Abstract: An image retaining card is disclosed. An image retaining card in accordance with the present invention may be utilized as an identification card, a driver's license, a passport, and the like. An image retaining card in accordance with the present invention comprises a substrate structure, a cover, and an image receptive material disposed between the substrate structure and the cover. The substrate structure comprises a substrate layer and a substrate tie layer.

Abstract: An image transfer sheet include a substrate having a water permeability, an image dye layer containing a negative image overlaid on the substrate, a white dye layer overlaid on the image dye layer, a transfer layer made of a water-soluble epoxy resin and overlaid on an upper surface of the white dye layer and enclosing peripheries of the white dye layer and the image dye layer, and a protective layer overlaid on the transfer layer. Whereby the negative image in the image transfer sheet can be readily and quickly transferred to be a positive image printed on an object, the image printed on the object has a high abrasive resistance and a long durability.

Abstract: Method for laminating a pre-press proof (200), whereby an imaged receiver sheet (140) with a representative image (290) having been written with an incorrect orientation can be salvaged, which comprises the steps of laminating a pre-laminate sheet (240) to a sheet of receiver stock and removing the first support layer (150). Laminating an imaged receiver sheet (140) consisting of a representative image (290) that has been formed with an incorrect orientation on a second thermoplastic layer (304) and a second support layer (170) to an imageless receiver sheet (160) consisting of a third thermoplastic layer (306) and a third support layer (180). Thereby encapsulating the representative image (290) between the second thermoplastic layer (304) and third thermoplastic layer (306) and removing the second support layer (170) forming a laminated imaged receiver sheet (190).

Abstract: An object of the invention is to prevent dent faults generated during bonding of an outer copper foil layer onto an inner layer substrate having a through hole or a cavity serving as an interlayer electrical connection means such as an interstitial via hole (IVH) or a blind via hole (BVH).

Abstract: A silicone-based adhesive sheet prepared by a process comprising (i) curing a silicone composition to form a substantially cured product while the composition lies between backing materials, wherein at least one of the backing materials has a surface comprising oxygen atoms and/or sulfur atoms in contact with the silicone composition and the backing materials are releasable from the cured product, and (ii) separating the cured product from the backing materials. A method of manufacturing a silicone-based adhesive sheet comprising (i) curing a silicone composition to form a cured product while the composition lies between backing materials, wherein at least one of the backing materials has a surface comprising oxygen atoms and/or sulfur atoms in contact with the silicone composition and the backing materials are releasable from the cured product, and (ii) separating the cured product from the backing materials.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for transferring an image from one substrate to another. The method includes providing an image transfer sheet that is comprised of a substrate layer, a release layer and an image-imparting layer that may comprise a low density polyethylene or other polymeric component having a melting temperature within a range of 90°-700° C. An image is imparted to the low density polyethylene area with an image-imparting medium. A second image-receiving substrate is provided. The second image-receiving substrate is contacted to the first image transfer sheet at the polymer layer. Heat is applied to the image transfer sheet so that the low density polyethylene encapsulates the image-imparting medium and transfers the encapsulates to the image-receiving substrate, thereby forming a mirror image on the image-receiving substrate.

Abstract: A label form which includes a backing member having a label member removably attached to the backing member and a transparent laminate removably attached to the backing member. The backing member can include a split-line crack for allowing the label member and the transparent laminate to be aligned and attached to a stock member. The transparent laminate can be located on the backing member so as not to cover the label member, wherein the label member includes an exposed surface for printing on the label member.

Abstract: In one method of making an organic electroluminescent device, a transfer layer is solution coated on a donor substrate. The transfer layer includes an amorphous, non-polymeric, organic matrix with a light emitting material disposed in the matrix. The transfer layer is then selectively patterned on a receptor. Examples of patterning methods include laser thermal transfer or thermal head transfer. The method and associated materials can be used to form, for example, organic electroluminescent devices.

Abstract: An image-forming method and an image-forming transparent film are provided which can form a high-grade transparent recorded image such that any unwanted opaque matter other than images formed is not present on the transparent film on which the images have been formed. The transparent film is provided on its surface with an opaque sensing mark layer capable of turning transparent upon heating with a fixing roller and an opaque mark layer capable of turning transparent upon that heating. The opaque mark layer is capable of more readily turning transparent upon heating than the opaque sensing mark layer and is formed on the side upstream in the film transport direction from the position coming after substantially one rotation of the fixing roller, measured from an end of the transparent film in its transport direction, and the opaque sensing mark layer is formed on the downstream side of the opaque mark layer.

Abstract: Thin film-like material that has printability, that can have unique surface patterns of various kinds, and that can have a design having an effect that has been never produced, and process of producing it are provided. The thin film-like material has a laminated structure in which an adhesive layer and a metal thin layer are laid in this order on the entire surface or parts of the surface of one or each of opposite sides of a base material A surface of the metal thin layer is formed by transfer process as a smooth surface having a mirror pattern, a surface having a mat pattern, a surface having a hairline pattern, a surface having an embossed pattern, a surface having a hologram pattern or a surface having two or more of those patterns combined appropriately.

Abstract: A method of securing semiconductor chips comprises the steps of: sticking semiconductor chips at their backs to a transfer tape having an adhesive superimposed thereon at spaced intervals; peeling the semiconductor chips from the transfer tape such that the adhesive is transferred onto the backs of the semiconductor chips; and securing the semiconductor chips by way of the adhesive onto a substrate. The method also includes variations such as sticking the transfer tape to a substrate at predetermined sites for securing semiconductor chips and then peeling the base material of the transfer tape to transfer the adhesive to the predetermined sites on the substrate, followed by securing the semiconductor chips thereto.

Abstract: In a method of making an organic electroluminescent device, a transfer layer is solution coated on a donor substrate. The transfer layer includes a polymerizable, amorphous matrix with a light emitting material disposed in the matrix. The transfer layer is then selectively patterned on a receptor. The polymerizable, amorphous matrix is then polymerized. Examples of patterning methods include laser thermal transfer or thermal head transfer. The method and associated materials can be used to form, for example, organic electroluminescent devices.

Abstract: With a transfer member, such as a toner sheet, provided with at least two layers including an intermediate layer having a function of preventing transfer of a substance and a thermally fusible ink layer on the supporting member side, and an image receiving member, such as image receiving sheet, used, a solution for improving the transfer sensitivity is jetted onto either of them according to the image so as to form a transfer image on the image receiving member surface.

Abstract: A heat-transfer label assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly comprises a carrier, the carrier comprising a paper substrate overcoated with a layer of polyethylene. The polyethylene layer is overcoated with a skim coat of wax. One or more heat-transfer labels are printed onto the skim coat and are spaced apart from one another, each label comprising a protective lacquer layer printed onto the skim coat, an ink design printed onto the protective lacquer layer, and a heat-activatable adhesive layer printed over the ink design, any exposed areas of the protective lacquer layer and a surrounding area of the skim coat. The periphery of the skim coat extends beyond the periphery of the label and is, therefore, uncovered by the label. The assembly further comprises a mask deposited over the uncovered areas of the skim coat, the mask adhering to the polyethylene layer during label-transfer and preventing transfer onto an article of the previously uncovered areas of the skim coat together with the label.

Abstract: A unique method/system for simultaneously creating and transferring a contrasting pattern of intelligence on and from an ablation-transfer imaging medium to a receptor element in contiguous registration therewith is not dependent upon contrast imaging materials that must absorb the imaging radiation and is well adopted for such applications as, e.g., color proofing and printing, the security coding of various documents and the production of masks for the graphic arts and printed circuit industries; the ablation-transfer imaging medium, per se, comprises a support substrate and an imaging radiation-, preferably a laser radiation-ablative topcoat essentially coextensive therewith, such ablative topcoat having a non-imaging ablation sensitizer and an imaging amount of a non-ablation sensitizing contrast imaging material contained therein.

Abstract: Described is a process for the region-wise transfer of a decorative layer of a transfer foil, which includes an activatable adhesive layer from a carrier film onto a substrate, wherein the adhesive layer of the transfer foil is partially activated before the actual stamping operation, more specifically in such a way that the adhesive layer experiences activation only in the surface regions in which the decorative layer is to be transferred onto the substrate. A transfer foil which is particularly suitable for that process has an absorption layer in the surface regions of the decorative layer, which are to be transferred onto the substrate, which absorption layer absorbs the radiation energy causing activation of the adhesive layer and activates the adhesive layer under the action of the absorbed radiation energy.

Abstract: In the present invention concerning a dissolution type thermal transfer film for three dimensional patterns and a method for manufacturing the same film, the simplification and speed of a pollution-free dry printing process and various types of decoration are achieved by transferring the thermal transfer film according to the invention to an article to be decorated made of wood or plastic molded material only with the use of heat and pressure and by subsequently forming a desired decoration in three-dimensional pattern through two dissolution processes, wherein the thermal transfer film comprises a base film consisting of polyester, polypropylene or polyvinylchloride without a mat agent or coated with a mat agent to provide a unglazed film, an optional releasing layer based on acrylic resin as the main component having separability to be mounted on the top of the base film, a print layer made of a water-soluble acryl-based resin, or water-soluble or alcoholic vinyl-based resin having dissolving power on the t

Abstract: Disclosed is a transfer material comprising at least a substrate sheet having releasing property, and a protecting layer formed on one surface of the substrate sheet, wherein the protecting layer is composed of an active energy ray curable resin, the active energy ray curable resin being obtained by heat-crosslinking a heat and active energy ray curable resin composition which comprises, as an active ingredient, a polymer having a (meth)acryl equivalent weight from 100 to 300 g/eq, a hydroxyl value from 20 to 500 and a weight-average molecular weight from 5000 to 50000; a polyfunctional isocyanate; and a UV absorber; characterized in that the UV absorber is a bisbenzotriazole-type UV absorber represented by the formula:  wherein R each independently represents a hydrogen atom, or an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, n each independently represents an integer of 4 to 8, m each independently represents an integer of 1 to 20.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making and/or decorating bowling balls and the like includes flexible transfer sheets with heat-activated ink applied to at least portions thereof. A form or mold with opposite halves, which shift between open and closed positions, includes a cavity sized to closely receive therein the article to be decorated. At least one transfer sheet is positioned in the mold with the article, such that when the mold is closed, the same are captured in the mold cavity in an overlying relationship. Heat is applied to the mold to a predetermined temperature causing the article to expand through thermal expansion, which expansion is resisted by the mold to uniformly press the transfer sheet against the underlying outer surface of the article, and also causing the heat-activated ink to transfer from the transfer sheet to the outer surface of the article to form the design thereon.

Abstract: At least one-sidedly self-adhesively treated backing material which is coated partially with a self-adhesive composition and which under a tensile load of 10 N/cm has an extension of greater than 10% so that the backing material following application can be detached from the substrate by pulling in the direction of the bond plane.

Abstract: A method of production of a multilayer optical recording medium capable of avoiding difficulties in separating a stamper and forming a semi-transparent film on a thin flexible film and a production method thereof, comprising steps of forming a first optical recording layer on a substrate formed with a pattern of irregularities for a first optical recording layer on a surface thereof, forming a transfer substrate comprised of an acrylic resin formed with a pattern of irregularities on a surface thereof, forming a second optical recording layer on the pattern of irregularities of the transfer substrate, adhering a flexible film at the upper portion of the second optical recording layer by an adhesive layer, separating the second optical recording layer and the transfer substrate at their boundary to transfer the second optical recording layer to the flexible film, and bonding together the first optical recording layer and the second optical recording layer with them facing each other.

Abstract: The invention provides a food package insert made of a multi-layered structure having at least one removable edge portion. The multi-layered structure includes a cellulosic support web a cellulosic transfer web is disposed adjacent the support web. The transfer web contains a transferrable image attached thereto. A cellulosic release web having a release surface is disposed adjacent the transfer web. The release web has a food contact surface opposite the release surface. Each of the support web, transfer web and release web have first edge portions disposed in the removable edge portion of the multi-layered structure. The multi-layered structure is constructed with perforations which enable an elongate web to be separated into individual inserts for inserting in a food package.

Abstract: The light-reflectable sticker is fashionable, attractive and can be used in many fields. In the light-reflectable sticker, a sticking sheet member is capable of sticking on skin. The sticking sheet member is stuck on a separate sheet member. A sticker proper is peelably stuck on the sticking sheet member by an adhesive layer. The sticker proper includes a base sheet member, a light-reflectable film member and a soft member provided between the base sheet member and the light-reflectable film member. The base sheet member and the light-reflectable film member are welded along an outline of the sticker proper, and the base sheet member is stuck on the separate sheet member with the adhesive layer and the sticking sheet member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assembly which includes a display card-forming section and an identification card-forming section. The identification card-forming section includes a first backing sheet and contains an identification card backing region. Further included is a first adhesive layer, a first release layer joined to the first side of the backing sheet and to the first adhesive layer except at the identification card backing region where there is an opening in the first release layer, and a transparent lamination sheet. The transparent lamination sheet has a first side, joined to the first adhesive layer.

Abstract: A versatile method for the manufacturing of image transfer sheets which provide users with cold transferring images without using supplemental heat in the course of image transfer to a wide variety of substrates includes printing an image with water-based ink onto an image transfer sheet that has a coating of water-accepting adhesive. A method of manufacturing image transfer sheets includes first applying a water impermeable layer onto a flexible substrate. A layer of water-activatable adhesive is applied upon the water impermeable layer. The adhesive is then dried in a dryer with dehumidified air. A water permeable detack layer is then applied upon the layer of adhesive. In a particular embodiment, the sheet further includes a water-accepting image holding layer in between the water-accepting adhesive layer and the water impermeable layer. The image holding layer becomes water-resisting when heated to within a range of activation temperatures.

Abstract: Optical data carrier comprising a preferably transparent substrate which may, if desired, have previously been coated with one or more reflection layers and to whose surface a light-writeable information layer, if desired one or more reflection layers and if desired a protective layer or a further substrate or a covering layer have been applied, which can be written on or read by means of blue, red or infrared light, preferably laser light, where the information layer comprises a light-absorbent compound and, if desired, a binder, characterized in that at least one merocyanine dye is used as light-absorbent compound.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for transferring an image from one substrate to another. The method includes providing an image transfer sheet that is comprised of a substrate layer, a release layer and an image-imparting layer that may comprise a low density polyethylene or other polymeric component having a melting temperature within a range of 90°-700° C. An image is imparted to the low density polyethylene area with an image-imparting medium. A second image-receiving substrate is provided. The second image-receiving substrate is contacted to the first image transfer sheet at the polymer layer. Heat is applied to the image transfer sheet so that the low density polyethylene encapsulates the image-imparting medium and transfers the encapsulates to the image-receiving substrate, thereby forming a mirror image on the image-receiving substrate.

Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing an article in which a microporous layer is coated on a temporary carrier substrate and a substrate is then laminated to the microporous layer, prior to removing the temporary carrier substrate from the microporous layer. The microporous layer may comprise one or more microporous xerogel layers. Optionally, the microporous layer assembly may comprise one or more non-microporous coating layers which are in contact with at least one of the microporous xerogel layers, and one of the non-microporous coating layers may be coated on the temporary carrier substrate prior to coating the microporous layer. Also provided are articles, such as electrochemical cells, capacitors, fuel cells, ink jet ink printing media, and filtration media, prepared by such methods.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the three-dimensional effect of a plastic part and the label used therewith is disclosed. A label for enhancing the three-dimensional visual effect which comprises a plastic core and/or, an insulating layer, and/or a heat-activated adhesive backing is disclosed. The label is aligned on the surface of a relieved mold. When plastic is forced against the back surface of the label, the label is stretched and forced into the relief along with the plastic. The label adheres to the plastic part by either a heat-activated adhesive backing or the core forms a melts/weld interface with the molded part creating a permanent bond between the label and the molded part.

Abstract: A transfer laminating element for laminating ink jet prints comprising a flexible, polymeric support having thereon a porous, fusible, transferable protection layer comprising fusible, thermoplastic polymeric particles in a polymeric binder, the protection layer having a thickness of between about 2 and about 100 &mgr;m and a particle-to-binder ratio of between about 95:5 and about 70:30, the thermoplastic polymeric particles having a particle size of less than about 10 &mgr;m and a Tm or softening point of greater than about 50° C. and the polymeric binder having a Tg of less than about 20° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polymer composition for film formation which provides a film having sufficient elongation and strength even on the surface of the film with sharp irregularities by rewetting with water after coating and drying. The polymer composition for film formation contains at least one component selected from the group consisting of an emulsion comprising a homopolymer of polyvinyl acetate or a copolymer of polyvinyl acetate with a monomer selected from acrylic ester, acrylic amide, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, methacrylic ester, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, and fumaric acid, and an aqueous solution of sap, fruit liquid, honey, and saccharide.

Abstract: A versatile envelope assembly that can be printed upon either before or after the resulting envelope is assembled. The resulting envelope can be used to store a wide variety of items, including compact discs and digital video discs, and can also provide a label for labeling the items contained in the envelope. The label is specially designed to extend the life of compact discs and digital video discs when applied to these items. Furthermore, the resulting envelope can be used as a mailing envelope, a filing pocket, a ring-binder pocket, or for any other suitable use.

Abstract: The process for applying labels to articles by first adhering a limited portion of the label to the article and subsequently rendering additional portions of the label adhesive so that they will adhere to the article after the label is affixed to the article. The leading and trailing edges of the label may be bonded to the article or each other to affix the label to a container or other such article. The portions of the label between the leading and trailing edges may be either provided with an adhesive agent that is in a non-adhesive state or be formed from a label material which is not normally adhesive but can be rendered adhesive through an additional process step. For example, coated polyethylene film can be applied to a container by means of a hot melt adhesive and then subsequently heated to a temperature at which the polyethylene material becomes adhesive causing it to stick to the container.

Abstract: A laser thermal transfer material making it possible to form an image having a good hue without a drop in density based on thermal decomposition of a coloring agent even in image-recording by laser thermal transfer. A laser thermal transfer material having a light-to-heat conversion layer and an image forming layer on a support, the image forming layer having a compound represented by the following general formula (1) or (2).

Abstract: The present invention involves a method of creating a transfer. The method comprises providing a heat sensitive polymer substrate having a heat sensitive opaque polymer film and a heat activated adhesive disposed thereon, and providing a second carrier film having a second polymer film and a second adhesive wherein the second adhesive has a peel strength which decreases with increasing temperature. The method further includes printing resin solids in a desired graphic onto the opaque polymer film at a temperature which is below the temperature at which the polymer substrate is activated to create a printed transfer, positioning the printed transfer on the second polymer film, and adhering the printed transfer onto an adherable article by applying sufficient heat to the polymer substrate at a temperature which is above the temperature which the polymer substrate activates and at which to substantially reduce the peel strength of the second adhesive.

Abstract: A printing sheet can be easily peeled from a base film. A printing sheet can be easily and efficiently mounted on an appliance. It includes a base film as a base material, an adhesive applied on the surface of the base material, and a main body film adhered to the base material through the adhesive. The main body film may be peeled from the adhesive and base material. The main body film has a plurality of printing sheets, and each printing sheet of the printing sheets has a half-cut portion cutting off only the printing sheet without cutting off the base material, so that each printing sheet may be peeled from the adhesive and base material. Preferably, the base film has a greater thickness than the main body film. The half-cut portion has an end portion in a state being lifted from the base material having the adhesive.

Abstract: In an image-forming substrate, a layer of microcapsules is coated over a sheet of paper, and contains at least one type of microcapsule filled with a solid ink. A shell element of each microcapsule is constituted so as to be squashed and broken under a predetermined pressure when the solid ink of each microcapsule is thermally melted at a predetermined temperature to discharge thermally-molten ink from the squashed and broken microcapsule.

Abstract: An apparatus for retrieving information stored on an optical disk as colored dots, using an array of laser diodes emitting multiple wavelengths. Colored dots store more information than pits and spaces on optical disks because each colored dot represents a multiple-bit code of information rather than a single bit. The optical disk reader directs multiple wavelength diode laser beams to the disk surface. The reflected beams are then separated using an array of dichroic filters, and sent to light sensors. The light sensors identify the intensity of each of the reflected frequencies and determine the wavelength combination being reflected from the optical disk, which corresponds to a multiple-bit code.

Abstract: An organic luminescent layer for use in an electroluminescent device with improved operating life includes an organic host material capable of sustaining both hole and electron injection and recombination. The layer also includes at least two dopants: a first dopant capable of accepting energy of electron-hole combinations in the host material; and a second dopant capable of trapping the holes from the host material. The first dopant being selected so that the bandgap energy of the first dopant is less than the bandgap energy of the host material and the second dopant being selected to have a hole trapping energy level above the valance band of the host material.

Abstract: An electrode substrate comprises a backing substrate carrying thereon a metal electrode layer and/or a recording layer, the layer or layers having a smooth surface area with a surface roughness of less than 1 nm by more than 1 &mgr;m2. The smooth surface of the metal electrode layer and/or the recording layer is formed by firstly forming the layer on another substrate having a corresponding smooth surface and then peeling the another substrate off the layer after the layer is bonded to the surface of the backing substrate, whereby the smooth surface profile of the another substrate is transferred to the surface of the layer formed on the backing substrate.

Abstract: A thermal transfer recording medium comprising a substrate, and multi-color thermal transfer recording layers, each of the multi-color thermal transfer recording layers being repeatedly formed for each color along the longitudinal direction of the substrate, wherein each of the multi-color thermal transfer recording layers contains a coloring pigment, an amorphous organic polymer and fine particles. One of the multi-color thermal transfer recording layers is formed to have a larger thickness than the other of the multi-color thermal transfer recording layers. Each of the multi-color thermal transfer recording layers which are successively transferred, excluding the color thermal transfer recording layer to be transferred latest, is formed to have an average thickness of 0.6 &mgr;m or less.

Abstract: A thermal transfer sheet of the present invention is used in order to previously form an image in a receptor layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium before the receptor layer is re-transferred to a transfer receiving material, and it comprises: a substrate film, a peelable layer disposed on the substrate film, and a heat fusible black ink layer disposed on the substrate film via the peelable layer, wherein the peelable layer is formed of a material having peelable property to the substrate film while having adhesive property to the transfer receiving material so that the peelable layer is transferred to the receptor layer of the intermediate transfer recording medium together with the heat fusible black ink layer when the image is formed in the receptor layer so as to constitute an uppermost layer of the receptor layer, the uppermost layer being adhesive to the transfer receiving material.

Abstract: This invention relates to a thermal transfer laminate, comprising: a facestock comprising a first layer having an upper surface and a lower surface, and a heat-activatable adhesive layer underlying the lower surface of said first layer; an adhesion-promoting layer overlying the upper surface of said first layer; an abrasion-resistant transparent coating layer overlying said adhesion-promoting layer; and another adhesive layer overlying said abrasion-resistant coating layer. In one embodiment, an ink or graphics layer overlies the upper surface of the first layer of the facestock and provides a pictorial design and/or print message. In one embodiment, the laminate is adhered to a carrier sheet. In one embodiment, the laminate is adhered to a substrate such as an automotive interior surface.

Abstract: Medical dressings are disclosed that include multiple exposed pressure sensitive adhesives. One of the pressure sensitive adhesives includes a bioactive agent and is substantially contact transparent. In some embodiments, all of the adhesives are substantially contact transparent. Also provided are methods of manufacturing the medical dressings. By providing multiple exposed pressure sensitive adhesives, the pressure sensitive adhesive formulations can be varied to provide desired properties in different areas of the dressing. A pressure sensitive adhesive that exhibits relatively high tack to skin may be provided around the periphery of the dressing while a pressure sensitive adhesive incorporating a bioactive agent is provided in the center of the dressing. Alternatively, a higher tack pressure sensitive adhesive may be provided at two opposing sides of the dressing with a bioactive adhesive located in between the opposing portions of higher tack adhesive.

Abstract: Faceless PSA label constructions of this invention comprise a flexible substrate having a release surface, and a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed on the release surface. A nonblocking continuous film that, in combination with the pressure-sensitive adhesive is sufficiently self supporting, is disposed over a surface of the layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive to render the pressure-sensitive adhesive tack free. The continuous film is selected from the group of film-forming polymers consisting of polyamide resins, polyester resins, polyurethane resins, polyacrylate resins, vinyl acetate resins and mixtures thereof having a tensile strength of at least 200 psi, and a percent elongation of at least 50. The continuous film can be applied sequentially or simultaneously with the PSA. For purposes of simultaneous application it is desired that the continuous film be formed from a material having a hot melt viscosity that within a factor of about two times a hot melt viscosity for the PSA.

Abstract: Transfer printing process wherein the color transfer occurs by sublimation, characterized in that a composite film is used formed, in the order, by a synthetic material film or lamina, which is such as to resist without getting deformed the temperatures reached in the calendering phase which are in the range 170°-210°C., having a thickness ranging from 6 to 100 micron; by an aluminum layer, having a thickness ranging from 50 to 400 Å; by a drawing, with the respective colors, impressed on the aluminum layer.

Abstract: A heat-transfer label assembly. In one embodiment, the assembly comprises a carrier, the carrier comprising a paper substrate overcoated with a layer of polyethylene. The polyethylene layer is overcoated with a skim coat of wax. One or more heat-transfer labels are printed onto the skim coat and are spaced apart from one another, each label comprising a protective lacquer layer printed onto the skim coat, an ink design printed onto the protective lacquer layer, and a heat-activatable adhesive layer printed over the ink design, any exposed areas of the protective lacquer layer and a surrounding area of the skim coat. The periphery of the skim coat extends beyond the periphery of the label and is, therefore, uncovered by the label. The assembly further comprises a mask deposited over the uncovered areas of the skim coat, the mask adhering to the polyethylene layer during label-transfer and preventing transfer onto an article of the previously uncovered areas of the skim coat together with the label.

Abstract: A process for laminating an ink jet print by providing a support having an ink jet image, contacting the imaged surface with a transfer element to form a composite, the transfer element comprising a flexible, polymeric support having a porous, fusible, transferable protection layer comprising fusible, thermoplastic polymeric particles in a polymeric binder, the protection layer having a thickness between 2 and 100 &mgr;m and a particle-to-binder ratio between 95:5 and 70:30, the thermoplastic polymeric particles having a particle size less than 10 &mgr;m and a Tm or softening point greater than 50° C., and the polymeric binder having a Tg less than 20° C., applying heat and pressure to the composite to fuse the protection layer to form a substantially continuous protection layer, allowing the composite to cool, and peeling the polymeric support of the transfer element from the composite to form the laminated ink the print.

Abstract: A bicycle saddle hanger and packaging device, for use with a bicycle saddle having a pair of converging mounting rails, is provided. The device generally includes a display card, a pair of arms for slidably bracing a rail of a bicycle saddle, and a tapered tongue, extending between the display card and arms, for stabilizing a saddle suspended from the device during display. The device may further include a pair of shoulders for abutting the rails during the display. Between the shoulders and the arms, a pair of V-shaped slots may be provided for enabling the sliding of the display card and arms along the rails in order to facilitate stacked packaging of a plurality of such saddles on top of one another. The entire hanger and packaging device may be comprised of a single planar member. In addition, the invention provides a package of stacked bicycle saddles, each including such a hanger and packaging device.

Abstract: A method for disposing a letter sequence onto the outer surface of a microphone wind shield made from foamed material includes the steps of producing at least one letter sequence element on a carrier; positioning the carrier onto the outer surface of the wind shield body by interposing a heat-activating adhesive; applying thermal energy using radiation, in particular, laser beams, for activating the adhesive; and removing the carrier after cooling and solidification of the adhesive. The letter sequence element thereby remains on the outer surface of the wind shield body.