METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DECORATING AN INJECTION-MOLDED PART, AND INJECTION MOLDED-PART

Abstract

A method and a device (20) for decorating an injection-molded part (40), and an injection-molded part (40). The method for decorating an injection-molded part (40) includes the following steps, which are in particular carried out in the following order: a) providing a transfer film in the form of a roll (10) b) cutting the transfer film to size to form at least one label (30, 11) c) laying the at least one label (30) in an injection-molding apparatus (21) by means of a robot arm (24, 12) d) closing the injection-molding apparatus (21, 13) e) back-injection molding the at least one label (30) by means of an injection-molding compound (14) f) opening the injection-molding apparatus (21) and removing the injection-molded part (40, 15).

Claims

1. A method for decorating an injection-molded part comprising the following steps: a) providing a transfer film in the form of a roll b) cutting the transfer film to size to form at least one label c) laying the at least one label in an injection-molding apparatus by means of a robot arm d) closing the injection-molding apparatus e) back-injection molding the at least one label by means of an injection-molding compound f) opening the injection-molding apparatus and removing the injection-molded part

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the transfer film has at least one carrier film and at least one transfer ply.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein at least one detachment layer is arranged between the at least one carrier film and the at least one transfer ply.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the at least one transfer ply has at least one layer or a combination of layers selected from: adhesive layer, detachment layer, decorative layer, metal layer, semiconductor layer, carbon black layer, adhesion-promoting layer, primer layer, color layer, protective layer, functional layer.

5. (canceled)

6. The method according to claim 3, wherein the at least one detachment layer has a layer thickness smaller than 1 μm.

7. The method according to claim 3, wherein the at least one detachment layer comprises at least one material or a combination of materials selected from: wax, carnauba wax, montanic acid ester, polyethylene wax, polyamide wax, PTFE wax, silicone, melamine formaldehyde resin.

8. (canceled)

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one registration mark and/or at least one register mark and/or at least one motif, which is detectable by means of at least one sensor is applied to the transfer film.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one robot arm has at least one suction tool for gripping or picking up the at least one label by means of vacuum.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the at least one suction tool has at least one centering device, and/or at least one flat centering device, which center the at least one label mechanically.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cutting to size of the transfer film to form at least one label in step b) is effected by means of steel strip cutting and/or punching and/or cutting plotters and/or lasers.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the cutting to size of the transfer film to form at least one label in step b) is effected registration-accurately and/or register-accurately.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein an accuracy in the range of from −0.1 mm to 0.1 mm, is achieved in step b) during the cutting to size of the at least one label.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the following step is further carried out after step b), b1) placing the at least one label in at least one pre-centering device and/or at least in a specific depositing location for an individual label.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the following step is further carried out after step b), b2) picking up the at least one label from the at least one pre-centering device by means of a robot arm, wherein the at least one label is first picked up, is deposited in the at least one pre-centering device again and once more picked up by the robot arm.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the laying-in of the at least one label in step c) is effected in a positionally accurate manner.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein the laying-in of the at least one label in step c) is effected with an accuracy in the range of from −0.2 mm to 0.2 mm.

19. The method according to claim 1, wherein the injection-molding apparatus holds the at least one laid-in label in step c), by means of vacuum in the at least one first injection mold half.

20. The method according to claim 1, wherein the injection-molding compound in step e) is injected by means of injection pressure in the direction of the at least one second injection mold half.

21. The method according to claim 1, wherein a join, between the injection-molding compound and the at least one label is produced in step e).

22. The method according to claim 1, wherein the back-injection molding of the at least one label in step e) is effected with a temperature in the range between 200° C. and 320° C.

23. The method according to claim 1, wherein the back-injection molding of the at least one label in step e) is effected with a pressure in the range between 10 bar and 2800 bar.

24. The method according to claim 1, wherein the injection-molding apparatus is opened in step f) after a predetermined time.

25. The method according to claim 1, wherein the following step is further carried out after step f): g) peeling the carrier film off the injection molded part in order to provide a decorated injection-molded part.

26. A device for decorating an injection-molded part the device comprising at least one cutting device for cutting at least one label to size out of a transfer film, at least one robot arm and at least one injection-molding apparatus, wherein the at least one label is laid in the injection-molding apparatus by means of the at least one robot arm and the at least one label is joined to an injection-molding compound in the injection-molding apparatus in order to produce an injection-molded part.

27. The device according to claim 26, wherein the at least one injection-molding apparatus has at least one first injection mold half, and at least one second injection mold half.

28. The device according to claim 26, wherein the at least one injection-molding apparatus has a negative mold of an at least one centering device, with the result that a positive-locking join to the at least one centering device is effected and a positionally accurate laying-in of the at least one label is made possible.

29. The device according to claim 26, wherein the at least one injection-molding apparatus has at least one vacuum chamber, which fixes the at least one label after it has been laid in the injection-molding apparatus.

30-32. (canceled)

33. The device according to claim 26, wherein the at least one robot arm has at least one suction tool for gripping or picking up the at least one label by means of vacuum.

34. The device according to claim 33, wherein the at least one suction tool has a retaining plate, the surface of which substantially corresponds to at least one surface of the at least one first injection mold half and/or the at least one second injection mold half and/or the injection-molded part.

35. The device according to claim 33, wherein the at least one suction tool has at least one vacuum zone and/or wherein several slits and/or several gaps are arranged in the retaining plate.

36. The device according to claim 35, wherein the vacuum zone has a width and/or depth in the range of from 0.02 mm to 0.2 mm.

37. The device according to claim 35, wherein the vacuum zone corresponds to the contour of the at least one label and/or wherein the dimensions of the vacuum zone are smaller than the at least one label.

38. (canceled)

39. The device according to claim 33, wherein the at least one suction tool has at least one centering device and/or at least one flat centering device, which center the at least one label mechanically.

40. An injection-molded part comprising at least one injection-molded body and at least one label joined to the at least one injection-molded body.

41. The injection-molded part according to claim 40, wherein the at least one label is at least partially present in at least one first area and is not present in at least one second area.

42. The injection-molded part according to claim 40, wherein the injection-molded part has a flat surface and/or a surface with at least one curvature about at least one axis.

43. The injection-molded part according to claim 40, wherein the injection-molded part has an edge radius and/or corner radius greater than 0.3 mm.

44. The injection-molded part according to claim 40, wherein the injection-molded part has a decoration depth present multiplied by a factor, wherein the factor lies in a range of from 0.75 to 1.25.

45. The device according to claim 35, wherein the vacuum zone is designed in the form of a slit and/or gap running around the retaining plate and/or wherein several slits and or several gaps are arranged in the retaining plate.

Description

[0120] Further embodiments of the invention are represented in the figures and described below. There are shown in:

[0121] FIG. 1: a schematic representation of a method for decorating an injection-molded part

[0122] FIG. 2: a schematic representation of a method for decorating an injection-molded part

[0123] FIG. 3: a schematic representation of a device for decorating an injection-molded part

[0124] FIG. 4a: a schematic representation of a suction tool

[0125] FIG. 4b: a schematic representation of a suction tool with label picked up

[0126] FIG. 5: a schematic representation of a transfer film or a label

[0127] FIG. 6a: a schematic representation of an injection-molded part in top view

[0128] FIG. 6b: a schematic representation of an injection-molded part in sectional view

[0129] FIG. 7a: a schematic representation of an injection-molded part in top view

[0130] FIG. 7b: a schematic representation of an injection-molded part in sectional view

[0131] FIG. 8a: a schematic representation of an injection-molded part in top view

[0132] FIG. 8b: a schematic representation of an injection-molded part in sectional view

[0133] FIG. 9a: a schematic representation of an injection-molded part in top view

[0134] FIG. 9b: a schematic representation of an injection-molded part in sectional view

[0135] FIG. 10a: a schematic representation of an injection-molded part in top view

[0136] FIG. 10b: a schematic representation of an injection-molded part in sectional view

[0137] FIG. 10c: a schematic representation of an injection-molded part in sectional view

[0138] In the following, the invention is explained by way of example with reference to several embodiment examples utilizing the attached drawings. The embodiment examples shown are therefore not to be understood as limitative.

[0139] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a method for decorating an injection-molded part 40, comprising the following steps, which are carried out in particular in the following order: [0140] a) providing a transfer film in the form of a roll 10 [0141] b) cutting the transfer film to size to form at least one label 30, 11 [0142] c) laying the at least one label 30 in an injection-molding apparatus 21 by means of a robot arm 24, 12 [0143] d) closing the injection-molding apparatus 21, 13 [0144] e) back-injection molding the at least one label 30 by means of an injection-molding compound 14 [0145] f) opening the injection-molding apparatus 21 and removing the injection-molded part 40, 15

[0146] It is possible for the cutting to size of the transfer film to form at least one label 30, 11, in particular in step b), to be effected by means of steel strip cutting and/or punching and/or cutting plotters and/or lasers.

[0147] For example, it is provided that the cutting to size of the transfer film 11, in particular in step b), to form at least one label 30 is effected registration-accurately and/or register-accurately, in particular wherein at least one registration mark and/or at least one register mark and/or at least one motif is detected by means of at least one sensor, preferably optical sensor and/or camera.

[0148] In particular, an accuracy in the range of from −0.1 mm to 0.1 mm, preferably from −0.05 mm to 0.05 mm, is thus achieved during the cutting to size of the at least one label 30, 11, preferably in step b).

[0149] It is preferably provided that the following step is further carried out after the cutting to size 11, in particular before the laying-in 12: [0150] placing the at least one label 30 in at least one pre-centering device 22, in particular in at least one magazine 23 for several labels 30 and/or at least in a specific depositing location for an individual label 30.

[0151] The pre-centering device 22 guarantees that the at least one label 30 is always gripped or picked up in a positionally accurate manner and is laid or placed in the injection-molding apparatus 21 in a positionally accurate manner. The labels can for example be present as a stack in the magazine, wherein the labels are arranged one on top of another and thus form a stack.

[0152] Further, it is preferably provided that the following step is further carried out after the cutting to size 11, preferably after the placing of the at least one label 30 in at least one pre-centering device 22, particularly preferably before the laying-in 12: [0153] picking up the at least one label 30 from the at least one pre-centering device 22 by means of a robot arm 24, in particular a suction tool 25, wherein the at least one label 30 is first picked up, is deposited in the at least one pre-centering device 22 again and once more picked up by the robot arm 24, in particular the suction tool 25.

[0154] It is also possible for the laying-in of the at least one label 30, 12, in particular in step c), to be effected in a positionally accurate manner, in particular wherein the centering device 26, preferably the at least two positioning elements, produces or produce a positive-locking join to the injection-molding apparatus 21, preferably at least one first injection mold half, particularly preferably at least one rigid or nozzle-side and/or immovable injection mold half.

[0155] In particular, the laying-in of the at least one label 30, 12, preferably in step c), is effected with an accuracy in the range of from −0.2 mm to 0.2 mm, preferably from −0.1 mm to 0.1 mm.

[0156] Furthermore, it is preferred that the injection-molding apparatus 21 holds the laid-in at least one label 30 in step c), preferably in step d) and/or step e), by means of vacuum in at least one first injection mold half, in particular the at least one rigid or nozzle-side injection mold half.

[0157] It is also possible for the injection-molding compound, in particular in step e), to be injected by means of injection pressure in the direction of at least one second injection mold half, in particular the movable injection mold half, in particular with the result that the at least one label 30 is pressed against the at least one second injection mold half.

[0158] In particular, it is provided that a join, in particular a firm join, between the injection-molding compound and the at least one label 30 is produced in step e).

[0159] The back-injection molding of the at least one label 30 in step e) is preferably effected with a temperature in the range between 200° C. and 320° C., preferably between 240° C. and 290° C., further preferably between 240° C. and 270° C.

[0160] The back-injection molding of the at least one label 30 in step e) is advantageously effected with a pressure in the range between 10 bar and 2800 bar, preferably between 500 bar and 2500 bar, further preferably between 500 bar and 2000 bar.

[0161] It is also possible for the injection-molding apparatus 21 to be opened in step f) after a predetermined time, in particular a predetermined cooling time. The delayed opening of the injection-molding apparatus 21 ensures that the injection-molding compound is sufficiently cooled and thus cured. This also guarantees a secure or firm join of the injection-molded part 40 to the label 30, in particular the transfer ply 32.

[0162] Substantially the same method as in FIG. 1 is schematically represented in FIG. 2, but with the difference that the following step is further carried out, preferably after the injection-molding apparatus 21 15 has been opened, in particular after step f): [0163] peeling the carrier film 31 off the injection-molded part 40, 16 in order to provide a decorated injection-molded part 40.

[0164] Through the peeling-off of the carrier film 31, the transfer ply 32 of the label 30 is exposed and thus becomes visible. The carrier film 31 acts as protection for the transfer ply 32 from external environmental influences, for example mechanical, chemical and/or physical stresses, in particular after the injection-molding apparatus 21 has been opened. Thus, it is conceivable for example that the injection-molded part 40 is stored temporarily and/or transported after removal from the injection-molding apparatus 21. The carrier film 31 can then be taken off only shortly before installation of the injection-molded part 40 and/or use of the injection-molded part 40. It is thus ensured that the transfer ply 32, which preferably generates an optical effect and/or a functional coating, remains undamaged.

[0165] FIG. 3 shows an example design of a device 20 for decorating an injection-molded part 40. In this design, the device 20 has a magazine 23 for collecting one or more labels 30, a pre-centering device 22, an injection-molding apparatus 21 and a robot arm 24 with a suction tool 25 located thereon.

[0166] In an alternative design, however, it is also possible for the device 20 to have at least one cutting device for cutting at least one label 30 to size out of a transfer film, at least one robot arm 24 and at least one injection-molding apparatus 21, wherein the at least one label 30 is laid in the injection-molding apparatus 21 by means of the at least one robot arm 24 and the at least one label 30 is joined to an injection-molding compound in the injection-molding apparatus 21 in order to produce an injection-molded part 40.

[0167] It is possible for the cut-to-size labels 30 to be collected in a magazine 23. A label 30 is gripped and removed by means of a robot arm 24 with suction tool 25. It can be possible for the magazine 23 already to act as a pre-centering device 22. First of all, a label 30 is picked up with the suction tool 25 and placed in a corner of the magazine 23 and temporarily deposited. After a predetermined residence time, preferably of from 0.5 s to 1.0 s, the label 30 is gripped by the suction tool 25 again. Because the robot arm 24 always arrives at the same position with respect to the magazine 23, it can thus be guaranteed that the labels 30 are always picked up in the same position. In the case where the magazine 23 does not act as a pre-centering device 22, the label 30 is removed from the magazine 23 by means of the suction tool 25 and laid in the pre-centering device 22. After a predetermined residence time, preferably of from 0.5 s to 1.0 s, the label 30 is then removed from the pre-centering device 22 again in a positionally accurate manner by means of the suction tool 25 and can be laid in the injection-molding apparatus 21. However, it can also be possible for both the magazine 23 and the pre-centering device 22 to function to center the label 30.

[0168] The at least one injection-molding apparatus 21 preferably has at least one first injection mold half, in particular rigid or nozzle-side and/or immovable injection mold half, and at least one second injection mold half, in particular movable injection mold half.

[0169] It is also possible for the at least one injection-molding apparatus 21, in particular the at least one first injection mold half, to have a negative mold of the at least one centering device 26, with the result that a positive-locking join to the at least one centering device 26 is effected and a positionally accurate laying-in of the at least one label 30 is made possible, in particular wherein an accuracy in the range of from −0.2 mm to 0.2 mm, preferably from −0.1 mm to 0.1 mm, is achieved.

[0170] It is preferably provided that the at least one injection-molding apparatus 21, in particular the at least one first injection mold half, has at least one vacuum chamber 28, which fixes the at least one label 30 after it has been laid in the injection-molding apparatus 21.

[0171] For example, it is provided that the at least one cutting device comprises at least one punch and/or a cutting plotter and/or a laser. In particular when a cutting plotter and/or a laser and/or a punch is used, the at least one label 30 can be cut to size with an accuracy in the range of from −0.1 mm to 0.1 mm, preferably from −0.05 mm to 0.05 mm.

[0172] It is preferably provided that the at least one cutting device has at least one sensor, preferably an optical sensor or a camera, which detects an at least one registration mark and/or register mark printed on the transfer film, with the result that the cutting to size of the transfer film to form at least one label 30 is effected in a positionally accurate manner.

[0173] It is also possible for the at least one cutting device to cut the at least one label 30 to size with an accuracy in the range of from −0.1 mm to 0.1 mm, preferably from −0.05 mm to 0.05 mm.

[0174] It is also preferably provided that the robot arm 24 can be moved between the individual stations of the device 20, in particular the pre-centering device 22 and/or the magazine 23 and/or the cutting device and/or the injection-molding apparatus 21, with the result that the process sequence proceeds in a fully automated manner. The efficiency can thereby be increased, and thus the manufacturing costs can also be reduced.

[0175] It is preferably possible for the at least one robot arm 24 to have at least one suction tool 25 for gripping or picking up the at least one label 30, in particular by means of vacuum. The gripping by means of vacuum guarantees that the transfer film does not kink and/or bend. In particular the transfer ply 32 of the transfer film is to be treated carefully, as constituents, in particular varnish constituents and/or varnish layers, can break off and/or detach if the transfer ply 32 curves and/or bends too much. Through the gripping of the label 30 by means of vacuum, such a breaking off and/or detaching of the varnish constituents and/or varnish layers is avoided.

[0176] FIG. 4a shows a suction tool 25 in a schematic representation. In this embodiment, the suction tool 25 has a retaining plate 27, a vacuum chamber 28, a vacuum zone 29 and two conical positioning elements, wherein the two conical positioning elements act as centering device 26.

[0177] For example, it is possible for the suction tool 25 to have a retaining plate 27, the surface of which substantially corresponds to at least one surface of the at least one first injection mold half and/or the at least one second injection mold half and/or the injection-molded part 40. The advantage thereby results that when picked up by means of the suction tool 25 the label 30 is already in the form in which it is applied to the injection-molded part 40 after the back-injection molding. The mechanical stress on the label 30 during the back-injection molding is thereby reduced, and thus also the danger of a possible breaking off or detaching of varnish layers of the transfer ply 32.

[0178] It is preferably provided that the at least one suction tool 25 has at least one vacuum zone 29, in particular circumferential vacuum zone 29, preferably wherein the vacuum zone 29 is designed in the form of a slit and/or gap running around the retaining plate 27 and/or wherein several slits and/or several gaps are arranged in the retaining plate 27. It is provided in particular that the vacuum zone 29 is arranged such that the gaps and/or slits are distributed over the entire surface area of the retaining plate 27. A possibly uniform pick-up of the label 30 is thereby guaranteed. This means that the label 30 does not bulge and/or undulate in an undefined manner. In this case, undefined means not following the contour or surface of the retaining plate 27.

[0179] The vacuum zone 29, in particular the slit and/or gap, advantageously has a width and/or depth in the range of from 0.02 mm to 0.2 mm, preferably from 0.05 mm to 0.1 mm.

[0180] It is also possible for the vacuum zone 29 to correspond to the contour of the label 30 and/or wherein the dimensions of the vacuum zone 29, in particular the width and length of the vacuum zone, are smaller than the label 30, preferably 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm smaller, particularly preferably 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm smaller.

[0181] It is preferably provided that the at least one suction tool 25, in particular the at least one retaining plate 27, has a bend-proof material, in particular aluminum and/or steel and/or magnesium and/or ceramic and/or fiber-reinforced plastic. The bend-proof material ensures that the label 30 always adapts to the contour of the retaining plate 27.

[0182] Furthermore, it is also possible for the at least one suction tool 25 to have at least one centering device 26, in particular wherein the centering device 26 has at least two positioning elements, in particular conical positioning elements or truncated cones, and/or at least one flat centering device, which center the at least one label 30 mechanically.

[0183] In FIG. 4b it is represented by way of example how the suction tool 25 picks up a label 30. Through the conical design of the positioning elements or of the centering device 26, the label 30 is automatically centered mechanically when picked up. Through the generated negative pressure or vacuum of the vacuum chamber 28, the label 30 is held against the retaining plate 27 following the contours or following the surface. It is provided in particular that the label 30 does not alter its position during the entire holding process. Through the vacuum chamber 28 and its vacuum zones 29, the label 30 is picked up and held as gently as possible, with the result that an undesired bending and/or undulation and/or an undesired kinking is avoided.

[0184] The centering device 26 is preferably designed such that it can form a positive-locking join to a negative mold of the injection-molding apparatus 21, with the result that a positionally accurate transfer from suction tool 25 to the injection-molding apparatus 21 is effected.

[0185] FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of a label 30 and/or of a transfer film in side view, with the result that the layer structure thereof can be seen. The transfer film, in particular the label 30, preferably has at least one carrier film 31 and at least one transfer ply 32.

[0186] In an alternative design, it can also be provided that at least one detachment layer is arranged between the at least one carrier film 31 and the at least one transfer ply 32. The at least one detachment layer is preferably a polymeric detachment layer, which has a detachment behavior that is better than and/or different from conventional carrier films. Such detachment layers are irreversibly joined to the carrier film 31 and a transfer ply 32 is arranged on the detachment layer. The transfer ply 32 can in particular be more easily detached from the carrier film 31 with a polymeric detachment layer, with the result that a higher-quality decoration of the injection-molded part 40 is achieved.

[0187] In particular, the at least one detachment layer has a layer thickness smaller than 1 μm, in particular smaller than 0.5 μm.

[0188] It is also possible for the at least one detachment layer to comprise at least one material or combination of materials selected from: wax, carnauba wax, montanic acid ester, polyethylene wax, polyamide wax, PTFE wax, silicone, melamine formaldehyde resin.

[0189] Further, it is preferably provided that the at least one transfer ply 32 has at least one layer or a combination of layers selected from: adhesive layer, detachment layer, decorative layer, metal layer, semiconductor layer, carbon black layer, adhesion-promoting layer, primer layer, color layer, protective layer, functional layer.

[0190] Preferably, it is also possible for the at least one carrier film 31 to comprise a material or a combination of materials selected from: PET, PMMA, PC, PE, PVC, ABS, PU, PBS, TPU, PP, PLA, PEF and/or PAN.

[0191] It is also provided that the transfer film, in particular the at least one carrier film 31 and/or the at least one transfer ply 32, is biodegradable and/or compostable. Biodegradable means here that a material breaks down into water and/or carbon dioxide and/or biomass to the extent of more than 90%, in particular to the extent of more than 95%, after a predefined time under defined temperature, air and moisture conditions in the presence of microorganisms or fungi. Biodegradable and/or compostable materials preferably comprise a material and/or a combination of materials selected from: starch, starch derivatives, cellulose, cellulose derivatives, lignin, polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxy fatty acids (PHB and/or PHV), chitin, chitosan, proteins, casein, gelatin, degradable polyester (PE).

[0192] Preferably, it is also possible for at least one registration mark and/or at least one register mark and/or at least one motif, which is detectable by means of at least one sensor, in particular optical sensor and/or camera, to be applied to the transfer film, in particular to the at least one label 30, in particular to be applied by means of digital printing and/or inkjet printing and/or pad printing.

[0193] Example representations of an injection-molded part 40 are represented in FIGS. 6a to 10c, wherein the injection-molded part 40 has a triangle in outline, which is formed substantially cup-shaped, i.e. has a rim. FIGS. 6a, 7a, 8a, 9a and 10a always show the injection-molded part 40 in top view, whereas in FIGS. 6b, 7b, 8b, 9b, 10b and 10c in each case a sectional view of the injection-molded part 40 is represented. The geometries of the injection-molded part 40 shown in FIGS. 6a to 10c are only to be understood by way of example. A wide variety of geometric designs of the injection-molded part 40 are provided. Thus, the injection-molded part can for example be a component part, in particular a vehicle part, a housing part, a cockpit component and/or a body component and/or a shell and/or the like.

[0194] For example, it is provided that the injection-molded part 40 has at least one injection-molded body and a label 30, in particular a transfer ply 32, joined to the at least one injection-molded body.

[0195] The injection-molded part 40 shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b has a first area 51 and a second area 52. It is preferably provided that the label 30, in particular the transfer ply 32, is at least partially present in the first area 51, but is not present in the second area 52. Various decorations can thus be realized, which produce a particularly high-quality optical impression and/or provide a particularly high-quality functional coating.

[0196] The injection-molded part 40 from FIGS. 7a and 7b has a bar which extends from the outer edge of the injection-molded part 40 into the interior. It follows from FIG. 7b that the injection-molded part 40 has three second areas 52 and two first areas 51. The bar is preferably located completely in a second area 52 and is therefore not decorated. However, it is possible for both first areas 51 to be decorated with the label 30.

[0197] A further design of the injection-molded part 40 is represented in FIGS. 8a and 8b, wherein a cylinder is arranged in the center of the injection-molded part 40, which is preferably not decorated. The cylinder is therefore arranged completely in a second area 52.

[0198] The injection-molded parts 40 shown in FIGS. 6a to 8b have substantially a flat surface, which is decorated. FIGS. 9a and 9b show an injection-molded part 40 with a bulging or curved surface.

[0199] It is preferably provided that the injection-molded part 40, in particular in the at least one first area 51, has a flat surface and/or a surface with at least one curvature about at least one axis.

[0200] It is also possible for the injection-molded part 40, in particular in the at least one first area 51, to have an edge radius and/or corner radius greater than 0.3 mm, in particular greater than 0.2 mm.

[0201] It is advantageously provided that the injection-molded part 40 has a decoration depth, in particular wherein the decoration depth corresponds to the smallest corner radius and/or edge radius present multiplied by a factor, wherein the factor lies in a range of from 0.75 to 1.25, preferably from 0.95 to 1.05.

[0202] FIGS. 10a, 10b and 10c show a decorated injection-molded part 40, wherein the injection-molded part 40 is not represented to scale. In FIG. 10b the label 30 is deposited over the whole surface completely on a surface of the injection-molded part 40 in at least one first area 51. The label 30 comprises at least one transfer ply 32, which is preferably firmly joined to the injection-molded part 40, and a carrier film 31. The carrier film 31 acts in particular as protection for the transfer ply 32, preferably when the injection-molded part 40 is removed from the injection-molding apparatus 21. The carrier film 31 thus protects the sensitive transfer ply 32 from mechanical and/or chemical and/or physical environmental influences. A decorated injection-molded part 40 is represented in FIG. 10c, wherein the carrier film 31 has been detached, thus only the transfer ply 32 is still present. The carrier film 31 can preferably be peeled off by hand and/or robot and/or a peeling-off device.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0203] 10 providing a transfer film in the form of a roll [0204] 11 cutting the transfer film to size to form at least one label [0205] 12 laying the at least one label in an injection-molding apparatus [0206] 13 closing the injection-molding apparatus [0207] 14 back-injection molding the at least one label by means of an injection-molding compound [0208] 15 opening the injection-molding apparatus and removing the injection-molded part [0209] 16 peeling the carrier film off the injection-molded part [0210] 20 device [0211] 21 injection-molding apparatus [0212] 22 pre-centering device [0213] 23 magazine [0214] 24 robot arm [0215] 25 suction tool [0216] 26 centering device [0217] 27 retaining plate [0218] 28 vacuum chamber [0219] 29 vacuum zone [0220] 30 label [0221] 31 carrier film [0222] 32 transfer ply [0223] 40 injection-molded part [0224] 51 first area [0225] 52 second area