U.S. patent application number 10/629001 was filed with the patent office on 2004-02-05 for method of making an emblem.
This patent application is currently assigned to Penn Emblem Corporation. Invention is credited to Blumenthal, Robert.
Application Number | 20040020596 10/629001 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 29584766 |
Filed Date | 2004-02-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040020596 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Blumenthal, Robert |
February 5, 2004 |
Method of making an emblem
Abstract
A method of making an emblem comprises the steps of providing a
fabric layer; subjecting the fabric layer to a calendering process
comprising the application of heat and pressure; applying a pattern
on the first surface of the fabric layer; and bonding a second
layer of thermoplastic adhesive material to a second surface of the
fabric layer.
Inventors: |
Blumenthal, Robert;
(Philadelphia, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
AKIN GUMP STRAUSS HAUER & FELD L.L.P.
ONE COMMERCE SQUARE
2005 MARKET STREET, SUITE 2200
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103-7013
US
|
Assignee: |
Penn Emblem Corporation
|
Family ID: |
29584766 |
Appl. No.: |
10/629001 |
Filed: |
July 28, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10629001 |
Jul 28, 2003 |
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09579171 |
May 25, 2000 |
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6653249 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
156/285 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 442/20 20150401;
D05C 17/00 20130101; Y10T 428/263 20150115; B32B 3/02 20130101;
B32B 27/12 20130101; Y10T 428/2848 20150115; D06C 15/02
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
156/285 |
International
Class: |
B29C 065/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A method of making an emblem comprising the steps of: providing
a fabric layer; subjecting the fabric layer to a calendering
process comprising the application of heat and pressure; applying a
pattern on a first surface of the fabric layer; and bonding a
second layer of thermoplastic adhesive material to a second surface
of the fabric layer.
2. The method of making an emblem of claim 1, wherein the step of
subjecting the fabric layer to a calendering process is performed
before the step of applying the pattern.
3. The method of making an emblem of claim 1, wherein the step of
subjecting the fabric layer to a calendering process is performed
before the step of bonding the second layer.
4. The method of making an emblem of claim 1, wherein the step of
subjecting the fabric layer to a calendering process is performed
after the step of applying the pattern.
5. The method of making an emblem of claim 1, wherein the step of
subjecting the fabric layer to a calendering process is performed
after the step of bonding the second layer.
6. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the applied temperature
is in the range of 370-420.degree. F.
7. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the applied pressure is
in a range of 300-450 lbs. per linear inch.
8. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the application of heat
and pressure causes fibers of the fabric to be flattened and at
least one surface of the fabric layer to include a luster.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a division of and claims benefit of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/579,171, "Emblem Having Calendered
Fabric Layer", filed May 25, 2000.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an emblem and a method of
making an emblem and, in particular, an emblem and a method of
making an emblem from a fabric layer which has been deformed by a
calendering process.
[0003] In general, emblems and methods for making emblems are well
known in the art. A particular embroidered emblem and method of
making the embroidered emblem is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
3,657,060 and 3,816,211 which are owned by the assignee of the
present application. These two patents disclose an embroidered
emblem which comprises a fabric base with an embroidered design on
a first principal surface of the fabric base and a thermoplastic
material laminated on the second principal surface of the fabric
base. In this manner, the emblem can be conveniently fastened to a
garment or other surface through the application of heat and
pressure to melt the thermoplastic material and thereby bond the
fabric base to the garment or other surface. A similar emblem and
method is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,742. The subject matter
of each of the three above-mentioned patents is hereby incorporated
by reference into the present application.
[0004] While the emblems disclosed in the three above-mentioned
patens are quite acceptable and while the methods disclosed in the
patents are quite useful in manufacturing such emblems, there is a
need in the art for an emblem which provides an enhanced appearance
as well as enhanced performance as well as enhanced performance
characteristics.
[0005] Calendering is a mechanical process which is generally well
known in the fabric arts and is used to finish or impart certain
special effects, such as high luster, glazing, moir and embossing
effects to existing fabrics. More particularly, calendering
involves the application of pressure, either alone or in
combination with heat, to an existing fabric to effectively
compress the fibers of the fabric to produce the desired special
effect. U.S. Pat. No. 4,262,397 discloses a method for calendering
tubular knitted fabric to smooth and stabilize the fabric. U.S.
Pat. No. 4,084,026 discloses a calendering process for embossing
designs on fabrics used as blankets, bedspreads and the like.
Although, the calendering process has been used in the fabric
industry for creating certain special surface effects on fabrics,
the calendering process has not been used to date in connection
with the production of emblems. It has been found that by applying
calendering to the base fabric used in making emblems, the
resulting emblem includes a high luster which enhances the
appearance of the emblem. In addition, calendering the base fabric
improves the performance of some emblems. For example, with emblems
in which the pattern is sublimated, the color of the sublimated ink
is retained longer and in better condition with a calendered fabric
base. With respect to a screen printed emblem, the printing holds
up better to repeated industrial laundering if the fabric base is
subjected to a calendering process.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Briefly stated, the present invention comprises a method of
making an emblem, including the steps of providing a fabric layer;
subjecting the fabric layer to a calendering process comprising the
application of heat and pressure; applying a pattern on the first
surface of the fabric layer; and bonding a second layer of
thermoplastic adhesive material to a second surface of the fabric
layer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0007] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of preferred embodiments of the invention will be
better understood when read in conjunction with the appended
drawing. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are
shown in the drawing, embodiments which are presently preferred. It
should be understood, however, that the present invention is not
limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In
the drawing:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of the application of a
calendering process to a base fabric used in producing an
emblem;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an embroidered emblem in
accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
and
[0011] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a second preferred embodiment
of an nonembroidered emblem in accordance with the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0012] As described above, the present invention comprises a method
of making an emblem of the type which includes a base formed of a
first layer of fabric. Emblems in accordance with the present
invention are substantially the same as existing, prior art emblems
with one notable exception. That exception is that the fabric
layer, which is employed for producing emblems in accordance with
the present invention is initially subjected to a calendering
process prior to the production of the emblem. The calendering
process provides a desirable surface effect to the fabric layer
which results in an emblem with an enhanced appearance once the
emblem making process has been completed. In addition, subjecting
the fabric to a calendering process results in emblems which
exhibit enhanced performance characteristics including the enhanced
ability to maintain color and/or print quality despite the emblems
being subjected to industrial laundering.
[0013] Referring the drawing, wherein the same reference numerals
are used to indicate the same components throughout the several
figures, there is shown in FIG. 1 a schematic representation of a
calendering process being applied to a fabric 12 in accordance with
the present invention. Preferably, the fabric 12 is a woven textile
fabric which may be made from any type of natural or synthetic
textile material using techniques which are well known to those
skilled in the art. More preferably, the fabric 12 is a woven
polyester, woven cotton or a combination thereof. Presently
preferred fabrics include, 100% polyester, 100% cotton or
polyester-cotton blends of about 65% polyester and about 35%
cotton. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the
art that while certain fabrics as described above are preferred,
virtually any suitable woven fabric may be employed. If desired,
the fabric 12 may be coated or impregnated with one or more soil
resisting or stain repellent treatments. In addition, the fabric 12
may be colored using textile dyes of a type well known to those of
ordinary skill in the art.
[0014] As illustrated schematically in FIG. 1, the calendering
process involves the application of pressure and heat to the fabric
layer 12. In particular, a pair of rollers 14, 16 are employed for
applying the pressure and heat to the fabric layer 12. Preferably,
the rollers 14, 16 are made of a high strength material such as
steel and are arranged to apply the desired amount of pressure
and/or heat to the fabric layer 12. Preferably, the pressure which
is applied to the fabric layer 12 is in the range of 300 to 450
lbs. per linear inch and, more preferably, is in the range of 375
to 425 lbs. per linear inch. At least one of the rollers,
preferably the upper roller 14 is heated to the desired temperature
to simultaneously apply heat to the fabric layer 12. In the present
embodiment, the desired temperature is in the range of 370.degree.
to 420.degree. F. and more preferably is in the range of
390.degree. to 400.degree. F. The manner in which the rollers 14,
16 are constructed, the techniques employed for causing the rollers
14, 16 to rotate and the manner in which the upper roller 14 is
heated are well known to those of ordinary skill in the calendering
art and need not be described herein for a complete understanding
of the present invention. The application of heat and pressure by
the rollers 14, 16 results in the fabric layer 12 being compressed
and deformed to a flat, generally even surface with a high luster.
The heat and pressure which is applied to the fabric 12 is
sufficient so that the fabric 12 does not fully recover and,
therefore, retains the flat, generally even surface, high luster
features. If desired, the lower roller 16 may be unheated or may be
heated to a lower temperature than the temperature to which the
upper roller 14 is heated. The combination of the application of
heat and pressure causes individual fibers within the fabric to
melt and flow, such that the fibers are flattened and the surface
facing the heated roller 14 is left with a high luster.
[0015] Once the calendering process has been completed the
resulting flattened high luster fabric 12 is employed for
completion of the emblem making process in a manner as described in
connection with the above-referenced patents. FIGS. 2 and 3
illustrate a first embodiment of an embroidered emblem 20 made in
accordance with the present invention. An emblem pattern 22 is
embroidered to the fabric layer 12 using techniques which are well
known to those of ordinary skill in the art as described in the
above-referenced patents. In the illustrated embodiment, the
embroidered pattern 22 comprises a pair of circles surrounded by a
border. It should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the
art that the particular embroidered pattern 22 is provided only for
purposes of illustration and should not be considered to be a
limitation on the present invention, which could employ any type of
embroidered pattern. Preferably, the embroidered pattern 22 is
applied to the first or upper surface of the fabric layer 12, which
preferably is the surface which has been exposed to the heated
roller 14 and, therefore, has the high luster appearance.
[0016] Once the embroidered pattern 22 has been applied to the
first surface of the fabric layer 12, a second layer of
thermoplastic adhesive material 18 is bonded to the second surface
of the fabric layer 12. Preferably, the thermoplastic adhesive
material comprises a polyurethane of a type well known to those of
ordinary skill in the art and as described in the above-identified
patents. The thermoplastic adhesive layer 18 facilitates the
convenient application of the emblem 20' to a garment or other
surface through the application of heat and pressure in a manner
well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
[0017] FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the present
invention. In the embodiment 20 illustrated in FIG. 4, the pattern
24 is not applied to the first surface of the fabric layer 12 by
embroidering. Instead, the pattern 24 is applied to the first
surface of the fabric layer 12 using some other technique well
known to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the
pattern 24 may be sublimated or may be screen printed to the first
surface of the fabric layer 12. Other techniques for the
application of the pattern 24 to the first surface of the fabric
layer 12 will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. As
with the emblem 20 of FIGS. 2 and 3, the layer of thermoplastic
adhesive material 18 bonded to the second surface of the fabric
layer 12.
[0018] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the present
invention comprises an improved method of making an emblem which
includes a base fabric with a high luster surface. In one preferred
embodiment, the present emblem is made by first applying a
calendering process to the base fabric from which the emblem is
formed. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the
art that changes or modifications may be made to the embodiments
described above. For example, the order in which the steps of the
method are performed is immaterial. For example, the thermoplastic
adhesive material 18 may be applied to the second surface of the
fabric layer 12 before the pattern 22 is applied. Therefore, the
present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments
described but may be embodied in other specific forms within a
spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *