Image Transfer Sheet with Protruding Glue Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional image transfer sheets often result in air bubbles between the image layer and the transfer target object, compromising the aesthetic and quality of the transferred image, especially when transferring large or curved surfaces.
Innovation Solution
The image transfer sheet features a glue layer with fine protrusions on its lower surface, allowing air to escape through these protrusions during application, preventing recognizable air bubbles and ensuring a smooth image transfer by using a transfer film that is releasable from the image layer and easily adhesive to the glue layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional image transfer sheet with a smooth glue layer is used, then the image layer can be transferred onto the target object, but air bubbles form between the image layer and the target object surface
Solution Approach 1:
The glue layer is designed with numerous fine protrusions on its lower surface, creating a porous-like structure that allows air to escape during the transfer process. This prevents air bubble formation while maintaining the adhesive function of the glue layer, directly resolving the contradiction between reliable image transfer and air bubble elimination.
Solution Approach 2:
The smooth lower surface of the glue layer is segmented into numerous fine protrusions. This segmentation creates multiple air escape pathways throughout the glue layer, allowing trapped air to be gradually released during transfer, thereby preventing air bubble formation without compromising the overall adhesive performance.
2Strength
If the glue layer is made thicker to ensure complete adhesion, then adhesive strength improves, but air bubble formation increases
Solution Approach 1:
By creating a porous-like structure with fine protrusions on the glue layer surface, the invention provides multiple air escape routes that allow thicker glue layers to be applied without increasing air bubble formation. The protrusions enable air to escape laterally during transfer, decoupling the relationship between glue layer thickness and air bubble presence.
3Strength
If pressure is applied uniformly during transfer, then adhesion is maximized, but air bubbles are trapped between the image layer and target object
Solution Approach 1:
The fine protrusions are pre-formed on the glue layer before the transfer process begins. This preliminary structure preparation ensures that air escape pathways are already in place during transfer, allowing uniform pressure to be applied for maximum adhesion while air simultaneously escapes through the pre-positioned protrusions, preventing bubble formation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively prevents air bubbles from forming, enhancing the quality and durability of the transferred image, making it easier to transfer large or curved images without compromising their appearance or integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a lower surface of which being provided with many individually independent fine protrusions in the entire lower surface... allowing air to escape through these protrusions during application, preventing recognizable air bubbles
Implementation Method 2
the image transfer sheet with the release paper peeled off is pressure-glued onto a transfer target object... the image layer is glued and transferred onto the transfer target object by the glue layer
Data Source
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AI summary
There are provided an image transfer sheet for leaving no air bubbles between an image layer and a transfer target object, a method for manufacturing the image transfer sheet and a method for transferring an image. An image transfer method, comprising the steps of: forming a glue layer by pressure-gluing a glued sheet, defined by a substrate and a glue layer provided on a lower surface of the substrate, onto an upper surface of a release paper, having many fine recesses, and subsequently peeling and removing the substrate and exposing the glue layer; printing ink on the exposed upper surface of the glue layer by a non-contact printer to thereby provide an image layer on part of the glue layer; affixing a transfer film on the glue layer provided with the image layer, wherein the transfer film is releasable from the image layer and easily adhesive to the glue layer, and causing the transfer film to contact with a lower surface of the transfer film onto the image layer where there is the image layer, and with the glue layer where there is no image layer; peeling and removing only the release paper from the image transfer sheet; pressure-gluing the lower surface of the glue layer of the image transfer sheet, with the release paper removed, onto a transfer target object; and peeling and removing the transfer film from the image transfer sheet pressure-glued to the transfer target object.