EP2274485A1

EP2274485A1 - Paper layer for producing a planar printed or printable component

Info

Publication number: EP2274485A1
Application number: EP09707694A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Udo Tünte; Frank Petersen
Original assignee: Huelsta Werke Huels GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Flooring Industries Ltd SARL
Priority date: 2008-02-07
Filing date: 2009-01-27
Publication date: 2011-01-19
Anticipated expiration: 2029-01-27
Also published as: PL2274485T5; EP2274485B2; EP2274485B1; ES2404075T5; DE102008008292A1; WO2009097986A1; ES2404075T3; PL2274485T3

Abstract

The invention relates to a paper layer (1) for producing a planar printed or printable component (5), more particularly for floor, wall, ceiling and/or furniture applications, the paper layer (1) being intended, before or after printing, for application to a planar base (4) of the component (5) under pressure and/or heat, the paper layer (1) having a fibre structure (7) comprising fibres (6) between which there are interstices (8). In order, first, to enable sufficient resinification and in order, second, to ensure a satisfactory print outcome, the invention provides for an ink-receiving compound (9) to be provided at least on the top face in the fibre structure (7), said compound (9) at least substantially enveloping the fibres (6) in the top face region of the fibre structure (7), and for open interstices (8) of the enveloped fibre structure (7) to remain at the top face (2) of the paper layer (1).

Description

Paper layer for producing a flat, printed or printable component

The invention relates to a paper layer for producing a flat, printed or printable component, in particular for floor, wall, Dekkk and / or furniture applications, wherein the paper layer before or after the printing process for application to a flat body of the component is provided under pressure and / or heat influence, wherein the paper layer has a fiber-containing fiber structure and wherein intermediate spaces are provided between the fibers.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a flat, printed or printable component with a paper layer of the aforementioned type and a method for producing such a component.

Paper layers for the production of flat, printed or printable components for floor, wall, ceiling or furniture applications are known in practice. In a known printing paper, a color receiving layer is applied to the fiber structure of the actual paper layer. Investigations conducted by the Applicant have revealed that the particles of the ink-receiving layer averaged a few micrometers. The ink-receiving layer, which has as main constituents silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide, is applied over the entire surface of the top of the paper structure and rests on it, completely covering and hiding the paper structure. In the investigations made by the Applicant, it has been found that while the ink-receiving layer superficially engages the fiber structure, it is disposed substantially over the fiber structure and covers and covers the fibers and interstices between the fibers. Ultimately, in the known paper, a substantially closed uniform surface results, which leads to a very good printing result.

The Applicant has then further stated that there are not inconsiderable problems with the adherence to the paper for further processing of the paper. Is the known paper after printing from above her persistent, it has been found that a sufficient and full-surface Durchratsarzung of the paper can not be guaranteed. The result is that the paper does not sufficiently connect with the component after being pressed.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem in the known paper, the Applicant then tried to insulate the paper from below, as is generally known from EP 1 749 676 A1. This publication relates to a method and an apparatus for producing a paper web which can be printed by means of an ink-jet printing method and which is subsequently applied to plates or sheets. The aim is to provide an ink jet printing process, the print result on the surface of the objects to be printed corresponding to the highest quality requirements with regard to appearance. For this purpose, it is provided that an absorbent along its entire thickness for liquid resin paper web is soaked from the bottom with liquid resin so that the resin does not completely penetrate the paper web, so that the other side of the paper web is at least substantially free of synthetic resin. Finally, the paper web known from EP 1 749 676 A1 has an upper side, essentially resin-free, region which makes up about 50% of the thickness of the paper web. However, it has been found in experiments that when pressing the underside-resinated paper web with a component arranged on the underside and a protective layer provided on the top, although a sufficient connection of the paper web results to the component, but not from the protective layer to the paper web.

The object of the present invention is to provide a paper layer of the type mentioned above, in which, on the one hand, a very good printing result is possible and, on the other hand, a good connection to the main body of a component and optionally to an upper-side protective layer is ensured.

To achieve the above object is in a first inventive

Alternatively provided that at least on the upper side in the fiber structure, a color receiving mass is provided which at least substantially encases the upper-side region of the fibers and that at the top of the paper layer remain open spaces of the sheathed fiber structure, so are not covered by the ink receptive mass. In a second alternative embodiment of the invention, an ink receptive mass is provided at least on the upper side in the fiber structure, wherein the ink receptive mass has an average particle size of less than 1000 nm. In the third alternative according to the invention, the fibers of the fiber structure on the upper side are only partially covered with an ink receptive mass which can be embedded in and / or applied to the fiber structure in such a way that open spaces of the fiber structure remain at the upper side of the paper layer.

All of the alternatives according to the invention are based, first of all, on the basic idea of providing a dye-receiving mass as a so-called pigment coating onto which the printing ink or ink is applied. At the same time it is in all embodiments of the invention so that no quasi-closed, flat surface is provided by the ink receiving mass. In the two abovementioned embodiments with the sheathing of the fibers or the use of ink receiving particles in the nanoscale, uncovered interspaces, which are open towards the outside, remain in the fiber structure, which ensure adequate through-hardening of the paper layer. In the third embodiment, the top of the fiber structure is only partially covered with the ink receiving mass, so that in any case remain free areas, which also ensure the necessary Durchbeharzung.

In theoretical considerations, the aforementioned alternatives according to the invention have been rejected by the applicant first, because it was feared that the paper layer with the embedded or applied ink composition, in the final despite the ink receptive mass nor the structure caused by the cellulose fibers is recognizable, not a sufficient printing result achieve. Ultimately, the invention results in no closed, substantially flat pressure surface as in the prior art. In practical experiments that have then been carried out, however, it has been found that the achievable in the paper according to the invention printing result is not or only slightly different from the printed result, which is achieved in the known paper mentioned above. Moreover, the invention offers the possibility that the paper layer can be printed with the ink-receiving material both before and after application to the main body of a component. For example, it is possible to first print the paper and store it after printing, for example on rolls or sheets. Subsequently, the printed paper layer can be pressed with the main body of the component under pressure and heat influence, the resin first melts and then cured immediately. Alternatively, it is possible first to apply a partially resinated and unprinted paper layer with the incorporated or applied ink-receiving mass to the base body in the manner described above and then to print the base body with the already applied paper layer.

In order to largely preserve the fiber structure and thus the interspaces between the fibers at the upper side of the paper layer or to leave it undiscovered and to provide a comprehensive sheathing of the upper-side fibers and thus a good ink absorption area, the particles of the ink receiving mass should be one average diameter between 50 nm and 400 nm, preferably between 100 nm to 300 nm and in particular between 150 nm and 250 nm. Very good tests have been achieved with particle sizes in the range of about 200 nm in diameter.

In scanning electron microscopic investigations, it has been found that a plurality of interspaces with a length of greater than 20 μm, preferably greater than 30 μm and in particular greater than 40 μm, should be provided on the upper side of the paper layer between the fibers encased or coated with the color absorption compound. It is understood that spaces with a length significantly greater than 40 microns can be provided. Furthermore, the spaces should have an opening area of greater than 250 nm ² , preferably greater than 500 μm ² and in particular greater than 750 μm ² . Again, it is understood that significantly larger Öffhungsflächen can be provided as 750 microns ² . For spaces of the above dimensions, there is excellent regardless of whether the Behar- tion from above or from below is carried out.

Moreover, it is particularly advantageous in the case of the paper according to the invention if the aforementioned dimensions of the interstices are not only provided "sporadically", but if they are located on the entire upper side of the paper layer. It has been found that on the upper side per unit area [nm ² ] on average at least one intermediate space, preferably more than three and in particular more than ten intermediate spaces of the aforementioned type should be provided.

In order to prevent the interstices between the cellulose fibers of the fiber structure from being closed by the color-receiving composition, the basis weight of the ink-receiving composition should preferably be between 0.5 g / m ² and 20 g / m ² . Thus, in the case of the paper layer according to the invention, a significantly lower proportion of colorant composition is used than in the prior art. This has a considerable effect on the acquisition costs of the paper layer. Thus, the cost of the paper according to the invention by a factor of 3 less than in the initially mentioned, known from practice paper.

Moreover, it has been found that a particularly good printing result is obtained if the ink composition in any case also titanium dioxide, barium sulfate and silicates, in particular as main components.

It is also particularly favorable that the paint-receiving composition is basic. It has been found that the resin to be applied is generally basic, that is, has a pH greater than 7. Furthermore, it has been found that the resin solidifies more readily in an acidic environment than in a basic environment. In order to ensure a good through-cure, the ink composition and, where appropriate, also the paper of the fiber structure should be basic.

Moreover, the paper or fibrous structure should be a decorative paper which has a weight per unit area without a proportion of resin but with a color. Aufmahmemasse between 30 g / m ² and 300 g / m ² , preferably between 50 g / m ² and 120 g / m ² and in particular of about 70 g / m ² should have.

The paper layer according to the invention with the incorporated in the fiber structure Farbaufhahmemasse can basically be unbeharzt before printing and be contacted only after printing. In principle, however, it is also possible for the paper layer to be so defined from the underside before printing that the upper region of the fiber structure with little or no resin content preferably extends over a maximum of 30% of the thickness of the fiber structure. In particular, the upper paper layer area extends over only a maximum of 20% of the thickness of the paper layer, and more preferably over at most 10% of the thickness of the paper layer, each individual value between 0.1% of the thickness of the paper layer and 30% of the thickness of the paper layer possible and expressly is provided essential to the invention.

It should also be pointed out in this context that there is in practice no exact dividing line between the upper paper layer region with little or no resin content and the lower paper layer region with high resin content, since in the case of a refining from below a concentration gradient of the resin from below to above is such that the highest concentration of the bottom is present. The transition of the upper paper layer region to the lower paper layer region is characterized by an abrupt change of the concentration gradient, while the concentration gradient from the lower side of the lower paper layer region to the upper side thereof and from the lower side of the upper paper layer region to the upper side thereof is substantially constant or continuous decreases.

Incidentally, the above-mentioned values of the thickness of the upper paper layer portion refer to the not yet pressed state of the paper layer, that is, when the paper layer is not yet applied to the main body of the component under pressure and / or heat influence.

In addition, there is a further, quite considerable advantage in the aforementioned defined Teilbeharzung. Usually, a printed component, at least if it is used in the floor area, a upper protective layer, which is also resined, applied under pressure and heat influence. In the case of the component known from EP 1 749 676 A1, after the protective layer has been pressed, the result is generally that a substantially resin-free layer region remains between the resin of the protective layer and the resin of the paper layer. Since the resin of the protective layer does not or not adequately bind to that of the paper layer, this can lead to detachment of the protective layer, as already explained at the outset. In the context of the present invention, it has been recognized that sufficient bonding of the resin of the paper layer to the protective layer can be ensured by the comparatively large interstices between the fibers.

In order to achieve a defined resin layer thickness in the paper layer, the amount of the resin portion fed to the underside is controlled in terms of process technology as a function of the porosity and thus the absorbency of the paper layer and the viscosity of the resin. If the resination is carried out, for example, by means of a roller which passes through a dipping bath, with the paper layer being guided over the underside by a roller, the immersion depth of the roller, the surface quality of the roller, the diameter of the roller, the play as further process parameters Contact pressure between the paper layer and the roller and the transport speed of the paper layer a role. It is understood that the resin can be applied to the paper layer in other ways, for example by nozzle application.

In order to achieve a defined layer thickness of the upper layer of paper layer, it is moreover advisable for the paper layer to be impregnated with a barrier liquid which does not mix with the resin, such that a preferably over 30% of the thickness of the paper layer is impregnated. layer resulting barrier layer for the resin. The application of the barrier liquid can be done in the same way as the application of the resin or in principle in other ways. After the paper layer has hardened, the barrier liquid is vaporized. The space originally occupied by the barrier liquid then forms the upper paper layer area. However, it goes without saying that in principle it is also possible to Add liquid such that ultimately no defined barrier layer is generated.

In this context, it is preferable for the barrier liquid to contain the ink-receiving composition according to the invention, which deposits in the upper paper layer region after evaporation, so that subsequently the sheathing or coating of the fibers results.

But it is also possible that the ink composition is applied in conjunction or following the impregnation with barrier liquid. The ink receiving mass can be applied separately or together with the barrier liquid by rolling, spraying, knife coating, blade coating, air brushing, Gußstrich- method, film presses, presses, curtain curtain and / or by slot nozzle application.

The resination can be carried out with only one resin or, if appropriate, in several resination steps, also with different resins in order to achieve certain properties of the paper layer. After hardening, the paper layer can be dried and then the ink composition applied. This can be followed by drying again. In an alternative embodiment, a so-called wet / wet treatment is carried out. In this case, the color receiving material is applied before the resin is completely dried, that is still in a liquid or gelled or gelled state. Subsequently, the common drying of the resinated and provided with the ink receptive paper layer takes place.

Incidentally, in experiments which have been carried out, it has been found that the weight per unit area of the resin fraction in the paper according to the invention should be between 5 g / m ² and 300 g / m ² , preferably between 20 g / m ² and 100 g / m ² In order to ensure a good connection between the paper layer and the main body of the component and optionally the protective layer to be provided.

The resin itself is preferably a reactivatable resin, in particular an aminoplast, such as a melamine resin or a urea resin. Resin. Preference is given to resins from the group of diallyl phthalates, epoxy resins, urea-formaldehyde resins, uric acid-acetyl ester copolyesters, melamine-formaldehyde resins, melamine-phenol-formaldehyde resins, phenol-formaldehyde resins, poly (meth) acrylates or unsaturated polyester resins.

Moreover, it has been found that it is favorable to achieve good printing results that the paper layer is heated or heated before, during and / or after the application of the ink layer. For this purpose, appropriate heating means may be provided which heat the paper layer or the ink receiving mass. This can be done for example via appropriate blower. Instead or in addition, infrared, in particular NIR heating devices and / or microwave heating devices can be provided, which act directly on the water content in the ink layer. The heating or heating can be effected before, during and / or after printing, as stated above. For this purpose, one or more heaters may be provided, wherein the heating section not only be provided selectively, but may extend over a larger area, for example between 0 and 5 m and in particular between 0 and 2 m before and / or after the respective pressure point.

As preferred, a surface pre-heating and after-heating over heated surfaces, over which the paper is guided before and after printing, has proven. Conveniently, the temperature of these surfaces in the preheating and / or reheating between 30 ⁰ C and 40 ⁰ C, preferably at about 35 ° C.

In the area of the printer head good experiences have been made with a radiant heat source, which acts directly on the water content of the color layer. Here, a warming to 42 ° C has proved favorable. The removal of the resulting water vapor should take place via a controlled air flow. Moreover, the temperature should be sensor-controlled, in particular in the area of the printer head, in order to prevent overheating or inadequate heating. In any case, the aforesaid heating leads to an immediate drying of the ink layer on the ink-receptive layer as soon as the ink has been removed from the printhead. ben, as well as a drying of the fiber structure. It should be pointed out in the present case that the aforementioned heating or heating also has independent inventive significance, that is to say independent of the paper layer according to the invention.

After drying, the paper layer is either cut on sheets or rolled up as a continuous web. In principle, it is also possible in the method according to the invention that the printing takes place before cutting / rolling.

Furthermore, the present invention relates to a printed or printable, sheet-like component, in particular for floor, wall, ceiling and / or furniture applications, with a flat body and with an applied to the body printable or printed paper layer according to one of previous claims. In the invention, it is thus the case that the paper layer according to the invention is principally printed prior to further processing and only subsequently applied to the main body of the component. However, it is also possible to first laminate the paper onto a component, then to print and finally to paint or otherwise coat it. The paper according to the invention is therefore not limited to a particular type of production.

It is preferred that the base body has been directly coated with the paper layer in Kurztaktpreß-. Here, the resinated paper layer cures directly on the base plate of a corresponding press under pressure and heat melting. Essential in the Kurztaktpreßverfahren is first that the base body as the support plate, the compression pressure, which is usually between 200 and 650 N / cm ² , may not or only slightly yield. In addition, the main bodies and the layers of paper to be applied must not touch the hot press plates during insertion and removal. The temperature during the compression is usually between 80 ⁰ C to 250 ° C, preferably between 140 ⁰ C and 200 ⁰ C. The respective temperature during pressing depending on the reactivation temperature of the resin. Finally, the critical storage time, that is to say the time from the first contact of the resinous paper layer with the press plate until the necessary pressing pressure has been reached, must be taken into account. The critical lay time should be extremely short. Although it is fundamentally possible to print the paper layer according to the invention using all known printing methods, in particular also the gravure printing method, the printing of the paper layer is preferably carried out by means of a digital printing method, in particular an inkjet printing method. In this case, preferably so-called inkjet digital printers are used, with which excellent printing results can be achieved. In addition, unlike the gravure printing process, decors can be designed in a simple way using a computer-aided design and can be printed at short notice. Moreover, unlike the gravure printing process, it is also possible for the paper layer to be printed only after it has been soaked.

For printing, solvent-containing ink and / or water-containing ink are preferably used. In principle, UV-based color systems can also be used. However, these have the disadvantage of odor development. In addition, problems may arise during pressing.

In addition, the present invention relates to a method for producing a printed or printable sheet-like component of the aforementioned type, wherein the method features of the aforementioned embodiments are readily apparent.

Moreover, it is expressly pointed out that the aforementioned and following range indications and intervals include all individual values and intermediate intervals within the ranges and intervals also in the decimal range and are considered essential to the invention, without any explicit mention of individual values or Intermediate intervals or intermediate range indications are required.

Embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawing.

It shows Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an inventive

Paper layer,

2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a printed and durchbeharzten paper layer,

3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a flat component, on whose base body the paper layer is applied,

4 is an enlarged view of the top of the paper layer according to the invention,

5 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 of the upper side of a known paper layer on the same scale as FIG. 4, FIG.

6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 of the upper side of the paper layer according to the invention in a further enlarged scale, FIG.

7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 of the upper side of the known paper layer on the same scale as the representation according to FIG. 6, FIG.

8 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 of the paper layer according to the invention in a further enlarged scale, FIG.

9 is a view corresponding to FIG. 4 of the upper side of the known paper layer on the same scale as the representation according to FIG. 8, FIG.

10 is a flow chart of the inventive method for producing a component according to the invention and

11 shows an alternative flowchart of the method according to the invention. In Fig. 1, a paper layer 1 is shown schematically. The paper layer 1 consists of a conventional absorbent or liquid-receptive paper material, in this case of decorative paper. The decorative paper has a fiber structure which can be seen in FIGS. 4, 6 and 8 and which is constructed from a multiplicity of fibers, in the present case cellulose fibers. As such, the paper layer 1 may be part of a roll or a sheet. In the present case, the paper layer 1 has an upper side 2 for subsequent printing and a lower side 3, which is provided for placement on the base body 4 of a component 5. The component 5 can be any flat, printed or printable element which can be used in the area of floor, wall, ceiling and / or furniture. In particular, the component 5 is a plate or a panel.

Although FIGS. 4, 6 and 8 only show a view of the upper side of the paper layer 1, it is clear from these illustrations that the paper layer 1 has a multiplicity of fibers 6 which ultimately form a three-dimensional fiber structure 7. Between the individual fibers 6 there are gaps 7.

As is apparent from Fig. 1, a color receiving mass 9 is provided on the upper side in the fiber structure 7, which ultimately forms a in the fiber structure 7 at least substantially upper side embedded color-receiving layer. The ink-receiving mass 9 is not or only slightly over the fiber structure 7 upwards over. Since the ink-receiving mass 9 is very fine-grained, namely particles with an average diameter in the nano range, the Farbaufhahmemasse 9 sheathed the fibers 6 of the upper portion of the fiber structure 7. Due to the fine granularity of the particles of the ink receiving mass 9 remain at the top of the sheathed fiber structure. 7 , which also forms the top 2 of the paper layer 1, open spaces 8. This is apparent in particular from Figs. 4, 6 and 8, which also illustrate that the Farbaufhahmemasse 9 does not overlap the top of the fiber structure 7, that the Fibers 6 are no longer recognizable as such. The fibers 6 remain as at least partially uncovered.

Figs. 4, 6 and 8 illustrate that, in spite of the top-side ink receiving mass 9, the fiber structure 7 is at least partially still recognizable and open Gaps 8 between the fibers 6 remain. This feature ultimately represents the decisive difference from the prior art, as can be seen from a comparison with FIGS. 5, 7 and 9. The two aforementioned figures show that the fiber structure of the known paper layer is no longer recognizable there. The top of the paper layer is formed by a coarse ink receiving layer. The diameter of these particles is on average a few micrometers. In contrast to the paper layer 1 according to the invention, the ink-receiving composition ultimately rests on the fiber structure due to the comparatively coarse particles, covering them and completely covering them to such an extent that they are no longer recognizable. As a result, there are no open spaces between the fibers open at the top.

The gaps between the individual particles of the ink-receiving layer shown in FIGS. 5, 7 and 9 in the known paper layer are distributed relatively uniformly and have both a short length and a small opening area. This is different from the paper layer 1 according to the invention. As can be seen from FIGS. 4, 6 and 8, the interspaces 8 between the fibers 6 of the fiber structure 7 are distributed very unevenly, have a significantly greater length and a significantly larger opening area as in the prior art. Finally, in the case of the paper layer 1 according to the invention, a multiplicity of intermediate spaces 8 with a length of greater than 40 μm and an opening area of greater than 750 μm ^{2 are} provided. Such large gaps 8 are ultimately over the entire paper layer 1 - albeit unevenly or irregularly - distributed, wherein per unit area [mm ² ] an average of more than 10 such spaces 8 are provided.

The weight per unit area of the paint-receiving composition 9 is comparatively low and in the present case is around 5 g / m ² . Such a low weight per unit area is sufficient for the small particle size, which is about 200 nm on average, in order to cover at least the fibers 6 in the upper region of the fiber structure 7 and at the same time leave a sufficient number of gaps 8 open. It is to be noted, however, that, in deviation from the illustration according to FIG. 1, it is fundamentally also possible that the ink-absorbing mass 9 extends into the central area, the lower area or even extends to the bottom 3 of the fiber structure 7. In any case, however, it is necessary for the necessary tanking that in each level of the fiber structure 7, the above-described open spaces are present.

The ink receiving composition 9 itself has as main constituents titanium dioxide, barium sulfate and silicates and is otherwise basic.

As has already been mentioned above, the fiber structure 7 of the paper layer 1 is formed by a decorative paper which has a weight per unit area, as shown in FIG. 1, ie without a proportion of resin but with a colorant mass 9 of approximately 70 g / m ² . It is understood that the decorative paper can also have a much smaller or a much larger basis weight. The paper layer 1 shown in Fig. 1 is unprinted and unbeharzt. The paper layer 1 is first printed for further processing, that is to say provided with a printing layer 10 and then doctored. This state is shown schematically in Fig. 2, wherein the paper layer 1 is fully cured throughout its thickness. In this case, the resin concentration over the thickness of the paper layer 1 may in principle be the same or else vary from one side to the other or else from both sides toward the middle. In any case, the resin, which is preferably a melamine resin, or its viscosity, is adapted to the nature of the paper material of the paper layer 1 and also to the resinous process such that a complete through-etching of the paper layer 1 is achieved their entire thickness is guaranteed. The weight per unit area of the tanker fraction in the present case is about 80 g / m ² .

It should be pointed out that the paper layer 1 can also be so defined from the underside 3 before printing that the upper region of the fiber structure 7 has a predetermined thickness, preferably more than 30% of the thickness, with little or no resin content the fiber structure 1 extends.

The printing or ink layer 10 is in the present case by means of a not shown

Inkjet digital printer, so applied by means of the ink jet printing process, although other printing methods, in particular the Gravure printing are possible. Both solvent-based and water-based inks can be used as printing inks.

FIG. 3 shows a detail of the component 5, which has the already mentioned flat basic body 4, in particular with a rectangular shape.

The main body 4 may be constructed in one or more layers and in particular consist of wood and / or plastic materials. In particular, the component 5 may be wood-based panels, such as MDF, HDF or DKS.

Plates or so-called HPL (High Pressure Laminate) plates. In the component 5 but it can also be thicker films, cardboard or

Plasterboard trade.

In the component 5 shown in FIG. 3, the printed paper layer 1 is applied to the upper side 11 of the main body 4 and firmly connected thereto. Furthermore, a protective layer 12 is applied to the printing layer 10. The protective layer 12, which is also resined, serves to protect the printing layer 10 from UV radiation and in particular from mechanical damage. So that the printing layer 10 is still recognizable, the protective layer 12 is transparent. In the protective layer 12 can be very hard particles such as corundum incorporated. It should be pointed out that the protective layer 12 is usually realized in such components 5, which are used in the ground area. In principle, however, the protective layer 12 can also be dispensed with. This applies in particular to wall and ceiling applications as well as furniture elements.

FIG. 10 schematically shows the method according to the invention in a short-cycle pressing method. The process begins with the known production of the paper in a paper machine, which is shown in process step A. The paper layer 1 is still part of a quasi-infinite paper web.

The paper production is followed in step B by a surface treatment by smoothing the upper side 2 to equalize the surface and optionally subsequent fine roughening of the previously smoothed surface. Subsequently, the ink-receiving composition 9 is placed on or in the top 2 or introduced. After the surface treatment of the paper layer 1 provided with the ink receiving mass 9, the printing and thus the application of the printing layer 10 takes place in method step C. The printing takes place in the inkjet printing process via inkjet digital printers. When printing, the paper layer 1 may still be part of a paper web or already part of a cut from the paper web sheet. The cutting on sheets can also be done later. However, part of process step C is also the heating of the paper layer before, during and / or after the application of the color layer. In the present case, it is so that the paper layer 1 is preheated between 30 ⁰ C and 40 ⁰ C, preferably at about 35 ° C, so that the ink when printing already meets the preheated ink layer, which supports the drying. When applying the ink, heating takes place via a radiation heater at 42 ° C., which is directed onto the region of the paper layer 1 that is being printed. Finally, a so-called reheat also occurs even after printing over a third heating device (for example, a heated backing sheet) is between 30 ° C and 40 ⁰ C.

In process step D, the complete through-etching of the printed paper layer 1 takes place, so that the state according to FIG. 2 results.

In method step E, the paper layer 1 is pressed with the base body 4. At the same time, the protective layer 12 is pressed in a corresponding pressing device. Under the pressure and heat of the pressing plates of the pressing device, the resin in the paper layer 1 and the resin in the protective layer 12 melts and immediately hardens during the pressing operation, so that on the one hand a firm connection of the paper layer 1 to the base body 4 and on the other hand a firm connection the protective layer 12 on the paper layer 1 results. Due to the hardening of the paper layer 1, moreover, during pressing, there is such a strong bond between all layer materials that unintentional detachment need not be feared.

FIG. 11 schematically shows an alternative embodiment of the method. Process steps a and b correspond to those mentioned above Process steps A and B of papermaking and the application of the colorant composition. This is followed by the method step c, wherein the paper web is teilbeharzt from its underside. The Teilbeharzung done defined so that the upper portion of the fiber structure 7, but in any case the top of the fiber structure 7 and the color pickup 9 located there, remain at least substantially resin-free.

In method step d, the paper layer 1, which is then already cut on sheets, applied to the base body 4 by pressing in the mentioned pressing device. The paper layer 1 is still unprinted in this case and also has no upper-side protective layer 12.

After pressing the still unprinted paper layer 1 on the base body 4, the unprinted component 5 is now also printed in the method step e in the inkjet printing process. Parallel to this or immediately afterwards, the heating of the applied printing layer 10 takes place. Here, too, of course, a preheating of the paper layer 1 can be made. This is followed by the final compression of the protective layer 12 in the pressing device in method step f, in order to connect the protective layer 12 to the paper layer 1 after melting and curing of the resin in the protective layer 12.

Although the schematic method shown in Fig. 11 is procedurally complicated, it has the advantage that non-printed components 5 can be readily maintained and the printing can be made according to customer requirements, if necessary, at short notice.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 paper layer

2 top

3 bottom

4 main body

5 component

6 fibers

7 fiber structure

8 spaces

9 ink receptive mass

10 printing layer

11 top

12 protective layer

Claims

claims:

1. paper layer (1) for producing a flat, printed or printable component (5), in particular for floor, wall, ceiling and / or furniture applications, wherein the paper layer (1) before or after the printing process for application to a flat Base body (4) of the component (5) under pressure and / or heat influence is provided, wherein the paper layer (1) has a fiber (6) having fiber structure (7) and wherein between the fibers (6) intermediate spaces (8) are provided , characterized in that at least on the upper side in the fiber structure (7) an ink receiving mass (9) is provided which at least substantially encases the fibers (6) in the upper side region of the fiber structure (7), and in that on the upper side (2) of the paper layer (1) open spaces (8) of the sheathed fiber structure (7) remain.

2. paper layer (1) for producing a flat, printed or printable component (5), in particular for floor, wall, ceiling and / or

Furniture applications, wherein the paper layer (1) before or after the printing process for application to a flat base body (4) of the component (5) under pressure and / or heat influence is provided, wherein the paper layer a fiber (6) having fiber structure (7) and wherein intermediate spaces (8) are provided between the fibers (6), characterized in that at least on the upper side in the fiber structure (7) an ink receiving mass (9) is provided and that the ink receiving mass (9) particles having an average diameter of less than 1000 nm.

3. paper layer (1) for producing a flat, printed or printable component (5), in particular for floor, wall, ceiling and / or furniture applications, wherein the paper layer (1) before or after the printing operation for application to a flat Base body (4) of the component (5) under pressure and / or heat influence is provided, wherein the paper layer (1) having a fiber (6) having fiber structure (7) and wherein between the fibers (6) spaces (8) are provided, characterized in that the fibers (6) of the fiber structure (8) on the upper side only partially with a Farbaufhahmemasse or Layer are occupied so that at the top of the paper layer (1) open spaces (8) of the fiber structure (7) remain.

4. Paper layer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ink receiving mass (9) particles having an average diameter between 50 nm to 400 nm, preferably between 100 nm to 300 nm and in particular 150 nm and 250 nm.

5. Paper layer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the upper side (2) of the paper layer (1) has a plurality of open spaces (8) with a length of greater than 20 microns, preferably greater than 30 microns and especially greater than 40 microns and / or an opening area of greater than 250 microns, preferably greater than 500 microns and in particular greater than 750 microns ^{2 are} provided.

6. Paper layer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the upper side (2) per unit area [mm ² ] on average at least one intermediate space (8), preferably more than three and in particular more than 10 spaces (8) are provided.

7. Paper layer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the weight per unit area of the paint-receiving composition (9) is between 0.5 g / m ² and 20 g / m ² .

8. Paper layer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ink receiving mass (9) comprises titanium dioxide, barium sulfate and silicates.

9. Paper layer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ink receiving mass (9) is basic.

10. Paper layer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fibrous structure (7) is formed by a decorative paper, which has a basis weight without Beharzungsanteil but with Farbaufhahmemasse (9) between 30 g / m ² and 300 g / m ² , preferably between 50 g / m ² and 120 g / m ² and in particular of about 70 g / m ² .

11. Paper layer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the paper layer (1) is unbeharzt before printing and is only after printing entarzt or that the paper layer (1) defined before printing such from the bottom (3) ago is that the upper portion of the fiber structure (7) with little or no resin content extends over a maximum of 30% of the thickness of the fiber structure (7).

12. Paper layer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the basis weight of the resin fraction between 5 g / m ² and 300 g / m ² , preferably between 20 g / m ² and 100 g / m ² .

13. Paper layer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the resin is a reactivatable resin, in particular an amino noplast and preferably a melamine resin or a urea resin.

14. Paper layer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the paper layer (1) before, during and / or after the application of the color layer (10) has been heated or heated and that, preferably, the heating / heating at a temperature below the re-activation temperature of the resin and in particular in the range between 30 ⁰ C and 150 ⁰ C.

15. Paper layer according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the paper layer (1) is rolled up after the refining for further processing as a web or cut on sheets.

16. Printed or printable, sheet-like component (5), in particular for floor, wall, ceiling and / or furniture applications, with a flat basic body (4) and a printed on the base body (4) imprinted ren or printed paper layer (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

17. Component according to claim 16, characterized in that the paper layer (1) has been printed before or after application to the base body (4).

18. Component according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the base body (4) has been directly coated with the paper layer (1) in Kurztaktpreßverfahren.

19. Component according to one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the paper layer (1) has been printed by means of a digital printing process, in particular an ink jet printing process and that, preferably as a solvent-containing solvent ink and / or water-containing ink has been used.

20. A method for producing a printed or printable, flat component (5) according to any one of claims 16 to 19.