JP3070864B2 - Method of transferring decoration to object surface and apparatus for implementing the method - Google Patents

Abstract

The method of decorating the surface of an object (14, 14') by the transfer of a decoration (12, 12') by means of a machine, characterised in that it consists: - in sticking an insulating layer (11) on the face of the support-sheet (13) opposite its decoration (12); - in placing the support-sheet (13) in such a way that the face covered by the insulating layer (11) is in contact with a first impermeable and elastic membrane (3), integral with the frame (1) of an enclosure; - in disposing at least one object (14, 14') of any shape on the support-sheet (13); - in covering the object (14, 14') with another support-sheet (13') in such a way that its decorated face (12') is in contact with the said object, the opposite face being covered by an insulating layer (11') facing a second impermeable and elastic membrane (4) integral with a frame (2) of the enclosure; - in hermetically sealing the enclosure in such a way that the insulating layer (11') is in contact with the second membrane (4); - in causing a depression in the enclosure; - and in inserting the enclosure into an oven regulated at a predetermined temperature ensuring the transfer of the decoration (12, 12') by sublimation into the mass of the object (14, 14'). <IMAGE>

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for transferring a pattern printed on a sheet of paper to an object of an arbitrary shape by sublimation and an apparatus for carrying out the method.

[0002]

A known machine for performing the above method is described in EP-A-0 252 610.
It generally has a device consisting of a solid base and a perforated cover, in which once the cover is closed, the surface of the object to be decorated does not protrude. The object is placed at the bottom of the platform, while the piece of paper containing the decoration to be sublimated is placed on the cover and on the surface to be decorated. A deformable artificial coating stretchably covers the top of the device, so that when the device is placed in a vacuum, the piece of paper to be sublimated will stick over the surface of the object. The whole device is put in an electric kiln under reduced pressure, and the symbols are sublimated to a depth of several millimeters.

[0003]

The decoration method by sublimation usually used in the prior art is only effective for flat or very slightly raised objects. Otherwise, the piece of paper covered with the layer of material to be sublimated wrinkles, which is a decoratively unacceptable defect. In addition, conventional machines can decorate objects,
Not every surface of the object can do it.

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages listed above,
More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method capable of sublimating a design on any surface of an object having an arbitrary shape regardless of a high temperature and a low temperature and an apparatus for performing the method.

[0005]

How the present invention SUMMARY OF] is a method of decorating the surface of an object by transferring decorative, stretch on one side of the movable first frame and the second frame to each other Providing a first film and a second film, respectively, having a step of forming a closed chamber that can be opened and closed between the first film and the second film, and decorating the mount with a sublimable material. To provide
The surface opposite to the surface with the backing decoration is covered with an insulating layer.
Cormorants step, the mount, the surface covered with an insulating layer, the step of placing in contact with the first film, the step of placing the object in at least one arbitrary shape on the mount, sublimation to another piece of the mount material
Provided with a formed decorated in, step cormorants covering the opposite surface to the surface having the decoration in the insulating layer, by the other one of the mount, the object of the decoration is in contact with the object and the surface of the opposite side Covering the first membrane facing the second membrane, moving the first and second frames together to close the closed chamber, bringing the insulating layer into contact with the second membrane, and reducing the pressure in the closed chamber under reduced pressure. And placing the frame forming the closed chamber in a heating device adjusted to a predetermined temperature capable of transferring the decoration to an object by sublimation. Also this method
As a device used to carry out
Mount the cardboard with the decorations on one side, and
A device for bringing the surface to be brought into close contact with the object
Is a first frame and a second frame movably connected to each other,
A first film having elasticity provided on one surface of the first frame and a second film having elasticity provided on one surface of the second frame, the first frame and the second The frame can be closed to form a closed chamber between the first membrane and the second membrane, and the object can be accommodated in the closed chamber with the mount decoration in contact with the object from both sides. Further, the closed chamber can be connected to an external decompression means through the first frame.
You. In such an apparatus, the first frame and the second frame are preferably made of aluminum, and the first film and the second film are preferably made of silicon acetate.

[0006]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The features of the present invention and the advantages obtained thereby will be better understood from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG.

The decorative transfer device shown in FIG. 1 has two frames 1 and 2, which are made of square aluminum, one fixed and the other movably connected to one. .

[0008] Airtight thin and elastic films 3, 4
Are fixed to the lower surfaces of the frames 1 and 2 by bonding or other methods. A suitable material for the films 3 and 4 is, for example, silicon acetate which is highly resistant to high temperatures and can be greatly deformed by expansion and contraction.

The frame 1 is provided at the top with a flat gasket 5 for airtightness made of a material equivalent to the membranes 3 and 4, and the frames 1 and 2 are provided with a plurality of frames attached to the frame 1. With lock 6,
They are connected so that they can form a completely sealed relationship when pressed together. These locks 6 have a clamp which cooperates with a handle 7 attached to the frame 2, which can take the same form as the ammunition box clamp.

A tube 8 leading to a vacuum pump 9 projects from a side edge of the frame 1. The tube 8 leads to a groove 10 formed inside the frame 1 in order to distribute the reduced pressure all around the closed device.

The first stage of the first decorative transfer method according to the present invention is performed by bonding an insulating layer 11 such as an aluminum foil to one side of a backing 13 made of, for example, a piece of paper. The opposite side of the backing 13 is covered with a decoration 12 consisting of a layer of material to be sublimated. At this stage, decoration 12
It is not performed except in the case of sublimation at high temperatures, in order to avoid that the color of the color is dissipated to the outside.

The second step is to place the mount 13 on the film 3 so that the insulating layer 11 made of aluminum foil contacts the film 3 as shown in FIG.

Next, the at least one object 14 is
Put on. In the example shown in FIG. 2, two objects 14 and 1
4's are placed side by side.

Further, the objects 14 and 14 'are covered with another mount 13' so that the decoration 12 'to be sublimated contacts the object and the insulating layer 11' made of aluminum foil is provided on the side of the film 4 of the frame 2. Cover so that it is located in.

The frame 2 is closed on the frame 1 using the lock 6 and the handle 7 to obtain a completely sealed relationship between the flat packing 5 and the membrane 4.

By operating the vacuum pump 9, the decorative transfer device consisting of the two frames 1 and 2 is placed under reduced pressure. As a result, the films 3 and 4 are sucked and forcibly covered on the mounts 13 and 13 ', and the decorations 12 and 12' are stuck on the entire outer periphery of the objects 14 and 14 '(see FIG. 3).

The device under reduced pressure is placed in a conventional electric kiln having a resistor 15. At this stage, each of the mounts 13, 1
The 3 'decoration 12, 12' sublimes and penetrates a few millimeters over the entire surface of the object 14, 14 '. The residence time of the device in the kiln is determined according to the material of the objects 14, 14 'to be decorated, to the extent that no damage occurs.

When the material of the objects 14 and 14 'is likely to be deformed and cannot withstand a long period of stay, the frames 1 and 2 of the apparatus are kept under reduced pressure as shown in FIG. Solid frame 1
01 is desirably placed in the bag 101 attached.

The bag 100 is made of the same material as the membranes 3 and 4 of the device, ie, silicon acetate which can withstand high temperatures as well as large deformations. The bag 100 then has a resistance 104
Is submerged in a heated oil tank 102 filled with oil 103 maintained at a temperature of 200 to 250 degrees.
The bag 100 submerged in the heating oil tank 102 is deformed by the pressure of the oil 103 and sticks to the outer periphery of the membranes 3 and 4 of the apparatus. This deformation is caused by the temperature of the mounts 13 and 13 ′
The decoration 12, 12 'is transferred directly to the surface of the object 14, 14' to the entire surface of the object 14, 14 '. This transfer takes place in a few seconds, without causing deformation of the object, and
Regenerate 2 'completely.

When the apparatus is opened and the remaining backing sheet 13 'attached to the insulating layer 11' is taken out, the decoration 12 'becomes the object 14,
It is irreversibly connected to a part around 14 '.

Next, when the remaining paper piece 13 sticking to the insulating layer 11 is taken out, the decoration 12 is transferred to the remaining part which is not decorated by the upper decoration 12 'of the objects 14, 14'.

In order to carry out the transfer of decoration by sublimation to an object that cannot withstand the temperature rise required for the application of the above method, the following low-temperature transfer method is applied.

As a prerequisite, the mount or paper piece having the decoration to be sublimated is an insulating layer 1 made of aluminum foil.
It does not have 1,11 '.

First, the cloth 16 soaked with the solvent is placed on the membrane 3 of the frame 1 of the apparatus (see FIG. 4).

The mount 17 and its decoration 18 are moistened with water.

The mount 17 is placed on the cloth 16 with the decoration 18
The surface on which the decoration 18 is not printed is brought into contact with the cloth 16.

At least one arbitrarily shaped object 14,
14 ′ is placed on the backing 17.

The objects 14, 14 'are attached to another mount 17'.
Then, the decoration 18 'is covered so as to be in contact with the objects 14, 14'.

Another cloth 16 'impregnated with the solvent is placed on the backing 17'.

The frame 2 is closed on the frame 1 using the lock 6 and the handle 7 to obtain a completely sealed relationship between the flat packing 5 and the membrane 4.

By operating the vacuum pump 9, the decorative transfer device consisting of the two frames 1 and 2 is placed under reduced pressure. As a result, the membranes 3 and 4 are sucked and forced over the mounts 17, 17 ', and the decorations 18, 18' to be sublimated are placed on the object 1
Affix to the entire outer periphery of 4, 14 '.

While the device is under reduced pressure, the decorations 18, 18 '
Is dissolved by the solvent which has permeated the cloths 16 and 16 ', so that the decorations 18 and 18' are transferred to the peripheral surfaces of the objects 14 and 14 '. Note that the fact that the mount 17, 17 'is wetted with water slows the transfer of the solvent to the decoration 18, 18'. The design of the decorations 18, 18 'is not destroyed by this solvent, and the solvent does not cause any other than sublimation of the decoration to the object. The last work is to open the device and
6, 16 'and then the paper pieces 17, 17'. The decorations 18, 18 'are connected to the objects 14, 14' in an indelible manner.

Thus, the decoration transfer method can be carried out regardless of the high temperature and the low temperature, and using the same machine in execution.

The decoration method performed by using such an apparatus can realize decoration of an object of an arbitrary shape on the entire circumference as needed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an apparatus for performing a decoration transfer method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows one step in the method of the invention together with the placement of the object.

FIG. 3 shows further steps of the method of the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a step of a variant of the method of the invention together with the arrangement of the objects.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a heated oil tank for performing one method of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, frame 3 first film 4 second film 11, 11 'insulating layer 12, 12', 18, 18 'decoration 13, 13' mount 14, 14 'object 16, 16' cloth 17, 17 'mount 100 bags 102 heated oil tank

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A method of decorating the surface of an object (14, 14 ') by transferring decorations (12, 12'), wherein the surfaces of a first frame (1) and a second frame (2) movable relative to each other have elasticity. First film 3 and second film 4 are provided, respectively,
Forming an openable and closable closed chamber between the first film 3 and the second film, and providing a decoration 12 made of a sublimable material on the mount 13
In both cases, the side opposite to the side having the decoration 12 of the mount 13 is
Covering with the insulating layer 11, placing the mount 13 so that the surface covered with the insulating layer 11 is in contact with the first film 3, placing at least one object 14, 14 ′ of any shape on the mount 13 The decoration 1 made of a sublimable material on another mount 13 ′
2 ′, and a surface opposite to the surface having the decoration 12 ′ is formed on the insulating layer 11 ′.
In covering the Hare stages ', the object 14, 14' mount 13 step a, covers the surface of the decorative 12 'the object 14, 14' in contact with and the opposite side thereof faces the side of the second film 4 Moving the first and second frames 1 and 2 together to close the closed chamber and bringing the insulating layer 11 ′ into contact with the second film 4; placing the closed chamber under reduced pressure; decorations 12, 12 Placing the frames 1 and 2 forming the closed chamber in a heating device adjusted to a predetermined temperature capable of transferring the ′ to the objects 14 and 14 ′ by sublimation. Transfer method. 2. An apparatus for transferring to an object 14, 14 '.
Mounts 13, 1 each having decorations 12, 12 'on one side
3 ′, the surface with their decorations 12, 12 ′ is the object 1
4, 14 '
A first frame 1 and a second frame 2 movably connected to each other, and a first stretchable film provided on one surface of the first frame 1
3 and the second frame 2 provided on one surface of the second frame 2 having elasticity.
A first frame 1 and a second frame 2 are provided with a first film 3 and a second film 4;
Can be closed in order to form an enclosed chamber between, and the sealing base sheet 1 of the object 14, 14 'in the room
The decorations 12, 12 'of 3, 13' are both attached to the objects 14, 14 '.
The closed chamber can be accommodated in a state of contact from the side,
A device that can be connected to a stage . 3. The frame 1 and the frame 2 are made of aluminum and the first
The film 3 and the second film 4 are formed of silicon acetate, respectively.
3. The device according to claim 2, wherein
Place .