JP2000301897A - Method and device for transferring image - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for transferring image, with which an image printed on a photographic paper in sublimation ink can be transferred with favorable design properties in a comparatively short period of time on a body to be transferred coated with a transparent resin. SOLUTION: This image transferring method is for transferring an image printed on a photographic paper in a sublimation ink on the surface of a matter to be transferred and is equipped with a process for producing a body to be transferred, which is formed by coating a transparent coating film on the surface of the matter to be transferred, and a process for transferring the image on the surface of the photographic paper to the surface of the body to be transferred by heating the paper under vacuum after the photographic paper is brought into close contact with the surface of the body to be transferred.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image transfer method and an image transfer apparatus for thermally transferring an image output by a printer using a sublimable ink to the surface of an object to be transferred such as a flip of a mobile phone under reduced pressure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a method of outputting an image on a sticky seal paper by a video printer or the like and attaching the image to a flip of a mobile phone has been often used. However, a method of simply attaching a paper sticker on an image does not provide a high-grade feeling with excellent design properties, and often causes the edges to be worn or peeled off over a long period of use.

Recently, a method has been proposed in which an object to be transferred, such as a ceramic mug, is coated with a resin, and an image output with sublimable ink is thermally transferred thereto (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 8-34158 and 8-34158). 8-28219
No. 8).

That is, in the image transfer method described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-34158, an acrylic resin or an epoxy resin is coated on the surface of a transfer object, and the surface of the coated transfer object is coated. After the image on the printing paper is pasted, the image is transferred by, for example, pressing a pressurized body provided with a heater, and an acrylic film is pasted on the transferred image. In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
In the image transfer method described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 282198, an image of photographic paper is attached to the surface of a resin-coated transfer body, and then the image is transferred by high-frequency heating instead of the pressurizing body. .

[0005]

However, since an acrylic resin is usually used for the ink receiving layer of photographic paper, it often adheres to the coating layer of the object to be transferred and becomes difficult to peel off after heating. In addition, under conditions such as limited heating temperature and heating time, the ink only adheres to the surface of the coating resin, so it is necessary to bond a protective acrylic film to the surface, which reduces costs. Get high. On the other hand, in the high-frequency heating, the heating becomes non-uniform depending on the thickness and type of the object to be heated, and it is difficult to perform uniform transfer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image transfer method and an image transfer apparatus capable of transferring an image printed on photographic paper with a sublimable ink onto a transfer material coated with a transparent resin in a relatively short time with good design. It is to provide.

[0007]

An image transfer method according to a first aspect of the present invention is an image transfer method for transferring an image printed on a printing paper with a sublimable ink to a surface of an object to be transferred. A step of preparing a transfer object having a transparent coating film coated on the surface of the transfer object; and adhering the photographic paper to the surface of the transfer object, and then heating the photographic paper under reduced pressure to obtain a surface of the photographic paper. The step of transferring the image to the surface of the transfer object.

In the image transfer method according to a second aspect of the present invention, the transparent coating is a non-yellowing type urethane resin.

Further, in the image transfer method according to a third aspect of the present invention, the transparent coating film contains an ultraviolet absorber and a light stabilizer.

In the image transfer method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the object to be transferred is a Mg alloy.

In the image transfer method according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the object to be transferred is an Al alloy.

In the image transfer method according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the object to be transferred is a heat-resistant plastic having a glass transition temperature of 110 ° C. or higher.

An image transfer apparatus according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is an image transfer apparatus used in the image transfer method according to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth aspect, and transfers an image. Image reading means, an image processing means for digitally inputting the image and processing the input image, a printer using a sublimable ink for outputting a photographic paper on which the image is printed, It is characterized by comprising means for sealing the body under reduced pressure, and a heating press for heating the photographic paper under reduced pressure while keeping the photographic paper in close contact with the transferred body.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the transfer step of the present invention, when an image of a sublimable ink output from a printer is transferred to a transparent coating film (coating layer) on a transfer object, the sublimation temperature is reduced by reducing the pressure. The transfer can be performed at a relatively low temperature. The degree of vacuum is 15 mmHg to 0.1 mmH
g is desirable, and if it is 15 mmHg or more, the transfer time becomes too long. On the other hand, the cost increases to improve the airtightness so that the degree of vacuum reaches 0.1 mmHg or less. The sublimated ink penetrates into the transparent coating film on the surface of the transfer object, and the image is transferred.

Further, by using a urethane resin for the transparent coating film on the surface of the transfer object, the photographic paper can be transferred well without sticking to the transfer object. The isocyanate component of the urethane-based resin is preferably not a TDI (toluene diisocyanate) type that easily yellows when heated, but an HMDI (hydrogenated MDI) type or an MDI (diisocyanate diphenylmethane) type that hardly yellows.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 This embodiment is an example in which an image printed on photographic paper with sublimable ink is transferred to a flip of a mobile phone as a transfer object.

First, using a Mg alloy (AZ91D), as shown in FIGS.
(0 mm × 55 mm, thickness 1 mm). Next, the base agent and the curing agent of a white paint of PG60 manufactured by Kansai Paint Co., Ltd., whose isocyanate component is an HMDI-based urethane paint, were mixed at a ratio of 10: 1, and the obtained mixture and the solvent for PG60 were mixed at a ratio of 1: 1. The paint was prepared by dilution. Then, the prepared coating material was applied to the surface of the transfer object 23 by air spray, and then left at room temperature for 20 minutes. Then, it is cured in a drying oven at 90 ° C. for 20 minutes.
A coating film 22 having a thickness of 0 to 30 μm was obtained. Further, the transparent coating film 21 was overcoated on the white coating film 22. This transparent coating film 21 was coated under the same coating conditions as PG60 using an HMDI-based urethane-based paint HI coat containing an HMDI-based isocyanate component containing an ultraviolet absorber and a light stabilizer. In this way, a flip-shaped transfer member 48 of the mobile phone was obtained.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the image is read from the scanner 41 and
After processing the image with Juan made by Nippon Steel Corporation
The image was printed on the printing paper 44 by the printer 43. The printer 43 uses a sublimation dye toner by an electrostatic recording method.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5, a print in which a flip-shaped transfer object 48 and an image are output to a pressure-reducing closed bag 49 provided with an air discharge port 49a and made of a polyethylene terephthalate resin film. The paper 44 is set so as to have an appropriate arrangement, and then the heating press 45
Was set on the lower mold 50. Then, the pressure was reduced to 5 mmHg by a vacuum pump (not shown),
The upper mold 47 heated to 0 ° C. was pressed at a pressure of 100 g / cm ² for 5 minutes to transfer the image on the printing paper 44 to the transfer object 48. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, the transferred material 5 having the excellent design is penetrated by the sublimation ink 31 so as to show the sectional shape.
1 was obtained. The upper mold 47 and the lower mold 50 were manufactured so as to fit the curved shape of the flip.

The transparent coating is preferably a urethane resin in view of the ease of peeling after transfer, and it is desirable to use a coating material containing an ultraviolet absorber or a light stabilizer in order to improve light resistance.

In the present invention, any material having a certain degree of heat resistance can be used as the transfer object. However, in consideration of transfer to a mobile phone flip or the like, a light weight is required. In addition, a light metal such as an Al alloy, a crystalline plastic having a melting point of 110 ° C. or higher, or an amorphous plastic having a glass transition temperature of 110 ° C. or higher is preferable.

Embodiment 2 A transfer was made in the same manner as in Embodiment 1 except that an Al alloy (ADC12) was used, and a transfer product made of an Al alloy having excellent design properties was obtained.

Embodiment 3 A polycarbonate resin S-2000 manufactured by Mitsubishi Engineering-Plastics Co., Ltd. having a glass transition temperature of 150 ° C.
Was used to form the flip-shaped transfer object 23 of the mobile phone shown in FIG. 1 by injection molding. The transparent coating film was formed in the same manner as in Embodiment 1 to obtain a flip-shaped transfer member for a mobile phone. Next, read the image from the scanner,
After processing the image with a personal computer, the image was output to photographic paper using a Juana printer manufactured by Nippon Steel Corporation. A flip-shaped transfer object and photographic paper on which an image has been output are set in an airtight decompression bag made of polyethylene terephthalate resin film and provided with an air outlet, so that the proper arrangement is achieved. It was set on the lower mold. Then, the pressure was reduced to 1 mmHg by a vacuum pump,
The upper mold heated to 0 ° C. was pressed for 10 minutes to transfer the image of the printing paper to the transfer-receiving body. As a result, a transcript excellent in design property was obtained. The upper mold and the lower mold were manufactured so as to fit the curved shape of the flip.

Embodiment 4 Using a Mg alloy (AZ91D), a flip-shaped transfer member for a cellular phone was prepared, in which a transparent coating film was produced in the same manner as in Embodiment 1. Next, read the image from the scanner,
After processing the image with a personal computer, the image was output to photographic paper with a video printer CP700 manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation.
This printer outputs sublimable ink by a thermal transfer method. It is made of a polyethylene terephthalate resin film, and a flip-shaped transfer object and a photographic paper on which an image is output are set in a proper pressure-reducing bag provided with an air outlet so that the arrangement is appropriate. It was set on the lower mold. Then, the pressure was reduced to 5 mmHg by a vacuum pump, and the upper mold heated to 180 ° C. was pressed for 5 minutes to transfer the image of the photographic paper to the transfer-receiving body. As a result, a transcript excellent in design property was obtained. The upper mold and the lower mold were manufactured so as to fit the curved surface shape of the flip.

Embodiment 5 A transfer product made of an Al alloy having excellent design was obtained in the same manner as in Embodiment 3, except that an Al alloy (ADC12) was used.

Embodiment 6 A polycarbonate resin S-20 manufactured by Mitsubishi Engineering-Plastics Corporation having a glass transition temperature of 150 ° C.
By using injection molding, the flip-shaped transfer object of the mobile phone shown in FIG. 1 was formed by injection molding. The transparent coating film was formed in the same manner as in Embodiment 1 to obtain a flip-shaped transfer member for a mobile phone. Next, read the image from the scanner,
After processing the image with a personal computer, the image was output to photographic paper with a video printer CP700 manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation.
A flip-shaped transfer object and photographic paper on which an image has been output are set in an airtight decompression bag made of polyethylene terephthalate resin film and provided with an air outlet, so that the proper arrangement is achieved. It was set on the lower mold. Then, the pressure was reduced to 0.1 mmHg by a vacuum pump, and the upper mold heated to 130 ° C. was pressed for 15 minutes to transfer the image of the photographic paper to the transfer-receiving body. As a result, a transcript excellent in design property was obtained. The upper mold and the lower mold were manufactured so as to fit the curved surface shape of the flip.

Comparative Example 1 The procedure was the same as that of Embodiment 3 except that an ABS resin diamondpet 1001 manufactured by Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd. having a glass transition temperature of 100 ° C. was used. The transferred image was thin and the transferred image was thin, and a transferred product having excellent design properties could not be obtained.

Comparative Example 2 The procedure was the same as that of Embodiment 1 except that acrylic resin paint Acrose # 6200 manufactured by Dainippon Paint Co., Ltd. was used for the transparent coating film. Was adhered to the transparent coating film and could not be peeled off well, so that a transcript excellent in design property could not be obtained.

Comparative Example 3 The procedure was the same as that of Embodiment 1 except that Epoxy 110, an epoxy resin paint manufactured by Dainippon Paint Co., Ltd., was used for the transparent coating film. The film was transparent and sticking to the film, and remained partially without peeling.
Then, the transparent coating film of the epoxy resin slightly yellowed, and it was not possible to obtain a transcript excellent in design.

Embodiment 7 The transfer of the images according to Embodiments 1 to 6 was performed by the image transfer apparatus shown in FIGS. That is, the image read by the scanner 41 serving as the image reading means is processed by the personal computer 42 serving as the image processing means, and then the printing paper 44 on which the image is printed is output by the video printer 43 which is a thermal transfer printer using sublimable ink. The image input is not limited to the scanner, and can be performed by connecting a digital camera or a video camera. Further, an image stored in a CD-ROM or the like can be used. Next, while supporting the bag 49 and the transferred body 44 as means for reducing the pressure of the photographic paper 44 on which the image is output, the transferred pressurized body 44 is depressurized by the heating press 45 having upper and lower dies 47 and 50 capable of heating. Transfer the image with.

[0032]

As described above, claim 1 of the present invention is provided.
According to the image transfer method for transferring the image printed on the printing paper with the sublimable ink to the surface of the transfer object,
A step of preparing a transfer object having a transparent coating film coated on the surface of the transfer object, and after bringing the photographic paper into close contact with the surface of the transfer object, heating the photographic paper under reduced pressure to form a surface of the photographic paper. Since the method includes the step of transferring the image to the surface of the transfer object, an image having excellent design can be transferred in a relatively short time.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the transparent coating film is a non-yellowing type urethane resin, the photographic printing paper can be satisfactorily transferred without sticking to the transfer receiving body.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the transparent coating film contains an ultraviolet absorber and a light stabilizer, it is possible to prevent fading or discoloration due to sunlight.

According to the fourth to sixth aspects of the present invention, since an Mg alloy, an Al alloy, or a heat-resistant plastic is used as an object to be transferred, a lightweight object required for a mobile phone flip or the like can be obtained.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image transfer apparatus used in the image transfer method according to the first, second, third, fourth, fifth or sixth aspect.
Image reading means, digitally inputting the image, image processing means for processing the input image, a printer using a sublimable ink for outputting photographic paper on which the image is printed, and depressurizing the photographic paper and the transfer object Since a means for sealing in a state and a heating press for heating the photographic paper under reduced pressure while keeping the photographic paper in close contact with the object to be transferred, it is possible to transfer an image with excellent design in a relatively short time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an object to be transferred.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a transfer object.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an object to be transferred.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an image transfer device.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an image transfer device.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a transferred body onto which an image has been transferred.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 21 transparent coating film (coating layer), 22 white undercoat layer, 23 transferred object, 31 transferred and permeated sublimable ink, 41 scanner, 42 personal computer, 43 printer, 44 printing paper on which image was printed,
45 heating press machine, 46 hot platen, 47 upper mold, 48
Transfer receiving body, 49 Decompression bag, 49a outlet, 50
Lower mold.

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (reference) D06P 5/00 116 B41F 16/00 C // B41F 16/00 B41J 3/20 117A (72) Inventor Yoshiji Inaba Tokyo 2-3-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (72) Inventor Kazuo Uesaka 2-3-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (72) Inventor Shigeichi Sakabe Tokyo 2-3-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku Mitsubishi Electric Corporation F-term (reference) 2C065 AB10 AB11 AE07 CJ01 CJ03 CJ06 CJ08 DA10 DA23 DA33 DA36 3B005 FA12 FA13 FB33 GA12 GC08 4H057 AA02 BA12 CA03 CB08 CC01 DA02 DA29 FA17 FA17 FA17 FA17 FA17 FA17 FA17 FA17 FA17 FA17 HA01 HA02 JA10 JA14 JB02

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An image transfer method for transferring an image printed on a printing paper with a sublimable ink to a surface of an object to be transferred, wherein the surface of the object to be transferred is coated with a transparent coating. And a step of transferring the image on the surface of the printing paper to the surface of the receiving body by heating the paper under reduced pressure after the printing paper is brought into close contact with the surface of the receiving body. Image transfer method. 2. The image transfer method according to claim 1, wherein the transparent coating is a non-yellowing type urethane resin. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transparent coating contains an ultraviolet absorber and a light stabilizer.
The image transfer method described in the above. 4. The image transfer method according to claim 1, wherein the object to be transferred is a Mg alloy. 5. The image transfer method according to claim 1, wherein the object to be transferred is an Al alloy. 6. The image transfer method according to claim 1, wherein the transfer object is a heat-resistant plastic having a glass transition temperature of 110 ° C. or higher. 7. An image transfer apparatus used in the image transfer method according to claim 1, wherein an image reading means for transferring an image and a digital input of the image are provided. Image processing means for processing the input image;
A printer using a sublimable ink for outputting photographic paper on which the image has been printed, a means for sealing the photographic paper and the transfer-receiving body in a reduced pressure state, and heating by bringing the photographic paper into close contact with the transfer-receiving body and heating under reduced pressure An image transfer device comprising a press machine.