Abstract: A polymeric composition comprising a film-forming binder and a wax emulsion. Optionally included is a retention aid. Also provided is a coated transfer sheet comprising a substrate and at least one release layer comprising the polymeric composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Foto-Wear, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Williams, Heather Penk, Heather Reid
  • Patent number: 6916589
    Abstract: A method for applying an image to a receptor element, which comprises the steps of (i) providing a transfer sheet comprising a support having a first surface and a second surface, and a coating capable of receiving an image on the first surface of the support, (ii) imaging the coating, (iii) dry peeling the coating from the support in the absence of wet release prior to hand ironing, (iv) positioning the dry peeled coating on a receptor element having valleys or pores, (v) positioning a non-stick sheet on the dry peeled coating which is positioned on the receptor element having valleys or pores, and (vi) heating the non-stick sheet to drive the dry peeled coating into the receptor element having valleys or pores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Foto-Wear, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald S. Hare, Scott A. Williams
  • Patent number: 6875487
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat-setting label sheet that is a polymeric transfer sheet that can be marked and transferred by the consumer. Also encompassed by the present invention is a method of transferring the heat-setting label sheets. The heat-setting label sheets of the present invention comprise a support; an optional pressure sensitive adhesive layer; an Adhesion Layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer which melts in the range of 50-250° C., a wax which melts in the range of 50-250° C., or combinations thereof; an optional opaque layer comprising a styrene-butadiene latex, thermoplastic polymer, elastomer, and optional pigment; and a second optional opaque layer comprising vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer, thermoplastic elastomer, elastomer and optional pigment. The heat-setting label sheet of the present invention can be imaged by an electrostatic printer or copier, ink jet printer, offset or screen printing, craft-type marking, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Foto-Wear, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Williams, Heather Reid
  • Patent number: 6869910
    Abstract: An image transfer sheet, having a support sheet, an optional barrier layer on the support sheet, at least one heat release layer on the optional barrier layer or on the support sheet, an image receiving layer on the heat release layer, an optional image layer on the image receiving layer, an optional non-water-dispersible polymer layer on the image layer, and an optional transfer blocking overcoat layer on the optional polymer layer or the image layer, is used in a dry heat transfer process to transfer an image to a receptor element. The image receiving layer of the present invention is a precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC)-containing image receiving layer, a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-containing image receiving layer, or an image receiving layer containing both PCC and PVP (PCC/PVP).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Foto-Wear, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Williams, Anne Hermetet Agler
  • Patent number: 6849312
    Abstract: An image transfer sheet, having a support sheet, an optional barrier layer on the support sheet, a heat release layer on the optional barrier layer or on the support sheet, an optional image-receiving layer on the heat release layer, a design layer having image and non-image areas on the optional image-receiving layer on the heat release layer, an optional non-water-dispersible polymer layer on the design layer, and a transfer blocking overcoat layer on the optional polymer layer or the design layer, is used in a dry heat transfer process to transfer an image area to a receptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Foto-Wear, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott A. Williams
  • Publication number: 20040221945
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat-setting label sheet that is a polymeric transfer sheet that can be marked and transferred by the consumer. Also encompassed by the present invention is a method of transferring the heat-setting label sheets. The heat-setting label sheets of the present invention comprise a support; an optional pressure sensitive adhesive layer; an Adhesion Layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer which melts in the range of 50-250° C., a wax which melts in the range of 50-250° C., or combinations thereof; an optional opaque layer comprising a styrene-butadiene latex, thermoplastic polymer, elastomer, and optional pigment; and a second optional opaque layer comprising vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer, thermoplastic elastomer, elastomer and optional pigment. The heat-setting label sheet of the present invention can be imaged by an electrostatic printer or copier, ink jet printer, offset or screen printing, craft-type marking, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: Foto-Wear, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Williams, Heather Reid
  • Patent number: 6786994
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat-setting label sheet that is a polymeric transfer sheet that can be marked and transferred by the consumer. Also encompassed by the present invention is a method of transferring the heat-setting label sheets. The heat-setting label sheets of the present invention comprise a support; an optional pressure sensitive adhesive layer; an Adhesion Layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer which melts in the range of 50-250° C., a wax which melts in the range of 50-250° C., or combinations thereof; an optional opaque layer comprising a styrene-butadiene latex, thermoplastic polymer, elastomer, and optional pigment; and a second optional opaque layer comprising vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer, thermoplastic elastomer, elastomer and optional pigment. The heat-setting label sheet of the present invention can be imaged by an electrostatic printer or copier, ink jet printer, offset or screen printing, craft-type marking, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Foto-Wear, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Williams, Heather Reid
  • Patent number: 6723773
    Abstract: A coated transfer sheet comprising a substrate having a first and second surface; optionally at least one barrier layer overlaying said first surface, at least one release layer overlaying said at least one barrier layer or, when the barrier layer is not present, said first surface of the substrate; and an optional image receiving layer comprising an ethylene acrylic acid co-polymer dispersion; wherein the coated transfer sheet exhibits cold peel and hot peel properties when transferred, and may be used in electrostatic printers and copiers or other devices in which toner particles are imagewise applied to a substrate. The addition of elastomeric polymers and polyurethanes help provide enhanced wash stability and chemical stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Foto-Wear, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Williams, Heather Penk, Heather Reid
  • Publication number: 20040059038
    Abstract: A polymeric composition comprising a film-forming binder and a wax emulsion. Optionally included is a retention aid. Also provided is a coated transfer sheet comprising a substrate and at least one release layer comprising the polymeric composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: FOTO-WEAR, INC.
    Inventors: Scott Williams, Heather Penk, Heather Reid
  • Publication number: 20040023148
    Abstract: A method for applying an image to a receptor element, which comprises the steps of (i) providing a transfer sheet comprising a support having a first surface and a second surface, and a coating capable of receiving an image on the first surface of the support, (ii) imaging the coating, (iii) dry peeling the coating from the support in the absence of wet release prior to hand ironing, (iv) positioning the dry peeled coating on a receptor element having valleys or pores, (v) positioning a non-stick sheet on the dry peeled coating which is positioned on the receptor element having valleys or pores, and (vi) heating the non-stick sheet to drive the dry peeled coating into the receptor element having valleys or pores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Publication date: February 5, 2004
    Applicant: FOTO-WEAR!, INC.
    Inventors: Donald S. Hare, Scott A. Williams
  • Patent number: 6539652
    Abstract: A process is provided for transferring an image from an imaged transfer sheet onto a receptor using a hand iron. The process provides for an improved transfer performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Foto-Wear, Inc.
    Inventor: Claudia Barry
  • Patent number: 6531216
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat sealable element, which comprises a support, a heat sealing layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer which melts in the range of 50-250° C., a wax which melts in the range of 50-250° C., or combinations thereof, and an image layer which comprises at least one polymer which is capable of selectively receiving and retaining water base colorants. The present invention further relates to a process for heat sealing an image, which comprises imaging the above-mentioned heat sealable element and heating the imaged element in order to melt the imaging layer and heat sealing layer to form substantially a single layer and encapsulating the water base colorant in the single layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Foto-Wear, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Williams, Heather Reid
  • Patent number: 6509131
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an imaging element, which comprises: a support having a front and rear surface; a transfer layer having a melting point of at least 65° C. and which is capable of transferring and adhering developed image and non-image areas from said front surface of said support upon the application of heat energy to the rear surface of the support, the transfer layer strips from the front surface of the support by liquefying and releasing from the support when heated, said liquefied transfer layer providing adherence to a receptor element by flowing onto the receptor element and solidifying thereon, the adherence does not require an external surface adhesive layer; and at least one layer of microcapsules or at least one layer of microcapsules and developer in the same layer or separate layers. The present invention further relates to a method of transferring a photographic image to a receptor element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Foto-Wear, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald S. Hare, Scott A. Williams
  • Publication number: 20030008116
    Abstract: An image transfer sheet, having a support sheet, an optional barrier layer on the support sheet, at least one heat release layer on the optional barrier layer or on the support sheet, an image receiving layer on the heat release layer, an optional image layer on the image receiving layer, an optional non-water-dispersible polymer layer on the image layer, and an optional transfer blocking overcoat layer on the optional polymer layer or the image layer, is used in a dry heat transfer process to transfer an image to a receptor element. The image receiving layer of the present invention is a precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC)-containing image receiving layer, a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-containing image receiving layer, or an image receiving layer containing both PCC and PVP (PCC/PVP).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Applicant: Foto-Wear, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott A. Williams, Anne Hermetet Agler