JPH04339652A - Transfer apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily and certainly perform transfer even in a transfer material having a three-dimensional shape. CONSTITUTION:A flexible sheet (4) is pressed to a transfer material (1) by the pressure of a fluid through a transfer material (3) and, even when the transfer material (1) has a three-dimensional shape, the transfer material (1) follows the three-dimensional shape.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transfer device and method for transferring a three-dimensional molded article using a transfer material.

0002

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventionally, transfer methods have been widely used to form patterns, characters, etc. on the surfaces of various items such as home appliances, cosmetic containers, and decorative items. The transfer material used in the transfer method basically has a layered structure in which a transfer layer such as a pattern layer and an adhesive layer is provided on a release sheet, and if necessary, a surface protective layer may be provided, or a pattern layer may be provided with an adhesive layer. When the adhesive layer is used, the adhesive layer is omitted. As a transcription method,
Roll transfer, up-down transfer, etc. are well known, and are widely used in various applications such as home appliances, cosmetics, and miscellaneous goods. In this type of transfer method, the transfer material is placed on the material to be transferred,
The heated silicone rubber is pressed from above the transfer material toward the transfer material by a roller or by a pressing member that moves up and down, so that the transfer pattern of the transfer material is transferred onto the transfer material. There is. In the case of roll transfer, the above silicone rubber usually has a thickness of 10 to 50 mm and a hardness of 60 mm.
-90 degrees are used, and in the case of up-down transfer, those with a thickness of 2 to 5 mm and a hardness of 60 to 90 degrees are usually used.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in these transfer methods, since the pressure portion of the silicon rubber that is the heat source is linear or flat, the material to be transferred is two-dimensional.
This method is limited to curved surfaces or flat surfaces, and there is a problem in that it is difficult to transfer onto a three-dimensional shaped material.

[0004] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and to provide a transfer device and a transfer method that can easily and reliably transfer even to a transfer material having a three-dimensional shape. It's about doing.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention presses a flexible sheet onto a transferred material via a transfer material using fluid pressure, and the transferred material has a three-dimensional shape. The transfer material is configured so that it follows the three-dimensional shape even if the transfer material is

That is, the transfer device according to the present invention includes a mounting table on which a material to be transferred is placed, and a flexible flexible plate that faces the transfer area of the material to be transferred placed on the mounting table with the transfer material interposed therebetween. a sheet support that supports the sheet on a surface facing the transfer material, has a sheet pressurizing chamber on the opposite side of the sheet to the side facing the transfer material, and heats the sheet. a fluid supply member that supplies fluid into the pressurizing chamber of the support member, and a drive member that moves the sheet relatively to the transfer material on the placement table.

[0007] According to the above configuration, the fluid supply member:
After the sheet is pressed against the transfer material via the transfer material, fluid may be supplied to the pressure chamber to apply pressure to the sheet.

[0008] According to the above configuration, the fluid supply member has the following features:
The sheet may be pressurized by supplying fluid to the pressurizing chamber before the sheet contacts the transfer material.

Further, according to the above structure, the drive member may be configured to move the support member with respect to the transfer material on the placement table.

Further, according to the above configuration, the driving member may be configured to move the mounting table with respect to the supporting member.

[0011] Further, according to the above configuration, the above-mentioned mounting table has the following features:
It can also be configured to have a plurality of suction holes and a suction member that performs suction from the suction holes when the transfer material contacts the transfer target material and transfer is performed.

On the other hand, according to the transfer method according to the present invention,
A transfer material is placed on a transfer material mounting table, and a transfer material having a pattern layer on a release sheet is placed on the transfer area of the transfer material so that the pattern layer is located on the transfer material side. , pressing a heated flexible sheet against the transfer material through the transfer material, applying fluid pressure to the sheet to further press the sheet against the transfer material via the transfer material; The design layer of the transfer material is transferred, and after the transfer, the sheet and the release sheet of the transfer material are removed from the transfer material.

[0013] Furthermore, according to the transfer method according to the present invention,
A transfer material is placed on a transfer material mounting table, and a transfer material having a pattern layer on a release sheet is placed on the transfer area of the transfer material so that the pattern layer is located on the transfer material side. , a heated flexible sheet on which fluid pressure is applied is pressed against the transfer material through the transfer material to transfer the pattern layer of the transfer material, and after the transfer, the sheet and the transfer material are separated. The release sheet is configured to be removed from the transfer material.

[0014] Furthermore, according to the above structure, during the transfer,
It may also be configured to discharge fluid between the transfer material and the transfer material.

According to the above structure, an adhesive layer is formed on either the pattern layer or the transfer material before pressing the flexible sheet onto the transfer material via the transfer material. It can also be configured to do so.

[0016] The above-mentioned "design layer" includes a colorless and transparent surface protective layer that protects the surface of the transfer material, and a base adjustment layer that serves as a base when a design is drawn with a brush without transfer. It is something that

[0017]

According to the configuration of the transfer device according to the present invention, even if the surface of the transfer material has a three-dimensional shape, when pressing the sheet onto the transfer material via the transfer material, the supporting member By supplying fluid into the pressurized chamber, the sheet and the transfer material can be made to conform to the three-dimensional shape of the transfer material by the pressure of the fluid, and the pattern layer of the transfer material can be applied even to the transfer material having a three-dimensional shape. Transfer can be performed easily and reliably. In addition, if the gas between the transfer material and the transfer material is sucked by the suction member during transfer, excess gas will not enter between the transfer material and the transfer material. can adhere to the surface of the transfer material, allowing for more beautiful transfer of the transfer material. Therefore, even if there is a recess in the material to be transferred, by sucking the gas in the recess with the suction member, the transfer material can be brought into close contact with the wall surface within the recess, and beautiful transfer can be performed even in the recess. . In addition, there is an in-mold transfer device as a device that transfers the transfer material to the three-dimensional shape of the material to be transferred, but in this in-mold transfer device, the transfer material is inserted into the mold in advance, so the transfer material is Although there are drawbacks such as limited arrangement and complicated molding, the transfer device of the present invention does not have these drawbacks.

[0018] Furthermore, according to the transfer method according to the present invention,
Even if the surface of the transferred material has a three-dimensional shape, when the sheet is pressed onto the transferred material via the transfer material, the sheet and the transfer material can be made to conform to the three-dimensional shape of the transferred material due to the pressure of the fluid. Therefore, the pattern layer of the transfer material can be easily and reliably transferred even to a transfer material having a three-dimensional shape. Also, if the fluid between the transfer material and the transfer material is discharged during transfer, excess fluid will not get between the transfer material and the transfer material, and the transfer material will not reach the surface of the transfer material. The transfer material can be closely attached, allowing for more beautiful transfer of the transfer material. Therefore,
Even if the material to be transferred has a concave portion, by discharging the fluid in the concave portion, the transfer material can be brought into close contact with the wall surface within the concave portion, and beautiful transfer can be performed even in the concave portion. In addition, as a method of transferring the three-dimensional shape of the transferred material using a transfer material,
There is an in-mold transfer method, but in this in-mold transfer method, the transfer material is inserted into the mold in advance, so the placement of the transfer material is restricted and the mold becomes complicated. The transfer method does not have such drawbacks.

[0019]

Embodiments Below, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer device according to this embodiment places a transfer material 1 on a mounting table 2, and a heated flexible sheet 4 supported by a support member 5. The sheet 4 is placed opposite the transfer material 1 with the transfer material 3 in between, and the support member 5 is lowered relative to the placement table 2 by driving a drive member (not shown), so that the sheet 4 is transferred via the transfer material 3. It is configured to perform the transfer by pressing the transfer material 1 against the transfer material 1 under pressure.

The above-mentioned mounting table 2 has a flat upper surface and is formed with a large number of suction holes 2a, . . . , 2a, and these suction holes 2a, . It mainly sucks the gas between the transfer material 1 and the transfer material 3.

The transfer material 3 is placed on a release sheet 3b made of a base film having releasability.
A peeling layer that remains on the pattern layer side and functions as a protective layer for the pattern layer 3a when peeled off, a pattern layer 3a having a pattern such as a pattern, and an adhesive layer are laminated in this order to form a roll shape. It is something. The pattern layer 3a may be multilayered and may also include a metal vapor deposited layer. In addition, the pattern layer 3a
may include a surface protective layer if necessary. That is, the above-mentioned "design layer" includes a colorless and transparent surface protective layer that protects the surface of the material to be transferred, and a base adjustment layer that serves as a base when a design is drawn with a brush without being transferred.

A feed roller 8 and a take-up roller 9 are provided on both sides of the area where the mounting table 2 and the support member 5 face each other, respectively.
and are arranged. The roll-shaped transfer material 3 is sent out in order from the delivery roller 8 toward the take-up roller 9, and when the desired pattern layer 3a is transferred to the transfer material 1, the release sheet 3b is transferred from the delivery roller 8 at a predetermined pitch. While the new pattern layer 3a formed on the wafer is sent out, the release sheet 3b on which the pattern layer 3a has been transferred and removed is wound up on the winding roller 9. Note that the transfer material 3 is not limited to a roll-like material, but may be a short fence-like sheet that is replaced each time a transfer is performed.

[0024] The sheet 4 has a thickness of, for example, 2 to 3 mm.
Any material may be used as long as it can be elastically deformed along the three-dimensional shape of the transfer material 1, such as silicone rubber.

The support member 5 supports the sheet 4 in close contact with the surface of the box-shaped container body 5a facing the transfer material 1, and supports the sheet 4 on the side of the sheet 4 facing the transfer material 1. A sealable sheet pressurizing chamber 11 is formed in the container 5a on the opposite side, and the sheet 4 is heated by heaters 6, 6 disposed on the bottom of the container. In addition, 10 in the figure is a discharge pipe for the fluid supplied into the pressurizing chamber 11.

A fluid, for example, a liquid such as water or oil, or a gas such as steam or compressed air, is supplied into the pressurizing chamber 11 of the support member 5 from the fluid supply member 7 to pressurize the sheet 4. To support.

Further, the support member 5 can be moved up and down with respect to the transfer material 1 on the placement table 2 by a drive member (not shown).

According to the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 1, the transfer material 1 is placed on the upper surface of the placement table 2, and the transfer material 3 is
The pattern layer 3a to be transferred is opposed to the transfer material 1 via the adhesive layer. At this time, the seat 4 is heated by the heater 6,
6. And, as shown in Figure 2,
The supporting member 5 is lowered to bring the transfer material 3 into contact with the transferred material 1 via the sheet 4, and the open end surface of the main body 5a of the supporting member 5 is pressed against the upper surface of the mounting table 2 via the sheet 4. Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the fluid supply member 7
Fluid is supplied into the pressurizing chamber 11 of the support member 5 to pressurize the sheet 4, and together with the sheet 4, the transfer material 3 is pressed against the upper surface of the transfer material 1, so that the sheet 4 and the transfer material 3 are covered. The pattern layer 3a of the transfer material 3 is made to follow the three-dimensional shape of the upper surface of the transfer material 1, and the pattern layer 3a of the transfer material 3 is transferred onto the three-dimensional surface of the transfer material 1 by heat and fluid pressure transmitted from the sheet 4. During this transfer, the suction member 12 sucks the fluid, for example, gas, between the transfer material 1 and the transfer material 3 through the suction holes 2a, . It is made to be able to closely adhere to the surface of the transfer material 1 via the layer. Next, after the fluid in the pressurized chamber is extracted from the exhaust pipe 10, the support member 5 is raised as shown in FIG. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the feed roller 8 and the take-up roller 9 are driven to peel off the release sheet 3b on which the pattern layer 3a has been transferred to the transfer material 1 from the surface of the transfer material 1, and the take-up roller At the same time, the next pattern layer 3a to be transferred is positioned above the mounting table 2. In this state,
The release layer peeled off from the release sheet 3b and the transfer pattern 13 of the pattern layer 3a are transferred and adhered to the surface of the transfer material 1 via an adhesive layer. This release layer functions as a protective layer for the pattern layer 3a.

According to the above embodiment, even if the surface of the transfer material 1 has a three-dimensional shape, when the sheet 4 is pressed onto the transfer material 1 via the transfer material 3, the pressure chamber of the support member 4 1
1, the sheet 4 and the transfer material 3 can be made to conform to the three-dimensional shape of the transfer material 1 by the pressure of the fluid. The pattern layer 3a can be easily and reliably transferred. Therefore, for example, even if the transfer material has a radius formed at the corner, the sheet and the transfer material come into contact along the radius, so that the pattern layer of the transfer material is neatly and reliably applied to the radius. transcribed. In addition, since the gas between the transfer material 1 and the transfer material 3 is sucked by the suction member 12 during transfer, excess gas does not enter between the transfer material 1 and the transfer material 3, and the transfer The material 3 can be brought into close contact with the surface of the transfer material 1, and more beautiful transfer of the transfer material 3 can be performed. Therefore, even if there is a recess in the transfer material, by sucking the gas in the recess with the suction device, the transfer material can be brought into close contact with the wall surface within the recess, and beautiful transfer can be performed even in the recess. . In addition, there is an in-mold transfer method as a method of transferring the three-dimensional shape of the transfer material using a transfer material, but in this in-mold transfer method, the transfer material is inserted into the mold in advance, so the Although there are drawbacks such as the arrangement being restricted and the mold being complicated, the transfer device of the above embodiment does not have these drawbacks.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, but can be implemented in various other embodiments.

For example, if the mounting table 2 is
It is also possible to bring about similar actions and effects by moving up and down.

Furthermore, the timing of supplying the fluid to the pressurizing chamber 11 of the support member 5 is such that the fluid is supplied before the sheet 4 contacts the transfer material 3, so that the pressurized sheet 4 comes into contact with the transfer material 3. At the same time, the transfer material 3 may be pressed against the transfer material 1 via the transfer material 3.

Further, the fluid may be discharged from the pressurizing chamber 11 after the sheet 4 is separated from the transfer material 3.

Alternatively, the sheet 4 may be pressed through the transfer material 3 only against the region of the transfer material 1 to be transferred.

Further, the transfer material 3 is not limited to the above structure, but may have various structures.

For example, in the above embodiment, the release sheet 3b
When the release sheet 3b is peeled off, the release layer of the release sheet 3b remains on the pattern layer side and functions as a protective layer. By peeling off the pattern layer 3a, the release layer may also be peeled off from the pattern layer 3a. As such a release layer, a resin coating or a film laminate is preferable.

The transfer material 3 may be a release sheet made of a base film without any particular adhesive layer,
a release layer that remains on the pattern layer side when the release sheet is removed;
It may also be composed of a pattern layer that has adhesive properties and includes a pattern. In this case, the pattern layer can function as an adhesive layer, and the structure of the transfer material becomes simpler due to the absence of the adhesive layer.

Further, the transfer material 3 is composed of a release sheet made of a base film, a release layer that remains on the pattern layer side when the release sheet is peeled off, and a pattern layer that does not have adhesive properties and contains a pattern. Alternatively, the pattern layer may be transferred to the transfer material after applying an adhesive to the pattern layer of the transfer material or placing an adhesive tape on the pattern layer of the transfer material before the transfer. In this case, a tacky adhesive or a water-based adhesive can be used as the adhesive, and the transfer can be performed at a low temperature and thermal deformation of the transferred material can be prevented. When the adhesive tape described above is used, there is an advantage that no heating operation is required in the transfer process.

Further, the transfer material 3 is composed of a release sheet made of a base film, a release layer that remains on the pattern layer side when the release sheet is peeled off, and a pattern layer that does not have adhesive properties and contains a pattern. Then, the pattern layer of this transfer material may be transferred to a transfer material coated with an adhesive or a transfer material on which an adhesive tape is arranged. In this case as well, a tacky adhesive or a water-based adhesive can be used as the adhesive, and the transfer can be performed at a low temperature and thermal deformation of the transferred material can be prevented. When the adhesive tape described above is used, there is an advantage that no heating operation is required in the transfer process.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a transfer device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a transfer process.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the transfer device in a transfer process.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the transfer device in a transfer process.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the transfer device in a transfer process.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing the transfer device in a transfer process.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Transfer material, 2... Placement table, 2a... Suction hole, 3... Transfer material, 3a... Design layer, 3b... Release sheet, 4... Flexible sheet, 5... Support member, 5a... Main body, 6... Heater , 7... fluid supply member, 8... delivery roller, 9... take-up roller, 10...
Exhaust pipe, 11...pressure chamber, 12...suction member, 13...transfer pattern.

Claims (10)

[Claims] [Claim 1] A mounting table (2) on which the transferred material (1) is mounted.
), a flexible sheet (4) that faces the transfer area of the transfer material (1) placed on the placement table via the transfer material (3), and The sheet (4) is supported on opposing surfaces, and the transfer material (
It has a sheet pressurizing chamber (11) on the side opposite to the side facing the sheet (1), a sheet supporting member (5) that heats the sheet (4), and a fluid in the pressurizing chamber of the supporting member (5). and a driving member that moves the sheet (4) relative to the transfer material (1) on the placement table. Transfer device. 2. The fluid supply member (7) allows the sheet (4) to pass through the transfer material (3) to the transfer material (1).
2. The transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet (4) is pressurized by supplying fluid to the pressurizing chamber (11) after being pressed against the sheet (4). 3. The fluid supply member (7) supplies fluid to the pressurizing chamber (11) before the sheet (4) comes into contact with the transfer material (3). 2. The transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the transfer device applies pressure. 4. The transfer device according to claim 1, wherein the drive member moves the support member (5) with respect to the transfer material (1) on the placement table. . 5. The driving member includes the supporting member (5).
4. The transfer device according to claim 1, wherein said mounting table (2) is moved relative to said mounting table. 6. The mounting table (2) has a plurality of suction holes (
2a) and a suction member (12) that performs suction from the suction hole (2a) when the transfer material (3) comes into contact with the transfer material (1) and transfer is performed. A transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 7. Place the transfer material (on the transfer material mounting table (2)).
1), and transfer the transfer material (3) having the pattern layer (3a) onto the release sheet (3b) so that the pattern layer (3a) is located on the transfer material side. The flexible sheet (4) placed on the transfer area and heated is placed on the transfer material (3).
) and apply fluid pressure to the sheet (4) to further apply the sheet (4) to the transfer material (1) via the transfer material (3). The pattern layer (3a) of the transfer material (3) is transferred by pressing, and after the transfer, the sheet (4) and the release sheet (3b) of the transfer material (3) are placed on the transfer material ( 1) A transfer method characterized by removing from. [Claim 8] Place the transferred material (
1), and transfer the transfer material (3) having the pattern layer (3a) onto the release sheet (3b) so that the pattern layer (3a) is located on the transfer material side. A flexible sheet placed on the transfer area, heated and subjected to fluid pressure (
4) is pressed onto the transferred material (1) via the transfer material (3) to transfer the pattern layer (3a) of the transfer material (3), and after the transfer, the sheet (4) and The above transfer material (3
) is removed from the transfer material (1). 9. The transfer method according to claim 7, wherein during the transfer, fluid between the transfer material (1) and the transfer material (3) is discharged. 10. Before pressing the flexible sheet (4) onto the transfer material (1) via the transfer material (3), the pattern layer (3a) or the transfer material (1) is The transfer method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein an adhesive layer is formed on any one of the parts.