发明人：
O'LEARY, CAROLINE | VENTURELLI, MARCELLO | O'SULLIVAN, JOHN | JONES, DAVID
摘要：
An appliqué (9) of the invention comprises a disposable carrier film (7) onto which a release layer (6) and PU inks (5, 4) are printed using layering techniques. The ink layers (4, 5) can be multicoloured and each colour is applied sequentially using a conventional screen-printing method. A back-up (3), a lacquer layer (2), and an adhesive layer (1) are printed in sequence over the ink layers. The ink (4) includes reflective particles providing the optical effect of a 3- dimensional appliqué. The artwork is created by overlapping design layers to controlled specification sequences. The ink (4), because of the additives, creates a desired colour tone, and this may be enhanced by layering of the ink in an overlapping region (8). Thus, there are three main regions, namely a central region with reflective ink (4), a "shoulder" region with overlapping matt and reflective inks (4, 5) and an outer region with only matt ink (5).
技术功效语段：
According to the invention, there is provided an applique for applying a design to a fabric, the applique comprising: at least one ink layer printed on a substrate; and an application adhesive suitable for adhering the applique to a fabric, wherein the applique is adapted to provide a three-dimensional visual effect.
In one embodiment, at least one ink layer incorporates an additive to provide a three- dimensional visual effect in combination with other parts of the applique.
hi one embodiment, the lacquer layer allows the applique to stretch when the applique is applied to a fabric.
In a further aspect, the invention provides a method of manufacturing any applique as defined above comprising the steps of depositing the ink on the substrate in a manner to provide a three-dimensional effect.
In one embodiment, the insert bridges stacks of layers on either side in a manner whereby the insert has the effect of floating.
权利要求：
1. An applique for applying a design to a fabric, the applique comprising: at least one ink layer printed on a substrate; and an application adhesive suitable for adhering the applique to a fabric, wherein the applique is adapted to provide a three-dimensional visual effect.
2. An applique as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one ink layer incorporates an additive to provide a three-dimensional visual effect in combination with other parts of the applique.
3. An applique as claimed in claim 2, wherein the additive comprises reflective particles.
4. An applique as claimed in claim 3, wherein the reflective particles are coated in titanium dioxide or iron oxide.
5. An applique as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the additive comprises an agent which expands, such as with application of heat.
6. An applique as claimed in any claim 5, wherein the agent is a blowing agent.
7. An applique as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein there are multiple layers of ink at least two of which only partly overlap.
8. An applique as claimed in claim 7, wherein a layer includes an additive such as reflective particles or blowing agent and at least one other layer does not include an additive.
9. An applique as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the substrate is non-planar.
10. An applique as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising an insert of a material such as fabric or foil to provide a surface profile.
11. An applique as claimed in claim 10, wherein the insert bridges stacks of layers including the ink and the substrate.
12. An applique as claimed in claim 11, wherein the stacks include an upper disposable carrier, a release adhesive layer, an ink layer, and an opaque backer layer which is bonded to a lacquer layer.
13. An applique as claimed in claims 11 or 12, wherein the insert is secured to the stack on each side by adhesive in a manner whereby it is free-floating within the applique.
14. An applique as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein an ink is printed alongside a flock on a substrate in a desired pattern.
15. An applique as claimed in claim 14, wherein the surfaces of the ink and of the flock are at different levels.
16. An applique as claimed in claims 14 or 15, wherein the flock fibres are reinforced with a permanent thermosetting adhesive layer.
17. An applique as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the applique comprises an upper disposable carrier and a release adhesive layer.
18. An applique as in claim 17, where the carrier is of polyester material.
19. An applique as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the ink is between a release adhesive layer and a backer layer.
20. An applique as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one ink is a polyurethane ink.
21. An applique as claimed in either of claims 19 or 20, wherein the backer layer is positioned between an ink layer and a lacquer layer.
22. An applique as claimed in claim 21, wherein the backer layer comprises a polyurethane-based ink
23. An applique as claimed in any of claims 19 to 22, wherein the backer layer comprises a single polyurethane ink layer or multiple polyurethane ink layers.
24. An applique as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a lacquer layer is positioned between a backer layer and an adhesive layer.
25. An applique as claimed in claim 24, wherein the lacquer layer allows the applique to stretch when the applique is applied to a fabric.
26. An applique as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the applique comprises an adhesive layer comprising a hotmelt powder.
27. An applique as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the applique comprises an adhesive layer comprising an activated permanent thermosetting compound.
28. An applique as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the applique comprises an adhesive layer comprising a migration-resistant blocking agent.
29. A garment or piece of fabric comprising an applique of any preceding claim adhered thereto.
30. A method of decorating a fabric comprising the steps of applying an applique of any of claims 1 to 28 to the fabric.
31. A method of manufacturing an applique as claimed in any of claims 1 to 28 comprising the steps of depositing the ink on the substrate in a manner to provide a three-dimensional effect.
32. A method as claimed in claim 31, the method comprising the step of blending the ink with an additive to achieve a desired visual effect.
33. A method as claimed in claim 32, wherein the additive includes reflective particles.
34. A method as claimed in claims 32 or 33, wherein the additive includes a blowing agent or any other agent which expands to increase height of the ink.
35. A method as claimed in any of claims 31 to 34, comprising the step of overlapping ink layers in a pattern chosen according to a desired three-dimensional visual effect.
36. A method as claimed in any of claims 31 to 35, comprising the step of depositing an ink to a greater depth than another ink on the substrate.
37. A method as claimed in claim 36, wherein the inks are deposited with different screen- printing stencils.
38. A method as claimed in either of claims 36 or 37, wherein the inks have different viscosities.
39. A method as claimed in any of claims 31 to 38, wherein an insert is retained within the applique.
40. A method as claimed in claim 39, wherein the insert bridges stacks of layers on either side in a manner whereby the insert has the effect of floating.
41. A method as claimed in any of claims 31 to 40, wherein at least some of the ink is deposited alongside flock in a desired pattern on the substrate.