Transfer Strip for accommodating decorative rigid Bodies

Abstract

A transfer strip for accommodating decorative rigid bodies to be transferred onto a substrate has upper and lower faces and an array of openings each having a first, upper end and a second, lower end. A diameter of each opening is larger than a distance between the first and second ends of the opening. Each opening has an annular reinforcement structure at the first end, a continuous or discontinuous annular rim formed at an inner circumference of the first end, and at least two, three or four spaced-apart inward hooks as the second end in a mutual arrangement adapted to hold the respective decorative rigid body in the opening.

1 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A transfer strip accommodating rigid bodies to be transferred onto a substrate, the transfer strip comprising:
 upper and lower faces, said faces having an array of openings formed therein, a diameter of each of said openings is larger than a distance between said upper and lower faces defining said openings;   an annular reinforcement structure disposed in each of said openings at said upper face;   said upper face having annular rims, selected from the group consisting of continuous annular rims and discontinuous annular rims, formed at an inner circumference defining each of said openings;   a plurality of spaced-apart inward protrusions selected from the group consisting of hooks and struts extending from said lower face;   decorative rigid bodies;   said lower face being in a mutual configuration adapted to hold said decorative rigid bodies in said opening; and   said decorative rigid bodies each have a frustopyramidal shape or an asymmetric bifrustopyramidal shape.   
     
     
         16 . The transfer strip according to  claim 15 , wherein said annular reinforcement structure protrudes from said upper face. 
     
     
         17 . The transfer strip according to  claim 15 , wherein said annular rims at said upper face are formed as plurality of spaced-apart tabs extending radially inwardly. 
     
     
         18 . The transfer strip according to  claim 17 , wherein said tabs and said hooks are spaced apart equidistantly about said openings. 
     
     
         19 . The transfer strip according to  claim 17 , wherein said tabs and said hooks are staggered around said inner circumference. 
     
     
         20 . The transfer strip according to  claim 17 , wherein said tabs and said hooks have inclined outward faces. 
     
     
         21 . The transfer strip according to  claim 15 , wherein:
 said frustopyramidal shaped decorative rigid bodies have sloped faces facing said upper faces; or   said asymmetric bifrustopyramidal shaped decorative rigid bodies have more sloped faces facing said upper faces.   
     
     
         22 . The transfer strip according to  claim 21 , wherein said decorative rigid bodies have end faces facing said lower face of said openings, said end faces being coated with a pressure sensitive or instant bonding adhesive. 
     
     
         23 . The transfer strip according to  claim 15 , wherein:
 said frustopyramidal shaped decorative rigid bodies have sloped faces facing said lower faces; or   said asymmetric bifrustopyramidal shaped decorative rigid bodies have more sloped faces facing said lower faces.   
     
     
         24 . The transfer strip according to  claim 23 , wherein said decorative rigid bodies have end faces facing said upper face around said openings, said end faces being coated with a heat sensitive or melt adhesive. 
     
     
         25 . A process for manufacturing transfer strips, which comprises the steps of:
 injection-molding a transfer strip, containing:
 upper and lower faces, the faces having an array of openings formed therein, a diameter of each of the openings is larger than a distance between the upper and lower faces defining the openings; 
 an annular reinforcement structure disposed in each of the openings at the upper face; 
 the upper face having annular rims, selected from the group consisting of continuous annular rims and discontinuous annular rims, formed at an inner circumference defining each of the openings; 
 a plural spaced-apart inward protrusions selected from the group consisting of hooks and struts extending from said lower face; and 
   inserting decorative rigid bodies through the lower faces of the openings, the decorative rigid bodies each have a frustopyramidal shape or an asymmetric bifustopyramidal shape, the lower face being in a mutual configuration adapted to hold the decorative rigid bodies in the openings.   
     
     
         26 . The process according to  claim 25 , which further comprises inserting the rigid decorative bodies in a manner so that sloped faces of the frustopyramidal shape, or more sloped faces of the asymmetric bifrustopyramidal shape, face the upper face defining the openings. 
     
     
         27 . The process according to  claim 25 , which further comprises inserting the rigid decorative bodies in a manner so that sloped faces of the fustopyramidal shape, or more sloped faces of the asymmetric bifrustopyramidal shape, face the lower face defining the openings. 
     
     
         28 . The process according to  claim 25 , which further comprises arranging the transfer strip on a substrate, and exerting an external force onto the decorative rigid bodies individually towards the substrate to expel a respective decorative rigid body from the opening in which the respective decorative rigid body is accommodated, and to bring a face of the respective decorative rigid body formerly facing the lower face of the opening in contact with the substrate.