JP7062987B2 - Method for manufacturing a heat-expandable sheet and a heat-expandable sheet - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a heat-expandable sheet and a method for manufacturing a heat-expandable sheet.

The technique of modeling a modeled object is known. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a method for forming a stereoscopic image, which is an image having a three-dimensional spread as a modeled object. Specifically, in the method disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a pattern is formed on the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet with a material having excellent light absorption characteristics, and the formed pattern is irradiated with light by an irradiation means. It heats up. As a result, the portion of the heat-expandable sheet on which the pattern is formed expands and rises, forming a stereoscopic image.

Further, in Patent Document 1, a film layer which is a peelable peelable layer is provided on a heat-expandable sheet, a pattern is formed from above the film layer with a material having excellent light absorption characteristics, and light irradiation treatment is performed. It is described that the film layer is peeled off after the stereoscopic image is formed. As a result, the pattern formed by the material that converts light into heat is removed, so that the surface to which the film layer is attached can be effectively used.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 64-28660 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-150812

When modeling a model using a heat-expandable sheet provided with the above-mentioned peel-off layer, there is a demand that the peel-off layer can be easily peeled off from the heat-expandable sheet.

The present invention is for solving the above-mentioned problems, and the heat-expandable sheet and the heat-expandable sheet capable of easily peeling the peel-off layer from the heat-expandable sheet provided with the peel-off layer. The purpose is to provide a manufacturing method.

In order to achieve the above object, the heat-expandable sheet according to the first aspect of the present invention is laminated on the heat-expanded layer and the heat-expanded layer that expands by heating in the modeling system, and the heat-expanded layer is formed. A peelable peeling layer on which a predetermined pattern is printed on the surface using a material that is heated to expand, and the peeling of the peeling layer is formed on a part of the edge of the peeling layer. A notch for assisting is provided , and as the predetermined pattern, an uneven pattern for assisting the peeling of the peeling layer is formed on the surface of the thermal expansion layer by the thermal expansion of the thermal expansion layer. A pattern, a pattern in which the surface of the thermal expansion layer is raised along the notch by the thermal expansion of the thermal expansion layer, or a step for providing a step on a part of the surface of the thermal expansion layer by the thermal expansion of the thermal expansion layer. The pattern is provided at a position corresponding to the notch .
Further, the heat-expandable sheet according to the second aspect of the present invention is laminated on the heat-expanding layer and the heat-expanding layer that expands by heating in the modeling system, and is heated to expand the heat-expanding layer. A peelable peeling layer on which a predetermined pattern is printed on the surface of the material is provided, and a notch for assisting the peeling of the peeling layer is provided in a part of the edge portion of the peeling layer. The thermal expansion layer and the edge portion of the release layer are provided with a notch, and the notch is provided perpendicular to the edge of the notch. ..
Further, the heat-expandable sheet according to the third aspect of the present invention is laminated on the heat-expanding layer and the heat-expanding layer that expands by heating in the modeling system, and is heated to expand the heat-expanding layer. A peelable peeling layer on which a predetermined pattern is printed on the surface of the material is provided, and a notch for assisting the peeling of the peeling layer is provided in a part of the edge portion of the peeling layer. The notch is provided in one of the four corners of the release layer.

Further, the method for producing a heat-expandable sheet according to the first aspect of the present invention is formed by a heat-expanding layer forming step for forming a heat-expanding layer that expands by heating in a modeling system and a heat-expanding layer forming step. In the peeling layer forming step of forming a peelable peeling layer and the peeling layer forming step, a predetermined pattern is printed on the surface of the material that is heated to expand the thermal expansion layer. Using the material at a notch forming step in which a notch is formed in a part of the edge portion of the peeled layer formed to assist the peeling of the peeling layer, and at a position corresponding to the notch of the peeling layer. As the predetermined pattern, a pattern for forming an uneven pattern for assisting the peeling of the peeling layer on the surface of the thermal expansion layer by the thermal expansion of the thermal expansion layer, the pattern for forming the uneven pattern on the surface of the thermal expansion layer, the thermal expansion of the thermal expansion layer. The printing step includes printing a pattern for raising the surface of the thermal expansion layer along the notch, or a pattern for providing a step on a part of the surface of the thermal expansion layer due to the thermal expansion of the thermal expansion layer. It is characterized by that.
Further, the method for producing a heat-expandable sheet according to the second aspect of the present invention is formed by a heat-expanding layer forming step for forming a heat-expanding layer that expands by heating in a modeling system and the heat-expanding layer forming step. A peeling layer forming step for forming a peelable peeling layer on which a predetermined pattern is printed on the surface using a material heated to expand the thermal expansion layer, and a peeling layer forming step formed in the peeling layer forming step. A notch forming step for forming a notch to assist the peeling of the peeling layer in a part of the edge portion of the peeling layer, the thermal expansion layer formed in the thermal expansion layer forming step, and the peeling layer forming. The peeling layer formed in the step includes a notch forming step for forming a notch in the edge portion by cutting the peeling layer, and the notch forming step includes the notch forming step formed in the notch forming step. It is characterized in that the notch is formed perpendicular to the edge of the notch.
Further, the method for producing a thermally expandable sheet according to the third aspect of the present invention is formed by a thermal expansion layer forming step for forming a thermal expansion layer that expands by heating in a modeling system and the thermal expansion layer forming step. A peeling layer forming step for forming a peelable peeling layer on which a predetermined pattern is printed on the surface using a material heated to expand the thermal expansion layer, and a peeling layer forming step formed in the peeling layer forming step. A part of the edge portion of the peeling layer includes a notch forming step for forming a notch for assisting the peeling of the peeling layer, and in the notch forming step, the notch is formed in the four corners of the peeling layer. It is characterized by forming into one.

According to the present invention, the release layer can be easily peeled off from the heat-expandable sheet provided with the release layer.

It is sectional drawing of the heat-expandable sheet which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the surface of the heat-expandable sheet shown in FIG. It is an enlarged view of the broken line part in the heat-expandable sheet shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the modeling system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the terminal apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the printing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example which the shading image was printed on the surface of the heat-expandable sheet shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the expansion apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the mode that the expansion apparatus shown in FIG. 8 executes the expansion process. It is a figure which shows the mode that the peeling layer is peeled off in the heat-expandable sheet shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the state which the peeling layer was peeled off from the thermal expansion sheet shown in FIG. 7. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the manufacturing process of a modeled object executed by the modeling system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (A) to (f) are diagrams showing step by step how a modeled object is produced on a heat-expandable sheet in the process of producing the modeled object shown in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the manufacturing process of the heat-expandable sheet which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 1st example of the peeling image provided on the heat-expandable sheet in the modification of this invention. It is a figure which shows the 2nd example of the peeling image provided on the heat-expandable sheet in the modification of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding parts in the figure are designated by the same reference numerals.

<Thermal expandable sheet 10>
FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional configuration of a heat-expandable sheet 10 for modeling a modeled object according to the present embodiment. The heat-expandable sheet 10 is a medium on which a modeled object is formed by expanding a preselected portion by heating. A modeled object is an object having a three-dimensional shape, and is formed by expanding a part of the sheet in a direction perpendicular to the sheet in a two-dimensional sheet. The modeled object is also referred to as a three-dimensional object or a three-dimensional image. The shape of the modeled object includes a simple shape, a geometric shape, a general shape such as a character, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, the heat-expandable sheet 10 includes a base material 11, a heat-expandable layer 12, an ink receiving layer 13, and a release layer 17 in this order. Note that FIG. 1 shows a cross section of the heat-expandable sheet 10 before the modeled object is modeled, that is, in a state where no part is expanded.

The base material 11 is a sheet-like medium that is the basis of the heat-expandable sheet 10. The base material 11 is a support that supports the thermal expansion layer 12 and the ink receiving layer 13, and plays a role of maintaining the strength of the thermal expansion sheet 10. As the base material 11, for example, general printing paper can be used. Alternatively, the material of the base material 11 may be synthetic paper, cloth such as canvas, or a plastic film such as polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), and is not particularly limited.

The thermal expansion layer 12 is laminated on the upper side of the base material 11 and is a layer that expands when heated to a predetermined temperature or higher. The thermal expansion layer 12 contains a binder and a thermal expansion agent dispersed in the binder. The binder is a thermoplastic resin such as a vinyl acetate polymer and an acrylic polymer. Specifically, the thermal expansion agent is a heat-expandable microcapsule (micropowder) having a particle size of about 5 to 50 μm, in which a substance that vaporizes at a low boiling point such as propane or butane is encapsulated in an outer shell of a thermoplastic resin. ). When the heat expansion agent is heated to a temperature of, for example, about 80 ° C. to 120 ° C., the contained substance is vaporized, and the heat expansion agent foams and expands due to the pressure. In this way, the thermal expansion layer 12 expands according to the amount of heat absorbed. The heat expansion agent is also called a foaming agent.

The ink receiving layer 13 is a layer that is laminated on the upper side of the thermal expansion layer 12 and absorbs and receives ink. The ink receiving layer 13 receives printing ink used in an inkjet printer, printing toner used in a laser printer, ballpoint pen or fountain pen ink, pencil graphite, and the like. The ink receiving layer 13 is formed of a suitable material for fixing them to the surface. As the material of the ink receiving layer 13, for example, a general-purpose material used for inkjet paper can be used.

The peeling layer 17 is a layer that is laminated on the upper side of the thermal expansion layer 12 and the ink receiving layer 13 and is provided so as to be peelable. The peeling layer 17 is a resin film and is releasably adhered to the ink receiving layer 13. As the resin, a general-purpose material such as an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer can be arbitrarily used. The release layer 17 can also be referred to as a laminate layer, a release film, or the like.

FIG. 2 shows the surface of the heat-expandable sheet 10. The surface of the heat-expandable sheet 10 is a surface opposite to the base material 11 side of the heat-expandable sheet 10, and corresponds to the surface of the release layer 17. That is, the surface of the heat-expandable sheet 10 is the surface on the side where the heat-expandable layer 12 expands and rises. On the other hand, the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet 10 corresponds to the surface of the heat-expandable sheet 10 on the base material 11 side.

As shown in FIG. 2, a notch 21 is provided in one of the four corners of the heat-expandable sheet 10. In other words, the heat-expandable sheet 10 has a triangular notch shape in which the end portion (edge) is approximately 45 degrees with respect to the two sides sandwiching the corner portion. The notch 21 is formed by cutting off one of the four corners over all layers from the base material 11 to the release layer 17 when the heat-expandable sheet 10 is cut to a desired size. Such a notch 21 has a function as an identifier for identifying the orientation of the heat-expandable sheet 10 when the heat-expandable sheet 10 is inserted into the printing device 40 and the expansion device 50.

A notch 22 and a peeling image 23 are formed in a portion of the heat-expandable sheet 10 where the notch 21 is provided. The notch 22 and the peeling image 23 have a function of facilitating the peeling of the peeling layer 17 from the heat-expandable sheet 10 after the thermal expansion layer 12 has expanded in the modeling system 1, that is, assisting the peeling of the peeling layer 17. Have.

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged portion of the heat-expandable sheet 10 shown in FIG. 2, which is shown by a broken line, that is, one of the four corners provided with the notch 21. As shown in FIG. 3, the notch 22 is a notch provided linearly from the edge of the heat-expandable sheet 10 toward the inside. The notch 22 is provided with a length of, for example, several mm to several cm so that the user can easily put his / her finger on it. The notch 22 is provided perpendicular to the edge of the notch 21 in order to facilitate peeling of the release layer 17 from the portion where the notch 22 is inserted.

Since the notch 22 is provided for peeling the peeling layer 17 from the surface of the ink receiving layer 13, it is inserted only in the peeling layer 17, and the base material 11, the thermal expansion layer 12, and the ink receiving layer 13 have a notch 22. The notch 22 is not made. Specifically, the notch 22 is formed by laminating the release layer 17 on the ink receiving layer 13 and then half-cutting so that only the release layer 17 is cut.

The peeling image 23 is an image provided for peeling the peeling layer 17 from the heat-expandable sheet 10. The peeling image 23 is a pattern for forming an uneven pattern for assisting the peeling of the peeling layer 17 on the surface of the thermal expansion layer 12 by thermal expansion of the thermal expansion layer 12, and is a position corresponding to the notch 22. It is provided in. Specifically, the peeling image 23 has a circular shape of a specified size, and is provided at a position overlapping the notch 22 at the corner of the heat-expandable sheet 10 where the notch 21 is provided. .. In other words, the notch 22 is provided so as to cut the area where the peeling image 23 is printed.

The peeling image 23 is pre-printed with a material that generates heat when irradiated with electromagnetic waves in the modeling system 1. The material that generates heat when irradiated with electromagnetic waves is specifically an ink containing carbon molecules. Carbon molecules are contained in black (carbon black) or other color inks, and generate heat by absorbing electromagnetic waves and thermally vibrating. Therefore, electromagnetic wave heat conversion material (heat generation) that absorbs electromagnetic waves and converts them into heat. It is used as a kind of agent). When the peeling image 23 generates heat, the thermal expansion of the thermal expansion layer 12 causes the portion of the surface of the thermal expansion layer 12 where the peeling image 23 is provided to expand and rise. Due to such a ridge, a step is provided on a part of the surface of the thermal expansion layer 12. At this time, since the peeling image 23 is provided at a position corresponding to the notch 22, at least a portion along the notch 22 on the surface of the thermal expansion layer 12 rises. As a result, a force is applied so as to open the notch 22 formed so as to overlap the peeling image 23, so that the user can easily put his finger on the notch 22 and the peeling layer 17 can be easily peeled off.

The modeling system 1 can model a modeled object on such a heat-expandable sheet 10. Carbon molecules are printed on the front surface or the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet 10 to be expanded. As described above, carbon molecules are a kind of electromagnetic wave heat conversion material (exothermic agent) that absorbs electromagnetic waves and converts them into heat. When the portion of the heat-expandable sheet 10 on which carbon molecules are printed is heated, the heat-expandable layer 12 in that portion expands to form bumps. By forming a convex or uneven shape by the ridges (bumps) of the thermal expansion layer 12, a modeled object is formed on the thermal expansion sheet 10.

By combining the expansion points and heights of the heat-expandable sheet 10, various shaped objects can be modeled. Modeling is also called modeling. In addition, expressing beauty or texture through visual or tactile sensation by modeling is called "decoration".

<Modeling system 1>
Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a modeling system 1 for modeling a modeled object on the heat-expandable sheet 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the modeling system 1 includes a terminal device 30, a printing device 40, and an expansion device 50.

The terminal device 30 is an information processing device such as a personal computer, a smartphone, or a tablet, and is a control unit that controls a printing device 40 and an expansion device 50. As shown in FIG. 5, the terminal device 30 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, an operation unit 33, a display unit 34, a recording medium drive unit 35, and a communication unit 36. Each of these parts is connected by a bus for transmitting a signal.

The control unit 31 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). In the control unit 31, the CPU reads out the control program stored in the ROM and controls the operation of the entire terminal device 30 while using the RAM as the work memory.

The storage unit 32 is a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory or a hard disk. The storage unit 32 stores a program or data executed by the control unit 31, color image data printed by the printing device 40, front surface foam data, and back surface foam data.

The operation unit 33 includes input devices such as a keyboard, mouse, buttons, touch pad, and touch panel, and receives operations from the user. By operating the operation unit 33, the user can input an operation for editing color image data, front surface foam data and back surface foam data, an operation for the printing device 40 or the expansion device 50, and the like.

The display unit 34 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display and an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, and a display drive circuit for displaying an image on the display device. For example, the display unit 34 displays color image data, front surface foaming data, and back surface foaming data. Further, the display unit 34 displays information indicating the current state of the printing device 40 or the expanding device 50, if necessary.

The recording medium driving unit 35 reads out the program or data recorded on the portable recording medium. The portable recording medium is a CD (Compact Disc) -ROM, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) -ROM, a flash memory provided with a USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard connector, or the like. For example, the recording medium driving unit 35 reads out and acquires color image data, front surface foaming data, and back surface foaming data from a portable recording medium.

The communication unit 36 includes an interface for communicating with an external device including the printing device 40 and the expanding device 50. The terminal device 30 is connected to the printing device 40 and the expansion device 50 via a flexible cable, a wired LAN (Local Area Network) or the like, or a wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like. The communication unit 36 communicates with the printing device 40 and the expansion device 50 under the control of the control unit 31 according to at least one of these communication standards.

<Printing device 40>
The printing device 40 is a printing unit that prints an image on the front surface or the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet 10. The printing device 40 is an inkjet printer that prints an image by atomizing ink and spraying it directly onto a printing medium.

FIG. 6 shows a detailed configuration of the printing apparatus 40. As shown in FIG. 6, the printing apparatus 40 can reciprocate in the main scanning direction D2 (X direction) orthogonal to the sub-scanning direction D1 (Y direction), which is the direction in which the thermally expandable sheet 10 is conveyed. To prepare for.

A print head 42 for executing printing and an ink cartridge 43 (43k, 43c, 43m, 43y) containing ink are attached to the carriage 41. The ink cartridges 43k, 43c, 43m, and 43y contain black K, cyan C, magenta M, and yellow Y color inks, respectively. The ink of each color is ejected from the corresponding nozzle of the print head 42.

The carriage 41 is slidably supported by the guide rail 44 and is narrowly held by the drive belt 45. The carriage 41 moves in the main scanning direction D2 together with the print head 42 and the ink cartridge 43 by driving the drive belt 45 by the rotation of the motor 45 m.

A platen 48 is provided at a position facing the print head 42 at the lower portion of the frame 47. The platen 48 extends in the main scanning direction D2 and constitutes a part of the transport path of the heat-expandable sheet 10. The transport path of the heat-expandable sheet 10 is provided with a paper feed roller pair 49a (lower roller is not shown) and a paper discharge roller pair 49b (lower roller is not shown). The paper feed roller pair 49a and the paper discharge roller pair 49b convey the heat-expandable sheet 10 supported by the platen 48 in the sub-scanning direction D1.

The printing device 40 is connected to the terminal device 30 via a flexible communication cable 46. The terminal device 30 controls the print head 42, the motor 45 m, the paper feed roller pair 49a, and the paper output roller pair 49b via the flexible communication cable 46. Specifically, the terminal device 30 controls the paper feed roller pair 49a and the paper discharge roller pair 49b to convey the heat-expandable sheet 10. Further, the terminal device 30 rotates the motor 45 m to move the carriage 41 and conveys the print head 42 to an appropriate position in the main scanning direction D2.

The printing device 40 acquires image data from the terminal device 30 and executes printing based on the acquired image data. Specifically, the printing apparatus 40 acquires color image data, front surface foaming data, and back surface foaming data as image data. The color image data is data showing a color image to be printed on the surface of the heat-expandable sheet 10. The printing apparatus 40 prints a color image by injecting cyan C, magenta M, and yellow Y inks toward the heat-expandable sheet 10 onto the print head 42.

The surface foaming data is data showing a portion to be foamed and expanded on the surface of the heat-expandable sheet 10. Further, the back surface foaming data is data showing a portion to be foamed and expanded on the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet 10. The printing device 40 injects black K black ink containing carbon black onto the heat-expandable sheet 10 onto the print head 42 to print a black tint image (shade pattern). Black ink containing carbon black is an example of a material that converts electromagnetic waves into heat.

FIG. 7 shows an example in which a shade image 24 is printed on the surface of the heat-expandable sheet 10 by the printing apparatus 40. As shown in FIG. 7, the printing apparatus 40 displays a shading image 24 (a star-shaped figure in the example of FIG. 7) showing an inflatable portion of the heat-expandable sheet 10 on the surface of the release layer 17 according to the surface image data. Print.

In the shade image 24 shown in FIG. 7, the black and gray parts indicate the parts to be expanded in the heat-expandable sheet 10. Further, in the shade image 24, the darker the color (lower the luminance), the larger the degree of expansion, and the lighter the color (higher the luminance), the smaller the degree of expansion. In other words, in the shade image 24, at a higher concentration in the larger inflatable portion of the heat-expandable sheet 10 so that the three-dimensional shape of the modeled object to be modeled can be formed on the heat-expandable sheet 10. A shade pattern is drawn.

When the shading image 24 is printed by the printing apparatus 40, two types of images, a peeling image 23 and a shading image 24, are printed on the surface of the heat-expandable sheet 10. The portion of the heat-expandable sheet 10 on which the peeling image 23 and the shading image 24 are printed is expanded and raised by being heated by the expansion device 50. The peeling image 23 and the shading image 24 correspond to a predetermined pattern printed on the surface of the peeling layer 17 using a material that absorbs electromagnetic waves and is heated in order to expand the thermal expansion layer 12. Hereinafter, the processing in the expansion device 50 will be described.

<Expansion device 50>
The expansion device 50 irradiates the front surface or the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet 10 with an electromagnetic wave to generate heat of the shade image printed on the front surface or the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet 10, and the shade image of the heat-expandable sheet 10 is generated. Is an expansion unit that inflates the printed part.

FIG. 8 schematically shows the configuration of the expansion device 50. In FIG. 8, the X direction corresponds to the width direction of the expansion device 50, the Y direction corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the expansion device 50, and the Z direction corresponds to the vertical direction. The X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction are orthogonal to each other.

The expansion device 50 inflates the heat-expandable sheet 10 by irradiating the irradiation unit 60 with an electromagnetic wave toward the heat-expandable sheet 10 placed on the tray 53 while moving the irradiation unit 60. The irradiation unit 60 reciprocates between the first position P1 and the second position P2. The first position P1 is the initial position (home position) of the irradiation unit 60. The irradiation unit 60 stands by at the first position P1 when the expansion device 50 is not operating.

The expansion device 50 includes a box-shaped housing 51. The inside of the housing 51 is divided into two chambers, an upper housing 51a and a lower housing 51b. This suppresses the influence on the substrate and the like in the lower housing 51b when the temperature in the upper housing 51a rises due to the irradiation of electromagnetic waves from the irradiation unit 60. The expansion device 50 includes a ventilation unit 54, a transfer motor 55, a transfer rail 56, an irradiation unit 60, and a tray 53 inside the upper housing 51a. Further, the expansion device 50 includes a power supply unit 69 and a control unit 70 inside the lower housing 51b.

The tray 53 is a mechanism for installing the heat-expandable sheet 10 at an appropriate position in the housing 51, and is a sheet holding mechanism for stably holding the heat-expandable sheet 10. The tray 53 is fixed by pressing the edges of the four sides of the installed heat-expandable sheet 10 from above. The tray 53 includes a sensor for detecting the heat-expandable sheet 10, whether or not the heat-expandable sheet 10 is installed, and when the heat-expandable sheet 10 is installed, the heat-expandable sheet 10 is installed. Detect size.

The ventilation unit 54 is provided at the inner end of the expansion device 50 and ventilates the inside of the expansion device 50. The ventilation unit 54 includes at least one fan, and ventilates the inside of the housing 51 by discharging the air inside the housing 51 to the outside.

The transfer motor 55 is, for example, a stepping motor that operates in synchronization with pulse power, and moves the irradiation unit 60 along the heat-expandable sheet 10 placed on the tray 53. Inside the housing 51, a transport rail 56 is provided in the Y direction, that is, in a direction parallel to the surface of the heat-expandable sheet 10 placed on the tray 53. The irradiation unit 60 is attached to the transport rail 56 so that it can move along the transport rail 56. The irradiation unit 60 reciprocates along the transfer rail 56 while keeping the distance from the heat-expandable sheet 10 constant, using the driving force accompanying the rotation of the transfer motor 55 as a power source. The transfer motor 55 functions as a moving unit (moving means) for relatively moving the heat-expandable sheet 10 and the irradiation unit 60.

The irradiation unit 60 is a mechanism for irradiating an electromagnetic wave toward the heat-expandable sheet 10 placed on the tray 53. As shown in FIG. 8, the irradiation unit 60 includes a lamp heater 61, a reflector 62, a temperature sensor 63, and a cooling unit 64 inside a box-shaped cover.

The lamp heater 61 is provided with, for example, a halogen lamp as an irradiation source, and has an electromagnetic wave in the near infrared region (wavelength 750 to 1400 nm), a visible light region (wavelength 380 to 750 nm), or an electromagnetic wave with respect to the heat-expandable sheet 10. , Irradiates light in the mid-infrared region (wavelength 1400 to 4000 nm). The irradiation unit 60 and the lamp heater 61 function as irradiation means for irradiating the heat-expandable sheet 10 with energy by irradiating light in such a wavelength range.

When the heat-expandable sheet 10 on which the shading image 24 and the peeling image 23 printed with the black ink containing carbon black is irradiated with light (energy), the part where the shading image 24 and the peeling image 23 are printed is other than that. Light is converted into heat more efficiently than the part of. Therefore, the portion of the heat-expandable sheet 10 on which the shading image 24 and the peeling image 23 are printed is mainly heated, and expands when the heat-expanding agent reaches a temperature at which expansion starts. The irradiation unit 60 functions as a thermal expansion means for thermally expanding the thermally expandable sheet 10 by irradiating light (energy) while being conveyed by the transfer motor 55. The light emitted by the lamp heater 61 may be any electromagnetic wave, and is not limited to the light in the above wavelength range.

The reflector 62 is arranged so as to cover the upper side of the lamp heater 61, and is a mechanism for reflecting the light emitted from the lamp heater 61 toward the heat-expandable sheet 10. The temperature sensor 63 is a thermocouple, a thermistor, or the like, and measures the temperature of the reflector 62. The cooling unit 64 includes at least one fan for supplying air to the irradiation unit 60, sucks outside air, and sends the sucked outside air to the reflector 62 for cooling. The outside air sent to the reflector 62 flows further downward to cool the inside of the irradiation unit 60 and the housing 51.

The barcode reader 65 functions as a reading unit (reading means) for reading a barcode (not shown) provided on the peripheral edge of the heat-expandable sheet 10. The barcode is an identifier for identifying the heat-expandable sheet 10, and is an identifier indicating that the heat-expandable sheet 10 is a dedicated sheet for modeling a modeled object. The barcode reader 65 includes a light source that emits light and an optical sensor that detects light, and optically reads the barcode B by a well-known method such as a laser method. The barcode reader 65 is attached to the outside of the cover of the irradiation unit 60, and moves along with the irradiation unit 60 along the heat-expandable sheet 10 placed on the tray 53.

The power supply unit 69 includes a power supply IC (Integrated Circuit) and the like, and creates and supplies necessary power to each unit in the expansion device 50. For example, the ventilation unit 54, the transfer motor 55, the lamp heater 61, and the cooling unit 64 operate by receiving electric power from the power supply unit 69.

The control unit 70 is provided on a substrate arranged at the bottom of the housing 51. The control unit 70 includes a processor such as a CPU and a memory such as a ROM and a RAM, and is connected to each part of the expansion device 50 via a system bus which is a transmission path for transferring instructions and data. There is. Further, although not shown, the control unit 70 includes a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory and a hard disk, a time measuring device such as an RTC (Real Time Clock), and a communication interface for communicating with the terminal device 30. ..

In the control unit 70, the CPU reads out the control program stored in the ROM and controls the operation of the entire expansion device 50 while using the RAM as the work memory. Specifically, the control unit 70 controls the transfer motor 55 to move the irradiation unit 60 in a designated direction and at a designated moving speed. Further, the control unit 70 switches the irradiation of the electromagnetic wave generated by the irradiation unit 60 between on and off, and causes the barcode reader 65 to read the barcode.

FIG. 9 shows how the expansion device 50 executes the expansion process. When the bar code reader 65 reads the bar code provided on the heat-expandable sheet 10 placed on the tray 53, the control unit 70 supplies a power supply voltage to the irradiation unit 60 to light the lamp heater 61. .. Then, the control unit 70 drives the transport motor 55 in a state where the irradiation unit 60 is irradiated with electromagnetic waves. As a result, the control unit 70 moves the irradiation unit 60 in the direction (first direction) from the first position P1 to the second position P2 by a predetermined distance. In this way, the control unit 70 moves the irradiation unit 60 from one end to the other of the heat-expandable sheet 10 to widely irradiate the front surface or the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet 10 with electromagnetic waves.

The specified distance depends on the size of the heat-expandable sheet 10. For example, if the size of the heat-expandable sheet 10 is A3 size, the specified distance is the distance from the first position P1 to the second position P2. On the other hand, if the size of the heat-expandable sheet 10 is A4 size, the specified distance is half the distance from the first position P1 to the second position P2.

When an electromagnetic wave is irradiated by the irradiation unit 60, the portion of the heat-expandable sheet 10 on which the shading image 24 and the peeling image 23 are printed with black ink containing carbon black generates heat and heats up to a specified temperature. It expands when it is done.

The specified temperature is a temperature at which the thermal expansion agent contained in the thermal expansion layer 12 starts expansion, for example, a temperature of about 80 ° C to 120 ° C. The control unit 70 moves the irradiation unit 60, which is irradiating the electromagnetic wave with a predetermined intensity, at a predetermined speed, so that the portion of the heat-expandable sheet 10 on which the shading image 24 and the peeling image 23 are printed is printed. Heat above the specified temperature. The predetermined strength and the predetermined speed are preset so that the heat-expandable sheet 10 can be heated to a specified temperature or higher.

In this way, the control unit 70 expands the heat-expandable sheet 10 by irradiating the irradiation unit 60 with electromagnetic waves while moving the irradiation unit 60 in the first direction by the transfer motor 55. The portion of the heat-expandable sheet 10 on which the shading image 24 and the peeling image 23 are printed expands to a height corresponding to the density. As a result, a desired model is formed on the heat-expandable sheet 10.

By the expansion treatment, the irradiation unit 60 reaches the end portion of the heat-expandable sheet 10 on the second position P2 side. After executing the expansion process, although not shown, the control unit 70 moves the irradiation unit 60 in the direction from the second position P2 to the first position P1 (second direction), that is, moves the irradiation unit 60. While returning to the home position, the ventilation process by the ventilation unit 54 or the cooling process by the cooling unit 64 is executed as necessary. Specifically, the control unit 70 drives the ventilation unit 54 to discharge the air in the housing 51 heated by the expansion process to the outside. Further, the control unit 70 drives the cooling unit 64 to cool the irradiation unit 60 and the heat-expandable sheet 10 heated by the expansion treatment.

When the expansion process is completed in this way, the user takes out the heat-expandable sheet 10 from the expansion device 50. Then, the user peels off the peeling layer 17 from the heat-expandable sheet 10 in which the portion where the shading image 24 and the peeling image 23 are printed is raised by the expansion device 50.

FIG. 10 shows how the release layer 17 is peeled from the heat-expandable sheet 10. The user folds the portion provided with the notch 22 so as to form a mountain fold with respect to the notch 22. Then, the user hooks a finger on the notch 22 and opens in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 10 to peel off the peeling layer 17. At this time, a convex shape 25 is formed on the portion of the heat-expandable sheet 10 on which the peeling image 23 is printed by being heated and expanded by the expansion device 50. Since the portion where the notch 22 is provided is raised by such a convex shape 25, the user can easily attach the release layer 17 by simply hooking a finger on the notch 22 without using a special tool such as a tape. It can be peeled off.

FIG. 11 shows the heat-expandable sheet 10 after the peeling layer 17 is peeled off. When the peeling layer 17 is peeled off, the shading image 24 and the peeling image 23 are removed and appear on the surface of the ink receiving layer 13 from under the peeling layer 17. As shown in FIG. 11, the portion where the shading image 24 is printed is heated and expanded by the expansion device 50, so that the portion is raised to a height corresponding to the density of the shading image 24 to form a three-dimensional shape 26. There is.

A color image is printed on the three-dimensional shape 26 with color ink from above the ink receiving layer 13. Since the shading image 24 is removed by the peeling of the peeling layer 17, the three-dimensional shape 26 can be freely colored without being affected by the black color of the shading image 24. Further, the heat-expandable sheet 10 is foamed on the back surface by being heated from the back surface in the expansion device 50 as needed. In this way, it is possible to obtain a modeled object to be modeled. The convex shape 25 formed in the notch 21 by the peeling image 23 can be appropriately removed by being cut off or the like.

<Manufacturing process of shaped objects>
Regarding the flow of the manufacturing process of the modeled object executed in the modeling system 1 configured as described above, refer to the flowchart shown in FIG. 12 and the cross-sectional view of the heat-expandable sheet 10 shown in FIGS. 13 (a) to 13 (e). I will explain.

First, the user prepares the heat-expandable sheet 10 before the modeled object is modeled, and designates the color image data, the front surface foaming data, and the back surface foaming data via the operation unit 33 of the terminal device 30. Then, the heat-expandable sheet 10 is inserted into the printing apparatus 40 with its surface facing upward. The printing apparatus 40 prints the conversion layer 14 on the surface of the inserted heat-expandable sheet 10 (step S1). The conversion layer 14 is a layer that converts electromagnetic waves into heat, which is formed of a material that converts electromagnetic waves into heat, specifically black ink containing carbon black. The printing apparatus 40 ejects black ink containing carbon black onto the surface of the heat-expandable sheet 10, that is, the surface of the release layer 17, according to the designated surface foaming data. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13A, the conversion layer 14 is formed on the peeling layer 17, and for example, the shade image 24 shown in FIG. 7 is printed.

Second, the user inserts the heat-expandable sheet 10 on which the conversion layer 14 is printed into the expansion device 50 with its surface facing upward. The expansion device 50 irradiates the surface of the inserted heat-expandable sheet 10, that is, the surface of the release layer 17, with an electromagnetic wave by the irradiation unit 60 (step S2). The conversion layer 14 printed on the surface of the release layer 17 generates heat by absorbing the irradiated electromagnetic waves. As shown in FIG. 13B, the portion of the thermal expansion layer 12 on which the conversion layer 14 is printed rises and expands due to the heating from the surface of the release layer 17.

Third, the user takes out the expanded heat-expandable sheet 10 from the expansion device 50 and peels off the release layer 17 (step S3). As a result, as shown in FIG. 13 (c), the conversion layer 14 and the release layer 17 are removed from the expanded heat-expandable sheet 10, and the ink receiving layer 13 appears on the surface. As a result, for example, the three-dimensional shape 26 and the convex shape 25 shown in FIG. 11 are exposed on the surface of the ink receiving layer 13.

Fourth, the user inserts the heat-expandable sheet 10 whose surface is heated and expanded into the printing apparatus 40 with its surface facing upward. The printing apparatus 40 prints the color ink layer 15 on the surface of the inserted heat-expandable sheet 10 (step S4). Specifically, the printing apparatus 40 ejects cyan C, magenta M, and yellow Y inks onto the surface of the heat-expandable sheet 10 according to the designated color image data. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13D, the color ink layer 15 is formed on the ink receiving layer 13, and the surface of the heat-expandable sheet 10 is colored. Since the conversion layer 14 is removed in step S3, it is possible to print a clear color image in which the conversion layer 14 is not mixed.

When printing a black or gray color image on the color ink layer 15, the printing device 40 is formed by mixing three color inks of cyan C, magenta M, and yellow Y, or carbon black. It is formed by further using a black ink that does not contain. This prevents the portion where the color ink layer 15 is formed from being heated in the expansion device 50.

Fifth, the user turns over the heat-expandable sheet 10 on which the color ink layer 15 is printed and inserts the heat-expandable sheet 10 into the expansion device 50 with the back surface facing upward. The expansion device 50 irradiates the back surface of the inserted thermal expansion sheet 10 with electromagnetic waves by the irradiation unit 60, and heats the thermal expansion sheet 10 from the back surface. As a result, the expansion device 50 volatilizes the solvent contained in the color ink layer 15 to dry the color ink layer 15 (step S5). By drying the color ink layer 15, the heat-expandable sheet 10 can be easily expanded in a later step.

Sixth, the user inserts the heat-expandable sheet 10 on which the color ink layer 15 is printed into the printing apparatus 40 with the back surface facing upward. The printing apparatus 40 prints the conversion layer 16 on the back surface of the inserted heat-expandable sheet 10 (step S6). The conversion layer 16 is a layer formed of a material that converts electromagnetic waves into heat, specifically black ink containing carbon black, similar to the conversion layer 14 printed on the surface of the heat-expandable sheet 10. The printing apparatus 40 ejects black ink containing carbon black to the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet 10 according to the designated back surface foaming data. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13 (e), the conversion layer 16 is formed on the back surface of the base material 11.

Seventh, the user inserts the heat-expandable sheet 10 on which the conversion layer 16 is printed into the expansion device 50 with its back surface facing upward. The expansion device 50 irradiates the back surface of the inserted heat-expandable sheet 10 with an electromagnetic wave by the irradiation unit 60 (step S7). The conversion layer 16 printed on the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet 10 generates heat by absorbing the irradiated electromagnetic waves. As a result, as shown in FIG. 13 (f), the portion of the heat-expandable sheet 10 on which the conversion layer 16 is printed rises and expands.

Note that, in FIGS. 13 (a) to 13 (f), the color ink layer 15 is shown to be formed on the ink receiving layer 13 for ease of understanding. However, more precisely, since the color ink layer 15 is absorbed inside the ink receiving layer 13, it is formed in the ink receiving layer 13.

As described above, the portion of the heat-expandable sheet 10 on which the conversion layers 14 and 16 are formed expands to produce a colored model on the heat-expandable sheet 10. The conversion layers 14 and 16 are heated more to the extent that the concentration is higher, so that the conversion layers 14 and 16 expand more. Therefore, by adjusting the shading of the conversion layers 14 and 16 according to the target height, it is possible to manufacture shaped objects having various shapes.

When the heat-expandable sheet 10 is expanded only by front surface foaming, the back surface foaming treatment in steps S6 and S7 may be omitted. Further, the back surface foaming treatment in steps S6 and S7 may be performed before printing the color image in step S5, or may be performed before the surface foaming treatment in steps S1 and S2.

<Manufacturing method of thermally expandable sheet 10>
Next, the method for manufacturing the heat-expandable sheet 10 as described above will be described. FIG. 14 shows the flow of the manufacturing process of the heat-expandable sheet 10.

In the manufacturing process of the heat-expandable sheet 10 shown in FIG. 14, the user first prepares a long base material 11. Then, the thermal expansion layer 12 is formed on the surface of the elongated base material 11 by the coating device (step S11). Step S11 is an example of a thermal expansion layer forming step.

Specifically, the user winds the long base material 11 in a roll shape and installs it in a predetermined coating device. The coating device includes a coating mechanism for applying paint by a known method such as a bar coater method, a roll coater method, a spray method, a screen printing method, etc., and coats a layer such as a thermal expansion layer 12 on a long base material 11. It is a device. When the coating device receives the operation of starting coating from the user, the coating apparatus unwinds and conveys the long base material 11 which is wound and installed in a roll shape. Then, the coating device coats the surface of the elongated base material 11 to be conveyed with the material of the thermal expansion layer 12.

After that, the coating device homogenizes the coated paint on the surface of the base material 11 by a homogenizing member such as a wire bar (Meyer bar). In addition, the coating device transports the long sheet over a predetermined distance to dry the coated paint. In this way, the thermal expansion layer 12 is formed on the surface of the elongated base material 11.

When the thermal expansion layer 12 is formed, the ink receiving layer 13 is formed on the surface of the formed thermal expansion layer 12 by the coating device (step S12). Step S12 is an example of an ink receiving layer forming step.

Specifically, the user winds a long sheet on which the thermal expansion layer 12 is formed into a roll shape and installs it in a predetermined coating device. This coating device may be the same as or different from the above-mentioned coating device used for forming the thermal expansion layer 12. When the coating device receives an operation to start coating from the user, the coating device unwinds and conveys a long sheet wound and installed in a roll shape. Then, the coating device coats the surface of the thermal expansion layer 12 of the elongated sheet to be conveyed with the material of the ink receiving layer 13. After that, the coating device homogenizes the paint applied by the homogenizing member on the surface of the sheet, transports the sheet by a predetermined distance, and dries the applied paint. In this way, the ink receiving layer 13 is formed on the surface of the thermal expansion layer 12 of the elongated sheet.

When the ink receiving layer 13 is formed, the peeling layer 17 is formed on the surface of the formed ink receiving layer 13 by the coating device (step S13). Step S13 is an example of the release layer forming step.

Specifically, the user winds a long sheet on which the ink receiving layer 13 is formed into a roll shape and installs it in a predetermined coating device. This coating device may be the same as or different from the above-mentioned coating device used for forming the thermal expansion layer 12 or the ink receiving layer 13. When the coating device receives an operation to start coating from the user, the coating device unwinds and conveys a long sheet wound and installed in a roll shape. Then, the coating device coats the surface of the ink receiving layer 13 of the elongated sheet to be conveyed with the material of the peeling layer 17. After that, the coating device homogenizes the paint applied by the homogenizing member on the surface of the sheet, transports the sheet by a predetermined distance, and dries the applied paint. In this way, the release layer 17 is formed on the surface of the ink receiving layer 13 of the elongated sheet.

When the release layer 17 is formed, the cutting device cuts the long sheet on which the release layer 17 is formed (step S14). Step S14 is an example of a cutting step.

Specifically, the user winds a long sheet on which the release layer 17 is formed into a roll shape and installs it in a predetermined cutting device. The cutting device is a device provided with a cutting mechanism such as a cutter and cuts a long sheet at a designated position and in a designated direction. When the cutting device receives an operation to start cutting from the user, the cutting device unwinds and conveys a long sheet wound and installed in a roll shape. Then, the cutting device cuts the elongated sheet into sheets having a size such as A4 size or A3 size by cutting a predetermined position of the elongated sheet to be conveyed by the cutting mechanism. As a result, at least one sheet having the base material 11, the thermal expansion layer 12, the ink receiving layer 13, and the peeling layer 17 and being cut to a desired size can be obtained.

When the sheet is cut, the cutting device forms a notch 21 and a notch 22 in the cut sheet (step S15). Step S15 is an example of a notch forming step and a notch forming step.

Specifically, the cutting device forms a notch 21 by cutting one of the four corners of a sheet cut to a desired size at an angle to the edge of the sheet. At this time, the cutting device fully cuts all the layers from the base material 11 to the release layer 17. Further, the cutting device forms the notch 22 by cutting the peeling layer 17 of the portion where the notch 21 is formed perpendicular to the edge of the notch 21. At this time, the cutting device cuts the sheet in half so as to cut only the peeling layer 17 without cutting the layers other than the peeling layer 17.

When the notch 21 and the notch 22 are formed, the peeling image 23 is printed from above the formed notch 22 by a predetermined printing mechanism (step S16). Step S16 is an example of a printing step.

The predetermined printing mechanism is a known printing method such as a laser method, a thermal transfer method, an inkjet method, and a screen printing method, and has a function of printing on the surface of a sheet cut by a cutting device. Specifically, the printing mechanism applies ink using a material that converts electromagnetic waves into heat in a circular shape (small dots) to the portion where the notch 22 is formed in the corner of the sheet. The ink using a material that converts electromagnetic waves into heat is specifically black ink containing carbon molecules. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the peeling image 23 is printed so as to overlap the notch 22.

The printing mechanism may be provided in the cutting device so that the peeling image 23 can be immediately printed on the sheet after being cut by the cutting mechanism. Alternatively, the device may be independent of the cutting device. As a result, the manufacturing process of the heat-expandable sheet 10 shown in FIG. 14 is completed. By such a process, as shown in FIG. 2, a heat-expandable sheet 10 having a notch 21, a notch 22, and a peeling image 23 in one of the four corners is obtained.

The printing of the peeling image 23 in step S16 may be executed before the process of forming the notch 21 or the process of forming the notch 22 in step S15. Alternatively, the peeling image 23 may be printed or the notch 22 may be formed before cutting the long sheet into a sheet having a desired size in step S14. As described above, the order of each step in the manufacturing process of the heat-expandable sheet 10 shown in FIG. 14 can be appropriately changed.

As described above, the heat-expandable sheet 10 according to the present embodiment is a sheet capable of forming a modeled object by expanding by heating, and is provided with a peelable layer 17 on its surface. Then, a light and shade image 24 is printed on the surface of the peeling layer 17 with a material that converts electromagnetic waves into heat, and after being heated and expanded by the expansion device 50, the peeling layer 17 is peeled off to remove the light and shade image 24. can. At that time, since the notch 22 is provided at the corner of the peeling layer 17, the peeling layer 17 can be peeled off by the user hooking it with a finger without using a tool such as a tape or a roller. Therefore, the release layer 17 can be easily peeled off without the trouble of preparing and using a tool. Further, if the peeling layer 17 is peeled off using a tape, the appearance after peeling tends to be deteriorated, but by peeling the peeling layer 17 with a finger, the surface of the heat-expandable sheet 10 can be easily peeled off without damaging the surface, which impairs the appearance. It can be suppressed.

Further, since the peeling image 23 is printed on the portion provided with the notch 22, the portion provided with the notch 22 expands and rises when heated in the expansion device 50. As a result, the user can more easily peel the peeling layer 17 by opening the peeling layer 17 from the portion provided with the notch 22.

(Modification example)
Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the above embodiment is an example, and the scope of application of the present invention is not limited to this. That is, various embodiments of the present invention are possible, and all embodiments are included in the scope of the present invention.

For example, the heat-expandable sheet 10 according to the above embodiment is provided with a circular peeling image 23 at a position overlapping the notch 22. However, in the present invention, the peeling image 23 is not limited to a circular shape, and may have any shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the rectangular peeling image 23a may be provided at a position overlapping the notch 22. As a result, when the thermal expansion layer 12 is thermally expanded, the portion of the surface of the thermal expansion layer 12 along the notch 22 can be selectively raised. Further, the size of the peeling images 23, 23a may be any size as long as the peeling layer 17 can be easily peeled by the convex shape 25 formed by the peeling images 23, 23a. ..

Further, in the present invention, a plurality of peeling images 23 may be provided. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, peeling images 23b may be provided at two positions sandwiching the notch 22. In this case, in step S16 shown in FIG. 14, the peeling image 23b is printed at two positions sandwiching the notch 22 formed in step S15. Since the peeling images 23b are provided on both sides of the notch 22 in this way, both sides of the notch 22 are raised by heating in the expansion device 50. As a result, after the thermally expandable sheet 10 expands, the user can easily open the notch 22 to peel off the release layer 17.

In the above embodiment, the notch 22 is provided in one of the four corners of the heat-expandable sheet 10. However, in the present invention, the notch 22 may be provided at a position other than the corner portion as long as it is a part of the edge portion of the heat-expandable sheet 10. Further, the notch 21 is not limited to a triangular shape as in the above embodiment, but may be a square shape or an arc shape. Alternatively, the heat-expandable sheet 10 may not be provided with the notch 21. Even if the notch 21 is not provided, the release layer 17 can be easily peeled off by providing the notch 22 in a part of the edge portion of the heat-expandable sheet 10.

Further, in the present invention, the heat-expandable sheet 10 may not be provided with the peeling image 23 in advance. In other words, when the heat-expandable sheet 10 is manufactured, the peeling image 23 may not be printed on the heat-expandable sheet 10. When the heat-expandable sheet 10 is not provided with the peeling image 23, the peeling image 23 is printed together with the shading image 24 when the shading image 24 is printed on the surface of the peeling layer 17 by the printing apparatus 40. Is also good. Specifically, when the printing apparatus 40 receives an instruction to perform printing according to the surface firing data, in addition to the surface firing data, the peeling image 23 is provided on the surface of the peeling layer 17 where the notch 22 is provided. To print. As a result, in the expansion device 50, the portion where the peeling image 23 is printed is heated, so that the portion provided with the notch 22 rises and the peeling layer 17 can be easily peeled off.

In the above embodiment, the release layer 17 is provided on the front surface of the heat-expandable sheet 10. However, in the present invention, the release layer 17 may be provided on the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet 10. Since the release layer 17 is provided on the back surface, the conversion layer 16 formed on the back surface can be removed by peeling off the release layer 17, so that the back surface of the heat-expandable sheet 10 can be effectively utilized. can. Also in this case, in order to facilitate the peeling of the peeling layer 17, a notch 22 may be provided at the edge of the peeling layer 17 provided on the back surface.

In the above embodiment, the heat-expandable sheet 10 includes a base material 11, a heat-expandable layer 12, an ink receiving layer 13, and a release layer 17. However, in the present invention, the configuration of the heat-expandable sheet 10 is not limited to this. For example, the heat-expandable sheet 10 does not have to include the ink receiving layer 13. Alternatively, the heat-expandable sheet 10 may include a layer made of any other material between any two layers. Further, the heat-expandable sheet 10 may also have an ink receiving layer 13 on the front surface of the release layer 17 or the back surface of the base material 11. When the ink receiving layer 13 is also provided on the front surface of the peeling layer 17 or the back surface of the base material 11, it may be referred to as the peeling layer 17 or the base material 11 including the ink receiving layer 13.

In the above embodiment, the terminal device 30, the printing device 40, and the expansion device 50 are independent devices. However, in the present invention, at least any two of the terminal device 30, the printing device 40, and the expansion device 50 may be integrated.

In the above embodiment, the expansion device 50 inflates the heat-expandable sheet 10 by irradiating the heat-expandable sheet 10 whose position is fixed with light while moving the irradiation unit 60. However, the expansion device 50 is provided with a transport mechanism for transporting the heat-expandable sheet 10, and the heat-expandable sheet 10 to be transported is irradiated with light from the irradiation unit 60 whose position is fixed. The heat-expandable sheet 10 may be inflated. In this way, the expansion device 50 may inflate the heat-expandable sheet 10 by any method.

The printing method of the printing device 40 is not limited to the inkjet method. For example, the printing device 40 is a laser printer, and an image may be printed by using toner and a developer. Further, the conversion layers 14 and 16 may be formed of a material other than black ink containing carbon black as long as it is a material that easily converts light into heat. In this case, the conversion layers 14 and 16 may be formed by means other than the printing apparatus 40.

Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment, and the present invention includes the invention described in the claims and the equivalent range thereof. included. The inventions described in the original claims of the present application are described below.

(Appendix 1)
A thermal expansion layer that expands due to heating in a modeling system,
A peelable peelable layer on which a predetermined pattern is printed on the surface using a material laminated on the thermal expansion layer and heated to expand the thermal expansion layer.
Equipped with
A notch is provided in a part of the edge portion of the peeling layer to assist the peeling of the peeling layer.
A heat-expandable sheet characterized by that.
(Appendix 2)
As the predetermined pattern, a pattern for forming an uneven pattern for assisting the peeling of the peeling layer on the surface of the thermal expansion layer by thermal expansion of the thermal expansion layer is provided at a position corresponding to the notch. ing,
The heat-expandable sheet according to Appendix 1, wherein the heat-expandable sheet is characterized by the above.
(Appendix 3)
As the predetermined pattern, a pattern for raising the surface of the thermal expansion layer along the notch by the thermal expansion of the thermal expansion layer is provided at a position corresponding to the notch.
The heat-expandable sheet according to Appendix 1, wherein the heat-expandable sheet is characterized by the above.
(Appendix 4)
As the predetermined pattern, a pattern for providing a step on a part of the surface of the thermal expansion layer due to the thermal expansion of the thermal expansion layer is provided at a position corresponding to the notch.
The heat-expandable sheet according to Appendix 1, wherein the heat-expandable sheet is characterized by the above.
(Appendix 5)
The predetermined pattern is provided at a position overlapping the notch in the edge portion of the peeling layer.
The heat-expandable sheet according to any one of Supplementary Provisions 2 to 4, characterized in that.
(Appendix 6)
The predetermined pattern is provided at two positions sandwiching the notch in the edge portion of the peeling layer.
The heat-expandable sheet according to any one of Supplementary Provisions 2 to 4, characterized in that.
(Appendix 7)
Notches are provided at the edges of the thermal expansion layer and the release layer.
The notch was provided perpendicular to the edge of the notch.
The heat-expandable sheet according to any one of Supplementary Provisions 1 to 6, characterized in that.
(Appendix 8)
The notch is provided in one of the four corners of the release layer.
The heat-expandable sheet according to any one of Supplementary note 1 to 7, wherein the heat-expandable sheet is characterized by the above.
(Appendix 9)
A thermal expansion layer forming step that forms a thermal expansion layer that expands by heating in a modeling system,
A peeling layer forming step for forming a peelable peeling layer on which a predetermined pattern is printed on the surface using a material heated to expand the thermal expansion layer formed in the thermal expansion layer forming step. ,
A notch forming step for forming a notch in a part of the edge portion of the peeling layer formed in the peeling layer forming step to assist the peeling of the peeling layer, and a notch forming step.
A method for producing a heat-expandable sheet, which comprises.
(Appendix 10)
The material is used on the edge of the peeling layer formed in the peeling layer forming step, and as the predetermined pattern, a concavo-convex pattern for assisting the peeling of the peeling layer is thermally expanded of the thermal expansion layer. A printing step in which a pattern for forming on the surface of the thermal expansion layer is printed at a position corresponding to the notch.
Including,
The method for manufacturing a heat-expandable sheet according to Appendix 9, wherein the heat-expandable sheet is manufactured.
(Appendix 11)
In the printing step, the predetermined pattern is printed at a position overlapping the notch formed in the notch forming step.
The method for manufacturing a heat-expandable sheet according to Appendix 10, wherein the heat-expandable sheet is manufactured.
(Appendix 12)
In the printing step, the predetermined pattern is printed at two positions sandwiching the notch formed in the notch forming step.
The method for manufacturing a heat-expandable sheet according to Appendix 10, wherein the heat-expandable sheet is manufactured.
(Appendix 13)
A notch forming step that forms a notch in the edge portion by cutting the thermal expansion layer formed in the thermal expansion layer forming step and the exfoliation layer formed in the release layer forming step.
Including
In the notch forming step, the notch is formed perpendicular to the edge of the notch in the notch forming step.
The method for producing a heat-expandable sheet according to any one of Supplementary note 9 to 12, wherein the method is characterized by the above-mentioned.

1 ... modeling system, 10 ... heat-expandable sheet, 11 ... base material, 12 ... heat-expanding layer, 13 ... ink receiving layer, 14, 16 ... conversion layer, 15 ... color ink layer, 17 ... peeling layer, 21 ... cutting Notch, 22 ... notch, 23, 23a, 23b ... peeling image, 24 ... shading image, 25 ... convex shape, 26 ... three-dimensional shape, 30 ... terminal device, 31 ... control unit, 32 ... storage unit, 33 ... operation unit , 34 ... Display unit, 35 ... Recording medium drive unit, 36 ... Communication unit, 40 ... Printing device, 41 ... Carriage, 42 ... Print head, 43, 43k, 43c, 43m, 43y ... Ink cartridge, 44 ... Guide rail, 45 ... Drive belt, 45m ... Motor, 46 ... Flexible communication cable, 47 ... Frame, 48 ... Platen, 49a ... Paper feed roller pair, 49b ... Paper ejection roller pair, 50 ... Expansion device, 51 ... Housing, 51a ... Upper side Housing, 51b ... Lower housing, 53 ... Tray, 54 ... Ventilation part, 55 ... Conveying motor, 56 ... Conveying rail, 60 ... Irradiating part, 61 ... Lamp heater, 62 ... Reflecting plate, 63 ... Temperature sensor, 64 ... Cooling unit, 65 ... Bar code reader, 69 ... Power supply unit, 70 ... Control unit, D1 ... Sub-scanning direction, D2 ... Main scanning direction

Claims (8)

A thermal expansion layer that expands due to heating in a modeling system,
A peelable peelable layer on which a predetermined pattern is printed on the surface using a material laminated on the thermal expansion layer and heated to expand the thermal expansion layer.
Equipped with
A notch is provided in a part of the edge portion of the peeling layer to assist the peeling of the peeling layer.
As the predetermined pattern, a pattern for forming an uneven pattern for assisting the peeling of the peeling layer on the surface of the thermal expansion layer by the thermal expansion of the thermal expansion layer, and the heat due to the thermal expansion of the thermal expansion layer. A pattern for raising the surface of the expansion layer along the notch, or a pattern for providing a step on a part of the surface of the thermal expansion layer due to the thermal expansion of the thermal expansion layer is provided at a position corresponding to the notch. ing,
A heat-expandable sheet characterized by that. The predetermined pattern is provided at a position overlapping the notch in the edge portion of the peeling layer or at two positions sandwiching the notch in the edge portion of the peeling layer.
The heat-expandable sheet according to claim 1. A thermal expansion layer that expands due to heating in a modeling system,
A peelable peelable layer on which a predetermined pattern is printed on the surface using a material laminated on the thermal expansion layer and heated to expand the thermal expansion layer.
Equipped with
A notch is provided in a part of the edge portion of the peeling layer to assist the peeling of the peeling layer.
Notches are provided at the edges of the thermal expansion layer and the release layer.
The notch is provided perpendicular to the edge of the notch.
A heat-expandable sheet characterized by that. A thermal expansion layer that expands due to heating in a modeling system,
A peelable peelable layer on which a predetermined pattern is printed on the surface using a material laminated on the thermal expansion layer and heated to expand the thermal expansion layer.
Equipped with
A notch is provided in a part of the edge portion of the peeling layer to assist the peeling of the peeling layer.
The notch is provided in one of the four corners of the release layer.
A heat-expandable sheet characterized by that. A thermal expansion layer forming step that forms a thermal expansion layer that expands by heating in a modeling system,
A peeling layer forming step for forming a peelable peeling layer on which a predetermined pattern is printed on the surface using a material heated to expand the thermal expansion layer formed in the thermal expansion layer forming step. ,
A notch forming step for forming a notch in a part of the edge portion of the peeling layer formed in the peeling layer forming step to assist the peeling of the peeling layer, and a notch forming step.
Using the material at the position corresponding to the notch in the peeling layer, as the predetermined pattern, an uneven pattern for assisting the peeling of the peeling layer is formed on the thermal expansion layer by the thermal expansion of the thermal expansion layer. A pattern for forming on the surface, a pattern in which the surface of the thermal expansion layer is raised along the notch by the thermal expansion of the thermal expansion layer, or a part of the surface of the thermal expansion layer due to the thermal expansion of the thermal expansion layer. A printing step to print a pattern for providing a step on the
A method for producing a heat-expandable sheet, which comprises. In the printing step, the predetermined pattern is printed at a position overlapping the notch formed in the notch forming step or at two positions sandwiching the notch formed in the notch forming step.
The method for manufacturing a heat-expandable sheet according to claim 5. A thermal expansion layer forming step that forms a thermal expansion layer that expands by heating in a modeling system,
A peeling layer forming step for forming a peelable peeling layer on which a predetermined pattern is printed on the surface using a material heated to expand the thermal expansion layer formed in the thermal expansion layer forming step. ,
A notch forming step for forming a notch in a part of the edge portion of the peeling layer formed in the peeling layer forming step to assist the peeling of the peeling layer, and a notch forming step.
A notch forming step for forming a notch at the edge portion by cutting the thermal expansion layer formed in the thermal expansion layer forming step and the exfoliation layer formed in the exfoliation layer forming step. ,
Including
In the notch forming step, the notch is formed perpendicular to the edge of the notch formed in the notch forming step.
A method for manufacturing a heat-expandable sheet. A thermal expansion layer forming step that forms a thermal expansion layer that expands by heating in a modeling system,
A peeling layer forming step for forming a peelable peeling layer on which a predetermined pattern is printed on the surface using a material heated to expand the thermal expansion layer formed in the thermal expansion layer forming step. ,
A notch forming step for forming a notch in a part of the edge portion of the peeling layer formed in the peeling layer forming step to assist the peeling of the peeling layer, and a notch forming step.
Including
In the notch forming step, the notch is formed in one of the four corners of the release layer.
A method for manufacturing a heat-expandable sheet.

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