Liquid pressure transfer method, transfer film therefor and product decorated thereby

Abstract

A workpiece to which a transfer pattern is to be applied is formed to have a rod-like element curved into a loop-like shape to form an apparent geometric plane. A transfer film used in the liquid pressure transfer is formed on a required portion thereof, and the transfer pattern for decoration is formed to have a configuration corresponding to that of the apparent plane. The workpiece is handled so as to downwardly approach the transfer film from a position corresponding to the transfer pattern, and is then immersed in the transfer liquid. Consequently, the transfer film bonds to the rod-like element of the workpiece so as to circumferentially surround the rod-like element continuously from a bottom of the rod-like element to a top thereof on the basis of a diametric section of the rod-like element. Thus, the transfer pattern is transferred to at least the rod-like element of the workpiece.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A transfer film comprising: 
 a film body having a transfer operation surface defined thereon, said transfer operation surface having a predetermined transfer pattern previously printed thereon in transfer ink;    wherein, when transfer is not to be carried out, said transfer operation surface is coated thereon with an activator to permit a portion of said transfer operation surface to which said transfer ink is applied to exhibit stickiness and the transfer film is supported on a surface of a transfer liquid while being floated thereon, said transfer pattern being transferred to a surface of a workpiece by a liquid pressure produced when the workpiece is downwardly immersed in the transfer liquid;    the transfer film is applied to the workpiece including a rod-like element curved into a loop-like shape, resulting in the workpiece being formed with an apparent plane which permits the workpiece to be recognized as a whole; and    said transfer pattern is formed to have a configuration corresponding to a configuration of the apparent plane of the workpiece and arranged on a required position of the transfer film.    
     
     
         2 . A transfer film as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the workpiece is a steering wheel; and 
 said transfer pattern is formed to have a substantially annular shape in correspondence to the apparent plane of the steering wheel.    
     
     
         3 . A transfer film as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said transfer pattern is formed to have the substantially annular shape by taking in pattern data of a plane rectangular shape and then converting into pattern data of a round shape.  
     
     
         4 . A transfer film as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said transfer pattern is formed to have a substantially annular shape by taking in pattern data of a plane rectangular shape and then converting into pattern data of a round shape.