Transfer for Application to a Surface

Abstract

A conductive transfer for application to a surface of a wearable item comprises a first non-conductive ink layer and a second non-conductive ink layer. An electrically conductive layer is positioned between the first non-conductive ink layer and the second non-conductive ink layer. The conductive transfer also comprises an adhesive layer for adhering the conductive transfer to the surface of the wearable item. The adhesive layer comprises a larger cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of each of the first non-conductive ink layer, the second non-conductive ink layer and the electrically conductive layer.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A conductive transfer for application to a surface of a wearable item 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 adhesive layer comprises a larger cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional areas of each of said first non-conductive ink layer, said second non-conductive ink layer and said electrically conductive layer.   
     
     
         2 . The conductive transfer of  claim 1 , wherein said electrically conductive layer is fully encapsulated by said first non-conductive ink layer and said second non-conductive ink layer. 
     
     
         3 . The conductive transfer of  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. 
     
     
         4 . The conductive transfer of  claim 1 , wherein said first non-conductive ink layer is printed onto a substrate. 
     
     
         5 . The conductive transfer of  claim 4 , wherein said substrate is removable from said first non-conductive ink layer following an application of heat. 
     
     
         6 . The conductive transfer of  claim 4 , wherein said substrate is removable from said first non-conductive ink layer following an application of pressure. 
     
     
         7 . The conductive transfer of  claim 1 , said conductive transfer being configured to withstand elongation such that a resistance of said electrically conductive layer provides a resistance within a pre-specified range. 
     
     
         8 . The conductive transfer of  claim 7 , wherein said resistance within a pre-specified range is at least twenty milliohms per square at twenty-five microns or more. 
     
     
         9 . The conductive transfer of  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. 
     
     
         10 . The conductive transfer of  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. 
     
     
         11 . The conductive transfer of  claim 1 , wherein said adhesive layer comprises a printable adhesive which is substantially transparent. 
     
     
         12 . The conductive transfer of  claim 1 , wherein said conductive transfer is configured to withstand conventional washing temperatures of up to ninety degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         13 . A wearable item comprising a conductive transfer applied to a surface of said 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 adhesive layer comprises a larger cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional areas of each of said first non-conductive ink layer, said second non-conductive ink layer and said electrically conductive layer.   
     
     
         14 . The wearable item of  claim 13 , further comprising an electronic device. 
     
     
         15 . The wearable item of  claim 14 , wherein said electronic device is any one of the following:
 lights; sensors; electrical components.   
     
     
         16 . The wearable item of  claim 14 , wherein said electronic device is a tracking device configured to utilize GPS data for tracking or monitoring purposes. 
     
     
         17 . The wearable item of  claim 13 , said conductive transfer further comprising a plurality of electrically conductive layers, said wearable item further comprising a plurality of electronic devices each supported by one of said plurality of electrically conductive layers. 
     
     
         18 . The wearable item of  claim 13 , wherein said conductive transfer is configured to monitor a vital function of a patient. 
     
     
         19 . The wearable item of  claim 18 , wherein said vital function is the heart rate of the patient. 
     
     
         20 . The wearable item of  claim 18 , wherein said vital function is the blood pressure of the patient.