CH714224A1 - Method for depositing colors on watch components - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for depositing one or more inks on a component of a watch in order to adorn the latter. According to a preferred embodiment, the ink is deposited by digital printing, for example using an ink jet printer. Preferably, a water-based ink is used, for example a water-based ink containing acrylic pigments. In a preferred embodiment, the method is used to color the dial or even mineral glass or sapphire crystal to cover the dial or as part of the watch case.

Description

Description

Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to the watchmaking field, more specifically to a method for depositing colors on watch parts and components, such as the dial of a watch.

State of the art and problems at the origin of the invention [0002] Since the beginnings of watchmaking, it has been an important objective to associate the functionality of a watch piece with a pleasant design, which is why it It is not unusual to consider watchmaking as a craft. This field is thus not limited to the manufacture of instruments suitable for indicating time. Being close to jewelery, watchmaking is concerned with the aesthetics and even the emotion aroused by a given timepiece.

Among the materials used in the manufacture of timepieces include precious metals such as gold, titanium, or even silver, brass, steel, gemstones, plastics as well as all kinds of glass, such as sapphire crystal.

[0004] Currently, four main techniques are used to deposit colors on the watch components: spray painting, electroplating, screen printing, and pad printing.

When painting with a spray gun, a color or colorless varnish is sprayed with a spray gun in the form of a fog on the surface of the component. Generally, the process is repeated in order to deposit several layers of varnish. The advantage of this system is that the varnish is generally uniformly deposited and homogeneous over the entire surface. On the disadvantages side, it may be mentioned that this process is a single-color or possibly bi-color or graduated treatment. Therefore, this technique is very limited in terms of ornamental possibilities. In the case of electroplating, a metal layer is deposited through an electrochemical process.

As regards the screen printing, the varnish is applied through a frame. The weft is actually a micro-perforated film that passes through, through micro-holes, varnish which is itself pressed through to push it through the micro-holes. This technique makes it possible to limit the color deposit to a precise area delimited by the frame. Each color is deposited separately and requires a specific frame and a specific setting. This technique allows, with four different frames, to make a four-chromic color deposit to present any shape or color image. The disadvantages of this technique are that the color can only be deposited on a flat area. On the other hand, a fine weave on the deposited color remains visible to the naked eye.

Finally, pad printing can be used to deposit a color on the component of a timepiece, including non-planar surfaces. According to this technique, a rubber stamp of silicone takes the ink previously deposited on an engraved area (the snapshot) and then deposit it on the object to be printed. There are round pads having a half-spherical shape and buffers in the form of an elongate bar. A major drawback of this system is that each color is deposited independently and sequentially and requires positioning adjustments and snapshots for each color. For example, for an image containing eight (8) colors, it will be necessary to prepare eight snapshots and make eight settings to drop the colors, one after the other on the watch component. The use of the four-color process is not possible.

An object of the present invention is the implementation of a technique for applying a color to a component of a timepiece, for example on a watch face, avoiding the disadvantages of the techniques used. currently.

In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a method for depositing one or more colors quickly, homogeneously and accurately on a component of a timepiece to create a precise image. . It is also a goal to create new visual effects that at this stage have not yet been achieved on timepiece components.

Another object of the invention relates to the provision of customized components of timepieces and / or personalized timepieces. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0012] The inventor of the present invention has found that by using a digital printing method, it is possible to deposit colors on components or pieces of timepieces. Surprisingly, the method of the invention makes it possible to achieve novel effects of printing, aesthetics and / or graphics on timepiece components, by using, for example, a jet type printer. ink.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a method for the deposition of an ink on a component of a timepiece, characterized in that the ink is deposited through a nozzle, preferably a nozzle. a print head.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a method for depositing an ink on a component of a timepiece, characterized in that the ink is deposited by digital printing, for example using an inkjet printer. Preferably, inks of different colors may be deposited.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a method for depositing an ink on a component of a timepiece, characterized in that the ink comprises acrylic pigments.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a method for depositing an ink on a component of a timepiece, characterized in that the ink is a water-based ink and / or the solvent is water. Preferably, the ink is essentially free of organic solvents.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a method for depositing an ink on a component of a timepiece, characterized in that the ink is translucent.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a method for depositing an ink on a component of a timepiece, characterized in that said component is selected from the dial of a watch and a mineral glass. and / or a sapphire crystal for a watch.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a printing method for printing an image on a component of a timepiece. Preferably, the image is printed by an ink jet printer.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a custom component for a timepiece, the method comprising the inkjet printing of an image or colors on the component by printing to inkjet.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing and / or mounting a single timepiece, personalized and / or individualized.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a method for applying one or more colors to a component of a timepiece, the method comprising the step or steps of the aforementioned aspects.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a method for coloring a component of a timepiece, the method comprising the step or steps of the aforementioned aspects.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a method for applying an image to a component of a timepiece, the method comprising the step or steps of the aforementioned aspects.

Other aspects of the invention and preferred embodiments are defined in claims 1 to 15 and in the description hereinafter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0026] The present invention relates to a method for depositing an ink on the component of a timepiece and / or a watch component. The present invention also provides methods for applying one or more colors to such a component, for coloring the component, for applying or printing an image on the component, and a method for manufacturing a custom component.

The component is preferably a component of a timepiece. In one embodiment, the component is a part visible from the outside, that is to say, a component that is not hidden by other components, for example hidden inside the housing of the shows. In a preferred embodiment, the component is a component of the dressing of the watch. Preferably, the component is part of the ornamental elements of the watch. In a preferred embodiment, the component is the dial of a watch, preferably a wristwatch. In another embodiment, the component is part of the housing shows it. For example, the component may be the bottom of the housing. In one embodiment, the component is a mineral glass or sapphire crystal, for example used as part of the housing or to cover or protect the dial. In one embodiment, the component is the bracelet or part of it.

In one embodiment, the component comprises a surface on which said ink is deposited. Preferably, said component or at least said surface comprises metal, mineral or sapphire, an organic component, or a combination comprising two or more of the abovementioned materials. Preferably, the component comprises or consists of glass and / or metal.

In one embodiment, said metal is selected from steel, for example chromed steel, brass, silver, gold, copper, aluminum and titanium. In one embodiment, said metal is an alloy.

In one embodiment, said surface comprises or consists essentially of mineral glass and / or sapphire glass.

In a preferred embodiment, the timepiece is a wristwatch.

In one embodiment, the ink is applied by digital printing.

According to the invention, an ink is deposited, and preferably several inks of different colors. Inks are preferably deposited at the same time, i.e., in a single printing event. The invention contemplates the use of several inks during a printing event, typically the use of basic colors allowing, through mixing, to print all the colors, for example on the basis of the printing system. process colors (CMYK). Preferably, in the present specification, the reference to "an ink" or "said ink" is also understood as a reference to "inks" or "said inks", respectively. The possibility of using the four-color process system allows the method of the invention to produce all the colors, that is, to produce images or shapes containing an almost infinite number of different colors in a single event. impression.

In one embodiment, the ink is deposited through a nozzle, for example the nozzle of a print head. In one embodiment, the ink is deposited using an ink jet printer.

Typically in inkjet printing, solvent based inks are used. Preferably, the present invention differs from the prior art methods in that, according to a preferred embodiment, a water-based ink is used. Surprisingly, good quality results and interesting and innovative visual and visual effects are achieved by using a water-based ink.

[0037] Preferably, the water-based ink contains no or only very little organic solvent. For example, the ink contains less than 15% by weight of organic solvent, preferably less than 10%, more preferably less than 5%, less than 2.5% or less than 1% by weight of organic solvent. Preferably, the water-based ink does not contain an organic solvent. Preferably, these percentages apply to all volatile organic components of the ink.

In one embodiment, the ink (water-based) contains pigments and / or resins, preferably acrylic pigments.

Inks as described above are commercially available. For example, Ghelco srl in Settimo, Italy markets water-based inks that can be used for inkjet printing.

The use of a water-based ink has several advantages, such as the absence of solvents or other organic volatile components and unpleasant odors and the adverse ecological balance associated with them. Water-based inks can be easily diluted and mixed, resulting in all the nuances of a desired visual effect.

The use of an ink, in particular a water-based ink, makes it possible to create new and more varied effects at the level of the gradients, for example. Gradients are often used to decorate the dial of a watch. In the state of the art, spray guns are generally used to make a graduated dial. When the color is deposited, the dial is rotated and the gun moves linearly. In this way, it is possible to make a graduated in which the outer areas of the dial are darker than the areas towards the center of the dial, for example.

In contrast, according to the method of the invention, there is no constraint whatsoever with regard to the production of graduates. The method of the invention allows to directly perform a graduated on only part of the surface of the dial, and more concretely on an area of any shape on the dial.

It is also possible to combine several graduations on the same clock component, for example to make a scale on another graduated, for example a first graduated covering a larger area of the component and a second graduated of a selected shape on the first graduate. The first and second graduations may be performed in reverse or in any direction, independently of one another.

The set of a dial may then contain two or even more graduations, with separate shapes, one or more of which may represent separate and independent graduates. It is possible to make independent overlapping graduations, for example. As indicated, the invention makes it possible to make any geometric shape, for example a squared, a triangle, a circle, circle section, etc., inside a dial containing a gradient. One or more of these shapes may be in gradation, regardless of the entire dial and other shapes.

The method of the invention is not limited to the number of colors used, also in the context of the realization of one or more graduates.

The use of an ink, in particular a water-based ink makes it possible to deposit a thin layer of color. In one embodiment, the thickness of the color layer deposited on the watch component during the process of the invention is less than 200 nm (nanometers), preferably less than 100 nm, more preferably less than 50 nm, still preferably less than 25 nm.

The fact of being able to deposit a thin layer of color by digital printing also makes it possible to produce novel aesthetic effects. These effects are generally not attainable when a varnish is deposited in accordance with existing decorating technologies. For example, watch components such as dials often contain a machined surface, for example polished, etched or brushed, containing a microstructure, to produce a particular visual effect. An example is the "sun effect", which is usually created by brushing the surface of the dial in a particular way. When depositing a thin color layer according to the invention, preferably a translucent color as described in more detail below, it is possible to keep the microstructure visible through the ink. Thus, the present invention makes it possible to combine the effects originating from the microstructures machined in the surfaces of the horological components with the effects of colors, the printing of the images, the graduations, etc. Thanks, on the one hand, to the thinness of the color layer and, on the other hand, to the use of a translucent ink, the invention makes it possible to produce novel visual effects.

In one embodiment, the ink comprises one or more translucent inks. Preferably, the deposited color, the image and / or the printed graphic element is less partially translucent.

The present inventor has succeeded in producing innovative effects by using translucent ink. A translucent ink is particularly advantageous when the component of the timepiece is itself transparent, for example glass. In some watches, the glass, preferably sapphire crystal, is used to close the back of the case, to allow a wearer to see the movement when the wristwatch is detached from the wrist. Thanks to the translucent ink, it is possible to adorn or color the said glass, while allowing the user to see through the glass and to recognize the elements of the movement.

For the avoidance of doubt, it is mentioned that the characteristic of translucency of the ink may appear only when the printing of the color on the component is completed. In cases where a polymerization or crosslinking step is provided, the translucency can be manifested only following this step.

In one embodiment, an image, for example a photo, can be printed on the component. The image can be chosen by a wearer before or when he buys the watch, which makes it possible to personalize the watch. In this way, the watch becomes a unique piece, personalized according to the choice of the wearer, for example by printing an image made or provided by the wearer and / or the buyer of a watch.

In one embodiment, the image and / or the personal or personalized photo is printed on the component, for example a glass component. Preferably, the component is the dial or part of the housing, preferably the bottom of the housing. In one embodiment, the method of the invention contains the step of printing an image on part of the cladding of the watch, for example on the dial and / or the bottom of the case, in order to produce a watch. customized.

In one embodiment, the method of the invention comprises a polymerization step, and / or crosslinking. Preferably, said ink is susceptible to polymerization and / or crosslinking. Preferably, the ink is capable of polymerizing and / or crosslinking at elevated temperatures, for example above room temperature, preferably above 50 ° C, more preferably at a temperature above 100 ° C.

In one embodiment, the water-based ink is capable of polymerizing and / or crosslinking at a temperature between 100 and 300 ° C., preferably between 120 and 250 ° C., and even more preferably between 140 and 250 ° C. and 180 ° C. In one example, the ink is capable of polymerizing and / or crosslinking at a temperature between 120 to 150 ° C.

In one embodiment, the method of the invention comprises a polymerization and / or crosslinking step. Preferably, the component on which an ink has been deposited is exposed to a temperature sufficiently high to allow the polymerization and / or crosslinking of the ink.

In one embodiment of the method of the invention, the ink is deposited by digital printing and / or digital. In one embodiment, an inkjet type printer is used. This type of printer contains a print head with a nozzle. The ink is forced through the nozzle to be deposited on the object to be printed, in this case the watch component. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the ink is forced through the nozzle by piezoelectric ejection, preferably as part of the use of an ink jet printer.

In one embodiment, the printing is performed on the basis of the principle of drop on demand ("Drop On Demand" or DOD).

Preferably, the quality of the printing is 1000 x 1000 dpi or more, preferably 1800 x 1800 dpi or more, preferably 2500 x 2500 dpi or more. The quality of the print may in part be determined by the print head chosen for printing.

In a preferred embodiment, the ink is deposited using a flatbed printer. This type of printer is generally used to print large flat surfaces, such as glasses for windows or showcases. For example, printing can be done using a VALJET ™ printer from Baumgartner Trading AG in Riimlang, Switzerland. This company also markets water-based inks Nanote-cINK, which can be used in the context of the present invention.

The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a single watch or a personalized or individualized watch, the method comprising the step of mounting a watch using a watch component on which an ink has been deposited. For example, the ink has been deposited according to the process of the present invention, for example by digital printing.

In one embodiment, an image and / or a photo made and / or provided by an individual, such as the buyer or the wearer of the watch is printed on the watch component. The present method differs from prior art personalization methods, according to which a carrier selects one of a selection of images or patterns provided by the watch manufacturer, or methods for later modification of the present invention. shows, for example by engraving. According to the present invention, the image or the photo provided by the individual is preferably printed on the watch component, and the compound is then used to manufacture the watch or at least to finalize the manufacture of the watch. The present invention also covers the possibility of printing the image on the watch already manufactured and mounted.

The expression "image" as used in this description preferably covers any graphic and / or visual element, such as patterns, patterns, symbols, writings, drawings, caricatures, logos, shapes, paintings, portraits , photos, comics people, mangas, to name a few.

The skilled person will not encounter any particular difficulty to adapt the content of the present disclosure to his own needs and implement a method, in particular to deposit an ink on a watch component, without departing from the scope of this invention. It will be noted, for example, that the adaptation of the present teaching to a digital printing other than by inkjet will not pose any particular difficulty to a person skilled in the art.

Claims (15)

claims A method for depositing an ink and / or several inks of different colors on a component of a timepiece, characterized in that the ink is deposited by an ink jet printer. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that said ink contains acrylic pigments. 3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said ink is a water-based ink. 4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said ink comprises a translucent ink. 5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said ink is capable of polymerization at a temperature between 100 to 300 ° C, preferably between 120 to 200 ° C. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said component contains a surface on which said ink is deposited, said surface comprising metal, mineral ice or sapphire, an organic component, or a combination comprising two or more of the aforesaid materials. 7. The method of claim 5, characterized in that said metal is selected from steel, brass, silver, gold, copper, and aluminum. 8. The method of claim 5, characterized in that said surface comprises or consists essentially of mineral glass and / or sapphire crystal. 9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said component is the dial of a watch, preferably a wristwatch. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the print quality is 1000 X 1000 dpi or more, preferably 1800 x 1800 dpi or more, more preferably 2500 x 2500 dpi or more. 11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the printing is a digital printing. 12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a flatbed printer is used. 13. The method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the printing is carried out on the basis of the principle of drop on demand ("Drop On Demand" or DOD). 14. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that during printing, the ink is ejected according to the piezoelectric ejection method. The method of any of the preceding claims, including the step of exposing the component on which the ink has been deposited at an elevated temperature to polymerize the inks.