CA2149372A1 - Process for preparing front films provided with a multicolor print for keypads and the like - Google Patents
Process for preparing front films provided with a multicolor print for keypads and the likeInfo
- Publication number
- CA2149372A1 CA2149372A1 CA002149372A CA2149372A CA2149372A1 CA 2149372 A1 CA2149372 A1 CA 2149372A1 CA 002149372 A CA002149372 A CA 002149372A CA 2149372 A CA2149372 A CA 2149372A CA 2149372 A1 CA2149372 A1 CA 2149372A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- film
- color
- printed
- white
- process according
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 6
- 239000010408 film Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 64
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 36
- 239000013039 cover film Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 24
- 238000007639 printing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 23
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 20
- 239000011241 protective layer Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 15
- 239000004922 lacquer Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 239000002313 adhesive film Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000003472 neutralizing effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 229920006267 polyester film Polymers 0.000 abstract description 3
- 238000007648 laser printing Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 239000012790 adhesive layer Substances 0.000 abstract 1
- 125000006850 spacer group Chemical group 0.000 description 6
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000007650 screen-printing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229920002955 Art silk Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000001627 detrimental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- GWUSZQUVEVMBPI-UHFFFAOYSA-N nimetazepam Chemical compound N=1CC(=O)N(C)C2=CC=C([N+]([O-])=O)C=C2C=1C1=CC=CC=C1 GWUSZQUVEVMBPI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920000515 polycarbonate Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004417 polycarbonate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
- B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- B32B38/00—Ancillary operations in connection with laminating processes
- B32B38/14—Printing or colouring
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
- H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
- H01H13/702—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2209/00—Layers
- H01H2209/016—Protection layer, e.g. for legend, anti-scratch
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2219/00—Legends
- H01H2219/028—Printed information
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2229/00—Manufacturing
- H01H2229/054—CAD
Landscapes
- Printing Methods (AREA)
- Combination Of More Than One Step In Electrophotography (AREA)
- Developing Agents For Electrophotography (AREA)
Abstract
A process for preparing front films for keypads or the like, wherein the keypads are formed of cover films, especially polyester films, which have a scratch-proof, hard, possibly dulled protective layer on their top side, and the protective layer is formed, for example, of a two-component lacquer or a lacquer cured by UV light. The front films are provided with a multicolor printed image on their underside. White as a color is also available, besides desired colors and shades, and the front film may also have unprinted display windows. To obtain a color print of high quality, a cover film is used, which is provided with a color toner adhesion layer only on the underside surface to be printed on. This is printed on with color toner on the adhesive layer side in a computer-controlled printer according to the electrostatic printing process (laser printing process). The printed surface is subsequently covered with white ink, leaving out window openings.
Description
`- 2149372 Al~ORNEY DOCKET NO.: 43760 PROCESS FOR PREPARING FRONT FnMS PRO~IDED
Wl l H A MULTICOLOR PRINT FOR KEYPADS
AND THE LIKE
s FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to a process for preparing front films for keypads or the like, which consist of cover films, especially polyester films. which have, on the top side, a scratch-proof. hard. possibly dulled protective layer, which consists of. e.g., a two-component lacquer or a lacquer cured by UV light, and which are provided with a multicolor printed image on the underside (white also being available as a color, besides any colors and shades), and the front film optionally has unprinted transparent wlndows.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Cover films made of polyester or polycarbonate. which are used as front films for kevpads or the like. are frequently printed on the reverse 21~9372 .~
side, so that they exhibit, e.g., keypad boxes, text boxes or the like from the front side, while window-like openings, which are used as transparent windows, e.g., on displays or the like, are not printed on. The printing is performed in the conventional manner by silk screen printing. This involves S a separate printing process and also a special print screen as these are necessary for each color used. This leads to very high printing costs.
While a white printing ink is not needed for printing on white paper or a white background, white printing ink must also be available for printing on cover films.
It has also been known that so-called overhead films (for use with overhead-type projector) can be printed in multiple colors on one side in color copying. The polyester films to be printed on are provided on both sides with the same color toner adhesion layer and possibly with an antistatic layer, even though only one side is to be printed on. The reason for coating with the same color toner adhesion layer or antistatic layer on both sides is that in the case of co~hng on one side only, uncontrollable electrostatic charges may greatly impair the quality of the printed image and lead to unsuitable print results.
However, white as a printing ink is not used or needed in the overhead film application because the images of such overhead films are usually projected onto a white projection surface.
`~ 2149372 -SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a process for preparing front films of-the type described in the introduction, by which the cost for preparing the printed images on the reverse side of the front films can be reduced while maintaining an at least a~r~ tely equal irnage quality.
This object is attained according to the present invention either by providing the film with a color toner adhesion layer only on the underside surface to be printed on and printing with color toner on the side with the adhesion layer in a computer-controlled printer according to the electrostatic printing process (laser printing process), and/or by subsequently coating the printed surfaces with white ink, possibly leaving out window openings.
To obtain higher print quality at a higher level of certainty, it is advantageous to proceed by providing the scratch-proof protective layer with an antistatic layer which neutralizes or avoids electrostatic charges of the film at least during printing in an electronic printer or copier and/or to proceed by providing the color toner adhesion layer with an antistatic layer or providing the color toner adhesion layer with antistatic effects.
According to a further aspect of the invention, after printing, the antistatic layer may be removed. This offers the possibility of removing the antistatic layer from the protective layer after it has served its purpose.
~1 49372 Printing on front films by means of computer-controlled laser printers or color copiers, which use a powdered toner, has not been used to date for the purpose accordil,g to the present invention mainly because these computer-controlled color printers and color copiers or printing procecces S cannot print white color, and because the powdered toners available were able to be printed with sufficient printed image quality only on films which are provided on both sides with the same toner adhesion layer or with an additional antistatic layer. Films with a scratch-proof, hard protective layer on the top side have hitherto been con~idered to be unsuitable for being printed on in this manner.
The process accordhlg to the plesent invention makes it possible to prepare the multicolor printed images, which are needed for the front films of, e.g., keypads, in series at a su~sld~-lially lower cost and more rapidly, because not only the multiple operations needed, but also the multiple print screens needed in the prior-art silk screen printing proces~, are elimin~te~l The subsequent application of the white ink to the printed underside of the cover film may be performed in different ways. Thus, it would advantageously be possible to arrange an application station for the white ink, in which the white ink is rolled on, directly behind the obligatory fixing station of the printer or copier.
Another, equally advantageous possibility is to provide the white color by the use of a white backing film, which can be bonded on the - 2149~72 printed side of the cover film and the white backing film may have window openings, if desired.
The backing film may be white in itself or have a white ink layer.
Especially good print results can be obtained according to the present invention with a printer or copier which has an intermediate image carrier, particularly in the form of a transfer strip, to transfer the scanned image from a photoconductive drum to the film.
The various features of novel~h,r which characterize the invention, including the general design of a keypad vith a display window and the process accol dillg to the present invention, are pointed out with particularityin the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a front view of a keypad;
Figure 2 is a side view of the keypad according to Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a partial cross sectional view of the keypad according to Figure 1 on a larger scale;
~149372 Figure 4 is a perspective view of a printed cover film with a white-coated backing film bonded to the underside, wherein the right lower corner of the cover film is shown pulled off, and Figure S is a perspective view of a corner of the cover fflm partially pulled off from the printed layer with its toner adhesion layer on the underside.
DET~.Pn DESCRIPTION
OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings in particular, the keypad shown in the drawing has a sandwich structure. It has at least one base film 1, a spacer film 2, a switching film 3, as well as a front film 4. The front film 4 is cGI~lplised of a front-side cover film S and a b~rl~ing film 6, which is laid directly behind it and is provided with a white ink layer 6' or is intrinsicallywhite. The cover film S and the b~rlring film 6 are bonded to each other over their entire surface by a thin adhesive film 7, which was originally applied to the backing film. For protection against scr~tching or other rl~m~ging effects, the cover film 5 must be provided on its surface with a cured or harder protective layer S'. The latter may consist of, e.g., a two-component lacquer or a lacquer "baked" with W light. This protective layer S' may also be dull, if desired. The base film 1, the spacer film 2, the switching film 3, and the front film 4 are also bonded to one another over their entire surface.
An LCD display 8, which is visible through a display window 9 and through the cover film 5, is located behind the base film 1. The display window 9 is formed by corresponding cutouts 10, 11, 12 or 13 of the base film 1, of the spacer film 2, of the switching film 3, as well as of the backingfilm 6, which are fittingly placed one on top of another. While the front-side cover film S must be transparent, the base film 1, the spacer film 2, and the switching film 3 may also be nontransparent. Such films usually preferably consist of polyester. The spacer film 2 is additionally provided with window-like cutouts 14, in which Cu contact elements 15 and 15' of the base film 1 and of the switching film 3 are located. These contacts can be actuated in a contacting manner by pressing the front film 4 with a finger.
Key-like printed images 16 and 17, which are arranged on the rear side of the cover film 5 and are visible through same, are provided over these window-like openings of the spacer film 2. These are numbers and function keys and other indicia, which can be actuated by pressing the corresponding area with a finger for contacting the contact elements 15, 15'.
While the front surface 19 of the keypad shown, which is visible in Figure 1, is usually single-colored, the printed images 16 and 17, which provide the appearance of the keys, are provided with at least two colors, and the surfaces of the individual small boxes have a color that is clearly distinguishable from the color of the base surface 19. The function keys may have a different color than the number keys. In addition, the numbers and the individual function s~mbols are distinguished by their color from the surface colors of the individual small boxes. The numbers and/or the function svmbols or calculation svmbols mav also aD~ear in white. This also applies to the text areas 18, which are arranged dil~ lly under the printed images 17.
The color of the base surface 19 as well as the diLrereJlt colors of the printed images 16 and 17 and of the text areas 18 are applied by the process a~ordhlg to the present invention by p~ ;"g the multicolor printing in a computer-controlled laser ~lhlter or laser copier, while the surface areas, which shall later appear in white, remain blank and so do the window cutouts, through which the display shall be visible. To do so, the front-side cover film S is provided or prepared, on iS underside to be printed on, with a special color toner adhesion layer 4', to which the color print is applied.
This color toner adhesion layer 4' is provided either with antistatic properties or with an antistatic layer, by which elecl.o~tic charges of the cover film, which could impair the quality of the printed image, are at least greatly reduced.
To prevent uncontrolled ele~illu~l~lic charges, which are detrimental to the quality of the printed image, from o~ulling to the highest possible degree of certainty, the protective layer 5' is also provided with an antistaticlayer 4/1. More or less in a compen~ting cooperation with the antistatic properties of the color toner adhesion layer 4' or with its antistatic layer, `- ~149372 this additional antistatic layer 4/1 of the protective layer 5' allows for the avoidance of harmful electrostatic charges during printing so that sharp and exact printed images will be formed.
The white color is then produced by backing the printed underside of the cover film S with the white backing film 6, wherein it is advantageous to provide the backing film 6 with an adhesive film in advance, and to bond this backing film to the printed area of the cover film 5 by means of this adhesive film.
Figure 4 shows the printed layer 20 applied to the underside of the cover film 5 and the adhesive film 7 on the top side of the backing film 6.
The toner adhesion layer 4' applied to the underside of the cover film 5, which underside is to be printed on, is illustrated in a non-realistic manner in Figure 5 insofar as the printed layer 20 can no longer be separated from this toner adhesion layer 4'.
It is also possible, among other things, to apply the white ink to the multicolor printed image by rolling it on in an application station arranged downstream of the fixing station of a printer or of a copier, if desired, by using an image mask.
Especially good print results have been obtained in color printers or color copiers, in which an intermediate image carrier, especially in the form of a transfer strip, is used to transfer the scanned image from a photoconductive drum to the film.
~1~9372 While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.
Wl l H A MULTICOLOR PRINT FOR KEYPADS
AND THE LIKE
s FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to a process for preparing front films for keypads or the like, which consist of cover films, especially polyester films. which have, on the top side, a scratch-proof. hard. possibly dulled protective layer, which consists of. e.g., a two-component lacquer or a lacquer cured by UV light, and which are provided with a multicolor printed image on the underside (white also being available as a color, besides any colors and shades), and the front film optionally has unprinted transparent wlndows.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Cover films made of polyester or polycarbonate. which are used as front films for kevpads or the like. are frequently printed on the reverse 21~9372 .~
side, so that they exhibit, e.g., keypad boxes, text boxes or the like from the front side, while window-like openings, which are used as transparent windows, e.g., on displays or the like, are not printed on. The printing is performed in the conventional manner by silk screen printing. This involves S a separate printing process and also a special print screen as these are necessary for each color used. This leads to very high printing costs.
While a white printing ink is not needed for printing on white paper or a white background, white printing ink must also be available for printing on cover films.
It has also been known that so-called overhead films (for use with overhead-type projector) can be printed in multiple colors on one side in color copying. The polyester films to be printed on are provided on both sides with the same color toner adhesion layer and possibly with an antistatic layer, even though only one side is to be printed on. The reason for coating with the same color toner adhesion layer or antistatic layer on both sides is that in the case of co~hng on one side only, uncontrollable electrostatic charges may greatly impair the quality of the printed image and lead to unsuitable print results.
However, white as a printing ink is not used or needed in the overhead film application because the images of such overhead films are usually projected onto a white projection surface.
`~ 2149372 -SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a process for preparing front films of-the type described in the introduction, by which the cost for preparing the printed images on the reverse side of the front films can be reduced while maintaining an at least a~r~ tely equal irnage quality.
This object is attained according to the present invention either by providing the film with a color toner adhesion layer only on the underside surface to be printed on and printing with color toner on the side with the adhesion layer in a computer-controlled printer according to the electrostatic printing process (laser printing process), and/or by subsequently coating the printed surfaces with white ink, possibly leaving out window openings.
To obtain higher print quality at a higher level of certainty, it is advantageous to proceed by providing the scratch-proof protective layer with an antistatic layer which neutralizes or avoids electrostatic charges of the film at least during printing in an electronic printer or copier and/or to proceed by providing the color toner adhesion layer with an antistatic layer or providing the color toner adhesion layer with antistatic effects.
According to a further aspect of the invention, after printing, the antistatic layer may be removed. This offers the possibility of removing the antistatic layer from the protective layer after it has served its purpose.
~1 49372 Printing on front films by means of computer-controlled laser printers or color copiers, which use a powdered toner, has not been used to date for the purpose accordil,g to the present invention mainly because these computer-controlled color printers and color copiers or printing procecces S cannot print white color, and because the powdered toners available were able to be printed with sufficient printed image quality only on films which are provided on both sides with the same toner adhesion layer or with an additional antistatic layer. Films with a scratch-proof, hard protective layer on the top side have hitherto been con~idered to be unsuitable for being printed on in this manner.
The process accordhlg to the plesent invention makes it possible to prepare the multicolor printed images, which are needed for the front films of, e.g., keypads, in series at a su~sld~-lially lower cost and more rapidly, because not only the multiple operations needed, but also the multiple print screens needed in the prior-art silk screen printing proces~, are elimin~te~l The subsequent application of the white ink to the printed underside of the cover film may be performed in different ways. Thus, it would advantageously be possible to arrange an application station for the white ink, in which the white ink is rolled on, directly behind the obligatory fixing station of the printer or copier.
Another, equally advantageous possibility is to provide the white color by the use of a white backing film, which can be bonded on the - 2149~72 printed side of the cover film and the white backing film may have window openings, if desired.
The backing film may be white in itself or have a white ink layer.
Especially good print results can be obtained according to the present invention with a printer or copier which has an intermediate image carrier, particularly in the form of a transfer strip, to transfer the scanned image from a photoconductive drum to the film.
The various features of novel~h,r which characterize the invention, including the general design of a keypad vith a display window and the process accol dillg to the present invention, are pointed out with particularityin the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
Figure 1 is a front view of a keypad;
Figure 2 is a side view of the keypad according to Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a partial cross sectional view of the keypad according to Figure 1 on a larger scale;
~149372 Figure 4 is a perspective view of a printed cover film with a white-coated backing film bonded to the underside, wherein the right lower corner of the cover film is shown pulled off, and Figure S is a perspective view of a corner of the cover fflm partially pulled off from the printed layer with its toner adhesion layer on the underside.
DET~.Pn DESCRIPTION
OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings in particular, the keypad shown in the drawing has a sandwich structure. It has at least one base film 1, a spacer film 2, a switching film 3, as well as a front film 4. The front film 4 is cGI~lplised of a front-side cover film S and a b~rl~ing film 6, which is laid directly behind it and is provided with a white ink layer 6' or is intrinsicallywhite. The cover film S and the b~rlring film 6 are bonded to each other over their entire surface by a thin adhesive film 7, which was originally applied to the backing film. For protection against scr~tching or other rl~m~ging effects, the cover film 5 must be provided on its surface with a cured or harder protective layer S'. The latter may consist of, e.g., a two-component lacquer or a lacquer "baked" with W light. This protective layer S' may also be dull, if desired. The base film 1, the spacer film 2, the switching film 3, and the front film 4 are also bonded to one another over their entire surface.
An LCD display 8, which is visible through a display window 9 and through the cover film 5, is located behind the base film 1. The display window 9 is formed by corresponding cutouts 10, 11, 12 or 13 of the base film 1, of the spacer film 2, of the switching film 3, as well as of the backingfilm 6, which are fittingly placed one on top of another. While the front-side cover film S must be transparent, the base film 1, the spacer film 2, and the switching film 3 may also be nontransparent. Such films usually preferably consist of polyester. The spacer film 2 is additionally provided with window-like cutouts 14, in which Cu contact elements 15 and 15' of the base film 1 and of the switching film 3 are located. These contacts can be actuated in a contacting manner by pressing the front film 4 with a finger.
Key-like printed images 16 and 17, which are arranged on the rear side of the cover film 5 and are visible through same, are provided over these window-like openings of the spacer film 2. These are numbers and function keys and other indicia, which can be actuated by pressing the corresponding area with a finger for contacting the contact elements 15, 15'.
While the front surface 19 of the keypad shown, which is visible in Figure 1, is usually single-colored, the printed images 16 and 17, which provide the appearance of the keys, are provided with at least two colors, and the surfaces of the individual small boxes have a color that is clearly distinguishable from the color of the base surface 19. The function keys may have a different color than the number keys. In addition, the numbers and the individual function s~mbols are distinguished by their color from the surface colors of the individual small boxes. The numbers and/or the function svmbols or calculation svmbols mav also aD~ear in white. This also applies to the text areas 18, which are arranged dil~ lly under the printed images 17.
The color of the base surface 19 as well as the diLrereJlt colors of the printed images 16 and 17 and of the text areas 18 are applied by the process a~ordhlg to the present invention by p~ ;"g the multicolor printing in a computer-controlled laser ~lhlter or laser copier, while the surface areas, which shall later appear in white, remain blank and so do the window cutouts, through which the display shall be visible. To do so, the front-side cover film S is provided or prepared, on iS underside to be printed on, with a special color toner adhesion layer 4', to which the color print is applied.
This color toner adhesion layer 4' is provided either with antistatic properties or with an antistatic layer, by which elecl.o~tic charges of the cover film, which could impair the quality of the printed image, are at least greatly reduced.
To prevent uncontrolled ele~illu~l~lic charges, which are detrimental to the quality of the printed image, from o~ulling to the highest possible degree of certainty, the protective layer 5' is also provided with an antistaticlayer 4/1. More or less in a compen~ting cooperation with the antistatic properties of the color toner adhesion layer 4' or with its antistatic layer, `- ~149372 this additional antistatic layer 4/1 of the protective layer 5' allows for the avoidance of harmful electrostatic charges during printing so that sharp and exact printed images will be formed.
The white color is then produced by backing the printed underside of the cover film S with the white backing film 6, wherein it is advantageous to provide the backing film 6 with an adhesive film in advance, and to bond this backing film to the printed area of the cover film 5 by means of this adhesive film.
Figure 4 shows the printed layer 20 applied to the underside of the cover film 5 and the adhesive film 7 on the top side of the backing film 6.
The toner adhesion layer 4' applied to the underside of the cover film 5, which underside is to be printed on, is illustrated in a non-realistic manner in Figure 5 insofar as the printed layer 20 can no longer be separated from this toner adhesion layer 4'.
It is also possible, among other things, to apply the white ink to the multicolor printed image by rolling it on in an application station arranged downstream of the fixing station of a printer or of a copier, if desired, by using an image mask.
Especially good print results have been obtained in color printers or color copiers, in which an intermediate image carrier, especially in the form of a transfer strip, is used to transfer the scanned image from a photoconductive drum to the film.
~1~9372 While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.
Claims (10)
1. A process for preparing front films for keypads or the like, the front films comprising a cover film with a topside having a scratchproof, hard protective layer, the front film being provided with a multicolor printed image on the underside, wherein white may be provided as a color along with other desirable colors and shades, the front film optionally being provided with unprinted display windows, the process comprising the steps of:
providing the cover film with a color toner adhesion layer only on an underside, defining a surface to be printed on;
printing on the adhesion layer with color toner in a computer-controlled printer using an electrostatic printing process; and subsequently covering the printed surface with white ink, wherein a portion of the white ink cover may optionally be left out to provide said display windows.
providing the cover film with a color toner adhesion layer only on an underside, defining a surface to be printed on;
printing on the adhesion layer with color toner in a computer-controlled printer using an electrostatic printing process; and subsequently covering the printed surface with white ink, wherein a portion of the white ink cover may optionally be left out to provide said display windows.
2. A process according to claim 1, wherein said cover film is formed of polyester and said protective layer is formed of a two-component lacquer, or a lacquer cured by UV light.
3. A process according to claim 1, further comprising providing said scratch-proof protective layer with an antistatic layer, said scratch-proof protective layer antistatic layer neutralizing or avoiding electrostatic changes of the file, at least during printing, during said electrostatic printing process.
4. A process according to claim 1, wherein said color toner adhesion layer is provided with antistatic effects or is provided with an antistatic layer.
5. A process according to claim 3, wherein said antistatic layer is removed from said protective layer after printing.
6. A process according to claim 1, wherein said white ink is rolled onto said printed side of said cover film in an ink application station, said ink application station being arranged downstream of a fixing station of the computer-controlled printer.
7. A process according to claim 1, wherein said white color is applied to a printed side of said cover film in the form of a white backing film, said white backing film optionally being provided with window openings.
8. A process according to claim 7, wherein said backing film is bonded over an entire length of a printed side of said cover film by means of a transparent adhesive film.
9. A process according to claim 1, wherein said printing on said cover film is performed in a color printer or color copier, said color printer or color copier having an intermediate image carrier.
10. A process according to claim 9, wherein said image carrier is provided in the form of a transfer strip for transferring the scanned image from a photoconductive drum to the film.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE4416867 | 1994-05-13 | ||
| DEP4416867.5 | 1994-05-13 | ||
| DE4437616A DE4437616C2 (en) | 1994-05-13 | 1994-10-21 | Process for the production of front foils for membrane keyboards or the like |
| DEP4437616.2 | 1994-10-21 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2149372A1 true CA2149372A1 (en) | 1995-11-14 |
Family
ID=25936569
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002149372A Abandoned CA2149372A1 (en) | 1994-05-13 | 1995-05-15 | Process for preparing front films provided with a multicolor print for keypads and the like |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0683039B1 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE195461T1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2149372A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6196738B1 (en) | 1998-07-31 | 2001-03-06 | Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd. | Key top element, push button switch element and method for manufacturing same |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102018126213A1 (en) * | 2018-10-22 | 2020-04-23 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft | Motor vehicle |
| CN110970249B (en) * | 2019-11-14 | 2022-02-18 | 中国船舶重工集团公司第七0七研究所 | Low-power consumption electromagnetic compatibility display control device applied to ink-jet printer |
Family Cites Families (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS58136480A (en) * | 1982-02-09 | 1983-08-13 | Mitsubishi Paper Mills Ltd | Recording medium |
| DE3236256A1 (en) * | 1982-09-30 | 1984-04-05 | Manfred 7307 Aichwald Dörler | Film, in particular key membrane for actuation of electric contacts, and process for its production |
| JPH0675225B2 (en) * | 1987-01-27 | 1994-09-21 | 富士写真フイルム株式会社 | Adhesive transfer method |
| JPS63198216A (en) * | 1987-02-12 | 1988-08-16 | ヤマックス株式会社 | Manufacture of membrane switch |
| JP2571223B2 (en) * | 1987-03-20 | 1997-01-16 | 胖 小林 | Display sheet and method of manufacturing the same |
| DE69015489T2 (en) * | 1989-02-20 | 1995-08-24 | Dainippon Printing Co Ltd | DECORATION FILM AND METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION. |
| GB8911065D0 (en) * | 1989-05-15 | 1989-06-28 | Ici Plc | Polymeric film |
| CA2067482A1 (en) * | 1991-05-09 | 1992-11-10 | Emanuiel Cooper | Permanent antistatic coating and coated polymeric film |
-
1995
- 1995-05-04 AT AT95106704T patent/ATE195461T1/en active
- 1995-05-04 EP EP95106704A patent/EP0683039B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-05-15 CA CA002149372A patent/CA2149372A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6196738B1 (en) | 1998-07-31 | 2001-03-06 | Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd. | Key top element, push button switch element and method for manufacturing same |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0683039B1 (en) | 2000-08-16 |
| EP0683039A1 (en) | 1995-11-22 |
| ATE195461T1 (en) | 2000-09-15 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |