Printing method and printed garment

Abstract

Method for printing a graphic 20 on a garment, wherein the graphic 20 comprises two figures 14, 14', the method being characterised by comprising, preferably in order, the following steps: provision of an item of clothing 4 on which to print the graphic 20 comprising the two figures 14, 14', command a control and management unit 10 of a printing apparatus 1 in order to create a first sequence of columns 16 and a second sequence of columns 16', command the control and management unit 10 in order to superimpose the first sequence of columns 16 with the first figure 14 in order to obtain a first columnar graphic 18 and the second sequence of columns 16' with the second graphic 14' in order to obtain a second columnar graphic 18', producing by means of the printing apparatus 1 a first printing layer 17 on the garment, wherein the first printing layer 17 comprises a plurality of base columns which are mutually separate, and have a defined thickness, producing by means of the printing apparatus 1 a continuous terminal printing layer 21 comprising the union of the first columnar graphic 18 and the second columnar graphic 18', wherein the columns of the first columnar graphic 18 are on the same side of the corresponding base columns, and all the columns of the second columnar graphic 18' are on the opposite side of the corresponding base columns.

Description

PRINTING METHOD AND PRINTED GARMENTFIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a method of making a print, in particular for making the printing of a graphic on a garment and to a printed garment, in particular featuring a printed graphic.NOTE TECHNIQUE

[0002] There are well-known printing machines that allow you to create graphics on materials, particularly for creating graphics on clothing items such as t-shirts, sweatshirts, or other items.

[0003] It is also known for the constant research into methods for creating ever-new creations that allow designers and customers to express their own style.

[0004] US2009 / 0091591 shows a method of making relief prints that involves making a plurality of colored lines separated from each other.

[0005] US2018 / 0264838 teaches a method for realizing an object with anisotropic reflection properties, so not how to make an image on an object.

[0006] US 2019 / 0070879 teaches a method for making relief prints that involves making a plurality of colored lines separated from each other.

[0007] US 6000332 teaches a method for producing relief prints that involves making a plurality of colored lines separated from each other.

[0008] US2017016439 shows a method for making a plurality of stitches on a shoe, which appear a different color when viewed from different dimensions.

[0009] CN104273678 teaches a method for making relief prints using a lenticular layer.

[0010] Specifically, all the documents presented demonstrate methods for constructing columns by superimposing different layers of ink. However, these solutions are not entirely satisfactory because the resulting object, when viewed closely, allows the color of the base layer to be seen, making it aesthetically unappealing.OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The aim of the invention is to propose a method for printing innovative graphics.

[0012] Another aim of the invention is to propose a garment or a precursor to a garment that includes an innovative print.

[0013] Another aim of the invention is to propose a method that allows for printing to be carried out in a simple, rapid and economical manner.

[0014] Another aim of the invention is to propose a method that allows for the creation of high definition graphics.

[0015] Another aim of the invention is to propose an item of clothing that features a plurality of graphics.

[0016] Another aim of the invention is to propose a garment that can be mass-produced.

[0017] Another aim of the invention is to propose an item of clothing that can be made in a simple, rapid and economical way.

[0018] Another aim of the invention is to offer a garment with outstanding aesthetic qualities, giving the user the sensation of being in front of a high-quality product.

[0019] Another aim of the invention is to propose an item of clothing that has a different appearance depending on the angle from which it is viewed.

[0020] Another aim of the invention is to propose a garment that features wear-resistant graphics.

[0021] These and other purposes are achieved by a method for creating a graphic according to claim 1 and by an item of clothing according to claim 9.

[0022] Further detailed technical characteristics are reported in the attached dependent claims.DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0023] The present invention will now be described, by way of example but not limitation, according to some of its preferred embodiments, and with the aid of the attached figures, in which:

[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a printing apparatus according to the invention,

[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates the stages of creating a graphic using the method according to the invention,

[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates a section of the print obtained with the method according to the invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0027] Hereinafter, "clothing item" refers to any item intended to be worn. Specifically, it may be a garment made of fabric, leather, eco-leather, or faux leather, or a shoe. Preferably, it may be a leather item. Furthermore, "clothing item" alsorefers to a non-packaged item of clothing, such as one or more components of a shoe or a t-shirt.

[0028] Furthermore, the term "garment" also refers to an element, preferably a semifinished product, intended to be used to make a garment. Examples of such elements include pieces of fabric used to make garments and sheets of leather from which different portions of a shoe's upper are cut, generally known as patches.

[0029] Hereinafter, "graphic" means any image, which may represent a figure or a geometric pattern, in black and white or color, and which may represent any type of illustration. Specifically, in this patent, a graphic may comprise a pair of images, preferably substantially similar and / or corresponding, so that, when viewed in rapid succession, a user can easily interpret one figure as the evolution and / or consequence of the other, or in any case can easily intuit the connection between them. Essentially, said figures may be two figures such as those commonly used in the field of parallax barrier printing.

[0030] The apparatus 1 according to the invention comprises an ink spraying device 2 configured to spray at least one ink onto an item of clothing 4. In particular, the spraying device can be configured to spray an ink in order to create a line smaller than 0.15 mm. Advantageously, the spraying device can be configured to vary the size of the ink line continuously between said minimum value and a higher value, which for example can be equal to approximately 0.8 cm. In particular, the spraying device 2 can be configured to spray an ink that can be solidified using UV rays. Preferably, the ink can have a high viscosity.

[0031] The apparatus 1 also comprises a drive assembly 4 configured to drive the spraying device 2. The drive assembly can be conveniently configured to drive the spraying device along substantially straight lines. Advantageously, the spraying device 2 can be connected to the drive assembly 4.

[0032] Suitably, the spraying device 2 may comprise and / or be integral with at least one solidification element 6 configured to dry and / or in any case solidify the ink sprayed by the spraying device 2. Suitably, at least two solidification elements 6 may be present, preferably one positioned upstream and one positioned downstream of the spraying device 2 relative to the movement performed by the movement assembly 4. Preferably, the at least one solidification element 6 may comprise at least one ultraviolet lamp configured to solidify the ink sprayed by the spraying device.

[0033] Suitably, the apparatus according to the invention may also comprise retaining means 8, configured to keep the item of clothing on which the graphic is to be printed, in position during the printing process.

[0034] Advantageously, the apparatus according to the invention can comprise a control and management unit 10 configured to control the activation / deactivation of the spraying device 2 and / or the size of the ink line that this can leave on the garment, and the operation of the movement assembly 4 and / or the activation / deactivation of the solidification element 6.

[0035] In particular, the control and management unit 10 can be configured to control the size, and in particular the transverse size, of the ink stroke sprayed by the spraying device 2.

[0036] Advantageously, the invention also relates to a method for printing a decoration and / or pattern on an item of clothing.

[0037] Suitably, the method includes a phase for making available an item of clothing 4. Preferably, the item of clothing can be positioned inside the apparatus 1 , so as to be held still by the retaining means 8.

[0038] Subsequently, an operator can send a command to the control and management unit to control the printing of a graphic on the garment. A software module configured to receive and interpret said command and consequently control the other components of the device 1 can be loaded and executed on the control and management unit 10.

[0039] Appropriately, the command, and consequently the method for creating the garment, may include the following steps, preferably in this order:detect a graphic 20 to print,separate a first figure 14 from a second figure 14'; clearly if you already have the two figures 14, 14' in separate form this step may not be necessary, create a first sequence of columns 16 and a second sequence of columns 16', where preferably the first 16 and the second 16' sequence of columns are complementary - i.e. when superimposed they define a continuous plane, alternatively the two sequences of columns 16, 16' can have separation intervals, which can recreate one of the following patterns: column belonging to the first sequence 16, column belonging to the second sequence 16', space, column belonging to the first sequence 16, column belonging to the second sequence 16', space etc.; column belonging to the first sequence 16, space, column belonging tothe second sequence 16', column belonging to the first sequence 16, space, column belonging to the second sequence 16', etc.;superimpose the first sequence of columns 16 with the first figure 14 in order to obtain a first columnar graphic 18 and the second sequence of columns 16' with the second figure 14' in order to obtain a second columnar graphic 18' which will be substantially complementary to the first columnar graphic, the union of the first columnar graphic 18 and the second columnar graphic 18' substantially defining the graphic to be printed 20; in particular therefore each columnar graphic 18, 18' will comprise a plurality of columns 16, 16' in which each column will be coloured with the colours of the corresponding figure 14, 14', so that, when they are brought together, thus defining the respective columnar graphics 18, 18', each columnar graphic 18, 18' recalls the figure 14, 14' from which it was taken;control the printing apparatus in order to produce a first printing layer 17 comprising a plurality of base columns, preferably white on the garment, preferably the columns may have a width of less than 0.5mm, and preferably less than 0.3mm and preferably less than 0.2mm and preferably less than or equal to 0.15mm, and may be separated by a distance equal to approximately twice the width, preferably the first printing layer 17 may be produced with an ink of any color, and preferably with white ink,control the printing apparatus in order to produce a second printing layer 19 comprising a plurality of further base columns, preferably white on the garment, preferably the columns may have a width of approximately twice that of the first printing layer 17 and may be centered at the center of the columns of the first printing layer 17, suitably the method may comprise a plurality of second printing layers, for example at least five second printing layers; preferably the second printing layer 19 is positioned above the first printing layer 17. Suitably each subsequent second printing layer may have a width twice that of the previous one, essentially producing an inverted pyramid, as clearly shown in fig. 2d.control the printing apparatus in order to produce a terminal printing layer 21 on the garment. Preferably, the terminal printing layer 21 can be produced with a colored ink and can preferably be substantially continuous both in the direction of the columns and in the direction substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the figure is created. Conveniently, the terminal printing layer 21 can substantially correspond to the graphic to be printed 20'. Preferably, the terminal printing layer 21can have a width of approximately 0.8 mm. Preferably, the terminal printing layer 21 can be positioned above and / or further outside the first printing layer 17 and at least one second printing layer 19. Conveniently, the terminal layer 21 can therefore be substantially continuous, i.e., it can have no interruptions in the direction perpendicular to that of the columns. Advantageously, in this way, it is possible to obtain an object that, even when viewed up close, still gives the impression of having been precisely produced, and therefore of being a high-quality object.control the printing apparatus in order to create a protective layer 23, preferably made with a transparent ink, and configured to protect the terminal printing layer 21 from impacts or abrasion.

[0040] Advantageously, therefore, the method allows the creation of a graphic in which the terminal printing layer 21 has a continuous wavy section, in which the slopes 24 facing the same side can define the representation of the first columnar graphic 18, and therefore substantially of the first figure 14, while the slopes 24' facing the opposite direction can define the representation of the second columnar graphic 18', and therefore substantially of the second figure 14'.

[0041] Advantageously, the present invention also relates to a garment comprising a printed graphic wherein when a user looks at the graphic from one angle, he sees the first image 14, while when looking at it from another angle, he sees the second image 14'. Preferably, the graphic may be printed directly onto the garment.

[0042] Conveniently, the present invention also relates to an item of clothing made with the method described above.

[0043] In one embodiment the present invention further relates to the production of a precursor for a garment by the method described above.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Method for printing a graphic (20) on a garment, where the graphic (20) comprises two figures (14, 14'), the method being characterised by comprising, preferably in order, the following steps:provision of an item of clothing (4) on which to print the graphic (20) including the two figures (14, 14'),to control a control and management unit (10) of a printing apparatus (1) in order to create a first sequence of columns (16) and a second sequence of columns (16'),command the control and management unit (10) in order to superimpose the first sequence of columns (16) with the first figure (14) in order to obtain a first columnar graphic (18) and the second sequence of columns (16') with the second graphic (14') in order to obtain a second columnar graphic (18'),producing by means of the printing apparatus (1 ) a first printing layer (17) on the garment, where the first printing layer (17) comprises a plurality of base columns which are mutually separate, and have a defined thickness,producing by means of the printing apparatus (1) a continuous terminal printing layer (21) comprising the union of the first columnar graphic (18) and the second columnar graphic (18'), in which the columns of the first columnar graphic (18) are on the same side of the corresponding base columns, and all the columns of the second columnar graphic (18') are on the opposite side of the corresponding base columns.

2. Method according to claim 1 characterised in that it further comprises the step of producing by the printing apparatus (1) at least a second printing layer (19) comprising a plurality of further base columns on the garment, wherein the further base columns (21') have a greater width than the base columns, and wherein the centre of each further base column (21') corresponds substantially with the centre of each base column.

3. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that said base columns have a width of less than 0.5mm, and preferably less than 0.3mm and preferably less than 0.2mm and preferably less than or equal to 0.15mm and, preferably, are separated by a distance equal to approximately double the width.

4. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that the base columns and the further base columns are made with white ink while the terminal printing layer (21) is made with ink with the colours corresponding to the graphics (20).

5. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that it further comprises the step of controlling the printing apparatus (1) in order to produce a protective layer (23), preferably made with a transparent ink, and configured to protect the terminal printing layer (21) from impacts or abrasion.

6. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that the protection layer (23) fills, at least partially, the corrugations present on the terminal printing layer (21).

7. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised by comprising at least five second printing layers (19).

8. Method according to one or more of the preceding claims characterised in that the terminal printing layer (21) has a wavy section, in which the slopes (24) facing the same side can define the representation of the first columnar graphic (18), while the slopes (24') facing the opposite direction can define the representation of the second columnar graphic (18').

9. An item of clothing comprising a printed graphic (20), wherein the graphic (20) comprises a pair of images (14, 14'), characterised in that when a user looks at the graphic from one angle he sees the first image (14), whilst when he looks at it from another angle he sees the second image (14').

10. Item of clothing according to claim 9 characterised by being made with a method according to one or more of claims 1 - 8.

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