LAYERED GRAPHIC DECAL ARROW AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE
20170321999 · 2017-11-09
Inventors
Cpc classification
F42B6/04
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
B32B2405/00
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B37/08
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B44C1/1758
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
F41H3/00
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
B32B37/10
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B37/12
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B44C1/1756
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
F42B6/04
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
B32B37/12
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B32B37/10
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Abstract
The layered graphic decal arrow consists of an arrow base, decal, and a finishing layer. Two separate curing processes are used to create the arrow to prevent adhesive from penetrating the decal thereby degrading the visual appeal of the arrow. The decal is applied to the arrow base, or printed on the arrow base, then flashed at a first temperature then cured at a second temperature. After cooling the arrow, a finishing layer is applied to the arrow. A uniform pressure is applied around the finishing layer to hold it in place while curing. After curing, the uniform pressure is removed, the arrow is polished to remove undesired markings and the arrow is cut to the desired length. In an alternative embodiment, the finish layer is a polymer coating applied to the arrow without the need for uniform pressure.
Claims
1. A method of manufacturing a layered graphic decal arrow comprising the steps of: selecting an arrow base; providing a decal mounted to a decal backing; attaching said decal to said arrow base; removing said decal attached to said arrow base from said decal backing; removing imperfections from said decal attached to said arrow base; flashing said decal attached to said arrow base at a first temperature for a first time period; curing said decal attached to said arrow base at a second temperature for a second time period; cooling said decal attached to said arrow base to a first ambient temperature; and providing a finishing to said decal attached to said arrow base.
2. The method of manufacturing a layered graphic decal arrow of claim 1, wherein said first temperature is 140° F., said first time period is thirty (30) minutes, said second temperature is 210° F., and said second time period is one hour.
3. The method of manufacturing a layered graphic decal arrow of claim 2, wherein the step of providing a finishing to said decal attached to said arrow base comprises: providing a finishing layer; attaching said finishing layer to said arrow base with attached decal; providing pressure on said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal; curing said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal at a third temperature for a third time period; cooling said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal to a second ambient temperature; removing said pressure on said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal; and polishing said finishing layer attached to said arrow shaft with attached decal.
4. The method of manufacturing a layered graphic decal arrow of claim 3, wherein said third temperature is 140° F. and said third time period is 1 hour.
5. The method of manufacturing a layered graphic decal arrow of claim 4, wherein the step of providing pressure on said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal comprises providing a cello film and wrapping said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal with said cell film, and wherein the step of removing said pressure on said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal comprises removing said cello film from said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal;
6. The method of manufacturing a layered graphic decal arrow of claim 4, wherein the step of providing pressure on said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal comprises providing a contracting sleeve and placing said contracting sleeve over said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal and wherein the step of removing said pressure on said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal comprises removing said contracting sleeve from said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal;
7. The method of manufacturing a layered graphic decal arrow of claim 4, wherein the step of providing pressure on said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal comprises: providing a heated pressure vessel, placing said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal inside said heated pressure vessel, and applying pressure to said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal; and wherein the step of removing said pressure on said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal comprises: removing applied pressure from said heated pressure vessel; and removing said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal from said heated pressure vessel.
8. The method of manufacturing a layered graphic decal arrow of claim 2, wherein the step of providing a finishing to said decal attached to said arrow base comprises: applying a polymer coating to said arrow base with attached decal; curing said polymer coating on said arrow base with attached decal; and polishing said polymer coating applied to said arrow shaft with attached decal.
9. A method of manufacturing a layered graphic decal arrow comprising the steps of: selecting an arrow base; wetting a decal mounted to said decal backing with a solvent solution; aligning said arrow base with said decal mounted to said decal backing; attaching said decal to said arrow base; removing said decal attached to said arrow base from said decal backing; flashing said decal attached to said arrow base at a first temperature for a first time period; curing said decal attached to said arrow base at a second temperature for a second time period; cooling said decal attached to said arrow base to a first ambient temperature; and providing a finishing to said decal attached to said arrow base.
10. The method of manufacturing a layered graphic decal arrow of claim 9, wherein said first temperature is 140° F., said first time period is thirty (30) minutes, said second temperature is 210° F., and said second time period is one hour.
11. The method of manufacturing a layered graphic decal arrow of claim 10, wherein the step of providing a finishing to said decal attached to said arrow base comprises; providing a finishing layer; attaching said finishing layer to said arrow base with attached decal; providing pressure on said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal; curing said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal at a third temperature for a third time period; cooling said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal to a second ambient temperature; removing said pressure on said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal; and polishing said finishing layer attached to said arrow shaft with attached decal.
12. The method of manufacturing a layered graphic decal arrow of claim 11, wherein said third temperature is 140° F. and said third time period is 1 hour.
13. The method of manufacturing a layered graphic decal arrow of claim 12, wherein the step of providing pressure on said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal comprises providing a cello film and wrapping said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal with said cell film, and wherein the step of removing said pressure on said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal comprises removing said cello film from said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal;
14. The method of manufacturing a layered graphic decal arrow of claim 12, wherein the step of providing pressure on said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal comprises providing a contracting sleeve and placing said contracting sleeve over said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal and wherein the step of removing said pressure on said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal comprises removing said contracting sleeve from said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal;
15. The method of manufacturing a layered graphic decal arrow of claim 12, wherein the step of providing pressure on said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal comprises: providing a heated pressure vessel, placing said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal inside said heated pressure vessel, and applying pressure to said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal; and wherein the step of removing said pressure on said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal comprises: removing applied pressure from said heated pressure vessel; and removing said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal from said heated pressure vessel.
16. The method of manufacturing a layered graphic decal arrow of claim 10, wherein the step of providing a finishing to said decal attached to said arrow base comprises: applying a polymer coating to said arrow base with attached decal; curing said polymer coating on said arrow base with attached decal; and polishing said polymer coating applied to said arrow shaft with attached decal.
17. A method of manufacturing a layered graphic decal arrow comprising the steps of: selecting an arrow base; modifying said arrow base to meet desired physical properties; removing surface irregularities from said arrow base; wetting a decal mounted to said decal backing with a solvent solution; aligning said arrow base with said decal mounted to said decal backing; attaching said decal to said arrow base; removing said decal attached to said arrow base from said decal backing; flashing said decal attached to said arrow base at a first temperature for a first time period; curing said decal attached to said arrow base at a second temperature for a second time period; cooling said decal attached to said arrow base to a first ambient temperature; attaching a finishing layer to said arrow base with attached decal; providing pressure on said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal; curing said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal at a third temperature for a third time period; cooling said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal to a second ambient temperature; removing said pressure on said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal; and polishing said finishing layer attached to said arrow shaft with attached decal.
18. The method of manufacturing a layered graphic decal arrow of claim 17, wherein the step of providing pressure on said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal comprises providing a cello film and wrapping said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal with said cell film, and wherein the step of removing said pressure on said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal comprises removing said cello film from said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal;
19. The method of manufacturing a layered graphic decal arrow of claim 17, wherein the step of providing pressure on said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal comprises providing a contracting sleeve and placing said contracting sleeve over said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal and wherein the step of removing said pressure on said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal comprises removing said contracting sleeve from said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal;
20. The method of manufacturing a layered graphic decal arrow of claim 17, wherein the step of providing pressure on said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal comprises: providing a heated pressure vessel, placing said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal inside said heated pressure vessel, and applying pressure to said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal; and wherein the step of removing said pressure on said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal comprises: removing applied pressure from said heated pressure vessel; and removing said finishing layer attached to said arrow base with attached decal from said heated pressure vessel
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:
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[0012]
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[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] The invention described herein provides an improvement in the archery industry where a layered graphic decal arrow is created having a finishing layer applied that covers any seams resulting from production and provides added protection from cuts, chips, scratches, and abrasions.
[0023] Referring to
[0024]
[0025]
[0026]
[0027]
[0028] After the bubbles and imperfections are removed, arrow 100 is cleaned to remove impurities and solvent. Arrow 100 is then inspected for defects. If any exist, decal 110 is removed then a new decal applied. The defect free arrow 100 is then flashed at a first temperature for thirty (30) minutes, followed by curing at a second temperature for one (1) hour. In a preferred process, the first temperature is 140° F. and the second temperature is 210° F. After curing, arrow 100 is cooled to ambient temperature then inspected for defects. If defects are found, arrow 100 is rejected.
[0029]
[0030]
[0031] After arrow 100 is cooled to ambient, cello film 118 is fully removed. The nature of cello film 118 is to leave behind marks on the cured finishing layer 116. Arrow 100 is then polished such that only the marks from cello film 118 are removed leaving finishing layer 116 smooth and intact. If arrow 100 is polished excessively, finishing layer 116 may be removed in some areas causing those areas to “fuzz up”, or even remove a portion of decal 110, thereby degrading the finished look of arrow 100 and possibly causing finished arrow 100 to be rejected.
[0032] In an alternative embodiment, a contracting sleeve may be used to impart uniform pressure against the arrow 100 with decal 110 wrapped in finishing layer 116. The uniform pressure created by the contracting sleeve ensures the decal 110 wrapped in finishing layer 116 on the arrow 100 is held in place during the curing process. Arrow 100 with finishing layer 116 wrapped in the contracting sleeve is then cured at a temperature for one (1) hour, and then cooled to ambient. The contracting sleeve used may be made of silicone or any other material with contracting characteristics.
[0033] In another alternative embodiment, a pressure vessel may be used to impart uniform pressure against the arrow 100 with decal 110 wrapped in finishing layer 116. The uniform pressure created by the pressure vessel ensures the decal 110 wrapped in finishing layer 116 on the arrow 100 is held in place during the curing process. Arrow 100 with finishing layer 116 in the pressure vessel is then cured at a temperature for one (1) hour, and then cooled to ambient. The pressure vessel may be a pressure curing oven, an autoclave, a heated press, or any similar type of device that imparts pressure and heat to an object.
[0034] It is to be appreciated by someone skilled in the art that use of two (2) distinct curing processes, one to cure decal 110 onto arrow base 101, the other to cure finishing Dyer 116 onto decal 110, prevents the adhesive of finishing layer 116 from penetrating decal 110 and adhering to decal's 110 adhesive, thereby degrading the quality of the camouflage pattern of arrow 100. If the adhesive of one layer was to penetrate through the decal 110 and bond with the adhesive of the other layer, a dull spot will be formed on the finished arrow 100.
[0035] Referring now to
[0036] In step 214, the wetted decal 110 is placed on a flat surface. In a preferred embodiment of the process, decal 110 may be placed on a sheet of foam, such as Styrofoam, or any other material that conforms to the shape of a surface pressed upon it and which provides adequate friction to prevent the surface pressed upon it from movement, such as decal backing 108. Step 216 has arrow base 101 aligned with a lengthwise edge of decal 110. In step 218, downward pressure is applied to arrow base 101 to adhere decal 110 to arrow base 101. In step 220, arrow base 101 is then rolled in direction 103 until decal 110 is fully transferred from decal backing 108 to arrow base 101 thereby covering exterior surface 102 of arrow base 101.
[0037] After transferring decal 110 to arrow base 101, step 222 has pressure applied along the length of the arrow 100 to remove bubbles and imperfections in decal 1110. Arrow 100 consists of arrow base 101 with decal 110 applied to it. In a preferred process, an index finger and thumb of hand 112 are wrapped tightly around arrow 100, then slid in direction 114 to remove bubbles and imperfections. However, use of a tool that forms a seal around arrow 100 that can be slid along the length of arrow 100 to remove bubbles and imperfections is fully contemplated. Step 226 then has arrow 100 inspected for defects. If defects exist in arrow 100, step 228 directs the process to step 230, which has the decal 110 removed from arrow base 101. Step 230 directs the process to connector 232, which in turn directs the process to connector 234. Connector 234 directs the process back to step 210 to have a new decal 110 prepared for application to arrow base 101. If no defects exist in arrow 100, step 228 directs the process to off-sheet connector 236, which connects to off-sheet connector 238.
[0038] Referring now to
[0039] If a polymer layer is used, the process is guided to connector 253 which connects the process path to connector 342 shown in
[0040] Referring back to
[0041] After arrow 100 is wrapped in step 270, or otherwise has a substantially even pressure applied to the arrow 100, the process moves to step 272 where arrow 100, finishing layer 116, and film 118 are cured at a second temperature. Step 274 has arrow 100 held at the second temperature for Time 3, one (1) hour. At the end of the hour in step 274, step 276 has arrow 100 cooled to ambient. Next, in step 278, film 118 is removed. At this point in the process, arrow 100 now consists of arrow base 101, decal 110, and finishing layer 116. In step 280, arrow 100 is polished to remove only the marks created by film 118 in finishing layer 116. Next, in step 282, arrow 100 is cleaned and dried. Lastly, in step 284, arrow 100 is trimmed to the desired length. The process then ends with step 286.
[0042] Referring now to
[0043] Step 312 guides the process depending if a finishing layer or a polymer layer is used. If finishing layer 116 is used, the process is guided to step 314, where finishing layer 116 is cut to the desired dimensions. Arrow 100 is then cleaned and dried in step 316. In step 318, arrow 100 is aligned with the edge of finishing layer 116. Next, in step 320, arrow 100 is rolled until finishing layer 116 fully wraps around arrow 100. In step 322, a cellophane-like film 118 is wrapped around arrow 100 over finishing layer 116. In step 324, arrow 100 is cured. Step 326 has arrow 100 held at the curing temperature for one (1) hour. Step 328 has arrow 100 cooled to ambient. In step 330, film 118 is removed from arrow 100. Next, in step 332, arrow 100 is polished to remove undesired markings created during the curing process of steps 324 and 326. After arrow 100 is polished in step 332, the process moves to step 334 where arrow 100 is cleaned and dried. Lastly, in step 336, arrow 100 is trimmed to the desired length. Step 338 designates the end of this branch of the process.
[0044] Referring back to step 312, if a polymer coating is used, the process is directed to connector 340. Connector 340 connects the process path to connector 342 shown in
[0045] While the particular camouflaged arrow and the process of manufacturing such as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction, design, and process herein shown other than as described in the appended claims,