Plate-shaped decorations

Abstract

To provide a plate-like decorative object that allows a wide range of design expressions. [Solution] A plate-like decoration formed using a transparent or translucent plate-like material Bs, having multiple regions that look different from the front side, the multiple regions including a first region in which, from the front side, at least the plate-like material, a highly transparent colored layer Lc, and a foil layer Lf formed from foil are stacked.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a plate-shaped decorative object. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional method for processing sheet materials such as acrylic sheets is to attach foil to the backside of the sheet material to improve its design. The use of foil allows for the expression of a metallic texture, which also broadens the range of possible designs.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an acrylic plate 10 with a foil stamping layer that is attached to the surface of a gaming machine in which game balls or medals are inserted to play, and in which the acrylic plate 10 with a foil stamping layer for the game board surface that is illuminated according to the progress of the game consists of a flat foil portion 30 on which figures are formed that does not transmit light, and a rugged foil portion 40 that also does not transmit light, and the foil stamping layer consisting of these two layers is formed by simultaneously printing it on the back surface 24 of the acrylic plate by thermal transfer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-236673 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When attaching foil to a plate-shaped material to improve design, it is believed that a wide range of design expressions will be possible if there is a portion where the foil is visible through the plate-shaped material and colored layer when viewed from the front side.

[0006] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention aims to provide a plate-shaped decorative object that allows for a wide range of design expressions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The plate-like decoration of the present invention is formed using a transparent or translucent plate-like material and has multiple regions that appear differently from the front side, and the multiple regions may be configured to include a first region in which, from the front side, at least the plate-like material, a colored layer that is a highly transparent colored layer, and a foil layer formed from foil are stacked.

[0008] More specifically, the above configuration is a plate-shaped decorative object as described in claim 1, in which the first region is an area in which the plate-shaped material, the colored layer, the foil layer, and the cover layer are stacked in order from the front side, and the cover layer is formed of a material that is almost opaque to light, and may be a layer that protects the back side of the plate-shaped decorative object.

[0009] More specifically, the plurality of regions may further include a second region where the plate-shaped material and the cover layer are stacked in this order from the front side. More specifically, the plurality of regions may further include a third region where the plate-shaped material, the colored layer, and the cover layer are stacked in this order from the front side.

[0010] More specifically, the plurality of regions may further include a fourth region in which the plate-shaped material, the foil layer, and the cover layer are laminated in this order from the front side.

[0011] More specifically, the above configuration may further include a second region in which the plate-shaped material and the cover layer are stacked in order from the front side, a third region in which the plate-shaped material, the colored layer, and the cover layer are stacked in order from the front side, and a fourth region in which the plate-shaped material, the foil layer, and the cover layer are stacked in order from the front side.

[0012] More specifically, the plate-shaped material may be a transparent acrylic plate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The plate-shaped decorative object of the present invention allows for a wide range of design expressions. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic external view of a plate-shaped decoration Z according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] 10 is an explanatory diagram of the layered structure in each region of the plate-like decoration Z. FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printing device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 3 is a flowchart of a method for processing a plate material according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram relating to image data for a color layer. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram relating to image data for a foil attachment layer. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram relating to a foil attachment process. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram relating to a foil attachment process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0016] 1 shows a schematic view of the front side of a plate-shaped decorative object Z (one form of plate-shaped body) obtained by carrying out the plate-shaped material processing method according to this embodiment. The plate-shaped decorative object Z has a colored layer, a foil layer, and a cover layer on the back side of a transparent or translucent plate-shaped material Bs. The plate-shaped material Bs in this embodiment is, for example, a transparent acrylic plate, and has a rectangular outer edge.

[0017] As shown in Fig. 1, the plate-like decorative object Z has regions Ea, Eb, Ec, and Ed (Ed1 to Ed4) that have different layered structures in the thickness direction. Fig. 2 shows a schematic diagram of the layered structures in these regions.

[0018] Figure 2(a) shows the layered structure in region Ea. As shown in this figure, in region Ea, a plate-shaped material Bs and a cover layer Lx are layered in this order from the front side. In this embodiment, the cover layer Lx is made of a white material that is almost opaque to light, and serves as a cover to protect the back side of the plate-shaped decorative object Z. When region Ea is viewed from the front side, the cover layer Lx can be seen through the transparent plate-shaped material Bs.

[0019] Figure 2(b) shows the layered structure in region Eb. As shown in this figure, in region Eb, a plate-shaped material Bs, a colored layer Lc, and a cover layer Lx are layered in this order from the front side. The colored layer Lc is a highly transparent colored layer that allows for full-color patterns and designs to be expressed. When region Eb is viewed from the front side, the colored layer Lc and the cover layer Lx can be seen through the transparent plate-shaped material Bs, and the color of the colored layer Lc appears normal.

[0020] Figure 2(c) shows the laminated structure in region Ec. As shown in this figure, in region Ec, from the front side, a plate-shaped material Bs, a foil layer Lf, and a cover layer Lx are laminated. The foil layer Lf is a layer formed of metallic, glossy foil, and it is almost opaque to light. When region Ec is viewed from the front side, the foil layer Lf can be seen through the transparent plate-shaped material Bs.

[0021] FIG. 2(d) shows the laminated structure in region Ed (Ed1-Ed4). As shown in this figure, in region Ed, from the front side, the plate-shaped material Bs, colored layer Lc, foil layer Lf, and cover layer Lx are laminated. When region Ed is viewed from the front side, the colored layer Lc and foil layer Lf are visible through the transparent plate-shaped material Bs, and the color of the colored layer Lc appears metallic. Note that the foil attachment layer Lp, which will be described later, is present on the front side of the foil layer Lf, but is omitted from FIGS. 2(c) and 2(d) because it has little visual impact.

[0022] In this embodiment, the cover layer Lx is provided to cover the entire back side of the plate-like decorative object Z, but it is also possible to omit the installation of the cover layer Lx. The cover layer Lx may also be provided only on the back side of the foil layer Lf to protect the foil. In this case, the plate-like decorative object Z appears transparent in the thickness direction except for the area where the foil layer Lf is provided.

[0023] As mentioned above, the plate-like decorative object Z has the regions Ea to Ed that look different from the front side, allowing for a very wide range of design expressions. In particular, by arranging the foil layer Lf, it is possible to express a metallic texture, and by further arranging the colored layer Lc on the front side of the foil layer Lf, it is possible to express the metallic texture with a color added.

[0024] Here, the plate-shaped decorative object Z is formed by carrying out a plurality of processes, including a colored layer forming process for forming a colored layer Lc on the back side of the plate-shaped material Bs, a foil-attached layer forming process for forming a foil-attached layer Lp on the back side of the plate-shaped material Bs that has been subjected to the colored layer forming process, and a foil-attaching process for attaching foil to the area of ​​the foil-attached layer Lp on the back side of the plate-shaped material Bs that has been subjected to the foil-attached layer forming process (see FIG. 4). The colored layer forming process and the foil-attached layer forming process are carried out consecutively by the same printing device. The configuration of one example of this printing device (printing device 10) will be described below with reference to FIG. 3.

[0025] As shown in Figure 3, the printing device 10 has a sheet material setting unit 11, an ink supply unit 12, a head unit 13, and a control unit 14. The printing device 10 is a device that performs printing by scanning the head unit 13, which applies ink to the set sheet material Bs, and its basic configuration and operating principle are similar to existing UV inkjet printers.

[0026] The plate setting unit 11 is a portion where the plate Bs can be set. In the example of this embodiment, the plate setting unit 11 can set the plate Bs by laying it down on the plate, and can move the set plate Bs in the front-to-rear direction (the sub-scanning direction during printing). Note that the position of the plate Bs set in the plate setting unit 11 is restricted so that it cannot move in any direction other than the front-to-rear direction.

[0027] The ink supply unit 12 serves to supply ink to the head unit 13, and includes a colored layer forming ink holding unit 12a and a foil adhering layer forming ink holding unit 12b.

[0028] The color layer forming ink holding portion 12a is a portion that holds the color layer forming ink used to form the color layer Lc. The color layer forming ink is a UV curable ink that is cured and fixed by irradiation with UV light (ultraviolet rays), and is provided in various colors, for example, C (Cyan), M (Magenta), Y (Yellow), and K (Key plate), and using these colors, the color layer Lc can be formed in full color.

[0029] The foil adhesion layer forming ink holding section 12b holds the foil adhesion layer forming ink used to form the foil adhesion layer Lp. The foil adhesion layer forming ink is a transparent ink that adheres to the foil when the foil adhesion layer forming process described below is performed, and has components that are the same as or similar to existing primers. Each of the ink holding sections 12a and 12b described above may be a cartridge type that can be replaced with a new one as needed.

[0030] The head unit 13 is movable in the left-right direction (the main scanning direction during printing), which is perpendicular to the front-rear direction. Printing is achieved by ejecting ink supplied from the ink supply unit 12 onto the set plate-shaped material Bs while the head unit 13 scans.

[0031] The control unit 14 controls each unit of the printing device 10 so that the printing device 10 operates appropriately. The control unit 14 also receives image data from an external device and enables printing based on the image data.

[0032] Next, a method for processing a plate-shaped material to form the plate-shaped decoration Z will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0033] As shown in the figure, a process (color layer image data creation process) is performed to create image data for the color layer Lc, which represents information on the formation of the color layer Lc (which color layer Lc should be formed in which position on the plate-shaped material Bs) (step S1). This process can be performed by a designer using a computer or the like with graphics software installed.

[0034] To form the plate-shaped decorative object Z shown in FIG. 1, it is sufficient to create the image data for the coloring layer shown in FIG. 5. The rectangular frame shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to the outer edge of the plate-shaped material Bs, and inside it there is a boundary B1 (the edge of the coloring layer Lc) that determines whether or not the coloring layer Lc is present. The inside of the boundary B1 (the colored portion) corresponds to the area where the coloring layer Lc will be formed, and this portion can be freely used to express patterns, designs, etc. in full color. The created image data for the coloring layer is sent to the printing device 10, for example, by information communication via a network.

[0035] Furthermore, a process (foil adhesion layer image data creation process) is performed (step S2) to create foil adhesion layer image data representing formation information for the foil adhesion layer Lp (information specifying the position on the plate-shaped material Bs where the foil adhesion layer Lp should be formed). This process can be performed by a designer using a PC or the like with graphics software installed. Note that either the color layer image data or the foil adhesion layer image data may be created by reusing the image data for the other.

[0036] To form the plate-shaped decorative object Z shown in Figure 1, it is sufficient to create the foil adhesion layer image data shown in Figure 6. The rectangular frame shown in Figure 6 corresponds to the outer edge of the plate-shaped material Bs, and inside it there is a boundary B2 (the edge of the foil adhesion layer Lp) between the presence and absence of the foil adhesion layer Lp. The inside of boundary B2 (the colored portion) corresponds to the area where the foil adhesion layer Lp will be formed. The created foil adhesion layer image data is sent to the printing device 10, for example, by information communication via a network.

[0037] 5 and 6, the portions indicated by the thick lines are in the same position. In this embodiment, at least a portion of the boundary B1 is aligned with the boundary B2. As a result, when the manufactured plate-like decorative object Z is viewed from the front, the contours of the colored layer Lc and the foil layer Lf perfectly overlap, making it appear as if colored foil has been used, resulting in a plate-like decorative object Z with excellent design.

[0038] However, in this case, if even a slight misalignment occurs in the formation (printing) of the colored layer Lc or the foil-attached layer Lp at the portions of the boundaries B1 and B2 that are to be aligned, there is a risk that the resulting misalignment between the edges of the colored layer Lc and the foil layer Lf will be noticeable in the manufactured plate-like decorative object Z. However, in this embodiment, the colored layer formation process (step S4) and the foil-attached layer formation process (step S5) are performed consecutively using the same printing device 10, so such misalignment is minimized. This point will be explained in more detail later.

[0039] The operator then sets the plate material Bs in the printing device 10 (plate material setting unit 11) (step S3), which enables the printing device 10 to print on the plate material Bs (form the colored layer Lc and the foil-attached layer Lp).

[0040] After the plate-shaped material Bs is set, the printing device 10 performs a process of forming the colored layer Lc based on the colored layer image data (colored layer formation process) (step S4). More specifically, in the printing device 10, ink for forming the colored layer is supplied from the colored layer forming ink holding unit 12a to the head unit 13, and the content of the colored layer image data is printed on the plate-shaped material Bs using this ink.

[0041] Next, the printing device 10 performs a process of forming the foil adhesion layer Lp based on the foil adhesion layer image data (foil adhesion layer forming process) (step S5). More specifically, in the printing device 10, the foil adhesion layer forming ink is supplied from the foil adhesion layer forming ink retaining unit 12b to the head unit 13, and the contents of the foil adhesion layer image data are printed on the plate-shaped material Bs using this ink.

[0042] The colored layer formation process (step S4) and the foil attachment layer formation process (step S5) are performed automatically and continuously by the same printing device 10. For example, the printing device 10 performs the colored layer formation process while moving the plate-shaped material Bs forward (in the sub-scanning direction), and when this is complete, performs the foil attachment layer formation process while moving the plate-shaped material Bs backward (in the sub-scanning direction) from that position. Note that the printing device 10 may also perform the colored layer formation process while moving the plate-shaped material Bs forward (in the sub-scanning direction), and when this is complete, perform the foil attachment layer formation process while moving the plate-shaped material Bs forward (in the sub-scanning direction) and then move the plate-shaped material Bs backward from that position to return it to its original position, and then perform the foil attachment layer formation process while moving the plate-shaped material Bs forward (in the sub-scanning direction).

[0043] Next, a process (foil adhesion process) is performed to adhere foil to the area of ​​the plate material Bs where the foil adhesion layer Lp has been formed (step S6). This foil adhesion process involves placing a foil film on the back side of the plate material Bs after the foil adhesion layer formation process has been performed, and pressing the foil film from above with a rotating roller to adhere the foil to the area where the foil adhesion layer Lp has been formed.

[0044] More specifically, the edge of the foil film FS is temporarily secured near the edge of the sheet material Bs with double-sided tape or the like, and as illustrated in Fig. 7, the foil film FS is pulled to the opposite side and the sheet material Bs is inserted under the roller RL of the laminator, starting from the temporarily secured portion, as shown in Fig. 7. As the sheet material Bs is conveyed to the left in Fig. 7, the roller RL presses the entire foil film FS toward the sheet material Bs, causing the foil to adhere to the area of ​​the sheet material Bs where the foil adhesion layer Lp is formed, and this foil becomes the foil layer Lf. Then, as illustrated in Fig. 8, when the foil film FS is peeled off, the foil (foil layer Lf) remains only in the area where the foil adhesion layer Lp was formed, and the unnecessary foil film FS is removed.

[0045] After the foil attachment process, the necessary finishing process is carried out to finish the plate-like decoration Z (step S7). In this embodiment, one of the finishing processes is a process for providing a cover layer Lx to protect the back side of the plate-like decoration Z. If the plate-like decoration Z does not have a cover layer Lx, this process is omitted.

[0046] As described above, the printing device 10 is a device that performs printing by scanning the head unit 13, which applies ink based on image data, onto the set plate-shaped material Bs. The colored layer forming process (step S4) and the foil-attached layer forming process (step S5) are processes that are performed consecutively by the printing device 10.

[0047] The colored layer forming process (step S4) is a process in which the head unit 13 applies ink for forming a colored layer to the plate-shaped material Bs set in the printing device 10 based on image data for forming a colored layer, and the foil attachment layer forming process (step S5) is a process in which the head unit 13 applies ink for forming a foil attachment layer to the plate-shaped material Bs that is still set in the printing device 10 based on image data for forming a foil attachment layer.

[0048] According to the plate material processing method of this embodiment, the colored layer formation process (step S4) and the foil adhesion layer formation process (step S5) are performed consecutively on the set plate material Bs using the same printing device 10, so the time required to set the plate material Bs in the next device can be reduced compared to when these processes are performed in separate devices, and plate-shaped decorative items Z can be manufactured in a short delivery time.

[0049] In this embodiment, the colored layer forming process (step S4) and the foil attachment layer forming process (step S5) are performed by a printing method in which the head unit 13 is scanned based on image data. Therefore, compared to when one or both of these processes are performed by silk screen printing or the like, various designs can be accommodated simply by changing the image data, and small-lot production can also be easily accommodated.

[0050] If the colored layer forming process (step S4) and the foil attachment layer forming process (step S5) were performed in separate devices, there would be slight variations in the position where the plate material Bs is set in each device, and there would be slight differences in the characteristics and operation of the head unit 13 between the devices. As a result, there is a risk that the accuracy of the relative positional relationship between the colored layer Lc area and the foil attachment layer Lp area as viewed from the front side will not be sufficiently ensured, which could impair the design.

[0051] In this embodiment, the colored layer forming process (step S4) and the foil-attached layer forming process (step S5) are performed consecutively on the set plate-shaped material Bs using the same printing device 10, so that the accuracy of the relative positional relationship between the colored layer Lc area and the foil-attached layer Lp area as viewed from the front side is sufficiently ensured. In particular, with regard to the portions that are intended to be aligned at the aforementioned boundaries B1 and B2, if even the slightest misalignment occurs in the formation (printing) of the colored layer Lc or the foil-attached layer Lp, the resulting misalignment between the edges of the colored layer Lc and the foil layer Lf in the manufactured plate-shaped decorative object Z would be noticeable, potentially damaging the design. However, in this embodiment, the accuracy of the positional relationship is sufficiently ensured, so such problems are minimized.

[0052] As described above, the method for processing plate-shaped material according to this embodiment includes a colored layer formation process (step S4) for forming a translucent colored layer Lc on the back side of the translucent plate-shaped material Bs, a foil adhesion layer formation process (step S5) for forming a foil adhesion layer Lp on the back side of the plate-shaped material Bs that has been subjected to the colored layer formation process, and a foil adhesion process (step S6) for adhering foil to the area on the back side of the plate-shaped material Bs that has been subjected to the foil adhesion layer formation process where the foil adhesion layer Lp has been formed, and is a method for processing plate-shaped material Bs so that the foil is visible through the plate-shaped material Bs and the colored layer Lc when viewed from the front side.

[0053] Furthermore, in the plate material processing method according to this embodiment, the colored layer forming process and the foil-attached layer forming process are performed consecutively by the same printing device 10, which scans the head unit 13 that applies ink to the set plate material Bs to perform printing. The colored layer forming process is a process in which the head unit 13 applies ink for forming a colored layer to the plate material Bs set in the printing device 10 to form a colored layer Lc, and the foil-attached layer forming process is a process in which the head unit 13 applies ink for forming a foil-attached layer to the plate material Bs while it is still set in the printing device 10 to form a foil-attached layer Lp. Therefore, according to the plate material processing method according to this embodiment, the product (plate-shaped decorative object Z) can be manufactured in a short delivery time while minimizing loss of design, and small-lot production is easily accommodated.

[0054] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the configuration of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. In other words, the above embodiments are illustrative in all respects and should be considered not to be limiting. The technical scope of the present invention is defined not by the description of the above embodiments but by the scope of the utility model registration claims, and should be understood to include all modifications that fall within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the utility model registration claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0055] The present invention can be used in a method for processing plate-shaped materials using a printing device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 10 Printing device 11 Plate material setting section 12 Ink supply unit 12a: Ink holding portion for forming colored layer 12b Ink holding portion for forming foil adhesion layer 13 Head 14 Control Unit B1 Boundary between the presence and absence of colored layer B2 Boundary between foil adhesion layer and non-adhesion layer Bs plate material FS foil film Lc colored layer Lf foil layer Lp foil adhesion layer Lx cover layer RL Roller Z Plate-shaped decoration

Claims

1. A plate-like decorative object formed using a transparent or translucent plate-like material and having a plurality of areas that are different in appearance from the front side, The plurality of regions are: The plate-like decorative object is characterized by including a first region in which, from the front side, at least the plate-like material, a colored layer which is a highly transparent colored layer, and a foil layer formed of foil are laminated.

2. 2. The plate-like decoration according to claim 1, wherein the first region is a region in which the plate-like material, the colored layer, the foil layer, and the cover layer are laminated in this order from the front side, The cover layer is made of a material that is almost opaque to light and serves to protect the back side of the plate-like decoration.

3. The plurality of regions are:

3. The plate-like decoration according to claim 2, further comprising a second region in which the plate-like material and the cover layer are laminated in this order from the front side.

4. The plurality of regions are:

3. The plate-like decoration according to claim 2, further comprising a third region in which the plate-like material, the colored layer, and the cover layer are laminated in this order from the front side.

5. The plurality of regions are:

3. The plate-like decoration according to claim 2, further comprising a fourth region in which the plate-like material, the foil layer, and the cover layer are laminated in this order from the front side.

6. The plurality of regions are: a second region in which the plate-shaped material and the cover layer are laminated, in this order from the front side; a third region in which the plate-shaped material, the colored layer, and the cover layer are laminated in this order from the front side; 3. The plate-like decoration according to claim 2, further comprising a fourth region in which the plate-like material, the foil layer, and the cover layer are laminated in this order from the front side.

7. 7. The plate-like decoration according to claim 1, wherein the plate-like material is a transparent acrylic plate.

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