Abstract: The present invention involves a method of creating a transfer. The method comprises providing a heat sensitive polymer substrate having a heat sensitive opaque polymer film and a heat activated adhesive disposed thereon, and providing a second carrier film having a second polymer film and a second adhesive wherein the second adhesive has a peel strength which decreases with increasing temperature. The method further includes printing resin solids in a desired graphic onto the opaque polymer film at a temperature which is below the temperature at which the polymer substrate is activated to create a printed transfer, positioning the printed transfer on the second polymer film, and adhering the printed transfer onto an adherable article by applying sufficient heat to the polymer substrate at a temperature which is above the temperature which the polymer substrate activates and at which to substantially reduce the peel strength of the second adhesive.

Abstract: An emblem for embroidery stitching directly to a substrate is disclosed which provides an emblem which can be readily embroidered. The emblem includes a fabric layer with a thermoplastic adhesive coating one side of the fabric layer and a pressure sensitive adhesive coating the thermoplastic adhesive to provide an emblem which can temporarily adhere to a substrate. The emblem can thus be temporarily secured during embroidery and prevent distortion of the emblem. Following embroidery, the emblem is heat-sealed to a substrate and the thermoplastic adhesive coating penetrates through the pressure sensitive adhesive for attachment of the emblem to the substrate.

Abstract: An impressed emblem is disclosed which includes a cover sheet which is used together with heat and pressure to impress a desired pattern on an emblem. The emblem can also be impressed with a pattern and simultaneously heat-sealed onto a desired substrate.

Abstract: A composite film of two layers, including a graphic color layer containing at least 50 wt % thermoplastic polyurethane, at least 10 wt % pigment, and a polyester elastomer, and an adhesive layer containing a thermoplastic adhesive. The color layer contains a non-blooming internal wax lubricant constituting less than about 0.1 wt % of the color layer. A combination including a laminate of two layers, one layer of which contains a polyurethane and the other layer of which includes an amorphous polyester directly adhered to a fabric, the improvement including the layer which contains a polyurethane, having an opaque exposed surface substantially free of surface lubricants. In a process for extruding polyurethane film, the improvement including mixing no more than about 0.1 wt % of a non-blooming internal wax lubricant in the polyurethane, prior to extrusion.

Abstract: An impressed emblem is disclosed which includes a cover sheet which is used together with heat and pressure to impress a desired pattern on an emblem. The emblem can also be impressed with a pattern and simultaneously heat-sealed onto a desired substrate.

Abstract: A composite film of two layers, comprising a graphic color layer containing at least 50 wt % thermoplastic polyurethane, at least 10 wt % pigment, and a polyester elastomer, and an adhesive layer containing a thermoplastic adhesive. The color layer contains a non-blooming internal wax lubricant constituting less than about 0.1 wt % of the color layer. A combination comprising a laminate of two layers, one layer of which contains a polyurethane and the other layer of which includes an amorphous polyester directly adhered to a fabric, the improvement comprising said layer which contains a polyurethane, having an opaque exposed surface substantially free of surface lubricants. In a process for extruding polyurethane film, the improvement comprising mixing no more than about 0.1 wt % of a non-blooming internal wax lubricant in the polyurethane, prior to extrusion.

Abstract: A simplified assembly for a multi-colored emblem that includes a non-woven base layer which outlines the emblem. The non-woven base layer extends beyond the embroidered fabric layer and provides an emblem with a non-fraying border.

Abstract: An improved apparatus (10) for thermally bonding indicia to caps comprises relatively movable upper and lower platens (12,14) with a heat source in one of the platens for heating it. A handle (18) pivotal in a vertical plane raises and lowers the upper platen (12) swinging it through virtually a 90.degree. arc to permit easy positioning of a cap between the platens where they are open. Both platens (12,14) have curved nesting pressing surfaces (20,20'), the upper platen pressing surface (20) having a concave shape and the lower platen pressing surface (20') having a convex shape with the radius of curvature of the upper platen pressing surface (20) being greater than the radius of curvature of the lower platen pressing surface (20') so that the platens (12,14) apply equal pressure across a cap disposed between them.

Abstract: Paired numerals for use on sports clothing incorporate a common design theme throughout the numerals from 00 to 99 in which a left numeral set from 0 to 9 has each number of the set associated with a portion of the overall design theme and a right numeral set from 0 to 9 as each number of the set provided with the remaining portion of the design theme such that the portion of the design which appears in association with any number of the left numeral set compliments the design portion of any number in the right numeral set such that when any number from the left set is placed normally adjacnet and to the left of any number from the right set, the overall design theme will be completed.

Abstract: A web suitable for the elevated temperature transfer of graphics to fabric comprises a thermoplastic film release sheet having upper and lower surfaces, the lower surface defining the bottom surface of the web. A layer of non-carboxylated, pigmented PVC is coated on and substantially covers the upper surface of the release sheet. The pigmented PVC includes a heat activated blowing agent. A thermoplastic adhesive layer defines the top surface of the web. The web may be used to provide both conventional as well as hot split graphics to fabric.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying decalcomania to a curved surface of a container is provided. The apparatus includes a base, first and second curved rigid support members pivotally connected with respect to each other, a band mounted to the end portion of each support member, a heater assembly supported within the band, and a handle linkage adapted to open and close the support members with respect to each other. Movement of the handle linkage causes one support member to close with respect to the other support member, thereby tightening the band and heater assembly about a container for application of the decalcomania. A turn-buckle type adjustment is provided for adjusting pressure applied by the handle linkage.

Abstract: A heat applied transfer press includes a manual actuator for displacing platens between open and closed positions as well as a pneumatic engager for pressing the platens together when the actuator has been moved to the closed position. A sensor determines when the actuator has moved the upper platen to the closed position so as to permit application of pressure to urge the heated upper platen toward and against transfer indicia and the apparel arranged on the lower platen. Another sensor determines when the pressure application has been initiated to time the duration of the pressure application. The control automatically releases the pressure and opens the press after the time duration matches a selected time duration set by the control.

Abstract: A heat applied transfer press includes a support arm for displacing an upper platen with respect to a lower platen mounted on a base. An operator controls movement of the support arm between open and closed positions and preferably includes an aligner for positioning the upper platen substantially parallel to the lower platen as the upper platen approaches the closed position. Preferably, the press also includes an adjuster for varying the distance between the upper and lower platen in the closed position. Preferably, an overcenter locking mechanism retains the press platens in the closed position, while springs resiliently urge the upper platen upwardly to its open position when the handle has been raised to retract the lever mechanism from its overcenter position.

Abstract: An improved method for producing a multi-colored emblem which may be bonded to a fabric is disclosed which provides an emblem with an embroidered appearance. The emblem is easily heat sealable onto difficult to adhere fabrics. The method generally involves providing a first woven material blank, providing a barrier layer of thermoplastic material, laminating the barrier layer onto one side of said material blank to form an assembly, cutting said assembly to a specific configuration, sewing a thread about the periphery of the cut assembly, and laminating said assembly onto a second woven material blank having a different color. This second assembly is again cut to a complimentary larger configuration and also provided with a thread about the periphery. The two material blanks are then heat sealed together and an adhesive layer is provided to the exposed barrier layer.

Abstract: A parts cleaning system for cleaning workpieces includes a washer drum for receiving a rotating parts carriage. The rotating carriage includes a self-contained gear assembly and retains multiple baskets that are rotated during cleaning. The system further includes a lifting table for raising the rotating carriage to a level at which it is loaded into the washer drum and for lowering the rotating carriage to a level at which it is ergonomically correct for an operator to load baskets containing parts. The system further includes a basket exchanging table having a charging cylinder therein for inserting the rotating carriage into and removing it from the washer drum, The charging cylinder is attached to a smaller coupling cylinder for connecting and disconnecting a flared head on the ram of the charging cylinder to the rotating carriage.

Abstract: An improved apparatus (10) for thermally bonding indicia to fabric disclosed comprises relatively movable upper and lower platens (12,14) with a heat source in one of the platens for heating it. A lift lever (18) with an over-center locking assembly (20) is operated to urge the platens (12,14) together and a pressure adjustment assembly (40) is adjustable for varying the pressure therebetween. A pressure sensor (54) senses pressure between the platens (12,14) during closure. A temperature sensor (69) responds to the temperature of the heated platen (12) for controlling heat source (16) to regulate the platen (12) temperature. An optical switch (70) is responsive to platen (12,14) closure for initiating a timing sequence. A programmable controller (48) is programmable to monitor sets of temperature, pressure and platen closure combinations and a visual display (46) displays instructions and the time, temperature and pressure readings necessary for operating the apparatus (10) in the language of choice.