US-12623806-B2 - Method for applying labels or ink to target objects without post-application curing

US12623806B2US 12623806 B2US12623806 B2US 12623806B2US-12623806-B2

Abstract

Methods for applying a label and may include applying a label and/or ink to form at least part of artwork, graphic, or indicia on a surface of a target object without applying a curing energy to the one or more of the label or the ink following application of the one or more of the label or the ink. Optionally, the label or ink is applied without heating or exposing the label or ink to ultraviolet light following application of the label or ink.

Inventors

Michael B. Colella
Carlos G. Altamirano
Jorge Lima
Luigi Filippino
Lee R. B. Dixon

Assignees

ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260512
Application Date: 20240207

Claims (17)

1 . A method comprising: applying one or more of a label or ink to form at least a first part or entirety of artwork, graphic, or indicia on a surface of a target object without applying a curing energy to the one or more of the label or the ink following application of the one or more of the label or the ink and without any adhesive being between (a) the one or more of the label or the ink and (b) the surface of the target object, wherein the one or more of the label or the ink includes one or more cross-linking agents and catalysts that initiate, propagate, or terminate cross-linking of the one or more of the label or the ink during application of the one or more of the label or the ink.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein applying the one or more of the label or the ink includes applying only the first part of the artwork, the graphic, or the indicia, and further comprising: applying one or more of an additional portion of the label or an additional portion of the ink to form at least a second part of the artwork, the graphic, or the indicia on the surface of the target object.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the first part and the second part of the artwork, the graphic, or the indicia are applied to the surface of the target object without applying the curing energy to the one or more of the label or the ink between or after applying either the first part or the second part.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more of the label or the ink is applied without heating the one or more of the label or the ink following application of the one or more of the label or the ink.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more of the label or the ink cures during application of the one or more of the label or the ink without additional heating of the one or more of the label or the ink.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more of the label or the ink is applied to a metal surface as the surface of the target object.
7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising heating the surface of the target object prior to application of the one or more of the label or the ink to the surface of the target object.
8 . A method comprising: applying one or more of a label or ink to form at least a first part or an entirety of artwork, graphic, or indicia on a surface of a target object without heating the one or more of the label or the ink or exposing the one or more of the label or the ink to ultraviolet light following application of the one or more of the label or the ink, wherein the one or more of the label or the ink includes one or more cross-linking agents and catalysts that initiate cross-linking of the one or more of the label or the ink during application of the one or more of the label or the ink.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein applying the one or more of the label or the ink includes applying only the first part of the artwork, the graphic, or the indicia, and further comprising: applying one or more of an additional portion of the label or an additional portion of the ink to form at least a second part of the artwork, the graphic, or the indicia on the surface of the target object.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the first part and the second part of the artwork, the graphic, or the indicia are applied to the surface of the target object without curing the one or more of the label or the ink between or after applying either the first part or the second part.
11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the one or more of the label or the ink is applied to a metal surface, coated metal surface, or painted metal surface as the surface of the target object.
12 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising heating the surface of the target object prior to application of the one or more of the label or the ink to the surface of the target object.
13 . A method comprising: applying one or more of a label or ink to form a first subpart of artwork, graphic, or indicia on a surface of a target object without curing the one or more of the label or the ink in the first subpart following application of the one or more of the label or the ink to form the first subpart; and applying an additional portion of the one or more of the label or the ink to form a second subpart of the artwork, the graphic, or the indicia on the surface of the target object without curing the one or more of the label or the ink in the second subpart following application of the one or more of the label or the ink to form the second subpart, wherein the one or more of the label or the ink includes one or more cross-linking agents and catalysts that initiate cross-linking of the one or more of the label or the ink during application of the one or more of the label or the ink in the first part and during application of the one or more of the label or the link in the second part.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the one or more of the label or the ink is applied without heating the one or more of the label or the ink or exposing the one or more of the label or the ink to curing ultraviolet light following application of the one or more of the label or the ink in the first part or the second part.
15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the one or more of the label or the ink is applied to a metal, coated metal, or painted metal surface as the surface of the target object.
16 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising heating the surface of the target object prior to application of the one or more of the label or the ink to the surface of the target object to form the first part of the graphic, the artwork, or the indicia.
17 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the surface of the target object is formed from plastic or glass.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/447,502 (filed 22 Feb. 2023), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND Technical Field The subject matter described herein relates to applying labels or ink to surfaces of target objects, such as applying heat transfer labels or ink to metal surfaces. Not all embodiments of the subject matter described herein is limited to applying heat transfer labels or ink to metal surfaces, as other labels or surfaces may be used. Discussion of Art Some target objects have surfaces on which heat transfer labels or inks are applied to identify the target objects, identify the manufacturer or retailer of the target objects, provide warnings, etc. For example, many appliances have metal surfaces on which heat transfer labels or screen-printed inks are applied to indicate trade names or trademarks of the manufacturers or retailers of the appliances. Some currently known processes for applying these labels or inks involve applying the labels or inks to the surfaces of target objects, and then applying a curing energy to the labels or inks, and the surfaces of the target objects. This can cure the labels or inks to strengthen adhesion between (a) the labels or inks and (b) the surfaces of the target objects and/or to improve the durability of the labels or inks. This curing energy is typically thermal energy (e.g., heat) that is applied by heating, or baking, the portion of the target object having the applied label or inks. Optionally, the curing energy may be applied by directing light energy (e.g., ultraviolet, or UV, light) toward the labels or inks. Applying this curing energy involves an additional step in the label or ink application process and can require additional hardware in a facility. This can increase the required space, cost, complexity, and time to apply the labels or inks to the target objects. Another approach is to apply an adhesive or other material to the surface of the label that will be adhered to the target object. But applying this adhesive adds to the cost and complexity of applying the labels, the adhesive can create a halo effect when viewing the label, etc. A need may exist for a less expensive, less complex, and/or less time-consuming process or method for applying labels or inks to target objects using potentially less space than some known processes. BRIEF DESCRIPTION In one example, a method for applying a label and may include applying one or more of a label or ink to form at least a first part or entirety of artwork, graphic, or indicia on a surface of a target object without applying a curing energy to the one or more of the label or the ink following application of the one or more of the label or the ink. In another example, another method for applying a label may include applying one or more of a label or ink to form at least a first part or an entirety of artwork, graphic, or indicia on a surface of a target object without heating the one or more of the label or the ink or exposing the one or more of the label or the ink to ultraviolet light following application of the one or more of the label or the ink. In another example, another method for applying a label may include applying one or more of a label or ink to form a first subpart of artwork, graphic, or indicia on a surface of a target object without curing the one or more of the label or the ink in the first subpart following application of the one or more of the label or the ink to form the first subpart. The method also may include applying an additional portion of the one or more of the label or the ink to form a second subpart of the artwork, the graphic, or the indicia on the surface of the target object without curing the one or more of the label or the ink in the second subpart following application of the one or more of the label or the ink to form the second subpart. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The inventive subject matter may be understood from reading the following description of non-limiting embodiments, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein below: FIG. 1 illustrates one example of an application system that may be used to apply labels and/or inks onto a surface of a target object without post-application curing; FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of one example of a method for applying a label or ink(s) to a target object surface without a post-application curing step or operation; FIG. 3 illustrates a first portion or part of one example of a label 302 that may be applied to the target object surface; and FIG. 4 illustrates a different, second portion or part of one example of the label that may be applied to the target object surface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION One or more embodiments of the inventive subject matter described herein provide processes and systems for applying labels and/or inks to surfaces of target objects without a post-application curing opera