JP3286870B2 - Method and apparatus for preventing transfer film wrinkles in hydraulic transfer apparatus - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid pressure transfer apparatus for transferring a transfer film by causing the transfer film to float on a liquid surface in a transfer tank and swelling, and then pressing an object to be transferred onto the ink surface of the transfer film. The present invention relates to a method and a device for preventing wrinkling of a transfer film in the hydraulic transfer device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a hydraulic transfer method as a method for printing a pattern such as marble or wood grain on an article having a complicated curved surface. In this hydraulic transfer method, a transfer film coated with transfer ink is supplied with the ink surface facing upward so that it floats above the liquid surface in the transfer tank of a hydraulic transfer device that stores liquid such as water. Then, the transfer film is swollen, and thereafter, the transfer object is pressed against the ink surface on the upper surface side of the transfer film to perform transfer by liquid pressure.

In such a hydraulic transfer method, a transfer film having an ink surface formed by drawing a predetermined pattern with transfer ink on one surface of a carrier sheet is used. And, as the carrier sheet of such a transfer film, before the transfer, the transfer ink is held firmly, and at the time of the transfer, the design is somewhat expanded so that good transfer is performed,
For example, a water-soluble film is used as an example in consideration of easy release from the transfer ink.

[0004]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, since the water-soluble film generally has non-uniform elongation after landing, the resistance of the water surface varies, which may cause the transfer film to wrinkle. That is, as a result of the cumulative growth of the transfer film at both side edges compared to the center of the transfer film, the transfer film increases at an accelerated rate, the resistance on the water surface becomes maximum, and the transfer film is wrinkled. These wrinkles
If the transfer film has already been activated, it will cause a situation in which the transfer inks adhere to each other. If the transfer film has not been activated yet, the transfer ink will crack, and then the transfer ink will be activated. Also, the crack may cause a pattern defect as a streak. The present invention focuses on such a problem,
An object of the present invention is to enable good transfer by preventing the transfer film swollen on the liquid surface of the transfer tank from being turned up or wrinkled.

[0005]

Configuration of the Invention

In a first aspect of the present invention, a method for preventing wrinkling of a transfer film in a hydraulic transfer apparatus is to swell the transfer film in a transfer tank in a state of floating on the liquid surface of the transfer liquid. Then, in a hydraulic pressure transfer device that presses and transfers an object to be transferred onto the transfer ink on the surface of the transfer film, the transfer liquid below the transfer film that is suspended on the liquid surface in the transfer tank is transferred. The method is characterized in that air bubbles are ejected inside and both side edges in the width direction of the transfer film are raised by the air bubbles.

In addition, the method for preventing wrinkles of a transfer film in a hydraulic transfer apparatus according to the second invention of the present application, in addition to the above-mentioned requirements, further comprises the step of causing both side edges in the width direction of the transfer film to float with the bubbles and simultaneously transferring the transfer film. It is characterized in that wind is blown to the surface side at the center in the width direction of the film.

Further, the transfer film wrinkle preventing apparatus in the hydraulic transfer apparatus according to the third invention of the present application is arranged such that the transfer film is swollen in a transfer tank in a floating state on the liquid surface of the transfer liquid, and the transfer film is swollen. In a hydraulic transfer apparatus for transferring an object to be transferred by pressing the transfer object onto the transfer ink on the surface of the transfer film, both side edges in the width direction of the transfer film are provided below the transfer film floating on the liquid surface in the transfer tank. And a bubble nozzle for sending bubbles toward the portion.

Further, in the hydraulic transfer apparatus according to the fourth invention of the present application, the transfer film wrinkle preventing apparatus is further provided with the transfer film toward the front surface in the center in the width direction of the transfer film. It is characterized in that a blower for blowing wind is installed.

Further, in the hydraulic transfer apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the apparatus for preventing wrinkles of the transfer film may have the same features as those of the above-mentioned third and fourth aspects. It is characterized in that a droplet treatment device is installed at a position above the edge.

Further, in the hydraulic transfer apparatus according to the sixth invention of the present application, the transfer film wrinkle preventing apparatus is further characterized in that, in addition to the requirements described in the third, fourth or fifth aspect, the bubble nozzle is provided for the transfer film. In addition to being separately installed so as to correspond to both side edges, an air line for supplying air to each of these bubble nozzles is drawn out to one side of the transfer tank, and air bubbles are supplied to this air line. It is characterized in that an operation unit in the apparatus is provided. The present invention aims to achieve the above object.

[0011]

According to the first or third aspect of the present invention,
By raising both sides in the width direction of the transfer film floated on the liquid surface by air bubbles, the expansion due to the swelling of the transfer film is not hindered by the liquid surface resistance, and the transfer film does not wrinkle, Good transfer becomes possible.

According to the second or fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the lifting of the transfer film on both side edges in the width direction by the air bubbles, the wind is simultaneously blown to the surface of the transfer film at the center in the width direction. The center of the transfer film is low and both sides are high, so that air bubbles on the lower surface side of the transfer film can be reliably discharged to the outside of the transfer film, and the transfer film part swelling upward with the bubbles The wind hits the transfer film and pushes the transfer film outward, so that the extension force of the transfer film can be released.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the droplet processing device is installed at a position above the both side edges of the transfer film corresponding to the bubble nozzle, the both side edges of the transfer film are floated. The droplets due to the rupture of air bubbles discharged from the lower side of the transfer film through the vicinity of both side edges are prevented from adhering to the upper surface which is the ink surface of the transfer film,
Good transfer without pinholes or missing patterns can be achieved.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, air is supplied to each of the bubble nozzles for floating both side edges of the transfer film through the air line, and this air line is connected to one side of the transfer tank. Since the operation part in the bubble supply device is installed to this air pipe line to the side, the air flow rate, flow velocity, supply timing, bubble nozzle The position and the like can be adjusted, and the workability of these adjustment operations is also improved.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1 denotes a hydraulic transfer device, 2 denotes a transfer tank, 3 denotes a transfer film supply device, and 4 denotes an object transfer device. Water W, which is an example of a transfer liquid, is stored in the transfer tank 2. The water W is circulated in the direction of the arrow by a pump 6 through a circulation pipe 5, and the liquid level in the transfer tank 2 is flat and wave-like. The water W is designed to flow slowly so that no water is generated. The transfer film supply device 3 includes a film roll 11 composed of a roll-wound transfer film F.
And a heat roll 12 for heating the transfer film F drawn from the film roll 11, and a draw roll 13 for providing a pull output to the transfer film F, are provided between the heat roll 12 and the draw roll 13. Is provided with a roller coater 14 for applying a required activator K to the transfer ink of the transfer film F.

The transfer film F uses a water-soluble film made of, for example, gelatin, sodium alginate, polyvinyl alcohol resin or the like as a support sheet, and has a required pattern (transfer pattern) using transfer ink on one surface of the support sheet. ) Is formed on the ink surface P which has been applied in a dry state in advance. In addition, as a support sheet,
When a film having the property of reacting and dissolving with another liquid is used, the transfer liquid is naturally the liquid. Then, the transfer film F is pulled out from the film roll 11,
After passing through the heat roll 12, a required activator K is applied to the ink surface P by a roller coater 14.

The activator K activates the dry transfer ink applied to the ink surface P of the transfer film F by imparting tackiness to the ink, and is a mixture of a solvent component, a resin component, an extender pigment and the like. Or may be composed only of a solvent component such as a thinner. After the activator K is applied to the ink surface P by the roller coater 14, the transfer film F passes through the drawer roll 13, passes over the chute 16 with the ink surface P facing upward, and is transferred to the transfer tank. 2
Transported over the liquid level inside. The transfer film F reaching the liquid surface of the transfer tank 2 floats on the liquid surface, starts swelling with water W in the transfer tank 2, and gradually expands. At the same time, the transfer film F floated on the liquid surface of the transfer tank 2 is sequentially moved downstream by the water flow on the liquid surface of the transfer tank 2 and the guide chains 15 installed on both sides in the transfer tank 2. Be transported.

In the present specification, the area of the transfer tank 2 after the transfer film F reaches the liquid surface until the transfer film F is substantially enlarged is referred to as a water landing section R. And in such a water landing part R, the bubble supply device 30 which is a device for preventing wrinkles of the transfer film F according to the present invention is installed. When the transfer film F supplied from the chute 16 and immersed in the water W of the transfer tank 2 swells and spreads, the bubble supply device 30 suppresses the generation of curling and wrinkles on both side edges of the transfer film F. It is to prevent. The bubble supply device 30 has bubble nozzles 31 and 32 installed in water W directly under or near each side edge of the transfer film F so as to face upward. Pipes 33 and 34 as air conduits for supplying air to the pipes 33 and 34.
Is pulled out to one side of the transfer tank 2 so that the installation positions of the bubble nozzles 31 and 32 can be adjusted on one side.

The pipes 33 and 34 are provided with an operation unit 30a in the bubble supply device 30.
Then, a flow control valve 35 and a flow meter 36 that can be operated independently of each other with respect to the pipes 33 and 34 are respectively connected to the operation unit 3.
0a is shown as a part of the element. The bubble nozzles 31 and 32 are disposed upward so as to be located slightly on the center side from both side edges of the transfer film F on the water surface.
Therefore, the bubbles A discharged from these bubble nozzles 31 and 32 reach the lower surface of both side edges of the transfer film F, and the buoyancy of the bubbles A causes the both side edges of the transfer film F to float. The transfer film F no longer receives the water surface resistance to elongation due to the swelling of the film F,
Turns and wrinkles can be prevented.

In this embodiment, the pipes 33, 3
The reason why the projecting lengths of the nozzles 4 are different is that the bubble nozzles 31 and 32 are supported on one side of the transfer tank 2 by the pipes 33 and 34, respectively. This is because the amount of bubbles discharged from the transfer tank 2 can be simultaneously adjusted from one side of the transfer tank 2 to facilitate the work of adjusting the floating state of the transfer film F on the water surface.

Of course, short pipes may be provided on the left and right sides of the transfer tank 2 and connected to the pipes 33 and 34, respectively. In this case, the position of the bubble nozzles 31 and 32 can be adjusted on one side. Disappears. However, also in this case, if the flow control valve 35 and the flow meter 36 are arranged on the same side of the transfer tank 2, it is possible to enjoy an advantage that the workability of these adjustment operations is improved. The pipes 33 and 34 may be provided one by one as shown in FIG. 3, or a plurality of pipes may be provided.

At the portions where both side edges of the transfer film F are levitated by the bubbles A from the bubble nozzles 31 and 32, the air from the blower fan 21 is blown toward the center in the width direction of the transfer film F. It is also possible to configure. The air from the blower fan 21 is blown to the central portion of the transfer film F to deflect the central portion of the swelling transfer film F downward, and to assist the transfer of the transfer film F to the downstream side. On the lower surface of the transfer film F whose central part is bent downward by the wind from the blower fan 21, the bubbles A arriving from the bubble nozzles 31 and 32 are guided along the inclined surface of the transfer film F. Are discharged from both side edges of the transfer film F. In addition, the air hits the portion of the transfer film which is swollen upward by the bubble A, and pushes the transfer film outward, so that the extension force of the transfer film can be released.

The bubbles A discharged from both side edges of the transfer film F as described above reach the water surface outside the both side edges of the transfer film F, and may burst in some cases. In such a case, the water droplets adhere to the ink surface P on the upper surface of the transfer film F with the burst of the bubbles A, and there is a possibility that a pinhole defect or the like may occur at the time of transfer. Incidentally, when the foam comes to the ink surface P of the transfer film F, the ink at that portion is not transferred to the transfer object 38, and a dot-like pattern missing (transfer missing of the transfer ink) occurs at that portion. In the present specification, a pinhole defect refers to this.

In order to prevent such droplets from adhering to the ink surface P, the following droplet processing device 40 can be provided. The droplet processing device 40 includes, for example, support arms 41 protruding from side walls on both sides of the transfer tank 2.
And a water splash prevention plate 42 held at the tip of each of the support arms 41. As an example, the water splash prevention plate 42 is positioned vertically toward the center from both side edges of the transfer film F, and the lower edge of the water splash prevention plate 42 is positioned immediately near the upper surface of the transfer film F. The region where the bubbles A are discharged from the lower surface side of the transfer film F onto the water surface is divided from the center side of the transfer film F, and the area where the bubbles A are scattered due to the burst of the bubbles A is transferred to the transfer tank 2.
Only on the side wall side.

Therefore, the droplet processing apparatus 40 is installed at a position corresponding to the bubble nozzles 31 and 32 in the water landing section R. In addition, as a shape of the water splash prevention plate 42, in addition to a simple flat plate shape,
Alternatively, various shapes such as those bent at appropriate positions can be adopted. Water splash prevention plate 4
It is preferable that the mounting position of 2 is adjustable so as to correspond to the installation position of the bubble nozzles 31 and 32. In this case, it is also possible to link the movement of the bubble nozzles 31 and 32.

The transfer film F swollen in such a manner as to have no wrinkles and to prevent the attachment of droplets is transferred to the transfer tank 2.
Are transported toward the transfer portion T on the downstream side by the guide chains 15 and the like arranged along both sides. In the transfer section T, the transfer object 38 conveyed by the transfer object transfer device 4 is pressed against the ink surface P of the transfer film F in synchronization with the transfer speed of the transfer film F, and required transfer is performed. Thereafter, the transfer object 38 is lifted from the transfer tank 2 by the transfer object transfer device 4, and is removed from the transfer object transfer device, whereby the transfer of the transfer object 38 is completed.

The droplet processing apparatus 40 that can be employed in the above-described hydraulic transfer apparatus 1 is not limited to the above-described apparatus, and the apparatus shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 can be used.
The droplet treatment apparatus 40 of the modification shown in FIG. 4 has a water absorbing sheet 44 exchangeably held on the lower surface of a stay 43 projecting from the side wall of the transfer tank 2 as an example.
The water-absorbing sheet 44 is located above both side edges similar to the above. Therefore, the splash when the air bubbles A burst near the edge of the transfer film F is absorbed by the water absorbing sheet 44, and is prevented from adhering to the central portion of the transfer film F and causing transfer failure. In addition, as a material of the water absorbing sheet 44, various materials having water absorbing properties, such as paper, cloth, sponge, and the like, can be applied.

The droplet processing apparatus 40 of the modification shown in FIG.
An air inlet 45 connected to a blower (not shown) is disposed above both side edges of the transfer film F. As a result, when the bubble A ruptures near the edge of the transfer film F, the generated droplets are sucked together with the air from the air suction port 45 as shown by the arrow in the drawing, and adhere to the ink surface P on the upper surface of the transfer film F. Is prevented. Further, in the case of such a configuration, the direction of the wind from the blower fan 21 is not obstructed.

The droplet processing apparatus 40 of the modification shown in FIG.
An air curtain forming apparatus, wherein an air supply pipe 46 and an air supply port 4 of the air supply pipe 46 are provided inside an edge of the transfer film F.
6a, and a flow guide plate 47 installed immediately before the air inlet 4a.
Compressed air is supplied via 8. Therefore, the air supply pipe 46
Is discharged from the air supply port 46a. However, since the flow guide plate 47 is disposed immediately near the air supply port 46a, the compressed air is transferred to the transfer port as shown by an arrow in the drawing. The air curtain 49 flows upward from the immediate vicinity of the edge of the film F (to the side of the transfer tank 2). Therefore, the splash caused by the burst of the air bubbles A near the edge of the transfer film F is prevented from adhering to the center of the transfer film F due to the flow of the air of the air curtain 49. The flow guide plate 4
It is desirable that the distance between the air supply port 7 and the air supply port 46a be freely adjustable.

[0030]

As described above, according to the first or third aspect of the present invention, the transfer film F floated on the liquid surface has both side edges in the width direction lifted up by the bubbles A, whereby the transfer is performed. Elongation due to swelling of the film F is not hindered by the liquid surface resistance, and wrinkles are not generated on the transfer film F, so that good transfer can be performed.

According to the second or fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the air bubbles A being lifted at both side edges in the width direction of the transfer film F, wind is simultaneously applied to the surface side of the center portion in the width direction of the transfer film F. Is blown, so that the center of the transfer film F is low and both side edges are high, so that the bubbles A on the lower surface side of the transfer film F can be reliably transferred to the transfer film F.
Can be discharged to the outside, and the wind hits the portion of the transfer film which swells upward due to the air bubbles, and pushes the transfer film outward to release the extension force of the transfer film.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the droplet processing device 40 is installed at a position above both side edges of the transfer film F corresponding to the bubble nozzles 31 and 32,
Floating both side edges of the transfer film F, the transfer film F
The droplets due to the rupture of the bubbles A discharged from the lower surface side of the transfer film F through the vicinity of both side edges are prevented from adhering to the upper surface of the transfer film F, which is the ink surface P. It becomes possible.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the bubble nozzles 31, 3 for floating both side edges of the transfer film F are provided.
2 is supplied with air by pipes 33 and 34, these pipes 33 and 34 are drawn out to one side of the transfer tank, and an operation unit in the bubble supply device 30 is installed for these pipes 33 and 34. Since there is, air flow rate, flow velocity, as appropriate according to the floating state of both side edges of the transfer film, etc.
It is possible to adjust the supply timing, the positions of the bubble nozzles 31 and 32, and the like, and the workability of these adjustment operations is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional front view showing a hydraulic transfer apparatus to which a wrinkle prevention device of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing the overall configuration of the hydraulic transfer apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a bubble supply device.

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view showing a modification of the droplet processing apparatus.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view showing another modification of the droplet processing apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view showing still another modified example of the droplet processing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hydraulic transfer apparatus 2 Transfer tank 3 Transfer film supply apparatus 4 Transferring object transfer apparatus 5 Circulation line 6 Pump 11 Film roll 12 Heat roll 13 Drawing-out roll 14 Roller coater 15 Guide chain 16 Chute 21 Blow fan 30 Bubble supply apparatus 30a Operation Unit 31 Bubble nozzle 32 Bubble nozzle 33 Pipe 34 Pipe 35 Flow control valve 36 Flow meter 38 Transfer object 40 Spray treatment device 41 Support arm 42 Water splash prevention plate 43 Stay 44 Water absorption sheet 45 Air suction port 46 Air supply pipe 46a Air supply port 47 Flow guide plate 48 Air hose 49 Air curtain A Air bubble F Transfer film K Activator P Ink surface R Landing part T Transfer part W Water

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41F 16/00 B41M 1/40 B44C 1/16

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] A liquid pressure transfer apparatus for swelling a transfer film in a transfer tank in a floating state on a liquid surface of the transfer liquid, and thereafter pressing and transferring an object to transfer ink on the surface of the transfer film. In the method, bubbles are discharged into the transfer liquid below the transfer film that is floated on the liquid surface in the transfer tank, and both side edges in the width direction of the transfer film are floated by the bubbles. A method for preventing wrinkling of a transfer film in a hydraulic transfer device. 2. The hydraulic pressure according to claim 1, wherein air bubbles are caused to float on both side edges in the width direction of the transfer film by the air bubbles, and at the same time, air is blown to the surface side of the center portion in the width direction of the transfer film. A method for preventing wrinkles of a transfer film in a transfer device. 3. A liquid pressure transfer apparatus for causing a transfer film to swell in a floating state on a liquid surface of a transfer liquid in a transfer tank, and to press and transfer an object to be transferred to transfer ink on the surface of the transfer film. A liquid pressure transfer device, characterized in that a bubble nozzle for sending bubbles toward both side edges in the width direction of the transfer film is provided below the transfer film floating on the liquid surface in the transfer tank. Device for preventing transfer film wrinkles. 4. An apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a blower for blowing air toward a surface of a central portion of the transfer film in the width direction. 5. The transfer film according to claim 3, wherein a droplet treatment device is provided at a position above both side edges of the transfer film corresponding to the bubble nozzle. Anti-wrinkle device. 6. A bubble nozzle is provided separately so as to correspond to both side edges of the transfer film, and an air pipe for supplying air to each of the bubble nozzles is provided on one side of the transfer tank. 6. The apparatus for preventing wrinkling of a transfer film in a hydraulic transfer apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an operation section of the air bubble supply apparatus is installed to the side of the air pipe.