Abstract: There are disclosed thermoplastic inks in the nature of high viscosity, tacky pastes which exhibit high cohesive strength, high pressure sensitivity at low temperatures, high thermal stability and low affinity for silicone surfaces. These properties make the inks particularly useful in those printing processes involving multiple elastomeric transfer members, in particular, those processes wherein silicone transfer members print successive colors onto a silicone collector which in turn transfers the multicolored print in a single step to ware or decal paper. The ink formulations consist essentially, in weight percent, of:(a) 50-80% of a pigmented, vitreous, inorganic flux;(b) 2-20% of a selected organic polymer;(c) 5-25% of a selected plasticizer;(d) 2-20% of a selected amorphous tackifying resin; and optionally,(e) up to 20% of an organic wax.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying thermoplastic decorative inks onto various substrates by printing each color ink onto a releasing surface from a heated engraved or etched metal surface, transferring by intimate mechanical contact the various colors from each releasing surface onto a second releasing collector surface to form a multi-colored print, and transferring the multi-colored print to a ceramic, glass-ceramic or glass substrate by intimate contact with the collector surface.

Abstract: There has been provided a method for manufacture of decals wherein the decal is printed with an offset rotogravure process utilizing solventless thermoplastic inks. By controlling the temperatures of the gravure rolls, the offset rolls and the back-up rolls, a continuous process is maintained which is capable of printing all layers of a decal without intermediate drying steps. The decal produced and claimed is, in a preferred embodiment, a ceramic heat release decal especially suited for the manufacture of decorated tableware.

Abstract: There has been provided a method for manufacture of decals wherein the decal is printed with an offset rotogravure process utilizing solventless thermoplastic inks. By controlling the temperatures of the gravure rolls, the offset rolls and the back-up rolls, a continuous process is maintained which is capable of printing all layers of a decal without intermediate drying steps. The decal produced and claimed is, in a preferred embodiment, a ceramic heat release decal especially suited for the manufacture of decorated tableware.

Abstract: The subject invention is directed toward the production of thermoplastic inks exhibiting pressure sensitivity at temperatures substantially below the softening points thereof consisting essentially, in weight percent, of:(a) about 50-80% of a pigmented, vitreous, inorganic flux;(b) about 2-20% of an ethylene-ester copolymer resin;(c) about 4-20% of an amorphous tackifying resin;(d) about 5-25% of an organic wax and/or plasticizer; and(e) 0-10% of a modifying polyolefin resin.

Abstract: A method for masking selected areas of a glass, glass-ceramic, or ceramic surface against subsequently-applied coating compositions. The method contemplates three general steps: (a) a molten thermoplastic masking coating consisting essentially of about 10-60% bentonite clay, 0-40% of a refractory metal oxide, and 40-80% of a thermoplastic organic medium is applied from a heated surface onto the surface of an elastomeric or silicone-coated body; (b) the thermoplastic coating is cooled thereon to a temperature at which the coating exhibits sufficient tack and cohesiveness to permit transfer from the elastomeric or silicone-coated body; and (c) the so-coated body is brought into contact with the surface of a glass, glass-ceramic, or ceramic article to transfer the coating thereto.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to the production of thermoplastic inks exhibiting pressure sensitivity at temperatures substantially below their softening points, consisting essentially, in weight percent, of:(a) about 50-80% of a pigmented, vitreous, inorganic flux;(b) about 5-25% of a polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight greater than 200 but less than 950;(c) about 2-20% of a water soluble, cohesive strength imparting polymer having a molecular weight between about 25,000-50,000 selected from the group of polyvinyl pyrrolidone and a water soluble cellulosic ether; and(d) 0-20% of a modifying wax and/or plasticizer.