EP0588822A1

EP0588822A1 - Information carrier for the application of information to a surface, a method of manufacturing the information carrier, and a method of applying information using the information carrier.

Info

Publication number: EP0588822A1
Application number: EP92910448A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Roland Judex; Istvan Horvat
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-06-13
Filing date: 1992-05-19
Publication date: 1994-03-30
Anticipated expiration: 2012-05-19
Also published as: WO1992022436A1; DE59204077D1; ATE129201T1; DE4119416A1; EP0588822B1

Abstract

Described is an information carrier intended for the application of any kind of information, in particular writing, images or colour designs in the form of colour pigments (3), to a preferably smooth surface (7). The information carrier, which has a laminate structure (1) incorporating the information, is designed to ensure that application is simple yet gives high-quality results. The laminate (1) includes at least one water-insoluble but solvent-soluble, preferably transparent protective film (2) on which the pigments (3) are extensively bonded on at least one side so that the protective film (2) also acts as the substrate for the pigments (3).

Description

"Information carrier for applying information, method for producing the information carrier and method for applying information with the information carrier"

The invention relates to an information carrier for applying information of any kind, in particular writing, image and / or color information in the form of color pigments, on a preferably smooth surface, with a laminate containing the information. The invention further relates to a method for producing such an information carrier. Finally, the invention also relates to a method for applying information to a preferably smooth surface by means of an information carrier according to the invention, which has preferably been produced by the manufacturing method according to the invention.

Color pigments in the sense of the invention are any areas which can be distinguished in terms of contrast, i.e. not only pigments in the color chemical sense.

First of all, it should be emphasized that the information to be applied is any conceivable information. This includes, for example, fonts, symbols, pictures, but also colored areas. In other words, the information to be applied is pictorial designs, in the broadest sense, which are composed of color pigments.

Information carriers of the type in question are known, for example, in the form of so-called picture foils or decals. In the broadest sense, this is a laminate that consists on the one hand of a film carrying the image information with an adhesive layer attached to it, and on the other hand of a protective layer covering the adhesive layer. Image foils or decals of the type in question are also used, for example, to decorate or design the bonnet Motor vehicle used. In the sense of a decal, these information carriers - after the protective layer has been removed - are placed on the adhesive side of the bonnet and pressed on. Such information or an image applied in this way, however, cannot withstand external influences, in particular mechanical stresses when washing the motor vehicle, or can only withstand it little. The foils containing the image information are therefore usually damaged or at least partially detached from the hood, as a result of which the image information is immediately recognizable as poorly adhering image stickers.

So far, the above problem has been attempted to remedy the situation by overpainting the image film. However, this poses two major problems. On the one hand, the transition between the picture film and the non-glued area of the bonnet is easily recognizable due to the thickness of the film, so that the impression of a glued film is not eliminated even after overcoating with a transparent lacquer. On the other hand, especially when exposed to temperature, i.e. with direct sun, the great danger that the picture film comes off the hood, which happens regardless of a transparent varnish. As a result, bubbles form or even the entire image film comes off, which ultimately leads to the destruction of the image.

The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying an information carrier for applying information of any kind which is suitable for the high-quality and simple application of information to a preferably smooth surface. Furthermore, a method for producing such an information carrier and a method for applying information to a preferably smooth surface are to be specified by means of the information carrier according to the invention. The information carrier according to the invention achieves the above object by means of the features of patent claim 1. The information carrier mentioned at the outset is designed such that the laminate has at least one water-insoluble, solvent-soluble and preferably transparent protective layer on which the color pigments extend at least from one side ¬ are bound so that the protective layer also serves as a carrier for the color pigments.

According to the invention, it was first recognized that it is of particular advantage for the lacquer-related application of the information carrier or for the lacquer-related application of information if the laminate carrying the information or the color pigments of the information is made of a water-insoluble but solvent-soluble material consists. The color pigments of the information are largely bound from one side, i.e. there is at least adhesion due to good wetting between the color pigments of the information and the protective layer. In this case, the protective layer serves at the same time as a support for the color pigments, so that the protective layer may well be a thin film which can be removed with respect to the solvent of the clear lacquer or the like to be coated later.

A second protective layer - made of the same or similar material with the same or similar properties as the first protective layer - could also be provided to protect or securely bind the color pigments, so that the color pigments of the information are bound on both sides, ie sandwich-like are. Such a laminate carrying the color pigments offers extensive protection of the color pigments, particularly during storage and handling, so that such a laminate could be handled commercially without great difficulty. Now the laminate of the information carrier according to the invention could furthermore have a water-soluble separating layer. This separating layer, which is preferably also worked up in the form of a film, could carry the information directly, the information or the color pigments being applied adhesively to the separating layer. The separating layer provided with the information would then also be coated on the information side with the previously discussed, water-insoluble, transparent protective layer, so that the color pigments are largely bound, at least from the side facing away from the separating layer. In this particular embodiment of the information carrier according to the invention, too, the color pigments of the information are sandwiched, ie protected on both sides against external influences.

Between the separating layer and the color pigments of the information, however, the second protective layer, which has also already been discussed above, could also be provided, so that the second protective layer adheres to the separating layer and the color pigments of the information adhere to the second protective layer. Thus, the color pigments would again be on both sides, i.e. sandwich-like, bound. In this embodiment of the information carrier, the color pigments would be enclosed by two protective layers, which in turn adhere to the water-soluble separating layer on one side. The separation layer in question then serves as a carrier.

The protective layer can in principle be made of any transparent, water-insoluble and solvent-soluble material. This is preferably a clear lacquer layer, which in turn can be designed as a single component. In any case, it is essential that the separating layer is not soluble due to the solvent of the clear lacquer forming the protective layer. This ensures that the separating layer, which serves, inter alia, as a carrier, can be washed off with water, but that the protective layer can in no way be dissolved by water. It also ensures that the interface cannot be dissolved by the solvent of the clear lacquer forming the protective layer, so that the protective layer facing the separating layer can be applied directly to the separating layer in the liquid state or in the dissolved state.

It is essential for the separating layer itself that it is water-soluble on the one hand, and on the other hand that the varnish used cannot be dissolved. The separating layer could be designed in a particularly advantageous manner as a water-soluble and solvent-insoluble gelatin layer or adhesive layer, the separating layer being approximately bound or dried before the first protective layer, to which the color pigments are applied, is applied should be. The separating layer could also be water-soluble and solvent-insoluble plastic layer. This plastic layer could in turn be in the form of a transparent film. In such a case, this first protective layer could then be sprayed onto the film, for example, or otherwise applied. It is particularly clear here that the separating layer then serves as a quasi support.

However, if one wants to protect the information carrier according to the invention or the laminate of the information carrier according to the invention particularly for storage or handling, particularly if the laminate is an extremely thin laminate, it is particularly advantageous if the La ¬ minat is applied overall to a water-permeable carrier layer, to which either a separating layer is present or the protective layer itself adheres. If a separating layer is provided, this could in turn be applied directly to the carrier layer or spread out on the carrier layer. Adhesion would again be the adhesion mechanism. The same applies to the application of the protective layer directly to the carrier layer, the interposition of a water-soluble separating layer considerably facilitating the detachment of the protective layer, together. The carrier layer itself is advantageously made of a water-permeable material. This is particularly advantageous because the water-soluble separating layer can be dissolved from outside the information carrier through the water-permeable carrier layer, as a result of which the carrier layer can be removed or removed effortlessly. More precisely, the carrier layer advantageously consists of paper or cardboard.

The method according to the invention for producing an information carrier for applying information of any kind, in particular writing, image and / or color information in the form of color pigments, to a preferably smooth surface, in particular an information carrier according to the above explanations, solves the problem at the beginning The stated object is characterized by the features of patent claim 12. The method in question is then characterized by the following manufacturing steps:

First, a laminate is started by providing a water-insoluble, transparent protective layer which serves as a carrier of the information or the pigments of the information. The provision of the protective layer is to be understood as a spreading out of the water-insoluble, transparent material. After the protective layer has been spread out or generated, color pigments are applied to the protective layer. If the color pigments are to be protected in a sandwich-like manner, the protective layer is then coated on the pigment side with a second, water-insoluble, transparent protective layer, so that the color pigments of the information are normally enclosed between the protective layers. A secure binding of the color pigments is thus guaranteed.

Alternatively, the method according to the invention for producing an information carrier for applying information of any kind also achieves the task mentioned at the outset by Male of claim 13. The process is then carried out in the following manufacturing steps:

The production of the laminate is started by providing a water-soluble separating layer which serves as the carrier of the information or the pigments of the information. The advantage of an elastically designed separating layer lies in the flexible adaptability to relief-like surfaces. A transparent design enables perfect positioning on the surface to be coated due to the "see-through". In addition, polymer layers can basically be influenced by heat so that an almost ideal surface adaptation can take place under the influence of temperature.

Color pigments are then applied to this separating layer. This is followed by coating the separating layer on the pigment side with a water-insoluble, transparent protective layer, the solvent of which does not or only slightly dissolves the separating layer, so that the color pigments of the information are at least largely bound by the protective layer. According to this manufacturing process, the pigments are applied to the surface of the separating layer and then bonded to the protective layer by covering the separating layer. Since the separating layer can be detached by the action of water, the colored pigments are in the exposed surface of the protective layer after the separating layer has been washed off.

In a particularly advantageous manner, the provision of the separating layer, which initially serves as a carrier, comprises the spreading out of a viscous, preferably polymeric mass. Likewise, the separating layer could be a film made of plastic, so that the provision of the separating layer serving as a carrier comprises spreading the film out flat. In any case, it is essential that the separating layer is water-soluble and solvent-insoluble. The mass or film serving as a separating layer could, in a further advantageous manner, be spread out or laid out on a water-permeable carrier layer, preferably in the form of a paper layer or cardboard layer, and quasi-solidify there. It is essential here that sufficient adhesion occurs between the separating layer and the carrier layer, which is always achieved by adhesion when a viscous polymer mass is spread. To protect the color pigments and for better handling of the laminate to be produced, the separating layer is coated with a water-insoluble, transparent protective layer before the pigments are applied, so that the colored pigments do not directly on the separating layer, but rather on the Protective layer can be applied. The protective layer can further advantageously be a transparent, preferably one-component lacquer, the solvents of which do not or only slightly dissolve the separating layer.

The information or the color pigments of the information can be applied to the separating layer or the protective layer using a wide variety of techniques. Any drawing, painting, printing or copying methods are conceivable. In particular for the production of information signs or information boards, one could simply carry out the copying process with a copyable protective layer. This could take place both with a carrier layer carrying the protective layer and a separating layer arranged between them, and also with a singular protective layer. After the copying process, a second protective layer could be applied by hand to fix or bind the color pigments, as a result of which the color pigments are finally bound. In addition, this second protective layer serves as a quasi adhesion promoter.

Finally, the method according to the invention for applying information to a preferably smooth surface by means of an information carrier of the type discussed above, preferably has been manufactured according to one of the previously discussed manufacturing processes, the above-mentioned object by the features of claim 20. The following process steps are then to be carried out:

First of all, the laminate is applied to the surface to be coated, for example to a hood of a motor vehicle. The laminate and at least part of the surface covered by the laminate are then covered with a transparent cover layer, the transparent cover layer preferably being a transparent lacquer. This transparent lacquer can preferably be designed as a multi-component lacquer, the solvents of the lacquer dissolving the laminate or the protective layer or the protective layers of the laminate and penetrating as far as the surface to be coated, so that the laminate as a whole advances coating surface, ie the bonnet, well wetted and there it can cure directly adhering together with the lacquer forming the top layer. At this point it should be particularly emphasized that, especially in the case of the coating of an engine hood, the cover layer is to be applied over the entire surface, so that the transition from laminate to surface flows into one another virtually continuously.

In a particularly advantageous manner, the method step of applying the laminate to the surface comprises detaching or peeling off the carrier layer from the laminate, preferably with the aid of water. Correspondingly, the method step of applying the laminate to the surface also includes detaching the water-soluble separating layer - likewise by means of water. Since the backing layer must always be permeable to water, water applied from outside penetrates through the backing layer to the separating layer, dissolves it and thus makes it easier to remove the backing layer. At any rate, it should be emphasized here that the carrier layer and, if necessary, the separating layer already before the The laminate can be applied to the surface to be coated. Likewise, the laminate could be applied to the surface together with the separating layer and the carrier layer and only removed from the laminate or removed by water after a preliminary fixation, for example also by water.

Furthermore, the method step of applying the laminate to the surface with previous water treatment could include drying the laminate on the surface and possibly blowing bubbles between the laminate and the surface. Care must always be taken to ensure that small bubbles are expelled from the area between the surface to be coated and the laminate, especially since small, barely visible bubbles expand after subsequent painting and subsequent heat treatment and the appearance of the Can adversely affect information.

As already mentioned above, the laminate could be applied in a particularly advantageous manner to the surface to be coated in a state moistened with water, so that on the one hand an alignment due to a kind of water cushion between the surface and the laminate due to the good wetting between water and the surface , on the other hand, the laminate can already be fixed by adhesion. If the carrier layer has not yet been removed, it could be carefully removed after this provisional fixation. By rubbing the laminate in the moist state, the remaining constituents of the separating layer would then also be able to be removed gradually.

The area to be provided with the information could - as is usually the case in the case of an engine hood - be covered with an already hardened lacquer layer. The lacquer forming the cover layer or its solvent could also penetrate the surface after penetrating the laminate. - left

dissolve at least slightly before the already hardened lacquer layer, so that the loosened laminate either reacts with the loosened lacquer layer or at least partially diffuses into the lacquer layer. This would ensure particularly good adhesion between the laminate and the surface or the lacquer layer of the surface.

As an alternative to the above-mentioned adhesion mediation between the laminate and the surface to be coated, the surface to be provided with the information - for better adhesion mediation - could be pre-coated, i.e. be provided with a base layer. The laminate would then, if the base layer had not yet fully cured, i.e. in the case of solvents of the base layer which have not yet been completely expelled, they are placed on top of it, so that at least the protective layer of the laminate facing the base layer and serving as a quasi reaction layer is used before the covering of the laminate ¬ volatile solvents is at least slightly dissolved. Diffusion or even a reaction would then take place between the base layer and the laminate, which enormously promotes the adhesion between the laminate and the base layer. The solvent-impermeable separating layer and - if present - the final carrier layer would prevent further volatilization of the solvent to the outside and thus prevent the lacquer of the base layer from hardening too quickly, so that the reactive process or the diffusion process is also considerably favored thereby .

With regard to the lacquers used, it is of particular advantage if the lacquer of the base layer and the lacquer of the protective layer or the lacquer of the laminate are each designed as a dryable one-component lacquer or as a base component of a curable two- or multi-component lacquer. This makes it possible to cure the base layer, the laminate and, where appropriate, the top layer in the sense of curing a multi-component lacquer, which means that the surface is almost completely releasable coating is created. The lacquer of the base layer and / or the lacquer of the top layer can be designed together as a curable two- or multi-component lacquer which reacts with the other lacquers in a hardening manner. Finally, the lacquer of the base layer and / or the lacquer of the top layer could be applied in layers, the respective layer being briefly ventilated between the individual applications. Only the top layer could serve as a quasi reaction layer due to a short-term ventilation.

The protective layer or layers could have a thickness of 1 * 10 ^-3 to 10 * 10 ^-3 mm, preferably a thickness of 5 * 10 ~ ³ mm. The base layer and / or the cover layer can accordingly have a thickness of 1 * 10 ^{~ 2} to 10 * 10 ^-2 mm, preferably a thickness of 5 * 10 ^{~ 2} mm. When measuring the layer thicknesses, however, on the one hand, the minimum thicknesses that can be handled in the laminate must be taken into account, and on the other hand, the thicknesses appropriate for the adhesion or protection of the laminate for the base layer or cover layer. Likewise, the reaction or diffusion process brought about by the solvents plays an important role for the thickness dimension insofar as the depth of the reaction or diffusion represents a measure of the adhesion to be achieved.

The dissolving of the protective layer and the subsequent hardening of the cover layer together with the loosened laminate could be accelerated by an appropriate temperature treatment. However, if there are small amounts of air under the laminate, the temperature treatment causes air expansion and thus bubbles. In such a case, the temperature treatment should be avoided.

The heat treatment of the base layer could advantageously be carried out at a temperature between 50 ° C. and 75 ° C., preferably at 55 ° C., for a period of 23 to 30 minutes. For the reaction between the lacquer of the protective layer and the lacquer The merely hardened base layer - under the influence of the solvent of the base layer - should be waited in a further advantageous manner for at least 15 minutes - without temperature treatment - before the covering separating layer and, if necessary, the further covering carrier layer are detached from the laminate.

There are various possibilities for advantageously designing and developing the teaching of the present invention. For this purpose, reference is made on the one hand to the claims subordinate to claims 1, 12, 13 and 20, and on the other hand to the following explanation of exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing. In connection with the explanation of the preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing, generally preferred configurations and developments of the teaching are also explained. In the drawing shows

1 shows a schematic illustration, in section, of a first exemplary embodiment of an information carrier according to the invention,

2 in a schematic representation, sectioned, a second embodiment of an information carrier according to the invention,

3 shows a schematic illustration, in section, of a third exemplary embodiment of an information carrier according to the invention,

4 in a schematic representation, sectioned, a fourth embodiment of an information carrier according to the invention,

5 shows the information carrier shown in FIG. 3 on a surface to be coated, 6 shows the arrangement shown in FIG. 4 after the carrier layer has been removed and the separating layer has been removed,

Fig. 7 shows the arrangement shown in Fig. 5 after covering with a cover layer and

8 shows the information carrier from FIG. 1 on a surface to be coated and covered with a cover layer.

1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of an information carrier according to the invention for applying information of any kind, the information being contained in a laminate 1.

According to the invention, the laminate 1 has a water-insoluble, solvent-soluble and transparent protective layer 2. On the protective layer 2, the color pigments 3 are bound from one side, so that the protective layer 2 in the present case also serves as a carrier for the color pigments 3.

In the embodiment of an information carrier according to the invention shown in FIG. 2, the laminate 1 has a second protective layer 4. The protective layer 4 is arranged so that the color pigments 3 of the information on both sides, i.e. sandwiched, bound.

3 shows an exemplary embodiment in which the laminate 1 has a water-soluble separating layer. The information is applied directly to the separating layer 5 and the separating layer 5 provided with the information is coated on the information side with the water-insoluble, transparent protective layer 2. Consequently, the color pigments 3 are largely bound, at least from the side facing away from the separating layer 5. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a second protective layer 4 is provided between the separating layer 5 and the color pigments 3 of the information, so that the second protective layer 4 on the separating layer 5 and the color pigments 3 of the information on the second protective layer 4 adhere and the color pigments 3 are bound in a sandwich. The protective layer 2 or the protective layers 2, 4 are preferably designed as a one-component clear lacquer layer and the separating layer 5 is not soluble in the solvent of the clear lacquer forming the protective layer 4. The separating layer 5 is designed as a water-soluble and solvent-insoluble plastic layer.

3 and 4 together show that the laminate 1 is applied to a water-permeable carrier layer 6 as a whole. The separating layer 5 adheres to the carrier layer 6 and, owing to the water-permeable configuration of the carrier layer 6, can be dissolved with water through the carrier layer 6.

A method according to the invention for applying information to a preferably smooth surface by means of one of the information carriers discussed above is described below with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8. 5, the laminate "1 has already been placed on the surface 7 to be coated. It can be clearly seen here that the surface 7 is already provided with a lacquer layer referred to as the base layer 8. In the embodiment chosen here 5 shows clearly that the laminate consists of a protective layer 2, the color pigments 3, a protective layer 4, a separating layer 5 and one over the separating layer 5 the carrier layer 6 connected to the laminate 1.

In the method step shown in FIG. 6, it can be seen that the carrier layer 6 has already been peeled off from the laminate 1. gen is. This is done under the action of water, the water-permeable carrier layer 6 making it possible for the separating layer 5 to be at least detached when water is applied externally, as a result of which the carrier layer 6 can be pulled off without problems. Furthermore, the separating layer 5 can literally be washed off by further water so that only the laminate 1 carrying the information remains on the surface 7 or on the base layer 8 of the surface 7.

The base layer 8 provided on the surface 7 can be an already hardened lacquer layer. If a lacquer forming a cover layer 9 is then applied to the laminate 1 and the surface 7 or the base layer 8, as shown in FIG. 7, the solvent of the lacquer forming the cover layer 9 also dissolves after penetrating or dissolving the laminate the surface 7 of the base layer 8, so that the detached laminate 1 either reacts with the detached base layer 8 or at least partially diffuses into the base layer.

The area 7 to be provided with the information can, however, be pre-coated specifically for coating in order to produce better adhesion of the laminate 1 to the area 7, ie the base layer 8 is applied specifically for coating. Now it is essential that the laminate 1 is placed on the base layer 8 when the base layer 8 has not yet fully cured, ie when the base layer 8 has not yet fully expelled, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, so that already before covering the laminate 1 with the cover layer 9, the protective layer 2 of the laminate 1 facing the base layer 8 and serving as a quasi reaction layer is at least slightly dissolved by the volatilizing solvents. Diffusion or even a reaction thus takes place between the base layer 8 and the laminate 1, which is shown in FIG. 5 by arrows. The separating layer and carrier layer still present in the arrangement in FIG. 5 prevent further volatile of the solvent of the not yet fully cured base layer 8, so that a too rapid hardening of the lacquer of the base layer 8 to promote diffusion or reaction between the base layer 8 and the laminate 1 is prevented.

The arrangement in FIGS. 5 to 8 clearly shows that the lacquer of the base layer 8 and the lacquer of the protective layer 2 or the lacquer of the laminate 1 are in each case in the form of a dryable one-component lacquer or as the base component of a curable two- or multi-component lacquer is executed. The interaction between the base layer 8, laminate 1 or the protective layers 2, 4 present there and the cover layer 9 acts overall as a hardening in the sense of a multi-component lacquer. For further details with regard to the materials used, layer thicknesses and process temperatures, reference is made to the general description.

In the process stage shown in FIG. 6, the reaction between the lacquer of the protective layer 2 and the lacquer of the base layer 8 has already taken place, i.e. one waited at least 15 minutes for the binding to be completed. Only then was the separating layer 5 or the carrier layer 6 removed.

In the process stage shown in FIG. 7, the cover layer 9 is then already applied, which on the one hand covers the laminate 1 and on the other hand the uncovered areas of the surface 7 or the base layer 8.

8 finally shows the surface 7 of an already coated engine hood. The exemplary embodiment of an information carrier according to the invention chosen here is merely a laminate 1 consisting of two protective layers 2, 4 and color pigments 3 arranged between them. This laminate is applied to the base layer 8 of the surface 7 and with a cover layer 9, wherein the cover layer 9 a Transition between laminate 1 and the surface 7 or the base layer 8 present there creates.

In conclusion, it should be emphasized that both the information carrier according to the invention and the method according to the invention on the one hand for producing an information carrier according to the invention and on the other hand for applying such an information carrier are in no way restricted to one area by the exemplary embodiments discussed above. Any one of the measures familiar in the field of painting technology and coating technology can be used to refine or further develop the information carrier according to the invention and the methods according to the invention without departing from the teaching according to the invention.

Claims

Patent claims

1. Information carrier for applying information of any kind, in particular writing, image and / or color information in the form of color pigments (3), on a preferably smooth surface (7), with a laminate containing the information (1), characterized in that the laminate (1) has at least one water-insoluble, solvent-soluble and preferably transparent protective layer (2) on which the color pigments (3) are largely bound at least from one side, so that the protective layer (2) simultaneously serves as a carrier for the color pigments (3).

2. Information carrier according to claim 1, characterized gekennzeich¬ net that a second protective layer (4) is provided so that the color pigments (3) of the information on both sides, i.e. sandwich-like, are bound.

3. Information carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the laminate (1) has a water-soluble separating layer (5), that the information is applied directly to the separating layer (5) and that the separating layer provided with the information ( 5) is coated on the information side with the water-insoluble, transparent protective layer (2), which largely binds the color pigments (3) at least from the side facing away from the separating layer (4).

4. Information carrier according to claim 2, characterized gekennzeich¬ net that the second protective layer (4) is provided between the separating layer (5) and the color pigments (3) of the information, so that the second protective layer (4) on the separating layer (5) and the color pigments (3) of the information adhere to the second protective layer (4) and the color pigments (4) are bound on both sides, ie sandwich-like.

5. Information carrier according to one of claims 1 to 4, da¬ characterized in that the protective layer (2, 4) is designed as a preferably one-component clear coat and that, if necessary, the separating layer (5) by the solvent of the protective layer (2, 4) forming clearcoat is not soluble.

6. Information carrier according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the separating layer (5) is designed as a water-soluble and solvent-insoluble gelatin layer or adhesive layer.

7. Information carrier according to one of claims 2 to 5, da¬ characterized in that the separating layer (5) is designed as a water-soluble and solvent-insoluble plastic layer.

8. Information carrier according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the separating layer (5) is designed as a water-soluble and solvent-insoluble film.

9. Information carrier according to one of claims 1 to 8, da¬ characterized in that the laminate (1) is applied overall to a water-permeable carrier layer (6) to which the separating layer (5) or the protective layer (4) adheres.

10. Information carrier according to claim 9, characterized gekennzeich¬ net that the carrier layer (6) is made of water-permeable material.

11. Information carrier according to claim 9 or 10, characterized ge indicates that the carrier layer (6) is made of paper or cardboard.

12. Method for producing an information carrier for the application of information of any kind, in particular of Font, image and / or color information in the form of color pigments (3) on a preferably smooth surface (7), in particular an information carrier according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by the following production steps:

Production of a laminate (1) by:

Providing a water-insoluble, transparent protective layer (2) which serves as a carrier of the information;

Applying the color pigments (3) to the protective layer (2); optionally coating the protective layer (2) on the pigment side with a second, water-insoluble, transparent protective layer (4), so that the color pigments (3) of the information are sandwiched like a sandwich.

13. A method for producing an information carrier for applying information of any kind, in particular writing, image and / or color information in the form of color pigments (3), to a preferably smooth surface (7), in particular an information carrier one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by the following manufacturing steps:

Production of a laminate (1) by:

Providing a water-soluble separating layer (5) serving as a carrier of the information;

Applying the color pigments (3) to the separating layer (5); coating the separating layer (5) on the pigment side with a water-insoluble, transparent protective layer (2), the solvent of which does not, or only insignificantly, dissolve the separating layer (5), so that the color pigments (3) of the information are at least largely bound by the protective layer (2).

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the provision of the separating layer serving as a carrier (5) comprises spreading out a viscous, preferably polymeric mass.

15. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the provision of the separating layer (5) serving as a carrier comprises the surface spreading of a film preferably made of plastic.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized gekennzeich¬ net that the serving as a separating layer (5) mass or film on a preferably as a paper layer or cardboard layer aus¬ formed water-permeable carrier layer (6) is spread out and there quasi solidified or attached.

17. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized ge indicates that the separating layer (5) before the application of the color pigments (3) with a water-insoluble, transparent protective layer (4) is coated, so that the color pigments (3) the protective layer (4) are applied.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that the protective layer (4) in the form of a preferably one-component transparent lacquer is applied to the separating layer (5) and that the solvents of the protective layer (4) forming the separating layer ( 5) do not solve or only solve insignificantly.

19. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 18, characterized ge indicates that the color pigments (3) are applied in terms of drawing technology, painting technology, printing technology or copying technology.

20. A method for applying information to a preferably smooth surface (7) by means of an information carrier according to claims 1 to 11, which is preferably produced according to a manufacturing method of claims 12 to 19 characterized by the following process steps:

Applying the laminate (1) to the surface to be coated (7);

Covering the laminate (1) and at least part of the surface (7) not covered by the laminate (1) with a transparent cover layer (9), preferably with a transparent lacquer, in particular with a transparent multi-component lacquer, the Solvent the lacquer to dissolve the laminate (1) or the protective layer (2) or protective layers (2, 4) of the laminate (1) and, if necessary, penetrate to the surface (7) to be coated, so that the laminate (1) overall, the surface (7) is well wetted and cures there together with the lacquer forming the top layer (9) in an immediately adhesive manner.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that the step of applying the laminate (1) to the surface (7) comprises detaching or peeling the carrier layer (6) from the laminate (1) preferably by means of water.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized gekennzeich¬ net that the step of applying the laminate (1) on the surface (7) comprises detaching the water-soluble separating layer (5) preferably by means of water.

23. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 22, characterized in that the step of applying the laminate (1) to the surface (7) drying the laminate (1) on the surface (7) and optionally expelling bubbles between laminate (1) and surface (7).

24. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 23, characterized ge indicates that the laminate (1) is applied to the surface (7) in a moistened state with water, so that the good wetting between water and the surface (7) egg In addition, an alignment, on the other hand, the laminate (1) can already be fixed by adhesion.

25. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 24, characterized ge indicates that the surface to be provided with the information (7) is coated with an already hardened lacquer layer, that the top layer (9) forming lacquer or its solvent after penetration of the laminate (1), the lacquer layer on the surface (7) also dissolves, so that the loosened laminate (1) either reacts with the loosened lacquer layer or at least partially diffuses into the lacquer layer.

26. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 24, characterized ge indicates that the surface to be provided with the information (7) is pre-coated, i.e. is provided with a base layer (8) that the laminate (1) with a not yet fully cured base layer (8), i.e. in the case of solvents of the base layer (8) which have not yet been completely driven out, it is placed thereon, so that even before the laminate (1) is covered with the cover layer (9), at least the protective layer facing the base layer (8) serves as a quasi reaction layer (2) of the laminate (1) is at least slightly dissolved by the volatilizing solvents and diffusion or a reaction takes place between the base layer (8) and the laminate (1), the solvent-impermeable separating layer (5) and / or the carrier layer (6) prevents further volatilization of the solvent and thus prevents the lacquer of the base layer (8) from hardening too quickly.

27. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that the varnish of the base layer (8) and the varnish of the protective layer (2) or the varnish of the laminate (1) are each a dryable one-component varnish or the base component of a curable two- or multicomponent varnish.

28. The method according to claim 26 or 27, characterized gekennzeich¬ net that the lacquer of the base layer (8) and / or the lacquer of the top layer (9) together is a curable two- or Mehrkom¬ component lacquer, which cures with the other lacquers responds.

29. The method according to any one of claims 26 to 28, characterized ge indicates that the lacquer of the base layer (8) and / or the lacquer of the top layer (9) is applied in layers and that the respective layer is briefly ventilated between the individual applications becomes.

30. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 29, characterized in that the protective layer (2) or the protective layers (2, 4) preferably have a thickness of 1 * 10 ^{~ 3} to 10 * 10 ^{~ 3} mm has a thickness of 5 * 10 ^J mm.

31. The method according to any one of claims 26 to 30, characterized ge indicates that the base layer (8) and / or the cover layer (9) has a thickness of 1 * 10 ^-2 to 10 * 10 ^{~ 2} mm, preferably a thickness of 5 * 10 ^-2 mm, has or have.

32. The method according to any one of claims 20 to 31, characterized in that the dissolving of the protective layer (2) and the subsequent hardening of the cover layer (9) is accelerated by a temperature treatment.

33. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that the temperature treatment of the base layer (8) at a temperature between 50 ° C and 75 ° C, preferably at 55 ° C, is carried out with a duration of 23 to 30 minutes.

34. The method according to any one of claims 26 to 33, characterized ge indicates that for the reaction between the lacquer of the protective layer (2) and the lacquer of the merely hardened base layer (8) at least 15 minutes - preferably without tempera- Turbo treatment - be waited for before the separating layer (5) and / or the carrier layer (6) is or are detached from the laminate (1).