Granted Patent B2

US 10,160,258 · App. 12/685,131 · Granted Dec 25, 2018

Abstract

Claims (45)

1. A heat transfer label assembly comprising:

a carrier;

a release layer disposed on the carrier;

a primer disposed on the release layer such that at least a portion of the release layer is positioned between the carrier and the primer, wherein the primer comprises a polyacrylic acid polymer and a polyethylene polymer; and

ink disposed on the primer, such that at least a portion of the primer is positioned between the release layer and the ink, and wherein the ink is disposed on the primer at digital printing temperatures.

2. The heat transfer label assembly of claim 1 , wherein the polyacrylic acid polymer comprises a polyacrylic acid copolymer.

3. The heat transfer label assembly of claim 2 , wherein the polyacrylic acid copolymer comprises an ethylene acrylic acid copolymer.

4. The heat transfer label assembly of claim 1 , wherein the primer further comprises at least one of silica, wax, and talc.

5. The heat transfer label assembly of claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the polyacrylic acid polymer to the polyethylene polymer is from about 3:1 to about 7:1.

6. The heat transfer label assembly of claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the polyacrylic acid polymer to the polyethylene polymer is from about 4:1 to about 6:1.

7. The heat transfer label assembly of claim 1 , wherein the release layer comprises a material that softens upon sufficient exposure to heat.

8. The heat transfer label assembly of claim 1 , wherein the release layer comprises a wax.

9. The heat transfer label assembly of claim 1 , wherein the ink is digitally printed onto the primer.

10. The heat transfer label assembly of claim 1 , wherein the label further includes an adhesive disposed on the ink, such that the ink is positioned between the primer and the adhesive.

11. A method of making the heat transfer label assembly of claim 1 , comprising:

applying the primer to the release layer disposed on the carrier; and

digitally printing the ink onto the primer.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising applying an adhesive to the digitally printed ink.

13. A method of decorating a container, comprising:

bringing the heat transfer label assembly of claim 1 into contact with a container, the heat transfer label assembly being positioned so that the carrier is distal from the container;

applying heat to the heat transfer label assembly in contact with the container so that the release layer softens; and

removing the carrier and, optionally, at least a portion of the release layer, so that the ink is deposited on the container.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein

the heat transfer label assembly further includes an adhesive disposed on the ink, and

bringing the heat transfer label assembly into contact with the container comprises contacting the adhesive of the heat transfer label with the container.

15. A container decorated according to the method of claim 13 .

16. A method of making the heat transfer label assembly of claim 1 for decorating a container, the method comprising:

receiving a desired graphic content for a heat transfer label assembly from a requester;

making a sample of the heat transfer label assembly including the desired graphic content, wherein making the sample comprises digitally printing ink to provide the desired graphic content;

receiving approval from the requester to make the heat transfer label assembly; and

making the heat transfer label assembly.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein making the heat transfer label assembly comprises

applying the primer to the release layer disposed on the first side of the carrier; and

digitally printing the ink onto the primer.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein making the heat transfer label assembly further comprises applying adhesive onto the digitally printed ink.

19. A heat transfer label assembly comprising:

a wax coated paper;

a primer composition disposed on the wax coated paper, wherein the primer composition comprises a blend of a polyacrylic acid polymer and a polyethylene polymer and wherein the primer prevents destabilization of a print surface of the label due to softening of the release layer at digital printing temperatures; and

ink digitally printed onto the primer.

20. A heat transfer label assembly comprising:

a carrier comprising paper;

a release layer disposed on the paper;

a primer composition disposed on the release layer, wherein the primer composition comprises a blend of a polyacrylic acid polymer and a polyethylene polymer;

ink disposed directly on the primer at digital printing temperatures; and

adhesive disposed on the ink.

Assignments (24)