Abstract:
A method for producing a transparent object that attracts a viewer&#39;s attention. At least some of the object surface facing the viewer is illuminated by means of an illumination source that irradiates a bottom surface of the object, said bottom surface facing away from the viewer. The disclosed method is characterized in that the object is provided with a surface that is reflective in incident light.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/601,603, filed Dec. 14, 2010, which is the U.S. National Stage of International Application No. PCT/EP2007/061060, filed Oct. 17, 2007, which designated the United States and has been published as International Publication No. WO 2008/049764 and which claims the priority of German Patent Applications, Serial No. 10 2007 024 521.3, filed May 24, 2007 and Serial No. 10 2007 051 910.0, filed Oct. 29, 2007, pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119(a)-(d). 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a method for producing a transparent object attracting a viewer&#39;s attention, wherein a surface facing the viewer is at least partially illuminated by an illumination source which illuminates a bottom surface of the object facing away from the viewer. 
         [0003]    In addition, the invention relates to an object made of a transparent material with a bottom surface facing away from the viewer, which can be illuminated with an illumination source having light beams that pass through the material and are visible on a surface facing the viewer. 
         [0004]    The invention also relates to a logo for identifying an object, which can be attached to the object to indicate its origin with a characteristic arrangement of lines. 
         [0005]    Transparent objects are known, which have the surface displaying the name, the residence and optionally other information of a company or a resident residing at the address identified by the object. Such objects are frequently made as transparent plastic boxes which can be illuminated with an illumination source. This illumination source is installed inside the box and radiates towards the surface provided with the message. The illumination unit is switched on at dusk, so that the information displayed on the surface can also be read in the dark by viewers viewing the illuminated box. To this end, the identifying features applied to the surface of the box are either not transparent at all or its transparency is different from that of the box, so that the identifying features can be recognized by the viewer. 
         [0006]    However, such boxes are not designed to be readily visible under incident light, i.e., daylight. Instead, a person interested in the address applied to the surface must search for the information when walking past the box. For example, the information recorded on the surface may have been bleached from the longtime illumination, so that this information typically does not attract the attention of a passerby, but has to be deliberately searched for. Only a limited advertising effect which draws attention can be attained with boxes labeled in this manner, so that these boxes remain mostly unnoticed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    It is therefore an object of the invention to construct the object in such a way that it attracts the same attention under incident light, for example daylight, as when the illumination source is switched on. 
         [0008]    The object is attained with respect to the method in that the object is provided with a surface that reflects under incident light. Due to the reflection, the correspondingly constructed surface attracts the attention also of passerby&#39;s who are in a hurry. The attractiveness of the identified surface is significantly increased by the reflection from the surface and the different signal effect of surface areas that reflect to a different degree. 
         [0009]    With respect to the object, the same effect is attained in that the surface reflects under incident light. This reflection significantly enhances the visibility of the surface, thereby drawing attention. 
         [0010]    Also known for identifying an object is a logo, which can be attached to the object and indicates its origin by a characteristic arrangement of lines. 
         [0011]    Although the logo can frequently be recognized by potential buyers and is viewed as a indication for the particular quality of the goods, it can typically not be recognized in the dark, thereby losing its value as an identification cue. 
         [0012]    With respect to the logo, it is the object of the invention to make the logo visible also in the dark, so that it can be used for identification. 
         [0013]    This object is attained with the invention in that the lines are made of a transparent material, which is illuminated with at least one light source reproducing the lines, and that the lines are provided with coloration on at least one section of the surface facing away from the object which is transparent when the light source is switched on. The logo designed in this manner still have, as is the case with conventional logos, an externally visible coloration, for example with a metallic gloss. When it is dark, the light source is switched on, allowing the logo to be visible also in the dark. 
         [0014]    According to a preferred embodiment of the method of the invention, the object is illuminated by the illumination source along characteristic lines commensurate with its contour. In this way, the contour of the object can also be recognized in the dark and be used for the typical applications. Likewise, characteristic surfaces of the object commensurate with its contour may be illuminated by the illumination source. The object can then also be used in the dark commensurate with its intended application. 
         [0015]    According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, at least characteristic portions of the overall shape the object can be illuminated by the illumination source commensurate with its contour. In these cases, the remaining design of the object can be inferred from the illuminated portions of the object, allowing the object to be extensively used. 
         [0016]    Other embodiments of the object are also suitable to use the object in the dark. For example, the surface can be provided with raised portions that diffract the illuminating light. The overall shape of the object can thereby be recognized, and the object can used. 
         [0017]    According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the surface can be made of a reflecting material producing a reflector effect that changes under incident light depending on the irradiation. In this way, for example, sequential operations can be performed with the object commensurate with the changing light conditions. 
         [0018]    According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the bottom surface can also be illuminated by the illumination source with controllable light effects. Sequential operations can be performed with the object by a suitable selection of the control. 
         [0019]    Similar effects can also be attained by illuminating the bottom surface with a differently colored illumination source. This can also provide important information for using the object. Illumination with an intermittent illumination source is used in the similar manner. The number of pulses of the intermittent illumination source may include information important for using the object. 
         [0020]    According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the surface is at least partially covered with a coating, which is at least partially transparent for the light from the illumination source. In this way, certain areas of the object may be more or less intensely illuminated to thereby provide information for using object. 
         [0021]    In a similar manner, and object can be used where individual areas of the surface have different coloration under incident light. The differently colored areas can also be provided with informational symbols which are, for example, designed as direction signs or which include prohibiting information. 
         [0022]    According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the surface facing the viewer may have different reflectivity. For example, individual areas of the surface may be constructed to be non-reflecting, whereas the reflection of other areas is configured differently, for example through reflection in different colors. This produces not only particularly attractive effects when using the correspondingly constructed object, but the object can also have directional features and other functions. 
         [0023]    Preferred embodiments of the invention also relate to the object. For example, the object may have walls of different thicknesses and different reflection properties for the incident light corresponding to the respective wall thickness, as well as a different transparency of the light from the illumination source incident on the bottom surface. Depending on the intended use, the wall thickness of the object can then be selected so that information is produced with the differently reflected and differently transmitted light that is important for handling the object. In particular, according to another preferred embodiment of the invention, different reflection and transmission effects can be attained in the area of the different wall thicknesses of the object. In particular, the wall thicknesses of the object can be selected commensurate with the desired light transmission from the surface. 
         [0024]    Areas of different coloring can be attained by producing partial layers with different thicknesses. The partial layers with different thicknesses produce different transparency effects, depending on the coloration of the material. 
         [0025]    According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, partial layers can also be produced from a supporting foil that is provided with a colored coating. This supporting foil has a different coloration effects. 
         [0026]    According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a transparent plastic foil with a corresponding coloration is provided for coloring the surface. By using the transparent plastic foil, the light of the light source located inside is transmitted to the outside, so that the logo can also be recognized in the dark. 
         [0027]    According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the plastic foil has a surface with a transparent coating that is colored according to the desired coloration. This coating advantageously allows transmission of the light from the internal light source to the outside, and also enables the logo to appear under incident light with the desired coloration, for example with a silvery color. 
         [0028]    According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the coating is disposed on a side of the plastic foil facing away from the object. In this way, the object attains the bright coloration of the coating, without disturbing this effect with a coated supporting foil. 
         [0029]    According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the plastic foil is firmly connected with the surface of the material. This firm connection prevents detachment of the plastic foil from the material. 
         [0030]    According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the plastic foil is glued to the surface. The development of the adhesive technology allows the plastic foil to be glued to the surface without interfering with the transparency effect of the plastic foil. 
         [0031]    According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the plastic foil reflects light incident from the outside with a silvery color. This approach maintains the conventional appearance of a metallic material produced by logos that are applied on a surface. 
         [0032]    According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the plastic foil is implemented as a chromium foil that reflects the light incident from the outside with a silvery color. This chromium foil is commercially available at low cost and can be readily joined with the surface to be colored. 
         [0033]    According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the plastic foil is implemented as a foil on which gold is evaporated and which reflects the light incident from the outside with a golden color. Coloration agents reflecting with a gold color can be employed, which can be applied on a chromium foil without technical difficulties. 
         [0034]    According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the object is implemented as an automobile, with the backside of the material facing away from the colored surface being attached to the varnished surface. Any joining technique used to date for applying a logo on a varnished surface can be used for attaching the material with the reflecting surface. Mounting the light source inside the logo also does not pose technical difficulties or excessive costs which would prevent use of the logo. 
         [0035]    According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one layer can be electrolytically applied to the material. The thickness of this electrolytically applied layer can advantageously be precisely specified and limited to a predefined dimension. In addition, a very smooth surface without identifiable grain boundaries is produced. 
         [0036]    According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the transparent material is electrolytically coated with aluminum on the surface facing away from the object. This produces a thin high-gloss aluminum layer on the transparent material under incident light. 
         [0037]    According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the surface of the transparent material facing away from the object is electrolytically coated with chromium. Chromium firmly adheres to the transparent material and is applied so thin that light can pass through the coated material. 
         [0038]    According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a first electrolytic bath for coating the transparent material with copper and a second electrolytic bath for coating the copper deposited on the material with chromium are provided. This produces a very durable and uniform metal coating which develops a high gloss under incident light. With the electrolytic process, these layers can be maintained so thin that they are easily recognizable in transmitted light, without losing their gloss under incident light. 
         [0039]    According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the transparent material has a cover layer facing away from the object with a thickness of at most 10 μm. The metal layers to be deposited separately can be dimensioned so that the intensity of the transmitted light can be adjusted exactly depending on the selected application site of the logo. 
         [0040]    According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the electrolytic coating with copper has a thickness of at most 4 μm, and the electrolytic coating of the copper surface with chromium has a thickness of at most 2 μm. These very thin coatings can be maintained with electrolytic deposition of the metals, so that the desired brightness effect is not diminished. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0041]    Additional details of the invention can be ascertained from the following detailed description and the appended drawings where a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated as an example. 
           [0042]    The drawings show in: 
           [0043]      FIG. 1  a partially cut-open side view of a window opener, 
           [0044]      FIG. 2  a partially cut-open top view of a window opener according to  FIG. 1 , 
           [0045]      FIG. 3  a cross section through the window opener taken along the line III-III in  FIG. 2 , 
           [0046]      FIG. 4  a top view of a partially cut-open direction arrow, 
           [0047]      FIG. 5  a top view on a logo of a motor vehicle, 
           [0048]      FIG. 6  a cross-sectional through a portion of the logo taken along the line VI-VI in  FIG. 5 , 
           [0049]      FIG. 7  a top view on another logo, 
           [0050]      FIG. 8  a cross section through the logo of  FIG. 7  taken along the line VIII-VIII in  FIG. 7 , 
           [0051]      FIG. 9  a backside view of a logo, 
           [0052]      FIG. 10  a view of a tailgate of a motor vehicle, and 
           [0053]      FIG. 11  a diagram of an apparatus for coating metals with an electrolytic process. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0054]    The window opener  50  consists essentially of a handle portion  51  and a mounting portion  52 . The mounting portion  52  has a square  53  which is used for coupling the window opener  50  to a closing mechanism (not illustrated) of a window  54 . Pivoting the handle portion  51  pivots the square  53  about a longitudinal axis  55  of the mounting portion  52 , whereby the un-illustrated closing mechanism of the window  54  is either opened or closed, depending on the rotation direction. The handle portion  51  is has a plastic core  56  through which a hollow space  57  extends. An illuminator  58 , which lights up when an electric voltage is applied, is installed in this hollow space  57 . The illumination intensity of the illuminator  58  is selected so that the light is transmitted through the walls  59 ,  60  of the plastic core  56 . The plastic core  56  is therefore made of a transparent plastic material. 
         [0055]    In the arrangement of the illuminator  58  depicted in  FIG. 1 , sidewalls  61 ,  62  and optionally also the top and bottom cover surfaces  63 ,  64  light up. Depending on the illumination intensity of the illuminator  68  and on the transparency of the plastic core  56 , the contour of the handle portion  51  is outlined, so that it can be grasped and operated in the dark. 
         [0056]    The handle portion  51  may be surrounded by a foil  65  which can be colored or covered with a colored layer  66 . This colored layer may develop different color nuances depending on the color of the light emitted by the illuminator  58 . For example, the color layer can light up red when illuminated by red light from the illuminator  58 , whereas the foil  65  lights up green when illuminated by green light from the illuminator  58 . The window opener  50  may include switching means for switching the illuminator from red light to green light. The switching means are activated by rotating (not illustrated) the handle portion  51 , so that the handle portion  51  is illuminated red when the window is open and green when the window is closed. Alternatively, two different illuminators  58  may be arranged in the hollow space  57 , with one of them emitting red light and the other green light. 
         [0057]    In many applications for marking objects, it is sufficient to illuminate individual edges.  FIGS. 2 and 3  show illuminators  67 ,  68 ,  69 ,  70  extending along delimiting edges  71 ,  72 ,  73 ,  74 . The illumination intensity of these illuminators  67 ,  68 ,  69 ,  70  along the delimiting edges  71 ,  72 ,  73 ,  74  is limited to the lines formed by the delimiting edges. Because every person knows the structure of window openings  50 , s/he will recognize the lines  75 ,  76  regardless if s/he recognizes the walls  61 ,  62  located between the lines  75 ,  76 . The wall  61  located on the side of the handle portion  51  can also have a two-dimensional indentation  77  extending over the entire area, with that area lighting up when the illuminator  58  is switched on. The contour of the handle portion  51  can then be readily recognized even in the dark. In indentation  77  can also be formed at least on both sides of the handle portion  51 , possibly also in the region of the top cover surface  63  and the bottom cover surface  64 . Instead of providing illumination with illuminators  67 ,  68 ,  69 ,  70  in string form, the bottom surfaces  78  of the transparent walls  59 ,  60 ;  61 ,  62  facing the illuminators  67 ,  68 ,  69 ,  70  can also be covered with two-dimensional illuminators  79  which uniformly illuminate the entire bottom surface  78 . However, a substantial amount of electrical energy must be supplied to the two-dimensional illuminator  79 , necessitating considerable insulation. 
         [0058]    The invention can also be applied to a high-end direction sign  80 , for example for indicating emergency exits. This direction sign  80  includes a shaft portion  81  and an information portion  82  with a tip  83  pointing towards the exit. Both the shaft portion  81  and the information portion  82  have corresponding hollow spaces  84 ,  85 , in which illuminators  90 ,  91  extend along the corresponding wails  86 ,  87  of the bottom surfaces  88 ,  89 . These illuminators illuminate the bottom surfaces  88 ,  89  so that light is discernible at their surfaces  92 ,  93 , in particular in the dark, with a suitable transparent design of the walls  86 ,  87 . The illuminator  90  extending through the shaft portion  81  is powered by a first current source  94 , while the illuminator  91  extending through the information portion  82  is powered by a second current source  95 . Depending on the importance, the illuminators  90 ,  91  may be constructed differently. For example, the illuminator  90  in the shaft portion  81  may emit light with a constant intensity towards the bottom surface  88 , whereas the illuminator  91  disposed in the information portion  82  may illuminate the walls  87  of the tip  83  with intermittent high-intensity light, so that a viewer can readily identity the direction s/he need to take. Alternatively or in addition, the illuminators  90 ,  91  may be provided with light pulses propagating towards the tip  83 , so that the entire direction sign  80  points to the direction to be taken. 
         [0059]    Finally, the illuminators  90 ,  91  may also have different colors. For example, the illuminator  90  in the shaft  81  may attract attention by providing white illumination, whereas a red light emitted by the illuminator  91  may point in the information portion  82  to the importance of the direction to be taken. 
         [0060]    The surfaces  92 ,  93  of the shaft portion  81  as well as of the information portion  82  may be constructed differently. For example, the shaft portion  81  may have a surface  92  with raised portions  96 . The individual raised portions  96  reflect with particular intensity light incident from the outside and therefore attract attention. Conversely, the surface  92  of the information portion  82  may be smooth, so that the direction indicated by the direction sign  80  can be unambiguously identified. 
         [0061]    The direction indicated by the direction sign  80  can also be emphasized by decreasing the size and the number of the raised portions  96  towards the information portion  82 . This draws the attention of a viewer passing by to the information portion  82 . 
         [0062]    The surfaces  92 ,  93  of the shaft portion  81  and of the information portion  82  are colored, for example by applying a signal color or a strongly reflecting coating, for example metal with a silvery gloss. A color coating  97 ,  98 , which can be adapted to the significance of the respective shaft portion  81  and/or information portion  82 , is hereby formed on the respective surfaces  92 ,  93 , wherein for example the color coating  97  of the shaft portion  81  can be implemented with a silvery gloss to attracting a viewer&#39;s attention, whereas the color coating  98  of the information portion  82  is provided in a red color to clearly mark the direction to be taken. 
         [0063]    To this end, areas  99  with different light transparency  99  can be produced by constructing the walls  86  and/or the color coating  97  differently. Symbols can be applied to the surfaces  92 ,  93  in these areas  99 , which unambiguously identify the meaning of the direction sign, for example a symbol of a running person  100  who runs away from the danger zone in the direction indicated on the direction sign  80 . 
         [0064]    A logo represents another example of an object, where a bottom surface facing away from the viewer is illuminated by an illumination source and a surface facing the viewer reflects incident light. For example, a logo  1  used by a known automobile manufacturer consists essentially of lines  2 ,  3 , with a surrounding circular line  2  surrounding an arrangement of straight lines  3  which terminate in the circular line  2 . This straight lines  3  delimit two letters positioned on top of one another, of which the upper letter is formed as “V” and the lower letter as “W”. While the upper letter has two upwardly pointing lines  4 ,  5 , the lower letter has four upwardly pointing lines  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 . Both the circular line  2  and the upwardly pointing lines  4 ,  5 ;  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9  are made from a transparent plastic material. The logo  1  is intended for attachment to an object  10 , for example the tailgate of an automobile  11 . 
         [0065]    The transparent material of the lines  2 ,  3  of the logo  1  can be made of a plastic material and provided on a rear surface  12  of the logo  1  facing an object  10  with groove-shaped recesses  13 . These recesses  13  extend through the individual lines  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 . Illuminators  14  which are connected with an unillustrated current source by conductors are arranged in the individual recesses  13 . The illuminators  14  can be switched on, for example, at the same time that other illuminators, for example the taillights  17 ,  18 , are switched on. 
         [0066]    The front surfaces  19  of the lines  2 ,  3  of the logo  1  facing away from the rear surface  12  include a reflective metallic coating. This coating can be directly applied on the lines  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 . Importantly, this coating is transparent for light produced by the illuminators  14 . The light is transmitted both through the plastic material from which the logo  1  is made, and through the reflective metallic coating. In this way, the logo  1  has a reflective metallic surface when viewed under incident light, for example in daylight. Conversely, in the dark, when the illuminator  14  is switched on, the path of the lines  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9  is outlined, so that these lines  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9  can also be recognized in the dark. 
         [0067]    Instead of a corresponding coating of the lines  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 , a suitably colored plastic foil  20  can also be applied to the plastic material of the logo  1 . This plastic foil  20  can be fixedly connected with the plastic material of the lines  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 , for example with an adhesive. The plastic foil  20  is firmly stretched over the corresponding lines  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 , thereby producing a uniformly reflecting surface of these lines  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 . The plastic foil  20  is attached either at the lateral boundaries  21 ,  22  of the lines  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9  or at their rear boundary  23 . Those two-dimensional sections  24 ,  25  of the rear boundary  23 , which extend through the lines  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9  on both sides of the recesses  13 , are adequate for attaching the plastic foil  20 . 
         [0068]    The plastic foil  20  has a supporting foil  26  to which a coating  27  is applied. This coating can be made of chromium or another metal that provides a silver-colored reflection and is, for example, sprayed onto the supporting foil  26 . The coating  27  adheres to the supporting foil  26  so firmly that the plastic foil  20  can be bent even at the sharp corners of the individual lines  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9  without causing detachment of the coating  27  from the supporting foil  26 . 
         [0069]    Instead of a silvery glossy deposit on the individual lines  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 , other desired effects can be produced by selecting corresponding colors, for example with a logo of  FIG. 3  a gold-colored coloration of the surface  29 . It is also feasible to coat only portions of this two-dimensional logo  30  and leave other areas  31  uncoated, so that other special partial features can be attached thereon. 
         [0070]    Any type of lamp that emits light in response to an electric current can be used as an illuminator  14 . To this end, an input voltage is applied to electrically light-emitting sub-elements at contacts  32 ,  33 . However, care should be taken to prevent the illuminators  14  from producing excessive heat when switched on, which would be detrimental for the plastic material of the logo  1  and for the object  10  on which the logo  1  is to be attached. For example, the varnish applied to the motor vehicle  11  should also be taken into consideration. 
         [0071]    The logo  1  is produced by casting a suitable plastic material in a corresponding mold. The mold can be configured so that the recesses  13 , into which the illuminators are to be inserted, are taken into account during the molding process. However, the recesses  13  can also be applied by a machining operation after completion of the logo  1 . 
         [0072]    The prefabricated illuminators  14  of suitable shape are then inserted into the recesses  13 , and the contacts  32 ,  33  are aligned so that matching contact pins (not illustrated) project into the contacts  32 ,  33 . LED lights can also be used as Illuminators. 
         [0073]    The logo can be placed with its rear surface  12  directly on the object  10 . However, the rear surface  12  can also be first covered with a heat-insulating cover foil (not illustrated) which is then located between the rear surface  12  and the object  10 . 
         [0074]    The logo  1  produced in this manner appears with a metallic gloss under incident light, for example daylight. To this end, the coating  27  applied to the supporting foil  26  contacts an outside surface of the supporting foil  26  that faces away from the logo  1 . Because both the supporting foil  26  and the coating  27  are transparent for light, the entire logo lights up after the illuminator  14  is switched on. 
         [0075]    The logo  1  can also be produced from other transparent materials, not only from plastic. All known coloration processes can be employed for applying color, for example brush-painting, spray-coating, evaporation. The colored layer may be applied directly on the material of the logo  1 . Coating processes may also be used where several layers are applied sequentially. Not only paints or dyes, but also evaporated metals, for example aluminum, chromium or other metals suitable for evaporation, can be used for coloring the surface. 
         [0076]    A very precisely metal coating can also be applied on the transparent material with an electrolytic process. To this end, a container  34  is filled with an electrolyte  35 , wherein current from a DC source  37  is introduced through an anode  36  and conducted to a cathode  38 . The electrolyte  35  is hereby dissociated and its metal ions migrate to the cathode  38 . The logo  1  to be coated with metal is attached on the cathode  38 , and the metal dissociated from the electrolyte  35  is deposited on the lines  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9 . The quantity of the metal deposited on the lines  2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 ,  7 ,  8 ,  9  depends on a number of factors, such as the current density and the time during which the current is applied to the electrolyte  35 . By taking these factors into account, the thickness of the metal layer deposited on the logo  1  can be exactly specified. For example, a base layer made of copper having a thickness of at most 4 μm can be deposited on the transparent plastic material. The logo  1  coated in this manner can then be suspended in another electrolyte (not illustrated) which dissociates chromium when an electric current is applied. The chromium can be deposited on the already existing copper layer, thereby producing a very durable and high-gloss chromium layer. The thickness of this chromium layer also depends on the various factors affecting the electrolyte, wherein the thickness of the chromium layer to be applied on the existing copper deposit can be exactly specified, depending for example on the current density and the time during which the current is applied. The coatings applied on the logo  1  by electrolysis are advantageously very dense and produce a high-gloss surface. In addition, the electrolytically applied medals are firmly connected with the transparent material.