Transfer for Application to a Surface

Abstract

A wearable item comprising a conductive transfer applied to a surface of the wearable item is described. The conductive transfer comprises first and second non-conductive ink layers and an electrically conductive layer positioned between the two non-conductive ink layers. The transfer also has an adhesive layer which adheres the conductive transfer to the surface of the wearable item. The conductive transfer is configured to withstand elongation such that the resistance of the electrically conductive layer provides a resistance within a pre-specified range.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wearable item comprising a conductive transfer applied to a surface of the wearable item, said conductive transfer comprising:
 a first non-conductive ink layer and a second non-conductive ink layer;   an electrically conductive layer positioned between said first non-conductive ink layer and said second non-conductive ink layer; and   an adhesive layer for adhering said conductive transfer to the surface of the wearable item; wherein   said conductive transfer is configured to withstand elongation such that the mechanical resistance to elongation of said electrically conductive layer provides an electrical resistance within a pre-specified range.   
     
     
         2 . A wearable item according to  claim 1 , wherein said electrical resistance within a pre-specified range is at least twenty milliohms per square at twenty-five microns or more. 
     
     
         3 . A wearable item according to  claim 1 , wherein said electrically conductive layer is fully encapsulated by said first non-conductive ink layer and said second non-conductive ink layer. 
     
     
         4 . A wearable item according to  claim 1 , wherein said electrically conductive layer is encapsulated by said first non-conductive ink layer and said second non-conductive ink layer over a first area and exposed to provide a contact point in a second area. 
     
     
         5 . A wearable item according to  claim 1 , wherein said first non-conductive ink layer is printed onto a substrate. 
     
     
         6 . A wearable item according to  claim 5 , wherein said substrate is removable from said first non-conductive ink layer following an application of heat. 
     
     
         7 . A wearable item according to  claim 5 , wherein said substrate is removable from said first non-conductive ink layer following an application of pressure. 
     
     
         8 . A wearable item according to  claim 1 , wherein said first non-conductive ink layer and said second non-conductive ink layer each comprise any one of the following: a water-based printing ink; an ultraviolet cured printing ink; a solvent based ink; a latex printing ink. 
     
     
         9 . A wearable item according to  claim 1 , wherein said adhesive layer comprises any one of the following: a water-based adhesive; a solvent based adhesive; a printable adhesive; a powder adhesive. 
     
     
         10 . A wearable item according to  claim 1 , wherein said electrically conductive layer comprises a geometric waveform. 
     
     
         11 . A wearable item according to  claim 1 , further comprising an electronic device. 
     
     
         12 . A wearable item according to  claim 11 , wherein said electronic device is any one of the following:
 lights; sensors; electrical components.   
     
     
         13 . A wearable item according to  claim 11 , wherein said electronic device is a tracking device configured to utilize GPS data for tracking or monitoring purposes. 
     
     
         14 . A wearable item according to  claim 1 , wherein said conductive transfer comprises a plurality of electrically conductive layers. 
     
     
         15 . A wearable item according to  claim 14 , further comprising a plurality of electronic devices each supported by one of said plurality of electrically conductive layers. 
     
     
         16 . A wearable item according to  claim 1 , wherein said conductive transfer is configured to monitor a vital function of a patient. 
     
     
         17 . A wearable item according to  claim 16 , wherein said vital function is the heart rate of the patient. 
     
     
         18 . A wearable item according to  claim 16 , wherein said vital function is the blood pressure of the patient.