Method for producing wear-resistant images on sandals

Abstract

A sandal production method includes the application of a primer applied, preferably by wiping, to the latex or other printing surface of a sandal blank structure which may be applied and then wiped from the latex surface. The sandal shaped polymeric mass may be cut from a sheet of dense polymeric material, it may include sandal strap bores, and may have layers of flexible paint (preferably white) applied. A jig is disclosed for providing a support for multiple primed sandal blanks to save time in the printing process. Treatment of the printed sandal support with a protective overlayer is taught.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A process of producing a printed sandal support comprising the steps of:
 providing a sandal blank having an upper applied surface;   preparing the upper applied surface for printing by applying a preparatory material chosen from the list consisting of:   
       trisodium phosphate, 
       dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, 
       dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether;
 wiping the preparatory material from the upper applied surface; and 
 printing an image upon the upper applied surface of the sandal blank using a radiation curable ink for form a printed sandal support. 
 
     
     
         2 . The printed sandal support as claimed in  claim 1  and further comprising the step of attaching a strap set to the printed sandal support to form a completed sandal. 
     
     
         3 . The printed sandal support as claimed in  claim 1  and further comprising the step of applying a protective layer over the printed upper applied surface of the sandal blank using a flexible aliphatic urethane. 
     
     
         4 . The printed sandal support as claimed in  claim 1  and wherein the step of providing a sandal blank having an upper applied surface is provided according to the steps of:
 providing a sheet made of at least one of heavy polymeric and elastomeric material, the sheet having an upper side and a lower side; 
 cutting a sandal shaped elastomeric mass from the sheet, the sandal shaped elastomeric mass having the upper side and the lower side; and 
 applying an upper applied surface to the upper side of the sandal shaped elastomeric mass, to form a sandal blank. 
 
     
     
         5 . The printed sandal support as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the applying an upper applied surface to the upper side of the sandal shaped elastomeric mass is performed by applying at least one layer of latex paint to the upper side of the sandal shaped elastomeric mass, to form the sandal blank.