JPH0447982A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To form a depressed and projecting image easily at low cost by a method wherein a plane part of a shape memory material to which a normal image or a mirror image part sticks fast is selectively heated to form the depressed and projecting image on said plane part. CONSTITUTION:Shape memory resin is heated, and a plane plate 11 is formed by extrusion molding. Then, the plane plate 11 is cooled to room temperature to be solidified. Thereafter, it is heated again to a temperature of 70 deg.C at which a fixed layer 31 is fixed as it is and only a reversible layer 32 is softened. Only the reversible layer 32 of the plane plate 11 is made to expand and contrast by applying pressure P from both sides to to make approx. 1 mm in thickness. Thereafter, it is cooled again to room temperature applying pressure to obtain a shape memory resin plane plate 12. When an image forming surface of an original image plate 13 is superimposed on this shape memory resin plane plate 12 and is irradiated by light from a Xenon lamp 14, only a toner image part formed on the original image plate 13 is heated near to 70 deg.C, and only a character part of the toner image superimposed on the plane plate 12 is selectively heated. Then, the reversible layer 32 of only the heated part of the plane plate 12 recovers its shape to swell, and an excellent depressed and projecting image 15 is obtained.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention is a method for producing a desired image by using a material that generates heat when irradiated with light on a support that has light transmission properties. The present invention relates to an image forming method that uses a mirror image to form a concave-convex image on a flat surface of a shape-memory material having heat-expanding or heat-shrinking properties.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, images created by unevenness have been produced using seal stamps, letterpress printing,
Used for prints, etc. In these methods, ink or the like is applied to the convex portions of the uneven image and paper or the like is pressed thereon, so that only the ink or the like applied to the convex portions is transferred onto the paper to form an image. This uneven image is manufactured by cutting or cutting materials such as rubber, wood, resin, metal, etc. by machine or hand, or by methods such as injection molding, die casting, and pressing.

[Problems to be solved by the invention] However, as mentioned above, when the uneven image is formed by cutting or cutting various materials with a machine, there is a problem that unnecessary materials such as chips are generated. Another problem was that the machine was expensive and difficult to handle.

Furthermore, when manually cutting a seal 2 print or the like, a reverse image must be formed, which requires skill.

Furthermore, when attempting to form the above-mentioned uneven image by injection molding, die casting, or pressing, not only is the machine expensive as is the machine for cutting or cutting, but also a mold for the uneven image must be manufactured. For this reason, in order to form many types of images, it is necessary to manufacture many molds of uneven images, resulting in high costs and problems in that it takes time to manufacture the molds.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and provides an image forming method that allows anyone to easily and inexpensively form uneven images without generating chips or the like. The purpose is to

[Means for Solving the Problem] In order to achieve this object, the image forming method of the present invention uses a material having a property of generating heat when irradiated with light on a support having a light-transmitting property to form a desired image. a step of forming a normal image or a mirror image of the image, and closely superimposing a plane part of a shape memory material having heat expansion characteristics or heat contraction characteristics and a surface on the support body on which the normal image or mirror image is formed. , the step of irradiating light from the side of the support, and the shape in which only the normal image or mirror image portion formed on the support body generates heat by being irradiated with light, and the normal image or mirror image portion is in close contact with each other. It consists of a step of forming a concavo-convex image on the flat part of the shape memory material by utilizing the fact that the flat part of the shape memory material expands or contracts when the flat part of the shape memory material is selectively heated.

[Function] According to the present invention having the above configuration, a normal image or a mirror image of a desired image is formed on a support having a light transmitting property using a substance having a property of generating heat when irradiated with light. . Next, the planar portion of the shape memory material having heat expansion or heat contraction properties is brought into close contact with the surface of the support on which the normal image or mirror image has been formed, and light is irradiated from the support side. By being irradiated with light, only the normal image or mirror image portion formed on the support body generates heat, and the planar portion of the shape memory material to which the normal image or mirror image portion is in close contact is selectively heated. The planar portion of the shape memory material expands or contracts, and an uneven image is formed on the planar portion of the shape memory material.

[First Embodiment] A first embodiment embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, the properties of the shape memory resin, which is the shape memory material used in this example, will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3(a) to 3(e).

As shown in FIG. 3(a), the shape memory resin is used as a fixed layer 31.
and a reversible layer 32. Now, the melting temperature of the fixed layer 31 is assumed to be A'C, and the melting temperature of the reversible layer 32 is assumed to be B'C. Here, A°C>B°C.

When the shape memory resin is molded in a state where the fixed layer 31 and the reversible layer 32 are in a molten state at A°C (Fig. 3(a)), and the temperature is lowered to below B'C in this state, the fixed layer 31 and the reversible layer 32 are fixed (FIG. 3(b)). Next, when the temperature is increased from B°C to A°C, only the reversible layer 32 softens, and when external force is applied, the fixed layer 31 remains unchanged, but can be easily deformed by the expansion and contraction of the reversible layer 32. (Figure 3 (C)). Here, an external force is applied to cause compression deformation (Fig. 3(d)). Temperature B while deformed
When the temperature is lowered to below .degree. C., the reversible layer 32 is fixed in a contracted state (FIG. 3(e)). After that, if the temperature is raised again to B°C or more and A'C or less and no external force is applied, the softened reversible layer 32 expands and returns to its original shape (Fig. 3 (C)), recovering its shape. be. The expansion rate at this time is 100
It reaches ~500%.

In the shape memory resin according to the present invention, the fixed layer 31 is made of polyvinyl chloride or polycarbonate.

The reversible layer 32 includes polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, polyvinyl fluoride, etc., and examples of the reversible layer 32 include polyethylene, polypropylene, and polycaprolactone.

A material using polybutadiene or the like is used, and in order to make the unevenness clear, it is desirable that the allowable deformation rate is 100% or more, preferably 300% or more. Furthermore, the temperature at which memory can be recovered is a temperature that can be easily heated and is at least room temperature, preferably 60°C.
℃~80℃ around is desirable. This is because if this temperature is too high, it will be difficult to apply heat and there is a possibility that the support described below will be deformed by the heat. The support used in this example is preferably a transparent resin sheet, glass, etc. that has high light transmittance and does not deform up to around 100° C. as described above.

Next, the image forming method of this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1(a) to 1(e). In this example, the shape memory resin "Asmar (trade name)" manufactured by Asahi Kasei Corporation is used. The fixed layer melting temperature of "Asmar" is 120°C, and the reversible layer melting temperature is 70°C. be.

First, "Asmar" in pellet form was heated to 120°C.
The liquid resin is heated to a molten state and extruded to form a 5 mm thick film as shown in Figure 1 (a).
A flat plate 11 of 30 an (cm/meter) in length and width is formed. Note that the fixed layer 31 and the reversible layer 32 constituting Asmer are respectively a hard resin such as polystyrene and a resin having rubber elasticity such as polybutadiene. At 120° C. or higher, both the fixed layer 31 and the reversible layer 32 are in a molten state.

Next, the flat plate 11 was cooled to a room temperature of 25° C., solidified (imparted with shape memory), and then reheated to a temperature of 70° C. at which only the reversible layer 32 was softened, while the fixed layer 31 remained fixed. As a result, the flat plate 11 became soft and became in a state where it could be easily deformed by applying external pressure. So flat plate 1
By applying pressure P from both sides of the flat plate 11, only the reversible layer 32 of the flat plate 11 was expanded and contracted to have a thickness of about 1 mm.

Thereafter, the shape memory resin flat plate 12 was cooled again to room temperature 25° C. with the pressure still being applied, and the shape memory resin flat plate 12 was about 1 mm thick and about 67 ann in length and width (FIG. 1(b)).

Next, a normal image of desired characters is formed on a transparent resin sheet using toner containing carbon black to form an original drawing board 13 (FIG. 1(C)).

The image forming surface of the original drawing board 13, that is, the surface to which the toner is attached, was superimposed on the shape memory resin flat plate 12 obtained as a result of the above steps, and light was irradiated from the xenon lamp 14. Then, only the toner image portion formed on the original plate 13 is heated to around 70° C., and only the character portion of the toner image superimposed on the shape memory resin flat plate 12 is selectively heated (see Fig. 1). d)). Then, the reversible layer 32 only in the heated portion of the shape memory resin flat plate 12 recovers its shape and swells to obtain the desired good uneven image 15 (first
Figure (e)). This uneven image 15 is a mirror image, so if you apply ink or the like to this uneven area and stack paper, etc., the ink on the uneven area will be transferred to this paper, so that a normal image of the image will appear on the paper. It is formed.

Note that the shape memory resin flat plate 12 can be reused by heating it again to 70° C. and compressing it back to a flat plate state. Therefore, it is also possible to save on materials. The shape memory resin flat plate 12 on which the uneven image 15 has been formed is heated again to 70°C to soften only the reversible layer 32 and pressure is applied to return the thickness to the original 1 mm, and in that state it is heated at room temperature at 25°C.
When the shape memory resin flat plate 12 is cooled to a certain temperature, the shape memory resin flat plate 12 can be obtained again. When the shape memory resin flat plate 12 was subjected to a process similar to the process described above, a good uneven image 15 could be obtained again. The same operation was performed five times using the same shape memory resin, and in all cases, a good uneven image 1 was obtained.
I was able to get a 5.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the characters were formed as normal images on the original drawing board 13, but the characters, figures, etc. that you want to make into images are formed on the original drawing board 13.
If it is formed as a mirror image, the formed uneven image 15 becomes a normal image. Therefore, it can be used for everything you can think of, such as wall decorations and Braille boards.

[Second Embodiment] A second embodiment embodying the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, the properties of the shape memory resin, which is the shape memory material used in this example, will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4(a) to 4(e).

As shown in FIG. 4(a), the shape memory resin has a fixed layer 41.
and a reversible layer 42. Now, the melting temperature of the fixed layer 41 is assumed to be A''C, and the melting temperature of the reversible layer 42 is assumed to be B'C.Here, A'C>B'C.

When the shape memory resin is molded in a state of A°C (FIG. 4(a)) where the fixed layer 41 and the reversible layer 42 are in a molten state, and the temperature is lowered to below B'C in this state, the fixed layer 41 and the reversible layer 42 are fixed (FIG. 4(b)). Next, when the temperature is raised from B'C to A''C, only the reversible layer 42 softens, and when external force is applied, the fixed layer 41 does not change, but due to the expansion and contraction of the reversible layer 42, it can be easily deformed. (Figure 4(C)).Here, apply an external force to cause tensile deformation (Figure 4(d)).If the temperature is lowered to below B'C while being deformed, the reversible layer 42 will be It is fixed in a contracted state (Fig. 4(e)).Then, the temperature is increased again to B.
When the temperature is raised to a temperature above .degree. C. and below .degree. C. and no external force is applied, the softened reversible layer 42 contracts and returns to its original shape, recovering its shape.

In the shape memory resin according to the present invention, the fixed layer 41 is made of polyvinyl chloride or polycarbonate.

The reversible layer 42 includes polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, polyvinyl fluoride, etc., and examples of the reversible layer 42 include polyethylene, polypropylene, and polycaprolactone.

A material using polybutadiene or the like is used. Further, it is desirable that the temperature at which the memory is restored is a temperature that can be easily heated and is at least room temperature, preferably around 60°C to 80°C. This is because if this temperature is too high, it will be difficult to apply heat and the support may be deformed by the heat. The support used in this example is preferably a transparent resin sheet, glass, etc. that has high light transmittance and does not deform up to around 100° C. as described above.

Next, the image forming method of this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2(a) to 2(f). In this example, as in the first example, the shape memory resin "Asmar" manufactured by Asahi Kasei Industries, Ltd. is used as the shape memory resin. As described in the first example, the fixed layer melting temperature of "Asmar" is 120°C, and the reversible layer melting temperature is 70°C.

"Asmar" in pellet form is heated to 120°C or higher to melt it, and this liquid resin is injection molded to form a cylinder 21 with a base area of 160 an" and a height of ioam (
Figure 2(a)).

This cylinder was cooled to room temperature of 25° C. to solidify (impart shape memory), and then reheated to 70° C. to soften only the reversible layer 42. As a result, the cylinder became soft and could be easily deformed by applying external force. Therefore, by pulling the cylinder from both sides, only the reversible layer 42 of the cylinder 21 was expanded and contracted, and the height was made approximately 20 an.

Thereafter, the cylinder was cooled again to room temperature 25°C while the pressure was still applied, and a shape memory resin cylinder 22 with a base area of 80 an" and a height of about 20 cm was obtained (FIG. 2(b)). The shape memory resin cylinder 22 thus obtained is cut into rounds with a thickness of 1 cr to obtain a shape memory resin cylinder 24 having a base area of 80 an'' and a height of 1 cm (FIG. 2(C)).

Next, a normal image of the characters is formed on a transparent resin sheet using toner containing carbon black to form an original drawing board 23 (FIG. 2(d)).

The image forming surface of the original drawing board 23, that is, the surface to which the toner is attached, was superimposed on the plane of the shape memory resin cylinder 24 obtained as a result of the above steps, and light was irradiated with the xenon lamp 25. Then, only the toner image portion formed on the original drawing board 23 is heated to around 70° C., and only the character portion of the toner image superimposed on the shape memory resin cylinder 24 is selectively heated (see FIG. 2). e)). And this shape memory resin cylinder 2
Reversible layer 32 of only the heated rsATOMIJ part of 4
recovered its shape and shrunk, and, contrary to the first example, a good image 26 was obtained in which the character part had depressions and depressions (second example).
Figure (f)). This uneven image 26 is a mirror image, so if you apply ink or the like to this plane part and stack paper, etc., the ink on the plane part will be transferred to the paper, so that the normal image of the image will be on the paper. It is formed as an inverted image.

Note that although the characters in the above-described embodiments are formed as normal images on the original drawing board 23, if the characters, figures, etc. to be made into images are formed as mirror images on the original drawing board 23, the formed uneven image 26 becomes a normal image. Therefore, it can be used for any wall decoration that can be obtained.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in detail above, and various changes can be made without departing from the spirit thereof.

For example, the materials used for the fixed layers 31 and 41° and the reversible layers 41 and 42 may be any of the above-mentioned materials.

The toner is also not limited to carbon black, as long as it contains a substance that generates heat when irradiated with light.

Further, the flat plate 11 may be tensilely deformed, or the cylinder 21 may be compressively deformed.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above detailed description, the present invention provides an image forming method that allows anyone to easily and inexpensively form a concavo-convex image without generating chips or the like. This has the advantageous effect of being able to provide the following benefits to the industry.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 2 show embodiments embodying the present invention, and FIGS. 1(a) to 2(e) are diagrams sequentially showing the schematic steps of the first embodiment, and FIG. a) to (f) are diagrams sequentially showing the schematic steps of the second embodiment, and Figures 3 (a) to (e)
) and FIGS. 4(a) to 4(e) are diagrams sequentially showing changes in the state of the shape memory resin due to temperature changes. In the figure, 12 is a shape memory resin flat plate, 13.23 is an original drawing board,
14.25 is a xenon lamp, 15 and 26 are uneven images,
24 is a shape memory resin cylinder, 31° 41 is a fixed layer, 82.
42 is a reversible layer.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A step of forming a normal or mirror image of a desired image on a support having light transmission properties using a substance that generates heat when irradiated with light, and heating expansion properties. Alternatively, a step of closely overlapping a flat part of a shape memory material having heat-shrinkable properties and a surface on which a normal image or a mirror image is formed on the support, and irradiating light from the support side; As a result, only the normal image or mirror image portion formed on the support body generates heat, and the flat portion of the shape memory material to which the normal image or mirror image portion is in close contact is selectively heated, thereby changing its shape. An image forming method comprising the step of forming a concavo-convex image on a flat part of a shape memory material by utilizing expansion or contraction of the flat part of the memory material.