Method for surface decoration of articles

Abstract

A method for surface decoration of articles comprises the following steps A), B) and C). Step A) comprises applying a base layer to the surface of a main body. The base layer comprises at least one photoluminescent additive. Step B) comprises applying on the base layer a metallization layer configured to make at least partially visible the photoluminescence of said base layer. In particular, step B) comprises a process of deposition of metal particles on the base layer. Step C) comprises applying a transparent coating layer on the base and metallization layers. The above-mentioned method allows to obtain an article with a metallic surface finishing having a luminescence effect which can be perceived especially in low light conditions or under the effect of ultraviolet light.

Claims

1. A method for surface decoration of articles, comprising the steps of: A) applying a base layer to a surface of a main body, the base layer comprising at least one photoluminescent additive suitable for conferring photoluminescence to the base layer; B) after step A), applying on the base layer a metallization layer configured to make at least partially visible the photoluminescence of the base layer; step B) comprising depositing metal particles on the base layer; C) after step B), applying a transparent coating layer on the base layer and metallization layer; D) prior to step C) performing a material removal action removing a portion of the metal particles in accordance with a predetermined graphical pattern.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the material removal action completely removes the metallization layer at the predetermined graphical pattern.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the material removal action partially removes the metallization layer at the predetermined graphical pattern to locally thin the metallization layer.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the material removal action is accomplished by subjecting the metallization layer to a laser radiation.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the depositing of the metallic particles causes the metallization layer to have a thickness greater than 50 nanometers.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the depositing of the metallic particles causes the metallization layer to have a thickness comprised between 20 nanometers and 35 nanometers.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the indicative description, and therefore non-limiting, of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a method for surface decoration of articles, as illustrated in the appended figures, in which:

(2) FIGS. 1 to 4 show a surface portion of an article with a metallic surface finishing in accordance with following operating steps of the article method of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 3A shows a detail of the article of FIG. 3;

(4) FIG. 5 shows the detail of FIG. 3A according to an alternative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) A method, object of the present invention, comprises the following steps A), B) and C).

(6) By way of example, steps A), B), C) can be carried out on a finishing line as described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,487,857 and/or US-2017-0022599-A1, both on behalf of the same applicant.

(7) In step A), a base layer 10 is applied to the surface of a main body P to be decorated (FIG. 1). Advantageously, the base layer 10 comprises at least one photoluminescent additive to conferring photoluminescence properties to it. In particular, in an embodiment, the above-mentioned additive confers fluorescence and/or phosphorescence properties to the base layer 10.

(8) Advantageously, the base layer 10 acts as a primer for the following layers. The base layer 10 can, for example, be applied by a spray painting process, and following cross-linking and/or drying by UV and/or infrared radiation.

(9) Subsequently, in step B), a metallization layer 20 is applied to the base layer 10 (FIG. 2) by a deposition process of metallic particles, preferably a process of physical vapor deposition (PVD). In the preferred embodiment, the above-mentioned deposition process is a deposition by cathodic sputtering.

(10) According to a first embodiment, the metallization layer 20 obtained as a result of the deposition process has a thickness such as to make the metallization layer itself completely or almost completely impervious to the photoluminescence of the base layer 10. For this purpose, the thickness of the metallization layer 20, preferably uniform, can advantageously be greater than 50 nanometers, indicatively between 50 and 100 nanometers.

(11) In a second embodiment, the metallization layer 20 obtained as a result of the deposition process has a thickness such as to render the metallization layer itself at least partially permeable to the photoluminescence of the base layer 10. For this purpose, the thickness of the metallization layer 20, preferably uniform, can advantageously be less than 50 nanometers. In order to make the metallic effect in any case perceivable in conditions of normal ambient light, natural or artificial, it is preferably provided that the metallization layer has a thickness greater than 15 nanometers. Preferably, to make photoluminescence visible through the metallization layer, the thickness of the latter is preferably between 20 and 35 nanometers.

(12) In particular, in the form thus configured, the prevailing visual appearance in conditions of normal ambient light, natural or artificial, is the metallic effect conferred by the metallized layer, while the photoluminescence effect is less evident or absent. In other light conditions, for example low light conditions, complete darkness conditions (phosphorescent solution) or ultraviolet light exposure (fluorescent and/or phosphorescent solution) the luminescence effect is clearly visible and possibly prevailing over that of metallescence.

(13) Following the production of the metallization layer 20, at least one engraving 25 can be made in the metallization layer 20 according to a predetermined graphical pattern. The engraving 25 is made by a material removal process, preferably with the aid of laser radiation.

(14) According to a preferred embodiment, better illustrated in FIG. 3A, the engraving 25 completely crosses the metallization layer 20, in order to expose the base layer 10 making it directly visible through the incision 25. The light emitted by the photoluminescence therefore enhances the depicted graphical pattern, especially in particular light conditions such as, for example, low light conditions, complete darkness conditions (phosphorescent solution) or ultraviolet light exposure (fluorescent and/or phosphorescent solution). In conditions of normal ambient light, whether natural or artificial, the base layer will be clearly visible at the graphical pattern as chromatically different from the metallization layer 20, but not necessarily emphasized by the photoluminescence effect.

(15) According to a further embodiment, illustrated in detail of FIG. 5, the engraving 25 locally thins the metallization layer 20, without completely exposing the base layer 10. More particularly, the metallization layer 20 may in this case have at least a greater thickness portion, indicatively greater than 50 nanometers, around the graphical pattern, and at least a reduced thickness portion, indicatively less than 50 nanometers and preferably between 20 and 35 nanometers, at the graphical pattern. In this way, the graphical pattern will be clearly perceivable in some light conditions such as, for example, low light conditions, complete darkness conditions or ultraviolet light exposure, and little or not at all perceivable in normal ambient light conditions, where the metallic appearance of the metallization layer 20 will prevail over the photoluminescence effect of the underlying base layer 10.

(16) In step C), after step B), a transparent coating layer 30, also referred to as top coating, is applied externally to the base 10 and metallization 20 layers. The transparency of the coating layer 30 allows the perception of the optical effects produced by the metallization layer 20, which simulate those of a completely metallic body, and by the photoluminescence of the base layer 10 at least at the engraving 25, if present.

(17) Similarly to what has been said with reference to the base layer 10, also the coating layer 30 can be applied, for example, by spray painting, followed by cross-linking and/or drying by UV and/or infrared radiation.

(18) In some embodiments, the substantially colorless coating layer 30 protects the metallization layer 20 and the base layer 10 without affecting its aesthetic properties.

(19) In other embodiments, the coating layer 30 can be pigmented and/or opalescent so that, besides protecting the underlying layers, it provides the surface of the article produced with desired chromatic, gloss and/or shining properties.

(20) The present invention also concerns an article with a metallic surface finishing, which can be achieved by the method described above, comprises a main body P and a plurality of superficial layers at its external surface.

(21) The above-mentioned plurality of layers, illustrated in FIG. 4, comprises the base layer 10, applied on the surface of the main body P in direct contact with the same or a previous interposition of one or more additional layers. Advantageously, the base layer 10 comprises at least one photoluminescent additive which gives it photoluminescence properties. In particular, in an embodiment, the above-mentioned additive confers fluorescence and/or phosphorescence properties to the base layer 10. The base layer can indicatively have a thickness between 10 microns and 30 microns.

(22) The above-mentioned plurality of layers further comprises a metallization layer 20, comprising a plurality of metallic particles. Preferably, the metallization layer 20 has an engraving 25 according to a predetermined graphical pattern, configured to increase the visibility of the base layer 10 through the above-mentioned graphical pattern, in order to enhance its optical and/or aesthetic qualities.

(23) According to a first embodiment, the metallization layer 20 has, everywhere except that at the above-mentioned engraving 25, a thickness greater than 50 nanometers, indicatively between 50 nanometers and 100 nanometers, preferably uniform. This thickness makes the metallization layer 20 completely impervious to the photoluminescence of the base layer 10 everywhere except that at the above-mentioned engraving 25.

(24) According to a second embodiment, the metallization layer 20, everywhere except that at the above-mentioned engraving 25 (if present), has a thickness of less than 50 nanometers, indicatively between 20 and 35 nanometers, preferably uniform. This thickness makes the metallization layer 20 partially permeable to the photoluminescence of the base layer 10. In particular, the photoluminescence effect in the form thus configured is little or not at all evident in some light conditions, such as natural light, and is more evident in other light conditions, for example low light conditions, complete darkness conditions. (phosphorescent embodiment) or ultraviolet light (fluorescent and/or phosphorescent embodiment).

(25) At least when the thickness of the metallization layer 20 is less than 50 nanometers, engraving 25 is optional.

(26) According to a preferred embodiment, the engraving 25 crosses completely the metallization layer 20, exposing the base layer 10 in order to make the photoluminescence visible through the engraving 25, so that the emitted light enhances the depicted graphical pattern.

(27) According to an alternative embodiment, illustrated in detail of FIG. 5, the engraving 25 locally thins the metallization layer 10, without exposing completely the base layer 10. As described above, the photoluminescence of the base layer 10 is in this case perceivable only in certain light conditions, for example low light conditions, complete darkness or ultraviolet light exposure. In normal ambient light conditions, the metallic effect of the metallized layer 20 prevails.

(28) The above-mentioned plurality of layers further comprises a transparent coating layer 30, also referred to as top coating, externally to the base 10 and metallization 20 layers. The coating layer 30 can indicatively have a thickness ranging from 10 microns to 30 microns.

(29) The coating layer 30, colorless or pigmented, glossy or opalescent, allows the perception of the optical effects linked to the metallization layer 20 which simulate those of a completely metallic body, and of the photoluminescence of the base layer 10 at least at the engraving 25, if present.

(30) The present invention achieves the proposed objects, overcoming the limits and the drawbacks of the known technique. The photoluminescence properties of the base layer 10, indeed, shining through the metallization layer 20 or the engraving 25 and in combination with the metallized effect created by the metallization layer 20, create an original and particularly pleasing aesthetic effect. Thanks to the photoluminescent effect of the base layer 10, the identifiability of the articles and/or the recognisability of the graphic motifs, for example indications, logos or signs, engraved on the metallized surfaces, is increased. This effect is particularly noticeable in low light conditions, for example in bars and nightclubs.