Process for producing decorative elements having a holographic image thereon

Abstract

Processes for producing a holographic material wherein the holographic image is formed on a polished surface of a printing element and then transferred the holographic image to a substrate. A coating is applied to the polished surface of the printing element to provide a coated surface, the coated surface is embossed or engraved to provide the holographic image, and the holographic image is then transferred to a substrate via a bonding material, thereby producing the holographic material. The holographic material may be cut to provide decorative elements.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for forming decorative elements having a holographic image thereon, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a holographic material produced by a batch process comprising the steps of: 
 providing a printing element having a polished surface;  
 applying a coating capable of receiving a holographic image to the polished surface of the printing element to provide a coated surface;  
 embossing the coated surface to provide a holographic image thereon, the holographic image having a first surface and a second surface wherein the second surface of the holographic image is disposed substantially adjacent the polished surface of the printing element;  
 applying a bonding material to the first surface of the holographic image; and  
 disposing a substrate adjacent the first surface of the holographic image containing the bonding material so as to bondingly connect the holographic image to the substrate, thereby producing a holographic material and thus removing the holographic material from the polished surface of the printing element; and  
   cutting the holographic material into decorative elements wherein at least a portion of the decorative elements have a holographic image thereon.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing a printing element, the printing element is selected from the group consisting of a flat plate and a platen press.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing a printing element, the printing element is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of chrome, stainless steel and tool steel.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing a printing element, the polished surface of the printing element is a polished, resilient surface.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing a printing element, the polished surface of the printing element is a polished, non-resilient surface.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of applying a coating in the process of producing a holographic material, the coating is selected from the group consisting of metallic polymeric film, non-metallic polymer film, foil, metallized lacquer, non-metallized lacquer, iridescent film, ink containing metallized film glitter mixed with a lacquer, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of providing a holographic material, the substrate is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of polymeric film, foil, paper, tissue, laminates thereof and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the substrate has a substantially rough, textured surface.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the substrate has a smooth surface.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein, in the step of cutting the holographic material to provide decorative elements, the decorative elements are selected from the group consisting of decorative flakes, glitter, confetti, tinsel, decals, labels, stickers, sequins, segments of decorative grass and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of laminating a transparent polymeric film to the holographic material prior to cutting the holographic material into decorative elements.  
     
     
         12 . A method for forming decorative elements having a holographic image thereon, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a holographic material produced by a batch process comprising the steps of: 
 providing a printing element having a polished surface;  
 applying a coating capable of receiving a holographic image to the polished surface of the printing element to provide a coated surface;  
 embossing the coated surface to provide an image on the coating;  
 applying a metallic constituent or component to the image to provide a holographic image having a first surface and a second surface wherein the second surface of the holographic image is disposed substantially adjacent the polished surface of the printing element;  
 applying a bonding material to the first surface of the holographic image; and  
 disposing a substrate adjacent the first surface of the holographic image containing the bonding material so as to bondingly connect the holographic image to the substrate, thereby producing a holographic material and thus removing the holographic material from the polished surface of the printing element; and  
   cutting the holographic material to provide decorative elements wherein at least a portion of the decorative elements have a holographic image thereon.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein, in the step of providing a printing element, the printing element is selected from the group consisting of a flat plate and a platen press.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein, in the step of providing a printing element, the printing element is constructed of a material selected from the group-consisting of chrome, stainless steel and tool steel.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein, in the step of providing a printing element, the polished surface of the printing element is a polished, resilient surface.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12  wherein, in the step of providing a printing element, the polished surface of the printing element is a polished, non-resilient surface.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12  wherein, in the step of applying a coating in the process of producing a holographic material, the coating is selected from the group consisting of metallic polymeric film, non-metallic polymer film, foil, metallized lacquer, non-metallized lacquer, iridescent film, ink containing metallized film glitter mixed with a lacquer, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12  wherein, in the step of providing a holographic material, the substrate is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of polymeric film, foil, paper, tissue, laminates thereof and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the substrate has a substantially rough, textured surface.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the substrate has a smooth surface.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12  wherein, in the step of cutting the holographic material to provide decorative elements, the decorative elements are selected from the group consisting of decorative flakes, glitter, confetti, tinsel, decals, labels, stickers, sequins, segments of decorative grass and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 12  further comprising the step of laminating a transparent polymeric film to the holographic material prior to cutting the holographic material into decorative elements.  
     
     
         23 . A method for forming decorative elements having a holographic image thereon, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a holographic material produced by a batch process comprising the steps of: 
 providing a printing element having a polished surface;  
 applying a coating capable of receiving a holographic image to the polished surface of the printing element to provide a coated surface;  
 engraving the coated surface to provide a holographic image thereon, the holographic image having a first surface and a second surface wherein the second surface of the holographic image is disposed substantially adjacent the polished surface of the printing element;  
 applying a bonding material to the first surface of the holographic image; and  
 disposing a substrate adjacent the first surface of the holographic image containing the bonding material so as to bondingly connect the holographic image to the substrate, thereby producing a holographic material and thus removing the holographic material from the polished surface of the printing element; and  
   cutting the holographic material into decorative elements wherein at least a portion of the decorative elements have a holographic image thereon.    
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  wherein, in the step of providing a printing element, the printing element is selected from the group consisting of a cylindrical drum and a roller.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23  wherein, in the step of providing a printing element, the printing element is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of chrome, stainless steel and tool steel.,  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23  wherein, in the step of providing a printing element, the polished surface of the printing element is a polished, resilient surface.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23  wherein, in the step of providing a printing element, the polished surface of the printing element is a polished, non-resilient surface.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23  wherein, in the step of applying a coating in the process of producing a holographic material, the coating is selected from the group consisting of metallic polymeric film, non-metallic polymer film, foil, metallized lacquer, non-metallized lacquer, iridescent film, ink containing metallized film glitter mixed with a lacquer, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 23  wherein, in the step of providing a holographic material, the substrate is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of polymeric film, foil, paper, tissue, laminates thereof and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the substrate has a substantially rough, textured surface.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the substrate has a smooth surface.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 23  wherein, in the step of cutting the holographic material to provide decorative elements, the decorative elements are selected from the group consisting of decorative flakes, glitter, confetti, tinsel, decals, labels, stickers, sequins, segments of decorative grass and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 23  further comprising the step of laminating a transparent polymeric film to the holographic material prior to cutting the holographic material into decorative elements.  
     
     
         34 . A method for forming decorative elements having a holographic image thereon, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a holographic material produced by a batch process comprising the steps of: 
 providing a printing element having a polished surface;  
 applying a coating capable of receiving a holographic image to the polished surface of the printing element to provide a coated surface;  
 engraving the coated surface to provide an image on the coating;  
 applying a metallic constituent or component to the image to provide a holographic image having a first surface and a second surface wherein the second surface of the holographic image is disposed substantially adjacent the polished surface of the printing element;  
 applying a bonding material to the first surface of the holographic image; and  
 disposing a substrate adjacent the first surface of the holographic image containing the bonding material so as to bondingly connect the holographic image to the substrate, thereby producing a holographic material and thus removing the holographic material from the polished surface of the printing element; and  
   cutting the holographic material to provide decorative elements wherein at least a portion of the decorative elements have a holographic image thereon.    
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34  wherein, in the step of providing a printing element, the printing element is selected from the group consisting of a cylindrical drum and a roller.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34  wherein, in the step of providing a printing element, the printing element is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of chrome, stainless steel and tool steel.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 34  wherein, in the step of providing a printing element, the polished surface of the printing element is a polished, resilient surface.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 34  wherein, in the step of providing a printing element, the polished surface of the printing element is a polished, non-resilient surface.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 34  wherein, in the step of applying a coating in the process of producing a holographic material, the coating is selected from the group consisting of metallic polymeric film, non-metallic polymer film, foil, metallized lacquer, non-metallized lacquer, iridescent film, ink containing metallized film glitter mixed with a lacquer, and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 34  wherein, in the step of providing a holographic material, the substrate is constructed of a material selected from the group consisting of polymeric film, foil, paper, tissue, laminates thereof and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40  wherein the substrate has a substantially rough, textured surface.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40  wherein the substrate has a smooth surface.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 34  wherein, in the step of cutting the holographic material to provide decorative elements, the decorative elements are selected from the group consisting of decorative flakes, glitter, confetti, tinsel, decals, labels, stickers, sequins, segments of decorative grass and combinations thereof.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 34  further comprising the step of laminating a transparent polymeric film to the holographic material prior to cutting the holographic material into decorative elements.