TEMPORARY IMAGE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This present application claims priority to United States Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/382,366 filed September 13, 2010, and which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND ART

Temporary images, such as tattoos, have become popular for use as self-expression, costume, advertising, and entertainment. Due to their popularity, temporary tattoos of almost any design can be purchased from vending machines and mass retailers to appeal to children, teenagers, and even adults.

Temporary tattoos can be drawn, painted, or airbrushed, as a form of body painting, but typically, temporary tattoos are transferred to the skin by a transfer medium. Generally, a transfer medium includes, a paper layer containing the tattoo, an adhesive layer, and a protective layer to cover the adhesive layer. To apply, one removes the protective sheet, places the image face down against the skin, and moistens the paper layer. When the paper layer is removed, the image is left in place of the skin.

However, there are several drawbacks and disadvantages to transferring tattoos this way. For instance, the resulting image on the skin is typically blurry and doesn't last long. Also, the requirement of water or other fluid makes the application process messy, in particular, when applying multiple tattoos. Since the transfer tattoos must be preprinted before application, the user is limited to whatever image the manufacturer decides to print.

Therefore, what is needed is a customized temporary image that accurately applies without the need for a fluid and is easily custom printed by the user via standard printing device, such as, laser printers, inkjet printers, or other digital on demand devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification:

Fig. 1 is an upper view of a medium for application of a temporary image;

Fig. 2 is a lower view of the medium;

Fig. 3 is a section view showing layers of the medium prior to assembly;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view of a manufacturing process for assembly of the medium;

Fig. 5 is a section view of the medium after assembly;

Fig. 6 is a section view of the medium with a patch after a first removal from the medium;

Fig. 7 is a section view of the medium with the patch reinserted into a recess of the medium;

Fig. 8 is a section view of the medium with the patch after a second removal from the medium;

Fig. 9 is a section view of the patch applied to a person;

Fig. 10 is a section view of an alternate embodiment of a medium for application of a temporary image;

Fig. 1 1 is a section view of the alternate embodiment of the medium in a folded position;

Fig. 12 is a section view of the alternate embodiment of the medium in an unfolded position.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings. BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The following detailed description illustrates the claimed invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the claimed invention, describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the claimed invention, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the claimed invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that the claimed invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The claimed invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As shown in Figs. 1 -9, an embodiment constructed in accordance with the present disclosure, generally referred to as a medium 10 for application of indicia 1 2, such as a temporary tattoo, decal, security decal, or other image. The medium 10 includes a plurality of layers assembled with a manufacturing process (Fig. 4). A die-cut pattern 14 through a portion of the plurality of layers defines a removeable patch 16 (Fig. 5). Indicia 1 2 is imprinted on a top surface 18 of the patch 16 using any suitable method, such as printing (Fig. 1 ). To apply the indicia 12 to a person, the patch 16 is removed from the medium 1 0, thereby defining a recess 20 and exposing a transfer adhesive 22 at the bottom of the recess 20 (Fig. 6). The patch 1 6 is flipped over and reinserted into the respective recess 20 so that the indicia 1 2 contacts the transfer adhesive 22 (Fig. 7). The patch 16 is removed again from the recess 20 with the transfer adhesive 22 remaining adhered to the patch 1 6 (Fig. 8). The user positions the patch 16 in a desired location, such as the users skin 24 or other surface, so that the transfer adhesive 22 contacts the users skin 24 at a desired location (Fig. 9). The patch 1 6 is removed leaving the transfer adhesive 22, a coating layer 26, and indicia 12 adhered to the users skin. To aid the user in use of the medium 1 0, directions 28 can be placed, such as by printing, on a lower surface 30 of the medium 1 0 (Fig. 2).

As shown in Fig. 3, prior to assembly the medium 1 0 includes an upper substrate 32, an intermediate substrate 34, and a lower substrate 36. As described in more detail below, a manufacturing line 38 assembles the upper substrate 32, an intermediate substrate 34, and a lower substrate 38 into the medium 1 0 (Fig. 4)

The upper substrate 32 includes a plurality of layers preferably assembled in the following order from bottom to top: a lamina with release agent layer 40; a first permanent adhesive layer 42; a clear lamina layer 44; and the coating layer 26 (Fig. 3). The lamina with release agent layer 40 is preferably made of a silicon material that can function as a detachable liner to prevent adhesion between the first permanent adhesive layer 42 and any other surfaces where adhesion is undesirable, such as, adhesion to the clear lamina layer 44 if the upper substrate 32 is rolled into a coil for storage. Other suitable materials can also be used in place of silicon, including, but not limited to, acrylic urethanes and other compounds which exhibit similar properties of being liquid when applied as a coating and curing into a solid film after drying. The first permanent adhesive layer 42 is preferably, pressure sensitive water based acrylic. However, any adhesive material can be used that can permanently adhere to the lamina layer 44 and the intermediate layer 34, including, but not limited to hot melt or solvent based adhesive. The clear lamina layer 44 is preferably a clear polyester film having a nominal thickness of about 1 mils. However, other suitable materials can be used, including, but not limited to polypropylene or clear glassine paper. The coating layer 26 is preferably water based acrylic. However, any suitable material can be used, cast film, acrylic urethanes, and other compounds which exhibit similar properties of being liquid when applied as a coating and curing into a solid film after drying. In addition, the coating layer 26 can comprise multiple layers of such materials. The coating layer 26 preferably has a thickness of about 1 /8 mils to about 2 mils.

The intermediate substrate 34 is preferably a stock paper, such as 20 pound weight paper. However, any suitable substrate can be used, including, but not limited to, polyester film or Tyvek®.

The lower substrate 36 includes a plurality of layers preferably assembled in the following order from top to bottom: a lamina with release agent layer 46; a second permanent adhesive layer 48; a release layer 50; a transfer adhesive 52; and a lamina layer 54. The lamina with release agent layer 46 is preferably made of a silicon material that can function as a detachable liner that prevents adhesion between the second permanent adhesive layer 48 and any other surfaces where adhesion is undesirable, such as, adhesion to the lamina layer 54 if the upper substrate is rolled into a coil for storage. Other suitable materials can also be used in place of silicon, including, but not limited to, acrylic urethanes and other compounds which exhibit similar properties of being liquid when applied as a coating and curing into a solid film after drying. The second permanent adhesive layer 48 is preferably, pressure sensitive water based acrylic. However, any adhesive material can be used that can permanently adhere to the lamina layer 54 and the stock paper 34, including, but not limited to hot melt or solvent based. The release layer 50 is preferably a standard siliconized release paper having a preferred thickness of about 0.75 mils, but can also range between about 0.5 mils and about 1 mils. However, other suitable materials can be used including, but not limited to, acrylic urethanes and other compounds which exhibit similar properties of being liquid when applied as a coating and curing into a solid film after drying. However, other suitable materials can be used, including, but not limited to waxed paper. The transfer adhesive 52 is preferably water based acrylic. However, other suitable materials can be used, including, but not limited to, hot melt or solvent based. The lamina layer 54 is preferably a clear polyester film having a nominal thickness of about 2 mils. However, other suitable materials can be used, including, but not limited to clear polyester or polypropylene film.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that any of the plurality of layers can comprise a solid layer, a partial layer, a predetermined pattern, or any combination thereof, that enable the desired adhesive and separation characteristics for proper functioning of the medium 10.

As shown in Fig. 4, a manufacturing line 38 assembles the upper substrate 32, intermediate substrate 34, and lower substrate 36 into a medium 10 for application of indicia 12. The intermediate substrate 34 is fed into the manufacturing line 38. The intermediate substrate 34 can be fed into the manufacturing line 38 with a lower surface 56 (or an upper surface 58) being either right side up or inverted to correspond the placement of the upper substrate 32 on that side. The upper substrate 32 and lower substrate 36 are fed into the manufacturing line 38 from respective large rollers 60 and 62 located above and below the intermediate substrate 34 so that the upper substrate 32 and lower substrate 36 are positioned juxtaposed to respective upper surface 58 and lower surface 56 of the intermediate substrate 34. The intermediate substrate 34 advances along a web 64 to vacuum/cutting units 66 and 68, which are positioned respectively above or below the web 64 and adjacent the upper substrate 32 and lower substrate 36. The vacuum/cutting units 66 and 68 peel off the respective lamina with release agent 40 and 46 exposing the respective permanent adhesive layers 42 and 48, and press the upper substrate 32, intermediate substrate 34, and lower substrate 36 together to form the medium 1 0. The medium 10 advances along the web 64 until reaching a die cutting station 70. The die cutting station 70 forms the patch 1 6 by cutting a predetermined pattern 14, such as a generally rectangular shape with rounded corners, through the coating layer 26, the clear lamina layer 44, the first permanent adhesive layer 42, the stock paper 34, the second permanent adhesive layer 48, the release layer 50, and the transfer adhesive layer 52. The lamina layer 54 is not cut. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the pattern 14 can define any suitable shape and shape. In an alternate embodiment, the transfer adhesive layer 52 is not cut. As the assembled medium 10 with patches 16 leave the line 38, they can be rolled, folded or cut and sheeted for storage. The diagrammatic representation of FIG. 4 shows a stack of cut medium 10 stacked to be bundled for later use.

As an additional manufacturing operation, indicia 1 2 is imprinted on the top surface 18 of the patch 1 6, using any suitable method, including, but not limited to, laser printing, inkjet printing, manual handwriting, flexo handwriting, offset handwriting, thermal transfer, igen, indigo, or any other digital on-demand method (Fig. 1 ). Imprinting the indicia 12 can be performed by the manufacturer of the medium, or alternatively, the user can imprint a custom indicia 1 2 on the medium, such as with a desktop printer. The indicia 1 2 can be any text, image, symbol, number, design, or the like, and is images in image. When imprinted on the top surface 18, the indicia 1 2 should appear as a mirror image of the desired image to appear on the users skin 24 or other desired surface.

In an alternate embodiment shown in Figs. 1 0-12, the medium

1 00 includes a base substrate 134, a first upper substrate 1 36 and a second upper substrate 132 positioned in opposed locations on the base substrate 134.

The base substrate 134 is preferably a stock paper, such as 20 pound weight paper. However, any suitable substrate can be used, including, but not limited to, polyester film or Tyvek®.

The first upper substrate 136 includes a plurality of layers preferably assembled in the following order from top to bottom: a lamina with release agent layer 146; a transfer adhesive 152; a release layer 1 50; and a first permanent adhesive layer 148. The lamina with release agent layer 46 is preferably made of a silicon material that can function as a detachable liner that prevents adhesion between the transfer adhesive layer 152 and any other surfaces where adhesion is undesirable. Other suitable materials can also be used in place of silicon, including, but not limited to, acrylic urethanes and other compounds which exhibit similar properties of being liquid when applied as a coating and curing into a solid film after drying. The transfer adhesive 1 52 is preferably water based acrylic. However, other suitable materials can be used, including, but not limited to, hot melt or solvent based. The release layer 150 is preferably a standard siliconized release paper having a preferred thickness of about 0.75 mils, but can also range between about 0.5 mils and about 1 mils. However, other suitable materials can be used including, but not limited to, acrylic urethanes and other compounds which exhibit similar properties of being liquid when applied as a coating and curing into a solid film after drying. However, other suitable materials can be used, including, but not limited to waxed paper. The first permanent adhesive layer 48 is preferably, pressure sensitive water based acrylic. However, any adhesive material can be used that can permanently adhere to the lamina layer 154 and the stock paper 134, including, but not limited to hot melt or solvent based.

The second upper substrate 1 32 includes a plurality of layers preferably assembled in the following order from bottom to top: a second permanent adhesive layer 142; a clear lamina layer 144; and a coating layer 1 26 (Fig. 10). The first permanent adhesive layer 142 is preferably, pressure sensitive water based acrylic. However, any adhesive material can be used that can permanently adhere to the lamina layer 144 and the base layer 134, including, but not limited to hot melt or solvent based adhesive. The clear lamina layer 144 is preferably a clear polyester film having a nominal thickness of about 1 mils. However, other suitable materials can be used, including, but not limited to polypropylene or clear glassine paper. The coating layer 1 26 is preferably water based acrylic. However, any suitable material can be used, cast film, acrylic urethanes, and other compounds which exhibit similar properties of being liquid when applied as a coating and curing into a solid film after drying. In addition, the coating layer 126 can comprise multiple layers of such materials. The coating layer 1 26 preferably has a thickness of about 1 /8 mils to about 2 mils.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that any of the plurality of layers can comprise a solid layer, a partial layer, a predetermined pattern, or any combination thereof, that enable the desired adhesive and separation characteristics for proper functioning of the medium 1 10.

In operation, indicia 1 12 is imprinted on the top surface 1 1 8 of the second upper substrate 132, using any suitable method, including, but not limited to, laser printing, inkjet printing, manual handwriting, flexo handwriting, offset handwriting, thermal transfer, igen, indigo, or any other digital on-demand method (Fig. 1 ). Imprinting the indicia 1 1 2 can be performed by the manufacturer of the medium, or alternatively, the user can imprint a custom indicia 1 12 on the medium, such as with a desktop printer. The indicia 1 12 can be any text, image, symbol, number, design, or the like, and is images in image. When imprinted on the top surface 1 18, the indicia 1 1 2 should appear as a mirror image of the desired image to appear on the users skin or other desired surface The user removes the lamina with release layer 146 to expose the transfer adhesive layer 1 52. The base layer 134 folds over until the coating layer 1 26 seats against the transfer adhesive layer 152 (Fig. 1 1 ). The base layer 1 34 unfolds so that the transfer adhesive layer 1 52 separates from the release layer 1 50, thereby, remaining seated with the coating layer 1 26 (Fig. 12). The user positions the transfer adhesive layer 1 52 in a desired location, such as the users skin 124, so that the transfer adhesive 1 22 contacts the users skin 124 at the desired location. The medum 1 1 0 is removed leaving the transfer adhesive 122, a coating layer 126, and indicia 212 adhered to the users skin.

The embodiment of Figs. 9-12 can be assembled using a method similar to the manufacturing line of Fig. 4. Changes can be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.