A printing structure

Abstract

The invention relates to a printing structure (A) for digital printing on irregularly shaped natural and artificial leather.

Description

[0001] A PRINTING STRUCTURE

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to a printing structure.

[0004] In particular, the invention relates to a printing structure for digital printing on irregularly shaped natural and artificial leather.

[0005] Background of the invention

[0006] The process of printing a digital-based image directly onto various materials is called digital printing.

[0007] Generally, professional printing is the process of printing small projects with large format and / or high-volume laser or inkjet printers using desktop publishing and other digital resources in printed form. Digital printing has a higher cost per page compared to offset printing methods, is preferred due to faster printing compared to offset and the absence of metal molds used in offset. Demands are responded faster, printing can be done at any time. As a result of the developing technology, the importance of saving time and the decreasing costs in digital printing, it has become easier to use and prefer this system.

[0008] The inks currently used in digital printing are not suitable for skin contact and do not meet the requirements of health certifications. The prints produced are not sufficiently durable structures for long-term use.

[0009] While printing on structures such as leather and artificial leather is already difficult, it becomes much more difficult for unmolded leather and artificial leather with irregular shapes. Currently, there is no reliable and cost-effective method for printing on unmolded leather.

[0010] Some of the methods currently used reduce the quality of leather by pressing natural leather at high temperatures.

[0011] In the literature, the US patent application no. US3909328A states the following in relation to the subject: “A process for decorating substrates comprises coating a film of a photosensitive composition in a thermoplastic binder onto a less adhesive carrier, photo-imaging the film, heating the film until the film is adhesive and contacting the film surface with a more adherent support, and then separating the carrier and support whereby the film adheres to the support. This process is useful for color decoration of apparel fabrics such as leather, vinyl and textiles. Tipping and valley printing effects are obtained by embossing while transferring”.

[0012] The above-mentioned application discloses the decoration of substrates by thermal transfer of a photosensitive, thermoplastic, paint-like film.

[0013] Again in the literature, the patent application no. BG2232 states the following in relation to the subject: “The utility model is in the field of production of printed products and relates to the structure of a book in which sheets made of a certain type of paper are attached to the paper part. The printed article comprises a book body comprising a series of sheets, front cover, back cover, all attached to the back. The layers are glued together with thermal adhesive. The first layer is glued to the inside of the front cover. The last layer is glued to the inside of the back cover. The covers are bound with a cover made of paper or leather. At least one sheet made of edible fondant and / or wafer paper is inserted between the sheets. The pages, bordered by at least one sheet, are clean, the covers have a thickness between 1 and 4 mm and are made of cardboard”. The above-mentioned application discloses a printing structure in which the layers are glued together with thermal adhesive.

[0014] Again in the literature, European patent application number EP0492258 states the following in relation to the subject: “A thermal transfer carrier, comprising a dimensionally stable carrier paper and a sheet-like layer of plastic applied thereupon, with the aid of which it is possible to transfer image motifs to textiles or other substrates, as well as a process for its production are described. The layer of plastic is advantageously formed by scattering a hot-melt adhesive powder onto a primer mixture applied to an adhesively coated carrier paper and producing a weak adhesive effect, as well as a subsequent smoothing and film-like compacting process under the effect of heat and pressure. The thermal transfer carrier according to the invention is particularly suitable for transferring black-and-white or coloured image motifs which have been applied by conventional printing methods, such as letter press printing or flexographic printing, flatbed printing or offset printing, photogravure or rotogravure printing and provides printing onto articles of clothing, textiles, foams, natural and synthetic leather, metal, glass, porcelain, wood and plastic surfaces, films or other substrates by screen printing, or else by colour copiers, thermoprinters, laser printers, ink-jet printers etc. The transferred image motifs are distinguished by high colour brilliance, soft feel and good resistance to washing as well as cleaning. A particular feature of the subject according to the invention is that, once the image motif has been transferred under the effect of heat and pressure to the substrate, the carrier can be removed even in the cooled-down state”.

[0015] Due to the disadvantages mentioned above, there was a need to provide a new printing structure.

[0016] Description of the Invention Based on this state of the art, the aim of the invention is to introduce a new printing structure that eliminates the existing disadvantages.

[0017] Another aim of the invention is to provide a reliable and cost-effective structure on natural and artificial leathers in the leather industry.

[0018] Another aim of the invention is to provide a structure that makes the product more valuable in design and production with the digital output solution.

[0019] Another aim of the invention is to provide a structure in which the output can be used immediately or processed as desired.

[0020] Another aim of the invention is to provide a structure that allows digital printing on irregularly shaped natural and artificial leather.

[0021] Description of Figures

[0022] Figure - 1 A perspective view of the printing structure of the invention

[0023] Figure - 2 Side section view of the printing structure of the invention

[0024] Reference Numbers

[0025] A- Printing Structure

[0026] 1. First Output Photo

[0027] 2. First Thermoplastic Adhesive

[0028] 3. First Heat Treated Temporary Adhesive

[0029] 4. Base Material

[0030] 5. Second Heat Treated Temporary Adhesive

[0031] 6. Second Thermoplastic Adhesive

[0032] 7. Second Output Photo Detailed Description of the Invention

[0033] In this detailed description, the inventive novelty is explained only by means of examples that do not have any limiting effect for a better understanding of the subject matter.

[0034] The invention relates to a printing structure (A) that allows digital printing on irregularly shaped natural and artificial leather, characterized in that it comprises the first output photo (1), which is the layer printed by the electro-photographic method, the first thermoplastic adhesive (2), which is activated during the printing and transfer phase and adheres to the said printed photo (1), protecting it against wear and tear, base material (4), which forms the main body of the printing structure (A), the first heat treated temporary adhesive (3), which is positioned between the first thermoplastic adhesive (2) and the base material (4) to create adhesion on the printout background and prevent photo movement, the second heat treated temporary adhesive (5), which is positioned between the second thermoplastic adhesive (6) and the base material (4) to create adhesion on the printout background and preventing photo movement, the second output photo (7), which is another layer printed by the electro-photographic method, and the second thermoplastic adhesive (6) which adheres to said second output photo (7) and protects it against wear and tear.

[0035] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the printing structure (A) of the invention.

[0036] Figure 2 shows a side sectional view of the printing structure (A) of the invention.

[0037] The printing structure (A) of the invention consists of the main components of the first output photo (1), which is the layer printed by the electro-photographic method, the first thermoplastic adhesive (2), which is activated during the printing and transfer phase and adheres to the said printed photo (1), protecting it against wear and tear, base material (4), which forms the main body of the printing structure (A), the first heat treated temporary adhesive (3), which is positioned between the first thermoplastic adhesive (2) and the base material (4) to create adhesion on the printout background and prevent photo movement, the second heat treated temporary adhesive (5), which is positioned between the second thermoplastic adhesive (6) and the base material (4) to create adhesion on the printout background and preventing photo movement, the second output photo (7), which is another layer printed by the electro-photographic method, and the second thermoplastic adhesive (6) which adheres to said second output photo (7) and protects it against wear and tear.

[0038] The digitally printed images are produced on the first output photo (1) and / or the second output photo (7) using an electro photographic digital printing system, such that the temperature level does not exceed the activation level of the thermoplastic adhesive on the first thermoplastic adhesive (2) and the second thermoplastic adhesive (6).

[0039] The printing ink is fixed to the first output photo (1) and / or the second output photo (7) using a thermal stabilizer.

[0040] The printing structure (A) is then placed on the substrate to be printed, which is made of natural leather or artificial leather, and pressed for a few seconds at a temperature of 110 degrees.

[0041] Said first output photo (1) and first thermoplastic adhesive (2) layers and optionally also the second thermoplastic adhesive (6) and the second output photo (7) are transferred to the leather or artificial leather substrate. The aforementioned first heat treated temporary adhesive (3), base material (4) and second heat treated temporary adhesive (5) are removed.

[0042] The printing structure can be used immediately or processed as desired. There is no need to wait for drying. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, said base material (4) is in the form of a layer of paper, cardboard or polyester film.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A printing structure (A) that allows digital printing on irregularly shaped natural and artificial leather, characterized in that it comprises the first output photo (1), which is the layer printed by the electro-photographic method, the first thermoplastic adhesive (2), which is activated during the printing and transfer phase and adheres to the said printed photo (1), protecting it against wear and tear, base material (4), which forms the main body of the printing structure (A), the first heat treated temporary adhesive (3), which is positioned between the first thermoplastic adhesive (2) and the base material (4) to create adhesion on the printout background and prevent photo movement, the second heat treated temporary adhesive (5), which is positioned between the second thermoplastic adhesive (6) and the base material (4) to create adhesion on the printout background and preventing photo movement, the second output photo (7), which is another layer printed by the electro-photographic method, and the second thermoplastic adhesive (6) which adheres to said second output photo (7) and protects it against wear and tear.

2. A printing structure (A) according to claim 1, characterized in that said base material (4) includes the layer of paper, cardboard or polyester film.

Images