JPH01215580A - Method for forming image on object - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To form an image on an object without interfering with the color etc. of the object, by a method wherein, an image is formed by selectively transferring an ink layer of a recording medium to an ink non-absorbing accepting body by a thermal transfer method and, thereafter, a transparent sheet is applied on the image, whereby the image is securely transferred to an adhesive layer of the sheet, and this transparent sheet is applied to the object. CONSTITUTION:An ink layer (r) of a recording medium is selectively transferred to an ink non-absorbing accepting body 3 by a thermal transfer method to form an image. Thereafter, on the image on the accepting layer 3 a transparent sheet 4 having an adhesive layer 4a is applied, whereby the image is securely transferred to the adhesive layer 4a. After that, the transparent sheet 4 is bonded to an object A. In this manner, a sharply printed image is formed without interfering with the intrinsic color or pattern of the object.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention is applicable to objects with unevenness or rough surfaces, such as
This invention relates to a method of forming an impression on the surface of wood or leather products.

[Conventional technology]

As a method of forming an image on this type of object, a press printing method has been employed for a long time, and a method of directly printing the same image formed on a printing plate is known.

Furthermore, in recent years, a method of attaching a powder coloring agent to an object using an electrostatic adsorption method has also been put into practical use.

However, all of these methods are based on mass production, and using these methods directly as a method for forming impressions on small quantities of objects at home or in the office requires space and cost for the equipment. It was practically impossible due to the following reasons.

For this reason, conventionally, when applying an impression to an object at home or in the office, the current practice is to use handwritten recording paper or printed recording paper printed out using a word processor, etc., and attach it with glue or double-sided tape. be.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, with this conventional method, the image is handwritten or printed out on recording paper with good ink absorption, so
Imprints tend to become unsightly due to bleeding, etc., and moreover, they tend to crumble or bald when they come into contact with other objects.

Furthermore, since the opaque recording paper is attached to the object in an exposed state, there are drawbacks such as the loss of the original color, pattern, etc. of the object.

An object of the present invention is to provide a useful method that can form a clear printed image even at home or in the office without damaging the original color or pattern of the object.

[Means to solve the problem]

The method of forming an image on an object according to the present invention involves selectively transferring an ink layer of a recording medium to a non-ink-absorbing receptor to form an image using a thermal transfer method, and then forming an image on the image on the receptor. The feature is that a transparent sheet having an adhesive layer is attached to the object, the above-mentioned printed image is transferred and fixed to the adhesive layer of the transparent sheet, and then the transparent sheet is attached to an object. The effects are as follows.

[For production]

The present inventor has discovered that in a thermal transfer method, in particular, in a method in which an ink layer that is solid at room temperature is melted or softened with heat to selectively transfer this ink layer to a receptor to form a printed image, It has been discovered that an ink layer can be transferred to form a clear image even if the body is non-ink absorbent.

Based on this knowledge, by selectively transferring the ink layer of the recording medium to a non-ink-absorbing receptor using a thermal transfer method using a thermal transfer printer, a predetermined print image is formed on the receptor without bleeding. can do.

Moreover, since the ink transferred to the receptor is rapidly cooled and solidified at the time of transfer, the printed image will not collapse even when the ink transferred to the receptor is transferred and fixed to the adhesive layer of the transparent sheet. There isn't. Furthermore, since the ink transferred to the transparent sheet is reliably fixed by the adhesive layer, it is possible to prevent the printed image from becoming unclear due to collapse of the ink after transfer.

By attaching the transparent sheet manufactured in this manner to an object, not only the printed image but also the original color and pattern of the object can be easily seen through the transparent sheet portion around the printed image.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As a result, by using thermal transfer printing printers, which have become popular in most offices and homes in recent years, or computers that control them, it is possible to imprint objects with their original designs and textures. It is possible to always easily form a clear impression without damaging it. Furthermore, since the printed image is protected by a transparent sheet, it will not collapse or peel off due to contact with other objects, and the initial clear printed image can be maintained for a long period of time. It's arrived.

In particular, if a color printer is used, an image shown in a color photograph or a color gravure print can be easily formed on an object.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the method for forming an image on an object according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a thermal transfer ink ribbon (R
) and a non-ink absorbing receptor (3), the ink layer (r) of the ink ribbon (R) is selectively heated by the heating head (1), and this heating melts or The softened ink layer (r) is transferred to the receptor (3) to form a predetermined printed image.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the receptor (3
) A transparent sheet (4) having a transparent adhesive layer (4a) is pasted on top of the printed image, and the printed image is transferred and fixed to the adhesive layer (4a) of the transparent sheet (4). As shown in the figure and FIG.
).

This peeled transparent sheet (4) is attached to an object (A) as shown in FIG.

The ink layer (r) of the ink ribbon (R) has appropriate heat meltability or thermoplasticity by using various pigments as colorants, waxes, thermoplastic oligomers, thermoplastic resins, etc. alone or in combination. It is a layer with a thickness of about 0.5 to 10 μm, which is a mixture of a diluted vehicle and other additives such as plasticizers and dispersants as necessary, and is applied directly or directly onto a base such as a resin film or high-density thin paper. Any material can be used as long as it is formed through an undercoat layer and is solid at room temperature.

In short, the recording medium (R) is not limited to the above-mentioned ink ribbon, and any shape and material may be used as long as it is provided with an ink layer (r).

Further, the ink layer (r) is not limited to a single color, but may be composed of a plurality of ink layers having mutually different coloring abilities, such as yellow, magenta, cyan, and black.

Furthermore, the ink layer (r) may be transparent or translucent. Even if the ink layer (r) is configured to be transparent or semitransparent in this manner, the printed image can be easily recognized due to the difference in light reflection.

As the receptor (3), materials such as release paper and plastic sheets can be suitably used as long as they have a smooth surface and do not absorb the ink (r) to be transferred.

The transparent sheet (4) may have a base of cellophane, various transparent plastic sheets, or transparent plastic films (for example, films made of polyester, polyamide, acrylic, polyethylene, etc.) and an adhesive layer (4) on one side thereof.
Any material with a) fixed thereto may be used, and commercially available cellophane tape or the like can also be used satisfactorily.

In addition, the device for specifically achieving the thermal transfer method is not limited to the thermal transfer printer connected to the computer as in the above embodiment, but also a desktop or handheld word processing sensor, or a device that is widely used in general. A copying machine using a thermal transfer method can be used.

In short, the ink layer is melted or softened and the receiver (3
) can be used as long as it is a thermal transfer type recording device that selectively transfers images to form printed images.

Incidentally, although reference numerals are written in the claims section for convenient comparison with the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the structure shown in the accompanying drawings.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show an embodiment of the method of forming an image on an object according to the present invention, and FIG. 1 is an enlarged sectional view of the main parts of a thermal transfer printer, FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a receptor, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a receptor. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view when the receptor and transparent sheet are attached, and Figs. 5 and 6 are perspective views when the transparent sheet is peeled off from the receiver. The figure, its sectional view, and FIG. 7 are perspective views when the transparent sheet is attached to an object. (A)...Object (R)...Recording medium, (r)...Colored ink layer, (3)...
・Receptor, (4)...Transparent sheet, (4a)・
...Adhesive layer.

Claims (1)

[Claims] Using a thermal transfer method, the ink layer (r) of the recording medium (R) is selectively transferred to a non-ink absorbing receptor (3) to form a printed image, and then the printed image on this receptor (3) is A transparent sheet (4) having an adhesive layer (4a) is attached to the adhesive layer (4a) of the transparent sheet (4), and the printed image is transferred and fixed to the adhesive layer (4a) of the transparent sheet (4). A method for forming an image on an object (A).