JP3219282B2 - Method for transferring a decoration onto a substrate and foil therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for applying a decorative layer to a substrate is proposed, in which a separate adhesive film is used for fixing the decorative layer on the substrate. <IMAGE>

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

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, but in this context, the term substrate refers to the article or material to be appropriately decorated. . 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 secured to a substrate using an adhesive layer. This is usually done using a decorative layer in the form of a hot embossed foil. Heat embossing foil
It is a foil of such a nature that a decorative layer, which can consist of a plurality of layer parts, is arranged on a support film. An adhesive layer is also provided on the side of the decorative layer farther from the support film. To transfer the decoration to the appropriate location on the substrate, the hot embossed foil is attached to the substrate by an adhesive layer, and then at least pressure is applied, generally a combination of pressure and heat, and the adhesive layer applies The bonding between the decorative layer and the surface of the substrate to be decorated by the decorative layer. After the decorative layer is fixed on the base material, when the support film is peeled off from the decorative layer, the decorative layer remains attached to the base material. The decorative layer may optionally be facilitated by a separating or release layer, generally in the form of a wax layer.

[0003] The production of hot embossed foils requires very special production equipment. More specifically, the lacquering process, which is always necessary for the production of hot embossed foils, requires suitable safety and environmental protection equipment at the production site and in the area, for example when producing relatively small quantities of embossed foils. Is not an advantageous condition. In recent years, for example, embossed foils are increasingly being used to provide special security and authenticity to documents, cards, such as bankbooks, credit cards, and the like. Well, hot embossing foil for such purpose is
The safety of the production and subsequent processing must be strictly checked, and such safety can only be ensured by the manufacturer of the hot embossed foil by taking appropriate measures. It can be easily understood that the production cost becomes prohibitively high. For that reason, the vast majority of operators who process and use embossed foils prefer to apply the necessary security and authenticity to the embossed foils on their own premises, and for that purpose also require special expertise It is said. For example, users of hot embossed foils
Even if a corresponding semi-finished product is supplied, the decorative layer may be given a special pattern effect, for example a hologram. But,
Usually, after the operation of providing security or authentic features such as holograms, it is not possible to apply an adhesive layer, usually consisting of one or more layers of adhesive. Therefore, in such a case, the semi-finished embossed foil with security or genuine features must be returned to the embossed foil manufacturer again in order to apply the adhesive layer, but this is not without risk. Not preferred. Another possibility would be to have the hot embossed foil manufacturer have the necessary equipment or tools to apply security or authentic features to the foil. However, this is also not generally preferred because it involves risks. Finally, special adhesives are often required for fastening purposes, just because of hot embossed foils used for security purposes.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to fulfill at least the main part of the special requirements mentioned above, whereby the security features can be foiled, especially if desired by the embossed foil user, independently of the hot embossed foil manufacturer. And a method for transferring a decoration to a substrate, which can surely apply the decoration layer of the hot embossed foil to the substrate.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for transferring a decoration onto a substrate which can be easily carried out in a reasonable procedure using the given articles and materials in a ready-to-use form. It is to be.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method for transferring decoration onto a substrate that is highly versatile in use and operation from the point of view of a process operator.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a foil material for use in a method for transferring a decoration onto a substrate, which is freely selectable with respect to patterning and similar effects.

[0008]

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the above and other objects are methods 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 the decorative layer is fixed to the substrate using an adhesive layer on the second surface of the decorative layer. An adhesive layer is applied to the support material so that it can be easily peeled therefrom and, by the action of heat and / or pressure applied from the support material, adheres the adhesive layer to the second open surface of the decorative layer remote from the support film. Add layers. Next, the supporting material is peeled off from the adhesive layer, and the decorative layer on the supporting film is fixed to the surface of the substrate by the action of heat and / or pressure using the adhesive layer.

In another aspect of the method according to the invention, the adhesive layer is to be decorated by the action of heat and / or pressure applied from the support material, rather than being applied to the second open surface of the decorative layer. Attach to the surface of the substrate. Next, the support material is peeled off from the adhesive layer, and the decorative layer on the support film is fixed to the surface of the substrate by the action of heat and / or pressure using the adhesive layer. Next, the support film is peeled from the decorative layer fixed to the base material.

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

Thus, the method according to the invention involves an operation which can be described in a virtually two-step manner, in which the adhesive layer, which can consist of several layers, is transferred to another easily removable support material. And then applying the adhesive layer to the open surface of the decorative layer, which is a surface remote from the supporting film supporting the decorative layer, by the action of pressure and / or heat applied from the supporting material, or decorating with the decorative layer To the surface of the substrate to be applied. Next, the support material is peeled off from the adhesive layer, and finally, the decorative layer is fixed to the surface of the substrate by the adhesive layer, and then the support film is peeled off from the decorative layer.

Thus, the method provides the operator with, 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 second layer consisting of a support material and an adhesive layer placed thereon. Give a second foil. As mentioned above, when using these two foils,
First, the adhesive layer is applied to the surface of the decorative layer far away from the supporting film or to the surface of the substrate to be decorated, and then, after the support material is peeled off, the decorative layer is removed by the adhesive layer in the usual manner. Fix to the substrate. The fact that the decorative layer foil and the adhesive layer foil are provided separately gives the user a number of new choices. More specifically, after the embossed foil consisting of only the decorative layer is delivered, the user of the foil improves and modifies the decorative layer by applying a hologram, for example, by a special vapor deposition process, using a user's own manufacturing equipment. Alternatively, they can be added. Even with such further treatment, the operator can fix the modified, modified or supplemented decorative layer to the substrate in a conventional manner by using other foil materials including an adhesive layer. it can. Thus, without the use of special equipment and security steps, the operator of the method can apply the adhesive layer to the decorative layer by means of a more appropriate method from the point of view of the operator, for example by rolling, or based on the adhesive layer. The foil, including the decorative layer, can be applied to the material and then embossed into the adhesive layer.
Of course, the method according to the invention also allows the operator to use a very special adhesive, for example for his purpose.

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

[0014] Of course, the adhesive layer can be applied to the support material in various ways, for example by a roller processing 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 may be in the same form as the decorative layer found in known embossed foils, and may be an uncolored transparent lacquer layer, a colored lacquer layer and / or a metal layer, for example aluminum , Chromium, tin, zinc, copper, silver, gold, titanium, and the like. Of course, the decorative layer may consist of several layer parts, but it is also possible to give the decorative layer a three-dimensional pattern effect, on the surface facing the support film or between different lacquer layers . From a security and authenticity perspective, it is also advantageous to provide a structure comprising a reflective metal layer.

The foil used in the method according to the invention is:
A support material and a multilayer adhesive layer that can be peeled therefrom, the adhesive layer preferably having a thickness of about 1-100 μm,
More preferably, it may be about 1 to 10 μm.

The adhesive layer may be basically formed of an adhesive usually used for the production of an embossed foil. The adhesive layer formed of a solvent lacquer, an aqueous synthetic resin dispersion and / or a hot-melt adhesive can be used. Is preferred. The individual adhesive layers are composed 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 pine can contain one or more component mixtures of resin, shellac and polyamide.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the adhesive is generally applied by a printing process, and in some circumstances, for example, to improve printing or flow properties and to prevent foaming.
It is advantageous to add lacquer additives known per se. Also, depending on the application, it may be desirable to add one or more fillers, one or more pigments or one or more colorants to the adhesive, especially by applying a foil to the transparent substrate, or By making the adhesive layer visible through the decorative layer, a pigment or colorant can be added if the adhesive layer is visible after production of the foil.

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

As already mentioned above, and as is evident from the situation described herein, when referring to an adhesive layer herein, the possibility of a multi-layer adhesive layer is excluded. Not something.

[0021] In some applications, the foil including the adhesive layer may have a metal layer disposed on the support material adjacent to the adhesive layer. The metal layer has an adhesive layer on one side or both sides, depending on whether the decorative layer or the substrate itself has adhesiveness. When the decorative layer or the base material has adhesiveness, the metal layer can adhere to the base material or the decorative layer, respectively, without interposing the adhesive layer therebetween.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be described below by way of a foil and processing embodiments according to the principles of the present invention.

[0023]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, referring to FIG. 1, a group of layers indicated generally by A is composed of a support film 1, a separation or release layer 2, a first lacquer layer 3 and a second lacquer layer 4 in this order from the top. The first and second lacquer layers 3 and 4 form a decorative layer, generally designated by the numeral 5. The support film 1 is a support film conventionally used for embossing foil,
For example, a PET foil having a thickness of about 19 μm.

The peeling or separating layer 2 is also of a small thickness, so that it can easily peel off a layer basically known for embossed foils, for example a decorative layer 5 formed by two layers 3 and 4, 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 the decorative layer 5 is applied to the substrate shown in FIG. For this reason, the layer 3 should have a moderate wear resistance. Furthermore, the lacquer layer 3 should be at least translucent due to the presence of another lacquer layer 4. On the contrary, the lacquer layer 4 forming a part of the decorative layer 5 usually has good adhesion to an adhesive layer for fixing the decorative layer 5 to the substrate, which is described below with reference numeral 9 in FIG. The pigmented and / or dyed layer shown.

In addition, it can be seen from FIG. 1 that the separating surface 6 between the layers 3 and 4 of the decorative layer 5 is not essentially planar. Conversely, the surface 6 has a three-dimensional pattern effect, indicated by a wave shape 7, which becomes visible after the decorative layer 5 has been applied to the substrate 10 because the lacquer layer 3 is translucent or transparent. I have. The three-dimensional pattern 7 is formed of, for example, a hologram.

Instead of the second lacquer layer 4, a separating surface 6
Could be provided with a metallization, in which case the adhesive layer 9 must adhere well to the metallization. The metallization can also be arranged between the two lacquer layers 3 and 4.

The lower side of FIG. 1 shows an adhesive layer carrying foil, generally designated B, consisting of a support material 8 and an adhesive layer 9 for fixing the decorative layer 5 to the substrate. The support material 8 may be, for example, silicone-coated paper, but may be uncoated paper. The supporting material is a plastic foil such as P
It may be an ET, PE or PP foil, or a foil of a suitable material, the plastic foil being uncoated or having a release layer thereon.

The adhesive layer 9 is selected according to each use area 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 to 100 μm, preferably about 1 to 10 μm.
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 the methods conventionally used for the production of embossed foils, such as intaglio printing, squeegee or doctor member application, pouring, Etc. can be used. The composition of the adhesive will be described in more detail below.

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

In the first mode, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an adhesive layer 9 is first applied to the decorative layer 5 on the open surface facing away from the support film 1 in the manner shown in FIG. This operation is performed in a manner known per se from the processing of the embossed foil,
This can be done by the action of heat and / or pressure.
Immediately after the adhesive layer 9 has been applied to the open surface of the decorative layer 5, the support material 8 is peeled from the adhesive layer 9 by peeling it down in FIG. Thus, a laminate including the decorative layer supporting foil A and the adhesive layer 9 adhered thereto is obtained.
This laminate can be applied to the substrate 10 in a manner known per se from the processing of the embossed foil. In that case, as shown in FIG. 3, the support film 1 provided with the 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. wear. At that time, the decoration layer 5 is formed by the adhesive layer 9 located therebetween.
It is fixed to the surface 11 of the substrate 10. As soon as the adhesive layer 9 is sufficiently adhered, the support film 1 can be peeled off from the decorative layer 5 by peeling it upward in FIG. 3, thereby decorating the substrate 10 with the decorative layer 5. A surface 11 is obtained.

In the 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 it upward in FIG.

This results in the adhesive open surface formed by the adhesive layer 9, which is then subjected to the action of heat and / or pressure on the open surface of the decorative layer 5, as shown in FIG. Can be pressed. At that time, the decorative layer 5 adheres to the surface 11 of the base material. As soon as the decorative layer 5 is sufficiently adhered, the support film 1 is peeled downward in FIG. 5 to be separated from the decorative layer.

Hereinafter, examples of the adhesive layer composition will be described.

Example 1 Solvent Lacquer A Weight Ratio PVC / PVA Copolymer 50 (Acid Value 10-15) Polyester Resin 8 (Acid Value 15-20) SiO ₂ 1 Methyl Ethyl Ketone 200 Toluene 200 Alcohol 100 as Filler Example 2: solvent lacquer B weight ratio thermoplastic polyamide resin 75 (softening point 140 ° C.) methyl methacrylate / butyl 25 (acid number 2-3, melting point about 145 ° C.) butyl methacrylate 25 (acid value 1, a melting point of about 0.99 ° C.) filler TiO ₂ 50 ethanol 600 200 example toluene as SiO ₂ 15 filler as 3: dispersion lacquer by weight of polyvinyl acetate / ethylene dispersion 110 (H ₂ O 50%, minimum film forming temperature: 0 ° C.) butadiene styrene copolymerization Merged dispersion 550 (50% in H ₂ O, minimum film formation temperature: 100 ° C. ) Flow additives (polyurethane nonionics, 25 water / butyl diglycol 80:20 in 25%, d = 0.94~0.95g / cm 3) defoamer (metal soaps, esters, and the emulsifier Mineral oil containing the additives of No. 5, 95%, d = 0.94 to 0.95 g / cm ³ ) Water 140 Isopropanol 170 Example 4: Hot melt adhesive weight ratio EVA copolymer 70 (VA ratio 14%, solidification temperature) 89 ° C.) HC-resin (solidification temperature: 92 ° C.) 30 Stabilizer (sterically hindered phenol derivative) 0.5 The above-mentioned adhesive is manufactured by a known method, and depending on the viscosity,
By a conventional method, it is applied to a supporting material such as paper or plastic foil with a suitable coating. These adhesives are very suitable for fixing decorative layers known in the art of hot embossing foils on substrates which are customarily embossable, for example paper or plastic materials. The method involved in that respect is essentially equivalent to the production of hot embossed foil. Of course, the above methods and foils according to the principles of the present invention have been described by way of example and illustration of the invention, and various modifications and improvements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the basic structure of an embossed foil portion composed of a support film and a decoration layer located thereon, and an adhesive layer foil portion composed of a support material and an adhesive layer located thereon.

FIG. 2 shows a method of applying a decorative layer to a substrate using an adhesive layer according to a first working mode.

FIG. 3 shows a method of applying a decorative layer to a substrate using an adhesive layer according to a first working mode.

FIG. 4 shows a method of applying a decorative layer to a substrate using an adhesive layer according to a second working mode.

FIG. 5 shows a method of applying a decorative layer to a substrate using an adhesive layer according to a second working mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

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

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI B44C 1/17 D21H 27/00 A D21H 27/00 27/30 C27 / 30 B41M 5/26 B (72) Inventor Joachim Zuss Fürs, Germany 8510 Bernard-Von-Weimar-Strasse 5 (56) Reference JP-A-2-137997 (JP, A) JP-A-63-272597 (JP, A) JP-A 2-121900 (JP) , A) JP-A-63-205381 (JP, A)

Claims (22)

(57) [Claims] 1. A decorative layer carrying foil comprising a support film on the first surface side of a decorative layer having first and second surfaces, and an adhesive layer comprising an adhesive layer provided on a support material A method of transferring a decoration prepared in the form of the decoration layer onto a substrate by using a supporting foil, wherein the adhesive layer is applied on the support material so that the adhesion layer can be easily peeled therefrom. Forming an adhesive layer carrying foil, wherein at least one action of heat and pressure applied from the supporting material of the adhesive layer carrying foil, the decorative layer of the decorative layer carrying foil being on a side of the decorative layer remote from the support film. Applying an adhesive layer of the adhesive layer-carrying foil to an open surface that is a second surface; removing the support material of the adhesive layer-carrying foil from the adhesive layer; using the adhesive layer to reduce heat and pressure. Less Fixing the decorative layer, which is disposed on the support film of the decorative layer-supporting foil, to the surface of a substrate to be decorated by one action, and peeling the support film of the decorative layer-supporting foil from the decorative layer. A method comprising the step of: 2. A decorative layer carrying foil comprising a supporting film on the side of the first surface of a decorative layer having first and second surfaces, and an adhesive layer comprising an adhesive layer provided on a supporting material. A method of transferring a decoration prepared in the form of the decoration layer onto a substrate by using a supporting foil, wherein the adhesive layer is applied on the support material so that the adhesion layer can be easily peeled therefrom. Forming an adhesive layer carrying foil; applying the adhesive layer carrying foil to the surface portion of the substrate to be decorated by at least one action of heat and pressure applied from a supporting material of the adhesive layer carrying foil. Removing the support material of the adhesive layer-carrying foil from the adhesive layer; using the adhesive layer to be disposed on the support film of the decorative layer-carrying foil by at least one action of heat and pressure. Method characterized by comprising the step of stripping step is fixed to the surface portion of the substrate to be decorated with the decorative layer, and a support film of the decorative layer carrying foil from the decorative layer. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said adhesive layer comprises a plurality of layers. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer is applied to the support material only in certain areas. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer is applied to the support material by printing. 6. The method of claim 2, wherein said adhesive layer comprises a plurality of layers. 7. The method of claim 2, wherein the adhesive layer is applied to the support material only in certain areas. 8. The method of claim 2, wherein said adhesive layer is applied to said support material by printing. 9. An adhesive layer carrying foil for use with a decorative layer carrying foil comprising a supporting film on one side of the decorative layer and comprising a supporting material and an adhesive layer which can be peeled therefrom. The decorative layer can be peeled off from the support film by at least one action of heat and pressure, and the decoration prepared in the form of the decorative layer is fixed to a substrate by the adhesive layer. An adhesive layer-carrying foil, characterized in that: 10. The adhesive layer has a thickness of about 1 to 100 μm.
10. The foil according to claim 9, wherein 11. The foil according to claim 10, wherein said adhesive layer has a thickness of about 1 to 10 μm. 12. The foil according to claim 9, wherein said adhesive layer is formed by a solvent lacquer. 13. The foil according to claim 9, wherein said adhesive layer is formed of an aqueous synthetic resin. 14. The foil according to claim 9, wherein said adhesive layer is formed of a hot-melt adhesive. 15. The foil according to claim 9, wherein said support material is a paper web. 16. The foil according to claim 9, wherein said support material is a plastic foil, the surface of said plastic foil supporting said adhesive layer being confined within itself. 17. The foil according to claim 15, wherein the support material is provided with a coating on at least the side of the adhesive layer to facilitate peeling of the adhesive layer. 18. The foil according to claim 16, wherein the support material is provided with a coating on at least the side of the adhesive layer to facilitate peeling of the adhesive layer. 19. The foil according to claim 9, wherein the adhesive layer covers the support material only in certain areas. 20. The foil according to claim 9, wherein the support material supports a metal layer covered on at least one side with an adhesive layer. 21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the support material supports a metal layer covered on both sides with an adhesive layer.
The described foil. 22. A foil component combination system comprising two components, a decoration layer-carrying foil and an adhesive layer-carrying foil, for decorating a surface of a base material, wherein the decoration layer-carrying foil comprises a support film and a support film. A decorative layer having first and second surfaces, the decorative layer being supported on the support film at the first surface facing the support film, and having at least one of heat and pressure. The adhesive layer-carrying foil has a support material and an adhesive layer supported thereon and capable of being peeled therefrom. A foil component combination system, characterized in that an adhesive layer is capable of bonding between the substrate surface and the second surface of the decorative layer in a working step of the system.