Abstract: A pressure-sensitive adhesive-backed sign which is removable and repositionable is provided. The flexible sign includes a carrier with a pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to one side for adhesion to a substrate and indicia provided on the other side. A cover material can alternatively be applied to the other side providing the indicia. The sign can be easily removed from the substrate and repositioned without deforming the sign.

Abstract: A seam tape for waterproof fabrics includes a thermoplastic adhesive layer and bonded to a waterproof film layer. Thermoplastic adhesive layer is preferably a polyamide adhesive having a melt index of at least about 200-400 and a melting temperature less than about 150° C. The waterproof film layer is a high strength thermoplastic material preferably a polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate. The waterproof film layer should have a thickness of from about 0.25 mils up to about 2 mils. This tape can be applied at higher temperatures than prior seam tapes without damaging the waterproof layer. Thus application speeds can be increased and costs reduced. Further this eliminates any need to post treat crossover seams.

Abstract: A laminate suitable for formation of athletic lettering and other decoratives which has improved adhesion and reduced curling is formed by forming a laminate from a pigmented polyurethane and a polyester adhesive layer. Either the individual lamina prior to lamination, or the formed laminate are annealed for 1 to 100 hours at a temperature from 100° to 250° F. to relieve stress and prevent curling. Preferably, the polyurethane layer does not include any external lubricants and has a high durometer which, in turn, permits formation of letters on letters without bleedthrough and with improved adhesion.

Abstract: A heat activated transfer is formed having a lower thermoplastic or thermoactive adhesive layer, an upper transparent thermoset layer and indicia. The indicia is formed from sublimation dye or diffusion dye which is heat transferred into the thermoset material, preferably as the heat activated transfer is being applied to a cloth substrate. This permits printing and application of individual unique indicia on each individual heat activated transfer at a very low cost. Due to the extreme clarity of the formed product as well as the ease by which different unique indicia can be provided with each heat activated transfer, this method and product is uniquely suitable for use in preparing coated machine-readable indicia such as bar codes. This permits inventory control for cloth items such as hospital garments, linen and the like. It also permits uniforms and the like to be marked with the individual user's name at a relatively low cost.

Abstract: A label or transfer adapted to mark an elastomeric article includes a cured elastomeric sheet which is overcoated with a heat resistant polymer preferably a thermoset polyurethane. Indicia is then applied to this heat resistant polymer layer using a thermal transfer printer. The indicia is then overcoated with a second protective layer preferably a clear thermoset polyurethane. The backside of the cured elastomeric film is applied to a surface of the elastomeric article which is being marked. The elastomeric article is then subjected to a cure cycle bonding the elastomeric sheet to the surface of the elastomeric article and permanently marking the article with the indicia. In a preferred embodiment, the indicia is a bar code.

Abstract: A laminate suitable for formation of athletic lettering and other decoratives which has improved adhesion and reduced curling is formed by forming a laminate from a pigmented polyurethane and a polyester adhesive layer. Either the individual lamina prior to lamination, or the formed laminate are annealed for 1 to 100 hours at a temperature from 100.degree. to 250.degree. F. to relieve stress and prevent curling. Preferably, the polyurethane layer does not include any external lubricants and has a high durometer which, in turn, permits formation of letters on letters without bleedthrough and with improved adhesion.

Abstract: SBR and natural rubber articles which can be marked with indicia are formed by curing the SBR or natural rubber under heat and pressure in contact with a fabric material. The curing conditions force the fabric into the cured rubber article. The fabric can then be marked with a heat-activated, indicia-bearing transfer. This provides for unique decoration of articles such as mud flaps and the like, and also permits providing identification for other rubber articles such as tires and the like.

Abstract: SBR and natural rubber articles which can be marked with indicia are formed by curing the SBR or natural rubber under heat and pressure in contact with a fabric material. The curing conditions force the fabric into the cured rubber article. The fabric can then be marked with a heat-activated, indicia-bearing transfer. This provides for unique decoration of articles such as mud flaps and the like, and also permits providing identification for other rubber articles such as tires and the like.

Abstract: A heat activated applique is formed by forming a heat activated laminate. The heat activated laminate includes, for example, a thermoplastic layer bonded to an indicia-bearing layer such as a pigmented polymeric film or twill. This indicia-bearing layer is bonded to a support layer by a pressure sensitive adhesive. The pressure sensitive adhesive has a preferential adhesion to the support layer. The applique is formed by cutting through the heat activated laminate but not through the support layer to thereby form the desired ornamental applique. Waste portions are separated while the applique itself remains attached to the support layer bonded by the pressure sensitive adhesive. This is then bonded to a substrate while still attached to the support layer by applying heat and pressure through the support layer against the heat activated applique and against a cloth substrate.

Abstract: Cloth transfers such as twill numbers and letters include a cloth layer coated with a plastic layer which is, in turn, coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive layer. The intermediate plastic layer permits the cloth transfer to be temporarily bonded to a cloth substrate by a very thin film of pressure sensitive adhesive as it is sewn onto the substrate. The intermediate plastic layer prevents the sewing needle from being gummed up with the pressure sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: The heat activated applique for providing in particular numbers and letter for sports jerseys includes an upper colored thermoplastic elastomer layer bonded to a cloth substrate by a thermoplastic adhesive. Preferably, the thermoplastic elastomer is a polyurethane thermoplastic elastomer and the thermoplastic adhesive is a polyester-based thermoplastic adhesive. The applique is suitable for forming a letter on a letter to provide three-dimensional characteristics to an alpha-numeric character. The thermoplastic elastomer layer can be debossed to provide surface characteristics to the heat activated applique, either prior to or during application. This is also suitable for applying additional indicia in the form of sublimation dye heat transferred into the thermoplastic elastomer.