Transfer product and method for recycling transfer product

Abstract

The invention discloses a method for recycling a transfer product (1) and a transfer product (1) suitable for the method, the transfer product having a water-insoluble carrier foil (2) and a water-insoluble transfer layer (4) arranged at least partially on the carrier foil (2), wherein a water-soluble separation layer (3) is arranged between the carrier foil (2) and the transfer layer (4), and wherein the following steps are carried out in the method: x) dissolving the water-soluble separation layer (3) with the aid of a cleaning liquid (6), preferably in a cleaning liquid bath, wherein the transfer layer (4) is detached from the carrier foil (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a transfer product and a method for recycling a transfer product.

[0002] The use of pressed foils for surface decoration is known. For example, a lacquer sublayer dyed with or provided with a dye or pigment is applied to a carrier foil by coating and / or a metal sublayer is applied by vapor deposition. A transfer layer is then applied to the surface to be decorated together with the carrier foil. Depending on the method, adhesion between the surface to be decorated and the transfer layer is achieved using a heat-activated primer sublayer or an adhesive sublayer applied to the surface to be decorated. When the carrier foil is subsequently peeled off, the transfer layer remains on the surface to be decorated and detaches from the carrier foil in the areas to be decorated. To facilitate detachment of the transfer layer from the carrier foil in the areas to be decorated, a release layer is arranged between the transfer layer and the carrier foil in the pressed foil. Water-insoluble waxes are typically used for such release layers, as they soften at elevated temperatures and thus specifically reduce the adhesion between the transfer layer and the carrier foil. In areas not to be decorated, the transfer layer is peeled off again from the carrier foil. In cases where the areas to be decorated are relatively small (e.g., in the form of fine text or a brushstroke motif), a significant amount of transfer layer may remain on the carrier foil as residual transfer layer. Such transfer products are re-embossed during the Another use in the transfer film is generally not possible or can only be achieved with very special application machines and / or with the aid of very special application methods. Used carrier foils with residual transfer layer must always be disposed of in part at great expense. Recycling is only possible in part through energy recovery (for example, in the production of alternative fuels). Similar considerations apply to the recovery of carrier foil material from transfer foils that were defective during production and are therefore defective.

[0003] Recycling technologies for recovering carrier foil material, such as mechanical methods or the use of strong shear forces to separate the transfer layer from the carrier foil, often involve high energy consumption and low throughput, or only result in incomplete separation of the transfer layer and the release layer from the carrier foil. Consequently, single-category recycling of the carrier foil is impossible or can be achieved only at considerable expense, as even relatively small proportions of other impurities can lead to significant quality defects in the recycled product. Furthermore, the relatively high mechanical forces used to separate the transfer layer from the carrier foil can cause particles to break off, which can contaminate the liquid used to clean the carrier foil. Due to the particles of carrier foil, release layer, and transfer layer present, the liquid must sometimes be filtered or disposed of at great expense.

[0004] It is now the object underlying the present invention to specify an improved transfer product with improved recyclability and an improved method for recycling the transfer product.

[0005] This object is achieved by a transfer product, in particular a recyclable transfer product. The transfer product comprises a water-insoluble carrier foil and a water-insoluble transfer layer arranged at least partially on the carrier foil. A water-soluble release layer is arranged between the carrier foil and the transfer layer.

[0006] The transfer product thus has, apart from the water-soluble release sublayer, in particular no further water-soluble sublayers. The transfer product is preferably a transfer foil, in particular a hot stamping foil and / or a cold stamping foil and / or a thermal transfer foil, or has been used as such.

[0007] This object is further achieved by a method for recycling a transfer product. The transfer product comprises a water-insoluble carrier foil and a water-insoluble transfer layer arranged at least partially on the carrier foil, wherein a water-soluble deionizing layer is arranged between the carrier foil and the transfer layer. In the method, the following steps are performed:

[0008] x) Dissolving the water-soluble release layer by means of a cleaning liquid, preferably in a cleaning liquid bath, wherein the transfer layer is released from the carrier foil.

[0009] The transfer product of the invention is preferably used in the process of the invention for recycling a transfer product.

[0010] Such transfer products and recycling methods offer advantages, in particular, with respect to energy recovery: recycled carrier foil material can be used to produce new carrier foil. It is also conceivable that the recycled plastic can be used to produce other plastic products, such as injection-molded and / or extruded parts. It is preferably provided that the transfer product can be recycled either after the application process or as a defective product during production. It is possible to recycle the carrier foil material in such a way that the resulting end product can be processed in further steps and simultaneously has particularly good material properties.

[0011] In this case, the recyclability of the transfer product is particularly improved, since the use of a water-soluble separation layer between the carrier foil and the transfer layer allows for relatively clean, simple and / or cost-effective recycling of the transfer product, which is in particular a transfer product recyclable in water.

[0012] Recyclable and recyclable are to be understood here in particular as meaning that all sublayers applied to the carrier foil can be completely detached again in a recycling method. In particular, the transfer layer can be removed from the carrier foil without residue.

[0013] During recycling with the aid of a cleaning fluid, preferably water, a targeted separation of the transfer layer from the carrier foil can be achieved by completely dissolving the water-soluble release layer. This means that in step x), the carrier foil is particularly cleaned, and the transferred product is thus free of the transfer layer. This makes it possible to recover particularly pure carrier foil material. This advantageously allows for a particularly uniform sorting of the carrier foil for further material use or recycling, which can, for example, be further used in other chemical or mechanical recycling steps. Contamination, for example, caused by material from the transfer layer or the water-soluble release layer, which can lead to quality defects in the recycled product or recyclate, is advantageously reduced or avoided.

[0014] Furthermore, by dissolving the water-soluble separation sublayer, the transfer layer can preferably be separated as a sublayer structure, which is then present in the cleaning liquid, in particular as a continuous solid. This means that advantageously, no substances can be dissolved from the transfer layer, particularly in terms of solubility in the cleaning liquid. The water-soluble separation sublayer remains as a homogeneous solution in the cleaning liquid, while the separated insoluble transfer layer forms a heterogeneous mixture with the cleaning liquid. This achieves the advantage that substances that can no longer be filtered from the cleaning liquid, or in particular can only be filtered with increased effort, can be reduced or avoided.

[0015] The form of the detached transfer layer is preferably determined solely by the form of the transfer layer before the water-soluble detaching sublayer dissolves and can be determined by an optionally previously performed application method or another specifically used shaping method. This makes it particularly easy to handle the detached transfer layer. For example, in the event of incomplete transfer during the application method or in the event of defective products, the separate disposal of the remaining transfer layer after use of the transfer product can be achieved or simplified. The transfer layer, for example in the form of transfer layer components and / or transfer layer particles, preferably of a homogeneous composition, which has been separated from the cleaning liquid, can also be processed in other chemical and separation processes, particularly separation processes optimized for the transfer layer.

[0016] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are indicated in the dependent claims.

[0017] Sublayers, layers and foils are understood to mean, in particular, essentially flat structures, which in turn are single-layer or multi-layer. The foil is preferably self-supporting. The sublayers or layers are, for example, self-supporting or non-self-supporting.

[0018] A transfer product is to be understood in particular as meaning, for example, a transfer product before application to a substrate or a target object in an application method, in particular a transfer method and / or a lamination method and / or an insert molding method and / or an in-mold decoration method, as well as the transferred parts of the transfer foil after application and also as defective products. In the case where the transfer layer of the transfer product has at least partially been transferred to the substrate to be decorated, such as a component or a sheet or a coil, the transfer product then has in particular a carrier foil with a residual transfer layer arranged thereon. The residual transfer layer describes here the part of the transfer layer that has not been transferred to the substrate to be decorated and thus still remains on the carrier foil. In the case of a defective product, the transfer layer in particular remains completely on the carrier foil. In the case of a defective product, the weight proportion of the transfer layer relative to the carrier foil is preferably greater than in the case of an already transferred transfer layer. That is, it is preferably proposed that the transfer layer, in particular in the form of a residual transfer layer, which can essentially be regarded as foreign material, is removed from the carrier foil using the method.

[0019] Furthermore, the term "transfer product" should also be understood to mean, in particular, a plurality of transfer product fragments produced, for example, by comminuting the transfer product. In particular, in step x), the carrier foil of the transfer product is guided as a whole, i.e., preferably in one piece, through the cleaning liquid, or the carrier foil fragments preferably contained in the transfer product fragments are introduced into the cleaning liquid. In particular, it is also conceivable that, in the method for recycling the transfer product, instead of just one transfer product, a plurality of transfer products, in particular transfer products of the same type or of similar classification, preferably transfer products having at least the same type of carrier foil, are used. The transfer layer is preferably present at least partially on the carrier foil and / or on the carrier foil fragments before step x). The carrier foil is therefore preferably understood to mean the carrier foil as a whole and the plurality of carrier foil fragments. The transfer layer is therefore preferably understood to mean the transfer layer as a whole and the plurality of transfer layer components.

[0020] In other words, it is particularly possible that the transfer product scraps include or consist of carrier foil scraps and transfer layer components. It is also possible that the transfer layer components include paint residues and / or paint ash and / or fine-grained material. Fine-grained material is preferably understood to mean particles that are coarser than ash particles but smaller than transfer product scraps and / or carrier foil scraps.

[0021] In particular, it is possible that after step x), the transfer product, in particular the carrier foil and / or the material of the carrier foil, has a purity in the range of 60.0% by weight to 100.0% by weight, preferably 95.0% by weight to 100.0% by weight, particularly preferably 99.0% by weight to 100.0% by weight (wt% = weight percentage = proportion of the weight in the total weight as a percentage). The numerical value for the purity preferably relates to the mass proportion of the material of the carrier foil.

[0022] The purity of the transferred product preferably relates to the proportion of the main components of the carrier foil in the transferred product. The purity of the transferred product can thus be improved, in particular, by removing at least the transfer layer and the water-soluble separation layer from the carrier foil. The purity of the transferred product, in particular the transfer product scrap, is preferably improved step by step. In particular, in the recycling method, the transfer layer and / or its components are preferably considered foreign material.

[0023] In particular, it is proposed that before step x), the transfer product has a foreign material proportion in the range of 0% by weight to 50% by weight, preferably 0% by weight to 20% by weight and / or after step x), has a foreign material proportion in the range of 0% by weight to 5% by weight, preferably 0% by weight to 1% by weight, particularly preferably close to 0% by weight.

[0024] After step x), the transfer product preferably has a residual varnish content in the range of 0% to 5% by weight, preferably 0% to 1% by weight, and particularly preferably close to 0% by weight. The residual varnish content is preferably understood to mean the proportion of transfer layer material still present in the transfer product relative to the transfer layer material applied during the production process, in particular where the residual varnish content is reduced by applying the transfer layer and / or by a recycling process step. It is also possible that after step x), the transfer product preferably has a fine-grained material content in the range of 0% to 5% by weight, preferably 0% to 1% by weight, and particularly preferably close to 0% by weight.

[0025] The transferred product after step x) particularly preferably has essentially no or only very low transfer layer costs.

[0026] Furthermore, it is possible that after step x), the transfer product, in particular the carrier foil and / or the material of the carrier foil is colorless, transparent, clear, opaque, dyed, at least partially dyed or colored.

[0027] In step x), the cleaning liquid is composed in particular of a homogeneous solution of an input fluid and a water-soluble desorption layer. The composition of the cleaning liquid is preferably selected depending on the transfer product, in particular the transfer layer. Advantageously, the water-soluble desorption layer is dissolved by the cleaning liquid, while the other components of the transfer product, in particular the transfer layer, are not dissolved and, for example, can thus be better processed, in particular filtered, in subsequent steps. Preferably, water or alternatively a homogeneous mixture of water and one or more other substances is used as the input liquid of the cleaning liquid, in particular before step x). In particular, one or more alcohols and / or acetone, preferably selected from methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol or a mixture thereof, are used as one or more other substances. In addition, additives and / or surfactants, such as defoaming agents, can be added to the cleaning liquid. If the cleaning agent and / or its input liquid is water, this water preferably does not contain other additives and / or is untreated water.

[0028] In particular, after step x), the transfer layer released from the carrier foil in step x) is preferably present in the form of a transfer layer component in the cleaning liquid. The transfer layer component is particularly present in a form that is insoluble in the cleaning liquid and / or the transfer layer component continuously has the overall sublayer structure of the transfer product, in particular the transfer layer of the transfer product before the recycling method or before step x), in the cleaning liquid. In other words, it is particularly possible for the sublayer structure of the transfer layer of the transfer product to remain unchanged during step x), because the transfer layer is insoluble in the cleaning liquid. The transfer layer and / or the carrier foil particularly have the same sublayer structure before and after step x).

[0029] Advantageously, in particular after step x), the transfer layer component has a particle size in the cleaning liquid in the range of 10 μm to 5 mm, preferably in the range of 20 μm to 5 mm. Particle size is to be understood here as the maximum distance between two points of a particle, in particular a transfer layer component.

[0030] In particular, it is conceivable that before, during, and / or after step x), the transfer layer and / or the carrier foil may be optionally separated by mechanical forces into smaller components, in particular smaller transfer layer particles and / or smaller carrier foil particles. Such mechanical forces may be applied in particular in a targeted comminution step or also unintentionally in other steps.

[0031] In particular, it is possible for the cleaning liquid and the transferred product particles to be present as a preferably compact and stable suspension, preferably containing particles of the particle size previously mentioned. Advantageously, fine particles, such as may result from complex separation steps (e.g., complex filtration), are thus absent or preferably present only to a very small extent in the cleaning liquid. This improves maintenance and upkeep costs, as well as process safety. Furthermore, fine particles are particularly prevented from remaining adhered to the carrier foil, thereby improving the purity of the recyclate. The water-soluble deionized layer advantageously achieves this by allowing the transfer layer to be separated from the carrier foil, particularly in step x), without or with very little mechanical force that could result in the separation of such fine particles.

[0032] Advantageously, in particular 99% by weight to 100% by weight of the particles insoluble in the cleaning liquid (including in particular foreign matter, smaller carrier foil particles, smaller transfer layer particles and / or transfer layer components) have a particle size in the range of 10 μm to 5 mm, in the range of 20 μm to 5 mm, particularly preferably in the range of 50 μm to 5 mm.

[0033] Advantageously, during and / or after step x), the cleaning liquid with the transferred product has a concentration, in particular a solids concentration, of the carrier layer and the transfer layer, in the range of 0.1% to 25% by weight, preferably 1% to 10% by weight. The concentration is calculated, in particular, from the ratio of the total weight of the carrier layer and the transfer layer present in the cleaning liquid to the weight of the cleaning liquid and the water-soluble deionized layer dissolved in the cleaning liquid, the carrier foil, and the transfer layer.

[0034] In particular, it is also possible that in step x) the proportion of the transferred product chips in the cleaning liquid is in the range from 0.1% by weight to 25% by weight, preferably from 1% by weight to 10% by weight.

[0035] The carrier foil preferably has a sublayer thickness in the range of 3 μm to 100 μm, preferably in the range of 4.5 μm to 12 μm. The carrier foil is preferably colorless, transparent, clear, opaque, dyed, at least partially dyed, or colored. The carrier foil is preferably produced by extrusion, in particular flat foil extrusion. The carrier foil particularly preferably comprises or consists of biaxially oriented polyester. The carrier foil preferably comprises or consists of one or more components or composite materials selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid, polyethylene furoate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene trimethyl terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, and / or polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyester carbonate, cellophane, cellulose acetate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyamide, polyimide, polyvinylidene chloride, and / or paper, in particular coated and / or laminated paper. The carrier foil advantageously comprises a main component, wherein the proportion of the main component in the carrier foil is greater than 97%, preferably greater than 99.9%, particularly preferably greater than 99.97%. To improve the recyclability of the carrier foil and also the material properties of the end product, it is preferably provided that the carrier material is present in the purest possible form, i.e., without any foreign substances and / or plastics other than the carrier material. The main component of the carrier foil is, in particular, PET.

[0036] Such properties are exhibited by the carrier foil in particular in the transfer product before the method for recycling the transfer product and preferably in the method for recycling the transfer product, preferably before step x).

[0037] The transfer layer comprises, in particular, at least one of the following sublayers or a combination of sublayers: a water-insoluble release sublayer, a protective lacquer sublayer, a metal sublayer, a color sublayer, an adhesive sublayer, a primer sublayer, and an adhesion promoter sublayer. The transfer layer preferably comprises one or more of the aforementioned sublayers in the order listed, proceeding from the side of the transfer layer facing the water-soluble release sublayer.

[0038] The protective lacquer sublayer advantageously has a sublayer thickness in the range of 0.5 μm to 15 μm, preferably 0.8 μm to 10 μm, more preferably 0.8 μm to 2 μm. A sublayer thickness of 0.8 μm to 2 μm is advantageous for transfer products having a metallic sublayer. A sublayer thickness of 0.8 μm to 10 μm is advantageous for transfer products without a metallic sublayer.

[0039] It is also possible that the protective lacquer sublayer has a binder selected from the group consisting of nitrocellulose, polyurethanes, polyacrylates and copolymers thereof, polymethacrylates and copolymers thereof, polyester resins, styrene resins, maleic anhydride-based resins, hydrocarbon resins, shellac, acid alcohol resins, rosin resins, maleate resins, melamine resins, formaldehyde resins, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, polybutyral, polyamides, plasticizers or a combination of two or more of these components.

[0040] The protective lacquer sublayer can, in particular, protect the transfer layer from mechanical and / or chemical stresses. The protective lacquer sublayer is preferably clear and colorless. Furthermore, it is possible for the protective lacquer sublayer to be dyed with soluble dyes and / or organic and / or inorganic color pigments and / or to be provided with a matting agent. In combination with a metallic sublayer, as described below in the case of metallized transfer products, this can produce, for example, a metallic gloss effect. In the case of non-metallic transfer products, pigments are preferably used to ensure, in particular, a high degree of coverage of the substrate surface by the transfer layer.

[0041] The metal sublayer preferably has a sublayer thickness in the range of 5 nm to 50 nm, preferably 10 nm to 15 nm. In particular, the metal sublayer comprises or consists of aluminum, chromium, silver, gold, copper, nickel, tin, indium, or an alloy of at least two of these metals and / or one or more compounds, preferably with a high refractive index, selected from silicon dioxide, magnesium oxide, titanium dioxide, aluminum oxide, zinc oxide, or zinc sulfide. It is possible for the metal sublayer to be a single sublayer or multiple sublayers.

[0042] The primer sublayer particularly has a sublayer thickness in the range of 0.1 μm to 5 μm, preferably in the range of 0.5 μm to 3 μm and / or in the range of 0.1 μm to 0.5 μm. A sublayer thickness in the range of 0.1 μm to 0.5 μm is particularly advantageous when the transfer product is a cold-stamped foil. A sublayer thickness in the range of 0.5 μm to 3 μm is particularly advantageous when the transfer product is a hot-stamped foil. The primer sublayer can be used to ensure adequate adhesion of the transfer layer to the substrate or target object, preferably during and especially also after the application process. The primer sublayer preferably comprises or consists of one or more of the following materials: polyurethane, polyester, polyamide, polycarbonate, polyurea, polyacrylate and / or copolymers thereof, polymethacrylate and / or copolymers thereof, hydrocarbon resins, shellac, acid alcohol resins, rosin resins, ketone resins, phenolic resins, polystyrene resins, epoxide resins, maleate resins, melamine resins, formaldehyde resins, polyvinyl acetate, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, polyvinyl chloride, nitrocellulose, polyolefins, modified polyolefins and / or plasticizers and / or dyes and / or organic pigments and / or inorganic pigments and / or matting agents.

[0043] It is also possible, in particular in transfer products with a large proportion of dyes and / or pigments and / or matting agents in the protective lacquer sublayer, to insert one or more additional adhesion promoter sublayers between the protective lacquer sublayer and the metal sublayer and / or the protective lacquer and primer sublayer in transfer products with a metallic sublayer, or between the protective lacquer sublayer and the primer sublayer in transfer products without a metallic sublayer. The adhesion promoter sublayers may have a sublayer thickness in the range of 0.01 μm to 0.5 μm, preferably in the range of 0.01 μm to 0.3 μm. The adhesion promoter sublayer and / or the one or more additional adhesion promoter sublayers preferably comprise or consist of one or more materials preferably selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyesters, polyamides, polycarbonates, polyureas, polyacrylates and / or copolymers thereof, polymethacrylates and / or copolymers thereof, hydrocarbon resins, shellacs, acid alcohol resins, rosin resins, ketone resins, phenolic resins, polystyrene resins, epoxide resins, maleate resins, melamine resins, formaldehyde resins, polyvinyl acetate, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, polyvinyl chloride, nitrocellulose, polyolefins, modified polyolefins and / or plasticizers.

[0044] The properties specified for the transfer layer and its sublayers are exhibited by the transfer layer in particular in the transfer product before the method for recycling the transfer product and preferably in the method for recycling the transfer product, preferably before and / or after step x).

[0045] In step x), the cleaning agent penetrates into the transfer product, for example via the cut and / or broken edges, and / or diffuses through the water-insoluble transfer layer sublayer, and the water-soluble release sublayer begins to dissolve upon contact therewith.

[0046] The water-soluble ion layer preferably has a layer thickness in the range of 0.01 μm to 1 μm, preferably in the range of 0.05 μm to 0.3 μm. It is also possible for the water-soluble ion layer to comprise one or more water-soluble compounds, preferably one or more polymers and / or oligomers. Such polymers and / or oligomers are preferably selected from polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, polyols, starch, sugars, gum arabic, gelatin, lipids, polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl butyral, polyesters, polyurethanes, polyacrylic acids, and / or polyamides. It is also possible for the water-soluble ion layer to comprise a combination of these polymers and / or oligomers. The water-soluble ion layer preferably comprises polyvinyl alcohol, in particular produced from partially saponified polyvinyl acetate with a saponification degree in the range of 75% to 100%.

[0047] It is also conceivable that the water-soluble separation sublayer has one water-soluble sublayer or multiple water-soluble sublayers. Such properties are exhibited by the water-soluble separation sublayer in the transfer product, in particular before the process for recycling the transfer product and preferably before step x) in the process for recycling the transfer product.

[0048] It is also advantageous if a water-insoluble release layer is arranged between the water-insoluble transfer layer and the water-soluble release layer. The water-insoluble release layer preferably has a layer thickness in the range of 0.01 μm to 0.5 μm, preferably in the range of 0.01 μm to 0.2 μm. The water-insoluble release layer is preferably made from a wax, in particular based on one or more of the following components: polyethylene, polypropylene, fats, fatty acids and their derivatives, lipids, long-chain alcohols, one or more fluorinated compounds, in particular polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride and / or fluorinated fatty acids, modified and / or unmodified silicone waxes and / or silicone resins.

[0049] The water-insoluble release layer improves in particular the transfer of the transfer layer to the substrate surface during application methods, for example transfer and / or lamination and / or in-mold decoration methods, by preferably reducing the release forces for detaching the transfer layer from the carrier foil.

[0050] The water-insoluble separation layer is preferably not prepared in a water-based manner and / or in particular does not comprise an aqueous dispersion. It is also conceivable that the water-insoluble separation layer comprises one water-insoluble sublayer or multiple water-insoluble sublayers. The water-insoluble separation layer ensures, in particular, that the cleaning fluid forms only a homogeneous solution with the water-soluble separation layer.

[0051] Such properties are exhibited by a water-insoluble separation layer in the transfer product in particular before the process for recycling the transfer product and preferably before step x) in the process for recycling the transfer product.

[0052] Water-soluble is to be understood in particular as meaning that the water-soluble transfer layer can be completely dissolved in the cleaning liquid, in particular water, in particular during step x). Insoluble is to be understood in particular as meaning that a maximum of 1 g of material per 1000 g of liquid, preferably 0.1 g of material per 1000 g of liquid, of insoluble material is present in the liquid. Water-insoluble is to be understood in particular as meaning that, preferably after step x), a maximum of 1 g of dissolved transfer layer per 1000 g of cleaning liquid, in particular water, is present, preferably 0.1 g of dissolved transfer layer per 1000 g of cleaning liquid, in particular water. The temperature of the dissolved material, in particular the dissolved transfer layer, and the temperature of the liquid, in particular the cleaning liquid, is preferably room temperature, in particular in the range of 15° C. to 25° C.

[0053] In particular, the water-soluble release layer and / or the water-insoluble release layer is partially or completely transferred together with the transfer layer to the substrate during the application process and detached from the carrier foil and / or partially or completely detached from the transfer layer and peeled off together with the carrier foil from the transfer layer.

[0054] It is also possible that the water-soluble and / or water-insoluble release layer is present in areas where no transfer layer is present after the application process. It is also possible that the water-soluble and / or water-insoluble release layer is not present in areas where no transfer layer is present after the application process. The water-soluble and / or water-insoluble release layer transferred to the substrate using the transfer layer preferably has a high transparency, particularly preferably a transmittance of 95% to 100% in the wavelength range of 350 nm to 800 nm.

[0055] The transfer product is preferably produced by means of a coating process, in particular as a transfer foil. The release layer, in particular the water-soluble release layer and / or the water-insoluble release layer and / or the transfer layer, in particular the protective lacquer sublayer and / or the primer sublayer are applied to the carrier foil, in particular via a coating process, such as gravure printing or flexographic printing or screen printing or inkjet printing. For this purpose, lacquer systems based on organic solvents, water or water / alcohol mixtures are used, in which the volatile components are preferably evaporated after coating by a drying process, and a dry lacquer sublayer is then obtained. For the production of the transfer product, preferably only solvents including water are used for the water-soluble release layer. The metal sublayer is preferably applied in one or more sublayers by means of an evaporation process, in particular vacuum evaporation.

[0056] The transfer product, in particular a transfer foil, and preferably the water-soluble release layer, particularly preferably the combination of a water-soluble release layer and a water-insoluble release layer, are preferably formed in such a way that the transfer layer can be cleanly pressed / released from the carrier foil using pressure and temperature, particularly in a transfer method such as hot pressing. In hot pressing, the transfer layer is transferred to the substrate using a stamping tool under the action of pressure and temperature. The shape of the stamping tool is determined by the decorative motif transferred to the substrate via the transfer layer. An application temperature of preferably 100°C to 180°C softens the water-soluble release layer, and in particular the optional water-insoluble release layer, as well as the primer layer, so that the primer layer adheres to the substrate, with its adhesive force exceeding the release force of the transfer layer from the carrier foil. The chemical and physical properties of the water-soluble release layer and also the optional water-insoluble release layer, the protective lacquer layer and the primer layer are advantageously designed to enable clean pressing of the transfer layer and a sharp transfer of the transfer layer to the substrate.

[0057] In particular, in cold-press transfer methods, an adhesive sublayer is applied to the substrate in the form of a decorative motif using a printing method, such as offset printing and / or flexographic printing and / or screen printing and / or inkjet printing. Subsequently, a transfer product, particularly a transfer foil, is applied to the substrate, preferably at a temperature between 10°C and 40°C, preferably between 15°C and 30°C, and then the carrier foil, in particular, is removed. If the adhesive sublayer's adhesion to the transfer layer is greater than its release force from the carrier foil, this results in the transfer layer being transferred to the substrate. This means that when the carrier foil is removed, the transfer layer remains on the substrate, particularly in the areas containing the adhesive sublayer, and detaches there from the carrier foil. Oxidatively and / or radiation-curing adhesives are particularly used for the adhesive sublayer. Preferably, the chemical and physical properties of the combination of the water-soluble release layer and the optional water-insoluble release layer with the protective lacquer layer and the primer layer are generated to enable clean pressing of the transfer layer and clear-edge transfer of the transfer layer to the substrate, in particular to the area having the adhesive sublayer.

[0058] The sublayers applied to the carrier foil, in particular the water-soluble and / or water-insoluble release sublayer, and the transfer layer advantageously have sufficient adhesion to one another and to the carrier foil, in particular to prevent uncontrolled detachment of the entire transfer layer or individual sublayers from the carrier foil, for example during winding and unwinding, during transport, or during storage. The detachment force for detaching the transfer layer from the carrier foil is preferably in the range of 1 cN / cm to 10 cN / cm, preferably in the range of 1 cN / cm to 3 cN / cm in the case of cold-stamped foils, and / or preferably in the range of 2 cN / cm to 5 cN / cm in the case of hot-stamped foils, in particular at temperatures of 15° C. to 35° C.

[0059] The separation forces between the individual transfer layer sublayers, in particular the protective lacquer sublayer, the metal sublayer, and / or the primer sublayer, are preferably greater than the separation forces between the transfer layer and the carrier foil. This allows, in particular, complete transfer of the transfer layer to the area to be transferred to the substrate during the application process. Furthermore, further breakage or splitting during the application process is avoided.

[0060] The preferred minimum detachment force within or between two or more sublayers of the transfer layer is advantageously at least twice the detachment force of the transfer layer from the carrier foil. The detachment force, preferably the minimum detachment force, within or between two or more sublayers of the transfer layer is in particular in the range of 10 cN / cm to 100 cN / cm, preferably at least 20 cN / cm to 100 cN / cm, particularly preferably at least 40 cN / cm to 100 cN / cm.

[0061] To measure the release force of the transfer layer from the carrier foil, a double-sided adhesive tape is preferably bonded to a rigid surface having a length of 25 cm and a width of 10 cm over its entire surface in a bubble-free manner. Subsequently, preferably before the method for recycling the transfer foil, a strip of the transfer product, in particular the transfer foil, having a length of 30 cm and a width of 10 cm is bonded to the adhesive tape at the side of the transfer layer in a bubble-free manner, thereby leaving a strip of 5 cm of foil protrusion. The bonded transfer product, in particular the bonded transfer foil, is firmly pressed, the protruding strip is fastened to the test unit of a ZwickRoell GmbH & Co. KG Z005 materials testing machine, and the carrier foil is peeled off at a peel angle of 90° and a speed of 50 cm / min. The force required for this is measured and reported in cN per cm of foil width.

[0062] The water-soluble and / or water-insoluble release layer serves in particular to set the release force between the transfer layer and the carrier foil.

[0063] It is also advantageous if the carrier foil and / or the transfer layer and / or the water-insoluble release layer have one or more at least partially porous and / or at least partially water-permeable sublayers, in particular so that the transferred product and / or at least one section of the transferred product is permeable to the cleaning liquid from at least one outer surface, which preferably does not consist of the water-soluble release layer, to the water-soluble release layer. Advantageously, this accelerates the dissolution of the water-soluble release layer in step x), since a larger surface of the water-soluble release layer is available for contact with the cleaning liquid.

[0064] Step x) is preferably carried out with the aid of at least one cleaning device or a combination of cleaning devices, in particular selected from stirred containers, washers, thermal washers, friction washers, wet cutting devices and / or wet cutting grinders.

[0065] The time required for dissolution of the water-soluble separation layer in step x) and the particle size of the deposited transfer layer particles depend, inter alia, on the temperature of the cleaning liquid, the frictional forces generated, and the amount of transferred product (preferably in the form of transferred product debris) in the recirculation container and / or the cleaning liquid bath. The higher the temperature of the cleaning liquid and the greater the frictional forces, the faster the dissolution of the water-soluble separation layer proceeds and the smaller the resulting transfer layer particles. Excessively small transfer layer particles, in particular nanoscale particles, can preferably be avoided.

[0066] Furthermore, it is possible to avoid the components of the carrier foil and / or transfer layer from sticking together and / or stacking together by selecting a corresponding geometry and volume of the recirculation container (in particular the container of the cleaning liquid bath), the fill level of the cleaning liquid, the amount of transfer product (in particular in the form of transfer product chips) per pass, and the number of revolutions in the cleaning process.

[0067] During step x), the cleaning liquid preferably has a temperature in the range of 0° C. to 100° C., preferably in the range of 15° C. to 50° C. The transfer layer can be detached from the carrier foil in a particularly energy-saving manner within the range of 15° C. to 50° C. A temperature of the cleaning liquid of, for example, 100° C. is also possible. This minimizes the time required to detach the transfer layer from the carrier foil.

[0068] During step x), the cleaning liquid containing the transferred product is preferably stirred. The stirring duration is preferably in the range of 1 to 15 minutes, preferably 3 to 5 minutes. The stirring speed of the stirrer is preferably in the range of 1 to 1000 rpm, preferably 10 to 250 rpm.

[0069] Furthermore, it is possible to carry out the following steps, in particular during and / or after step x):

[0070] x1) Separating the carrier foil, in particular carrier foil chips, from the cleaning liquid.

[0071] In step x1), the material of the carrier foil is separated from the cleaning liquid, whereby the purity of the transferred product is preferably determined after step x) and any further steps. After step x1), the transferred product is considered to be the carrier foil and / or the material of the carrier foil, preferably substantially free of the transfer layer.

[0072] The method particularly preferably further comprises the following steps during and / or after step x):

[0073] x2) Separating the transfer layer, in particular transfer layer components, from the cleaning liquid.

[0074] Preferably, in step x2), the transfer layer, in particular the transfer layer components, are removed from the cleaning liquid by means of at least one thermal and / or mechanical separation method, in particular filtration, centrifugation and / or distillation.

[0075] Furthermore, it is possible to feed the separated transfer layer to further separation processes, preferably chemical and / or mechanical separation processes and / or specialized disposal processes.

[0076] Furthermore, it is possible to carry out the following steps, in particular during and / or after step x):

[0077] x3) ​​separating the releasable release layer dissolved in the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid.

[0078] Preferably, in step x3), the detachable separation layer dissolved in the cleaning liquid is removed from the cleaning liquid and / or at least partially concentrated by means of at least one thermal separation method, in particular osmosis and / or evaporation and / or distillation, in particular so that the cleaned cleaning liquid can at least partially be used again as input liquid for step x).

[0079] After step x1) and / or after step x2) and / or after step x3), the cleaning liquid is preferably fed back as input liquid for step x). Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable to feed at least part of the cleaning liquid into a disposal process. In this case, the cleaning liquid is advantageously particularly clean or can be cleaned particularly easily in other steps.

[0080] By means of the separation step, in particular a clean recovery of the input liquid of the cleaning liquid and / or a separate recovery of the carrier foil can be achieved.

[0081] It is furthermore particularly proposed that in step x) the transfer layer is removed from the carrier foil by means of friction. This means that, in addition to dissolving the water-soluble separation layer, the transfer layer is preferably also removed from the carrier foil by means of friction, or its detachment from the carrier foil is supported by means of friction. Friction is understood here to mean, in particular, the frictional forces acting between the carrier foil (in particular as a whole or as transfer product debris) and the cleaning liquid and / or the walls and / or screens of the cleaning device and / or the cleaning bath and / or the transfer product debris. It is particularly conceivable that the detachment forces generated by friction in step x) are smaller than the detachment forces required for detachment between the transfer layer and the carrier foil in the transfer product prior to the method for recycling the transfer product, preferably prior to step x). This is particularly possible because the forces required for detaching the transfer layer from the carrier layer are reduced during the dissolution of the water-soluble separation layer. This makes it possible, in particular, to reduce the effects of mechanical forces that could cause very fine particles in the cleaning liquid.

[0082] Step x2) is preferably carried out close in time to the dissolution of the water-soluble separation layer in step x), thereby preventing further fragmentation of the transfer layer components after separation from the carrier foil, in particular due to mechanical forces. As a result, a transfer product scrap, in particular a carrier foil scrap, that is as pure as possible is preferably obtained, i.e., the proportion of foreign materials or the ratio of the transfer layer components to the carrier material is as low as possible.

[0083] Furthermore, it is possible, in particular in the case where the carrier foil as a whole is guided through the cleaning liquid, for the method to have the following steps before step x):

[0084] Step x11): Unwinding the transfer product from the unwinder roll by means of an unwinder device. In particular, the unwound transfer product is brought into contact with the cleaning liquid, particularly preferably by introducing the transfer product into a bath of cleaning liquid.

[0085] It is also possible to carry out roughening and / or punching out and / or scraping of the carrier layer between step x11) and step x). The water-soluble release layer preferably thus has a larger contact surface for the cleaning liquid. This can increase the dissolution rate of the water-soluble release layer. Preferably, the transfer product is guided over a roller equipped with a mechanical tool, such as a thorn, so that puncture-shaped damage to the transfer layer is preferably produced. In this case, the transfer product, in particular the carrier foil, can even be punctured, as long as the transfer product remains mechanically sufficiently stable and does not tear. The corresponding tools, in particular the thorns, can have a distance of 1 mm to 5 mm across the width of the transfer product.

[0086] After step x11) and after step x), in particular the following steps are carried out:

[0087] x12) Winding the carrier foil onto a winder reel. In particular, the carrier foil is guided out of the cleaning liquid bath. It is preferably provided that the water-soluble release layer remains dissolved and / or the transfer layer remains undissolved in the cleaning liquid during winding of the carrier foil.

[0088] The separation of the carrier foil in step x1) is simplified in that the carrier foil can be simply guided out of the cleaning liquid again by winding it up.

[0089] Preferably, the transfer product, in particular the carrier foil, is guided through the cleaning liquid at a speed of 1 m / min to 100 m / min between step x11) and step x12). The transfer product, preferably the carrier foil, is brought into contact with the cleaning liquid and / or guided through the cleaning liquid bath between step x11) and step x12) for a duration in the range of 10 s to 150 s.

[0090] For example, it is possible to guide the transfer product, in particular the carrier foil, through the cleaning liquid bath by means of one or more deflecting rollers. This makes it possible, in particular, to increase the residence time and accelerate the dissolution of the water-soluble release layer.

[0091] During step x), the cleaning liquid preferably has a temperature in the range of 0° C. to 100° C., preferably in the range of 15° C. to 50° C. Within the range of 15° C. to 50° C., the transfer layer can be detached from the carrier foil in a particularly energy-saving manner. A temperature of 100° C. for the cleaning liquid is also conceivable. This minimizes the time required to detach the transfer layer from the carrier foil.

[0092] It is also possible to guide the carrier foil through a cleaning bath after guiding it out of the cleaning bath. Preferably, the carrier foil is contacted with a cleaning fluid, which preferably contains one or more materials selected from a mixture of preferably water or, alternatively, water and methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, or a mixture thereof and / or acetone. Additionally, additives and / or surfactants, such as defoamers, may be added to the cleaning fluid. The materials mentioned for the input liquid of the cleaning fluid may be used as the input fluid for the cleaning fluid. The input fluid and / or the cleaning fluid used for the cleaning fluid are preferably the same as the input fluid and / or the cleaning fluid used for the cleaning fluid. The cleaning bath preferably allows for the removal of residues of the cleaning fluid, which contain both dissolved portions of the water-soluble separation layer and transfer layer particles and still wet the cleaned carrier foil. It is particularly preferred to prevent already deposited transfer layer particles from adhering to the cleaned transfer foil. The carrier foil is preferably guided out of the cleaning bath again before being wound onto the winder reel.

[0093] It is also possible to dry the carrier foil after it has been guided out of the washing liquid bath and / or the cleaning bath. After drying, it is optionally possible to remove any loose transfer layer residues, in particular by means of a suction device and / or a bonding device.

[0094] The method is thus carried out in particular in a roll-to-roll process and / or steps x11), x) and x12) are carried out in an in-line process. It is also possible that in one embodiment the method for producing and / or applying the transfer product is carried out in an in-line process in a method for recycling the transfer product, in particular with steps x11), x) and x12).

[0095] Furthermore, it is possible to carry out the following steps before step x), in particular before step x11):

[0096] The coil with the transferred product is transported to an uncoiler device.

[0097] After step x12), the transfer product, in particular the carrier foil and / or the material of the carrier foil, has a purity in the range of 60.0% to 100.0% by weight, preferably 95.0% to 100.0% by weight, particularly preferably 99.0% to 100.0% by weight.

[0098] In particular, it is proposed that before step x11), the transfer product has a foreign material proportion in the range of 0 weight % to 5 weight %, preferably 0 weight % to 1 weight % and / or after step x12), it has a foreign material proportion in the range of 0 weight % to 1 weight %, preferably 0 weight % to 0.1 weight %.

[0099] It is also possible that, before step x11), the transfer product has a residual paint proportion in the range of 0 wt. % to 100 wt. %, preferably 10 wt. % to 100 wt. %, particularly preferably 50 wt. % to 100 wt. % and / or after step x12), it has a residual paint proportion in the range of 0 wt. % to 5 wt. %, preferably 0 wt. % to 1 wt. %, particularly preferably close to 0 wt. %.

[0100] It is also conceivable to use a mechanical grinding system and / or a brush roller system and / or a foam roller system and / or a nozzle system in addition to detaching the transfer layer from the carrier foil in step x) and / or between steps x11) and x12). This can particularly accelerate the detachment of the transfer layer. In particular, it is conceivable to apply the cleaning liquid, preferably additionally by means of nozzles, to the side of the transfer product coated with the transfer layer in order to achieve even faster detachment.

[0101] It is also possible that the method comprises the following steps before step x):

[0102] a) comminuting the transfer product into transfer product fragments, in particular carrier foil fragments, by means of a comminuting device or a comminuting apparatus, preferably wherein the transfer product is in the form of a roll.

[0103] Thus, the transfer product can be placed in the cleaning liquid in the form of transfer product chips. Advantageously, this allows the cleaning liquid to penetrate better into the transfer product via the cut edges and the fractured edges.

[0104] In particular, when viewed perpendicularly to the plane extending from the transferred product chips, the transferred product chips preferably each have a diameter of 0.1 cm. 2 Up to 10cm 2 The area within the range.

[0105] It is preferably provided that after step a) and / or before step x), the transfer product scraps, in particular the carrier foil scraps, have a mass in the range of 0.01 mg to 100 mg, preferably 0.5 mg to 10 mg, particularly preferably 1 mg to 5 mg. The mass of the transfer product scraps is particularly important for removing the transfer layer components by means of mechanical cleaning of a machine in step c) and / or for drying the transfer product scraps as completely as possible in step e).

[0106] In particular, it is proposed that the comminution device or comminution means in step a) comprises at least one device or a combination of devices selected from the group consisting of a guillotine, a shredder, a cutting mill, a hammer mill and / or a mill.

[0107] In particular, it is proposed that before step x), in particular before step a) and / or before step x11), and in particular during the application method, in particular the transfer method and / or the lamination method and / or the in-mold decoration method, the transfer layer is at least partially transferred to the substrate to be decorated, wherein the transfer product is provided as a by-product. This is preferably a transfer product having the transfer layer in the form of a residual transfer layer.

[0108] It is possible to collect the transferred product using a collecting container, in particular to collect it in a sorted and singulated manner. The collected transferred product can be uncut or, alternatively, cut and / or shredded and / or compacted and / or pressed. It is preferably possible to collect the transferred product using a collecting container, in particular a frame and / or a container and / or a transport box and / or a bundled bale, before step x), in particular before step a), and after the application method, in particular the transfer method and / or the lamination method and / or the in-mold decoration method.

[0109] The pressed transfer product, the volume of which is reduced by pressing, is preferably referred to as a bundled bale. In order to hold the pressed transfer product together, it is preferably proposed that it be wrapped with a band, thereby providing a bundled bale.

[0110] The term "single classification" is preferably understood to mean that only one transferred product is wound up and / or collected per roll as far as possible, thereby ensuring good material properties of the final product or compacted and / or extruded product.

[0111] It is thus possible that the method further comprises the following steps before step a):

[0112] The transferred products are collected by means of a collecting container, in particular by means of a frame and / or a container and / or a transport box and / or a bundled bag. It is preferably proposed that before step x), in particular before step a), the following steps are also performed:

[0113] The transfer product, in particular the transfer product scraps, preferably carrier foil scraps, are transported with the aid of a feed device and / or with the aid of at least one transport container, in particular a collecting container and / or a frame and / or a container and / or a transport box and / or a bundled bale and / or a large bag, wherein in particular the at least one transport container is filled with the transfer product scraps before step x).

[0114] A feeding device is to be understood as meaning any transport vehicle and / or conveyor belt and / or pneumatic conveying device or similar.

[0115] It is also possible that, before step x), in particular before step a) and / or before step x11), and in particular after the application method, in particular the transfer method and / or the lamination method and / or the in-mold decoration method, the transfer product is wound up, in particular in roll form, onto a foil core. In another embodiment, the transfer product is wound up, in particular in a single-class manner, onto a foil core. Alternatively, the roll can be wound up without a foil core, i.e., in a coreless manner, and / or onto a foil core that is removed from the foil roll after winding, so that the foil roll then exists in a coreless form. Such a removable foil core can, for example, be part of a machine for processing the transfer product.

[0116] A foil core is particularly to be understood as a paper core and / or plastic core and / or mechanical part onto which the transfer product is to be or has been wound. The foil core can remain in the foil roll or be removed from the foil roll again after winding the foil roll.

[0117] It is thus possible to carry out the following steps before step a) and / or before the unwinding in step x11):

[0118] The transferred product is wound up, in particular onto a foil core, thereby providing a roll.

[0119] It is also possible that the method comprises the following steps before step a) and / or before the unwinding in step x11):

[0120] The roll with the transferred product is transported to an unwinder device and / or the roll is transferred manually and / or by means of a feed device to a comminution device or a dispersion device.

[0121] By collecting and winding the transfer products, in particular by sorting the individual collection and / or winding, a low proportion of foreign material is ensured. In step a), it is also conceivable that, instead of one transfer product, a plurality of transfer products of the same type are processed, in particular comminuted, simultaneously.

[0122] In particular, it is proposed that, before step x) and in particular before step a), the transferred product has a foreign material content in the range of 0% to 5% by weight, preferably 0% to 1% by weight. By sorting the transferred product, in particular singly sorting it, before the actual recycling process, the subsequent recycling process can be designed more efficiently and the resulting compressed and / or extruded products and / or plastic products have improved material properties.

[0123] It is further preferred that before step x) and in particular before step a) and / or before step x11), the transfer product has a proportion of adhesive strips and / or splicing tapes in the range from 0% to 0.5% by weight, preferably from 0% to 0.1% by weight.

[0124] When comminuting the transfer product in step a), it is particularly provided that the coiled transfer product is cut into foil strips, wherein the coil with the transfer product is fixed, particularly horizontally, in a V-shaped groove and, particularly if a foil core is present, is subsequently cut longitudinally with a knife, particularly from top to bottom or from the side, down to the foil core and removed. The coil is preferably cut such that the knife cuts perpendicularly to a tangent to the cover surface in the direction of the foil core. Cutting from above offers the advantage that the coil is fixed by the V-shaped groove and that no additional support elements are required to absorb the cutting pressure of the knife. It is preferably provided that this method step is carried out with the aid of a guillotine.

[0125] As mentioned at the outset, the foil core preferably consists of a different material than the transferred product, so it is preferably provided that this foil core, which acts as a foreign material, is removed. It is also preferably possible that in step a), the comminution device and / or comminution apparatus cuts and / or chops and / or shreds and / or tears the transferred product.

[0126] In one possible embodiment, it is provided that during the comminution of the transfer product in step a), the transfer layer is at least partially removed from the carrier foil and a mixture of transfer product scraps and / or carrier foil scraps and / or transfer layer components is thus produced.

[0127] It is possible to produce transfer product scraps comprising both a carrier foil and a transfer layer. The aim is, in particular, to remove as many transfer layer components as possible from the carrier foil after a number of process steps, thereby producing the purest possible carrier foil scrap. Preferably, carrier foil scraps are scraps in which the transfer layer has been completely removed and which consist exclusively and / or to a significant extent, preferably greater than 97%, preferably greater than 99.9%, and particularly preferably greater than 99.97%, of the carrier foil material.

[0128] In particular, it is proposed that after step a) and / or before step x), the transfer product scrap has a paint residue content in the range of 0% to 100% by weight, preferably 10% to 100% by weight, particularly preferably 50% to 100% by weight. It is also possible that the paint residue includes paint dust.

[0129] Advantageously, after step a) and / or before step x), the transferred product crumbs have a proportion of fine-grained material in the range from 0% to 20% by weight, preferably from 0% to 5% by weight.

[0130] In particular, it is provided that the residual varnish proportion and / or the fine-particle material proportion is reduced successively from method step to method step.

[0131] In one embodiment, it is provided that before step x), in particular after step a), the following steps are further performed:

[0132] Step c): Mechanically cleaning the transfer product scraps, in particular carrier foil scraps, in particular without a cleaning fluid, in order to remove foreign material and / or at least part of the transfer layer components.

[0133] Advantageously, the mechanical cleaning in step c) is performed by means of friction, wherein the transfer product debris is present in a dry state and at least a portion of the transfer layer component is removed. Subsequently, in particular in step x), the portion of the transfer layer component still adhering to the carrier foil after step c) is removed.

[0134] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that after step c) and / or before step x), the transfer product chips have a residual varnish content in the range of 0% to 100% by weight, preferably 10% to 100% by weight, particularly preferably 50% to 100% by weight.

[0135] Furthermore, it is possible that the method comprises, in particular after step a) and / or after step c) and / or after step x), the following steps:

[0136] b) Compacting the transferred product scraps, in particular carrier foil scraps, to form a compacted article or extruding the transferred product scraps, in particular carrier foil scraps, to form an extruded article.

[0137] In particular, it is possible to carry out the following steps one or more times, in particular between step x) and step a), step b) and / or step c):

[0138] The transferred product scraps, in particular carrier foil scraps, are transported by means of a feed device and / or by means of at least one transport container, in particular a collecting container and / or a frame and / or a container and / or a transport box and / or bundled bales and / or a large bag, wherein the at least one transport container is filled with the transferred product scraps in particular before step x), step c) and / or step b).

[0139] A big bag is understood to be a flexible bulk material container preferably consisting of plastic. The big bag preferably has handles and / or loops so that the big bag can be transported or loaded by means of a crane and / or a forklift.

[0140] In one embodiment variant, it is preferably provided that the compacting in step b) is carried out by means of agglomeration, in particular by means of a plastic compactor or a pelletizing press.

[0141] It is preferably possible that the transfer product scraps, in particular the carrier foil scraps, are compacted and / or compacted during the compacting in step b) so as to provide a compressed product with a higher bulk density, in particular wherein the bulk density of the compressed product is 1 to 20 times, preferably 5 to 20 times, higher than the bulk density of the transfer product scraps, in particular the carrier foil scraps.

[0142] Bulk density specifies the ratio of the bulk mass of a substance to its bulk volume. A higher bulk density can reduce the space required for storing compressed products. This also has a positive impact on transportation, as a greater mass can be transported while maintaining the same volume. Furthermore, bulk density influences the process parameters of forming processes, such as injection molding and / or extrusion.

[0143] It is also proposed that the following steps are carried out before the extrusion in step b):

[0144] In the cutter compactor, the transfer product chips, in particular the carrier foil chips, are comminuted and / or mixed and / or heated and / or dried and / or degassed and / or compacted and / or buffered, in particular in order to increase the bulk density.

[0145] In particular, during degassing, foreign matter can be removed, for example, which can then be filtered out by a filter system.

[0146] Advantageously, during the extrusion in step b), the transfer product chips, in particular carrier foil chips, are plasticized and homogenized by means of an extruder system, in particular to produce extruded articles and / or pellets. In particular, it is provided that the transfer product chips are heated to their melting temperature by means of heat input and subsequently compacted by means of the extruder system, thereby providing a homogeneous plastic melt.

[0147] Extruder systems are to be understood here as meaning, in particular, single-screw extruders, co-rotating or counter-rotating twin-screw extruders, ring extruders, planetary roller extruders, multi-rotating systems, plasticizing units and / or other extruder systems.

[0148] Advantageously, provision is made for the transfer product chips, in particular carrier foil chips, to be plasticized during the compacting in step b) by means of an extruder system, in particular in order to produce a compacted article consisting of compacted transfer product chips.

[0149] Advantageously, it is also proposed that the following steps are carried out after the compaction or extrusion in step b):

[0150] Liquid polymerization and / or solid state polymerization in order to improve the material properties, in particular in order to increase the molecular weight and / or increase the viscosity.

[0151] It is preferably possible that the melting temperature of the transfer product chips, in particular carrier foil chips, during extrusion in step b) is in the range of 100 to 350°C, in particular 150 to 320°C, preferably 260 to 290°C.

[0152] It is preferably possible, preferably when the carrier foil comprises PET as the main component, that the melting temperature of the transfer product chips, in particular the carrier foil chips, during extrusion in step b) is in the range of 150° C. to 320° C., preferably 260° C. to 290° C. It is preferably possible that the temperature during compacting of the transfer product chips, in particular the carrier foil chips, in step b) is in the range of 25° C. to 150° C., preferably 40° C. to 120° C.

[0153] In particular, it is provided that in step b) a vacuum and / or a negative pressure, preferably in the range of 0.01 mbar to 1013 mbar, is generated in the extruder system.

[0154] Advantageously, after step b), the compressed and / or extruded product has a purity in the range of 60.0% to 100.0% by weight, preferably 95.0% to 100.0% by weight, particularly preferably 99.0% to 100.0% by weight. As already mentioned above, the purity is advantageously improved step by step.

[0155] In particular, it is provided that after step b), the compressed and / or extruded article has an intrinsic viscosity in the range from 0.3 dl / g to 0.9 dl / g, preferably from 0.5 dl / g to 0.7 dl / g.

[0156] It is also preferably possible that after step b), the compressed and / or extruded product is colorless, transparent, clear, opaque, dyed, at least partially dyed, or colored. In particular, in the case of colorless and / or transparent and / or clear compressed and / or extruded products, there is the advantage that such products can subsequently be dyed as desired.

[0157] Advantageously, after step b), the compressed and / or extruded article is formed into a cylindrical shape and has a cylindrical diameter in the range of 0.1 mm to 20 mm, preferably 3 mm to 10 mm, particularly preferably 4 mm to 6 mm, and has a cylindrical height in the range of 0.1 mm to 20 mm, preferably 3 mm to 10 mm, particularly preferably 4 mm to 6 mm. Preferably, after step b), the compressed and / or extruded article can also be formed into a spherical shape and have a diameter in the range of 0.1 mm to 20 mm, preferably 3 mm to 10 mm, particularly preferably 4 mm to 6 mm.

[0158] It is particularly possible that after step x) the carrier foil or the material of the carrier foil, and in particular after step b) the compressed and / or extruded product, is suitable for at least one subsequent process or a combination of processes selected from the group consisting of injection molding, extrusion, pressing methods, compounding, chemical recycling and / or energy recovery.

[0159] In particular, it is proposed that after step x), in particular after step a) and / or after step b), the following steps are also carried out:

[0160] Step f): Compounding the compacted article and / or the extruded article and / or the transferred product crumbs, wherein additives are added in order to provide the compound with improved material properties.

[0161] It is preferably provided that after compounding the compound is provided as a melt and / or as pellets.

[0162] Advantageously, it is possible that in step f) the transferred product crumbs and / or compacted products and / or extruded products are conveyed and / or plasticized and / or homogenized together with additives in a compounder, in particular in an extruder system, for example in a single-screw extruder, a co-rotating or counter-rotating twin-screw extruder, a ring extruder, a planetary roller extruder, a multi-rotation system, a plasticizing unit and / or other extruder systems.

[0163] It is preferably proposed that the following steps are further performed before step f), in particular after step b):

[0164] The compressed products and / or extruded products and / or the transferred product scraps, in particular carrier foil scraps, are transported by means of a feed device and / or by means of at least one transport container, in particular a collecting container and / or a frame and / or a container and / or a transport box and / or a bundled bale and / or a large bag, wherein in particular before step f) the at least one transport container is filled with the compressed products and / or extruded products and / or the transferred product scraps.

[0165] Advantageously, the melted compound is further processed in step f) directly in a forming process, particularly an injection molding process and / or a pressing process and / or an extrusion process. This has the advantage that the compound does not need to be further processed into pellets before it is finally processed into a plastic shaped part and / or an extruded product in a further processing process, preferably an injection molding process and / or a pressing process and / or an extrusion process. This eliminates the need for transportation and storage. Furthermore, energy consumption can be reduced because the compound is already in a molten state and thus no longer needs to be melted and / or plasticized and / or homogenized for the injection molding process and / or the pressing process and / or the extrusion process.

[0166] It is preferably provided that in step f) the melting temperature of the compound during the shaping process is in the range of 100° C. to 350° C., in particular 150° C. to 320° C., preferably 260° C. to 290° C.

[0167] It is preferably provided that, in particular when the carrier foil comprises PET as a main component, the melting temperature of the compound during the shaping process in step f) is in the range from 150° C. to 320° C., preferably from 260° C. to 290° C.

[0168] In particular, it is proposed that in step f) the molten compound is further processed to form pellets by means of strand pelletization and / or underwater pelletization. This method step advantageously yields high-quality plastic pellets with good material properties, which can then be used as raw material in injection molding processes and / or compression processes and / or extrusion processes.

[0169] It is also preferably provided that the melt temperature during compounding in step f) is in the range from 100° C. to 350° C., in particular from 150° C. to 320° C., preferably from 260° C. to 290° C.

[0170] It is also preferably provided, in particular when the carrier foil comprises PET as the main component, that the melt temperature during compounding in step f) is in the range from 150° C. to 320° C., preferably from 260° C. to 290° C.

[0171] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that in step f) during compounding, a vacuum and / or a negative pressure, preferably in the range of 0.01 mbar to 1013 mbar, is generated in the compounder, in particular the extruder system.

[0172] In particular in the case of PET as the main component, after step f) the compound and / or pellets have a specific energy content at 1 kJ / m 2 Up to 100kJ / m 2 , preferably 5kJ / m 2 Up to 60kJ / m 2 Notched impact strength within the range.

[0173] It is further preferred that, in particular when the carrier foil comprises PET as the main component, after step f), the compound and / or pellets have an elastic modulus (E modulus) in the range of 1000 MPa to 10,000 MPa, preferably 1300 MPa to 8000 MPa, determined in particular by means of a tensile test at room temperature.

[0174] In particular, it is possible that after step f) the compound and / or granulate has a purity in the range from 20.0% to 99.9% by weight, preferably from 50% to 99.9% by weight, particularly preferably from 80% to 99.9% by weight.

[0175] In particular, it is possible that the transfer product, in particular the carrier foil as a whole or as carrier foil scraps, has a residual moisture content after step x), with components of the cleaning fluid also adhering to the carrier foil. This residual moisture content and components of the cleaning fluid should be removed before any further steps, in particular winding onto a winder roll, compacting and / or extrusion and / or compounding in step x12). For this purpose, a drying step is advantageously performed after dissolving the water-soluble separation layer in step x). That is, it is possible to further perform the following steps after step x), in particular before step x12), and / or before step b):

[0176] Step e) preferably dries the transfer product, in particular the carrier foil as a whole or as carrier foil scraps, by means of mechanical dewatering and / or a mechanical dryer and / or a thermal dryer, in particular in order to reduce, for example, the water content of the transfer product.

[0177] In particular, it is proposed that the following steps are also carried out before step e):

[0178] The transferred product scraps, in particular the carrier foil scraps, are transported by means of a feed device and / or by means of at least one transport container, in particular a collecting container and / or a frame and / or a container and / or a transport box and / or a bundled bale and / or a big bag, wherein the at least one transport container is filled with the transferred product scraps, in particular before step e).

[0179] If the transfer product, in particular the carrier foil as a whole, is wound onto a winder reel, it is possible for the transfer product, in particular the carrier foil, to be dried in step e) by preferably passing through a drying section upstream of the winder reel.

[0180] It is preferably possible for the thermal dryer in step e) to have a temperature in the range of 10° C. to 120° C., preferably in the range of 40° C. to 80° C. In particular, it is provided that after step e), the transfer product, in particular the transfer product crumbs and / or the carrier foil as a whole, has a moisture content in the range of 0% to 25%, preferably in the range of 0% to 5%, particularly preferably in the range of 0% to 1%.

[0181] Preferably, after step e), the transfer product, in particular the transfer product crumbs, preferably the carrier foil crumbs and / or the carrier foil as a whole, has a purity in the range of 60.0% by weight to 100.0% by weight, preferably 95.0% by weight to 100.0% by weight, particularly preferably 99.0% by weight to 100.0% by weight. As already explained above, the purity is improved step by step.

[0182] It is further preferably provided that after step e) the transfer product and / or the transfer product crumbs are colorless, transparent, clear, opaque, dyed, at least partially dyed or colored.

[0183] It is also possible, after step x) and preferably before step e), to clean the carrier foil again, preferably in the form of carrier foil scraps or as a whole, with a cleaning liquid. The cleaning liquid comprises or preferably consists of one or more substances selected from water or, alternatively, a mixture of water and one or more other substances. In particular, one or more alcohols, preferably selected from methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, or mixtures thereof, and / or acetone are used as the one or more other substances. Furthermore, additives and / or surfactants, such as defoamers, may be added to the cleaning liquid. It is particularly possible to perform cleaning after step x1) when the cleaning liquid comprises a substance that is particularly capable of at least partially dissolving the transfer layer.

[0184] The method according to the invention is particularly suitable for recycling transfer products whose transfer layer consists of a different material than the carrier foil. This method offers the advantage that the used transfer product is not discarded but rather reprocessed, thus generating additional cycles of use. The transfer product according to the invention and / or the transfer product used in the method according to the invention is preferably manufactured and constructed according to the "Design for Recycling (DfR)" principle. This offers significant economic and ecological advantages, as the production of new plastic can be omitted. By sequentially removing the transfer layer, a plastic material that is as pure as possible is obtained, which can be used to produce new carrier foils and / or other plastic components.

[0185] Other embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings and described below. In the accompanying drawings:

[0186] Figure 1a 、 1b , 2, 3: Schematic cross-sectional views showing sections of a transfer foil

[0187] Figure 4a 、 4b 4c: Schematic diagram showing the recycling process of the transferred product

[0188] Figure 5a 、 5b 5c: Schematic diagram showing the recycling process of the transferred product

[0189] Figures 6 to 11 : Schematic diagram showing the recycling process of transferred products

[0190] The present invention will be explained hereinafter by way of example using a number of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The illustrated embodiments are therefore not to be understood as limiting.

[0191] Figure 1a A transfer product 1 is shown. The transfer product 1 is particularly a recyclable transfer product, preferably a transfer product that can be recycled in water. The transfer product 1 comprises a water-insoluble carrier foil 2 and a water-insoluble transfer layer 4. The water-insoluble transfer layer 4 is arranged at least partially, here for example over the entire surface, on the carrier foil 2. A water-soluble release layer 3 is arranged between the carrier foil 2 and the transfer layer 4.

[0192] That is, it is particularly possible here that a layer arranged on the carrier foil 2, for example the transfer layer 4, is understood to be a layer which is not in direct contact with the carrier foil 2 but is connected to the carrier foil 2 via one or more further sublayers, such as at least via a water-soluble release sublayer 3.

[0193] The transfer product 1 is preferably a hot stamping foil, a cold stamping foil and / or a heat transfer foil.

[0194] The water-soluble release layer 3 preferably has a layer thickness in the range of 0.01 μm to 1 μm, preferably in the range of 0.05 μm to 0.3 μm, and is, for example, 0.15 μm. The water-soluble release layer 3 comprises, in particular, one or more water-soluble compounds, preferably one or more polymers and / or oligomers, preferably selected from polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, polyols, starches, sugars, gum arabic, gelatin, lipids, polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl butyral, polyesters, polyurethanes, polyacrylic acids, polyamides, or combinations thereof. For example, the release layer 3 comprises polyvinyl alcohol produced from partially saponified polyvinyl acetate with a saponification degree in the range of 75% to 100%.

[0195] Furthermore, it is possible to arrange further water-soluble and / or water-insoluble release layers between the carrier film 2 and the transfer layer 4 .

[0196] The carrier foil 2 is preferably produced by extrusion, in particular flat foil extrusion. The sublayer thickness of the carrier foil 2 is preferably in the range of 3 μm to 100 μm, preferably in the range of 4.5 μm to 12 μm, here for example 6 μm. The carrier foil can be colorless, transparent, clear, opaque, dyed, at least partially dyed, or colored.

[0197] The carrier foil 2 is composed of, or includes, polyester in particular. The carrier foil 2 preferably comprises or consists of one or more components or composite materials selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid, polyethylene furoate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene trimethyl terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, and / or polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyester carbonate, cellophane, cellulose acetate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyamide, polyimide, polyvinylidene chloride, and / or paper, in particular coated and / or laminated paper. The carrier foil, for example, comprises a main component, preferably PET. The proportion of this main component, preferably PET, in the carrier foil 2 is preferably greater than 97%, preferably greater than 99.9%, and particularly preferably greater than 99.97%.

[0198] It is also possible that the transfer layer 4 has at least one sublayer or a combination of sublayers, preferably selected in the following order from the side of the transfer layer facing the water-soluble release sublayer: water-insoluble release sublayer, protective lacquer sublayer, metal sublayer, color sublayer, adhesive sublayer, primer sublayer, adhesion promoter sublayer.

[0199] Preferably for a transfer product 1 in which a metal sublayer is present (e.g. Figure 2 ), the protective lacquer sublayer has in particular a sublayer thickness in the range of 0.5 μm to 15 μm, in particular 0.8 μm to 2 μm. Preferably, for transfer products 1 in which no metal sublayer is present (e.g. Figure 3), the protective lacquer sublayer further preferably has a sublayer thickness of 0.8 μm to 10 μm.

[0200] The protective lacquer sublayer 41 preferably has one or more binders selected from: nitrocellulose, polyurethane, polyacrylate and copolymers thereof, polymethacrylate and copolymers thereof, polyester resins, styrene resins, maleic anhydride-based resins, hydrocarbon resins, shellac, acid alcohol resins, rosin resins, maleate resins, melamine resins, formaldehyde resins, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, polybutyral, polyamide, plasticizers or a combination of two or more of these components and / or dyes and / or organic pigments and / or inorganic pigments and / or matting agents.

[0201] The protective varnish sublayer is preferably clear and colorless. In addition, it is possible that the protective varnish sublayer is dyed with a soluble dye and / or an organic color pigment and / or an inorganic color pigment and / or is provided with a matte agent. In combination with the metal sublayer below, as exemplarily shown in Figure 2 In the case of non-metallic transfer products, as exemplarily shown in Figure 3 Such transfer products 1 shown in are preferably made using pigments in order to achieve, in particular, a high degree of coverage of the substrate surface by the transfer layer.

[0202] The metal sublayer particularly has a sublayer thickness in the range of 5 nm to 50 nm, preferably 10 nm to 15 nm, here for example 13 nm. The metal sublayer preferably comprises or consists of aluminum, chromium, silver, gold, copper, nickel, tin, indium, or an alloy of at least two of these metals. Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible for the metal sublayer to comprise or consist of one or more compounds, preferably with a high refractive index, selected from silicon dioxide, magnesium oxide, titanium dioxide, aluminum oxide, zinc oxide, or zinc sulfide.

[0203] The primer sublayer has a sublayer thickness in the range of 0.1 μm to 5 μm. It is possible for the transfer product 1 to be a cold-stamped foil and preferably has a sublayer thickness in the range of 0.1 μm to 0.5 μm. Furthermore, it is possible, especially for the transfer product 1 to be a hot-stamped foil, for the primer sublayer to have a sublayer thickness in the range of 0.5 μm to 3 μm. The primer sublayer can ensure, in particular, that sufficient adhesion of the transfer layer to the substrate is achieved during the application process.

[0204] Preferably, a water-insoluble separation layer is arranged between the water-insoluble transfer layer 4 and the water-soluble separation layer 3, the water-insoluble separation layer being exemplarily provided as a sublayer 5. Figure 1b The separation sublayers 3 and 5 are single-sublayer or multi-sublayer.

[0205] In particular, it is possible that the water-insoluble release layer 5 or another release layer can be transferred at least partially together with the transfer layer 4. In other words, it is possible that the water-insoluble release layer 5 (if not defective) is transferred to the substrate together with the transfer layer 4 during the application process.

[0206] The water-insoluble release sublayer 5 has in particular a sublayer thickness in the range of 0.01 μm to 0.5 μm, preferably in the range of 0.01 μm to 0.2 μm, here for example 0.15 μm.

[0207] The water-insoluble ion-desorption layer 5 is preferably prepared from waxes based on one or more of the following components: polyethylene, polypropylene, fats, fatty acids and their derivatives, lipids, long-chain alcohols, one or more fluorinated compounds, especially polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride and / or fluorinated fatty acids, modified and / or unmodified silicone waxes and / or silicone resins.

[0208] The water-insoluble release layer improves the transfer of the transfer layer to the substrate surface during application methods, such as transfer and / or lamination and / or insert molding and / or in-mold decoration methods, by preferably setting the release force for detaching the transfer layer from the carrier foil. The water-insoluble release layer is preferably not prepared in a water-based manner and / or, in particular, does not comprise an aqueous dispersion. This ensures that the cleaning liquid 6 forms only a homogeneous solution with the water-soluble release layer 3.

[0209] Figure 2 Shown in Figure 1b The transfer product 1 described in the preceding claims, wherein the transfer layer 4 has a protective lacquer sublayer 41 on its side facing the water-soluble release sublayer 3. The protective lacquer sublayer has a sublayer thickness of, for example, 1 μm. The protective lacquer sublayer consists, in particular, of nitrocellulose, polyurethane, polyacrylates and copolymers thereof, polymethacrylates and copolymers thereof, polyester resins, styrene resins, maleic anhydride-based resins, hydrocarbon resins, shellac, acid alcohol resins, rosin resins, maleate resins, melamine resins, formaldehyde resins, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, polybutyral, polyamides, plasticizers, or a combination of two or more of these components and / or dyes and / or organic pigments and / or inorganic pigments and / or matting agents.

[0210] A metal sublayer 43 is arranged on the side of the protective lacquer sublayer 41 facing away from the water-soluble release sublayer 3. A primer sublayer 42 is arranged on the side of the metal sublayer 43 facing away from the protective lacquer sublayer 41. The metal sublayer 43 has a sublayer thickness of 13 nm, for example, and the primer sublayer 42 has a sublayer thickness of 1 μm, for example.

[0211] Figure 3 Shown in Figure 1bThe transfer product 1 is described in , wherein the transfer layer 4 has a protective lacquer sublayer 41 on its side facing the water-soluble release sublayer 3 . Figure 3 The transfer product 1 shown in FIG. 1 is particularly preferably free of a metal sublayer. The protective lacquer sublayer 41 preferably has a sublayer thickness in the range of 0.8 μm to 10 μm, for example 5 μm. The primer sublayer has a sublayer thickness of 1 μm, for example.

[0212] It is also possible that the primer sublayer 42 is connected to the protective lacquer sublayer 41, in particular by means of an adhesion promoter sublayer (not shown here). The adhesion promoter sublayer preferably comprises or consists of one or more of the following materials: polyurethane, polyester, polyamide, polycarbonate, polyurea, polyacrylate and / or copolymers thereof, polymethacrylate and / or copolymers thereof, hydrocarbon resins, shellac, acid alcohol resins, rosin resins, ketone resins, phenol resins, polystyrene resins, epoxide resins, maleate resins, melamine resins, formaldehyde resins, polyvinyl acetate, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, polyvinyl chloride, nitrocellulose, polyolefins, modified polyolefins and / or plasticizers.

[0213] exist Figure 2 and Figure 3 With regard to the other construction and functional aspects of the foils, sub-layers and layers shown in FIG, reference is made in particular to the above embodiments. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The transfer layer shown in Figure 1a Apply the transfer layer of the transfer product shown in the figure.

[0214] In particular, it is possible that in the method for recycling a transfer product, the transfer layer, in particular in the form of a transfer layer composition, has Figure 1a 、 1b , 2 and 3. It is also possible that in the method for recycling a transfer product, the carrier foil, in particular in the form of carrier foil scraps or as a complete carrier foil, has a sublayer structure of the transfer layer described in . Figure 1a 、 1b , 2 and 3 described sub-layer structure of the carrier foil.

[0215] It is also possible that the carrier foil 2 and / or the transfer layer 4 and / or the water-insoluble release layer 5 have one or more at least partially porous and / or at least partially water-permeable sublayers, in particular so that the transfer product is permeable to cleaning liquid from at least one outer surface, which preferably does not consist of the water-soluble release layer, to the water-soluble release layer.

[0216] Advantageously, this accelerates step x), ie the dissolution of the water-soluble separation layer, in particular by means of a cleaning agent, since a larger surface area of ​​the water-soluble separation layer can come into contact with the cleaning liquid. Figure 1bIf the water-insoluble release layer 5 shown in the figure is water-impermeable and / or porous, the cleaning liquid can in particular pass through the outer sides shown on the left and right sides of the water-insoluble release layer 5 and come into contact with the horizontally shown surface of the water-soluble release layer 3, in particular when the shown parts of the transfer product are regarded as transfer product debris.

[0217] The detachment force for detaching the transfer layer 4 from the carrier foil 2 is preferably provided by a water-soluble detachment layer 3 and optionally by a detachment layer 5 . Figure 1b The described design of the water-insoluble release sublayer 5 has an influence. The release force for releasing the transfer layer 4 from the carrier foil 2 is, for example, 2 cN / cm. The minimum release force within or between two or more sublayers of the transfer layer 4 is, for example, within the primer sublayer 42 and is greater than the release force for releasing the transfer layer 4 from the carrier foil 2, and in this case is, for example, 3 cN / cm to 5 cN / cm. This ensures that the primer sublayer 42 does not separate during the application process when releasing the carrier foil 2 from the transfer layer 4, and that the transfer layer 4 can form, for example, a sharp edge on the substrate, which can achieve aesthetically pleasing effects.

[0218] about Figure 1a 、 Figure 1b 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3 The described transfer product 1 is fed in particular to a method for recycling transfer products and / or is used therein.

[0219] Figure 4a An exemplary method for recycling a transfer product 1 is shown, which has a water-insoluble carrier foil 2 and a water-insoluble transfer layer 4 arranged at least partially on the carrier foil 2. A water-soluble deionization layer 3 is arranged between the carrier foil 2 and the transfer layer 4 of the transfer product 1. To recycle the transfer product 1, the following steps are performed:

[0220] Step x): The water-soluble release layer 3 is dissolved 40 by means of a cleaning liquid 6. The transfer layer 4 is thereby released from the carrier foil 2. The cleaning liquid 6 is preferably located in a cleaning liquid bath and in particular the transfer product 1 is placed in the cleaning liquid bath.

[0221] In particular, during step x), the carrier foil 2 is cleaned with the aid of a cleaning liquid 6. For this purpose, the transfer product 1 is preferably freed of the transfer layer 4, so that after step x), the carrier foil 2 preferably remains substantially as the transfer product 1. It is preferably possible for the transfer product 1, in particular the carrier foil 2 and / or the material of the carrier foil, to have a purity in the range of 60.0% by weight to 100.0% by weight, preferably 95.0% by weight to 100.0% by weight, particularly preferably 99.0% by weight to 100.0% by weight, after step x). After step x), the transfer product 1 preferably has a residual lacquer content in the range of 0% by weight to 5% by weight, preferably 0% by weight to 1% by weight, particularly preferably approximately 0% by weight. It is also possible for the transfer product 1 to have a fine-grained material content in the range of 0% by weight to 5% by weight, preferably 0% by weight to 1% by weight, particularly preferably approximately 0% by weight, after step x).

[0222] In particular, further method steps can also be carried out between reaching the purity and step x), for example drying the carrier foil 2 or the carrier foil chips after step x).

[0223] Use as in Figure 4a and 4b In the example shown in FIG, it is particularly possible to guide the carrier foil 2 as a whole through the cleaning liquid 6. In this case, it is possible, for example, when the transferred product 1 is defective or the transfer layer 4 is present on the carrier foil 2 in the form of a transfer layer component, that the transfer layer 4 is also present as a whole on the carrier foil 2. The transfer layer component is, for example, a residual transfer layer remaining on the carrier layer 2 after the transfer layer 4 has been partially transferred to the substrate, and / or the transfer layer components have already been separated from each other in a comminution step before step x). Figure 4c The transfer product 1 shown in FIG. 1 can be placed into a cleaning liquid 6 with the transfer product scraps comprising carrier foil scraps and transfer layer components. Carrier foil 2 is therefore preferably understood to mean the carrier foil 2 as a whole and a plurality of carrier foil scraps. Transfer layer 4 is therefore preferably understood to mean the transfer layer 4 as a whole and a plurality of transfer layer components.

[0224] The transfer product 1 preferably has, before step x), in particular Figure 1a 、 Figure 1b 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3 It is also possible that the transfer layer 4 detached during or after step x) and in particular the detached transfer layer component each have a relative position to the transfer layer 4 in the embodiment of FIG. Figure 1a 、 Figure 1b 、 Figure 2 and Figure 3 The sublayer structure has been described in one of the above.

[0225] In step x), the cleaning agent 6 penetrates into the transfer product 1 , for example via the cut and / or broken edges, and / or diffuses through the water-insoluble transfer layer sublayer, and the water-soluble release sublayer 3 begins to dissolve upon contact therewith.

[0226] As in Figure 4b and in Figure 4c As can be seen in FIG, it is possible that the transfer layer 4 is not present in areas where the water-soluble release layer 3 is present. It is also possible that the water-insoluble release layer 5 is also present there. For example, the carrier foil 2 having the water-soluble release layer 3 and, optionally, the water-insoluble release layer 5, was separated from the transfer layer 4 in these areas during a previously performed application process for transferring the transfer layer 4 to the substrate. It is also possible that the water-soluble release layer 3 and, optionally, the water-insoluble release layer 5, were already transferred to the substrate or target object along with the transfer layer 4 during a previously performed application process, so that the water-soluble release layer 3 and, optionally, the water-insoluble release layer 5, are not present in areas without the transfer layer 4 before step x). The release layer transferred to the substrate using the transfer layer 4 preferably has a high degree of transparency, particularly preferably a transmittance of 95% to 100% in the wavelength range of 350 nm to 800 nm.

[0227] During step x), the cleaning liquid 6 is preferably composed of a homogeneous solution of an input fluid and a water-soluble separation layer 3. That is, the cleaning liquid 6 corresponds in particular to the input liquid that receives the dissolved water-soluble separation layer 3 during step x). Water or a homogeneous mixture of water and one or more other substances is preferably used as the input liquid for the cleaning liquid 6, especially before step x). In particular, one or more alcohols, preferably selected from methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, or mixtures thereof, and / or acetone are used as the one or more other substances. Furthermore, additives and / or surfactants, such as defoamers, may be added to the cleaning liquid 6. If the cleaning liquid 6 and / or its input liquid is water, this water is preferably free of other additives and / or is untreated water. The composition of the cleaning liquid 6 is preferably selected depending on the transfer product 1, in particular the transfer layer 4, in such a way that the transfer layer 4 is not dissolved by the cleaning liquid. In particular, the transfer layer 4, in the recycling method described, preferably does not have a sublayer that is soluble in the cleaning liquid 6.

[0228] In particular, after step x), the transfer layer 4 detached from the carrier foil 2 in step x) is preferably present in the form of a transfer layer component in the cleaning liquid 6. The transfer layer component is particularly present in a form that is insoluble in the cleaning liquid 6 and / or the transfer layer component continuously has the overall sublayer structure of the transfer layer 4 of the transfer product 1 in the cleaning liquid 6. In other words, it is possible that the sublayer structure of the carrier foil 2 and / or the transfer layer 4 of the transfer product 1 remains unchanged during step x), because the transfer layer 4 is insoluble in the cleaning liquid 6.

[0229] Advantageously, the transfer layer component has a particle size in the range of 10 μm to 5 mm, preferably 20 μm to 5 mm, particularly preferably 50 μm to 5 mm in the cleaning liquid 6. Particle size is to be understood here as meaning in particular the maximum distance between two points of a particle.

[0230] In particular, it is conceivable that before, during, and / or after step x), the transfer layer 4, in particular the transfer layer components, may be separated into smaller components, for example, forming smaller transfer layer particles, and / or the carrier foil 2 may be separated into smaller carrier foil particles, by mechanical forces. Such mechanical forces may be applied in a targeted manner during the comminution step or even unintentionally during other steps. It is also conceivable, for example, that other foreign matter may be present in the cleaning liquid 6, for example due to wear of components. Advantageously, in particular, 99% by weight to 100% by weight of the particles insoluble in the cleaning liquid 6 (including in particular foreign matter, smaller carrier foil particles, smaller transfer layer particles, and transfer layer components) have a particle size in the range of 10 μm to 5 mm, preferably in the range of 20 μm to 5 mm.

[0231] Advantageously, the cleaning liquid 6 and the particles insoluble therein, in particular from the transfer product, are present as a preferably compact and stable suspension of particles, in particular of the aforementioned particle size. In this case, there are no or preferably only very small amounts of extremely fine particles in the cleaning liquid 6, which could result from complex separation steps (e.g. complex filtration). This prevents, in particular, fine particles from remaining adhering to the carrier foil 2 and thus improves the purity of the recyclate or the costs for achieving a certain purity. Furthermore, the recyclability, maintenance and upkeep costs, and process safety of the cleaning liquid 6 are particularly improved. The water-soluble deionized layer 3 advantageously achieves this by separating the transfer layer 4 from the carrier foil 2, in particular in step x), using no or only very small mechanical forces that could result in the separation of very fine particles.

[0232] Expediently, during and / or after step x), the cleaning liquid 6 containing the transferred product 1 consists of the carrier foil 2 and the transfer layer 4 in a concentration ranging from 0.1% to 25% by weight, preferably from 1% to 10% by weight. The concentration is calculated, in particular, from the ratio of the total weight of the carrier layer 2 and the transfer layer 4 present in the cleaning liquid 6 to the weight of the cleaning liquid 6 and the water-soluble deionized layer 3, the carrier foil 2, and the transfer layer 4 dissolved in the cleaning liquid 6. This preferably essentially refers to the solids concentration in the cleaning liquid 6 containing the transferred product 1.

[0233] Step x) is preferably carried out with the aid of at least one cleaning device or a combination of cleaning devices selected from a stirred container, a cleaning machine, a thermal cleaning machine, a friction cleaning machine, a wet cutting device, and / or a wet cutting grinder. For example, it is possible to remove the at least one transfer layer 4 in step x) by dissolving the water-soluble separation layer 3 and, in particular, by rubbing the carrier foil 2.

[0234] The time required for dissolution of the water-soluble separation layer 3 in step x) and the particle size of the deposited transfer layer particles depend, inter alia, on the temperature of the cleaning liquid 6, the frictional forces, and the amount of transfer product 1 (preferably in the form of transfer product chips) in the recirculation container and / or the cleaning liquid bath. The higher the temperature of the cleaning liquid 6 and the greater the frictional forces, the faster the dissolution of the water-soluble separation layer 3 proceeds and the smaller the transfer layer particles produced. Excessively small, in particular nanoscale, transfer layer particles can be avoided. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the components of the carrier foil 2 and / or transfer layer 4 from sticking together and / or stacking together by selecting the appropriate geometry and volume of the recirculation container (in particular the container of the cleaning liquid bath), the level of the cleaning liquid 6, the amount of transfer product 1 (in particular in the form of transfer product chips) passed through each time, and the frictional forces.

[0235] During step x), the cleaning liquid 6 preferably has a temperature in the range of 0° C. to 100° C., preferably in the range of 15° C. to 50° C. Within the range of 15° C. to 50° C., the transfer layer 4 can be detached from the carrier foil 2 in a particularly energy-saving manner. A temperature of 100° C. for the cleaning liquid 6 is also conceivable. This minimizes the time required for detaching the transfer layer 4 from the carrier foil 2 .

[0236] Furthermore, it is also possible to carry out the following steps, in particular during and / or after step x), while dissolving 40 the water-soluble separation layer 3:

[0237] Step x1): Separating the carrier foil 2 , in particular carrier foil fragments or the entire carrier foil, from the cleaning liquid 6 .

[0238] In step x1), material of the carrier foil is separated from the washing liquid, in particular, so that the purity of the transferred product can be determined preferably after step x) and any further steps. Furthermore, the method preferably includes the following steps during and / or after step x) with the dissolution of the water-soluble separation layer 3.

[0239] Step x2): Separating the transfer layer 4 , in particular the transfer layer components, from the cleaning liquid 6 .

[0240] Preferably, in step x2), the transfer layer 4, in particular the transfer layer components, are removed from the cleaning liquid 6 by means of at least one thermal and / or mechanical separation method, in particular filtration, centrifugation and / or distillation. It is possible to carry out step x2) before step x1). It is also possible to feed the separated transfer layer to a further separation process, preferably a chemical separation process and / or a specialized disposal process.

[0241] Furthermore, it is possible to carry out the following steps, in particular during and / or after step x):

[0242] Step x3): Separating the releasable release layer 3 dissolved in the cleaning liquid 6 from the cleaning liquid 6 .

[0243] Preferably, in step x3), the detachable separation layer 3 dissolved in the cleaning liquid is removed from the cleaning liquid 6 and / or at least partially concentrated by means of at least one thermal separation method, in particular osmosis and / or evaporation and / or distillation, in particular so that the cleaned cleaning liquid 6 can at least partially be used again as input liquid for step x).

[0244] After step x1) and / or after step x3), the cleaning liquid 6 is preferably fed again as input liquid for step x). Alternatively or additionally, it is conceivable to feed the cleaning liquid 6 at least partially to a disposal process.

[0245] By means of the separation step, in particular a clean recovery of the input liquid of the cleaning liquid, a clean disposal of the cleaning liquid and / or a separate recovery of the carrier foil can be achieved.

[0246] It is preferably proposed that after dissolving 40 the water-soluble separation layer 3, in particular after step x), the transfer product, in particular the transfer product crumbs and / or the carrier foil as a whole have a purity in the range of 60.0% by weight to 100.0% by weight, preferably 95.0% by weight to 100.0% by weight, particularly preferably 99.0% by weight to 100.0% by weight.

[0247] Preferably, the transferred product 1 is wound up, in particular onto a foil core in the form of a roll, before the water-soluble release layer 3 is dissolved in step x) and after the application method, in particular the transfer method and / or the lamination method and / or the in-mold decoration method. It is also particularly proposed that the transferred product 1 is collected by means of a collecting container, in particular a frame and / or a container and / or a transport box and / or a bundled bale, before the water-soluble release layer 3 is dissolved 40 in step x) and after the application method.

[0248] In another embodiment, it is provided that the transfer product 1 is wound up in a single-piece manner, in particular onto a foil core in roll form, before step x). Alternatively, the roll can be wound up without a foil core, i.e., in a coreless manner, and / or onto a foil core that is removed from the foil roll after winding, so that the foil roll then exists in coreless form. Such a removable foil core can, for example, be part of a machine for processing the transfer product 1.

[0249] It is also proposed that the transferred products 1 can be collected in a homogenized manner. Homogenization here means that only transferred products of the same and / or similar quality, for example, those made of the same carrier material, are wound or collected onto a roll. This ensures that no foreign objects and / or foreign materials enter the recycling process. This also improves the quality and material properties of the final product and / or compressed and / or extruded article.

[0250] It is also proposed that the transfer layer 4 be at least partially transferred to the substrate to be decorated before dissolving 40 the water-soluble release layer 3 and during the application method, with the transfer product 1 being provided as a by-product. In particular, before dissolving 40 the water-soluble release layer 3, the following step is also carried out: the transfer product is rolled up, in particular onto a foil core, thereby providing a roll. This method step is particularly carried out after the production of defective products. Defective products are transfer products that have defects during production, for example, a sub-layer of the transfer layer may not have been applied with sufficient quality. Such defective products cannot be sold to customers. In order to keep any damage as low as possible, transfer products reported as defective are recycled so that the material can be reused.

[0251] The collection and winding of the transferred product 1, in particular the sorted, single collection and / or winding, ensures a low content of foreign materials. It is particularly provided that, before step x), in particular before step a), the transferred product 1 has a foreign material content in the range of 0% to 5% by weight, preferably 0% to 1% by weight. Sorting the transferred product, in particular the single sorting, before the actual recycling process allows for a more efficient design of the subsequent recycling process and improves the material properties of the recyclate, in particular the resulting compressed and / or extruded products and / or plastic products.

[0252] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that before step x), in particular before step a), the transfer product has a proportion of adhesive strips and / or splicing tapes in the range from 0% to 0.5% by weight, preferably from 0% to 0.1% by weight.

[0253] Figure 5a An exemplary method for recycling a transfer product 1 is shown, which method comprises dissolving 40 the water-soluble separation layer 3 in step x) and, in particular, carrying out the following steps before dissolving 40 the water-soluble separation layer 3:

[0254] Step a): comminuting 10 the transfer product 1 into transfer product fragments, in particular carrier foil fragments, by means of a comminuting device or a comminuting apparatus, preferably wherein the transfer product is in the form of a roll.

[0255] The transfer product 1 can thus be placed in the form of transfer product chips into the cleaning liquid 6. Advantageously, this allows the cleaning liquid 6 to penetrate better into the transfer product via the cut edges and the broken edges. The section of the transfer product 1 that has been comminuted into transfer product chips has, for example, been Figure 4c Explained.

[0256] In particular, when viewed perpendicularly to the plane extending from the transferred product chips, the transferred product chips preferably each have a diameter of 0.1 cm. 2 Up to 10cm 2 For example, when observing Figure 4c This area can be seen from the top down in the transfer product 1 shown in FIG. This ensures, in particular, that the transfer layer particles are sufficiently large when the sublayer thickness of the transfer layer 4 is, for example, less than 50 μm.

[0257] It is also preferably proposed that the following steps are carried out before the comminution 10 in step a):

[0258] The rolls are conveyed manually and / or with the aid of a feed device to the comminution device or the dispersion device.

[0259] It can also be provided that, in particular during the shredding 10 of the transfer product 1 in step a), the coiled transfer product is cut into foil strips, wherein the coil with the transfer product 1 is fixed, in particular horizontally, in a V-shaped groove and, in particular if a foil core is present, is subsequently cut longitudinally with the aid of a knife, in particular from top to bottom or from the side, down to the foil core and removed. This has the advantage that the transfer product can be quickly and easily unwound from the foil core and can be used for further processing.

[0260] In particular, it is possible that the comminution means and / or the comminution device cuts and / or chops and / or shreds and / or tears the transfer product, in particular during the comminution 10 in step a).

[0261] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that, in particular during the comminution 10 of the transfer product in step a), the transfer layer 4 is at least partially removed from the carrier foil 2 and a mixture of transfer product scraps and / or carrier foil scraps and / or transfer layer components is thus produced.

[0262] Advantageously, in particular after the comminution 10 in step a) and in particular before the dissolution 40 of the water-soluble separation layer 3, the transferred product chips have a residual paint content in the range of 0% by weight to 100% by weight, preferably 10% by weight to 100% by weight, particularly preferably 50% by weight to 100% by weight. It is advantageously provided that, in particular after the comminution 10 in step a) and preferably before the dissolution 40 of the water-soluble separation layer 3, the transferred product chips have a fine-grained material content in the range of 0% by weight to 20% by weight, preferably 0% by weight to 5% by weight.

[0263] It is also preferably possible, in particular after the comminution 10 in step a), for the transferred product chips, in particular the carrier foil chips, to have a mass in the range of 0.01 mg to 100 mg, preferably 0.5 mg to 10 mg, particularly preferably 1 mg to 5 mg.

[0264] Figure 5b Shown in Figure 5a The method shown in FIG. 1 is performed only after dissolving 40 the water-soluble separation layer 3 in step x), in particular after step x1), the following steps are further performed:

[0265] Step b): Compacting 30 the transferred product crumbs, in particular the carrier foil crumbs, into a compacted article.

[0266] The compaction 30 is preferably carried out by means of agglomeration, in particular by means of a plastic compactor or by means of a pelletizing press.

[0267] It is also preferably provided that in step b) the transfer product scraps, in particular the carrier foil scraps, are extruded 31 to form an extruded article.

[0268] Figure 5c Show about Figure 5a or Figure 5b The method described in Figure 5c In the design shown in FIG, it is preferably provided that the following steps are further performed before the comminution 10 in step a) and in particular before the dissolution 40 of the cleaning liquid 6 in step x):

[0269] Step c): Mechanical cleaning 20 of the transfer product scraps, in particular carrier foil scraps, in particular without a cleaning fluid, in order to remove foreign material and / or at least part of the transfer layer components.

[0270] Advantageously, in particular in step c), foreign materials and / or transfer layer components are removed during mechanical cleaning 20 of the transfer product chips. Mechanical cleaning 20 is preferably performed by a machine after the comminution 10 in order to separate transfer layer components, in particular transfer layer residues, such as paint residues, paint dust, and / or fine particles, which were separated during the comminution of the carrier foil and / or the transfer layer, from the transfer product chips.

[0271] In particular, it is proposed that mechanical cleaning 20 is carried out by means of friction, in particular in step c), wherein the transfer product debris is present in a dry state and at least a portion of the transfer layer components is removed. In particular, in step x), i.e., in dissolving 40 the water-soluble separation layer 3, the remaining transfer layer components are removed from the carrier foil and thus, in particular, from the transfer product.

[0272] Advantageously, after mechanical cleaning 20 by a machine, in particular after step c) and before dissolving 40 the water-soluble separation layer 3 in step x), the transferred product chips have a residual paint proportion in the range of 0% by weight to 100% by weight, preferably 10% by weight to 100% by weight, particularly preferably 50% by weight to 100% by weight.

[0273] It is preferably possible to also carry out the following steps before compacting 30:

[0274] The transfer product scraps, in particular the carrier foil scraps, are transported by means of a feed device and / or by means of at least one transport container, in particular a collecting container and / or a frame and / or a container and / or a transport box and / or a bundled bale and / or a big bag, wherein the at least one transport container is filled with the transfer product scraps, in particular with the carrier foil scraps, in particular before compaction 30, preferably after step x1).

[0275] It is furthermore particularly proposed that, in particular during the compacting 30 in step b), the transfer product scraps, in particular the carrier foil scraps, are compressed and / or compacted in order to provide a compacted product with a higher bulk density, in particular wherein the bulk density of the compacted product is 1 to 20 times, preferably 5 to 20 times, higher than the bulk density of the transfer product scraps, in particular the carrier foil scraps.

[0276] exist Figure 6 Another method for recycling transfer products is shown in Figure 5a 、 Figure 5b and Figure 5c The steps described in the invention are comminution 10, mechanical cleaning 20, compaction 30 and dissolution 40 of the water-soluble separation layer 3, wherein after dissolution 40 of the water-soluble separation layer 3, drying 50 is performed. Drying 50 is also performed in particular before compaction 30.

[0277] In particular, in order to reduce the water content of the transferred product crumbs after dissolving 40 the water-soluble separation layer 3, in particular after step x), it is preferably proposed to carry out the following steps:

[0278] The transfer product 1 , in particular the carrier foil 2 as a whole or as carrier foil scraps, is preferably dried 50 by means of mechanical dewatering and / or a mechanical dryer and / or a thermal dryer, in particular in order to reduce the moisture content of the carrier foil, for example as transfer product scraps.

[0279] Advantageously, after drying 50, in particular after step e), the transferred product chips may have a water content in the range of 0% to 25%, preferably 0% to 5%. Drying 50 ensures, in particular, that other materials contained in the cleaning liquid 6 do not simultaneously flow into subsequent method steps.

[0280] Except especially in Figure 5b 、 Figure 5c and Figure 6 In addition to the subsequent compaction 30 method step shown in , extrusion 31 can preferably also be carried out. In particular, it is particularly important when compacting 30 and / or extruding 31 that the transfer product chips to be compacted and / or extruded have a high purity. In general, the purer the material to be compacted and / or extruded, the better the material properties of the compacted and / or extruded product after compacting 30 and / or extruding 31. Material properties are to be understood as properties as well as physical and chemical properties, such as density, melting temperature, strength, notched impact strength, elastic modulus, shear modulus and / or viscosity. Therefore, it is particularly proposed that, in particular after the drying 50 in step e), the transfer product chips have a purity in the range of 60.0% by weight to 100.0% by weight, preferably 95.0% by weight to 100.0% by weight, particularly preferably 99.0% by weight to 100.0% by weight.

[0281] exist Figure 7 Another schematic diagram of the recycling process for transferring products is shown in FIG. This recycling process also includes the Figure 5c and Figure 6 The steps described in the preceding text comprise crushing 10, mechanical cleaning 20, compacting 30, and dissolving 40 the water-soluble separation layer 3. Instead of compacting 30, extrusion 31 can also be performed. However, after compacting 30 or extrusion 31, compounding 60 is also performed. Preferably, the compressed product and / or extruded product and / or transfer product scraps are compounded, wherein additives are added to provide a compound with improved material properties. This is particularly the case when defective products are produced during the manufacturing process of the transfer product. In the case of such defective products, the carrier foil of the transfer product is preferably almost completely covered by the carrier layer. If this is the case, there is a particular risk that a sufficient proportion of the transfer layer cannot be removed. It is also possible, especially in this case, to compact transfer product scraps with a high proportion of transfer layer (as foreign material). Due to the high proportion of foreign material, there is no pure plastic and the plastic does not have optimal material properties. In particular, by adding additives during compounding 60, the material properties can be improved, making the plastic suitable for further processing, such as injection molding and / or pressing and / or extrusion.

[0282] In particular, it is proposed that during compounding 60, preferably in step f), the compacted product and / or extruded product and / or transferred product chips are conveyed and / or plasticized and / or homogenized together with the additives in a mixer, in particular in an extruder system, for example in a single-screw extruder, a co-rotating or counter-rotating twin-screw extruder, a ring extruder, a planetary roller extruder, a multi-rotation system, a plasticizing unit and / or other extruder systems.

[0283] The pellets obtained in the extruder system during compounding 60 can then preferably be further processed in further process steps, for example by means of injection molding and / or pressing and / or extrusion, to form further carrier foils and / or other plastic articles.

[0284] Alternatively, the compounding 60 can also be carried out in an inline process. It is possible here to further process the molten compound, preferably directly in a shaping process, in particular an injection molding process and / or a pressing method and / or an extrusion process.

[0285] The melt temperature during compounding 60 is, for example, in the range of 100°C to 350°C, in particular 150°C to 320°C, preferably 260°C to 290°C. In particular, when the carrier foil 2 comprises PET as the main component, the melt temperature during compounding 60 is preferably in the range of 150°C to 320°C, preferably 260°C to 290°C. Furthermore, it is possible that the melt temperature of the compound during the shaping process in step f) is in the range of 100°C to 350°C, in particular 150°C to 320°C, preferably 260°C to 290°C. In particular, when the carrier foil 2 comprises PET as the main component, it is possible that the melt temperature of the compound during the shaping process in step f) is in the range of 150°C to 320°C, preferably 260°C to 290°C, for example 275°C. During compounding 60, a vacuum and / or negative pressure preferably in the range of 0.01 mbar to 1013 mbar is preferably generated in the compounder, in particular the extruder system.

[0286] Preferably, in particular when the carrier foil 2 comprises PET as a main component, in particular after the compounding 60 in step f), the compound and / or pellets have a specific energy content at 1 kJ / m 2 , measured in particular according to Charpy at room temperature. 2 Up to 100kJ / m 2 , preferably 5kJ / m 2 Up to 60kJ / m 2 Notched impact strength within the range.

[0287] Furthermore, preferably, in particular when the carrier foil comprises PET as the main component, in particular after compounding 60 in step f), the compound and / or pellets have an elastic modulus (E modulus), determined in particular by means of a tensile test at room temperature, in the range of 1000 MPa to 10,000 MPa, preferably 1300 MPa to 8000 MPa.

[0288] It is also preferably provided that after compounding 60 , in particular after step f), the compound and / or granulate has a purity in the range of 20.0% to 99.9% by weight, preferably 50.0% to 99.9% by weight, particularly preferably 80.0% to 99.9% by weight.

[0289] Figure 8 Another schematic diagram of a recycling process for transfer products is shown, in which various possibilities of how such a process can be combined are illustrated. When the transfer layer of the transfer product has previously been transferred to the substrate to be decorated by an application method, in particular a transfer method and / or a lamination method and / or an in-mold decoration method, in particular using a transfer method as in Figure 8 Such a recycling process is shown in . Preferably, as clean or pure as possible plastic is recovered by this recycling process, which plastic can be used, for example, as a basis for new carrier foils and / or other plastic products.

[0290] Preferably, first of all, Figure 5a 、 Figure 5b 、 Figure 5c and Figure 6 The comminution 10 shown in FIG is followed by mechanical cleaning 20, preferably by a machine. After the mechanical cleaning 20, it is particularly proposed that the transferred product debris be cleaned with a cleaning fluid 40 by dissolving the water-soluble deionized layer 3 using at least one cleaning device or a combination of cleaning devices selected from the group consisting of a cleaning machine, a thermal cleaning machine, a friction cleaning machine, a wet cutting device, and / or a wet cutting grinder. In this embodiment, it is also preferably proposed that the cleaning fluid 6 comprises water or a homogeneous mixture of water and one or more other substances. In particular, one or more alcohols, preferably selected from methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, or mixtures thereof, and / or acetone are used as the one or more other substances. Furthermore, additives and / or surfactants, such as defoaming agents, may be added to the cleaning fluid 6.

[0291] As a result, the transfer layer 4 is at least partially removed from the carrier foil and transfer layer components are produced which are insoluble in the cleaning liquid 6 .

[0292] In order to extract the moisture generated by dissolving 40 the desorption layer 3 with the cleaning fluid 6 from the transfer product scraps, in particular the carrier foil scraps, it is particularly proposed to dry the desorption layer 3 with the aid of a mechanical dryer 51 and / or with the aid of a thermal dryer 52. Other drying methods can also be preferably used. In particular, it is proposed that the drying steps can be performed at any frequency and / or in any order. Thus, for example, a combination of a mechanical dryer 51 and a thermal dryer 52 can also be used for drying.

[0293] It is also possible to clean the carrier foil 2 again with a cleaning liquid after step x), especially after step x1), and preferably before drying 50 the carrier foil 2, especially in the form of carrier foil scraps. The cleaning liquid comprises or preferably consists of one or more substances selected from water or, alternatively, a homogeneous mixture of water and one or more other substances. In particular, one or more alcohols, preferably selected from methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, or mixtures thereof, and / or acetone are used as the one or more other substances. Furthermore, additives and / or surfactants, such as defoamers, may be added to the cleaning liquid. It is particularly possible to clean after step x1) if the cleaning liquid contains a substance that can at least partially dissolve the transfer layer 4.

[0294] Preferably, after drying 50 the transfer product chips, compacting 30 is preferably carried out, preferably by means of a plastic compactor, and / or the transfer product chips, in particular carrier foil chips, are extruded 31 to form extruded articles, preferably by means of an extruder system.

[0295] Figure 9 An exemplary method is shown, which has the following steps before dissolving 40 the water-soluble desorption layer 3 in step x):

[0296] Step x11): The transfer product 1 is unwound 11 from the unwound roll 7 by means of an unwinder device. The unwound transfer product 1 is brought into contact with the cleaning liquid 6. In particular, for this purpose, the transfer product 1 is guided into the cleaning liquid bath, for example, by means of one or more deflecting rollers.

[0297] Preferably, the method further comprises the following steps after step x11) and after step x):

[0298] Step x12): Winding up 12 the carrier foil 2 onto a winder reel 8 , in particular guiding the carrier foil 2 out of the cleaning liquid bath.

[0299] Preferably, the water-soluble release layer 3 remains dissolved in the cleaning liquid 6 in step x12) and / or the transfer layer 4 remains undissolved. Accordingly, in particular, only the carrier foil 2 is wound onto the winder reel 8. This simplifies the separation of the carrier foil 2 in step x1), since the carrier foil 2 can be easily removed from the cleaning liquid 6 again, preferably by winding 12.

[0300] Preferably, the transfer product 1, in particular the carrier foil 2, is guided through the cleaning liquid at a speed of 1 m / s to 100 m / s between step x11) and step x12). In particular, the transfer product 1, in particular the carrier foil 2, is brought into contact with the cleaning liquid 6 and / or guided through the cleaning liquid bath for a duration in the range of 10 s to 150 s between step x11) and step x12).

[0301] In particular, it is possible to increase the residence time and / or accelerate the dissolution of the water-soluble release layer 3 by means of the deflection roller or rollers, for example due to friction between the transfer layer 4 and the cleaning liquid 6 and / or between the water-soluble release layer 3 and the cleaning liquid 6 .

[0302] It is also possible to guide the carrier foil 2 through a cleaning bath after it has been removed from the cleaning bath. The carrier foil 2 is preferably brought into contact with a cleaning liquid, which preferably contains one or more substances selected from water or, alternatively, a homogeneous mixture of water and one or more other substances. In particular, one or more alcohols, preferably selected from methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, or mixtures thereof, and / or acetone are used as the one or more other substances. Furthermore, additives and / or surfactants, such as defoamers, may be added to the cleaning liquid. The carrier foil 2 is preferably removed from the cleaning bath again before being wound up 12 onto the winder reel 8.

[0303] It is also possible to dry the carrier foil 2 after it has been removed from the washing liquid bath and / or the cleaning bath.

[0304] The method is thus carried out in particular in a roll-to-roll process and / or steps x11), x) and x12) are carried out in an in-line process. Also conceivable are embodiments in which the method for producing the transfer product and / or the method for applying the transfer product are carried out in an in-line process in a method for recycling the transfer product, in particular with steps x11), x) and x12).

[0305] It is also conceivable to use a mechanical grinding system and / or a brush roller system and / or a foam roller system and / or a nozzle system in addition to detaching the transfer layer 4 from the carrier foil 2 in step x) and / or between steps x11) and x12), with nozzles being used which preferably apply a cleaning liquid in a targeted manner to the transfer layer. This can, in particular, accelerate the detachment.

[0306] After step x12), the transfer product 1 , in particular the carrier foil 2 and / or the material of the carrier foil, has in particular a purity in the range of 60.0% to 100.0% by weight, preferably 95.0% to 100.0% by weight, particularly preferably 99.0% to 100.0% by weight.

[0307] In particular, it is proposed that before step x11), the transfer product 1 has a foreign material proportion in the range of 0 weight % to 5 weight %, preferably 0 weight % to 1 weight % and / or after step x12), has a foreign material proportion in the range of 0 weight % to 1 weight %, preferably 0 weight % to 0.1 weight %.

[0308] It is also possible that, before step x11), the transfer product 1 has a residual paint proportion in the range of 0 wt. % to 100 wt. %, preferably 10 wt. % to 100 wt. %, particularly preferably 50 wt. % to 100 wt. % and / or after step x12), has a residual paint proportion in the range of 0 wt. % to 5 wt. %, preferably 0 wt. % to 1 wt. %, particularly preferably close to 0 wt. %.

[0309] It is further possible that, after step x12), the transferred product 1 preferably has a proportion of fine-grained material in the range from 0% by weight to 1% by weight, preferably close to 0% by weight.

[0310] Figure 10 Show about Figure 9 The method described by way of example comprises the following steps in the order indicated: unwinding 11 the transfer product and, in particular, introducing the transfer product 1 into a cleaning liquid 6, dissolving 40 the water-soluble separation layer, guiding 15 the carrier foil out of the cleaning liquid 6, and winding 12 the carrier foil. In particular, the carrier foil 2 is separated from the cleaning liquid 6 at least partially by guiding 15 the carrier foil 2 out of the cleaning liquid 6.

[0311] It is also possible to carry out the following steps before step x), in particular before step x11):

[0312] The roll with the transfer product 1 is transported to the unwinder device. The roll is preferably used as unwinder roll 7 and has been wound up, for example, in or after a previous application process or is a waste product of the production process of the transfer product.

[0313] Figure 11 Show about Figure 10 A recycling method is described by way of example, in which the carrier foil 2 is dried 50 before the carrier foil 2 is wound up 12. The drying 50 is preferably carried out by means of a mechanical dryer and / or a thermal dryer.

[0314] Furthermore, the transfer layer 2 is separated from the cleaning liquid 6, particularly after the water-soluble separation layer 3 has been dissolved 40, so that the transfer layer 2 can be further used in subsequent processes, such as, in particular, mechanical and / or chemical separation methods. It is particularly possible to remove the transfer layer 2 from the cleaning liquid 6 in step x2) by means of at least one thermal and / or mechanical separation method, in particular filtration, centrifugation, and / or distillation, and then preferably to another separation process, preferably a chemical separation process, and / or a specialized disposal process. It is also possible to separate the water-soluble separation layer 3 dissolved in the cleaning liquid 6 from the cleaning liquid 6 and to further use it, in particular in step x) and / or to a specialized disposal process. Since preferably no, or only a very low, proportion of carrier foil 2 is present in the cleaning liquid 6, the corresponding process is simplified.

[0315] In a preferred embodiment, cleaning is also provided between dissolving 40 the water-soluble separation layer 3 and drying 50, in which case the transfer product 1, preferably the carrier foil 2, is removed from a bath of cleaning liquid, introduced into a cleaning bath with a cleaning liquid as described above, and removed from the cleaning bath before drying 50. After drying, it is optionally possible to remove any loose transfer layer residues, in particular by means of a suction device and / or a bonding device.

[0316] Reference numerals list:

[0317] 1. Transfer products

[0318] 2 carrier foils

[0319] 3 Water-soluble detached layer

[0320] 4 Transfer layer

[0321] 5 Water-insoluble detached layer

[0322] 41 protective paint layer

[0323] 42 primer sublayer

[0324] 43 metal sublayer

[0325] 6. Cleaning fluid

[0326] 7 Unwinder Volume

[0327] 8 Winder rolls

[0328] 10 crush

[0329] 11 Unroll the transferred product

[0330] 12. Rewind the transferred product

[0331] 20. Mechanical cleaning

[0332] 30 compaction

[0333] 31 Extrusion

[0334] 40 Dissolved water-soluble ion layer

[0335] 50 drying

[0336] 51 Drying with the aid of a mechanical dryer

[0337] 52 Drying with the help of hot dryer

[0338] 60 Mixing

[0339] 61 Mixing and processing in offline methods

[0340] 62 Mixing and processing in online methods

Claims

1. A recyclable transfer product, which is a transfer foil, i.e. a hot stamping foil or a cold stamping foil or a heat transfer foil, comprising a water-insoluble carrier foil (2) and a water-insoluble transfer layer (4) arranged at least partially on the carrier foil (2), wherein a water-soluble release layer (3) is arranged between the carrier foil (2) and the transfer layer (4), and the transfer product has no further water-soluble sublayers besides the water-soluble release layer, wherein the transfer layer (4) is a layer arranged on the carrier foil (2) which is not in direct contact with the carrier foil (2) but is connected to the carrier foil (2) at least via the water-soluble release layer (3); Water-soluble is understood to mean that the water-soluble transfer layer is completely soluble in water; insoluble is understood to mean that a maximum of 1 g of insoluble material is dissolved in the liquid per 1000 g of liquid and a maximum of 1 g of dissolved transfer layer is present per 1000 g of water, wherein the temperature of the dissolved material and the temperature of the liquid are in the range of 15° C. to 25° C.; The water-soluble release layer is partially transferred together with the transfer layer to the substrate during the application process and is released from the carrier foil and / or partially released from the transfer layer and peeled off from the transfer layer together with the carrier foil, or In a transfer process, the transfer layer is at least partially transferred to the substrate to be decorated, wherein the transfer product is provided as a by-product, which is a transfer product having the transfer layer in the form of a residual transfer layer.

2. The transfer product according to claim 1, characterized in that The water-soluble separation sublayer (3) has a sublayer thickness in the range of 0.01 μm to 1 μm.

3. The transfer product according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The water-soluble ion-releasing layer (3) comprises one or more polymers selected from polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, polyols, sugars, gum arabic, gelatin, lipids, polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl butyral, polyesters, polyurethanes, polyacrylic acids, polyamides or combinations thereof.

4. The transfer product according to claim 1, characterized in that A water-insoluble separation layer (5) is arranged between the transfer layer (4) and the water-soluble separation layer (3).

5. The transfer product according to claim 4, characterized in that The water-insoluble separation sublayer (5) has a sublayer thickness in the range of 0.01 μm to 0.5 μm.

6. The transfer product according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that The water-insoluble ion-releasing layer (5) is prepared from wax and is based on one or more of the following components: polyethylene, polypropylene, fats, fatty acids and their derivatives, lipids, long-chain alcohols, one or more fluorinated compounds, modified or unmodified silicone waxes or silicone resins.

7. The transfer product according to claim 1, characterized in that The carrier foil (2) has a sublayer thickness in the range of 3 μm to 100 μm.

8. The transfer product according to claim 1, characterized in that The carrier foil (2) comprises polyester, which is selected from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polylactic acid, polyethylene furoate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene trimethyl terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate; or one or more components or composite materials of polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyester carbonate, cellophane, cellulose acetate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polyamide, polyimide, polyvinylidene chloride or paper.

9. The transfer product according to claim 1, characterized in that The carrier foil (2) comprises a main component, wherein the proportion of the main component in the carrier foil is greater than 97%, and the main component comprises PET.

10. The transfer product according to claim 1, characterized in that The carrier foil (2) is transparent, opaque or dyed.

11. The transfer product according to claim 1, characterized in that The transfer layer (4) has at least one sublayer or a combination of sublayers, which are selected from the following order starting from the side of the transfer layer (4) facing the water-soluble release sublayer (3): a water-insoluble release sublayer (5), a protective lacquer sublayer (41), a metal sublayer (43), a colored sublayer, an adhesive sublayer, a primer sublayer (42), and an adhesion promoter sublayer.

12. The transfer product according to claim 11, characterized in that The protective lacquer sublayer (41) has a sublayer thickness of 0.5 μm to 15 μm.

13. The transfer product according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that The protective lacquer sublayer (41) has a binder selected from the group consisting of nitrocellulose, polyurethane, polyacrylate and copolymers thereof, polymethacrylate and copolymers thereof, polyester resin, styrene resin, maleic anhydride-based resin, hydrocarbon resin, shellac, acid alcohol resin, rosin resin, maleate resin, melamine resin, formaldehyde resin, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polybutyral, polyamide, plasticizer or a combination of two or more of these components or organic pigment or inorganic pigment or matting agent.

14. The transfer product according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that The metal sublayer (43) has a sublayer thickness in the range of 5 nm to 50 nm.

15. The transfer product according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that The metal sublayer (43) includes aluminum, chromium, silver, gold, copper, nickel, tin, indium or an alloy of at least two of these metals, and one or more compounds with a high refractive index selected from silicon dioxide, magnesium oxide, titanium dioxide, aluminum oxide, zinc oxide or zinc sulfide.

16. The transfer product according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that The primer sublayer (42) has a sublayer thickness in the range of 0.1 μm to 5 μm, wherein the primer sublayer includes one or more of the following materials: polyurethane, polyester, polyamide, polycarbonate, polyurea, polyacrylate or copolymer thereof, polymethacrylate or copolymer thereof, shellac, acid alcohol resin, rosin resin, ketone resin, phenol resin, polystyrene resin, epoxy resin, maleate resin, melamine resin, formaldehyde resin, polyvinyl acetate, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl chloride, nitrocellulose, polyolefin, modified polyolefin or plasticizer or organic pigment or inorganic pigment or matting agent.

17. The transfer product according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that The primer sublayer (42) is connected to the protective paint sublayer (41) by means of an adhesion promoter sublayer, wherein the adhesion promoter sublayer comprises one or more of the following materials: polyurethane, polyester, polyamide, polycarbonate, polyurea, polyacrylate or its copolymer, polymethacrylate or its copolymer, shellac, acid alcohol resin, rosin resin, ketone resin, phenol resin, polystyrene resin, epoxy resin, maleate resin, melamine resin, formaldehyde resin, polyvinyl acetate, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl chloride, nitrocellulose, polyolefin, modified polyolefin or plasticizer.

18. The transfer product according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that The carrier foil (2) and / or the transfer layer (4) and / or the water-insoluble release layer (5) have one or more at least partially porous and / or at least partially water-permeable sublayers.

19. The transfer product according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that The detachment force for detaching the transfer layer (4) from the carrier foil (2) is in the range of 1 cN / cm to 10 cN / cm at a temperature of 15° C. to 35° C., in the range of 1 cN / cm to 3 cN / cm in the case of cold-stamped foils, or in the range of 2 cN / cm to 5 cN / cm in the case of hot-stamped foils.

20. The transfer product according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that The minimum detachment force within or between two or more sublayers of the transfer layer (4) is at least twice the detachment force of the transfer layer (4) from the carrier foil (2).

21. A method for recycling a transfer product (1), the transfer product (1) being a transfer foil, i.e. a hot stamping foil or a cold stamping foil or a heat transfer foil, the transfer product comprising a water-insoluble carrier foil (2) and a water-insoluble transfer layer (4) arranged at least partially on the carrier foil (2), wherein a water-soluble release layer (3) is arranged between the carrier foil (2) and the transfer layer (4), the transfer product having no further water-soluble sublayers besides the water-soluble release layer. The method further comprises the following steps: x) dissolving (40) the water-soluble release layer (3) by means of a cleaning liquid (6), wherein the transfer layer (4) is detached from the carrier foil (2).

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that The transferred product (1) after step x) has a purity in the range of 60.0 wt. % to 100.0 wt. %.

23. The method according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that During step x) the cleaning fluid (6) is composed of a homogeneous solution of the input fluid and the desorption layer (3) dissolved in water.

24. The method according to claim 21, wherein Before step x), water or alternatively a homogeneous mixture of water with one or more alcohols and / or acetone, the alcohol being selected from methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol or a mixture thereof, is used as input liquid for the cleaning liquid (6).

25. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that The transfer layer ( 4 ) detached from the carrier foil ( 2 ) in step x) is present in the form of transfer layer components in the cleaning liquid ( 6 ).

26. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that The transfer layer component is present in a form that is insoluble in the cleaning liquid (6) or the transfer layer component continuously has the overall sublayer structure of the transfer layer (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 20 in the cleaning liquid (6).

27. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that The transfer layer component has a particle size in the range of 10 μm to 5 mm in the cleaning liquid (6).

28. The method according to claim 21, wherein During and / or after step x), the cleaning liquid (6) carries a concentration of the transfer product (1), consisting of the carrier foil (2) and the transfer layer (4), in the range of 0.1% by weight to 25% by weight.

29. The method according to claim 21, wherein During step x), the cleaning liquid (6) has a temperature in the range of 0°C to 100°C.

30. The method according to claim 21, wherein During step x), the cleaning liquid (6) is stirred with the transferred product (1).

31. The method according to claim 21, wherein During step x), the cleaning liquid (6) with the transferred product is stirred for a stirring time ranging from 1 minute to 15 minutes.

32. The method according to claim 21, wherein During step x), the cleaning liquid (6) is stirred with the transferred product at a stirring speed of the stirrer in the range of 1 rpm to 1000 rpm.

33. The method according to claim 21, wherein Step x) is carried out with the aid of at least one cleaning device selected from a stirred container, a washing machine or a wet cutting apparatus.

34. The method according to claim 21, wherein In step x), the transfer layer ( 4 ) is removed from the carrier foil ( 2 ) by means of friction.

35. The method according to claim 21, wherein During and / or after step x), the following steps are carried out: x1) separating the carrier foil ( 2 ) from the cleaning liquid ( 6 ).

36. The method according to claim 21, wherein During and / or after step x), the following steps are performed: x2) separating the transfer layer (4) from the cleaning liquid (6).

37. The method according to claim 36, wherein In step x2), the transfer layer ( 4 ) is removed from the cleaning liquid ( 6 ) by means of at least one thermal or mechanical separation method or by means of distillation.

38. The method according to claim 37, wherein During and / or after step x), the following step is performed: x3) separating the detachable debonding layer (3) dissolved in the cleaning liquid (6) from the cleaning liquid (6).

39. The method according to claim 38, characterized in that After step x1) and / or after step x2) and / or after step x3), the cleaning liquid (6) is fed again as input liquid for step x).

40. The method according to claim 21, wherein The method is carried out in a roll-to-roll process.

41. The method according to claim 21, wherein The method comprises, before step x), the following steps: x11) unwinding the transfer product (1) from an unwinder roll (7) by means of an unwinder device, wherein the unwound transfer product (1) is brought into contact with the cleaning liquid (6) by guiding the transfer product (1) into a bath of the cleaning liquid.

42. The method according to claim 41, wherein The method comprises, after step x11) and after step x), the following step: x12) winding the carrier foil (2) onto a winder reel (8), wherein the carrier foil (2) is guided out of the cleaning liquid bath and / or wherein the water-soluble release layer (3) remains in dissolved form and / or the transfer layer (4) remains in undissolved form in the cleaning liquid (6).

43. The method according to claim 42, characterized in that In order to detach the transfer layer ( 1 ) from the carrier foil ( 2 ), a mechanical grinding system or a brush roller system or a foam roller system or a nozzle system is additionally used in step x) and / or between steps x11) and x12).

44. The method according to claim 43, wherein Prior to step x), the following steps are performed: a) comminuting ( 10 ) the transfer product ( 1 ) into transfer product crumbs by means of a comminuting device or a comminuting apparatus, wherein the transfer product ( 1 ) is in the form of being wound up on a roll.

45. The method according to claim 44, wherein When viewed perpendicularly to the plane extending from the transferred product crumbs, the transferred product crumbs each have a width of 0.1 cm 2 Up to 10 cm 2 The area within the range.

46. ​​The method according to claim 45, characterized in that Before step x), before step a) and / or before step x11), the transfer product (1) has a proportion of foreign material in the range from 0% by weight to 5% by weight.

47. The method according to claim 46, wherein Before step x), before step a) and / or before step x11), the transfer product (1) has a proportion of adhesive strips or splicing tapes in the range of 0% by weight to 0.5% by weight.

48. The method according to claim 47, wherein When the transfer product is shredded (10) in step a), the rolled transfer product is cut into foil strips, wherein the roll with the transfer product is fixed in a V-shaped groove and, if a foil core is present, is subsequently cut longitudinally from above or from below or from the side with the aid of a knife up to the foil core and removed.

49. The method according to claim 48, characterized in that In step a), during the comminution ( 10 ) of the transfer product ( 1 ), the transfer layer ( 4 ) is at least partially removed from the carrier foil ( 2 ), thereby producing a mixture of transfer product scraps and / or carrier foil scraps and / or transfer layer components.

50. The method according to claim 49, wherein After step a) and / or before step x), the transferred product scrap has a residual varnish content in the range from 10% by weight to 100% by weight.

51. The method according to claim 50, characterized in that After step a) and / or before step x), the transferred product crumbs have a proportion of fine-grained material in the range from 0% to 20% by weight.

52. The method according to claim 51, characterized in that The transferred product crumbs after step a) and / or before step x) have a mass in the range of 0.01 mg to 100 mg.

53. The method according to claim 52, characterized in that Prior to step x) and after step a), the following step is also carried out: c) mechanically cleaning ( 20 ) the transfer product scraps in the absence of a cleaning fluid in order to remove foreign material and / or at least a portion of the transfer layer components.

54. The method according to claim 53, wherein The mechanical cleaning ( 20 ) by means of a machine in step c) is carried out by means of friction, wherein the transfer product scraps are present in a dry state and at least part of the transfer layer components are removed.

55. The method according to claim 54, characterized in that Before step x) and / or after step c), the transferred product scrap has a residual varnish content in the range from 10% by weight to 100% by weight.

56. The method according to claim 55, characterized in that The method comprises, after step a) and / or after step c) and / or after step x), the following step: b) compacting ( 30 ) the transferred product crumbs into a compacted article or extruding ( 31 ) the transferred product crumbs into an extruded article.

57. The method according to claim 56, characterized in that In step b), the compacting ( 30 ) is carried out by means of agglomeration, by means of a plastic compactor or by means of a pelletizing press.

58. The method according to claim 57, wherein During the compacting (30) in step b) the transferred product crumbs are compacted and / or compressed to provide a compacted product having a bulk density, wherein the bulk density of the compacted product is 1 to 20 times greater than the bulk density of the transferred product crumbs.

59. The method according to claim 58, characterized in that Prior to the extrusion (31) in step b), the following steps are also carried out: The transferred product chips are comminuted and / or mixed and / or heated and / or dried and / or deaerated and / or compacted and / or buffered in the cutter compactor in order to increase the bulk density.

60. The method according to claim 59, wherein During the extrusion ( 31 ) in step b), the transferred product crumbs are plasticized and homogenized by means of an extruder system in order to produce an extruded and / or compacted product.

61. The method according to claim 60, characterized in that After the compaction ( 30 ) or extrusion ( 31 ) in step b), the following steps are also carried out: liquid polymerization and / or solid polymerization in order to improve the material properties, in order to increase the molecular weight and / or increase the viscosity.

62. The method according to claim 61, characterized in that The melting temperature of the transferred product crumbs during extrusion in step b) is in the range of 100°C to 350°C.

63. The method according to claim 62, characterized in that When the carrier foil comprises PET as a main component, the melting temperature when extruding the transferred product crumbs in step b) is in the range of 150°C to 320°C.

64. The method according to claim 63, wherein The temperature during compacting of the transferred product crumbs in step b) is in the range of 25°C to 150°C.

65. The method according to claim 64, characterized in that In step b), a vacuum and / or underpressure in the range from 0.01 mbar to 1013 mbar is generated in the extruder system.

66. The method according to claim 65, characterized in that The compacted and / or extruded article after step b) has a purity in the range of 60.0% to 100.0% by weight.

67. The method according to claim 66, characterized in that The compacted and / or extruded article after step b) has an intrinsic viscosity in the range of 0.3 dl / g to 0.9 dl / g.

68. The method according to claim 67, characterized in that After step b) the compacted and / or extruded article is transparent, opaque, dyed.

69. The method according to claim 68, characterized in that After step b), the compressed and / or extruded product is formed into a column shape and has a column diameter in the range of 0.1 mm to 20 mm and a column height in the range of 0.1 mm to 20 mm, or after step b), the compressed and / or extruded product is formed into a spherical shape and has a diameter in the range of 0.1 mm to 20 mm.

70. The method according to claim 69, wherein After step x), the carrier foil or the material of the carrier foil and after step b), the compacted and / or extruded article are suitable for at least one subsequent process selected from the group consisting of injection molding, extrusion, pressing methods, compounding, chemical recycling or energy recovery.

71. The method according to claim 70, characterized in that After step x) and before step b) and / or before step x12), the following step is also carried out: e) drying ( 50 ) the transferred product ( 1 ) by means of mechanical dewatering and / or a mechanical dryer ( 51 ) and / or a thermal dryer ( 52 ).

72. The method according to claim 71, characterized in that In step e) the thermal dryer has a temperature in the range of 10°C to 120°C.

73. The method according to claim 72, characterized in that After step e) the transferred product (1) has a moisture content in the range of 0% to 25%.

74. The method according to claim 73, characterized in that After step x) and after step e), the transfer product (1) has a purity in the range of 60.0% to 100.0% by weight.

75. The method according to claim 74, wherein After step x), after step a) and / or after step b), the following step is also carried out: f) compounding (60) the compacted article and / or the extruded article and / or the transferred product crumbs, wherein additives are added to provide a compound with improved material properties.

76. The method according to claim 75, characterized in that In step f), the compacted and / or extruded product is fed together with the additives into a compounder, an extruder system or is plasticized or homogenized.

77. The method according to claim 76, characterized in that In step f), the melted compound is further processed directly in a shaping process, an injection molding process or a pressing method or an extrusion process.

78. The method according to claim 77, characterized in that The melting temperature of the compound during the shaping process in step f) is in the range of 100° C. to 350° C.

79. The method according to claim 78, characterized in that When the carrier foil comprises PET as a main component, the melting temperature of the compound when performing the shaping process in step f) is in the range of 150° C. to 320° C. 80 . The method according to claim 79 , wherein in step f) the melted compound is further processed to form pellets by means of strand pelletizing or underwater pelletizing.

81. The method according to claim 80, characterized in that The melt temperature during compounding (60) in step f) is in the range of 100°C to 350°C.

82. The method according to claim 81, characterized in that When the carrier foil comprises PET as a main component, the melting temperature during compounding ( 60 ) in step f) is in the range of 150° C. to 320° C.

83. The method according to claim 82, characterized in that In step f), during compounding ( 60 ), a vacuum and / or underpressure in the range of 0.01 mbar to 10 13 mbar is generated in the compounder or extruder system.

84. The method according to claim 83, wherein When the carrier foil comprises PET as the main component, the compound and / or pellets after step f) have a strength of 1 kJ / m 2 at room temperature, measured according to Charpy. 2 Up to 100 kJ / m 2 Notched impact strength within the range.

85. The method according to claim 84, characterized in that When the carrier foil comprises PET as the main component, the compound and / or pellets after step f) have an elastic modulus in the range of 1000 MPa to 10000 MPa, determined by means of a tensile test at room temperature.

86. The method according to claim 85, characterized in that After step f) the compound and / or pellets have a purity in the range of 20.0% to 99.9% by weight.

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