Additive Color Printing

• US 20150002567A1
• Filed: 06/26/2013
• Published: 01/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Miller, Todd W.
• Granted Patent: US 9,114,625 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/15
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/02 Layered materials characterised by special function or use A41D31/04
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0027 made at least partially from a material having special colours
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0072 made at least partially of transparent or translucent materials
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/02 Uppers; Boot legs
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/02 Football boots or shoes, i.e. for soccer, football or rugby
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/21 for multi-colour printing
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/407 for marking on special material
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 2205/38 Intermediate layers; Layers between substrate and imaging layer
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 2205/42 Multiple imaging layers
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/0047 by ink-jet printing
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/0058 on metals and oxidised metal surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/0064 on plastics, horn, rubber, or other organic polymers
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/0076 on wooden surfaces, leather, linoleum, skin, or flowers
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/0088 by ink-jet printing
• CPC Class Codes: D06P 1/44 using insoluble pigments or auxiliary substances, e.g. binders
• CPC Class Codes: D06P 1/5257 (Meth)acrylic acid
• CPC Class Codes: D06P 5/30 Ink jet printing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/54 Conversion of colour picture signals to a plurality of signals some of which represent particular mixed colours, e.g. for textile printing

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for color printing onto nonwhite substrates and articles. For example, a method of color printing is provided, including printing multiple layers of ink each including a combination of a white ink and at least one color ink, and each printed layer having a ratio of white ink to color ink, wherein the ratio may be the same or may vary as a function of the number of layers and the color printed.

Claims

1. A method of color printing, comprising:

printing at least a first layer of ink comprising a white ink and at least one color ink, the first layer of ink having a predetermined first ratio of white ink to color ink; and

printing at least a second layer of ink comprising the white ink and the at least one color ink, the second layer of ink having a predetermined second ratio of white ink to color ink different from the first ratio,

wherein the first ratio is greater than the second ratio.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

printing at least a third layer of ink comprising the white ink and the at least one color ink, the third layer of ink having a predetermined third ratio of white ink to color ink different from the second ratio and the first ratio; and

printing at least a fourth layer of ink comprising the white ink and the at least one color ink, the fourth layer of ink having a predetermined fourth ratio of white ink to color ink different from the third ratio, the second ratio, and the first ratio,

wherein the second ratio is greater than the third ratio, and the fourth ratio is greater than the third ratio.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the white ink is substantially opaque and the at least one color ink is substantially translucent.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the printed layers of ink are abrasion resistant.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the printed layers of ink are printed on a textile or fabric material.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the white ink and the at least one color ink intermix upon printing.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein color accuracy is maintained when printing onto nonwhite substrates.

8. A method of color management, comprising:

printing at least one color comprising multiple printed layers onto a substrate, the multiple printed layers comprising;

at least a first layer of ink comprising a white ink and at least one color ink, the first layer of ink having a predetermined first ratio of white ink to color ink; and

at least a second layer of ink comprising the white ink and the at least one color ink, the second layer of ink having a predetermined second ratio of white ink to color ink different from the first ratio,

wherein the first ratio is greater than the second ratio.

9. The method according to claim 8, the printing further comprising:

at least a third layer of ink comprising the white ink and the at least one color ink, the third layer of ink having a predetermined third ratio of white ink to color ink different from the second ratio and the first ratio; and

at least a fourth layer of ink comprising the white ink and the at least one color ink, the fourth layer of ink having a predetermined fourth ratio of white ink to color ink different from the third ratio, the second ratio, and the first ratio,

wherein the second ratio is greater than the third ratio, and the fourth ratio is greater than the third ratio.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the white ink is substantially opaque and the at least one color ink is substantially translucent.

11. The method according to claim 8, wherein the printed layers of ink are abrasion resistant.

12. The method according to claim 8, wherein the substrate is a textile or fabric material.

13. The method according to claim 8, wherein the white ink and the at least one color ink intermix upon printing.

14. The method according to claim 8, wherein color accuracy is maintained when printing onto nonwhite substrates.

15. A method of hot-melt printing, comprising:

printing a melt of an opaque material and at least one translucent pigmented material onto a substrate, the opaque material and the at least one translucent pigmented material being supplied from different printheads,

wherein the opaque material and the at least one translucent pigmented material mix on the substrate, the printing further comprising;

printing at least one color comprising multiple printed layers of the opaque material and the at least one translucent pigmented material, the multiple printed layers comprising;

at least a first layer comprising the opaque material and the at least one translucent pigmented material, the first layer having a predetermined first ratio of opaque material to translucent pigmented material; and

at least a second layer comprising the opaque material and the at least one translucent pigmented material, the second layer having a predetermined second ratio of opaque material to translucent pigmented material different from the first ratio,

wherein the first ratio is greater than the second ratio.

16. The method according to claim 15, the multiple printed layers further comprising:

at least a third layer comprising the opaque material and the at least one translucent pigmented material, the third layer having a predetermined third ratio of opaque material to translucent pigmented material different from the second ratio and the first ratio; and

at least a fourth layer comprising the opaque material and the at least one translucent pigmented material, the fourth layer having a predetermined fourth ratio of opaque material to translucent pigmented material different from the third ratio, the second ratio, and the first ratio,

wherein the second ratio is greater than the third ratio, and the fourth ratio is greater than the third ratio.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein color accuracy is maintained despite at least partial abrading of the printed layers.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the substrate is a textile or fabric material.

19. The method according to claim 15, wherein the printed materials are ejected simultaneously from different printheads.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein color accuracy is maintained when printing onto nonwhite substrates.

21. The method according to claim 15, wherein infliction of scratching or abrasion substrate exposes a lighter shade of the translucent pigmented material.

22. The method according to claim 15, wherein the substrate is chosen from a textile, a natural fabric, a synthetic fabric, a knit material, a woven material, a nonwoven material, a natural fiber, a synthetic fiber, cotton, wool, linen, silk, nylon, spandex, polyester, rayon, polypropylene, a mesh, a leather, a synthetic leather, a polymer, a rubber, a foam, clothing, footwear, hats, caps, shirts, jerseys, jackets, socks, shorts, pants, undergarments, athletic support garments, gloves, wrist/arm bands, sleeves, headbands, and combinations of any of these materials.

23. The method according to claim 15, wherein the printed material is chosen from an ink, a dye, a resin, an acrylic, a polymer, a thermoplastic material, a thermosetting material, and a light-curable material.

24. A method of printing a desired color onto a nonwhite substrate by additive printing of intermixed translucent color ink and opaque white ink, comprising:

printing at least a first layer of ink onto the nonwhite substrate comprising a first mixture of an opaque white ink and at least one substantially translucent color ink, the first layer of ink having a predetermined first ratio of white ink to color ink being less than or equal to 1;

1; and

printing at least a second layer of ink onto the nonwhite substrate comprising a second mixture of the opaque white ink and the at least one substantially translucent color ink, the second layer of ink having a predetermined second ratio of white ink to color ink being less than or equal to 1;

1,

wherein the first ratio and the second ratio are substantially equal, and

wherein a sum of the first printed layer and second printed layer produces the desired color being optically indistinguishable in the visible spectrum from the same color printed onto a white substrate using opaque color inks.

25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising:

printing at least a third layer of ink onto the nonwhite substrate comprising a third mixture of the opaque white ink and the at least one substantially translucent color ink, the third layer of ink having a predetermined third ratio of white ink to color ink being less than or equal to 1;

1; and

printing at least a fourth layer of ink onto the nonwhite substrate comprising a fourth mixture of the opaque white ink and the at least one substantially translucent color ink, the fourth layer of ink having a predetermined fourth ratio of white ink to color ink being less than or equal to 1;

1,

wherein the first ratio, the second ratio, the third ratio, and the fourth ratio are substantially equal, and

wherein a sum of the first printed layer, the second printed layer, the third printed layer, and the fourth printed layer produces the desired color being optically indistinguishable in the visual spectrum from the same color printed onto a white substrate using opaque color inks.

26. The method according to claim 24, wherein the printed layers of ink are abrasion resistant.

27. The method according to claim 24, wherein the printed layers of ink are printed on a textile or fabric material.

28. The method according to claim 24, wherein the white ink and the at least one color ink intermix upon printing.

29. A method of color management, comprising:

printing at least one desired color onto a nonwhite substrate by additive printing of intermixed translucent color ink and opaque white ink, the desired color comprising multiple printed layers, the multiple printed layers comprising;

at least a first layer of ink comprising a first mixture of an opaque white ink and at least one substantially translucent color ink, the first layer of ink having a predetermined first ratio of white ink to color ink being less than or equal to 1;

1; and

at least a second layer of ink comprising a second mixture of the opaque white ink and the at least one substantially translucent color ink, the second layer of ink having a predetermined second ratio of white ink to color ink being less than or equal to 1;

1,

wherein the first ratio and the second ratio are substantially equal, and

wherein a sum of the first printed layer and second printed layer produces the desired color being optically indistinguishable in the visual spectrum from the same color printed onto a white substrate using opaque color inks.

30. The method according to claim 29, the multiple printed layers further comprising:

at least a third layer of ink comprising a third mixture of the opaque white ink and the at least one substantially translucent color ink, the third layer of ink having a predetermined third ratio of white ink to color ink being less than or equal to 1;

1; and

at least a fourth layer of ink comprising a fourth mixture of the opaque white ink and the at least one substantially translucent color ink, the fourth layer of ink having a predetermined fourth ratio of white ink to color ink being less than or equal to 1;

1,

wherein the first ratio, the second ratio, the third ratio, and the fourth ratio are substantially equal, and

wherein a sum of the first printed layer, the second printed layer, the third printed layer, and the fourth printed layer produces the desired color being optically indistinguishable in the visual spectrum from the same color printed onto a white substrate using opaque color inks.

31. The method according to claim 29, wherein the printed layers of ink are abrasion resistant.

32. The method according to claim 29, wherein the substrate is a textile or fabric material.

33. The method according to claim 29, wherein the white ink and the at least one color ink intermix upon printing.

34. A method of hot-melt printing, comprising:

printing a melt of an opaque material and at least one translucent pigmented material onto a nonwhite substrate, the opaque material and the at least one translucent pigmented material being supplied from different printheads,

wherein the opaque material and the at least one translucent pigmented material mix on the substrate, the printing further comprising;

printing at least one desired color comprising multiple printed layers of the opaque material and the at least one translucent pigmented material, the multiple printed layers comprising;

at least a first layer comprising the opaque material and the at least one translucent pigmented material, the first layer having a predetermined first ratio of opaque material to translucent pigmented material being less than or equal to 1;

1; and

at least a second layer comprising the opaque material and the at least one translucent pigmented material, the second layer having a predetermined second ratio of opaque material to translucent pigmented material being less than or equal to 1;

1,

wherein the first ratio and the second ratio are substantially equal, and

wherein a sum of the first printed layer and second printed layer produces the desired color being optically indistinguishable in the visual spectrum from the same color printed onto a white substrate using opaque color inks.

35. The method according to claim 34, the multiple printed layers further comprising:

at least a third layer comprising the opaque material and the at least one translucent pigmented material, the third layer having a predetermined third ratio of opaque material to translucent pigmented material being less than or equal to 1;

1; and

at least a fourth layer comprising the opaque material and the at least one translucent pigmented material, the fourth layer having a predetermined fourth ratio of opaque material to translucent pigmented material being less than or equal to 1;

1,

wherein the first ratio, the second ratio, the third ratio, and the fourth ratio are substantially equal, and

wherein a sum of the first printed layer, the second printed layer, the third printed layer, and the fourth printed layer produces the desired color being optically indistinguishable in the visual spectrum from the same color printed onto a white substrate using opaque color inks.

36. The method according to claim 34, wherein color accuracy is maintained despite at least partial abrading of the printed layers.

37. The method according to claim 34, wherein the substrate is a textile or fabric material.

38. The method according to claim 34, wherein the printed materials are ejected simultaneously from different printheads.

39. The method according to claim 34, wherein infliction of scratching or abrasion substrate exposes a lighter shade of the translucent pigmented material.

40. The method according to claim 34, wherein the substrate is chosen from a textile, a natural fabric, a synthetic fabric, a knit material, a woven material, a nonwoven material, a natural fiber, a synthetic fiber, cotton, wool, linen, silk, nylon, spandex, polyester, rayon, polypropylene, a mesh, a leather, a synthetic leather, a polymer, a rubber, a foam, clothing, footwear, hats, caps, shirts, jerseys, jackets, socks, shorts, pants, undergarments, athletic support garments, gloves, wrist/arm bands, sleeves, headbands, and combinations of any of these materials.

41. The method according to claim 34, wherein the printed material is chosen from an ink, a dye, a resin, an acrylic, a polymer, a thermoplastic material, a thermosetting material, and a light-curable material.