EP0760293A1

EP0760293A1 - Method and apparatus for applying a relief image to a transparent plate

Info

Publication number: EP0760293A1
Application number: EP96202405A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gerrit Bos
Original assignee: BIWEX NV
Current assignee: BIWEX NV
Priority date: 1995-08-29
Filing date: 1996-08-29
Publication date: 1997-03-05
Anticipated expiration: 2016-08-29
Also published as: NL1001078C2; DE69619744T2; ES2173246T3; EP0760293B1; DE69619744D1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for arranging an image executed in relief on a transparent plate (1), comprising the steps of: arranging on the transparent plate a curable product (6) which can adhere to the transparent plate; placing a shaping mould (8) on which the image for arranging is arranged in mirror image and in relief; pressing on both surfaces; causing the curable product to cure; and releasing the glass surface and the shaping mould after curing.

The invention also relates to a device for arranging images on the surface of a transparent plate, comprising: a shaping mould; an image arranged in relief in the shaping mould; means for arranging on a transparent plate a curable product which adheres to the plate material; means for pressing the mould onto the transparent plate; means for causing the curable product to cure; and means for separating the mould from the transparent plate.

Description

The present invention relates to a method for arranging an image executed in relief on a transparent plate.
The present invention also relates to a device to be used for this purpose.
In methods of the prior art for arranging an image arranged in relief on a transparent plate use is made of a blasting technique, engraving technique, laser technique or an etching technique. It will be apparent that for etching in glass aggressive substances are necessary which are highly undesirable from an environmental viewpoint.
Blasting or treating glass in other manner is quite possible to perform per se but is labour-intensive and expensive work.
The object of the present invention is to provide a new method for arranging an image arranged in relief, wherein the above mentioned drawbacks are obviated.
This object is achieved in that such a method comprises the following steps of:

arranging on the transparent plate a curable product which can adhere to the transparent plate,
placing a shaping mould on which the image for arranging is arranged in mirror image and in relief,
pressing on both surfaces,
causing the curable product to cure, and
releasing the glass surface and the shaping mould after curing.

The invention also relates to a device for arranging images on the surface of a transparent plate, comprising:

a shaping mould;
an image arranged in relief in the shaping mould;
means for arranging on a transparent plate a curable product which adheres to the plate material;
means for pressing the mould onto the transparent plate;
means for causing the curable product to cure; and
means for separating the mould from the transparent plate.

Attractive preferred embodiments of the present invention are specified in the sub-claims.
The invention will be further elucidated with reference to the annexed drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows an illustration of a first embodiment of the method according to the present invention; and
figure 2 shows a perspective, partly broken away view of a device for performing a second embodiment of the method according to the present invention.

As shown in figure 1, a glass plate 1 provided with an image 2 is taken as starting point. According to the relevant embodiment of the present invention it is possible to copy the image 2 onto another glass plate 3. It is pointed out here that such a copy is made in mirror-image since during the copying process a mirror reproduction is manufactured. It will be apparent that instead of on a glass plate, an image can also be arranged on a transparent plate of another material.
An edge of self-adhesive tape 4 is arranged for this purpose on the edges of the second glass plate 3 onto which the image 2 must be copied. A recess 5 is arranged in the edge, for instance on one side. As will be explained later, this recess 5 serves to drain the excess curing material to be subsequently arranged.
After arranging the edge adhesive tape the remaining space of the glass plate is covered with a thin layer of curable material which adheres to the glass plate 3 during curing. Resin or lacquer 6 which cures when radiated with UV light is an example of such a curable material. This material is arranged with the most uniform possible thickness.
As also shown in figure 1, the glass plate on which the image 2 is situated is then placed on glass plate 3 with the image side toward glass plate 3, wherein glass plate 3 of course makes contact with adhesive tape 4 and the quantity of lacquer 6 enclosed between the adhesive tape. Any excess lacquer 6 will flow out via the opening 5.
The thus formed assembly 7 is subjected to a pressure force. A press can be used for this purpose, for instance such as is known in the graphic art for printing etches or lithographs, although it is also possible to make use of the pressing device 8 shown in figure 1.
This pressing device 8 is formed by a bottom roller 9 and a top roller 10, one of which, the top roller 10 for instance, is drivable in rotation by means of a motor or a hand crank. The rollers 9, 10 are further mounted such that they are urged toward each other so that a pressure force is exerted on the assembly 7. Excess lacquer 6 will herein flow out through the opening 5. A close contact is thus obtained between the lacquer layer 6 and the glass plate 3 to which the lacquer layer is applied. It is sometimes necessary to apply a layer for improving the adhesion between the lacquer and the glass. Such agents are easily obtainable. In order to enable curing of lacquer layer 6 use is made of a lamp 11 transmitting UV light which is placed in a reflector 12. This lamp 11 is arranged under the path followed by assembly 7 so that the lacquer 6 is radiated through the lower glass plate 3 and cures by means of the UV light.
It is pointed out here that it is possible to perform the same method without arranging adhesive tape. This results in a layer thickness which is perhaps less uniform so that the pressure between rollers 9, 10 must be adjusted more precisely. It is also prudent to take steps against spillage.
It will be apparent that instead of using lacquer curing with UV light and a UV lamp it is also possible to make use of lacquers which are sensitive to electromagnetic radiations of other wavelengths and to make use of a device for transmitting an electromagnetic radiation in the relevant wavelength.
By rotating rollers 9, 10 the entire assembly 7 is initially pressed together by rollers 9, 10 and then radiated by lamp 11, wherein the relevant lacquer cures.
As shown in the following illustration of figure 1, both glass plates 1, 3 are then separated from each other, for example by inserting a knife 13 or other sharp object between glass plates 1, 3. It is also useful to make use of a pressurized air line to blow air between the two glass plates once a start has been made.
It is noted out here that it is of course important that the UV lacquer only adheres to the smooth glass plate and not to the glass plate provided with the image 2 for copying. For this purpose it is important to pretreat glass plate 1 with a so-called "release" material This release material ensures that glass treated with a layer of this material does not adhere to any other material. An example of such a release material is the material which is sold under the name "Clear Shield" and which is available from Ritech, in Raamsdonksveer, the Netherlands.
It will be apparent that the image, which is arranged on the original glass and which is visible through the roughness of the glass on particular parts thereof, is copied onto glass plate 3. The rough parts of the surface are in any case transferred by the resin, while the smooth parts of the resin are also transferred.
The image is moreover coloured by adding a quantity of stain to the lacquer. Repetition of this process with other colours can result in the effect of stained glass or antique glass.
The above described method and device are particularly suitable for copying a few glass plates. However, when a large number of glass plates must be provided with the same pattern, it is attractive to make use of another device, for example the device shown in figure 2.
The device shown in figure 2 does not have as its starting point a flat glass plate which is provided with a rough image which must be copied, but a metal sleeve usually known in the graphic industry as a "sleeve".
Such a sleeve is manufactured from a wear-resistant, hard, smooth material, for instance chrome, nickel, an alloy containing these metals or a hard plastic.
Such a sleeve is designated in figure 2 with the numeral 14. This sleeve is arranged on a rigid metal cylinder 16 with interposing of a layer of soft material designated with 15. The image 17 for copying is arranged on the sleeve 14, once again in the form of a locally roughened surface. The rigid cylinder 16 is pressed against a support member 18 which absorbs the forces exerted by the cylinder. The device further comprises a device of the prior art and thus not shown for applying a layer of lacquer with a continuous thickness on the glass plate 3 for processing. These glass plates 3 are transported through with their continuous linear movement between the cylinder 16 and the sleeve 14 fixed thereon and the support member 18. For the driving of such a device reference is made to the Netherlands patent application number 93.00447, wherein other steps are also mentioned which are applicable to the present invention.
In this embodiment of the invention it is further of importance that the exposure of the lacquer takes place while the lacquer is in contact with the stamp or sleeve 14. Arranged for this purpose in the support member 18 is a gap 19, below which are again arranged a lamp 11 transmitting UV light and a reflector 12.
The width of the gap 19 is adjustable due to the fact that support member 18 is divided into two elements 20 and 21 respectively which are moveable in longitudinal direction. Adjustability of the gap width is important in obtaining a correct exposure time of the lacquer at various speeds. It is pointed out here that such a construction is also applicable in the device as known from the above-mentioned Netherlands patent application number 93.00447.
It is noted here that the sleeve 14 is pressed flat over a certain width by the flexible layer 15. By choosing a correct force the width of this flat part can be selected so as to be at least as large as the gap width.
It will be apparent that diverse modifications can be made to the thus described device without deviating from the invention.

Claims

Method for arranging an image executed in relief on a transparent plate, comprising the steps of:
- arranging on the transparent plate a curable product which can adhere to the transparent plate,

- placing a shaping mould on which the image for arranging is arranged in mirror image and in relief,

- pressing on both surfaces,

- causing the curable product to cure, and

- releasing the glass surface and the shaping mould after curing.
Method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the shaping mould is provided with a "release" material whereby, when cured, the curable material does not adhere to the shaping mould wherein this latter can be removed from the transparent plate in simple manner.
Method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the curable product which can adhere to the transparent plate is coloured.
Device for arranging images on the surface of a transparent plate, comprising:
- a shaping mould;

- an image arranged in relief in the shaping mould;

- means for arranging on a transparent plate a curable product which adheres to the plate material;

- means for pressing the mould onto the transparent plate;

- means for causing the curable product to cure; and

- means for separating the mould from the transparent plate.
Device as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the device is provided with means for applying a "release" material to the mould.
Device as claimed in claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the mould is a flat plate wherein the means for pressing the mould onto the transparent plate comprise at least two pressing rollers.
Device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the mould is a flat plate, for example a glass plate.
Device as claimed in claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the mould is shaped as a cylindrical surface, wherein the means for pressing the transparent plate onto the mould comprise at least a platen.
Device as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the mould in the shape of a cylindrical surface is fixed on a rigid, cylindrical core with interposing of a soft layer.
Device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the shaft of the mould is coupled to means for urging the shaft toward the platen.
Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the means for causing the curable product to cure comprise a lamp for transmitting radiation toward the transparent plate.
Device as claimed in claims 8 and 11, characterized in that the lamp is placed under the platen and that the platen consists of two parts, between which is arranged a gap.
Device as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the width of the gap is variable.
Device as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the width of the gap is adjusted subject to the transport speed of the transparent plates.
Transparent plate provided with an image in the form of a relief arranged in a layer of cured material arranged on the plate.
Transparent plate as claimed in claim 15, characterized in that the relief is at least partially coloured.