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 . Decorative elements having a holographic image thereon, wherein the decorative elements are produced by a method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a holographic material produced by a continuous 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 . Decorative elements having a holographic image thereon of  claim 1  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.  
     
     
         3 . Decorative elements having a holographic image thereon 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 . Decorative elements having a holographic image thereon 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.  
     
     
         5 . Decorative elements having a holographic image thereon 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.  
     
     
         6 . Decorative elements having a holographic image thereon of  claim 1  wherein the substrate has a substantially rough, textured surface.  
     
     
         7 . Decorative elements having a holographic image thereon of  claim 1  wherein the substrate has a smooth surface.  
     
     
         8 . Decorative elements having a holographic image thereon 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.  
     
     
         9 . Decorative, elements having a holographic image thereon of  claim 1 , wherein the method of  claim 1  further comprises the step of laminating a transparent polymeric film to the holographic material prior to cutting the holographic material into decorative elements.  
     
     
         10 . Decorative elements having a holographic image thereon, wherein the decorative elements are produced by a method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a holographic material produced by a continuous 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.    
     
     
         11 . Decorative elements having a holographic image thereon of  claim 10  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.  
     
     
         12 . Decorative elements having a holographic image thereon of  claim 10  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.  
     
     
         13 . Decorative elements having a holographic image thereon of  claim 10  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.  
     
     
         14 . Decorative elements having a holographic image thereon of  claim 10  wherein, in the stop 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.  
     
     
         15 . Decorative elements having a holographic image thereon of  claim 14  wherein the substrate has a substantially rough, textured, surface.  
     
     
         16 . Decorative elements having a holographic image thereon of  claim 14  wherein the substrate has a smooth surface  17 .  
     
     
         17 . Decorative elements having a holographic image thereon of  claim 10  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.  
     
     
         18 . Decorative elements having a holographic image thereon of  claim 10 , wherein the method of  claim 10  further comprises the step of laminating a transparent polymeric film to the holographic, material prior to cutting the holographic material into decorative elements.  
     
     
         19 . Decorative elements having a holographic image thereon, wherein the decorative elements are produced by a method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a holographic material produced by a continuous 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.    
     
     
         20 . Decorative elements having a holographic image thereon of  claim 19 , 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.  
     
     
         21 . Decorative elements having a holographic image thereon of  claim 19  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.  
     
     
         22 . Decorative elements having a holographic image of  claim 19  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.  
     
     
         23 . Decorative elements having a holographic image thereon of  claim 19  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.  
     
     
         24 . Decorative elements having a holographic image thereon of  claim 23  wherein the substrate has a substantially rough, textured surface.  
     
     
         25 . Decorative elements having a holographic image thereon of  claim 23 , wherein the substrate has a smooth surface.  
     
     
         26 . Decorative elements having a holographic image thereon of  claim 19  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.  
     
     
         27 . Decorative elements having a holographic image thereon of  claim 19  wherein the method of  claim 19  further comprises the step of laminating a transparent polymeric film to the holographic material prior to cutting the holographic material into decorative elements.  
     
     
         28 . Decorative elements having a holographic image thereon, wherein the decorative elements are produced by a method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a holographic material produced by a continuous 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.    
     
     
         29 . Decorative elements having a holographic image thereon of  claim 28  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.  
     
     
         30 . Decorative elements having a holographic image thereon of  claim 28  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.  
     
     
         31 . Decorative elements having a holographic image thereon of  claim 28  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.  
     
     
         32 . Decorative elements having a holographic image thereon of  claim 28  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.  
     
     
         33 . Decorative elements having a holographic image thereon of  claim 32  wherein the substrate has a substantially rough, textured surface.  
     
     
         34 . Decorative elements having a holographic image thereon of  claim 32  wherein the substrate has a smooth surface.  
     
     
         35 . Decorative elements having a holographic image of  claim 28  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.  
     
     
         36 . Decorative elements having a holographic image thereon of  claim 28  wherein the method of  claim 28  further comprises the step of laminating a transparent polymeric film to the holographic material prior to cutting the holographic material into decorative elements.