Method for the figurative and chromatic decoration of flat glass and articles of manufacture made thereby

Abstract: The method comprises the following steps: 1. Providing on one of the faces of a glass plate (1) (which can be either transparent or coloured), a thin layer of a transparent epoxy resin (2). 2. Forming on epoxy resin layer (2), a pattern (4) of any desired type, by means of a transfer process. 3. Coating on pattern (4) a layer (5) made of silver or gold or other metals, or a paint layer which contains silvered or golden pigments; the coating being adapted to provide the pattern with a metallized aspect.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method which has been specifically designed for the figurative and chromatic decoration of flat glass. As is known, glass plates are broadly used mainly for making windows, doors, walls for separating rooms, and, moreover, for making furniture pieces wings and the like. The thus made glass plates are usually transparent and they can be colourless or can be colored by means of comparatively expensive methods and which, anyhow, provide chromatic effects of poor aesthetic level. More specifically, by using patterns which are manually made or are made by screen printing methods, or by means of suitable masks, it is possible to pattern the above mentioned glass plates but, at present, the obtained decorative effect is comparatively limited. In fact, the thus made pattern has a poor definition and it is very difficult to make it in different colours, thereby providing unsatisfactory chromatic effects. Moreover, prior decorations are susceptible to be quickly deteriorated, because of the action of the atmospheric agents and/or in consequence of conventional cleaning operations. The document J-A-54022216 discloses method for printing a metallic film comprising transfer-printing a matter to be printed applied with an anchor coat of the same type as the protective coat, by using a printing film formed by forming a protective coat consisting of adhesive made of a thermosetting resin and a hardening agent (such as urea) or ultraviolet ray hardening resin through a lubricant, or parting coat of an acryl resin onto a plastic film base matter and applying a printing film of vacuum-plated film or metallic foil on the surface, sticking uniformly the printing film to the matter to be printed in the softened or molten state of the anchor coat of the matter, then hot pressing from home temperature to 150°C bind the anchor coat with the protective coat, stripping away the film base matter and hardening the printed matter by heating it at 60-200°C by infrared ray or electric heater or by applying ultraviolet rays to it. The document WO-A-89/03862 discloses a glass enamel-composition and a method of decorating and bending a glass substrate. The enamel is fired on a glass substrate to paint an opaque ceramic color. The glass enamel composition is of specially utility in the formation of black windows of automobiles in which an electrically conductive heating grid is also to be formed. Finally, the document EP-A-0447040 discloses the manufacture of decorative panels in general involving the building up of successive layers of an opaque paint and layers of transparent or translucid particulated material on the surface of a carrier such as a transparent translucent or opaque surface. The opaque paint is preferably based on a two-pack epoxy resin which includes micaceous iron oxide pigment together with at least one metallic pigment such as aluminium. The method provides a range of white and colour versions as well as metal or precious metal surface finish versions. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The aim of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a method which can be carried out very easily in order to provide decorations and patterns, even of complex configuration, on flat glass plates. Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide a method for decorating flat glass plates which allows to obtain optimum level chromatic effects and which, moreover, is adapted to provide patterned glass plates which are practically unaffected by the atmospheric agents and/or cleaning operations. According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a method for the figurative and chromatic decoration of flat glass, characterized in that said method comprises the steps of applying, to one of the faces of a glass plate, either transparent or colored, a thin layer of a transparent epoxy resin, forming on said transparent epoxy resin, by means of a transfer process, any desired patterns, and then coating said pattern with a coating paint layer, said paint layer containing therein either silvered or golden pigments, said pigments being adapted to provide said pattern with a metallized chromatic aspect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further characteristics and advantages of the method according to the present invention will become more apparent thereinafter from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment thereof, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative, but not limitative example, in the accompanying drawing, where: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a generic portion of a decorated or patterned composite glass plate obtained by the method according to the present invention; and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of that same glass article of manufacture. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to the number references of the figures of the accompanying drawings, the method, particularly designed for the figurative and chromatic decoration of flat glass plates, according to the present invention, comprises the step of applying a thin layer 2 of a transparent or clear epoxy resin on one of the faces of a glass plate 1, which can be either transparent or clear, or, possibly, colored. The epoxy resin layer is coated on the glass plate by means of spraying, spreading operations, or by other functionally equivalent suitable systems. The glass plate 1, on the other hand, can be made by any desired conventional glass forming methods; in this connection it should be apparent that the thickness of the glass plate can broadly change, depending on its end use. After having made the glass plate in the desired thickness, on at least a face thereof, there is sprayed or spreaded, as stated, the mentioned epoxy resin layer; then, on the epoxy resin layer there is transferred, by means of a particular transfer process, a support element 3 including a pattern 4, which pattern can be of any desired types. In particular, the pattern 4 may be a geometric pattern or a fancy pattern, or it can represent any desired ornamental figures, in dependence with the article of manufacture to be made. Moreover, the pattern 4 can include any chromatic color compositions, without any limitation, with respect to the making possibilitied thereof. Then, on the overall support element 3 reproducing the pattern 4, there is coated a coating paint, which provides a paint layer 5 containing pigments, the visible aspect of which is similar to that which can be obtained by means of silvering or gilding or gold-plating processes, which provide the pattern with a background having pleasant chromatic reflecting properties, so as to further improve the decorative features of the pattern 4. The paint layer will provide simultaneously a protective layer of the mentioned support element 3. Alternatively, the patterned glass plate can be subjected to a silvering or gilding process adapted to provide the above mentioned layer 5. Moreover, it is provided to bind the above mentioned glass plate 1 including the layers 2, 3 and 5 to a plate of a thermo-melting material, such as the so-called PVB resin (poly-vinyl-butyl resin) 6 and a second plate of glass or crystal 7, so as to provide a composite construction having good mechanical resistance characteristics, and to further protect said plate 1 from outer athmospheric agents, which would be susceptible to deteriorate the pattern and its decorative effects. In particular, the fact is to be pointed out that, by binding several plate 1 and 7 or glass or crystal or the like, of which at least one is decorated, and each being coupled to a thermo-melting material plate of the above mentioned type, it is possible to construct a compact construction which can be used for making windows, doors and glass show-cases, working tables, furniture piece wings and the like, with optimum mechanical resistance characteristics. From the above disclosure and from the observation of the figures of the accompanying drawing, it should be apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.

Claims: A method for the figurative and chromatic decoration of flat glass, characterized in that said method comprises the steps of applying, to one of the faces of a glass plate (1), either transparent or colored, a thin layer of a transparent epoxy resin (2), forming on said transparent epoxy resin (2), by means of a transfer process, any desired patterns, and then coating said pattern with a coating paint layer (5), said paint layer containing therein either silvered or golden pigments, said pigments being adapted to provide said pattern with a metallized chromatic aspect. A method according to Claim 1, characterized in that said epoxy resin (2) is coated on said glass plate (1) by means of spraying operations, spreading operations or other technically equivalent coating process. A method according to Claim 1, characterized in that said glass plate (1) is made by a conventional glass forming process, and its thickness can be varied depending on its end use. A method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said pattern is a geometric pattern of a fancy pattern, or any ornamental pattern depending on the aesthetic features of the article of manufacture to be made, or it can imitate wood patterns, marble patterns, or any other natural stone patterns. A method according to Claim 4, characterized in that said pattern includes any desired colored chromatic compositions. A method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said paint layer (5) is made by a silvering or golding process. A method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said method comprises the step of applying, after having applied said coating metallized or paint layer, containing golden or silvered pigments, a thermomelting plastic material film to which there is hot coupled a glass of crystal plate, operating as a further protecting and reinforcement element. A method according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said thermomelting plastic material film comprises a polyvinylbutyl resin.

Inventors: MARTELLI GIULIANO, MARTELLI, GIULIANO, Martelli, Giuliano, c/o AXIVETRO S.r.l.
Applicants: AXIVETRO DI MARTELLI GIULIANO, AXIVETRO DI MARTELLI GIULIANO & C. S.A.S.
Application year: 1993
Main classification: B44F1
IPC codes: B32B17, C03C17, B44F1, B44C5