UV Printed Transferrable Materials for Curved Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current signage methods are often two-dimensional, difficult to apply, and unsuitable for odd-shaped or curved surfaces, particularly in business and residential applications where flexible and textured designs are needed.
Innovation Solution
UV printed transferrable materials comprising a first liner with a UV ink layer, a primer layer, and a second liner, where the UV ink and primer are cured, allowing for easy application on various shaped surfaces by printing the design on the first liner and adhering it to the surface with the primer layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If signage is printed directly on the surface, then the design is two-dimensional and flat, but it cannot be applied to odd-shaped or curved surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional direct printing to a three-dimensional transfer process. The UV ink is first applied to a flexible liner (first dimension), then transferred to the target surface (second dimension), allowing the design to conform to three-dimensional shapes and curved surfaces while maintaining the original flat printing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a flexible liner as an intermediary carrier between the printing process and the target surface. This liner allows the UV ink design to be printed on a flat surface and then transferred to various shaped surfaces, solving the contradiction between flat printing and 3D application.
2Ease of operation
If traditional printing methods are used, then the process is simple, but the application is difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies UV ink and primer to the flexible liner before application to the target surface. This preliminary preparation of the transfer medium allows for pre-positioning and pre-curing of the design, eliminating the need for complex real-time application processes and reducing overall application time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical application processes with UV curing technology. The UV ink and primer are cured using ultraviolet light exposure, which is faster and more precise than traditional mechanical drying or setting processes, thereby reducing application time and improving ease of operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If direct printing on complex surfaces is attempted, then the process is straightforward, but the manufacturing precision is poor due to surface irregularities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the design on the flexible liner using UV printing technology, which is a precise and controlled process. This copy is then transferred to the target surface, separating the high-precision printing operation from the complex surface application, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while managing process complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the printing and application processes into distinct stages: UV ink application on the liner, primer application, UV curing, and transfer to the target surface. This segmentation allows each step to be optimized independently, improving overall manufacturing precision while managing the complexity of the complete process.
4Adaptability or versatility
If UV ink and primer layers are applied and cured, then the design becomes flexible and easy to apply, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure consisting of the flexible liner, UV ink layer, primer layer, and cured UV polymer. This composite material approach allows each layer to perform its specific function while working together to provide flexibility and ease of application, managing the overall complexity through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the UV ink and primer through UV curing, transforming them from liquid or semi-liquid states to cured polymer states. This parameter change provides the necessary flexibility and adhesion properties while maintaining a relatively simple multi-layer structure that can be manufactured using standard UV printing equipment.
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
Enables flexible and efficient application of designs on any shaped or curved surface, eliminating the need for direct printing on complex surfaces and simplifying the application process by using a removable backing with pre-printed UV ink and primer layers.
Implementation Method 1
UV printed transferrable material comprising a first liner, a UV ink layer on top of the first liner in a desired image, a primer layer on top of the UV ink layer, wherein the UV ink layer and the primer layer are cured
Data Source
AI summary
A UV printed transferrable material and a method for producing the same are disclosed. For example, the UV printed transferrable material includes a first liner, a UV ink layer on top of the first liner in a desired image, a primer layer on top of the UV ink layer, wherein the UV ink layer and the primer layer are cured, and a second liner on top of the primer layer.