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EP0455849A1 - Method and apparatus for transfer of a colour design to a plastic substrate or a decorated plastic substrate - Google Patents

Method and apparatus for transfer of a colour design to a plastic substrate or a decorated plastic substrate Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0455849A1
EP0455849A1 EP90108663A EP90108663A EP0455849A1 EP 0455849 A1 EP0455849 A1 EP 0455849A1 EP 90108663 A EP90108663 A EP 90108663A EP 90108663 A EP90108663 A EP 90108663A EP 0455849 A1 EP0455849 A1 EP 0455849A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
substrate
carrier
color
plastic
dyes
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP90108663A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0455849B1 (en
Inventor
Maximilian P. Zaher
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Polytrend Gesellschaft fur Polymere Werkstoffe & Oberflachentechnik Mbh
Original Assignee
Polytrend Gesellschaft fur Polymere Werkstoffe & Oberflachentechnik Mbh
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority to ES199090108663T priority Critical patent/ES2036071T3/en
Application filed by Polytrend Gesellschaft fur Polymere Werkstoffe & Oberflachentechnik Mbh filed Critical Polytrend Gesellschaft fur Polymere Werkstoffe & Oberflachentechnik Mbh
Priority to EP90108663A priority patent/EP0455849B1/en
Priority to AT90108663T priority patent/ATE83196T1/en
Priority to DE9090108663T priority patent/DE59000578D1/en
Priority to DK90108663.7T priority patent/DK0455849T3/en
Priority to PCT/EP1991/000839 priority patent/WO1991017053A1/en
Priority to JP3508181A priority patent/JPH04507386A/en
Priority to AU77685/91A priority patent/AU7768591A/en
Priority to ZA913431A priority patent/ZA913431B/en
Publication of EP0455849A1 publication Critical patent/EP0455849A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0455849B1 publication Critical patent/EP0455849B1/en
Priority to US08/152,080 priority patent/US5997677A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41M—PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING
    • B41M5/00—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein
    • B41M5/025—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein by transferring ink from the master sheet
    • B41M5/035—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein by transferring ink from the master sheet by sublimation or volatilisation of pre-printed design, e.g. sublistatic
    • B41M5/0358—Duplicating or marking methods; Sheet materials for use therein by transferring ink from the master sheet by sublimation or volatilisation of pre-printed design, e.g. sublistatic characterised by the mechanisms or artifacts to obtain the transfer, e.g. the heating means, the pressure means or the transport means

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for applying a decoration made of dyes to a plastic substrate, in which a color support is placed on the substrate and the color is transferred to the substrate by heating the support with infrared radiation.
  • the invention relates to a device for performing such a method and to a product manufactured in this way.
  • an ink carrier also called auxiliary carrier
  • the ink carrier can in particular consist of paper. Printing takes place, for example, by means of offset or rotary printing processes. The print images are transferred by sublimation from the ink carrier to the textile to be colored (so-called transfer printing).
  • the printing inks mentioned are produced from sublimable disperse dyes using binders and oxidation additives.
  • the printed ink carriers also called transfer papers
  • the printed ink carriers are placed with the color printed side on the textile side to be printed and heated by means of a printing plate heated to 170 to 220 ° C (using the cycle method) or by means of a rotating cylinder (using the continuous process).
  • a printing plate heated to 170 to 220 ° C using the cycle method
  • a rotating cylinder using the continuous process.
  • a known method of the type described (EP-A 0 014 615), which is primarily intended for decorating eyeglass frames, is carried out in such a way that an eyeglass frame with its surface to be decorated is placed on a base with each working cycle is arranged within a vacuum chamber and is movable up and down by means of a piston-cylinder unit.
  • the vacuum chamber has a side opening for inserting the eyeglass frame, which can be closed with a door.
  • the vacuum chamber On its upper side, the vacuum chamber has a horizontal, stationary frame which delimits a slot with a frame which is also arranged above it and is horizontal but can be moved up and down.
  • a carrier film is passed through the slot, which is rolled off a reel and is provided on its underside with the decor that is to be applied to the spectacle frame.
  • the decor has, for example, been applied to the carrier film as a multicolor print or as a decal and consists of colors which can be sublimed at a temperature below the destruction temperature of the carrier film.
  • the upper frame is lowered so that it clamps the carrier film between itself and the lower frame and the vacuum chamber is thereby sealed and can be evacuated.
  • the carrier film is heated to the sublimation temperature of the decor by means of a heating device arranged above the upper frame and then the spectacle frame is moved upwards by means of its base which can be raised and lowered within the vacuum chamber and on which it has been placed, and is pressed against the carrier film.
  • the vacuum causes the carrier film to nestle tightly against the surfaces to be decorated on the front and in lateral areas of the spectacle frame. This state is maintained for a period of time sufficient for the colors forming the decor to transition away from the carrier film into the structure of the material of the spectacle frame.
  • the vacuum is then released, the spectacle frame is lowered and thereby separated from the carrier film and finally removed from the vacuum chamber.
  • the carrier film is greatly stretched in individual areas so that it nestles sufficiently against the spectacle frame. It is inevitable that the decor will be distorted in the particularly stretched areas of the carrier film.
  • the distortions can be compensated to a certain extent by applying an appropriately corrected decor to the carrier film from the outset.
  • distortions in objects such as spectacle frames, whose surfaces to be decorated are relatively narrow are hardly noticeable. It is different with objects that are to be decorated over a large area. With such objects, disturbing distortions of the decor cannot always be avoided if the decor has been applied by the known method.
  • the size of the surface to be decorated increases, the risk that the decor will be adversely affected by air pockets.
  • the objects for example tin cans
  • a coating system which applies a layer of dye-affine, migration-preventing plastic to the outside of the objects.
  • the coated objects are fed to an labeling machine, in which decor carriers in the form of printed banderoles are removed from a stack or endless strips, placed around each object and fixed with an adhesive strip, glue line, electrostatic field or the like will.
  • the objects are then heated, for example by means of hot air, to a temperature of 200 ° to 350 ° C., preferably 250 ° to 300 ° C.
  • a device for printing a textile web with sublimable dye is known, which is fed on a carrier film.
  • the device has a drivable drum that can be heated from the inside, around which the bottom Carrier film with radially outwardly facing dye layer and over it the textile web to be printed and over this an endless pressure belt made of metal mesh guided over rollers.
  • the region of the drum that is wrapped in this way can be covered by a hood, within which a negative pressure is maintained.
  • gas is sucked out through the textile web to be printed and the pressure belt made of metal mesh lying thereon.
  • the pressure forces exerted by the pressure belt on the textile web are generated exclusively by the mechanical tension of the pressure belt and somewhat reduced by the negative pressure inside the hood.
  • thermoplastic films melt or they become so soft that the color substrates (paper etc.) used in transfer printing stick or damage the surfaces of the films so that the product did not meet the aesthetic requirements.
  • the migration resistance of the dyes required for good image reproduction was also not achieved.
  • thermoplastic films and sheets which are thermoformed into three-dimensional bodies, e.g. Components for interior fittings, furniture parts (especially fronts), household appliances, office machines, lighting fixtures, car molded parts, etc., can be molded, there has long been a need for a way to provide good quality thermoplastic substrates with colored decorations.
  • EP 0 014 901 describes an attempt to achieve constant, traceable and stable transfer printing results by specifying the molecular weights of the sublimable disperse dyes, the temperatures used and the composition and nature of the plastic substrates. It has come to the conclusion that heating to temperatures of 220 ° C. and more is required for the application of the transfer printing process to plastics. This excludes a large number of thermoplastic materials. The process remained limited to certain thermosetting plastic coatings and certain substrates made of inorganic materials.
  • the prior art also teaches as a prejudice that the molecular weight of the dyes used is important in sublimation printing.
  • the aforementioned EP 0 014 901 teaches the use of high molecular weight disperse dyes with molecular weights between 300 and 1,000, in particular with a view to the required resistance to migration.
  • German patents 37 08 855 and 39 04 424 already mentioned at the beginning bring progress in that they sublimation printing are based on the use of heated printing plates or cylinders and instead suggest heating with thermal radiation (infrared radiation). This prior art does not go into details of the materials used or of the sublimation temperatures.
  • the invention has for its object to provide a method with which a large number of plastic substrates including thermoplastic substrates, which can also have a heat resistance of not more than 100 ° C, can be decorated in good quality in a transfer printing process.
  • the print result should meet high aesthetic standards and have good durability.
  • a product manufactured according to the invention should be thermoplastic deformable without adversely affecting the decor.
  • a device which is preferably used when using the method according to the invention can be found in claim 9.
  • thermoplastic the heat resistance of which is less than 200 ° C, in particular less than 170 ° C .
  • the invention preferably even provides only temperatures in the range from 100 to 130.degree.
  • a substrate 10 is to be decorated with an image of sublimable disperse dyes by transfer printing.
  • the term substrate is intended in particular to encompass films, foils or plates, the films or foils having thicknesses of 25 to 1000 microns and the plates having thicknesses of 1 to 10 mm.
  • the films, foils or plates can be extruded from a plastic granulate, granulate mixtures as well as from several types of plastics or mixtures.
  • Inorganic particles can also be mixed in, the proportion of plastics on the surface of the substrate preferably being more than 50%.
  • the following plastics are particularly suitable for the application of the invention: PC (polycarbonates), ABS, PMMA, PET and PDT. The process parameters are set depending on the material used (see below).
  • the plastic films, sheets or foils can also be composed of several types and layers of plastic.
  • the method according to the invention is not only suitable for substrate surfaces that are smooth, but also for structured, porous, matt and rough surfaces.
  • the substrate material can be clear or colored.
  • a substrate is also to be understood as a plastic layer that is applied in the form of lacquer to a material surface of e.g. Wood, ceramic or artificial stone is applied, if necessary with networking.
  • the substrate 10 is printed in color with the aid of an ink carrier 12.
  • the image to be transferred to the substrate is printed on the ink carrier 12 using sublimable disperse dyes.
  • sheets of paper come into consideration as ink carriers 12, which on the one hand absorb the image to be transferred from sublimable colors well and on the other hand have sufficient air permeability so that air can be sucked through the ink carrier 12 during sublimation transfer printing.
  • Good results are achieved with paper weights from 30 to 120 g.
  • the paper surfaces can be of any size, in particular they can be 1 m2 or larger.
  • Sublimable disperse dyes of a conventional type are processed into printing inks using binders and, if appropriate, oxidation additives.
  • the images, patterns, individual colors or motifs with which the substrate 10 is to be provided are printed on the ink carrier 12 by means of offset, rotary, gravure, flexographic or screen printing processes.
  • the substrate 10 to be printed is placed in a loading station 14 and an ink carrier 12 is placed on the substrate.
  • the printed ink carrier 12 made of paper is substantially larger than the substrate 10, so that the ink carrier clearly overlaps the substrate on all edges.
  • the overlapping area in the illustrated embodiment is at least 20%, preferably at least 30%.
  • a first step the substrate and ink carrier layers, which are superimposed in this way in a first step, are transferred to a station 16 for electrostatic charging.
  • the substrate 10 becomes electrostatic relative to the ink carrier 12 charged that the ink carrier 12 fits snugly over the entire surface of the substrate 10.
  • the third step the third step according to FIG. 1.
  • the fourth step the arrangement of substrate 10 and ink carrier 12, which is glued to it, is conveyed to a sublimation station, which is shown in more detail in FIG. 2.
  • a conveyor belt 18 transfers the arrangement of substrate 10 and ink carrier 12 produced as described above to a table 20 with a heating plate, which is provided with air-permeable vertical channels (not shown), so that air can be sucked through the table top from top to bottom is.
  • a vacuum chamber 22 is provided under the table top, which is connected to a vacuum pump, not shown.
  • the substrate 10 is conveyed onto the table 20 with the ink carrier 12 firmly attached to it, and then vacuum is applied in the chamber 22. Neither a cover film over the ink carrier 12 nor a base between the substrate 10 and the table 20 is required.
  • a housing 24 is arranged above the table 20, in which a multiplicity of infrared radiators 36 are accommodated side by side.
  • the housing 24 with the infrared radiators 36 overlaps the entire area of the substrate 10 and the ink carrier 12.
  • a temperature measuring device 26 measures the temperature on the surface of the substrate 10 facing the infrared radiators and on the side of the ink carrier 12 lying thereon with the sublimable emulsion paints.
  • Another temperature measuring device 27 measures the temperature of the heating plate of the table 20 and thus the temperature on the surface of the substrate 10 which is directly against the table 20, that is to say the side of the substrate 10 which is not decorated.
  • a controller 28 controls the individual infrared radiators 36 in the housing 24 to different temperatures, as will be explained in more detail below with reference to FIG. 5.
  • the table 20 and the infrared radiators 36 are heated.
  • the infrared radiation 32 generated by the infrared emitters 36 serves to heat the sublimable dyes arranged on the underside of the ink carrier 12, while the heating of the table 20 serves to heat the substrate 10 on the non-printed side.
  • This heating of the substrate 10 not only has the purpose of achieving dimensional stability of the substrate, but also has a significant impact on the penetration of the color molecules into the substrate 10.
  • FIG. 4 where the individual parts are shown in greatly distorted magnification in order to illustrate the process of sublimation and the penetration of the color molecules into the substrate.
  • the air flow 34 from the outside through the ink carrier 12 and the air flow 38 below the ink carrier 12 creates a uniform, tension-free, bubble-free and saturated application of the ink carrier 12 on the substrate 10.
  • the substrate 10 is now heated with the table top 20 to a temperature which is higher than the temperature at the surface of the substrate 10 to be printed.
  • an increasing temperature gradient is thus produced from top to bottom.
  • the consequence of this temperature gradient is that the dye molecules 40 penetrate relatively far into the substrate after sublimation.
  • that area of the substrate 10 into which the molecules 40 penetrate is designated by 10b, while the area which is essentially free of dye molecules is designated by 10a.
  • the degree of heating on the surface of the substrate 10 and accordingly on the lower surface of the ink carrier 10 depends on the material of the substrate 10.
  • the heating is between 60 ° C (for e.g. ABS) and 150 ° C (for e.g. PBT).
  • heating to 130 ° C has proven to be beneficial.
  • the temperature on the lower surface of the substrate 10 should in each case be about 3 to 30 ° C., in particular 5 to 15 ° C. higher, depending on the type and thickness of the material.
  • temperature values of 120 to 135 ° C in the sublimation area have proven to be favorable for ABS, 90 to 100 ° C for ABS, 150 to 160 ° C for PBT and for PET 80 to 90 ° C.
  • the sublimation process is completed in 10 to 30 seconds.
  • the quality of the product produced can be further increased in that the intensity of the individual infrared emitters 36 is controlled depending on which color by the relevant radiator should be sublimed. Different colors require different energies per unit area for sublimation. The energy requirement (and accordingly the temperature to be generated by the infrared radiation) increases from yellow to red and cyan to black by around 20%. This is taken into account by individual control of the individual infrared emitters according to the predominant color component directly under the emitter. This results in uniform sublimation for all colors, and at the same time the surface of the substrate to be printed is heated sufficiently uniformly, which promotes image quality.
  • FIG. 5 shows an example of an image to be printed on the ink carrier 12 on the left, lighter colors (increasingly from yellow to red) being provided in the outer regions 12a, 12b and 12c, while the image becomes increasingly darker towards the center until it is in the center Section has a black area.
  • FIG. 5 on the right shows a schematic view of the infrared radiators 36 in the housing 24 from below (for example with reference to FIG. 4), 100% of a predetermined IR power being generated with the infrared radiators in the central region, corresponding to the black region of the image while the infrared power is reduced to the outside as indicated.
  • the ink carrier 12 is preferably blackened on its rear side.
  • the penetration depth of the sublimable dye molecules into the substrate of 100 to 300 microns achieved with the method described above does not cause the image to fade, but surprisingly, on the contrary, improves the image quality; the picture appears more intense and spatial.
  • the resistance to migration is negligible.
  • the product produced as described can be subjected to a brief shock heating of, for example, 200 to 300 ° C. for 2 to 3 minutes for the purpose of thermoforming without impairing the image quality. Continuous heating from 100 to 200 ° C is also possible (depending on the type of plastic, e.g. 145 ° C for PC and 200 ° C for PBT).
  • the plastic surface retains its structure without any changes, regardless of whether the surface is polished to a high gloss, matt, semi-gloss, curved, coarse or finely structured. Due to the electrostatic attraction forces and the vacuum forces acting at the same time, the image quality is also good for coarse, rough and finely structured surfaces.

Landscapes

  • Decoration By Transfer Pictures (AREA)
  • Printing Methods (AREA)
  • Application Of Or Painting With Fluid Materials (AREA)
  • Coloring (AREA)
  • Treatments Of Macromolecular Shaped Articles (AREA)
  • Coating Of Shaped Articles Made Of Macromolecular Substances (AREA)
  • Formation Of Various Coating Films On Cathode Ray Tubes And Lamps (AREA)
  • Shaping Of Tube Ends By Bending Or Straightening (AREA)
  • Vehicle Interior And Exterior Ornaments, Soundproofing, And Insulation (AREA)

Abstract

In a process for applying a decoration of sublimatable dyes to a substrate (10), a colour carrier (12) is laid on the substrate (10) and the colour is transferred to the substrate by the i/r heating of the carrier (12). Here, the carrier is heated to temperatures below 170 DEG C depending on the plastic of the substrate and the carrier is pressed on the substrate over its entire surface by means of electrostatic charges and vacuum. The side of the substrate (10) to which the decoration is transferred is heated to a lower temperature than the opposite side of the substrate.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zum Auftragen eines Dekors aus Farbstoffen auf ein Substrat aus Kunststoff, bei dem ein Farbträger auf das Substrat gelegt und die Farbe durch Erhitzen des Trägers mit Infrarotstrahlung auf das Substrat übertragen wird.The invention relates to a method for applying a decoration made of dyes to a plastic substrate, in which a color support is placed on the substrate and the color is transferred to the substrate by heating the support with infrared radiation.

Weiterhin betrifft die Erfindung eine Vorrichtung zur Durchführung eines solchen Verfahrens sowie ein derart hergestelltes Produkt.Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for performing such a method and to a product manufactured in this way.

Solche Verfahren und Vorrichtungen sind aus der DE 37 08 855 C1 und der DE 39 04 424 C1 bekannt.Such methods and devices are known from DE 37 08 855 C1 and DE 39 04 424 C1.

Aus den DE-Patenten 17 71 812, 23 37 798, 24 36 783 sowie aus der 24 58 660 ist es bekannt, Textilstoffe mit dem sogenannten Transferdruckverfahren zu bedrucken. Dabei wird ein Farbträger (auch Hilfsträger genannt) mit Druckbildern (Dekoren) aus Sublimationsdrucktinten bedruckt. Der Farbträger (Hilfsträger) kann insbesondere aus Papier bestehen. Der Druck erfolgt z.B. mittels Offset- oder Rotationsdruckverfahren. Die Druckbilder werden durch Sublimation vom Farbträger auf den farbig zu dekorierenden Textilstoff übertragen (sogenannter Umdruck).From DE patents 17 71 812, 23 37 798, 24 36 783 and from 24 58 660 it is known to print textile fabrics with the so-called transfer printing process. Here, an ink carrier (also called auxiliary carrier) is printed with printed images (decors) made from sublimation printing inks. The ink carrier (auxiliary carrier) can in particular consist of paper. Printing takes place, for example, by means of offset or rotary printing processes. The print images are transferred by sublimation from the ink carrier to the textile to be colored (so-called transfer printing).

Die genannten Drucktinten werden aus sublimierbaren Dispersionsfarbstoffen unter Verwendung von Bindemitteln und Oxidationsadditiven hergestellt. Die bedruckten Farbträger (auch Transferpapiere genannt) werden beim Stand der Technik mit der farbig bedruckten Seite auf die zu bedruckende Textilseite gelegt und mittels einer auf 170 bis 220°C erhitzten Druckplatte (im Taktverfahren) oder mittels eines umlaufenden Zylinders (im Durchlaufverfahren) erhitzt. Sobald die Temperatur von ca. 170 bis 220°C die Farbstoffe erreicht, sublimieren diese in die aus Kunststoffasern hergestellten Textilien hinein.The printing inks mentioned are produced from sublimable disperse dyes using binders and oxidation additives. In the state of the art, the printed ink carriers (also called transfer papers) are placed with the color printed side on the textile side to be printed and heated by means of a printing plate heated to 170 to 220 ° C (using the cycle method) or by means of a rotating cylinder (using the continuous process). As soon as the temperature of approx. 170 to 220 ° C reaches the dyes, they sublime into the textiles made of synthetic fibers.

Ein bekanntes Verfahren der beschriebenen Gattung (EP-A 0 014 615), das in erster Linie zum Dekorieren von Brillengestellen vorgesehen ist, wird in der Weise durchgeführt, daß bei jedem Arbeitszyklus ein Brillengestell mit seiner zu dekorierenden Fläche nach oben weisend auf einer Unterlage abgelegt wird, die innerhalb einer Vakuumkammer angeordnet und mittels einer Kolbenzylindereinheit auf- und abbeweglich ist. Die Vakuumkammer hat zum Einbringen des Brillengestells eine seitliche Öffnung, die mit einer Tür verschließbar ist. An ihrer Oberseite weist die Vakuumkammer einen waagerechten, ortsfesten Rahmen auf, der mit einem über ihm angeordneten, ebenfalls waagerechten, aber auf- und abbeweglichen Rahmen einen Schlitz begrenzt. Durch den Schlitz wird eine Trägerfolie hindurchgeführt, die von einer Haspel abgerollt wird und an ihrer Unterseite mit dem Dekor versehen ist, das auf das Brillengestell aufgetragen werden soll. Das Dekor ist beispielsweise als Mehrfarbendruck oder als Abziehbild auf die Trägerfolie aufgebracht worden und besteht aus Farben, die bei einer Temperatur unterhalb der Zerstörungstemperatur der Trägerfolie sublimierbar sind. Sobald ein Brillengestell in die Vakuumkammer eingebracht und deren Tür verschlossen worden ist, wird der obere Rahmen abgesenkt, so daß er die Trägerfolie zwischen sich und dem unteren Rahmen einklemmt und die Vakuumkammer dadurch dicht verschlossen wird und evakuiert werden kann. Die Trägerfolie wird mittels einer über dem oberen Rahmen angeordneten Heizvorrichtung auf die Sublimationstemperatur des Dekors erhitzt und daraufhin das Brillengestell mittels seiner innerhalb der Vakuumkammer heb- und senkbaren Unterlage, auf der es abgelegt worden ist, nach oben bewegt und gegen die Trägerfolie gedrückt. Das Vakuum bewirkt, daß die Trägerfolie sich dicht an die zu dekorierenden Flächen an der Vorderseite und in seitlichen Bereichen des Brillengestells anschmiegt. Dieser Zustand wird für eine Zeitspanne aufrechterhalten, die für einen Übergang der das Dekor bildenden Farben von der Trägerfolie weg in die Struktur des Werkstoffs des Brillengestells hinein ausreicht. Anschließend wird das Vakuum aufgehoben, das Brillengestell abgesenkt und dadurch von der Trägerfolie getrennt und schließlich der Vakuumkammer entnommen.A known method of the type described (EP-A 0 014 615), which is primarily intended for decorating eyeglass frames, is carried out in such a way that an eyeglass frame with its surface to be decorated is placed on a base with each working cycle is arranged within a vacuum chamber and is movable up and down by means of a piston-cylinder unit. The vacuum chamber has a side opening for inserting the eyeglass frame, which can be closed with a door. On its upper side, the vacuum chamber has a horizontal, stationary frame which delimits a slot with a frame which is also arranged above it and is horizontal but can be moved up and down. A carrier film is passed through the slot, which is rolled off a reel and is provided on its underside with the decor that is to be applied to the spectacle frame. The decor has, for example, been applied to the carrier film as a multicolor print or as a decal and consists of colors which can be sublimed at a temperature below the destruction temperature of the carrier film. Once an eyeglass frame is placed in the vacuum chamber and its Door has been closed, the upper frame is lowered so that it clamps the carrier film between itself and the lower frame and the vacuum chamber is thereby sealed and can be evacuated. The carrier film is heated to the sublimation temperature of the decor by means of a heating device arranged above the upper frame and then the spectacle frame is moved upwards by means of its base which can be raised and lowered within the vacuum chamber and on which it has been placed, and is pressed against the carrier film. The vacuum causes the carrier film to nestle tightly against the surfaces to be decorated on the front and in lateral areas of the spectacle frame. This state is maintained for a period of time sufficient for the colors forming the decor to transition away from the carrier film into the structure of the material of the spectacle frame. The vacuum is then released, the spectacle frame is lowered and thereby separated from the carrier film and finally removed from the vacuum chamber.

Bei diesem bekannten Verfahren wird die Trägerfolie in einzelnen Bereichen stark gedehnt, damit sie sich ausreichend an das Brillengestell anschmiegt. Dabei ist es unvermeidlich, daß das Dekor in den besonders stark gedehnten Bereichen der Trägerfolie verzerrt wird. Die Verzerrungen lassen sich bis zu einem gewissen Grad dadurch ausgleichen, daß von vorne herein ein entsprechend korrigiertes Dekor auf die Trägerfolie aufgebracht wird. Im übrigen machen sich Verzerrungen bei Gegenständen wie Brillengestellen, deren zu dekorierende Flächen verhältnismäßig schmal sind, kaum bemerkbar. Anders ist es jedoch bei Gegenständen, die großflächig dekoriert werden sollen. Bei solchen Gegenständen lassen sich störend auffallende Verzerrungen des Dekors nicht immer vermeiden, wenn das Dekor nach dem bekannten Verfahren aufgetragen worden ist. Außerdem nimmt mit zunehmender Größe der zu dekorierenden Fläche die Gefahr zu, daß das Dekor durch Lufteinschlüsse beeinträchtigt wird.In this known method, the carrier film is greatly stretched in individual areas so that it nestles sufficiently against the spectacle frame. It is inevitable that the decor will be distorted in the particularly stretched areas of the carrier film. The distortions can be compensated to a certain extent by applying an appropriately corrected decor to the carrier film from the outset. In addition, distortions in objects such as spectacle frames, whose surfaces to be decorated are relatively narrow, are hardly noticeable. It is different with objects that are to be decorated over a large area. With such objects, disturbing distortions of the decor cannot always be avoided if the decor has been applied by the known method. In addition, as the size of the surface to be decorated increases, the risk that the decor will be adversely affected by air pockets.

Bei einem anderen bekannten Verfahren zum Auftragen von Dekors auf Gegenstände (DE-A-32 28 096) werden die Gegenstände, beispielsweise Blechdosen, zunächst durch eine Beschichtungsanlage geführt, die auf der Außenseite der Gegenstände eine Schicht aus farbstoffaffinem, migrationsverhinderndem Kunststoff aufbringt. Nach chemischem oder physikalischem Trocknen dieses Überzuges werden die beschichteten Gegenstände einer Etkettiermaschine zugeführt, in der Dekorträger in Form von bedruckten Banderolen von einem Stapel oder endlosen Streifen abgenommen, um je einen Gegenstand gelegt und mit einem Klebstreifen, Leimstrich, elektrostatischen Feld o. dgl. fixiert werden. Daraufhin werden die Gegenstände, beispielsweise mittels Heißluft, auf eine Temperatur von 200° bis 350°C, vorzugsweise 250° bis 300°C erhitzt. Bei diesen Temperaturen, die einen extremen Hitzeschock erzeugen, verdunstet in den Banderolen enthaltenes Wasser schlagartig, so daß jede Banderole in einem Bruchteil einer Sekunde auf den zugehörigen Gegenstand aufgeschrumpft wird und einen für den Übergang des Dekors von der Banderole auf den Gegenstand erforderlichen Druck autogen erzeugt. Beim weiteren Erhitzen sublimieren dann die Farbstoffe, die das Dekor bilden, in den darunterliegenden Kunststoffüberzug.In another known method for applying decorations to objects (DE-A-32 28 096), the objects, for example tin cans, are first passed through a coating system which applies a layer of dye-affine, migration-preventing plastic to the outside of the objects. After the coating has been chemically or physically dried, the coated objects are fed to an labeling machine, in which decor carriers in the form of printed banderoles are removed from a stack or endless strips, placed around each object and fixed with an adhesive strip, glue line, electrostatic field or the like will. The objects are then heated, for example by means of hot air, to a temperature of 200 ° to 350 ° C., preferably 250 ° to 300 ° C. At these temperatures, which create an extreme heat shock, the water contained in the banderoles evaporates suddenly, so that each banderole is shrunk onto the associated object in a fraction of a second and generates an autogenous pressure required for the transfer of the decoration from the banderole to the object . When heated further, the dyes that form the decor sublimate into the plastic coating underneath.

Bei diesem Verfahren ist es von entscheidender Bedeutung, daß die beim Aufschrumpfen einer Banderole unvermeidliche Relativbewegung gegenüber dem zugehörigen Gegenstand abgeschlossen ist, ehe die Farbstoffe, die das Dekor bilden, so weit erhitzt sind, daß ihre Migration in die Kunststoffschicht hinein beginnt. Gelingt es nicht, diese schwierige Bedingung einzuhalten, dann muß damit gerechnet werden, daß zumindest Teile des Dekors auf dem Gegenstand verwischt werden.With this method it is of crucial importance that the relative movement inevitable with the shrinking of a banderole relative to the associated object is completed before the dyes which form the decoration are heated to such an extent that their migration into the plastic layer begins. If this difficult condition cannot be met, it must be expected that at least parts of the decor will be blurred on the object.

Aus der US 4 178 782 ist eine Vorrichtung zum Bedrucken einer Textilbahn mit sublimierbarem Farbstoff bekannt, der auf einer Trägerfolie zugeführt wird. Die Vorrichtung hat eine drehantreibbare, von innen beheizbare Trommel, um die zuunterst die Trägerfolie mit radial nach außen gekehrter Farbstoffschicht und darüber die zu bedruckende Textilbahn und über dieser ein über Rollen geführter endloser Anpreßgurt aus Metallgewebe laufen. Der auf diese Weise umschlungene Bereich der Trommel kann von einer Haube abgedeckt sein, innerhalb derer ein Unterdruck aufrechterhalten wird. Auf diese Weise wird beim Sublimieren der Farbe freiwerdendes Gas durch die zu bedruckende Textilbahn und den daraufliegenden Anpreßgurt aus Metallgewebe hindurch abgesaugt. Die vom Anpreßgurt auf die Textilbahn ausgeübten Anpreßkräfte werden ausschließlich durch die mechanische Spannung des Anpreßgurts erzeugt und durch den Unterdruck innerhalb der Haube etwas vermindert.From US 4 178 782 a device for printing a textile web with sublimable dye is known, which is fed on a carrier film. The device has a drivable drum that can be heated from the inside, around which the bottom Carrier film with radially outwardly facing dye layer and over it the textile web to be printed and over this an endless pressure belt made of metal mesh guided over rollers. The region of the drum that is wrapped in this way can be covered by a hood, within which a negative pressure is maintained. In this way, when the ink is sublimated, gas is sucked out through the textile web to be printed and the pressure belt made of metal mesh lying thereon. The pressure forces exerted by the pressure belt on the textile web are generated exclusively by the mechanical tension of the pressure belt and somewhat reduced by the negative pressure inside the hood.

Aus der DE 26 42 350 C1 ist der Versuch bekannt geworden, im Transferdruckverfahren, welches zuvor bei Textilstoffen mit Erfolg angewandt worden war, auch bestimmte Kunststofferzeugnisse zu bedrucken, welche die in Rede stehenden sublimierbaren Farbstoffe schlecht annehmen. Man hat dort versucht, solche Körper mit thermoplastischen Folien zu beschichten, welche die Farbstoffe aufnehmen und sodann versucht, die Folien mit dem oben erläuterten Transferdruckverfahren zu bedrucken. Das Verfahren hat sich aber nicht bewährt, insbesondere weil die Migrationsbeständigkeit der Farbstoffe (also die Ortsfestigkeit der Farbstoffe nach dem Transferdruck) nur bei mittel- bis hochmolekularen Farbstoffen gewährleistet war (bei Molekulargewichten zwischen 300 und 1 000). Man hat zum Sublimieren Temperaturen von über 180°C bzw. 200 bis 220°C für eine Zeitspanne von mindestens 25 Sekunden angewandt. Bei diesen relativ hohen Temperaturen verschmelzen aber die meisten thermoplastischen Folien oder sie werden so weich, daß die beim Transferdruck verwendeten Farbträger (Papier etc.) kleben bleiben oder die Oberflächen der Folien so schädigen, daß das Produkt nicht den ästhetischen Anforderungen genügte. Auch die für eine gute Bildwiedergabe erforderliche Migrationsbeständigkeit der Farbstoffe wurde nicht erreicht.From DE 26 42 350 C1 the attempt has become known to also print certain plastic products in the transfer printing process, which had previously been used successfully with textiles, which poorly accept the sublimable dyes in question. Attempts have been made there to coat such bodies with thermoplastic films which absorb the dyes, and then attempts are made to print on the films using the transfer printing process explained above. However, the process has not proven itself, in particular because the migration resistance of the dyes (that is, the spatial stability of the dyes after transfer printing) was only guaranteed for medium to high molecular dyes (with molecular weights between 300 and 1,000). Sublimation temperatures of over 180 ° C or 200 to 220 ° C for a period of at least 25 seconds have been used. At these relatively high temperatures, however, most thermoplastic films melt or they become so soft that the color substrates (paper etc.) used in transfer printing stick or damage the surfaces of the films so that the product did not meet the aesthetic requirements. The migration resistance of the dyes required for good image reproduction was also not achieved.

Nennenswerte Ergebnisse im Sublimationsdruck-Transferverfahren wurden deshalb bisher im Stand der Technik nur mit duroplastischen Folien und Lacken erzielt (FR-A-2 230, DE-A 24 24 949, GB-A-1 517 832). Diese Verfahren führten aber nicht zu befriedigenden reproduzierbaren Ergebnissen. Sowohl die Materialien als auch der Sublimationsvorgang sind nicht hinreichend präzise beschrieben. Die erzielten Ergebnisse ließen insbesondere wegen Vergilbung und geringer Migrationsbeständigkeit sowie Farbverwischungen zu wünschen übrig.Therefore, noteworthy results in the sublimation printing transfer process have so far only been achieved in the prior art with thermosetting films and lacquers (FR-A-2 230, DE-A 24 24 949, GB-A-1 517 832). However, these methods did not lead to satisfactory reproducible results. Both the materials and the sublimation process are not described with sufficient precision. The results achieved left a lot to be desired, particularly due to yellowing and low migration resistance and color blurring.

Wegen der umfangreichen Anwendung thermoplastischer Folien und Platten, die mit einer Thermoverformung in dreidimensionale Körper, wie z.B. Bauelemente für den Innenausbau, Möbelteile (insbesondere Fronten), Haushaltsgeräte, Büromaschinen, Leuchtkörper, Autoformteile etc., geformt werden können, besteht seit langem ein Bedarf an einer Möglichkeit, thermoplastische Substrate in guter Qualität mit farbigen Dekors versehen zu können.Because of the extensive use of thermoplastic films and sheets, which are thermoformed into three-dimensional bodies, e.g. Components for interior fittings, furniture parts (especially fronts), household appliances, office machines, lighting fixtures, car molded parts, etc., can be molded, there has long been a need for a way to provide good quality thermoplastic substrates with colored decorations.

In der EP 0 014 901 wird ein Versuch beschrieben, konstante, nachvollziehbare und beständige Transferdruckergebnisse dadurch zu erzielen, daß die Molekulargewichte der sublimierbaren Dispersionsfarbstoffe, die angewandten Temperaturen und die Zusammensetzung und Beschaffenheit der Kunststoffsubstrate näher spezifiziert sind. Man ist dort zu der Erkenntnis gelangt, daß eine Erhitzung auf Temperaturen von 220°C und mehr für die Anwendung des Transferdruckverfahrens auf Kunststoffe erforderlich ist. Dadurch werden eine Vielzahl von thermoplastischen Kunststoffen ausgeschlossen. Das Verfahren blieb auf bestimmte duroplastische Kunststoffbeschichtungen und bestimmte Substrate aus anorganischen Werkstoffen beschränkt.EP 0 014 901 describes an attempt to achieve constant, traceable and stable transfer printing results by specifying the molecular weights of the sublimable disperse dyes, the temperatures used and the composition and nature of the plastic substrates. It has come to the conclusion that heating to temperatures of 220 ° C. and more is required for the application of the transfer printing process to plastics. This excludes a large number of thermoplastic materials. The process remained limited to certain thermosetting plastic coatings and certain substrates made of inorganic materials.

Der Stand der Technik lehrt als Vorurteil auch, daß es beim Sublimationsdruck wesentlich auf das Molekulargewicht der verwendeten Farbstoffe ankommt. Die vorstehend genannte EP 0 014 901 lehrt die Verwendung von hochmolekularen Dispersionsfarbstoffen mit Molekulargewichten zwischen 300 und 1 000, insbesondere mit Blick auf die geforderte Migrationsbeständigkeit.The prior art also teaches as a prejudice that the molecular weight of the dyes used is important in sublimation printing. The aforementioned EP 0 014 901 teaches the use of high molecular weight disperse dyes with molecular weights between 300 and 1,000, in particular with a view to the required resistance to migration.

Die eingangs bereits genannten deutschen Patentschriften 37 08 855 und 39 04 424 bringen insofern einen Fortschritt, als sie beim Sublimationsdruck von der Verwendung von erhitzten Druckplatten oder erhitzten Zylindern abgehen und stattdessen eine Erhitzung mit Wärmestrahlung (Infrarotstrahlung) vorschlagen. Auf Einzelheiten der verwendeten Materialien sowie der Sublimationstemperaturen geht dieser Stand der Technik nicht ein.The German patents 37 08 855 and 39 04 424 already mentioned at the beginning bring progress in that they sublimation printing are based on the use of heated printing plates or cylinders and instead suggest heating with thermal radiation (infrared radiation). This prior art does not go into details of the materials used or of the sublimation temperatures.

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, ein Verfahren bereitzustellen, mit dem eine Vielzahl von Kunststoffsubstraten einschließlich thermoplastischer Substrate, die auch eine Hitzebeständigkeit von nicht mehr als 100°C aufweisen können, in guter Qualität im Transferdruckverfahren farbig dekorierbar sind. Das Druckergebnis soll ästhetisch hohen Ansprüchen genügen und eine gute Haltbarkeit aufweisen. Ferner soll ein erfindungsgemäß hergestelltes Produkt ohne Beeinträchtigung des Dekors thermoplastisch verformbar sein.The invention has for its object to provide a method with which a large number of plastic substrates including thermoplastic substrates, which can also have a heat resistance of not more than 100 ° C, can be decorated in good quality in a transfer printing process. The print result should meet high aesthetic standards and have good durability. Furthermore, a product manufactured according to the invention should be thermoplastic deformable without adversely affecting the decor.

Die erfindungsgemäße Lösung dieser Aufgaben beruht auf der Erkenntnis, daß es bezüglich der beim Sublimationsdruck anzuwendenden Temperaturen wesentlich auf die Art der Einkoppelung der Wärme in den Sublimationsbereich ankommt. Das im Stand der Technik herrschende Vorurteil, beim Sublimations-Transferdruck müßten Temperaturen von über 200°C oder mindestens 170°C aufgebracht werden, läßt sich dann überwinden, wenn die Temperatur nicht durch erhitzte Druckplatten oder erhitzte Umlaufzylinder auf den Farbträger übertragen wird, sondern mittels Infrarotstrahlung. Auf diese Weise sind Dispersionsfarbstoffe schon bei Temperaturen über 100°C sublimierbar und zwar (im Widerspruch zum oben diskutierten Stand der Technik) unabhängig vom Molekulargewicht.The solution of these tasks according to the invention is based on the knowledge that the type of coupling of the heat into the sublimation area is essential with regard to the temperatures to be used in sublimation printing. The prejudice prevailing in the prior art that sublimation transfer printing should have temperatures of over 200 ° C or at least 170 ° C can be overcome if the temperature is not transferred to the ink carrier by heated printing plates or heated circulation cylinders, but by means of Infrared radiation. In this way, disperse dyes can be sublimed even at temperatures above 100 ° C. and (in contradiction to the prior art discussed above) regardless of the molecular weight.

Wesentliche Aspekte der erfindungsgemäßen Lösung sind in den Patentansprüchen 1 bis 4 gekennzeichnet. Bevorzugt werden zur Erzielung qualitativ hochwertiger Dekors auf Kunststoffsubstraten einschließlich thermoplastischer Kunststoffe mit einer Hitzebeständigkeit bis hinunter zu 100°C dadurch erzielt, daß die in den Patentansprüchen 1 bis 4 genannten Maßnahmen zugleich angewendet werden, wobei zusätzlich noch vorgesehen ist, daß der Farbträger aus einem porösen Material (d.h. einem luftdurchlässigen Material) besteht, so daß beim Sublimieren Gas von der Rückseite (d.h. der nicht bedruckten Seite) des Farbträgers durch den selben hindurch gesaugt werden kann, so daß sich der Farbträger 100 %-ig an das zu dekorierende Substrat anschmiegt und sowohl Faltenbildungen des Farbträgers als auch Gaseinschlüsse zwischen dem Farbträger und dem Substrat vermieden sind.Essential aspects of the solution according to the invention are characterized in claims 1 to 4. Preference is given to achieving high-quality decorations on plastic substrates, including thermoplastic materials with a Heat resistance down to 100 ° C achieved in that the measures mentioned in claims 1 to 4 are applied at the same time, it being additionally provided that the ink carrier consists of a porous material (ie an air-permeable material), so that gas when subliming can be sucked through the same from the back (ie the non-printed side) of the ink carrier, so that the ink carrier conforms 100% to the substrate to be decorated and both wrinkles of the ink carrier and gas inclusions between the ink carrier and the substrate are avoided are.

Bevorzugte Ausgestaltungen des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens sind in den Unteransprüchen 5 bis 8 beschrieben.Preferred embodiments of the method according to the invention are described in subclaims 5 to 8.

Eine bei Anwendung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens bevorzugt eingesetzte Vorrichtung ist dem Anspruch 9 zu entnehmen.A device which is preferably used when using the method according to the invention can be found in claim 9.

Ebenfalls neu ist ein Produkt aus oder mit einem Kunststoff-Substrat, auf das ein farbiges Dekor durch Sublimation von Farbstoffen von einem Farbträger aufgetragen ist, wenn der Kunststoff ein Thermoplast ist, dessen Hitzebeständigkeit geringer als 200°C, insbesondere geringer als 170°C ist. Bevorzugt sieht die Erfindung sogar nur Temperaturen im Bereich von 100 bis 130°C vor.Also new is a product made of or with a plastic substrate onto which a colored decoration is applied by sublimation of dyes from a color support, if the plastic is a thermoplastic, the heat resistance of which is less than 200 ° C, in particular less than 170 ° C . The invention preferably even provides only temperatures in the range from 100 to 130.degree.

Nachfolgend wird die Erfindung anhand der Zeichnung näher erläutert. Es zeigt:

Fig. 1
in Drauf- und Seitensicht die Vorbereitung eines Substrates und eines Farbträgers für den Transferdruck;
Fig. 2 und 3
schematische Ansichten des Transferdruckes;
Fig. 4
Einzelheiten des Transferdruckes in stark vergrößertem Maßstab und
Fig. 5
eine Farbverteilung eines zu druckenden Bildes und eine zugehörige Steuerung der Intensität von Infrarotstrahlern.
The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. It shows:
Fig. 1
top and side view of the preparation of a substrate and an ink carrier for transfer printing;
2 and 3
schematic views of the transfer printing;
Fig. 4
Details of the transfer print on a greatly enlarged scale and
Fig. 5
a color distribution of an image to be printed and an associated control of the intensity of infrared radiators.

Ein Substrat 10 soll durch Transferdruck mit einem Bild aus sublimierbaren Dispersionsfarbstoffen dekoriert werden. Der Begriff Substrat soll insbesondere erfassen Filme, Folien oder Platten, wobei die Filme oder Folien Stärken von 25 bis 1 000 Mikron und die Platten Stärken von 1 bis 10 mm aufweisen können. Die Filme, Folien oder Platten können aus einem Kunststoffgranulat, Granulatmischungen sowie aus mehreren Kunststoffarten oder Mischungen extrudiert sein. Auch können anorganische Teilchen (Puder, Mehl) zugemischt sein, wobei der Anteil an Kunststoffen an der Oberfläche des Substrates bevorzugt mehr als 50 % betragen soll. In Betracht für die Anwendung der Erfindung kommen insbesondere folgende Kunststoffe: PC (Polycarbonate), ABS, PMMA, PET und PDT. In Abhängigkeit vom verwendeten Material werden die Prozeßparameter eingestellt (siehe unten).A substrate 10 is to be decorated with an image of sublimable disperse dyes by transfer printing. The term substrate is intended in particular to encompass films, foils or plates, the films or foils having thicknesses of 25 to 1000 microns and the plates having thicknesses of 1 to 10 mm. The films, foils or plates can be extruded from a plastic granulate, granulate mixtures as well as from several types of plastics or mixtures. Inorganic particles (powder, flour) can also be mixed in, the proportion of plastics on the surface of the substrate preferably being more than 50%. The following plastics are particularly suitable for the application of the invention: PC (polycarbonates), ABS, PMMA, PET and PDT. The process parameters are set depending on the material used (see below).

Die Kunststoffilme, -platten oder -folien können auch aus mehreren Kunststoffarten und -schichten zusammengesetzt sein.The plastic films, sheets or foils can also be composed of several types and layers of plastic.

Das erfindungsgemäße Verfahren ist nicht nur für Substrat-Oberflächen geeignet, die glatt sind, sondern auch für strukturierte, poröse, matte und rauhe Oberflächen. Das Substrat-Material kann klar oder gefärbt sein.The method according to the invention is not only suitable for substrate surfaces that are smooth, but also for structured, porous, matt and rough surfaces. The substrate material can be clear or colored.

Unter einem Substrat ist auch eine Kunststoffschicht zu verstehen, die in Form von Lack auf eine Werkstoffoberfläche von z.B. Holz, Keramik oder Kunststein aufgetragen ist, ggf. unter Vernetzung.A substrate is also to be understood as a plastic layer that is applied in the form of lacquer to a material surface of e.g. Wood, ceramic or artificial stone is applied, if necessary with networking.

Werden empfindliche oder in bezug auf chemische und mechanische Beanspruchungen oder in bezug auf Licht weniger beständige Kunststoffe verwendet, so können diese nach einer erfindungsgemäßen Bedruckung mit als solches bekannten beständigeren Lacken oder Beschichtungen aus anderen Kunststoffarten überzogen werden.If sensitive plastics are used, or those that are less resistant to chemical and mechanical stresses or to light, they can be made according to the invention Printing with known as such more resistant varnishes or coatings from other types of plastic are coated.

Das Substrat 10 wird mit Hilfe eines Farbträgers 12 farbig bedruckt. Auf dem Farbträger 12 ist hierzu das auf das Substrat zu übertragende Bild mit Hilfe von sublimierbaren Dispersionsfarbstoffen aufgedruckt. Als Farbträger 12 kommen insbesondere Papierbögen in betracht, die einerseits das zu übertragende Bild aus sublimierbaren Farben gut aufnehmen und andererseits eine hinreichende Luftdurchlässigkeit aufweisen, damit während des Sublimations-Umdruckes Luft durch den Farbträger 12 gesaugt werden kann. Gute Ergebnisse werden mit Papiergewichten von 30 bis 120 g erzielt. Die Papierflächen können beliebige Größen haben, insbesondere können sie 1 m² oder größer sein.The substrate 10 is printed in color with the aid of an ink carrier 12. For this purpose, the image to be transferred to the substrate is printed on the ink carrier 12 using sublimable disperse dyes. In particular, sheets of paper come into consideration as ink carriers 12, which on the one hand absorb the image to be transferred from sublimable colors well and on the other hand have sufficient air permeability so that air can be sucked through the ink carrier 12 during sublimation transfer printing. Good results are achieved with paper weights from 30 to 120 g. The paper surfaces can be of any size, in particular they can be 1 m² or larger.

Sublimierbare Dispersionsfarbstoffe herkömmlicher Art werden unter Verwendung von Bindemitteln und ggf. Oxidationsadditiven zu Drucktinten verarbeitet. Mittels Offset-, Rotations-, Tief-, Flexo- oder Siebdruckverfahren werden die Bilder, Muster, Einzelfarben oder Motive, mit denen das Substrat 10 versehen werden soll, auf den Farbträger 12 gedruckt.Sublimable disperse dyes of a conventional type are processed into printing inks using binders and, if appropriate, oxidation additives. The images, patterns, individual colors or motifs with which the substrate 10 is to be provided are printed on the ink carrier 12 by means of offset, rotary, gravure, flexographic or screen printing processes.

Gemäß Fig. 1 wird das Substrat 10, welches bedruckt werden soll, in einer Beschickungsstation 14 abgelegt und es wird ein Farbträger 12 auf das Substrat gelegt. Wie dargestellt, ist der bedruckte Farbträger 12 aus Papier wesentlich größer als das Substrat 10, so daß der Farbträger das Substrat an allen Kanten deutlich überlappt. Die überlappende Fläche beträgt beim dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiel mindestens 20 %, vorzugsweise mindestens 30%.1, the substrate 10 to be printed is placed in a loading station 14 and an ink carrier 12 is placed on the substrate. As shown, the printed ink carrier 12 made of paper is substantially larger than the substrate 10, so that the ink carrier clearly overlaps the substrate on all edges. The overlapping area in the illustrated embodiment is at least 20%, preferably at least 30%.

Die so in einem ersten Schritt übereinander gelegten Substrat- und Farbträgerschichten werden in einem zweiten Schritt in eine Station 16 für eine elektrostatische Aufladung überführt. Hier wird das Substrat 10 gegenüber dem Farbträger 12 so elektrostatisch aufgeladen, daß der Farbträger 12 ganzflächig satt an der Oberfläche des Substrates 10 anliegt. Dies wird im dritten Schritt gemäß Fig. 1 erreicht. Im vierten Schritt wird die Anordnung aus Substrat 10 und wie geklebt daran anliegendem Farbträger 12 zu einer Sublimationsstation befördert, die in Fig. 2 näher dargestellt ist.In a first step, the substrate and ink carrier layers, which are superimposed in this way in a first step, are transferred to a station 16 for electrostatic charging. Here, the substrate 10 becomes electrostatic relative to the ink carrier 12 charged that the ink carrier 12 fits snugly over the entire surface of the substrate 10. This is achieved in the third step according to FIG. 1. In the fourth step, the arrangement of substrate 10 and ink carrier 12, which is glued to it, is conveyed to a sublimation station, which is shown in more detail in FIG. 2.

Ein Transportband 18 überträgt die wie vorstehend beschrieben erzeugte Anordnung aus Substrat 10 und Farbträger 12 zu einem Tisch 20 mit einer Heizplatte, die mit luftdurchlässigen vertikalen Kanälen (nicht gezeigt) versehen ist, so daß Luft in den Figuren von oben nach unten durch die Tischplatte saugbar ist. Hierzu ist unter der Tischplatte eine Vakuumkammer 22 vorgesehen, die an eine nicht gezeigte Vakuumpumpe angeschlossen ist.A conveyor belt 18 transfers the arrangement of substrate 10 and ink carrier 12 produced as described above to a table 20 with a heating plate, which is provided with air-permeable vertical channels (not shown), so that air can be sucked through the table top from top to bottom is. For this purpose, a vacuum chamber 22 is provided under the table top, which is connected to a vacuum pump, not shown.

Gemäß den Fig. 2 und 3 wird das Substrat 10 mit darauf fest anliegendem Farbträger 12 auf den Tisch 20 befördert und danach wird Vakuum in der Kammer 22 angelegt. Es ist weder eine Deckfolie über dem Farbträger 12 noch eine Unterlage zwischen dem Substrat 10 und dem Tisch 20 erforderlich.2 and 3, the substrate 10 is conveyed onto the table 20 with the ink carrier 12 firmly attached to it, and then vacuum is applied in the chamber 22. Neither a cover film over the ink carrier 12 nor a base between the substrate 10 and the table 20 is required.

Über dem Tisch 20 ist ein Gehäuse 24 angeordnet, in dem eine Vielzahl von Infrarotstrahlern 36 nebeneinander untergebracht sind. Das Gehäuse 24 mit den Infrarotstrahlern 36 überdeckt überlappend den gesamten Bereich des Substrates 10 und des Farbträgers 12. Eine Temperaturmeßeinrichtung 26 mißt die Temperatur an der den Infrarotstrahlern zugekehrten Oberfläche des Substrates 10 und der daran anliegenden Seite des Farbträgers 12 mit den sublimierbaren Dispersionsfarben. Eine weitere Temperaturmeßeinrichtung 27 mißt die Temperatur der Heizplatte des Tisches 20 und damit die Temperatur an der Oberfläche des Substrates 10, die direkt an dem Tisch 20 anliegt, also diejenige Seite des Substrates 10, die nicht dekoriert wird.A housing 24 is arranged above the table 20, in which a multiplicity of infrared radiators 36 are accommodated side by side. The housing 24 with the infrared radiators 36 overlaps the entire area of the substrate 10 and the ink carrier 12. A temperature measuring device 26 measures the temperature on the surface of the substrate 10 facing the infrared radiators and on the side of the ink carrier 12 lying thereon with the sublimable emulsion paints. Another temperature measuring device 27 measures the temperature of the heating plate of the table 20 and thus the temperature on the surface of the substrate 10 which is directly against the table 20, that is to say the side of the substrate 10 which is not decorated.

Mittels einer Steuerung 28 werden die einzelnen Infrarotstrahler 36 im Gehäuse 24 auf unterschiedliche Temperaturen gesteuert, wie weiter unten anhand der Fig. 5 näher erläutert wird.A controller 28 controls the individual infrared radiators 36 in the housing 24 to different temperatures, as will be explained in more detail below with reference to FIG. 5.

Wie in Fig. 3 schematisch dargestellt ist, wird durch den porösen Farbträger 12 Luft in die Vakuumkammer 22 gesaugt, und zwar durch die Kanäle (nicht gezeigt) in der geheizten Tischplatte 20. Dabei wird der Randraum 30 zwischen dem überlappenden Farbträger 12, dem Substrat 10 und dem Tisch 20 luftleer gepumpt, so daß sich der Farbträger 12 gleichmäßig über die gesamte Fläche an das Substrat 10 anzieht. Es entstehen keine Faltungen oder Verwerfungen im Farbträger 12 und Luft- oder Gasblasen werden entfernt. Dies gilt insbesondere für die Erhitzung während der Sublimation unter Dampfbildung.As shown schematically in FIG. 3, air is sucked into the vacuum chamber 22 through the porous ink carrier 12, namely through the channels (not shown) in the heated table top 20. The edge space 30 between the overlapping ink carrier 12, the substrate 10 and the table 20 pumped air-free, so that the ink carrier 12 attracts evenly over the entire surface of the substrate 10. There are no folds or warps in the ink carrier 12 and air or gas bubbles are removed. This applies in particular to heating during sublimation with the formation of steam.

In diesem Zustand werden der Tisch 20 und die Infrarotstrahler 36 geheizt. Die von den Infrarotstrahlern 36 erzeugte Infrarotstrahlung 32 dient der Erhitzung der auf der Unterseite des Farbträgers 12 angeordneten sublimierbaren Farbstoffe, während die Erhitzung des Tisches 20 dazu dient, das Substrat 10 auf der nicht bedruckten Seite zu erhitzen. Diese Erhitzung des Substrates 10 hat nicht nur den Zweck, eine Formstabilität des Substrates zu erreichen, sondern hat darüberhinaus wesentliche Auswirkungen auf das Eindringen der Farbmoleküle in das Substrat 10.In this state, the table 20 and the infrared radiators 36 are heated. The infrared radiation 32 generated by the infrared emitters 36 serves to heat the sublimable dyes arranged on the underside of the ink carrier 12, while the heating of the table 20 serves to heat the substrate 10 on the non-printed side. This heating of the substrate 10 not only has the purpose of achieving dimensional stability of the substrate, but also has a significant impact on the penetration of the color molecules into the substrate 10.

Dies ist in Fig. 4 näher erläuert, wo die einzelnen Teile in stark verzerrter Vergößerung dargestellt sind, um den Vorgang der Sublimation und des Eindringens der Farbmoleküle in das Substrat zu veranschaulichen. Wie gesagt, erzeugt die Luftstömung 34 von außen durch den Farbträger 12 und die Lufströmung 38 unterhalb des Farbträgers 12 ein gleichmäßiges, spannungsfreies, blasenfreies und sattes Anlegen des Farbträgers 12 am Substrat 10. Zur Erzielung eines besonders migrationsbeständigen Druckes auf dem Substrat 10 wird nun das Substrat 10 mit der Tischplatte 20 auf eine Temperatur geheizt, die höher ist als die Temperatur an der zu bedruckenden Oberfläche des Substrates 10. In Fig. 4 entsteht also von oben nach unten ein ansteigender Temperaturgradient. Dieser Temperaturgradient hat zur folge, daß die Farbstoffmoleküle 40 nach der Sublimation relativ weit in das Substrat eindringen. In Fig. 4 ist derjenige Bereich des Substrates 10, in den die Moleküle 40 eindringen, mit 10b bezeichnet, während der im wesentlichen von Farbstoffmolekülen freibleibende Bereich mit 10a gekennzeichnet ist.This is explained in more detail in FIG. 4, where the individual parts are shown in greatly distorted magnification in order to illustrate the process of sublimation and the penetration of the color molecules into the substrate. As said, the air flow 34 from the outside through the ink carrier 12 and the air flow 38 below the ink carrier 12 creates a uniform, tension-free, bubble-free and saturated application of the ink carrier 12 on the substrate 10. In order to achieve a particularly migration-resistant Pressure on the substrate 10, the substrate 10 is now heated with the table top 20 to a temperature which is higher than the temperature at the surface of the substrate 10 to be printed. In FIG. 4, an increasing temperature gradient is thus produced from top to bottom. The consequence of this temperature gradient is that the dye molecules 40 penetrate relatively far into the substrate after sublimation. In FIG. 4, that area of the substrate 10 into which the molecules 40 penetrate is designated by 10b, while the area which is essentially free of dye molecules is designated by 10a.

Das Maß der Erwärmung an der Oberfläche des Substrates 10 und entsprechend an der Unterfläche des Farbträgers 10 (gemessen mit der Temperaturmeßeinrichtung 26 gemäß Fig. 2) hängt vom Material des Substrates 10 ab. Die Erwärmung beträgt zwischen 60°C (für z.B. ABS) und 150°C (für z.B. PBT). Für PC hat sich eine Erwärmung auf 130°C als günstig erwiesen. Die Temperatur an der Unterfläche des Substrates 10 (gemessen mit dem Temperaturfühler 27 gemäß Fig. 3) soll jeweils um etwa 3 bis 30°C, insbesondere 5 bis 15°C höher liegen, je nach Art und Stärke des Materials.The degree of heating on the surface of the substrate 10 and accordingly on the lower surface of the ink carrier 10 (measured with the temperature measuring device 26 according to FIG. 2) depends on the material of the substrate 10. The heating is between 60 ° C (for e.g. ABS) and 150 ° C (for e.g. PBT). For PC, heating to 130 ° C has proven to be beneficial. The temperature on the lower surface of the substrate 10 (measured with the temperature sensor 27 according to FIG. 3) should in each case be about 3 to 30 ° C., in particular 5 to 15 ° C. higher, depending on the type and thickness of the material.

Im einzelnen haben sich für PC Temperaturwerte von 120 bis 135°C im Sublimationsbereich (d.h. an der Träger-Unterfläche und der Substrat-Oberfläche) als günstig erwiesen, für ABS 90 bis 100°C, für PBT 150 bis 160°C und für PET 80 bis 90°C.In particular, temperature values of 120 to 135 ° C in the sublimation area (ie on the substrate undersurface and substrate surface) have proven to be favorable for ABS, 90 to 100 ° C for ABS, 150 to 160 ° C for PBT and for PET 80 to 90 ° C.

Durch die erfindungsgemäß angewandten relativ geringen Temperaturen ist das Problem der Rück-Sublimation gelöst.The problem of back sublimation is solved by the relatively low temperatures used according to the invention.

Je nach Stärke des Substrates 10 und seinem Material ist der Sublimationsvorgang in 10 bis 30 Sekunden beendet.Depending on the thickness of the substrate 10 and its material, the sublimation process is completed in 10 to 30 seconds.

Die Qualität des erzeugten Produktes läßt sich weiter dadurch steigern, daß die Intensität der einzelnen Infrarotstrahler 36 in Abhängigkeit davon gesteuert wird, welche Farbe durch den betreffenden Strahler sublimiert werden soll. Unterschiedliche Farben erfordern unterschiedliche Energien pro Flächeneinheit für die Sublimation. So steigt der Energiebedarf (und entsprechend die von der Infrarotstrahlung zu erzeugende Temperatur) von gelb über rot und cyan zu schwarz um etwa 20 % an. Dies wird durch individuelle Steuerung der einzelnen Infrarotstrahler entsprechend dem vorherrschenden Farbanteil direkt unter dem Strahler berücksichtigt. Hierdurch wird eine gleichmäßige Sublimation für alle Farben erreicht, wobei gleichzeitig die zu bedruckende Oberfläche des Substrates hinreichend gleichmäßig erwärmt ist, was die Bildqualität fördert. Fig. 5 zeigt beispielhaft links ein abzudruckendes Bild auf dem Farbträger 12, wobei in den äußeren Bereichen 12a, 12b und 12c hellere Farben (zunehmend von gelb nach rot) vorgesehen sind, während das Bild zur Mitte hin immer dunkler wird, bis es im zentralen Abschnitt einen schwarzen Bereich aufweist. Entsprechend zeigt Fig. 5 rechts schematisch eine Ansicht der Infrarotstrahler 36 im Gehäuse 24 von unten (beispielsweise in bezug auf Fig. 4), wobei im mittleren Bereich, entsprechend dem schwarzen Bereich des Bildes, 100 % einer vorgegegeben IR-Leistung mit den Infrarotstrahlern erzeugt wird, während nach außen hin die Infrarotleistung jeweils wie angegeben reduziert ist.The quality of the product produced can be further increased in that the intensity of the individual infrared emitters 36 is controlled depending on which color by the relevant radiator should be sublimed. Different colors require different energies per unit area for sublimation. The energy requirement (and accordingly the temperature to be generated by the infrared radiation) increases from yellow to red and cyan to black by around 20%. This is taken into account by individual control of the individual infrared emitters according to the predominant color component directly under the emitter. This results in uniform sublimation for all colors, and at the same time the surface of the substrate to be printed is heated sufficiently uniformly, which promotes image quality. 5 shows an example of an image to be printed on the ink carrier 12 on the left, lighter colors (increasingly from yellow to red) being provided in the outer regions 12a, 12b and 12c, while the image becomes increasingly darker towards the center until it is in the center Section has a black area. Correspondingly, FIG. 5 on the right shows a schematic view of the infrared radiators 36 in the housing 24 from below (for example with reference to FIG. 4), 100% of a predetermined IR power being generated with the infrared radiators in the central region, corresponding to the black region of the image while the infrared power is reduced to the outside as indicated.

Bevorzugt wird der Farbträger 12 auf seiner Rückseite geschwärzt.The ink carrier 12 is preferably blackened on its rear side.

Die mit dem vorstehend beschriebenen Verfahren erzielte Eindringtiefe der sublimierbaren Farbstoffmoleküle in das Substrat von 100 bis 300 Mikron verursacht keine Verblassung des Bildes sondern überraschenderweise im Gegenteil eine Verbesserung der Bildqualität; das Bild erscheint intensiver und räumlicher. Die Migrationsbeständigkeit ist vernachlässigbar. Das wie beschrieben hergestellte Produkt kann ohne Beeinträchtigung der Bildqualität einer kurzfristigen Stoßerwärmung von z.B. 200 bis 300°C für 2 bis 3 min zwecks einer Thermoverformung unterzogen werden. Auch eine Dauererwärmung von 100 bis 200°C ist möglich (je nach Kunststoffart, z.B. 145°C für PC und 200°C für PBT).The penetration depth of the sublimable dye molecules into the substrate of 100 to 300 microns achieved with the method described above does not cause the image to fade, but surprisingly, on the contrary, improves the image quality; the picture appears more intense and spatial. The resistance to migration is negligible. The product produced as described can be subjected to a brief shock heating of, for example, 200 to 300 ° C. for 2 to 3 minutes for the purpose of thermoforming without impairing the image quality. Continuous heating from 100 to 200 ° C is also possible (depending on the type of plastic, e.g. 145 ° C for PC and 200 ° C for PBT).

Es erfolgt keine Beschädigung der Substratoberfläche. Die Kunststoffoberfläche behält ihre Struktur ohne jegliche Veränderung, unabhängig davon, ob die Oberfläche auf Hochglanz poliert, matt, seidenmatt, gekrümmt, grob oder fein strukturiert ist. Aufgrund der elektrostatischen Anziehungskräfte und der gleichzeitig wirkenden Vakuumkräfte ist auch die Bildqualität bei groben, rauhen und feinstrukturierten Oberflächen gut.There is no damage to the substrate surface. The plastic surface retains its structure without any changes, regardless of whether the surface is polished to a high gloss, matt, semi-gloss, curved, coarse or finely structured. Due to the electrostatic attraction forces and the vacuum forces acting at the same time, the image quality is also good for coarse, rough and finely structured surfaces.

Mit dem beschriebenen Verfahren lassen sich relativ große Mengen von Farbstoff transferieren (10 bis 20 g naß, bzw. 3 bis 7 g trocken). Hierdurch und durch die beschriebene große Diffusionstiefe kann eine Thermoverformung bis zu 250 % Ausdehnung ohne Verblassung oder Aufhellung der Farben durchgeführt werden.With the described method, relatively large amounts of dye can be transferred (10 to 20 g wet or 3 to 7 g dry). This and the large diffusion depth described enable thermoforming up to 250% expansion without fading or brightening of the colors.

Claims (10)

Verfahren zum Auftragen eines Dekors aus Farbstoffen auf ein Kunststoff aufweisendes Substrat (10), bei dem ein Farbträger (12) auf das Substrat (10) gelegt und die Farbe durch Erhitzen des Trägers (12) mit Infrarotstrahlung auf das Substrat (10) übertragen wird,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Farbträger (12) in Abhängigkeit vom Kunststoff des Substrates (10) auf Temperaturen unterhalb von 170°C erhitzt wird.Method for applying a decoration made of dyes to a plastic substrate (10), in which a color carrier (12) is placed on the substrate (10) and the color is transferred to the substrate (10) by heating the carrier (12) with infrared radiation ,
characterized in that the ink carrier (12) is heated to temperatures below 170 ° C depending on the plastic of the substrate (10). Verfahren zum Auftragen eines Dekors aus Farbstoffen auf ein Kunststoff aufweisendes Substrat (10), bei dem ein Farbträger (12) auf das Substrat (10) gelegt und die Farbe durch Erhitzen des Trägers (12) mit Infrarotstrahlung auf das Substrat (10) übertragen wird,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Farbträger (12) durch elektrostatische Aufladung in ganzflächigen Kontakt mit dem Subtrat (10) gebracht wird.Method for applying a decoration made of dyes to a plastic substrate (10), in which a color carrier (12) is placed on the substrate (10) and the color is transferred to the substrate (10) by heating the carrier (12) with infrared radiation ,
characterized in that the ink carrier (12) is brought into full contact with the substrate (10) by electrostatic charging. Verfahren zum Auftragen eines Dekors aus Farbstoffen auf ein Kunststoff aufweisendes Substrat (10), bei dem ein Farbträger (12) auf das Substrat (10) gelegt und die Farbe durch Erhitzen des Trägers (12) mit Infrarotstrahlung auf das Substrat (10) übertragen wird,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Seite des Substrates (10), auf die das Dekor aufgetragen wird, geringer erhitzt wird als die gegenüberliegende andere Seite (Rückseite) des Substrates (10).Method for applying a decoration made of dyes to a plastic substrate (10), in which a color carrier (12) is placed on the substrate (10) and the color is transferred to the substrate (10) by heating the carrier (12) with infrared radiation ,
characterized in that the side of the substrate (10) to which the decor is applied is heated less than the opposite other side (back) of the substrate (10). Verfahren zum Auftragen eines Dekors aus Farbstoffen auf ein Kunststoff aufweisendes Substrat (10), bei dem ein Farbträger (12) auf das Substrat (10) gelegt und die Farbe durch Erhitzen des Trägers (12) mit Infrarotstrahlung auf das Substrat (10) übertragen wird,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Infrarotstrahlung inhomogen in Abhängigkeit von der Farbverteilung des Dekors auf den Farbträger (12) gerichtet wird.Method for applying a decoration made of dyes to a plastic substrate (10), in which a color carrier (12) is placed on the substrate (10) and the color is transferred to the substrate (10) by heating the carrier (12) with infrared radiation ,
characterized in that the infrared radiation is directed inhomogeneously as a function of the color distribution of the decor onto the ink carrier (12). Verfahren nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Farbträger (12) luftdurchlässig ist.Method according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the ink carrier (12) is permeable to air. Verfahren nach Anspruch 5,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, - daß das Substrat (10) direkt auf einen heizbaren Tisch (20) gelegt wird, in dem eine Vielzahl von Kanälen ausgeformt ist, durch die Luft gesaugt wird, - daß der Farbträger (12) so auf das Substrat (10) gelegt wird, daß er dieses an dessen Rändern deutlich überlappt und - daß der Farbträger (12) direkt durch die Luftsaugung an das Substrat (10) angedrückt wird. Method according to claim 5,
characterized by - That the substrate (10) is placed directly on a heatable table (20) in which a plurality of channels is formed, through which air is sucked, - That the ink carrier (12) is placed on the substrate (10) so that it clearly overlaps at the edges thereof and - That the ink carrier (12) is pressed directly by the air suction onto the substrate (10). Verfahren nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Farbträger (12) auf seiner dem Substrat abgekehrten Seite auf Temperaturen von 110°C bis 140°C erhitzt wird.Method according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the ink carrier (12) is heated on its side facing away from the substrate to temperatures of 110 ° C to 140 ° C. Verfahren nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Farbmoleküle bei der Sublimation 200 bis 350 Mikron in das Substrat (10) eindringen.Method according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the dye molecules penetrate 200 to 350 microns into the substrate (10) during sublimation. Vorrichtung zum Auftragen eines Dekors aus Farbstoffen auf ein Kunststoff aufweisendes Substrat (10), bei dem ein Farbträger (12) auf das Substrat (10) gelegt und die Farbe durch Erhitzen des Trägers (12) mit Infrarotstrahlung auf das Substrat (10) übertragen wird,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß über dem Farbträger eine Vielzahl von Infrarotstrahlern (36) angeordnet sind, die einzeln auf unterschiedliche Temperaturen steuerbar sind.Device for applying a decoration made of dyes to a plastic substrate (10), in which a color carrier (12) is placed on the substrate (10) and the color is transferred to the substrate (10) by heating the carrier (12) with infrared radiation ,
characterized in that a plurality of infrared radiators (36) are arranged above the ink carrier and can be controlled individually at different temperatures. Produkt aus oder mit einem Kunststoff aufweisenden Substrat (10), auf das ein farbiges Dekor durch Sublimation von Farbstoffen von einem Farbträger (12) aufgetragen ist,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Kunststoff ein Thermoplast ist, dessen Hitzebeständigkeit geringer ist als 200°C, insbesondere geringer als 170°C.Product made of or with a plastic substrate (10) onto which a colored decoration is applied by sublimation of dyes from a color carrier (12),
characterized in that the plastic is a thermoplastic, the heat resistance of which is less than 200 ° C, in particular less than 170 ° C.
EP90108663A 1990-05-08 1990-05-08 Method and apparatus for transfer of a colour design to a plastic substrate or a decorated plastic substrate Expired - Lifetime EP0455849B1 (en)

Priority Applications (10)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP90108663A EP0455849B1 (en) 1990-05-08 1990-05-08 Method and apparatus for transfer of a colour design to a plastic substrate or a decorated plastic substrate
AT90108663T ATE83196T1 (en) 1990-05-08 1990-05-08 METHOD AND DEVICE FOR APPLYING A COLORED DECORATION TO A PLASTIC SUBSTRATE AND A DECORATED PLASTIC SUBSTRATE.
DE9090108663T DE59000578D1 (en) 1990-05-08 1990-05-08 METHOD AND DEVICE FOR APPLYING A COLOR DECOR ON A PLASTIC SUBSTRATE AND A DECORATED PLASTIC SUBSTRATE.
DK90108663.7T DK0455849T3 (en) 1990-05-08 1990-05-08 Method and apparatus for applying a color decoration to a plastic substrate and a decorated plastic substrate
ES199090108663T ES2036071T3 (en) 1990-05-08 1990-05-08 PROCEDURE AND DEVICE FOR THE TRANSFER OF A COLOR DRAWING OVER A PLASTIC SUBSTRATE OR A DECORATED PLASTIC SUBSTRATE.
JP3508181A JPH04507386A (en) 1990-05-08 1991-05-02 Method and apparatus for imparting colored decorative patterns to plastic substrates, and decorated plastic substrates
PCT/EP1991/000839 WO1991017053A1 (en) 1990-05-08 1991-05-02 Process and device for applying colour decoration to a plastic substrate and decorated plastic substrate
AU77685/91A AU7768591A (en) 1990-05-08 1991-05-02 Process and device for applying colour decoration to a plastic substrate and decorated plastic substrate
ZA913431A ZA913431B (en) 1990-05-08 1991-05-07 Process and apparatus for applying coloured decals to plastics substrates and decorated plastics substrates
US08/152,080 US5997677A (en) 1990-05-08 1993-11-09 Method to apply a colored decorative design on a substrate of plastics

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP90108663A EP0455849B1 (en) 1990-05-08 1990-05-08 Method and apparatus for transfer of a colour design to a plastic substrate or a decorated plastic substrate

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EP0455849A1 true EP0455849A1 (en) 1991-11-13
EP0455849B1 EP0455849B1 (en) 1992-12-09

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US (1) US5997677A (en)
EP (1) EP0455849B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH04507386A (en)
AT (1) ATE83196T1 (en)
AU (1) AU7768591A (en)
DE (1) DE59000578D1 (en)
DK (1) DK0455849T3 (en)
ES (1) ES2036071T3 (en)
WO (1) WO1991017053A1 (en)
ZA (1) ZA913431B (en)

Cited By (11)

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GB2299545A (en) * 1995-04-04 1996-10-09 Capper Rataud Limited A method of decorating a surface
EP0743198A1 (en) * 1995-02-17 1996-11-20 MANIFATTURA D'ALIGHIERO S.r.l. Process for decorating thermoplastic films using transfer printing and for joining said films to other objects
EP0811505A1 (en) * 1996-06-03 1997-12-10 Seb S.A. Process for the fabrication of articles having a decoration by sublimation
EP0922588A2 (en) * 1997-12-09 1999-06-16 Bush Industries, Inc. Process for applying a coloured decoration made of sublimable dispersion-paint
WO2002043970A2 (en) * 2000-11-30 2002-06-06 Azzini, Daniela Device for electrostatic adhesion of inked film onto objects

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Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0511605A1 (en) * 1991-04-27 1992-11-04 Beutelrock, Carolin Method and apparatus for printing an object with curved or faceted surface
EP0625433A2 (en) * 1993-05-21 1994-11-23 ILCAM SpA Method to produce decorative lining sheet for furniture elements and lined elements for furniture items of a container type thus produced
EP0625433A3 (en) * 1993-05-21 1995-02-22 Ilcam Spa Method to produce decorative lining sheet for furniture elements and lined elements for furniture items of a container type thus produced.
DE4421557C1 (en) * 1994-06-20 1995-08-17 Osmetric Entwicklungs Und Prod Ceramic tile glazing process
DE4421554C1 (en) * 1994-06-20 1995-10-19 Osmetric Entwicklungs Und Prod Formed, coated thermoplastics prods.
DE4432742C1 (en) * 1994-09-14 1996-08-22 Osmetric Entwicklungs Und Prod Transfer of dye or pattern to plastics substrate with electric field
FR2728505A1 (en) * 1994-12-27 1996-06-28 Seb Sa Decorating plastic pants by sublimation from paper film
EP0743198A1 (en) * 1995-02-17 1996-11-20 MANIFATTURA D'ALIGHIERO S.r.l. Process for decorating thermoplastic films using transfer printing and for joining said films to other objects
GB2299545A (en) * 1995-04-04 1996-10-09 Capper Rataud Limited A method of decorating a surface
GB2299545B (en) * 1995-04-04 1998-07-29 Capper Rataud Limited Method of decoration
EP0811505A1 (en) * 1996-06-03 1997-12-10 Seb S.A. Process for the fabrication of articles having a decoration by sublimation
EP0922588A2 (en) * 1997-12-09 1999-06-16 Bush Industries, Inc. Process for applying a coloured decoration made of sublimable dispersion-paint
EP0922588A3 (en) * 1997-12-09 2002-06-05 Bush Industries, Inc. Process for applying a coloured decoration made of sublimable dispersion-paint
WO2002043970A2 (en) * 2000-11-30 2002-06-06 Azzini, Daniela Device for electrostatic adhesion of inked film onto objects
WO2002043970A3 (en) * 2000-11-30 2003-08-07 Azzini Daniela Device for electrostatic adhesion of inked film onto objects

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ES2036071T3 (en) 1993-05-01
DK0455849T3 (en) 1993-03-22
ATE83196T1 (en) 1992-12-15
ZA913431B (en) 1992-02-26
WO1991017053A1 (en) 1991-11-14
JPH04507386A (en) 1992-12-24
DE59000578D1 (en) 1993-01-21
EP0455849B1 (en) 1992-12-09
AU7768591A (en) 1991-11-27
US5997677A (en) 1999-12-07

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