System, apparatus, and method for the permanent transfer of images onto glossy surfaces

• US 20070081838A1
• Filed: 09/26/2006
• Published: 04/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Terrie Banhazl
• Original Assignee: Terrie Banhazl
• Inventors: Banhazl, Terrie
• Granted Patent: US 7,622,237 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 399/342
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/1625 on a base other than paper
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 15/2003 using heat

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for permanently affixing high-quality images onto glossy substrates. Using off-the-shelf supplies and equipment, a user may print or copy any image to an imaging device utilizing toner with iron oxide to imprint the image onto a film covered transfer agent. The transfer agent is moistened, separated and the image is applied to a glossy substrate without requiring an additional cover coat. It is then fired in a kiln where the surface of the glossy substrate softens and the film of the transfer agent melts or evaporates away leaving the iron oxide pigmented image permanently fused to the glossy substrate.

Claims

1. A method for permanently affixing images onto glossy substrates using off the shelf equipment and supplies.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said glossy substrate is comprised of an object which is capable of being fired in a kiln.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said off the shelf equipment is comprised of black and white reprographic imaging devices.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the toner of said off the shelf black and white reprographic imaging devices contains iron oxide.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein said iron oxide toner is used to print said image onto a film covered transfer agent.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said image printed film of said transfer agent is adhered to said glossy substrate.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said glossy substrate with said image printed film adhered is fired in said kiln.