WO1993008034A1

WO1993008034A1 - Process for transferring foils onto permanent substrates

Info

Publication number: WO1993008034A1
Application number: PCT/DE1992/000875
Authority: WO
Inventors: Manfred Keppeler
Original assignee: Manfred Keppeler
Priority date: 1991-10-21
Filing date: 1992-10-19
Publication date: 1993-04-29
Also published as: DE4143430C2; EP0609287A1; CA2120496A1; DE4143430A1; EP0609287B1; DE59208412D1; ATE152051T1; JPH07503416A; DE4134704A1

Abstract

Patterns are applied on a foil by a printing or photocopying process and the thus obtained composition is transferred onto permanent substrates made of various materials. The use of thin, soluble or porous foils allows the modifications required for each application to be obtained. Foil base materials and solvents are provided whose combination increases the solubility of the foil above that of the applied inks or toner. The solubility gap between the foil and the toners/inks is further enlarged by the use of porous and particularly thin foils. This process allows all kinds of patterns to be transferred onto any sufficiently solid surface; the edge of the foil is barely perceptible and adherence is very strong. The disclosed process and foils are particularly useful for transferring patterns generated by colour or laser photocopiers and in at least one variation are environmentally and occupationally safe.

Description

METHOD FOR TRANSFERRING FILMS TO PERMANENT CARRIERS.

The production of prints or copies on paper, thin cardboard or foils has long been known; these can be glued to any object. Because of the heat generated during the printing or copying process and the mechanical stress, high strength and, accordingly, a corresponding thickness of the paper or the film is necessary. If the film is glued to an object, the edge is clearly visible even after painting over.

Another method of image transfer is to combine a coated paper with a self-adhesive film; this film can be peeled off the paper and glued to any object. Peelable, self-adhesive foils are subjected to great stress due to the adhesion of the adhesive to the coated carrier when peeling off, which also requires a corresponding foil thickness. Self-adhesive films are also difficult to position, bubbles and folds can occur, and if the error is corrected, there is a risk of damage to the permanent support. Films that are on a coated carrier together with a water-activated dextrin adhesive can be removed and transferred.

After applying the decals coated with an adhesive to the permanent carrier, the typical decal impression is created. Especially with images that are transferred to more expensive objects, the usual decal technique creates a very annoying foreign body effect.

No thermal transfer or thermal bonding can take place on heat-sensitive surfaces (wax), no dextrin glue may be used on water-sensitive surfaces (oxidizing metals), no organic solvents on solvent-sensitive surfaces (plastics).

All of the films coated with an adhesive have in common that the thickness of the adhesive is added to the film, as a result of which the film edge remains visible and tangible and produces the undesirable impression of a decal. The different optical properties of adhesive and film often make the interfaces visible, especially when the body being glued is rotated in the light.

Another disadvantage of the films coated with an adhesive is that the type of adhesive or the adhesive is already determined during the production of the film / adhesive / carrier composition; an appropriate choice of the type of adhesive is no longer possible later.

A cryotechnical, not yet published process (Az: P 4118063.1) provides for the object to be glued and the adhesive liquid to be cooled to such an extent that a processing temperature of less than + 10 degrees Celsius is maintained during the duration of the process. The advantages of the method result from the cooling of the adhesive substance or the solvents, which are kept in a weakly active state until the work process is essentially completed. Because of the significantly reduced evaporation, problematic solvents can also be used in this process.

The description of this process includes the production of borderless decals with the help of foils without an adhesive layer. However, application of the method requires the object to be glued to be cooled to less than 10 degrees Celsius. A temperature of minus 20 degrees Celsius is recommended for decals. Due to the required cold, the film cannot be dissolved by weak or water-containing solvents. Working at temperatures of minus 20 degrees is relatively complex. If, for example, a bonnet is glued, it would be necessary to cool the car or to cool the dismantled bonnet. In this respect, the method is only suitable to a limited extent for individual use, in particular for applying foils to larger objects.

In the process described in DE 39 24 848 Cl, copying is carried out directly onto special paper coated with silicones or stearates. The toner can be detached from this paper by a self-adhesive film, such as Scotch tape, and transferred. Since the toner adhering to the film neutralizes the adhesive properties, the film is only incompletely bonded. The method cannot be used for motifs with large toner surfaces, as is customary for color copies. In order to enable the toner to separate from the special paper, the adhesion of the toner by silicones or stearates is reduced. For this reason, it is difficult with black and white copies to obtain an evenly rich, black color tone when copying. The reject rate is very high, depending on the motive and the desired quality.

In the case of color copies, dark colors, in particular dark green and dark gray, are not accepted at all, or the toner immediately shows clear cracks and peels off after the copying process. When the black toner and the colored toner are transferred to the desired surface, the adhesion of the toner to the coated carrier is again noticeable, but now in reverse form; the toner sticks to the surface of the special paper.

These problems also occur with the thermal transmission provided in the above-mentioned method.

The risk of an incorrect transmission, especially in the case of larger motifs, and the correction of an error, which is very difficult to achieve, considerably limit the applicability.

Processes in which dry toner is in loose or easily removable form after copying are associated with a health risk due to the allergenic and carcinogenic effects of these substances.

Also of limited use are toner transfer processes which are carried out using solvents which are harmful to health and the environment, such as methylene chloride, benzene, etc., or which lead to unpleasant smells, such as dimethyl sulfoxide in higher concentrations.

A description could not be found about porous foils that can be penetrated by varnishes or solvents and that this property is used in the bonding. The aim of the present invention is films and their transfer to permanent supports with the broadest possible applicability, the film properties can be modified in such a way that different forms of application of colors or toners can be used, durability and optical reproduction are satisfactory, and inexpensive methods the creative generation, such as copying can be applied.

The production and in particular the transfer of the films, as well as the disposal must be carried out in a manner that is friendly to the environment and employees.

According to the invention, the object is achieved by means of special porous or detachable foils, preferably combining the properties mentioned; as well as through the use of special material and fabric combinations that enable a durable application to the permanent support without destroying the motif on the film.

Compatibility with the original

According to the invention, there is at least one modification which is friendly to employees and to the environment for the methods and films. Dismantling, storage, incineration or other disposal of a 0.02 mm thick, porous film is easier compared to the usual 0.1 mm thick, non-porous films used for copying purposes, if only because of the much smaller amount of material. Thin, porous foils made of cellulose nitrate are preferably used, this is a very considerable advantage in terms of environmental compatibility compared to the conventional foils made of polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene chloride, etc., which are 5 to 10 times stronger. The solvent mainly used in the process is an ethanol / water mixture, and alcoholic beverages corresponding to the food law, such as Asbach or straw rum, can certainly be used. Other image transfer methods, on the other hand, rely on harmful or odor-intensive solvents such as methylene chloride. In the image transfer method according to the invention, the solvent mainly used is at the same time permitted as food. Low-solvent water-based paints can be used for the film, the top layer, and the coating or protective layer. In particular, the application of the foils can be carried out in a simple and environmentally friendly manner by laypersons in such a way that the foil is glued to the permanent carrier with the aid of a common drinking alcohol, and if necessary protection and additional gluing can be achieved by spraying with a water-based lacquer.

Porous film

On foils made of lacquer base materials or plastic, preferably based on alkyd, epoxy, acrylic, styrene, cellulose nitrate, polyester, polyamide, polyurethane; their compounds, mixtures, and their modifications which can be achieved by generally customary substances such as plasticizers, film formers, dyes, pigments, etc. can be spread, poured or sprayed on. Painting, printing, copying, laser printing or a similar process, motifs or colors can be applied. The thickness of the film is preferably less than 2.0 mm. To transfer the resulting composition of film and colors, pigments or toners to the surface of permanent supports, it is advantageous if the composition has open or closed, or open and closed pores, the term pores also correspondingly including cracks or other openings. These pores can bond from below, above, or below and above, provided that the pore size is at least so large that it is suitable for the plastic dispersions or lacquers used, preferably on alkyd, epoxy, acrylic, styrene. , Cellulose nitrate, polyester, polyamide, polyurethane base and their compounds and mixtures, hardener solutions, and solvents, preferably alcohols of the aliphatic series up to hexyl alcohol, dimethyl sulfoxide, formic acid, glycol, acetone, water and their mixtures permeable, or these Fabrics dissolve the composition and thereby enlarge existing micropores so that the film becomes permeable to these fabrics.

The bonding of the composition takes place predominantly or completely through the composition, or for certain applications only partially, but at least to the extent that the proportion of the adhesive bond made possible by the pores in the total adhesive strength is at least 3%.

The pores should not disturb the visual impression, preferably after transfer to the permanent support, they should be smaller than 2 mm ² . The average pore density before transfer to the permanent support should be at least 1 pore per dm ² , preferably 4 pores per cm ² , in particular 40 pores per cm ² or more.

In the simplest embodiment, only the film, for example a color film, is transferred, with an average of a 2 mm pore per dm ^{2 of} film. If an approximately 1 m ² large film is attached with the aid of a water-soluble adhesive, additional bonding is achieved through the pores. The pores or adherence points prevent the film from fluttering or being completely detached if the film is damaged or the adhesive dissolves due to weather influences.

When applying a topcoat or protective lacquer, the gluing from above, through the pores, results automatically, so that no additional operation or a special adhesive is necessary for the additional strength of the film. Mutual compatibility of film and top coat, as well as its adhesive properties can be determined using simple tests. With pore sizes between 2 mm and 0.01 mm, practically all known films can be glued onto the film in the manner according to the invention by simply spraying an adhesive. With a correspondingly careful dosage when spraying, almost all known lacquers, in particular so-called water-based lacquers, can also be used. According to the invention, gluing from below is also possible. The adhesive or lacquer applied to the permanent carrier penetrates into the pores and there are plugs of adhesive which considerably improve the adhesive strength of the film. The adhesive or lacquer can also be applied in excess, so that the substance can be pressed through the pores onto the surface of the film and an additional protective or adhesive function is thereby achieved. Foil material and lacquer or solvent are combined in such a way that mutual dissolving takes place and the resulting layer has adhesive and / or protective properties. The desired extent of mutual resolution is determined using tables that the person skilled in the art uses in daily use. In order to be able to apply a motif to films whose thickness is less than 0.1 mm or which are particularly sensitive by printing or copying, it is necessary to reinforce the film by means of an intermediate carrier.

In order to be able to pull the film off the intermediate carrier again, an intermediate carrier coated with a release agent, preferably with stearates or silicones, is used; the intermediate carrier usually consists of paper or thin cardboard. However, other materials, such as plastics, are also provided for the method according to the invention. Intermediate carriers made of plastic enable a better storage life with film thicknesses of less than 0.005 mm and with very sensitive films. After peeling off, the foils are also somewhat smoother than with paper intermediate supports. According to the invention, an adhesive substance can be located between the porous film and the coated carrier. The substance can be activated thermally, by means of pressure, UV light, solvents and water and can cause sufficient adhesion. Additional bonding is preferably carried out through the pores, as a result of which the adhesive substance between the film and the intermediate carrier, or the adhesive force thereof, can be relatively low.

A porous film can be used particularly advantageously if there is no adhesive substance between the film and the intermediate carrier. The choice of adhesive can therefore only be made during use. Because of the adhesive from above, it is often sufficient to press the film onto the permanent support and then overpaint it. In a further modification it is provided that the porous film is dissolved or dissolved by lacquer or a solvent and that the resulting substance has adhesive properties. When using a solvent, the adhesive substance consists of film and solvent. In an analogous modification of this method, the adhesive substance can also form from the permanent carrier.

Another possibility of fixing the film on the permanent support can be by means of pressure and heat, the film being heated in a known manner to such an extent that it melts slightly and the melted phase causes adhesion.

If the temperature is too high, irreversible destruction of the motif occurs very quickly; if the temperature is too low, however, the adhesion is poor. When using the film according to the invention, the film can be "tacked" at low temperatures and then satisfactory strength can be achieved by overpainting. This application according to the invention is particularly advantageous for photocopied motifs. Toners, which consist of plastic-coated color particles, melt at approx. 140 to 180 degrees; but have the tendency to burst open before the melting point is reached, so that the melting point of the film must be at the lower edge of the toner melting point. Since the melting behavior of color toners differs depending on the color or thickness of the toner layer, the transfer of color copies to foils requires appropriate equipment and experience. However, the reject rate is very high. If, on the other hand, a porous film is used, the required residual glue can be easily applied from above through the film.

Micro-porous film on carrier

An independent implementation of the aim according to the invention is through the use of a microporous film made of lacquer base materials or plastic, preferably based on alkyd, epoxy, acrylic, styrene, cellulose nitrate, polyester, polyamide, polyurethane; their compounds, mixtures, and the modifications which can be achieved by commonly used substances such as plasticizers, film formers, dyes, pigments etc.

The film is applied by brushing, pouring, spraying. Painting, printing, copying, laser printing or a similar process, a motif or colors applied and the composition of foil and colors, pigments or toners is transferred to the surface of permanent carriers by gluing.

The film has a thickness of less than 0.05 mm, preferably less than 0.03 mm and is located on a support coated with release agents, preferably silicones or stearates

Paper, plastic or cardboard, there being no adhesive substance between the film and the coated support. The coated carrier has the task of ensuring sufficient strength of the film during the printing or copying process. After peeling off the coated carrier, the composition is connected to the permanent carrier by using solvents, hardener solutions, plastic dispersions or lacquers, preferably alcohols of the aliphatic series to hexyl alcohol, dimethyl sulfoxide, formic acid, glycol, acetone and mixtures thereof, especially ethanol-water Mixtures, from below, above, or below and above is dissolved and the resulting mixture has adhesive properties.

In contrast, the thickness of the generally used foils or self-adhesive foils used for printing or copying is approximately 0.1 mm. They are relatively resistant to weak solvents such as alcohol / water mixtures, so that extensive dissolving of the films with weak solvents is not possible. When using stronger solvents, such as acetone, the film dissolves with a simultaneous destruction of the applied motif. The films according to the invention preferably have a thickness of 0.03 mm or less and can be dissolved by solvents. With special material combinations and processes, the speed of dissolution of the toners in relation to the film is somewhat slower, which means that it is possible to dissolve, partly even completely, dissolve the film without destroying the motif. According to the invention, in the case of particularly low film thicknesses, the color pigments or dry toners are additionally fixed or embedded after application to the film by means of a cover layer. As a result, when using weak solvents, in particular water-diluted solvents such as ethanol, isopropanol, acetone, formamide, glycol, etc., there is a clear difference between the solution properties of the film and the toners. When using the materials and process steps described according to the invention, it is possible to dissolve the film when it is applied to the permanent support and to bring about an adhesion through the layer that forms. During the solidification, the toner / color layer within the loosened film can ideally sink to the permanent carrier without being destroyed.

Then the motif is solidified and connected to the permanent support so that commercially available, solvent-based paints can be applied.

The method can be used without restriction in particular in the case of the dry toners used in copiers and laser printers. In the case of very easily soluble toners and printing inks, the film thickness is increased and the composition of the solvent is changed accordingly; the solvent is weakened by dilution.

Good results can be achieved by using a weak solvent suitable for the respective film material, for example alcohol diluted with water with small additions of glycerol, which enables the film to "float and slide" and thus enables exact positioning and problem-free application. In addition, by slightly loosening the underside of the film, an adhesive substance is formed, thereby reducing the film thickness and sticking the film together.

If a solvent-based lacquer is selected during the subsequent application of a protective lacquer which slightly loosens the film from above and at the edges, a further reduction in the strength of the eol, at least a flattening of the edges, and additional gluing can be achieved.

Another particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention is the combination of the film properties or the use of thin, soluble and at the same time porous films. After the printing or copying process, the film is removed and can be positioned without any problems by covering the area to be glued with the solvent on an object so that the film floats on this solution. If the solvent is modified by generally known additives such as plasticizers, crosslinking agents or lubricants, even large foils can be positioned exactly on a problematic surface, for example a curved bonnet, with little effort. The slight gluing, for example with a water / alcohol mixture on the underside of the film, is sufficient for simple applications. A tack is achieved with 20 vol.% Ethanol. With 50% ethanol there is a satisfactory bond for demonstration purposes.

When applying larger motifs to motor vehicles, the

Practice that this light glue is very beneficial; the film thus adhered can also be washed off after a few days with a sharp water jet (high-pressure cleaner), ethanol or nitro thinner. The visual effect of a motif, errors in the transmission or positioning etc. may make it necessary to remove the film. Due to the inexpensive production, large-scale colored motifs can also be tested, i.e. removable and harmless to the paint. In motor vehicles in particular, the trial application of larger motifs is a considerable advantage.

According to the invention, the motif can also be applied in such a way that a light adhesive is added to the solvent or the dissolving and thus also the adhesive of the film is modified by a stronger solvent, preferably ethanol / water with 80% vol. Ethanol. that it is stable under normal use, but can be removed again if necessary, preferably with nitro or universal thinner.

Permanent, intensive adhesion and protection of the film is achieved by overpainting with one of the customary car paints. Painting with water-based paints and subsequent heating can also be carried out. The combination according to the invention of a thin, detachable, porous film with the solvents and lacquers described ensures that the applied film is bonded very intensively (diffusion bonding) and is not recognizable or can only be seen on closer inspection. Ideally, the film "sinks" into the surface of the object in question.

In order to additionally fix or embed printing inks or toners or to reinforce the film, a cover layer is applied using a suitable material after the printing or copying process, but before the composition is applied to the permanent support.

The cover layer can consist entirely or partially of the same materials or of materials with similar or compatible properties as the film. For example, the film can be produced on a nitrocellulose basis and the cover layer can be produced by spraying on an acrylic lacquer.

Accordingly, further processing can also be carried out in a manner similar to that of the film without a cover layer.

Manufacture of porous films

Porous foils or porous lacquer layers are generally not desirable; Basic and auxiliary materials, production and processing are therefore coordinated in such a way that foils are predominantly non-porous and therefore impermeable to liquids.

For the execution of the image transmission according to the invention, on the other hand, it is intended that the film used has pores, preferably in a size which is hardly or no longer perceived by the eye; thus in the range of 0.02 mm. At the same time, the pores must be permeable to paints, solvents or adhesives. However, the width of the pores when transferring photocopies can be relatively large, that is to say approximately 0.1 mm, without the motif being appreciably impaired, since the pores constrict during the copying process. An additional narrowing can take place when the cover layer is applied or when it is transferred to the permanent support.

However, at the latest when the film is overcoated, the pores are filled with lacquer and their visibility is significantly reduced. The porous films which can be used according to the invention can be produced by blow molding, casting, extruding or calendering, and also by casting a foamed lacquer or plastic solution, or by spraying.

By spraying lacquers or lacquer mixtures onto a siliconized carrier, a porous film with a thickness of less than 0.002 mm can be produced. Such thin films can be subjected to a printing or copying process, but are difficult to remove. According to the invention, these particularly thin and sensitive foils, after the application of paints or toners, are reinforced by spraying on lacquer to such an extent that they can be removed from the coated carrier.

The film thickness is preferably approximately 0.01 mm before the copying or printing process and is then reinforced by a cover layer of approximately 0.01 mm, so that the thickness of the overall film is approximately 0.02 mm. The film thickness is always stated without colors or toners, because in particular the thickness of the applied toners, depending on the color, can exceed that of the film.

The film and cover layer preferably consist of compatible or homogeneous materials and combine to form a film. This special production method has the advantage that colors or toners are located between two layers of film and are thereby additionally protected against the effects of solvents, lacquers, adhesives etc. during application to the permanent carrier. A particularly absorbent, easily printable or copyable plastic or lacquer, for example based on cellulose nitrate, can be used for the base layer of the film, while the top layer consists of a harder lacquer, eg based on acrylic.

In a simple embodiment of the invention, the film can have a thickness of approximately 0.02 mm, so that it can be removed directly after the copying process without applying a cover layer. Furthermore, it is planned to reinforce the porous film to about 0.09 mm; it can therefore be subjected to a printing / copying process even without a carrier.

Any sufficiently thinnable and sprayable lacquer or film base material can be used as the base material for the film; lacquers based on alkyd, acrylic or cellulose nitrate are preferably used. Films for image transfers are preferably transparent, but can also contain dyes. With most copiers, the color white is not produced, so that it may be necessary to color the film accordingly when transferring to dark objects. The spray substance can be modified in a known manner by known auxiliaries such as plasticizers, fillers, paints, etc. Preferably, a layer of 0.002 mm is applied to a carrier coated with a release agent per spraying process and the process is repeated after the complete drying until the desired layer thickness has formed. The pores can be seen with a microscope, magnification 40 x 80; preferably the pore size is between 0.2 mm and 0.02 mm; the pore density is 50 to 200 pores per cm ² .

It should be taken into account that the printing or copying process usually results in a narrowing or a reduction in the number of pores. The size and number of pores should be matched to this. According to the invention, the pores can also be created or enlarged after the printing or copying process or after the covering layer has been applied. A combination of porous film and additional subsequent creation or expansion of pores is easier to carry out and useful in many applications.

According to the invention, it is provided that the pores of the film are also produced or expanded in an additional operation that takes place after the normal manufacturing process.

The pores can also be created or expanded after the application of the paints, toners or pigments, a further application providing for the selective creation or enlargement of the pores at the locations coated by paints, toners or pigments. In films with a top layer, the pores can be created or expanded after the top layer has been applied. The pores can be created or expanded mechanically, thermally or by loosening.

The simplest possibility is to create pores, cracks, holes or other openings by means of injection or push-in needles. The needles can also be arranged in a comb so that the manual pore pricking can be carried out somewhat more quickly.

With small quantities and small areas, pores can be created in a simple manner. In the case of films which are already porous, only certain areas can thereby be selectively provided with pores. In the case of photocopies, especially in the case of dark colors, the toner strength is relatively high, so that subsequent, selective generation of pores is recommended in order to achieve particularly intensive and uniform adhesion.

According to the invention, a spiked roller is used for larger films. The spiked roller can be easily produced by inserting needles into a rubber roller. The dimension of the roller can be adapted to the respective film width, so that spiked rollers can also be used in the industrial production of porous films. Another form of pore creation is the use of a laser. The film areas (pores) are evaporated to the desired extent by a correspondingly powerful laser. Since, in the case of particularly thin foils and a small pore size, the existing pores can be melted by printing or copying processes or blocked by colors or toners, this can be avoided in addition to the described possibilities for creating or expanding the pores by printing or Copying a pore grid, especially in color-intensive areas, is generated so that color-free areas (pores) are preserved.

In the case of computer-controlled printing processes (laser printers), this can be achieved using an appropriate program.

In the case of copying processes, the desired purpose can be achieved by using a transparent film with white dots, which is placed over or under the motif when copying.

In other printing processes, the cutouts (pores) can be taken into account when the template (sieves, clichés, raster photos, etc.) is created.

According to the invention, in the simplest embodiment, only one colored film is transferred, and there are further different possible uses depending on the individual method steps. Ultimately, any motif or representation, preferably by a color copier, can be applied to the porous and / or soluble film described and then transferred to almost any solid surface, preferably to metals, metal oxides, wood, wood materials, paper, Cardboard, cardboard, ceramics, plastics, leather, synthetic leather, cork, wax, glass, synthetic glass, hard foam, porcelain, clay, ceramics, stone, food, textiles, rubber, rubber, canvas and painted surfaces. Because of the wide range of applications of the method and of the foils, modifications are necessary for the respective area of application, which can be determined on the basis of simple experiments, which the person skilled in the art can easily carry out.

The method also provides for the surface of the permanent support to be processed in a suitable manner. The film properties with regard to the dissolution behavior, in particular by the choice of easily soluble and porous materials, can also be used advantageously for the surface of the permanent support. A suitable surface treatment consists of spraying on a thin layer of acrylic or nitro lacquer and applying the film before it is completely hardened. If the surface of the permanent carrier is slightly roughened, the thin film which has been loosened during the application fills in the resulting depressions. As a result, when the film dries / sticks on, the motif is additionally solidified, since the toner sinks partly or completely through to the roughened surface.

This makes it possible, when painting over the applied composition, to largely dissolve the upper layers of paint without the motif changing. According to the invention, for example, a motif (color copy) can be transferred to a roughened copper plate without the edge of the film being recognizable; the impression is given that the motif was printed or copied directly onto the copper plate. Testing the adhesive intensity

The pores have the advantage of an additional adhesive, the intensity of which can be determined by the size and number of pores. The strength resulting from pore bonding can be checked with a simple procedure. A piece of film of approximately 100 cm ² glued onto a permanent support, for example a metal plate, is cut into a cross shape. Then point a jet of water at the intersection of the two cuts. In the case of water-sensitive adhesives, the method can also be carried out with compressed air.

Based on the pressure values of the water or air, as well as the duration of the test or the time of detachment, direct conclusions can be drawn about the intensity of the bond.

The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of drawings and examples, but without being restricted thereto.

Example I - Bonding a Porous Colored Film

A self-adhesive, colored polyethylene film (1) on a coated carrier, produced by calendering, as shown in Figure 1, is provided with pores (2) using a spiked roller.

The thickness of the film is 0.09 mm, the pore size 0.1 mm

Density approx. 20 pores per cm ² .

The film is glued to a metal plate (4) with the aid of a self-adhesive substance (3) and coated with a lacquer (5) based on alkyd, acrylic or epoxy. The lacquer penetrating through the pores to the surface of the permanent body creates additional adhesive points (6), which significantly increases the adhesive strength of the film.

The additional "gluing from above" does not require a separate operation if the protective and adhesive varnish are identical.

Example II - Application of a porous, printed film on wax by gluing from above

After the printing or copying process, a porous acrylic film of 0.03 mm thickness is removed from the coated carrier and positioned; by light brushing or rubbing, sufficient adhesion to the wax base is achieved. Subsequent spraying with varnish gives a satisfactory bond.

For the transfer of motifs to candles, the film base material can be modified in a known manner so that the film does not pose any particular fire risk.

Example III - Thermal fixation of a porous film on a copper plate

The film with the motif applied is thermally fixed in a known manner at temperatures which correspond approximately to the melting point of the film and then overpainted. The film preferably consists of a relatively low-melting material which can still be copied, for example based on cellulose nitrate, so that the film begins to melt in front of the applied toners, so the melting point of the film is approximately 140-160 degrees. In a second embodiment of the example, a particularly sensitive motif is only tacked at a temperature of approximately 140 degrees. The main gluing is done by spraying on an acrylic varnish, which causes the film to stick through the pores.

Example IV - Transfer a photocopied motif onto a canvas using a thin, soluble film

A 0.01 mm thick film made by spraying one

Cellulose nitrate varnish on siliconized paper is provided with an individual, colored motif using a photocopier. The composition is then strengthened by further spraying with a water-based paint to such an extent that the eolie can be removed from the coated support; the total thickness of the film, toner and cover layer is approximately 0.035 mm.

At 40 x 80 magnification, no pores are visible under the microscope. However, the film has micropores, which improves the solubility of the film. A mixture of ethanol and water with 30% by volume of ethanol is applied to a commercially available primed canvas, such as is used for corn purposes. The film is placed on the canvas, the film floating on the solvent.

The film is positioned and then the excess

Squeeze out solvent with a soft rag and collect. After drying / sticking, the linen structure is clearly visible on the surface of the film. The different strengths of the toners give the impression that the motif was created by hand.

After painting over with water-based paint, the edge of the film can neither be felt nor recognized. Example V - transferring a photocopied motif to a hood using a thin, soluble and porous film

A color copy (8) is applied to a porous film (7) made of cellulose nitrate varnish with a thickness of 0.007 mm (Figure 2). The film is then reinforced with acrylic paint (9) to 0.04 mm. The pore density and number of pores can be checked under a microscope (40 × 80). If necessary, the number of pores (10), in particular in the areas with a thicker toner layer (11), is reworked manually with the aid of a spiked roller, so that an average of approximately 30 pores per cm ^{2 of} film are present. The pore size can be up to 0.1 mm, but preference is given to pores which are not or barely visible, i.e. about 0.02 mm in size. The painted bonnet (12) of a motor vehicle is cleaned and covered with a mixture of water and alcohol (70 vol.% Ethanol) so that the film floats on it. The film is positioned and the excess solvent is pressed out and collected. An adhesive substance (13) is formed from the alcohol solution and the film, which leads to weak adhesion of the film.

After the film has dried on, it is first sprayed thinly and then provided in the usual manner, for example with a low-solvent water-based paint (14). Problems, for example the visual effect of a large motif on the bonnet cannot quite correspond to the ideas of the car owner, are very easy to solve; the film can be removed shortly after application / weak adhesion by a strong water jet. Example VT - production of a porous film and embedding of a motif by spraying

As shown in Figure 3, a porous film (16) with a thickness of approximately 0.002 mm is produced by spraying a commercially available mixture of lacquer and thinner with the aid of compressed air on a siliconized carrier made of paper (15). Such thin films can already be subjected to a printing or copying process, but are difficult to remove. According to the invention, the spraying process is therefore repeated until the desired film thickness (17) is reached. The paint mixture can be changed after each spraying process. Good copying properties result from pure cellulose nitrate films, greater strength is achieved by adding acrylic lacquer.

The film is preferably first produced from cellulose nitrate by 4 to 5 spraying operations in a thickness of 0.01 mm. After the copying or printing process, a top layer (18) of approximately 0.005 mm is applied by spraying 2 to 3 times with cellulose nitrate varnish and embedding the toner (19). The cover layer is then reinforced by spraying once with acrylic lacquer (20), so that the thickness of the overall film is approximately 0.02 to 0.03 mm.

The resulting pores can be open (21), semi-open (22) or closed (23). The pore size is approximately 0.02 mm; the pore density up to 150 pores per cm ² . The film is removed and processed in a known manner.

Claims

Patent Claim

1. Process for the transfer of a film made of lacquer base material or plastic, preferably based on alkyd, epoxy, acrylic, styrene, cellulose nitrate, polyester, polyamide, polyurethane; their compounds, mixtures, and obtainable by commonly used substances such as plasticizers, film formers, dyes, pigments, etc.

Modifications, the thickness of which is less than 2.0 mm, to which are applied by painting, pouring, spraying, painting, printing, copying, laser printing or a similar process, motifs or colors and the composition of film and colors, Pigments or toners is transferred to the surface of permanent carriers, characterized in that

- That the composition has open or closed, or open and closed pores, whereby the term pores also includes cracks or other openings, - The pore size is at least so large that it is for plastic dispersions or lacquers, preferably on alkyd, epoxy -, Acrylic, styrene, cellulose nitrate, polyester, polyamide, polyurethane base, as well as their compounds and mixtures, hardener solutions, and solvents, preferably alcohols of the aliphatic series up to hexyl alcohol, dimethyl sulfoxide, formic acid, glycol, acetone, water and whose mixtures are permeable, or these substances dissolve the composition and enlarge existing pores so that the film becomes permeable to these substances,

the pores do not disturb the optical impression, preferably after the transfer to the permanent support, they are smaller than 2 mm ² ,

- The average pore density before transfer to the permanent support is at least 1 pore per dm ² , preferably 4 pores per cm ² , in particular 40 pores per cm ² or more. the bonding of the composition takes place predominantly or completely, through the composition, or the bonding takes place partially, but at least to the extent that the desired result cannot be achieved without the use of a porous composition, the proportion of which was made possible by the pores Bond to the total adhesive strength is at least 3%,

- The gluing can be done from below, above, or below and above.

2. Film for carrying out the method, in particular according to claim 1, characterized in that

that the film has open or closed pores, or open and closed pores, the term pores also correspondingly comprising cracks or other openings,

- The pore size is at least so large that it is suitable for plastic dispersions or lacquers, preferably on alkyd, epoxy, acrylic,

Styrene, cellulose nitrate, polyester, polyamide, polyurethane-based and their compounds and mixtures, hardener solutions, and solvents, preferably alcohols from the aliphatic series to hexyl alcohol, dimethyl sulfoxide, formic acid, glycol, acetone, water and mixtures thereof are permeable, or these substances dissolve the film and enlarge existing pores so that the film becomes permeable to these substances,

the pores do not interfere with the optical impression, preferably less than 2 mm ² after transfer, the average pore density before transfer to the permanent support is at least 1 pore per dm ² , preferably 4 pores per cm ² , in particular 40 pores per cm ² or more,

- The film is mainly or completely glued through the film, or partly, but at least to the extent that the desired result cannot be achieved without the use of a porous film, the proportion of the glue made possible by the pores of the total adhesive strength is at least 3%. - The gluing can be done from below, above, or below and above.

3. A film according to claim 2, characterized in that the film by lacquers, hardeners, plastic dispersions and adhesives, preferably on alkyd, epoxy, acrylic, styrene, cellulose nitrate, polyester,

Polyamide, polyurethane base and their compounds and mixtures, and / or of solvents, preferably alcohols from the aliphatic series to hexyl alcohol, dimethyl sulfoxide, formic acid, glycol, acetone and their mixtures, in particular ethanol-water mixtures, can be dissolved or dissolved and the resultant Has layer adhesive and / or protective properties.

4. A film according to claim 2, characterized in that the film is on a carrier made of paper, plastic or cardboard coated with release agents, preferably silicones or stearates, and that there is no adhesive substance between the film and the coated carrier.

5. Film according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the film is on a coated carrier, and according to the

Peeling can be solved or dissolved and the resulting substance has adhesive properties.

6. Film according to claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the film is thermally fixable.

7. A film according to claim 2, characterized in that the film is on a coated carrier, and that between the porous film and the coated carrier is a substance suitable for gluing.

8. Film according to claim 7, characterized in that the substance suitable for bonding can be activated thermally, by pressure, UV light, solvent and water.

9. Process for transferring a film made of lacquer base materials or plastic, preferably based on alkyd, epoxy, acrylic, styrene, cellulose nitrate, polyester, polyamide, polyurethane, their compounds, mixtures, and by commonly used Substances such as plasticizers, film formers, dyes, pigments, etc. can be attained - modifications, by brushing, pouring, spraying.

Painting, printing, copying, laser printing or a similar process, motifs or colors are applied and the composition of film and colors, pigments or toners is transferred to the surface of permanent supports by gluing, characterized in that

that the film is on a carrier made of paper, plastic or cardboard coated with release agents, preferably silicones or stearates,

- There is no adhesive substance between Eolie and coated carrier

the film has a thickness of less than 0.05 mm, preferably less than 0.03 mm,

- After removal of the coated carrier, the composition is connected to the permanent carrier in that the composition by solvents, hardener solutions, plastic dispersions or lacquers, preferably alcohols of the aliphatic series to hexyl alcohol, dimethyl sulfoxide, formic acid, glycol, acetone and mixtures thereof, especially ethanol - Water mixtures from below, above, or below and above is dissolved, - and the mixture that forms has adhesive properties.

10. Film for carrying out the method, in particular according to claim 9, characterized in that

- there is no adhesive substance between the film and the coated carrier,

the film has a thickness of less than 0.05 mm, preferably less than 0.03 mm,

- After removal of the coated carrier, the composition is connected to the permanent carrier in that the composition by solvents, hardener solutions, plastic dispersions or lacquers, preferably alcohols of the aliphatic series to hexyl alcohol, dimethyl sulfoxide, formic acid, glycol, acetone and mixtures thereof, especially ethanol - water mixtures from below, above, or below and above is dissolved,

- and the resulting mixture has adhesive properties.

11. Film according to claims 2 to 10, characterized in that after the application of the colors, the printing or copying process, but before the application of the composition on the permanent carrier, by a suitable cover material, preferably plastics or paints, the colors or toner are additionally fixed, and / or embedded, and / or the film is reinforced and this cover layer consists entirely or partially of the same materials or materials with similar or compatible properties as the film.

12. Film according to claims 2 to 11, characterized in that when transferred to the permanent support lacquers, plastic solutions or adhesives, preferably on alkyd, epoxy, acrylic, styrene, cellulose nitrate, polyester, polyamide, polyurethane -Base and their compounds and mixtures, and / or solvents, preferably alcohols of the aliphatic series to hexyl alcohol, dimethyl sulfoxide, formic acid, glycol, acetone and their mixtures, in particular ethanol-water mixtures, these substances are the composition, or composition and top layer, penetrate and glue on the underside of the film.

13. A film according to claims 2 to 12, characterized in that when transferred to the permanent support, varnishes, plastic solutions or adhesives, preferably alkyd, epoxy, acrylic, styrene, cellulose nitrate, polyester, polyamide, Polyurethane-based and their compounds and mixtures, and / or solvents, preferably alcohols from the aliphatic series to hexyl alcohol, dimethyl sulfoxide, formic acid, glycol, acetone and their mixtures, in particular ethanol / water mixtures, are applied to these substances, the permanent carrier, the transferred composition , or loosen or loosen the top layer, or loosen or loosen carrier, composition and top layer and these solutions have an adhesive and / or protective function.

14. A process for producing an Eolie from lacquer base materials or plastic, preferably based on alkyd, epoxy, acrylic, styrene, cellulose nitrate, polyester, polyamide, polyurethane; their compounds, mixtures, and modifications which can be achieved by commonly used substances such as plasticizers, film formers, dyes, pigments, etc. and whose thickness is less than 2.0 mm, by brushing, pouring or spraying. Painting, printing, copying, laser printing or a similar process, motifs or colors can be applied and the composition of foil and colors, pigments or toners can be transferred to the surface of permanent supports, characterized in that

- The pore size is at least so large that it for plastics - dispersions or lacquers, preferably based on alkyd, epoxy, acrylic, styrene, cellulose nitrate, polyester, polyamide, polyurethane and their compounds and mixtures, hardener solutions , as well as solvents, preferably alcohols of the aliphatic series up to hexyl alcohol, dimethyl sulfoxide, formic acid, glycol, acetone, water and mixtures thereof, or these substances dissolve the film and enlarge existing micropores so that the film becomes permeable to these substances,

the pores do not interfere with the optical impression, preferably after the transfer, they are smaller than 2 mm ² ,

- The average pore density before transfer to the permanent support is at least 1 pore per dm ² , preferably 4 pores per cm ² , in particular 40 pores per cm ² or more.

15. A method for producing a film according to claim 14, characterized in that the film is produced by blow molding, casting, extrusion or calendering.

16. A method for producing a film according to claim 14, characterized in that the film is produced by casting a foamed lacquer or plastic solution.

17. A method for producing a film according to claim 14, characterized in that the film is produced by spraying.

18. A method for producing a film according to claims 14 to 17, characterized in that the pores are created or expanded on the finished film.

19. A method for producing a film according to claims 14 to 18, characterized in that the pores are produced or expanded after the application of the colors, toners or pigments.

20. A method for producing a film according to claim 19, characterized in that the pores are selectively generated or expanded at the locations coated by colors, toners or pigments after the application of the colors, toners or pigments.

21. A method for producing a film according to claims 14 to

20, characterized in that the pores are created or expanded after the application of the cover layer.

22. A method for producing a film according to claims 14 to

21, characterized in that the pores are generated mechanically, thermally or by dissolving or expanding.

23. A method for producing a film according to claims 14 to 21, characterized in that the pores are generated mechanically with the aid of a spiked roller.

24. A method for producing a film according to claims 14 to 21, characterized in that the pores are generated by using a laser.

25. The method according to claims 1 to 24, characterized in that a pore pattern is generated in printing or copying processes, in particular in color-intensive areas, so that color-free areas are preserved.

26. The method according to claims 1 to 24, characterized in that a transparent film with white dots is used to produce color-free spots when copying.

27. The method according to claims 1 to 26, characterized in that the surface of the permanent carrier is roughened before the film is applied.

28. The method according to claims 1 to 27, characterized in that the surface of the permanent carrier is provided with a varnish prior to transfer of the film, which has the same solution properties as the applied film.

29. The method according to claims 1 to 28, characterized in that the surface of the permanent carrier is provided with a lacquer whose pores are determined by similar parameters as the pores of the film applied.

30. Application of the method according to claims 1 to 29, characterized in that a film on surfaces of different

Materials, preferably on metals, metal oxides, wood, wood-based materials, paper, cardboard, cardboard, ceramics, plastics, leather, synthetic leather, cork, wax, glass, synthetic glass, rigid foam, porcelain, clay, ceramic, stone, food, Textiles, rubber, rubber or canvas is transferred.

31. Use of the film according to claims 2 to 29, characterized in that a film on surfaces made of different materials, preferably on metals, metal oxides, wood, Holzwerk¬ materials, paper, cardboard, cardboard, ceramics, plastics, leather, plastics. leather. Cork, wax, glass, synthetic glass, hard foam, porcelain, clay, ceramic, stone, food, textiles, rubber, rubber or canvas are transferred.

32. Use of a film, produced according to claims 14 to 29, characterized in that it is made of different surfaces