Process for forming transfer film

Abstract

A process includes forming a transfer film without a release layer in which the transfer film includes a substrate layer to be peeled off during a transfer process, and a transfer layer to be transferred to an article to be decorated. The transfer layer has a protective layer, a printed or vapor-deposited decorative layer, and an adhering layer, which are laminated in this order. The substrate layer is a base film of a synthetic resin formed by extruding a molten synthetic resin. The substrate layer is so laminated and thermally compressed in direct contact with the protective layer such that the substrate layer does not peel off the protective layer before the transfer process and peels off the protective layer from a peeled end portion of the substrate layer as a trigger during the transfer process, by thermally pressing the substrate layer and the protective layer between rolls.

1 . A process for forming a transfer film without a release layer, wherein:
 the transfer film comprises:
 a substrate layer to be peeled off during a transfer process, and 
 a transfer layer to be transferred to an article to be decorated, 
   the transfer layer has a protective layer, a printed or vapor-deposited decorative layer, and an adhering layer, which are laminated in this order;   the substrate layer is a base film of a synthetic resin formed by an extrusion laminating process comprising extruding a molten synthetic resin to form the base film;   the substrate layer and the protective layer are made from materials that are incompatible with each other so as to be laminated to each other in a peelable manner;   the substrate layer is so laminated and thermally compressed in direct contact with the protective layer such that the substrate layer does not peel off the protective layer before the transfer process and peels off the protective layer from a peeled end portion of the substrate layer as a trigger during the transfer process, by thermally pressing the substrate layer and the protective layer between rolls; and   the protective layer is a protective film comprising a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) resin, a linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) resin, a polypropylene (PP) resin, or a polystyrene resin.   
     
     
         2 . The process for forming the transfer film according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a decorative film of a synthetic resin laminated between the protective layer and the adhering layer, and   the printed or vapor-deposited decorative layer is formed on at least one surface of the decorative film.   
     
     
         3 . The process for forming the transfer film according to  claim 1 , wherein the adhering layer comprises an adhering film of a synthetic resin which can be directly adhered by heat seal to a wall of the article to be decorated. 
     
     
         4 . The process for forming the transfer film according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the substrate layer is a base film of a polyethylene terephthalate resin,   the protective film comprises a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) resin, and   the printed or vapor-deposited decorative layer is formed on a surface of a decorative film of a nylon resin.