Jigsaw puzzle creation set

Abstract

Provided is an improved method for performing post-printing and transfer on a cut jigsaw puzzle (P), the method comprising the steps of: preparing a water transfer paper (T) having a transfer layer (i) on a water-permeable support (s) via a release layer (r); printing an image (g) on the transfer layer (i) by means of a printer; disposing the water transfer paper (T) onto the surface of a cut jigsaw puzzle (P) in a state where the printed image (g) faces the surface of the cut jigsaw puzzle (P); supplying water onto the back surface of the support (s) of the water transfer paper (T); pressing the water transfer paper (T) toward the surface of the cut jigsaw puzzle (P); and transferring the printed image (g) onto the surface of the cut jigsaw puzzle (P) by peeling the support (s) from the cut jigsaw puzzle (P) at the position of the release layer (r) after the elapse of a predetermined time.　The transfer layer (i) is formed with an easily breakable material, a water-containing elastic sheet (W) that has absorbed an amount of water sufficient for forming a "pseudo-underwater environment" is disposed on the water transfer paper (T), and a pressing force is applied to the water-containing elastic sheet (W) to supply water to the water transfer paper (T).

Description

Jigsaw puzzle creation set

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for creating a private jigsaw puzzle by transferring an image, such as a photograph, printed on a water transfer sheet using a home printer onto a blank, pre-cut jigsaw puzzle, and a jigsaw puzzle creation set for use in the method.

[0002] On-demand jigsaw puzzle production methods have long been known, in which private images such as photographs and design drawings are printed onto blank jigsaw puzzle substrates using a home printer such as an inkjet printer. There are two methods for producing on-demand jigsaw puzzles: a "pre-printing method," in which the image is first printed onto the blank jigsaw puzzle substrate and then the jigsaw puzzle substrate is cut into individual pieces, and a "post-printing method," in which the jigsaw puzzle substrate is first cut into individual pieces and then printing is performed on the cut jigsaw puzzle substrates.

[0003] In the "pre-printing method," an image is printed directly onto the jigsaw puzzle substrate, or high-quality paper with an image printed on it is attached to the jigsaw puzzle substrate, and then the jigsaw puzzle substrate is cut into individual pieces using a cutter. This allows for high-quality image printing and the creation of high-quality jigsaw puzzles. Many on-demand jigsaw puzzles are made using this method. However, this pre-printing method requires a dedicated cutting machine equipped with a Thomson blade for the cutting operation, such as a press machine with a capacity of several tens of tons, making the "pre-printing method" inaccessible to the general public.

[0004] The "post-printing method" is a method of printing an image onto a blank jigsaw puzzle substrate (hereinafter referred to as "cut jigsaw puzzle P") that has already been cut. It has long been known and many patents have been issued for this method because it can be performed with a home inkjet printer. However, while the maximum thickness of cardboard that can be printed with a home printer is approximately 0.3 mm, the thickness of cut jigsaw puzzles P is generally 0.5 mm to several mm. Therefore, it is not possible to print directly onto cut jigsaw puzzles P with a home printer. For this reason, the post-printing methods described in Patent Document 1 (JP Patent Publication No. 10-137441) and Patent Document 2 (JP Patent No. 5271323) use a dedicated printing machine to inkjet print onto the surface of the cut substrate. However, these methods require a dedicated printing machine and cannot be used at home.

[0005] For this reason, the "transfer method" is widely used as a "post-printing method." In this "transfer method," an image is printed on transfer paper, and the resulting printed image is transferred onto the cut jigsaw puzzle P. "Transfer methods" include wet and dry methods, such as slide transfer and iron transfer, and are widely used in the fields of decals, tattoos, and printing on ceramics and industrial products. In the field of jigsaw puzzles, a "post-printing method" using "water transfer paper" that is suitable for ordinary people to use at home is well known.

[0006] For example, in the "post-printing method" using "water transfer paper" described in [Patent Document 3] (JP 2011-101753 A) and [Patent Document 4] (JP 2018202815 A), a pattern attachment paper having, in order, a water-absorbent support, a water-soluble layer, a transparent thin-film resin coating layer, and an image-carrying layer on which a reversed pattern is formed, is attached to the surface of the puzzle piece, the support of the pattern attachment paper is peeled off, the water-soluble substance of the water-soluble layer remaining in the thin-film resin coating layer is removed, and the thin-film resin coating layer is heated and pressed while attached to the surface of the puzzle piece so that it penetrates into the cut groove recesses.

[0007] However, in the methods described in Patent Documents 3 and 4, after transfer, it is necessary to "cut only the thin film resin coating layer and the image bearing layer with a knife along the recessed cut grooves of the jigsaw puzzle to separate them into individual picture puzzle pieces" (see

[0041] and [Fig. 29] in Patent Document 4). However, when a knife is used, the cuts become uneven, making it difficult to separate the pieces neatly, and it is difficult for the average person to make a neat jigsaw puzzle.

[0008] Furthermore, since most commercially available water transfer papers are used for applications such as ceramics, industrial products, tattoos, and overhead projectors, they contain a film layer (continuous film) of PET or PE to prevent distortion of the transferred image, etc. Therefore, when using commercially available water transfer papers for jigsaw puzzles, it is necessary to cut the continuous film with a knife, as described in Patent Documents 3 and 4.

[0009] That is, the basic problem / disadvantage (1) when combining the "post-printing method" and the "water transfer method" is that the thin resin coating layer containing the printed image and the image-bearing layer remain as a continuous thin film, which requires cutting.

[0010] Furthermore, the "water transfer method" also has another problem / disadvantage (2) in that it is difficult to transfer an image cleanly. That is, the transfer layer is extremely thin and weak, making it difficult to peel the transfer film from the support. When peeling the transfer film from the support layer, the transferred image may become distorted, parts of the transfer film may break, or air bubbles may get trapped in the transfer film, making it difficult to transfer the image evenly.

[0011] The method combining the "post-printing method" and the "transfer method" has not been put to practical use due to the above-mentioned problems / disadvantages (1) and (2). The inventors of the present invention have conducted repeated experiments to solve the above-mentioned problems / disadvantages, and have confirmed that these problems / disadvantages can be overcome, thereby completing the present invention.

[0012] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-137441 Japanese Patent No. 5271323 Specification Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-101753 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018202815 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 201713234

[0013] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a method for making a private jigsaw puzzle that overcomes the above-mentioned problems / disadvantages (1) and (2) of the conventional method, allowing anyone to easily make a private jigsaw puzzle. From another perspective, the present invention aims to enable the cutting of printed images when combining "post-printing" and "water transfer" methods to be done by hand, without using a cutter. A further problem to be solved by the present invention is to facilitate and ensure the peeling of the transfer film from the support, thereby obtaining a uniform transferred image without distortion or breakage. The present invention provides a method that allows the general public to easily transfer private images, such as photographs or design drawings printed using a home inkjet printer, onto a cut jigsaw puzzle using the water transfer method, and a jigsaw puzzle making set for carrying out this method.

[0014] In the following description, reference symbols are given in parentheses ( ) after components, but these reference symbols are used to facilitate understanding of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention to a specific structure.

[0015] The first object of the present invention is a method for post-printing on cut jigsaw puzzles (P), comprising the steps of preparing water transfer paper (T) having a transfer layer (i) on a water-permeable support (s) via a release layer (r), printing an image (g) on ​​the transfer layer (i) using a printer, placing the water transfer paper (T) on the surface of the cut jigsaw puzzle (P) with the printed image (g) facing the surface of the cut jigsaw puzzle (P), supplying water onto the back surface of the support (s) of the water transfer paper (T), pressing the water transfer paper (T) against the surface of the cut jigsaw puzzle (P), and peeling the support (s) from the cut jigsaw puzzle (P) at the release layer (r) after a predetermined time has passed, thereby transferring the printed image (g) onto the surface of the cut jigsaw puzzle (P), The method is characterized in that the transfer layer (i) is formed from an easily breakable material, a water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) that has absorbed a sufficient amount of water to create a "pseudo underwater environment" is placed on the water transfer paper (T), and a pressing force is applied to supply water to the water transfer paper (T).

[0016] The second object of the present invention is a jigsaw puzzle making set comprising a blank, pre-cut jigsaw puzzle (P) obtained by cutting a single base material into the shape of individual pieces, and water transfer paper (T) having a transfer layer (i) on a water-permeable support (s) via a release layer (r), wherein the transfer layer (i) is made of an easily breakable material and further comprises a water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) that can create a "pseudo-underwater environment" when pressure is applied, thereby supplying a necessary and sufficient amount of water to the water transfer paper (T).

[0017] A third object of the present invention is the use of water transfer paper (T) in the above-mentioned method, which has a transfer layer (i) made of an easily breakable material and does not contain a layer of a continuous film that cannot be broken / separated by hand and / or a material made of a continuous film that cannot be broken / separated by hand.

[0018] A fourth object of the present invention is a combination of a pre-cut jigsaw puzzle (P), a water transfer paper (T) having a transfer layer (i) made of an easily breakable material, and a water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) for supplying water to the water transfer paper (T), for use in the above method or the above jigsaw puzzle making set.

[0019] The phrase "the transfer layer is made of an easily breakable material" means that the film of the transferred image (transfer layer containing the image) obtained after drying is made of a material that can be easily broken and separated by hand. In other words, it means that "the film of the transferred image does not have a continuous film layer that cannot be easily broken and separated by hand" and / or "does not contain and / or form a material that will turn the transferred image film into a continuous film that cannot be broken and separated by hand during or after the transfer operation." The above-mentioned problem / disadvantage (1) of the conventional method can be solved by using an easily breakable material for the transfer layer (i).

[0020] In the fields of slide transfer and hydraulic transfer, where the transfer operation is performed underwater, the transfer of water transfer paper (T) is performed underwater. However, because paper jigsaw puzzle substrates become swollen in water and become unusable, underwater slide transfer methods cannot be applied to paper jigsaw puzzle substrates. The inventors have discovered that supplying a large amount of water to the water transfer paper is essential for clean and uniform transfer, and that the above-mentioned problem / disadvantage (2) can be solved by creating a "pseudo-underwater environment." Creating this "pseudo-underwater environment" means creating an underwater environment similar to that of slide transfer, i.e., an environment similar to that in which the water transfer paper (T) exists in water. In this invention, a water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) is used, and by applying pressure to it, an environment similar to that in slide transfer, i.e., a "pseudo-underwater environment," is created, supplying a necessary and sufficient amount of water to the transfer layer (i). This allows anyone to easily perform the transfer operation and transfer images cleanly.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plate (1) is used to apply pressure to a water-absorbent elastic sheet (W). This plate (1) can be part of a container (C) for supporting a cut jigsaw puzzle (P). The plate (1) can be made of any material, such as a plastic plate, a metal plate, or a wooden plate.

[0022] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cut jigsaw puzzle (P) has an ink-fixing layer (m) on its surface. This ink-fixing layer (m) is used to more reliably solve the above-mentioned problem / disadvantage (2). That is, during transfer, when the transfer layer (i) containing the image (g) is separated from the support (s) at the release layer (r) and transferred onto the surface of the cut jigsaw puzzle (P), the ink-fixing layer (m) ensures the transfer (transfer) of the transfer layer (i). In this case, it is preferable to select a material such that the adhesive strength between the ink-fixing layer (m) and the surface of the cut jigsaw puzzle (P) is greater than the adhesive strength between the transfer layer (i) and the release layer (r).

[0023]

[0023] Figure 1 shows a jigsaw puzzle making set for carrying out the method of the present invention, (i) a conceptual perspective view of its configuration, and (ii) a conceptual cross-sectional view of its configuration.

[0024] Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram of steps (1) to (8) of carrying out the method of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 3 is an explanatory diagram of a preferred embodiment of the jigsaw puzzle making set of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 4 shows two examples of pre-cut jigsaw puzzles (P) preferably used in the present invention, (a) showing a "lightweight laminate jigsaw puzzle" and (b) showing a "transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle."

[0027] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of manually (H) breaking and separating the semi-finished product (SP) obtained using the jigsaw puzzle making set of the present invention.

[0024] The present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the dimensions of the components in each drawing are enlarged or reduced for the purpose of explanation, and the relative dimensions differ from the actual dimensions.

[0025] As shown in (i) of Figure 1, the jigsaw puzzle making set used in the method of the present invention includes a pre-cut jigsaw puzzle (P), water transfer paper (T), and a water-absorbent elastic sheet (W). As shown in the cross-sectional view of (ii), the water transfer paper (T) has a transfer layer (i) on a water-permeable support (s) via a water-permeable release layer (r). This figure shows a state in which an image (g) has already been printed on the transfer layer (i). In the present invention, it is necessary that the transfer layer (i) be made of an easily breakable material.

[0026] [Figure 2] is an explanatory diagram of steps (1) to (8) of the method of the present invention. In the first step (1) of [Figure 2], the image (g') to be printed, such as a photographic image, is imported into a computer (PC) and edited to the same dimensions as the cut jigsaw puzzle (P). At this time, especially in the case of an image containing text, the printed image can be flipped horizontally to ensure that the final image (g) is oriented in the same direction as the original image (g').

[0027] In step (2) of FIG. 2, a printer (Q) is used to print an image edited on a computer (PC) onto water transfer paper (T). The printer (Q) can be, for example, a home inkjet printer. The ink used can be pigment-based or dye-based. Other printing devices, such as xerography, laser printing, gravure printing, and offset printing, can also be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0028] The diagram shown on the lower right side of step (2) is a cross-sectional structure of water transfer paper (T) having an image (g) printed by a printer (Q), and the printed water transfer paper (T) has a transfer layer (i) on a water-permeable support (s) via a water-permeable release layer (r), and the image (g) is printed on the transfer layer (i). In the present invention, it is necessary that the transfer layer (i) is made of an easily breakable material.

[0029] In step (3) of Figure 2, the printed water transfer paper (T) is placed on top of the cut jigsaw puzzle (P) with the image (g) facing the upper surface of the jigsaw puzzle (P), and then the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) is placed on top of it to form an assembly of the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) / water transfer paper (T) / cut jigsaw puzzle (P). In this case, the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) is pre-absorbed with a necessary and sufficient amount of water, but the user does not need to measure the amount of water. The necessary and sufficient amount of water can be ensured by selecting the material and thickness of the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W). The necessary amount of water can be determined experimentally. The water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) is preferably a commercially available water-absorbent material, such as a dehydrating sheet, water-absorbent cloth, water-absorbent mat, drying mat, kitchen cloth, cellulose sponge, water-absorbent sponge, or water-absorbing sponge.

[0030] In step (4) of Figure 2, pressure (arrow) is applied to the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) to compress the assembly of the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W), water transfer paper (T), and cut jigsaw puzzle (P). A sufficient amount of water is supplied from the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) to the water transfer paper (T), creating a "simulated underwater environment." This pressure is maintained for a certain period of time, e.g., 30 seconds to 3 minutes. Preferably, a flat plate (1) is placed on the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) to maintain uniform pressure. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention (see Figure 3), the container (C) is composed of two plastic plates (1, 2), and the assembly is sandwiched and pressed between the two plastic plates (1, 2). A water-absorbent material (not shown) can be placed under the cut jigsaw puzzle (P) to absorb excess water (d) squeezed out of the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W).

[0031] In step (5) of Figure 2, after the predetermined pressing time has elapsed, the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) is removed. The water transfer paper (T) is attached to the surface of the cut jigsaw puzzle (P) while containing a sufficient amount of water, and the transfer layer (i) is completely adhered (transferred) to the cut jigsaw puzzle (P).

[0032] Step (6) in Figure 2 is a step in which the support (s) is slowly peeled off (separated) using the fingers of the hand (H). The edge of the support (s) of the water transfer paper (T) after the water transfer process is pinched with the fingers and slowly peeled off from the transfer layer (i) of the water transfer paper (T). This separates the transfer layer (i) containing the image (g) from the support (s) at the peeling layer (r) and transfers it onto the surface of the cut jigsaw puzzle (P). This step (6) must be carried out carefully so as not to tear the transfer layer (i) when peeling off the support (s). However, in the present invention, a necessary and sufficient amount of water is supplied to the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) and pressed firmly onto the transfer layer (i), ensuring reliable transfer. This allows the transfer layer (i) to be peeled off evenly and easily from the support (s).

[0033] After the peeling operation, the transfer layer (i) is left in this state until it dries. Usually, it takes about 1 to 5 minutes, but it is generally left for 30 minutes to several hours until it dries completely.

[0034] Step (7) in Figure 2 shows the semi-finished product (SP) obtained after drying, with the upper left figure showing a front view of the semi-finished product (SP) and the lower right figure showing a cross-sectional view. In this semi-finished product (SP), the transfer layer (i) containing the image (g) has been transferred onto the surface of the cut jigsaw puzzle (P). In this dried semi-finished product (SP), the transfer layer (i) still forms a continuous layer.

[0035] Step (8) in Figure 2 is a conceptual diagram of the operation of dividing the dried semi-finished product (SP) into individual pieces, i.e., the operation of separating the continuous transfer layer (i). In this step (8), adjacent pieces can be separated into individual pieces by essentially bending and moving them up and down. In practice, the transfer layer (i) adhered to the surface is broken by manually bending adjacent pieces (a, b) toward each other (see the diagram at the bottom right). Since the thickness of the transfer layer (i) is typically about 1 to 15 μm, the transfer layer (i) naturally breaks between adjacent pieces during this separation operation. Each piece can be easily broken by gently bending it with your fingers, and the broken surface is not noticeable. This is made possible by the method of the present invention, in which the transfer layer (i) is made of an easily breakable material. Step (8) is generally performed after the transfer layer (i) has dried, but it can also be performed before or during drying, without waiting for complete drying.

[0036] [Figure 3] is an explanatory diagram of a preferred embodiment of the jigsaw puzzle making set of the present invention. [Figure 3] (i) is a conceptual perspective view showing a pre-cut jigsaw puzzle (P) set (contained) in a container (C) preferably used in the present invention. In this embodiment, the container (C) consists of two hinged transparent plastic plates (1, 2). The pre-cut jigsaw puzzle (P) is contained within a frame (F) fixed to the lower plate (2) of the container (C). A decorative surface frame (FF) is also fixed to the front side of the upper plate (1) of the container (C). In the (i) state, the blank pre-cut jigsaw puzzle (P) can also be played as a "white puzzle."

[0037] In (ii) of Figure 3, the water transfer paper (T) with the desired image (g) printed on it is placed on the cut jigsaw puzzle (P) with the printed image (g) facing the cut jigsaw puzzle (P). The printed image (g) generally dries within 1 to 5 minutes after printing, so it is preferable to perform the operation (ii) after the printed image (g) has sufficiently dried.

[0038] Next, the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) is allowed to absorb a sufficient amount of water to create a "pseudo-underwater environment," and then the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) is placed on the water transfer paper (T). (ii) of Figure 3 shows the state in which the water transfer paper (T) and the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) are placed in this order on the cut jigsaw puzzle (P) contained in the container (C).

[0039] (iii) of Figure 3 is a conceptual cross-sectional view of the upper plate (1) of the container (C) being closed after step (ii). In (iv) of Figure 3, the pressure indicated by the arrows is applied to compress the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) between the two plates (1, 2) of the container (C). This forces out the water absorbed by the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W), supplying it to the transfer layer (i) through the water-permeable support (s) and release layer (r) of the water transfer paper (T). In this invention, this state is referred to as a "pseudo-aquatic environment." The amount of water supplied at this time is greater than the amount of water supplied to the water transfer paper (T) during slide transfer.

[0040] The assembly of the cut jigsaw puzzle (P), water transfer paper (T), and water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) is placed between the two plates (1, 2) of the container (C), making the container (C) portable to any location. Therefore, pressing and compressing can be performed simply by placing the container (C) containing the assembly under a pressing means, i.e., a weight, such as a thick book (e.g., an encyclopedia), furniture (e.g., a chair), a vase, or tableware; no dedicated pressing means is required. This pressing and compressing operation usually requires approximately one minute. Most of the supplied water is absorbed by the support (s), transfer layer (i), and cut jigsaw puzzle (P), while excess water (d) is pushed out from the outer periphery of the water transfer paper (T) and retained on the lower plate (2) of the container (C), with some being absorbed by the frame (F).

[0041] In (v) of Figure 3, after the pressing and compressing operation is completed, the support (s) is slowly peeled off using the fingers of the hand (H) to separate the transfer layer (i) containing the image (g) from the support (s) at the peel layer (r).Then, the transfer layer (i) is dried.

[0042] Finally, as shown in (vi) of FIG. 3, the semi-finished product (SP) obtained after drying is broken and separated by hand (H).

[0043] [Figure 4] shows two examples of pre-cut jigsaw puzzles (P) preferably used in the present invention, (a) being a "lightweight laminate jigsaw puzzle" and (b) being a "transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle".

[0044] "Lightweight Laminate Jigsaw Puzzle" The "lightweight laminate jigsaw puzzle" of embodiment (a) has a core (10) made of a foam material and / or an elastic material, and at least one surface layer (11, 12), preferably two, front and back, layers, adhered to at least one side of the core layer (10). The surface layers (11, 12) are generally paper layers and can be any paper suitable for printing, such as fine paper, gravure paper, Kent paper, or Japanese paper. It is preferable to form an ink-fixing layer (m) on the surface layers (11, 12). Making jigsaw puzzles from foam has been known for a long time, and the following documents can be referenced: Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 62-1686, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004507335, and Japanese Patent Publication No. 2224776.

[0045] The cut jigsaw puzzle (P) used in the present invention can be made by cutting the lightweight laminate with a Thomson blade. A cutting machine or a laser cutting machine can also be used for the cutting operation. Each piece (p) of the cut jigsaw puzzle (P) is separated from the others by a cutting line (13). When cutting with a Thomson blade, as shown in the enlarged partial cross-sectional view of Figure 4(a), a recess (14) is formed on the side where the Thomson blade is inserted at the cut between the pieces at the cutting line (13), and the opposite side is flat (15) or has a protruding edge that protrudes slightly from the surface. Different images can be formed (transferred) on both the front and back surfaces (11, 12).

[0046] The core layer (10) is made of a low-expansion polyethylene (PE) foam or elastomer with an expansion ratio of approximately 1 to 3. This foam or elastomer allows the cut jigsaw puzzle (P) to be lifted by hand without falling apart after cutting. The foam or elastomer can be polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyurethane (PU), EVA, PET, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or EPDM foam, or silicone rubber, or a cellulose material foam. The foam can be soft or hard, or an elastic foam. A polystyrene (PS) foam core, such as so-called "styrene paper," is lightweight but lacks the strength to hold adjacent pieces together. In contrast, a low-expansion polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) foam core has a heavy feel and excellent strength to hold adjacent pieces together. An elastic foam, such as EVA foam, is lightweight but has poor strength to hold adjacent pieces together.

[0047] The use of a foam core layer (10) significantly reduces the weight of the jigsaw puzzle. If a certain weight or fit is required for the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle, it is preferable to adjust the foam material and expansion ratio, add additive materials such as fillers or rubber elastomers, or laminate additional layers containing these materials. Furthermore, by using a foamed cellulose material for the foam core, all layers (10, 11, 12) of the lightweight laminate can be made from renewable materials such as cellulose, resulting in a green jigsaw puzzle product.

[0048] "Transparent Plastic Jigsaw Puzzle" The "transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle" shown in Figure 4(b) is described in Patent No. 7283753 by Masahide Kanda and has the advantage that it can be hung by hand. This transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle is composed of (i) a jigsaw puzzle main body layer (100) made of a transparent plastic sheet, (ii) transparent surface layers (111, 112) made of transparent biaxially oriented polypropylene (OPP) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) arranged on the upper and / or lower sides of the jigsaw puzzle main body layer (100), and (iii) thermal lamination intermediate layers (113) made of unoriented polypropylene (CPP) or low-density polyethylene (LDPE) arranged between the jigsaw puzzle main body layer (100) and each transparent surface layer (111, 112). For details of this transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle, please refer to the above patent.

[0049] [Figure 5] is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the breaking and separating operation of the semi-finished product (SP). In the present invention, since the transfer layer (i) of the semi-finished product (SP) is made of a breakable material, the breaking and separating operation can be easily performed by hand (H) from any point on the semi-finished product (SP). [Figure 5] (1) shows an example of the case where the semi-finished product (SP) is first separated into two parts a and b by hand (H). [Figure 5] (2) shows the state in which the two parts a and b are folded vertically toward each other, and [Figure 5] (3) shows the state in which the two parts a and b are separated. The operations (2) and (3) can be easily performed by repeatedly folding the two parts a and b vertically toward each other several times.

[0050] (4) and (5) in FIG. 5 show the case where the above operation is repeated to separate part b into parts a and b. (6) and (7) in FIG. 5 show the case where the above operation is repeated to separate part b2 into two parts b21 and b22 and then further separate them. By repeating the same operation, the entire semi-finished product (SP) is separated. In the present invention, since the transfer layer (i) is made of an easily breakable material, this operation is easy, and the transfer layer (i) is broken cleanly at the cutting lines of each piece.

[0051] At the time of separation operation, each separated piece can be put back into its original position to form a jigsaw puzzle with the original image (g), which can be exhibited, given away, or preserved, or the pieces can be taken apart at the same time as the separation operation and played with immediately as a jigsaw puzzle.

[0052] The components of the present invention will be described in more detail below. Water transfer paper (T) "Water transfer paper (T)" basically has the layer structure shown in the cross section of (ii) in Figure 1, and has a transfer layer (i) including an ink-receiving layer on a support (s) via a release layer (r) (this figure also shows the ink image (g) formed in the printing process). When water is supplied to the water transfer paper (T) and a pressing force is applied, the transfer layer (i) including the ink-receiving layer is separated from the support (s) at the release layer (r) and transferred onto the cut jigsaw puzzle (P).

[0053] The structure of the water transfer paper (T) itself is well known, and there are many patents regarding its structure and composition, and the following patent documents can be referred to, for example: JP-A-3-227700, JP-A-3842835, JP-A-1159092, JP-A-1178389, and JP-A-6074563.

[0054] The structure of the water transfer paper (T) is not the subject of this invention, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted. For the purposes of this specification, it is sufficient to understand that a water transfer sheet is essentially a structure having a transfer layer (i) including an ink-receiving layer on a water-permeable support (s) via a release layer (r). The "transfer layer (i)" is a layer used to support a reverse-printed image and transfer that image to the cut jigsaw puzzle (P). It is generally a transparent layer formed on the water-permeable support (s) via a release layer (r). The transfer layer (i) generally consists of multiple layers, including the ink-receiving layer. The materials of each layer of the transfer layer (i) or ink-receiving layer can also be the same material but with different properties (such as molecular weight or type). In this specification, the terms "transfer layer" and "ink-receiving layer" are not strictly separated. In the following description, the ink-receiving layer may be simply referred to as "transfer layer (i)."

[0055] The support (s) of the water transfer paper (T) can be made from a sheet of a water-permeable material, such as paper or cellulose. The support (s) must be permeable enough that water supplied to its surface can pass through the support (s) and reach the release layer (r) on the back. It must also be water-resistant, so that it maintains its shape without dissolving, disintegrating, or tearing even when it absorbs water; excellent dimensional stability upon absorption is preferred. Paper with a basis weight of 50 to 150 g / m2 can be used as a material that meets these requirements. Paper containing a wet-strengthening agent such as polyimide epoxy is useful. In addition to ordinary pulp paper, synthetic paper or synthetic resin sheets with similar functions can also be used.

[0056] A release layer (r) is formed on the support (s) by a conventional release treatment. The material used for the release treatment is selected from silicone, polypropylene, polyester, etc., depending on the material and properties of the transfer layer (i). It is preferable to apply a sealing treatment to the surface of the support (s) to be subjected to the release treatment. The sealing treatment makes it difficult for the liquid release material to penetrate into the substrate layer, allowing for an appropriate release treatment to be applied to the surface of the support (s). The sealing material is preferably a material that blocks the penetration of the liquid release material without inhibiting the water permeability of the support (s), and calcium carbonate, kaolin, clay, etc. can be used. The "release layer (r)" is a layer whose adhesive strength weakens upon contact with water, and can also contain water-soluble adhesive materials such as starch, CMC, water-soluble olefin resin, polyvinyl alcohol, glue, dextrin, water-soluble urethane, and water-retaining agents. The coating amount is generally 5 to 50 g / m. 2 (wet state).

[0057] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support (s) comprises a sheet of a water-permeable material, for example, a sheet of paper, cellulose or nonwoven fabric, the release layer (r) comprises a water-soluble polymer, for example, polyvinyl alcohol, glue, dextrin or water-soluble urethane, and the ink-receiving layer is a material selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid or its esters, salts and copolymers thereof, polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate and its copolymers, polyvinyl acetate copolymers, starches, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol and cellulose derivatives.

[0058] The ink-receiving layer of the transfer layer (i) is the layer on which the printed image is formed and functions to absorb, retain, and fix the printed ink image (g). Since the ink-receiving layer covers the printed image after transfer, it must be transparent. Furthermore, the ink-receiving layer must develop adhesive and tackiness upon contact with water, thereby fixing the printed ink image (g) to the cut jigsaw puzzle (P). However, careful consideration is required when selecting the material for the ink-receiving layer, as adhesive and tackiness may develop in the printing press, causing the water transfer paper to adhere to the press and resulting in printing problems. This ink-receiving layer typically contains a water-soluble polymer selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid or its esters, salts and copolymers thereof, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate and its copolymers, starches, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, and cellulose derivatives. As long as the transparency of the ink-receiving layer is not impaired, ink-absorbing components such as finely divided silica, aluminum oxide, and calcium carbonate may also be added. Furthermore, various additives may be added to prevent bleeding, improve fixability, block resistance, abrasion resistance, and the like.

[0059] The transfer layer (i) or the ink-receiving layer can also be formed by applying and drying an emulsion of polyolefin, which may further contain other components as needed, such as urethane resin, silicone resin, vinyl acetate resin, or ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin, as well as fillers or treatment agents such as silica, and additives such as surfactants.

[0060] Additives commonly used in transfer paper, such as tackifiers, waxes, plasticizers, fillers, dye fixing agents, pigment dispersants, thickeners, flow improvers, antifoaming agents, foam suppressors, penetrating agents, antioxidants, preservatives, etc., may also be added to the ink-receiving layer (i). The thickness of the ink-receiving layer (i) is generally 15 to 100 g / m 2 (in a wet state), it is usually about 1 to 15 μm, preferably about 3 to 10 μm. The release layer (r) and the transfer layer (i) or the ink receiving layer can also be made of the same material but with different properties.

[0061] In either case, in the present invention, the transfer layer (i) must be made of an easily breakable material, and the transfer layer (i) or the ink receiving layer must not contain a material that forms a strong protective film that cannot be broken. Such water transfer paper can be found among commercially available products. Examples of water transfer paper having a transfer layer (i) made of an easily breakable material that can be used in the present invention include "Water Transfer Paper" from Ishikawa Washi Co., Ltd. and "Water Transfer Sheet for Inkjet Paper Decoration" from Plus Co., Ltd.

[0062] Pre-Cut Jigsaw Puzzle (P) "Pre-Cut Jigsaw Puzzle (P)" refers to a blank jigsaw puzzle sheet (unbroken) obtained by cutting a single sheet of substrate into individual pieces. Cutting methods are typically performed using a press equipped with a Thomson blade, a cutting machine, or a laser cutting machine. Typical paper jigsaw puzzles are made by shearing cardboard into individual pieces using a press equipped with a Thomson blade. Cutting machines or laser cutting machines are suitable for producing small quantities of custom jigsaw puzzles according to customer requests, as they can easily and quickly produce pieces with shapes that are difficult to cut with a Thomson blade, such as hearts, stars, and circles.

[0063] The substrate of the "pre-cut jigsaw puzzle (P)" can be single-layered or multi-layered, and the substrate material is arbitrary. For example, it can be paper (e.g., cardboard), nonwoven fabric, fiber, wood, glass, metal, or plastic. As a single-layer jigsaw puzzle, a so-called "white jigsaw puzzle," i.e., a plain jigsaw puzzle, cut from cardboard with a Thomson blade can be used as the "pre-cut jigsaw puzzle (P)."

[0064] The surface layers (11, 12) of the cut jigsaw puzzle (P) made of the laminate of the embodiment shown in Figure 4(a) can be made of any material that has excellent transferability, and are generally made of paper, nonwoven fabric, or plastic sheets. The surface layers (11, 12) can be made of high-quality paper, such as glossy paper, coated paper, or gravure paper. By making the core layer (10) out of foam, the foam in the core absorbs water supplied to the paper surface layer, allowing the water transfer ink to dry more quickly. This also prevents the cut jigsaw puzzle (P) from absorbing water and becoming deformed.

[0065] The transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle of the embodiment shown in (b) of Figure 4 can be used as the "pre-cut jigsaw puzzle (P)". This transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle can be made of any transparent plastic material, such as acrylic resin, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene, vinyl chloride, ABS resin, etc. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the plain transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent No. 7283753 can be used as the transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle.

[0066] A blank "picture puzzle" (not shown) can also be used as the "cut jigsaw puzzle (P)". This picture puzzle is made by cutting and separating an upper base placed on a support board into each jigsaw puzzle piece and an outer frame, and is widely used as a jigsaw puzzle for children. Blank picture puzzles, also known as "white puzzles" (not shown), can also be used as the "cut jigsaw puzzle (P)" of the present invention. These jigsaw puzzles are made of paper and will be damaged by water, so the amount of water supplied from the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) must be carefully controlled.

[0067] There is no limit to the thickness of a jigsaw puzzle, but it is generally between 0.5 mm and 50 mm, typically between 0.5 and 20 mm. The number of pieces and the dimensions of each piece can be selected appropriately depending on the application. The jigsaw puzzle set of the present invention can be made in sizes printable with a home inkjet printer, such as postcard size, greeting card size, CD size, B5 size, A4 size, and even larger sizes. The method of the present invention can also be used to create jigsaw puzzles larger than B4 size, which cannot be printed with a home inkjet printer. To do so, a single image larger than B4 size or larger can be divided into multiple pieces using image software, and each divided unit image is printed on the corresponding portion of multiple cut jigsaw puzzles (P) arranged parallel to each other. In this case, the edges of adjacent divided images are printed overlapping, and the edges are cut so that adjacent divided images are continuous. The adjacent divided images are then arranged so that they are continuous during transfer. There is no limit to the size of the image; by increasing the number of unit images, jigsaw puzzles larger than B1 size or A1 size can be created. It is also possible to arrange a plurality of independent images (discontinuous images) to form a single jigsaw puzzle.

[0068] Hydrated Elastic Sheet (W) The "hydrated elastic sheet (W)" used in this invention is used to create an environment similar to slide transfer or hydraulic transfer, i.e., a "pseudo-underwater environment." This hydrated elastic sheet (W) refers to a hydrophilic sheet capable of absorbing a predetermined amount of water, and is generally a porous material. This hydrated elastic sheet (W) can be made of any hydrophilic material that can absorb a predetermined amount of water and expel that water when pressure is applied. Hydrophilic porous sheets can be composed of, for example, absorbent paper, absorbent cellulose, absorbent sponge, etc. Furthermore, commercially available sheets under the names of dehydrating sheets, absorbent cloths, absorbent mats, drying mats, kitchen cloths, cellulose sponges, absorbent sponges, and water-absorbing sponges can also be used. For large-area pre-cut jigsaw puzzles (P), e.g., B4 size or larger, it is preferable to use a porous elastic material, such as a hydrated elastic sponge.

[0069] The volume of the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) is determined so that it can supply a sufficient amount of water for the transfer operation. The amount of water required for the transfer operation is the amount of water necessary to completely and uniformly transfer the transfer layer (i). Insufficient water prevents complete and uniform transfer. Excessive water does not adversely affect the transfer, but the excess water will contaminate the work space. Therefore, in practice, it is preferable to determine the volume of the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) so that the amount of water required for the transfer operation is reached when the user of the jigsaw puzzle making set soaks the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) in water and lightly squeezes it. This volume can be easily determined by experiment. Typically, it is sufficient to ensure that water does not drip when the water-absorbed elastic sheet (W) is held by its top end and hung. The dimensions of the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) are not particularly limited as long as the amount of water required for the transfer operation can be evenly supplied to the entire surface of the water transfer paper. However, it is generally preferable for the dimensions to be approximately the same as the dimensions of the cut jigsaw puzzle (P), and it can also be larger.

[0070] When pressure is applied, the water supplied from the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) penetrates through the support (s) and the release layer (r) toward the cut jigsaw puzzle (P) and reaches the transfer layer (i). In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the assembly of the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) / water transfer paper (T) / cut jigsaw puzzle (P) is sandwiched between two plates (1, 2) and placed under a heavy object, thereby applying the necessary pressure.

[0071] The pressure to be applied to the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) and its duration can be easily determined by experiment. The pressure depends on the dimensions of the cut jigsaw puzzle (P), but is usually a few kg or less, generally 5 kg or less, and the pressure duration is generally about 1 to 3 minutes. If an appropriate amount of water is supplied to the release layer (r) and a predetermined pressure is applied, the transfer layer (i) containing the printed image (g) will be reliably separated from the water transfer paper (T) at the release layer (r) and transferred onto the surface of the cut jigsaw puzzle (P).

[0072] The water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) can also be formed into a multilayer laminate, for example, the following laminates (not shown): (a) a two-layer laminate consisting of a water-absorbent sheet (1) and a porous body (2), (b) a laminate consisting of a water-absorbent core sheet (1) housed inside or sandwiched between the two layers. In the case of (a), a two-layer laminate is formed of the water-absorbent sheet (1) and a porous body (2), for example, a closed-cell or open-cell sponge sheet, and the water-absorbent sheet (1) is allowed to absorb a necessary and sufficient amount of water, with the sponge sheet (2) functioning essentially as an elastic pressing means. In the case of (b), the water-absorbent core sheet (1), which has absorbed a necessary and sufficient amount of water, is housed inside a porous cover (2), for example, an open-cell sponge sheet, or sandwiched between the porous cover sheets (2) to form the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W).

[0073] In a modified example, it is possible to eliminate the need for the user to prepare water to be supplied to the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W). This is advantageous when it is desired to avoid the water absorption process or to reduce water contamination. In this case, the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) that has already absorbed water is stored in a waterproof sealed container, for example, a plastic bag or a pouch made of an aluminum sheet laminated with resin, and the sheet is taken out by opening the pouch when in use.

[0074] A water-absorbent sheet can be placed under the cut jigsaw puzzle (P) to prevent the work table from getting wet, and a waterproof sheet, such as a plastic film or sheet, can be placed under the water-absorbent sheet and / or over the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) to prevent the work table and / or the weight used to apply pressure from getting wet. Excess water (d) from the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) can also be stored in a container (C).

[0075] The transfer quality of the transferred ink image (g) depends heavily on the properties of the surface layer of the cut jigsaw puzzle (P), such as the surface layers (11, 12) of the lightweight laminate. If the surface layers (11, 12) are made of a water-repellent material, it is difficult to transfer a clean image. Furthermore, if the surface layers (11, 12) are made of glossy paper, coated paper, gravure paper, or the like, it is difficult to completely and reliably transfer the transfer layer or ink-receiving layer (i) onto the surface of the cut jigsaw puzzle (P). Even if the transfer operation is carried out reliably, if the adhesive strength of the transfer layer or ink-receiving layer (i) is weak, there is a risk that part of the transfer layer (i) will peel off from the puzzle in areas where stress is concentrated when the puzzle pieces are fitted together.

[0076] For this reason, it is preferable to use an "ink fixing layer (m)" in the present invention. The use of the ink fixing layer (m) enables general users to reliably transfer the print transfer layer (i) printed with an inkjet printer or the like onto the surface layers (11, 12) of paper having various surface properties. This ink fixing layer (m) is a layer of fixing agent that accurately and reliably fixes the image transferred onto the surface of the cut jigsaw puzzle (P). The ink fixing layer (m) can be formed on one and / or both sides of the surface layers (11, 12) of the cut jigsaw puzzle (P).

[0077] The ink-fixing layer (m) serves to securely separate the transfer layer (i) at the release layer (r) and securely fix it to the surface of the cut jigsaw puzzle (P). The material of this ink-fixing agent depends on the material of the transfer layer (i). In the present invention, inexpensively available water-soluble adhesive materials can be used as the ink-fixing agent, such as starch, CMC, water-soluble olefin resin, polyvinyl alcohol, glue, dextrin, water-soluble urethane, and mixtures thereof. Furthermore, rubber components dissolved in a solvent can also be included in the ink-fixing agent. Because the ink-fixing agent significantly affects the quality of the transferred image, its composition and coating amount must be carefully selected. The coating amount of the ink-fixing layer (m) can be determined by experimentation by those skilled in the art.

[0078] It is preferable to select a material for the ink-fixing layer (m) that ensures a greater adhesive force between the surface of the cut jigsaw puzzle (P) and the transfer layer (i) than between the transfer layer (i) and the release layer (r). To achieve this, the materials for the ink-fixing layer (m) and the release layer (r) can be different, or the same material can be used with different compositions and properties. For example, different types of polyvinyl alcohol can be used for the ink-fixing layer (m) and the release layer (r), or the materials for the ink-fixing layer (m) and the release layer (r) can be different from each other, and each can be selected from starch, dextrin, polyvinyl alcohol, etc.

[0079] When a plastic jigsaw puzzle is used as the "cut jigsaw puzzle (P)" (see (b) in Figure 4), the transparent surface layer of a transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle is made of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), acrylic resin, etc. Because these surface layers are water-repellent, it is difficult to transfer an image onto the surface layer using hydrophilic water transfer paper (T). Even if transfer is possible, the transfer layer easily peels off in a tape peel test. Therefore, when using a plastic jigsaw puzzle, it is necessary to perform a surface treatment on the cut jigsaw puzzle (P). It is important that this surface treatment does not form a layer that is difficult to break, so physical treatment, particularly plasma treatment, is preferred. In the case of chemical treatment, the layer formed must be made of an easily breakable material.

[0080] This surface treatment can be carried out by any known method, for example, physical treatment such as plasma treatment, corona treatment, fluorine treatment, silicon oxide film formation treatment, or chemical treatment, particularly maleic acid-modified primer treatment, monomer treatment, primer application, painting treatment, etc. In particular, when the cut jigsaw puzzle (P) is made of a plastic material, a primer for plastic materials can be used as the ink-fixing layer (m). Primers for plastic materials suitable for various plastic materials are commercially available. In practice, a commercially available acrylic primer layer is applied, and if necessary, a hydrophilicity-improving treatment can be further carried out.

[0081] The method of the present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the conventional method of combining "post-printing" and "water transfer," particularly the need to cut the transfer layer. While the present invention requires that the transfer layer not contain a continuous film that cannot be torn by hand, this does not exclude cases where the continuous film can be easily removed from the cut jigsaw puzzle (P) after transfer. For example, the use of a continuous film that cannot be torn by hand to assist the transfer operation does not depart from the scope of the present invention, as long as it can be easily removed before tearing. The determination of whether the water transfer layer "does not contain or form a continuous film that cannot be torn" is made by determining whether the individual pieces of the jigsaw puzzle can be easily and cleanly separated by hand after the transfer layer of the water transfer paper (T) is actually transferred to the jigsaw puzzle. In other words, if the transfer layer needs to be separated using a cutter or other tool after transfer onto the individual pieces of the jigsaw puzzle, it is determined that the layer is not made of an easily torn material.

[0082] Container (C) The container (C) (see (iii) in Figure 3) used in a preferred embodiment of the present invention can be composed of two plastic plates (1, 2), at least one of which, particularly the plastic plate (1) covering the surface of the jigsaw puzzle image, is preferably a transparent plastic plate. This container (C) can hold a completed jigsaw puzzle and be used for display and appreciation by standing it on a stand (not shown). The plastic plates (1, 2) can be any transparent plastic plate with a thickness of approximately 0.3 to 5 mm, and can be selected from transparent polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) and their copolymers, polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), acrylic resin, etc. ABS, polyamide, polyacetal, epoxy resin, and polyester resin can also be used. The two plastic plates (1, 2) can be connected to each other via a hinge (3). The hinge (3) can be made of transparent adhesive tape or can be integrally molded with the two plastic plates (1, 2). For example, a thin hinge portion can be formed in the center of one plastic plate by thermoforming, or multiple notches can be cut with a cutter to form the hinge. Furthermore, the hinge (3) can also be made together with the two plastic plates by injection molding, profile extrusion molding, heating processing, cutting, etc. Furthermore, especially for jigsaw puzzles of A4 size or larger, the two plastic plates (1, 2) can be used separately without being connected. The container (C) can also be made of any material other than plastic plates, such as metal or wood.

[0083] As shown in (i) to (vi) of Figure 3, a frame (F) can be attached to the lower plastic plate (2) and the cut jigsaw puzzle (P) can be housed within it. The frame (F) is preferably sized to surround the outer periphery of the cut jigsaw puzzle (P) and is affixed to the plastic plate (2). The frame (F) can be made of any material, such as plastic, fiber, or paper, and in particular, can be made of foamed elastic material. The frame (F) also serves as a positioning jig when placing the water transfer paper (T) and water-absorbent elastic sheet (W). Furthermore, a decorative surface frame (FF) can be attached to the surface of the plastic plate (1). This surface frame (FF) is a decorative frame that adds a three-dimensional appearance to the finished jigsaw puzzle housed in the container (C). It can be made of any material, such as cardboard, plastic board, or foam sheet, approximately 1 to 5 mm thick. A 45-degree inclined surface is formed on the inner edge of the surface frame (FF), and decorative tape, such as colored paper or plastic tape, velvet or satin cloth tape, or Indian embroidered ribbon, can be attached to the surface of the surface frame (FF).

[0084] Examples of the method of the present invention will be described below, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

[0085] Example 1: The surface of a transfer sheet support (s) was sealed with calcium carbonate, and then coated with a silicone solution to form a release layer (r). An ink-receiving layer of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with a saponification degree of 50 mol% and an average polymerization degree of 1000 was coated on the surface of this release layer (r) to a thickness of approximately 15 μm to form a transfer layer (i), which was then dried to produce water transfer paper (T). This PVA layer was a layer made of the easily breakable material of the present invention. The cut jigsaw puzzle (P) was a low-foamed polyethylene (PE) laminate (see Example (a) in Figure 4). This cut jigsaw puzzle (P) was made by adhesively attaching high-quality paper (0.25 mm thick) to both sides of a low-foamed polyethylene sheet (expansion ratio 1.5 times, thickness 2.5 mm). The low-foamed PE laminate was then cut into a postcard-sized jigsaw puzzle (dimensions: 10 x approximately 15 cm) using a Thomson blade. The jigsaw puzzle was then cut into individual pieces.

[0086] A photograph was printed on the transfer layer (i) of the water transfer paper (T) using a home inkjet printer EPSON 805A, and the printed color ink image (g) was left to dry for 1 minute.

[0087] In this example, the transfer was performed using the method shown in Figure 3. Specifically, the transfer layer (i) bearing the dried ink image (g) was placed on either side (11, 12) of the cut jigsaw puzzle (P), and a water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) was then placed on top. The water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) used was a 3 mm thick PVA water-absorbing mat (dimensions: 10 x 15 cm). The amount of water absorbed was such that the mat did not drip when hung, and approximately 50 g of water was contained in the mat when squeezed. Next, a flat-bottomed vase (weighing approximately 2 kg) was placed on the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W), and pressure was applied for approximately 1 minute. The water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) was then removed, and the water-transfer paper (T) was slowly peeled off by pinching the edges of the support (s) of the water-transfer paper. During this peeling operation, the transfer layer (i) is separated from the release layer (r), and the print transfer layer containing the ink image (g) is transferred onto the cut jigsaw puzzle (P). The use of the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) made the transfer operation much easier, and there were no transfer errors.

[0088] The print transfer layer (i) was left to dry. After about 10 minutes, the print transfer layer (i) was almost dry, and after about 1 hour, it was firmly adhered to the cut jigsaw puzzle (P) and did not peel off even in a cellophane tape peeling test.

[0089] When the dried jigsaw puzzle was bent up and down several times at the boundary line (13) between adjacent pieces, the transfer layer (i) easily broke, allowing the adjacent pieces (p) to be separated. The print transfer layer (i) of Example 1 was a PVA layer, which is an easily breakable material, and the print transfer layer (i) could be broken by simply bending it lightly with a finger, and the broken surface was clean.

[0090] Example 2: The water transfer paper (T) was replaced with "water transfer paper" (referred to as water transfer paper 2) commercially available from Ishikawa Washi Co., Ltd. The transfer layer (i) of this transfer paper 2 does not contain a continuous film layer that cannot be easily torn or separated by hand and / or a material that would form a continuous film that cannot be easily torn or separated by hand, and is therefore a transfer layer (i) made of an easily torn material. The same procedure as in Example 1 was repeated. The print transfer layer (i) could be easily torn with fingers, and the image on the print transfer layer (i) was not lost at the torn portions of each piece.

[0091] Comparative Example 1: The water transfer paper (T) was replaced with the following commercially available transfer papers 3 to 9: Transfer Paper 3: "Transfer Sticker" from A-One Corporation; Transfer Paper 4: "Transfer Paper" from Sanryu Co., Ltd.; Transfer Paper 5: "Miracle Sheet" from Miracle Industrial Co., Ltd.; Transfer Paper 6: "Plain Transfer Paper" from Polymark Chemical Co., Ltd.; Transfer Paper 7: "Tappoo Paper" from SunnySCPA Corporation; Transfer Paper 8: "Inkjet Waterslide Decal Paper" from SunnySCPA Corporation; Transfer Paper 9: "Inkjet Water Transfer Sheet" from Transourdream Corporation. The same procedure as in Example 1 was repeated using these transfer papers 3 to 9, but the print transfer layer obtained after transfer could not be torn by hand. Since these transfer papers 3 to 9 contain a continuous layer, they are not the transfer layer (i) made of the easily torn material of the present invention.

[0092] Example 3 The same procedure as in Example 1 was repeated, but the cut jigsaw puzzle (P) had an ink-fixing layer (m) formed on its surface. This ink-fixing layer (m) was formed by applying a 10% aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) + dextrin (50:50) to the surface of the cut jigsaw puzzle (P) and drying it. By using the cut jigsaw puzzle (P) surface-treated with this ink-fixing layer (m), transfer errors on the cut jigsaw puzzle (P) were almost eliminated.

[0093] Example 4 The same procedure as in Example 1 was repeated, but water transfer paper (T) was prepared in the following manner. 2A silicone release layer was applied to the support (s) of Example 1, and an intermediate layer (thickness: approximately 1 μm) of silica fine particles bound with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was applied thereon. An ink-receiving layer (dry thickness: approximately 10 μm) was formed on top of that, consisting of a mixture of 90 parts of cation-modified polyvinyl alcohol with a degree of polymerization of approximately 1000 and 10 parts of ethylene glycol, to form a layer made of an easily breakable material. The transfer results were the same as in Example 1, with the printed layer being neatly separated between the pieces and no jagged edges at the edges of each piece.

[0094] Example 5 The same procedure as in Example 1 was repeated, but water transfer paper (T) was prepared in the following manner: One-sided clay-coated waterproof paper (120 g / m 2 A silicone release layer was applied to this support material, and then polyvinyl alcohol (saponification degree 50 mol %, average polymerization degree 1000) was applied thereon as an ink-receiving layer (55 g / m 2 The transfer results were the same as in Example 1, with the printed layer being neatly separated between the pieces and no jagged edges being formed on the edges of the pieces.

[0095] Example 6: The transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle described in Japanese Patent No. 7283753 was used as the "cut jigsaw puzzle (P)." Because the surface layer of this transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle was made of polypropylene (PP), the transfer layer of the water transfer paper (T) used in Examples 1 to 5 was repelled, preventing transfer. Therefore, a surface treatment was performed in Example 6. The polypropylene (PP) surface of the "cut transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle (P)" was actually plasma-treated, and a commercially available plastic primer (maleic acid-modified resin solution) was further applied to the surface layer. After the surface treatment, an ink-receiving layer made of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with an average polymerization degree of 1000 was applied. The resulting cut transparent plastic jigsaw puzzle was subjected to a transfer operation similar to that in Example 3. The transfer results were similar to those in Example 1: the printed layer was cleanly separated between the pieces, there were no jagged edges on the edges of each piece, and the printed layer did not peel off from the polypropylene (PP) surface layer in a tape peel test.

[0096] Example 7: A commercially available blank (plain) "picture puzzle" was used as the "cut jigsaw puzzle (P)." The surface layer of this "picture puzzle" was high-quality paper. An aqueous solution of PVA was applied to this high-quality surface paper as an ink-receiving layer and dried to form a surface treatment layer. In this example, since the "cut jigsaw puzzle (P)" was made of paper, the material of the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) was changed to microfiber fiber to reduce the water content in order to prevent deterioration of the paper. Even in this example, the use of the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) made the transfer operation much easier, and no breakage of the transferred image was observed.

[0097] The jigsaw puzzle of the present invention is useful as a means of preventing brain deterioration in the elderly or slowing the progression of dementia. By printing and transferring old photographs of memories, family photos, etc. onto a jigsaw puzzle and playing with it, it is expected that the progression of dementia will be slowed by activating the hands and brain.

[0098] The jigsaw puzzle of the present invention can be used as a jigsaw puzzle printed with a commemorative photo of a pet, a jigsaw puzzle to show parents how their grandchildren have grown, or a jigsaw puzzle for exchanging photos and information between family members, friends, or groups. For example, private photos and information can be sent as jigsaw puzzles between parents and children, lovers, club members, etc.

[0099] The jigsaw puzzle of the present invention can be used as a learning toy for school children and as an educational tool for students. Teachers and parents can print or transfer desired images onto the jigsaw puzzle, which can help children memorize things by utilizing the repetitive memory effect of playing with the jigsaw puzzle, making it suitable as an educational toy.

[0100] The jigsaw puzzles of the present invention are useful for activating the brain's repetitive memory functions in other areas where repetitive memory functions are required.

[0101] The cut jigsaw puzzle (P) can also be used as a blank jigsaw puzzle with no image printed on it, i.e., a "white puzzle." By printing and transferring the image as a "white puzzle," you can enjoy it twice: as a "white puzzle" and as a "personal puzzle." You can also send the jigsaw puzzle creation set of the present invention to a recipient in the "white puzzle" state, and have them print and transfer their favorite image.

[0102] P: Pre-cut jigsaw puzzle T: Water transfer paper W: Moisture-containing elastic sheet g: Image m: Ink fixing layer s: Support r: Release layer p: Piece F: Frame FF: Surface frame 1, 2: Plate

Claims

1. A method for post-printing on a cut jigsaw puzzle (P), comprising the steps of: preparing water transfer paper (T) having a transfer layer (i) on a water-permeable support (s) with a release layer (r) interposed therebetween; printing an image (g) on ​​the transfer layer (i) using a printing machine; placing the water transfer paper (T) on the surface of the cut jigsaw puzzle (P) with the printed image (g) facing the surface of the cut jigsaw puzzle (P); supplying water onto the back surface of the support (s) of the water transfer paper (T); pressing the water transfer paper (T) against the surface of the cut jigsaw puzzle (P); and peeling the support (s) from the cut jigsaw puzzle (P) at the release layer (r) after a predetermined time has elapsed, thereby transferring the printed image (g) onto the surface of the cut jigsaw puzzle (P), The method is characterized in that the transfer layer (i) is formed from an easily breakable material, a water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) that has absorbed a sufficient amount of water to create a "pseudo underwater environment" is placed on the water transfer paper (T), and water is supplied to the water transfer paper (T) by applying a pressing force thereto.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cut jigsaw puzzle (P) has an ink fixing layer (m) on its surface.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein a plate (1) is used to apply a pressing force to the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W).

4. A jigsaw puzzle making set comprising a blank cut jigsaw puzzle (P) obtained by cutting a single base material into the shape of individual pieces, and water transfer paper (T) having a transfer layer (i) on a water-permeable support (s) via a release layer (r), wherein the transfer layer (i) is made of an easily breakable material and further comprises a water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) that creates a "pseudo underwater environment" when a pressing force is applied, thereby supplying a necessary and sufficient amount of water to the water transfer paper (T).

5. The jigsaw puzzle making set according to claim 4, further comprising an ink fixing layer (m) on the surface of the cut jigsaw puzzle (P).

6. The jigsaw puzzle making set according to claim 4, further comprising a plate (1) for applying a pressing force to the water-absorbent elastic sheet (W).

7. Use of a water transfer paper (T) having a transfer layer (i) made of an easily breakable material and not containing a layer of a continuous film that cannot be broken / separated by hand and / or a material made of a continuous film that cannot be broken / separated by hand in the method according to claim 1.

8. A combination of a cut jigsaw puzzle (P), water transfer paper (T) having a transfer layer (i) made of an easily breakable material, and a water-absorbent elastic sheet (W) for supplying water to the water transfer paper (T), for use in the method of claim 1 or the jigsaw puzzle making set of claim 4.

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