具体实施方式：
[0026]The following detailed description provides a better understanding of the features and advantages of the inventions described in the present disclosure in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein. Although the detailed description includes many specific embodiments, these are provided by way of example only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the inventions disclosed herein.
[0027]The presently disclosed surface printed ornamental indicia carriers can be used with many objects such as oral appliances. Examples of suitable oral appliances include, sports guards, mouthpieces, aligners, tooth positioners, retainers, apnea devices, jaw repositioning devices, and palatal expanders. Although reference is made to oral appliances, the presently disclosed ornamental carriers can be used with many objects in addition to oral appliances.
[0028]FIG. 1 shows an oral appliance 100 and one or more surface printed ornamental indicia carriers 110 placed on the appliance. The appliance 100 can be configured to fit over an entire dental arch 120. In other embodiments, the dental appliance may be designed to fit over some or all of the teeth in the upper or lower jaw. The dental appliance 100 can be fabricated from a polymeric shell, or formed from another material, and include a number of cavities shaped to receive corresponding teeth. Aligners for positioning teeth are commercially available from Align Technology.
[0029]In some embodiments, a dental appliance can include a multi-layer material having a first layer with a first elastic modulus and a second layer with a second elastic modulus less than the first elastic modulus. A dental appliance can also include various combinations of materials, including alternating configurations of hard and soft material (e.g., hard, soft, hard material combinations; soft, hard, soft material combinations; etc.). Suitable polymeric materials for a first polymer layer can include a polyester, a co-polyester, a polycarbonate, a thermoplastic polyurethane, a polypropylene, a polyethylene, a polypropylene and polyethylene copolymer, an acrylic, a cyclic block copolymer, a polyetheretherketone, a polyamide, a polyethylene terephthalate, a polybutylene terephthalate, a polyetherimide, a polyethersulfone, a polytrimethylene terephthalate or a combination thereof (e.g., a blend of at least two of the listed hard polymeric materials). In some embodiments, a first polymer layer of a dental appliance can include polymeric materials, such as a polycarbonate, a co-polyester, a polyester, and a thermoplastic polyurethane. In some embodiments, a first layer can be composed of multiple layers, e.g., two or three polymer layers co-extruded to form one layer.
[0030]A first polymer layer can have a variety of physical properties that can, e.g., improve treatment options for a practitioner. For example, physical properties such as tensile strength, elongation at yield, elongation at break, tensile modulus, flexural modulus, stress relaxation over time, and light transmission can each be specifically tailored for a particular application. In some embodiments, a first polymer layer of the appliances can have a physical property of at least one of a tensile strength at yield of between about 4000 pounds per square inch (psi) and 6500 psi, an elongation at yield of greater than about 4%, an elongation at break of greater than about 70%, a tensile modulus of greater than about 150,000 psi, a flexural modulus greater than about 150,000 psi, a stress relaxation at 24 hours testing in a wet environment (e.g., between about 90%-100% relative humidity) is greater than 10%, and a light transmission between 400 nm and 800 nm of greater than about 75%.
[0031]Suitable polymeric materials for a second polymer layer can include a styrenic block copolymer (SBC), a silicone rubber, an elastomeric alloy, a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), a thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) elastomer, a polyurethane elastomer, a block copolymer elastomer, a polyolefin blend elastomer, a thermoplastic co-polyester elastomer, a thermoplastic polyamide elastomer, or a combination thereof (e.g., a blend of at least two of the listed polymeric materials). The second polymer layers can be the same material or a different material. In certain embodiments, different layers in a dental appliance are the same polymeric material.
[0032]A second polymer can have a variety of physical properties. For example, physical properties such as hardness, ultimate tensile strength, elongation at break, tensile modulus, compression set, flexural modulus, and light transmission can each be specifically tailored for a particular application. In some embodiments, a second polymer layer can independently have a physical property of at least one of a hardness of about 60 A to about 85 D, an ultimate tensile strength of greater than about 5000 psi, an elongation at break of greater than about 200%, a compression set at about 70° C. of greater than 40% after 24 hours, a flexural modulus of greater than about 35,000 psi, and a light transmission between 400 nm and 800 nm of greater than about 75%.
[0033]As described herein, the layers of the appliances can include a first polymer layer disposed between two second polymer layers. In one embodiment, the multilayer appliances can include a first polymer layer of one type of material (e.g., a co-polyester), and two second polymer layers of other types of material that can be the same or different (e.g., two second polymer layers of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer). In some embodiments, the multilayer appliances can also include a first polymer layer of at least two layers of polymer material. For example, the first polymer layer can include several polymer layers laminated together to form the first polymer layer. The laminated first polymer layer can include at least two layers of any combination of the following polymer materials: a polyester, a co-polyester, a polycarbonate, a thermoplastic polyurethane, a polypropylene, a polyethylene, a polypropylene and polyethylene copolymer, an acrylic, a cyclic block copolymer, a polyetheretherketone, a polyamide, a polyethylene terephthalate, a polybutylene terephthalate, a polyetherimide, a polyethersulfone, and a polytrimethylene terephthalate. Similarly, in some embodiments, the multilayer appliances can include a second polymer layer of at least two layers of polymer material. In some embodiments, the layers of an appliance can include a second polymer layer disposed between two first polymer layers. Any of the foregoing materials can be used for this combination.
[0034]The one or more ornamental indicia carriers 110 can be placed at any suitable location of the oral appliance 100. The ornamental indicia carrier 110 comprises suitable materials for use with an oral appliance 100. Although reference is made to UV curable inks, other print techniques can be used such as water based inks or solvent based inks.
[0035]In some embodiments, the ornamental carrier 110 comprises a polyolefin film to provide a combination of clarity, flexibility and robustness suitable for use with appliances. For example, oriented polyolefin films such as biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) films can be used as thin gauge, high clarity and conformable films for decorating objects such as oral appliances. As a thin film, BOPP films have an appropriate stiffness in the machine direction during printing to decrease stretching of the film when moving through rollers of a printing press. These films can also have coextruded skin layers that can be corona treated to improve print adhesion, in some instances without requiring an additional top-coat layer.
[0036]In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a non-contact printing process such as inkjet printing can be used with thin BOPP films with thickness in the range of 35 microns to 60 microns that can be handled through the process without substantial stretching or web breaking.
[0037]The inks can be configured to match the BOPP film, printhead, UV curing system and other elements of the printing system and process. The process of designing a finely tuned ink system can involve refining the printed image quality with good physical properties such as adhesion, flexibility and scratch resistance. Based on the teachings disclosed herein, one or ordinary skill in the can design an ink system to deliver a high-quality indelible marking of the indicia with appropriate durability.
[0038]In some embodiments, incomplete curing of the ink can be addressed by applying first a UV ink followed by an overprint varnish (OPV) and curing. This approach enables UV inks with lower levels of photoinitiator to be used. This can be achieved by applying an OPV layer (preferably UV curable) onto a previously partially cured ink layer, and then exposing the combined ink-OPV bi-layer to further UV irradiation. The OPV and ink can be formulated in such a way that applying them on top of each other allows the partially cured ink to become fully cured when protected from atmospheric oxygen by the overlaying OPV. In some embodiments, the ink of the OPV bilayer is exposed to a second dose of UV-irradiation that results in further radical generation throughout the underlying ink layer resulting in further conversion of unreacted monomer. In some embodiments, an in-line process for the preparation of decorative indicia by the ink-OPV combination encompasses the deposition of the ink component first, with subsequent preliminary (or ‘pinning’) UV-cure, followed by the deposition of the OPV component, with subsequent cure of the ink-OPV layer with a suitable dose of UV-light. In some embodiments, the OPV component also provides functionality that may not be readily achievable by the inks alone. For example, the OPV can be modified to provide the required slip, abrasion resistance, chemical resistance required of the printed ink-OPV combination.
[0039]In some embodiments, an alternate way to achieve indelible marking of indicia is by printing a mirror or reverse image that is visible through the clear flexible film. This approach may decrease the need for an OPV to protect the surface printed inks. Such reverse printed indicia can be produced by printing on the thin BOPP film as described herein, applying the adhesive to the printed side of the film over the ink and laminating the combination to a pre-silicone-coated polymeric film or paper liner. Reverse printed indicia can be further combined with white ink printed over the reverse image to create an opaque background which enhances the color density and graphic quality of the printed indicia. In some embodiments, the opaque background color may not be white. In some embodiment, the opaque background may have a color selected to match the color and a patient's teeth. In some embodiment, the opaque background may have a color selected within a range of human tooth colors.
[0040]Thin flexible BOPP film printed with UV inkjet inks in either surface printed or reverse printed format can be subsequently combined with a pressure sensitive adhesive that adheres well to a variety of materials typically used in medical and dental devices. In some embodiments, the pressure sensitive adhesive is a high tack synthetic rubber-based transfer adhesive designed for medical device applications and is approved for use on skin.
[0041]In some embodiments, an ornamental indicia carrier can remain durably adhered to a dental appliance “Durably adhered,” as used herein, may refer to an adherence property of a material (e.g., an ornamental indicia carrier). Durably adhered, as used herein, may refer to a material remaining adhered to a surface, even under humid and/or wet conditions, and being able to withstand abrasive, rubbing, and/or other mechanical forces. Whether a material is durably adhered to another can be assessed by any number of tests, including abrasiveness tests and/or liquid immersion tests (e.g., water immersion tests). In some embodiments, a process that results in an ornamental indicia carrier remaining adhered at a desired level, such as greater than 75%, greater than 90%, greater than 95%, greater than 99%, or 100%, after a 24 hour water immersion test, including for water at a temperature corresponding to the oral cavity, may be characterized as durably adhered, including for a standard adhesive test such as by a tape test.
[0042]“High humidity” or “wet environment,” as used herein may refer to environments having a substantial liquid aspect. For example, the oral cavity of a living animal, including a human, may be considered herein to be a high humidity and a wet environment. Immersion, total or partial, in a liquid may also be considered a wet environment.
[0043]Unless explicitly defined otherwise, “substantial,” as used herein, may refer to a value that is within at least 20%, within at least 10%, or within at least 5% of a desired value, or that is equal to a value.
[0044]“Soak time,” as used herein, may refer to the time elapsed between ink application/contact with the substrate and the process of curing. A precise soak time may depend on process conditions and material variables, including temperature, ink composition, material composition and/or shape (e.g., adhesive composition and/or shape), for example. Similarly, an application of interest in which an ornamental indicia carrier will be used may influence soak time. For example, applications requiring stronger adhesion may have a longer soak time than applications where a lesser adhesive force is suitable.
[0045]“Operably coupled,” as used herein, may refer to a configuration between two or more components such that the functionality of each component is maintained. Operably coupled may include configurations in which components are directly connected to each other as well as configurations where components are indirectly connected to one.
[0046]“Polymer,” as used herein, may refer to a molecule composed of repeating structural units connected by covalent chemical bonds often characterized by a substantial number of repeating units (e.g., equal to or greater than 3 repeating units, optionally, in some embodiments equal to or greater than 10 repeating units, in some embodiments greater or equal to 30 repeating units) and a high molecular weight (e.g. greater than or equal to 10,000 Da, in some embodiments greater than or equal to 50,000 Da or greater than or equal to 100,000 Da). Polymers are commonly the polymerization product of one or more monomer precursors. The term polymer includes homopolymers, or polymers consisting essentially of a single repeating monomer subunit. The term polymer also includes copolymers which are formed when two or more different types of monomers are linked in the same polymer. Useful polymers include organic polymers or inorganic polymers that may be in amorphous, semi-amorphous, crystalline or semi-crystalline states.
[0047]“Polymer network,” as used herein, may refer to a polymer composition comprising a plurality of polymer chains wherein a large portion (e.g., >80%) and optionally all the polymer chains are interconnected, for example via covalent crosslinking, to form a single polymer composition. In an embodiment, there is provided a radiopaque polymer in the form of a crosslinked network in which at least some of the crosslinks of the network structure are formed by covalent bonds.
[0048]“Monomer,” as used herein, may refer to a reagent which can undergo polymerization under one or more specified conditions. A monomer reagent may comprise at least one monomer molecule, where a monomer molecule is a molecule which can undergo polymerization, thereby contributing constitutional units to the structure of a macromolecule or oligomer. In an embodiment, a monomer reagent may be represented by an average or dominant chemical structure and comprise monomer molecules having that chemical structure but may also contain components with other chemical structures. For example, a monomer reagent may comprise impurities having chemical structures other than the average or dominant structure of the reagent. An oligomer or oligomeric reagent is also a reagent which can undergo polymerization under appropriate conditions. An oligomeric reagent comprises an oligomer molecule, the oligomer molecule comprising a small plurality of units derived from molecules of lower relative molecular mass. In an embodiment, certain hyperbranched crosslinking reagents suitable for use with the invention may be regarded as oligomeric reagents.
[0049]The term “biocompatible” refers to a material that does not cause immune rejection or detrimental effect, which is referred to herein as an adverse immune response, when disposed within an in vivo biological environment. For example, In embodiments, a biological marker indicative of an immune response changes less than 10%, or less than 20%, or less than 25%, or less than 40%, or less than 50% from a reference value. when a human or animal is exposed to or comes into contact with the biocompatible material. Alternatively, the immune response can be determined histologically, in which the localized immune response is assessed by means of visual assessment markers, which include immune cells or markers that are involved in the path of the immune response, in and adjacent to the material. In one aspect, a biocompatible material or device does not observably change the immune response as determined histologically. In some embodiments, the present invention provides biocompatible devices configured for long-term use, such as on the order of weeks to months, without invoking an adverse immune response. Biological effects can be initially assessed by measuring cytotoxicity, sensitization, irritation and intracutaneous reactivity, acute systemic toxicity, pyrogenicity, subacute/subchronic toxicity and/or implantation. Biological tests for supplemental evaluation include tests for chronic toxicity.
[0050]A surface printed ornamental indicia carrier as shown in FIG. 2A. The carrier comprises a top print laminate 20 and a bottom adhesive laminate 30. In some embodiments, the top print laminate 20 comprises an oriented print layer 26. The orientated print layer 26 comprises a core layer 24, a first adhesion layer 23 and a second adhesion layer 25. The print layer 26 comprises a thickness within a range from 10 μm to 100 μm, and preferably 30 μm to 70 μm, for example from 35 μm to 60 μm. The print layer 26 may be made from Biofilm Bioseal-TSI Product CC4535, 35 μm transparent coextruded BOPP film sold by Taghleef Industries, Newark, Del. or Transprop HSCT1-F, 60 μm coextruded two side heat sealable BOPP film sold by Transcendia, Franklin Park, Ill. The first adhesion layer 23 extends over the core layer 24 and can extend fully contiguous over one surface of the core layer 24. The second adhesion layer 25 extends along a second surface of the core layer 24. In some embodiments, the exposed surface of the first adhesion layer is treated to enhance print adhesion. For example, the surface treatment may comprise one or more methods such as corona, flame or plasma treatment techniques.
[0051]The treated surface may then be decorated by an ink layer 22 printed using UV inkjet printing. The ink layer 22 can further comprise one or more specific colored inks and an optional white ink to provide opacity in order to enhance color density. The ink layer can be fully or partially contiguous across the surface of the top print laminate. In some embodiments, ink layer 22 is provided using UV inks that are jetted through an inkjet printing system. In some embodiments, ink layer 22 comprises one or more of Epson's LED-cured UV ink with digital varnish and high opacity white ink printed using an Epson SurePress L-6034VW from Epson America, Long Beach, Calif., or Amica's NuviINK single-pass series UV inks printed using an Amica LR54 full color inkjet web press from Amica Systems, Irvine, Calif.
[0052]In some embodiments, the bottom laminate 30 comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive layer 31 and a removable protective liner 32 over a surface of the pressure sensitive adhesive. In some embodiments, the removable protective liner 32 comprises a silicone coated release paper. The removable protector may be divided into two or more pieces. In some embodiments, at least one of the protector pieces is significantly larger than the other or others and covers a major proportion of the adhesive layer. In some embodiments, the suitable removable protective liner 32 comprises a bleached Kraft paper with silicone coated on one or both sides. In some embodiments, the removable protective liner 32 comprises a thickness within a range from 100 μm to 200 μm, and preferably from 80 μm to 150 μm, for example 90 μm.
[0053]In some embodiments, the ornamental indicia carrier is constructed such that the adhesion layer 25 of the top print laminate is facing and in contact with the pressure sensitive adhesive layer 31 of the bottom adhesive laminate. In some embodiments, the top laminate 20 and adhesive laminate 30 are fully contiguous across their interface. The pressure sensitive adhesive layer 31 may be formed from an adhesive which is suitable for contact with the skin. The pressure sensitive adhesive may comprise a high tack synthetic rubber-based transfer adhesive designed for medical device applications and approved for use on skin. The pressure sensitive adhesive layer 31 may also be sufficiently clear to see through to the dental appliance surface. The pressure sensitive adhesive layer 31 has thickness within a range from 50 μm to 200 μm, preferably 80 to 150 μm, for example from 50 μm to 110 μm. In some embodiments, the pressure sensitive adhesive layer 31 includes 3M Product 1504XL sold by 3M Medical Specialties, St. Paul, Minn.; Polyken 3426A sold by Berry Plastics, Franklin, Mass.
[0054]FIG. 2B shows a method 200 of fabricating a printed ornamental indicia carrier. At block 210 a core layer of film is formed. In some embodiments, the core layer of film, such as the biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film, may be formed using a tubular process or a tenter frame process to stretch the film in both a machine and transverse direction. In some embodiments, the core layer of film may be provided to or otherwise received by a printing or fabrication machine for use in the fabrication of the printed ornamental indicia carrier.
[0055]At block 220 an adhesion layer is formed on a surface of the core layer. The adhesion layer may be formed on an external or outer surface of the core layer of film. In some embodiments, the adhesion layer is a surface treatment of the core layer of film. A surface treatment may include treatments to enhance ink and print adhesion on the surface of the core layer film. The surface treatment may include one or more of corona, flame or plasma treatment techniques to prepare the surface receiving the ink layer. The surface treatment process may cause the molecular chains of the surface polymers to be broken into allow polar functional groups to be added to the broken chains, thereby creating an outer surface that is more suitable for receiving ink and for coupling to adhesives.
[0056]At block 230 an ink layer is formed on the adhesion layer. The ink layer may be formed by inkjet printing a UV curable ink onto the adhesion layer. The ink layer may comprise one or more inks. In some embodiments the ink layer may include multiple layers of ink. For example, a first one or more layers of ink may include a mixture of the primary ink pigments to create a color image and a second one or more layers may include a base layer of white in order to provide opacity into enhance the color density of the indicia. In a front printed indicia, such as shown in FIG. 2A, the base layer may be printed before the one or more color layers. In some embodiments, a UV curing step may occur between each printing operation. For example, after each layer is printed, that layer is cured using UV light. In some embodiments, the UV curing step occurs only after all the ink layers are printed. In some embodiments, the base layer is cured after it is printed and then the ink layers are printed on top of the cured base layer and finally, the ink layers are cured.
[0057]At block 240 an adhesion layer and a protective liner are coupled to the core layer of film. In some embodiments, a laminate layer comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive layer and a removable protective liner are coupled, as a unit, to the laminate layer. In some embodiments the pressure sensitive adhesive layer may be applied to the core layer first and then the laminate layer may be applied to the pressure sensitive adhesive layer.
[0058]Although the blocks of method 200 are depicted as taking place in sequential order, in some embodiments, the order of the blocks may be arranged differently. For example, the adhesion layer and the protective liner layer may be coupled to the core layer before the ink is printed and cured on the core layer.
[0059]FIG. 3A shows a surface printed ornamental indicia carrier comprising a top print laminate 20 and an adhesive laminate 30. The top print laminate 20 comprises an oriented print layer 26. The oriented print layer 26 comprises a core layer 24, a first adhesion layer 23 and a second adhesion layer 25. The first adhesion layer 23 extends along the core layer 24 and can be fully contiguous over a surface of the core layer. The second adhesion layer 25 extends along a second surface of the core layer 24. In some embodiments, the exposed surface of the first adhesion layer is further treated to enhance print adhesion. The treated surface can then be decorated by ink layer printed using UV inkjet printing. The ink layer can be fully or partially contiguous across the surface of the top print laminate. A clear overprint varnish (OPV) is then applied over the UV ink to encapsulate the image areas on the surface. The clear OPV can be fully or partially contiguous across the image area so as to encapsulate the UV ink, for example so as to fully encapsulate the UV ink. The clear OPV can be applied by one or more techniques such as direct coating, transfer coating or printing. In some embodiments the OPV layer is printed, for example by in-line UV inkjet printing. In some embodiments, the OPV layer is present only in the areas where the ink layer is present. The bottom laminate 30 comprises of a pressure sensitive adhesive layer 31 and a removable protective liner 32 extending over a surface of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer 31. The ornamental indicia carrier can be constructed such that the adhesion layer 25 of the top print laminate is facing and in contact with the pressure sensitive adhesive layer 31 of the bottom adhesive laminate. In some embodiments, the top laminate 20 and bottom laminate 30 are fully contiguous across their interface.
[0060]In some embodiments, the pressure sensitive adhesive layers 31 may preferably be formed from an adhesive which is configured for contact with the skin. The pressure sensitive adhesive can be a high tack synthetic rubber-based transfer adhesive designed for medical device applications and is approved for use on skin. In some embodiments, the pressure sensitive adhesive layer 31 is sufficiently clear to see through to the ornamental indicia layer 510. In some embodiments, the pressure sensitive adhesive layer 31 is sufficiently clear to see through to the dental appliance surface. In some embodiments, the pressure sensitive adhesive layer 31 has thickness from 50 to 200 μm, and preferably 80 to 150 μm, for example 50 μm and 110 μm.
[0061]In some embodiments, pressure sensitive adhesive layer 31 includes 3M Product 1504XL sold by 3M Medical Specialties, St. Paul, Minn.; or Polyken 3426A sold by Berry Plastics, Franklin, Mass.
[0062]FIG. 3B shows a method 300 of fabricating a printed ornamental indicia carrier. At block 210 a core layer of film is formed. In some embodiments, the core layer of film, such as the biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film, may be formed using a tubular process or a tenter frame process to stretch the film in both a machine and transverse direction. In some embodiments, the core layer of film may be provided to or otherwise received by a printing or fabrication machine for use in the fabrication of the printed ornamental indicia carrier.
[0063]At block 320 an adhesion layer is formed on a surface of the core layer. The adhesion layer may be formed on an external or outer surface of the core layer of film. In some embodiments, the adhesion layer is a surface treatment of the core layer of film. A surface treatment may include treatments to enhance ink and print adhesion on the surface of the core layer film. The surface treatment may include one or more of corona, flame or plasma treatment techniques to prepare the surface receiving the ink layer. The surface treatment process may cause the molecular chains of the surface polymers to be broken into allow polar functional groups to be added to the broken chains, thereby creating an outer surface that is more suitable for receiving ink and for coupling to adhesives.
[0064]At block 330 an ink layer is formed on the adhesion layer. The ink layer may be formed by inkjet printing a UV curable ink onto the adhesion layer. The ink layer may comprise one or more inks. In some embodiments the ink layer may include multiple layers of ink. For example, a first one or more layers of ink may include a mixture of the primary ink pigments to create a color image and a second one or more layers may include a base layer of white in order to provide opacity into enhance the color density of the indicia. In a front printed indicia, such as shown in FIG. 2B, the base layer may be printed before the one or more color layers. In some embodiments, a UV curing step may occur between each printing operation. For example, after each layer is printed, that layer is cured using UV light. In some embodiments, the UV curing step occurs only after all the ink layers are printed. In some embodiments, the base layer is cured after it is printed and then the ink layers are printed on top of the cured base layer and finally, the ink layers are cured.
[0065]At block 335 in overprint varnish layer is formed. The overprint varnish layer may be a clear overprint varnish layer that encapsulates the ink image areas on the surface of the core layer. In some embodiments the overprint varnish may be applied to the indicia carrier through one or more of a direct coating, a transfer coating or a printing application. In some embodiments the overprint varnish layer may fully encapsulate the ink printed on the ink layer, while in some embodiments, the overprint varnish layer may be applied only on the areas where the ink layer is present.
[0066]In some embodiments, the ink layer is only partially cured before the overprint varnish layer is applied. In some embodiments, the ink layer is at least partially cured, for example fully cured, before the overprint varnish layer is applied and then cured. In some embodiments, the ink layer is at least partially, but not fully cured before the overprint varnish layers applied and then cured. In some embodiments, the ink layer and the overprint varnish layer are at least partially cured at the same time
[0067]At block 340 an adhesion layer and a protective liner are coupled to the core layer of film. In some embodiments, a laminate layer comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive layer and a removable protective liner are coupled, as a unit, to the laminate layer. In some embodiments the pressure sensitive adhesive layer may be applied to the core layer first and then the laminate layer may be applied to the pressure sensitive adhesive layer.
[0068]Although the blocks of method 300 are depicted as taking place in sequential order, in some embodiments, the order of the blocks may be arranged differently. For example, the adhesion layer and the protective liner layer may be coupled to the core layer before the ink is printed in cured on the core layer.
[0069]A reverse printed ornamental indicia carrier is shown in FIG. 4A. The reverse printed ornamental indicia carrier comprises a top print laminate 20 and a bottom adhesive laminate 30. The top print laminate 20 comprises an oriented print layer 26. The oriented print layer 26 comprises the core layer 24, the first adhesion layer 23 and the second adhesion layer 25. The first adhesion layer 23 extends along a first