Methods and apparatus for image transfer

Abstract

Image transfer articles, sheets and methods are disclosed. The image transfer articles and sheets can include or be configured to receive an image. The image can be capture on one or more ink or other marking receptive layers of the image transfer articles or sheets. In various examples, the image transfer articles provide decorative features in addition to the image. Such decorative features can include article portions bearing elements such as, but not limited to, metallic flakes, metallic-like flakes, glitter materials, sparkle materials, luminescent materials (e.g., having a glow-in-the-dark effect), pearlescent materials, reflective materials, or combinations thereof. In some examples, the image transfer articles include a vanishing layer configured to hold or sustain the image on a receptor element until the receptor element is washed a predetermined number of times.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . An image transfer sheet comprising:
 a releasable liner or substrate; and   one or more imaged heat transfer articles disposed on the releasable liner or substrate, each of the one or more imaged heat transfer articles transferable to a receptor element by application of heat to that imaged heat transfer article, and each of the one or more imaged heat transfer articles comprising:
 a marking receptive layer comprising an image formed thereon, the image having a perimeter; 
 a resin or adhesive layer disposed between the releasable liner or substrate and the marking receptive layer; and 
 at least one die cut extending through the marking receptive layer and the resin or adhesive layer and substantially conforming to the perimeter of the image, the at least one die cut being depth-controlled so as not to cut through the releasable liner or substrate, and allowing the imaged heat transfer article to be individually separated from the releasable liner or substrate within a boundary defined by the at least one die cut. 
   
     
     
         23 . The image transfer sheet of  claim 22 , further comprising a decorative layer disposed between the marking receptive layer and the resin or adhesive layer, wherein the at least one die cut extends through the decorative layer. 
     
     
         24 . The image transfer sheet of  claim 23 , wherein the decorative layer comprises at least one of mica, carbon black or a plurality of metalized polyester or polyethylene particles. 
     
     
         25 . The image transfer sheet of  claim 23 , wherein the decorative layer comprises at least one of titanium dioxide or tin oxide. 
     
     
         26 . The image transfer sheet of  claim 22 , wherein the marking receptive layer is configured to receive the image via an ink-jet printer. 
     
     
         27 . An image transfer sheet comprising:
 a releasable liner or substrate;   a resin or adhesive layer disposed on the releasable liner or substrate;   a marking receptive layer disposed above the resin or adhesive layer; and   one or more imaged heat transfer articles, each of the one or more imaged heat transfer articles transferable to a receptor element by application of heat to that imaged heat transfer article;   wherein the one or more imaged heat transfer articles each have an image formed thereon;   wherein the one or more imaged heat transfer articles also each have a perforated perimeter defined by a set of perforations extending through the releasable liner or substrate, the resin or adhesive layer, and the marking receptive layer; and   wherein the one or more imaged heat transfer articles are each separable from remaining portions of the image transfer sheet via the set of perforations.   
     
     
         28 . The image transfer sheet of  claim 27 , wherein the one or more imaged heat transfer articles include at least a first imaged heat transfer article defined by a first set of perforations and a second imaged heat transfer article defined by a second set of perforations. 
     
     
         29 . The image transfer sheet of  claim 28 , wherein the first set of perforations define a first shape and the second set of perforations define a second shape, different than the first shape. 
     
     
         30 . The image transfer sheet of  claim 27 , further comprising a decorative layer disposed between the marking receptive layer and the resin or adhesive layer, wherein the set of perforations extends through the decorative layer. 
     
     
         31 . The image transfer sheet of  claim 30 , wherein the decorative layer comprises at least one of titanium dioxide or tin oxide. 
     
     
         32 . An image transfer article comprising:
 a resin or adhesive layer;   a marking receptive layer configured to receive an image and to transfer the image to a receptor element; and   a decorative layer disposed between the resin or adhesive layer and the marking receptive layer, the decorative layer including one or more treated mica particles and providing an outwardly-viewable decorative feature in addition to the received image.   
     
     
         33 . The image transfer article of  claim 32 , wherein the decorative layer provides at least one of a pearlescent, a metallic, a sparkle, a glow, or a luminescent outwardly-viewable effect. 
     
     
         34 . The image transfer article of  claim 33 , wherein the decorative layer comprises at least one of titanium dioxide or tin oxide. 
     
     
         35 . The image transfer article of  claim 32 , wherein the resin or adhesive layer includes at least one of an ethylene acrylic acid or an ethylene-vinyl acetate dispersion. 
     
     
         36 . An image transfer article comprising:
 a releasable liner or substrate; and   an at least partially vanishing layer configured to receive an image and to transfer the image to a receptor element, the at least partially vanishing layer configured to release the image from the receptor element upon washing the receptor element a predetermined number of one or more times.   
     
     
         37 . The image transfer article of  claim 36 , wherein the at least partially vanishing layer is configured to release the image from the receptor element upon one or two washings. 
     
     
         38 . The image transfer article of  claim 36 , wherein the at least partially vanishing layer includes a thermoplastic, water-soluble resin having a bond adapted to release the at least partially vanishing layer from the receptor element after the predetermined number of one or more washings. 
     
     
         39 . The image transfer article of  claim 38 , wherein the thermoplastic, water-soluble resin is ink-jet printable.