Decorated injection-moulded article, method for producing one such article, and transfer film for using in one such method

A process for the production of a decorated injection molded article using at least one decorative element which is formed by a transfer layer of a transfer film and provides a decoration for the injection molded article, the process comprising the steps of:

• providing a transfer film having at least a carrier film, a release layer arranged on the carrier film and a transfer layer arranged on the side of the release layer that is remote from the carrier film, the transfer layer forming a first decorative element having a first side and a second side;
• stamping the transfer film on to a thermoplastic auxiliary film web in such a way that the transfer layer is mechanically fixedly joined to the auxiliary film web;
• shaping the auxiliary film web inclusive of the transfer film by three-dimensional deep-drawing the auxiliary film web inclusive of the transfer film;
• arranging the auxiliary film web inclusive of the transfer film in a first injection molding mold;
• filling the first injection molding mold with a first plastic injection material in such a way that, on its side remote from the transfer film, the auxiliary film web is at least partially covered with the first plastic injection material;
• hardening the first plastic injection material to afford a first plastic material;
• taking the first plastic material inclusive of the transfer film joined thereto out of the first injection molding mold;
• removing the carrier film inclusive of the release layer from the transfer layer;
• arranging the first plastic material decorated with the transfer layer in that way in a second injection molding mold;
• and
• at least partially over-injecting at least the still uncovered side of the transfer layer, which corresponds to the first side of the first decorative element, with a second plastic injection material.