MX2007016254A - Multiple reflection panel. - Google Patents

Abstract

A first membrane M1 that reflects all visible light is formed on a back surface 3a among outer surfaces of a transparent member 3, a second membrane M2 that reflects part of visible light and transmits part of visible light is formed on at least a position facing the first membrane M 1 on a front surface 3b facing the back surface 3a, a subject to be reflected T is provided in an area at least either on an inner portion or the outer surface of the transparent member 3, a multiple reflection image Z formed by the subject to be reflected T being projected on the first membrane M1 and the second membrane M2 is reflected a plurality of times between the first membrane M1 and the second membrane M2, and becomes visible from the front surface 3b.

Description

MULTIPLE REFLECTION PANEL TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a multiple reflection panel that can be used as a panel to provide a decorative function for various display plates or outer plates of various articles. More particularly, the present invention relates to a multiple reflection panel that can provide an entertainment value to an electrical appliance such as a mobile telephone and at the same time allow the content of a display of an information display portion to be visible when the multiple reflection panel is placed outside the information presentation portion of the electrical apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART The following panel is known in relation to the present invention. This invention relates to a presentation tool that is used in an ornament that is placed on a desk or a table, or a symbol in the center or in restaurants, and that presents decorative patterns such as or figures in a multiple way to provide a three-dimensional feeling. In the presentation tool, a sheet glass that transmits light and that also has a reflection effect and a mirror with a decorative pattern are placed with a predetermined space between them. In this way, the decorative pattern is reflected and projected in a multiple way between the sheet glass and the mirror to provide a strong three-dimensional feeling to an observer when the presentation tool is used as an ornament or a sign [see paragraphs [ 0002],

[0025],

[0046] and

[0047] in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-47613]. The conventional presentation tool is designed primarily for use as a sign in a center or the like, and for multiple presentation of the decorative pattern, the mirror and the sheet glass need to be provided with a space of approximately 10 to 15 mm between them. Furthermore, in view of the thickness of the mirror and the sheet glass, a thickness of the presentation tool becomes approximately 25 to 30 mm, which makes the tool size relatively large. The presentation tool needs to be constituted by a mirror and the sheet glass, and also by a frame to secure the mirror and the sheet glass with a predetermined space therebetween. This increases the number of components of the tool and the number of steps necessary to assemble the components, which limits a reduction in the production costs of the presentation tool. In view of the circumstances described in the foregoing, the present invention aims to provide a panel having a simple and compact configuration and having a high visual effect of multiple reflection.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Characteristic configuration 1] A multiple reflection panel according to the present invention is characterized in that a first membrane Ml reflecting all visible light is formed on a rear surface 3a of a transparent member 3, a second membrane M2 which reflects part of the visible light and transmits part of the visible light and is formed on at least one position facing the first membrane Ml on a front surface 3b of the transparent member 3, and wherein a subject is provided which is reflecting T constituted by an inclined surface 3c formed in at least one boundary between a side 3d surface of the transparent member 3 and the front surface 3b of the transparent member 3 on a peripheral edge of the transparent member 3, and a boundary between the lateral surface 3a of the transparent member 3 and the rear surface 3e of the transparent member 3 on the peripheral edge of the member 3 tr Ansparent The second membrane that reflects part of the visible light and transmits part of the visible light is what is called semi-mirror. [Function and effect] In the multiple reflection panel of this configuration, the first membrane and the second membrane reflecting the subject to be reflected in a multiple manner are formed independently on the rear surface of the transparent member and on the front surface facing the rear surface, and unlike a multiple reflection panel conventional, the two members are not insured by a frame. Therefore, the multiple reflection panel has a simple and compact structure, and can be used as an outer panel of various articles or a display panel of various electrical appliances in addition to a sign in the center and in the conventional technique, and It has a wide range of applications. With the surface inclined as in this configuration, light applied from the outside causes a difference in brightness between the lateral surface of the transparent member and the inclined surface. The difference in brightness reflects a plurality of times between the first membrane and the second membrane to provide a visual effect. Particularly, when the inclined surface shines with increased brightness, the multiple reflection image is clearly seen to increase an entertainment value of the multiple reflection panel. For example, when the inclined surface is provided on the front surface, light from the outside increases the brightness of the inclined surface. This is transmitted through the interior of the transparent member to form a multiple reflection image between the first membrane and the second membrane. In this way, when the inclined surface is provided on the front surface, the inclined surface can shine under all environmental applications except use in dark places, which facilitates providing a visual effect of the multiple reflection panel. On the other hand, when the inclined surface is formed on the back surface, the incident light from the front surface of the multiple reflection panel is applied to the inclined surface through the interior of the transparent member. When a light source of any kind is provided on the back side of the multiple reflection panel, the light from the light source can be applied directly to the inclined surface. Therefore, this configuration also allows a multiple reflection image to be formed with the inclined surface. [Characteristic configuration 2] In the multiple reflection panel according to the present invention, said inclined surface 3c that is provided in said transparent member 3 is constituted by a plurality of continuous irregular surfaces 3e. (Function and effect) This configuration provides a more complex multiple reflection Z image to obtain a panel P with a different atmosphere. (Characteristic configuration 3) In the multiple reflection panel according to the present invention, said subject to be reflected T is constituted by at least one of a first membrane Ml and a second membrane M2 to be provided in the transparent member 3 and that are formed in a pattern. (Function and effect) The subject to be reflected with the pattern is provided as in this configuration and therefore the pattern is combined with reflection images on both membranes to form a complex multiple reflection image. This increases a visual effect to obtain a multiple reflection panel with a high entertainment value. (Characteristic configuration 4) In the multiple reflection panel according to the present invention, said second membrane M2 can be formed only on a peripheral edge of the front surface 3b of the transparent member 3. (Function and effect) The second membrane functions as what is called a half-mirror that reflects part of the visible light. Thus, when an area formed with the second membrane is observed diagonally, the content of a screen is sometimes not very visible due to the background reflected in it. However, the second membrane is formed solely on the peripheral edge of the front surface to provide an appearance of depth at the peripheral edge while ensuring visibility in the center of the multiple reflection panel and increasing a visual effect of the multiple reflection panel. (Characteristic configuration 5) In the multiple reflection panel according to the present invention, the subject to be reflected may be constituted by a third membrane that is formed on at least one of the front surface and the back surface. (Function and effect) Also when the third membrane is formed on at least one of the front surface and the back surface as in this configuration, applied light from the outside or light applied from a back light can increase the brightness of the third membrane. In this case, there is no need to provide the inclined surface described above and therefore the transparent member has a simple configuration to obtain a multiple reflection image and a multiple reflection panel having a visual effect can be reasonably obtained. (Characteristic configuration 6) In the multiple reflection panel according to the present invention, the second membrane can be formed only on a peripheral edge of the front surface. (Function and effect) The second membrane works like the so-called half-mirror that reflects part of the visible light. Therefore, when an area formed with the second membrane is observed diagonally, the content of a screen is sometimes little visible due to a background that is reflected in it. However, the second membrane is formed only on the peripheral edge of the front surface to provide a depth appearance on the peripheral edge and at the same time ensure visibility in the center of the multiple reflection panel and increase a visual effect of the reflection panel multiple.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows an exemplary use of a multiple reflection panel according to the present invention. Figure 2 shows a structure of a multiple reflection panel according to the present invention. Figure 3 shows another exemplary use of a multiple reflection panel according to the present invention. Figure 4 shows another structure of the multiple reflection panel according to the present invention. Figure 5 is a partially enlarged sectional view of one embodiment of a multiple reflection panel. Figure 6 is a partially enlarged sectional view of one embodiment of a multiple reflection panel. Figure 7 is a partially enlarged sectional view of a 'modality of a multiple reflection panel.

Figure 8 is a perspective perspective view of a modality of a multiple reflection panel. Figure 9 is a partially enlarged sectional view of one embodiment of a multiple reflection panel. Figure 10 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a multiple reflection panel.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION (General) In accordance with the present invention, a multiple reflection P panel (hereinafter simply referred to as "panel P") has a visual effect in reflecting a subject that is to be reflected in a multiple manner and used as a panel to provide a decorative function to various screen plates or external plates of various articles. Particularly, the panel P can provide an entertainment value to an electrical device such as a mobile telephone and at the same time allow the contents of a screen of an information display portion to be visible when the panel P is placed outside the portion of presentation of information of the electrical device. Now, the panel P according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIRST MODALITY In this mode the case is shown where a P panel is used as an external part of a mobile telephone 1 (hereinafter referred to simply as a "telephone 1"). Telephone 1 is used for calls or communication by email and is also used as a terminal to collect and store diverse information with a high frequency. The present invention is designed to increase a visual effect on the appearance of the telephone 1 and provide an entertainment value to the telephone 1 when used. As shown in Figure 1, the panel P is provided in a lower portion of a front face of the telephone 1. This portion has no camera function or watch presentation function or the like and only has a decorative function. As shown in Figure 2, the panel P includes a transparent member 3 forming a basic structure and a first membrane Ml and a second membrane M2 which are mounted on the transparent member 3. The first membrane Ml has a function of reflecting all visible light and is formed on the rear surface 3a between other surfaces of the transparent member 3. The second membrane has a function of what is called semi-mirror that reflects part of the visible light and transmits part of the visible light, and is formed on at least one position oriented towards the first membrane Ml on a front surface 3b oriented towards the 3a rear surface. In addition, a subject to be reflected T that is reflected a plurality of times between the first membrane Ml and the second membrane M2 and becomes visible from the front surface 3b is provided in an area at least on an internal portion of the outer surface of transparent member 3. The case where the subject to be reflected T is provided on an internal portion of the transparent member 3 refers, for example, the case where a logo 4 as the subject is to be reflected T is embedded in the transparent member 3 . The case where the subject to be reflected T is provided on the external surface of the transparent member 3 is concerned, for example, the case where the subject to be reflected T is attached to the outer surface of the transparent member 3. Figure 2 shows an example in which the subject to be reflected T is provided between the transparent member 3 and the first membrane Ml. The first membrane MI can be formed on the entire rear surface 3a or can be formed on part of it, as will be described in the following. The subject to be reflected T can be provided between the second membrane M2 and the transparent member 3. The transparent member 3 is made, for example, of resin or glass. The colored transparent material can be used insofar as it forms a multiple reflection Z image. In order to supply the first membrane Ml, the second membrane M2 and the subject to be reflected T on the transparent member 3, for example, a transfer sheet S is used as shown in figure 2. In addition, the course of the membranes can be machined directly on the transparent member 3. There is no significant difference in the configuration between a transfer sheet S to provide the first membrane Ml and the transfer sheet S to provide the second membrane M2. The transfer sheet S is, for example, such as a release layer which is applied as a coating on the entire surface of each base sheet Sa, a metal layer constituting the first membrane Ml or the second membrane M2 is provided in a required interval, then a decorative layer is provided to which the subject to be reflected T constituted by a desired logo or pattern 4 is applied as required and an adhesive layer is additionally provided over the entire surface or part thereof . The base sheet Sa may be a resin sheet such as polypropylene series resin, polyethylene series resin or polyester series resin. The release layer is transparent and can be formed of resin of the acrylic series, resin of the vinyl series, resin of the series of urethane or similar by engraved recess, offset printing or the like. The metal layer constituting the first membrane Ml can be formed by vapor deposition of metal such as aluminum. The metal layer constituting the second membrane M2 can be formed by thin vapor deposition of metal such as aluminum. The decorative layer can be formed of a resin binder such as resin of the polyester or resin series of the acrylic series containing a small amount of general dye such as pigments or dyes by engraved hole printing, by offset or the like. The adhesive layer can be formed of resin such as resin of the acrylic series, resin of the vinyl series or resin of the urethane series by engraved hole printing, offset printing or the like.These transfer sheets S are placed on the 3 transparent member, heat is applied to integrate the transfer sheets S and the transparent member 3 and then each base sheet Sa is detached from the release layers and therefore the first membrane Ml and the second membrane M2 are transferred to the member 3. Transparent When it is difficult to transfer the first membrane Ml and the second membrane M2 from both transfer sheets S one at a time, the first membrane Ml and the second membrane M2 can be transferred independently of the transfer sheets S. The first membrane Ml and the second membrane M2 can also be transferred to the transparent member 3 when injecting resin to form the transparent member 3 to which the sheets Transfer shafts S have been previously assembled to integrate the transfer sheets S and the transparent member 3 and then release the base sheets Sa. In forming the second membrane M2, the UV curable resin such as urethane is used for the release layer which is finally placed on the outermost side of the front surface 3b of the transparent member 3 to provide a hard coating property in the outermost side of the front surface 3b of the transparent member 3.

An insert sheet can be used instead of the transfer sheet S. The insert sheet is a transfer sheet S without a release layer and the base sheet Sa remains on the transparent member 3 after the transparent member 3 and the insert sheet have been integrated. The first membrane Ml and the second membrane M2 are formed on the transparent member 3 and therefore when the panel P is observed from the frontal surface 3b, the logo 4 of the desired pattern appears to be reflected a plurality of times between the membranes. At this time, each time the subject to be reflected is reflected by the second membrane M2, part of the light is emitted outward and the observation of the multiple reflection Z image gradually becomes opaque, so that a visual effect such that the P panel presents an appearance of depth. In this way, the panel P according to the present invention which can be constituted by a transparent member 3 has an extremely simple and compact structure and is applicable to any of the articles as an outer panel or the like having a reflection visual effect multiple.

SECOND MODALITY A panel P according to the present invention can be used as a member constituting various portions 2 for presenting information. Figure 3 shows an example in which the panel P is used in a display portion 2 of a telephone 1. Figure 4 shows a basic structure of the panel P. The panel P is used as an outermost member of the portion 2 of presentation of information. The transparent member 3 can be colored to the extent that the content of the screen on a crystal liquid is visible. A first membrane Ml is formed on the rear surface 3a of the transparent member 3 only on part of the rear surface 3a so as to prevent loss of visibility of the information display portion 2. In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first membrane Ml is formed only on a peripheral edge of the panel P and the center of the panel P remains transparent. The panel P in this case can also be produced substantially by the same method as in the first embodiment. In the panel P according to the present invention, it is effective to provide, for example, an inclined surface 3c which forms a multiple reflection image Z on a peripheral edge of the transparent member 3 as shown in figures 5 and 7 in addition to the logo 4 described in the foregoing, as the subject to be reflected T to obtain a visual effect. Specifically, the inclined surface 3c is provided at a boundary between a side surface 3d and the front surface 3b of the transparent member 3 (figure 5) or a boundary between the side surface 3d and the rear surface 3a of the transparent member 3 (figure 6) . The inclined surface 3c can be provided in both of these positions. For example, when the inclined surface 3c is provided on the front surface 3b as shown in figure 5, the light from the outside increases the brightness of the inclined surface 3c when the telephone 1 is used. This is transmitted through the interior of the transparent member 3 to form a Z-image is multiple reflection between the first membrane Ml and the second membrane M2. Specifically, an image of the inclined surface 3c is reflected by the first membrane Ml and part of the reflected light is transmitted through the second membrane M2 and becomes visible as a first reflection image Z. At the position of the second membrane M2, part of the light is reflected towards the first membrane MI, reflected by the first membrane-Ml and then a portion of the light part is transmitted through the second membrane M2 and becomes visible as a second reflection image Z2 adjacent to the first reflection image Zl. In this way, when on the inclined surface 3e is provided on the front surface 3b, the inclined surface 3c can shine under almost any environment of use except when used in dark places, which significantly facilitates providing a visual effect of the panel P. another part, as shown in figure 6, when the inclined surface 3c is formed on the rear surface 3a, the incident light from the front surface 3b of the panel P is applied to the surface 3c inclined through the interior of the transparent member 3 . Therefore this configuration also allows multiple reflection Z (Zl to Z3) images to be formed with the inclined surface 3c. Particularly, when the inclined surface 3c is not desired to be formed on the peripheral edge of the front surface 3b of the panel P in view of the appearance design of the telephone 1 or the like, the inclined surface 3c is preferably formed on the rear surface 3a. The inclined surface 3c is also preferably formed to have a certain degree of roughness so that light from any direction effectively increases the brightness. The second membrane M2 can be formed on the entire surface of the transparent member 3 or part thereof, unlike the first membrane Ml. If the second membrane M2 is formed on part of the transparent member 3, the second membrane M2 is formed in a position facing the first membrane Ml. If the second membrane M2 is formed on the entire surface of the transparent member 3, the information display portion 2 becomes less visible to other people when the information display portion 2 is observed diagonally because the background is easily reflected. about it. On the other hand, for example if the second membrane M2 is formed only on the peripheral edge of the transparent member 3 and the second membrane M2 is not formed in the center, the content of a screen of the portion 2 of presentation of information becomes visible easily when the portion 2 of presentation of information is observed from any of the directions because the background is reflected sparingly therein.

THIRD METHOD Figure 7 shows another embodiment when the inclined surface 3c is formed on the rear surface 3a. Herein, an LED or a taillight 5 is provided within a mobile telephone that is used as a lighting light of the inclined surface 3c. When said built-in lighting light is used, the inclined surface 3c can shine regardless of the place of use, even in dark places. Particularly in places with dark environments, the multiple reflection Z (Zl to Z3) images that are formed on the P panel become clear and pleasing. Particularly, when a dedicated illumination such as an LED is provided, a desired color can be selected. Therefore, this configuration provides a rich visual effect.

FOURTH MODE In the embodiment described above, the inclined surface 3c formed at the boundary between the front surface 3b and the lateral surface 3d forms the multiple reflection image Z. In this case, the multiple reflection image Z has, for example, a repeated linear pattern. However, as shown in Figure 8, a desired pattern 6 such as a grating pattern may be provided on the first membrane Ml to form a more complex multiple reflection Z image. This pattern 6 is constituted, for example, by areas that reflect all the visible light and areas that have less reflection than the first areas distributed in a grid. The area having less reflectance is configured as desired, for example, so that the light from the back illumination may or may not be transmitted through a front surface of the panel P. Specifically, any configuration can be adopted insofar as the reflection image increases a visual effect. The pattern 6 is not formed in a manner limited to the first membrane Ml, but can be formed in the second membrane M2. The pattern 6 can be formed both on the first membrane Ml and on the second membrane M2. As described above, the panel P having this configuration can obtain a more complex multiple reflection Z image and the information presentation portion 2 has a high entertainment value.

FIFTH MODE As a subject to be reflected T to form a multiple reflection Z image, for example, a third membrane M3 may be formed on the front surface 3b, as shown in Figure 9. Herein is shown a example in which the third membrane M3 is formed in parallel in the second membrane M2. A transparent member 3 used has no inclined surface 3c as described above and is a general plate having a front surface 3b, a rear surface 3a and a side 3d surface. A first membrane Ml, the same as in the embodiment described above, is formed on the rear surface 3a except at its outermost peripheral edge. The outermost peripheral edge functions as a window 7 transmitting light from a rear light 5. On the other hand, the second membrane M2 is formed in a position oriented substantially towards the first membrane Ml on the front surface 3b of the transparent member 3. On the outermost peripheral edge of the front surface 3b the third membrane M3 forms a multiple reflection image Z are formed parallel with the second membrane M2. In addition to the example in Figure 9, the third membrane M3 can be shaped so that it is covered with the second membrane M2, or the third membrane M3 can be shaped to cover the second membrane M2. The third membrane M3 can be a membrane of any ingredient insofar as the brightness thereof is increased by the light from the rear light 5, or the light entering the transparent member 3 from the outside and then reflected by the first membrane Ml. This configuration allows light from the backlight 5 to enter through the window 7 so that it is visible from the front surface 3b of the panel P. Then, the light forms multiple reflection images Zl to Z3 between the first membrane Ml and the second membrane M2.

In addition, the light entering through the window 7 is applied to the third membrane M3, and the third membrane M3 with increased brightness forms multiple reflection images Z4 and Z5. As shown in Figure 9, a width of the window 7 and a width of the third membrane M3 are set in predetermined dimensions and therefore change the angle of view of the panel P which allows an image to be visible in which the multiple reflection images Zl to Z3 based on the window 7 and the multiple reflection images Z4 and Z5 based on the third membrane M3 are distributed alternatively. Therefore, a multiple reflection P panel with a high visual effect can be obtained. The position that shaped with the third membrane M3 is not limited to the front surface 3b. For example, the third membrane M3 can be provided in parallel with the first membrane Ml of the rear rear surface 3a. In this case, a third membrane M3 that can transmit light can be provided in a portion partially cut out in a predetermined manner in the first membrane Ml so that the light of the rear light 5 applies to the third membrane M3 or a third membrane M3 having a desired shape and color can be provided on the front side of the first membrane Ml.

The case where the third membrane M3 is formed is not limited to the case where the first membrane Ml and the second membrane M2 are formed on the peripheral edge of the transparent member 3 as shown in figure 9, but may be the case in where the first membrane Ml and the second membrane M2 are formed on the entire surface of the transparent member 3. In this sense, the logo 4 described above belongs to the third membrane M3. Specifically, in addition to the first membrane Ml and the second membrane M2 reflecting the images, the third membrane M3 which can form the multiple reflection Z image is formed on at least one of the front surface 3b and the rear surface 3a to obtain a panel P that has a visual effect with atmosphere.

SIXTH MODALITY In figure 5 or figure 6 an example is shown in which the flat inclined surface 3c is formed in the boundary between the front surface 3b and the lateral surface 3d of the transparent member 3. However, as shown in Figure 10, a surface 3c inclined as a subject to be reflected T may be constituted by a plurality of irregular or continuous surfaces 3c. In the present, an example is shown in which substantially cylindrical irregular 3e surfaces are formed. This configuration provides a more complex multiple reflection Z image to obtain a panel P with different atmosphere. Said irregular surfaces 3e can be provided on any surface of the panel P. When a user likes the appearance of the irregular surfaces 3e, the irregular surfaces 3e can be formed on the front surface 3b. On the other hand, when functionality such as light from the taillight 5 is desired to be applied with greater intensity, it is preferred instead of the appearance design, the irregular surfaces 3e can be formed on the rear surface 3a.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The multiple reflection panel P according to the present invention can be used as a panel to provide a decorative function to various display plates or external plates of various articles and can also be used for various devices such as the mobile telephone 1 , a portable music playback device or a presentation portion of information of a remote controller of an electrical product.

Claims (4)

1. Multiple reflection panel where a first membrane is formed that reflects all the visible light on a back surface of a transparent member, a second membrane is formed that reflects part of the visible light and transmits part of the visible light that is formed in at least one position facing the first membrane on a front surface of the transparent member, and wherein a subject to be reflected is provided constituted by an inclined surface that is formed in at least one of a boundary between the lateral surface of the transparent member and the front surface of the transparent member on a peripheral edge of the transparent member and a boundary between the lateral surface of the transparent member and the rear surface of the transparent member on the peripheral edge of the transparent member.

2. Multiple reflection panel as described in claim 1, wherein the inclined surface provided in the transparent member is constituted by a plurality of continuous irregular surfaces.

3. Multiple reflection panel as described in claim 1, wherein the subject to be reflected is constituted by at least any of the first membrane and the second membrane that are provided in the transparent member and that are shaped in a Pattern.

4. Multiple reflection panel as described in claim 1, wherein the second membrane is formed on only one peripheral edge of the front surface of the transparent member.