METHOD FOR ADHERING EMBELLISHMENTS TO A GLASS SUBSTRATE

Abstract

A method for adhering embellishments to a glass substrate. The method provides a depression in the glass matching the shape of the embellishment, allowing for a lower profile and protecting the adhesive from water and solvents, thus reducing the chance of the embellishment falling off of the glass.

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. A glass substrate comprising at least one depression, the at least one depression having a shape complementary to a shape of an embellishment adhered to the depression in a low profile manner, the embellishment being adhered via a UV-cured adhesive.

22. The glass substrate of claim 21, further comprising an artistic-shaped depression.

23. The glass substrate of claim 21, wherein said at least one depression comprises a plurality of depressions, each of the plurality of depressions having a shape complementary to a shape of a corresponding embellishment adhered therein.

24. The glass substrate of claim 23, wherein said plurality of depressions further comprises a depression having an artistic shape.

25. The glass substrate of claim 21, wherein said embellishment comprises at least one of a rhinestone, a bead, a jewel, a piece of metal, and the like.

26. The glass substrate of claim 23, wherein the plurality of depressions comprises a plurality of shapes complementary to a plurality of embellishment shapes.

27. The glass substrate of claim 21, wherein the glass substrate comprises at least one of a wine glass, a beer glass, a pint glass, a liquor glass, a coffee cup, a vase, a plate, a sheet of glass, a mirror, a window, and the like.

28. The glass substrate of claim 22, wherein the artistic-shaped depression is shallow in relation to the at least one depression.

29. The glass substrate of claim 21, wherein the UV-cured adhesive is substantially translucent to the human eye.

30. The glass substrate of claim 21, wherein said embellishment is positioned in said at least one depression such that physical access to the UV-cured adhesive is restricted.

31. An embellished glass substrate prepared by a process comprising the steps of: a. creating an etching in said glass substrate, said etching having a design corresponding to a shape of an embellishment, wherein said etching is sufficiently deep to allow said embellishment to be set in said etching in a low-profile manner; b. applying a UV sensitive adhesive to said etching; c. positioning said embellishment in said etching; and d. curing said UV sensitive adhesive be applying UV light through at least one of said embellishment and said glass substrate, wherein said embellishment is positioned in said etching such that physical access to said cured adhesive is restricted.

32. The embellished glass substrate of claim 31, wherein said etching comprises a plurality of designs corresponding to one or more embellishment shapes.

33. The embellished glass substrate of claim 31, wherein said design further comprises an artistic shape.

34. The embellished glass substrate of claim 31, wherein said glass substrate comprises at least one of a wine glass, a beer glass, a pint glass, a liquor glass, a coffee cup, a vase, a plate, a sheet of glass, a mirror, a window, and the like.

35. The embellished glass substrate of claim 33, wherein creating said etching comprises applying an abrasion resistant template to said glass substrate.

36. The embellished glass substrate of claim 35, wherein creating said etching comprises spraying abrasive sand through said abrasion resistant template via a sandblasting device.

37. The embellished glass substrate of claim 36, wherein said abrasive sand is sprayed into said at least one an embellishment shape for a longer period of time than said abrasive sand is sprayed into said artistic shape.

38. The embellished glass substrate of claim 31, wherein said embellishment comprises at least one of a rhinestone, a bead, a jewel, a piece of metal, and the like.

39. The embellished glass substrate of claim 31, wherein said UV sensitive adhesive is substantially translucent and imperceptible to the human eye after being cured via UV light.

40. An embellished substrate prepared by a process comprising the steps of: a. providing a substrate which permits the passage of UV light therethrough; b. etching a design into said substrate via sandblasting, said design having a shape complementary to a shape of an embellishment; c. applying a UV-curable adhesive to said etching; d. setting said embellishment into said etching in a low-profile manner wherein physical access to said UV-curable adhesive is restricted; e. curing said UV-curable adhesive by directing UV light at said UV-curable adhesive through said substrate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of steps of a method for adhering embellishments to a glass substrate.

[0023] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of steps of a method for adhering embellishments to a glass substrate.

[0024] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of steps of a method for adhering embellishments to a glass substrate.

[0025] FIG. 4 shows a side cross-section view of steps of a method for adhering embellishments to a glass substrate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0026] Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in reference to these embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention. Conversely, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that are included within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In the following disclosure, specific details are given as a way to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

[0027] Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and referring particularly to FIGS. 1-4, it is seen that the present invention includes various embodiments of a method for adhering embellishments to a glass substrate which reduces the profile of the embellishments and protects the adherent from hot water and solvents.

[0028] Without limiting the invention, FIG. 1 illustrates the steps of creating a design 101 representing the shape of at least one embellishment 110 to be applied to a glass substrate 105 (see FIG. 3), and applying the pre-determined design 101 to an abrasion resistant template 103 such that the design represents an opening in the template 103, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Embodiments of the pre-determined design 101 may comprise a digital image that is transferred to a transparent medium to generate a photomask that allows UV light to pass through a portion of the transparent medium in the shape of the pre-determined design. In some embodiments, the pre-determined design 101 may be created on a computer 100. In some embodiments, the predetermined design 101 may be printed onto the otherwise transparent medium (e.g., transparent film) to create a photomask 102. In some embodiments, the pre-determined design 101 may comprise a plurality of shapes 101a representing the shapes of a plurality of embellishments 110 to be adhered to a glass substrate 105. In some embodiments, the pre-determined design 101 may comprise at least one embellishment shape 101a and at least one artistic shape 101b (into which no embellishment is deposited), the embellishment shape 101a representing the shape of an embellishment 110 to be adhered to the glass substrate 105, and the artistic shape 101b representing an artistic etching 108 in the glass substrate 105 without an adhered embellishment (see FIG. 3).

[0029] Embodiments template 103 may comprise abrasion resistant material. In some embodiments, the template 103 may comprise a UV sensitive film. In some embodiments, the process of applying the pre-determined design 101 to the template 103 may comprise covering the template 103 with the photomask 102, wherein the transparent portion of the photomask 102 is a pre-determined design 101, exposing the template 103 to UV light 104, and then developing the template 103 such that the areas exposed to UV light (i.e., the design) are chemically altered such that the exposed areas become brittle and weak. In some embodiments, the template 103 may comprise a commercially available UV sensitive film.

[0030] Without limiting the invention, FIGS. 2-4 illustrate the steps of applying the template 103 to the glass substrate 105, spraying abrasive blasting media 106a onto the template 103 to remove the brittle UV-exposed portion to make a stencil, spraying the blasting medium through the stencil onto the glass substrate through the template 103 to create a depression 107 in the glass substrate 105, removing the template 103, applying an adhesive 109 to the depression 107, and positioning an embellishment 110 in the depression 107.

[0031] The step of applying the template 103 to the glass substrate 105 may comprise use of a template adhesive. In some embodiments, the template 103 may comprise the template adhesive on a bottom surface, the template adhesive being capable of removably adhering the template 103 to the glass substrate 105. In some embodiments, the template adhesive may be protected by a protective film (not shown) which may be peeled off of the bottom surface after the template 103 is exposed to UV light 104 and developed. In other embodiments, the template adhesive may be applied to the glass substrate 105 prior to application of the template 103.

[0032] The step of spraying abrasive blasting media 106a onto the template to remove the brittle portion and form a stencil in the shape of the pre-determined design 101 and then spraying the blasting media through the stencil to create a depression 107 in the glass substrate 105. Because the UV-exposed areas of the template are brittle, the blasting media quickly removes that portion of the template to form a stencil in the shape of the pre-determined design 101, and thereby exposing the glass substrate through the stencil. The blasting media can then be sprayed through the template 103 onto the glass substrate to create a depression 107 in the glass substrate 105. The sandblasting device 106 may be directed at the design 101 in the template 103 until a depression 107 of desired depth is created in the glass substrate 105. The blasting steps may comprise the use of a sandblasting device 106. In some embodiments, the sandblasting device 106 may comprise a commercially available sandblasting device.

[0033] The depression 107 may comprise a shape complementary to a shape of the embellishment 110, and a depth suitable to adhere the embellishment 110 in the glass substrate 105 in a recessed manner. In such embodiments, a profile of the embellishment in relation to the surface of the glass substrate may be reduced, in turn reducing the lateral force applied to the embellishment while being hand-washed or handled. Further, in such embodiments, the adhesive used to mount the embellishment may be protected from exposure to jets of hot water and solvents while being washed in a dishwasher.

[0034] In embodiments wherein the design 101 comprises both an embellishment shape 101a and an artistic shape 101b, sand 106a may be sprayed into the embellishment shape 101a for a longer period of time than sand 106a is sprayed into the artistic shape 101b, thus creating a deeper depression 107 under the embellishment shape 101a than under the artistic shape 101b. In such embodiments, the embellishment 110 may be mounted in the glass substrate 105 with a reduced profile, while a shallow etching 108 is created in the glass substrate 105 under the artistic shape 101b.

[0035] The step of applying an adhesive to the depression 107 may comprise applying a UV-curable adhesive using an eyedropper-style dispenser 109 (or other applicator). In other embodiments, the adhesive may be applied via at least one of a brush and a stick. The step of positioning an embellishment 110 in the depression 107 may comprise placing an embellishment 110 with a shape complementary to the shape of the depression 107 into the depression 107. In some embodiments, the embellishment 110 may be positioned by hand. In other embodiments, the embellishment 110 may be mechanically positioned. In some embodiments, the embellishment 110 may comprise at least one of a rhinestone, a bead, a jewel, a piece of metal, and the like. In some embodiments, the piece of metal may comprise the shape of a letter or a symbol.

[0036] In embodiments wherein the adhesive comprises a UV-curable adhesive, the method of adhering embellishments 110 to a glass substrate 105 may comprise the step of curing the UV sensitive glass glue via exposure to UV light 104 for a period of time (e.g., in a range of about 30 seconds to about 5 minutes). After the embellishment is placed in the depression, UV like may be shined on the adhesive through the glass substrate for a period of time (e.g., 2 to 5 minutes) to cure the adhesive. After the UV exposure period, the UV-curable adhesive may be fully cured and the embellishment set in the depression.

CONCLUSION/SUMMARY

[0037] The present invention provides methods for adhering an embellishment to a glass substrate. It is to be understood that variations, modifications, and permutations of embodiments of the present invention, and uses thereof, may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It is also to be understood that the present invention is not limited by the specific embodiments, descriptions, or illustrations or combinations of either components or steps disclosed herein. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Although reference has been made to the accompanying figures, it is to be appreciated that these figures are exemplary and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.