Transfer sheet and decorative article

Abstract

To provide a transfer sheet capable of suppressing transfer defects.SOLUTION: The transfer sheet has an extensible substrate 1 and a transfer layer 11, the transfer layer including, in order from the extensible substrate side: a peel layer 2; an image layer 3 having a digitally printed image; and a heat seal layer 4, the heat seal layer containing a polyester resin having a glass transition temperature of 60°C or less.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a transfer sheet and a decorated article. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, decorative articles in which the surface of a molded product is decorated with a sheet have been used for various purposes. In recent years, in order to meet the diversifying needs of consumers, there is a demand for on-demand decoration technology that can handle small-lot production of a wide variety of products.

[0003] The manufacturing methods for decorated articles are roughly divided into two types: primary decoration, in which decoration is done at the same time as molding, and secondary decoration, in which decoration is done after molding. Of these, secondary decoration is attracting attention because it allows decoration to be done after molding, making it possible to produce a wide variety of products in small quantities.

[0004] Also, as a sheet used for decoration, a sheet having an image layer on which an image is formed is known. An example of a method for forming an image is a printing method. The printing method can be broadly divided into two types: a plate printing method and a plateless printing method. The plateless printing method is also called a digital printing method. Among them, the plateless printing method has an advantage that on-demand printing is possible. Also, examples of the plateless printing method include an inkjet method, an electrophotographic method, and a thermal transfer method. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2018 / 151257 [Patent Document 2] JP 2021-123031 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2020-163760 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Known secondary decoration techniques include three-dimensional decoration techniques such as TOM (Three dimension Overlay Method) and NATS (Navitas Air-heat Transfer System). In addition, methods for manufacturing decorated articles include a method of laminating a sheet and a method of transferring a sheet.

[0007] In TOM and NATS molding, the sheet is heated to soften it, and then the pressure difference is used to push up the molded product to make the sheet adhere to the molded product. Therefore, when the molded product is pushed up, tears and cracks may occur in the sheet. In addition, the equipment used for TOM and NATS molding tends to be large.

[0008] Also, a desktop vacuum forming machine is known as a forming machine used for secondary decoration. Since the desktop vacuum forming machine does not have a means for pushing up the formed product, it is possible to suppress tearing and cracking of the sheet. In addition, the device can be made compact. However, since the desktop vacuum forming machine does not have a compressed air means, the pressure applied during the transfer of the sheet is insufficient, and the adhesion and adhesiveness of the sheet are reduced.

[0009] Therefore, the inventors of the present application have devised a method for manufacturing a decorated article, for example, as shown in FIG. 2(a) to FIG. 2(c). In the method for manufacturing a decorated article, as shown in FIG. 2(a), a molding machine 20 having a heating section 23 and separated into a first chamber 21 and a second chamber 22 by a transfer sheet 10 is used. First, as shown in FIG. 2(a), an article 31 is placed in the second chamber 22. Also, the transfer sheet 10 is placed so that the surface of the adhesive layer of the transfer sheet 10 faces the article 31. Next, the transfer sheet 10 is radiatively heated by the heating section 23 to be softened. Then, the first chamber 21 and the second chamber 22 are put into a vacuum state. At this time, the heat softening of the transfer sheet 10 and the evacuation of the first chamber 21 and the second chamber 22 may be performed simultaneously, or either may be performed first. Next, as shown in FIG. 2(b), when the first chamber 21 is put into an atmospheric pressure state, the transfer sheet 1 is pressed against the article 31 by the atmospheric pressure to be molded. At this time, compressed air may be introduced into the first chamber 21 to further increase pressure. Next, as shown in Fig. 2(c), the transfer sheet 10 is radiatively heated by the heating unit 23 to soften or melt the adhesive layer of the transfer sheet 10 and adhere it to the article 31. As a result, the transfer sheet 10 is transferred to the article 31.

[0010] In the above-mentioned manufacturing method for decorated articles, unlike TOM molding and NATS molding, the molded product is not pushed up during transfer, so that the breakage and cracking of the transfer sheet during transfer can be suppressed. In addition, the size of the device can be reduced. Meanwhile, in the above-mentioned manufacturing method for decorated articles, the transfer sheet is radiantly heated, and the heating part and the transfer sheet are separated. In particular, since the molded product is not pushed up during transfer, the heating part and the transfer sheet are further separated. Therefore, the molded product is not sufficiently heated during transfer, or the temperature of the transfer sheet drops. As a result, there is a concern that the adhesion and adhesion between the transfer sheet and the article will decrease, resulting in poor transfer.

[0011] In response to this, the adhesiveness and adhesion between the transfer sheet and the article can be increased by attaching the transfer sheet to the article as shown in Fig. 2(b) and then radiating heat on the transfer sheet as shown in Fig. 2(c). However, taking into account the heat resistance of the transfer sheet, the heating temperature is limited, and it may not be possible to sufficiently increase the adhesiveness and adhesion between the transfer sheet and the article.

[0012] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a transfer sheet that can suppress transfer defects when used in the above-mentioned method for manufacturing a decorative article. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a transfer sheet having a stretchable substrate and a transfer layer, the transfer layer having, from the stretchable substrate side, a release layer, an image layer having a digitally printed image, and a heat seal layer, and the heat seal layer contains a polyester resin having a glass transition temperature of 60°C or less.

[0014] Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a decorated article having an article and a decorative sheet disposed on a surface of the article, the decorative sheet having, from the article side, a heat seal layer, an image layer having a digitally printed image, and a peel layer, and the heat seal layer contains a polyester resin having a glass transition temperature of 60°C or less. Effect of the Invention

[0015] The transfer sheet of the present disclosure has the effect of suppressing transfer defects when used in the above-mentioned method for manufacturing a decorative article. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a transfer sheet according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] 1A to 1C are process diagrams illustrating a method for manufacturing a decorative article according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 3]1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a transfer sheet according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 1A to 1C are process diagrams illustrating a method for producing a transfer sheet according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a decorative article according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] The following describes the embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings. However, the present disclosure can be implemented in many different forms and should not be limited to the description of the embodiments exemplified below. In addition, the drawings may be schematic in terms of the width, thickness, shape, etc. of each part compared to the actual form in order to make the explanation clearer, but these are merely examples and should not be interpreted as being limited. In this specification and each figure, the same reference numerals are used to designate elements similar to those described above with respect to the previous figures, and detailed descriptions may be omitted as appropriate.

[0018] In this specification, when describing a mode in which another component is disposed on a certain component, the term "above" or "below" includes both a case in which another component is disposed directly above or below a certain component so as to be in contact with the component, and a case in which another component is disposed above or below a certain component with another component interposed therebetween, unless otherwise specified. In addition, in this specification, when describing a mode in which another component is disposed on the surface of a certain component, the term "on the surface side" or "on the surface" includes both a case in which another component is disposed directly above or below a certain component so as to be in contact with the component, and a case in which another component is disposed above or below a certain component with another component interposed therebetween, unless otherwise specified.

[0019] In this specification, the term "sheet" also includes a member called a "film."

[0020] The transfer sheet and the decorative article according to the present disclosure will be described in detail below.

[0021] A. Transfer sheet The transfer sheet in the present disclosure has a stretchable substrate and a transfer layer, the transfer layer having, from the stretchable substrate side, a release layer, an image layer having a digitally printed image, and a heat seal layer, and the heat seal layer contains a polyester resin having a glass transition temperature of 60°C or less.

[0022] Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a transfer sheet in the present disclosure. As illustrated in Fig. 1, a transfer sheet 10 has a stretchable substrate 1 and a transfer layer 11. The transfer layer 11 has, in order from the stretchable substrate 1 side, a release layer 2, an image layer 3 having a digitally printed image 13, and a heat seal layer 4. The heat seal layer 4 contains a polyester resin having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 60°C or less.

[0023] The transfer sheet in the present disclosure is used for decoration by a transfer method. In the transfer sheet, the members from the heat seal layer to the peel layer constitute the transfer layer.

[0024] 2(a) to 2(c) are process diagrams illustrating a method for manufacturing a decorated article using a transfer sheet according to the present disclosure. In the method for manufacturing a decorated article, as shown in FIG. 2(a), a molding machine 20 having a heating section 23 and separated into a first chamber 21 and a second chamber 22 by a transfer sheet 10 is used. First, as shown in FIG. 2(a), an article 31 is placed in the second chamber 22. In the second chamber 22, the position of the article 31 is fixed. In addition, the transfer sheet 10 is placed so that the surface of the heat seal layer side of the transfer sheet 10 faces the article 31. Next, the transfer sheet 10 is radiantly heated and softened by the heating section 23. Then, the first chamber 21 and the second chamber 22 are evacuated. At this time, the heat softening of the transfer sheet 10 and the evacuation of the first chamber 21 and the second chamber 22 may be performed simultaneously, or either may be performed first. Next, as shown in FIG. 2(b), when the first chamber 21 is brought to atmospheric pressure, the transfer sheet 1 is pressed against the article 31 by the atmospheric pressure and molded. At this time, compressed air may be introduced to apply pressure. Next, as shown in FIG. 2(c), the heating unit 23 radiates heat on the transfer sheet 10, softening or melting the heat seal layer of the transfer sheet 10 and adhering it to the article 31. This transfers the transfer sheet 10 to the article 31. Next, although not shown, the extensible substrate is peeled off from the transfer sheet 10 to obtain a decorated article.

[0025] In the above-mentioned manufacturing method for decorated articles, unlike conventional TOM molding and NATS molding, the article is not pushed up during transfer, so that the tearing and cracking of the transfer sheet during transfer can be suppressed. In addition, the size of the device can be reduced. Meanwhile, in the above-mentioned manufacturing method for decorated articles, the transfer sheet is radiantly heated, and the heating part and the transfer sheet are separated. In particular, since the article is not pushed up during transfer, the heating part and the transfer sheet are further separated. Therefore, the article is not sufficiently heated during transfer, or the temperature of the transfer sheet drops. As a result, there is a concern that the adhesiveness of the heat seal layer of the transfer sheet is reduced, resulting in poor transfer.

[0026] In response to this, the adhesiveness of the heat seal layer of the transfer sheet can be increased by first adhering the transfer sheet to an article as shown in FIG. 2(b) and then radiatively heating the transfer sheet as shown in FIG. 2(c).

[0027] Furthermore, in the present disclosure, the heat seal layer contains a polyester resin with a Tg in a predetermined range, so that even if the article is not sufficiently heated or the temperature of the transfer sheet is lowered during transfer, the adhesiveness can be exhibited. Therefore, when the transfer sheet in the present disclosure is used in the manufacturing method of the above-mentioned decorative article, the tearing and cracking of the transfer sheet can be suppressed, and the adhesiveness of the heat seal layer can be increased. Therefore, transfer failure can be suppressed.

[0028] Furthermore, in the transfer sheet of the present disclosure, since the image layer has a digitally printed image, on-demand printing is possible, and it is possible to accommodate small-lot, multi-variety production with short delivery times.

[0029] Hereinafter, the transfer sheet according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with respect to each component.

[0030] 1.Stretchable base material The extensible substrate in the present disclosure is a member that supports the transfer layer. In the present disclosure, after the transfer sheet is transferred to the surface of an article, the extensible substrate is peeled off from the transfer sheet.

[0031] The extensible substrate has extensibility. Specifically, the extensible substrate is preferably stretched by 50% or more when a tensile load of 0.05N is applied at any temperature within the range of 70°C to 130°C. When the extensible substrate has such extensibility, the extensibility of the transfer sheet can be improved, and the formability of the transfer sheet can be improved. On the other hand, the upper limit of the elongation percentage of the extensible substrate when a tensile load of 0.05N is applied at any temperature within the range of 70°C to 130°C is not particularly limited.

[0032] The temperature at which the stretchable substrate has an elongation rate of 50% is preferably 70°C or higher. In addition, when the temperature at which the stretchable substrate has an elongation rate of 50% is T1 and the heating temperature at which the transfer sheet is transferred to the surface of the article is T2, the value ΔT of T2-T1 is preferably -20°C or higher and 30°C or lower. When the height of the article is low, the transfer sheet can be transferred even if the above ΔT is low. On the other hand, when the height of the article is high, the above ΔT is preferably higher within the above range. In addition, if the above ΔT is too high, the transfer sheet may break or shrink. In addition, when the stretchable substrate is non-crystalline such as amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (A-PET), if the above ΔT is too high, the stretchable substrate may recrystallize, and the transferability and followability of the transfer sheet to the article may decrease. In addition, the above heating temperature T2 is preferably 80°C or higher. If the above heating temperature is too low, the adhesiveness of the heat seal layer may decrease.

[0033] The elongation of the extensible substrate is measured by thermomechanical analysis (TMA). Specifically, the extensible substrate is first cut into a rectangular shape with a length of 80 mm and a width of 4 mm. Next, using a thermomechanical analyzer, the elongation of the extensible substrate placed on a jig with an initial chuck distance of 10 mm is measured under the following measurement conditions. The elongation is calculated from the initial chuck distance and the chuck distance at a specified temperature. The same measurement is performed three times, and the arithmetic average value is taken as the elongation. <Measurement conditions> Measurement mode: Tensile Temperature range: 30℃ to 200℃ Heating rate: 5℃ / min Load mode: constant load 0.05N Sampling: 0.5 seconds

[0034] As described above, in the present disclosure, after the transfer sheet is transferred to the surface of an article, the extensible substrate is peeled off from the transfer sheet. Therefore, the extensible substrate may be transparent or opaque.

[0035] The stretchable substrate is not particularly limited as long as it satisfies the above elongation percentage, and examples thereof include thermoplastic resin films. Examples of the thermoplastic resin constituting the thermoplastic resin film include ionomers, polyester resins, polyolefin resins, polyvinyl chloride, and polyurethane resins. Examples of the polyester resin include amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (A-PET), glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate (PET-G), and the like. Examples of the polyolefin resin include polypropylene and the like. Among them, ionomers, amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (A-PET), glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate (PET-G), polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) are preferred. In particular, ionomers, amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (A-PET), glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate (PET-G), and polypropylene are preferred. This is because these are easily plastically deformed. In addition, non-oriented polypropylene (CPP, Cast Polypropylene) is used as the polypropylene film from the viewpoint of shrinkability.

[0036] The stretchable substrate may contain various additives as necessary, such as a stabilizer, a plasticizer, a colorant, an ultraviolet absorber, a light stabilizer, and an extender pigment.

[0037] The extensible substrate may have a single layer structure or a multilayer structure.

[0038] In addition, the stretchable substrate preferably has high heat resistance. As described above, when a molding machine having a first chamber and a second chamber is used to manufacture a decorated article using the transfer sheet of the present disclosure, the first chamber and the second chamber are evacuated, and the transfer sheet is radiatively heated and softened, and the transfer sheet can be prevented from coming into contact with the article or the heat source due to fluctuations caused by drawdown or differential pressure. In addition, when the transfer sheet is radiatively heated after being adhered to the surface of the article, the stretchable substrate can be prevented from stretching and the transfer sheet can be prevented from breaking. Furthermore, since the radiative heating temperature can be increased, the adhesion between the heat seal layer in the transfer sheet and the article is improved. As a result, the adhesion between the transfer sheet and the article can be improved, and air entrapment and transfer failure can be suppressed. Hereinafter, the radiative heating of the transfer sheet after being adhered to the surface of the article may be referred to as post-heating.

[0039] Examples of means for imparting heat resistance to the stretchable substrate include a method of adjusting the thickness of the stretchable substrate and a method of adjusting the layer structure of the stretchable substrate.

[0040] In the method of adjusting the thickness of the stretchable substrate, the heat resistance of the stretchable substrate can be increased by increasing the thickness of the stretchable substrate. Specifically, the thickness of the stretchable substrate is preferably 75 μm or more, may be 90 μm or more, or may be 100 μm or more. On the other hand, the upper limit of the thickness of the stretchable substrate is not particularly limited as long as the above-mentioned elongation rate is satisfied, and is, for example, 200 μm or less, may be 175 μm or less, or may be 150 μm or less. If the thickness of the stretchable substrate is too thick, the above-mentioned elongation rate may not be satisfied depending on the material of the stretchable substrate. Specifically, the thickness of the stretchable substrate is preferably 75 μm or more and 200 μm or less, may be 90 μm or more and 175 μm or less, or may be 100 μm or more and 150 μm or less. When the stretchable substrate has a multilayer structure, the thickness of the stretchable substrate refers to the thickness of the entire stretchable substrate.

[0041] The thickness of the stretchable substrate is the value measured from the cross section of the adhesive sheet in the thickness direction observed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and is the average value of the thicknesses of 10 randomly selected points. The same method is used to measure the thickness of each layer in the transfer sheet.

[0042] In the method for adjusting the layer structure of the stretchable substrate, the stretchable substrate is made to have a multi-layer structure. Specifically, the stretchable substrate preferably has a stretchable layer and a heat-resistant layer in order from the transfer layer side. Since the stretchable substrate has good stretchability, when the transfer sheet is adhered to the surface of the article and then the transfer sheet is radiatively heated, the stretchable substrate may stretch and the transfer sheet may break. In contrast, when the stretchable substrate has a stretchable layer and a heat-resistant layer, the heat-resistant layer can suppress excessive stretching of the stretchable substrate during post-heating. Therefore, the breakage and cracking of the transfer sheet due to the stretching of the stretchable substrate during post-heating can be suppressed. In addition, when the stretchable substrate has a stretchable layer and a heat-resistant layer in order from the transfer layer side, when the transfer sheet is transferred to the surface of the article, the heat-resistant layer is located on the outermost surface of the transfer sheet opposite to the article. Therefore, in the transfer sheet, the heat-resistant layer of the stretchable substrate is located closest to the heating section of the molding machine. Therefore, tearing and cracking of the transfer sheet due to elongation of the extensible substrate during post-heating can be effectively suppressed.

[0043] The temperature at which the heat-resistant layer has an elongation percentage of 50% is preferably higher than the temperature at which the stretchable layer has an elongation percentage of 50%. Specifically, from the viewpoint of stretchability, the temperature at which the stretchable layer has an elongation percentage of 50% is preferably 50° C. or higher. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of heat resistance, the temperature at which the heat-resistant layer has an elongation percentage of 50% is preferably 10° C. or higher than the temperature at which the stretchable layer has an elongation percentage of 50%.

[0044] The temperature at which each layer has an elongation of 50% is measured by thermomechanical analysis under the same method and conditions as those for measuring the elongation of the extensible substrate described above.

[0045] The stretchable layer may be made of the thermoplastic resin described above. The stretchable layer may have a single layer structure or a multilayer structure.

[0046] The material for the heat-resistant layer is not particularly limited as long as the temperature at which the heat-resistant layer reaches an elongation rate of 50% is higher than the temperature at which the extensible layer reaches an elongation rate of 50%, and is appropriately selected depending on the material of the extensible layer.

[0047] As described later, when a release member for supporting the extensible substrate is disposed on the surface of the extensible substrate opposite to the transfer layer, the surface of the extensible substrate facing the release member may be untreated, or a release-treated layer may be disposed on the surface of the extensible substrate facing the release member. Examples of materials for the release-treated layer include silicone release agents and fluorine-based release agents.

[0048] 2. Transfer layer The transfer layer in the present disclosure has, in this order from the extensible substrate side, a release layer, an image layer having a digitally printed image, and a heat seal layer.

[0049] (1) Heat seal layer The heat seal layer in the present disclosure is a layer in the transfer sheet that comes into contact with an article, and is a member for adhering the transfer layer to the article.

[0050] The heat seal layer may be transparent or opaque. In the decorated article using the transfer sheet of the present disclosure, for example, when the article is transparent and an observer observes the decorated article from the article side, the heat seal layer is transparent, so that the digitally printed image of the image layer can be visually recognized.

[0051] The heat seal layer being transparent means that the transfer sheet is transparent enough to allow the digitally printed image on the image layer to be visually recognized when the transfer sheet is observed from the heat seal layer side.

[0052] The heat seal layer contains a polyester resin having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 60° C. or less. The Tg of the polyester resin is 60° C. or less, may be 45° C. or less, or may be 15° C. or less. When the transfer sheet of the present disclosure is used in the manufacturing method of the decorated article, the adhesion to the article can be improved by having the Tg of the polyester resin in the above range. On the other hand, the lower limit of the Tg of the polyester resin is not particularly limited, and is, for example, −20° C. or more, may be −10° C. or more, or may be 5° C. or more. Specifically, the Tg of the polyester resin is −20° C. or more and 60° C. or less, may be −10° C. or more and 45° C. or less, or may be 5° C. or more and 15° C. or less.

[0053] The glass transition temperature (Tg) of the heat seal layer is, for example, preferably 80°C or less, may be 45°C or less, or may be 15°C or less. When the transfer sheet of the present disclosure is used in the manufacturing method of the decorated article, the adhesion to the article can be improved by having the Tg of the heat seal layer in the above range. On the other hand, the lower limit of the Tg of the heat seal layer is not particularly limited, and is, for example, -20°C or more, may be -10°C or more, or may be 5°C or more. Specifically, the Tg of the heat seal layer is -20°C or more and 80°C or less, may be -10°C or more and 45°C or less, or may be 5°C or more and 15°C or less.

[0054] Tg is measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in accordance with JIS K7121:2012.

[0055] The polyester resins may be used alone or in combination of two or more. When two or more polyester resins are used in combination, the Tg of the heat seal layer can be adjusted.

[0056] The polyester resin is a polymer containing an ester group obtained by polycondensation of a polycarboxylic acid and a polyhydric alcohol, for example. The polycarboxylic acid is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, phthalic acid, 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, decanedicarboxylic acid, azelaic acid, dodecadicarboxylic acid, and cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid. The polyhydric alcohol is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include ethylene glycol, propanediol, butanediol, pentanediol, hexanediol, neopentyl glycol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, decanediol, 2-ethyl-butyl-1-propanediol, and bisphenol A. The polyhydric alcohol may be diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, or polyethylene glycol. The polycarboxylic acid may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds. The polyhydric alcohol may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds. The polyester resin may be a modified product of the above polyester. The modified polyester includes polyester urethane.

[0057] The content of the polyester resin in the heat seal layer is, for example, 30% by mass or more, may be 40% by mass or more, or may be 50% by mass or more. If the content of the polyester resin is within the above range, when the transfer sheet of the present disclosure is used in the manufacturing method of the decorated article, the adhesion to the article can be improved. On the other hand, the upper limit of the content of the polyester resin in the heat seal layer is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, 100% by mass.

[0058] The heat seal layer may further contain a component contained in the image layer described below. Hereinafter, the component contained in the image layer may be referred to as the image layer component. When the heat seal layer contains the image layer component, the adhesion to the image layer can be improved. The image layer component may be a resin component. Such a resin component is not particularly limited as long as it does not inhibit adhesion, and may be, for example, a vinyl resin, a cellulose resin, a polyolefin, a polyamide, a polystyrene, a polycarbonate, an acrylic resin, an acetal resin, or a copolymer of an olefin and a vinyl compound. Examples of the vinyl resin include polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinylidene chloride, and a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer.

[0059] The lower limit of the content of the image layer component in the heat seal layer is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, 0% by mass. On the other hand, the content of the image layer component in the heat seal layer is, for example, 70% by mass or less, may be 60% by mass or less, or may be 50% by mass or less. If the content of the image layer component in the heat seal layer is within the above range, the content of the polyester resin in the heat seal layer is not significantly reduced, so that when the transfer sheet in the present disclosure is used in the manufacturing method of the decorated article, adhesion to the article can be ensured.

[0060] The heat seal layer may further contain other resin components in addition to the above polyester resin and the resin components contained in the image layer.

[0061] The heat seal layer may contain various additives as necessary. Examples of additives include fillers. When the heat seal layer contains a filler, stickiness can be suppressed.

[0062] The thickness of the heat seal layer is, for example, 1 μm or more and 5 μm or less, may be 1 μm or more and 3 μm or less, or may be 1 μm or more and 2 μm or less. If the thickness of the heat seal layer is within the above range, when the transfer sheet of the present disclosure is used in the manufacturing method of the above-mentioned decorated article, the adhesion to the article can be improved. In addition, the transferability can also be improved.

[0063] (2) Image layer The image layer in the present disclosure has a digitally printed image. In the case of a thermal transfer method, the digitally printed image is a thermal transfer image. In the case of an electrophotographic method, the digitally printed image is a toner image. In the case of an inkjet method, the digitally printed image is an ink image. In the thermal transfer method, printing with a metallic or pearlescent finish is possible, and it is suitable for manufacturing decorative articles with high design quality. Therefore, it is preferable that the digitally printed image is a thermal transfer image.

[0064] (a) Thermal transfer image The thermal transfer image may be a thermal transfer image formed by a dye-sublimation thermal transfer method, or may be a thermal transfer image formed by a melting thermal transfer method. The image layer may have a first image layer having a thermal transfer image formed by a dye-sublimation thermal transfer method, and a second image layer having a thermal transfer image formed by a melting thermal transfer method. In this case, the lamination order of the first image layer and the second image layer is not particularly limited. The image layer may have, in order from the peeling layer side, a first image layer and a second image layer, or a second image layer and a first image layer.

[0065] The sublimation thermal transfer method is an image forming method in which a thermal transfer sheet provided with a color material layer containing a sublimation dye is used, and thermal energy according to image information is applied to the thermal transfer sheet to transfer the sublimation dye contained in the color material layer to a receiving layer to form an image. The image layer having a thermal transfer image formed by the sublimation thermal transfer method is a receiving layer having a thermal transfer image containing a sublimation dye. The receiving layer is a layer capable of receiving a sublimation dye. The receiving layer contains a component capable of receiving a sublimation dye. The component capable of receiving a sublimation dye can be appropriately selected from materials of general receiving layers used in thermal transfer image receiving sheets. The above components may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The sublimation dye is a yellow dye, a magenta dye, a cyan dye, a fluorescent dye, or the like.

[0066] The melting type thermal transfer method is an image forming method in which a thermal transfer sheet provided with a color material layer containing a melting ink is used, and thermal energy according to image information is applied to the thermal transfer sheet, and the color material layer melted or softened by the application of thermal energy is transferred layer by layer onto a release layer to form an image layer. The image layer having a thermal transfer image formed by the melting type thermal transfer method is a melting ink layer. The melting ink is a colorant such as a black pigment, a metallic pigment, a pearl pigment, or a fluorescent pigment. The melting ink layer may be a decorative layer containing a hologram or the like.

[0067] (b) Toner image The toner image is formed by an electrophotographic method such as a laser method or an LED method. The image layer having the toner image contains a toner. The toner contains, for example, a resin component, a pigment, a charge control agent, and a wax. The color of the colorant is not particularly limited. The toner can be a general toner.

[0068] (c) Ink image The ink image is formed by an inkjet method. The image layer having the ink image contains ink. The ink contains at least a colorant and a resin component. Examples of the colorant include pigments and dyes. The color of the colorant is not particularly limited. The ink may be a general inkjet ink.

[0069] The thickness of the image layer is not particularly limited, and is, for example, from 0.1 μm to 5.0 μm.

[0070] (3) Release layer When the transfer sheet of the present disclosure is transferred to an article, after transfer, peeling occurs between the release layer of the transfer layer and the stretchable substrate. The release layer can enhance the peelability of the stretchable substrate from the transfer layer. In addition, when the transfer sheet is transferred to an article, the release layer is located on the outermost surface of the decorated article. The release layer can also protect the image layer.

[0071] Examples of materials for the release layer include ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, maleic acid modified vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl acetate, polyethylene, polypropylene, acid modified polyolefin, acrylic resin, ethylene-(meth)acrylic acid copolymer, ethylene-(meth)acrylic acid ester copolymer, ethylene-isobutyl acrylate copolymer, polyamide, polyester resin, butyral resin, ionomer, cellulose resin, polyvinyl ether, polyurethane resin, polycarbonate, epoxy resin, phenol resin, vinyl resin, maleic acid resin, alkyd resin, polyethylene oxide, urea resin, melamine resin, melamine alkyd resin, silicone resin, rubber resin, styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (SBS), styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer (SIS), styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS), and styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymer (SEPS). These materials may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0072] The release layer may contain a release agent. Examples of the release agent include fluorine compounds, phosphoric acid ester compounds, higher fatty acid amide compounds, metal soaps, silicone oils, and waxes such as polyethylene wax and paraffin wax. The release agent may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0073] The release layer may contain additives as necessary. Examples of additives include plasticizers, ultraviolet absorbers, inorganic particles, organic particles, and dispersants. The additives may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0074] The thickness of the release layer is, for example, not less than 1 μm and not more than 15 μm.

[0075] (4) Protective layer The transfer layer in the present disclosure may have a protective layer between the release layer and the image layer. The protective layer can protect the image layer. The protective layer can also impart scratch resistance.

[0076] The material of the protective layer may be a curable resin composition. Examples of the curable resin composition include a thermosetting resin composition and an ionizing radiation curable resin composition. Among them, an ionizing radiation curable resin composition is preferred.

[0077] The thermosetting resin composition is a composition that contains at least a thermosetting resin, and is a resin composition that is cured by heating. Examples of the thermosetting resin include acrylic resin, urethane resin, phenol resin, urea melamine resin, epoxy resin, unsaturated polyester resin, silicone resin, etc. A curing agent is added to the thermosetting resin composition as necessary.

[0078] The ionizing radiation curable resin composition is a composition containing an ionizing radiation curable resin. The ionizing radiation curable resin has an ionizing radiation curable functional group. Examples of the ionizing radiation curable functional group include an ethylenically unsaturated bond group, an epoxy group, and an oxetanyl group. Examples of the ethylenically unsaturated bond group include a (meth)acryloyl group, a vinyl group, and an allyl group.

[0079] Here, ionizing radiation refers to electromagnetic waves or charged particle beams that have an energy quantum capable of polymerizing or crosslinking molecules. Usually, ultraviolet rays (UV) or electron beams (EB) are used, but other types of radiation, such as electromagnetic waves (X-rays) and gamma rays, and charged particle beams (α-rays, ion beams) can also be used.

[0080] The ionizing radiation curable resin may be any of a monomer, an oligomer, and a polymer. Examples of the ionizing radiation curable resin include acrylic (meth)acrylate, urethane (meth)acrylate, polyester (meth)acrylate, epoxy (meth)acrylate, and polyether (meth)acrylate. Among them, urethane (meth)acrylate is preferable. The ionizing radiation curable resin may be used alone or in a mixture of two or more kinds.

[0081] The ionizing radiation curable composition may further contain a polyfunctional isocyanate. The polyfunctional isocyanate is a compound having two or more isocyanate groups. Examples of the polyfunctional isocyanate include aromatic isocyanates and aliphatic isocyanates. Examples of the aromatic isocyanate include 2,4-tolylene diisocyanate (TDI), xylylene diisocyanate (XDI), naphthalene diisocyanate, and 4,4-diphenylmethane diisocyanate. Examples of the aliphatic isocyanate include 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI), isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), methylene diisocyanate (MDI), hydrogenated tolylene diisocyanate, and hydrogenated diphenylmethane diisocyanate. In addition, adducts or oligomers of these various isocyanates, and blocked isocyanate compounds can also be used. Examples of the adducts and polymers of isocyanates include an adduct of tolylene diisocyanate, and a tolylene diisocyanate trimer.

[0082] Among them, the polyfunctional isocyanate preferably has an ionizing radiation curable functional group. In particular, a polyfunctional isocyanate having two or more isocyanate groups and one or more ethylenically unsaturated bond groups is preferable. This can increase the hardness of the hard coat layer.

[0083] The ionizing radiation curable composition may contain a photopolymerization initiator. The photopolymerization initiator may be appropriately selected from among general photopolymerization initiators. The photopolymerization initiator may be used alone or in combination.

[0084] The content of the photopolymerization initiator is, for example, 0.5 parts by mass or more and 10 parts by mass or less, or may be 1 part by mass or more and 8 parts by mass or less, or may be 3 parts by mass or more and 8 parts by mass or less, relative to 100 parts by mass of the ionizing radiation curable resin.

[0085] The ionizing radiation curable composition may contain various additives according to the desired physical properties, such as an ultraviolet absorber, an infrared absorber, a light stabilizer, a polymerization inhibitor, a crosslinking agent, an antistatic agent, an antioxidant, a leveling agent, a thixotropy imparting agent, a coupling agent, a plasticizer, an antifoaming agent, and a filler.

[0086] The thickness of the protective layer is appropriately selected according to the material of the release layer. When the release layer contains a thermosetting resin composition, the thickness of the release layer is, for example, 1 μm or more and 5 μm or less. When the release layer contains an ionizing radiation curable composition, the thickness of the release layer is, for example, 5 μm or more and 15 μm or less.

[0087] (5) Middle class The transfer layer in the present disclosure may have an intermediate layer between the image layer and the heat seal layer. The intermediate layer can suppress the components contained in the digitally printed image of the image layer from migrating to the heat seal layer. This can suppress bleeding of the digitally printed image. When the image layer has a thermally transferred image formed by a dye-sublimation thermal transfer method, the dye contained in the thermally transferred image is likely to migrate to the heat seal layer. Therefore, when the image layer has a thermally transferred image formed by a dye-sublimation thermal transfer method, it is preferable that an intermediate layer is disposed between the image layer and the heat seal layer.

[0088] The material of the intermediate layer is appropriately selected depending on the material of the image layer and the components of the digitally printed image. Examples of the material of the intermediate layer include acrylic resin, polyester resin, polyurethane resin, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, cellulose resin, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and polyvinyl alcohol. The above materials may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0089] The intermediate layer preferably contains an ultraviolet absorbing agent, which can improve the light resistance of the digitally printed image of the image layer. As the ultraviolet absorbing agent, a general ultraviolet absorbing agent can be used.

[0090] The intermediate layer may have a single layer structure or a multi-layer structure.

[0091] In addition, the intermediate layer preferably has high heat resistance. This can prevent the intermediate layer from melting or softening when manufacturing a decorative article using the transfer sheet. As a result, damage to the digitally printed image can be reduced. In addition, the components contained in the digitally printed image in the image layer can be further prevented from migrating to the heat seal layer.

[0092] Specifically, the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the intermediate layer is preferably equal to or higher than 100° C., more preferably equal to or higher than 130° C., and even more preferably equal to or higher than 150° C. There is no particular upper limit to the Tg of the intermediate layer.

[0093] The thickness of the intermediate layer is, for example, 0.01 μm to 5 μm. If the thickness of the intermediate layer is within the above range, it is possible to prevent the components contained in the digitally printed image in the image layer from migrating to the heat seal layer.

[0094] (6) Anchor layer The transfer layer in the present disclosure may have an anchor layer between the image layer and the peeling layer. The anchor layer can increase the adhesion between the image layer and the peeling layer. In addition, when the image layer has a thermal transfer image formed by a dye-sublimation thermal transfer method, the anchor layer can be provided with heat insulation by using a material with low thermal conductivity for the anchor layer. This can be expected to improve the color density of the image layer, improve the glossiness, and suppress uneven printing when the image layer is formed by a dye-sublimation thermal transfer method.

[0095] Examples of materials for the anchor layer include acrylic resin, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polyester resin, polyolefin resin, and polyurethane resin.

[0096] The anchor layer may contain additives such as an ultraviolet absorbing agent and a light stabilizer. Among them, the anchor layer preferably contains an ultraviolet absorbing agent. This can improve the light resistance of the digitally printed image of the image layer. As the ultraviolet absorbing agent, a general ultraviolet absorbing agent can be used.

[0097] In addition, it is preferable that the anchor layer has high heat resistance. This can prevent the anchor layer from melting or softening when manufacturing a decorative article using the transfer sheet. As a result, damage to the digitally printed image can be reduced. In addition, it can prevent components contained in the digitally printed image from diffusing from the image layer.

[0098] Specifically, the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the anchor layer is preferably equal to or higher than 100° C., more preferably equal to or higher than 130° C., and even more preferably equal to or higher than 150° C. There is no particular upper limit to the Tg of the anchor layer.

[0099] The thickness of the anchor layer is not particularly limited, and is, for example, not less than 0.1 μm and not more than 10 μm.

[0100] 3. Release material The transfer sheet in the present disclosure may have a release member 5 on the surface of the extensible substrate 1 opposite to the transfer layer 11, as shown in Fig. 3 for example. The release member is a member that supports the extensible substrate. In the present disclosure, the release member is peeled off from the transfer sheet before the transfer sheet is placed in a molding machine.

[0101] The elongation percentage of the release member at 50°C is preferably lower than that of the extensible substrate at 50°C. Specifically, the elongation percentage of the release member when a tensile load of 0.05N is applied at 50°C is preferably 20% or less. When the elongation percentage is within the above range, in the case of a thermal transfer method, the elongation of the extensible substrate due to the heat and pressure of a thermal head when a thermal transfer image is formed can be suppressed. In addition, in the case of an electrophotographic method, the elongation of the extensible substrate due to the heat and pressure of a drum when a toner image is formed can be suppressed. This can suppress the occurrence of print wrinkles and print unevenness due to the elongation of the extensible substrate. On the other hand, the lower limit of the elongation percentage of the release member when a tensile load of 0.05N is applied at 50°C is not particularly limited.

[0102] The elongation of the release member at 50° C. is measured by thermomechanical analysis under the same method and conditions as those for measuring the elongation of the extensible substrate described above.

[0103] The release member is not particularly limited, and for example, a release film or release paper can be used. The release film can be appropriately selected from general release films. Examples of the release film include a resin film having a release treatment layer on the surface and an untreated resin film having releasability. The release paper can be appropriately selected from general release papers. The release paper may be composed of only paper, or may be composed of paper and a resin film.

[0104] In the release film, the resin constituting the resin film is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include polyester resin, polyphenylene sulfide, polyether ketone, polyether sulfone, polypropylene, polycarbonate, cellulose acetate, polyethylene derivatives, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polystyrene, polyamide, polyimide, polymethylpentene, and ionomer. Examples of polyester resin include polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, and polybutylene terephthalate.

[0105] In the release film, the resin film may be a stretched film or an unstretched film. The resin film may be a porous film such as a porous polyethylene terephthalate film. The resin film may have a single layer structure or a multilayer structure.

[0106] In the release film, examples of the material for the release treatment layer include silicone release agents and fluorine-based release agents.

[0107] The release member may contain an antistatic agent, which can prevent foreign matter from adhering to the transfer sheet. As the antistatic agent, a general antistatic agent can be used.

[0108] The release member may have a heat insulating layer. When the image layer has a thermal transfer image formed by a dye-sublimation thermal transfer method, the release member has a heat insulating layer, so that when the image layer is formed by the dye-sublimation thermal transfer method, the color density of the image layer can be increased and printing unevenness can be suppressed. The heat insulating layer is not particularly limited as long as it has a low thermal conductivity, and examples thereof include a porous film, a paper substrate, and a hollow particle layer containing hollow particles. These may be used alone or two or more types may be laminated. For example, the heat insulating layer may have a porous film and a paper substrate. The material of the porous film is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene. In addition, when a hollow particle layer is used as the heat insulating layer, the heat insulating layer may have a hollow particle layer and a substrate supporting the hollow particle layer.

[0109] The thickness of the release member is not particularly limited as long as it can support the extensible substrate, but it is preferable that the thickness satisfies the above-mentioned elongation percentage at 50° C., and is appropriately adjusted depending on the material of the release member. The thickness of the release member is, for example, 25 μm or more and 1000 μm or less, and may be 50 μm or more and 300 μm or less.

[0110] 4.Release layer The transfer sheet of the present disclosure may have a release layer 6 between the stretchable substrate 1 and the transfer layer 11, for example, as shown in Fig. 3. The release layer can enhance the peelability between the stretchable substrate and the transfer layer. In addition, by adjusting the surface properties of the surface of the release layer facing the transfer layer, the texture of the surface of the decorated article can be adjusted when the transfer sheet is transferred to the article.

[0111] The release layer is configured so that the adhesion between the release layer and the stretchable substrate is higher than that between the release layer and the transfer layer. Examples of the material for the release layer include silicone-based release agents and fluorine-based release agents. Examples of the method for adjusting the surface properties of the surface of the release layer on the transfer layer side include the addition or non-addition of a filler. The thickness of the release layer is not particularly limited, and is, for example, 0.1 μm or more and 5.0 μm or less.

[0112] 5. Manufacturing method of transfer sheet A method for manufacturing a transfer sheet in the present disclosure includes, for example, a preparation step of preparing a laminate having a release member, an extensible substrate, and a peel layer in this order, an image layer formation step of forming an image layer having a digitally printed image on the surface of the laminate facing the peel layer, and a heat seal layer arrangement step of arranging a heat seal layer on the surface of the image layer opposite the laminate.

[0113] 4(a) to 4(d) are process diagrams illustrating a method for producing a transfer sheet according to the present disclosure, which are an example of forming a thermal transfer image by a dye-sublimation thermal transfer method. First, as shown in FIG. 4(a), a laminate having a release member 5, a stretchable substrate 1, and a peeling layer 2 in this order is prepared. Next, as shown in FIG. 4(b), a receiving layer 33 is formed on the surface of the laminate on the peeling layer 2 side. Next, as shown in FIG. 4(c), a thermal transfer image 13a is formed on the receiving layer 33 by a dye-sublimation thermal transfer method. This results in an image layer 3a having a thermal transfer image 13a. Next, as shown in FIG. 4(d), a heat seal layer 4 is disposed on the surface of the image layer 3a opposite to the laminate.

[0114] In the transfer sheet manufacturing method of the present disclosure, when a digitally printed image is formed, the extensible substrate is supported by a release member, so that the elongation of the extensible substrate can be suppressed. On the other hand, when decorating an object to be decorated, by peeling off the release member in advance, the extensibility of the transfer sheet after peeling off the release member can be fully exhibited, and the formability of the transfer sheet can be improved.

[0115] Each step of the method for producing a transfer sheet according to the present disclosure will be described below.

[0116] (1) Preparation process In the preparation step of the present disclosure, a laminate having, in this order, a release member, a stretchable substrate, and a peel layer is prepared.

[0117] The laminate has a release member, a stretchable substrate, and a peeling layer in this order. The laminate may also have an anchor layer on the surface of the peeling layer opposite to the stretchable substrate. The laminate may also have a release layer between the stretchable substrate and the peeling layer.

[0118] The laminate of the release member and the extensible substrate can be produced, for example, by laminating them via an adhesive. As the adhesive, a liquid adhesive or a sheet-like adhesive may be used.

[0119] The method for forming the release layer on the surface of the stretchable substrate opposite to the release member is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a method of applying a curable resin composition onto the stretchable substrate, and a method of transferring the release layer onto the stretchable substrate using a transfer sheet having a release layer. In the case of the transfer method, it may be a thermal transfer or a non-heated transfer.

[0120] (2) Image layer forming process In the image layer forming step of the present disclosure, an image layer having a digitally printed image is formed on the surface of the laminate on the release layer side.

[0121] (a) Method for forming an image layer having a thermal transfer image The thermal transfer image is formed by a thermal transfer method, such as a dye-sublimation type thermal transfer method or a melting type thermal transfer method.

[0122] In the case of the dye-sublimation thermal transfer method, a transfer sheet precursor having a receiving layer formed on the surface of the peelable layer side of the laminate, and a dye-sublimation thermal transfer sheet having a color material layer containing a sublimation dye are used, and thermal energy according to image information is applied to the dye-sublimation thermal transfer sheet to transfer the sublimation dye contained in the color material layer to the receiving layer of the transfer sheet precursor, thereby forming a thermal transfer image.

[0123] The method for forming the receiving layer on the surface of the laminate on the release layer side is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a method of applying a coating liquid containing the material of the receiving layer onto the release layer, and a method of transferring the receiving layer onto the release layer using a transfer sheet having a receiving layer. In the case of the transfer method, it may be a thermal transfer or a non-heated transfer.

[0124] A typical sublimation thermal transfer sheet can be used as the sublimation thermal transfer sheet. For example, the sublimation thermal transfer sheet has a support layer and a color material layer containing a sublimation dye, which is disposed on one side of the support layer. In the sublimation thermal transfer sheet, one type of color material layer may be disposed on one side of the support layer, or multiple types of color material layers having different colors may be disposed in a planar manner. In addition, in the sublimation thermal transfer sheet, multiple types of color material layers and a design layer may be disposed in a planar manner on one side of the support layer. The types of design layers include metallic, holographic, glitter, and foamed types. In addition, in the sublimation thermal transfer sheet, multiple types of color material layers and a heat seal layer may be disposed in a planar manner on one side of the support layer.

[0125] In the case of the melting type thermal transfer method, a laminate having a release member, an extensible substrate, and a peeling layer in that order, and a melting type thermal transfer sheet having a melting ink layer containing melting ink are used, and thermal energy according to image information is applied to the melting type thermal transfer sheet, and the melting ink layer, which has been melted or softened by the application of thermal energy, is transferred layer by layer to the peeling layer side of the laminate, thereby forming a thermal transfer image.

[0126] A general melting type thermal transfer sheet can be used as the melting type thermal transfer sheet. For example, the melting type thermal transfer sheet has a support layer and a melting ink layer that is disposed on one side of the support layer and contains melting ink. In the melting type thermal transfer sheet, one type of melting ink layer may be disposed on one side of the support layer, or multiple types of melting ink layers with different colors may be disposed in a planar manner. In addition, in the melting type thermal transfer sheet, multiple types of melting ink layers and a design layer may be disposed in a planar manner on one side of the support layer. The type of the design layer is the same as the type of the design layer used in the above-mentioned sublimation type thermal transfer sheet. In addition, in the melting type thermal transfer sheet, multiple types of melting ink layers and a heat seal layer may be disposed in a planar manner on one side of the support layer.

[0127] (b) Method for forming an image layer having a toner image The toner image is formed by electrophotography, for example, a laser method or an LED method.

[0128] (c) Method for forming an image layer having an ink image The ink image is formed by an inkjet method.

[0129] (3) Heat seal layer placement process In the heat seal layer disposing step of the present disclosure, a heat seal layer is disposed on the surface of the image layer opposite to the laminate.

[0130] The method of disposing the heat seal layer on the surface opposite to the laminate of the image layer is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a method of applying a heat seal composition, a method of laminating a heat seal film using a heat seal film, and a method of transferring a heat seal layer using a transfer sheet having a heat seal layer. In the case of the transfer method, it may be thermal transfer or non-thermal transfer. In addition, as described above, the dye-sublimation type thermal transfer sheet or the melting type thermal transfer sheet has a heat seal layer, and the heat seal layer may be formed together with the formation of the image layer.

[0131] (4) Intermediate layer arrangement process The method for producing a transfer sheet in the present disclosure may include an intermediate layer arranging step of arranging an intermediate layer between the image forming step and the heat seal layer arranging step.

[0132] The method for disposing the intermediate layer on the surface opposite to the laminate of the image layer is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a method of applying a coating liquid containing a material for the intermediate layer, and a method of transferring the intermediate layer using a transfer sheet having an intermediate layer. In the case of the transfer method, it may be a thermal transfer or a non-heated transfer.

[0133] B. Decorative items The decorated article of the present disclosure comprises an article and a decorative sheet arranged on the surface of the article, the decorative sheet having, from the article side, a heat seal layer, an image layer having a digitally printed image, and a peel layer, and the heat seal layer contains a polyester resin having a glass transition temperature of 60°C or less.

[0134] Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a decorated article in the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 5, the decorated article 30 has an article 31 and a decorative sheet 32 ​​arranged on the surface of the article 31. The decorative sheet 32 ​​has, in order from the article 31 side, a heat seal layer 4, an image layer 3 having a digitally printed image 13, and a peel layer 2. The heat seal layer 4 contains a polyester resin having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 60°C or less.

[0135] The decorated article of the present disclosure can be obtained by transferring the above-mentioned transfer sheet onto an article, and therefore has the same effects as those of the above-mentioned transfer sheet.

[0136] Hereinafter, the decorative article according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with respect to each component.

[0137] 1.Decorative sheet The decorative sheet in this embodiment has, from the article side, a heat seal layer, an image layer having a digitally printed image, and a release layer.

[0138] The heat seal layer, image layer and release layer are the same as those in the transfer sheet described above.

[0139] The decorative sheet may have an intermediate layer between the heat seal layer and the image layer, which is the same as the intermediate layer in the transfer sheet described above.

[0140] The decorative sheet may have an anchor layer between the image layer and the release layer, which is the same as the anchor layer in the transfer sheet described above.

[0141] 2.Goods The article in the present disclosure is not particularly limited. Specifically, the shape, size, material, etc. of the article are not particularly limited. The article preferably has a three-dimensional shape.

[0142] Examples of the article include fiber members, wood members, resin members, metal members, glass members, and ceramic members. Examples of the fiber members include plain paper, fine paper, tracing paper, etc. Examples of the resin constituting the resin member include polycarbonate, acrylic resin, ABS resin (acrylonitrile-styrene-butadiene copolymer), polyvinyl chloride, etc. Examples of the metal constituting the metal member include aluminum, etc.

[0143] The article may be of single or multi-layer construction.

[0144] The article may be transparent or opaque. When the article is transparent, the digitally printed image of the image layer can be seen when the decorated article is observed from the article side. Also, a part of the article may be transparent.

[0145] 3. Manufacturing method of decorative articles A manufacturing method for a decorated article in the present disclosure includes, for example, a preparation step of preparing a transfer sheet having an extensible substrate and a transfer layer, the transfer layer having, in order from the extensible substrate side, a peeling layer, an image layer having a digitally printed image, and a heat seal layer, and a transfer step of transferring the transfer layer of the transfer sheet to an article, the transfer step including, in order, a first heating step of softening the transfer sheet by radiant heating, and a second heating step of adhering the transfer sheet to the article and radiantly heating the transfer sheet to bond the heat seal layer of the transfer sheet and the article, and the transfer step uses a molding machine including a first chamber having a heating section and a second chamber in which the article is placed, and the position of the article is fixed in the second chamber.

[0146] Figures 2(a) to 2(c) are process diagrams illustrating an example of a manufacturing method for a decorated article in the present disclosure. Figures 2(a) to 2(c) have been described above, so description thereof will be omitted here.

[0147] Each step of the method for producing a decorative article according to the present disclosure will be described below.

[0148] (1) Preparation process In the preparation step, a transfer sheet is prepared that has a stretchable substrate and a transfer layer, and the transfer layer has, in order from the stretchable substrate side, a peeling layer, an image layer having a digitally printed image, and a heat seal layer. The method for manufacturing the transfer sheet is the same as the above-mentioned method for manufacturing the transfer sheet. When the transfer sheet has a release member on the surface of the stretchable substrate opposite to the transfer layer, the release member is peeled off before the transfer step described below.

[0149] (2) Transfer process In the transfer step, the transfer layer of the transfer sheet is transferred to an article.

[0150] In the transfer step, the first heating step is performed to soften the transfer sheet by radiant heating. The heating temperature is appropriately adjusted depending on the material of each layer of the transfer sheet. Specifically, the heating temperature is preferably a temperature at which the elongation of the extensible substrate measured by thermomechanical analysis is 50% or more.

[0151] In the transfer process, the transfer sheet is then attached to the article, and the transfer sheet is radiatively heated to bond the heat seal layer of the transfer sheet and the article in a second heating process. In the second heating process, the transfer sheet is attached to the article using a pressure difference. In the molding machine, the position of the article is fixed in the second chamber, so the article is not pushed up, unlike in the past. Other than not pushing up the article, this process is the same as general vacuum forming, pressure forming, and vacuum pressure forming. The heating temperature is appropriately adjusted according to the material of each layer of the transfer sheet.

[0152] In the transfer step, the stretchable substrate is finally peeled off from the transfer sheet. This transfers the transfer layer to the surface of the article, and a decorated article is obtained. If a release layer is disposed between the stretchable substrate and the release layer, the stretchable substrate and the release layer are peeled off from the transfer sheet.

[0153] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The above-described embodiments are merely examples, and any embodiment that has substantially the same configuration as the technical idea described in the claims of the present disclosure and exhibits similar effects is included in the technical scope of the present disclosure. EXAMPLES

[0154] [material] (1) Stretchable base material (1-1) Base material A An ionomer film with a thickness of 150 μm was used. (1-2) Base material B A CPP film with a thickness of 100 μm was used. (1-3) Base material C The 200 μm thick CPP film "Pure Thermo AG-3415AS" manufactured by Idemitsu Unitech Co., Ltd. was used. (1-4) Base material D The A-PET film "KA-50" manufactured by Shin-ei Kasei Co., Ltd., having a thickness of 100 μm, was used.

[0155] (2) Heat seal layer (2-1) Composition A for heat seal layer The polyester resin "Vylon 630" (Tg: 7°C) manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd. was used. (2-2) Composition B for heat seal layer A heat seal layer composition B was prepared by mixing 50 parts by mass of a polyester resin "Vylon 630" (Tg: 7°C) manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd. and 50 parts by mass of a polyester resin "Elitter UE-3320" (Tg: 40°C) manufactured by Unitika Ltd. (2-3) Composition C for heat seal layer The polyester resin used was "Vylon GK-630" (Tg: 56°C) manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd. (2-4) Composition D for heat seal layer Composition D for heat seal layer was prepared by mixing 67 parts by mass of polyester resin "Nichigo Polyester SR-100" (Tg: 10°C) manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation and 33 parts by mass of vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer "Solvine CNL" (Tg: 76°C) manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. (2-5) Composition E for heat seal layer Composition E for heat seal layer was prepared by mixing 65 parts by mass of polyester resin "Nichigo Polyester SR-100" (Tg: 10°C) manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, 32.5 parts by mass of vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer "Solbine CNL" manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., and 2.5 parts by mass of resin particles "Eposter S6" manufactured by Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd. (2-6) Composition F for heat seal layer The polyester resin used was "Elitel UE-9885" (Tg: 82°C) manufactured by Unitika Ltd. (2-7) Composition G for heat seal layer The vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer "Solvine CNL" (Tg: 76°C) manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. was used.

[0156] (3) Release layer A release layer composition having the following composition was prepared. Acrylic resin (Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation's "Dianal (registered trademark) BR-87") 100 parts by weight Methyl ethyl ketone 200 parts by weight n-Propyl acetate 200 parts by weight

[0157] [Example 1] (1) Preparation of transfer sheet precursor First, the release layer composition was applied to the substrate A with a bar coater in a dry coating amount of 2.0 g / m 2 Then, the following composition for a receiving layer was applied on the release layer with a bar coater in a dry coating amount of 2.0 g / m 2 A receiving layer was formed by applying the coating solution so that the coating solution had a thickness of 102° C. and drying for 1 minute at 102° C. In this manner, a laminate 1 having a base material A, a release layer, and a receiving layer was obtained.

[0158] <Receptive Layer Composition> Vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer ("Solvine CNL" manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 95 parts by weight Epoxy modified silicone oil (Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. "KP-1800U") 5 parts by weight Methyl ethyl ketone 400 parts by weight

[0159] The release member was a 100 μm thick polyester film "Crisper K1212 #100" manufactured by Toyobo Co., Ltd. The following pressure-sensitive adhesive composition was applied to the release member with a bar coater at a dry coating amount of 10 g / m 2 An adhesive layer was formed by applying the adhesive so as to form a layer and drying the layer at 100° C. for 1 minute. This resulted in a laminate 2 having a release member and an adhesive layer.

[0160] <Pressure-sensitive adhesive composition> Acrylic copolymer (solid content 40%) ("SK Dyne 1310L" manufactured by Soken Chemical Industries, Ltd.) 48 parts by weight Epoxy resin (solid content 5%) (Soken Chemical & Engineering Co., Ltd. hardener "E-AX") 0.36 parts by weight Ethyl acetate 51.64 parts by weight

[0161] The surface of the substrate A of the laminate 1 and the surface of the adhesive layer of the laminate 2 were bonded together to obtain a transfer sheet precursor having a release member, an adhesive layer, the substrate A, a release layer, and a receiving layer.

[0162] (2) Preparation of dye-sublimation thermal transfer sheet The following heat-resistant slipping layer composition was applied to one side of a 4.5 μm-thick polyethylene terephthalate film (PET film) with a dry coating amount of 1.0 g / m using a wire bar. 2 and dried to form a heat-resistant slip layer.

[0163] <Composition for heat-resistant slipping layer> Polyvinyl butyral resin (Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. "S-LEC (registered trademark) BX-1") 1.8 parts by weight Polyisocyanate (DIC Corporation's "Burnoc (registered trademark) D750") 5.5 parts by weight Phosphate ester surfactant (Dai-ichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.'s "Plysurf (registered trademark) A208N") 1.6 parts by mass Talc (Microace (registered trademark) P-3 manufactured by Nippon Talc Industries Co., Ltd.) 0.35 parts by weight Toluene 18.5 parts by weight Methyl ethyl ketone 18.5 parts by weight

[0164] The heat seal layer composition A was applied to the other surface of the PET film by gravure coating to a dry coating amount of 2.0 g / m 2 The heat seal layer was formed by applying the release layer to the PET film and drying the heat seal layer at 100° C. for 1 minute. This resulted in a thermal transfer sheet having a heat seal layer. The release layer remained on the PET film side during thermal transfer of the heat seal layer, and was not transferred to the transfer sheet precursor side.

[0165] A dye-sublimation thermal transfer sheet was produced by cutting out and removing the protective layer panel of the original ink ribbon of a Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. dye-sublimation thermal transfer photo printer DS820 and replacing it with a thermal transfer sheet having the above-mentioned heat seal layer as an adhesive layer panel of the same size as the protective layer panel.

[0166] (3) Formation of image layer and heat seal layer The above transfer sheet precursor was attached to the front of the original paper roll of a dye-sublimation thermal transfer photo printer DS820 manufactured by Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd. and set into the printer. In combination with the above dye-sublimation thermal transfer sheet, a 128-level solid image was printed in gloss mode to produce an A4-sized transfer sheet.

[0167] (4) Creation of decorative items The transfer sheet from which the release member was peeled off was placed in a vacuum pressure molding machine. In the vacuum pressure molding machine, the transfer sheet was separated into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. A polycarbonate smartphone case was also set in the mold. The transfer sheet was heated while the upper chamber and the lower chamber were evacuated at a temperature of 80° C., a pressure of −80 kPa, and a vacuum and heating time of 15 seconds. Next, the upper chamber was compressed at a pressure of 0.2 MPa and a compressed air time of 180 seconds to bond the transfer sheet and the smartphone case. The smartphone case to which the transfer sheet was attached was removed from the chamber, and the transfer sheet was separated from the smartphone case.

[0168] [Example 2] A decorated article was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the heating temperature in producing the decorated article was changed to 100°C.

[0169] [Example 3] A decorated article was produced in the same manner as in Example 2, except that Composition B for a heat seal layer was used.

[0170] [Example 4] A decorated article was produced in the same manner as in Example 2, except that the composition C for a heat seal layer was used.

[0171] [Example 5] A decorated article was produced in the same manner as in Example 2, except that Composition D for a heat seal layer was used.

[0172] [Example 6] A decorated article was prepared in the same manner as in Example 2, except that the composition D for the heat seal layer was used.

[0173] [Example 7] A decorated article was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the base material B and the heat-sealing composition B were used and the heating temperature in the production of the decorated article was changed to 100°C.

[0174] [Example 8] A decorated article was produced in the same manner as in Example 7, except that a smartphone case made of ABS resin was used in the production of the decorated article.

[0175] [Example 9] A decorated article was produced in the same manner as in Example 7, except that the heating temperature in producing the decorated article was changed to 120°C.

[0176] [Example 10] A decorated article was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the substrate D and the heat-sealing composition B were used and the heating temperature in the production of the decorated article was changed to 120°C.

[0177] [Example 11] A decorated article was produced in the same manner as in Example 3, except that the heating temperature in producing the decorated article was changed to 120°C.

[0178] [Example 12] A decorated article was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the base material C and the heat-sealing composition B were used and the heating temperature in the production of the decorated article was changed to 120°C.

[0179] [Comparative Example 1] A decorated article was produced in the same manner as in Example 2, except that the heat-sealing composition F was used.

[0180] [Comparative Example 2] A decorated article was produced in the same manner as in Example 2, except that the heat-sealing composition G was used.

[0181] [evaluation] (1) Elongation of the substrate The elongation of the substrate was measured by thermomechanical analysis (TMA) using Hitachi High-Tech Science's "TMA / SS7100". Specifically, the extensible substrate was first cut into a rectangular shape with a length of 80 mm and a width of 4 mm. Next, the elongation of the substrate was measured under the following measurement conditions. The elongation was calculated from the initial chuck distance and the chuck distance at a specified temperature. The same measurement was performed three times, and the arithmetic average value was taken as the elongation. Table 1 shows the temperature T1 at which the elongation of the extensible substrate becomes 50% and the heating temperature T2 when the transfer sheet is transferred to the article. <Measurement conditions> Measurement mode: Tensile Initial chuck distance: 10mm Temperature range: 30℃ to 200℃ Heating rate: 5℃ / min Load mode: constant load 0.05N Sampling: 0.5 seconds

[0182] (2) Stability The state of the transfer sheet during the manufacturing process of the decorative article was visually observed and evaluated according to the following criteria. A: The transfer sheet was stable without contact with a heat source or item, and the transfer to the item was finally completed. B: The image was finally transferred to the item, but the transfer sheet shook unstably and came into contact with the item.

[0183] (3) Transferability The decorated article was visually observed and evaluated for the conformability of the transfer sheet to the article, that is, whether the transfer layer of the transfer sheet was well transferred to the article, according to the following criteria. A: The transfer sheet adhered well to the item, and there was no missing transfer on the decorated item. B: The transfer sheet was slightly insufficient in conforming to the side of the article, but there was no missing part of the decorative article. C: The decorative item had transfer defects.

[0184] (4) Adhesion Cellophane tape was applied to the decorated article and rubbed with a hand, and then the cellophane tape was peeled off at an angle of 90°, and the adhesion of the heat seal layer to the article was evaluated according to the following criteria. A: The transfer layer transferred to the article did not peel off at all, and there were no problems with adhesion. B: The transfer layer transferred to the article peeled off slightly and thinly, but it was not noticeable unless you looked closely, and it did not cause any problems in practical use. C: Less than half of the transfer layer transferred to the article peeled off. D: The transfer layer transferred to the article was completely peeled off.

[0185] [Table 1]

[0186] The present disclosure provides the following inventions. [1] A transfer sheet having a stretchable substrate and a transfer layer, the transfer layer has, in order from the stretchable substrate side, a release layer, an image layer having a digitally printed image, and a heat seal layer; The transfer sheet, wherein the heat seal layer contains a polyester resin having a glass transition temperature of 60° C. or lower. [2] The transfer sheet according to [1], wherein the heat seal layer has a glass transition temperature of 80°C or lower. [3] The transfer sheet according to [1] or [2], wherein the heat seal layer contains a component contained in the image layer. [4] A transfer sheet described in any of [1] to [3], wherein the extensible substrate stretches by 50% or more when a tensile load of 0.05 N is applied at any temperature within the range of 70°C or higher and 130°C or lower. [5] A transfer sheet according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the thickness of the extensible substrate is 75 μm or more and 200 μm or less. [6] The transfer sheet according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the stretchable substrate has, in order from the transfer layer side, a stretchable layer and a heat-resistant layer. [7] A transfer sheet described in any one of [1] to [6], which has a release member on the side of the extensible substrate opposite to the transfer layer. [8] The transfer sheet according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the transfer layer has an intermediate layer between the image layer and the heat seal layer. [9] A transfer sheet described in any of [1] to [4], wherein the digitally printed image is a thermal transfer image.

[10] A decorated article having an article and a decorative sheet disposed on a surface of the article, the decorative sheet has, in order from the article side, a heat seal layer, an image layer having a digitally printed image, and a peel layer; The heat seal layer of the decorative article contains a polyester resin having a glass transition temperature of 60° C. or lower.

[11] The decorated article according to

[10] , wherein the heat seal layer has a glass transition temperature of 80°C or lower.

[12] The decorated article according to

[10] or

[11] , wherein the heat seal layer contains a component contained in the image layer.

[13] The decorated article according to any one of

[10] to

[12] , further comprising an intermediate layer between the heat seal layer and the image layer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0187] 1 … Stretchable base material 2 … Peel layer 3 … Image layer 4 … Heat seal layer 5... Release material 10 ... Transfer sheet 11 ... Transfer layer 13 … Digitally printed images

Claims

1. A transfer sheet having a stretchable substrate and a transfer layer, the transfer layer has, in order from the stretchable substrate side, a release layer, an image layer having a digitally printed image, and a heat seal layer; The transfer sheet, wherein the heat seal layer contains a polyester resin having a glass transition temperature of 60° C. or lower.

2. The transfer sheet according to claim 1 , wherein the heat seal layer has a glass transition temperature of 80° C. or lower.

3. The transfer sheet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat seal layer contains a component contained in the image layer.

4. The transfer sheet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the extensible substrate is stretched by 50% or more when a tensile load of 0.05 N is applied at any temperature within a range of 70°C or more and 130°C or less.

5. 3. The transfer sheet according to claim 1, wherein the stretchable substrate has a thickness of 75 μm or more and 200 μm or less.

6. The transfer sheet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the stretchable substrate has, in this order from the transfer layer side, a stretchable layer and a heat-resistant layer.

7. The transfer sheet according to claim 1 , further comprising a release member on a surface of the stretchable substrate opposite to the transfer layer.

8. The transfer sheet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transfer layer has an intermediate layer between the image layer and the heat seal layer.

9. The transfer sheet of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the digitally printed image is a thermal transfer image.

10. A decorated article having an article and a decorative sheet disposed on a surface of the article, the decorative sheet has, in order from the article side, a heat seal layer, an image layer having a digitally printed image, and a peel layer; The heat seal layer comprises a polyester resin having a glass transition temperature of 60° C. or lower.

11. The decorated article according to claim 10, wherein the heat seal layer has a glass transition temperature of 80° C. or lower.

12. The decorated article according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the heat seal layer contains a component contained in the image layer.

13. The decorated article according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising an intermediate layer between the heat seal layer and the image layer.

Images