WO1999036275A1

WO1999036275A1 - System and method for transferring photographic images onto leather and like materials

Info

Publication number: WO1999036275A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/000701
Authority: WO
Inventors: Henry R. Martinez
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-01-13
Filing date: 1999-01-13
Publication date: 1999-07-22
Anticipated expiration: 2000-07-13
Also published as: AU2224799A

Abstract

A system and method for preparing animal skins such as leather for the receipt of a reproduced image, including a photographic image. The preparation includes the cleaning (7) of the animal skin (1) to remove waxes using a lacquer thinner (8), the drying of the animal skin (1), and the application of a pliable paint material (11) to provide a base (10) for the image transfer. The system and method described herein also includes the use of a transfer medium (21), such as transfer paper, to which a reproduced image (22) is adhered until released by heat and pressure to the pliable paint material. In addition to heating and application of pressure, the system calls for a burnishing process (9) to ensure a complete transfer of the image to the targeted portion of the animal skin.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSFERRING PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES ONTO LEATHER AND LIKE MATERIALS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION: The present invention relates to a system and process for transferring images, including photographic images, to apparel for decorative purposes. Specifically, the present invention relates to a system and process for properly preparing leather goods and like materials to accept a transferred image, and for transferring the image to the leather goods such that the image is durably affixed to the goods. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and process for transferring photographic images to, for example, properly cleaned and prepared leather goods and apparel, for long lasting crisp images.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION: The apparel industry has for many years applied decorative emblems, statements, photographs and other images to clothing, including leather goods, by use of any number of means such as sewing, glueing or silk screening. Each of these processes is limiting in one or more respects, not the least of which is the fact that the types of things which can be applied to the goods is ultimately dependent upon how such things are applied to the goods. In particular, while sewn-on patches have a high durability, the quality of the image on the patch is limited by the material used which then has to be affixed to the leather. The same applies to glueing with the added limitation that these processes have other drawbacks in terms of appearance, i.e., they produce results that make it look like something has been attached to the apparel. Silk screening processes have been successful in providing for the application of a range of images onto apparel. Silk screening has even been used for leather goods with somewhat less spectacular results. In particular, the use of silk screening carries with it the limitations of that process in general, including the requirement for patterns, the limitations of number and range of colors and the dependency on the operator of the process for consistent results. Moreover, the application of a detailed photographic image to leather goods using a silk screening process would require a significant amount of patience, pattern work, skill and repetitions to achieve a consistent high quality result.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION: The present invention is intended to address all of the shortcomings of the available processes for applying images and designs to leather goods and the like. Specifically, the present invention introduces a system and method for cleaning an animal skin, like a piece of leather, with a lacquer thinner to ensure that the waxes used to preserve the animal skin are removed Once the animal skin is cleaned, it must be dried using the present invention to prepare it properly for the introduction of a paint such as PLASTIKOTE™, a pliable and elastic paint material manufactured by Plasti-kote Company, Inc , of Medina, Ohio, which, when applied to a targeted portion of the animal skin, will penetrate into the animal skin and form the base for the transfer of the image A transfer medium, usually a transfer paper having an image reproduced on it through the use of a laser copier or printer, is introduced over the targeted portion of the animal skin Once the transfer medium is in place, the present invention calls for the application of temperature (approximately 350°F) and pressure (approximately 20-35 psi) to effect the transfer of the reproduced image to the pliable paint material which has penetrated into the animal skin In order to ensure the transfer is complete, the present invention includes further steps of burnishing the image while the transfer medium is in place, and the repetition of the application of heat and pressure In addition, the present invention contemplates the creation of three-dimensional effects in the reproduced image and animal skin This feature is accomplished by using a wax paper medium over the reproduced image as applied to the pliable paint material and the introduction of a template having some desired shape, texture or dimension over the wax paper medium When all of these are in place the template and wax paper medium are exposed to enough heat and pressure to press the template into the animal skin and reproduced image creating an embossed effect in the targeted portion of the animal skin and image

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: FIG 1 is an illustration of a piece of leather material having been prepared by leather goods supplier to include one or more type of protective waxes FIGs 2 A and 2B are illustrations of devices for stretching the leather piece and securing the edges of the leather piece to allow for the leather piece to be cleaned FIG 2 A illustrates the use of ordinary thumb-tacks and FIG 2B illustrates a clamp FIG 3 is an illustration of a leather piece as it is being cleaned with a circular motion of a cloth material FIG 4 is an illustration of a leather piece as it is being cleaned with a circular motion buffing machine FIG 5 is an illustration of the application of a pliable paint material to the targeted area of the leather piece FIG 6 is an illustration of the prepared leather piece mounted on a transfer platform and being readied for the transfer process using the press FIG 7 is an illustration of an applied imaged undergoing a burnishing process FIG 8 is an illustration of a piece of wax paper being applied on to the area of the leather with the image DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION: The present invention, as described herein, involves the preparation of the apparel prior to the image being applied to the apparel The description which follows will focus on the application of the image to a leather good, although the process may be used successfully with other materials, including sheep skins and other animal skins and synthetic materials In addition, the process description to follow may be used manually or may be operated in a semi-automatic or fully automatic manner if the proper care is assigned to the determination of the appropriate timing for cleaning, the determination of the appropriate application temperatures and pressures, and the other process variables described herein Referring to FIG 1, there is a piece of leather material 1, the material having been prepared by leather goods supplier to include one or more type of protective waxes which coat the surface of the leather (not shown) In order for the process of the present invention to ensure a durable, crisp image transfer, it is best that the wax material be removed from the surface of the leather Referring to FIGs 2 A and 2B there is a device for stretching 2 the leather piece 1 and securing the edges of the leather piece 1 to allow for the leather piece to be cleaned in a way which removes the protective waxes applied thereto by the leather goods supplier This device 2 may comprise a flat board or foam material 3 to provide some structural stability to the leather during the treatment which is described below The edges 4 of the leather piece 1 should be secured to ensure the piece is not moved during the treatment As shown in FIG. 2A, the leather piece 1 is secured by using ordinary thumbtacks 5 Practically, such use of thumbtacks should occur when pressing the leather piece 1 at the edges does not present an aesthetics problem For example, if the leather piece 1 is to become part of a jacket, the thumbtacks may be used to secure the leather piece 1 in areas that will not be visible when the jacket is assembled FIG 2B illustrates another version of a device for stretching which employs simple clamps 6 to secure the leather material The number of clamps 6 to use depends upon the type of clamp, its size and how well it holds the leather piece 1 This device should also be constructed to allow for the stretching without itself leaving a mark or indentation on the leather piece 1 In addition, since the purpose many times is to only prepare a section of the leather, i.e., that section which will receive the image, the securing of the edges, and thus the entire leather piece 1, ensures that the particular area on the leather piece 1 which needs to be treated can be so treated with more confidence The device for stretching 2 the leather piece 1 should be arranged to extend the piece so that the leather is prevented from wrinkling or folding and so that the pores of the leather are given an opportunity to open, thus helping in the cleaning operation to follow Referring to FIG 3 there is the leather piece 1 as it is being cleaned with a circular motion of a clean, preferably cotton, preferably white {i.e. free of pigmentation which may stick in the leather pores) cloth material 7. The cloth is dampened with a lacquer thinner solution 8, preferably a DTL 876 medium temperature, high gloss thinner. Other thinners may be used, however it is noted that some thinner solutions, for example, a 100% mineral spirits thinner, will usually not be sufficient to properly clean the surface of the leather. Only the portion of the surface of the leather piece 1 which is targeted for the image is to be cleaned with the lacquer thinner. During the application of the thinner, it is best to maintain the ambient temperature and the thinner temperature at 65° to 85°F. It is desirable to clean the targeted area of the leather piece 1 completely of the waxes applied by the leather goods manufacturer. This ensures that the image will adhere well to the leather material. The lacquer thinner solution 8, may be applied to the cloth material 7 before the cloth material makes contact with the leather piece 1, or the lacquer thinner solution may be applied directly to the leather piece 1. Referring to FIG. 4, there is a device which, in lieu of hand cleaning the leather piece, may be employed to produce the circular rubbing action required for this portion of the preparation. For example, a buffing apparatus or machine 9 may be employed such as found on variable speed car buffing tools or on commonly available attachments for hand held drills. Such tools may be used if equipped with a cloth cover and if care is taken to ensure a gentle rubbing action is applied to the leather piece. In addition, the buffing machine 9 may be equipped with a mechanism to evenly apply the lacquer thinner 8 during the rubbing action. The lacquer thinner 8 may even be applied using a spray device which distributes the thinner evenly over the targeted surface of the leather piece. When the cleaning is performed by hand the spray device may be an ordinary spray bottle and nozzle, whereas if the cleaning step is performed in a more automated setting, this mechanism may take the form of standard injection nozzles connected to a pressurized source of the thinner material. The amount of the thinner to apply will depend upon the amount of waxes present on the leather piece, the consistency of the leather piece and other factors. While the leather is being prepared by hand using the technique disclosed herein, the user should take care to closely inspect the leather material to determine whether the pores of the leather have been properly cleaned. For example, the user may employ a magnifying loop to inspect the leather at one or more points during the application of the thinner. In a semi-automatic or automatic mode, the process may provide for an optical inspection device to determine whether the leather piece 1 includes any dirt or other obstructions to the pores of the leather in the targeted area which is intended for the image. Once the leather piece 1 is properly cleaned with the lacquer thinner, a dry cloth material is rubbed over the surface of the leather to remove residual thinner or other materials. At certain times the lacquer thinner may form a thin film over the surface of the leather, and this must be removed with the dry cloth in order to properly apply the image. Preferably, this cloth material is cotton and preferably white in color. After the leather material is rubbed with the cloth, it is dried by forced warm air for several minutes directed to the area which is to receive the image For the manual operation, this drying step may employ the use of a hand held hair dryer operating at a temperature range of 80° to 90°F and held at a position which is approximately 5 inches from the surface of the leather piece for a period of approximately 5 minutes An automated process may used similar arrangements for the introduction of forced warm air Referring to FIG 5, now the surface of the leather is ready for the application of the pliable paint material 10, such as PLASTIKOTE^® which is a paint useful for application to, for example, vinyl materials This pliable paint material 10 is to be applied to the leather piece 1 in only the areas which are intended to accept the image A stencil may be used to prevent the application of the pliable paint material 10 to specific portions of the leather piece 1, or to form a pattern of pliable paint material 10 on the leather piece 1 The application of the pliable paint material may be conducted while the leather piece is still attached to the device for stretching (see FIGs 2A and 2B), or when the leather piece is placed and secured on an application platform The pliable paint material 10 is preferably a white material, however, there is no reason why tinted versions of this material cannot be used, limited only by the intended effect on the resultant image The pliable paint material was chosen because when it is applied to the leather piece 1, it remains pliable paint and it maintains its elasticity to allow for movement of the leather piece without harm to the pliable paint or applied image The first coat of the pliable paint material 10 is applied thinly and evenly using a spray mechanism 11. The application of the pliable paint may also be performed using conventional spray painting methods, if care is taken to ensure the application of even coats of the material If the pliable paint is applied too thinly, it may not cover the targeted area completely. If the pliable paint is applied with too thick a coating, it may not dry sufficiently and in a timely fashion, and it may tend to result in cracking The preferred thickness for the pliable paint material is equivalent to the thickness of well known cellophane tape When the pliable paint material has been applied to the leather piece, the pliable paint must then be dried using the same process described above for the lacquer thinner, except that the drying step in this instance will take less time and will conducted using a slightly cooler flow of air In particular, the preferred range for drying the pliable paint material is the range of 60° to 70°F This temperature range will prevent the formation of bubbles during the drying stage of the process For the manual operation, the drying step, using the hand held hair dryer usually takes approximately 3 minutes A second coat of pliable paint is then applied to the first coat using the same procedure as discussed above for the first coat This second coat is slightly thicker, than the first coat and care should be taken to ensure that the second coat bonds with the first coat The second coat is then dried in a substantially similar manner to that which is described immediately above, however the second coat is dried for some time longer than the first coat, typically from 3 to 5 minutes in the context of the manual operation It is most preferable for the foregoing operations of cleaning, drying and applying of the pliable paint occur in a room having low humidity Once the second coat of pliable paint is applied to the leather piece, the entire piece should be allowed to dry for a period of approximately 12 to 15 hours at a temperature of 80° to 90°F It is preferred that the leather piece be placed flat on a surface to facilitate the drying step If the user is able to provide a heated atmosphere for the leather pieces treated according to the steps outlined above, the drying stage may be reduced For example, the drying time may be reduced to 4 to 6 hours if the ambient temperature is maintained at 90° to 100°F Should the temperature need to be lower for this stage, the leather pieces may be dried for a period of 15 to 24 hours at a temperature of 70° to 80°F Each of these approximate time periods for the drying step of the process is designed to ensure that the pliable paint material 10 penetrates into the leather piece 1 and adheres to the leather, such that the pliable paint 10 may be better suited to withstand the temperatures and pressures to applied during the application of the image to the leather piece When the pliable paint has been properly dried it is ready for the application of the image The immediate source of the image is a transfer paper The transfer paper is designed to be a medium which provides for text or images to be applied to it and to adhere to the paper until it is removed with the appropriate amount of heat and pressure An example of such transfer paper is paper known as THE MAGIC TOUCH^®, a paper which faciliates the transfer of images produced by The Magic Touch GmbH, a German company An image, which is to be applied to the leather piece, can be created in any manner, including the use of photography, painting, digital drawing packages using personal computers, or other sources When the image is in a form such as a painting, illustration or some other tangible medium, the process of this invention calls for the image to be applied to the transfer paper This application of the image is most easily accomplished by using a laser copier, such as a CANON^® laser copier or other copying device to copy the image on to the transfer paper The laser copier should be set to create a "mirror image" of the image actually placed in it for copying This mirror image is copied onto the transfer paper which is then used to contact the dried and prepared pliable paint material 10 on the leather piece 1, as set forth in the description to follow When the image is created using a personal computer drawing package such as PhotoShop and other like packages, the image created can be sent to a laser printer to create a hard copy of the image This printout may then be treated the same as described above and inserted into a laser copier or like device, set on mirror image, to apply the image to the transfer paper Should the laser printer be equipped with a setting for mirror image, the laser printer may be used to print the image created using the drawing package directly on to the transfer paper Referring to FIG. 6, there is an illustration of the prepared leather piece 1 mounted on a transfer platform 20 and held in place to prevent shifting during the transfer process. The transfer paper 21 is then positioned on top of the prepared leather piece 1 such that the mirror image on the transfer paper 21 is over the area which was cleaned and to which the pliable paint was applied. When the image 22 is properly positioned, the invention calls for the application of heat and pressure to provide for the complete transfer of the image 22 on the transfer paper 21 to the prepared leather piece 1. A flat heater 23 is preferred for the application of heat and pressure. This heater 23 is pressed downward onto the transfer paper 21 for approximately 20 to 25 seconds at a temperature of approximately 350°F. It is recommended that the user apply approximately 20-35 pounds per square inch of pressure to ensure an effective transfer of the image 22. Too much heat or too long of an exposure to the heat/pressure combination will tend to burn the image 22 and leather 1. When the image 22 has been transferred, and the transfer paper 21 has cooled down, the transfer paper 21 is maintained on the leather piece and the piece is then ready for further treatment. Prior to the removal of the transfer paper 21, a dampened sponge may be used to apply some water to the transfer paper 21 to accelerate the cooling process. Another sponge, or the reverse side of the dampened sponge used to cool the transfer paper 21, may be used to soak up the residual water from the transfer paper 21 Prior to the removal of the transfer paper, the image is best treated by a burnishing process. This process ensures that the image is securely embedded into the leather and that any residual air bubbles from the transfer process are removed. The burnishing step may be a two step procedure. Referring to FIG. 7, the first step of the burnishing process may include the use of a blackboard eraser 24 or similar material to stroke the transfer paper 21 over the applied image in short sweeps or rubbing motion, while applying some pressure to the transfer paper. For some images, it is desirable to use a firmer material than an eraser, such as a rubber or wooden roller. The rubbing or rolling motion provides for good contact and penetration of the image into the leather 1. Periodically, as needed, additional exposure to the application of heat and pressure as detailed above, ensures the application of the image to the leather. Each application of the heat and pressure, will require the cooling and burnishing steps described herein. Should the user desire to create a three-dimensional effect in the area of the image 22 positioned on the leather piece 1, it is possible to include a step which creates such texture in the imaged leather. Specifically, once the transfer paper has cooled and been removed following the last burnishing operation, the user may maintain the leather piece 1 on the heater 23 and apply a piece of wax paper 25 on to the leather with the image, as depicted in FIG. 8. The wax paper 25 is the same paper which is available in grocery stores. If we assume that the user desires to have a flower design embossed into the imaged leather, he may create a template 26 of a flower using for example, a plastic or wire material formed in the shape of a flower and apply the template 26 to the wax paper 25. When the template 26 and wax paper 25 are in position over the image 22, the user then applies another round of heat and temperature, as described above for the transfer step. This process then creates an embossed effect of the flower design into the image 22 and leather 1. Moreover, is the user desires to induce a "worn" effect to the surface of the image on the leather, he can apply the wax paper 25 after wrinkling the paper and performing all of the other steps outlined above. Each of the steps described above is directly translatable into a fully automated process for the treatment and preparation of leather materials and the application of images to such material.

Claims

I CLAIM

1 A system for preparing animal skin to receive a transfer of one or more images, the system comprising a stretching device to secure at least one portion of said animal skin, and to stretch said at least one portion of said animal skin to remove wrinkles therefrom, a cleaning device for applying a gentle rubbing action to a targeted portion of said at least one portion of said animal skin to remove any surface waxes present on said at least one portion of said animal skin, wherein the targeted portion is defined as the region of the animal skin to be imaged, an application platform for applying at least one coat of a pliable paint material to said targeted portion of said at least one portion of said animal skin a transfer platform on which at least the targeted portion of said at least one portion of said animal skin is placed, at least one transfer medium placed on said at least one portion of said animal skin, said transfer medium comprising a reproduced image thereon, a transfer press having a heating mechanism, said transfer press being placed on said transfer medium such that said transfer press applies pressure and heat to said transfer medium and to said targeted portion of at least one portion of said animal skin, wherein said reproduced image is transferred to said pliable paint material located in said targeted portion of said at least one portion of said animal skin

2 The system of claim 1 wherein said cleaning device comprises a rotating surface to distribute even circular motion to the cleaning of said at least one portion of said leather piece

3 The system of claim 2 wherein said rotating surface of said cleaning device comprises a cloth material

4 The system of claim 1 wherein said application platform further comprises a mechanism for spray painting said pliable paint material onto said targeted portion of said at least one portion of said animal skin

5 The system of claim 1 further comprising a copying device to create said reproduced image on said at least one transfer medium and wherein said at least one transfer medium further comprises transfer paper suitably designed to provide for said reproduced image to adhere thereto and to provide for a transfer of said reproduced image upon the application of an appropriate level of temperature and heat

6 A method of preparing animal skin material and transferring one or more images thereto, the steps of the method comprising stretching the animal skin remove wrinkles therefrom, cleaning a targeted portion of the animal skin wherein said targeted portion is defined as the region of the animal skin to be imaged, by gently rubbing the surface of the animal skin to remove any waxes present, applying at least one coat of a pliable paint material to the targeted portion of the animal skin, placing the animal skin on a transfer platform and placing a transfer medium on to the animal skin and in contact with the pliable paint material in the targeted portion of the animal skin, the transfer medium having a reproduced image adhered thereto, transferring the reproduced image to the pliable paint material in the targeted portion of the animal skin by applying pressure and heat to the transfer medium while it is in contact with the targeted portion of the animal skin

7 The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of inspecting the animal skin to ensure that the pores of the animal skin are free of dirt and obstructions

8 The method of claim 7 wherein the step of cleaning the targeted portion of the animal skin comprises the steps of applying a lacquer thinner to the surface of the animal skin and rubbing the lacquer thinner into the pores of the animal skin using a clean cloth material

9 The method of claim 7 wherein the step of applying at least one coat of a pliable paint material to the targeted portion of the animal skin comprises the step of spray painting the pliable paint material onto the targeted portion

10 The method of claim 7 further comprising the steps of creating an image and reproducing the image onto a transfer medium by copying the image using a laser copier set to reproduce the image in a mirror format

11 The method of claim 7 further comprising the steps of creating an image and reproducing the image onto a transfer medium by printing the image using a laser copier

12 The method of claim 7 wherein the step of transferring the reproduced image comprises the steps of using a flat iron heater and pressing down on the heater to effect a transfer of the reproduced image to the pliable paint material in the targeted portion of the animal skin

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising the steps of applying approximately 20-35 pounds of pressure at a temperature of approximately 350°F.

14. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of drying the animal skin and the applied image for a predetermined time at a temperature between 70°F and 100°F.

15. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of transferring the reproduced image to the pliable paint material further comprises the steps of: cooling the transfer medium and targeted portion of the animal skin while the transfer medium is in place over the targeted portion; and burnishing the image by applying rubbing action with pressure over the transfer medium to ensure a complete transfer of the image to the animal skin.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of transferring the reproduced image to the pliable paint material further comprises the steps of: cooling the transfer medium and targeted portion of the animal skin while the transfer medium is in place over the targeted portion; burnishing the image by applying rubbing action with pressure over the transfer medium to ensure a complete transfer of the image to the animal skin; and repeating the application of temperature and pressure until the reproduced image is completely transferred to the animal skin.

17. The method of claim 12 further comprising the steps of: preparing a template of a design to be applied to the transferred reproduced image and the animal skin to create an embossed effect; applying a wax paper medium over the transferred reproduced image and the targeted portion of the animal skin; placing the prepared template on the wax paper over the transferred reproduced image and the targeted portion of the animal skin; and repeating the application of temperature and pressure to impress the template into the heated transferred reproduced image and targeted portion of the animal skin.