Ceramic decal assembly

• US 6,854,386 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2004
• Issued: 02/15/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Imaging Materials Inc. (IIMAK Holding Corp.)
• Original Assignee: International Imaging Materials Inc. (IIMAK Holding Corp.)
• Inventors: Harrison, Daniel J., Geddes, Pamela A., Briggs, Barry J.
• Primary Examiner(s): YAN, REN LUO
• Application Number:
  US10/751,717
• Publication Number:
  US 20040149154A1
• Time in Patent Office: 407 Days
• Field of Search: 101/33, 101/34, 101/483, 101/487, 101/488, 101/491, 101/492, 156/89.11, 156/230, 156/233, 156/237, 156/277, 427/145, 427/147, 427/148, 427/149, 428/914
• US Class Current: 101/33
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 2205/10 Post-imaging transfer of imaged layer; transfer of the whole imaged layer
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 3/12 Transfer pictures or the like, e.g. decalcomanias processes for producing decorative surface effects B44C1/00; B41M5/0256 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/025 by transferring ink from the master sheet
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/0256 the transferable ink pattern being obtained by means of a computer driven printer, e.g. an ink jet or laser printer, or by electrographic means
• CPC Class Codes: B44C 1/165 for decalcomanias; sheet material therefor apparatus or machines for applying decalcomanias B65C
• CPC Class Codes: B44C 1/1712 Decalcomanias applied under heat and pressure, e.g. provided with a heat activable adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: B44C 1/1729 Hot stamping techniques

Abstract

A ceramic decal assembly containing a ceramic substrate, a layer of adhesive contiguous with the substrate, and a ceramic decal contiguous with the layer of adhesive.

Claims

1. A ceramic decal assembly comprised of a substrate, a layer of adhesive contiguous with said substrate, and a ceramic decal contiguous with said layer of adhesive, wherein:

(a) said substrate is selected from the group consisting of a glass substrate, a ceramic substrate, and a glass-ceramic substrate; and

mixtures thereof, and

(b) said layer of adhesive has a thickness of less than about 100 microns, and is comprised of at least about 95 weight percent of carbonaceous material; and

(c) said ceramic decal is comprised of an imaged transferable covercoat wherein;

1. said imaged transferable covercoat is comprised of at least about 25 weight percent of carbonaceous thermoplastic material;

2. said imaged transferable covercoat is comprised of moieties selected from the group consisting of opacification particles, colorant particles, and mixtures thereof, wherein said moieties have a particle size distribution such that at least about 90 weight percent of said moieties are within the range, of from about 0.2 to about 30 microns;

3. said imaged transferable covercoat is comprised of film-forming glass flux;

4. said moieties have a first concentration in said imaged transferable covercoat and said film-forming glass flux has a second concentration in said image transferable covercoat, the ratio of said first concentration to said second concentration is no greater than about 1.25.

2. The ceramic decal assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said layer of adhesive is comprised of a pressure sensitive adhesive.

3. The ceramic decal assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said ceramic decal is further comprised of a flexible substrate.

4. The decal assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein said ceramic decal is further comprised of a decal release layer and an image wherein;

(a) said decal release layer has a surface energy of less than 50 dynes per centimeter, and

(b) said decal release layer is disposed directly upon said flexible substrate, and

(c) said imaged transferable covercoat is disposed directly upon said decal release layer, and

(d) said image is disposed directly upon said imaged transferable covercoat, and

(e) said imaged transferable covercoat is separable from said decal release layer.

5. The ceramic decal assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein;

(a) said flexible substrate has a surface energy of less than about 50 dynes per centimeter;

(b) said flexible substrate is removeably connected to said imaged transferable covercoat, said layer of adhesive and said substrate such that upon removal of said flexible substrate, a precursor assembly is formed.

6. The ceramic decal assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein after said precursor assembly has been subjected to a temperature of at least about 500 degrees Celsius for at least about 10 minutes to produce an imaged substrate, wherein said imaged substrate has an optical density that is at least about 80 percent of the optical density of said precursor assembly prior to the time it has been subjected to said temperature of at least about 500 degrees Celsius for at least about 10 minutes.

7. The ceramic decal assembly of claim 3, wherein said imaged transferable covercoat is said flexible substrate.

8. The ceramic decal assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said layer of adhesive has a thickness of less than about 50 microns, and is comprised of an acrylic polymer.

9. The ceramic decal assembly as recited in claim 8, wherein after said ceramic decal assembly has been subjected to a temperature of at least about 500 degrees Celsius for at least about 10 minutes to produce an imaged substrate, wherein said imaged substrate has an optical density that is at least about 80 percent of the optical density of said ceramic decal assembly prior to the time it has been subjected to said temperature of at least about 500 degrees Celsius for at least about 10 minutes.

10. The ceramic decal assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein said imaged transferable covercoat is comprised of at least 50 weight percent of said carbonaceous thermoplastic material.

11. The ceramic decal assembly as recited in claim 10, wherein said imaged transferable covercoat has an elongation to break of at least about 1 percent.

12. The ceramic decal assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein said imaged transferable covercoat is comprised of from about 20 to about 40 weight percent of solid, volatilizable carbonaceous binder.

13. The ceramic decal assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein said ceramic decal assembly is comprised of an image and said image is comprised of said film-forming glass flux.

14. The ceramic decal assembly as recited in claim 13, wherein said film-forming glass flux is present in said image at a concentration of from about 35 to about 75 weight percent.

15. The ceramic decal assembly as recited in claim 13, wherein said film-forming glass flux has a melting temperature of greater than about 550 degrees Celsius.

16. The ceramic decal assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein said image is comprised of a frosting image layer.

17. The ceramic decal assembly as recited in claim 16, wherein said frosting image layer is comprised of said moieties.

18. The ceramic decal assembly as recited in claim 17, wherein said moieties have a first refractive index, and said film-forming glass flux has a second refractive index, such that the difference between said first refractive index and said second refractive index is at least 0.1.

19. The ceramic decal assembly as recited in claim 18, wherein said first refractive index exceeds said second refractive index by at least about 0.2.

20. The ceramic decal assembly as recited in claim 18, wherein said moieties have a first melting point, and said film-forming glass flux has a second melting point, such that said first melting point exceeds said second melting point by at least about 50 degrees Celsius.

21. The ceramic decal assembly as recited in claim 20, wherein said first melting point exceeds said second melting point by at least about 100 degrees Celsius.

22. The decal assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said moieties are metal oxide colorant particles.

23. The ceramic decal assembly of claim 1, wherein said imaged transferable covercoat is a flexible imaged transferable covercoat.