权利要求：
7. Claims:
1. Method for producing a transfer film (1), in particular IMD transfer film (1), wherein the following steps are carried out, in particular in the specified order: a) preparing a carrier ply (3), b) preparing a transfer ply (2) comprising a decorative ply (21), wherein the transfer ply (2) has been or is arranged on the carrier ply (3), c) applying one or more forming elements (40) to the carrier ply (3), wherein the one or more forming elements (40) have a three-dimensional shape and are applied register-accurately with respect to the decorative ply (21).
2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the transfer ply (2) has been or is applied to a first side of the carrier ply (3) and the one or more forming elements (40) are applied to a second side of the carrier ply (3) lying opposite the first side.
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the one or more forming elements (40) form one or more motifs.
4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the one or more forming elements (40), in particular in the case of back- CA 03187470 2023- 1- 27 injection molding with an injection-molding compound (5), are mechanically stable and/or have a glass transition temperature of more than 200 C.
5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in step c) one or more first layers of the one or more forming elements (40) are applied using a digital printing method, preferably an inkjet printing method, preferably a UV inkjet printing method.
6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a layer of the one or more forming elements (40) applied last in step c) is applied using a digital printing method, preferably an inkjet printing method, preferably a UV inkjet printing method. 7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in step c) two or more layers of the one or more forming elements (40) are applied overlapping one another and/or the one or more forming elements (40) are applied by means of 3D printing.
8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one forming element of the one or more forming elements (40) has a layer thickness in a range of from 1 pm to 200 pm.
9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the register tolerance between the one or more forming elements (40) and the decorative ply (21) lies in a range of from 0.05 mm to 1.0 mm, preferably in a range of from 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm. CA 03187470 2023- 1- 27 72
10. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the decorative ply (21) has one or more decorative elements (210), which have been or are in particular applied by means of one or more layers selected from: one or more color layers, in particular one or more colored varnish layers, one or more reflective layers, in particular one or more metal layers and/or one or more HRI layers (HRI = High Refractive Index), one or more optically active and/or optically variable structures, in particular one or more optically active relief structures, preferably one or more diffractive structures and/or holograms and/or refractive structures and/or matte structures.
11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the method further comprises the following step: bl) preparing and/or producing a masking area (72) and/or a viewing area (71) in the transfer ply (2).
12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that in or after step bl) the viewing area (71) is produced in the transfer ply (2), and it has a transmittance which is higher than the transmittance of the masking area (72), in particular is higher than the transmittance of the masking area (72) by a value of at least 10% and/or in a range of from 10% to 100%, and/or in that the masking area (72) is formed by means of a mask layer (22), in particular because the mask layer (22) reduces the transmittance of the transfer ply (2) in the masking area (72).
13. Method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that CA 03187470 2023- 1- 27 the viewing area (71) is formed by one or more voids and/or open areas, in particular in the mask layer (22).
14. Method according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that the viewing area (71) is arranged congruent with the one or more forming elements (40) at least in partial areas and/or in that the masking area (72) does not overlap the one or more forming elements (40).
15. Method according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that, in particular during step c) and/or during step bl), the one or more forming elements (40) and the viewing area (71) and/or the masking area (72), in particular the mask layer (22), are arranged register-accurately with respect to one another.
16. Method according to one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the register tolerance between the one or more forming elements (40) and the viewing area (71) and/or the masking area (72), in particular between the one or more forming elements (40) and the mask layer (22), lies in a range of from
0.05 mm to 1.0 mm, preferably in a range of from 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm.
17. Method according to one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that the register tolerance between decorative ply (21) and the viewing area (71) and/or the masking area (72), in particular between the decorative ply (21) and the mask layer (22), lies in a range of from 0.1 mm to 0.4 mm.
18. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that CA 03187470 2023- 1- 27 the maximum register tolerance between the one or more forming elements (40) and/or the decorative ply (21) and/or the viewing area (71) and/or the masking area (72), in particular the mask layer (22), lies in a range of from 0.15 mm to 0.6 mm.
19. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transfer ply (2), in particular for the formation of an outer surface of the transfer ply (2) facing the carrier ply (3), is provided with at least one first protective layer (24).
20. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier ply (3) has a degree of elongation at break in a range of from 110% to 135% and/or has a tensile strength in a range of from 15 kpsi to 50 kpsi, preferably in a range of from 27 kpsi to 31 kpsi and/or a modulus of elasticity in a range of from 100 kpsi to 1000 kpsi, preferably in a range of from 300 kpsi to 700 kpsi.
21. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier ply (3) is provided with a coating or has a coating on at least one of its main surfaces, and in particular at least on its side facing away from the transfer ply (2), in particular wherein the coating has been or is selected from one or more of the following components: polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyurethanes, in particular polyester polyols, polyether polyols, polycarbonate polyols and/or polyacrylate polyols, polyesters, polyethers, polyolefins, epoxy resins and/or derivatives of the named components.
22. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that CA 031874 7 the transfer film (1), in particular for the formation of an outer surface of the transfer ply (2) facing away from the carrier ply (3), is or has been provided with a primer layer (23).
23. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier ply (3) is detachable from the transfer ply (2) preferably by means of a separating layer (8).
24. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in step c) the position in which the one or more forming elements (40) is applied to the carrier ply (3) is set in dependence on the position of one or more registration marks, which are detected in particular by means of at least one sensor, wherein the one or more registration marks in each case mark the position of one or more layers of the decorative ply (21), the viewing area (71), the masking area (72), in particular the mask layer (22), and/or the primer in relation to the carrier ply (3) and/or one another.
25. Method for producing a plastic injection-molded article, which is coated with a transfer film (1), in particular IMD transfer film (1), in particular produced according to one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the method comprises the following steps, in particular in the specified order: x1) preparing a transfer film (1), wherein the transfer film (1) has a carrier ply (3) and has a transfer ply (2) comprising a decorative ply (21), wherein the transfer ply (2) has been or is arranged on the carrier ply (3), x2) preparing one or more forming elements (40) on the carrier ply (3), wherein the one or more forming elements (40) have a three-dimensional shape and have been or are applied register-accurately with respect to the decorative ply (21), CA 03187470 2023- 1- 27 x3) back-injection molding the transfer film (1) with an injection-molding compound (5), wherein, through the action of the injection-molding compound (5) on the transfer film (1), a molding (41) of the three-dimensional shape of the one or more forming elements (40) is introduced in the transfer ply (2) register-accurately with respect to the decorative ply (21).
26. Method according to claim 25, characterized in that during the back-injection molding of the transfer film (1) with the injection- molding compound (5) of step x3) a recessed area (81), which is formed in particular by the molding (41), is produced in the transfer ply (2) and/or in that during the back-injection molding of the transfer film (1) with the injection- molding compound (5) of step x3) a raised area (82) is formed in the transfer ply (2).
27. Method according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that the raised area and/or the recessed area has a minimum line width and/or a minimum dot size in a range of from 0.025 mm to less than 0.1 mm.
28. Method according to one of claims 25 to 27, characterized in that the following step is carried out before and/or after step x3): b2) producing a viewing area (71) in the transfer ply (2), wherein the viewing area (71) is arranged register-accurately with respect to the one or more forming elements (40), the molding (41) and/or the decorative ply (21) and in particular wherein the mask layer (22) is partially removed in the viewing area (71) and/or the transmittance of the transfer ply (2), in particular the mask layer (22), is increased in the viewing area (71). 77
29. Method according to one of claims 25 to 28, characterized in that, during or after the back-injection molding of the transfer film (1) with the injection-molding compound (5), the plastic injection-molded article is provided with one or more functional component parts (6), which are arranged in particular on the side of the injection-molding compound (5) lying opposite the transfer layer.
30. Method according to claim 29, characterized in that the one or more functional component parts (6) have at least one of the following components: one or more sensors (9), in particular one or more touch sensors, one or more illuminants, in particular one or more displays, one or more LEDs, one or more light-conducting component parts, one or more printed circuit boards and/or combinations thereof.
31. Method according to claim 30, characterized in that the one or more illuminants, in particular the one or more displays and/or one or more LEDs, are arranged on the side of the transfer ply (2) facing away from the carrier ply (3) before the back-injection molding of the transfer film (1) in step x3) and are connected to the transfer ply (2) during the back- injection molding and optionally to the transfer ply (2) via the injection-molding compound (5).
32. Method according to claim 30 or 31, characterized in that the one or more sensors (9), in particular the one or more touch sensors, are introduced by means of gluing, laminating, In-Mold Labeling (=IML) and/or Functional Foil Bonding (=FFB). 78
33. Method according to one of claims 29 to 32, characterized in that the one or more functional component parts, in particular the one or more sensors (9), preferably touch sensors, and/or the one or more illuminants, and the one or more forming elements (40), the molding (41), the decorative ply (21), the viewing area (71) and/or the masking area (72), preferably the mask layer (22), are arranged register-accurately with respect to one another.
34. Method according to one of claims 25 to 33, characterized in that the register tolerance between the one or more functional component parts (6), in particular the one or more sensors (9), preferably touch sensors, and/or the one or more illuminants, preferably displays and/or LEDs, and the one or more forming elements (40), the molding (41), the decorative ply (21), the viewing area (71) and/or the masking area (72), in particular the mask layer (22), is at most 0.3 mm, in particular at most 0.2 mm.
35. Method according to one of claims 25 to 34, characterized in that the method further comprises the following step, in particular after a separating of the carrier ply (3) from the transfer ply (2): - flooding the transfer ply (2) and/or the injection-molding compound (5) at least in areas with a polyurethane-containing composition and/or with a polyurea-containing composition, in particular for the formation of at least one second protective layer (25).
36.Transfer film (1), in particular IMD transfer film (1), preferably produced according to one of claims 1 to 25, having a carrier ply (3), a transfer ply (2) comprising a decorative ply (21), wherein the transfer ply (2) is arranged on the carrier ply (3), and comprising one or more forming elements (40), wherein the one or more forming elements (40) are applied to the carrier ply (3) and register-accurately with respect to the decorative ply (21).
37.Transfer film (1) according to claim 36, characterized in that the transfer ply (2) is arranged on a first side of the carrier ply (3) and the one or more forming elements (40) are arranged on a second side of the carrier ply (3) lying opposite the first side.
38.Transfer film (1) according to claim 36 or 37, characterized in that the one or more forming elements (40) form one or more motifs.
39.Transfer film (1) according to one of claims 36 to 38, characterized in that one or more first layers of the one or more forming elements (40) contain or consist of a digital printing ink, preferably contain or consist of an inkjet printing ink, preferably a UV inkjet printing ink.
40.Transfer film (1) according to one of claims 36 to 39, characterized in that at least one layer of the one or more forming elements (40), which forms an outer surface of the transfer film (1), contains or consists of a digital printing ink, preferably contains or consists of an inkjet printing ink, preferably a UV inkjet printing ink.
41.Transfer film (1) according to one of claims 36 to 40, characterized in that two or more layers of the one or more forming elements (40) are applied overlapping one another and/or the one or more forming elements (40) are applied by means of 3D printing. 80
42.Transfer film (1) according to one of claims 36 to 41, characterized in that at least one forming element of the one or more forming elements (40) has a layer thickness in a range of from 1 pm to 200 pm.
43.Transfer film (1) according to one of claims 36 to 42, characterized in that the one or more forming elements (40), in particular in the case of back- injection molding with an injection-molding compound (5), are mechanically stable and/or have a glass transition temperature of more than 200 C.
44.Transfer film (1) according to one of claims 36 to 43, characterized in that the one or more forming elements (40) comprises release agents, in particular for improving the properties of detachment from an injection mold, in particular from the mold half which is in contact with the one or more forming elements (40) in step x3), wherein the release agents preferably contain silicones.
45.Transfer film (1) according to one of claims 36 to 44, characterized in that the transfer ply (2) has a masking area (72) and/or a viewing area (71).
46.Transfer film (1) according to claim 45, characterized in that the transfer ply (2) has a viewing area (71) which has a transmittance which is higher than the transmittance of the masking area (72), in particular is higher than the transmittance of the masking area (72) by a value of at least 10% and/or in a range of from 10% to 100%, and/or in that the masking area (72) is formed by means of a mask layer (22) which reduces the transmittance of the transfer ply (2) in the masking area (72). 81
47.Transfer film (1) according to claim 45 or 46, characterized in that the one or more forming elements (40) and the viewing area (71) and/or the masking area (72), in particular the mask layer (22), are arranged register- accurately with respect to one another.
48.Transfer film (1) according to one of claims 45 to 47, characterized in that the viewing area (71) is formed by one or more voids and/or open areas, in particular in the mask layer (22).
49.Transfer film (1) according to one of claims 45 to 48, characterized in that the viewing area (71) is arranged congruent with the one or more forming elements (40) at least in partial areas and/or in that the masking area (72) does not overlap the one or more forming elements (40).
50.Transfer film (1) according to one of claims 36 to 49, characterized in that the mask layer (22) comprises one or more layers which are selected from the following, and/or in that the decorative ply (21) has one or more decorative elements (210), which have been applied in particular by means of one or more layers selected from: one or more color layers, in particular one or more colored varnish layers, one or more reflective layers, in particular one or more metal layers and/or one or more HRI layers (HRI = High Refractive Index), one or more optically active and/or optically variable structures, in particular one or more optically active relief structures, preferably one or more diffractive structures and/or holograms and/or refractive structures and/or matte structures. 82
51.Transfer film (1) according to one of claims 46 to 50, characterized in that the carrier ply (3) has a coating on at least one of its main surfaces, and in particular at least on its side facing away from the transfer ply (2), in particular wherein the coating of the carrier ply (3) is selected from one or more of the following components: polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polyurethanes, in particular polyester polyols, polyether polyols, polycarbonate polyols and/or polyacrylate polyols, polyesters, polyethers, polyolefins, epoxy resins and/or derivatives of the named components.
52.Transfer film (1) according to one of claims 46 to 51, characterized in that the transfer ply (2), in particular for the formation of an outer surface of the transfer ply (2) facing the carrier ply (3), is provided with at least one first protective layer (24).
53.Transfer film (1) according to one of claims 46 to 52, characterized in that the transfer film (1), in particular for the formation of an outer surface of the transfer ply (2) facing away from the carrier ply (3), is provided with a primer layer (23).
54.Transfer film (1) one of claims 46 to 53, characterized in that the transfer film (1) has a separating layer (8) between the carrier ply (3) and the transfer layer.
55. Plastic injection-molded article, in particular produced according to one of claims 1 to 35, comprising an injection-molding compound (5) and a transfer ply (2) of a transfer film (1), in particular IMD transfer film (1), back- injection molded with the injection-molding compound (5), preferably according to one of claims 36 to 54 and/or produced according to one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the transfer ply (2) comprises a decorative ply (21) and has a molding (41) of three-dimensional shape, wherein the molding (41) is introduced register- accurately with respect to the decorative ply (21).
56. Plastic injection-molded article according to claim 55, characterized in that the molding (41) is formed by means of one or more forming elements (40), in particular wherein the one or more forming elements (40) and/or the carrier ply (3) are removed from the plastic injection-molded article.
57. Plastic injection-molded article according to claim 55 or 56, characterized in that the plastic injection-molded article has a viewing area (71) and/or a masking area (72), in particular formed by means of a mask layer (22), register- accurate with respect to the molding (41) and to the decorative ply (21).
58. Plastic injection-molded article according to claim 57, characterized in that the viewing area (71) is formed by one or more voids and/or open areas, in particular in the mask layer (22).
59. Plastic injection-molded article according to one of claims 55 to 58, characterized in that the viewing area (71) is arranged congruent with the molding (41) and/or a recessed area (81) of the transfer ply (2) at least in partial areas and/or in that the masking area (72) does not overlap the molding (41).
60. Plastic injection-molded article according to one of claims 58 or 59, characterized in that the viewing area (71) is arranged congruent with the molding (41) and/or a recessed area (81) of the transfer ply (2) at least in partial areas and/or in that the masking area (72) does not overlap the molding (41), in particular wherein the one or more voids and/or open areas are at least partially filled with the transfer ply (2).
61. Plastic injection-molded article according to one of claims 55 to 60, characterized in that the molding (41) is arranged in such a way that the molding (41) does not impair the transillumination properties of the transfer ply (2), in particular of the decorative ply (21) and/or the mask layer (22), and/or the injection-molding compound (5).
62. Plastic injection-molded article according to one of claims 55 to 61, characterized in that the plastic injection-molded article has one or more functional component parts (6), in particular wherein the one or more functional component parts have at least one of the following components: one or more sensors (9), in particular one or more touch sensors, one or more illuminants, in particular one or more displays, one or more LEDs, one or more light-conducting component parts, one or more printed circuit boards and/or combinations thereof.
63. Plastic injection-molded article according to one of claims 55 to 62, characterized in that the one or more functional component parts, in particular the one or more sensors (9), preferably touch sensors, and/or the one or more illuminants, and the one or more forming elements (40), the molding (41), the decorative ply (21), the viewing area (71) and/or the masking area (72), preferably the mask layer (22), are arranged register-accurately with respect to one another. 85
64. Plastic injection-molded article according to one of claims 55 to 63, characterized in that the register tolerance between the one or more functional component parts (6), in particular the one or more sensors (9), preferably touch sensors, and/or the one or more illuminants, preferably displays and/or LEDs, and the one or more forming elements (40), the molding (41), the decorative ply (21), the viewing area (71) and/or the masking area (72), in particular the mask layer (22), is at most 0.3 mm, in particular at most 0.2 mm.