JPH04232088A - Method for transferring decoration on basic material and wheel therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To easily transfer a decoration onto a base material by a rational procedure by using an immediately usable material in a method for transferring the decoration onto the material. CONSTITUTION: The method for transferring a decoration onto a base material comprises the steps of easily releasing an adhesive layer 9 from it on a support material 8, attaching the adhesive layer to a second open surface of a decoration layer 5 separate remotely from the film 1 by at least one of heat and pressure applied from the material 8, separating the material 8 from the layer 9, fixing the layer 5 disposed on the film 1 by at least one of the heat and the pressure by using the adhesive layer to a surface of the material to be decorated, and separating the film 1 from the layer 5.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for transferring decorations onto a substrate and to a foil therefor.

0002

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are a variety of different methods for transferring decorations onto a substrate, and as used herein the term substrate refers to the article or material to which the appropriate decoration is to be applied. . In one form of decorative processing, the decoration in the form of a decorative layer is placed on a carrier or support film, separated therefrom by the action of heat and/or pressure, and fixed to the substrate using an adhesive layer. This method is usually carried out using a decorative layer in the form of a hot embossing foil. heat embossed foil
The foil is of such a nature that a decorative layer, which can consist of several layered parts, is arranged on the support film. On the side of the decorative layer remote from the support film there is also an adhesive layer. To transfer the decoration to the proper location on the substrate, the hot embossing foil is affixed to the substrate with an adhesive layer, and then at least pressure is applied, typically a combination of pressure and heat, so that the adhesive layer Bonding is established between the decorative layer and the surface of the substrate to be decorated by the decorative layer. After the decorative layer is fixed onto the substrate, the support film is peeled off from the decorative layer, leaving the decorative layer attached to the substrate. The decorative layer can optionally be made easier to remove by a separating or release layer, generally in the form of a wax layer.

[0003] The production of hot embossing foils requires very specialized production equipment. More specifically, the lacquering process necessary for the production of hot embossed foils requires suitable safety and environmental protection equipment at the production site and area, which is important, for example, when producing embossed foils in relatively small quantities. This is not an advantageous condition. In recent years, for example, embossed foils have been increasingly used to impart special security and authenticity characteristics to documents, cards, such as bank statements, credit cards, etc. Now, heat embossing foil for such purposes must be strictly inspected for safety regarding its manufacture and subsequent processing, and such safety must be ensured by the manufacturer of the heat embossing foil in an appropriate manner. It is possible to secure it only by taking other measures, but it is easy to understand that this will make the manufacturing cost prohibitively high. For that reason, the vast majority of businesses that process and use embossed foils prefer to provide them with the necessary security and authenticity characteristics on their own premises, and this purpose also requires special expertise. It is said that For example, users of hot embossing foils may apply special pattern effects, for example holograms, to the decorative layer, even though they are supplied with a corresponding semi-finished product. However, it is not usually possible to apply an adhesive layer, usually consisting of one or more layers of adhesive, after the application of security or authenticity features such as holograms. Therefore, in such cases, the semi-finished embossing foil with security or authenticity features has to be returned to the embossing foil manufacturer again in order to apply the adhesive layer, which is obviously dangerous. Undesirable. Another possibility would be for the hot embossing foil manufacturer to have the necessary equipment or tools to apply security or authenticity features to the foil. However, this also involves risks and is generally not preferred. Finally, it is also precisely because of the hot-embossed foils used for security purposes that special adhesives are often required for fixing purposes.

0004

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to satisfy at least a major part of the above-mentioned special requirements, so that in particular an embossing foil user can optionally add security features to the foil independently from the hot embossing foil manufacturer. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for transferring a decoration to a substrate, which can be applied to a substrate and reliably attach the decorative layer of the heat-embossed foil to the substrate.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method for transferring decorations onto a substrate that is easy to carry out in a rational procedure using articles and materials provided in ready-to-use form. It is to be.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for transferring decorations onto a substrate that is highly flexible in use and operation from the point of view of the process operator.

Another object of the invention is to provide a foil material for use in a method for transferring decorations onto a substrate, which can be freely selected with regard to patterning and similar effects.

[0008].

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the above and other objects are a method for transferring a decoration onto a substrate in the form of a decorative layer having first and second surfaces, the method comprising: This is achieved by a method characterized in that a support film is connected to the first surface of the decorative layer and an adhesive layer on the second surface of the decorative layer is used to fix the decorative layer to the substrate. An adhesive layer is applied to the support material in such a way that it can be easily peeled off therefrom, and its adhesion to a second open surface of the decorative layer remote from the support film is achieved by the action of heat and/or pressure applied from the support material. Add layers. The support material is then peeled off from the adhesive layer and the adhesive layer is used to fix the decorative layer on the support film to the surface of the substrate by the action of heat and/or pressure.

In a further development of the method according to the invention, the adhesive layer is not applied to the second open surface of the decorative layer, but rather is decorated by the action of heat and/or pressure applied from the support material. Attach to the surface of the base material. The support material is then peeled off from the adhesive layer and the adhesive layer is used to fix the decorative layer on the support film to the surface of the substrate by the action of heat and/or pressure. Next, the support film is peeled off from the decorative layer fixed to the base material.

The foil according to the invention consists of a support material and a layer in the form of an adhesive layer, which can be peeled off from it and can consist of several layer parts, and is used in a method for transferring decorations onto a substrate. However, the decoration is supported on the support film in the form of the above-mentioned decorative layer, from which it is peeled off by the action of heat and/or pressure and fixed to the substrate by the adhesive layer.

[0011] The method according to the invention thus involves an operation that can be described in nature as a two-step process, in which the adhesive layer, which can consist of several layer parts, is attached to another support material that can be easily peeled off. and then applying the adhesive layer by the action of pressure and/or heat applied by the support material to the open surface of the decoration layer, which is the surface remote from the support film supporting the decoration layer, or decorated with the decoration layer. It should be attached to the surface of the substrate. The support material is then peeled off from the adhesive layer, and finally the decorative layer is fixed to the substrate surface by means of the adhesive layer, followed by peeling off the support film from the decorative layer.

[0012] This method therefore requires the operator to hold, on the one hand, a foil consisting of a support film and a decorative layer fixed thereon by a separating or peeling layer, and, on the other hand, a foil consisting of a support material and an adhesive layer placed thereon. Give the second foil. As mentioned above, when using these two foils, the adhesive layer is first applied to the surface remote from the support film of the decorative layer or to the surface of the substrate to be decorated, and then the support material is peeled off. After that, the adhesive layer is applied in the usual manner.
Fixing the decorative layer to the substrate. The fact that the decorative layer foil and the adhesive layer foil are provided separately means that the user is given a number of new choice possibilities. More specifically, after the embossed foil consisting only of a decorative layer is delivered, the user of the foil can improve, modify, modify the decorative layer by, for example, attaching a hologram using a special vapor deposition process, using the user's own manufacturing equipment. Or you can add. Even after further processing of that kind, the operator can fix the modified, modified or supplemented decorative layer to the substrate by conventional methods by using other foil materials containing adhesive layers. can. therefore,
Without the use of special equipment and security processes, the operator of this method can:
For example, the adhesive layer can be applied to the decorative layer by rolling, or the adhesive layer can be applied to the substrate and then the foil containing the decorative layer can be embossed onto the adhesive layer. Of course, the method according to the invention also allows the operator to use, for example, very specific adhesives suited to his purpose.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the adhesive layer is applied to the support film only in limited areas. This allows the operator of this method to impart a special pattern effect to the image applied to the substrate, since the decorative layer adheres to the substrate only in areas of the substrate where the adhesive is present.

[0014] Of course, the adhesive layer can be applied to the support material in various ways, for example by a rolling or molding process. However, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the adhesive layer is applied to the support material by a suitable printing process.

The decorative layer to be applied to the substrate by means of the adhesive layer can be of a form comparable to the decorative layers found in known embossing foils, such as unpigmented transparent lacquer layers, pigmented lacquer layers and/or metal layers, such as aluminum layers. , chromium, tin, zinc, copper, silver, gold, titanium, etc. Of course, the decorative layer can also consist of several layer parts, but it is also possible to provide the decorative layer with a three-dimensional pattern effect on its surface facing the support film or between different lacquer layers. . For security and authenticity purposes, it is also advantageous to provide a structure that includes a reflective metal layer.

[0016] The foil used in the method according to the present invention is
It consists of a support material and a multilayer adhesive layer removable therefrom, the adhesive layer preferably having a thickness of about 1 to 100 μm.
, more preferably about 1 to 10 μm.

[0017] The adhesive layer may basically be formed of an adhesive commonly used in the production of embossed foils, and adhesive layers formed of solvent lacquers, aqueous synthetic resin dispersions and/or hot-melt adhesives may be used. is preferred. The individual adhesive layers are made of the following binders: PVC, PVC copolymer, chlorinated polyolefin, polyester, polyurethane, polyvinyl acetate, vinyl acetate copolymer, polyacrylate, acrylate copolymer, polystyrene,
butadiene styrene copolymer, polystyrene copolymer,
The resin may contain one component or a multi-component mixture of resin, shellac and polyamide.

[0018] According to a preferred feature of the invention, since the adhesive is generally applied by a printing process, in some circumstances it may be used, for example to improve printing or flow properties and to prevent foaming.
It is advantageous to add lacquer additives which are known per se. Depending on the application, the adhesive may also contain one or more fillers,
It may be desirable to add one or more pigments or one or more colorants, especially in the manufacture of the foil by applying the foil to a transparent substrate or by making the adhesive layer visible through the decorative layer. Pigments or colorants can be added if the adhesive layer is visible afterwards.

According to a preferred feature, the support material of the foil containing the adhesive layer can be a plastic foil or a paper web, but at least one side of the adhesive layer can be provided with a coating to facilitate peeling off the adhesive layer. For example, silicone-coated paper can be used to facilitate peeling off the adhesive layer. In any case, when carrying out the working procedure, it is necessary that the adhesive layer separates completely from the support material without any major hindrances, and that the decorative layer is transferred cleanly and reliably onto the substrate. If a plastic foil is used, the surface with the adhesive layer must be enclosed within itself, in which case for example PET, PE or PP can be used.

As already mentioned above, and as is clear from the situation described here, when we refer to adhesive layers in this specification, we exclude the possibility of adhesive layers consisting of several layer parts. It's not a thing.

[0021] Depending on the application, the foil containing the adhesive layer may also have a metal layer disposed on the support material in close proximity to the adhesive layer. The metal layer has an adhesive layer on one or both sides, depending on whether the decorative layer or the substrate itself has adhesive properties. When the decorative layer or the base material has adhesive properties, the metal layer can adhere to the base material or the decorative layer, respectively, without placing an adhesive layer therebetween.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are described below by way of embodiments of foils and processes based on the principles of the invention.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIG. 1, a group of layers, generally designated A, consists, in order from the top, of a support film 1, a separating or release layer 2, a first lacquer layer 3 and a second lacquer layer 4. The first and second lacquer layers 3 and 4 form a decorative layer, generally designated by the number 5. The support film 1 is a support film conventionally used for embossing foils, for example a PET foil with a thickness of about 19 μm.

The peel-off or separation layer 2 is also basically a known layer for embossing foils, for example a decorative layer 5 formed by the two layers 3 and 4, with a small thickness that can be easily peeled off, especially when heated. It is a wax layer.

The lacquer layer 3, which is closer to the support film 1 than the lacquer layer 4, forms an open surface after application of the decorative layer 5 to the substrate, indicated at 10 in FIG. For this reason, layer 3 should have adequate abrasion resistance. Furthermore, due to the presence of another lacquer layer 4, lacquer layer 3 should be at least translucent. On the contrary, the lacquer layer 4 which forms part of the decorative layer 5 usually has good adhesion to the adhesive layer which fixes the decorative layer 5 to the substrate, and which is indicated by the number 9 in FIG. Pigment-colored and/or dye-colored layer shown.

Furthermore, it can be seen from FIG. 1 that the separating surface 6 between layers 3 and 4 of the decorative layer 5 is not essentially planar. On the contrary, the surface 6 is provided with a three-dimensional pattern effect, indicated by the waveforms 7, which becomes visible after application of the decorative layer 5 to the substrate 10, due to the translucent or transparent nature of the lacquer layer 3. There is. This three-dimensional pattern 7 is formed by, for example, a hologram.

Instead of the second lacquer layer 4, a separating surface 6
It would also be possible to apply a metallization to the area, in which case the adhesive layer 9 would have to adhere well to the metallization. A metallization can also be arranged between the two lacquer layers 3 and 4.

At the bottom of FIG. 1 is shown an adhesive layer foil section, generally designated B, consisting of a support material 8 and an adhesive layer 9 fixing the decorative layer 5 to the substrate. The support material 8 can be, for example, a silicone-coated paper, but it can also be an uncoated paper. The support material can also be plastic foil, e.g. PE
It may be a foil of T, PE or PP or of any suitable material, the plastic foil may be uncoated or provided with a release layer thereon.

The adhesive layer 9 is selected depending on the respective area of use of the decorative layer. The thickness of the adhesive layer 9 also generally varies depending on the purpose of use and the adhesive used. Its thickness is generally about 1-100 μm, preferably about 1-10 μm
It is. As adhesives it is advantageous to use solvent lacquers, aqueous dispersions or hot melt adhesives. The method of applying the respective adhesive to the support material 8 depends on the viscosity of the adhesive used and can be any of the methods conventionally used for the production of embossed foils, such as intaglio printing, application with a squeegee or doctor device, pouring, casting, etc. etc. can be used. The composition of the adhesive will be explained in more detail below.

Different embodiments of the method for applying the decorative layer 5 to the substrate 10 are now shown schematically in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, 5.

In the first mode shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the adhesive layer 9 is first applied to the open surface of the decorative layer 5 facing away from the support film 1 in the manner shown in FIG. This work is carried out by a method known per se from the processing of embossed foil.
This can be done by the action of heat and/or pressure. Immediately after applying the adhesive layer 9 to the open surface of the decorative layer 5, the support material 8 is peeled off from the adhesive layer 9 by peeling it downwards in FIG. This results in a laminate consisting of the decorative layer foil A and the adhesive layer 9 adhering thereto, which can be applied to the substrate 10 in a manner known per se from the processing of embossing foils. In that case, Figure 3
As shown in Figure 1, the support film 1 with release or separation layer 2, the decorative layer 5 and the adhesive layer 9 are applied to the surface 11 of the substrate 10 to be decorated by applying heat and/or pressure. At that time, the decorative layer 5 is attached to the base material 1 by the adhesive layer 9 in between.
0 surface 11. As soon as the adhesive layer 9 has adhered sufficiently, the support film 1 can be peeled off from the decorative layer 5 by peeling upwards in FIG. A surface 11 is obtained.

In a second mode of operation, shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the adhesive layer 9 is first applied to the surface 11 of the substrate 10 to be decorated, resulting in the arrangement shown in FIG. As soon as the adhesive layer 9 has adhered to the surface 11, the support material 8 is peeled off by peeling upwards in FIG.

This results in an adhesive open surface formed by the adhesive layer 9, to which the open surface of the decorative layer 5 is then subjected to the action of heat and/or pressure, as shown in FIG. It can be pressed by At this time, the decorative layer 5 is brought into close contact with the surface 11 of the base material. As soon as the decorative layer 5 is fully adhered, the support film 1 is peeled off from the decorative layer by peeling it downward as shown in FIG.

Examples of adhesive layer compositions are shown below.

Example 1: Solvent lacquer A
Weight ratio PVC/PVA
copolymer
50
(Acid value 10-15)

polyester resin

8
(Acid value 15-20)

SiO as filler
2
1
Methyl ethyl ketone
200
toluene

200
alcohol
10
Example 0 2: Solvent lacquer B
weight ratio
thermoplastic polyamide resin

75 (softening point 14
0℃)

Methyl/butyl methacrylate
25
(Acid value 2-3, melting point approximately 1
45℃)
Butyl methacrylate
25
(Acid value 1, melting point approximately 150℃)

SiO as filler
2
15
TiO2 as filler
50
ethanol

600
toluene
20
Example 3: Dispersion lacquer
weight ratio
Polyvinyl acetate/ethylene dispersion 110
(50% in H2O, minimum film forming temperature: 0°C)
Butadiene styrene copolymer dispersion 55
0 (50 in H2O
%, minimum film forming temperature: 100℃)
Fluidity additive (polyurethane nonionic material, 25
Water/butyl diglycol 8
0:20 out of 25%,
d=0.94-0.95
g/cm3)
Defoamers (metallic soaps, esters, and emulsifiers)
Mineral oil with 5 additives, 95%, d=0.94 ~
0
．． 95g/cm3)

water

140
isopropanol

170 Example 4: Hot melt adhesive
weight ratio
EVA copolymer

70
(VA ratio 14%, solidification temperature 89℃)

HC-resin (solidification temperature: 92°C)
30
Stabilizer (sterically hindered phenol derivative) 0.
5 The above adhesives are manufactured in a known manner and, depending on their viscosity, are applied by conventional methods to a support material such as paper or plastic foil provided with a suitable coating. These adhesives are very suitable for fixing decorative layers, known as hot embossing foils, onto customary embossable substrates, such as paper or plastic materials. The methods involved in that respect are essentially equivalent to those for making hot embossing foils. Of course, the above-described methods and foils in accordance with the principles of the invention have been described as examples and illustrations of the invention, and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the basic structure of an embossed foil part consisting of a support film and a decorative layer located thereon, and an adhesive layer foil part consisting of a support material and an adhesive layer located thereon;

[Fig. 2] Diagram showing how to attach a decorative layer to a substrate using an adhesive layer according to the first working mode.

[Fig. 3] Diagram showing how to attach a decorative layer to a substrate using an adhesive layer according to the first working mode.

FIG. 4: Diagram showing how to attach the decorative layer to the substrate using an adhesive layer according to the second working mode.

FIG. 5: Diagram showing how to attach the decorative layer to the substrate using an adhesive layer according to the second working mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Support film 2 Peeling layer 3 Lacquer layer 4 Lacquer layer 5 Decorative layer 6 Separation surface 7 Three-dimensional pattern 8 Supporting material 9 Adhesive layer 10 Base material 11 Base material surface

Claims (22)

[Claims] 1. Arranged on a support film on the side of the first surface of the decorative layer in the form of a decorative layer having a first and a second surface, and wherein the decorative layer A method for transferring a decoration onto a substrate, the decoration being adapted to be fixed to said substrate by means of an adhesive layer on two surfaces, the adhesive layer being placed on a support material such that it can be easily peeled off therefrom. applying the adhesive layer to a second open surface of the decorative layer remote from the support film by the action of at least one of heat and pressure applied from the support material; peeling from
using the adhesive layer to fix the decorative layer arranged on the support film to the surface of the substrate to be decorated by the action of at least one of heat and pressure; and removing the support film from the decorative layer. A method characterized by peeling. 2. Arranged on the support film on the side of the first surface of the decorative layer in the form of a decorative layer having a first and a second surface, and wherein the decorative layer A method for transferring a decoration onto a substrate, the decoration being adapted to be fixed to said substrate by means of an adhesive layer on two surfaces, the adhesive layer being placed on a support material such that it can be easily peeled off therefrom. applying said adhesive layer to the surface portion of the substrate to be decorated by the action of at least one of heat and pressure applied by said support material; peeling said support material from said adhesive layer; said adhesion. using a layer to fix the decorative layer arranged on the support film to the surface of the substrate to be decorated by the action of at least one of heat and pressure, and peeling off the support film from the decorative layer. A method characterized by: 3. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the adhesive layer consists of a plurality of layers. 4. Process according to claim 1, characterized in that the adhesive layer is applied to the support material only in certain areas. 5. Process according to claim 1, characterized in that the adhesive layer is applied to the support material by printing. 6. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that the adhesive layer consists of a plurality of layers. 7. A method as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the adhesive layer is applied to the support material only in certain areas. 8. Process according to claim 2, characterized in that the adhesive layer is applied to the support material by printing. 9. A foil comprising a support material and a layer in the form of an adhesive layer removable therefrom for use in the process of transferring a decoration to a substrate, wherein the decoration is applied onto the support film. Foil, characterized in that it is arranged and is in the form of a decorative layer that can be peeled off from its supporting film by the action of at least one of heat and pressure, and that it is fixed to the substrate by said adhesive layer. Claim 10: The thickness of the adhesive layer is approximately 1 to 100 μm.
A foil according to claim 9, characterized in that it is. 11. The foil of claim 10, wherein the adhesive layer has a thickness of about 1 to 10 μm. 12. Foil according to claim 9, characterized in that the adhesive layer is formed by a solvent lacquer. 13. The foil according to claim 9, wherein the adhesive layer is formed of an aqueous synthetic resin. 14. The foil according to claim 9, wherein the adhesive layer is formed of a hot melt adhesive. 15. Foil according to claim 9, characterized in that the support material is a paper web. 16. Foil according to claim 9, characterized in that the support material is a plastic foil, the surface of which supports the adhesive layer being confined within itself. 17. Foil according to claim 15, characterized in that the support material is provided with a coating, at least on the side of the adhesive layer, for facilitating the removal of the adhesive layer. 18. Foil according to claim 16, characterized in that the support material is provided, at least on the side of the adhesive layer, with a coating for facilitating the removal of the adhesive layer. 19. Foil according to claim 9, characterized in that the adhesive layer covers the carrier web only in certain areas. 20. Foil according to claim 9, characterized in that the support material supports a metal layer covered on at least one side with an adhesive layer. 21. Foil according to claim 20, characterized in that the support material supports a metal layer covered on both sides with an adhesive layer. 22. A foil composition system for decorating a substrate surface, in the form of a support film and a decoration layer having a first and a second surface, the first layer facing the support film; a first system component consisting of a decoration supported on said support film at one surface and capable of being peeled from said support film by the action of at least one of heat and pressure; and a support material supported thereon; a second system component consisting of an adhesive layer that can be peeled off therefrom, the adhesive layer being able to form a bond between the substrate surface and the second surface of the decorative layer during the working process of the system; A foil composition system comprising: