GB2395167A

GB2395167A - A layered decorative object or mirror

Info

Publication number: GB2395167A
Application number: GB0226613A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Davison Pearce
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-11-14
Filing date: 2002-11-14
Publication date: 2004-05-19
Anticipated expiration: 2022-11-14
Also published as: GB2395167B; GB0226613D0

Abstract

The front layer 2 of a decorative mirror is a mirror panel which incorporates a pattern 14 formed by sand blasting away the silver coating 10 in regions not protected by an adhesive vinyl sheet mask (16, figure 2). A second rear mirror panel 4 is joined to the front layer by means of double sided adhesive tape 19 to form cavity 6 into which one or more coloured resins 8 are introduced. Alternatively, a clear resin containing small objects such as leaves (24, figure 6) may be used. Small light sources (28, figure 8) may also be included near the periphery. The pattern 14 may be created using a photosensitive resin to form a mask. One or both panels 2,4 may be non-reflective to create a layered decorative transparent or translucent object.

Description

23951 67

A Decorative Item and a Method of Making a Decorative Item The invention relates to a decorative item and a method of making a decorative item and relates particularly, but not exclusively to a decorative mirror and a method of 5 making a decorative mirror.

Most mirrors and glass panels have a uniform continuous surface, their attractiveness lying in their frame.

10 According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a decorative item comprising a front layer and a rear layer, an area of the front layer being selectively transparent or translucent in a predetermined decorative pattern, means to create a visual effect being provided between the front and rear layers, at least part of the rear layer being visible from the front of the item through the said transparent or translucent 15 area of the front layer.

By means of the invention a novel construction results in an attractive aesthetic effect. 20 The means to create a visual efl'ect may include one or more elements to be seen through the transparent or translucent area of the front layer. Additionally or alternatively, the means to create a visual effect may include at least one light source which may lie behind, or to one side of an opaque part of the front layer so that the light from only the light source is seen from the front of the decorative item. The means to 25 create a visual el'l'ect preferably comprises an intermediate layer between the front and rear layers, at least part of the area of the intermediate layer behind the transparent and translucent area of the front layer being itself translucent or transparent.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a decorative item 30 comprising a front layer, a rear layer, and an intermediate layer, an area of the front layer being translucent or transparent. at least part of the area of the intermediate layer

behind the transparent or translucent area of the front layer being itself transparent or translucent so that at least part of the rear layer is visible from the front of the item through the transparent or translucent areas of the front and intermediate layers.

5 The shape of the area of the front layer which is translucent or transparent may form a decorative pattern.

Preferably, the intermediate layer comprises a layer of transparent or translucent material. The material may take any suitable form and may take the form of a liquid, 10 preferably a hardenable liquid, such as a resin. Such a material of suitable refractive index will prevent refraction due to any irregularities at the rear of the transparent or translucent area. The material may alternatively or in addition comprise a sheet material such as a mesh or textile material or a combination of such sheet material with such liquid material. Preferably, the material is coloured. This heightens contrast. At 15 least one element may be included in the intermediate layer to be seen through the transparent and translucent area of the front layer. At least one light source may be directed into the intermediate layer to create an effect visible through the transparent or translucent area of the front layer. The or at least one light source may be behind an opaque part of the front layer.

The parts of the front layer which are not transparent or translucent are preferably reflective. The rear layer may be a mirror. In a particularly preferred embodiment, both the rear layer is a mirror and the parts of the front layer which are not translucent or transparent are reflective. This provides a large reflective area.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of making a decorative item comprising the steps of arranging a first panel alongside a second panel so that there is a slim cavity between them, an area of the first panel being translucent or transparent; and introducing a Plowable material into the cavity, the 30 material being transparent or translucent when hardened.

The second panel may take any suitable form and may be reflective, such that reflection can be seen through the transparent or translucent area of the first panel and through the material. The part of the first panel which is not transparent or translucent may be coloured or decorated as desired and in a preferred embodiment is reflective.

5 The method may include removing part of a reflective coating from the first panel in a predetermined decorative pattem. The coating may be removed in any suitable way and may be removed by sandblasting. A mask may be applied to the coating to permit removal in the predetermined decorative pattern. The mask may be cut in any suitable way and may be cut by a cutting plotter. The Plowable material is coloured in one 10 embodiment and may additionally or alternatively include elements, which may be decorative elements, to be seen through the transparent or translucent area of the first panel. The method may include mounting at least one light to shine into the layer of hardened transparent or translucent material.

15 Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which: Figure I is a perspective view of a mirror constructed in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a first manufacturing step of the present invention; Figure 3 shows a second manufacturing step of the present invention; 25 Figure 4 is a perspective view of the mirror of Figure 1, without the resin; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the mirror of Figure 4 showing the resin of Figure 1 being introduced between the two layers of the mirror; 30 Figure 6 is a perspective view ova mirror in a second embodiment; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a mirror in a third embodiment;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a mirror in a fourth embodiment.

Refening first to Figure 1, the decorative mirror 1 of the present invention 5 comprises two mirror panels 2, 4 joined together side by side so as to form a cavity 6 therebetween in which a resin 8 is located.

The mirror panels 2, 4 comprise glass panels that have been subjected to silvering by a conventional mirror silvering process, for example, with a conventional aqueous 10 silver-nitrate-reducing agent mirror silvering solution to deposit a silver coating 10 (see Figure 3).

One mirror panel 2 incorporates a pattern 14. T he method of producing a pattern 14 on the mirrored surface 2 will now be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

Referring first to Figure 2, a pattern 14 is cut from an adhesive vinyl sheet 16 using a cutting plotter 18. The parts of the vinyl sheet 16 which relate to the pattern 14 to be incorporated onto the decorative mirror are removed and the resultant vinyl sheet 16 is adhered to the silver coating of one of the mirror panels 2 (referred to hereinafter 20 as.'the front mirror panel 2").

Referring now to Figure 3, using freehand sandblasting equipment 20, the silver coating is removed from the unmasked parts of the rear of the front mirror panel 2 to form the pattern 14 on the mirror panel 2.

The second ("rear") mirror panel 4, produced by the same silvering process as described in relation to the front mirror panel 2, is joined to the front mirror panel 2 such that the mirrored surfaces face the same direction with the glass of the front mirror panel 2 outwards (see Figure 4).

The mirror panels 2' 4 are joined together in such a way as to form a cavity 6 therebetween. Double sided adhesive tape 19 is stuck on the major surface of one

mirror panel 2, 4 around each side of the other mirror panel 2, 4. The non-adhesive protective covering of the tape 19 on the upper side is not removed initially, but the two ends of the covering are pulled upwards to aid eventual removal. The other mirror panel 2, 4 is then placed onto it so that a slim pocket or cavity 6 is formed defined by 5 the two mirror panels 2, 4 and the tape 19.

Referring now to Figure 5, a resin 8 is introduced into the cavity 6 using a funnel 21. The resin 8 takes the form of a polymer which carries a colour pigment. As the resin is introduced air is expelled past the ends of the protective covering of the upper 10 tape 19, as the part removal of the ends leaves an air gap.

As can be seen from Figure 1, the pattern 14 formed on the rear surface of the front mirror panel 2 provides a plurality of indentations or troughs 22 in the mirror surface, in which the resin 8 accumulates. A variety of resins, each carrying a different 15 colour pigment may be introduced into the cavity 6.

The un-removed non-adhesive protective covering on one side of the mirror panels 2, 4 is then removed to seal the two panels together around all four sides.

20 Once the resin 8 has been introduced into the cavity 6 it is allowed to harden.

Silicon sealant is piped around the panels 2, 4 to seal them.

She finished decorative mirror 1 thus incorporates two mirror panels 2, 4. The light which passes through the clear area of the front mirror panel 2, in other words the 25 area where the silvering has been removed, passes through the pigmented resin 8 and is reflected back by the rear mirror panel 4. This allows for an interesting colour quality, and contrast with the reflective areas of the front mirror panel 2. Someone looking into the mirror 1 will see a complete reflection of themselves, but parts of the reflection will be tinted by the resin layer 8 resulting in an unusual and attractive effect.

In a further embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, thin decorative objects 24, such as, in this case, leaves. can be introduced into the troughs 22 formed in the surface of

the front mirTor panel 2. Such objects 24 provide a different aesthetic effect in the decorative mirror 1. In this case the resin can be nonpigmented.

In the embodiment of Figure 7, a sheet of fine textile material 26 such as a 5 synthetic polyester may be sandwiched between the two mirTor panels 2, 4.

Alternatively, a thin wire mesh may be sandwiched between the two mirror panels. The material 26 may be one colour or, alternatively, may be made up of an assortment of colours so that different colours may reflect through the mirTor panel 2 at different areas 22 over which the mirrored surface l 0 has been removed. In this case adhesive tape is 10 applied to both mirror panels 2, 4 and the sheet 26 is pressed onto one panel to adhere to the tape, then the other panel is pressed onto the sheet 26. The resin used may be non-pigmented. In a further embodiment, shown in Figure 8, a number of small light sources 28 15 (two can be seen in Figure 8) are located at the edge of the decorative mirTor 1 between the mirror panels 2, 4 to provide a further enhanced aesthetic effect. The resin layer 8 may be omitted in this embodiment, but preferably is included. The light sources 28 kc behind the non-transparent, non- translucent area of' the front mirror panel 2 so that they cannot be seen from the front of the mirror 1. 'l'he light sources shine towards the 20 cavity 6 to provide the effect.

In a further embodiment (not shown), the pattern is incorporated in the front mirror panel 2 in a different way. A photosensitive resin composition is applied to the back of the rear mirror 4. The resin is then exposed to UV light passing through the 25 image which is intended to be displayed. The remaining areas of the resin act as a mask for sandblasting in the same way as before.

In a further embodiment (also not shown), one or both of the glass panels 2, 4 is non-reflective. In each of the embodiments, the resin may be omitted. However the resin 8 fills the uneven surfaces at the sandblasted rear of the *ont panel 2 and prevents the

distortion of reflection which would otherwise occur, so it is preferred that the resin should be present.

Claims

Claims

1. A decorative item comprising a front layer and a rear layer, an area of the front layer being selectively transparent or translucent in a predetermined decorative pattern, 5 means to create a visual el'l'ect being provided between the front and rear layers, at least part ot' the rear layer being visible from the front of the item through the said transparent or translucent area of the front layer.

2. A decorative item according to claim 1, wherein the means to create a visual 10 et't'ect includes one or more elements to be seen through the transparent or translucent area of the front layer.

3. A decorative item according to claim I or claim 2, wherein the means to create a visual effect includes at least one light source which may lie behind, or to one side of an 15 opaque part of the front layer.

4. A decorative item according to claim 1, wherein the means to create a visual effect comprises an intermediate layer located between the front and rear layers, at least part of the area of the intermediate layer behind the transparent and translucent area of 20 the front layer being itself translucent or transparent.

5. A decorative item comprising a front layer, a rear layer, and an intermediate layer, an area of the front layer being translucent or transparent, at least part of the area of the intermediate layer behind the transparent or translucent area of the front layer being 25 itself transparent or translucent so that at least part of the rear layer is visible from the front of the item through the transparent or translucent areas ot' the front and intermediate layers.

6. A decorative item according to claim 5, wherein the shape of the area of the front 30 layer which is translucent or transparent takes the form ol'a decorative pattern.

7. A decorative item according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the intermediate layer comprises a layer of transparent or translucent material.

X. A decorative item according to claim 7, wherein the material takes the form of a 5 liquid.

9. A decorative item according to claim 8, wherein the material takes the form of a hardenable liquid, such as a resin.

10 10. A decorative item according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the material includes a sheet material such as a mesh.

11. A decorative item according to any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the material includes a textile material.

12. A decorative item according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the material is coloured. 13. A decorative item according to any one of claims 4 to 12, wherein at least one 20 element is included in the intermediate layer to be seen through the transparent and translucent area of the front layer.

14. A decorative item according to any one of claims 4 to 13, wherein at least one light source is directed into the intermediate layer to create an effect visible through the 25 transparent or translucent area of the front layer.

15. A decorative item according to claim 14, wherein the or each light source is located behind an opaque part of the front layer.

16. A decorative item according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the part of the front layer which is not transparent or translucent is coloured.

17. A method according to any of one claims I to 16, wherein the part of the front 5 layer which is not transparent or translucent is decorated.

18. A decorative item according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the parts of the front layer which are not transparent or translucent are reflective.

10 19. A decorative item according to any preceding claim, wherein the rear layer is a mirror. 20. A method of making a decorative item comprising the steps of arranging a first panel alongside a second panel so that there is a slim cavity between them, an area of 15 the first panel being translucent or transparent; and introducing a plowable material into the cavity, the material being transparent or translucent when hardened.

21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the second panel is reflective, such that, when arranged alongside the first panel, reflection can be seen through the 20 transparent or translucent area of the first panel and through the material.

22. A method according to claim 21, Iurther comprising the step of removing part of the reflective coating from the first panel in a predetermined decorative pattern.

25 23. A method according to claim 22, wherein the coating is removed by sandblasting.

24. A method according to claim 22 or 23, wherein a mask is applied to the coating to permit removal in the predetermined decorative pattern.

30 25. A method according to claim 24, wherein the mask is cut using a cutting plotter.

26. A method according to any one of claims 20 to 25, wherein the Plowable material is coloured.

27. A method according to any one of claims 20 to 26, further comprising the step of 5 including elements capable of being seen through the transparent or translucent area of the first panel.

28. A method according to claim 27, wherein the elements are decorative elements.

10 29. A method according to any one of claims 20 to 28, further comprising the step of mounting at least one light to shine into the layer of hardened transparent or translucent material. 30. A decorative item substantially as hereinbefore described and referred to in the 15 accompanying figures.

31. A method substantially as hereinbefore described and referred to in the accompanying figures.