JPH08282198A - Image transferring method and manufacture of image transferred matter - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain a low cost and simple image transferring method to a matter to be transferred having an arbitrary shape. CONSTITUTION: The image on the surface of transferring print paper 3 is heat- transferred to the surface of a mug by heating the mug with a high frequency heating device such as electron oven or the like after the transferring print paper 3, on which an image is printed with sublimation ink, is contact-pasted to the surface of the mug 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transfer method for transferring an image of photographic printing paper for thermal transfer produced by a video printer or the like onto the surface of an object to be transferred such as a mug, and an object to be transferred having a thermal transfer image on the surface. The present invention relates to a manufacturing method for manufacturing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, a system for producing and enjoying a unique mug by transferring an image such as a photograph of one's liking to the surface of a mug has been developed. An outline of such a system is shown in FIG. Thermal transfer to a mug is performed as follows.

First, a desired image is converted into a video signal by reading a video camera or a photograph with a scanner (step 30). Next, a video signal from a video camera or a scanner is taken into a video printer, and image data processing such as setting of a desired screen or transfer area is performed (step 32).

Then, the transfer print paper (printing paper) 3 is produced (step 34). Next, the transfer surface of the transfer print paper 3 is brought into close contact with the side surface of the mug 2 and attached using the paper tape 5 or the like (step 3
6).

Then, the mug 2 to which the transfer print paper 3 is attached is mounted in a thermal transfer device and heated while being pressurized to thermally transfer the image on the surface of the transfer print paper 3 to the surface of the mug 2 (step 38).

Then, after cooling the mug, the transfer print paper 3 is peeled off from the surface of the mug 2. As a result, a desired image is transferred to the surface of the mug 2 (step 40).

In the above process, the thermal transfer process (step 38) is performed by using a thermal transfer device. This thermal transfer device includes a pair of pressurizing bodies having contact surfaces that follow the side surface shape of the mug 2. A heater is provided inside the pressurizing body, and the side surface of the mug 2 is pressed by the pair of pressurizing bodies to bring the transfer print paper 3 attached to the surface of the mug into close contact with the side surface of the mug 2. It is operated so that the image on the transfer print paper 3 is thermally transferred onto the surface of the mug 2 by being heated by the heater inside the pressure body.

That is, in the conventional thermal transfer method, the image on the surface of the print paper 3 for thermal transfer is thermally transferred to the surface of the mug 2 by pressing the pressing body having the heater against the side surface of the mug.

[0009]

As described above, the conventional thermal transfer method requires a dedicated thermal transfer device. Moreover, since this thermal transfer device needs to include a pressurizing member that conforms to the side surface shape of the mug, there is a certain limitation on the shape of the object that can perform thermal transfer.
In addition, if you try to perform thermal transfer to objects of various shapes,
Since it is necessary to manufacture various pressure bodies according to the object, there is a problem that the structure of the thermal transfer device becomes complicated and the cost of the device increases.

As described above, in the conventional thermal transfer method using the thermal transfer device, since the shape of the transfer target is limited, the versatility is poor and a dedicated thermal transfer device is required, so that the equipment cost is high. There was a problem of becoming.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image transfer method and a method for producing an image transfer product, in which there are few restrictions on the shape of the transferred product, and the image can be thermally transferred by an inexpensive and simple process.

[0012]

An image transfer method according to the present invention is a method for transferring an image printed on the surface of a thermal transfer printing paper to the surface of an object to be transferred. And a step of transferring the image on the surface of the thermal transfer printing paper to the surface of the transfer target by heating the transfer target to which the thermal transfer printing paper is pasted with high frequency. It has a feature.

The method for producing an image transfer material according to the present invention is a method for producing an image transfer material having an image thermally transferred from a printing paper on the surface thereof, and a transfer-receiving material having a resin coating layer formed on the surface thereof. A step of preparing an object, a step of pasting a thermal transfer printing paper on the surface of the transferred object, and a step of transferring the image on the surface of the thermal transfer printing paper to the surface of the transferred object by heating the transferred object at a high frequency. It is characterized by having.

[0014]

In the thermal transfer process of the present invention, high-frequency heating is used to heat the contact surface of the transferred material and the thermal transfer printing paper. For example, a microwave oven can be used as a specific means for applying high frequency heating. In high frequency heating using a microwave oven, both the object to be transferred and the thermal transfer printing paper can be uniformly heated without pressing the heating element. Then, the ink agent printed on the surface of the thermal transfer printing paper is heated and impregnated into the resin layer on the surface of the transfer target, and the image is transferred.

Further, by using the high frequency heating, the thermal transfer printing paper and the transferred material can be heated while the heating body is in contact with the heating body, so that the thermal transfer printing paper is attached as the transferred material. The shape is not particularly limited as long as it is one.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings to clarify the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a process diagram showing an outline of an image transfer method according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a case where a ceramic mug is used as the transferred object and the image is thermally transferred on the surface thereof will be described as an example.

First, an image such as a video camera or a photograph is read by a scanner and a desired image is converted into a video signal (step 10). Next, a video signal from a video camera or a scanner is taken into a video printer, and image data processing such as setting of a desired screen and transfer area is performed (step 12).

Then, using the function of the video printer,
A transfer print paper (printing paper) 3 is prepared. The image on the transfer print paper 3 is printed using sublimable ink. For the image on the surface of the transfer print paper 3, either the mirror mode or the normal mode can be freely selected by the mode setting of the video printer (step 14).

Next, the mug 2 which is the material to be transferred is prepared. The mug 2 is made of pottery, and its surface is coated with a resin such as acrylic or epoxy. The surface of the print paper 3 is brought into close contact with a desired position on the side surface of the mug 2 and is attached using a slightly viscous paper tape 5 or the like. FIG. 2 shows an example of a stuck state of the transfer print paper 3. Transfer print paper 3
Is desired to be attached so as to be completely adhered to the side surface of the mug 2. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 2, after the transfer print paper 3 is attached to the side surface of the mug 2 while pressing it, the cover sheet 4 is attached from above (step 16).

When the attaching work of the transfer print paper 3 is completed, the mug 2 is inserted into a high-frequency heating device such as a microwave oven. Then, the microwave oven is operated, for example, for 3 to 4 minutes to heat the mug 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the mug 2 and the transfer print paper 3 are heated by the microwave 6, and the image ink on the surface of the transfer print paper 3 is impregnated into the resin coating layer of the mug 2 to transfer the image. .

In this high frequency heating, heat transfer is ideally performed by heating once, but air is present between the transfer print paper 3 and the mug 2, or the transfer print paper 3 is wrinkled. When the image transfer is insufficient due to the deviation of the position, as shown in FIG.
After the heat treatment is performed once, the paper surface is extended from above the transfer print paper 3 using a spatula or the like to completely bring the transfer print paper 3 and the mug 2 into close contact, and then the cover sheet 4 is removed. Alternatively, the heat treatment may be performed once or several times in a microwave oven (step 18).

When the heat treatment is completed, the mug 2 is cooled, and then the transfer print paper 3 or the cover sheet 4 is peeled off from the surface of the mug 2. As a result, the image is transferred to the surface of the mug 2 (step 20).

As described above, if high-frequency heating using a microwave oven or the like is used for the heat treatment of the transfer print paper, it is not necessary to directly bring the heating body into contact with the transfer object as in the conventional case. Therefore, it is possible to thermally transfer an image onto the surface of an object to be transferred having an arbitrary shape such as a plate, a vase, or a plate. Moreover, since a general-purpose microwave oven or the like can be used, there is no need to prepare a dedicated machine for heat treatment, and thermal transfer of images can be performed easily at low cost.

[0025]

As described above, in the method according to the present invention, the heating method for thermal transfer is configured to use the high frequency heating, so that the desired image can be thermally transferred to the transfer object having an arbitrary shape. It has become possible. Moreover, for high frequency heating, for example by using a microwave oven,
It is no longer necessary to use a dedicated device for heating, and it has become possible to inexpensively and easily manufacture a thermal transfer of an image and an image transfer product having a thermal transfer image.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a process drawing showing a process of a thermal transfer method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a first heating process by high frequency heating.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining another heating step of high frequency heating.

FIG. 4 is a process diagram showing a process of a conventional thermal transfer method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 ... Mug 3 ... Transfer print paper 4 ... Cover sheet 6 ... Microwave

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image transfer method for transferring an image printed on the surface of a thermal transfer printing paper to the surface of an object to be transferred, comprising the step of attaching the thermal transfer printing paper to the surface of the object to be transferred. An image on the surface of the thermal transfer printing paper is transferred to the surface of the thermal transfer printing paper by high-frequency heating the transferred material to which the thermal transfer printing paper is attached. Transfer method. 2. A method of manufacturing an image transfer product having an image thermally transferred from a printing paper on the surface thereof, comprising the step of preparing a transfer target having a resin coating layer formed on the surface thereof, and the surface of the transfer target. A step of attaching a thermal transfer printing paper to, and a step of transferring the image on the surface of the thermal transfer printing paper to the surface of the transferred material by heating the transferred material at a high frequency, Method of manufacturing image transfer material.