The present invention relates to a foil for applying on an object worn by a user, such as a garment or blanket-like article, comprising a polymer layer which is provided with an adhesive means for adhering to a surface of the object. Such a foil is usually applied in order to provide objects, in particular textile products such as garments, clothing accessories, bags, blanket-like articles and diverse types of fabric, with a desired imprint. Self-adhesive foils such as stickers and so-called heat transfer foils, which can be transferred by means of heat and/or pressure to the object, are thus manufactured in diverse forms and colours in order to modify the aesthetic character of the associated objects in accordance with personal wishes.

Although the known foils increase the number of possibilities in respect of embellishing the objects worn by a user, the supply of foils has heretofore been limited particularly to a selection of foils which substantially only differ from each other in aesthetic manner.

The present invention has for its object to provide a foil of the type stated in the preamble which provides an effect other than a purely aesthetic one, and after being arranged on an object being worn by a user, in particular imparts a positive effect to the user and his/her mood.

In order to achieve the stated object a foil of the type stated in the preamble is characterized according to the present invention in that the polymer layer comprises a polymer with a ceramic additive. A polymer with ceramic particles is already per se known, and is applied for instance in garments and/or muscle protectors for humans and animals. Use is made here of a textile which has the property of reflecting captured heat as heat via infrared radiation. The known textile comprises woven materials of polyester and polypropylene in which ceramic particles are incorporated. The ceramic particles provide for heating of the body tissue of the wearer in that these particles are able to reflect captured body heat. The reflected radiant heat has a positive effect on the user. The infrared radiation emitted by the ceramic particles is absorbed by the body of the user, wherein body tissue is warmed. This results in an increased blood circulation in the tissues, wherein stresses are counteracted. In addition to a general improvement in the physical, and thereby usually also mental, state of the user, this also particularly prevents injuries and other undesirable physical stresses. The known textile thus provides the intended positive effect on a user thereof. The textile is however incorporated directly into a garment or muscle protector, whereby a user must purchase such a relatively costly article to be able to enjoy the advantages of the textile. The known textile allows no possibility here of providing existing objects, such as already acquired clothing of the user, with the positive effects of the polymer with ceramic particles.

The foil according to the present invention provides a relatively rapid and simple possibility of personalizing both new objects and already existing objects, such as present clothing, of the user while enjoying the positive effect of the polymer with ceramic additive. The additive can be incorporated into the polymer layer in different ways, but provides excellent results in a preferred embodiment of the foil according to the present invention in which the ceramic material is incorporated in a powder form into the polymer. The ceramic material can for this purpose be crushed or pulverized in known manner in order to obtain a powder with a desired maximum median grain size. The powder can then be mixed with the polymer to form a base material from which the polymer layer is manufactured.

A particular embodiment of the foil according to the present invention has the feature that the ceramic additive comprises a mineral, chosen particularly from a group comprising one or more of crystal, jade, sapphire, tourmaline and clay. The minerals are all able to influence the body of a user through emission of radiant heat. Possible emission spectrum variations between the various minerals can advantageously be used by making use of a mixture of various of the minerals in the polymer layer. In a further preferred embodiment the foil according to the present invention is characterized in that the polymer is chosen from a group of: polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene vinyl acetate, polyacrylate, polymethacrylate, polyamide, polyester, silicon, synthetic or natural rubber, polybutadiene, styrene and acrylonitrile. Such polymers are highly suitable for incorporation in a self-adhesive foil or heat transfer foil with which a desired imprint can be applied to an object while the ceramic additive retains its effect optimally therein.

A further preferred embodiment of the foil according to the present invention has the feature that the polymer with ceramic additive comprises one or more additives. A suitable synthetic or organic substance of vegetable or animal origin can thus be applied as desired in order to modify the properties of the polymer thereto, such as for instance dyes.

In a further preferred embodiment the foil according to the present invention is characterized in that the polymer layer is a self-adhesive layer with a heat-activated adhesive means. The foil is hereby a so-called heat transfer foil which is transferable by means of heat from a carrier sheet to the object. The foil can thus be used for instance as so-called iron-on sticker and be adhered to an object such as a garment using a simple and common appliance such as an iron.

In an alternative preferred embodiment the foil according to the present invention is characterized in that the adhesive means comprises an adhesive layer, in particular a glue, provided on one side of the polymer layer. The foil is for instance a conventional type of sticker which can be pressed onto an object by means of optionally manual pressure. In contrast to the self-adhesive foil with heat-activated adhesive means, a heat source is not necessary here.

In a particular embodiment the foil according to the present invention is characterized in that the adhesive layer is provided on a side remote from the foil with a manually removable protective sheet. The protective sheet protects the adhesive layer from deterioration until use and prevents premature unintended adhesion of the foil while being easily removable manually during use in order to leave the adhesive layer clear. For a long-term reliable adhesion of the foil against the object an adhesive means can be used for the adhesive layer which is particularly suitable for adhesion against the material from which the object is manufactured. The foil according to the present invention is particularly characterized here in that the adhesive layer comprises a heat and/or pressure-reactive glue.

In a further preferred embodiment the foil according to the present invention is characterized in that the adhesive layer is provided in a patterned form against the polymer layer and leaves at least one part of the polymer layer uncovered. The uncovered part of the polymer layer thus lies directly against the material of the object without interposing of an adhesive layer therebetween, and thus prevents the effect of the polymer layer on the user being affected to greater or lesser extent by the intermediate adhesive layer. The foil according to the present invention can be manufactured in practical manner as separate sheets or wound onto a roll for larger quantities. The foil can optionally be of a printable type in order to receive a desired imprint thereon via for instance a printer. In a particular embodiment the foil according to the present invention has the feature that the foil has a predetermined peripheral form, such as a desired logo or image.

Although the invention has been elucidated on the basis of only several exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent that the invention is by no means limited thereto. On the contrary, many other variations and embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention for the person with ordinary skill in the art. While the foil is particularly suitable for application on articles of textile such as clothing, blanket-like articles or bags, it is thus also suitable for application on other types of object and consumer article such as for instance mobile phones, saddles and chairs. Of sole importance for the action of the foil on a human or animal user is that it is located in the close vicinity of the skin of the user.