Abstract: An applique comprising an outer perimeter fabric frame of a particular weave, fiber composition and cut coated with a laminating adhesive, and inlayed wife a central fabric panel formed of mesh or other perforated or highly porous material. Lamination causes the adhesive to melt through the mesh central panel and bond the two layers to an underlying performance fabric substrate. The resulting applique forms a robust and launderable bond, but does not substantially change fee physical and visual characteristics of a performance fabric substrate to which the applique is applied. Moreover, a layered embroidery appearance can be created by contrast coloring the fabric frame versus central fabric panel, and this is further enhanced by printing a multi-color graphic along the periphery of the fabric frame.

Abstract: A process for applying digitally printed applique” indicia which results in decorative and identification elements for decoration and identification when applied to uniforms, fashion, “basic” and performance apparel, swimwear and intimate apparel as well as other textile products, the elements being an alternative to direct embroidery, embroidered emblems, thermo-transfer films, silk screen or sublimated printing. The production process includes the following phases (FIGS. 3A-C): a design phase (1); a separation phase (2); a printing phase (3); an optional traditional embroidery phase (4); and an etching/cutting phase (5). The process can incorporate embroidered elements but has the benefit of reducing or eliminating portions of stitching and or extra applique layers in the emblem. The resulting product has superior care and durability characteristics to screen printing and heat transfers as the image is more wash fast and can be ironed.

Abstract: A heat activated applique for apparel and other textile products, and particularly those made out of stretch fabrics (typically knit or woven fabrics) comprised of synthetic or natural fiber yarns constructed with spandex fibers and yarns. The applique includes an upper stretchable fabric layer bonded to a substrate by a thermoplastic adhesive. The stretchable fabric layer is a knit or woven fabric with spandex and polyester or nylon threads, and the thermoplastic adhesive is a urethane-based thermoplastic adhesive with stretch and recovery characteristics. The applique can be layered to provide a three-dimensional characteristic, embossed or etched to provide a surface texture, and adorned with direct printing or sublimation dye. The applique may be easily heat-sealed to a garment or other textile.

Abstract: A method of wash-durably bonding integrated textile emblems such as patches, emblems, labels and cut textile parts to another textile article by laminating a pressure sensitive acrylic polymer adhesive to the back surface of the textile emblem. The acrylic polymer adhesive has a storage modulus that is greater than a loss modulus throughout a frequency range of from 0.1885 Hz to 628 Hz where bonding and debonding are expected to occur, and is devoid of any cross linking additives or reagents. The integrated textile emblem with laminated pressure sensitive acrylic polymer adhesive has improved adhesion to low-to-high energy surfaces, is not water soluble and is of adequate thickness to provide a wash-durable textile-to-textile bond capable of seaming or permanently attaching items such as textile panels, appliqué bearing text, numbers, logos and other indicia for the apparel, accessory and other industries.

Abstract: A product and process for producing heat-transfers having a contrasting-color 3D appearance comprising a printed layer of woven fabric substrate adhered to a colorfast textile substrate. The woven fabric substrate includes a top substrate printed with a design logo. The underlying substrate is a solid color. The design logo/is engraved away in patterned designs using a galvanometric laser to reveal the contrasting substrate in desired areas, giving a layered embroidery 3D visual effect. These heat activated appliqués of the present invention are particularly suitable for use in forming decorations for apparel, bags and home furnishings. Their soft tactile hand feel does not cause discomfort to the wearer. The resulting product has superior care and durability characteristics, is more wash fast and can be ironed, and has superior appearance characteristics to other types of heat transfer appliqués. The heat transfer capability of the appliquéallows for fast customization of finished garments.

Abstract: A heat-seal appliqué and method for production that provides numbers, letters, logos, graphics, and other indicia which do not change the physical and visual characteristics of the garment to which it is applied, including breathable and/or moisture-wicking characteristics. The appliqué comprises a perimeter textile having a thermally activated adhesive coating and an interior opening, and a textile inlay that fits within the interior opening of the perimeter textile. The adhesive coating on the perimeter textile is the only adhesive on the appliqué. The appliqué can be heat-sealed to any garment by the perimeter textile, leaving the inlay suspended over the garment without obstructing any performance characteristics of the garment or textile. The appliqué is particularly well-suited for lightweight, breathable and/or moisture-wicking textiles commonly used in performance sports apparel.

Abstract: An appliqué emblem having a three dimensional embroidered appearance for decoration and identification when applied to uniforms, fashion, “basic” and performance apparel, swimwear, and intimate apparel, as well as other textile products. The appliqué emblem being an alternative to direct embroidery, embroidered emblems, thermo-transfer films, silk screen or sublimated printing.

Abstract: A method of wash-durably bonding integrated textile emblems such as patches, emblems, labels and cut textile parts to another textile article by laminating a pressure sensitive acrylic polymer adhesive to the back surface of the textile emblem. The acrylic polymer adhesive has a storage modulus that is greater than a loss modulus throughout a frequency range of from 0.1885 Hz to 628 Hz where bonding and debonding are expected to occur, and is devoid of any cross linking additives or reagents. The integrated textile emblem with laminated pressure sensitive acrylic polymer adhesive has improved adhesion to low-to-high energy surfaces, is not water soluble and is of adequate thickness to provide a wash-durable textile-to-textile bond capable of seaming or permanently attaching items such as textile panels, appliqué bearing text, numbers, logos and other indicia for the apparel, accessory and other industries.

Abstract: A new product and process for producing an integrated textile embellishments such as patches, emblems, appliqués, labels and cut textile parts (including woven, knits and nonwoven structures made of both natural and or synthetic fibers) incorporating adhesives that permanently bond by heat-sealing to waterproof and/or waterproof-breathable fabrics including Gore-Tex®, Sympatex™ and other fabrics having durable water repellant finishes (DWR). This eliminates the tedious and cost intensive sewing operations previously needed to attach textile embellishments to such fabrics. The product and process includes a top layer decorative element, a second layer bonded to the top layer through lamination or chemical bonding to create a more uniform or smooth surface, and a thermal adhesive layer bonded to the second layer and capable of heat-application to textile based textile based products such as apparel and or accessories, headwear, outdoor furnishings and luggage.

Abstract: A new device, pressure sensitive adhesive system for bonding textiles and a method for producing integrated textile emblems such as patches, emblems, emblems, labels and cut textile parts including wovens, knits and nonwoven structures made of both natural and or synthetic fibers incorporating a pressure sensitive adhesive. The resulting room temperature pressure sensitive-patch eliminates tedious and cost intensive sewing operations (embroidery) and or heat-sealing operations (heat transfers) to other textile products such as apparel and or accessories, headwear, crafts home furnishings and luggage.

Abstract: A product and process for producing heat-transfers having a contrasting-color 3D appearance comprising a printed layer of woven fabric substrate adhered to a colorfast textile substrate. The woven fabric substrate includes a top substrate printed with a design logo. The underlying substrate is a solid color. The design logo/is engraved away in patterned designs using a galvanometric laser to reveal the contrasting substrate in desired areas, giving a layered embroidery 3D visual effect. These heat activated appliqués of the present invention are particularly suitable for use in forming decorations for apparel, bags and home furnishings. Their soft tactile hand feel does not cause discomfort to the wearer. The resulting product has superior care and durability characteristics, is more wash fast and can be ironed, and has superior appearance characteristics to other types of heat transfer appliqués. The heat transfer capability of the appliqué allows for fast customization of finished garments.

Abstract: A heat-seal appliqué and method for production that provides numbers, letters, logos, graphics, and other indicia which do not change the physical and visual characteristics of the garment to which it is applied, including breathable and/or moisture-wicking characteristics. The applique comprises a perimeter textile having a thermally activated adhesive coating and an interior opening, and a textile inlay that fits within the interior opening of the perimeter textile. The adhesive coating on the perimeter textile is the only adhesive on the appliqué. The appliqué can be heat-sealed to any garment by the perimeter textile, leaving the inlay suspended over the garment without obstructing any performance characteristics of the garment or textile. The applique is particularly well-suited for lightweight, breathable and/or moisture-wicking textiles commonly used in performance sports apparel.

Abstract: An appliqué emblem having a three dimensional embroidered appearance for decoration and identification when applied to uniforms, fashion, “basic” and performance apparel, swimwear, and intimate apparel, as well as other textile products. The appliqué emblem being an alternative to direct embroidery, embroidered emblems, thermo-transfer films, silk screen or sublimated printing.

Abstract: The heat activated appliqué for providing in particular decorative elements providing contrast in texture or color including graphical images, logos, numbers and letters for apparel and other textile products, specifically but not limited to those made out of stretch fabrics (typically knit or woven fabrics) comprised of synthetic or natural fiber yarns constructed with spandex fibers and yarns. The appliqué includes an upper stretchable fabric layer bonded to a substrate by a thermoplastic adhesive. Preferably, the stretchable fabric layer is a knit or woven fabric comprised of at least 3% and preferably between 3% to 33% spandex and polyester or nylon threads and the thermoplastic adhesive is a urethane-based thermoplastic adhesive with suitable stretch and recovery characteristics. The appliqué can be layered to provide three-dimensional characteristics. The stretchable fabric layer can be embossed to provide surface characteristics to the heat activated appliqué, either prior to or during application.

Abstract: A process for applying digitally printed applique” indicia which results in decorative and identification elements for decoration and identification when applied to uniforms, fashion, “basic” and performance apparel, swimwear and intimate apparel as well as other textile products, the elements being an alternative to direct embroidery, embroidered emblems, thermo-transfer films, silk screen or sublimated printing. The production process includes the following phases (FIGS. 3A-C): a design phase (1); a separation phase (2); a printing phase (3); an optional traditional embroidery phase (4); and an etching/cutting phase (5). The process can incorporate embroidered elements but has the benefit of reducing or eliminating portions of stitching and or extra applique layers in the emblem. The resulting product has superior care and durability characteristics to screen printing and heat transfers as the image is more wash fast and can be ironed.