Image transfer sheet and method thereof

Abstract

An image transfer sheet and method is provided for transferring an image of the original to a hard target body made of metal, glass, ceramics, plastics, or similar materials. The image transfer sheet has a support base and a synthetic resin layer detachably bound thereon, preferably a water-soluble resin layer in between. The synthetic resin layer has a thickness in the range of 10 to 500 μm, and preferably includes a first layer that is adhesive to the hard target body, and a second layer that is fixedly receivable active toner of electrostatic process copying machine or printers. First, by means of an electrostatic process copying machine or electrostatic printer, an image is transferred to the synthetic resin layer of the image transfer sheet, which is then released from the support base and applied to the target body. Consequently, the target body which now has the image transfer layer thereon is dried or heated to fixate the image transfer layer.

Having described the present invention, the inventor claims:  
     
         1 . An image transfer sheet comprising 
 a support base and    a synthetic resin layer detachably bound onto said support base, said synthetic resin layer having a thickness in the range of 10 to 500 μm and adhesive properties to adhere to a target body made of metal, glass, ceramics, leather, plastics, or similar material, said synthetic resin layer being capable of binding the toner of electrostatic process copying machine or electrostatic printer.    
     
     
         2 . The image transfer sheet according to    claim 1   , further comprising a water-soluble resin layer interposed between said support base and said synthetic resin layer.  
     
     
         3 . The image transfer sheet according to    claim 1   , wherein said synthetic resin layer is a lamination of a first resin layer and second resin layer, said first resin layer being adhesive to a target body made of metal, glass, ceramics, leather or plastics, said second resin layer being capable of binding the toner of electrostatic process copying machine or electrostatic printer.  
     
     
         4 . The image transfer sheet according to    claim 3   , further comprising a water-soluble resin layer interposed between said support base and said first resin layer.  
     
     
         5 . A method for transferring an image to a target body made of metal glass, ceramics, leather, plastics, or similar material, comprising the steps of: 
 preparing an image transfer sheet comprised of a support base and a synthetic resin layer having a thickness in the range of 10 to 500 μm detachably bound thereon, said synthetic resin layer having the adhesive properties to adhere to said target body, said synthetic resin layer being capable of binding toner from electrostatic process copying machines or electrostatic printers;    transferring an image onto said synthetic resin layer of said image transfer sheet by means of an electrostatic process copying machine or electrostatic printer, thereby forming an image transfer layer;    releasing said image transfer layer from said support base;    applying said image transfer layer to said target body; and    either drying or heating said target body to fixate said image transfer layer on said target body.    
     
     
         6 . The method according to    claim 5   , further comprising the steps of: 
 interposing a water-soluble resin layer between said support base and said image transfer layer;    transferring an image onto said synthetic resin layer of said image transfer sheet by means of an electrostatic process copying machine or electrostatic printer, thereby forming an image transfer layer; and    immersing said image transfer sheet in water to dissolve said water-soluble resin layer and thereby release said image transfer layer from said support base.    
     
     
         7 . A method for transferring an image to a target body made of metal glass, ceramics, leather, plastics, or similar materials, comprising the steps of: 
 preparing an image transfer sheet comprised of a support base, a first resin layer, and a second resin layer, said first resin layer and said second resin layer being laminated together with a thickness in the range of 10 to 500 μm, said first resin layer and said second resin layer being detachably bound onto said support base, said first resin layer being adhesive to said target body made of metal, glass, ceramics, leather, plastics, or similar materials, said second resin layer being capable of binding toner of electrostatic process copying machines or electrostatic printers;    transferring an image onto said second resin layer of said image transfer sheet by means of an electrostatic process copying machine or electrostatic printer, thereby forming an image transfer layer comprised of said first resin layer, said second resin layer, and said toner bound to said second resin layer;    releasing said image transfer layer from said support base;    applying said image transfer layer to said target body; and    either drying or heating said target body to fixate said image transfer layer on said target body.    
     
     
         8 . The method according to    claim 7   , further comprising the steps of: 
 interposing a water-soluble resin layer between said support base and said first resin layer;    transferring an image onto said second resin layer by means of an electrostatic process copying machine or electrostatic printer; and    immersing said image transfer sheet in water to dissolve said water-soluble resin layer and thereby release said first resin layer and second resin layer from said support base.