Cover sheet for impressing pattern on emblem
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.
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Notice: More than one reissue application has been filed for the reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 5,902,667. The reissue applications are application Ser. Nos. 09/853,382 (the present application) and 10/122,292, all of which are divisional reissues of U.S. Pat. No. 5,902,667.
The present application is a reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 5,902,667, issued on May 11, 1999.
FIELD OF INVENTIONThe present invention relates to an engraved cover sheet which when placed in mating engagement with an emblem, in the presence of heat and pressure, causes the impression on the cover sheet to be impressed on the emblem. The present invention further relates to a method for impressing a desired pattern on an emblem.
BACKGROUND ARTEmblems have been widely used to apply a variety of designs, patterns, numerals, names and logos onto many different types of substrates. Emblems have found particular use on sports jerseys, jackets and the like. Design emblems incorporating trademark indicia or licensed characters have also become increasingly popular.
To add to the design characteristics or trademark indicia of an emblem, prior art techniques have disclosed methods for embossing a desired lettering or design pattern onto an emblem.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,783 discloses a method for heat-embossing a synthetic woven material by use of a heat-resistant distortable intermediate material between the heat-embossing die and the target material that is subject to high adhesive properties when melted during the embossing process.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,298,031 relates to a method for embossing and decorating a thermoplastic velvet-like fabric. In the '031 patent, a transfer sheet supporting a thermally-activated decoration is simultaneously passed with a fabric between two rolls which are under pressure with respect to each other. At least one of the rolls is engraved so as to cause embossing of the fabric. The passing of the fabric and transfer sheet between the rolls is carried out at a temperature sufficient to activate the decoration and allow the transfer of the decoration to the embossed portions of the fabric.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,581,278 directed to thermo-imprinting of one or more surfaces, uses a heat-transfer cover and a release layer pigmented, low molecular weight polyolefin. The imprint is made by bringing the transfer layer into contact with the surface of an object while applying heat.
One significant problem with the prior art methods for emblem impressing is that such methods require tooling a die with the desired impression and then impressing the emblem with the die. For each individual pattern that is desired, a separate die must then be manufactured that is configured in the shape of the desired impression or design. Such a method of impressing an emblem is both time consuming and very expensive. Moreover, since a die must be re-tooled for each new design or logo, this embossing technique can only be utilized for large scale production. In many instances, smaller custom orders for impressed emblems would not be able to afford the cost associated with custom tooling a die.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to facilitate the production and use of impressed emblems. A related object is to reduce the cost of producing suitable impressed emblems and reduce the amount of materials required in conjunction with this method.
An additional object of the present invention is the provision of a method for simultaneously impressing an emblem with a desired pattern, and heat-fusing the emblem in position on the surface of a substrate, wherein the method utilizes conventional apparatus and is relatively simple and cost-effective.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of impressing an emblem without impairing or damaging the underlying substrate.
One more object of this invention is to facilitate marking fabrics with trademark indicia in a manner that is aesthetically pleasing and cost effective.
A final object of the present invention is to produce an impressed emblem without requiring the expensive step of tooling a die to serve as the transfer technique for the impressed pattern.
In carrying out the above objects of the invention, a cover sheet for impressing a pattern on the surface of an emblem is disclosed which includes a cover sheet having a base layer and a release coating thereon, wherein the release coating exhibits an impression complementing the desired pattern, such that when the coating is placed in registry with an emblem and heat and pressure are applied on the cover sheet toward the emblem, the desired pattern is formed on the emblem.
This invention further provides an impressed emblem including an emblem having an upper thermoplastic layer and a lower adhesive layer; a cover sheet having a base layer and a release coating thereon, wherein the coating exhibits an impression complementing the desired pattern; and the upper thermoplastic layer and the release coating being placed into mating engagement with one another such that upon the application of heat and pressure on the cover sheet and toward the emblem, the upper thermoplastic layer is impressed with the desired pattern.
The present invention further discloses a method of impressing a desired pattern to an emblem and a method for impressing a desired pattern to an emblem during simultaneous attachment of the emblem to a substrate. In a preferred embodiment the surface of the emblem is embossed or debossed slightly to form indicia, such as a trademark or the like, which is legible within about four feet of a viewer, but not substantially therebeyond. This enables a sports numeral, for example, appearing on a sports jersey to be identified with a trademark or other message which does not detract from the principle identifying function of the numeral.
This thermal impressing method preferably utilizes a cover sheet, the cover sheet is made up of a base layer with a release coating applied thereon. The cover sheet has an impression complementing the desired pattern. The impression can consist of raised surfaces or engraved, grooved or rigid surfaces. To create the impressed emblem, the release coating is matingly applied to the emblem, such that, upon application of heat and pressure on the cover sheet and toward the emblem, the emblem becomes impressed with the desired pattern. In one embodiment, the same application of heat and pressure used to bring about the impressing, is simultaneously used to adhere the emblem onto a desired substrate. With this method, the emblem is impressed and adhered to an underlying substrate, in one step.
The present invention eliminates the expensive production of patterned and three-dimensional emblems and converts a formerly complex, multi-step process into a few simple steps whereby an emblem can be adhered onto a substrate and, at the same time, the emblem may be impressed with a desired pattern.
The term “impress” as used throughout the specification is defined hereinafter as the act of producing a mark formed by or as if by pressure. The term “impression” as used in the specification is defined as the effect produced by impressing. The term “impressed” or “impress” is thus defined so as to include the production of raised marks such as bosses and engraved marks such as ridges and grooves. Accordingly, an impression is intended to include both raised markings, embossed markings above the surface, and engraved or debossed ridges or grooves made below the surface. Furthermore, the term “complement” or any variation thereof such as “complementary,” “complementing,” or “complemental” is defined as one of two mutually completing parts.
In a preferred embodiment, the lettering pattern 12 will be only faintly or slightly legible, for example, at not more than about four feet from the viewer. Thus, the pattern 12 will not detract from the principal identifying function of the emblem.
As shown in
The engraved cover sheet 26, a cross-section of which is depicted in
In another embodiment of this invention, a method for impressing a desired pattern on an emblem without at the same time adhering the emblem to a substrate is disclosed. For this method, the emblem further requires the use of a carrier sheet to protect the lower adhesion layer 20 of the emblem both prior to, during and following the process of impressing the emblem. The carrier sheet is preferably a releasable sheet which is made of paper, fabric or plastic. If the carrier sheet is made of plastic then the plastic must have a higher melting point than the temperature required to impress the emblem. For such a method, again the impressed cover sheet 26 would be placed in mating engagement with the upper thermoplastic layer 14 of the emblem 24. Furthermore, the combination of the impressed cover sheet 26 placed together with the emblem assembly 24 would be sandwiched between the platens 34, 36 for the application of heat and pressure necessary to effectuate the impressing process on the emblem.
In yet another embodiment of this invention, a laser-cutting device or a precision knife can be used to directly engrave or etch the fabric layer of an emblem. As depicted in
Suitable substrates 22 on which the emblem 10 can be applied include materials such as twill, cotton, wools, polyester and synthetic materials, such as Gortex and Lycra GORTEX® AND LYCRA® synthetic materials.
While the best mode for carrying out the invention has been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention as defined by the following claims.
Claims
1. A cover sheet for impressing a pattern on a thermoplastic surface of an emblem, comprising:
- a base layer selected from the group consisting of paper, fabric, and plastic;
- a heat application release coating on the base layer;
- said release coating exhibiting a heat resistant and pressure resistant debossed or embossed impression complementing the pattern; and
- said cover sheet, when placed with its release coating against and in registry with the thermoplastic surface of an emblem and heat and pressure are applied on said cover sheet and toward the emblem, the pattern is formed on the thermoplastic surface of the emblem.
2. The cover sheet in claim 1 wherein said base layer is selected from the group consisting of paper, fabric and plastic.
3. The cover sheet in claim 1 wherein said coating is selected from the group consisting of silicone, vinyl and urethane.
4. The cover sheet in claim 1 wherein said coating exhibits an engraved impression formed by using a laser cutter or a precision knife.
5. The cover sheet in claim 1, wherein said coating exhibits an impression formed by stamping to boss the complemental pattern on said coating.
6. A cover sheet combination for impressing a pattern on the surface of an emblem while affixing it to a substrate, comprising:
- a cover sheet having a base layer and a release coating on one face thereof;
- an emblem having an upper thermoplastic layer and a lower adhesive layer;
- said release coating having an impression complementing the pattern;
- said emblem being positioned on the substrate in a location such that said upper thermoplastic layer is exposed;
- said cover sheet being superimposed on said emblem such that said release coating is in mating engagement with said upper thermoplastic layer;
- said cover sheet being heated and pressed toward the substrate and against said emblem to affix said emblem to the substrate and form the desired pattern on the emblem.
7. A cover sheet for impressing a pattern on a thermoplastic surface of an emblem, comprising:
- a base sheet selected from the group consisting of paper, fabric, and plastic;
- a non-thermoplastic heat application release coating on the base sheet;
- said release coating exhibiting a heat resistant and pressure resistant debossed or embossed impression complementing the pattern; and
- said cover sheet, when placed with its release coating against and in registry with the thermoplastic surface of an emblem and heat and pressure are applied on said cover sheet and toward the emblem, the pattern is formed on the thermoplastic surface of the emblem.
8. The cover sheet in claim 7 wherein said coating is selected from the group consisting of silicone, vinyl and urethane.
9. The cover sheet in claim 7 wherein said coating exhibits an engraved impression formed by using a laser cutter or a precision knife.
10. The cover sheet in claim 7, wherein said coating exhibits an impression formed by stamping to boss the complemental pattern on said coating.
11. A cover sheet for impressing a pattern on a thermoplastic surface of an emblem, comprising:
- a base layer;
- a heat application release coating on the base layer, wherein said release coating is selected from the group consisting of silicone, vinyl, and urethane;
- said release coating exhibiting a heat resistant and pressure resistant debossed or embossed impression complementing the pattern; and
- said cover sheet, when placed with its release coating against and in registry with the thermoplastic surface of an emblem and heat and pressure are applied on said cover sheet and toward the emblem, the pattern is formed on the thermoplastic surface of the emblem.
12. The cover sheet in claim 11 wherein said coating exhibits an engraved impression formed by using a laser cutter or a precision knife.
13. The cover sheet in claim 11 wherein said coating exhibits an impression formed by stamping to boss the complemental pattern on said coating.
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Type: Grant
Filed: May 11, 2001
Date of Patent: Apr 10, 2007
Assignee: Stahls' Inc. (St. Clair Shores, MI)
Inventor: Brett A. Stahl (Harrison Township, MI)
Primary Examiner: Bruce H. Hess
Attorney: Rader, Fishman & Grauer, PLLC
Application Number: 09/853,382
International Classification: B32B 3/00 (20060101);