CN116917137A

CN116917137A - Method for providing a three-dimensional textured surface coating for a workpiece

Info

Publication number: CN116917137A
Application number: CN202180094873.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 乔治·马可
Original assignee: Qiao ZhiMake
Current assignee: Qiao ZhiMake
Priority date: 2020-12-29
Filing date: 2021-12-28
Publication date: 2023-10-20
Also published as: IT202100008192A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for decorating materials, comprising the following steps: a three-dimensional layer (110) is applied by inkjet printing on at least a portion of the carrier (100). Applying one or more of the following layers on at least a portion of the carrier on which the three-dimensional layer has been created: a release layer, a texture layer (120), a decorative layer (130), a white layer (140), a colored layer, a functional layer, and an adhesive layer (150). A transferable decoration is applied to at least a portion of the material (160) to be decorated. The carrier (100) is removed. And displaying 3D.

Description

Method for providing a three-dimensional textured surface coating for a workpiece

Technical Field

The present invention is part of the technical field of materials and methods for decorating and texturing surfaces of materials, such as panels for the production of floors, coverings, furniture, and more generally for construction and design.

The present invention takes advantage of the combination of the capabilities of conventional technology, which provides high mechanical, chemical-physical properties, low cost, and the versatility of digital technology, which allows for complete customization and small volume production.

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a transferable decoration, in particular a transferable decoration obtainable by such a method.

The method and transferable decorative purposes of the present invention can be used to achieve the decoration to be transferred on any type of smooth and rough surface (e.g. wood, glass, metal, plastic, gypsum, etc.), preferably cold transfer, especially for indoor construction, such as floors, wall coverings, furniture, skirting boards, doors and window frames.

The method and transferable decorative purpose of the present invention allow to obtain a decorated surface as if it had been coated and finished (finish) in a conventional manner.

Background

Digital printing, and in particular inkjet printing, is rapidly evolving in the industry sector, replacing traditional methods based on analog printing. The advantages of digital printing are considerable, including high flexibility, the ability to produce small batches, and reduced wastage of consumables.

In particular, reproducing wood on various materials represents a typical application for the production of floors, furniture, skirting boards, profiles and digital printing in general in the design and construction field.

For this application, the material consists of wood and its derivatives (MDF/HDF/particle board/plywood), plastic (PVC/polyolefin) and metal, and the material is printed with an image and finished to increase its abrasion and scratch resistance.

In particular in the case of floors and furniture panels, the finishing after printing may involve the use of melamine resin layers (laminates) or the use of coatings applied by conventional techniques (roller/spray/curtain/die). The coating may be of various types, such as radiation curable, epoxy, polyurethane, hot melt, and may contain water and/or solvents to control its viscosity.

In reproduction of natural materials such as wood, stone, etc., in order to obtain a material more similar to an original even in touch sense in addition to an image, it is necessary to reproduce a surface structure.

Embossing (embossing) is generally carried out on the surface layer and can be obtained in various ways, for example by pressing with a mould, a roller or a film, on which the structure to be embossed is reproduced. The method may be carried out by applying pressure on the not fully cured resin, on the thermoplastic material, on the radiation curable resin which is simultaneously irradiated and polymerized.

Still with the aim of reproducing the natural material accurately, the desired features are for having a relief structure that is consistent with the printed image, or to obtain correspondence between concavity/convexity and the printed image. For conventional methods, registration embossing (register embossing) (more commonly known as EIR: embossing In Registration) is not readily available, both for the necessary precision and for the need to have multiple dies corresponding to the various structures of the corresponding image to be printed.

More importantly, digital printing allows you to easily make different images, and a method of obtaining a surface structure in a simple and efficient manner would be suitable.

In fact, modern scanners for acquiring images of material, such as the METISDRS2000, also allow to obtain surface structures at the same time, which can be advantageously used for register embossing.

In the past, various techniques have been proposed which provide decoration and formation of surface structures by direct printing on the material to be decorated using inkjet technology:

patents EP2108524B1 and EP2507063 provide the use of UV formulations to create 3D structures to mimic the texture of wood.

Patent EP3109056 provides for the use of UV formulations applied by inkjet printing on uncured UV coatings to create 3D structures to simulate the texture of wood.

Patent WO2020039361A1 provides for direct printing and creation of 3D structures to mimic the texture of wood by removing material.

The above-described techniques, while providing 3D decoration and structure using digital technology, cannot be used to print finished flooring boards, nor can they be used for decoration having 3D contours with mutually adjoining planes.

In order to simplify logistics and further shorten marketing time, the market aims at decorating finished products. In particular, it is suitable to decorate the finished flooring board that has been formed.

Thus, new methods of determining the decoration and embossing of the surface of an object are desired, which methods apply registration on surfaces of different materials quickly and simply, and at low cost.

Definition of the definition

Embossing (texture): creating a surface texture.

Texture (embossing)): creating a surface texture.

Radiation curable (photocurable): it is meant that the layer is curable by UV radiation and/or electron beam (e-beam).

Photocurable (radiation curable): the finger layer may be cured by UV radiation and/or electron beam (e-beam).

-3D: three-dimensional.

Texture or three-dimensional structure: the predetermined pattern defines the dimensional areas and depths or heights of the depressions and protrusions and/or the relative positions of the depressions and protrusions along the surface of the layer to which the texture or the three-dimensional structure is applied, according to a combination of depressions and protrusions of the predetermined pattern.

-3D layer: a layer having a certain thickness, having a certain length and width, and having a surface applied with a texture or a three-dimensional structure according to the definition above.

-texture layer: the object by the method of the invention becomes a three-dimensional layer.

-an adhesive: any substance capable of holding materials together in a functional manner by resisting the attachment of a separate surface.

Disclosure of Invention

Brief description of the invention

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, applicants have discovered a method of decorating materials by combining digital printing techniques with analog techniques.

The invention is particularly suitable for decorating 3D profiles which are difficult to print directly. Such profiles are, for example, finished flooring boards, skirting boards, door profiles and window profiles.

In the case of digital decoration, the 3D profile is usually decorated by applying a thin film of plastic or paper printed by inkjet printing on a surface, which is then finished with a coating suitable for protecting the printing. The application is typically performed using a glue, typically hot-melt. The high thickness of the film requires a high weight of adhesive (60-90 g/m ² ) This makes it difficult to trim the film after application.

If ink jet printing is used to print the adhesive, the amount thereof can be reduced, the adhesive being applied in a larger amount in a different way where the mechanical stress is higher (for example on the radius of the profile).

The method and transferable decorative object of the present invention reduces the overall thickness of the layers to be transferred, thereby reducing the weight of adhesive required for application.

The transfer object of the present invention is made of a layer produced as needed, and other polymer films are not part thereof.

Advantageously, the reduced overall thickness of the decorated package results in a more natural and less shapeable decoration.

In addition, since the transfer weight is lighter than a conventional decorative film made of PVC or paper, the product is more sustainable in terms of environment.

The flooring market is seeking to decorate in a veneer mode. Most finished panels have mechanical interlocks (locks, clicks) for connecting them during installation. The profile is present on all four sides of the sheet and is usually produced by a profiling machine after the panel has been decorated and cut. During profiling, a chamfer (bevel) is typically created, which is usually coloured to conform to the colour of the sheet surface.

Another problem with decorating finished floors is the application of protective coatings in the range of typically 80-250g/m ² Due to the excessive coating, the chamfer, interlock system, and typical creasing effect near the edges are often smeared.

It is therefore desirable to find a solution that can decorate a finished flooring board to avoid the above-mentioned problems.

Detailed description of the invention

The method object of the invention provides a workpiece with a three-dimensional textured surface coating on at least part of its surface, the method consisting in providing said coating using a transferable decoration.

According to a more general combination of steps, a method according to the invention for providing a workpiece with a three-dimensional textured surface coating on at least part of its surface consists in using a transferable decoration to provide said coating, the method comprising the steps of:

a) Creating a three-dimensional layer on at least a portion of the carrier by inkjet printing,

b) Applying one or more of the following layers on at least a portion of the carrier:

i) Stripping layer

ii) texture layer

iii) Decorative layer

iv) functional layer

v) white layer

vi) a coloring layer

vii) an adhesive layer

c) Applying the transferable decoration to at least a portion of the material to be decorated,

d) The carrier is removed in such a way that the carrier,

e) The 3D texture is displayed.

According to a first alternative, a method for providing a workpiece with a three-dimensional textured surface coating on at least part of its surface by using a transferable decoration, the method consisting in the steps of:

a) Creating a three-dimensional structured shaped layer on at least a portion of the carrier by inkjet printing,

b) Applying one or more of the following additional layers over at least a portion of the shaping layer, the layers being applied one to the other in the following order:

i) An optional release layer;

ii) a textured layer three-dimensionally shaped by the three-dimensionally structured shaping layer, exhibiting a complementary surface structure relative to the three-dimensionally structured shaping layer;

iii) A decorative layer;

iv) an optional functional layer;

v) an adhesive layer;

c) Applying the transferable decoration to at least a portion of a workpiece to be decorated, the workpiece having an exterior surface, and the transferable decoration being applied by contacting the transferable decoration and the adhesive layer together with at least a portion of the workpiece surface,

d) The carrier with the three-dimensionally structured shaping layer and optionally the release layer is removed,

e) Whereby the textured layer is shown having the surface structure complementary to the three-dimensional structured shaping layer,

f) Optionally, recovering and storing the support and/or the three-dimensionally structured shaping layer.

According to a second alternative, a method for providing a workpiece with a three-dimensional textured surface coating on at least part of its surface by using a transferable decoration, the method consisting in the following phases:

a) Creating a three-dimensional structured shaped layer by inkjet printing on a temporary carrier that is not part of the transferable decoration when the transferred decoration is applied to the work piece;

b) Applying one or more of the following layers on the three-dimensional structured shaped layer according to step a), said layers being applied one to the other in the following order:

i) An optional release layer;

iii) A decorative layer;

iv) an optional functional layer;

v) an adhesive layer;

c) Applying the transferable decoration to at least a portion of a workpiece to be decorated, the workpiece having an exterior surface, and the transferable decoration being applied by contacting the transferable decoration with the adhesive layer and with at least a portion of the surface of the workpiece;

d) Removing the three-dimensional structured shaping layer and the optional release layer;

e) Thereby displaying the textured layer having the surface structure complementary to the three-dimensional structured layer.

As will be described in more detail below, for example, the difference between the two alternatives lies in the fact that: in a first alternative, the support for the three-dimensionally structured shaped layer is produced by inkjet printing on a support which is temporarily part of the combination of layers forming the transfer decoration and which is separated from the combination of layers after adhering to the workpiece together with the three-dimensionally structured shaped layer. Thus, the process produces waste materials, i.e., the support that needs to be recovered and the three-dimensional structured shaped layer adhered thereto.

According to a possible development of the first alternative, the carrier together with the shaping layer can be stored and reused for producing further three-dimensional transfer decorations. A closed loop process may also be provided in which the carrier, along with the shaping layer, may be stored and reused to produce additional three-dimensional transfer decorations.

According to a variant embodiment, the carrier can be removed from the three-dimensional structured shaped layer and reused as a carrier in a different method for producing and applying a transfer decoration according to the first alternative described above.

In a second alternative, no such carrier is provided, but a temporary tray is simply used to allow the method for producing the three-dimensional structured shaped layer to be carried out. In this case, the layer is simultaneously a support layer for a combination of one or more additional layers, which combination is then transferred onto the surface of the workpiece without the tray. In this case, there is no carrier to be recovered.

In both alternatives, the method is performed by using a so-called inversion technique of the main (layer) layer forming the decorative layer, since the order of the above-mentioned layers is opposite to the order of the layers after the combination of the layers forming the transfer decoration is applied to the work.

The two alternatives disclosed above are preferably directed to a method for producing a three-dimensional structured shaped layer by additive printing, in particular by additive inkjet printing. This means that patterns of depressions and embossments providing texture to the surface of the coating are obtained by depositing ink of different thickness at different points or areas of the surface.

According to another alternative embodiment of each of the two alternatives, the white layers are applied alternately before the formation of the adhesive layer in the layer combination of the transfer decoration or on the surface on which the transfer decoration has to be applied on the workpiece.

According to another alternative embodiment, the colored layers are applied on top of the white layer or alternately on top of the white layer.

According to a variant embodiment, the adhesive layer may be applied on the surface of the workpiece and, when provided on the workpiece, on top of the white layer and/or the coloured layer, and step c) of each of the alternatives disclosed above is performed by adhering the surface of the support opposite the three-dimensionally structured shaped layer or the surface of the three-dimensionally structured shaped layer opposite the textured layer to the exposed surface of the adhesive layer previously applied to the workpiece.

According to a third alternative, a method for providing a workpiece with a three-dimensional textured surface coating on at least part of its surface by using a transferable decoration consists in the following steps:

a) Creating a three-dimensional structured shaped layer by applying one or more of the following layers on a temporary carrier, said layers being applied one on top of the other in the following order:

i) A first white layer;

ii) an optional decorative layer;

iii) A texture layer;

iv) a fluid for three-dimensionally shaping the textured layer, the fluid being applied on top of the textured layer by covering the first area but not the second area according to a predetermined pattern that reproduces the pattern of the three-dimensional structure of the three-dimensionally structured coating;

b) An adhesive layer is applied to the portion of the workpiece surface to which the three-dimensional textured coating must be applied,

c) Applying the transferable decoration to the portion of the workpiece to be decorated by contacting a surface of the white layer opposite the decorative layer and/or opposite the textured layer with an exposed surface of the adhesive layer,

d) The three-dimensional structure of the texture layer is displayed by removing fluid for three-dimensional shaping in at least some areas covered by the fluid, or at least partially removing material of the texture layer to a depth in at least some areas of the texture layer not covered by the fluid.

Regarding the three-dimensional shaping phase of the texture layer, the techniques disclosed according to WO2020039361A1 and/or WO2021214659A1 or variants thereof may be applied.

According to a more general definition of the above technique, the three-dimensional shaping of the surface of the textured layer is produced by a combination of the following steps:

-applying a textured layer made of resin a or a paint or ink containing resin a on the surface of the substrate, thereby forming a coating;

-applying a liquid B at least on a portion of the texture layer while the texture layer is still liquid or partially cured;

irradiation to change the physical/chemical state of the mixture of the material of the texture layer and the liquid B, or to change the physical/chemical state of the material of the texture layer only in the areas not covered by the liquid B, or to change the physical/chemical state of the liquid B only;

d. removing material of the texture layer in areas not covered by liquid B and/or removing material of a mixture of liquid and material of the texture layer in areas covered by liquid B or removing material of liquid B only.

Depending on the chemical/physical properties or composition of the material forming the texture layer and/or the liquid B, the removal may be performed by using several different techniques or a combination of one or more of them, for example by brushing and/or sanding and/or by exposure to air and/or liquid jets and/or by dissolution in a solvent and/or by washing.

With respect to each of the three alternative embodiments disclosed above, additional steps may be applied, namely applying one or more finishes over the exposed surface of the three-dimensionally structured coating applied to the workpiece. The transfer decoration object of the invention can be used for decorating various rigid or flexible materials, such as wood and derivatives (e.g. MDF/HDF, chipboard, osb), laminates and melamine, various plastics (e.g. PVC, PP, PE, PET), glass, metal, wall surfaces, natural or synthetic leather, textiles. The material may be planar or three-dimensional, for example for skirting boards or for profiles for windows/door frames. The transfer decoration can be applied by calendaring (calendaring), in the case of 3D profiles by rollers, but can also be applied manually.

In one form of the invention, some of the layers may be applied directly to the substrate to be decorated.

The layers may be applied in a different order than those listed above. Furthermore, all or only part of the layer objects of the inventive method may be applied, depending on the aesthetic and functional aspects of the decoration.

In principle, all the layers constituting the transfer can be applied by inkjet printing.

Alternatively, conventional application techniques such as rotogravure printing, flexographic printing, cylinders and curtain coaters may be used.

In a preferred aspect of the invention, the use of slot-dies is particularly suitable, which allows for easy dosing of the amount applied and adjustment of the width applied by using shims.

In general, these layers may have various chemical properties such as, but not limited to, polyurethanes, epoxies, acrylates, acrylic systems, and combinations thereof.

Preferably, these layers are composed of 100% solids to avoid evaporation operations of solvent and/or water.

In a preferred form of the invention, the layers are of a Radiation curable nature, a technique widely described in the literature "Radiation Curing: science and Technology" (Pappas).

Radiation curable resins polymerize when irradiated by ultraviolet equipment and/or by Electron Beam (EB) irradiation, and can be classified into two types based on crosslinking mechanisms:

1) Free radicals, typically from vinyl monomers and acrylate resins, are divided into several subclasses: epoxy acrylates, urethane acrylates, polyester acrylates, polyether acrylates, amino acrylates, silicon acrylates, polyisoprene acrylates, polybutadiene acrylates and monomeric acrylates. Among the vinyl monomers we can mention N-vinylcaprolactam (NVC), acryloylmorpholine (ACMO), diethylene glycol divinyl ether (DVE-2), triethylene glycol divinyl ether (DVE-3) and mixtures thereof.

The term acrylate refers to acrylate and methacrylate resins.

2) Cationic resins such as epoxy resins, polyols, and monomers (e.g., oxetanes and vinyl ethers).

Typically, radiation curing by UV irradiation may be performed with one or more Hg lamps and/or LED lamps.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the method of the invention is implemented using LED lamps, which are characterized by lower consumption, longer lifetime and lower heat radiation than conventional Hg lamps.

Ink jet

The inkjet printing may be a multi-channel/scanning mode in which an image is produced by multiple channels of the printhead as the material to be printed advances, or a single-channel mode in which the material to be printed is only in the followingThe print head passes under once, the print head being mounted at the same width as the material to be decorated. Single pass printing for large batches>1000m ² /h), while multichannel printing is used for medium-small batches (10-600 m ² /h), which is of course most common.

Typically, inkjet printing involves the use of printheads to generate and eject ink droplets which will then form the image to be printed. Details of this type of printing can be found, for example, in the book Fundamentals of inkj et printing: the science of inkjet and droplets (Hoath, stephen).

Depending on the printhead used, the droplets produced may have different diameters and thus different volumes.

In addition to the inherent drop size (inherent characteristics of the printhead), the printhead itself can produce larger drops. For example, a printhead capable of ejecting 4 gray levels will have a minimum drop of 6pl, while the maximum drop will be 18pl.

Carrier body

In one aspect of the invention according to the first alternative disclosed above, a carrier is used to transfer the layer applied thereto onto the material to be decorated.

In one aspect of the invention, the carrier is used only once and after the desired layer is transferred, it is rewound and used for recycling. In this case, the 3D structure may remain adhered to the carrier.

In a preferred form of the invention, the carrier is flexible and may consist of: synthetic polymers, such as BOPP, PP, PET, PE, PVC; natural polymers such as cellulose, paper, and combinations thereof. To reduce cost, the thickness of the carrier is between 12 μ and 100 μ.

Lower thicknesses are more complex to manage in the machine, especially at high speeds, while higher thicknesses may be inconvenient, especially if the film is used only once. Obviously, different thicknesses may be used to meet specific needs.

In another aspect of the invention, the carrier is a carrier according to the second alternative embodiment disclosed above and is in the form of a temporary carrier that is not part of the combination of layers forming the transfer decoration to be applied to the work piece. In this case, the carrier is used continuously and does not represent a waste layer as in the embodiment according to the first alternative. All layers, including the 3D layer, are transferred to the material to be decorated, except for the temporary carrier. In this way, the carrier can be reused for unlimited repetition of the operation. For this application, the carrier is preferably made of a mechanically resistant material including, but not limited to, rubber (e.g., silicone rubber, FKM, EPDM) and polymers (e.g., polyimide, polyamide, PTFE), metal, with a thickness between 0.5mm and 5 mm.

In another form of the invention, the carrier is rigid and used as if it were a mold, which transfers the decoration by pressing it onto the material to be decorated.

To obtain different gloss levels, the support may be surface treated with different gloss levels (gloss) which will then be transferred to the first layer which has been applied to the support. For example, if the carrier has a gloss of 8 (60 °) and the first layer is a textured layer, once transferred, it will have the same gloss of 8 (60 °).

3D layer

The texture is preferably produced by inkjet printing, with the advantage that registration (registration) with the underlying image is readily available.

Superimposed 3D shaping

In a first aspect of the invention, the 3D layer is generated by superimposing a plurality of layers printed by an inkjet printer.

For convenience, this method of creating three dimensions of the shaping layer is referred to as "stacked 3D".

DIRECT 3D SHAPING (DIRECT 3D SHAPING)

In a preferred embodiment according to the third alternative of the invention disclosed above, the techniques described in patent WO2020039361A1 and/or WO2021214659A1 can be used, wherein the texture is created by ink-jet printing a specific liquid on the liquid coating. The whole is then cured/polymerized and made three-dimensional by removing areas of previously printed liquid. For convenience, this method of generating three dimensions is referred to as "direct 3D".

In the case of overlaying the 3D shaping layer and/or the texture layer applied with shaping fluid according to the above-described direct 3D technique being transferred together with other layers, in order to obtain a 3D structured coating of the workpiece, the 3D shaping fluid or the three-dimensional structured shaping layer applied to the texture layer has to be removed (fig. 2.7, 4.7, 7.8). The 3D structured shaped layer or 3D shaped fluid layer is formed in order to obtain a softer/more brittle material than the texture layer in which the 3D structure will be created. In general, the Tg of the 3D structured shaping layer or 3D shaping fluid layer must be lower than the Tg of the texture layer in order to facilitate its removal.

Preferably, the removal of the 3D structured shaped layer or the 3D shaped fluid layer is of the mechanical type and can therefore be performed using the same machinery used for wood brushing. These machines use brushes and/or mats made of more or less aggressive materials (steel, brass, nylon fibers, polyester fibers), depending on the hardness of the material to be removed and the desired finish. Such devices are produced, for example, by CEFLA (e.g., RSP 4) and QUICKWOOD (e.g., GDI/300+LEV).

The removal of the 3D structured formation layer or the 3D formation fluid layer may also be performed by a high pressure air jet or a high pressure water jet.

In another form of the invention, a roller or tape may be used to remove the 3D layer, and then the roller or tape may be cleaned and reused.

In another form of the invention, the 3D structured formation layer or the 3D formation fluid layer may be removed using a suitable solvent.

In another form of the invention, the 3D layer structured shaping layer or 3D shaping fluid layer is water soluble and can be removed by immersion in water or by water jets.

In the case of superposition of 3D, the three-dimensional depth produced in the texture layer is a function of the thickness of the 3D structured shaped layer and the thickness of the layer subsequently applied to the 3D structured shaped layer.

In the case of direct 3D techniques for three-dimensionally structuring a textured layer, the three-dimensional depth created in the textured layer is a function of the thickness of the 3D shaping fluid layer and the layers subsequently applied to the 3D shaping fluid layer.

In another embodiment of the invention, the 3D texture is generated by combining the superimposed 3D and direct 3D techniques according to the above embodiments and variations.

Texture layer

The texture layer is a layer that is rendered three-dimensional by the method object of the invention.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the texture layer is a protective layer.

Applying a protective layer (typically 20-200g/m ² ) Its function is to protect the decorative layer from wear and tear. The protective layer may comprise an abrasion resistant material to increase its abrasion resistance. The wear resistance depends on the chemical composition of the coating itself, the presence of wear resistant particles (e.g. aluminium oxide) and the thickness applied.

Decorative layer

The decorative layer is preferably applied by ink jet printing and produces a decorative image, but may also be formed in solid colors.

The inks used to make the decorative layer preferably have radiation curable properties, commonly referred to as UV inks, but may also be water-based, solvent-based, or a combination of various techniques (hybrid inks).

Typically, printing involves using a four-color process, such as cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, or a six-color process, wherein in addition to the primary colors, corresponding light colors, such as light cyan, light magenta, light red, and light black, are used.

In a preferred form of the invention, the pigments are selected to minimize the effect of metamerism (metamerism). In particular, pigments constituting the yellow component and pigments constituting the red component are responsible for metamerism. The use of red instead of magenta may reduce metamerism of the red component. To further reduce this phenomenon, the authors found that metamerism could be further reduced by combining classical four/six color treatments with brown hues. Apart from brown organic pigments such as PBr 25 and PBr 41, inorganic pigments can also be used, as are pigments for ink decoration of ceramics.

Advantageously, the use of the technical object of the invention can be used with specific colours to produce light, medium, dark, unsaturated and grey wood. For example, in addition to black and light colors of Lm, lc, lr, etc., the printer may be configured to print gray or heavily desaturated wood using 2 or more levels of gray (e.g., light black and light black).

Consumers are not only required to have their documents (images) reproduced accurately in color, but also to have their output unchanged over time. Color consistency is typically achieved or maintained through calibration over time. Most existing printer calibration methods are template-based, meaning that they require the printer to print a set of test templates. The actual output is then measured and compared to the desired output to generate an error signal that drives the calibration process. Template-based methods are typically "off-line" and "discrete" in nature. Therefore, this method requires stopping the normal printing process. While this may not be particularly troublesome for short-term runs where calibration may be arranged between print jobs, it is certainly inconvenient and affects efficiency when long-term running print jobs need to be interrupted for calibration. Furthermore, offline calibration is a "discrete" event, meaning that there is typically a significant time interval between two consecutive calibrations, where significant color errors may accumulate during the period between calibrations.

In a preferred form of the invention, the transfer system is equipped with an in-line color measurement that is capable of feeding back color and adjusting color accordingly.

White layer

Color reproduction consistency is one of the main limitations of inkjet printing. The white layer is used for making the color of the substrate uniform and carrying out the decorative layer. The amount of white binder is generally 10g/m ² And 50g/m ² Depending on the background color of the material to be decorated and the desired white point.

In another form of the invention, the white substrate may be manufactured by applying a white film to the material to be decorated. This operation is typically used for SPC, on which a white PVC film is laminated on the core material.

Coloring layer

A coloring layer may be applied to reduce ink consumption and homogenize the background. The colors may be formulated or may be created online by combining different colors. Multiple colored layers may be overlaid to produce the desired hue. As an example, a colored layer is created by applying two or more superimposed color layers or colors.

In another form of the invention, a coloured layer is applied under the white layer to make the deep scratches/abrasion due to abrasion less pronounced. In this case, the colored layer may contain an abrasion-resistant filler in order to increase abrasion resistance.

In another form of the invention, the colored layer is applied by inkjet printing.

Adhesive layer

Adhesives are generally classified into two types, depending on how they are manufactured. They are classified as pressure sensitive or polymer based, but there are other classifications including:

1. anaerobic 2. Bismaleimide

3. Casein protein

4. Cyanoacrylate esters

5. Dextrin

6. Conductive 7. Hot melt type

8. Phenolic aldehyde

9. Plastisol

10. Polyvinyl acetate (PVA's)

11. Reactive and reactive

12. Solvent-based

13. Thermosetting type

14. Radiation curable

15. Water-based

Pressure Sensitive Adhesives (PSAs) are composed of acrylic, rubber/latex, or silicone. They do not require solvents, water or heat to stick, and can be applied to paper, glass, wood, plastic or metal by gentle pressing.

Polymeric binders are classified as polyesters, polyurethanes, acrylates and epoxies. Polymer-based adhesives are considered the best choice for bonding wood, but are in fact used in many other industries.

Finally, adhesives are classified based on whether they adhere to a surface using solvents, water, heat, or any combination of the three.

Preferably, the adhesive consists of PSA (pressure sensitive adhesive), which has the advantage of obtaining an immediate adhesion on the material to be decorated, without the use of heat and high pressure which would create mechanical/thermal stresses on the previous layers, resulting in damage/breakage.

In another aspect of the invention, the PSA is of the dual cure type, for example PSA cure can occur by UV radiation, while side reactions between isocyanate and hydroxyl groups can be activated. This type of reaction can be promoted by heating.

In another aspect of the invention, the PSA is radiation curable and is capable of significantly reacting to two different wavelengths, thereby producing different levels of tack. This property can be achieved, for example, by using reactive photoinitiators at different wavelengths, such as TPO (385-410 nm), which do not react well to shorter wavelengths (< 365 nm) in mixtures with alpha-hydroxy ketones, on the other hand, alpha-hydroxy ketones are reactive at shorter wavelengths (< 365 nm) and do not react at longer wavelengths (385-410 nm). The PSA so formulated will have good adhesion when irradiated with LED lamps (385-410 nm) and after application can be irradiated with conventional Hg lamps to achieve crosslinking and structural properties.

In a preferred aspect of the invention, the PSA is applied by inkjet printing.

In another aspect of the invention, an adhesive layer is applied to create a 3D pattern that allows air to escape during the application of the transfer, thereby minimizing bubble formation.

In another aspect of the invention, the adhesive layer is applied in different amounts in the transverse and/or longitudinal direction of the printing, with greater amounts applied where desired.

In a preferred aspect of the invention, the adhesive layer is applied directly to the material to be decorated. In this way, the transfer will adhere only to the portion of the material to be decorated to which the adhesive layer has been applied, preventing it from being transferred to the portion of the material where transfer is not required.

In another preferred form of the invention, the adhesive layer is applied both to the material to be decorated and to the transfer material. In this way, the two layers are easily bonded.

In another form of the invention, the layer or layers to be transferred also have adhesive properties. For example, the white layer and/or patterned layer may be formulated as a PSA rather than a heat activated formulation.

In another form of the invention, the layers may react with each other. For example, one layer may contain isocyanate groups, the next and/or the previous layer may contain hydroxyl groups, and an isocyanate-type bond is formed between the two layers.

Stripping layer

In another aspect of the invention, a release layer is applied. The layer has the function of facilitating transfer separation, keeping the substrate material clean, and ready to receive the next layer. For example, the release layer may be comprised of a radiation curable formulation containing silicone moieties.

Functional layer

In another optional aspect of the invention, a functional layer is applied. The layer may be applied to impart specific optical and/or physical properties such as high refractive index, electrical conductivity, pearlescent effect, metallic effect, thermal sensitivity, electrical conductivity. The functional layer may also be used to generate electricity, such as an embedded perovskite (pervskie) solar cell.

Application of

Transfer may be applied using, for example, calenders, twin belt presses, lamination lines, and combinations of the foregoing techniques, or in a discontinuous manner using, for example, platen presses and film presses. The layers constituting the transfer may be produced in discrete patterns (fig. 2, 3 and 4) or continuously alternating (fig. 7). In the case of continuous application to a discontinuous substrate, such as a flooring board, the transfer may be cut before or after application to the material to be decorated. The transfer may be cut, for example, by using a knife or water jet. In a preferred form of the invention, the adhesive has been applied to the material to be decorated and when a continuous transfer is applied thereto, the pressure is able to cut it, leaving a clean edge. Possible residues are easily removed by pressurized air flow and/or brushing.

In one form of the invention, the transfer is applied directly from the carrier to the material to be decorated (fig. 2 and 3).

In a preferred form of the invention, the transfer is first applied from the carrier to one or more subsequent lamination tools and then to the material to be decorated (fig. 4.6, fig. 7.6).

In a preferred form of the invention, after the transfer is applied to the material to be decorated, there are one or more additional laminating tools (fig. 7.7) which are adapted to better adhere the transfer to the material to be decorated. The lamination tool may have a specific shape to better accommodate the 3D portion of the material to be decorated.

In a preferred form of the invention, the transfer has a slightly larger dimension than the material to be decorated. This margin facilitates centering and application. The surplus is easily removed with the same machine while removing the 3D layer incorporated in the texture layer.

In another form of the invention, the transfer is produced on a rolled flexible carrier. The transfer may then be applied to the material to be decorated on the dedicated device. To facilitate peeling, it is suggested to provide one side of the flexible film with peeling properties, or alternatively, the flexible film may be bonded to silicone paper on the transfer side.

According to another feature of the method, the workpiece is provided with a surface area for receiving a coating having a three-dimensional structure, the surface area having a predetermined planar shape and according to a predetermined dimension in both directions across a plane containing said planar shape, the step of forming a combination of layers of a transfer decoration according to any of the alternative embodiments described above is provided, wherein the shape and dimensions of the layers substantially correspond to the shape and dimensions of said surface area to which said transfer decoration is to be applied.

In the case of profiles, a conventional profile packaging machine (barbera/cela) can be used.

In a preferred form of the invention, a finishing coating is applied as a final layer in order to achieve the desired aesthetics in terms of gloss, feel, scratch and chemical resistance (fig. 2.8, 3.8, 4.8 and 7.9).

In another form of the invention, the transfer consists of only a few layers. For example, only the texture layer with or without the 3D layer may be transferred.

Alternatively, only the decorative layer without the texture layer may be transferred, and the coating may be applied later.

In another form of the invention, the transfer may be applied manually as a decorative coating to various surfaces. For example, it may be used to decorate a panel for DIY (do-it-yourself).

Several additional features may be provided for methods according to one or more of the foregoing embodiments and variations thereof. The additional features may alternatively or in any combination with each other.

According to a further feature, the layers forming the transfer decoration may be applied in a different order.

In another variant embodiment, one or more layers forming the transfer decoration are applied several times.

According to another feature, the layer is constituted by a radiation curable system.

According to yet another variant embodiment, one or more layers have adhesive properties in addition to their main function as release and/or texture and/or decorative and/or white and/or coloured layers.

According to another feature, a chemical reaction occurs between two or more layers in contact with each other.

Drawings

FIG. 1

Fig. 1A shows the structure of a possible transferable decorative object of the present invention made using a stacked 3D technique for three-dimensional structured shaped layers of textured layers.

Fig. 1B shows the structure of a possible transferable decorative object of the present invention made using a direct 3D shaping technique of the texture layer.

Fig. 1C shows the removal of the carrier with the 3D structured shaped layer integral to the substrate itself.

Fig. 1D shows that only the carrier is removed, while the 3D layer structured shaped layer remains adhered to the texture layer.

FIG. 2

Fig. 2 illustrates a method for preparing and applying a transfer decoration, wherein a temporary carrier is provided that can be continuously reused in accordance with a second alternative embodiment of the present invention. The three-dimensional structured shaped layer, which can be produced by superposition of 3D inkjet printing, remains adhered to the texture layer and the 3D structure (2.7) displaying the texture layer is removed by material.

FIG. 3

Fig. 3 illustrates a method for preparing and applying transfer decoration according to a first alternative embodiment of the invention, utilizing a flexible disposable substrate and a 3D structured shaping layer, the 3D structured shaping layer remaining integral with the substrate when the substrate is removed. In this example, the 3D structured shaped layer is produced by superposition inkjet printing.

FIG. 4

Fig. 4 shows a method for preparing and applying transfer decorations using a temporary carrier that can be continuously reused according to a third alternative embodiment of the invention. The textured layer is three-dimensionally shaped using a 3D shaping liquid by using a direct 3D texturing technique. In this embodiment, the shaping is kept embedded in the texture layer by material removal, i.e. removal of a 3D texture liquid or a mixture of 3D shaping liquid and material of the texture layer covered by the 3D texture liquid (4.7), and the 3D structure is displayed.

FIG. 5

Fig. 5 shows the decoration of a flooring board with a locking system. An adhesive is applied to the top surface and the beveled surface of the sheet. Where adhesive is applied to the top and beveled surfaces of the sheet, the transfer will stick. The combination of layers forming the transfer decoration has a shape, length and width corresponding to the top surface and the beveled surface of the sheet material.

Fig. 5A to 5C show different steps of a method of applying the transfer decoration to a sheet material.

FIG. 6

Fig. 6 shows a top view of a functional pattern for air escape during the application of the transfer to the sheet.

Figure 6A shows a pyramid pattern.

Figure 6B shows a hemispherical/conical pattern.

FIG. 7

Fig. 7 shows a method for preparing and applying transfer decorations using a temporary carrier that can be continuously reused according to a third alternative embodiment of the invention. The layers are produced continuously and transferred to the material to be decorated. The textured layer is three-dimensionally shaped using a 3D shaping liquid by using a direct 3D texturing technique. In this example, the shaping is kept embedded in the texture layer by material removal, i.e. removal of a 3D texture liquid or a mixture of 3D shaping liquid and the material of the texture layer covered by the 3D texture liquid (7.7), and the 3D structure is displayed.

Detailed Description

Examples

Example 1

A continuous carrier is used.

Apply a 3D structured shaped layer 2.1 of thickness 140 μ to a silicone film of thickness 330x1200x3mm (fig. 2). The 3D shaped layer shows a three-dimensional structure represented by the structure of drawn wood. The silicone film is in the form of a continuously rotating, closed conveyor belt having a predetermined dimension in a direction perpendicular to the direction of travel of the conveyor belt. The 3D structured shaped layer is formed by inkjet printing in a single pass mode with a radiation curable formulation designed to allow separation from the silicone film. The structure was cured using 395nm UV LED lamps.

Subsequently, a textured layer 2.2 in the form of a 200 μ protective layer is applied by means of a slot die, the textured layer consisting of a radiation-curable coating containing aluminium oxide to increase its wear resistance. The protective layer was then cured using a 395nm UV LED lamp.

-subsequently printing the wood image corresponding to its structure in a single channel mode by inkjet printing. The decorative layer 3.2 was then cured using a 395nm UV LED lamp.

-applying a white layer 4.2 to an SPC (Stone Plastic Composite, stone) consisting of a crosslinkable formulationPlastic composite) on the surface and slope of the sheet. Pass through the rolling mill for 2 times, each time 20g/m ² Is applied at a speed of (2). The white layer 4.2 was then cured using a 395nm UV LED lamp.

On the surface to which the white layer 4.2 is applied, at 25g/m by single-pass inkjet printing ² An adhesive layer 5.2 consisting of a photo-crosslinked PSA formulation was applied and then polymerized using a 395nm UV LED lamp, leaving the adhesive and the receiving surface.

The carrier formed by the transfer belt of silicone film is then turned, and the transfer decoration comprising the combination of this 3D structured shaped layer 1.2, the textured layer 2.2 and the decorative layer 3.2 is applied by means of a calender onto the exposed surface of the adhesive SPC layer 5.2. The silicone film is pressed against the surface of the SPC so that the transfer decoration adheres well to the surface and the bevel.

The workpiece with the transferred decoration leaves the conveyor belt, and the silicone film forming it is separated from the transferred decoration. The silicone film remained clean and the transfer decoration was perfectly applied to the surface of the SPC dashboard. The 3D structured shaping layer remains adhered to the surface of the texture layer formed by the protective coating.

Subsequently, as shown in step 7.2, the 3D structured shaped layer is removed by brushing with a metal brush, leaving a three-dimensional surface of the protective layer, which is the negative of the 3D structure of the shaped layer 1.2. At the same time, using a TINEX brush, which is less aggressive than previously used brushes, the abundance of transfer has been removed, promoted by the fact that it is not sticky.

Finally and optionally, a finishing layer 8.2 is applied by roller coating, consisting of a radiation-curable formulation for floors with a gloss level 8 polymerized with a mercury lamp.

The structure is well defined with a maximum depth of 140 mu.

According to EN13229, wear corresponds to AC5.

Example 2

A flexible disposable substrate is used.

Applying a 3D structured shaped layer 1.3 of thickness 80 μ to BOPP film of thickness 14000x80x0.05mm (fig. 3), representing the structure of the wiredrawn wood. The 3D structured shaped layer is formed by single pass inkjet printing using a radiation curable formulation designed to ensure adhesion to the carrier. The structure was cured using 395nm UV LED lamps.

Subsequently, a textured layer 2.2 in the form of a protective layer of 100 μ is applied through the slot die, the textured layer consisting of a radiation-curable coating containing aluminum oxide to improve its wear resistance. The protective layer was then cured using a 395nm UV LED lamp.

Subsequently, by single-pass inkjet printing at 25g/m ² An adhesive layer 4.3 consisting of a radiation curable PSA was applied and then polymerized by a 395nm UV LED lamp.

Then, by inverting and pressing against the exposed surface of the adhesive layer 5.3 provided on the sheet material, a combination of layers formed by the flexible carrier, the 3D structured forming layer 1.3, the texture layer 2.3 and the decorative layer 3.3 is applied. As in the previous example 1, a white layer 4.3 may be applied to the board prior to the application of the adhesive layer 5.3. Inversion and extrusion of the transfer decoration formed by the combination of the flexible carrier, the 3D structured forming layer 1.3, the texture layer 2.3 and the decorative layer 3.3 is performed by a conveyor belt arranged at a distance above the conveyor belt transporting the board. The distance of the two conveyor belts corresponds substantially to the total thickness minus the amount of transfer decoration plus the thickness of the sheet with white layer 4.3 and adhesive layer 5.3, which corresponds to the predetermined pressing action of the transfer decoration on the sheet with white layer and adhesive layer. At the end of the upper conveyor belt, the flexible medium and the 3D structured forming layer attached thereto are separated from the textured layer, which remains adhered to the sheet together with the decorative layer, in particular to an adhesive layer provided on top of the sheet and on the upper beveled surface of the sheet.

The profile surface exhibits a 3D structured texture layer decorated as a protective coating represented by the wiredrawing grain.

The structure is well defined with a maximum depth of 80 mu.

The carrier is wound in the storage coil together with the 3D structured shaped layer, or the 3D structured shaped layer may be separated from the carrier, which is then stored separately in the coil.

As in the foregoing example 1, optionally, a finish 8.2 is applied by roll coating, consisting of a radiation curable formulation for floors with a gloss of 8 polymerized with a mercury lamp.

Example 4

The transfer decoration is generated by a direct 3D shaping technique of the texture layer.

Fig. 4 shows an apparatus for texture coating a sheet material, the main configuration of which is the same as the embodiment described above with reference to fig. 2 and 3.

In this embodiment, the difference is that a 3D structured shaping layer having a function of three-dimensionally shaping the contact surface with the texture layer is not created.

Furthermore, the 3D structure is not already present on the transfer when the transfer is applied to the sheet material, but is present in a later removal step 7.4.

According to this embodiment, a layer combination is formed on the temporary carrier surface of the continuous conveyor belt, wherein a first white layer 1.4 and a decorative layer 2.4 are applied. In this embodiment, the white layer is not applied to the board, as will be clear from the following, and is not provided between the board and the adhesive layer as in the previous embodiments, but is provided above the adhesive layer 5.4 applied directly to the board surface.

Another layer is applied on the decorative layer 2.4. This layer is a textured layer 3.4, which here also may be in the form of a protective layer as in the previous examples 1 and 3.

As shown in fig. 4.4, the 3D texture liquid is applied onto the texture layer 3.4, preferably by inkjet printing. The liquid may have a different interaction with the texture layer 3.4 and be applied while the texture layer is still liquid.

Examples of this technique are described in more detail in documents WO2020039361A1 and/or WO2021214659 A1. UV irradiation, either alternately or in combination with physical interactions and/or chemical reactions between the texture layer 3.4 and the 3D texture liquid 4.4, may provide different physical and/or chemical characteristics of the areas of the texture layer 3.4 to which the 3D texture liquid has been applied relative to the areas of the texture layer 3.4 to which the 3D texture liquid has not been applied. This allows a different response to the removal means of the area of the texture layer 3.4 to which the 3D texture liquid has been applied, relative to the area of the texture layer 3.4 to which the 3D texture liquid has not been applied, and thus the 3D structure consisting of the depressions and embossments of the surface of the texture layer 3.4 is displayed by the removal means associated with the different physical/chemical characteristics.

In the example related to fig. 4, removal is performed by brushing, as shown in step 7.4.

However, as disclosed in the above-cited documents, alternative means are also possible, such as water jets, air jets, cleaning, dilution, sanding and other tools and combinations of one or more of said tools, depending on the physical/chemical characteristics distinguishing the above-specified areas from each other. In the present example, a case is shown in which, after UV irradiation, the region where the 3D texture fluid is provided is hard without the texture layer being covered by the fluid and directly exposed to UV irradiation, so that the 3D texture fluid on and/or incorporated in the texture layer is removed by mechanical brushing.

As another difference of example 3 with respect to examples 1 and 2, here, the deposition order of the layers forming the transfer decoration to be applied to the sheet is the same as the order these layers should have when applied to the sheet, rather than being reversed as in examples 1 and 2. Thus, in the present case, the inversion of the combination of layers forming the transfer decoration is not required, but rather the combination of white layer 1.4, decorative layer 2.4, texture layer 3.4 and 3D texture fluid 4.4 is applied to the adhesive layer on the board in the same order, as shown in step 6.4.

The calender roll is used to press the transfer decoration onto the adhesive layer 5.4 on the board.

Similar to the previous example in example 3, optionally, a finish 8.2 consisting of a radiation curable formulation for floors with a gloss level of 8 was applied by roll coating, polymerized with a mercury lamp.

Fig. 1A shows a combination of layers forming a transfer decoration in connection with a first alternative according to an embodiment of the invention. A variant is shown here which provides that the white layer and the adhesive layer are also applied to the transfer decoration instead of to the board.

The transfer layer is constructed on a carrier 100, with a 3D structured shaped layer applied superimposed on the carrier 100, for example by inkjet printing as shown by superimposed 3D 110.

A textured layer 120 is applied over the 3D structured shaping layer, the textured layer 120 conforming to the 3D structured surface of the shaping layer 110, with its negative form (negative shape) provided at the contact surface with the 3D structured shaping layer 110.

On the texture layer 120, a decorative layer 130 may be provided, which may reproduce, for example, an image of a color pattern of wood, while the 3D structure represents a texture corresponding to the color pattern.

A white layer 140 is applied to the decorative layer 130, which has the function of avoiding that the color of the plate or work to which the transfer decoration has to be applied mixes with the color of the decorative layer 130.

Finally, an adhesive layer 150 is applied on the white layer 140.

Fig. 1A to 1D, fig. 5a, 5b and 5c and fig. 6a and 6b are described in more detail with reference to further embodiments or variants.

The features described with reference to the above figures either correspond to the features disclosed in the previous examples or refer to additional features which may be provided in any combination or sub-combination with the features of the previous examples.

As shown in fig. 6a and 6b, the adhesive layer may be applied using a distribution pattern of adhesive such that air entrainment is avoided by allowing air to escape. Here two patterns are shown, one being a pattern of conical spots distributed over the contact surface and the other being a pattern of spherical spots distributed over the contact surface. The shape of these spots is only an example and other shapes or combinations of shapes and distributions may be provided.

Fig. 1C shows the transfer decoration according to fig. 1 inverted and applied to the surface of a workpiece 160.

Fig. 1c basically shows a method according to example 2, wherein the carrier 100 and the 3D structured shaping layer 110 are together separated from the texture layer 120.

Fig. 1D essentially shows the case of example 1, wherein the carrier 100 is separated from the 3D structured shaped layer 110, which 3D structured shaped layer 110 remains adhered to the texture layer 120 and has to be removed by a further removal step.

Referring to fig. 1B, the transfer decoration according to example 3 is shown in more detail. The transfer decoration is provided on a substrate that is a temporary substrate of the continuous belt of fig. 3. The combination of the layers of the white layer 140, the decorative layer 130, the texture layer 120, and the 3D texture fluid 170 are shown on the temporary carrier 100' and will be applied directly to the adhesive layer disposed on the work piece without the need to invert it from bottom to top.

Here, the texturing technique for 3D shaping of the textured layer 110 is a technique according to the direct 3D shaping technique mentioned and described above.

Fig. 5 shows a side view of the shorter side of a so-called click-on flooring board. The upper surface is exposed to view when the sheet is applied to a floor, the surface being indicated at 500 and having a bevel, indicated at 510, along each of the two longitudinal edges. In fig. 5A, an adhesive layer 520 is applied to the exposed surface 500 of the sheet material and the surface of the bevel.

Fig. 5B shows a transfer decoration produced according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, indicated with 530, having an extension parallel to the short side of the sheet, which corresponds to the extension of one of the surface 500 and the two bevels, whereas an extension in the longitudinal direction of the surface 500 and the bevel 510 (perpendicular to the shortest side of the sheet and the direction of the paper of the drawing) corresponds to the extension of the sheet in the longitudinal direction of the surface 500.

The transfer decoration is applied to conform to the sheet surface 500 and the bevel 510, as shown in fig. 5c, with the 3D structured coating of the sheet completely covering the exposed upper surface 500 and bevel of the sheet.

According to fig. 6A and 6B, in a corresponding variant embodiment, by applying the layer, in particular the adhesive layer, according to the distribution pattern of the spots 600, it is possible to provide a structured surface for at least one contact surface of the transfer decoration and the layer that has been applied to the workpiece as adhesive layer. Different shaped spots may be provided, such as pyramidal spots in fig. 6A or spherical spots in fig. 6B. The distance between the spots and/or the design of the distribution pattern may also vary along the surface to which the spot pattern is applied or be uniform as in the example shown.

Claims

1. A method of providing a workpiece with a three-dimensional textured surface coating on at least a portion of its surface, comprising using a transferable decoration to provide the coating, the method comprising the steps of:

i) A peeling layer;

ii) a texture layer;

iii) A decorative layer;

iv) a functional layer;

v) a white layer;

vi) a coloured layer;

vii) an adhesive layer;

d) The carrier is removed in such a way that the carrier,

e) The 3D texture is displayed.

2. A method of providing a workpiece with a three-dimensional textured surface coating on at least a portion of its surface by using a transferable decoration as claimed in claim 1, providing the steps of:

b) Applying one or more of the following additional layers over at least a portion of the shaping layer, the layers being applied one over the other in the following order:

i) An optional release layer;

ii) a textured layer three-dimensionally shaped by the three-dimensionally structured shaping layer, exhibiting a complementary surface structure relative to the three-dimensionally structured layer;

iii) A decorative layer;

iv) an optional functional layer;

v) an adhesive layer;

d) Removing the carrier with the three-dimensionally structured shaping layer and the optional release layer,

3. A method of providing a workpiece with a three-dimensional textured surface coating on at least a portion of its surface by using a transferable decoration according to claim 1, the method comprising the steps of:

a) Creating a three-dimensional structured shaped layer on a temporary carrier by inkjet printing, the temporary carrier not being part of the transferable decoration when the transferred decoration is applied to the work piece,

b) Applying one or more of the following layers on top of each other on the three-dimensional structured shaped layer according to step a), in the following order:

i) An optional release layer;

iii) A decorative layer;

iv) an optional functional layer;

v) an adhesive layer;

c) Applying the transferable decoration to at least a portion of a workpiece to be decorated, the workpiece having an exterior surface, and the transferable decoration being applied by contacting the transferable decoration with the adhesive layer with at least a portion of the workpiece surface,

d) Removing the three-dimensional structured shaping layer and the optional release layer,

4. A method of providing a workpiece with a three-dimensional textured surface coating on at least a portion of its surface by using a transferable decoration according to claim 1, the method comprising the steps of:

a) Creating a three-dimensional structured shaped layer by applying one or more of the following layers on a temporary carrier, said layers being applied one over the other in the following order:

i) A first white layer;

ii) an optional decorative layer;

iii) A texture layer;

iv) a fluid for three-dimensionally shaping the textured layer, the fluid being applied on top of the textured layer by covering the first area but not the second area according to a predetermined pattern that reproduces the pattern of the three-dimensional structure of the three-dimensionally structured coating,

5. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein one or more layers are applied continuously or in a discrete mode (intermittent).

6. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the layers are applied in a different order.

7. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of the layers forming the transfer decoration are applied multiple times.

8. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the layer consists of a radiation curable system.

9. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein one or more layers have adhesive properties in addition to their main function as release layer and/or texture layer and/or decorative layer and/or white layer and/or coloured layer and/or functional layer.

10. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the textured layer is a protective layer comprising wear resistant particles.

11. The method of one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the adhesive is a PSA (pressure sensitive adhesive).

12. The method of one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the PSA is of dual cure type.

13. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the coloured layer is produced by applying two or more superimposed colours.

14. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the functional layer comprises pearlescent pigments and/or micaceous pigments and/or metallic pigments.

15. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the functional layer has conductive properties.

16. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein a chemical reaction takes place between two or more layers in contact with each other.

17. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of said layers are applied to the material to be decorated before the transferable decoration is applied.

18. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the transferable decoration is applied simultaneously on several adjoining planes of the material to be decorated, such as a main surface exposed to line of sight and an adjacent surface of a bevel.

19. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the three-dimensional structure remains incorporated in and/or adhered to the texture layer after the transfer is applied to the surface to be decorated.

20. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the three-dimensional structure is removed from the texture layer such that a negative of the three-dimensional structure remains within the texture layer.

21. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the layers is applied by inkjet printing.

22. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the substrate to be decorated is a finished flooring board with a locking and/or beveling system but not decorated.

23. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier is used only once.

24. The method according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier is used continuously.

25. The method of one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the carrier is selected from the group consisting of synthetic polymers, natural polymers, paper, metals, and combinations thereof.