JPS63170100A - Manufacture of heat transfer film used for continuous type in-mold decorating - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to in-mold decoration of three-dimensional products.
hot transfer material suitable for decoration by the technique of mold decoration
materials).

(Description of prior art) Decorative markings are added to the product during the molding process.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is widely known to apply decorative marks, eg, to decorate various molded products using in-mold decoration techniques. This technique is carried out by feeding a long and narrow continuous strip having a plurality of identical decorative marks regularly spaced therein into a mold for forming the product. This continuous piece is
The decorative marks are indexed at appropriate locations so that they are formed at predetermined locations on the product. The product is then pressed against the decorative mark and shaped. The continuous piece is then cut and trimmed as appropriate to form the final product.

Standard in-mold decoration techniques have various drawbacks, especially when used in high-speed continuous molding processes. For example, thermal transfer materials with decorative marks have to be larger in size than the marks, and the amount of plastic film required for decoration has to be greater than necessary. Furthermore, excess plastic film adhering to the final product would detract from its appearance.

Various attempts have been made to remove excess plastic film from decorations, but all are done after the molding process. This is because if the continuous piece is cut or punched in advance, the continuous piece may be damaged during the molding process.
This is because the decorative mark and the molded product may be misaligned. Similarly, excess film can be removed from a molded product, but this often results in the remaining decorative marks being torn off or broken, or even damaging the product itself, reducing the chance of rejects. is very high.

Prior art relating to in-mold decoration is disclosed in U.S. Pat.
, No. 663. Although these patents also describe the process of in-mold decoration, their focus is on transferring the dye from the transfer sheet through the polyolefin film to the thermoplastic sheet. This is done using heat and pressure to sublime the dye from the film into the plastic sheet.

Similarly, U.S. Patent Nos. 3 and 2 issued to Mr. Wolfman
No. 92,209 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,816,207 to Robertson et al. disclose various devices for use in transfer decoration. Mr. Wolfmann aimed to improve the apparatus for carrying out the method disclosed in U.S. Pat. The parison is inflated and welded. The device shown by Mr. Wolfmann was complex and precise, and had to be used to ensure reliable positioning of the decorative marks on the product being molded.

Criticity of in-mold decoration technology
ality) and complexity work against their use in applying complex decorations, which are current concerns in the packaging field. For example, composite decoration is desirable for the decoration of products containing three or four different printed marks, including reproductions of photographs consisting of a wide range of colors suitably decorated with metallized layers. This type of complex or composite decoration requires the use of multi-step printing techniques, such as screen printing techniques, all of which require time to properly align the image of each decorative element. It costs a lot of money.

Up to now, the present inventors have developed thermal transfer materials (hottran).
sfer 5tock), but it was found that pre-cutting would be more cumbersome for use as a continuous in-mold decorative film. Specifically, if all or part of the material was pre-cut, the decorative portions of the stock could peel off or fail to maintain a predetermined alignment, especially when performing in-mold decoration at a profitable speed.

Cutting out the transfer with a die (d.
ie-cuLting) is also known, but this was applied only to pressure-sensitive labels. Representative prior patents relating to die cutting include U.S. Pat. No. 2,391.539 to Mr. Avery and US Pat. No. 3,166.186 to Mr. Kahn. These two patents relate to pressure-bonded label stock on a peel base, which is perforated or fully brightened by die-cutting, and which allows the labels to adhere to each other before use. without sticking to the curved object 14C.
It can be easily removed from the base because it adheres to subs) to re)・).

Applying the Daikan 1 technology to plastics was also generally unsuccessful. Particularly when the plastic film is 3-10 mils thick, the accuracy of most die-cutting equipment ensures that the cutting edge passes through the first film and into the second or carrier film. Similar difficulties arise when die-cutting and perforating a single film. Die cutting techniques, which are well known in the art of label manufacturing, have proven to be incapable of meeting the tight tolerances required in the thermal transfer field.

Therefore, the development of a thermal transfer decorative film that can be applied to products made by continuous rather than intermittent in-mold decoration techniques, without requiring complicated preparation for decoration or post-processing of the decorated products. is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention discloses a method for making die-cut thermal transfer films useful for continuous in-mold decoration. The method of the present invention forms a laminate consisting of a carrier film useful in thermal transfer decoration processes and a thermoplastic transfer film that serves as a base for decorations. The layered material is formed by applying heat and pressure. A decorative mark is then printed on the layer, on at least a portion of the free surface of the transfer film. A decorative mark can be applied in one printing process, but in the case of a composite decorative mark, it may be applied in multiple processes. The decorative marks can be arranged regularly and at regular intervals. It is also possible to arrange multiple identical decorative marks on the strips of the layered material. The printing process can also include first properly superimposing the colored decorative marks, followed by brating or metallized decoration.

After applying the decorative marks, the decorated layer is die cut. Die-cutting is performed in a controlled manner so that the die does not penetrate into the surface of the carrier film, but completely penetrates the thickness of the transfer film.

Once die-cutting is complete, unnecessary portions of the transfer film are peeled off as necessary, leaving only the decorative portions of the transfer film on the continuous carrier film. It is then fed into a suitable product forming chamber, where it is neatly aligned and precisely thermally transferred to the plastic product during molding.

The carrier film can then be reused.

The thickness of the carrier film of the present invention is arbitrary, but the material should be selected from thermoplastics useful in thermal transfer processes. Examples of the material include polyester, polycarbonate, and cellulose derivatives.

The film may be transparent or translucent and have a thickness of 440.5 mils or more, depending on the product to which the transfer is being made. Suitable thermoplastic resins include polyvinyl chloride and modified
polyurethane, acrylic polymer, polyethylene,
Included are polyolefins such as volepropylene and polystyrene homopolymers and copolymers.

Laminated construction of the carrier film and transfer film is accomplished by passing the two films through a nip of heated rollers at speeds up to 200 feet per minute. The resulting layer is then printed by one or more printing steps. The latter is used when multiple colors or combinations of colors are desired. At the same time, by providing index marks on the transfer film, positioning in subsequent thermoforming and die-cutting steps can be ensured.

If many colors are used and metallized decorations are applied later, a sizing coat should be applied after the metal decorations.
It is desirable to apply a coat. Sizing coats can be selected from a variety of compositions, including polyurethanes, polyolefins, acrylic polymers, and vinyl polymers. In this case, it is desirable to apply a sizing coat to the entire surface of the transfer film.

Die-cutting is carried out by indexing the decorated layer into the appropriate position with the aid of index marks applied during the printing process. Note that the hardness, slope, and temperature of the die are carefully controlled so that the cutting edge completely penetrates the transfer film but does not penetrate the surface of the carrier film. Within the above parameters, a heated mold with beveled cutting edges and a cold anvil are operated. An important aspect of the sequential die-cutting embodiment is the need to successively remove unnecessary portions of the film, known as the "skeleton." The "skeleton" portion is removed from the layered material as it passes through an idler roll and skeleton pick-up.

The resulting product is successively indexed into the appropriate position within a predetermined mold. Note that the in-mold decoration itself is performed according to a known technique.

The product that comes out of the mold has the desired decorations placed on it in precise alignment. Post-processing of the product, such as trimming the decoration to remove excess heat transfer material, is not necessary.

The resulting decoration is integral with the molded product and therefore has an improved appearance.

Because the in-mold decoration process can be operated continuously at economically desirable speeds, this technique is economically very attractive. Applying thermal transfer decorations according to the method of the invention is equally economical in that relatively simple equipment can be used and the number of steps can be reduced. This eliminates the multiple printing steps required by conventional technology.
Even complex decorations can be formed in one or two printing steps.

Therefore, the first object of the present invention is to define a method by which a decorated thermal transfer material can be used in a continuous in-mold decoration process.

It is a further object of the present invention to demonstrate how decorated thermal transfer materials can be made from relatively thin layers of plastic material that are die cut prior to thermal transfer.

It is a further object of the invention to reveal a method that is simple and economical to implement.

A further object of the invention is to define a method for decorative molded plastic products in which costly and time-consuming post-treatments can be omitted.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description based on the illustrative drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS In its broadest sense, the method of the invention forms a peelable layer consisting of a carrier film and a transfer film of a thermoplastic resin, the transfer film comprising: a carrier film; serves as the outer surface of the decorative article and is thermally transferred to the plastic article during molding. The formed layer is provided with printed marks or patterns on the exposed surface of the transfer film. The layered material is then die-cut to separate the decorative portion of the transfer film from the unnecessary portion of the transfer film, referred to as the "skeleton." The skeleton is then peeled off leaving the decoration of the transfer film adhered to the carrier film. The carrier film is neatly indexed into a plastic product mold. Therefore,
Continuous in-mold decoration of molded plastic products can be achieved using thermal transfer technology.

Carrier films useful in the present invention are those that can withstand repeated use in thermal transfer processes. Therefore, the carrier is layered under heat and pressure so that later the transfer film can be partially peeled off and the remaining parts of the transfer film can be thermally transferred to the product to be decorated in the mold. Must be. Furthermore, the carrier film should be capable of being repeatedly subjected to various printing techniques, including vacuum deposition.

Suitable materials include materials selected from the group consisting of amorphous, oriented polyester resins, polycarbonate resins, and cellulose derivatives, including cellulose esters and ethers and copolymers thereof. Contains film. Specifically, polyester includes polyethylene terephthalate. Polycarbonates include acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resins. Cellulose derivatives include cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, ethylcellulose, and viscose, also known as "cellophane." The carrier film has a wall thickness of about 0.5 mil or greater, preferably about 3 mil or greater. A range of 0.5 mils to about 7 mils is exemplified. The exact thickness of the carrier film is determined by the transfer film processing process, the specific forming technique, and the product to be decorated.

The transfer film is a thermoplastic selected from the group consisting of vinyl resins, modified polyurethane resins, acrylic monopolymers and copolymers, polyolefin resins including substituted and unsubstituted resins, etc. It is a resin material. More specifically, vinyl resins include polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, and copolymers thereof. Acrylic polymers include polyacrylic acids such as polymethyl methacrylate. Polyolefins include polyethylene, poly-20-lipropylene, polystyrene, and the like. Polyurethanes include bisphenol A-epichlorohydrin derivatives and the like. It is desirable that the transfer film be transparent, but it may also be semi-transparent with an appropriate coloring to provide a different visual effect. The transfer film, like the carrier film, has a thickness of 0.5 mil or more, but this thickness can vary depending on the plastic product to which the transfer film is adhered. Thicknesses in the range of 1-3 mils are exemplified.

Layering of the transfer film onto the carrier film is accomplished simply by applying heat and pressure. 1st
In the figure, carrier film (2) and transfer film (4) are shown.
) are fed from respective reels (6) (8) and are brought together between the nips of pressure rollers (10) (12) to form a layer or laminate (14). A cross section of the laminate is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

As shown in Figure 2, the lamination is carried out using rollers (10) (1
It is formed under heat and pressure in the nip of 2), and the carrier film (2) and transfer film (4) are bonded in a peelable surface state. For example, Laura (10)
(12) is heated to a temperature range of about 180° to about 350°F and a pressure in the range of 40 psi to 100 psi is applied to the carrier film (2) and transfer film (4). Temperature is applied momentarily at pressure rollers (10) (12) and each film (2) (4) is passed through the nip of the rollers at a commercial speed up to about 200 feet per minute. Figure 2 shows a laminate (14) formed by applying heat and pressure.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the laminate (14). In this case, the carrier film (2) is provided with an adhesive coating (16) that can be peeled off at a suitable room temperature;
The carrier film (2) and the transfer film (4) are maintained in contact with each other until the next step. However, it can be peeled off by applying mechanical force, by peeling off the "skeleton" as described later, or by applying heat generated during the thermal transfer process inside the mold. Suitable materials that serve as releasable adhesives include thermoplastic monomers and polymers, including cellulose esters, cellulose ethers, and vinyl compounds. For example, nitrocellulose can be used as an adhesive release coating. The coating thickness is less than 1 mil and is formed as shown in FIG.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the laminate (14)
A transfer film approximately 1 mil thick was placed on a polyester carrier film approximately 2 mil thick (pig)B.
y backed). It should be noted that the above-mentioned wall thickness dimensions are merely exemplary and do not limit the present invention, of course.

After shaping, the laminate (14) is then suitably printed with the desired decorative markings. FIG. 1 shows a typical printing station (18) comprising a printing roller (20) rotating with an idler roll (22) and an ink supply roller (22);
A thin film of ink is transferred from the ink reservoir (26). A pattern of desired decorative marks is suitably formed on the printing roller (20), thereby providing the desired decoration on the free surface of the transfer film (4).

A variety of printing devices and techniques can be used, all of which are known in the art.

Therefore, the printing station (18) is equipped with a transfer film (4).
) is merely illustrative of the apparatus and associated methods that may be used to apply decorative marks on the surface of the device. Fourth
As will be explained in connection with the drawings, the present invention relates to a transfer film (4).
The individually decorated sections of the fabric are die-cut and pre-trimmed.

To assist in accurate operation during the die-cutting process,
Appropriate index marks (28) are printed on the transfer film (4) during the printing process. As shown in FIG. 4, the index marks (28) and the decorative marks (30) are arranged regularly at a constant interval.

In Figure 4, the decorative mark (30) is replaced by the index mark (
28), they are shown spaced apart regularly and at regular intervals, and the laminate (1
4) can be sequentially indexed into the mold, thereby ensuring that the decoration marks (30) are aligned and accurately transferred during the molding process.

The accuracy of the transfer and the accuracy of the formed decoration depend on the position of the mold in the die-cutting process described later. The importance of the index mark (28) can therefore be understood.

Another embodiment of the printing station is shown in FIG.
The stations sequentially apply colors, patterns, etc. to form a complex decoration.

As shown in the figure, printing stations (32) (34) (36) are provided at regular intervals and pass through the lamination (14). Printing station (
32) (34) (36) carries patterns and/or colors individually, and mixtures of colors or patterns are superimposed, blended or combined with each other. If a printing roller is used, the printing ink etc. applied to the surface of the transfer film (4) should be of a type that dries on contact to prevent bleeding into the various colors of neighboring printing stations. For example, when printing is performed by means other than pressure printing, such as sheet printing or screen printing, such "bleeding" does not pose a problem.

The present invention requires the use of a technique known as "reverse printing," which is one type of multicolor printing.

That is, when decorating a substrate with multicolor printing, the colors are applied in such an order that the last color added is the topmost part of the decorative material. However, if the decorative material is applied to the underside of the film, this order must be reversed, and therefore "reverse printing" must be used. Thus, the illustrated printing station (32) is the topmost color and pattern, and the printing stations (34) and (36) overlap each other to provide the middle and base colors and patterns, respectively. In this way, when applying a composite decoration to the surface or substrate of a plastic product, the arrangement of the respective printed or colored layers will be carried out appropriately.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printing process can also be provided with a metallized coating as the base part of the decoration.

At this time, the decoration may include borders and lettering.

Applying at least one color by the technique described above, leaving certain areas unprinted and later applying a metalized layer to form decorative borders and/or lettering. There is also often Of course, it can also be printed in different colors to achieve the desired effect as a decorative material. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to providing metalized layers at arbitrary locations. The foregoing description is exemplary only.

In Figure 1, when applying a metallized coating,
The printed layer (38) is attached to the idler roll (40)
(42) and is wound onto a pick-up roll (44). Next, it is fed out from the pick-up roll (44) and passes through the metallizing station (46),
A metallized coating is formed at appropriate locations on the surface of the already printed layer (38). Although idler rolls (48) and (50) are shown, these may be provided as needed.

Metal coatings (metallization) can be performed using conventional techniques such as vapor deposition.

The present invention is not limited to any particular metal coating method; other metal deposition techniques known in the art may be used.

As is known in the art, many metals can be vapor deposited to form a tightly adherent continuous coating. Such metals include noble metals and non-noble metals, and examples include gold, silver, tin, zinc, chromium, and aluminum. For example, when using aluminum, coatings can be formed with a thickness ranging from about 400 Å to 400 Å. The exact thickness of the layers is arbitrary.

Similarly, with respect to the foregoing discussion of printing, the coating thickness for each color can generally vary in thickness on the order of 1 or 2 mils.

When forming a metal coating, a sizing coat is applied before die cutting of the layered material (52) on which the metal coating is formed.
ng) is desirable. In FIG. 1, the sizing coat is applied at a coating roller station (54) and can vary in thickness up to several microns. Sizing compositions useful in the practice of this invention include vinyl polymers, acrylic polymers, polyolefins such as polyethylene, and polyurethanes. The sizing coat maintains the integrity of the metal coating during die cutting, thereby preventing edge damage during die cutting.

Since a sizing coat reduces the adhesion of the final decorative material, a washcoat or tiecoat may be applied, for example using a material such as chlorinated rubber. However, the application of a washcoat is entirely optional and depends on the exposure of the decorated thermal transfer material during the in-mold transfer process.

In Figures 1 to 6, after coating with the transfer film (4) in any of the embodiments described above, the decorative laminate is then indexed into a suitable position for die cutting. To the illustrated Daikatsu 1 station (56
) is a cutting blade (5) for pressing against the transfer film (4).
8), and an anvil (60) is provided in contact with the free surface of the carrier film (2).

When the laminate is positioned in the station (56), the cutting blade (58) and the anvil (60) approach each other and the action of the cutting blade (58) causes a cut through the entire thickness of the transfer film (4). It is formed. At this time, be careful not to invade the surface of the carrier film (2) that is in contact with the lower side of the transfer film (4).

As mentioned above, it is important to have a precise structure of the die-cutting station (56) and to perform its functions accurately in carrying out the tie-cutting process. Specifically, the die cutting station (56) is shown in Figure 6, and the cutting blade (5
In addition to the anvil (60) and the anvil (60), a support surface (62) can be provided. The support surface (62) limits the movement of the cutting blade (58), which is connected to the carrier film (2).
will be reliably stopped without intrusion into the system.

In order to achieve the aforementioned size of the carrier film (2), the support surface (62) must be made of a material with tight tolerances and good hardness in order to maintain dimensional stability.

Similarly, the cutting edge (58) must have good hardness to ensure sharpness and dimensional stability during high speed operation. This ensures that the cutting edge (58) does not penetrate into the carrier film (2) and completely pierces the transfer film (4) uniformly. Therefore, for example, the cutting edge (58) can be formed with an appropriate acute angle and the outer surface hardened by chrome plating, etc., thereby ensuring dimensional stability and process uniformity. .

Another embodiment of the die cutting station (56) is shown in FIG. This is provided with an ejector means (67) in contact with the cutting blade (58), which appropriately removes any unnecessary parts of the transfer film (4) stuck to the cutting blade (58) after the cutting process. This prevents the die cutting station (56) from becoming clogged or damaged. If the final transfer material is donut-shaped, this means of transfer film is useful, although the central part of the transfer film (4) must be removed. Although not shown, evacuation can be accomplished by pneumatic, vacuum, or mechanical means. The choice of ejector means is not critical to the invention and can therefore be varied within the scope of the invention.

After the die-cutting process, the decorated transfer material is separated from the unnecessary part of the transfer film (4), called the "skeleton".The decorated transfer material is placed on the carrier film (2). Leaving only (66), the skeleton (
64) is shown in FIG. 7. The skeleton (64), as shown in FIG.
It is pulled off by a suitable tick-off reel (68) shown in the figure. In this way, the die-cut transfer material (66) is held in place along the carrier film (2).

Then, as shown in Figure 1, a suitable mold assembly (
72), and can be molded in the mold and simultaneously transferred to a plastic product.

In-mold decoration techniques are known in the art and are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,202,663 and U.S. Pat.
No. 1 deals partially with in-mold decoration. However, in the in-mold decoration method of the present invention, when the mold is closed and appropriate heat and pressure are applied, the decoration transfer material (
66) is distinguished in that the entirety is permanently adhered to the surface of the molded article.

The in-mold decoration utilized in accordance with the present invention can vary depending on the plastic product and its method of manufacture. For example, the above-mentioned No. 4,202゜663 and No. 4
, 059,471, plastic products can be heat stamped into the final shape of sheets, blocks, etc., or hollow products can be formed by blowing into a mold cavity. A suitable parison can be mentioned. In all embodiments, the carrier film carrying the decorated transfer material is indexed into the mold cavity and the printed mark or pattern is placed on the outer surface of the molded plastic article, where:
The transfer material and the surface of the plastic product in contact with it,
They are brought into contact and bonded together under pressure at a temperature sufficiently high to form a permanent bond. US Pat.
, 292.209.

An advantage of the present invention is that by creating a continuous pre-cut piece of decorated heat transfer material, it can be easily indexed onto a plastic product with high positioning accuracy, making it possible to create a continuous base. The advantage is that it can be applied to thermal transfer of plastic products using in-mold decoration technology. Because the method of the present invention allows precise positioning of the decorative transfer material on the carrier film, many coatings can be formed easily and inexpensively, and the post-processing of decorated plastic products is also simplified. It can be omitted.

The present invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics.

Further, the disclosure of the present invention is entirely illustrative and not restrictive, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, and within the defined meaning and scope of equivalents thereof. It should be construed as including all modifications.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the steps of the method of the invention in sequence;
The figures show a first laminate formed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, in cross-section taken along line 1--1 in Figure 1, and Figure 3 shows another laminate in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a plan view of the area indicated by the line ■-■ in FIG. 1, and FIG. 1, which shows multiple printing stations based on
FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view similar to the line section, and FIG.
The figure shows a state in which the skeleton and the laminate are separated from each other, and is a perspective view of the portion marked by lines 1 to 2 in FIG. 1. (2)...Carrier film 4)...Transfer film (18)...Printing station (38)...Printed layered material (44)...Tick-up roll (46)... Metallizing roll (52)... Layered material coated with metal (54
)...Coating roller station (56)...
・Die-cutting station (58)...Cutting blade (60)...Anvil (66)...Transfer material (68)...Tick-off reel (72)...Mold assembly (80)...
Ripening Station 36-FlG-2 Fl (r4 Procedural Amendment [Revised] February 23, 1985 1, Indication of Case Patent Application No. 61-3159962, Title of Invention Thermal transfer film used for continuous in-mold decoration How to make incoholated drawings, subject to correction

Claims (29)

[Claims] (1) (a) forming a layer of a printable thermoplastic transfer film and a carrier film that can be used in a thermal transfer decoration process; (b) depositing the thermoplastic transfer film on the layer; (c) printing at least one decorative mark on at least a portion of the free surface of the film, penetrating the thickness of the thermoplastic transfer film but not penetrating the surface of the carrier film in contact with said transfer film; (d) Separating the unnecessary parts of the thermoplastic transfer film from the carrier film in a controlled manner, so that the thermoplastic transfer film with decorative marks can be peeled off to the carrier film; (e) the portion of the thermoplastic transfer film bearing the decorative markings is aligned and bonded onto the carrier film, thereby accurately indexing into the in-mold decoration step; 1. A method for producing a thermal transfer film used for continuous in-mold decoration of molded plastic products, characterized in that the in-mold decoration can be accurately transferred to molded plastic products. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the carrier film is selected from the group consisting of polyester resins, polycarbonate resins, and cellulose derivatives. 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the carrier film is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, ethyl cellulose, and cellophane. (4) The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the carrier film has a thickness of 0.5 mil or more. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the thickness is within the range of about 0.5 mils to about 7 mils. (6) The thermoplastic transfer film is selected from the group consisting of vinyl resin, modified polyurethane resin, acrylic homopolymer, acrylic copolymer, and polyolefin resin. Method. (7) Thermoplastic transfer films include polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, and copolymers thereof; polyacrylate, polymethacrylate, homopolymers and copolymers thereof; polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the method is selected from the group consisting of homopolymers and copolymers; substituted polyurethanes and unsubstituted polyurethanes. (8) The method of claim 1, 6, or 7, wherein the thermoplastic transfer film has a thickness of 0.5 mil or more. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the thermoplastic transfer film has a thickness ranging from about 1 mil to about 3 mils. (10) Claim 1, wherein the plurality of decorative marks are printed on the layered material at regular intervals from each other.
The method described in section. (11) A method according to claim 10, wherein the layered material is a continuous piece and an indeterminate number of identical decorative marks are printed thereon. (12) In the printing process, at least one
12. A method as claimed in claim 1, 10 or 11, comprising printing on the thermoplastic transfer film two index marks spaced apart from the decorative marks. (13) A plurality of index marks are printed on the thermoplastic transfer film at regular and constant intervals from each other and with respect to the decorative marks so that each of the decorative marks is correctly aligned during the die-cutting process. 13. The method according to claim 12. (14) The method according to claim 1, 10 or 11, wherein the decorative mark is printed in a single color in one printing pass. (15) The method according to claim 1, 10, or 11, wherein the decorative mark is printed in a plurality of different colors. (16) The method of claim 15, wherein the different colors are applied in one printing pass. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the different colors are applied sequentially at regularly spaced printing stations. (18) The method of claim 17, wherein the different colors are applied in the reverse order of the outermost appearing colors. (19) The method according to claim 14, comprising forming a layer of vapor-deposited metal on at least a portion of the decorative mark. (20) The method according to claim 15, comprising forming a layer of vapor-deposited metal on at least a portion of the decorative mark. (21) The method according to claim 17, comprising forming a layer of vapor-deposited metal on at least a portion of the decorative mark. 22. The method of claim 19, wherein after forming the layer of vapor deposited metal, a sizing coat is formed thereon. 23. The method of claim 20, wherein after forming the layer of vapor deposited metal, a sizing coat is formed thereon. 24. The method of claim 21, wherein after forming the layer of vapor deposited metal, a sizing coat is formed thereon. (25) The method according to claim 22, wherein the sizing coat is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane resin, acrylic resin, vinyl resin, and polyolefin resin. (26) The method according to claim 23, wherein the sizing coat is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane resin, acrylic resin, vinyl resin, and polyolefin resin. (27) The method according to claim 24, wherein the sizing coat is selected from the group consisting of polyurethane resin, acrylic resin, vinyl resin, and polyolefin resin. (28) Die-cutting is carried out by pressing a cutting mold of an appropriate shape onto the surface of the layered object made up of the thermoplastic transfer film, during which time the layered object is fixed against the support anvil. A method as claimed in claim 1. (29) The die cutting is performed under a temperature gradient condition in which low temperature is applied to the carrier film through an anvil and heat is applied to the thermoplastic transfer film through a cutting blade. Method.