An apparatus is disclosed for coating a surface that is movable relative to the apparatus with a layer of metallic particles or particles having a metal-like appearance and reflectivity, the particles adhering more strongly to the surface than to one another. The apparatus comprises at least one spray head for directly or indirectly applying to the surface a fluid stream within which the particles are suspended, a housing surrounding the spray head(s) and defining an interior plenum for confining the fluid stream, the housing having a rim adjacent the surface that is configured to prevent egress of particles from a sealing gap defined between the rim of the housing and the surface to be coated, and a suction source connected to the housing to extract from the plenum the sprayed fluid and particles suspended in the sprayed fluid. In operation, the suction source extracts substantially all particles that are not in direct contact with the surface, so as to leave only a substantially single particle layer adhering to the surface on exiting the apparatus.

An apparatus is disclosed for coating a surface that is movable relative to the apparatus with a layer of metallic particles or particles having a metal-like appearance and reflectivity, the particles adhering more strongly to the surface than to one another. The apparatus comprises at least one spray head for directly or indirectly applying to the surface a fluid stream within which the particles are suspended, a housing surrounding the spray head(s) and defining an interior plenum for confining the fluid stream, the housing having a rim adjacent the surface that is configured to prevent egress of particles from a sealing gap defined between the rim of the housing and the surface to be coated, and a suction source connected to the housing to extract from the plenum the sprayed fluid and particles suspended in the sprayed fluid. In operation, the suction source extracts substantially all particles that are not in direct contact with the surface, so as to leave only a substantially single particle layer adhering to the surface on exiting the apparatus.

Disclosed herein is a colored metal that includes a metal substrate containing a first metal, an oxidation degree control pattern positioned on the metal substrate, and increasing or decreasing a degree of oxidation of the first metal over time, and a coating film positioned on the metal substrate where the oxidation degree control pattern is positioned, wherein a first region of the metal substrate where the oxidation degree control pattern is present thereon and a second region of the metal substrate where the oxidation degree control pattern is not present thereon exhibit different colors due to a difference in degree of oxidation over time.

Disclosed herein is a colored metal that includes a metal substrate containing a first metal, an oxidation degree control pattern positioned on the metal substrate, and increasing or decreasing a degree of oxidation of the first metal over time, and a coating film positioned on the metal substrate where the oxidation degree control pattern is positioned, wherein a first region of the metal substrate where the oxidation degree control pattern is present thereon and a second region of the metal substrate where the oxidation degree control pattern is not present thereon exhibit different colors due to a difference in degree of oxidation over time.

An apparatus for coating a donor surface that is movable relative to the apparatus with a layer of metallic particles or particles having a metal-like appearance and reflectivity, the particles adhering more strongly to the surface than to one another. The apparatus comprises an application device to apply to the donor surface a fluid stream within which the particles are suspended, a housing surrounds the application device forming an interior plenum for confining the fluid stream, the housing prevents egress of particles from a sealing gap defined between the rim of the housing and the surface to be coated, and a suction source connected to the housing to extract from the plenum excess fluid and particles. In operation, the suction source extracts substantially all particles that are not in direct contact with the donor surface, leaving substantially a single particle layer adhering to the donor surface upon exiting the apparatus.

An apparatus for coating a donor surface that is movable relative to the apparatus with a layer of metallic particles or particles having a metal-like appearance and reflectivity, the particles adhering more strongly to the surface than to one another. The apparatus comprises an application device to apply to the donor surface a fluid stream within which the particles are suspended, a housing surrounds the application device forming an interior plenum for confining the fluid stream, the housing prevents egress of particles from a sealing gap defined between the rim of the housing and the surface to be coated, and a suction source connected to the housing to extract from the plenum excess fluid and particles. In operation, the suction source extracts substantially all particles that are not in direct contact with the donor surface, leaving substantially a single particle layer adhering to the donor surface upon exiting the apparatus.

A tile for wall, floor or ceiling covering that includes a first layer consisting of metal, a second layer consisting of enamel that is chemically bonded to the first layer, a third layer consisting of an image in glass ink printed onto the second layer, and one or more overlay layer printed onto the third layer, using that same image, and which only partially covers the third layer such that texture is given to the surface of the tile and a more realistic impression of said image is created.

A tile for wall, floor or ceiling covering that includes a first layer consisting of metal, a second layer consisting of enamel that is chemically bonded to the first layer, a third layer consisting of an image in glass ink printed onto the second layer, and one or more overlay layer printed onto the third layer, using that same image, and which only partially covers the third layer such that texture is given to the surface of the tile and a more realistic impression of said image is created.

A surface finishing method comprises applying coatings of a hydrophobic material and a water-borne material to a surface of a metal substrate. First, a patterned coating of a first one of the hydrophobic or water-borne materials is applied to a surface of the metal substrate to partially cover the surface. A second fill coating of the other of the hydrophobic or water borne materials is then applied after the first patterned coating whereby the water borne material and the hydrophobic material repel and the second fill coating coats the surface of the metal substrate in areas uncoated by the first coating.

A surface finishing method comprises applying coatings of a hydrophobic material and a water-borne material to a surface of a metal substrate. First, a patterned coating of a first one of the hydrophobic or water-borne materials is applied to a surface of the metal substrate to partially cover the surface. A second fill coating of the other of the hydrophobic or water borne materials is then applied after the first patterned coating whereby the water borne material and the hydrophobic material repel and the second fill coating coats the surface of the metal substrate in areas uncoated by the first coating.