JPS60220889A - Transparent outer package parts for timetpiece - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To put a wrist watch with totally transparent outer package parts on the market by using inorganic reinforced glass for a decoration part and using a transparent plastic material for function parts. CONSTITUTION:For example, borosilicate glass (BK-7) is used as the inorganic plass of the decoration parts and worked in a glass part shape 1, and this is reinforced by an ion exchange method to complete a decoration member. Then, acrylic resin is used as a raw material of function parts and worked into a plastic part 2 by an injection molding method. Then, both parts are put together into outer package parts by using an acrylic adhesive and movements, dial, etc., are incorporated to complete a timepiece. This timepiece has the outer package composed of a completely transparent body and is an extremely beautiful article which has a gloss characteristic to glass, and corrosion resistance and abrasion resistance.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Technical Field] The present invention relates to making exterior parts for watches transparent. In addition, the present invention relates to making exterior parts for watches transparent. Specifically, the present invention relates to making exterior parts for watches transparent. This invention relates to transparent exterior parts for watches that are made more practical by adopting a body structure.

[Prior art]

Traditionally, exterior parts for watches have mainly been made of metal such as stainless steel or brass, and the surface finishes have been mirrored, streaked, or coated with various types of plating to give them decorative value. However, all of them were opaque, and there were limits to their ability to express decorative effects.

On the other hand, transparent materials include inorganic glass and plastic materials used in cover glasses, but inorganic glass is weak in terms of processability and impact resistance, and glass has poor optical properties, corrosion resistance, and scratch resistance. The reality is that plastics are unable to take advantage of their excellent decorative properties.
Although they have excellent functional aspects such as impact resistance and workability, they are soft and easily scratched, and have disadvantages in terms of decoration, so they are not used individually to take advantage of their characteristics. .

However, market trends are becoming more diversified and there is a strong desire for products using new and popular materials, and conventional metal-based materials are no longer able to meet these demands.

〔the purpose〕

The present invention solves these problems by making the structure of the exterior part for a watch into two parts, a decorative part and a functional part. By using transparent plastic, which has excellent functional properties, for the functional parts, it is possible to manufacture a watch using completely transparent exterior parts, which are not available in conventional exterior parts.

〔overview〕

Next, to give an overview of the present invention, firstly, it has a two-piece structure of a decorative part and a functional part, and in the case of a case, the mechanical part is the part where the movement (mechanical body) is inserted and the back cover. , refers to the joint part of the cover glass. In the case of a band, it refers to the connecting parts of each band block and various fasteners, and the decorative part refers to the decorative parts on the outer periphery of the front and back sides other than the functional parts mentioned above.For details, refer to the drawings of the example. I will explain.

Next, regarding the inorganic strengthened glass used for decorative parts,
As a material, silicate glass, sorter lime glass,
Any material including phosphosilicate glass, borosilicate glass, quartz glass, etc., as well as precious stones such as ruby, sapphire, and emerald, with a light transmittance of 5 cm or more, regardless of whether it is colorless or colored, may be used. In addition, as a means to double the decorative effect, the glass itself may be partially matted or cut, or it may be coated with water gold, raster, metal elements, paint, etc. It may be formed and imparted in a pattern. In particular, this treatment is performed on the back side of the glass (
It is effective from an optical point of view as well as to prevent damage from external factors.

Regarding the strengthening treatment of glass, although it varies depending on the glass quality, composition, etc., common methods for strengthening glass include the iodine/exchange method, the air-cooling strengthening method, and the chemical treatment method. Depending on the structure, the glass itself may be strong enough to withstand practical use without any reinforcement treatment.

Next, let's talk about the transparent plastics used for functional parts: vinyl, polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyacetal, acrylic, nylon,
Thermoplastic phase I materials such as cellulose, polycarbonate, fluororesin, polyurethane, etc., or inorganic thermosetting resins such as phenol, formaldehyde resin II@, melamine/formaldehyde resin, epoxy resin, allyl diglycol carbonate, etc. Like glass, any material may be used as long as it has a light transmittance of 5 cm or more, but moldability,
When considering cost etc., acrylic, polycarbonate, etc. are effective.

Next, we will talk about the method of fixing the decorative part and the functional part: a mechanical fixing method using screws, bottles, etc., a chemical bonding method using an adhesive, etc., or a combined mechanical and chemical method. Alternatively, there is no particular problem with the method, such as thermocompression bonding, as long as it has the bonding strength necessary for carrying the watch.

The present invention will be explained in detail below with reference to Examples.

[Example-1] Borosilicate glass (BK-7
) is used to process the shape of the glass part shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b), and this is strengthened by the ion exchange method to produce a finished product as a decorative part. Next, the functional parts were made from acrylic resin and molded by injection molding as shown in Figures 2(a) and (b).
Process the plastic part of.

Using acrylic adhesive, both of the parts thus produced are made into a finished product as an exterior part as shown in FIG. 1, and the movement, dial, etc. are made into a finished product as a watch.

The watch completed in this way has a completely transparent exterior, unlike conventional watches, and has the unique shine, corrosion resistance, and scratch resistance of glass, making it an extremely beautiful product and fashionable. It has become a product that satisfies the demands of consumers, including women who respect women's beauty, as a crystal dress suitable for summer.

In addition, by making the functional parts plastic, the strength is significantly improved compared to glass alone, and the product satisfactorily passes the shock and drop tests required for watches. Especially in terms of weight, it is extremely light compared to conventional metals, so you won't feel uncomfortable about the weight when carrying it, and it increases the sense of product value.

[Example-2] The back surface of the same inorganic glass as in Example-1 was decorated as follows.

■ Chromium distilled in any pattern ■ Amethyst, topaz, or aquamarine colored raster coated and baked to maintain a light transmittance of 50 cm ■ Cut or matte in any pattern As in Example 1, the inorganic glass which had been subjected to a more decorative treatment was assembled as shown in FIG. 1, resulting in a product that met the needs of the market with a higher decorative effect.

In addition, watches using sapphire, ruby, etc. instead of borosilicate glass (BK-7) can be used as practical jewelry watches.
When the products manufactured in Examples 1 and 2, which were extremely high-class and temperature-sensitive products, were subjected to quality tests required for watches, no defects were found in any of them as shown in Table 1.

Table 1 [Effects] The effects of the present invention are that by using transparent plastic and inorganic glass as materials for the functional parts and decorative parts to suit each purpose, it is possible to commercialize a wristwatch with transparent exterior parts. It takes full advantage of the optical properties such as refractive index that cannot be obtained with conventional metals, and produces the crystalline shine unique to glass, or can be colored on the entire surface or in any pattern, and can be mirrored or matte. It has become possible to diversify decorations, such as combinations with cuts and patterns.

゛ Also, as for the functional effects, since the materials used are glass and plastic, it is extremely lightweight compared to metal, approximately 100 μm in weight, and has significantly improved corrosion resistance and excellent scratch resistance. can be mentioned.

As mentioned above, the present invention aims to provide a product that makes the most of the transparency that cannot be obtained with conventional watch exterior parts, and by using a skeleton for the movement,
It became possible to manufacture completely transparent watches, making it possible to develop extremely innovative products.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a completed model of a timepiece using the transparent exterior part for a timepiece according to the present invention. FIG. 2(a) is a sectional view of the case part according to the present invention, (1)
) shows a cross-sectional view of the band part according to the invention. 1...Glass decoration part 2...Transparent plastic functional part Figure 1 ('a) (b)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A transparent exterior part for a timepiece comprising a decorative part and a functional part, wherein the decorative part is made of inorganic reinforced glass and the functional part is made of transparent plastic material #4f.