Systems and methods for applying a sublimable dye to a substrate

Abstract

Systems and methods for applying a sublimable dye to a substrate are described herein. While such systems and methods can include any suitable component, in some cases, they include a sublimable dye transfer medium that includes a transfer sheet, a sublimable dye, a dye-permeable adhesive, and a release liner. While the various components of the transfer medium can be arranged in any suitable manner, in some cases, the dye is disposed on a first surface of the transfer sheet, the adhesive is disposed over the dye, and the liner is releasably attached to the adhesive. Thus, in some cases, a user can peel the liner from the adhesive, stick the transfer sheet to a substrate, and heat the transfer sheet to transfer dye from the sheet to the substrate. In some cases, dye is transferred from the transfer sheet to the substrate at an ambient pressure. Other implementations are described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dye transfer medium comprising:
 a transfer sheet;   a dye that is disposed on the transfer sheet;   an adhesive; and   a release liner,   wherein the adhesive is disposed between, and is attached to, the transfer sheet and the release liner,   wherein the release liner is configured to be removed from the adhesive and the transfer sheet, and   wherein the adhesive is configured to adhere the transfer sheet to a substrate when the liner is removed from the adhesive such that a portion of the dye is configured to transfer to the substrate under ambient pressure when the dye is heated.   
     
     
         2 . The transfer medium of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         3 . The transfer medium of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive comprises a water-based acrylic adhesive. 
     
     
         4 . The transfer medium of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive is present on the transfer sheet at a thickness between about 0.1 mils and about 1 mil. 
     
     
         5 . The transfer medium of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive substantially covers a portion of the transfer sheet that is configured to transfer the dye to the substrate. 
     
     
         6 . The transfer medium of  claim 1 , wherein the transfer sheet comprises a metal foil. 
     
     
         7 . The transfer medium of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive is disposed over the dye on the transfer sheet such that the dye is disposed between the transfer sheet and the adhesive, and wherein the adhesive comprises a dye-permeable adhesive. 
     
     
         8 . A sublimable dye transfer medium comprising:
 a transfer sheet having a first surface and a second surface;   a sublimable dye that is disposed on the first surface of the transfer sheet;   an adhesive disposed on the first surface of the transfer sheet, over the sublimable dye; and   a release liner having a first side and a second side,   wherein the adhesive is permeable to the dye and substantially covers a portion of the transfer sheet that is configured to transfer the dye to the substrate,   wherein the first side of the liner is removably attached to the adhesive, and   wherein the adhesive is configured to adhere the transfer sheet to a substrate and to transfer a portion of the dye to the substrate when the dye is heated under ambient pressure.   
     
     
         9 . The transfer medium of  claim 8 , wherein the adhesive was applied to and at least partially dried on the liner before being applied to the first surface of the transfer sheet. 
     
     
         10 . The transfer medium of  claim 8 , wherein the adhesive comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         11 . The transfer medium of  claim 8 , wherein the release liner comprises a material selected from a tin-solvent, silicone-coated material; a platinum-solvent, silicone-coated material; and a polytetrafluoroethylene-coated material. 
     
     
         12 . The transfer medium of  claim 8 , wherein the dye has been disposed on the first surface of the transfer sheet through a method selected from silk-screening, rotogravure, offset printing, electrophotography, and flexography. 
     
     
         13 . A method for using a sublimable dye transfer medium, the method comprising:
 obtaining a transfer sheet having a first surface with a sublimable dye disposed thereon;   obtaining a first release liner having a first side with a dye-permeable adhesive disposed thereon;   removing the first release liner from the adhesive; and   attaching the adhesive to the first surface of the transfer sheet and to a substrate such that the transfer sheet is configured to transfer a portion of the sublimable dye to the substrate when the sublimable dye is heated under ambient pressure.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the adhesive is applied to the first side of the first release liner and allowed to at least partially dry before the adhesive and the first release liner are attached to the first surface of the transfer sheet. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the adhesive is applied to the first side of the first release liner and allowed to at least partially dry before the adhesive and the first release liner are attached to the substrate; and then, after attaching the adhesive and the first release liner to the substrate and the removing of the first release liner from the adhesive, the first surface of the transfer sheet is attached to the adhesive. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein prior to applying the adhesive to the substrate, the adhesive is disposed between the first side of the first release liner and a first side of a second release liner. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the first side of the first liner has a higher bonding affinity for the adhesive than does the first side of the second liner such that the adhesive is configured to remain on the first side of the first liner and separate from the first side of the second liner when the first and second liners are separated from each other. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first release liner further comprises a second side, wherein the first side of the first release liner has a higher bonding affinity for the adhesive than does the second side of the first release liner, and wherein prior to attaching the adhesive to the substrate, the first release liner was rolled upon itself, such that a portion of the adhesive was in contact with both the first side and the second side of the first release liner. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the adhesive and the first release liner are attached to the first surface of the transfer sheet before the first release liner is removed from the adhesive and the transfer sheet, and before the transfer sheet with the dye disposed thereon is adhered to the substrate. 
     
     
         20 . A sublimable dye transfer medium comprising:
 a transfer sheet having a first surface and a second surface;   a sublimable dye that is disposed on the first surface of the transfer sheet; and   a dye-permeable adhesive disposed on the first surface of the transfer sheet, over the sublimable dye, wherein the dye transfer medium is configured to adhere to a substrate and to transfer a portion of the sublimable dye to the substrate under ambient pressure.   
     
     
         21 . The transfer medium of  claim 20 , further comprising a first side and a second side, wherein the first side of the release liner is removably attached to the adhesive, and wherein the adhesive is sandwiched in between, and attached to, the first surface of the transfer sheet and the first side of the release liner.