JP7283753B2 - transparent jigsaw puzzle - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a transparent jigsaw puzzle and a method for manufacturing the same.
The present invention further relates to a plastic jigsaw puzzle with perspective images and a method of making the same.

In the field of paper jigsaw puzzles, there are types of jigsaw puzzles called "white puzzles", "white puzzles", etc., which are enjoyed by assembling plain jigsaw puzzles without printed images. White puzzles don't have pictures that give hints when putting pieces together, so concentration and patience are required, making them an order of magnitude more difficult as puzzles. Generally, a jigsaw puzzle is made by punching out a single sheet with a cutting blade, but the shape of the cutting blade is slightly different for each piece, and even if the pieces have the same shape pattern, the shape of all the pieces is slightly different. "White Puzzle" and "White Puzzle" are divided into several shape patterns, and you will complete the jigsaw puzzle based on them.

Ordinary paper jigsaw puzzles, which are not white puzzles, are opaque jigsaw puzzles with images on their surface, so the way in which the images can be expressed is limited. In other words, the methods of expressing images are limited to methods such as printing images on the surface of paper, embossing images, adhering decorations, and the like.

Further, in the field of conventional paper jigsaw puzzles, it is also practiced to print an image according to a customer's order on the surface of a plain paper jigsaw puzzle, for example, to print a commemorative photograph.
[Patent Document 1] (Utility Model No. 3007219) describes printing a motif on the surface of a plain paper jigsaw puzzle.
[Patent Document 2] (JP-A-10-137441) also describes printing an image on the surface of a plain paper jigsaw puzzle using an inkjet printer.

All of the above known methods print on the surface of an opaque, plain jigsaw puzzle so that the back side of the jigsaw puzzle is not visible (ie, the back side of the jigsaw puzzle is not utilized). Therefore, it is not possible to display a jigsaw puzzle with a three-dimensional image. As a method for making a jigsaw puzzle with a three-dimensional effect, there are known methods such as embossing a surface image, thick printing with unevenness, and hologram printing.

In addition, in most conventional jigsaw puzzles, patterns (images) are printed on the surface of paper, so there is also the drawback that the patterns are worn or damaged. Furthermore, paper jigsaw puzzles can become contaminated if coffee is accidentally spilled on them, and cannot be washed with water if soiled.

In addition, known paper jigsaw puzzles, including white puzzles, tend to come apart when assembled, resulting in poor handleability. In order to obtain a feeling of fit, the plastic sheet is made into a foam, and if the weight is reduced, the transparency will be lost.

In Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-159462 titled "Plastic jigsaw puzzle and manufacturing method and apparatus thereof", the present applicant discloses a jigsaw puzzle body layer ( 1) is disclosed as a laminated plastic jigsaw puzzle. This jigsaw puzzle has the advantage that the printing layer (4) is on the back side of the transparent surface layer (2) so that the printing layer (4) will not come off. However, there is no idea in this patent application to play as a transparent jigsaw puzzle.

Utility Model No. 3007219 JP-A-10-137441

One object of the present invention is to provide a transparent jigsaw puzzle.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a blank transparent jigsaw puzzle having means for confirming whether the jigsaw puzzle has been completed correctly after completion.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a transparent jigsaw puzzle that does not fall apart even when the completed jigsaw puzzle is hung vertically.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing the transparent jigsaw puzzle.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a plastic jigsaw puzzle with perspective images.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing the plastic jigsaw puzzle having the above perspective image.

In the following description, reference symbols are attached after each component, but these reference symbols are for facilitating understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

A first object of the present invention is a jigsaw puzzle that is played by combining a plurality of pieces (p), each piece (p) is made of a transparent plastic material, and each piece (p) is provided with an image or print. A plain transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle (P) characterized by:

This plain transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle (P) can be made from a single layer of any transparent plastic material, such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), acrylic. It can be made of resins, silicone resins, copolymers, alloys and mixtures thereof, and combinations thereof.

In one embodiment of the first subject of the invention, each piece (p) consists of a plurality of layers (i) to (iii):
(i) a jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) comprising a transparent plastic sheet;
(ii) a transparent surface layer (2, 2') made of a transparent plastic material located above and/or below the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1);
(iii) Intermediate layers (3, 3') for thermal lamination disposed between the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) and the transparent surface layers (2, 2').

The jigsaw puzzle main layer (1), the transparent surface layers (2, 2') and the intermediate layers for thermal lamination (3, 3') are made of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene It can be selected from terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), acrylic resins, silicone resins, copolymers, alloys and mixtures thereof, and combinations thereof.

In one embodiment of the first object of the present invention, the present invention is a plastic jigsaw puzzle for playing with a plurality of pieces (p), each piece (p) being transparent and each piece (p) comprising Provided is a transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle characterized by laminating and integrating the following (i) to (iii):
(ii) a transparent surface layer (2, 2') consisting of transparent biaxially oriented polypropylene (OPP) or high density polyethylene (HDPE) positioned above and/or below the jigsaw body layer (1);
(iii) an intermediate layer for heat lamination consisting of unoriented polypropylene (CPP) or low density polyethylene (LLPE) disposed between said jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) and said transparent surface layers (2, 2');(3,3').

Low-density polyethylene is generally expressed as LDPE, but in the present invention, commercially available linear low-density polyethylene (LLPE) called Loden is mainly used for plastic bags and the like, so low-density polyethylene is expressed as LLPE. In the present invention the expressions LDPE, LLDPE, LLPE etc. mean the same thing.

It is relatively easy to distinguish between the front and back of known paper white puzzles and white puzzles, but the transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle of the present invention is transparent, making it difficult to distinguish between the front and back. is not available, making the jigsaw puzzle more difficult to complete than the known paper white puzzles. That is, the transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle, which is the first object of the present invention, can be played in the same way as the known white paper puzzles and white puzzles as plain jigsaw puzzles, but it is highly difficult as a puzzle.

Because the clear plastic jigsaw puzzle of the present invention is made of plastic, each piece is relatively soft and can be forced into the wrong place. In order to identify such mistakes, a special process called invisible ink or invisible ink can be applied. For example, an image or print that can be seen only when a special light is applied to the transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle of the present invention. The presence or absence of an incorrectly inserted piece can be checked. Examples of special light include ultraviolet light, heat rays, etc., and chemical change can also be used. Alternatively, it is possible to print a hologram on a transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle and apply a reference beam for the hologram to check for incorrectly inserted pieces.

The transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle, which is the first object of the present invention, can be used not only as a plain jigsaw puzzle but also as a means of "copy picture". In other words, by taking advantage of the transparency, an image placed on the back can be transferred onto the surface of the transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle so that the jigsaw puzzle can be played as a jigsaw puzzle with an image drawn by the user. This application is particularly useful as a children's jigsaw puzzle. It can also be used as an educational jigsaw puzzle by selecting images to copy.

The transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle, which is the first object of the present invention, is shipped after being completely separated, but when it is used as a means of "copying", the transparent sheet is cut into the shape of the plastic jigsaw puzzle using a cutter. Afterwards, the jigsaw puzzle is packaged and shipped without breaking it apart.

A second object of the present invention is a plastic jigsaw puzzle having a perspective image, which is an application of the transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle of the first object of the present invention. The plastic jigsaw puzzle, which is the second object of the present invention, is a plastic jigsaw puzzle that is played by combining a plurality of pieces (p), each piece (p) is composed of a sheet of a transparent plastic material, and the transparent plastic It is characterized in that a printed layer is formed on the surface of the sheet of material.

Also in one embodiment of the second subject of the invention, each piece (p) is made of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), acrylic resin , silicone resins and copolymers, alloys or combinations thereof.

In one embodiment of the second object of the present invention, there is provided a plastic jigsaw puzzle in which each piece (p) has a perspective image composed of a plurality of layers (i) to (iv) below:
(i) a jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) comprising a transparent plastic sheet;
(ii) a transparent surface layer (2, 2') made of transparent plastic positioned above and/or below the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1);
(iii) thermal lamination intermediate layers (3, 3') disposed between the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) and the transparent surface layers (2, 2');
(iv) printed layers (4-1, 4-2) provided on the surface of the transparent surface layers (2, 2') and/or on the back surface in contact with the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1);

The jigsaw puzzle main layer (1), the transparent surface layers (2, 2') and the intermediate layers for heat lamination (3, 3') are polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate. (PET), polycarbonate (PC), acrylic resins, silicone resins and copolymers, alloys or combinations thereof.

In one embodiment of the second subject of the present invention, at least part of the patterns of each of said printed layers (4-1, 4-2) are not identical but differ from each other.

In one embodiment of the second object of the present invention, at least part of the pattern of each of the printing layers (4-1, 4-2) is identical to each other and has at least one of hue, lightness and saturation. differ from each other.

The present invention further provides a method of manufacturing a plastic jigsaw puzzle having the above perspective images. This method is characterized by the following steps:
1) Prepare a transparent transparent surface layer (2, 2') and a jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) made of a plastic sheet,
2) printing an image on at least one surface of the transparent surface layer (2, 2') and/or the jigsaw body layer (1);
3) making a jigsaw puzzle assembly consisting of laminated sheets integrated by laminating and integrating the transparent surface layers (2, 2') and the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) with the thermal lamination sheet interposed therebetween,
4) Die-cut the jigsaw stack with the printed image into the jigsaw.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the image data is processed by a computer (A), the processed image data is sent to a digital printer (B), and this digital printer (B) is used to print transparent biaxially oriented polypropylene ( OPP) or high density polyethylene (HDPE) on at least one surface of a transparent surface layer (2, 2') to form said image.

In one embodiment of the invention, the transparent surface layers (2, 2') with the printed image are fed together with the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) into the hot pressing device (R). At that time, intermediate layers (3, 3') made of unstretched polypropylene (CPP) or low-density polyethylene (LLPE) are arranged between the transparent surface layers (2, 2') and the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1). Then, a laminate consisting of transparent surface layer (2)/intermediate layer (3)/jigsaw puzzle body layer (1)/intermediate layer (3′)/transparent surface layer (2′) is laminated under heat and pressure to form a jigsaw puzzle. create a pile.

The present invention further provides an apparatus for manufacturing plastic jigsaw puzzles having the above perspective images. The apparatus comprises a computer (A) for inputting/processing image data and a digital printer (B) for receiving processed image data and printing an image on at least one surface of the transparent surface layers (2, 2'). , transparent surface layers (2, 2′) with printed images from a digital printer (B)/jigsaw puzzle body layer (1)/hot lamination intermediate layer placed therebetween. a punching machine (M) for punching the hot-pressed laminated assembly into jigsaw puzzle shapes; and a cutting device for cutting the punched laminated assembly into individual jigsaw puzzle sheets. (C).

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a state in which the transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle (P), which is the first object of the present invention, is hung by hand. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1(A)-(C) are conceptual perspective views (left side) and conceptual cross-sectional views (right side) of individual pieces of a clear plastic jigsaw puzzle of the present invention showing three embodiments; A conceptual partial perspective view when using a transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle as a "copying" material. A sheet with a character image is placed under the transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle, and a drawing means is used on the surface of the transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle. It shows the state of "copying" the character image. Fig. 2 is a conceptual perspective view (left) and a conceptual cross-section (right) of one piece of a plastic jigsaw puzzle with a perspective image of the second object of the present invention; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining that the pattern, hue, lightness, and saturation of the two print layers (4-1, 4-2) are different from each other; 1 is a conceptual perspective view of a plastic jigsaw puzzle with a perspective image of the second object of the present invention, with the two printed layers (200, 201) exaggeratedly displaced to illustrate the structure; Dimensions are not exact. The conceptual diagram of the jigsaw puzzle manufacturing apparatus of this invention suitable for mass production. (a) is a conceptual diagram of the jigsaw puzzle manufacturing apparatus of the present invention, and (b) is a conceptual plan view of area A in (a), showing a long state before cutting a jigsaw puzzle manufactured by the apparatus of FIG. 7 . FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of a jigsaw puzzle manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, in which image data is processed by a computer (A) and digitally printed. The conceptual diagram which shows the modification Example of the manufacturing method of this invention.

I. First object of the invention
A first object of the present invention is a jigsaw puzzle that is played by combining a plurality of pieces (p), each piece (p) is made of a transparent plastic material, and each piece (p) has no image or print. A plain transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle (P) characterized by
Each configuration will be described below.

"Transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle"
The term "transparent" used in the present invention does not have a strict definition, and a jigsaw puzzle is said to be transparent if the back of the jigsaw puzzle is visible when viewed from one side of the jigsaw puzzle. Therefore, even a translucent polyethylene sheet can be said to be transparent in the present invention. Preferably, "transparent" means a transparent plastic material with a haze value of up to about 40, preferably a haze value of up to about 10, more preferably a haze value of up to about 5.

Jigsaw puzzle body layer (1)
The material of the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) used in the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it is a transparent plastic sheet. Generally selected from polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), acrylic resin, silicone resin and copolymers, alloys or combinations thereof. be. In addition, materials obtained from renewable resources based on lactic acid can also be used, as long as they are transparent.

The transparent jigsaw puzzle of the present invention may have a single layer structure consisting only of the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1). For example, a single layer sheet of PVC, PE or PP may be used. However, in order to give the jigsaw puzzle a sense of fit and a sense of luxury, it is preferable to have a multi-layer structure having transparent surface layers (2, 2').

The jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) considers the required transparency, the fit when playing as a jigsaw puzzle, the adhesiveness with the transparent surface layers (2, 2') laminated thereon, cutability, cost, etc. select. Various degrees of transparency can be selected, and it is not necessary to be completely transparent (haze=0). A certain amount of opacity is sometimes suitable for playing as a jigsaw puzzle. Since the elasticity of the material forming the main body layer (1) greatly affects the fitting feeling, generally a material having a certain degree of elasticity and elastomeric properties is selected as the material of the main body layer (1). This fit can be confirmed experimentally by examining the actual feeling when playing as a jigsaw puzzle. In the case of PVC, the hardness of the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) can be adjusted by adding a plasticizer. In the case of an olefinic material, it is generally preferable to add an olefinic elastomer or rubber material in order to impart elasticity.

transparent surface layer (2, 2')
In the case of a single-layer transparent jigsaw puzzle, there is no transparent surface layer (2, 2'), but in the case of a transparent jigsaw puzzle with a sense of fit and luxury, the upper and/or lower side of the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) Preferably, the transparent surface layer (2, 2') is placed on the .

The transparent surface layers (2, 2') are made of transparent polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), acrylic resin, silicone resin and these. Selected among copolymers, alloys or combinations. These polymers may be homopolymers, copolymers, or alloys. Besides these, there are many plastic materials that can be used as the transparent surface layer (eg, ABS, AS, polyamide, polyacetal, fluorine resin, epoxy resin, polyester resin, etc.). Also lactic acid-based materials obtained from renewable resources can be used. However, from the viewpoint of cost and hardness, it is preferable to select the above plastic material as a material that can be practically used as a jigsaw puzzle in the present invention.

The above resin generally has a haze value of about 0.1-8. In the case of polypropylene or polyethylene, the haze value can be lowered by adding a nucleating agent.

The main role of this transparent surface layer (2, 2') is to prevent abrasion of the upper and/or lower surface of the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) (for transparent jigsaw puzzles) and to protect the printed surface (having a perspective image). for transparent jigsaw puzzles). PET and polycarbonate (PC) are preferred when scratch resistance is required.

[Fig. 2] is a conceptual diagram for explaining the configuration of each piece (p) of the transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle (P) of the present invention when it has transparent surface layers (2, 2'). ) shows three examples. The left side of each figure is a conceptual perspective view, and the right side is a conceptual cross-sectional view. FIG. 2A has only one transparent surface layer (2) and FIG. 2B has both transparent surface layers (2, 2'). (C) is a modification of (B), showing a case where the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) is composed of two or more sheets.

Adhesion between the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) and the transparent surface layers (2, 2') is an important factor in practical use, so selection of materials for the intermediate layers (3, 3') for thermal lamination. is important. If the adhesion between the body layer (1) and the transparent surface layers (2, 2') is poor, an adhesive can be used between them as long as the transparency is not impaired, but the cost increases. In general, it is preferred that the materials of the body layer (1) and the transparent surface layers (2, 2') are of the same type or similar materials are used.

Many of the plastic materials used in the present invention are difficult-to-adhere materials. Adhesives for bonding difficult-to-bond materials have also been developed, but they are expensive and have problems of deterioration such as whitening and cracking of materials. Therefore, in general, it is preferred that the transparent surface layers (2, 2') and the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) are of the same or similar types of materials from the standpoint of cost and adhesion.

Intermediate layers (3, 3') for thermal lamination
The role of the intermediate layers (3, 3') is to bond the transparent surface layers (2, 2') and the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) by thermal lamination. Therefore, the material of the intermediate layers (3, 3') varies with the material of the transparent surface layers (2, 2') and the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1).
As already mentioned, the plastic material used in the present invention is a difficult-to-adhere material. The choice of material for layers (3, 3') becomes important. In practice, the choice of material for the transparent surface layers (2, 2') also determines the types of materials for the jigsaw body layer (1) and the thermal lamination intermediate layers (3, 3').

If polypropylene (PP) is selected as the material for the transparent surface layers (2, 2'), it is preferred that the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) is also made of polypropylene. Specifically, the transparent surface layers (2, 2') are made of biaxially oriented polypropylene (OPP), and the intermediate layers for thermal lamination (3, 3') are made of unoriented polypropylene (CPP). The transparent surface layers (2, 2') and the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) can be adhered with a practical peel strength.

If polyethylene (PE) is selected as the material for the transparent surface layers (2, 2'), it is preferred that the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) is also polyethylene. Specifically, the transparent surface layers (2, 2') can be sheets of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and the thermal lamination interlayers (3, 3') can be sheets of low density polyethylene (LLPE). . If the adhesion is insufficient, apply a primer or surface treatment, or use an adhesive.

Polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) are the same polyolefin material and can be used in combination as appropriate. Non-oriented polypropylene (CPP) or low density polyethylene (LLPE) can also be used when using materials other than polyolefin materials, e.g. PET, and other compatible thermal lamination interlayers if required. (3,3') can also be used.

If polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is selected as the material for the transparent surface layers (2, 2'), it is preferred that the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) is also polyvinyl chloride. Specifically, the transparent surface layers (2, 2') can be hard polyvinyl chloride sheets and the thermal lamination intermediate layers (3, 3') can be soft polyvinyl chloride sheets. If the adhesion is insufficient, apply a primer or surface treatment, or use an adhesive.

When polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC) and acrylic resin are selected as materials for the transparent surface layers (2, 2'), the jigsaw puzzle main layer (1) is also preferably made of these materials. There are few materials that satisfy the characteristics of the main body layer (1) such as elasticity, fit, flexibility, etc., and that are reasonable in cost.

In order to improve the adhesion between the transparent surface layers (2, 2') and the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1), the surfaces of these layers can also be treated. Specifically, primer treatment and physical treatment (ultraviolet irradiation treatment, corona discharge treatment, plasma treatment, etc.) can be performed. Additional adhesive may be used if desired.

[Fig. 3] is a partial conceptual diagram in the case of using the transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle, which is the first object of the present invention, as means for "copying". [Fig. 3] puts the transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle (P) of the present invention on paper (100) on which Disney characters are written, and marks the lower Disney character on the surface of the transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle (P) with an oil-based pen. It shows the state of drawing (copying) on. By selecting an image to be copied, the transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle (P) of the present invention can be used as an educational material, or a commemorative photo plastic jigsaw puzzle (P) can be made.

In this way, the plastic jigsaw puzzle (P) having the "copy picture" can be played not only as a jigsaw puzzle, but also by floating it in a bath tub.

The transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle (P) of the present invention does not fall apart even when the completed jigsaw puzzle is hung vertically. This property is not found in paper jigsaw puzzles (see [Fig. 1]).

II. Second object of the invention
"Plastic jigsaw puzzle with perspective images"
A second object of the present invention is a plastic jigsaw puzzle having a perspective image, which is an application of the transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle of the first object of the present invention.

This plastic jigsaw puzzle having a perspective image, which is the second object of the present invention, is an application of the transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle which is the first object of the present invention, and has almost the same structure as the first object. , the first target clear plastic jigsaw puzzle is completely transparent, while the second target plastic jigsaw puzzle has a perspective image.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual drawing of one piece (p) of a plastic jigsaw puzzle with a perspective image of the present invention having a printed layer (4), the left side being a conceptual perspective view and the right side being a conceptual cross-sectional view. . The basic difference from the transparent jigsaw puzzle in FIG. 2 is that there are printed layers (4-1, 4-2).

The printed layers (4-1, 4-2) can be placed on the surface of the transparent surface layers (2, 2') and/or on the back surface in contact with the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1). That is, the printed surface may be on the transparent surface layer (2, 2'), on the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1), or on the intermediate layer for thermal lamination (3, 3'). In practice, it is preferred to print on the front side and/or on the back side of the transparent surface layer (2, 2'), and to prevent detachment of the printed side, printing on the back side of the transparent surface layer (2, 2') preferably.

The printed layers (4-1, 4-2) can be formed by any known printing method. In practice, gravure printing, offset printing, digital printing, xerography, inkjet printing, etc. can be used. In general, gravure printing is used for large-scale printing, offset printing or digital printing is used for medium-scale printing, and inkjet printing is used for small-scale printing.

The printed layers (4-1, 4-2) are preferably formed on at least one of the two transparent surface layers (2, 2'), and are formed on both of the two transparent surface layers (2, 2'). It doesn't have to be. In other words, if there is no printed layer, it is assumed that there is a transparent printed layer. Furthermore, the number of printing layers (4-1, 4-2) is not limited to two. For example, as shown in (C) of [Fig. 2], the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) is composed of two or more sheets (1, 1'), and It is also possible to form a printing layer (4) on the .

The printing layers (4-1, 4-2) are generally preferably formed on the transparent surface layers (2, 2'), but not on the transparent surface layers (2, 2'), but on the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1 ) may be formed on the surface of Which one is formed is selected in consideration of merits in manufacturing.
In the following, for simplicity of explanation, the case where two or more printed layers (4-1, 4-2) are formed on the transparent surface layers (2, 2') will be explained. -1, 4-2) and the placement locations are not limited to this.

In a second object of the present invention, it is possible to provide a plastic jigsaw puzzle with an infinite number of perspective images by combining the patterns of the two printed layers (4-1, 4-2). An example of a combination of patterns of two print layers (4-1, 4-2) is shown below.
1) The patterns of the printed layer (4) provided on the upper surface and the printed layer (4') provided on the lower surface are identical to each other, and at least one of hue, lightness and saturation is mutually identical. differ. In (A) of FIG. 5, at least part of the patterns of the upper printed layer (4-1) and the lower printed layer (4-2) are the same, and at least one of hue, lightness, and saturation is the same. An example of a difference is shown.

2) The patterns of the printed layer (4-1) provided on the upper surface and the printed layer (4-2) provided on the lower surface are not the same and are different from each other. (B) of FIG. 5 shows an example in which at least part of the patterns of the upper printed layer (4-1) and the lower printed layer (4-2) are not the same but different from each other.
3) The printed layer (4) provided on the upper surface and the printed layer (4') provided on the lower surface are different from each other in at least one of pattern, hue, brightness and saturation.

Specific examples include:
1) The girl part of Monet's painting is printed on the upper transparent surface layer (200) and the background part of the painting is printed on the lower transparent surface layer (201) (see Figure 6).
2) The printed layer (4-1) provided on the lower surface is a pattern of an amusement park, and the printed layer (4-2) provided on the upper surface is a photograph of a family or a couple taken at the same amusement park.
3) The printed layer (4-2) provided on the lower surface is a photograph of the lowland portion of the Grand Canyon valley, and the printed layer (4-1) provided on the upper surface is the cliff portion of the same Grand Canyon valley. Photo of.
4) The printed layer (4-2) provided on the lower surface is one pattern of modern art, and the printed layer (4-1) provided on the upper surface is the same pattern of modern art with different colors, shapes, etc. .
5) An art jigsaw puzzle in which the printed layer (4-1) provided on the upper surface is a translucent black painting, and the printed layer (4-2) provided on the lower surface is a red painting. .
6) The colors of the printed layer (4-1) provided on the upper surface and the printed layer (4-2) provided on the lower surface are red and blue, respectively, and the left and right lenses are red and blue. A three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle in which a three-dimensional image can be seen when viewed with colored glasses.

Specific examples of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

In a first preferred embodiment of one of the first objects of the present invention, the present invention is a plastic jigsaw puzzle for playing with a plurality of pieces (p), each piece (p) being transparent and each piece ( p) provides a transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle characterized by laminating and integrating the following (i) to (iii):
(i) a jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) comprising a transparent plastic sheet;
(ii) a transparent surface layer (2, 2') placed above and/or below the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) made of transparent biaxially oriented polypropylene (OPP, Oriented Polypropylene) or high density polyethylene (HDPE); and,
(iii) a thermal lamination consisting of unstretched polypropylene (CPP, Cast Polypropylene) or low density polyethylene (LLPE) placed between said jigsaw body layer (1) and said transparent surface layers (2, 2'); middle layer (3, 3') for

Although the thickness of the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) is not particularly limited, it is generally 0.5 to 20 mm, preferably 0.6 to 15 mm, more preferably 0.7 to 10 mm.

Although the thickness of the transparent surface layer (2, 2') is not particularly limited, it is generally 0.05 to 2 mm, preferably 0.1 to 1 mm.

The thickness of the intermediate layer (3, 3') of unoriented polypropylene (CPP) or low density polyethylene (LLPE) is generally between 0.05 and 1 mm, preferably between 0.1 and 0.8 mm.

1. Structure of each piece (p)
[Fig. 2] is a conceptual perspective view of three examples (A) to (C) of one piece (p) of the jigsaw puzzle P (sometimes referred to as a jigsaw puzzle sheet) of the present invention when it is not a single layer. , and the relative dimensions are exaggerated for the sake of explanation. In each of (A), (B), and (C) of FIG. 2, the left side view is a perspective view of one piece, and the right side view is a conceptual cross-sectional view of the left side view. Although not represented exactly in FIG. 2, each piece (p) is "transparent".

Each piece (p) consists essentially of a jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) consisting of a plastic sheet and transparent surface layers (2, 2') consisting of transparent biaxially oriented polypropylene (OPP) or high density polyethylene (HDPE). and intermediate layers (3, 3') made of unstretched polypropylene (CPP) or low density polyethylene (LLPE) disposed between the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) and the transparent surface layers (2, 2') It has a three-layer structure. The intermediate layers (3, 3') serve to bond the jigsaw body layer (1) and the transparent surface layers (2, 2') to each other by thermal lamination.
Each layer will be described in detail below.

Jigsaw puzzle body layer (1)
In the present invention, the material of the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of persuasiveness with the transparent surface layers (2, 2'), it is preferable to use a blend of polypropylene or polyethylene with a rubber elastic material added. is preferred. Polypropylene or polyethylene for the main body layer (1) can be appropriately selected by those skilled in the art from commercially available materials in consideration of elastic properties, hardness, transparency and the like. Although the body layer (1) can be translucently colored with pigments and dyes, it is necessary not to impair the transparency.
Although the thickness of the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) is not particularly limited, it can generally be 0.5 to 20 mm, preferably 0.6 to 15 mm, and more preferably 0.7 to 10 mm.

transparent surface layer (2)
The transparent surface layers (2, 2') can consist of transparent biaxially oriented polypropylene (OPP, Oriented Polypropylene) or high density polyethylene (HDPE). These sheets and films are readily available from the market in the form of sheets of various thicknesses at low cost. Examples of PP include OPU-1 manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals Tohcello. In addition, it is commercially available from Toyobo Co., Ltd., Suntox, Futamura, and the like.

Here, "transparent" means that the haze value measured according to JIS K7136 is 1 or less, more preferably 0.5 or less. Many patents have been issued regarding methods for increasing the transparency of polypropylene and polyethylene, and methods using nucleating agents, methods using specific copolymers, methods for controlling crystallization, combinations of these methods, etc. are known. Any method can be used in the present invention. One embodiment of the invention uses a nucleating agent. In particular, sorbitol-based nucleating agents can be added to polypropylene and polyethylene. Sorbitol-based nucleating agents are commercially available from, for example, Milliken.

Surface treatment such as hard coating can be applied to the transparent surface layers (2, 2') to improve the scratch resistance. In particular, it is preferable to apply a hard coat when printing is performed on the transparent surface layers (2, 2').

The thickness of the transparent surface layer (2, 2') can be from 0.01 to 2 mm, preferably from 0.02 to 1 mm.

middle layer (3)
Advantageously, the intermediate layers (3, 3') of the present invention are unoriented polypropylene (CPP) or low density polyethylene (LLPE). Unoriented polypropylene (CPP) or low density polyethylene (LLPE) are also widely used and readily available commercially in sheets of various thicknesses.

The thickness of this intermediate layer (3,3') can be 0.05 to 5 mm, preferably 0.1 to 1 mm, preferably 0.1 to 0.8 mm.

By making the transparent surface layers (2, 2') and the intermediate layers (3, 3') from essentially the same type of polypropylene or polyethylene, the adhesion between them is sufficient. On the other hand, depending on the material of the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1), the adhesion between the intermediate layers (3, 3') and the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) may be insufficient. In that case, the surface of the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) in contact with the intermediate layers (3, 3') may be subjected to surface treatment, such as corona discharge treatment, surface roughening, or an adhesive, preferably a non-solvent adhesive, may be used. can do.

Second Object of the Invention The difference between the first object of the invention and the second object of the invention is the presence or absence of the printing layer (4). In the second object of the present invention, a printed layer (4-1, 4-2) is provided. Preferably, printed layers (4-1, 4-2) are formed on the surfaces of the transparent surface layers (2, 2') in contact with the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1).

Print layer (4-1, 4-2)
The printed layers (4-1, 4-2) are generally formed by printing on the transparent surface layers (2, 2'). Printing on transparent surface layers (2, 2') is well known per se and can be done using inks in the form of useless formulations.

On the transparent surface layers (2, 2') on which the printed layers (4-1, 4-2) are formed, the printed layers (4-1, 4-2) sag (melt flow) due to the heat during thermal lamination. It is preferable to form an anti-sagging layer (d, [Fig. 4]) to prevent An adhesive known as a non-solvent adhesive can be used as this anti-sagging layer.

Method and Apparatus for Manufacturing Jigsaw Puzzles of the Present Invention The present invention further provides a method for manufacturing plastic jigsaw puzzles having perspective images, which is the second object of the present invention. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to [FIG. 7].

In the present invention, the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1), the transparent surface layers (2, 2'), and the intermediate layers (3, 3') are laminated and integrated under heat and pressure by the lamination device (R). This lamination device (R) can be constituted by any known means such as a thermal compression press, a roll lamination device, or the like. Advantageously, as shown in FIG. 7, a pressure roller is used as the laminator (R). A thermal compression press (see FIG. 8) can also be used as the lamination device (R). The laminated sheet that is laminated and integrated is passed through a jigsaw puzzle punching machine (M) and punched into the shape of jigsaw puzzle pieces. This punching is generally performed in two steps of horizontal punching and vertical punching, but it is also possible to punch in one step using a single punching machine.

In the present invention, the stamping process produces the individual pieces of the plastic jigsaw puzzle, but the individual pieces do not fall apart after the stamping process, but instead engage with each other and retain the shape of the sheet as a whole. (See [Fig. 1]). However, there is a danger that a part of the piece will protrude during the punching process, causing the piece to fall and be chipped. Advantageously, a sensor (S) is provided after the die to eliminate this "lack of pieces" problem. This sensor (S) can be a thickness sensor, an image sensor or the like. In the case of an image sensor, it is also possible to simultaneously inspect the image quality by comparing the input image and the printed image of the jigsaw puzzle. Furthermore, the input image/print image data can be used for packaging management of individual products, printing of customer data on packaging, inventory management, and the like.

The laminated sheet that has passed through the sensor is cut into a single jigsaw puzzle sheet (P) by a cutter (C), separated into individual pieces by a separator (E) if necessary, and then placed in a container to produce a product. becomes.
Each device will be described in detail below.

[Fig. 7] is a conceptual diagram of equipment for manufacturing jigsaw puzzles (P), and this manufacturing equipment basically has the following three devices:
Compression roller (R) as a lamination device
Jigsaw puzzle punching device (M)
Dismantling machine (E)

Pressure roller (R)
The pressing roller (R) shown in FIG. 7 thermally laminates the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) and the transparent surface layer (2) between the upper and lower rollers (R1, R2) via the intermediate layer (3). lamination), and this thermal lamination method itself is well known. Those skilled in the art can appropriately select the conditions (temperature, nip gap size, sheet feeding speed, etc.) for thermal lamination using this pressure roller (R).
In the present invention, commercially available plastic sheets can be used for each of the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1), the transparent surface layer (2) and the intermediate layers (3, 3'). Each of these layers, particularly the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1), can be made into a sheet extruded from an extruder, but this requires capital investment and increases production costs. When the number of lots is small, it is advantageous to use commercially available sheets.

In FIG. 7, the transparent surface layers (2, 2') on which the printed layers (4, 4') are formed and the intermediate layers (3, 3') are preliminarily separated using a laminator (C) at the site of digital printing. A thermally laminated preliminary laminate (2+3+4) is used by setting it in a jigsaw puzzle manufacturing apparatus. The jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) supplied separately from the preliminary laminate (2+3+4) is heat-laminated with pressure rollers (R). The surfaces of the preliminary laminate (2+3+4) and the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) facing each other are heated and melted by a heater (h). The operating conditions of the pressure roller (R) can be appropriately selected by those skilled in the art.
[Fig. 9] In the modified embodiment of (a), a combination of the intermediate layer (3) and the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) is laminated on the transparent surface layer (2).

Since the device following the pressure roller (R) is generally a machine that performs intermittent motion (non-continuous motion), a speed control device such as a dancer roller (R3) is installed after the pressure roller (R) in order to adjust the production speed. should be provided. Driving rolls (D1, D2, D3, etc.) for supplying the plastic sheet assemblies (1+2+3) are appropriately arranged in the jigsaw puzzle (P) manufacturing apparatus of the present invention.

Jigsaw puzzle punching device (M)
A jigsaw puzzle (P) is made by punching out a plastic sheet assembly (1+2+3) pressed and integrated with a pressing roller (R) at predetermined intervals in the vertical and horizontal directions substantially in parallel.

A jigsaw puzzle (P) is made by punching out a plastic sheet assembly (1+2+3) pressed and integrated with a pressing roller (R) at predetermined intervals in the vertical and horizontal directions substantially in parallel. This punching operation is generally performed from the side of the transparent surface layer (2). Generally, punching is performed in the longitudinal direction using a plurality of corrugated blades arranged substantially parallel to the feeding direction (longitudinal direction) of the plastic sheet, and then horizontally using a plurality of corrugated blades arranged substantially parallel in the horizontal direction. By punching in the direction, individual pieces (p) shown in FIG. 1 are punched. Although punching may be performed simultaneously in the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction, in FIG. 7, the transverse longitudinal punching machine (M2) is arranged after the longitudinal punching machine (M1). In the example shown in FIG. 8, the plastic sheet assemblies (1+2+3) are temporarily stopped at each punching machine (M) and each die is moved between each punching machine (M) and the lower receiving platen (M3). It is punched out by a piece.

(b) of FIG. 7 is a conceptual plan view of the plastic sheet assembly (1+2+3) when viewed from the direction of arrow A in (a) of FIG. Pattern (A1) is a pattern obtained by punching a plastic sheet substantially parallel to the feeding direction using a vertical puncher (M1), and pattern (A2) is a pattern further vertically punched by a horizontal vertical puncher (M2) This is a pattern when punched out substantially parallel to the .

It has been found that the three-layered plastic jigsaw puzzle of the present invention does not separate the pieces when punched into individual pieces in a normal punching operation. Conversely, the last punching machine (M2) is operated so as not to break up.

Image sensor (S)
In the present invention, a sensor (S), in particular an image sensor or a thickness sensor, for checking the quality of the plastic jigsaw puzzle (P) obtained is preferably provided after the punching machine (M). This sensor (S) can detect the presence or absence of piece chipping by detecting the thickness, for example. Alternatively, an image sensor or camera may be used to take a picture of the plastic jigsaw puzzle (P) obtained, which may be enclosed in the product package as a warranty card. A part of the data entered by the computer (A) can be printed by the digital printing machine (B). It is also possible to take a picture of the plastic jigsaw puzzle (P) obtained with this image sensor (S) and enclose it in the product package as a completed puzzle sample.

In the present invention, part of the data input to the computer (A) can be printed in the form of a barcode or the like on the individual plastic jigsaw puzzles (P) obtained, and used for quality control, inventory control, and the like. You can also print the warranty card and enclose it with the product. In this case, a system for interlocking with the transportation of the product and the movement of the packaging equipment is required.

Cutter (C)
After the punching operation, the plastic sheet is cut by a cutter (C) into individual jigsaw puzzle panels (7). The cutter (C) itself is well known. In the example shown, the jigsaw panel (7) is guided in guides (G1) and falls by gravity into a "separator" (E).

Separating machine (E)
In FIG. 7 there is shown a "separator" (E) which separates each cut jigsaw puzzle (7) into individual pieces.

Packaging device (K)
A set of piece sets (p') separated by the "separator" (E) is individually packaged and then shipped. In FIG. 7, a piece set (p') that has been disassembled is guided through a guide (G2) and falls by gravity into a container (10). Each container (10) is successively guided under the guide (G2) by a belt conveyor. Instead of transporting the containers (10) on a conveyor belt, a bagging machine can be used to sequentially supply a series of plastic bags.

In FIG. 7, the jigsaw puzzle punching machine (M) shows a single punching machine (M) that punches both longitudinally and transversely at the same time. There can also be two of the longitudinal punches (M2).

[Fig. 8] shows a preferred embodiment of the method of manufacturing the plastic jigsaw puzzle of the present invention. In this case, the image data is processed by a computer (A), the processed image data is sent to a digital printer (B), and the digital printer (B) is used to print the back side of the transparent surface layer (2, 2'). An image is printed on the surface and the transparent surface layer (2) with the printed image is fed to a hot pressing device (R) while at the same time a jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) consisting of a plastic sheet and the jigsaw puzzle. The body layer (1) and the intermediate layer disposed between the transparent surface layer (2) are supplied to a hot pressing device (R) to form the transparent surface layers (2, 2') and the intermediate layer. , and the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) are laminated and integrated under heat and pressure, and the jigsaw puzzle is punched out from the integrated laminated sheet.

Yet another object of the present invention is the device for manufacturing plastic jigsaw puzzles according to the invention. The apparatus comprises a computer (A) for inputting and processing image data, a digital printer (B) for receiving the processed image data and printing an image on the back surface of the transparent surface layer (2, 2'), A transparent surface layer (2, 2') with a printed image from a digital printer (B), a jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) and between this jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) and said transparent surface layer (2, 2') A hot-pressing device (R) for hot-pressing the arranged intermediate layer for thermal lamination, a punching machine (M) for punching the hot-pressed laminated assembly into a jigsaw puzzle shape, and a punching process for punching out. and a cutting device (C) for cutting the laminate assembly into individual jigsaw puzzle sheets.

For conventional plastic jigsaw puzzles, images to be printed on jigsaw puzzles are generally printed using a gravure printing machine or an offset printing machine. These printing methods are not suitable for manufacturing individual jigsaw puzzles to order from individual customers. In this embodiment, a digital printing machine is used to enable the production of plastic jigsaw puzzles for mass production (mass production) and one-of-a-kind made-to-order plastic jigsaw puzzles (single item production) on the same line. do.

Manufacturers/sellers of plastic jigsaw puzzles receive personal image data such as family photos, souvenir photos, and pet photos. In general, data can be directly received by the computer (A) via the network. After correcting the size, color, etc. of the image so as to match the jigsaw puzzle (P), the image data is sent to the digital printer (B). Commercial image data for mass produced jigsaw puzzles are sent to the digital printer (B) in a similar manner. The digital printing machine (B) uses the image data to print an image on the back surface of the transparent surface layer (2, 2') that is in contact with the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) to print the printed layer (4-1, 4-2). to form Digital printing on the back side of the transparent surface layer (2) can be easily done using commercially available digital printers. If necessary, the back surface of the transparent surface layer (2, 2') can be surface-treated, or a primer, an ink-receiving layer, or the like can be used.

From one aspect of the present invention, it is preferable to form an anti-sagging layer (d) on the transparent surface layers (2, 2') on which the printed layers (4-1, 4-2) are formed. That is, in the present invention, the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) and the transparent surface layers (2, 2') are adhered to each other by a heat lamination method, and the printed layers (4-1, 4-2) are melted during this heat lamination. As a result, the contours of the printed layers (4-1, 4-2) may become dull (the contours may lose their sharpness). This sagging is not a problem if sharpness of the image is not required, but if fidelity to the original is required, it is preferable to form an anti-sagging layer.

This anti-sagging layer can be formed using any method known in the technical field of printing, for example, using a fixing agent, fixing agent, or the like. In one embodiment of the invention, an adhesive, known as a non-solvent adhesive, is used as an anti-sagging layer between the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) and the transparent surface layers (2, 2'). It assists the adhesion state of both and prevents misalignment during thermal lamination of both. Commercially available solventless adhesives include Takelac A969V/Af from Mitsui Chemicals.

The transparent surface layer (2, 2') with the printed layer (4) formed thereon can be wound into a roll (2'') which can be sent to the jigsaw puzzle manufacturing equipment (D), but is generally digitally printed. Laminating the intermediate layer (3) on the transparent surface layer (2, 2′) on which the printed layers (4-1, 4-2) are formed using a laminator in the process (C) at the site of (C), Thermal lamination. A laminate (2+3+4) in which the intermediate layers (3, 3') are laminated on the printed transparent surface layers (2, 2') thus obtained is sent to a jigsaw puzzle manufacturing apparatus (D).

The transparent surface layers (2, 2′) on which the printed layers (4-1, 4-2) are formed are wound together with the intermediate layer (3), and a laminate (2+3) of the transparent surface layer + the intermediate layer is formed without thermocompression bonding. can also be sent to the jigsaw puzzle manufacturing device (D) in the form of In this case, it is preferable to attach an adhesive layer, particularly a non-solvent adhesive layer, as the anti-sagging layer.

In the present invention, the transparent surface layer (2+4) forming the printing layers (4-1, 4-2) or the laminate (2+3+4) of the transparent surface layer and the intermediate layer (2+3+4) can be outsourced to a digital printing company. Digital printers roll transparent surface layers (2, 2') with printed layers (4-1, 4-2) or laminated layers (2+3+4) with intermediate layers to form jigsaw puzzle manufacturers. deliver to The jigsaw puzzle maker only needs to set it in the jigsaw puzzle making machine (D).

[FIG. 9] shows various modified embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 9(a) shows a variant in which the middle layer and jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) together (1+3) are sent to the thermal lamination machine. (b) of FIG. 9 shows a case where the body layer (1) is directly supplied from an extruder.

If the jigsaw puzzle is manufactured on a large scale, the transparent surface layers (2, 2') and the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) can also be co-extruded. In this case, two transparent surface layers (2, 2') are separated at the head from one extruder and co-extruded with the extruded sheet from the body layer (1). In this case, the thermal lamination phase (3) can be omitted in many cases, but requires a large capital investment.
Examples of the present invention are shown below.

Example 1
A sheet of commercially available transparent soft polyvinyl chloride (PVC) for transparent jigsaw puzzle table covers, etc., with a thickness of about 2 mm was cut using a vertical cutter and a horizontal cutter used in conventional paper jigsaw puzzles. , produced a 200-piece jigsaw puzzle. The obtained PVC transparent jigsaw puzzle could be used as a highly difficult jigsaw puzzle.
Because each piece is made of soft material, it looks like a complete jigsaw puzzle when forced into it. To prevent this, grid lines were printed on one side of the cut PVC transparent jigsaw puzzle using commercially available ink as a black light paint. An incorrectly inserted piece could be confirmed by discontinuity of grid-like lines when exposed to ultraviolet light.
On the other hand, since the above-mentioned transparent jigsaw puzzle can be colored with an oil-based color pen, it could also be used as a transparent puzzle for children for "copying".

Example 2
A plastic jigsaw puzzle having an image with a sense of perspective was printed on OPU-1 film of Mitsui Chemicals Tohcello Co., Ltd. with a thickness of 1 mm, which is biaxially oriented polypropylene (OPP). A transparent surface layer (2) having a printed surface (4-1) was used, and a transparent surface layer (2') having a printed surface (4-2) where the remaining part of the same character image was color-printed.
An anti-sagging layer for preventing sagging (melting flow) of the printed layers (4-1, 4-2) due to heat during thermal lamination on these two transparent surface layers (2, 2'). A commercially available solvent-free (non-sol) adhesive layer was formed as (d).
A roll wound with the transparent surface layer (2, 2') thus obtained, and a roll of an intermediate layer (3, 3') made of a commercially available unstretched polypropylene (CPP) film having a thickness of 0.1 mm. was set in the supply section of the "roll lamination device" (see (C) in Fig. 3), and the transparent surface layers (2, 2') were thermally laminated while being heated with a heater.
The resulting pre-laminate (2+3+4+3′+2′) [FIG. 5] is supplied to the laminating device (R) together with the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1), both are heated by a heater, and completely thermally laminated by pressure rollers ( thermal lamination). In this example, the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) was a sheet of polypropylene with a thickness of 3 mm.
A jigsaw puzzle (P) was manufactured from a thermally laminated plastic sheet assembly (1+2+3+4) using a punching machine (M).
One piece of the obtained jigsaw puzzle (P) was subjected to a T-peel test, and it was found that each layer did not separate, indicating that the jigsaw puzzle had sufficient peel strength during normal use.
The transparent jigsaw puzzle, which is the first object of the present invention, can be produced in the same manner as described above, except that the printed layers (4-1, 4-2) and sagging (melting flow) are not formed.

Comparative example 1
The procedure was as in Example 1, but without the intermediate layer (3) of unstretched polypropylene (CPP) film.
In this comparative example, a jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) made of a polyethylene sheet with a thickness of 3 mm is supplied directly from an extruder, and the heat of fusion thereof is used to apply pressure rollers in a lamination device (R) to produce clear-printed biaxially oriented polypropylene. (OPP) was thermocompression bonded to the transparent surface layers (2, 2') of OPU-1 film of Mitsui Chemicals Tohcello Co., Ltd. having a thickness of 1 mm.
A T-peel test was conducted in the same manner as in Example 1, but due to insufficient adhesive strength, peeling occurred between the main layer (1) and the transparent surface layers (2, 2').

Example 3
The same procedure was followed as in Example 2, but the material was replaced by polyethylene (PE).
Transparent surface layers (2, 2') having color printing surfaces (4-1) and (4-2) on a commercially available polyethylene film having a thickness of 1 mm were used as transparent surface layers (2, 2'). The heat lamination intermediate layer (3, 3′) sheets are made of commercially available low density polyethylene (LLPE) with a thickness of 0.1 mm called “Roden”, and the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) is made of a commercially available product with a thickness of 3 mm. It was made into an elastic polyethylene elastomer sheet.
One piece of the obtained jigsaw puzzle (P) was subjected to a T-peel test, and it was found that each layer did not separate, indicating that the jigsaw puzzle had sufficient peel strength during normal use.

The transparent jigsaw puzzle, which is the first object of the present invention, can be produced in the same manner as described above, except that the printed layers (4-1, 4-2) are not formed.

Example 4
The same procedure was followed as in Example 2, but the material of the transparent surface layers (2, 2') was replaced with polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
Transparent surface layers (2, 2') having color printing surfaces (4-1) and (4-2) on a commercially available PET film having a thickness of 1 mm were used as the transparent surface layers. The heat lamination intermediate layers (3, 3') sheets are made of commercially available LLPE with a thickness of 0.1 mm called "Loden", and the jigsaw puzzle main layer (1) is made of a commercially available elastic polypropylene composition with a thickness of 3 mm. made it a thing
One piece of the obtained jigsaw puzzle (P) was subjected to a T-peel test, and it was found that each layer did not separate and that the jigsaw puzzle had sufficient peeling strength during normal use.

The transparent jigsaw puzzle, which is the first object of the present invention, can be produced in the same manner as described above, except that the printed layers (4-1, 4-2) are not formed.

Although specific examples of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples.

P Jigsaw puzzle p' Piece C Cutter D Driving roller E Separating machine h Heater M Punching machine R Stacking device (pressing roller)
S sensor 1 jigsaw puzzle body layer 2, 2' transparent surface layer 3, 3' intermediate layer 4-1, 4-2 printing layer

Claims (3)

A jigsaw puzzle that is played by combining a plurality of pieces (p), wherein each piece (p) is made of a transparent plastic material, and all the pieces (p) of the jigsaw puzzle are transparent and plain without images or printing. A plain transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle that is
A transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle characterized in that each piece (p) is composed of the following (i) to (iii):
(i) a jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) comprising a transparent plastic sheet;
(ii) a transparent surface layer (2, 2') consisting of transparent biaxially oriented polypropylene (OPP) or high density polyethylene (HDPE) positioned above and/or below the jigsaw body layer (1);
(iii) for thermal lamination consisting of unoriented polypropylene (CPP) or low density polyethylene (L D PE) disposed between said jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) and said transparent surface layers (2, 2'); Intermediate layer (3,3'). A jigsaw puzzle played by combining a plurality of pieces (p), wherein each piece (p) is a plastic jigsaw puzzle made of a transparent plastic material,
Each piece (p) has the following (i) to (iii):
(i) a jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) comprising a transparent plastic sheet;
(ii) a transparent surface layer (2, 2') consisting of transparent biaxially oriented polypropylene (OPP) or high density polyethylene (HDPE) positioned above and/or below the jigsaw body layer (1);
(iii) an intermediate layer for thermal lamination consisting of unoriented polypropylene (CPP) or low density polyethylene (LDPE) disposed between said jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) and said transparent surface layers (2, 2'); (3, 3′) and
is composed by
A perspective characterized by having a printed layer (4-1, 4-2) provided on the surface of the transparent surface layer (2, 2') and/or on the back surface in contact with the jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) A plastic jigsaw puzzle with emotional images. At least a computer (A) for inputting/processing image data and a transparent surface layer (2, 2') which receives the processed image data and is made of transparent biaxially oriented polypropylene (OPP) or high density polyethylene (HDPE). A digital printer (B) that prints an image on one surface, the transparent surface layer (2, 2') having a printed image from the digital printer (B), a jigsaw puzzle body layer ( 1) and an intermediate layer for thermal lamination consisting of unoriented polypropylene (CPP) or low density polyethylene (L D PE) placed between this jigsaw puzzle body layer (1) and said transparent surface layers (2, 2') A hot compression device (R) for hot compression bonding, a punching machine (M) for punching the hot-compressed laminated assembly into a jigsaw puzzle shape, and individual jigsaw puzzles for the laminated assembly after the punching process. 3. The apparatus for manufacturing plastic jigsaw puzzles with perspective images according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a cutting device (C) for cutting into sheets.

Images