Method and system for producing a relief on a substrate

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a system for producing a relief on a substrate, the method comprising applying drops of a relief material (3) by digital inkjet printing (4), the relief material being deposited on a local area of ​​the surface of a substrate (1) to obtain a relief surface having a relief determined by the deposited relief material (3), a coating sheet (2) being bonded to the deposited relief material (3) and conforming to the relief surface, the coating sheet (2) being fixed by bonding by means of a glue (5) applied together with or in combination with the relief material (3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to producing reliefs on substrates, in particular by digital inkjet printing, in order to obtain surfaces with a tactile and visible texture, for use, for example, in the manufacture of products for construction or furniture, such as panels, doors and floors for furniture, profiles for frames, etc. Background Art

[0002] Different methods are currently known for producing reliefs on substrates, among which noteworthy are those based on digital inkjet printing, which allow obtaining reliefs with great flexibility and definition compared to other methods for obtaining reliefs on substrates, such as engraving or molding.

[0003] In the known method of producing a relief on a substrate by digital inkjet printing, drops of relief material are deposited on localized areas of the surface of the substrate, determining the relief to be obtained. Depending on the relief material used, it is possible to construct a positive relief surface comprising protrusions formed by the relief material applied to the localized areas or a negative relief surface comprising recesses determined by the relief material, which settles, is displaced or introduced into said areas, in particular as a result of the impact of the drops of relief material in a liquid or pasty state on a previously applied substrate layer.

[0004] In these cases, the positive relief surfaces obtained have the disadvantage of limited resistance to wear of the relief, while the negative relief surfaces have the disadvantage of the difficulty in controlling the parameters of the process used to produce the relief that influence its definition, such as surface tension, density, viscosity, etc. of the applied product and of the substrate.

[0005] In view of the disadvantages of the known solutions, it is obviously of interest to provide a method and a system for producing a relief on a substrate which allows the relief to be obtained flexibly under suitable conditions of definition and resistance to wear of the relief. Summary of the invention

[0006] According to the invention, a method for producing a relief on a substrate is proposed, the method comprising applying or providing a relief material by digital inkjet printing, the relief material being deposited in a localized area of ​​the surface of the substrate to obtain a relief surface having a relief determined by the deposited relief material. A coating sheet is bonded to the deposited relief material, the coating sheet conforming to the relief surface. The coating sheet is fixed to the substrate by bonding with a glue applied together with or in combination with the relief material.

[0007] According to the invention, the relief material and optionally the glue are deposited in localized areas of the surface of the substrate and can in particular be applied directly on the substrate and / or the coating sheet.

[0008] According to the invention, digital inkjet printing is preferably used for applying drops of relief material, in particular for positive filling of relief material between substrate and coated sheet, the coated sheet being deformed on said filling material, so that a relief surface is obtained on the applied substrate, in particular the relief surface having a tactile relief texture which can also be seen by the naked eye.

[0009] The relief material is provided by inkjet printing to produce the relief, which can be applied to the substrate and to the coated sheet alternately or in combination, with the glue for fixing the coated sheet being provided together in the inkjet printing, or the relief material is provided by inkjet printing in combination with an inkjet application of the glue required for fixing the coated sheet or in combination with other conventional methods of providing glue, for example by an applicator roller, an applicator lip, spraying, etc.

[0010] Thus, in the context of the present invention, by applying the relief material and the glue together, it is understood that the relief material and the glue are provided through the same inkjet channel or application, in particular in the same inkjet drop or in separate drops. By applying in combination, it is understood that the relief material and the glue are provided through different applications or inkjet channels or by different application devices.

[0011] Thus, a very versatile and flexible method is obtained by which a highly precise relief can be obtained, which is defined by inkjet printing and which is resistant to wear, the wear not having to be borne by the relief material but by the coated sheet, which has a pre-established configuration of the relief surface that can be determined.

[0012] Preferably, the application of the relief material is synchronized with the arrangement of the pattern on the substrate and / or on the coated sheet. In the context of the present invention, the pattern can be a decorative or functional element, in particular an image or a relief. In particular, the pattern arrangement can be printed on the substrate and / or on the coated sheet, more particularly arranged by inkjet printing.

[0013] The synchronization of the application of the relief material allows obtaining a relief that corresponds spatially to a pattern on a substrate and / or to a sheet of predetermined shape. In particular, the spatial correspondence may comprise a relief and a corresponding pattern arranged in a coincident position. In this way, it is possible to achieve a combination of visual and tactile effects desired in the final product, for example for a finish that imitates a natural surface such as stone or wood.

[0014] According to the invention, it is envisaged that the coated sheet may be at least partially transparent, in particular so that the corresponding pattern can be seen through said sheet.

[0015] The pattern corresponding to the relief can be carried out in the same inkjet channel or during application as the relief material or glue, in particular the ink or printing material of the pattern and the relief material are applied with the same inkjet drop or with separate drops. Likewise, it is conceivable that the pattern is applied corresponding to the relief before and / or after the relief material or glue is applied. Likewise, the corresponding pattern can be incorporated into the coated sheet and / or substrate.

[0016] In order to achieve synchronization and thus correspondence between relief and pattern by digital printing, a data file can be used as a starting point, digitally representing the pattern to be synchronized, or this data file can also be obtained online, for example by scanning the pattern. The data file of the pattern is processed to control the application position and time of the printing material, relief material or glue for the pattern, in particular while taking into account the advancement of the substrate, as it is transported when the method is carried out.

[0017] According to another aspect, the invention provides a system for producing relief on a substrate using a method according to one of the aforementioned methods. The system comprises a digital inkjet printing device for applying relief material, a conveying device for the substrate and a bonding device for the coated sheet to bond the coated sheet to the substrate.

[0018] Preferably, the system may comprise a guiding device for the coated sheet, a glue applying device, a scanning device configured to acquire a pattern arranged on the substrate or the coated sheet and / or a control device for executing the method.

[0019] According to the invention, the device for supplying the coated sheet may comprise guide rollers in a known manner. Likewise, the conveying device for the substrate is envisaged for a continuous substrate or for an independent substrate. The continuous substrate may be in the form of a continuous sheet, for example. The independent substrate may be in the form of a sheet or a panel, for example. The conveying device for the continuous substrate may comprise guide rollers. The conveying device for the independent substrate may comprise a conveyor belt or a roller table.

[0020] Thus, the object of the method and system of the present invention results in the highly advantageous characteristics of producing a textured relief surface on its intended substrate, obtaining its own longevity and superior characteristics with respect to currently known methods and systems for said function. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of the method of the invention is schematically shown, applying glue by inkjet on a decorative coated sheet to be bonded to a substrate, the glue acting as relief material and as a means of fixing the coated sheet to the substrate.

[0022] Figure 1a is based on Figure 1 A cross-sectional view along line AA is shown in FIG.

[0023] Figure 1b is based on Figure 1 A cross-sectional view along line BB is shown in FIG.

[0024] Figure 1c is based on Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the CC line shown in FIG.

[0025] Figure 1d is based on Figure 1 A cross-sectional view along line DD is shown in FIG.

[0026] Figure 2 An exemplary embodiment of the method of the invention is schematically shown, applying glue by inkjet on the substrate to be covered by the coated sheet, the glue serving as relief material and as means for fixing the coated sheet to the substrate.

[0027] Figure 3 An exemplary embodiment of the method of the invention is schematically shown, with combined inkjet application of glue on the substrate to be covered by the decorative coating sheet and on the coating sheet itself, the glue serving as relief material and as means for fixing the coating sheet to the substrate.

[0028] Figure 4 An exemplary embodiment of the method of the invention is schematically shown, applying the relief material by inkjet on a decorative coated sheet to be bonded to a substrate and applying glue by inkjet on the coated sheet itself, which serves as a means for fixing the coated sheet to the substrate.

[0029] Figure 5 An exemplary embodiment of the method of the invention is schematically shown, applying the relief material by inkjet on the substrate to be covered by the decorative coating sheet and applying glue by inkjet on the substrate itself, which glue serves as relief material and as means for fixing the coating sheet to the substrate.

[0030] Figure 6 Schematically shown is an exemplary embodiment of the method of the invention, both by inkjet application, the combined application of relief material and glue on a substrate to be covered by a decorative coated sheet and on the decorative coated sheet itself, the glue serving as a means for fixing the coated sheet to the substrate.

[0031] Figure 7 An exemplary embodiment of the method of the present invention is schematically shown, applying the relief material by inkjet on a decorative coated sheet to be bonded to a substrate and applying glue by inkjet on the coated sheet itself using an applicator roller, which glue serves as a means for fixing the coated sheet to the substrate.

[0032] Figure 8 An exemplary embodiment of the method of the invention is schematically shown, applying the relief material by inkjet on a decorative coated sheet to be bonded to a substrate and applying glue on the substrate by an applicator roller, the glue being used to secure the coated sheet to the substrate.

[0033] Fig. 9 An exemplary embodiment of the method of the present invention is schematically shown, applying the relief material by inkjet on the substrate to be covered by the decorative coating sheet and applying glue by a roller applicator on the substrate and by a lip applicator on the coating sheet, the glue serving as a means for fixing the coating sheet to the substrate.

[0034] Fig.10 An exemplary embodiment of the method of the invention is schematically shown, applying glue by inkjet on a substrate to be covered with a decorative sheet, the glue serving as relief material and as means for fixing the coated sheet to the substrate, the coated sheet being supplied as individual sheets from a stack.

[0035] Fig.11 An exemplary embodiment is schematically shown, in which a decorative image is printed on the coated sheet by inkjet before providing the relief material and the glue, so that the decorative image and the obtained relief are synchronized.

[0036] Fig.11a is based on Fig.11 A cross-sectional view along line AA is shown in FIG.

[0037] Fig.11b is based on Fig.11 A cross-sectional view along line BB is shown in FIG.

[0038] Fig.11c is based on Fig.11 A cross-sectional view of the CC line shown in FIG.

[0039] Fig.11d is based on Fig.11 A cross-sectional view along line DD is shown in FIG.

[0040] Fig.11e is based on Fig.11 A cross-sectional view along line EE shown in FIG.

[0041] Fig.11f is based on Fig.11 A cross-sectional view of line FF shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The object of the present invention relates to a method for producing a relief or textured surface on a substrate 1 covered with a decorative coating sheet 2 , incorporating a relief material 3 comprised between the substrate 1 and the coating sheet 2 , which may or may not correspond to a printed image 15 .

[0043] Thus, the provision of the relief material 3 takes place by means of an inkjet 4 passage or application, which can be carried out, for example, in Figure 1 , 4 , 7 and 8 are performed on the coated sheet 2; for example Figure 2 , 5 , 9 and 10 are performed on substrate 1; or as in Figure 3 and 6 The examples in are carried out in a combined manner, partly on the coated sheet 2 and partly on the substrate 1. The digital inkjet printing device comprises at least one print head.

[0044] Providing a relief material 3 is combined with providing a glue 5 to fix the coated sheet 2 to the substrate 1, the glue 5 itself being able to serve as the relief material 3 and as a fixing means, as in Figure 1 , 2 and 3 examples; or relief material 3 can be applied by inkjet 4 passages or applications, and glue 5 can be applied independently by another inkjet 6 passages or applications, for example in Figure 4 , 5 and 6; or the glue 5 may be applied independently by an applicator roller 7, for example in Figure 7 and 8 or by the applicator roller 7 and by the applicator lip 8 in a combined manner, for example in Fig. 9 the examples mentioned above and shown in the drawings are not limited, because other techniques for applying the glue 5, such as spraying, etc., can also be used.

[0045] In any case, the coating sheet 2 and / or the provision of the relief material 3 on the substrate 1 is applied by inkjet 4, providing the necessary amount of material according to the degree of relief to be obtained at each point (height or depth of the relief); a certain degree of curing or hardening is then carried out, for example by UV radiation curing 9, but other techniques may also be used, such as electrical or electromagnetic radiation, heating, drying, evaporation, etc., to adjust the relief material 3 to a suitable degree of cohesion; and finally the coating sheet 2 is bonded to the substrate 1 so that, by deformation of the coating sheet 2 on the applied relief material 3, a textured surface of the substrate 1 is obtained according to the desired relief. As shown in the figure, the means for bonding the coated sheet may include a pressure roller so that the sheet is extended on the substrate, pressing it against the substrate.

[0046] like Figure 1As can be seen in particular, according to the invention, a post-shaping of the coated sheet 2 against the substrate 1 is envisaged so that the sheet 2 is shaped on the substrate 1 with the relief material 3 and the glue 5 placed between the sheet 2 and the substrate 1, the sheet 2 being adapted to the geometry of the substrate 1. For this purpose, a post-shaping device is incorporated, such as a set of pressure rollers 13, to press the sheet against the substrate.

[0047] In addition, if Fig.11 It is also conceivable to provide the relief material 3 corresponding to a pattern, in particular a pattern arranged in the coated sheet 2 or the substrate 1. For example, the pattern may include an image 15 printed by inkjet 14, which may be applied before the relief material 3 is applied (e.g. Fig.11 ), subsequently or simultaneously applied to a substrate 1 or coated sheet 2, the relief material 3 is provided by inkjet 4. For example, the relief material 3 is provided in a controlled manner by a scanner 10 based on a printed image, thereby obtaining a high-quality textured surface that simulates the desired appearance.

[0048] For example, Figures 1 to 9 In the example in FIG. 1 , the coated sheet 2 can be supplied in a continuous manner, for example from a feed reel 11, which is combined to cover the substrate 1 above the relief material 3; however, the coated sheet 2 can also be supplied in a separate or discontinuous manner in the form of independent sheets, for example from a feed pile 12, for example in Fig.10 In the example shown in FIG. 1 , a separate coating sheet 2 is placed corresponding to each applied substrate 1 .

[0049] Furthermore, means for preparing the surface of the substrate 1 , for example means for cleaning or priming the surface of the substrate 1 , are envisaged before providing the relief material 3 or the glue 5 .

Claims

1. A method for producing a relief on a substrate, the method comprising applying drops of a relief material (3) by digital inkjet printing, the relief material being deposited on local areas of the surface of the substrate (1) to obtain a relief surface having a relief determined by the deposited relief material (3), characterized in that A coating sheet (2) is bonded to the deposited relief material (3) so as to conform to the relief surface, and the coating sheet (2) is fixedly bonded by means of glue (5), wherein, before bonding the coating sheet (2) to the substrate (1), the glue (5) is applied together with the relief material (3) by means of a glue application device which is the same as the application device for the relief material (3), or the glue (5) is applied to the relief material (3) by means of a glue application device which is different from the application device for the relief material (3).

2. The method for producing a relief on a substrate according to claim 1, characterized in that The relief material (3) and the glue (5) are applied on the coated sheet (2) to bond the coated sheet (2), wherein the applied material is deposited on the coated sheet (2) above the substrate (1).

3. The method for producing a relief on a substrate according to claim 1, characterized in that The relief material (3) and the glue (5) are applied on the substrate (1), and the coating sheet (2) is bonded to the surface defined by the applied material deposited on the substrate (1).

4. The method for producing a relief on a substrate according to claim 1, characterized in that The relief material (3) and the glue (5) are applied partly on the substrate (1) and partly on the coated sheet (2).

5. Method for producing a relief on a substrate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The relief material (3) and the glue (5) are applied together through the same inkjet channel (4).

6. A method for producing a relief on a substrate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that The relief material (3) is applied independently through an inkjet channel (4), and the glue (5) is applied independently through another inkjet channel (6).

7. A method for producing a relief on a substrate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that The relief material (3) and the glue (5) are applied independently, the relief material (3) being applied through an inkjet channel (4) and the glue (5) being applied through another application device.

8. The method for producing a relief on a substrate according to claim 7, characterized in that The glue (5) is applied by means of a roller (7) or a lip (8).

9. Method for producing a relief on a substrate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The application of the relief material (3) is synchronized with the arrangement of a pattern (15) on the substrate (1) or the coated sheet (2).

10. The method for producing a relief on a substrate according to claim 9, characterized in that The application of the relief material (3) is controlled by scanning and acquiring the pattern (15).

11. Method for producing a relief on a substrate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that After applying the relief material (3) and / or the glue (5), the relief material (3) and / or the glue (5) are at least partially cured before bonding to the coated sheet (2).

12. Method for producing a relief on a substrate according to claim 11, characterized in that The relief material (3) and / or the glue (5) are at least partially cured by hardening or drying.

13. Method for producing a relief on a substrate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The coated sheet (2) is supplied in a continuous manner.

14. Method for producing a relief on a substrate according to claim 13, characterized in that The coated sheet (2) is supplied in the form of a continuous sheet from a feed reel (11).

15. Method for producing a relief on a substrate according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The coated sheets (2) are supplied individually in the form of independent sheets.

16. Method for producing a relief on a substrate according to claim 15, characterized in that The coated sheet (2) is supplied from a feed pile (12).

17. A system for producing a relief on a substrate, performing the method according to any one of the preceding claims, the system comprising: Glue applying device to apply glue, Digital inkjet printing device to apply relief material, A conveying device for the substrate, A device for bonding a coated sheet to bond the coated sheet to a substrate.

18. System for producing a relief on a substrate according to claim 17, comprising a guide device for the coated sheet, A scanning device configured to acquire a pattern disposed on a substrate or coated sheet, and / or A control device is provided to execute the method.

Images