EP0588822B1 - 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 - Google Patents

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

The invention relates to an information carrier according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for producing an information carrier according to the preambles of patent claims 7 and 8. Finally, the invention also relates to a method for applying information to a surface according to the preamble of patent claim 11.

Color pigments in the sense of the invention are any areas which can be distinguished in terms of contrast, i.e. not just 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 applied thereon, 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 hood of a motor vehicle. In the sense of a decal this information carrier - after removing the protective layer - placed on the adhesive side of the bonnet and pressed firmly. Such information or an image applied in this way cannot withstand external influences, in particular mechanical stress when washing the motor vehicle, or only with little resistance. 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 image 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.

From US-A-4 399 177 an information carrier for applying information of any kind to a surface with a laminate of the generic type containing the information is known. The same applies to the claimed processes.

The invention is based on the object of specifying an information carrier of the generic type which is suitable for the high-quality and simple application of information to an area. Furthermore, a method for producing such an information carrier and a method are intended to apply information to a surface by means of an information carrier according to the invention.

The information carrier according to the invention achieves the above object by the features of patent claim 1 and analogously to it according to claims 7, 8 and 11. It is essential that the protective layer is solvent-soluble and that the solvent of the protective layer may or may not be the water-soluble and solvent-insoluble separating layer insignificantly solves.

According to the invention, it has been 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 consists of a water-insoluble but solvent-soluble material. 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 is detachable with regard to the solvent of the clear lacquer or the like to be coated later.

Fig. 1

in schematischer Darstellung, geschnitten, ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Informationsträgers,

Fig. 2

in einer schematischen Darstellung, geschnitten, ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Informationsträgers,

Fig. 3

in schematischer Darstellung, geschnitten, ein drittes Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Informationsträgers,

Fig. 4

in schematischer Darstellung, geschnitten, ein viertes Ausführungsbeispiel eines erfindungsgemäßen Informationsträgers,

Fig. 5

den in Fig. 3 dargestellten Informationsträger auf einer zu beschichtenden Fläche,

Fig. 6

die in Fig. 4 gezeigte Anordnung nach Abziehen der Trägerschicht und nach Entfernen der Trennschicht,

Fig. 7

die in Fig. 5 gezeigte Anordnung nach Überziehen mit einer Deckschicht und

Fig. 8

den Informationsträger aus Fig. 1 auf einer zu beschichtenden Fläche und mit einer Deckschicht überzogen.

There are now various possibilities for advantageously designing and developing the teaching of the present invention. For this purpose, on the one hand, reference should be made to the claims subordinate to claims 1, 7, 8 and 11, and on the other hand to the following explanation of exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing. In conjunction with the explanation of the preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing, preferred embodiments are also generally preferred and further training in teaching explained. In the drawing shows

Fig. 1

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

Fig. 2

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

Fig. 3

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

Fig. 4

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

Fig. 5

3 on a surface to be coated,

Fig. 6

4 after removal of the carrier layer and after removal of the separating layer,

Fig. 7

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

Fig. 8

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 Type, 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 exemplary 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 5. The information is adhesively 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 adheres to the separating layer 5 and the color pigments 3 of the information adhere to the second protective layer 4, and the color pigments 3 are sandwiched. The protective layer 2 or the protective layers 2, 4 are preferably a one-component clear lacquer layer and the separating layer 5 is not soluble due to 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 as a whole adheres to a water-permeable backing of the second protective layer 4 and the color pigments 3 are bound in a sandwich-like manner. The protective layer 2 or the protective layers 2, 4 are preferably 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 is on the one to be coated Area 7 already launched. It can clearly be seen that surface 7 is already provided with a lacquer layer referred to as base layer 8. The embodiment chosen here is more precisely an already painted bonnet. 5 also clearly shows that the laminate consists of a protective layer 2, the color pigments 3, a protective layer 4, a separating layer 5 and a carrier layer 6 connected to the laminate 1 via the separating layer 5.

In the process step shown in FIG. 6 it can be seen that the carrier layer 6 has already been removed from the laminate 1. This is done under the influence of water, the water-permeable carrier layer 6 making it possible for the separating layer 5 to be at least dissolved when water is applied externally, as a result of which the carrier layer 6 can be removed 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, i.e. the base layer 8 is applied specifically for coating. Now it is essential that the laminate 1 with the base layer 8 not yet fully cured, i.e. in the case of solvents of the base layer 8 which have not yet been completely expelled, this is placed on them as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, so that the protective layer 2 of the base layer 8 facing the base layer 8 and serving as a quasi reaction layer is used even before covering the laminate 1 with the cover layer 9 Laminate 1 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 represented by arrows in FIG. 5. The separating layer and carrier layer still present in the arrangement in FIG. 5 prevent further volatilization of the solvent of the not yet fully hardened base layer 8, so that the lacquer of the base layer 8 hardens too quickly to favor the diffusion or reaction between the base layer 8 and the Laminate 1 is prevented.

From the arrangement in FIGS. 5 to 8 it is clear that the lacquer of the base layer 8 and the lacquer are advantageous the protective layer 2 or the varnish of the laminate 1 is designed as a dryable one-component varnish or as a base component of a curable two- or multicomponent varnish. 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 regarding 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 varnish of the protective layer 2 and the varnish of the base layer 8 is already complete, 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 selected 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 covered with a cover layer 9, the cover layer 9 creates a transition between laminate 1 and surface 7 or the base layer 8 present there.

Claims (15)

1. Information carrier for applying written, image and/or coloured information in the form of colour pigments (3) to a surface (7) with a laminate (1) comprising the information, the laminate (1) comprising at least one water-insoluble and transparent protective layer (2) on which the colour pigments (3) are largely bound at least from one side so that the protective layer (3) simultaneously acts as a carrier for the colour pigments (3), characterized in that the protective layer (2) is solvent-soluble.
2. Information carrier according to Claim 1, characterized in that a second protective layer (4) is provided so that the colour pigments (3) of the information are bound on both sides, i.e. in the manner of a sandwich; and in that the second protective layer (4) is provided between a separating layer (5) and the colour pigments (3) of the information so that the second protective layer (4) adheres to the separating layer (5) and the colour pigments (3) of the information adhere to the second protective layer (4) and the colour pigments (3) are bound on both sides, i.e. in the manner of a sandwich.
3. Information carrier according to Claim 1, characterized in that the laminate (1) comprises a water-soluble separating layer (5); in that the information is applied adhesively directly to the separating layer (5); and in that the separating layer (5) provided with the information is coated on the information side with the water-insoluble transparent protective layer (2) which largely binds the colour pigments (3) at least from the side remote from the separating layer (5).
4. Information carrier according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the protective layer (2, 4) is in the form of a layer of clear varnish; and in that the separating layer (5) cannot be dissolved by the solvent of the clear varnish forming the protective layer (2, 4).
5. Information carrier according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the separating layer (5) is in the form of a water-soluble and solvent-insoluble gelatin layer or adhesive layer or of a water-soluble and solvent-insoluble plastics material layer or of a water-soluble and solvent-insoluble film.
6. Information carrier according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the laminate (1) as a whole is applied to a water-permeable carrier layer (6) to which the separating layer (5) or the protective layer (4) adheres; in that the carrier layer (6) is made from water-permeable material; and in that the carrier layer (6) is made from paper or cardboard.
7. Method of producing an information carrier for applying written, image and/or coloured information in the form of colour pigments (3) to a surface (7) of an information carrier according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, a water-insoluble transparent protective layer (2) acting as the information carrier being prepared and the colour pigments (3) being applied to the protective layer (2), characterized by the further method step:

   - covering of the protective layer (2) on the pigment side with a second, water-insoluble, solvent-soluble and transparent protective layer (4) so that the colour pigments (3) of the information are enclosed in the manner of a sandwich.
8. Method of producing an information carrier for applying written, image and/or coloured information in the form of colour pigments (3) to a surface (7) of an information carrier according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, a water-soluble separating layer (5) acting as the information carrier being prepared, the colour pigments (3) being applied to the separating layer (5) and the separating layer (5) being covered with a water-insoluble, transparent protective layer (2) on the pigment side, so that the colour pigments (3) of the information are at least largely bound by the protective layer (2), characterized in that the protective layer (2) is solvent-soluble; and in that the solvent of the protective layer (2) does not dissolve the water-soluble and solvent-insoluble separating layer (5) or only negligibly.
9. Method according to Claim 8, characterized in that the preparation of the separating layer (5) acting as the carrier comprises spreading out flat a viscous mass or spreading out flat a plastics material film; and in that the mass or film acting as the separating layer (5) is spread out or laid out on a water-permeable carrier layer (6) in the form of a layer of paper or cardboard and almost hardens or adheres there.
10. Method according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that before the colour pigments (3) are applied the separating layer (5) is covered with a water-insoluble, transparent protective layer (4) so that the colour pigments (3) are applied to the protective layer (4); in that the protective layer (4) is applied in the form of a transparent varnish to the separating layer (5); and in that the solvent of the varnish forming the protective layer (4) does not dissolve the separating layer (5) or only negligibly, the colour pigments (3) being applied by drawing, painting, printing or copying techniques.
11. Method of applying information to a surface (7) by means of an information carrier according to Claims 1 to 6, which has been produced according to a production method according to Claims 7 to 10, characterized by the following method steps:

    - applying the laminate (1) to the surface (7) to be coated;

    - covering the laminate (1) and at least part of the surface (7) not covered by the laminate (1) with a transparent covering layer (9), the solvents of the covering layer (9) beginning to dissolve the laminate (1) or at least the water-insoluble, solvent-soluble and transparent protective layer (2) or the protective layers (2, 4) of the laminate (1), and penetrating to the surface (7) to be coated so that the laminate (1) as a whole wets the surface (7) well and hardens there in adhesive manner directly with the covering layer (9).
12. Method according to Claim 11, characterized in that the method step for applying the laminate (1) to the surface (7) comprises the removal of the carrier layer (6) from the laminate (1) by water, the removal of the water-soluble separating layer (5) by water, and the drying of the laminate (1) on the surface (7) and the expulsion of bubbles between the laminate (1) and surface (7).
13. Method according to Claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the laminate (1) is applied to the surface (7) in a state moistened with water so that owing to the good wetting between the water and the surface (7) firstly the laminate (1) can be aligned and secondly it can already be fixed by adhesion; in that the surface (7) to be provided with the information is covered with an already hardened layer of varnish; in that the varnish forming the covering layer (9) or its solvent, after penetrating the laminate (1), also begins to dissolve the layer of varnish located on the surface (7) so that the laminate (1) which has begun to dissolve either reacts with the varnish layer which has begun to dissolve or at least partially diffuses into the varnish layer.
14. Method according to any one of Claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the surface (7) to be provided with the information is pre-varnished, i.e. provided with a base layer (8); in that before the base layer (8) has fully hardened, i.e. before the solvents have been fully expelled from the base layer (8), the laminate (1) is applied to the base layer (8) so that at least the protective layer (2), of the laminate (1), which faces the base layer (8) and acts almost as a reactive layer has at least begun to dissolve slightly owing to the evaporating solvents even before the laminate (1) is covered with the covering layer (9), and diffusion or a reaction occurs between the base layer (8) and the laminate (1), the solvent-impermeable separating layer (5) and/or the carrier layer (6) preventing further evaporation of the solvent and thus too rapid hardening of the varnish of the base layer (8); 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 one-component varnish which can start to dry or the base component of a hardenable two or multi-component varnish; in that the varnish of the base layer (8) and/or the varnish of the covering layer (9) together are a hardenable two or multi-component varnish which reacts in a hardening manner with the other varnishes in each case; in that the varnish of the base layer (8) and/or the varnish of the covering layer (9) are applied in coats; and in that each layer is briefly aerated between the individual applications.
15. Method according to any one of Claims 11 to 14, characterized in that the initial dissolution of the protective layer (2) and the subsequent hardening of the covering layer (9) are accelerated by a temperature treatment; and in that the temperature treatment of the base layer (8) is performed at a temperature of between 50°C and 75°C for a duration of 23 to 30 minutes.

Images