JP2007168079A - Thermal transfer foil - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thermal transfer foil, which can give excellent shock-absorbing properties or excellent designability to the surface of a material to be transferred. <P>SOLUTION: In the thermal transfer foil formed by providing a thermal transfer layer on the surface of a base material film, at least one layer among layers forming the thermal transfer layer is set to include a thermally foaming agent. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a thermal transfer foil that imparts an air-containing layer to a transfer material by thermal transfer. More specifically, when a thermal transfer foil having at least one layer containing a thermal foaming agent is transferred, the thermal foaming agent is foamed by the amount of heat at the time of transfer, and the thermal transfer layer containing an air layer is transferred to the surface of the transfer material, The present invention relates to a thermal transfer foil that imparts shock buffering properties to the surface of a material to be transferred or imparts pseudo suede design to the surface of a material to be transferred.

  Conventionally, a thermal transfer foil (thermal transfer film) is widely used for transferring a thermal transfer layer to a transfer material and simply giving a design such as a pattern to the surface of the transfer material. An example of such a thermal transfer foil is shown in FIG. A thermal transfer foil A shown in FIG. 1 has a configuration in which a thermal transfer layer B including a release layer 2, a decorative layer 3 such as a pattern, and an adhesive layer 4 is laminated on a base film (support film) 1.

  In the thermal transfer foil A shown in FIG. 1, as shown in FIG. 2, the adhesive layer 4 on the outermost surface portion of the thermal transfer foil is overlapped with the transfer material 5, and heat and pressure are applied from above, 3, the base film 1 is peeled off at the interface between the base film 1 and the release layer 2, the thermal transfer layer B is transferred to the transfer material 5, and a pattern or the like is applied to the surface of the transfer material 5. It is used to grant.

  In addition, the thermal transfer foil A shown in FIG. 1 has a thermal transfer foil mounted in a mold of a simultaneous molding transfer machine, and a material to be transferred is melt-injected onto the adhesive layer so that the adhesive layer is heated by the heat of the molten resin. 3. To melt and peel the base film at the interface between the base film and the release layer, transfer the thermal transfer layer to the transfer material, and provide a pattern or the like on the surface of the transfer material as shown in FIG. It is used for.

  In order to provide an impact buffering layer on the surface of the material to be transferred with such a thermal transfer foil, a soft material is selected for each of the laminated release layer, decoration layer and adhesive layer, or a large amount of silica or the like is used. The main method was to provide the contained layer. However, the function as an impact buffer layer provided by the method is low. Further, in order to impart a special tactile design to the surface of the material to be transferred with the thermal transfer foil, a method of matting the surface of the base film with a pigment such as silica has been mainly used. However, the method only has to transfer the surface state of the base film to the surface of the release layer after transfer, so that the surface of the release layer after transfer was a hard touch just by matting.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a thermal transfer foil that can give an excellent shock buffering property to the surface of a transfer material or an excellent design.

  The above object is achieved by the present invention described below. That is, the present invention provides a thermal transfer foil having a thermal transfer layer provided on the surface of a base film, wherein at least one of the layers forming the thermal transfer layer contains a thermal foaming agent. In this transfer foil, the thermal transfer layer is preferably composed of a release layer, a pattern layer, and a heat-sensitive adhesive layer, and the release layer and / or the pattern layer preferably contains a thermal foaming agent.

  Further, the present invention provides a thermal transfer foil according to the present invention, wherein the thermal transfer layer is opposed to the surface of the material to be transferred, the laminate is heated to foam the thermal foaming agent in the thermal transfer layer, and the substrate A transfer method characterized by peeling a film, and a transfer layer obtained by the method, having a pattern layer and a release layer on the surface of a transfer material, wherein the release layer and / or the pattern layer is foamed An article to be provided is provided.

  According to the present invention, by including a thermal foaming agent in any one of the layers constituting the thermal transfer layer of the thermal transfer foil, for example, the release layer, the release layer is foamed by the amount of heat at the time of transfer, and foaming includes bubbles. The foamed layer can be transferred to a transfer material, and an impact buffer function can be imparted to the surface of the transfer material. Further, pseudo-suede design can be imparted to the surface of the transfer material.

Next, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to preferred embodiments.
As shown in FIG. 1, the thermal transfer foil of the present invention has a configuration in which a thermal transfer layer B is laminated on a base film (support film) 1, and the thermal transfer layer B is separated from the base film side in order. The pattern layer 3 and the heat-sensitive adhesive layer 4 are preferably provided, and the pattern layer 3 and / or the release layer 4 contain a thermal foaming agent.

  Examples of the base film (carrier film) used in the present invention include thermoplastic polyester resins such as polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyarylate, ethylene-terephthalate-isophthalate copolymer, and heat such as polypropylene and polyethylene. Examples thereof include films made of plastic olefin resin, nylon, cellophane, acrylic and the like.

  The surface of the base film may be untreated, or may be subjected to corona discharge treatment or easy adhesion coating treatment. Among them, a polyester film is preferable, and a biaxially stretched polyester film is particularly optimal. Although the thickness in particular of a base film is not restrict | limited, The thing of 12-38 micrometers is suitable from a viewpoint which can endure the calorie | heat amount at the time of thermal transfer.

  On the surface of the base film, a release layer is formed which becomes the outermost surface (protective layer) when the thermal transfer layer is transferred to the transfer material after being peeled off from the base film during thermal transfer. This release layer is usually made of a paint obtained by dissolving a resin such as an acrylic resin, urethane resin, cellulose resin, or vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer resin, which is easily peelable from the base film. It is applied and dried to form a thickness of about 0.5 to 30 μm.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that a thermal foaming agent is included in the release layer to form a foamable release layer. As the thermal foaming agent used here, a chemical foaming agent, a thermally expandable microcapsule, or the like can be used. Chemical foaming agents include azodicarboxamide, azobisisobutyronitrile, dinitrosopentamethylenetetramine, p-toluenesulfonyl hydrazide, p, p'-oxybis (benzenesulfonyl hydrazide), oxaloacetic acid, malonic acid, tartonic. Examples include acids, acetone dicarboxylic acid, sodium bicarbonate, ammonium bicarbonate, ammonium carbonate and the like.

  As the thermal foaming agent, thermally expandable microcapsules, for example, encapsulating low boiling point hydrocarbons such as n-butane, i-butane, pentane and neopentane, and vinylidene chloride, acrylonitrile, There are those using a thermoplastic resin mainly composed of an acrylic ester such as methyl methacrylate and an aromatic vinyl compound such as styrene, and commercially available products include Matsumoto Microsphere F-30, F-50, F- 80 (trade name, manufactured by Matsumoto Yushi Co., Ltd.).

  The amount of the thermal foaming agent as described above is preferably in the range of about 0.1 to 50 parts by mass per 100 parts by mass of the resin in the paint for forming a release layer. In addition to the thermal foaming agent, various additives such as a leveling agent, an antistatic agent, a plasticizer, a lubricant, and a surfactant are added to the paint for forming the release layer in addition to the thermal foaming agent. Can be blended.

  The pattern layer is formed in accordance with a conventional method using a gravure ink containing a binder of urethane, acrylic, polyamide, cellulose, or vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer. Instead of adding a thermal foaming agent to the release layer, or at the same time, the thermal foaming agent may be added to the gravure ink at a ratio similar to the above to form a foamable pattern layer.

  The adhesive that forms the adhesive layer is not particularly limited as long as it is a thermoplastic resin that can be bonded to the surface of the transfer material when heated. For example, when the material to be transferred is a molded product made of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, a styrene-acrylic resin is preferable as the adhesive, and when the material to be transferred is a molded product made of polypropylene, A chlorinated polypropylene resin is used as the adhesive, and when the material to be transferred is woody, an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin or the like is used as the adhesive. Such an adhesive layer can be formed by applying and drying an organic solvent of the above-mentioned adhesive or by extrusion coating. The thickness of the adhesive layer thus formed is preferably about 1.0 to 30.0 μm.

  In the transfer method of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, the thermal transfer foil A of the present invention is laminated with the thermal transfer layer B facing the surface of the transfer material 5, and the laminate is heated and pressurized. The thermal foaming agent in the thermal transfer layer is foamed and the base film 1 is peeled off. The transfer material used here is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include plastic molded products, metal products, and wood products whose surfaces are easily damaged by impact. An impact buffer layer can be applied to necessary portions of these materials to be transferred, and at the same time, a pseudo suede surface excellent in design can be provided.

  The transfer device used in the transfer method is not particularly limited, and any conventionally known thermal transfer device such as a hot stamper or a heating roll can be used. The heating temperature when performing thermal transfer with such an apparatus is preferably a temperature at which the thermal foaming agent foams, for example, a temperature of about 40 to 200 ° C., even if it is low.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples. In the text, “part” is based on mass.

[Example 1]
70 parts of an aqueous urethane resin [Zeneca Co., Ltd., Neoletz R960], 30 parts of a thermal foaming agent [Matsumoto Yushi Seiyaku Co., Ltd., Microsphere F50D], 10 parts of isopropyl alcohol and 10 parts of water are mixed to obtain foaming properties. A paint for forming a release layer was obtained. The paint was applied to a dry film thickness of 5 μm on an untreated polyester film having a thickness of 25 μm with a reverse coater and dried to form a foamable release layer.

  Next, gravure ink [Daiichi Seika Kogyo Co., Ltd., Hydric PRP-401, water-based urethane gravure ink], thermal foaming agent [Matsumoto Yushi Seiyaku Co., Ltd., Microsphere F50D] 10 parts, isopropyl alcohol 10 parts and A foamable ink was obtained by mixing 10 parts of water. Using this ink, a pattern layer was printed on the foaming release layer by using a plate of Helio 175 line and compressed 130 °.

  Next, a coating for adhesive [Daiichi Seika Kogyo Co., Ltd., TM-R300 (S) medium, styrene acrylic adhesive for thermal transfer foil] is applied on the pattern layer to a dry film thickness of 10 μm, and then sufficiently with a dryer It was made to dry and the adhesive bond layer was formed, and the foaming thermal transfer foil of this invention was created.

  Using the foamed thermal transfer foil of the present invention, the thermal transfer layer was transferred to a 1 mm thick plate formed from an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer using a 220 ° C. transfer roll, the substrate film was peeled off, and acrylonitrile was removed. -The thermal transfer layer was transferred onto the surface of the butadiene-styrene copolymer plate. Since the transferred thermal transfer layer contained bubbles due to foaming of the thermal foaming agent, a transfer molded product having a function as an impact buffer layer was obtained.

[Example 2]
40 parts of acrylic resin [Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd., Dynal BR-80] was added to 30 parts of toluene and 30 parts of methyl ethyl ketone, heated to 50 ° C., and the acrylic resin was stirred and dissolved to prepare a release layer coating material. Next, the obtained paint is cooled to a liquid temperature of 25 ° C., and 40 parts of a thermal foaming agent [Matsumoto Yushi Seiyaku Co., Ltd., Microsphere F50D] is added and mixed by stirring to form a foaming release layer. A paint was prepared. The paint was applied to a dry film thickness of 5 μm on an untreated polyester film having a thickness of 25 μm with a reverse coater and dried to form a foamable release layer.

  Next, gravure ink [Daiichi Seika Kogyo Co., Ltd., TMC series, gravure ink for thermal transfer] is mixed with 10 parts of thermal foaming agent [Matsumoto Yushi Seiyaku Co., Ltd., Microsphere F50D], 10 parts of toluene and 10 parts of methyl ethyl ketone. Thus, an ink was prepared. The ink was printed on a plate of Helio 175 line and compressed 130 ° to form a picture layer on the foaming release layer.

  On the above pattern layer, apply an adhesive ink [Daiichi Seika Kogyo Co., Ltd., TM-R300 (S) medium, styrene-acrylic adhesive for thermal transfer foil] to a dry film thickness of 10 μm, and use a drier. It was made to dry and the adhesive bond layer was formed, and the foaming thermal transfer foil of this invention was created.

  Using the foamed thermal transfer foil of the present invention, the thermal transfer layer was transferred to a 1 mm thick plate formed from an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer using a 220 ° C. transfer roll, the substrate film was peeled off, and acrylonitrile was removed. -The thermal transfer layer was transferred onto the surface of the butadiene-styrene copolymer plate. Since the transferred thermal transfer layer contained bubbles due to foaming of the thermal foaming agent, a transfer molded product having a function as an impact buffer layer was obtained.

[Example 3]
70 parts of a water-based urethane resin [Zeneca Co., Ltd., Neoretz R960], 30 parts of a thermal foaming agent [Matsumoto Yushi Seiyaku Co., Ltd., Microsphere F50D], 10 parts of isopropyl alcohol and 10 parts of water are mixed to remove foaming. A layer forming coating was prepared. Using this paint, it was applied and dried to a dry film thickness of 5 μm on an untreated polyester film having a thickness of 25 μm by a reverse coater to form a foaming release layer.

  Next, a pattern layer was formed on the foaming release layer using gravure ink [Daiichi Seika Kogyo Co., Ltd., Hydrick PRP401, aqueous urethane gravure ink]. An ink for adhesive [Daiichi Seika Kogyo Co., Ltd., TM-R300 (S) medium, styrene-acrylic adhesive for thermal transfer foil] on the pattern layer is applied as a dry film to a thickness of 10 μm and applied to a dryer. It was sufficiently dried to form an adhesive layer, and the foamed thermal transfer foil of the present invention was prepared.

  Using the foamed thermal transfer foil of the present invention, the thermal transfer layer was transferred to a 1 mm thick plate formed from an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer using a transfer roll at 220 ° C., the substrate film was peeled off, and acrylonitrile was removed. -The thermal transfer layer was transferred onto the surface of the butadiene-styrene copolymer plate. From the transferred thermal transfer layer, a transfer molding having a pseudo suede-like surface was obtained by foaming of the thermal foaming agent by heat during thermal transfer.

[Example 4]
A mixed solvent of 30 parts of toluene and 30 parts of methyl ethyl ketone was added to 40 parts of an acrylic resin [Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd., Dianar BR-80], heated to 50 ° C., and the acrylic resin was stirred and dissolved. Next, the solution was cooled to a liquid temperature of 25 ° C., and 40 parts of a thermal foaming agent [Matsumoto Yushi Seiyaku Co., Ltd., Microsphere F50D] was added and stirred to obtain a paint for forming a foaming release agent. The paint was applied and dried to a dry film thickness of 5 μm on an untreated polyester film having a thickness of 25 μm with a reverse coater to form a foamable release layer.

  Next, a pattern layer is formed on the pattern layer using gravure ink [Dain Seika Kogyo Co., Ltd., TMC series, gravure ink for thermal transfer], and further an adhesive layer coating [Dain Seika Industry ( Co., Ltd., TM-R300 (S) medium, styrene acrylic adhesive for thermal transfer foil] was applied to a dry film thickness of 10 μm and dried to form an adhesive layer, thereby producing a foam thermal transfer foil of the present invention.

  Using this foamed thermal transfer foil, it was transferred to a plate molded from an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer having a thickness of 1 mm using a 220 ° C. transfer roll, the base film was peeled off, and an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer was transferred. The foamable release layer transferred to the surface of the plate made of foam was foamed by the amount of heat received from the hot roll, and a pseudo suede-like transfer molded product was obtained.

  According to the present invention described above, an air-containing layer can be easily applied to a material to be transferred by thermal transfer, and the air-containing layer functions as an impact buffer layer or a pseudo-suede design, and transfer molding Things are obtained.

The figure explaining the thermal transfer foil of this invention. The figure explaining the thermal transfer method of this invention. The figure explaining the thermal transfer method of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1: Base film 2: Release layer 3: Picture layer 4: Thermal adhesive layer 5: Transfer material A: Thermal transfer foil B: Thermal transfer layer

Claims (4)

  A thermal transfer foil in which a thermal transfer layer is provided on the surface of a base film, wherein at least one of the layers forming the thermal transfer layer contains a thermal foaming agent.   The thermal transfer foil according to claim 1, wherein the thermal transfer layer comprises a release layer, a pattern layer, and a heat-sensitive adhesive layer, and the release layer and / or the pattern layer contains a thermal foaming agent.   The thermal transfer foil according to claim 1 or 2 is laminated with the thermal transfer layer facing the surface of the transfer material, the laminate is heated to foam the thermal foaming agent in the thermal transfer layer, and the base film is A transfer method characterized by peeling. An article obtained by the method according to claim 3, comprising a pattern layer and a release layer on a surface of a transfer material, wherein the release layer and / or the pattern layer is foamed.

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