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: An ornamental heat transfer is described which is especially adapted for application to nylon fabrics. The ornamental heat activated transfer includes an upper layer which is generally a thermoset layer, cloth such as twill or flock which is bonded to a lower layer. The lower layer is an uncured linear saturated polyester film which includes a heat activatable isocyanate curing agent. Upon application of the transfer to nylon the transfer is heated which melts the uncured saturated polyester and activates the curing agent. Thus while the linear saturated alkyl polyester is in a molten state the curing agent causes the polyester to cure in tight confinement with the nylon fabric.

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: An ornamental heat transfer is described which is especially adapted for application to nylon fabrics. The ornamental heat activated transfer includes an upper layer which is generally a thermoset layer, cloth such as twill or flock which is bonded to a lower layer. The lower layer is an uncured linear saturated polyester film which includes a heat activatable isocyanate curing agent. Upon application of the transfer to nylon the transfer is heated which melts the uncured saturated polyester and activates the curing agent. Thus while the linear saturated alkyl polyester is in a molten state the curing agent causes the polyester to cure in tight confinement with the nylon fabric.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of applying a heat activated transfer to a cloth substrate. The transfer includes a thermoplastic adhesive layer and printed thereon a thermoset ink layer. The thermoset ink layer is discontinuous leaving exposed areas of thermoplastic material. The transfer is applied by setting the thermoplastic layer against a substrate, such as a cloth shirt, placing a piece of blotting paper or other absorbent material above the transfer in contact with the thermoset layer and applying heat and pressure forcing the thermoplastic material to melt. The thermoplastic material which contacts the blotting material is absorbed by the blotting paper whereas the thermoplastic material covered with the thermoset ink absorbs into the substrate bonding the thermoset ink to the substrate providing an emblem or the like.

Abstract: A heat activated decorative includes a lower thermoplastic layer and an upper layer which is a thermoset ink. The decorative is suitable for use on clothing which is laundered in industrial laundries wherein the wash cycle subjects the garments to pHs greater than 10 and the dryer subjects the garments to ambient temperatures of 400.degree. F. and momentary contact with the dryer drum wall which is about 500.degree. F. The lower thermoplastic layer is a high melt thermoplastic having a melting point of at least about 380.degree. F. and the upper layer is a thermoset ink which has a thickness effective to protect the thermoplastic layer from the effects of the industrial laundry and specifically about 25 microns in thickness or more. The decoratives of the present invention can be in the form of machine readable bar codes to provide a method of sorting rented garments.