Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a method of printing onto a textile.

Background

Hook and loop materials are used in a wide variety of applications. In some applications, it is desirable to have images, such as words, logos, patterns and/or pictures printed on the hook or loop material.

It is ^» known to print onto loop material using screen printing and flocking techniques. These printing techniques cover loose fibres of the material, which prevents these loose fibres engaging complementary hook-type fastener material and thus inhibits the peel and shear performance of the finished loop material product.

Accordingly, there is a need to address the above, and/or at least provide a useful alternative.

Summary of the invention

The present invention provides a method of printing onto a textile material that has loose fibres on at least one surface, the method involving:

pre-shrinking the textile material in a thermal press;

printing an image onto a transfer medium using a dye sublimation ink; and transferring the image from the printed transfer medium onto the pre-shrunk textile material by placing the printed transfer medium and pre-shrunk textile material in a thermal press,

whereby, after the transferring step, at least one surface of the textile material has loose fibres such that the textile material can be fastened to a complementary hook-type fastener material.

Pre-shrinking can involve heating the textile material to cause a shrinkage in at least one direction to less than 95% of the unprocessed textile material. Alternatively or additionally, pre-shrinking may involve heating the textile material to at least 155 °C for at least 20 seconds.

The pre-shrinking step may involve subjecting the textile material to at least two heating cycles in the thermal press, and allowing the textile material to cool between the at least two cycles.

In one embodiment, a first heating cycle involves heating the textile material to cause a shrinkage in at least one direction to less than 95% of the unprocessed textile material. Alternatively or additionally, the first heating cycle involves heating the textile material to at least 155 °C for at least 45 seconds.

Preferably, the first heating cycle involves heating the textile material to cause a shrinkage in at least one direction to approximately 90% of the unprocessed textile material. Alternatively or additionally, the first heating cycle involves heating the textile material to approximately 170 °C. Preferably, the first heating cycle involves heating the textile material for approximately 60 seconds.

In one embodiment, a second heating cycle involves heating the textile material to cause a shrinkage in at least one direction to less than 90% of the unprocessed textile material. Alternatively or additionally, the second heating cycle involves heating the textile material to at least 155 °C for at least 10 seconds.

Preferably, the second heating cycle involves heating the textile material to cause a shrinkage in at least one direction to approximately 85% of the unprocessed textile material. Alternatively or additionally, the second heating cycle involves heating the textile material to approximately 170 °C. Preferably, the second heating cycle involves heating the textile material for approximately 20 seconds. The pre-shrinking step can involve applying a pressure of at least 15 psi to the textile material. Preferably, the pre-shrinking step involves applying a pressure of approximately 20 psi to the textile material.

In one embodiment, the pre-shrinking step involves subjecting the textile material to two to four heating cycles in the thermal press, and allowing the textile material to cool between consecutive heating cycles. Preferably, each heating cycle involves heating the textile material to approximately 170 °C and applying a pressure of approximately 20 psi for approximately 60 seconds.

The transferring step may involve heating the printed transfer medium and pre- shrunk textile material to at least 155 °C for at least 60 seconds. Preferably, the transferring step may involve heating the printed transfer medium and pre-shrunk textile material to approximately 170 °C for approximately 120 seconds.

The transferring step can involve applying a pressure of at least 15 psi to the transfer medium and textile material. Preferably, the transferring step involves applying a pressure of approximately 20 psi to the transfer medium and the textile material.

The present invention provides a textile loop fastener that in use co-operates with a hook-type fastener, the fastener comprising a textile material having an image printed thereon by the method previously described.

The textile loop fastener further comprises an adhesive material bonded to one surface of the textile material such that the fastener is adherable to a surface, with the loose fibres provided on the opposing surface.

The textile material may comprise any of: non-woven, woven, or knitted fibres. Preferably, the fibres are made of a polymeric material. Alternatively or additionally, the fibres contract lengthwise upon heating. In certain embodiments, the adhesive material is a differential adhesive.

Preferably, the adhesive material is provided on a carrier film that has adhesive material on a first side to bond the carrier film to the textile material, and adhesive material on the second, opposing side to adhere the fastener to a surface. The textile loop fastener further comprises a releasable film liner to protect the adhesive material on the second, opposing side prior to application of the fastener to a surface.

The present invention also provides a method of forming a textile loop fastener for application to a panel of an electronic device, the method involving: printing an image onto a textile material according to the method previously described;

bonding an adhesive material to a surface of the textile material; and

cutting the textile material to a pre-determined shape.

The present invention also provides a textile loop fastener for application to a panel of an electronic device that includes a functional component of the device, the fastener comprising:

a textile material having an image printed thereon by the method previously described;

an adhesive material bonded to one surface of the textile material such that the fastener is adherable to the panel of the device, with the loose fibres provided on the opposing surface,

wherein the fastener has an outer peripheral edge that is to extend internally of the peripheral edge of the panel, and includes one of a recessed portion in the outer peripheral edge and an aperture, such that textile material does not extend over the functional component of the device when the fastener is applied to the electronic device.

Thus, the functional component of the device can remain accessible when the fastener is applied to the electronic device.

The present invention also provides a protective cover for an electronic device that has a major panel, the cover comprising;

a major surface that is to extend across the major panel of the device, at least a portion of the major surface includes textile material having an image that is printed thereon by the method previously described; and

means to releasably retain the cover to the device,

wherein at least some of the loose fibres of the textile being exposed to enable the cover to be fastened to a complementary hook-type fastener material.

The present invention also provides a protective cover for an electronic device that has a major panel, the cover comprising:

a body having a planar portion that is to extend across the major panel, and at least two walls that extend laterally from the planar portion and are configured to releasably retain the cover to the device; and textile material having an image that is printed thereon by the method previously described, the textile material being secured to the planar portion with at least some of the loose fibres of the textile material being exposed to enable the cover to be fastened a complementary hook-type fastener material.

Preferably, the walls extend to one side of the planar portion, and the body includes a first lip that extends around an edge of the planar portion, wherein the first lip is on the opposing side of the planar portion to the walls, and wherein the textile material is bounded by the first lip.

In some embodiments, the textile material is secured to the planar portion by adhesive.

In some embodiments, the electronic device has a functional component that is disposed within the major panel, and the body has an aperture formed within the planar portion, and the textile material has an aperture formed therein, wherein each of the apertures of the body and the textile material are aligned with each other, and are to provide an opening through which the functional component is accessible when the cover is retained to the electronic device. Preferably, the body also includes a second lip that extends around the aperture.

In some embodiments, the height of the first and/or second lip is approximately equal to the thickness of the textile material. , t

Brief description of the drawings

In order that the invention may be more easily understood, embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 : is a plan view of a textile loop fastener according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2: is a cross section view of the textile loop fastener as viewed along the line A-A in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3: is a plan view of a textile loop fastener of Figure 1 , the fastener being adhered to an electronic device; Figure 4: is a simplified flow chart of a method of printing onto a textile material that has loose fibres on at least one surface according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5: is a simplified flow chart providing further detail of a pre-shrinking step in the method of Figure 4;

Figure 6: is a simplified flow chart of a method of forming a textile loop fastener for application to a panel of an electronic device, the method according to a third embodiment;

Figures 7a to 7d: show schematically the method of Figure 6; and

Figure 8. is a plan view of a protective cover according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 9: is a first perspective view of the protective cover of Figure 8;

Figure 10: is a second perspective view of the protective cover of Figure 8; and Figure 11 : is an exploded view of the protective cover of Figure 8.

Detailed description

Figures 1 and 2 show a textile loop fastener 10 according to a first embodiment. The fastener 10 has a textile material 12 that has an image 14 printed thereon. The textile material 12 has loose fibres provided on one surface (identified by arrow B in Figure 2, which corresponds with the surface visible in the plan view of Figure 1) such that the finished product can be fastened to a complementary hook-type fastener material. The surface B forms the "front" surface of the fastener 10. The image 14 is printed onto the textile material 12 by a method that is described in reference to Figures 4 and 5. The printed image 14 is visible on the front surface B of the fastener 10.

The fastener 10 further has an adhesive material that is bonded to the back surface of the textile material 12; that is, the opposite surface to surface B. Thus, the adhesive material enables the fastener to be adhered to a surface. The loose fibres on surface B are available to fasten the fastener 10 to a complementary hook-type fastener material.

In this particular embodiment, the adhesive material is a differential adhesive that is provided on a carrier film 16 that has adhesive material on a first side to bond the carrier film to the textile material 12, and adhesive material on the second, opposing side to adhere the fastener to a surface. The textile loop fastener 10 further has a releasable film liner 18 to protect the adhesive material on the second, opposing side prior to application of the fastener to a surface. As shown in Figure 3, the fastener 10 of this particular embodiment is particularly suitable for being adhered to a panel P of an electronic device D. The device D has a functional component C, which in this example is in the form of a camera and flash light. The fastener 10 has an outer peripheral edge 20 that - when the fastener 10 is adhered to the panel of the device D - extends internally of the peripheral edge of the panel P, and includes a recessed portion 22. The recessed portion 22 ensures that the fastener 10 does not extend over the functional component C of the device D. Accordingly, the fastener 10 covers a significant portion of the panel P, without obscuring the use of the camera or flash light. As will be appreciated, the fastener 10 is also suitable for being adhered to a protective cover for a device D.

In this example, the camera and flash light are provided at the top left corner on the back panel P of the device D. Thus, the recessed portion is provided at a corner of the fastener 10. Alternative devices may require a recessed portion in the outer peripheral edge in an alternative position. Some further alternative devices may require an aperture formed within the fastener 10.

As shown in Figure 4, a method 100 of printing onto a textile material that has loose fibres on at least one surface according to a second embodiment of the present invention includes the following steps:

i. pre-shrinking the textile material in a thermal press (step 102); ii. printing an image onto a transfer medium using a dye sublimation ink (step 104); and

iii. transferring the image from the printed transfer medium onto the pre- shrunk textile material by placing the printed transfer medium and pre- shrunk textile material in a thermal press (step 106).

After the transferring step 106, at least one surface of the textile material has loose fibres such that the textile material can be fastened to a complementary hook-type fastener material. In addition, the printed image is visible on that surface of the textile material. The method 100 has the advantages that the image printed onto the textile material has acceptable resolution, clarity and crispness, without substantially compromising the number, or properties of loose fibres on the surface of the textile material. Accordingly, the textile material is able to fasten to a complementary hook-type fastener material.

In one example, step 102 can involve heating the textile material to cause a shrinkage in at least one direction to less than 95% of the unprocessed textile material. Step 106 may involve heating the printed transfer medium and pre-shrunk textile material to approximately 170 °C for approximately 120 seconds. Furthermore, in this particular example, step 102 can involve applying a pressure of approximately 20 psi (approximately 1.41 kg/cm ² ) to the textile material. Step 106 can involve applying a pressure of approximately 20 psi to the transfer medium and the textile material. The textile material may be formed of non-woven, woven, or knitted fibres. The fibres are made of a polymeric material. In one particular example, the textile material is VELCRO ^® Brand Knit Loop 3905, which is constructed of nylon fibres assembled in a warp knit. In another example, the textile material is VELCRO ^® Brand Knit Loop 3610. As shown in Figure 5, step 102 can include:

I. pre-shrinking the textile material in a thermal press in a first heat cycle (step 102a);

II. allowing the textile material to cool (step 102b); and

III. pre-shrinking the textile material in a thermal press in a second heat cycle

(step 102c).

In one alternative, step 102 can includes

pre-shrinking the textile material in a thermal press in a first heat cycle;

II. allowing the textile material to cool in a first cooling cycle;

III. pre-shrinking the textile material in a thermal press in a second heat cycle;

IV. allowing the textile material to cool in a second cooling cycle;

v. pre-shrinking the textile material in a thermal press in a third heat cycle;

VI. allowing the textile material to cool in a third cooling cycle;

VII. pre-shrinking the textile material in a thermal press in a fourth heat cycle. ln one example, step 102a involves heating the textile material to approximately 170 °C for approximately 60 seconds. This can cause a shrinkage in at least one direction to approximately 90% of the unprocessed textile material. Further, in this particular example, step 102c involves heating the textile material to approximately 170 °C for approximately 20 seconds. This can cause a shrinkage in at least one direction to approximately 85% of the unprocessed textile material.

As shown in Figure 6, a method 200 forming a textile loop fastener for application to a panel of an electronic device according to a third embodiment of the present invention includes the following steps:

i. printing an image onto a textile material (step 202);

ii. bonding an adhesive material to a surface of the textile material (step 204); and

iii. cutting the textile material to a pre-determined shape (step 206).

Step 202 can involve the method 100 of the embodiment described in connection with Figures 4 and 5. In one example, the adhesive material is provided on a carrier film, such that adhesive material on a first side of the carrier film is bonded to the textile material, and adhesive material on the second, opposing side of the carrier film is available for use in adhering the fastener to a surface. A releasable film liner can be provided to protect the adhesive material on the second, opposing side prior to application of the fastener to a surface. In this example, step 204 can involve applying the carrier film with the adhesive material and the releasable liner simultaneously to the printed textile material. The adhesive material, carrier film and releasable liner can be a 3M® B rand Differential Adhesive. Figures 7a to 7d show schematically the method 200. Unprocessed textile material 250 (for example, VELCRO ^® Brand Knit Loop 3905) is subjected to a first heating cycle in a thermal press (corresponding with step 102a) to approximately 170 °C for approximately 60 seconds. The pressure applied to the textile material in the thermal press is approximately 20 psi. This causes the textile material to contract by approximately 10%. The textile material 250 is then allowed to cool (corresponding with step 102b), after which the textile material 250 is subjected to a second heating cycle in a thermal press (corresponding with step 102c) to approximately 170 °C for approximately 20 seconds. The pressure applied to the textile material in the thermal press is approximately 20 psi. This causes the textile material to contract by a further approximately 5%.

A reverse image 252 is printed using a dye sublimation ink onto a transfer medium 254 (corresponding with step 104). The reverse image 252 corresponds with a mirror of the final image that is to appear on the printed textile material 250.

The printed transfer medium 254 and the pre-shrunk textile material 250 are placed in a thermal press to transfer the image 252 from the printed transfer medium 254 onto the textile material 250 (corresponding with step 106). To this end, the textile material 250 and printed transfer medium 254 are subjected to a temperature of approximately 170 °C for approximately 120 seconds. This causes the ink to be released from the transfer medium 254, and taken up by the textile material 250.

An adhesive material 256 is then bonded to a surface of the textile material 250 (corresponding with step 204).

The textile material 250 together with the bonded adhesive material are then cut to a pre-determined shape (corresponding with step 206), which in Figure 7d corresponds with the fastener 10 of Figure 1.

The fastener 10 is relatively thin, and in particular has a thickness that is less than 2 mm, and may be approximately 1 mm to 1.5 mm. Thus, the fastener 10 is particular suitable for being adhered to consumer products, such as smart-phones, tablet devices, covers for such phones/devices, and the like. To this end, the fastener 10 does not significantly increase the thickness of the product. Further, the product can then readily be fastened to complementary hook-type fastener material that is provided on, or secured to, a surface, such as a wall, furniture, an internal space of a vehicle, etc.

Figures 8 to 11 show a protective cover 360 for an electronic device that has a major panel. In some examples, the electronic device can be a mobile telephone or a tablet device, and the major panel is for example the back panel of the respective device. The protective cover 360 includes a body 362, and textile material 310 that has an image printed thereon. The image is printed according to the method as previously described.

The body 362 includes a planar portion 364 that is to extend across the major panel of the electronic device, and at least two walls 366 that extend laterally from the planar portion 364. The walls 366 are shaped, and co-operate, to releasably retain the cover 360 to the device. The textile material 310 is secured by adhesive to the planar portion 364 such that at least some of the loose fibres of the textile material 310 are exposed to enable the cover 360 to be fastened to a complementary hook-type fastener material.

The walls 366 extend to one side of the planar portion 364, and the body 362 further includes a first lip 368 that extends around the peripheral edges of the planar portion 364. As will be evident from Figure 11 , the first lip 368 is on the opposing side of the planar portion 364 to the walls 366. The textile material 310 is bounded by the first lip 368, such that the peripheral edge of the textile material 310 lies within the first lip 368. In the illustrated example, the cover 360 is to be used with an electronic device that has a functional component on its back panel in the form of a camera and flash light. The body 362 has an aperture 370 formed within the planar portion 364, and the textile material 310 has an aperture 322 formed therein. The aperture 322 in the textile material 310 aligns with the aperture 370 in the body 362 to provide an opening in the body 362 through which the functional component is accessible when the cover 360 is retained to the electronic device.

The body 362 also includes a second lip 372 that extends around the aperture

370.

The height of the first and second lips 368, 372 are approximately equal to the thickness of the textile material 310. Thus, the exposed loose fibres of the textile material 310 are approximately flush with the outer extremity of the lips 368, 372. Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.