Protected graphics and related methods

• US 9,707,746 B2
• Filed: 12/05/2014
• Issued: 07/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PPG Advanced Surface Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Entrotech, Inc.
• Inventors: McGuire, Jr., James E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gross, Carson
• Application Number:
  US14/561,836
• Publication Number:
  US 20150174884A1
• Time in Patent Office: 956 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2250/24 All layers being polymeric
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/306 Resistant to heat
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/4026 within the layer by addition of a colorant, e.g. pigments, dyes
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/406 Bright, glossy, shiny surface
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/546 Flexural strength; Flexion stiffness
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/554 Wear resistance
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/71 Resistive to light or to UV
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/714 Inert, i.e. inert to chemical degradation, corrosion
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/718 Weight, e.g. weight per square meter
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2451/00 Decorative or ornamental articles wall paper B32B2607/02
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2605/00 Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2605/08 Cars
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/18 characterised by the use of special additives
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/22 using plasticisers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/40 comprising polyurethanes
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/12 characterised by using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/182 one or more of the layers being plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B44C 1/105 comprising an adhesive layer decalcomania B44C1/16; adhesive tapes C09J7/20
• CPC Class Codes: B44C 1/165 for decalcomanias; sheet material therefor apparatus or machines for applying decalcomanias B65C
• CPC Class Codes: B44C 1/1733 : Decalcomanias applied under pressure only, e.g. provided with a pressure sensitive adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/06 : by aeroplanes, airships, balloons, or kites
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/08 : the advertising matter being arranged on the aircraft
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/10 : Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24802 : Discontinuous or differential coating, impregnation or bond [e.g., artwork, printing, retouched photograph, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2495 : Thickness [relative or absolute]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/26 : Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component, the element or component having a specified physical dimension
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31504 : Composite [nonstructural laminate]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31551 : Of polyamidoester [polyurethane, polyisocyanate, polycarbamate, etc.]

Abstract

An improved protected graphics assembly according to the invention comprises the following sequential layers: optionally, at least one adhesive layer; at least one graphics layer; and at least one outwardly exposed polymer layer that is essentially free of high surface energy materials and has a gloss value of greater than 90 when tested according to ASTM D2457-03 at a 60-degree angle. The assembly is beneficially applied to a variety of articles and used in a variety of related methods. In an exemplary embodiment, a race car comprises a protected graphics assembly that comprises: optionally, at least one adhesive layer; at least one outwardly exposed polymer layer that is essentially free of high surface energy materials; and at least one graphics layer substantially protected from exterior exposure by the polymer layer.

Claims

1. A method of providing protected graphics on a motorized vehicle, the method comprising:

providing a protected graphics assembly comprising;

optionally, at least one adhesive layer;

at least one graphics layer comprising at least one graphical image; and

at least one polymer layer, one of which is outwardly exposed when the protected graphics assembly is adhered to a surface, that is essentially free of vinyl and having a gloss value of greater than 90 when tested according to ASTM D2457-03 at a 60-degree angle;

adhering the protected graphics assembly to at least a portion of an exterior surface of the motorized vehicle, wherein the protected graphics assembly has a first thickness and is adhered to a front surface of the motorized vehicle as a first protected graphics assembly;

providing a second protected graphics assembly comprising;

optionally, at least one adhesive layer;

at least one graphics layer comprising at least one graphical image; and

at least one polymer layer, one of which is outwardly exposed when the protected graphics assembly is adhered to a surface, that is essentially free of vinyl and having a gloss value of greater than 90 when tested according to ASTM D2457-03 at a 60-degree angle; and

adhering the second protected graphics assembly to at least a portion of the exterior surface of the motorized vehicle other than the front surface, wherein the second protected graphics assembly has a second thickness greater than the first thickness.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second protected graphics assemblies have essentially the same aesthetic properties.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second protected graphics assembly has a thickness of about 150 microns or less.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the second protected graphics assembly has a thickness of about 100 microns or less.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second protected graphics assembly has a thickness of about 50 microns or less.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second protected graphics assembly has a thickness of about 30 microns or less.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the motorized vehicle comprises a race car.

8. A method of providing protected graphics on a surface, the method comprising:

providing a protected graphics assembly consisting of;

optionally, at least one adhesive layer;

at least one graphics layer comprising at least one graphical image and having a maximum thickness of about 8 microns; and

at least one polymer layer, one of which is outwardly exposed when the protected graphics assembly is adhered to a surface, that is essentially free of vinyl and having a gloss value of greater than 90 when tested according to ASTM D2457-03 at a 60-degree angle and comprising a urethane film or an acrylic film,

wherein the protected graphics assembly has a thickness of about 150 microns or less; and

adhering the protected graphics assembly to at least a portion of a surface.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the surface comprises an exterior surface of a motorized vehicle.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the protected graphics assembly has a first thickness and is adhered to a front surface of the motorized vehicle as a first protected graphics assembly and further comprising:

providing a second protected graphics assembly having a second thickness greater than the first thickness; and

adhering the second protected graphics assembly to at least a portion of the exterior surface of the motorized vehicle other than the front surface.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one of the first protected graphics assembly and the second protected graphics assembly consists essentially of an outwardly exposed polymer layer, a graphics layer underlying the polymer layer, and, optionally, one adhesive layer.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein each of the first protected graphics assembly and the second protected graphics assembly consists essentially of an outwardly exposed polymer layer, a graphics layer underlying the polymer layer, and, optionally, one adhesive layer.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the second protected graphics assembly has a thickness of about 150 microns or less.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one outwardly exposed polymer layer comprises a polyurethane material.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one outwardly exposed polymer layer has a thickness of about 10 microns to about 50 microns.

16. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one outwardly exposed polymer layer has a thickness of about 25 microns or less.

17. The method of claim 8, wherein the adhesive layer comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive.

18. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one outwardly exposed polymer layer is essentially free of silicones and fluoropolymers.

19. The method of claim 8, wherein the surface tension of each layer is within about 5 dynes per centimeter of the surface tension of adjacent layers therein.

20. The method of claim 8, wherein chemistries of adjacent layers within the protected graphics assembly are selected such that covalent bonds form between the layers.