HK40024514A - Textile substrate with visual components - Google Patents

Description

Textile substrate with visual component

Technical Field

Textile substrate (textile) having two or more ink layers forming a print.

Background

Conventional application of ink to textile substrates typically includes one or more ink layers that form a uniform planar surface on the textile substrate. Typically, the one or more ink layers comprise multiple colors at different areas of the textile substrate that interact and contrast to collectively form a single graphic or image that is visible to a viewer from all viewing angles as long as the viewer has a clear view of the textile substrate.

Brief Description of Drawings

The invention is described in detail herein with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

fig. 1 depicts a top view of a textile substrate according to aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 2A depicts a cross-sectional view of the textile substrate of FIG. 1 taken along plane 2 of FIG. 1, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

fig. 2B depicts a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of a textile substrate taken along a plane similar to plane 2 of fig. 1, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 3A depicts a view of the textile substrate of FIG. 1 from a first angle, in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 3B depicts a view of the textile substrate of FIG. 1 from a second angle, in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

fig. 3C depicts a view of the textile substrate of fig. 2B from a third angle, in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

fig. 4 depicts a top view of a further embodiment of a textile substrate in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 5 depicts a cross-sectional view of the textile substrate of FIG. 4 taken along plane 5 of FIG. 4, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 6A depicts a view of the textile substrate of FIG. 4 from a first angle, in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 6B depicts a view of the textile substrate of FIG. 4 from a second angle, in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

fig. 7 depicts a top view of a further embodiment of a textile substrate in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 8 depicts a cross-sectional view of the textile substrate of FIG. 7 taken along plane 8 of FIG. 7, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; and

fig. 9 depicts a flow diagram of a method of printing a textile substrate in accordance with an aspect of the present invention.

Detailed description of the invention

The subject matter of the present invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed or disclosed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps or combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover, although the terms "step" and/or "block" may be used herein to connote different elements of methods employed, the terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly stated.

At a high level, aspects herein are directed to a textile substrate that can include a surface, an area (e.g., a surface area), and two or more ink layers that form a print on the textile substrate. In one aspect, the textile substrate can include a textile substrate surface and at least a first area, and the textile substrate can include a first ink layer, a second ink layer, and a third ink layer. More specifically, the first ink layer can be positioned over the textile substrate surface at a first area, and can include a first visual component and a first ink layer surface distal to the textile substrate surface. The second ink layer can be positioned over at least a portion of the first ink layer surface, and the second ink layer can include a second ink layer top surface distal to the first ink layer surface, a second ink layer bottom surface opposite the second ink layer top surface, and a second visual component. The third ink layer surface can be positioned above the second ink layer top surface and can include a third visual component that can be configured to obscure the second visual component when the textile substrate is viewed from the first angle. Further, the visibility of the second visual component can change when the textile substrate is viewed from an angle different from the first perspective.

In another aspect, a textile substrate can include a textile substrate surface and at least a first region and a second region, and the textile substrate can include a first ink layer, a second ink layer, and a third ink layer. The first ink layer can be positioned over the textile substrate surface at a first area and a second area of the textile substrate, and the first ink layer can include a first visual component at the first area and a second visual component at the second area. The second ink layer can be positioned over the first ink layer at the first and second regions of the textile substrate, and the second ink layer can include a third visual component. The third ink layer can be positioned over the second ink layer at the first area and the second area, and the third ink layer can include a fourth visual component at the first area and a fifth visual component at the second area. Further, the fourth visual component may be configured to visually match the first visual component of the first ink layer, and the fifth visual component may be configured to visually match the second visual component of the first ink layer. Further, the fourth and fifth visual components of the third ink layer may obstruct visibility of the third visual component of the second ink layer at the first viewing angle.

Other aspects herein relate to a method of printing a textile substrate, and may generally include a first step of providing a textile substrate, which may be followed by multiple steps of applying a print layer to the textile substrate. According to these aspects, a method of printing a textile substrate may begin with a first step of providing a textile substrate having a textile substrate surface and at least a first area. Next, the method may include a second step of applying a first print layer on the textile substrate surface at the first area of the textile substrate surface, and the first print layer may include the first visual element. The third step of the method may comprise applying a second printed layer on at least a portion of the surface of the first printed layer distal to the textile substrate surface, and the second printed layer may comprise one or more layers of ink and a second visual element. Finally, the method may include a fourth step of applying a third printed layer on a surface of the second printed layer distal to the first printed layer, and the third printed layer may include a third visual element that obscures the second visual element of the second printed layer when the textile substrate is viewed from the first angle. Further, application of the third print layer can result in a change in the visibility of the second visual element when the textile substrate is viewed from an angle different from the first angle.

As discussed above and will be discussed throughout this document, aspects herein relate to methods of printing textile substrates, and also to textile substrates that may or may not be printed by the provided methods. Many aspects relate to both the method of printing the textile substrate and the textile substrate itself, and thus, depending on the context, some aspects may be described in different ways. For example, a layer of ink may be referred to as an "ink layer" when contained in a textile substrate, or may be referred to as a "print layer" when applied to a textile substrate. In any event, aspects described in connection with layers of ink may be applicable to both "ink layers" and "print layers". Thus, the contextual description of any aspect provided herein does not limit the scope of applicability to any claimed aspect.

Moreover, the aspects contemplated herein may be presented in a simplified manner as an example, but in practice are more complex. For example, the textile substrate is described and illustrated as a single component, but it is contemplated herein that the textile substrate can be used to form a variety of objects, and can be incorporated into such objects as one or more separate parts. In one example, the textile substrate may comprise pieces of fabric (fabry panels) that may be joined together using a variety of adhesives, stitches, and other types of joining/bonding components to create any article of apparel, including, but not limited to, jerseys, vests, shorts, pants, jackets, socks, leg sleeves (leg sleeves), arm sleeves (arm sleeves), head bands, hats, shoes, and the like.

Continuing with these aspects, other objects into which the textile substrate may be formed or incorporated include, but are not limited to, athletic equipment, such as shin guards, protective pads, duffel bags, backpacks, protective helmets, and the like.

In further aspects, the textile substrate can have a non-rigid planar structure and be formed from materials suitable for the end use of the textile substrate, and the properties included in the textile substrate can depend on the end use. For example, when the textile substrate comprises a fabric sheet, the textile substrate may form at least a portion of the fabric sheet incorporated into an article of apparel, and such textile substrate may comprise one or more materials suitable for or that provide the desired characteristics of the particular article of apparel, including breathable materials, materials having a desired gather (flap) or hand, wicking fabrics, stabilizing components, and/or elastic elements for the comfort of the article of apparel and/or for customizing the fit of the article of apparel.

Further, aspects herein contemplate that the textile substrate can be formed from any type of textile material, such as a knitted material (knit material), a woven material (woven material), a film material, leather, a non-woven material, a fabric material, a cloth material, and the like. Further, the materials used to construct the textile substrate may include natural fibers, man-made fibers, or combinations thereof, and the textile substrate may be constructed by conventional methods such as weaving, knitting, crocheting, knotting, felting, and the like. In these aspects, it is contemplated that the textile substrate can include materials such as polyester, nylon, cotton, spandex, rayon, cellulose, and blends thereof, which can be included in the textile substrate in certain amounts. For example, the textile substrate may be constructed as a fabric comprising a blend of cotton and polyester, and in another example, the fabric may comprise 100% polyester. Any and all aspects and any variations thereof are contemplated to be within the scope of this document.

Other aspects contemplate that the textile substrate can include a color (e.g., a base color), which can be any color provided by a pigment; and other coloring elements contained in commercially available inks and dyes. In these aspects, materials that have been dyed or otherwise colored can be used to construct the textile substrate. Alternatively, the textile substrate itself may be dyed or otherwise colored after the textile substrate is constructed. In further aspects, the textile substrate can be configured to include properties suitable for creating a print on the textile substrate. For example, the textile substrate may be formed of a material that is more compatible with certain inks or dyes or that requires less pretreatment prior to application of the ink or dye.

As will be apparent below, aspects herein are directed to two or more ink layers over a surface of a textile substrate, and each ink layer can include a variety of features and characteristics that can collectively form a print having two or more distinguishable images or graphics on the textile substrate. As used herein, the term "over" may mean elements (i.e., different printed layers and/or printed layers and textile substrates) that are positioned adjacent to one another such that respective surfaces of each element contact one another. Equivalent terms for the term "over" may include "layered on … …", "covering", "adjacently positioned", and the like. Continuing, the visibility of the image or graphic included in the print may change when the textile substrate is viewed by an observer from a different perspective, and thus, the image or graphic may be hidden when the textile substrate is viewed by an observer from one angle, but the image or graphic may then be revealed when the textile substrate is viewed by an observer from a different angle. These aspects may depend on the characteristics and properties of each ink layer, and may be more readily understood through a basic understanding of the ink layers. Accordingly, aspects related to the ink layer are provided immediately below.

Aspects related to the ink layer contemplate one or more inks that can form the ink layer, structural features of the ink layer, and the arrangement of the ink layer at an area of the textile substrate. Some of these aspects can provide or impart a visual component to an ink layer that can form part or all of an image or graphic included in a print on a textile substrate. Further, aspects related to the ink layers can contemplate one or more printing techniques that can be used to apply the print layer to the textile substrate, and further aspects related to the ink layers can also contemplate configurations in which two or more ink layers are above the textile substrate. All of these aspects can affect printing on textile substrates, and each aspect is discussed in this order in the following paragraphs.

Starting with one or more inks that can form an ink layer, aspects herein contemplate that the ink layer can be formed from a wide range of inks that are compatible with at least one printing technique discussed herein. Generally, these inks may include commercially available inks known by those of ordinary skill in the art, or specialty inks to be used with screen printing techniques and digital printing techniques. Such inks may be water-based or oil-based and may include, but are not limited to, crack inks (craking ink), discharge inks (discharge ink), glitter or shimmer inks (glitter or shimmer ink), gloss inks (gloss ink), metallic inks, specular silver inks (mirrored silver ink), plastic inks (plastisol ink), polyvinyl chloride inks (PVC ink), non-PVC inks, phthalate inks, non-phthalate inks, acrylic inks, matte inks (dye ink), oil-based acrylic inks, polyurethane inks, high density inks, solvent inks, uv inks, and combinations thereof. Nevertheless, it is also contemplated that the ink may comprise specialty inks that may have one or more properties not normally included in commercially available inks. Such properties may include visual characteristics that may impart a metallic appearance, a pearlescent appearance, a color shift appearance, or a reflective appearance to the specialty ink. Further, any of these inks may include additives that may affect certain properties or components of the ink, or may provide additional properties or components to the ink. For example, additives can cause the ink to be more compatible with certain inks and materials, and thus, additives can be used to promote compatibility between adjacent ink layers and between ink layers and adjacent textile substrates.

As mentioned, the ink may have properties and components that may be imparted to the ink layer, which may include one or more visual features. Such aspects contemplate that one or more visual characteristics of the ink may include one or more color components, which may be provided by pigments or other colorants. As such, the ink can be configured to have any color, including red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet, and shade, and combinations thereof. Further, when the ink is applied via digital printing techniques, the ink may be configured in any color that may be produced by a printer used in digital printing techniques, which may include magenta (magenta), cyan, yellow, orange, red, black, gray, blue, gray, and shades thereof. It is also contemplated that the ink may have other visual features, which may include one or more visual characteristics that may be configured to provide the ink with a reflective appearance, a metallic appearance, a clear appearance, a white appearance, a black appearance, or a colorless appearance. Further, the color composition or visual properties of the ink can be maintained during and after application of the ink to the textile substrate or an underlying (i.e., previously applied) ink layer, and in one example, aspects of the ink layer can include inks having multiple color compositions, multiple visual properties, or a combination thereof that form an image or graphic on the textile substrate.

Turning now to the structural aspects of the ink layer, such aspects contemplate that the ink layer can be planar (or relatively planar), and can have two opposing ink layer surfaces. Further, the ink layer can include a height, which can be the distance the ink layer extends between two opposing ink layer surfaces, or can also be the distance the ink layer extends away from the surface of the textile substrate or away from the surface of a previously applied ink layer. To describe it in a different way, a particular ink layer may be considered to extend in the x, y surface plane. In one example, a particular ink layer may also extend away from the surface plane of the ink layer in the z-direction. In such aspects, it is contemplated that the ink layer may be formed from multiple sub-layers that may be selectively implemented or applied to increase the height of the ink layer. Furthermore, the ink layer may also include one or more outer sides that may extend between two opposing ink layer surfaces. In some aspects, it is contemplated that the ink layer may be a unitary planar layer, and other aspects contemplate that the ink layer may include one or more discrete members or discrete elements. Further, one or more of the discrete members may be linear or curvilinear, and each discrete member may have similar dimensions or may comprise different dimensions. Any and all aspects and any variations thereof are contemplated to be within the scope of this document.

In aspects related to the arrangement of the ink layer at the area of the textile substrate, it is contemplated that the ink layer may extend throughout the entire area. It is also contemplated that the ink layer may be included in a portion of the area at one or more individual locations, the ink layer may be uniformly or non-uniformly positioned throughout the area, and in these aspects, the ink layer may include one or more discrete members. As such, the ink layer may be arranged in a linear manner throughout a portion of the area such that the one or more discrete members form a linear pattern or linear design. In other aspects, the ink layer can be arranged in a curvilinear manner throughout a portion of the region such that the one or more discrete members form a curvilinear pattern or curvilinear design.

Further aspects contemplate applying the ink layer over the textile substrate or the ink layer by using one or more printing techniques. In general, the printing techniques may include any printing application known to one of ordinary skill in the art that is compatible with and suitable for printing the one or more inks discussed herein to form an ink layer. In one aspect, direct printing may be utilized, and at a high level, may include a printing technique that transfers ink onto the surface of the textile substrate or ink layer, and may involve a curing step that promotes adhesion between the ink layer and the surface of the textile substrate or ink layer. Further, these printing techniques involve applying one or more inks to areas of the textile substrate, and may be applied such that the one or more inks form an image or graphic on the textile substrate. Known printing techniques that may be implemented as direct printing include, but are not limited to, screen printing, rotary printing, direct to digital printing, or digital direct printing, as well as combinations of these techniques, such as hybrid printing techniques including aspects of both screen printing and direct digital printing.

Aspects herein also contemplate configurations of two or more ink layers positioned over a textile substrate, which may involve a structural relationship between each ink layer. In these aspects, each ink layer may be stacked (or layered) on top of each other on the surface of the textile substrate, and each ink layer may be configured and arranged in a different manner throughout the area of the textile substrate. According to these aspects, a first ink layer positioned over a surface of the textile substrate can extend throughout an entire area of the textile substrate, and a different ink layer positioned over the first ink layer can extend throughout a portion of the area of the textile substrate. As such, the surface of the first ink layer may be the uppermost surface at a portion of an area of the textile substrate, while the surface of the different ink layer may be the uppermost surface at a different portion of the area. In other words, the visual features of the ink layers may be visible at a portion of the area where the corresponding ink layer surface is exposed, and the visual features of different ink layers may be visible at different portions of the area where the corresponding ink layer surface is exposed. Further, the ink layer can have a height that is greater than the other ink layers, and the ink layers can protrude or extend from the underlying ink layer in a manner that presents one or more outer sides (e.g., extends in the z-direction). In these aspects, the visual features of the ink layer may also be visible on one or more of the exterior sides when the textile substrate is viewed from an angle.

As discussed throughout this document, the textile substrate can include two or more ink layers, and in a primary aspect relating to ink layers, it is further contemplated that the ink layers can include one or more visual components. In general, the visual element can include any aspect or combination of aspects associated with an ink layer that can be visible to an observer on a textile substrate. Further, it is contemplated that one or more visual elements may collectively form a print having two or more distinguishable images or graphics on the textile substrate.

Thus, the term "visual element" is used throughout the present specification and claims to refer to one or more aspects of an ink layer that are visible to an observer when viewing a textile substrate. In these aspects, the visual component can include one or more color components of the one or more inks that form the ink layer, which can be present at the surface of the ink layer and at one or more exterior sides of the ink layer, and similarly, the visual component can include one or more visual characteristics (e.g., metallic, pearlescent, reflective, etc.) of the one or more inks that form the ink layer, and can be present at the surface of the ink layer or at the one or more exterior sides of the ink layer. Further, the visual component can include a combination of one or more color components and one or more visual characteristics of one or more inks forming the ink layer, and the visual component can be presented at a surface of the ink layer and/or at one or more exterior sides of the ink layer. Further, the visual element can include the arrangement of the ink layer throughout the area of the textile substrate, and can include a pattern or design. In addition, the visual component can also include one or more images or graphics formed from one or more color components of the ink layer, one or more visual characteristics of the ink layer, the arrangement of the ink layer throughout the area of the textile substrate, and combinations thereof.

In further aspects, the ink layer may include one or more visual components at different regions. For example, the ink layer may include one color component at one area and a different color component at a different area. Further, the visual component of the ink layer may be configured to visually match the visual component of another area. In such an aspect, the visual component of one ink layer may comprise a color component, and the visual component of the other ink layer may also comprise the same color component. Further, when two ink layers in an area of the textile substrate that are adjacent to each other include one or more visually matching visual components, each ink layer may be visually indistinguishable when the textile substrate is viewed from an angle.

As can be appreciated from the foregoing, it is contemplated that the aspects discussed herein can be implemented in a variety of ways to provide a textile substrate having two or more ink layers forming a print. In particular, the ink layers may include any combination of aspects that may be selectively used to affect the visual components of the multiple ink layers. Furthermore, the manner in which two or more ink layers are applied to the textile substrate can also affect which aspects are included in each ink layer, and in turn, the visual component of each ink layer. Nonetheless, aspects of the invention are discussed below with reference to the figures.

Beginning with fig. 1, a textile substrate 1 is depicted from a top view, according to an aspect of the present invention. The textile substrate 1 has a textile substrate surface 2 and a first area 4. As discussed herein, textile substrate 1 can include ink layers positioned on textile substrate surface 2 and at first area 4, and from this view, first ink layer 10 and third ink layer 30 can be seen. The first ink layer 10 includes a first ink layer surface 12 and a first visual component 14, and similarly, the third ink layer 30 includes a third ink layer surface 32 and a third visual component 34. In this example, the first ink layer 10 is positioned below the third ink layer 30 (or layered below the third ink layer 30) and extends throughout the entire first area 4, and the first visual component 14 is presented at the first ink layer surface 12 and includes an outer rectangle and an inner oval. The third ink layer 30 is included as a linear section at a portion of the first area 4, and a third visual component 34 is presented at the third ink layer surface 32 and appears to be a portion of the oval shape of the first visual component 14.

In fig. 1, textile substrate 1 is depicted separately for illustrative purposes, but as discussed herein, it is contemplated that textile substrate 1 can be incorporated into a variety of objects. Further, first ink layer 10, first visual component 14, third ink layer 30, and third visual component 34 are depicted generically for discussion purposes, and may be moved, repositioned, reshaped, duplicated, or reconfigured. Further, it should be understood that these depictions are exemplary and not limiting. For example, the first visual element 14 is illustrated as an outer rectangle having an inner oval shape, but it is contemplated that the first visual element 14 may include other shapes and designs, or may be more detailed and include images, graphics, or logos.

Turning now to fig. 2A, a cross-sectional view of textile substrate 1 taken along plane 2 of fig. 1 is depicted. From this view, additional ink layers can be seen, and as shown, textile substrate 1 can further include a second ink layer 20 positioned between first ink layer 10 and third ink layer 30. Further, the second ink layer 20 can include a second ink layer top surface 22 positioned distal to the first ink layer surface 12, a second ink layer bottom surface 21 positioned opposite the second ink layer top surface 22, and a second visual component 24. In addition, second ink layer 20 also includes a plurality of discrete members 40, each discrete member including two opposing outer sides, a first outer side 41 and a second outer side 42, that extend between second ink layer bottom surface 21 and second ink layer top surface 22. In this example, the plurality of discrete members 40 are arranged in a linear and repeating manner throughout a portion of the first region 4, and the second visual element 24 is presented at both the first exterior side 41 and the second exterior side 42. In addition, fig. 2A also illustrates that the first ink layer surface 12 is positioned distal to the textile substrate surface 2 and the third ink layer surface 32 is positioned distal to the second ink layer top surface 22.

Fig. 2A also depicts the configuration of first, second, and third ink layers 10, 20, 30, and as shown, first ink layer 10 is positioned over textile substrate surface 2, second ink layer 20 is positioned over at least a portion of first ink layer surface 12 (more specifically, second ink layer bottom surface 21 is positioned over first ink layer surface 12), and third ink layer 30 is positioned over second ink layer top surface 22. Although only first, second, and third ink layers 10, 20, and 30 are shown, it is contemplated herein that one or more additional ink layers may be included between first ink layer 10 and second ink layer 20 or between second ink layer 20 and third ink layer 30. Such layers may include migration resistant inks, dye blockers, or inks contained in first, second, and third ink layers 10, 20, 30, and it is also contemplated herein that any of first, second, and third ink layers 10, 20, 30 may include additional ink layers, which may include the same or different inks.

Furthermore, fig. 2A also depicts an observer 100 viewing the textile substrate 1 from a first angle 101 and from a second angle 102, which are illustrated in fig. 3A and 3B, respectively. In some aspects, the first angle 101 may comprise an angle that is normal (or nearly normal) to the textile substrate surface 2. For example, the first angle 101 may include an angle from about 85 degrees to about 95 degrees. As used herein, the term "about" when referring to degrees of angle means ± 2.5 degrees. In some aspects, the second angle 102 may comprise any angle different from the first angle 101. For example, the second angle 102 may include an angle from about 5 degrees to about 85 degrees. Further, first ink layer 10, second ink layer 20, and third ink layer 30 include a type of hatching (hashing) that represents a visual element that may be present at an exposed surface or outer side of the ink layers. As shown, both the first ink layer 10 and the third ink layer 30 include the same type of hatching and have the same visual component, and thus, the first visual component 14 and the third visual component 34 are configured to visually match.

Referring now to fig. 2A, 3A, and 3B, as illustrated in fig. 3A, when an observer 100 views the textile substrate 1 from a first angle 101, the first ink layer surface 12 and the third ink layer surface 32 are exposed, and thus the first visual element 14 and the third visual element 34 are visible to the observer 100. However, second ink layer 20 and second ink layer top surface 22 are positioned below third ink layer 30 (or layered below third ink layer 30), and thus, the plurality of discrete members 40 and first and second outer sides 41 and 42 of second ink layer 20 are mostly hidden or covered, and second visual component 24 is not visible to viewer 100. In this way, the third visual element 34 obscures the second visual element 24 when the textile substrate 1 is viewed by an observer 100 from a first angle 101. In contrast, as illustrated in fig. 3B, when the textile substrate 1 is viewed by an observer 100 from a second angle 102, the second outer side 42 of the second ink layer 20 is exposed, and thus, the second visual element 24 is now visible to the observer 100. Although not depicted, when the viewer 100 views the textile substrate 1 from an angle opposite the second angle 102 or from the opposite side, the viewer 100 will see the same components of the textile substrate 1 in fig. 3B, but the first outer side 41 will be visible in place of the second outer side 41.

Some of these aspects are illustrated in fig. 2B and 3C, which depict textile substrate 1 as including a second ink layer formed from two ink sub-layers, and show textile substrate 1 from a third angle 103. With the exception of these aspects, textile substrate 1 includes the same components as previously discussed in connection with fig. 1, 2A, 3A, and 3B. Starting with fig. 2B, a cross-section similar to that of fig. 2A is shown, and second ink layer 20 (not identified) includes first ink layer 27 and second ink layer 28, which are positioned adjacent to each other and form one of discrete members 40. As such, the first outer side 41 is formed by the first ink layer 27, and the first ink layer 27 may further include the first ink layer visual element 25. Likewise, the second outer side 42 is formed by the second ink layer 28, and the second ink layer 28 may include a second ink layer visual element 26 that may be different (e.g., a different color component) than the first ink layer visual element 25. Further, as illustrated in fig. 2A and 2B, the second visual element 24 and the second ink layer visual element 26 may be similar or identical visual elements. Accordingly, an observer 100 who depicts textile substrate 1 in fig. 2B from first angle 101 and second angle 102 will see the same views and features as textile substrate 1 shown in fig. 3A and 3B, and thus, observer 100 will see second ink layer visual component 26 on second exterior side 42, and second ink layer visual component 26 will be the same or similar to second visual component 24.

Nonetheless, and as illustrated in fig. 3C, the textile substrate 1 of fig. 2B is viewed from a third angle 103, the third angle 103 being similar to the second angle 102, except that the viewer 100 is positioned on the opposite side of the textile substrate 1. As such, the third angle 103 may include an angle from about 5 degrees to about 85 degrees, or any other angle different from the first angle 101. Thus, when the viewer 100 views the textile substrate 1 from the third angle 103, the first outer side 41 of the first ink layer 27 is exposed, and thus, the first ink layer visual element 25 is now visible to the viewer 100.

According to aspects herein, it is contemplated that textile substrate 1 may be viewed by observer 100 from multiple angles, and in practical aspects, the angle at which observer 100 may view textile substrate 1 may vary continuously between multiple angles, which may result in certain aspects of textile substrate 1 becoming more or less visible to observer 100. For example, as the viewing angle changes from the first angle 101 to the second angle 102, the visibility of the second visual component 24 also changes as more of the outer side 42 of the second ink layer 20 becomes exposed. Similarly, as the viewing angle changes from the first angle 101 to the third angle 103, the visibility of the first ink layer visual component 25 changes as more of the outer side 41 of the first ink layer 27 becomes exposed.

In fig. 4-6B, additional embodiments of textile substrate 201 are depicted, and as shown, textile substrate 201 can include many of the same components as textile substrate 1 of fig. 1-3B, but with second ink layer 220 disposed in a curvilinear manner throughout first region 204. In addition, third ink layer 230 positioned over second ink layer 220 is also different from third ink layer 30 of textile substrate 1 in fig. 1-3B. All other aspects of textile substrate 201 are similar except for second ink layer 20, 220, third ink layer 30, 230, and their respective features and components, and correspond to aspects of textile substrate 1 in fig. 1-3B. Accordingly, many of the aspects previously discussed in connection with textile substrate 1 in fig. 1-3B may not be repeated in the discussion regarding textile substrate 201 in fig. 4-6B. This is not meant to be limiting and any aspect discussed in connection with textile substrate 1 is also applicable to textile substrate 201 and vice versa.

As shown in fig. 4, textile substrate 201 has a first textile substrate surface 202 and a first area 204, and may include a first ink layer 210 and a third ink layer 230. The first ink layer 210 includes a first ink layer surface 212 and a first visual component 214, and likewise, the third ink layer 230 includes a third ink layer surface 232 and a third visual component 234. The third ink layer 230 is included as a curvilinear section at a portion of the first region 204, and a third visual component 234 is presented at a third ink layer surface 232 and appears to be a portion of the oval of the first visual component 214.

Fig. 5 depicts a cross-sectional view of textile substrate 201 taken along plane 5 of fig. 4, similar to fig. 2A. As shown, the second ink layer 220 can include a second ink layer top surface 222 positioned distal to the first ink layer surface 212, a second ink layer bottom surface 221 positioned opposite the second ink layer top surface 222, and a second visual component 224. Second ink layer 220 also includes one or more discrete members 240, each discrete member including two opposing outer sides, a first outer side 241 and a second outer side 242, that extend between second ink layer bottom surface 221 and second ink layer top surface 222. In this example, the plurality of discrete members 240 are arranged in a curvilinear manner throughout a portion of the first region 204, and the second visual element 224 is presented at the first exterior side 241 and the second exterior side 242.

Continuing with fig. 5, the configuration of first, second, and third ink layers 210, 220, and 230 is also shown, similar to first, second, and third ink layers 10, 20, and 30. Furthermore, it is contemplated herein that one or more additional ink layers may be included in the same manner as first ink layer 10, second ink layer 20, and third ink layer 30. Fig. 5 also depicts the viewer 100 shown in fig. 6A and 6B viewing the textile substrate 201 from a first angle 101 (i.e., an angle normal to the surface plane of the textile substrate 201) and from a second angle 102, fig. 6A and 6B illustrating the same aspects as fig. 3A and 3B.

In fig. 7 and 8, further embodiments of textile substrate 301 are depicted, and as can be seen, textile substrate 301 may comprise many of the same components as textile substrates 1, 201 of fig. 1-6B, but textile substrate 301 has a first region 304 and a second region 305. In addition, textile substrate 301 also has a textile substrate surface 302, and again includes a first ink layer 310, a second ink layer 320, and a third ink layer 330. However, as indicated in fig. 7 and 8, the first ink layer 310 includes a first visual component 314 at the first area 304 and a second visual component 315 at the second area 305, and the third ink layer 330 includes a fourth visual component 334 at the first area 304 and a fifth visual component 335 at the second area 305. In one aspect, first visual component 314 of first ink layer 310 and fourth visual component 334 of third ink layer 330 are each configured to visually match, and likewise, second visual component 315 and fifth visual component 335 are also configured to visually match. Except for these aspects, textile substrate 301 and any remaining aspects thereof are similar and correspond to aspects of textile substrates 1, 201 in fig. 1-6B. Accordingly, many of the aspects previously discussed in connection with the textile substrates 1, 201 in fig. 1-6B may not be discussed in the context of the textile substrate 301 in fig. 7 and 8. Again, this is not meant to be limiting, and any of the aspects discussed in connection with textile substrates 1, 201 also apply to textile substrate 301, and vice versa.

As can be seen in fig. 7 and 8, the first ink layer 310 includes a first ink layer surface 312 positioned distal to the textile substrate surface 302, and the third ink layer 330 includes a third ink layer surface 332 positioned distal to the second ink layer top surface 322 of the second ink layer 320. Further, the second ink layer top surface 322 is positioned distal to the first ink layer surface 312, and the second ink layer 320 includes a second ink layer bottom surface 321 positioned opposite the second ink layer top surface 322, and a second visual component 324 at both the first region 304 and the second region 305. The second ink layer 320 also includes one or more discrete members 340, each discrete member including two opposing outer sides, a first outer side 341 and a second outer side 342, that extend between the second ink layer bottom surface 321 and the second ink layer top surface 322. In this example, the plurality of discrete members 340 are arranged in a linear manner throughout a portion of the first region 304, and the second visual component 324 is presented at a first exterior side 341 and a second exterior side 342. Although the plurality of discrete members 340 are shown arranged in a linear fashion, it is contemplated herein that the plurality of discrete members 340 may also be arranged in a curvilinear fashion. Any and all aspects and any variations thereof are contemplated to be within the scope of this document.

Continuing with fig. 8, the configuration of first ink layer 310, which is similar to first ink layers 10 and 210, second ink layer 320, which is similar to second ink layers 20 and 220, and third ink layer 330, which is similar to third ink layers 30 and 230, is also shown. Furthermore, it is contemplated herein that one or more additional ink layers may be included in the same manner as first ink layers 10 and 210, second ink layers 20 and 220, and third ink layers 30 and 230. Even if not shown, if the viewer 100 in fig. 2A and 2B were to view the textile substrate 301 from the first angle 101, the second angle 102 or the third angle 103, the bonded textile substrate 1, 201 would be visible in the same aspects depicted in fig. 3A, 3B, 3C, 6A and 6B, and thus would also apply to the textile substrate 301.

According to aspects herein, fig. 1-8 illustrate exemplary configurations of textile substrates comprising two or more ink layers that can be used to provide a print having two distinguishable images or graphics presented by one or more visual components when the textile substrate is viewed by an observer from different angles. Moreover, it is contemplated that these exemplary configurations may be changed or modified to control other characteristics of the textile substrate, and as such, the aspects are not limited to or by any examples discussed or described herein. Furthermore, many of the aspects depicted in FIGS. 1-8 are illustrative and may be presented in a manner best suited for explanatory purposes. For example, two or more ink layers may be depicted as having similar heights, but such depiction is not meant to be limiting, and aspects hereof contemplate that the height of any one of the two or more ink layers may be configured as desired to produce a print having two distinguishable images or graphics by one or more visual components of the two or more ink layers.

Continuing these aspects, it is contemplated that one of the two or more ink layers may be formed of a single layer of high density ink, or may be formed of multiple high density ink sub-layers positioned on top of each other. Whether one of the two or more ink layers is formed from a single layer or from multiple sub-layers, such aspects contemplate that one ink layer can have a height of at least about 300 microns and up to about 700 microns. Additional aspects contemplate that one ink layer can have a height from about 350 microns to about 650 microns, from about 400 microns to about 600 microns, from about 450 microns to about 550 microns, from about 475 microns to about 525 microns, or from about 490 microns to about 510 microns. In other aspects, it is contemplated that each of the plurality of sub-layers forming one ink layer can have a height of at least about 100 microns and up to about 300 microns. Further aspects contemplate that each sub-layer of the plurality of sub-layers may have a height of from about 150 microns to about 250 microns, from about 175 microns to about 225 microns, or from about 190 microns to about 210 microns. In even further aspects, it is contemplated that the height of each of the plurality of sub-layers collectively form an overall height that can be the height of one ink layer. Accordingly, aspects herein contemplate that each of the plurality of sub-layers may have an overall height of at least about 300 microns and up to about 700 microns. Aspects also contemplate that each sub-layer of the plurality of sub-layers may have an overall height of from about 350 microns to about 650 microns, from about 400 microns to about 600 microns, from about 450 microns to about 550 microns, from about 475 microns to about 525 microns, or from about 490 microns to about 510 microns. As used herein, the term "about" when referring to the height or overall height in microns of an ink layer, sub-layer, or multiple sub-layers means ± 5 microns.

Turning to the figures and referring now to fig. 9, a flow diagram 400 is depicted, the flow diagram 400 representing a method of printing a textile substrate in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. To facilitate explanation, flowchart 400 will be described with general reference to aspects of textile substrates 1, 201, and 301 previously described in fig. 1-3B. At block 402, a textile substrate is provided. The textile substrate may include a textile substrate surface and one or more regions. Next, as depicted at block 404, a first print layer is applied on the textile substrate, which may be applied at one or more areas using any of the printing techniques discussed herein. According to aspects herein, it is contemplated that the first printed layer may be applied using digital direct printing and may include one or more visual components forming an image or graphic. At block 406, after applying the first printed layer, it is contemplated that the first printed layer may be at least partially cured.

Continuing with fig. 9, the step depicted at block 408 may be performed and a second printed layer may be applied over at least a portion of the surface of the first printed layer, and it is contemplated that the steps at block 408 may be repeated such that the second printed layer includes one or more layers of ink, contemplated as a high density ink that may be applied using one or more of the printing techniques discussed herein. In some aspects, the second print layer may be applied via screen printing, and may be performed in a manner that causes the second print layer to have a height that may be sufficient for an observer to observe one or more outer sides of the print layer when viewing the textile substrate from a side angle. Such aspects may include forming a second printed layer of at least two or more layers of high density ink, and it is also contemplated that the second printed layer may have any range of heights in microns as discussed herein in connection with the height of one of the two or more ink layers. Further, the second printed layer may include visual elements that may be present at one or more exterior sides of the second printed layer once the method 400 is complete. It is contemplated that the visual element may be a color component provided by one or more inks forming the second printed layer. Once the application of the second print layer has been performed, it is contemplated that the second print layer may be at least partially cured, as depicted at block 410.

In a next step, shown in block 412 of fig. 9, a third printed layer may be applied on the surface of the second printed layer, and it is contemplated that the third printed layer may be applied using any of the printing techniques discussed herein. Aspects contemplate that the third printed layer may include visual elements present at a surface of the third printed layer that obscure the visual elements of the second printed layer, which may be accomplished at least in part as the third printed layer is applied over the second printed layer. Further, it is also contemplated that the visual components of the third printed layer can be configured to visually match the visual components of the first printed layer, and in such aspects, the image or graphic formed by the visual components of the first ink layer can be applied as a third printed layer again via digital direct printing on the second printed layer.

In accordance with these aspects, it is also contemplated that the printing techniques discussed herein may utilize electronic image files to form a printed layer including graphics or images encompassed in the electronic image file. For example, digital direct printing may include using a computer to instruct a digital direct printer to form an ink layer or print layer on a textile substrate corresponding to a graphic or image encompassed in an electronic image file. In some aspects, two or more ink layers that visually match may be formed using electronic image files that encompass the same graphic or image. For example, an electronic image file may be used to form a first ink layer via digital direct printing, and the electronic image file may again be used to form additional ink layers on the first ink layer via digital direct printing. In some aspects, only some of the electronic image files may be used to form additional ink layers, and thus, the additional ink layers may not extend completely over the first ink layer, but may extend partially over a portion of the first ink layer. In either case, the first ink layer and the additional ink layer include visual components that correspond to one another, or in other words, the visual component at the first location of the additional ink layer corresponds to the visual component of the first ink layer that is positioned directly under the first location of the additional ink layer.

In one example, these aspects may be used in conjunction with a method for printing a textile substrate, which may include applying a first print layer via digital direct printing, which may be formed by two or more passes (pass) of a digital direct printer. Further, the first printed layer may comprise a plurality of inks having one or more color components, one or more visual characteristics, or a combination thereof that collectively form the visual element. It is also contemplated that the digital direct printer may be configured to print the textile substrate with a graphic or image of an electronic image file. The digital direct printer may apply the plurality of inks in a manner such that the visual component of the first printed layer comprises a graphic or image corresponding to the graphic or image of the electronic image file. Next, a second printed layer may then be applied over a portion of the first printed layer using screen printing, and the second printed layer may include a high density ink and have sufficient height to present an outer side. Further, the second printed layer may be applied in such a way that the second printed layer is arranged to form a pattern or design that protrudes on the first printed layer and presents one or more color components or visual characteristics of the ink forming the second printed layer at the outer side and surface of the second printed layer. In general, one or more color components, one or more visual characteristics, patterns or designs, and combinations thereof, may form the visual component of the second printed layer.

Continuing with this example, a third printed layer may be applied on a surface of the second printed layer, which may be formed by one or more passes of a digital direct printer, and the third printed layer may include visual components formed from multiple inks, having one or more color components, one or more visual characteristics, or a combination thereof. Further, in a manner similar to the first print layer, the digital direct printer may apply the plurality of inks in a manner such that the visual element of the third print layer includes at least a portion of a graphic or image corresponding to the graphic or image of the electronic image. In some aspects, it is contemplated that the first and third printed layers may be applied using the same electronic image file, and thus, the visual elements of the third printed layer may correspond to at least a portion of the visual elements of the first printed layer. Further, at locations where the first and third printed layers are vertically aligned on the textile substrate (i.e., the area of the first printed layer that is positioned directly under the area of the third printed layer), the visual components of the third printed layer may visually match the visual components of the first printed layer.

According to these aspects, it is contemplated that the application of the third printing layer causes the visual elements of the third printing layer to obscure the visual elements of the second printing layer present at the surface of the second printing layer prior to the application of the third printing layer. However, the pattern or design of the visual element forming the second printed layer, the one or more color components, the one or more visual characteristics, or a combination thereof is still present at the outer side and, thus, the second visual element also becomes more or less visible when the textile substrate is viewed by an observer from different angles in which the outer side is more or less visible.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

Although specific elements and steps are discussed in conjunction with each other, it should be understood that any element and/or step provided herein is contemplated as being combinable with any other element and/or step, whether explicitly stated or not, while remaining within the scope provided herein. Since many possible embodiments may be made of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims (20)

1. A textile substrate having a textile substrate surface and at least a first area, the textile substrate comprising: a first ink layer positioned over the textile substrate surface at the first area of the textile substrate, the first ink layer comprising a first ink layer surface distal to the textile substrate surface, the first ink layer comprising a first visual component; a second ink layer positioned over at least a portion of the first ink layer surface, the second ink layer including a second ink layer top surface distal to the first ink layer surface, a second ink layer bottom surface opposite the second ink layer top surface, and a second visual component; and a third ink layer positioned above the second ink layer top surface, the third ink layer including a third visual component that obscures the second visual component when the textile substrate is viewed from a first angle, wherein the visibility of the second visual component changes when the textile substrate is viewed from an angle different from the first angle.

2. The textile substrate of claim 1, wherein the second ink layer further comprises a plurality of discrete members arranged in a linear pattern throughout the first region.

3. The textile substrate of claim 2, wherein each discrete member of the plurality of discrete members comprises one or more outer sides extending between the second ink layer bottom surface and the second ink layer top surface.

4. The textile substrate of claim 3, wherein the second visual component of the second ink layer comprises one or more color components at the one or more outer sides.

5. The textile substrate of claim 4, wherein the third visual component of the third ink layer is configured to visually match the first visual component of the first ink layer.

6. The textile substrate of claim 1, wherein the second ink layer further comprises at least one discrete member disposed throughout the first region of the textile substrate.

7. The textile substrate of claim 6, wherein each of the at least one discrete member comprises one or more outer sides extending between the second ink layer bottom surface and the second ink layer top surface.

8. The textile substrate of claim 7, wherein the second visual component of the second ink layer comprises one or more color components at the one or more outer sides.

9. The textile substrate of claim 8, wherein the second visual component is formed jointly by the arrangement of the at least one discrete member throughout the first region of the textile substrate and the one or more outer sides of the at least one discrete member.

10. A method of printing a textile substrate, the method comprising: providing a textile substrate having a textile substrate surface and at least a first area; applying a first print layer on the textile substrate surface at the first area of the textile substrate, the first print layer comprising a first visual element; applying a second printed layer on at least a portion of a surface of the first printed layer distal to the textile substrate surface, the second printed layer comprising one or more layers of ink and a second visual element; and applying a third print layer on a surface of the second print layer distal to the first print layer, the third print layer including a third visual element that obscures the second visual element of the second print layer when the textile substrate is viewed from a first angle, wherein the application of the third print layer causes a change in visibility of the second visual element when the textile substrate is viewed from an angle different from the first angle.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: at least partially curing one or more of the first, second, and third print layers after applying the first, second, or third print layers.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the third visual component of the third print layer is configured to visually match the first visual component of the first print layer.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the third print layer is applied via a digital direct printing technique.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the second printed layer comprises one or more layers of high density ink.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the second print layer comprises one or more discrete members, wherein each of the discrete members comprises one or more outer sides extending away from the first print layer.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the second visual component of the second print layer comprises one or more color components at each of the one or more outer sides of the one or more discrete members.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein the applying of the second print layer comprises applying the second print layer as one or more discrete members arranged in a linear pattern throughout the first region of the textile substrate.

18. The method of claim 10, wherein the applying of the second print layer comprises applying the second print layer as at least one discrete member disposed throughout the first region of the textile substrate.

19. A textile substrate having a textile substrate surface and at least a first region and a second region, the textile substrate comprising: a first ink layer positioned over the textile substrate surface at the first area of the textile substrate and at the second area of the textile substrate, the first ink layer comprising a first visual component at the first area of the textile substrate and a second visual component at the second area of the textile substrate; a second ink layer positioned over the first ink layer at the first area of the textile substrate and at the second area of the textile substrate, the second ink layer comprising a third visual component; and a third ink layer positioned over the second ink layer at the first area of the textile substrate and at the second area of the textile substrate, the third layer comprising a fourth visual component at the first area of the textile substrate and a fifth visual component at the second area of the textile substrate, wherein the fourth visual component is configured to visually match the first visual component of the first ink layer and the fifth visual component is configured to visually match the second visual component of the first ink layer, wherein, from a first angle, the fourth visual component and the fifth visual component of the third ink layer obstruct the visibility of the third visual component of the second ink layer.

20. The textile substrate of claim 19, wherein the third visual component of the second ink layer is visible from a second, different angle.