Abstract: A desired decorative design on packaging such as tubes is made up of a combination of printed matter and a decorative foil such as a metal, pigmented or textured pattern foil. The method involves the steps of first applying the printed matter to the material with an ink treated to prevent adherence of the foil to the printed matter. Thereafter, the foil coated with an adhesive is positioned against the material and heat and/or pressure applied so that a foil transfer will occur onto all areas of the material engaged by the foil that are devoid of the printed matter. The foil is applied with a smooth continuous silicone pad. Exact registration is assured and the use of complicated die designs is wholly avoided.

Abstract: A system for successively curing resinous printing or coatings about the exterior of tubular articles with ultraviolet radiation. A housing is provided having inlet and outlet openings for an endless chain having transversely extending stationary pins. The chain is directed by guide rollers over a sprocket wheel located concentric with an elongated ultraviolet lamp. The axis of the lamp and pins extend parallel to each other so that when the tubular articles are placed on the pins and conveyed around the wheel, a major portion of all the U.V. radiation emitted is utilized for curing and all surfaces of the tube exterior are exposed. The efficiency of the system is further enhanced with the use of a radiation reflector shield positioned radially outward from the sprocket wheel. The system includes a cooling means to remove heat from the housing generated by the ultraviolet lamp.