EP2488692B1 - Method and apparatus op increasing the thickness of relief decorations, process and plant for relief decoration of surfaces - Google Patents
Method and apparatus op increasing the thickness of relief decorations, process and plant for relief decoration of surfaces Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2488692B1 EP2488692B1 EP10771192.1A EP10771192A EP2488692B1 EP 2488692 B1 EP2488692 B1 EP 2488692B1 EP 10771192 A EP10771192 A EP 10771192A EP 2488692 B1 EP2488692 B1 EP 2488692B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- decorated
- relief
- thermoadhesive
- powdered material
- support
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Links
- 238000005034 decoration Methods 0.000 title claims description 39
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 39
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 title description 10
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 50
- 229920001169 thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 39
- 239000004416 thermosoftening plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 39
- 239000012254 powdered material Substances 0.000 claims description 38
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims description 17
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 16
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000004952 Polyamide Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 238000007598 dipping method Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 229920002647 polyamide Polymers 0.000 claims description 6
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 6
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 claims description 6
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000000919 ceramic Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000007935 neutral effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920002635 polyurethane Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000004814 polyurethane Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000002023 wood Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000003892 spreading Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000007480 spreading Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000010985 leather Substances 0.000 description 8
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000000843 powder Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000011796 hollow space material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000012815 thermoplastic material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920000426 Microplastic Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000002196 Pyroceram Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920006362 TeflonĀ® Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000009471 action Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000008187 granular material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000008188 pellet Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002985 plastic film Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000009467 reduction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003756 stirring Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06Q—DECORATING TEXTILES
- D06Q1/00—Decorating textiles
- D06Q1/10—Decorating textiles by treatment with, or fixation of, a particulate material, e.g. mica, glass beads
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05C—APPARATUS FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05C19/00—Apparatus specially adapted for applying particulate materials to surfaces
- B05C19/02—Apparatus specially adapted for applying particulate materials to surfaces using fluidised-bed techniques
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05D1/00—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials
- B05D1/18—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials performed by dipping
- B05D1/22—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials performed by dipping using fluidised-bed technique
- B05D1/24—Applying particulate materials
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05D5/00—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures
- B05D5/02—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures to obtain a matt or rough surface
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05D5/00—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures
- B05D5/06—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures to obtain multicolour or other optical effects
- B05D5/061—Special surface effect
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05D7/00—Processes, other than flocking, specially adapted for applying liquids or other fluent materials to particular surfaces or for applying particular liquids or other fluent materials
- B05D7/50—Multilayers
- B05D7/52—Two layers
- B05D7/54—No clear coat specified
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
- B05D3/00—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials
- B05D3/02—Pretreatment of surfaces to which liquids or other fluent materials are to be applied; After-treatment of applied coatings, e.g. intermediate treating of an applied coating preparatory to subsequent applications of liquids or other fluent materials by baking
- B05D3/0218—Pretreatment, e.g. heating the substrate
- B05D3/0227—Pretreatment, e.g. heating the substrate with IR heaters
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for increasing the thickness of relief decorations and in addition to a process and a plant for relief decoration of surfaces.
- the present invention relates to execution of three-dimensional decorations defined by portions in relief relative to the base surface to be decorated, consisting of added decorative thermoplastic material.
- the present invention relates to the decoration of objects in the form of sheets such as fabrics, leather, imitation leather, etc.
- the relief decoration of surfaces can be carried out with added materials through hot transfer of the decoration from support paper or films to the object to be decorated.
- the material constituting the decoration is first applied to the support film through known methods.
- the decoration on the support film is in relief.
- the support film is subsequently applied to the surface to be decorated and pressed against the same, supplying heat through a heated calender for example. Heat and pressure cause transfer of the decoration from the film to the object to be decorated.
- the film is then separated from the object and the decoration remains on the surface of the object itself.
- Document FR 2.135.315 discloses a process for covering glass bottles with plastic material.
- the technical task underlying the present invention is to propose a method and an apparatus for increasing the thickness of relief decorations and a process and plant for the relief decoration of surfaces overcoming the above mentioned drawbacks of the known art.
- the present invention aims at making available a method and an apparatus for increasing the thickness of relief decorations first of all enabling the three-dimensional effect of the decoration to be made more apparent and in addition the thickness to be controlled and regions to be generated which have more or less marked relief areas in the same decoration.
- the present invention relates to a method of increasing the thickness of relief decorations, comprising:
- the fluid bed is generated by introducing a fluid under pressure through the powdered material.
- the method comprises a plurality of steps ii) alternated with steps iii).
- step iii) the powdered material in excess is removed from the decorated surface.
- fluid introduction takes place with a pressure included between about 1 bar and about 5 bars.
- step ii) the portion of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material is brought to a temperature "T" included between about 120Ā°C and about 170Ā°C.
- the powdered material has a particle size included between about 100 ā m and about 500 ā m.
- the powdered material is a thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material, preferably selected from the group comprising: polyamide, polyethylene, acrylic-polyurethane, glass, ceramics.
- the powdered material is selected from the group comprising: glass, ceramics, wood, plastic material, steel.
- the powdered material is selected from the group comprising: glass, ceramics, wood, plastic material, steel.
- it is defined by transparent or coloured pyroceram balls.
- the powdered material has a neutral colour.
- the decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material is selected from the group comprising: polyamide, polyethylene.
- the present invention discloses an apparatus for increasing the thickness of relief decorations, comprising: at least one support for a decorated object, said decorated object having at least one portion in relief of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material disposed on a decorated surface of said object; at least one heating device acting on said support; at least one fluid-bed container (16) having a wall provided with holes and delimiting a holding volume for the powdered material; means for admission of fluid under pressure into the holding volume, through said wall provided with holes; means for transferring the decorated object from said support to said container and/or vice versa.
- the apparatus comprises a first support and a first heating device disposed upstream of the fluid-bed container and a second support and a second heating device disposed downstream of said fluid-bed container relative to a feeding direction (X) of the decorated objects.
- said at least one support comprises a conveyor belt.
- said at least one heating device comprises at least one lamp facing said support.
- the present invention relates to a process for relief decoration of surfaces, comprising: applying at least one portion in relief of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material onto a surface of an object to be decorated; characterised in that it further comprises a method as above described.
- some regions of the surface to be decorated are left clear of the decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material.
- the application comprises: providing a support film carrying the portion of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material, applying and pressing the support film against the object's surface, heating at least the portion of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material for causing transfer thereof onto said surface, separating the support film from the decorated object.
- the present invention relates to a plant for relief decoration of surfaces comprising: means for applying at least one portion in relief of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material onto a surface of an object to be decorated; characterised in that it further comprises an apparatus as above described, wherein said at least one support is operatively disposed downstream of the application means.
- the application means comprises a heated calender.
- Plant 1 is designed for decoration of surfaces 2, preferably although not exclusively, of objects in the form of sheets, such as leather, imitation leather or fabrics.
- thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material it is generally intended a material that at room temperature is substantially stiff and acquires malleability - i.e. becomes soft - and sticky properties under the action of heat. Therefore the term āthermoplastic or thermoadhesive materialā refers not only to true plastic materials (polymers, such as polyethylene, polyamide, acrylic-polyurethane) but also to other products such as pyrocerams.
- the decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material can be coloured (in a single colour or in different colours), transparent, opaque, etc.
- Plant 1 therefore comprises means 6 suitable to apply the thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material to the surface 2 of the object 3.
- the object 3 is a continuous sheet of fabric, leather or imitation leather unrolled from a reel, not shown, and conveyed through a calender 7 made up of a pair of heated rollers 8. Plant 1 herein shown therefore works continuously.
- the plant works on smaller objects (such as pieces of leather, fabric or imitation leather, tiles, individual pieces, etc.) with discrete work cycles.
- a press is for example present instead of calender 7.
- a support film 9 is conveyed between rollers 8, on which film the portions 4 of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material to be transferred onto the object 3 are attached.
- This support film 9, also known as transfer paper, is produced following techniques known by themselves and therefore herein not described.
- Upstream of rollers 8, said portions 4 of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material face surface 2 of sheet 3.
- the support film 9 is coupled to surface 2 and pressed against it.
- the support film 9 with the decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material and sheet 3 are heated. Pressure and heat cause adhesion of the decoration to surface 2.
- the film 9 Downstream of rollers 8 relative to a feeding direction "X" of the sheet 3, the film 9 is separated, by a hot or cold treatment, from sheet 3 on which the portions 4 of the decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material defining the relief decorations (shown in Fig. 3 ) are now attached.
- Plant 1 further comprises an apparatus 10 ( Fig. 1 ) suitable to increase the thickness of the relief decorations, preferably but not exclusively obtained following the previously described working.
- apparatus 10 comprises a first support 11 in turn comprising a conveyor belt 12 passing over a pair of drive rollers 13.
- the conveyor belt 12 preferably comprises non-stick material, TeflonĀ® for example.
- the sheet 3 bears on an upper surface of the conveyor belt 12 and its decorated surface faces upwards.
- the sheet 3 is fed along the feeding direction "X".
- a heating device 14 defined by a series of infrared lamps 15 sending out radiation to the sheet during passage thereof is installed above the conveyor belt 12.
- the fluid-bed container 16 Disposed downstream of the first support 11 is a fluid-bed container 16 inside which the sheet 3 is caused to pass.
- the fluid-bed container 16 comprises a vat 17 inside which a wall 18 is disposed which is provided with a plurality of holes (having a diameter in the order of microns).
- the wall 18 divides the inner space confined by vat 17 into an upper holding volume 19 that is open upwards and a lower hollow space 20.
- the wall 18 delimits the upper holding volume 19 at the lower part thereof.
- the lower hollow space 20 is in fluid communication with a source of fluid (preferably air) under pressure, such as a compressor, through a duct 21.
- a source of fluid preferably air
- the upper holding volume 19 is filled with powdered material 22 that is the same as, or different from the material constituting the decoration already laid down on sheet 3.
- the powdered material 22 consists of plastic granules (polyethylene or polyamide, acrylic-polyurethane, for example) or powdered products in general, such as transparent o coloured balls of pyroceram or also steel, wood.
- the powdered material 22 therefore can be either of the thermoplastic or thermoadhesive type (plastic material, glass, ceramics) according to the above definition, or not (steel, wood).
- the powdered material 22 preferably has a particle size (expressed as the mean diameter of the granules) included between about 100 ā m and about 500 ā m.
- the powdered material 22 can be coloured, transparent or neutral.
- the fluid-bed container 16 further comprises a guide roller 23 disposed close to the first support 11 and parallel to the drive rollers 13, the function of which is to guide and drag along the sheet 3 coming from said first support 11 at the inside of vat 17.
- a second support 24 Positioned downstream of the fluid-bed container 16 is a second support 24 that can have the same structure as the first support 11 (conveyor belt 12, drive rollers 13, heating device 14 and infrared lamps 15).
- a further guide roller not shown can be also provided; it is disposed on the fluid-bed container 16 and close to the second support 24, its function being that of guiding and dragging along the sheet 3 coming from vat 17 on the second support 24.
- the fluid source is activated and admits air into the hollow space 20 at a pressure included between about 1 bar and 5 bar.
- the air filters through the holes of wall 18 and the powdered material 22 contained in the upper holding volume 19 of vat 17.
- the air flow passes through the powdered material 22 it fills the space between the particles, and a condition is reached at which the aerodynamic force acting on the particles is capable of counteracting the forces of gravity, the granular solid starts expanding and the upper surface of the bed takes a movable profile similar to the free surface of a liquid.
- the decorated sheet 3 coming from calender 7 passes under the infrared lamps 15 disposed above the first support 11 and is heated to a temperature "T" (preferably included between about 120Ā°C and about 170Ā°C) sufficient to make portions 4 of thermoplastic material sticky.
- sheet 3 falls or is dragged along into vat 17 so as to dip it into the fluidized powdered material 22.
- the particles of the powdered material 22 adhere to and/or fully or partly penetrate into the portions 4 of heated decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material.
- a stirring device can transversely (relative to the feeding direction "X") move the sheet in transit to further make uniform the distribution of the powder particles on surface 2.
- sheet 3 is drawn out of the fluid bed and dragged along on the second support 24, where it passes under the infrared lamps 15 disposed above the second support 24 and is heated to a temperature (preferably included between about 120Ā°C and about 170Ā°C) sufficient to cause partial melting of the portions 4 of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material and the powdered material 22 ((if it is thermoplastic or thermoadhesive) that has adhered to the portions 4 of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material, and mixing of them occurs.
- the powdered material 22 becomes part of the portions 4 of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material and increases thickness thereof (as shown in Fig. 4 ).
- the powdered material 22 is of a neutral colour, so that once incorporated into the portions 4 of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material it does not alter the original colours.
- the powdered material 22 can also be coloured so as to provide particular chromatic effects to the final decoration.
- the powdered material that during dipping into the fluid bed 19 is deposited on the free regions 5 of surface 2 (which are devoid of the portions 4 of decorative thermoplastic material) does not adhere to these regions 5 and can be easily eliminated before or after the second heating step.
- the method of the invention can also contemplate several dipping operations into the fluid bed and several heating steps, each carried out between one dipping operation and the following one.
- the present invention reaches the intended purposes and achieves important advantages.
- the method according to the present invention enables the thickness of the decoration to be increased in a simple, quick and efficient manner.
- portions with a greater surface area tend to accumulate more powdered material, which will involve a greater thickness increase than where there are smaller portions.
- the method of the invention due to use of the fluid bed, allows the powdered material to be distributed evenly on the portions of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material of the decorated surface without uncontrolled formation of accumulated material at particular points.
- the variables of the method and consequently the features of the finished product can be controlled in a safer manner.
- the same due to the control of the powdered material distribution, the same is prevented from adhering to the surface regions on which the portions of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material are not present.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
- Application Of Or Painting With Fluid Materials (AREA)
- Laminated Bodies (AREA)
- Decoration By Transfer Pictures (AREA)
- Special Spraying Apparatus (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for increasing the thickness of relief decorations and in addition to a process and a plant for relief decoration of surfaces.
- Preferably, the present invention relates to execution of three-dimensional decorations defined by portions in relief relative to the base surface to be decorated, consisting of added decorative thermoplastic material.
- In particular but not necessarily, the present invention relates to the decoration of objects in the form of sheets such as fabrics, leather, imitation leather, etc.
- As known, the relief decoration of surfaces can be carried out with added materials through hot transfer of the decoration from support paper or films to the object to be decorated. The material constituting the decoration is first applied to the support film through known methods. The decoration on the support film is in relief. The support film is subsequently applied to the surface to be decorated and pressed against the same, supplying heat through a heated calender for example. Heat and pressure cause transfer of the decoration from the film to the object to be decorated. The film is then separated from the object and the decoration remains on the surface of the object itself.
- Document
US 3,523,031 discloses a process for producing an ornamental plastic sheets by placing a layer of plastic powder onto a strip of material, heating the plastic powder until it becomes tacky, distributing a layer of plastic pellets over the tacky layer of powder, heating the pellets until they become soft and cooling the sheet. - Document
FR 2.135.315 - Document
US 3,560,239 discloses a method of coating a steel wire or the like with resins by passing it through a fluidized bed of powdered resin. - The known method of the above-described type however has some drawbacks, mainly concerning the poor three-dimensional effect obtained. In fact, compression of the film against the surface to be decorated, which is required for transfer, causes uniform flattening of the decoration. As a result, the decoration thickness is minimum and, above all, this thickness cannot be set "a priori" with a sufficient accuracy. In addition, it is not possible to obtain regions with different thickness in the same decoration.
- In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to propose a method and an apparatus for increasing the thickness of relief decorations and a process and plant for the relief decoration of surfaces overcoming the above mentioned drawbacks of the known art.
- In particular, the present invention aims at making available a method and an apparatus for increasing the thickness of relief decorations first of all enabling the three-dimensional effect of the decoration to be made more apparent and in addition the thickness to be controlled and regions to be generated which have more or less marked relief areas in the same decoration.
- The technical task mentioned and the aims specified are substantially achieved by a method and an apparatus as well as a process and a plant comprising the technical features set out in the appended claims.
- More specifically, in a first aspect, the present invention relates to a method of increasing the thickness of relief decorations, comprising:
- i) providing a decorated object having at least one portion in relief made of a decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material disposed on a decorated surface of said object;
- ii) heating the portion of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material applied to the decorated surface until making it sticky;
- iii) spreading a powdered material on the decorated surface, said powdered material adhering to the portion of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material; wherein step iii) is carried out by dipping the object at least once in a fluid bed made up of said powdered material.
- Preferably, the fluid bed is generated by introducing a fluid under pressure through the powdered material.
- Preferably, step ii) is carried out before and after step iii).
- In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises a plurality of steps ii) alternated with steps iii).
- Preferably, after step iii), the powdered material in excess is removed from the decorated surface.
- Preferably, fluid introduction takes place with a pressure included between about 1 bar and about 5 bars.
- Preferably, in step ii) the portion of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material is brought to a temperature "T" included between about 120Ā°C and about 170Ā°C.
- Preferably, the powdered material has a particle size included between about 100 Āµm and about 500 Āµm. Preferably, the powdered material is a thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material, preferably selected from the group comprising: polyamide, polyethylene, acrylic-polyurethane, glass, ceramics.
- Preferably, the powdered material is selected from the group comprising: glass, ceramics, wood, plastic material, steel. For instance, it is defined by transparent or coloured pyroceram balls.
- Preferably, the powdered material has a neutral colour.
- Preferably, the decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material is selected from the group comprising: polyamide, polyethylene. The present invention discloses an apparatus for increasing the thickness of relief decorations, comprising: at least one support for a decorated object, said decorated object having at least one portion in relief of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material disposed on a decorated surface of said object; at least one heating device acting on said support; at least one fluid-bed container (16) having a wall provided with holes and delimiting a holding volume for the powdered material; means for admission of fluid under pressure into the holding volume, through said wall provided with holes; means for transferring the decorated object from said support to said container and/or vice versa.
- Preferably, the apparatus comprises a first support and a first heating device disposed upstream of the fluid-bed container and a second support and a second heating device disposed downstream of said fluid-bed container relative to a feeding direction (X) of the decorated objects.
- Preferably, said at least one support comprises a conveyor belt.
- Preferably, said at least one heating device comprises at least one lamp facing said support.
- In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a process for relief decoration of surfaces, comprising: applying at least one portion in relief of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material onto a surface of an object to be decorated; characterised in that it further comprises a method as above described.
- Preferably, during application, some regions of the surface to be decorated are left clear of the decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material.
- Preferably, the application comprises: providing a support film carrying the portion of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material, applying and pressing the support film against the object's surface, heating at least the portion of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material for causing transfer thereof onto said surface, separating the support film from the decorated object.
- In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a plant for relief decoration of surfaces comprising: means for applying at least one portion in relief of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material onto a surface of an object to be decorated; characterised in that it further comprises an apparatus as above described, wherein said at least one support is operatively disposed downstream of the application means.
- Preferably, the application means comprises a heated calender.
- Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the description, given by way of non-limiting example, of a preferred embodiment of a process for relief decoration of surfaces and a preferred embodiment of a plant for relief decoration of surfaces, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:
-
Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a plant made in accordance with the present invention; -
Fig. 2 is a plan view of an object decorated in accordance with the invention; -
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the object seen inFig. 2 after a first step of the process; -
Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of the object seen inFig. 2 after a second step of the process. - With reference to the accompanying drawings, a plant for relief decoration of
surfaces 2 ofobjects 3 in accordance with the present invention has been identified withreference numeral 1. -
Plant 1 is designed for decoration ofsurfaces 2, preferably although not exclusively, of objects in the form of sheets, such as leather, imitation leather or fabrics. - As shown in
Figs. 2, 3 and 4 , the decorations preferably consist ofportions 4 of thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material transferred onto thesurface 2 to be decorated delimited byregions 5 ofsaid surface 2 that are clear of such a material, so as to give the decoration said three-dimensional effect. - In the present specification and in the appended claims, by the term "thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material" it is generally intended a material that at room temperature is substantially stiff and acquires malleability - i.e. becomes soft - and sticky properties under the action of heat. Therefore the term "thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material" refers not only to true plastic materials (polymers, such as polyethylene, polyamide, acrylic-polyurethane) but also to other products such as pyrocerams.
- The decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material can be coloured (in a single colour or in different colours), transparent, opaque, etc.
-
Plant 1 therefore comprises means 6 suitable to apply the thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material to thesurface 2 of theobject 3. - In the embodiment shown in
Fig. 1 , theobject 3 is a continuous sheet of fabric, leather or imitation leather unrolled from a reel, not shown, and conveyed through acalender 7 made up of a pair of heatedrollers 8.Plant 1 herein shown therefore works continuously. - In a variant not shown of the present invention, the plant works on smaller objects (such as pieces of leather, fabric or imitation leather, tiles, individual pieces, etc.) with discrete work cycles. A press is for example present instead of
calender 7. - Moreover, a
support film 9 is conveyed betweenrollers 8, on which film theportions 4 of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material to be transferred onto theobject 3 are attached. Thissupport film 9, also known as transfer paper, is produced following techniques known by themselves and therefore herein not described. Upstream ofrollers 8, saidportions 4 of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesivematerial face surface 2 ofsheet 3. During passage betweenrollers 8, thesupport film 9 is coupled tosurface 2 and pressed against it. Simultaneously, thesupport film 9 with the decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material andsheet 3 are heated. Pressure and heat cause adhesion of the decoration tosurface 2. - Downstream of
rollers 8 relative to a feeding direction "X" of thesheet 3, thefilm 9 is separated, by a hot or cold treatment, fromsheet 3 on which theportions 4 of the decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material defining the relief decorations (shown inFig. 3 ) are now attached. -
Plant 1 further comprises an apparatus 10 (Fig. 1 ) suitable to increase the thickness of the relief decorations, preferably but not exclusively obtained following the previously described working. - In the non-limiting embodiment shown,
apparatus 10 comprises afirst support 11 in turn comprising aconveyor belt 12 passing over a pair ofdrive rollers 13. Theconveyor belt 12 preferably comprises non-stick material, TeflonĀ® for example. Thesheet 3 bears on an upper surface of theconveyor belt 12 and its decorated surface faces upwards. Thesheet 3 is fed along the feeding direction "X". Aheating device 14 defined by a series ofinfrared lamps 15 sending out radiation to the sheet during passage thereof is installed above theconveyor belt 12. - Disposed downstream of the
first support 11 is a fluid-bed container 16 inside which thesheet 3 is caused to pass. The fluid-bed container 16 comprises avat 17 inside which awall 18 is disposed which is provided with a plurality of holes (having a diameter in the order of microns). Thewall 18 divides the inner space confined byvat 17 into anupper holding volume 19 that is open upwards and a lowerhollow space 20. Thewall 18 delimits theupper holding volume 19 at the lower part thereof. The lowerhollow space 20 is in fluid communication with a source of fluid (preferably air) under pressure, such as a compressor, through aduct 21. - The
upper holding volume 19 is filled withpowdered material 22 that is the same as, or different from the material constituting the decoration already laid down onsheet 3. - Preferably, the
powdered material 22 consists of plastic granules (polyethylene or polyamide, acrylic-polyurethane, for example) or powdered products in general, such as transparent o coloured balls of pyroceram or also steel, wood. Thepowdered material 22 therefore can be either of the thermoplastic or thermoadhesive type (plastic material, glass, ceramics) according to the above definition, or not (steel, wood). - The
powdered material 22 preferably has a particle size (expressed as the mean diameter of the granules) included between about 100 Āµm and about 500 Āµm. Thepowdered material 22 can be coloured, transparent or neutral. - Preferably, the fluid-
bed container 16 further comprises aguide roller 23 disposed close to thefirst support 11 and parallel to thedrive rollers 13, the function of which is to guide and drag along thesheet 3 coming from saidfirst support 11 at the inside ofvat 17. - Positioned downstream of the fluid-
bed container 16 is asecond support 24 that can have the same structure as the first support 11 (conveyor belt 12,drive rollers 13,heating device 14 and infrared lamps 15). - A further guide roller not shown can be also provided; it is disposed on the fluid-
bed container 16 and close to thesecond support 24, its function being that of guiding and dragging along thesheet 3 coming fromvat 17 on thesecond support 24. - In use, the fluid source is activated and admits air into the
hollow space 20 at a pressure included between about 1 bar and 5 bar. The air filters through the holes ofwall 18 and thepowdered material 22 contained in theupper holding volume 19 ofvat 17. When the air flow passes through thepowdered material 22 it fills the space between the particles, and a condition is reached at which the aerodynamic force acting on the particles is capable of counteracting the forces of gravity, the granular solid starts expanding and the upper surface of the bed takes a movable profile similar to the free surface of a liquid. - The decorated
sheet 3 coming from calender 7 (shown inFig. 3 ) passes under theinfrared lamps 15 disposed above thefirst support 11 and is heated to a temperature "T" (preferably included between about 120Ā°C and about 170Ā°C) sufficient to makeportions 4 of thermoplastic material sticky. - Subsequently,
sheet 3 falls or is dragged along intovat 17 so as to dip it into the fluidizedpowdered material 22. During travel ofsheet 3 in the fluidized bed, the particles of thepowdered material 22 adhere to and/or fully or partly penetrate into theportions 4 of heated decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material. A stirring device, not shown, can transversely (relative to the feeding direction "X") move the sheet in transit to further make uniform the distribution of the powder particles onsurface 2. - Subsequently,
sheet 3 is drawn out of the fluid bed and dragged along on thesecond support 24, where it passes under theinfrared lamps 15 disposed above thesecond support 24 and is heated to a temperature (preferably included between about 120Ā°C and about 170Ā°C) sufficient to cause partial melting of theportions 4 of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material and the powdered material 22 ((if it is thermoplastic or thermoadhesive) that has adhered to theportions 4 of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material, and mixing of them occurs. Thepowdered material 22 becomes part of theportions 4 of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material and increases thickness thereof (as shown inFig. 4 ). - Preferably, the
powdered material 22 is of a neutral colour, so that once incorporated into theportions 4 of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material it does not alter the original colours. Thepowdered material 22 can also be coloured so as to provide particular chromatic effects to the final decoration. - The powdered material that during dipping into the
fluid bed 19 is deposited on thefree regions 5 of surface 2 (which are devoid of theportions 4 of decorative thermoplastic material) does not adhere to theseregions 5 and can be easily eliminated before or after the second heating step. - The method of the invention can also contemplate several dipping operations into the fluid bed and several heating steps, each carried out between one dipping operation and the following one.
- The present invention reaches the intended purposes and achieves important advantages.
- First of all, the method according to the present invention enables the thickness of the decoration to be increased in a simple, quick and efficient manner.
- In addition, it is possible to obtain different thickness degrees on the same decoration. In fact, portions with a greater surface area tend to accumulate more powdered material, which will involve a greater thickness increase than where there are smaller portions.
- The method of the invention, due to use of the fluid bed, allows the powdered material to be distributed evenly on the portions of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material of the decorated surface without uncontrolled formation of accumulated material at particular points. As a result, the variables of the method and consequently the features of the finished product can be controlled in a safer manner. In particular, as already mentioned above, due to the control of the powdered material distribution, the same is prevented from adhering to the surface regions on which the portions of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material are not present.
- In addition, by suitable setting the parameters of the method, such as features of the powdered material, temperatures, dipping and heating steps, it is possible to fix the amount and distribution of the thickness increase "a priori".
- The apparatus of the invention is of simple structure and allows the method to be put into practice with ease. In addition, if provided with conveyor belts, the apparatus can work continuously, which will involve time saving and reduction in the production costs.
Claims (13)
- A method of increasing the thickness of relief decorations, comprising:i) providing a decorated object (3) having at least one portion in relief made of a decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material (4) disposed on a decorated surface (2) of said object (3);ii) heating the portion of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material (4) applied to the decorated surface (2) until making it sticky;iii) spreading a powdered material (22) on the decorated surface (2), said powdered material (22) adhering to the portion of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material (4);characterized in that step iii) is carried out by dipping the object (3) at least once in a fluid bed made up of said powdered material (22).
- A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid bed is generated by introducing a fluid under pressure through the powdered material (22).
- A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein step ii) is carried out before and after step iii).
- A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein after step iii) the powdered material (22) in excess is removed from the decorated surface (2).
- A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the powdered material (22) has a particle size included between about 100 Āµm and about 500 Āµm.
- A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the powdered material (22) is a thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material, preferably selected from the group comprising: polyamide, polyethylene, acrylic-polyurethane, glass, ceramics.
- A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the powdered material (22) is selected from the group comprising: glass, ceramics, wood, plastic material, steel.
- A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the powdered material (22) has a neutral colour.
- A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material (4) is selected from the group comprising: polyamide, polyethylene.
- A method as claimed in one of claims 1 to 9, comprising:- applying at least one portion in relief of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material (4) onto a surface (2) of an object (3) to be decorated.
- A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein, during application, some regions (5) of the surface to be decorated (2) are left clear of the decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material (4).
- A plant for increasing the thickness of relief decorations, comprising:- means (6) for application of at least one portion in relief of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material onto a surface (2) of an object to be decorated (3);- at least one support (11, 24) for a decorated object (3), said decorated object (3) having said at least one portion in relief of decorative thermoplastic or thermoadhesive material (4) disposed on the decorated surface (2) of said object (3); wherein said at least one support (11, 24) is operatively disposed downstream of the application means (6);- at least one heating device (14) acting on said support (11, 24);characterized in that it comprises:- at least one fluid-bed container (16) having a wall (18) provided with holes and delimiting a holding volume (19) for the powdered material (22);- means for admission of fluid under pressure into the holding volume (19), through said wall (18) provided with holes;- means for transferring the decorated object (3) from said support (11, 24) to said container (16) and/or vice versa.
- A plant as claimed in claim 12, comprising a first support (11) and a first heating device (14) disposed upstream of the fluid-bed container (16) and a second support (24) and a second heating device (14) disposed downstream of said fluid-bed container (16) relative to a feeding direction (X) of the decorated objects (3).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ITMI2009A001734A IT1395857B1 (en) | 2009-10-12 | 2009-10-12 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INCREASING THE THICKNESS OF RELIEF DECORATIONS, PROCESS AND PLANT FOR SURFACE DECORATION OF SURFACES |
PCT/IB2010/054308 WO2011045694A1 (en) | 2009-10-12 | 2010-09-24 | Method and apparatus op increasing the thickness of relief decorations, process and plant for relief decoration of surfaces |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2488692A1 EP2488692A1 (en) | 2012-08-22 |
EP2488692B1 true EP2488692B1 (en) | 2017-12-06 |
Family
ID=42668655
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP10771192.1A Active EP2488692B1 (en) | 2009-10-12 | 2010-09-24 | Method and apparatus op increasing the thickness of relief decorations, process and plant for relief decoration of surfaces |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2488692B1 (en) |
BR (1) | BR112012008418B1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2661550T3 (en) |
IT (1) | IT1395857B1 (en) |
TR (1) | TR201803021T4 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2011045694A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ITMO20110091A1 (en) * | 2011-04-29 | 2012-10-30 | Maria Teresa Marshalek | PROCEDURE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF MANUFACTURED SHEETS, PARTICULARLY FABRICS, LEATHER OR THE LIKE, INTENDED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF GARMENTS AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES, UPHOLSTERY OR THE LIKE. |
ITMO20110092A1 (en) * | 2011-04-29 | 2012-10-30 | Maria Teresa Marshalek | PROCEDURE FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF MANUFACTURED SHEETS, PARTICULARLY FABRICS, LEATHER OR THE LIKE, INTENDED FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF GARMENTS AND CLOTHING ACCESSORIES, UPHOLSTERY OR THE LIKE. |
IT202100018608A1 (en) * | 2021-07-14 | 2023-01-14 | I Dek S R L | Method and plant for the production of a flexible decorative plastic film for the coating of articles and films thus produced. |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
BE661657A (en) * | 1964-03-25 | |||
US3523031A (en) * | 1967-03-01 | 1970-08-04 | Ben Walters | Process for making ornamental plastic sheeting |
DE2219470A1 (en) * | 1971-05-06 | 1972-11-23 | Pantasote Italiana S.r.l., Malgesso, Varese (Italien) | Method and device for coating bottles, in particular glass bottles, with plastic, as well as bottles obtained by the method and by means of the device |
-
2009
- 2009-10-12 IT ITMI2009A001734A patent/IT1395857B1/en active
-
2010
- 2010-09-24 BR BR112012008418A patent/BR112012008418B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2010-09-24 TR TR2018/03021T patent/TR201803021T4/en unknown
- 2010-09-24 ES ES10771192.1T patent/ES2661550T3/en active Active
- 2010-09-24 EP EP10771192.1A patent/EP2488692B1/en active Active
- 2010-09-24 WO PCT/IB2010/054308 patent/WO2011045694A1/en active Application Filing
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2011045694A1 (en) | 2011-04-21 |
ITMI20091734A1 (en) | 2011-04-13 |
EP2488692A1 (en) | 2012-08-22 |
TR201803021T4 (en) | 2018-03-21 |
IT1395857B1 (en) | 2012-10-26 |
ES2661550T3 (en) | 2018-04-02 |
BR112012008418B1 (en) | 2020-02-04 |
BR112012008418A2 (en) | 2017-06-13 |
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