Method for producing a glass substrate with an embossed surface finish and glass substrate obtained using said method

Abstract

The invention relates to a method comprising the steps of: Abrasion, preferably but non-limited by means of sandblasting which produces mechanical roughing on the surface of the glass substrate, optionally applying a primer on the roughed surface, and applying an ink on this primer by means of screen printing which may be digital inkjet screen printing, drying the injected ink deposited by means of digital screen printing, and performing a tempering process. A glass substrate with an embossed surface finish is achieved which simulates the aesthetic and surface texture of different construction materials, such as stone, wood, granite, marble or porcelain, among others.

Claims

1. A method for producing a glass substrate with an embossed surface finish comprising the following steps: abrasion of the glass substrate by sandblasting on one of the faces thereof with sand having 26-46% SiO2, 0.5-1.5% CaO, 12.5-32.5% A10, 24-44% FeO, 5-10% MgO, and 0.5-1.5% MnO; screen printing process on a surface of the face subjected to abrasion; drying of the deposited injected ink, and tempering process.

2. The method for producing glass with an embossed surface finish according to claim 1, wherein the sandblasting produces mechanical roughing on the surface of the glass substrate.

3. The method for producing glass with an embossed surface finish according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of the sand is between 100 microns and 150 microns.

4. The method for producing glass with an embossed surface finish according to claim 1, wherein a projection speed of the sand is 250 to 300 m/s.

5. The method for producing glass with an embossed surface finish according to claim 1, wherein an amount of sand projected is between 1300 l/min to 1700 l/min at a pressure of between 4-8 Kg/cm2.

6. The method for producing glass with an embossed surface finish according to claim 1, wherein a projection distance is between 120 mm and 180 mm.

7. The method for producing glass with an embossed surface finish according to claim 1, wherein the sand is projected with at least one projection nozzle with a movement that is carried out in runs from bottom to top and from top to down in horizontal projection with two sandblasts while the piece moves horizontally at a slow speed.

8. The method for producing glass with an embossed surface finish according to claim 1 wherein in that the screen printing is carried out by mixing 6 base colours.

9. The method for producing glass with an embossed surface finish according to claim 1 wherein the screen printing is digital inkjet screen printing.

10. The method for producing glass with an embossed surface finish according to claim 1 wherein after abrasion of the substrate and prior to screen printing, a varnish primer is applied to the surface subjected to abrasion.

Description

EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES

(1) To complement the description that is being made and for the purpose of helping to better understand the features of the invention, according to a preferred practical exemplary embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description, wherein the following has been depicted, with an illustrative and non-limiting character.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a representation of a possible external appearance of a glass obtained by the method described.

(3) FIG. 2 shows the cross section obtained when cutting the glass treated with the method of the invention wherein the different embossing can be observed.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

(4) In view of the figures, a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of the proposed invention is described below.

(5) FIG. 1 shows an approximate representation of a glass substrate (1) which has an external appearance equal to that of a construction material such as stone, granite, slate etc. Said external appearance is achieved by the digital screen printing carried out on the previously prepared glass substrate (1).

(6) FIG. 2 shows the cross section obtained when cutting the glass through a vertical plane wherein the surface (2) of the glass substrate (1) is shown which is a rough surface resulting from the surface abrasion process, a primer has been placed on said rough surface (2), which can be optional as mentioned above, and then there is a layer of digitally screen-printed ink (3) which reproduces the roughness provided to the glass and also gives the glass as a whole an outer surface (4) that has a roughness of the order of microns or mm depending on the level of abrasion and an external aesthetic appearance equal to that of a construction material that is to be imitated.

(7) The production method in a possible preferred but non-limiting embodiment comprises the steps of: Abrasion by means of sandblasting, which is a process of projecting sandblasting that produces mechanical roughing on the surface of the glass substrate. In a preferred embodiment, the type of sand is Arabian garnet which in turn has the following components in a preferred embodiment:

(8) TABLE-US-00001 Component Formulation Approximate concentration Silicon Oxide SiO2 26.00%-46.00% Calcium Oxide CaO 0.5%-1.50% Aluminium Oxide AlO 12.5%-32.5% Iron Oxide FeO 24%-44.0% Magnesium oxide MgO 5%-10% Manganese Oxide MnO 0.5%-1.50% Wherein the diameter of the sand is between 100 microns and 150 microns in a preferred embodiment. The projection speed is 250 to 300 m/s. The amount of sand projected can be between 1300 l/min to 1700 l/min at a pressure of between 4-8 Kg/cm2. The projection distance is between approximately 120-180 mm. The direction of movement of the projection nozzle is carried out in runs from bottom to top and from top to bottom in horizontal projection with two sandblasts while the piece moves horizontally at a slow speed. Process of priming the surface subjected to an abrasion process. Screen printing process, which can be by means of digital inkjet printing or by another method, which in a preferred and non-limiting embodiment carries out the mixing of 6 base colours, thus allowing for great variety when making complex designs. Wherein screen printing is carried out on a VitroJet F 120/33 Kinetic Side Printing machine in a preferred embodiment. Drying the injected ink deposited by means of digital screen printing. Tempering process, formula optimised to the type of product, with adjustment of heating temperatures, heating and cooling times, the pressure of the cooler and speed of movement of the glass. The tempering process vitrifies the paint and gives the glass the feature of safety glass, since, in case of breakage, it will break into tiny, harmless pieces.

(9) Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the way to put it into practice, it is noted that, within its essence, it may be put into practice in other embodiments that differ in detail from that indicated by way of example, and for which the protection sought will also be achieved, as long as it does not alter, change or modify its fundamental principle.