EP3980277A1

EP3980277A1 - Method for producing a decorative panel

Info

Publication number: EP3980277A1
Application number: EP20728511.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Benoît Kolheb
Original assignee: Schott VTF SAS
Current assignee: Schott VTF SAS
Priority date: 2019-06-06
Filing date: 2020-06-02
Publication date: 2022-04-13
Also published as: KR20210149834A; US20220219485A1; WO2020245083A1; BR112021022472A2; FR3096929B1; DE20728511T1; FR3096929A1; CN113993716A; MX2021014062A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for producing a decorative panel (1), comprising the steps of taking a substrate (2) made of glass, comprising at least one first surface (4 or 5), preferably also a second surface (4 or 5), opposite said first surface (4 or 5), and optionally also at least one first edge (6, 7, 8, 9); taking one or more solid metal films (3), made of one or more metals or metal alloys; taking a laser source (13) capable of generating a pulsed laser beam (12); directly plating at least said first surface (4 or 5), by arranging said metal film or films (3) facing, at a distance or in contact, said at least first surface (3 or 4) between the substrate (2) and the laser source (13), and by applying said laser beam (12) to the metal film(s) (3) in order to transfer the metal(s) or metal alloy(s) directly onto the at least first surface (4 or 5), according to a given pattern, in order to form a coating comprising a metal layer (14) covering all or part of the at least first surface (4 or 5), the metal layer (14) comprising an upper surface (15); and surfacing said upper surface (15) of the metal coating (14) in order to modify the surface condition thereof, so as to give it the visual aspect and/or the feel of a metal that has been machined. The invention also relates to a decorative panel (1) having a visual aspect and/or the feel of a metal that has been machined.

Description

METHOD OF MAKING A DECORATIVE PANEL

Object of the invention

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a decorative panel, in particular a trim panel, a household appliance, a heating device, a room in a house or furniture, comprising a glass support which is metallized. The invention also relates to such a panel.

State of the art

[0002] Metal panels are used in many technical fields, as so-called "decorative" panels, as component parts of a wall or a wall, or as a wall covering. However, such panels, which are called "conventional", are difficult to handle and are expensive to manufacture, because they are solid panels, made of a block of metal, therefore requiring a large amount of metal, this which considerably reduces their use.

[0003] In order to reproduce the aesthetic appearance of metal panels, a more economical solution has been proposed consisting of covering a glass support with a coating having the appearance of metal.

[0004] Such panels are generally obtained by covering the surface of the glass with a layer of primer, then by projecting a layer of metal particles, on which is applied a layer of a colorless varnish. However, such panels have the drawback of having a perfectible aesthetic rendering, the metal particles appearing distinctly through the layer of varnish.

[0005] In the particular field of household appliances, the decorative metal panels, which were often used to dress household appliances, are also replaced by glass panels, which have the advantage of being lighter, less expensive , and to be able to wear very varied decorative patterns, inscriptions, signs, logos or images. They generally include a glass support, covered with one or more colored enamels, or paints, reproducing the visual appearance of a metal. Usually, such enamel panels are obtained by the use of masks or stencils, according to a succession of screen printing operations, or by digital printing. [0006] Even if such enamel decorative panels have an improved final aesthetic rendering, they are enamelled panels, which, therefore, do not have the actual visual rendering, or even the real feel, of a machined metal.

Still in the particular field of household appliances, document EP2573204 describes a method of obtaining a cooking plate, comprising a support, covered with a metal layer deposited under vacuum in the vapor phase, the support and the layer metal being then subjected to a heat treatment. LASER ablation then removes the metal layer from the support in certain places to electrically isolate certain regions of the metal layer, and to identify functional areas there. The metal layer is then covered with a dielectric protective layer.

[0008] Besides the fact that such a panel is a functional panel, it does not have the aesthetic appearance, in particular the surface irregularities, nor the feel, of the classic decorative metal panels which have been machined, which have a irregular appearance, because the brushes, more or less coarse grains, used to structure the metal by friction, wear out and never brush the metal in the same place and in the same way. Brushing of metal is uneven. Such a result is impossible to achieve with LASER ablation, because the LASER beam works by reproducing patterns, which ultimately creates a regularity of appearance.

In a technological field far removed from the invention, the field of electronics, the deposition of a thin film, of a uniform and regular thickness, of metal is generally carried out by vacuum evaporation techniques, which are not easy because they require a high vacuum, precise control of the atmosphere in which the deposit takes place, and require expensive and imposing equipment.

[0010] Also in the field of electronics, it has been proposed a metallization of a silicon or glass support, by the use of a LASER, by an indirect method, or by a direct method.

The indirect method consists in irradiating, using a LASER, a metallic material arranged under a transparent support to be covered facing the material, the LASER beam passing through the support to vaporize the material and transfer it on the support, as described for example in document WO2010104651.

The direct method consists in placing the material to be transferred above the support, between the support and the LASER beam, the latter striking the material, on the surface opposite to that facing the support, to project it onto the support, the material being in direct contact with the support, as described in document EP2064748, or being placed at a distance from the support, as described in document WO2015189432.

The indirect transfer method, and especially the direct transfer method, have the drawback of obtaining a metal layer which has thickness irregularities; in fact, if the LASER beam operates discontinuously, the deposition takes place in the form of points, or else in the form of lines if the LASER beam operates continuously, with a diameter or respectively a width, corresponding to the size of the LASER beam. This generates pixelation effects, part of the support, between two points or two deposit lines, not being covered with metal, or roughness, due to excess material if the LASER makes deposits in overlapping passes. . Due to these deposit irregularities, the metallic layer does not have the visual rendering and / or the feel of a plate made of metal, in particular a machined metal.

Aims of the invention

[0014] The present invention aims to provide a metallized panel, and such a decorative panel, which does not have the drawbacks of the state of the art.

[0015] The present invention aims to provide an alternative to existing state of the art solutions.

[0016] The present invention aims to provide a manufacturing method making it possible to obtain a decorative glass panel, having an improved visual rendering and / or feel, close to the visual rendering and / or the feel of a machined metal.

[0017] The present invention also aims to provide a method of manufacturing a decorative panel, which is quick and easy to implement. Summary of the invention

The present invention relates to a method of making a panel according to the invention, comprising the steps of taking a glass support, comprising at least a first surface, preferably also a second surface, opposite to the first surface and possibly also at least a first edge, preferably several edges, to take one or more solid metal films, made of one or more metals or metal alloys, to take a LASER source capable of generating a pulsed LASER beam, of perform a direct metal deposition on at least the first surface, by placing the metal film (s) opposite, at a distance from or in contact with the at least first surface, between the glass support and the LASER source, and by applying the beam LASER on the metal film (s) in order to transfer the metal (s) or metal alloy (s) directly to the at least first surface, in a determined pattern, in order to form a coating comprising a metallic layer covering all or part of the at least first surface the metallic layer comprising an upper surface, and to surface the upper surface in order to modify its surface state, to give it the visual appearance and / or the feel of a metal which has been machined.

According to preferred modes of the invention, the method according to the invention comprises at least one, or any suitable combination, of the following characteristics:

- the surfacing step comprises a step of polishing, brushing, embossing, embossing, or a combination of these,

the step of depositing the metal (s) or metal alloy (s) of the metal film (s), directly on the at least first surface of the glass support, is repeated several times, in order to apply, on the at least first surface, a multitude of layers made of a particular metal or metal alloy, or of different metals or different metal alloys, the layers being able to overlap, overlap or be adjacent, and have patterns that can be identical or different between the layers,

- The step of depositing the metal (s) or metal alloy (s) of the metal film (s) is repeated in order to form a metal layer covering all or part of the second surface and / or of several edges of the glass support, the metallic film (s) are deposited on a surface of a transfer support, transparent to the LASER beam, the surface of the transfer support being placed facing the at least first surface and / or at least first edge of the support to be covered,

- the method also includes a preliminary step of covering all or part of the glass support with enamel or enamels,

- The method further comprises a pretreatment step, carried out before the step of transferring the metal (s) or metal alloys, and consisting in the elimination of the surface contaminants present on at least the first and / or the second surface and / or on the edge (s) of the glass support, or in a surface structuring, in at least two dimensions, preferably in three dimensions, of the surface (s) and / or of the edge (s) of the glass support,

- the decorative panel is a panel for covering a household appliance, a heating device, a room in a house, or for decorating furniture.

[0020] The present invention also relates to a decorative panel obtained by the method according to the invention.

The decorative panel comprising a glass support comprising at least a first surface, preferably also a second surface, opposite the first surface, and possibly also at least a first edge, preferably several edges, one or more two surfaces and / or one or more edges being covered, totally or partially, with a coating comprising at least one metallic layer comprising one or more metals or metal alloys deposited by direct transfer using a LASER beam, and forming one or more decorative patterns the metallic layer having an upper surface, having been surfaced in order to obtain the visual appearance and / or the feel of a metal which has been machined.

[0022] According to preferred modes of the invention, the decorative panel according to the invention comprises at least one, or any suitable combination, of the following characteristics:

- the visual appearance and / or the feel of a machined metal is chosen from the visual appearance and / or the feel of a polished metal, a brushed metal, an embossed metal or an embossed metal , or a combination of these, - the metal layer comprises a multitude of layers of a metal or a determined metal alloy, or of different metals and / or different metal alloys, the thin layers being superimposed, adjacent or overlapping with respect to each other. other,

- the upper surface of the metal layer is covered with a protective varnish that does not modify the visual appearance and / or the feel of said upper surface.

[0023] The present invention also relates to the use of the decorative panel according to the invention to decorate a household appliance, to decorate a room of a dwelling, or to decorate furniture.

Brief description of the figures

[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a side view of a panel according to the invention.

[0025] Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0026] Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the method according to the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

In the remainder of the description and of the claims, the term "length" is used to describe the largest of the measurements of one side of any geometric shape, for example the large radius of an ellipsoid or of an ellipse, the base or height of a triangle, the length of a trapezoid or rectangle. The term "width" is used to describe the smallest of measurements, for example the small radius of an ellipsoid or ellipse, the base or height of a triangle, the width of a trapezoid or rectangle, and the terms “length” and “width” can be used interchangeably, for example to designate the measure of the radius of a disc, the side of a square.

The terms "top", "bottom", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "vertical" or "horizontal" refer to the horizontal position of the panel according to the invention, and elements implemented according to the method of the invention, as shown in Figures 1 to 3.

The method according to the invention implements a step of metallization of a glass support 2, a step of transferring one or more metals or metal alloys, which is called "direct" (Figures 2 and 3 ), for a deposit, on all of one or more surfaces of the support 2, or a structured deposit of metal, namely on a part of the surface (s) of the support 2, preferably in a decorative pattern which may be or include inscriptions, signs, geometric shapes, logos, images.

The method according to the invention comprises the steps of taking, or making, a glass support 2, optionally covered, partially or totally, with one or more layers of enamel or enamels, and of taking, or making one or more films 3, or sheets, metallic, in the solid state.

[0031] The support 2 is rigid and substantially inflexible. It has a mechanical resistance, to bending and / or torsional stresses, sufficient not to deform under the action of a bending and / or torsional force. It is also at least thermally inert, advantageously also physically and chemically inert to the material (s) with which it is covered or in contact.

[0032] The support 2 is preferably transparent, or else partially transparent, optically in the visible range, in its thickness and / or its width and / or its length. It can be sandblasted and / or screen printed and / or colored on all or part of these surfaces or of these edges.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the support 2 is a transparent soda lime glass or tinted in the mass, optionally with various layers, such as anti-bacterial, anti-reflective, for example of the type known under the Matelux® brand, chrome-plated, low-emissivity, for example of the type known under the name Planibel Clear or Planibel low-E IsoComfort, marketed by the company AGC, or a borosilicate for example known under the brand Borofloat® 33. Preferably , the glass has a high SiO 2 content, a content advantageously between 69% and 81% by weight and with a light transmission which can range up to 90%. The glass may optionally have previously undergone a heat treatment of the hardening, annealing, tempering or bending type. The support 2 has a shape, thickness and dimensions that are adequate and adapted, or compatible, with the end use of the panel 1, or elements which include such a panel 1.

[0035] The support 2 is substantially flat. It is preferably a flat glass. It comprises at least a first surface 4, continuous and substantially planar, preferably a second surface 5, continuous and substantially planar, opposite said first surface 4 (FIGS. 1 to 3).

Preferably, the support 2 has a cross section, therefore in the plane formed by the surface 4 or the surface 5, in the XZ plane, of circular, elliptical, polygonal, trapezoidal or else of a quadrilateral shape, advantageously a rhombus, square or rectangular section. Preferably, the support 2 has a longitudinal section, therefore in the XY plane, and / or a cross section, therefore in the YZ plane, perpendicular to the plane formed by the surface 4 or the surface 5, circular, elliptical or polygonal, trapezoidal or else of a quadrilateral, advantageously a square or rectangular section, of a trapezoid or of a rectangle trapezoid.

The support 2 comprises at least a first lateral edge 6, and in the embodiments in which it has a parallelepipedal transverse and / or longitudinal section, for example square (s) or rectangular (s), it comprises a second side edge 7, opposite to the first side edge 6, a front edge 8 and a rear edge 9, opposite to the front edge 8.

Preferably, the first side edge 6 and / or the second side edge 7, the front edge 8 and / or the rear edge 9 is or are chamfer (s).

In particular embodiments of the invention, all or part of the surfaces 4, 5 and / or the edges 6, 7, 8, 9 may be covered with one or more layers of enamel or enamels , a deposition taking place before, or after, the direct deposition of the metallic layer 14, the enamel or the enamels being arranged superimposed or adjacent to one another. In these embodiments of the invention, the coating covering the support 2 then consists of the metallic layer 14 and the layer or layers of enamel or enamels.

Preferably, the support 2 is placed on a support holder 10 on which it is fixed during the metallization process (Figures 2 and 3). However, the support holder 10 can be movable in rotation, for example along the Y-Y 'axis, and / or in translation, along the Y-Y 'axis and / or the X-X' axis. For these purposes, the carrier 10 can be coupled to a multi-axis motion control mechanism to move and position the carrier 10 in different orientations and at different angles. Once its position and orientation have been determined, the support holder 10 can be fixed, or mobile, during the process of metallization of the support 2.

[0041] The metallic film (s) 3 are preferably single-layer and are made of a single metal or a single alloy of metals. However, it is also possible to provide for the use of one or more multilayer films 3 comprising several layers of the same metal or metal alloy or of different layers of different metals or metal alloys.

[0042] Preferably, the metal is selected from Aluminum, Copper, iron, stainless steel, Magnesium, Silver, Chromium, Titanium, Zinc, tin and their alloys.

The metal film or films 3 have a thickness of between 10 and 300miti.

[0044] Preferably, the metallic film (s) 3 may be in the form of one or more continuous ribbons in order to constitute a continuous source of metal to be transferred.

Preferably, the metal film or films 3 can be deposited, by any suitable means, on a transfer support 11, for example a glass support transparent to the beam 12 of a LASER 13, and cover at least one of these surfaces, that intended to face the surface 4, 5 or the edge 6, 7, 8 or 9 of the support 2, to be covered (FIG. 3).

Preferably, the transfer support 11 is movable in rotation, for example along the Y-Y 'axis, and / or in translation, along the Y-Y' axis and / or the X-X axis '. For these purposes, the transfer medium 11 can be coupled to a multi-axis motion control mechanism to move and position the transfer medium 11 in different orientations and at different angles. Once its position and orientation have been determined, the transfer support 11 can be fixed, or mobile, during the metallization process.

Preferably, the method according to the invention comprises a preliminary step of determining the surface (s) 4, 5, and / or the portion (s) of the surface (s) 4, 5, and / or the surface (s) edges 6, 7, 8, 9, and / or the portion or portions of the edges 6, 7, 8, 9 to decorate. It may be all or part of the surfaces 4, 5 and / or the edges 6, 7, 8, 9 covered or not with one or more layers of enamel or enamels.

Preferably, the method according to the invention comprises a prior step of determining the pattern (s) to be produced, and a step of configuring a control system controlling the movements of the support holder 10 and / or of the support. transfer 11 and / or the LASER source 13. The pattern (s) can be or comprise a uniform, continuous or discontinuous layer, inscriptions, signs, geometric shapes, logos, images, which reproduces or reproduce the appearance surface and / or the feel of a machined metal, for example a polished metal, an embossed metal or a brushed metal, or of a carbon fiber material, or of a natural material, such as for example wood.

Preferably, the method according to the invention comprises a preliminary step of pretreating one or both surfaces 4, 5 and / or one or more edges 6, 7, 8, 9 of the support 2, coated or not with enamel, which consists of removing surface contaminants, or at least two-dimensional surface structuring, preferably three-dimensional, or the creation of surface roughness, on all or part of the surface (s) 4, 5 and / or of the edge (s) 6, 7, 8, 9, intended (s) or not, to be metallized, either by chemical and / or mechanical action. This makes it possible to strengthen the visual appearance and / or the final feel of the decorative panel 1 according to the invention. The chemical means can be any acids or mixtures of acids to which the glass support 2 is sensitive, such as for example hydrofluoric acid. The mechanical means may be, or comprise, tools and / or abrasive materials, or LASER ablation, in particular ablation by a femtosecond LASER.

The direct transfer step of one or more metals or metal alloys is done by placing the metal film (s) 3, in front of, at a distance, or else in direct contact, with at least one of the surfaces 4 , 5, or portion (s) of the surface 4 or 5, and / or at least one edge 6, 7, 8, 9, or portion (s) of the edge 6, 7, 8, 9 of the support 2 in glass to cover, whether the surfaces 4, 5 and / or the edges 6, 7, 8, 9 are covered, or not, partially or totally, with an enamel or several enamels. Thus, the metal film or films 3 are placed between the glass support 2 and the LASER source 13, the back of the metal film (s) 3 located under the LASER source 13, whether or not the metal film (s) 3 are deposited on a transfer support 11, or not.

The metal layer 14, thus obtained, has a multitude of deposit points, or lines of deposits, depending on whether the LASER beam 12 is applied respectively discontinuously or continuously, respectively having an equivalent diameter or width. to the diameter of the LASER beam 12, by, respectively, distant or overlapping passes. This results in a pixelation effect and irregularities in the thickness of the metal layer.

Preferably, the method according to the invention further comprises a step of taking one or more masks, opaque to the LASER beam 12, and of placing it or them on the metal film or films 3, or between the latter and the surface 4 or 5 or the edge 6, 7, 8, 9 of the glass support 2 to be covered, in contact or at a distance from the surface 4 or 5 or from the edge 6, 7, 8, 9 to be covered.

The step of decorating the support 2, namely the production of the deposition of the metal layer, according to a determined pattern, is carried out using a pulsed LASER beam 12, which is applied at room temperature and under atmospheric pressure, on the back of the metal film (s) 3 in the solid state, to directly transfer the metal (s) or metal alloys of which they are made to all or part of the surface 4, 5 and / or the edge 6 , 7, 8, 9 of the support 2, and / or on all or part of the enamel or enamels covering the surface 4, 5 and / or the edge 6, 7, 8, 9, in order to form a metallic layer 14 , covering, continuously or discontinuously, all or part of the enamel or enamels and / or the surface 4, 5 and / or the edge 6, 7, 8, 9 of the support 2 or reproduces the pattern (s) therein predetermined.

The use of the pulsed LASER beam 12 that the metal or metals or metal alloys are fixed and adhere directly to the glass support 2, without the use of a bonding underlayer, of a glue or an adhesive, or any polymer and therefore a polymerization step.

[0055] For example, for a layer 14 of Aluminum 10 miti thick, deposited on a glass surface, the peel resistance, achieved at 22 ° C using a hammer gauge, is 20 Newtons.

The LASER beam 12 has an energy and an adequate speed, which is a function of the distance between the LASER source 13 relative to the film (s) 3 metal (s) and the distance between the metal film or films 3 and the glass support 2. In any event, the LASER source 13 is positioned so that the LASER beam 12 is focused on the back of the metal film or films 3.

Preferably, the LASER beam 12 is generated by a femtosecond LASER, producing pulses whose frequency is between 1 kHz and 2 MHz and whose duration is of the order of a few femtoseconds to a few hundred femtoseconds, and wavelength between 300nm and 10miti.

During the metal transfer, the LASER beam 12 and the glass support 2 or the metal film (s) 3 have a relative movement with respect to each other. Preferably, the LASER source 13 is mounted to move relative to the glass support 2 or to the support holder 10, if it is present, and / or to the metal film (s) 3 or to the support of transfer 11 if present. Nevertheless, it is possible that it is the glass support 2, or the support holder 10, and / or the metallic film (s) 3, or the transfer support 11, which are mobile, or else all at the same time, or then sequentially. This has the advantage of being able to cover one or more surfaces and / or one or more edges.

The pulsed LASER beam 12 is applied continuously or repeatedly, until the determined pattern is achieved, which may consist of covering all or part of at least one or both surfaces 4, 5 and / or at least one edge 6, 7, 8, 9 of the glass support 2, and / or the enamel or enamels which cover them, the number of repetitions being a function of the size of the point of the LASER beam 12 and / or the surface to be coated.

In a particular embodiment, the method can comprise the provision of one or more masks, not transparent to the LASER beam 12, and which can be arranged on the metal film (s) 3 or between the metal film (s) 3 and the surface 4, 5 or the edge 6, 7, 8, 9 of the support 2 to be metallized.

In the embodiments in which the metal film or films 3 are in contact with the surface 4, 5 or the edge 6, 7, 8, 9 to be covered, the surplus of the film or films 3 not adhering to the support 2 is removed by peeling, for example using peeling means, blowing means or the like.

The at least first metal layer 14 has a thickness between 10 and 300 miti. The metal transfer step can be repeated several times in order to apply a multitude of homogeneous layers of a particular metal or metal alloy, or of different metals and / or different metal alloys, the different layers possibly being superimposed, overlapping or being adjacent, the total thickness of the layers preferably being between 20 and 300 miti, the patterns possibly being identical or different. For example, it is possible to form lines, signs or words, made of one or more metals or metal alloys on a uniform layer of one or more other metals or metal alloys uniformly covering all or part of it. one of the surfaces 4, 5 or of an edge 6, 7, 8, 9 of the support 2 made of glass and / or the enamel or enamels which cover them.

In the embodiments in which only one of the two surfaces 4 or 5 or only one of the edges 6, 7, 8, 9 of the glass support 2 is covered with the metal layer 14, the other surface 4 or 5 or the other opposite edge 6, 7, 8, 9, or the other edges 6, 7, 8, 9, may or may be covered or covered with one or more paints, or a or more colored enamels, to enhance the visual appearance of the surface 4 or 5 or of the edge 6, 7, 8, 9 comprising the metallic layer 14, for example by giving the glass support 2 a mirror appearance inside its thickness or from the edge (s) 6, 7, 8, 9 of the support 2.

In the embodiments in which the two surfaces 4 and 5 or at least two edges 6, 7, 8, 9 of the glass support 2 are decorated, the support 2 can be fixed and the LASER source 13 and the or the metal films 3, possibly the transfer support 11 if present, can be mobile and set in motion, in order to position themselves opposite the second surface 4 or 5 or the second edge 6, 7, 8, 9 to cover; nevertheless, in the embodiment in which the support 2 is deposited on a support holder 10, the latter will be made of a material transparent to the LASER beam 12. However, more easily, the LASER source 13 and the one or more them. metal films 3, possibly the transfer support 11 if it is present, are fixed and it is the support 2, or its support holder 10 if it is present, which is mobile, and rotated, according to the Z-Z 'axis, in order to position the second surface 4 or 5 or the second edge 6, 7, 8, 9 opposite the metal film or films 3.

The method according to the invention then comprises a post-treatment step, subsequent to the metal transfer step. This post-processing is a stage of surfacing of the upper surface 15 of the metal layer 14 produced using surfacing means.

In the embodiments in which the two surfaces 4 and 5, a surface 4 and 5 and an edge 6, 7, 8, 9, or at least two edges 6, 7, 8, 9, of the support 2 in glass are decorated, the surfacing step can be performed after the covering of surfaces 4, 5, of the two edges 6, 7, 8, 9, or after the covering of each surface 4, 5 or each edge 6, 7, 8 , 9.

The surfacing step consists in modifying the surface state of the upper surface 15 of the metal layer 14, which has a pixelation effect and / or thickness or surface irregularities, to flatten it and homogenize it, which makes it possible to reduce the effect of pixelation and / or the irregularities, generated by the direct metallic transfer by point of the LASER beam 12. The metallic layer 14 thus has the visual appearance and / or the feel of a metal which has been machined, namely the visual appearance and / or the texture of a metal which has been subjected to shaping tools after casting or molding, and possibly rolling. This may for example be the visual appearance and / or the texture of a polished metal, a brushed metal, an embossed metal and / or an embossed metal.

Decorative patterns comprising, or being, inscriptions, signs, logos or images thus have sharper contours, and therefore a less blurry visual appearance, as well as a smoother feel.

[0070] The surfacing can be chemical, but it is preferably mechanical, which has the advantage of providing visual and / or feel results, closer to or identical to those obtained by metal plate shaping tools.

The mechanical surfacing can comprise, or consist, for example in a polishing step, for example using a tool and a polishing material, brushing in order to create fine scratches, for example with a flat abrasive or a brush, embossing, or embossing in order for example to impart an appearance and / or a feel of the carbon fiber type, or a combination thereof. Preferably, the surfacing does not include the use of a LASER beam, and in particular does not include LASER ablation.

The method according to the invention can further comprise a step of covering the upper surface 15 of the metal layer 14 after the step. surfacing, and optionally also the enamel layer (s) or enamels if they are present, with a protective varnish, preferably polymeric, advantageously transparent, not modifying the visual appearance and / or the feel of the upper surface 15 of the metal layer 14.

[0073] The decorative panel 1 according to the invention is preferably obtained according to the method according to the invention described above.

The decorative panel 1 according to the invention comprises a glass support 2, as described above, comprising at least a first surface 4, continuous and substantially planar, preferably also a second surface 5, continuous and substantially planar, opposite at the first surface 4, preferably also at least a first lateral edge 6, and possibly a second lateral edge 7, opposite to the first lateral edge 6, a front edge 8 and a rear edge 9, opposite to the front edge 8.

One or both surfaces 4, 5 and / or one or more edges 6, 7, 8, 9, are covered (s) or covered (s), totally or partially, with a coating comprising at least a layer 14 made of one or more metals or metal alloys, and the deposition of which is obtained by direct transfer of the metal (s) or metal alloy (s) to the support, using a LASER beam 12, preferably pulsed, applied directly to one or more films 3 or metal sheets in the solid state, at room temperature and under atmospheric pressure. The metallic layer 14 obtained adheres directly to the surface (s) 4, 5 and / or to the edge (s) 6, 7, 8, 9, on which or which it is applied without the use of a sub- bond layer, glue, adhesive, or any polymer.

In particular embodiments of the invention, the decorative panel 1 comprises all or part of one or both surfaces 4, 5 and / or one or more of the edges 6, 7, 8, 9 covered (e) with an enamel or more enamels, arranged superimposed or adjacent to one another, the metallic layer 14 possibly covering, or not, totally or partially, the enamel or the enamels. In these embodiments, the coating of the support 2 comprises the metallic layer 14 and the enamel or enamel layer (s).

The metal layer 14 has a thickness of between 10 and 300 miti, and can comprise a multitude of homogeneous thin layers of a metal or of a specific metal alloy, or of different metals and / or different metal alloys, which are superimposed, adjacent or overlapping with respect to each other.

The metal layer 14 forms, on the surface (s) 4, 5 and / or the edge (s) 6, 7, 8, 9, of the glass support 2, one or more patterns, superimposed, adjacent, or which are overlap, the motifs being inscriptions, signs, logos or images.

The metal layer 14 has an upper surface 15, which, after the direct deposition of a metal or one or more metal alloys, exhibited a pixelation effect and / or thickness irregularities, which was surfaced, in order to obtain the visual and / or tactile appearance of a metal which has been machined, which appears to have been obtained by metal plate shaping tools. Preferably, it is a look and / or feel of polished metal, brushed metal, embossed metal or embossed metal, or a combination thereof, preferably obtained by mechanical surfacing, for example polishing, brushing, embossing or embossing. Thus, the decorative pattern or patterns formed by the metallic layer 14 is sharper and has a smoother feel.

Preferably, the decorative panel 1 according to the invention further comprises a protective varnish covering the upper surface 15 of the metallic layer 14, advantageously not modifying the visual appearance and / or the feel of the upper surface 15 of the metal layer 14. In this embodiment, the coating of the support 2 comprises the metallic layer 14, the protective varnish layer, and optionally also the enamel or enamel layer (s) if they are present.

The decorative panel 1 according to the invention may comprise a metal layer 14 on the two surfaces 4 and 5 and / or one or more edges 6, 7, 8, 9 of the glass support 2, or else one of the surfaces 4 or 5 or one of the edges 6, 7, 8, 9, is covered or covered with the metallic layer 14 and the other surface 4 or 5 or the opposite or adjacent edge 6, 7, 8, 9, is covered or covered with one or more paints or one or more colored enamels enhancing the visual appearance of the first surface 4 or 5 comprising the metallic layer 14. Preferably, the decorative panel 1 according to the invention is used to decorate a household appliance, such as for example an oven or a refrigerator, a heating device, for example a radiator or a towel warmer, or to decorate a room in a house, such as a kitchen or a bathroom, or to decorate furniture.

Claims

1. Method of making a decorative panel (1), comprising the following steps:

- Take a glass support (2), comprising at least a first surface (4 or 5), preferably also a second surface (3 or 4), opposite to said first surface (4 or 5), and possibly also at least a first edge (6, 7, 8, 9), preferably several edges (6, 7, 8, 9),

- take one or more solid metal films (3), made of one or more metals or metal alloys,

- take a LASER source (13), capable of generating a pulsed LASER beam (12),

- Carry out a direct metal deposition on at least said first surface (4 or 5), by placing said metal film or films (3) opposite, at a distance or in contact, with said at least first surface (4, 5), between said glass support (2) and said LASER source (13), and by applying said LASER beam (12) on said metal film or films (3) in order to transfer said metal or metal alloys or metal alloys directly onto said at least first surface (4, 5), according to a determined pattern, in order to form a coating comprising a metallic layer (14) covering all or part of said at least first surface (4, 5), said metallic layer (14) comprising an upper surface (15),

- surfacing said upper surface (15) using surfacing means, in order to modify its surface condition, to give it the visual appearance and / or the feel of a metal which has been machined.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the surfacing step comprises a step of polishing, brushing, embossing, embossing, or a combination thereof.

3. The method according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein, the step of depositing said metal (s) or metal alloy (s) of the metal film (s) (3) directly on the at least first surface (4 or 5) is repeated several times, in order to apply, on said at least first surface (4, 5), a multitude of layers made of a particular metal or metal alloy, or of different metals or different alloys of metals, said layers possibly being superimpose, overlap or be adjacent, and include patterns that may be identical or different between said layers.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the step of depositing the metal (s) or metal alloys from the metal film (s) (3) is repeated in order to form a metal layer (14) covering all or part of the second surface (4 or 5) and / or of several edges (6, 7, 8, 9) of the glass support (2).

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the metallic film or films (3) are deposited on a surface of a transfer medium (11), transparent to the LASER beam (12), said surface being disposed facing the at least first surface (4 or 5) and / or said at least first edge (6, 7, 8, 9) of the support (2) to be covered.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a preliminary step of covering all or part of the glass support (2) with enamel or enamels.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a pretreatment step, carried out before the step of transferring the metal (s) or metal alloys, consisting in removing the surface contaminants present on at least the surface. first and / or second surface (4, 5) and / or on the edge (s) (6, 7, 8, 9) of the glass support (2), or in a surface pattern, in at least two dimensions , preferably in three dimensions, of said surface (s) (4, 5) and / or of said edge (s) (6, 7, 8, 9) of the glass support (2).

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the decorative panel (1) is a panel (1) covering a household appliance, a heating device, a room of a home, or to decorate furniture.

9. Decorative panel (1) comprising a glass support (2) comprising at least a first surface (4 or 5), preferably also a second surface (4 or 5), opposite to said first surface (4 or 5), and optionally also at least one first edge (6, 7, 8, 9), preferably several edges (6, 7, 8, 9), one or both surfaces (4, 5) and / or one or more edges (6, 7, 8, 9) being covered, totally or partially, of a coating comprising at least one metallic layer (14), comprising one or more metals or metal alloys, deposited by direct transfer using a LASER beam (12), and forming one or more a plurality of decorative patterns, said metallic layer (14) having an upper surface (15), having been surfaced in order to obtain the visual appearance and / or the feel of a metal which has been machined.

10. The decorative panel (1) according to claim 9, wherein the visual appearance and / or the feel of a machined metal is chosen from the visual appearance and / or the feel of a polished metal, a brushed metal, an embossed metal or an embossed metal, or a combination thereof.

11. The decorative panel (1) according to any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the metal layer (14) comprises a multitude of layers of a metal or a determined metal alloy, or of different metals and / or of different metal alloys, said layers being superimposed, adjacent or overlapping with respect to each other.

12. The decorative panel (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the upper surface (15) of the metal layer (14) is covered with a protective varnish which does not modify the visual appearance. and / or the feel of said upper surface (15).

13. Use of the decorative panel (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 12, to decorate a household appliance or a heating device, to decorate a room in a dwelling, or to decorate furniture.