GB2201358A

GB2201358A - Engraving and coating metal articles

Info

Publication number: GB2201358A
Application number: GB08704388A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Patrick James Duggins; Nigel Maurice Coldicott
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-02-25
Filing date: 1987-02-25
Publication date: 1988-09-01
Anticipated expiration: 2007-02-25
Also published as: GB8704388D0; GB2201358B

Abstract

A method of decorating metal article such as a bangle (10) comprises the steps of providing at least one engraved region (16) using a diamond cutting tool, in a surface (15) of the metal, and applying paint to the engraved region or regions (16), only to simulate a jewel of glass or precious stone set in the metal. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Method of decorating a metal article.

Description of Invention This invention relates to a method of decorating a metal article such as an item of jewellery, particularly but not exclusively a bangle.

Enamelling is a well known process for decorating metal jewellery.

Fragments of coloured glass are applied either to a recess in the metal surface or to a wire latticework provided on the metal surface, and the glass fragments are fused together and to the metal by heating.

This process can not be readily applied to metal articles such as bangles which are subject in use to flexing. Enamelling tends to fracture and the bond between the glass and the metal becomes broken. Thus although enamelling is an appropriate process decorating metal articles such as brooches, pendants and the like, enamelling is not a suitable process for decorating bangles.

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a new or improved method of decorating a metal article.

According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a method of decorating a metal article comprising the steps of providing at least one engraved region in the surface of the metal and applying paint to the engraved region only.

The method is particularly applicable to decorating an item of jewellery such as a bangle which in use is subjected to flexing. It has been found that by decorating the article by the method of the invention, not only is an aesthetically pleasing result obtained, but the decoration is not spoiled as the article is subjected to flexing.

The engraved region is preferably provided by cutting with a diamond cutting tool so that the engraved surface of the engraved region has a smooth lustrous appearance.

This is particularly important where the paint applied is a transparent paint in which case the smooth lustrous engraved surface will be visible through the paint and the appearance will simulate a jewel of glass or precious stone set in the metal.

However an opaque paint could be used if required.

Preferably the colour of the paint contrasts with the colour of the metal which is decorated, which is preferably predominately silver, gold or another precious metal.

The method may include the steps of, after applying the paint to the engraved region, allowing the metal article to stand under ambient conditions. For example the article may be allowed to stand for at least twenty four hours subsequent to the paint being applied. After allowing the article to stand, the article may be subjected to heat, for example in the temperature range of - 100 to 1 200C for up to thirty minutes.

These method steps- are particularly applicable when using a paint of the type sold by Deka Textilfarben GmbH, under the trade name DEKA Transparent.

According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a metal article decorated by a method according to the first aspect of the invention.

The metal article may comprise an item of jewellery such as a bangle.

The invention will now be described with the aid of the accompanying drawing which is a perspective view of a bangle decorated by method in accordance with the invention.

Referring to the drawing, a bangle 10 comprises a generally rigid loop or ring of a precious metal such as silver or gold. The bangle is made in two parts I I and 12 connected together at a hinge 13, a clasp 14 being provided in a position opposite to the hinge 13 which clasp 14 can be released to enable the two parts I I and 12 to be relatively pivoted to enable the bangle 10 to be received round a wrist. A different sized bangle may be provided for wearing around an ankle or even a neck.

An outer facing surface 15 of the part 11 of the bangle 10 is decorated by a method in accordance with the invention.

Engraved regions some of which are indicated at 16 are provided by cutting with a diamond cutting tool so that the bottom surface of the engraved regions 16 is a smooth lustrous surface.

Paint is applied to the engraved regions 16. The paint is an appropriate paint so that when set, the engraved region 16 simulate a jewel of glass or precious stone set in the metal. The process has the advantage over tradition I enamelling in that any flexing of the bangle 10 which tends to occur- in use, does not result in damage to the decoration. With traditional enamelling, the glass of the enamel would tend to crack.

The paint which is applied may be any suitable metal paint, although one particularly appropriate type of paint is sold under the trade mark DEKA-Transparent, which is produced by Deka Textilfarben GmbH.

The paint is preferably of a colour contrasting with the colour of the metal of the bangle 10 and is preferably a transparent paint so that the bottoms of the engraved region 16 can be seen through the paint thus giving its jewel like appearance. However, an opaque paint could be used if required.

Using this paint, preferably after painting, the bangle 10 is allowed to stand under ambient conditions for at least twenty four hours, and then the bangle 10 is subjected to heat in a temperature range of 100 - 1200 in a cold oven to produce further hardening of the paint. Baking considerably increases adhesion between the paint and the metal of the bangle.

Other types of paint may be suitable although the paint described is particularly suitable providing both aesthetically pleasing finish as well as being hard wearing.

Before or after pointing, an area 17 of- the face 15 may be further decorated by engraving, as illustrated. Of course, any alternative decorative design may be applied; The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining a disclosed result, or a class or group of substances for compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS:

I. A method of- decorating a metal article comprising the steps providing at least one engraved region in the surface of the metal and applying paint to the engraved region only.
2. A method according to Claim I wherein the engraved region is provided by cutting with a diamond cutting tool.
3. A method according to Claim I or Claim 2 wherein the paint is a transparent point.
4. A method according to any one of Claims I to 3 wherein the colour of the paint contrasts with the colour of metal which is decorated.
5. A method according to any one of Claims I to 4 wherein the metal article is predominately made of a precious metal.
6. A method according to any one of Claims I to 5 wherein after applying the paint to the engraved region the metal article is allowed to stand under ambient conditions.
7. A method according to Claim 6 wherein the article is allowed to stand for at least twenty four hours subsequent to the paint being applied.
8. A method according to Claim 6 or Claim 7 wherein after allowing the article to stand the article is subjected to heat.
9. A method according to Claim 8 wherein the article is heated to a temperature in the range 100 - l200C.
10. A method according to Claim 8 or Claim 9 wherein the article is heated for up to thirty minutes.
II. A method according to any one of Claims I to 10 wherein the paint is of the type sold by Deka Textilfarben GmbH under the trade name DEKA Transparent.
12. A method of decorating a metal article substantially is hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
13. A metal article decorated by method according to any one of Claims I to 12.
14. A metal article according to Claim 13 which comprises an item of jewel lery.
15. A metal article according to Claim 14 wherein the item of jewellery is a bangle.
16. A metal article decorated substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawing.