JPS6140081B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a type of reflective sheeting having a light-reflecting layer consisting of small transparent particles and a reflective coating, in particular small glass beads or glass in the binder layer provided with light-reflecting means. Concerning a sphere partially embedded. This sheet has the property of reflecting sparkling light in the direction of an obliquely incident light source, and is called a reflex reflector. This reflector is distinguished from a specular reflector, such as a mirror. In other words, the specular reflector is
When light hits a mirror surface at an angle other than 90°, it does not reflect the light in the direction of incidence.

A large number of thermal transfer reflectors are known in the art.
Most contain transparent particles, such as glass beads, embedded within the binder layer with reflective means placed behind or as part of the binder layer. Many combinations of adhesives are known for transfer to articles such as fabrics. There are also various protective layers that can be placed over the beads and removed when applied to an article.

The present invention provides an improved thermal transfer reflector that has a higher reflective capacity than conventional thermal transfer reflectors and can be transferred to articles made of a wide variety of different materials. It is something.

A first feature of the present invention is that a carrier layer that melts when heated is applied on an absorbent support in a predetermined pattern so that when the carrier layer is heated and melted, the transparent particles are absorbed into the support. Thermal transfer reflectors are provided by applying a liquid reflective coating around the embedding, particles and onto the carrier layer and drying the coating to secure the particles in place.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,172,942 (HABerg, March 9, 1965) discloses a transfer having transparent beads partially embedded in a colored binder layer and a thermal barrier film disposed on the binder layer. A transfer member is disclosed that includes an adhesive layer on the thermal barrier film, the adhesive layer being adapted to be pressed against the article to which the transfer member is to be transferred. A removable sheet is included that covers the adhesive layer to prevent contamination of the transfer member before it is transferred. Additionally, there is a carrier sheet having a carrier coating applied thereto, which surrounds the glass beads and is in contact with the binder layer, but is capable of peeling off from the glass beads when force is applied. There is. The present invention does not require the adhesive to be protected by a special layer, more effectively adheres to a variety of different materials, and allows the adhesive to be melted by heat during transfer and adhered to the article. , relates to an improved thermal transfer reflector in which the protective carrier layer surrounding the beads is completely absorbed into the absorbent support, thereby eliminating the need to apply any removal force to the beads or bead binder layer.

U.S. Patent No. 2,555,715 (JCTatum, June 1951)
Disclosed herein is a method of bead reflection, in which glass beads are disposed within a binder coating, a reflective coating is provided behind the binder coating, and the reflective coating is further disclosed. A combination is disclosed in which a coating is provided behind the membrane, protected by a removable carrier sheet. However, this combination of the above patents also does not have the above advantages of the present invention.

Other advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a thermal transfer reflector of the present invention transferred to an article 10, such as a garment fabric. This thermal transfer reflective part is S-L-O-W
It is indicated by the text and the surrounding triangular border.

FIG. 2 shows the cross-sectional shape of the thermal transfer reflector before it is transferred to an article. This thermal transfer type reflector includes an absorbing support 12. This absorbent support 12 is a fibrous material, in particular paper. On this support 12 a particle carrier or carrier layer 14 is arranged in a predetermined pattern.
The carrier layer 14 comprises a mixture of adhesive wax and solvent, namely mineral spirits and preferably oleum. The carrier layer 14 melts when heated and is absorbed into the paper support 12 as the transfer material is transferred to the article.

A reflective particle layer consisting of spherical glass beads 16 is partially disposed or embedded within the carrier layer 14. Beads 16 are in contact with paper support 12 and have exposed portions on top of carrier layer 14.

A coating is provided around the beads 16 and in contact with the carrier layer 14. In particular, the coating includes a binder or layer 18 surrounding the beads 16 and a reflector or reflective coating 20 disposed over the binder layer 18.

A powder adhesive 22 is further embedded in this reflective coating 20. This powder adhesive is used for reflective coating 2
The adhesive particles adhere to the article 10 by applying heat and pressure. This powder adhesive is a thermosetting resin, preferably a polyester resin.

The thermal transfer reflector, as best shown in FIG.
heat and pressure to activate the powdered adhesive 22 so that the adhesive thermally adheres to the article and the carrier layer 14 melts and absorbs into the paper support 12, causing the paper support 12 and the absorbent Carrier 1
When the glass beads 4 are peeled off, the glass beads 16 are exposed and transferred to the article 10.

The method of manufacturing a thermal transfer reflector is best illustrated in FIGS. 4-8.

As shown in FIG. 4, a thermal transfer reflector is made by applying a carrier layer 14 in a predetermined pattern on an absorbing support 12, which melts when heated. Layer 14 is adapted to melt and absorb into support 12 when heated. In particular, a sticky mixture of sticky wax and mineral spirits defines the carrier layer 14, and the support 12 is a fibrous material or paper capable of absorbing the heated and fused carrier layer 14. The carrier layer 14 is formed by adding a solvent, preferably oleum, to a sticky wax which melts to a clear liquid upon some heating, in a 7:4 ratio of sticky wax to oleum. The mixture defining the carrier layer 14 is applied to the paper support 12 by a screening method to delimit predetermined areas, such as the word "SLOW" and the triangular shape of the transfer as shown in FIG. . Carrier layer 1
The tacky mixture defining 4 remains tacky until heated and absorbed into the paper support 12.

a support 12 comprising a carrier layer 14;
When the fine transparent glass spheres or beads are pulled through the box, a single layer of beads is formed on the screen printed paper section on the adhesive carrier layer 14. The sheet is then passed between two soft rubber rollers 24 and 26 which force the beads 16 into the carrier layer 14 and the support 12.
come into contact with. Glass beads 16 are carrier layer 1
4 and into contact with the support 12, a portion of the bead 16 remains exposed above the carrier layer 14. In each case, 1/2 to 2/3 of the glass beads remain exposed on the carrier layer 14.

A liquid binder layer 18 is then applied around the beads and over the carrier layer 14, as shown in FIG. This binder layer is applied by a screen method and its periphery lies within the periphery of the carrier layer 14 and the binder layer 18
is arranged so that it does not come into contact with the support body 12. The binder layer 18 is preferably made of acrylic resin. This liquid binder layer 18 is then dried, locking the beads 16 in place and preventing them from moving within the adhesive carrier layer 14. The binder layer 18 may slightly cover the top surface of the beads 16, ie, may form a thin film substantially over the entire top surface of the beads 16.

A liquid reflective coating is then applied over the binder layer 18, covering the top surface of the beads 16 and forming the coating over the binder layer 18. This liquid reflective coating is applied to the binder layer 16 by a screen method and covers a predetermined portion of the binder layer 18.

The binder layer 18 can also be colored by containing a pigment. Further, a part of the carrier layer 14 is covered with a colored binder layer by a screen method,
The remaining parts can also be covered with a binder layer colored in another color. The reflective coating can be any material that provides light reflection through the beads, but is preferably white. In other words,
The binder layer can also be colored differently in different parts to give the thermal transfer reflector different colored parts or designs. A reflective coating or reflector (preferably a white pigment) is then applied over the binder to reflect light through the beads. Instead, the binder layer 18
It is also possible to make it transparent and simply apply a reflective colored coating over it. The binder layer 18 is transparent, and different portions thereof are provided with one or more different colors to define different colored portions in a reflective coating or reflector (e.g., a white coating) disposed thereon, and light is transmitted through the beads. It is also within the contemplation of the present invention that the light is reflected.

After suitably screen-printing the liquid reflective coating 20 onto the binder layer, while still liquid, powdered adhesive particles are applied onto the reflective coating 20 to absorb or embed within its surface and then reflect. The coating film 20 is dried and solidified. The powder adhesive 22 is a thermosetting resin, such as polyester, and
For example, Eastman Kodatsu's "SA"
-250 Hot Melt Adhesive” (product name). The powder adhesive melts and adheres when heated, and when the thermal transfer reflector is transferred, as shown in FIG. 3, the powder adhesive melts and adheres to the article 10. Since this adhesive only bonds with heat and pressure, an adhesive coating 20 is required to protect the adhesive.
There is no need to provide a protective layer over the carrier layer 14, and at the same time, the carrier layer 14 is absorbed into the paper support 12, and upon removal of the paper support 12 in which the carrier layer 14 has been absorbed, the beads 16 are exposed. It is important to do so.

The binder layer is made from acrylic resin,
Pigments are added to provide the desired coloration. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment, the reflective coating is the same acrylic resin with the addition of a white pigment to create the reflective coating. Both the binder layer and the reflective coating are compatible with the adhesive petroleum-based mixture that defines the carrier layer 14.

The acrylic resin that is the main component of the binder layer 18 and reflective coating 20 accounts for approximately 47% of the material sold under the trade name "Jyurocryl 490" and 47% of the material sold under the product name "Jyurotron 620". %, 1% plasticizer, 3% drying retardant, 1% thickener, 1% crosslinker and then adding 1 oz/gal of ammonium hydroxide. Mix all ingredients together except thickener and then add 1 ounce per gallon of ammonium hydroxide or until the PH is about 7.6. After these materials are mixed, 1 to 3 pounds of pigment per gallon of the mixture is added and mixed, followed by 1% thickener to provide a mixture with a viscosity suitable for printing or screening.

It is to be understood that the invention has been described by way of example and the terminology used is intended to be descriptive rather than restrictive.

Obviously, many variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as described above.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 shows a thermal transfer reflector made according to the invention and transferred to an article; FIG. 2 shows a thermal transfer reflector made according to the invention before being transferred to an article. A fragmentary cross-sectional view;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the thermal transfer reflector as it is transferred to an article; FIG.
5 is a fragmentary side elevation view showing the process; FIG. 5 shows the thermal transfer reflector manufacturing process showing reflective particles embedded within the carrier layer; FIG.
Fig. 7 shows a state in which a binder layer is formed around the reflective particles and on the carrier layer; Fig. 7 shows a state in which a reflective coating is formed on the binder layer; and Fig. 8 shows a state in which a reflective coating is formed on the reflective layer. The state in which the agent has been applied is shown. Explanation of drawing numbers, 10...Article, 12...Absorbent support, 14...Carrier layer, 16...Glass beads, 18...Binder layer, 20...Reflective coating, 22...Powder adhesive, 24 , 26...Rubber roller.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An absorbent support, a particle carrier layer arranged in a predetermined pattern on the support, transparent particles arranged in a part of the carrier layer, and A thermal transfer reflector comprising a reflective coating disposed around and in contact with the carrier layer, the carrier layer being melted by heating, absorbed by the support, and deposited on the support. The thermal transfer reflector, wherein the particles are exposed upon removal of the support containing the absorbed carrier layer. 2. A method for producing a thermal transfer reflector, which comprises providing an adhesive carrier layer that melts by heating on an absorbing support in a predetermined pattern, embedding transparent particles in the adhesive carrier layer, and applying the method to the surroundings of the particles and on the carrier layer. A method of manufacturing a thermal transfer reflector as described above, comprising the steps of applying a liquid reflective coating and drying the coating to solidify the particles in place.