Fiber Web Heat Transfer Material Without Image Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat transfer materials for textiles are expensive and have an unpleasant feel, requiring special washing and drying procedures to maintain the transferred image, and often require images to be applied in an inverted orientation.
Innovation Solution
A transfer sheet comprising a support material with a non-woven or woven fiber web layer impregnated with an image receiving formulation, attached by an adhesion layer, which can be peeled off and heat-activated to adhere directly to a receptor element without the need for inversion, allowing for easy image transfer using a hand iron or heat press.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional heat transfer materials are used, then image transfer functionality is achieved, but the material feels unpleasant and requires special washing procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the transfer material by using commercially available iron-on transfer paper with specific adhesive and coating formulations. This allows the material to be washed normally without special procedures while maintaining soft feel quality, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and material quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable transfer paper that is inexpensive and single-use. This eliminates the need for durable, expensive materials that require special maintenance, allowing normal washing procedures while maintaining good feel quality through the use of affordable, optimized transfer materials
2Ease of operation
If conventional heat transfer materials are used, then image transfer is achieved, but images must be applied in inverted orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional transfer process by placing the transfer paper image-side up on the garment and heating from the back. This eliminates the need to pre-invert images before transfer, allowing direct application of images in correct orientation while simplifying the overall process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the transfer paper as an intermediary medium that carries the image in correct orientation. The heating process activates the adhesive on the back of the paper, transferring the image directly to the garment without requiring manual inversion, thus reducing process complexity
3Ease of manufacture
If existing heat transfer materials are used, then image transfer functionality is achieved, but the materials are expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inexpensive, commercially available iron-on transfer paper that is disposable after one use. This dramatically reduces material costs while the image attachment durability is maintained through proper heating technique and adhesive formulation in the transfer paper
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material selection parameters by choosing affordable transfer paper with optimized adhesive properties. The heating process parameters (temperature, time, pressure) are adjusted to ensure durable image attachment despite using lower-cost materials, resolving the contradiction between cost and reliability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a cost-effective, soft-to-the-touch material that can be washed normally, eliminates the need for image inversion, and ensures durable image attachment to textiles, enhancing user convenience and image quality.
Implementation Method 1
The adhesion layer then melts and adheres the imaged web layer to the receptor element
Implementation Method 2
The adhesion layer then melts and adheres the imaged web layer to the receptor element
Implementation Method 3
heat, for instance, from a source such as a hand iron, is applied to the top of the non-stick sheet
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an image transfer material, comprising an optional support material, and a non-woven or woven fiber web layer, wherein the fiber web is impregnated or coated with a image receiving formulation. The fiber web layer is optionally attached to the support with an adhesion layer. Also provided is a heat transfer process wherein after imaging, the fiber web and adhesion layer are peeled from the optional support material and placed, preferably image side up (when imaged), on top of a receptor element. Alternatively, the fiber web and adhesion layer are peeled and then optionally imaged prior to being placed on the receptor element. Then, an optional non-stick sheet is placed over the imaged fiber web (if placed imaged side up) and heat is applied to the fiber web or the non-stick sheet, if present. The adhesion layer then melts and adheres the imaged web layer to the receptor element.