American Trim, LLC

Louis R Sherman

Michael E Purdy

Dale E Whetstone

Allan Bruns

Stephen C Hatkevich

Frank J Catanzarite

Jeffery D Sanford

Treva C Monnier

Robert N Card

Thomas R Dunnavant

Steven R Woolley

Roger S J Naguit

Gary T McCarel

Dennis S Baker

Debra L Mayberry

Phillip G Elmore

The present invention provides a method of forming an electroluminescent circuit by screen printing. The method according to the invention includes screen printing a rear electrode pattern on a substrate, which is preferably a polyester sheet, screen printing a dielectric layer over the rear electrode pattern, screen printing a front electrode pattern on the dielectric layer, and screen printing a phosphor layer over the front electrode layer. The rear electrode pattern preferably includes a solid layer disposed upon the substrate and the front electrode pattern preferably includes a plurality of opaque lines separated by spaces. In an alternative embodiment, the method according to the invention includes screen printing the phosphor layer on the substrate, screen printing the front electrode pattern on the phosphor layer, screen printing the dielectric layer over the front electrode pattern, and screen printing the rear electrode pattern over the dielectric layer.

Method of forming electroluminescent circuit

A process for coating and transfer printing sheet metal for producing a decorated section of metal that is especially suited for use in harsh environments. The process yields a section of metal having a transfer printed layer comprising a thermoset coating material and a protective overcoat layer formed of substantially clear thermoset coating material. The process includes the steps of coating a section of metal with a pigmented thermosetting coating material, curing the coating material to form a base coat layer, transfer printing the base coat layer to form a transfer printed layer, applying a protective clear thermosetting coating material over the transfer printed layer, and curing the protective clear thermosetting coating material so as to provide a clear protective overcoat layer covering the transfer printed layer.

Transfer printing of metal using protective overcoat

A process for coating and transfer printing sheet metal which is especially suited for manufacture into three-dimensional articles such as appliance panels and one-piece pictures and frames. The coatings may include a thin pigmented base coat and a clear, thin top coat. A decorative image is transfer printed in the clear top coat.

Coating and transfer printing metal substrates

The present invention provides a process for transfer printing and decorating metal objects of complex configuration. The process yields decorated objects with high clarity and uniformity of print quality. The process includes the steps of providing an object of complex configuration having a layer of thermosetting coating material formed thereon, aligning and fixing a piece of transfer paper having a transferable image formed thereon over the layer of coating material, placing a section of heat shrinkable plastic film over the transfer paper, and then heating the object so as to cause the film to shrink and facilitate the transfer of the image into the coating material.

Transfer printing of complex objects

A process for transfer printing sheet metal which is especially suited for manufacture into three-dimensional articles such as appliance panels and one-piece pictures and frames. A decorative image is transfer printed in a clear top coat on the sheet metal by pressing transfer paper against the clear coat using a printing press which includes an upper heated platen having a polished undersurface with a polymer facing sheet covering the polished undersurface. The transfer paper has an adhesive on its surface facing the polymer sheet on the platen so the transfer paper will temporarily adhere to the platen when the printing press is opened for removal of the decorated sheet metal.

Transfer printing metal substrates

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Botkins, OH, United States of America

Louis R Sherman