Decorative film, method for manufacturing decorative film, and method for decorating target substrate

Abstract

The present invention relates to a decorative film, a method for manufacturing the decorative film, and a method for decorating a target substrate. The invention relates to a decorative film, in particular a laminated film, cold-stamped film or hot-stamped film, comprising a carrier film (42) and a total paint layer (41), the carrier film (42) having a thickness in the range of 3.0 [mu] m to 10.0 [mu] m.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with the application date of November 20, 2020, application number 202080083959.X, international application number PCT / EP2020 / 082896, and invention title "Decorative film, method for manufacturing a decorative film, and method for decorating a target substrate". Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a decorative film (in particular a laminated film, a hot stamping film (hot foil) and / or a cold stamping film), a method for manufacturing a decorative film, and a method for decorating a target substrate using the decorative film. Background Art

[0003] It is known to use decorative films to apply a total paint layer to security documents such as passports, credit cards or banknotes. For this purpose, in particular laminated films, hot stamping films and / or cold stamping films are used. Here, a total paint layer of the decorative film is transferred to a target substrate, and then the carrier film of the decorative film is peeled off. When transferring the total paint layer of the decorative film from a carrier film to a target substrate in this way, the total paint layer is torn along a boundary line that defines the partial area of the total paint layer to be transferred. This partial area can in particular be defined by an adhesive layer applied to the target substrate that connects the total paint layer to the target substrate. The applied adhesive layer is in particular only partially applied and can be configured, for example, in a patterned manner. In an ideal case, the decorative film breaks at the outer edge of the adhesive layer. However, depending on the structure and composition of the decorative film, it may also lead to, for example, an undefined breakage of the total paint layer away from the outer edge of the adhesive layer, resulting in an untidy decoration. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved decorative film, an improved method for manufacturing a decorative film, and an improved method for decorating a target substrate.

[0005] This object is achieved by a decorative film, in particular a laminated film, a cold stamping film or a hot stamping film, which comprises a carrier film and a total paint layer, wherein the carrier film has a thickness in the range of 3.0 μm to 10.0 μm.

[0006] Furthermore, this object is achieved by a method for manufacturing a decorative film, which method comprises the following steps (in particular carried out in the following order):

[0007] a) Preparing a carrier film, wherein the carrier film has a thickness in the range of 3.0 μm to 10.0 μm,

[0008] b) Applying a total paint layer to at least one area of at least one surface of the carrier film, wherein a decorative film is formed.

[0009] Preferably, it is provided that at least one partial area in the at least one area is arranged on at least one of the at least one surface of the carrier film, wherein this partial area at least partially covers at least one of the at least one surface of the carrier film.

[0010] Furthermore, this object is also achieved by a method for decorating a target substrate, which method includes in particular the following steps carried out in the following order:

[0011] d) Prepare a decorative film,

[0012] e) Prepare a target substrate,

[0013] f) Apply the decorative film onto at least one area of at least one surface of the target substrate.

[0014] Preferably, it is provided that at least one partial area in the at least one area is arranged on at least one of the at least one surface of the target substrate, wherein this partial area at least partially covers at least one of the at least one surface of the target substrate.

[0015] It has unexpectedly been demonstrated in the study that: compared with traditional decorative films, the use of the present invention achieves improved covering power of the decoration and neater embossing, because due to the reduction of the carrier film thickness, the cracking force and the tearing force are reduced, and these cracking force and tearing force are decisive for the high-quality decoration of the target substrate. When the carrier film is removed from the total paint layer, the carrier film is bent, so that stress is generated especially across the entire cross-section of the decorative film. By reducing the carrier film thickness, these stresses can be reduced, and the generated cracking force and tearing force are also reduced. In addition, the force amplitude fluctuation of the tearing force is significantly reduced, which further improves the separation / stripping characteristics and is conducive to neat decoration.

[0016] Furthermore, by means of a decorative film with a carrier film thickness in the range of 3.0 μm to 10.0 μm, the amount of plastic waste is reduced compared with traditional decorative films.

[0017] Furthermore, the following advantages are further produced: a longer film coil can be wound with the same diameter of the film roll. This is especially advantageous in terms of logistics and transportation.

[0018] Advantageous embodiments of the present invention are described in the dependent claims.

[0019] In particular, it is specified that the total paint layer has a thickness in the range of 1.0 μm to 2.5 μm, in particular 1.0 μm to 1.7 μm. It has been shown that in the case of such layer thicknesses, the total paint layer breaks particularly well at the edges defined / predefined by the outer edge of the adhesive layer. Thus, a neat decoration of the decorative film on the target substrate can be achieved.

[0020] Preferably, the ratio of the carrier film thickness to the total paint layer thickness is in the range of 1.8:1 to 7.0:1, preferably 2.5:1 to 5.8:1, where the carrier film has a thickness in the range of greater than or equal to 3 μm to less than or equal to 7 μm, and / or the ratio of the carrier film thickness to the total paint layer thickness is in the range of 4.1:1 to 10.0:1, preferably 4.4:1 to 8.3:1, where the carrier film has a thickness in the range of greater than or equal to 7 μm to less than or equal to 10 μm. Such ratios are favorable for the good separation characteristics of the carrier film from the total paint layer. This is because in the case of such ratios, less stress is generated when removing / stripping the carrier film from the total paint layer than in the case of traditional decorative films. This also improves the decoration quality.

[0021] In the case of using a decorative film having the listed ratio of the carrier film thickness to the total paint layer thickness, it has been shown in particular that the embossing quality and embossing performance are significantly improved compared to decorative films with a ratio of the carrier film thickness to the total paint layer thickness outside the listed ranges.

[0022] In particular, the carrier film comprises a material or a combination of materials selected from: PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), PC (polycarbonate), PE (polyethylene), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PS (polystyrene), ABS (acrylonitrile - butadiene - styrene), PU (polyurethane), PBS (polybutylene succinate), PLA (polylactic acid), PAN (polyacrylonitrile) and / or glass.

[0023] In particular, it is specified that the total paint layer has at least one separation layer and / or at least one protective paint layer and / or at least one decorative layer and / or at least one primer layer and / or at least one adhesive layer and / or at least one color layer.

[0024] Preferably, at least one separation layer in the at least one separation layer comprises a material or a combination of materials selected from: wax, silicone resin, polyurethane and / or polymers, preferably acrylate copolymers, polyester copolymers, polystyrene copolymers, polycarbonate copolymers.

[0025] The tearing force represents the force required to separate two layers from each other; there is a positive correlation between the tearing force for tearing the first layer from the second layer and the adhesive force between the first and second layers.

[0026] The adhesion of at least one color layer in the at least one color layer on at least one area of the total paint layer of the decorative film transferred onto the target substrate is determined at room temperature immediately after printing and one day after printing by the following Tesa test:

[0027] A test sample, which is in the form of a target substrate having a total paint layer applied thereon and at least one color layer printed on at least one area of the total paint layer, is placed in a materials testing machine of model Z005 manufactured by ZwickRoell GmbH & Co. KG. A Tesa tape of type 4104, 13 to 16 cm long and 19 mm wide, is adhered to the test sample such that approximately 5 cm to 7 cm of the Tesa tape extends beyond the substrate edge. Subsequently, the Tesa tape is pressed three to four times with the thumb, and finally, the Tesa tape is removed from the test sample at a removal angle of 90° at a speed of 500 mm / min while measuring the force required to tear the at least one color layer in the at least one color layer from the total paint layer. If 90% of the printed ink remains on the test sample or the test sample itself tears, the test is considered passed.

[0028] The total paint layer printing section with conventional printing inks, especially UV (ultraviolet) curable printing inks, UV curable paints, mixed pigments or mixed coatings and / or oxidation curable printing inks and / or low migration pigments (LMI pigments or MGA pigments, LMI = low migration, MGA = migrationsarm) adheres well to the transfer layer, so that the test can be rated as passed very well.

[0029] Preferably, it is provided that the total paint layer has at least one color layer on at least one surface, wherein the adhesion force between at least one color layer in the at least one color layer and the total paint layer is at least 25 cN, preferably at least 30 cN.

[0030] Preferably, at least one separation layer in the at least one separation layer has a thickness in the range of 0.01 μm to 0.50 μm, preferably 0.10 μm to 0.30 μm. This smaller thickness of the separation layer enables the total paint layer to be peeled off sharply and neatly from the carrier film edge. The achievable precision and the achievable resolution can correspond relatively precisely to the layout of the at least one adhesive layer partially applied - preferably on the target substrate - of the at least one adhesive layer, without deviating significantly, so that a high registration accuracy between the film layout and the possible printing layout composed of conventional printing inks can be achieved.

[0031] Registration or alignment or registration accuracy or alignment precision preferably refers to the positional accuracy of two or more elements and / or layers.

[0032] Here, the registration accuracy should fluctuate within a predefined tolerance, and the tolerance is preferably as small as possible here. At the same time, the registration accuracy between multiple elements, layers, and partial regions is an important feature for improving process reliability.

[0033] Here, accurate positioning is achieved in particular by means of marks, in particular by alignment marks or registration marks that are detected via sensors and are preferably optically detectable. These marks, in particular alignment marks or registration marks, preferably either represent specific individual elements or regions or layers, or are preferably themselves part of the elements or regions or layers to be positioned.

[0034] When performing this sharp-edged, local separation, due to the small thickness of the separation layer, only very small and few so-called flakes are produced, i.e., small layer residues of the total paint layer of the decorative film, and these layer residues may be destructive in subsequent process steps and / or may damage the optical appearance of the coated target substrate. With a smaller separation layer thickness, a resolution below the resolution of the human eye can be achieved.

[0035] It is advantageous in particular if at least one of the at least one separation layer is configured to be transparent and / or translucent and / or opaque and / or colored and / or at least partially colored and / or glass-clear.

[0036] Preferably, at least one of the at least one protective paint layer comprises a material or a combination of materials selected from: polymers, in particular acrylate copolymers, polyester copolymers, polystyrene copolymers, polycarbonate copolymers, and / or SMA copolymers (SMA = styrene - maleic anhydride).

[0037] If the layer of the total paint layer has long-chain, in particular high-molecular, polymers, it is particularly advantageous for achieving high covering power. However, if the layer of the total paint layer has short-chain, in particular low-molecular, polymers, it is preferably advantageous for achieving a neat imprint. To combine the two advantages, in particular it is specified that the polymers of the total paint layer, in particular acrylate copolymers, polyester copolymers, polycarbonate copolymers, polystyrene copolymers, and / or SMA copolymers and / or their combinations have a molar mass in the range of 1000 g / mol to 100000 g / mol, preferably 3000 g / mol to 35000 g / mol.

[0038] Coverage is here a measure of the number of defects in the target substrate to be decorated with a continuous, integral surface finish. Thus, in the case of 100% coverage, no defects or holes occur in this integral surface on the decorated target substrate. Here, the defects occurring may be microscopic, i.e., not distinguishable to the human eye, or macroscopic, i.e., distinguishable to the human eye. Small and uniform tearing forces enable a high coverage of the decoration.

[0039] Preferably, at least one of the at least one protective paint layer has a thickness in the range of 0.5 μm to 3 μm, in particular 0.8 μm to 1.3 μm.

[0040] The protective paint layer in particular provides protection for the total paint layer on the target substrate against mechanical and / or chemical loads.

[0041] Preferably, it is possible that at least one of the at least one protective paint layer is configured to be transparent and / or translucent and / or opaque and / or colored and / or at least partially colored and / or glass-clear.

[0042] In particular, it is provided that at least one of the at least one decorative layer includes at least one metal layer and / or at least one dielectric layer.

[0043] Preferably, at least one of the at least one decorative layer has a thickness in the range of 8 nm to 500 nm, preferably 8 nm to 60 nm, particularly preferably 10 nm to 30 nm. In order to achieve the desired high UV transmissivity (ultraviolet transmissivity) of the decorative film even when a UV adhesive (ultraviolet adhesive) is used as the cold glue and the decorative layer is in the form of a metal layer, particularly preferably, the metal layer has only a layer thickness in the range of 8 nm to 60 nm, preferably 10 nm to 30 nm. This achieves a combination of good visibility and decorative effect of the metal layer with high transmissivity for ultraviolet light (OD = optical density, optical density (optical density) about 1.2).

[0044] For the full curing of the UV adhesive, it is specifically provided that the decorative film has a light transmittance in the range of 5% to 70%, especially in the range of 10% to 40%, for ultraviolet light in the wavelength range of 250 nm to 400 nm. In this way, the cold glue based on the adhesive crosslinked under UV radiation (ultraviolet radiation) can be cured particularly quickly and particularly fully on the target substrate, thereby further improving the adhesion of the total paint layer to the target substrate. Since the adhesive crosslinked under UV radiation is completely crosslinked and cured and a high adhesive force is achieved only at a sufficiently high radiation dose, it is reliably prevented that the area of the total paint layer transferred to the target substrate peels off from the target substrate. In this case, the layer with the lowest UV transmittance among all the existing layers of the decorative film is decisive for the UV transmittance of the decorative film.

[0045] It is specifically provided that at least one of the at least one metal layer comprises a material or a combination of materials selected from: aluminum, silver, gold, copper, nickel, chromium and / or an alloy comprising at least two of these metals.

[0046] Preferably, at least one of the at least one dielectric layer has a material or a combination of materials selected from: metal oxides, polymers, paints and / or HRI materials (HRI = High Refractive Index), especially MgO, TiO n 、Al 2 O 3 、ZnO, ZnS and / or SiO n , where the variable n is preferably in the range greater than or equal to 0 to less than or equal to 3.

[0047] It is specifically provided that at least one of the at least one decorative layer is also composed of an HRI material (HRI = High Refractive Index), which is ray-penetrable especially for at least a partial range of the spectrum in the UV range, such as CdSe, CeTe, Ge, HfO 2 、PbTe, Si, Te, TiCl or ZnTe.

[0048] It has been proven effective if the decorative layer has a diffraction and / or refractive relief structure for generating an optically variable effect and / or a macroscopic structure for generating a three-dimensional effect or a depth effect. By forming especially a diffraction and / or refractive relief structure in a transparent paint layer or a replicated paint layer, different optical effects, so-called optically variable effects, such as holograms, three-dimensional views with dynamic effects related to the viewing angle, etc., can be achieved depending on the viewing angle.

[0049] To improve the visibility of the relief structures, these relief structures are typically arranged close to a strongly reflective metal layer and / or a dielectric HRI layer (HRI = High Refractive Index), which HRI layer has a relatively high to very high refractive index and is particularly composed of a metal oxide. Preferably, such a highly reflective layer is configured to be continuous or patterned.

[0050] Thus, in particular, it is provided that at least one of the at least one decorative layer has at least one replication lacquer layer, which replication lacquer layer has a surface structure molded in the at least one replication lacquer layer, and this surface structure is particularly selected from: diffractive surface structures, refractive surface structures, lens structures, matte structures, and / or glitter gratings.

[0051] In particular, there is a further possibility that at least one of the at least one decorative layer has at least one layer that produces an optically variable effect.

[0052] Preferably, at least one of the at least one decorative layer has at least one reflective layer, in particular at least one reflective layer patterned in the form of a first information.

[0053] It is also preferably possible that at least one of the at least one decorative layer has at least one color layer patterned in the form of a second information.

[0054] In particular, at least one of the at least one decorative layer has at least one thin film layer element for producing a color shift effect related to the viewing angle.

[0055] Furthermore, it is also preferably provided that at least one of the at least one decorative layer having an optically variable coating, a luminescent substance, a magnetic substance, or a conductive substance, a color paint layer, a thin film stack having an interference color effect related to the viewing angle, a liquid crystal layer, or a combination of the above layers including a metal layer, a dielectric layer, etc. is configured as at least one of the at least one decorative layer.

[0056] Preferably, it is provided that at least one of the at least one primer layer has a thickness in the range of 0.1 μm to 2 μm, particularly preferably 0.2 μm to 0.8 μm.

[0057] In particular, at least one of the at least one primer layer is configured to be transparent and / or translucent and / or opaque and / or colored and / or at least partially colored and / or glass-like transparent. In particular, if at least one of the at least one primer layer is configured to be at least partially colored and / or colored, the contrast with the target substrate is enhanced and thus a particularly high-quality optical impression or effect is produced.

[0058] It is further preferably provided that at least one primer layer of the at least one primer layer has a surface roughness in the range of 100 nm to 200 nm, preferably 120 nm to 160 nm. This surface roughness is mainly determined by the coating method and formulation of the primer layer. It has been found that both a smaller surface roughness of the primer layer and, unexpectedly, a higher surface roughness result in a reduction in the achievable adhesion between the cold glue and the transfer layer or the total paint layer. The surface roughness of the primer layer is measured by an interference microscopy method.

[0059] In addition, for example, it is possible that the total paint layer includes a plurality of primer layers that are different in their chemical and / or physical properties, so as to form an optimal adhesion with the adjacent layers. Thus, for example, it is possible to achieve an optimal adhesion towards at least one decorative layer of the at least one decorative layer on one side, and an optimal adhesion towards at least one adhesive layer of the at least one adhesive layer on the other side.

[0060] In particular, an adhesion of tesa test level (i.e., the bonding tape test) is achieved between the transfer layer and the substrate (tesa test, see above), where in the case of using a conventional dried cold glue, the tesa test can be rated as passed after a few minutes, and in the case of using a UV adhesive, the tesa test can be rated as passed immediately after exposure to ultraviolet radiation. More than 90% of the transfer layer remains on the target substrate.

[0061] In particular, it is provided that at least one adhesive layer of the at least one adhesive layer at least partially or completely covers at least one first region of the total paint layer.

[0062] Preferably, at least one adhesive layer of the at least one adhesive layer does not cover at least one second region of the total paint layer, in particular at least one second region of the at least one second region does not overlap with or at least partially or completely overlaps with at least one first region of the at least one first region.

[0063] Preferably, it is provided that at least one first region of the at least one first region and / or at least one second region of the at least one second region includes at least one of the following design elements or a combination of the following design elements: alphanumeric symbols, characters, logos, micrographs, images, photographs, icons, portraits, pictograms, patterns, especially continuous patterns, grids, especially periodic grids, amplitude modulation grids, dot grids, line grids, decorative patterns.

[0064] Preferably, it is also possible that at least one of the at least one adhesive layer is composed of a hot melt adhesive and / or a thermoplastic adhesive and / or a cold adhesive and / or a radiation-curable adhesive, in particular an adhesive curable by electromagnetic radiation and / or electron radiation and / or by ultraviolet light and / or an oxidation-curable adhesive and / or a low-migration adhesive (LMI adhesive and / or MGA adhesive, LMI = low migration, MGA = migrationsarm).

[0065] As already described in the prior art, in an ideal case, the total paint layer breaks at the outer edge of at least one of the at least one adhesive layer, in particular at the front edge along the feed direction. The force required to break / crack the total paint layer is called the cracking force. The force required to tear the total paint layer at the rear edge of at least one of the at least one adhesive layer along the feed direction is called the tearing force.

[0066] After the total paint layer has been torn or broken at a predefined position, the desired surface is then decorated by peeling the total paint layer from the carrier film. The force required for this is called the peeling force. The peeling force is thus the force required to separate the total paint layer from the carrier film or, similarly, to separate the carrier film from the total paint layer adhering to at least one of the at least one adhesive layer. A small and uniform peeling force over the entire surface or area to be decorated enables a high covering power and a neat imprint.

[0067] Therefore, in particular, it is specified that the peeling force for peeling the total paint layer from the carrier film is in the range of 2 cN to 8 cN.

[0068] Normally, the peeling force is on average constant, however, fluctuations in the peeling force may occur due to inhomogeneities within the layer structure of the total paint layer. These force amplitude fluctuations of the peeling force should be kept as small as possible so that a uniform peeling force can be achieved and a high covering power can be realized. For this reason, it is particularly suitable if the force amplitude of the peeling force fluctuates around its average value in the range greater than or equal to -0.5 cN to less than or equal to 0.5 cN.

[0069] Furthermore, the decorative quality can be improved by a small and uniform tearing force. This can also be referred to as Point Perception here. Point Perception is preferably an indicator for precisely defined film decoration for each individually applied adhesive point. In this regard, "precisely defined" means that the decoration covers the entire adhesive point and does not extend beyond the adhesive point at the same time. Therefore, preferably, the total paint layer has a covering power of greater than or equal to 99.5%, preferably 100%, in the case of decorating a continuous entire surface, and has a decoration or Point Perception of greater than or equal to 99.5%, preferably 100%, in the case of decorating a 10% halftone area. In the case of a 10% halftone area, the adhesive points are arranged on an arbitrary surface of the target substrate such that 10% of the arbitrary surface of the target substrate is covered by the adhesive points. Preferably, the adhesive points are arranged at equal distances, in a pattern, in a grid, and / or spaced apart from each other.

[0070] In particular, for the method for manufacturing a decorative film, it is specified that the ratio of the carrier film thickness to the total paint layer thickness is in the range of 1.8:1 to 7.0:1, preferably 2.5:1 to 5.8:1, where the carrier film has a thickness in the range of greater than or equal to 3 μm to less than or equal to 7 μm, and / or the ratio of the carrier film thickness to the total paint layer thickness is in the range of 4.1:1 to 10.0:1, preferably 4.4:1 to 8.3:1, where the carrier film has a thickness in the range of greater than or equal to 7 μm to less than or equal to 10 μm.

[0071] Furthermore, it is preferred to have the possibility that the total paint layer in step b) has a thickness in the range of 1.0 μm to 2.5 μm, preferably 1.0 μm to 1.7 μm.

[0072] Furthermore, it is preferably specified that the total paint layer in step b) has at least one separating layer and / or at least one protective paint layer and / or at least one decorative layer and / or at least one primer layer and / or at least one adhesive layer and / or at least one color layer.

[0073] Preferably, in step b), at least one separating layer of the at least one separating layer and / or at least one protective paint layer of the at least one protective paint layer and / or at least one decorative layer of the at least one decorative layer and / or at least one primer layer of the at least one primer layer and / or at least one adhesive layer of the at least one adhesive layer and / or at least one color layer of the at least one color layer is applied by gravure printing and / or screen printing and / or letterpress printing and / or pad printing and / or inkjet printing and / or offset printing and / or flexographic printing and / or casting technology.

[0074] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that in step b), the at least one adhesive layer is applied as a hot melt adhesive, a thermoplastic adhesive, a cold adhesive, a radiation-curable adhesive, in particular an adhesive curable by electromagnetic radiation and / or electron radiation and / or by ultraviolet light, or an oxidation-curable adhesive and / or a low-migration adhesive.

[0075] In particular, with the possibility that step b) further includes the following steps and / or the following steps are further carried out after step b):

[0076] c) Applying at least one of the at least one adhesive layer such that at least one of the at least one adhesive layer at least partially or fully covers at least one first region of the total paint layer and / or does not cover a second region of the total paint layer, in particular at least one of the at least one second region does not overlap with or at least partially or fully overlaps with at least one of the at least one first region.

[0077] For example, the area not covered by the adhesive layer is then not decorated by the decorative film. In this way, for example, reverse lettering and / or a reverse pattern can be produced.

[0078] In particular, at least one of the at least one first region and / or at least one of the at least one second region includes at least one of the following design elements or a combination of the following design elements: alphanumeric symbols, characters, logos, micrographs, images, photographs, icons, portraits, pictograms, patterns, in particular continuous patterns, grids, in particular periodic grids, amplitude modulation grids, dot grids, line grids, decorative patterns.

[0079] Regarding the method of decorating a target substrate, preferably the method includes (in particular implemented in the following order) the following steps:

[0080] d) Preparing a decorative film,

[0081] e) Preparing a target substrate,

[0082] f) Applying the decorative film onto the target substrate.

[0083] Furthermore, in particular, it is provided that the following steps are carried out before step f):

[0084] g) Apply at least one adhesive layer on the decorative film such that at least one adhesive layer among the at least one adhesive layer at least partially or fully covers at least one first region of the total paint layer and / or does not cover at least one second region of the total paint layer, in particular at least one second region among the at least one second region does not coincide with or at least partially or fully overlaps with at least one first region among the at least one first region, and / or apply at least one adhesive layer on the target substrate such that at least one adhesive layer among the at least one adhesive layer at least partially or fully covers at least one third region of the target substrate and / or does not cover at least one fourth region of the target substrate, in particular at least one fourth region among the at least one fourth region does not coincide with or at least partially or fully overlaps with at least one third region among the at least one third region.

[0085] The first and second regions are preferably located in a plane extended by the total paint layer. Herein, in particular, it is stipulated that the extended plane includes at least one surface of the total paint layer. The third and fourth regions are preferably located in a plane extended by the target substrate. Herein, in particular, it is stipulated that the extended plane includes at least one surface of the target substrate.

[0086] Preferably, the first and second regions can be arranged side by side, spaced apart side by side, partially overlapping, and / or fully overlapping. In addition, in particular, it is also stipulated that the third and fourth regions are arranged side by side, spaced apart side by side, partially overlapping, and / or fully overlapping.

[0087] In addition, in particular, it is stipulated that at least one first and / or third region among the at least one first and / or third region and / or at least one second and / or fourth region among the at least one second and / or fourth region includes at least one of the following design elements or a combination of the following design elements: alphanumeric symbols, characters, logos, micrographs, images, photos, icons, portraits, pictograms, patterns, especially continuous patterns, grids, especially periodic grids, amplitude modulation grids, dot grids, line grids, decorative patterns.

[0088] Preferably, at least one adhesive layer among the at least one adhesive layer in step g) is composed of hot melt adhesive, thermoplastic adhesive, cold glue, radiation-curable adhesive, in particular an adhesive curable by electromagnetic radiation and / or electron radiation and / or by ultraviolet light and / or oxidation-curable adhesive and / or low-migration adhesive.

[0089] Preferably, in step g), at least one adhesive layer among the at least one adhesive layer is applied by gravure printing and / or screen printing and / or letterpress printing and / or pad printing and / or inkjet printing and / or offset printing and / or flexographic printing and / or casting technology.

[0090] In particular, there is a possibility that at least one of the at least one first and / or third regions is decorated with the total paint layer, and / or at least one of the at least one second and / or fourth regions is not decorated with the total paint layer.

[0091] Furthermore, preferably there is a possibility that at least part or all of the at least one first and / or third region decorated with the total paint layer is covered by at least one adhesive layer in the at least one adhesive layer.

[0092] Advantageously, preferably there is a possibility that at least one color layer is applied on at least one surface of the total paint layer after step f), such that the adhesion force between at least one of the at least one color layer and the total paint layer is at least 25 cN, preferably at least 30 cN.

[0093] Preferably, it is stipulated that after step f), the total paint layer has a covering power of greater than or equal to 99.5%, preferably 100% in the case of decorating a continuous entire surface, and has a decoration or dot feeling of greater than or equal to 99.5%, preferably 100% in the case of decorating 10% of the halftone region.

[0094] In addition, in particular, it is stipulated that the following steps are further implemented after step f):

[0095] The carrier film is removed from the total paint layer, wherein the removal angle between the carrier film and the total paint layer is in the range of 0° to 120°, preferably in the range of 0° to 90°.

[0096] In particular, there is a possibility that the following steps are further performed during and / or after step f):

[0097] h) Press the decorative film using at least one pressure head and / or at least one pressure roller.

[0098] Furthermore, preferably it is stipulated that at least one of the at least one pressure head in step h) and / or at least one of the at least one pressure roller is configured as a heated flat head and / or a forming head and / or is configured as a heating roller, wherein this flat head and / or forming head and / or heating roller at least partially and / or in at least one of the at least one first and / or third regions activates at least one adhesive layer in the at least one adhesive layer and connects the decorative film to the target substrate. Description of the Drawings

[0099] The present invention will be illustrated below with reference to several embodiments by way of examples with the aid of the drawings. The illustrated embodiments should not be construed as restrictive.

[0100] Figure 1Shows a cross-sectional view of a decorative film;

[0101] Figure 2 Shows another cross-sectional view of a decorative film;

[0102] Figure 3 Shows a cross-sectional view of a target substrate on which at least one adhesive layer is applied;

[0103] Figure 4 Shows a cross-sectional view of a decorated target substrate;

[0104] Figure 5 Shows another cross-sectional view of a decorated target substrate;

[0105] Figure 6 Shows a schematic diagram of a method for manufacturing a decorative film;

[0106] Figure 7 Shows a schematic diagram of a method for decorating a target substrate;

[0107] Figure 8 Shows a schematic diagram of a method for decorating a target substrate;

[0108] Figure 9a Shows the tear force measurement of a decorative film with a carrier film thickness of 5.7 μm;

[0109] Figure 9b Shows the tear force measurement of a decorative film with a carrier film thickness of 12 μm;

[0110] Figure 10a Shows the decorated 10% halftone area of a decorative film with a carrier film thickness of 5.7 μm;

[0111] Figure 10b Shows the decorated 10% halftone area of a decorative film with a carrier film thickness of 12 μm;

[0112] Figure 11a Shows a schematic diagram of a decorative film with a carrier film thickness of 5.7 μm, in which a zero axis is marked;

[0113] Figure 11b Shows a schematic diagram of a decorative film with a carrier film thickness of 12 μm, in which a zero axis is marked. Detailed Description

[0114] Figure 1 Shows a cross-sectional view of a decorative film 40 (in particular a laminated film, a cold stamping film or a hot stamping film), which includes a carrier film 42 and a total paint layer 41, wherein the carrier film has a thickness in the range of 3.0 μm to 10.0 μm.

[0115] In particular, it is possible that the total paint layer 41 has a thickness in the range of 1.0 μm to 2.5 μm, in particular in the range of 1.0 μm to 1.7 μm.

[0116] In this variant embodiment, the total paint layer 41 includes a separation layer 43, a protective paint layer 44, a decorative layer 45, and a primer layer 46. In an alternative variant embodiment, it is preferably provided that the total paint layer 41 has at least one separation layer 43 and / or at least one protective paint layer 44 and / or at least one decorative layer 45 and / or at least one primer layer 46 and / or at least one adhesive layer 47 and / or at least one color layer.

[0117] Preferably, the ratio of the carrier film thickness to the total paint layer thickness is in the range of 1.8:1 to 7.0:1, preferably in the range of 2.5:1 to 5.8:1, where the carrier film 42 has a thickness in the range of greater than or equal to 3 μm to less than or equal to 7 μm and / or the ratio of the carrier film thickness to the total paint layer thickness is in the range of 4.1:1 to 10.0:1, preferably in the range of 4.4:1 to 8.3:1, where the carrier film 42 has a thickness in the range of greater than or equal to 7 μm to less than or equal to 10 μm.

[0118] It is particularly advantageous if the decorative film 40 has a transmittance in the range of 5% to 70%, in particular in the range of 10% to 40%, for ultraviolet light in the wavelength range of 250 nm to 400 nm.

[0119] Preferably, the carrier film 42 comprises a material or a combination of materials selected from: PET, PMMA, PC, PE, PVC, PS, ABS, PU, PBS, PLA, PAN, and / or glass.

[0120] Preferably, at least one separation layer 43 in the at least one separation layer 43 has a thickness in the range of 0.01 μm to 0.50 μm, preferably in the range of 0.10 μm to 0.30 μm.

[0121] Preferably, at least one separation layer 43 in the at least one separation layer 43 has a material or a combination of materials selected from: wax; silicone; polyurethane, and / or polymer, preferably acrylate copolymer, polyester copolymer, polycarbonate copolymer, polystyrene copolymer.

[0122] Preferably, at least one separation layer 43 in the at least one separation layer 43 is configured to be transparent and / or translucent and / or opaque and / or colored and / or at least partially colored and / or glass-like transparent.

[0123] The protective lacquer layer 44 is an optional layer, which is especially used to protect the decorative layer 45 against mechanical and / or chemical loads. The protective lacquer layer 44 is especially a lacquer layer based on nitrocellulose and acrylate polymers, polyester copolymers, polycarbonate copolymers, polystyrene copolymers and / or SMA copolymers.

[0124] Preferably, at least one protective lacquer layer 44 in the at least one protective lacquer layer 44 has a thickness in the range of 0.5 μm to 3 μm, preferably 0.8 μm to 1.3 μm.

[0125] Preferably, at least one protective lacquer layer 44 in the at least one protective lacquer layer 44 is configured to be transparent and / or translucent and / or opaque and / or colored and / or at least partially colored and / or glass-like transparent.

[0126] Preferably, it is possible that at least one protective lacquer layer 44 in the at least one protective lacquer layer 44 includes a material or a combination of materials selected from: polymers, especially acrylate copolymers, polyester copolymers, polystyrene copolymers, polycarbonate copolymers and / or SMA copolymers.

[0127] Preferably, the polymer of the total lacquer layer 41, especially acrylate copolymers and / or SMA copolymers, polyester copolymers, polycarbonate copolymers, polystyrene copolymers or a combination thereof, has a molar mass in the range of 1000 g / mol to 100000 g / mol, preferably 3000 g / mol to 35000 g / mol.

[0128] It is stipulated that at least one decorative layer 45 in the at least one decorative layer 45 includes at least one metal layer and / or at least one dielectric layer.

[0129] Furthermore, especially it is stipulated that at least one metal layer in the at least one metal layer includes a material or a combination of materials selected from: aluminum, silver, gold, copper, nickel, chromium and / or an alloy including at least two of these metals.

[0130] Preferably, it is possible that at least one dielectric layer in the at least one dielectric layer includes a material or a combination of materials selected from: metal oxides, polymers, paints and / or HRI materials, especially MgO, TiO n , Al 2 O 3 , ZnO, ZnS and / or SiO n , where the variable n is preferably in the range greater than or equal to 0 to less than or equal to 3.

[0131] Preferably, it is provided that at least one of the at least one decorative layers 45 has a thickness in the range of 8 nm to 500 nm, preferably 8 nm to 60 nm, particularly preferably 10 nm to 30 nm. In particular, at least one of the at least one metal layer has a thickness in the range of 8 nm to 60 nm, preferably 10 nm to 30 nm. This layer thickness ensures that a high permeability to UV rays is achieved for at least one of the at least one metal layer. This is important in particular when using cold glue and / or adhesives that can be cured by electromagnetic radiation, particularly adhesives that can be cured by UV rays, because it can be ensured that the UV rays of the UV-emitting light source penetrate, in particular, at least one of the at least one metal layer, so that the UV adhesive located thereunder can be cured. At the same time, good visibility and a decorative effect of at least one of the at least one metal layer are achieved.

[0132] In particular, it is possible that at least one of the at least one decorative layer 45 has at least one layer that produces an optically variable effect. In this way, particularly high-quality optical properties of the decorative film 40 can be achieved. In addition, it is possible that this is a security element that is preferably anti-counterfeiting.

[0133] Furthermore, preferably, at least one of the at least one decorative layers 45 has at least one replica lacquer layer having a surface structure molded into at least one of the at least one replica lacquer layer, the surface structure being in particular selected from: a diffractive surface structure, a refractive surface structure, a lens structure, a matte structure and / or a blazed grating.

[0134] It is particularly advantageous if at least one of the at least one decorative layer 45 comprises at least one reflective layer, in particular at least one reflective layer which is patterned in the form of the first information.

[0135] It is further preferably provided that at least one of the at least one decorative layer 45 has at least one color layer patterned in the form of second information.

[0136] In particular, it is possible for at least one of the at least one decorative layer 45 to have at least one thin-film layer element for producing a viewing-angle-dependent color shift effect.

[0137] Furthermore, it is provided in particular that at least one of the at least one primer layer 46 has a thickness in the range of 0.1 μm to 2 μm, particularly preferably 0.2 μm to 0.8 μm.

[0138] Preferably, it is possible that at least one primer layer 46 among the at least one primer layer 46 is configured to be transparent and / or translucent and / or opaque and / or colored and / or at least partially colored and / or glass - like transparent. In particular, if at least one primer layer 46 among the at least one primer layer 46 is at least partially colored and / or colored, the following advantages are obtained: the contrast with the target substrate 10 is enhanced and thus a particularly high - quality optical impression or effect is achieved.

[0139] Preferably, at least one primer layer 46 among the at least one primer layer 46 has a surface roughness in the range of 100 nm to 200 nm, preferably 120 nm to 160 nm.

[0140] Furthermore, for example, it is possible that the total paint layer 41 includes a plurality of primer layers 46 with different chemical and / or physical properties, thereby forming an optimal adhesion to the adjacent layers. In this way, for example, it is possible to achieve optimal adhesion towards at least one decorative layer 45 among the at least one decorative layer 45 on one side and towards at least one adhesive layer 47 among the at least one adhesive layer 47 on the other side.

[0141] In Figure 2 it is shown that the decorative film 40 (which, except that an adhesive layer 47 covers one surface of the total paint layer 41 in the first region 21 and does not cover it in the second region 22) has the same structure as that shown in Figure 1

[0142] In particular, it is specified that at least one adhesive layer 47 among the at least one adhesive layer 47 at least partially or completely covers at least one first region 21 of the total paint layer 41.

[0143] Furthermore, it is also specified that at least one adhesive layer 47 among the at least one adhesive layer 47 does not cover at least one second region 22 of the total paint layer 41, in particular, at least one second region 22 among the at least one second region 22 does not cover and is not at least partially or completely covered by at least one first region 21 among the at least one first region 21.

[0144] In particular, it is possible that at least one first region 21 among the at least one first region 21 and / or at least one second region 22 among the at least one second region 22 includes at least one of the following design elements or a combination of the following design elements: alphanumeric symbols, characters, logos, micrographs, images, photos, icons, portraits, pictograms, patterns, especially continuous patterns, grids, especially periodic grids, amplitude - modulated grids, dot grids, line grids, decorative patterns. Thus, personalized design possibilities can be achieved that leave a particularly high - quality impression on the observer.​

[0145] Furthermore, it is preferably possible that at least one of the at least one adhesive layer 47 consists of a hot melt adhesive and / or a thermoplastic adhesive and / or a cold glue and / or a radiation-curable adhesive (in particular an adhesive curable by electromagnetic radiation and / or electron radiation and / or by ultraviolet light) and / or an oxidation-curable adhesive and / or a low-migration adhesive. Thus, for example, in the case of using a cold glue and / or an adhesive curable by ultraviolet light, the decorative layer 40 can be applied to the target substrate 10 by means of cold embossing, or, for example, in the case of using a thermoplastic adhesive, it can be applied to the target substrate by means of hot stamping / thermoembossing by activating at least one of the at least one adhesive layer 47 comprising the thermoplastic adhesive by means of a heated die and / or a pressure roller.

[0146] In Figure 3 a cross-sectional view of the target substrate 10 is shown, in which one surface of the target substrate 10 is covered with at least one adhesive layer 47 in a third region 23 and is not covered in a fourth region 24. In particular, it is provided that at least one of the at least one adhesive layer 47 is applied in at least one of the at least one third region 23 before applying the decorative film 40 to the target substrate 10, while no adhesive layer is applied in at least one of the at least one fourth region 24.

[0147] It is also possible that at least one of the at least one adhesive layer 47 completely covers at least one surface of the target substrate 10.

[0148] For this variant embodiment, Figure 4 a cross-sectional view of a decorated target substrate is shown. In particular, at least one of the at least one adhesive layer 47 is arranged on a target substrate 10 such that this adhesive layer completely covers one surface of the target substrate 10. Furthermore, the decorated target substrate includes a total paint layer 41 of the decorative film 40, wherein the carrier 42 has been removed from the decorative layer 40. It can also preferably be provided that the carrier 42 remains on the decorative film 40.

[0149] In the illustrated embodiment, the release layer 43 is transferred together to the target substrate 10 and does not remain or only partially remains on the carrier film 42. In an alternative embodiment not further shown, it is also possible that the release layer 43 remains on the removed carrier film 42 or only a very small area of the release layer 43 is transferred together to the target substrate 10.

[0150] In Figure 5A cross-sectional view of another alternative of the decorated target substrate is shown. In this case, at least one of the at least one third region 23 is decorated by the total paint layer 41, while at least one of the at least one fourth region 24 is not decorated by the total paint layer 41.

[0151] However, it is also possible that at least one of the at least one first and / or third regions 21, 23 is decorated by the total paint layer 41, and / or at least one of the at least one second and / or fourth regions 22, 24 is not decorated by the total paint layer 41.

[0152] In particular, it is specified that the total paint layer 41 has at least one color layer on at least one surface, and the adhesion between at least one of the at least one color layer and the total paint layer 41 is at least 25 cN, preferably at least 30 cN.

[0153] In Figure 6 A schematic view of a method for manufacturing the decorative film 40 is shown, and the method includes the following steps (especially implemented in the following order):

[0154] a) Prepare a carrier film 42, where the carrier film 42 has a thickness in the range of 3.0 μm to 10.0 μm.

[0155] b) Apply the total paint layer 41 to at least one region of at least one surface of the carrier film 42, where a decorative film 40 is formed.

[0156] Preferably, it is possible that the total paint layer 41 in step b) has a thickness in the range of 1.0 μm to 2.5 μm, preferably 1.0 μm to 1.7 μm.

[0157] In particular, in this case, it is specified that the ratio of the carrier film thickness to the total paint layer thickness is in the range of 1.8:1 to 7.0:1, preferably 2.5:1 to 5.8:1, where the carrier film 42 has a thickness in the range of greater than or equal to 3 μm to less than or equal to 7 μm, and / or the ratio of the carrier film thickness to the total paint layer thickness is in the range of 4.1:1 to 10.0:1, preferably 4.4:1 to 8.3:1, where the carrier film 42 has a thickness in the range of greater than or equal to 7 μm to less than or equal to 10 μm.

[0158] Furthermore, preferably, it is specified that the total paint layer in step b) has at least one separating layer 43 and / or at least one protective paint layer 44 and / or at least one decorative layer 45 and / or at least one primer layer 46 and / or at least one adhesive layer 47 and / or at least one color layer.

[0159] In particular, there is also the possibility of applying at least one separating layer 43 of the at least one separating layer 43 and / or at least one protective lacquer layer 44 of the at least one protective lacquer layer 44 and / or at least one decorative layer 45 of the at least one decorative layer 45 and / or at least one primer layer 46 of the at least one primer layer and / or at least one adhesive layer 47 of the at least one adhesive layer 47 and / or at least one color layer of the at least one color layer by intaglio printing and / or screen printing and / or relief printing and / or pad printing and / or inkjet printing and / or offset printing and / or flexographic printing and / or casting technology.

[0160] In particular, it is provided that in step b), the at least one adhesive layer 47 is applied as a hot melt adhesive, a thermoplastic adhesive, a cold glue (cold-curing adhesive), a radiation-curable adhesive, in particular, an adhesive curable by electromagnetic radiation and / or electron radiation and / or by ultraviolet light, or an oxidation-curing adhesive and / or a low-migration adhesive. In addition, there is also the possibility of applying the adhesive layer 47 at least partially on one surface of the total lacquer layer 41.

[0161] In particular, there is also the possibility that step b) further includes the following steps and / or the following steps are further carried out after step b):

[0162] c) Applying at least one adhesive layer 47 of the at least one adhesive layer 47 such that at least one adhesive layer 47 of the at least one adhesive layer 47 at least partially or completely covers at least one first region 21 of the total lacquer layer 41 and / or does not cover a second region 22 of the total lacquer layer 41, in particular, at least one second region 22 of the at least one second region 22 does not cover or at least partially or completely covers at least one first region 21 of the at least one first region 21.

[0163] In particular, there is also the possibility that at least one first region 21 of the at least one first region 21 and / or at least one second region 22 of the at least one second region 22 includes at least one of the following design elements or a combination of the following design elements: alphanumeric symbols, characters, logos, micrographs, images, photographs, icons, portraits, pictograms, patterns, in particular continuous patterns, grids, in particular periodic grids, amplitude modulation grids, dot grids, line grids, decorative patterns.

[0164] In Figure 7 schematically shows a method for a decorative target substrate 10, wherein the method includes (in particular implemented in the following order) the following steps:

[0165] d) Preparing a decorative film 40;

[0166] e) Prepare the target substrate 10;

[0167] f) Apply the decorative film 40 onto the target substrate 10.

[0168] As schematically shown in Figure 8 it is in particular also provided that the following steps are carried out before step f):

[0169] g) Apply at least one adhesive layer 47 onto the decorative film 40 such that at least one of the at least one adhesive layer 47 in the at least one adhesive layer 47 at least partially or completely covers at least one first region 21 of the total paint layer 41 and / or does not cover at least one second region 22 of the total paint layer 41, in particular at least one of the at least one second region 22 in the at least one second region 22 does not overlap with or at least partially or completely overlaps with at least one of the at least one first region 21 in the at least one first region 21, and / or apply at least one adhesive layer 47 onto the target substrate 10 such that at least one of the at least one adhesive layer 47 in the at least one adhesive layer 47 at least partially or completely covers at least one third region 23 of the target substrate 10 and / or does not cover at least one fourth region 24 of the target substrate 10, in particular at least one of the at least one fourth region 24 in the at least one fourth region 24 does not overlap with or at least partially or completely overlaps with at least one of the at least one third region 23 in the at least one third region 23.

[0170] Furthermore, it is provided that at least one of the at least one first and / or third region 21, 23 and / or at least one of the at least one second and / or fourth region 22, 24 includes at least one of the following design elements or a combination of the following design elements: alphanumeric symbols, characters, logos, micrographs, images, photographs, icons, portraits, pictograms, patterns, in particular continuous patterns, grids, in particular periodic grids, amplitude modulation grids, dot grids, line grids, decorative patterns.

[0171] Preferably, at least one of the at least one adhesive layer 47 in step g) is composed of a hot melt adhesive, a thermoplastic adhesive, a cold glue, a radiation curable adhesive, in particular an adhesive curable by electromagnetic radiation and / or electron radiation and / or by ultraviolet light, and / or an oxidation curable adhesive and / or a low migration adhesive.

[0172] In particular, it is further provided that at least one of the at least one adhesive layer 47 in step g) is applied by gravure printing and / or screen printing and / or letterpress printing and / or pad printing and / or inkjet printing and / or offset printing and / or flexographic printing and / or casting technology.

[0173] There is also the possibility that at least one first and / or third region 21, 23 in the total paint layer 41 that is at least partially or completely covered by at least one adhesive layer 47 in the at least one adhesive layer 47 is decorated by the total paint layer 41.

[0174] Furthermore, it is advantageous to apply at least one color layer on at least one surface of the total paint layer 41 after step f), such that the adhesion force between at least one color layer in the at least one color layer and the total paint layer 41 is at least 25 cN, preferably at least 30 cN.

[0175] It is also advantageous that after step f), the total paint layer 41 has a coverage of greater than or equal to 99.5%, preferably 100% in the case of decorating a continuous entire surface and has a decoration or dot feeling of greater than or equal to 99.5%, preferably 100% in the case of decorating 10% of the halftone area.

[0176] It is also preferably considered to further perform the following steps during and / or after step f):

[0177] h) Press the decorative film 40 using at least one pressing head and / or at least one pressing roller.

[0178] Furthermore, preferably there is also the possibility that at least one pressing head in the at least one pressing head in step h) and / or at least one pressing roller in the at least one pressing roller are configured as a heated flat head and / or a forming head and / or are configured as a heating roller, wherein this flat head and / or forming head and / or heating roller at least partially and / or in at least one first and / or third region 21, 23 in the at least one first and / or third region 21, 23 activates at least one adhesive layer 47 in the at least one adhesive layer 47 and connects the decorative film 40 to the target substrate 10.

[0179] In particular, there is also the possibility that after step f), the following steps are further implemented:

[0180] Remove the carrier film 42 from the total paint layer 41, wherein the removal angle between the carrier film 42 and the total paint layer 41 is in the range of 0° to 120°, preferably in the range of 0° to 90°.

[0181] When removing the carrier film 42 from the total paint layer 41, it is in particular provided that at least one adhesive layer 47 of the at least one adhesive layer 47 has been applied to at least one of the at least one first and / or third regions 21, 23 and is decorated in this region. In order to decorate only in this region, the so-called cracking force must be overcome. The cracking force is here the force that must be overcome when transferring to a surface or region to be decorated in order for a defined local fracture of the total paint layer 41 of the decorative film 40 to occur and for a sharp-edged decoration of the surface or region to be decorated to be possible.

[0182] The outer edge of at least one adhesive layer 47 of the at least one adhesive layer 47, in particular the front edge along the feed direction, is called the cracking edge. In particular, it is provided that the total paint layer 41 breaks precisely and definedly at this cracking edge, such that at least one adhesive layer 47 of the at least one adhesive layer 47 applied in at least one of the at least one first and / or third regions 21, 23 delimits or defines the decoration in advance.

[0183] The edge of the adhesive layer 47 located at the outer rear along the feed direction is called the tear edge. In particular, it is provided that the total paint layer 41 also breaks precisely and definedly at this tear edge, such that at least one adhesive layer 47 of the at least one adhesive layer 47 applied in at least one of the at least one first and / or third regions 21, 23 delimits the decoration in advance.

[0184] After the cracking of the total paint layer 41 is completed, the decoration of the surface or region to be decorated is achieved by peeling the total paint layer 41 from the carrier film 42. The force required for this is called the tearing force and is generally less than the cracking force, because the total paint layer 41 does not have to be broken. Overall, it applies that small and uniform tearing forces ensure a high covering power over the entire surface or region to be decorated and reduce the number of decoration defects.

[0185] In Figure 9a and 9b the force curves of the tearing forces for the inventive decorative film 40 with a carrier film 42 thickness of 5.7 μm ( Figure 9a ) and for the prior art decorative film 40 with a carrier film 42 thickness of 12 μm ( Figure 9b ) are shown by way of example, where the tearing force in cN is shown over a distance in mm. The two decorative films 40 tested here have the same layer structure and the same material composition, except for the different carrier film thicknesses.

[0186] To obtain the measured values, a materials testing machine (model Z005) manufactured by ZwickRoell GmbH & Co. KG was used. The carrier film 42 to be removed had a width of 13.5 mm and a length of 41 mm in both tests. The carrier film 42 was peeled off at a speed of 100 mm / minute in the longitudinal direction.

[0187] The average value of the tearing force of the decorative film 40 with a carrier film thickness of 5.7 μm was approximately 2.75 cN (see Figure 9a ), while the average value of the tearing force of the decorative film 40 with a carrier film thickness of 12 μm was approximately 4.5 cN (see Figure 9b ).

[0188] The force amplitude fluctuation of the decorative film 40 with a carrier film thickness of 5.7 μm ( Figure 9a ), specifically referring to the fluctuation of the tearing force around its average value here, was less than that of the decorative film 40 with a carrier film thickness of 12 μm ( Figure 9b ). In absolute terms, the force amplitude fluctuation of the decorative film 40 with a carrier film thickness of 5.7 μm was less than ±0.5 cN, while in the decorative film 40 with a carrier film thickness of 12 μm, the force amplitude fluctuation around the average value reached up to ±1 cN.

[0189] Therefore, generally speaking, not only was the absolute tearing force in the case of the decorative film 40 with a carrier film thickness of 5.7 μm less than that in the case of the decorative film 40 with a carrier film thickness of 12 μm, but also the force amplitude fluctuation of the decorative film 40 with a carrier film thickness of 5.7 μm around its average value was much smaller than that in the case of the decorative film 40 with a carrier film thickness of 12 μm. Using the carrier film 42 with a decorative film 40 having a thickness in the range of 3 μm to 10 μm, the tearing force was particularly uniform, resulting in improved decoration and improved covering power.

[0190] Further series of tests demonstrated the above advantages. First, a plurality of target substrates 10 of the same type were prepared, where an adhesive layer 47 was applied to the halftone area on the target substrate 10 with an area coverage rate of 10%, that is, 10% of the area of the target substrate 10 was covered with adhesive dots. The 10% halftone area had a resolution of 100 lpi (lpi = "lines per inch"), was amplitude - modulated, and had a grid point angle of 45°.

[0191] To determine the maximum number of adhesive dots on each target substrate 10, the target substrate 10 without the decorative film 40 was scanned using a scanner with a resolution of 1200 dpi and the number of adhesive dots was calculated. The resulting image was also called the adhesive image.

[0192] The same method is also carried out for the decorated target substrate 10, in which a decorative film 40(A) with a carrier film thickness of 5.7 μm is decorated on a target substrate 10 in advance and a decorative film 40(B) with a carrier film thickness of 12 μm is decorated on a target substrate 10, and the carrier film 42 is peeled off from the total paint layer 41 after the adhesive layer 47 is cured.

[0193] This process is also carried out for a plurality of target substrates 10, in which the adhesive layer 47 is applied in full-tone areas, i.e., with a surface coverage of 100%.

[0194] The results of this series of tests are shown in the following table:

[0195] In 10% of the dots, all 8240 adhesive dots are decorated by the decorative film 40 with a carrier film thickness of 5.7 μm, which is also shown in Figure 10a And only 62% of the adhesive dots are decorated by the decorative film 40 with a carrier film thickness of 12 μm, as can also be seen in Figure 10b Therefore, for the decorative film 40 with a carrier film thickness of 5.7 μm, a neat embossing or a high dot feel can be achieved because 100% of the adhesive dots are decorated and thus the total paint layer 41 breaks perfectly at the cracking edge and / or at the tearing edge.

[0196] In addition, a coverage of 100% of the full-tone area is achieved with the decorative film 40 with a carrier film thickness of 5.7 μm, while a coverage of 99% of the full-tone area is achieved with the decorative film 40 with a carrier film thickness of 12 μm.

[0197] Therefore, for the decorative film 40 with a carrier film thickness in the range of 3 μm to 10 μm, the advantages of neat embossing and high coverage are produced.

[0198] For illustration, Figure 11a and 11b are further shown, in which the decorative film 40 with a carrier film thickness of 5.7 μm ( Figure 11a ) and the decorative film 40 with a carrier film thickness of 12 μm ( Figure 11b)A zero axis 50 is marked. The zero axis 50 extends along the geometric center plane or center line of the decorative film 40 here. The zero axis 50 is the axis whose length does not change during rotation and / or bending, that is, no tensile stress or compressive stress acts on the zero axis 50. In addition, the spacing x between the zero axis and the total paint layer 41 is shown. The smaller the carrier film thickness of the decorative film 40, the smaller the spacing x. As the spacing x becomes smaller, the normal stress of the total paint layer 41 generated due to bending then also decreases. For the decorative film 40 with a carrier film thickness in the range of 3 μm to 10 μm, the reduced normal stress of the total paint layer 41 ensures that no undefined and / or accidental local fractures occur in the total paint layer 41 before the carrier film is peeled off. Therefore, a neat embossing or a very high dot feel can be achieved.

[0199] In particular, it is specified that the force amplitude of the tearing force fluctuates around its average value in the range greater than or equal to -0.5 cN to less than or equal to 0.5 cN.

[0200] In addition, it is preferably specified that the total paint layer 41 has a covering power of greater than or equal to 99.5%, preferably 100%, in the case of decorating a continuous whole surface, and has a decoration or dot feel of greater than or equal to 99.5%, preferably 100%, in the case of decorating 10% of the halftone area.

[0201] In particular, there is a possibility that the tearing force for peeling the total paint layer 41 from the carrier film 42 is in the range of 2 cN to 8 cN.

[0202] List of reference numerals

[0203] 10 Target substrate

[0204] 21 First region

[0205] 22 Second region

[0206] 23 Third region

[0207] 24 Fourth region

[0208] 40 Decorative film

[0209] 41 Total paint layer

[0210] 42 Carrier film

[0211] 43 Release layer

[0212] 44 Protective paint layer

[0213] 45 Decorative layer

[0214] 46 Primer layer

[0215] 47 Adhesive layer

[0216] 50 zero axis

[0217] x pitch

Claims

1. A decorative film (40), in particular a laminated film, a cold embossing film or a hot embossing film, the decorative film comprising a carrier film (42) and a total paint layer (41), characterized in that: the carrier film (42) has a thickness in the range of 3.0 μm to 10.0 μm, and the tearing force for peeling the total paint layer (41) from the carrier film (42) has a force amplitude fluctuation around its average value in the range of greater than or equal to -0.5 cN to less than or equal to 0.5 cN, and / or the total paint layer (41) has a covering power of greater than or equal to 99.5% in the case of decorating a continuous entire surface, and has a decoration or dot feeling of greater than or equal to 99.5% in the case of decorating a 10% halftone area.

2. The decorative film according to the above-mentioned claims, characterized in that: the total paint layer (41) has a thickness in the range of 1.0 μm to 2.5 μm, in particular 1.0 μm to 1.7 μm.

3. The decorative film according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: the ratio of the carrier film thickness to the total paint layer thickness is in the range of 1.8:1 to 7.0:1, preferably 2.5:1 to 5.8:1, wherein the carrier film (42) has a thickness in the range of greater than or equal to 3 μm to less than or equal to 7 μm, and / or the ratio of the carrier film thickness to the total paint layer thickness is in the range of 4.1:1 to 10.0:1, preferably 4.4:1 to 8.3:1, wherein the carrier film (42) has a thickness in the range of greater than or equal to 7 μm to less than or equal to 10 μm.

4. The decorative film according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: the carrier film (42) comprises a material or a combination of materials selected from: PET, PMMA, PC, PE, PVC, PS, ABS, PU, PBS, PLA, PAN and / or glass.

5. The decorative film according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: the decorative film (40) has a transmittance in the range of 5% to 70%, in particular 10% to 40%, to ultraviolet light in the wavelength range of 250 nm to 400 nm.

6. The decorative film according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: the total paint layer (41) has at least one color layer on at least one surface, and the adhesion between at least one color layer in the at least one color layer and the total paint layer (41) is at least 25 cN, preferably at least 30 cN.

7. The decorative film according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: the total paint layer (41) has a covering power of 100% in the case of decorating a continuous entire surface, and has a decoration or dot feeling of 100% in the case of decorating a 10% halftone area.

8. The decorative film according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: the total paint layer (41) has at least one separating layer (43) and / or at least one protective paint layer (44) and / or at least one decorative layer (45) and / or at least one primer layer (46) and / or at least one adhesive layer (47) and / or at least one color layer.

9. The decorative film according to claim 8, characterized in that: at least one of the at least one separating layer (43) comprises a material or a combination of materials selected from: wax, silicone, polyurethane and / or polymer, preferably acrylate copolymer, polyester copolymer, polystyrene copolymer, polycarbonate copolymer.

10. The decorative film according to any one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that: at least one of the at least one separating layer (43) has a thickness in the range of 0.01 μm to 0.50 μm, preferably 0.10 μm to 0.30 μm.

11. The decorative film according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that: at least one of the at least one separating layer (43) is configured to be transparent and / or translucent and / or opaque and / or colored and / or at least partially colored and / or glass-clear.

12. The decorative film according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that: at least one of the at least one protective lacquer layer (44) comprises a material or a combination of materials selected from: polymer, in particular acrylate copolymer, polyester copolymer, polystyrene copolymer, polycarbonate copolymer and / or SMA copolymer.

13. The decorative film according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that: the polymer of the total lacquer layer (41), in particular acrylate copolymer, polyester copolymer, polystyrene copolymer, polycarbonate copolymer and / or SMA copolymer or a combination thereof, has a molar mass in the range of 1000 g / mol to 100000 g / mol, preferably 3000 g / mol to 35000 g / mol.

14. The decorative film according to any one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that: at least one of the at least one protective lacquer layer (44) has a thickness in the range of 0.5 μm to 3 μm, in particular 0.8 μm to 1.3 μm.

15. The decorative film according to any one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that: at least one of the at least one protective lacquer layer (44) is configured to be transparent and / or translucent and / or opaque and / or colored and / or at least partially colored and / or glass-clear.

16. The decorative film according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: the tearing force for peeling the total lacquer layer (41) from the carrier film (42) is in the range of 2 cN to 8 cN.

17. The decorative film according to any one of claims 8 to 16, characterized in that: at least one of the at least one decorative layer (45) has at least one layer that produces an optically variable effect.

18. The decorative film according to any one of claims 8 to 17, characterized in that: At least one decorative layer (45) among the at least one decorative layer (45) has at least one replicated paint layer, and the replicated paint layer has a surface structure molded in the at least one replicated paint layer, and the surface structure is particularly selected from: diffractive surface structures, refractive surface structures, lens structures, matte structures, and / or glitter gratings.

19. The decorative film according to any one of claims 8 to 18, characterized in that: At least one decorative layer (45) among the at least one decorative layer (45) has at least one reflective layer, in particular at least one reflective layer patterned and formed in a first information form.

20. The decorative film according to any one of claims 8 to 19, characterized in that: At least one decorative layer (45) among the at least one decorative layer (45) has at least one thin film layer element for producing an observation angle-related color shift effect.

21. The decorative film according to any one of claims 8 to 20, characterized in that: At least one decorative layer (45) among the at least one decorative layer (45) has at least one color layer patterned and formed in a second information form.

22. The decorative film according to any one of claims 8 to 21, characterized in that: At least one decorative layer (45) among the at least one decorative layer (45) includes at least one metal layer and / or at least one dielectric layer.

23. The decorative film according to any one of claims 8 to 22, characterized in that: At least one decorative layer (45) among the at least one decorative layer (45) has a thickness in the range of 8 nm to 500 nm, preferably 8 nm to 60 nm, particularly preferably 10 nm to 30 nm.

24. The decorative film according to any one of claims 22 or 23, characterized in that: At least one metal layer among the at least one metal layer includes a material or a material combination selected from: aluminum, silver, gold, copper, nickel, chromium, and / or an alloy comprising at least two of these metals.

25. The decorative film according to any one of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that: At least one dielectric layer of the at least one dielectric layer comprises a material or a combination of materials selected from: metal oxides, polymers, paints, and / or HRI materials, in particular MgO, TiO n , Al 2 O 3 , ZnO, ZnS, and / or SiO n , where the variable n is preferably in the range greater than or equal to 0 to less than or equal to 3.

26. The decorative film according to any one of claims 8 to 25, characterized in that: At least one primer layer (46) among the at least one primer layer (46) has a thickness in the range of 0.1 μm to 2 μm, particularly preferably 0.2 μm to 0.8 μm.

27. The decorative film according to any one of claims 8 to 26, characterized in that: At least one primer layer (46) among the at least one primer layer (46) is configured to be transparent and / or translucent and / or opaque and / or colored and / or at least partially colored and / or glass-like transparent.

28. The decorative film according to any one of claims 8 to 27, characterized in that: At least one adhesive layer (47) among the at least one adhesive layer (47) at least partially or entirely covers at least one first region (21) of the total paint layer (41).

29. The decorative film according to any one of claims 8 to 28, characterized in that: At least one adhesive layer (47) in the at least one adhesive layer does not cover at least one second region (22) of the total paint layer (41), in particular at least one second region (22) in the at least one second region (22) does not overlap with or at least partially or completely overlap with at least one first region (21) in the at least one first region (21).

30. The decorative film according to any one of claims 28 or 29, characterized in that: At least one first region (21) in the at least one first region (21) and / or at least one second region (22) in the at least one second region (22) includes at least one of the following design elements or a combination of the following design elements: alphanumeric symbols, characters, logos, micrographs, images, photographs, icons, portraits, pictograms, patterns, especially continuous patterns, grids, especially periodic grids, amplitude modulation grids, dot grids, line grids, decorative patterns.

31. The decorative film according to any one of claims 8 to 30, characterized in that: At least one adhesive layer (47) in the at least one adhesive layer is composed of a hot melt adhesive and / or a thermoplastic adhesive and / or a cold adhesive and / or a radiation-curable adhesive, especially an adhesive curable by electromagnetic radiation and / or electron radiation and / or by ultraviolet light and / or an oxidation-curable adhesive and / or a low-migration adhesive.

32. A method for manufacturing a decorative film according to any one of claims 1 to 31, wherein the method comprises the following steps, especially the following steps carried out in the following order: a) Preparing a carrier film (42) having a thickness in the range of 3.0 μm to 10.0 μm, b) Applying a total paint layer (41) to at least one region of at least one surface of the carrier film (42), wherein a decorative film (40) is formed.

33. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that: The total paint layer (41) in step b) has a thickness in the range of 1.0 μm to 2.5 μm, preferably 1.0 μm to 1.7 μm.

34. The method according to any one of claims 32 or 33, characterized in that: The ratio of the thickness of the carrier film (42) to the thickness of the total paint layer (41) is in the range of 1.8:1 to 7.0:1, preferably 2.5:1 to 5.8:1, wherein the carrier film (42) has a thickness in the range of greater than or equal to 3 μm to less than or equal to 7 μm, and / or the ratio of the thickness of the carrier film (42) to the thickness of the total paint layer is in the range of 4.1:1 to 10.0:1, preferably 4.4:1 to 8.3:1, wherein the carrier film (42) has a thickness in the range of greater than or equal to 7 μm to less than or equal to 10 μm.

35. The method according to any one of claims 32 to 34, characterized in that: The total paint layer (41) in step b) has at least one separating layer (43) and / or at least one protective paint layer (44) and / or at least one decorative layer (45) and / or at least one primer layer (46) and / or at least one adhesive layer (47) and / or at least one color layer.

36. The method according to any one of claims 32 to 35, characterized in that: in step b), at least one separating layer (43) of the at least one separating layer (43) and / or at least one protective paint layer (44) of the at least one protective paint layer (44) and / or at least one decorative layer (45) of the at least one decorative layer (45) and / or at least one primer layer (46) of the at least one primer layer (46) and / or at least one adhesive layer (47) of the at least one adhesive layer (47) and / or at least one color layer of the at least one color layer is applied by intaglio printing and / or screen printing and / or relief printing and / or pad printing and / or inkjet printing and / or offset printing and / or flexographic printing and / or casting technology.

37. The method according to any one of claims 32 to 36, characterized in that: in step b), the at least one adhesive layer (47) is applied as a hot melt adhesive, a thermoplastic adhesive, a cold adhesive, a radiation-curable adhesive, in particular an adhesive curable by electromagnetic radiation and / or electron radiation and / or by ultraviolet light, or an oxidation-curable adhesive and / or a low-migration adhesive.

38. The method according to any one of claims 32 to 37, characterized in that: step b) further comprises the following steps and / or the following steps are further carried out after step b): c) applying at least one adhesive layer (47) of the at least one adhesive layer (47) such that at least one adhesive layer (47) of the at least one adhesive layer (47) at least partially or fully covers at least one first region (21) of the total paint layer (41) and / or does not cover a second region (22) of the total paint layer (41), in particular at least one second region (22) of the at least one second region (22) does not overlap with or at least partially or fully overlaps with at least one first region (21) of the at least one first region (21).

39. The method according to claim 38, characterized in that: at least one first region (21) of the at least one first region (21) and / or at least one second region (22) of the at least one second region (22) comprises at least one of the following design elements or a combination of the following design elements: alphanumeric symbols, characters, logos, micrographs, images, photographs, icons, portraits, pictograms, patterns, in particular continuous patterns, grids, in particular periodic grids, amplitude modulation grids, dot grids, line grids, decorative patterns.

40. A method for decorating a target substrate, wherein the method comprises the following steps, in particular the following steps carried out in the following order: d) preparing a decorative film (40) according to any one of claims 1 to 31, e) Prepare a target substrate (10), f) Apply a decorative film (40) onto the target substrate (10).

41. The method according to claim 40, characterized in that: Before step f), the following steps are carried out: g) Apply at least one adhesive layer (47) onto the decorative film (40) such that at least one of the at least one adhesive layer (47) at least partially or fully covers at least one first region (21) of the total paint layer (41) and / or does not cover at least one second region (22) of the total paint layer (41), in particular at least one of the at least one second region (22) does not overlap with or at least partially or fully overlaps with at least one of the at least one first region (21), and / or apply at least one adhesive layer (47) onto the target substrate (10) such that at least one of the at least one adhesive layer (47) at least partially or fully covers at least one third region (23) of the target substrate (10) and / or does not cover at least one fourth region (24) of the target substrate (10), in particular at least one of the at least one fourth region (24) does not overlap with or at least partially or fully overlaps with at least one of the at least one third region (23).

42. The method according to claim 41, characterized in that: At least one of the at least one first and / or third region (21, 23) and / or at least one of the at least one second and / or fourth region (22, 24) includes at least one of the following design elements or a combination of the following design elements: alphanumeric symbols, characters, logos, micrographs, images, photographs, icons, portraits, pictograms, patterns, in particular continuous patterns, grids, in particular periodic grids, amplitude modulation grids, dot grids, line grids, decorative patterns.

43. The method according to any one of claims 41 or 42, characterized in that: At least one of the at least one adhesive layer (47) in step g) consists of a hot melt adhesive, a thermoplastic adhesive, a cold glue, a radiation-curable adhesive, in particular an adhesive curable by electromagnetic radiation and / or electron radiation and / or by ultraviolet light and / or an oxidation-curable adhesive and / or a low-migration adhesive.

44. The method according to any one of claims 41 to 43, characterized in that: In step g), at least one of the at least one adhesive layer (47) is applied by gravure printing and / or screen printing and / or letterpress printing and / or pad printing and / or inkjet printing and / or offset printing and / or flexographic printing and / or casting technology.

45. The method according to any one of claims 41 to 44, characterized in that: At least one first and / or third region (21, 23) in the at least one first and / or third region (21, 23) is decorated by the total paint layer (41), and / or at least one second and / or fourth region (22, 24) in the at least one second and / or fourth region (22, 24) is not decorated by the total paint layer (41).

46. The method according to any one of claims 41 to 45, characterized in that: At least one first and / or third region (21, 23) decorated by the total paint layer (41) or at least one first and / or third region (21, 23) covered at least partially or completely by the at least one adhesive layer (47) in the at least one adhesive layer (47).

47. The method according to any one of claims 40 to 46, characterized in that: After step f), at least one color layer is applied on at least one surface of the total paint layer (41), such that the adhesion force between at least one color layer in the at least one color layer and the total paint layer (41) is at least 25 cN, preferably at least 30 cN.

48. The method according to any one of claims 40 to 47, characterized in that: After step f), the total paint layer (41) has a covering power greater than or equal to 99.5%, preferably 100% in the case of decorating a continuous entire surface, and has a decoration or dot feeling greater than or equal to 99.5%, preferably 100% in the case of decorating 10% of halftone regions.

49. The method according to any one of claims 40 to 48, characterized in that: After step f), the following steps are further implemented: The carrier film (42) is removed from the total paint layer (41), wherein the removal angle between the carrier film (42) and the total paint layer (41) is in the range of 0° to 120°, preferably 0° to 90°.

50. The method according to any one of claims 40 to 49, characterized in that: In step f) and / or after step f), the following steps are further performed: h) Press the decorative film (40) using at least one pressing head and / or at least one pressing roller.

51. The method according to claim 50, characterized in that: At least one pressing head in step h) and / or at least one pressing roller in the at least one pressing roller are configured as a heated flat head and / or a forming head and / or are configured as a heating roller, and this flat head and / or forming head and / or roller activates at least partially the at least one adhesive layer (47) in the at least one adhesive layer (47) and / or in at least one first and / or third region (21, 23) in the at least one first and / or third region (21, 23) and connects the decorative film (40) to the target substrate (10).

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