MXPA02003653A - Brake shoe with spring brake member - Google Patents

Abstract

A brake assembly (24) is provided for locking a slidable sash window (1 4) within a track (16) of a frame (12). The track (16) has a pair of spaced apart, opposed sidewalls (20), the brake assembly (24) includes a slider body (28) adapted for slidable motion within the track (16). The slider body (28) has a central opening (34) extending from a front face (36) to a rear face (38) and has a side opening (46) adjacent to the central opening (34). The assembly also includes a brake member (30) comprising a spring having a braking surface (58), and mounted within the slider body (28) such that the braking surface (58) is adapted for reciprocal later al movement through the side opening (46). The assembly (24) further includes a cam (32) positioned in the central opening (34), wherein the slider body (28) receives and retains the brake member (30) and the cam (32) is rotatable in the central opening (34) for laterally biasing the braking surface (58) for movement through the side opening (46) wherein the braking surface (58) is adapted to frictionally engage one of the opposed side walls (20).

Description

ARTICLE COVERED OF THERMOCROMATIC INK THAT HAS AN IMAGE PLACED ON IT AND A METHOD TO MANUFACTURE THE SAME The present invention is directed to an article covered with improved thermochromatic ink, and in particular, to an article covered with thermochromatic ink having an acrylic coating and a visible image on the acrylic coating, and a method for manufacturing the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known how to coat an article such as, for example, a rate, a pot or a plate with thermochromatic ink, so that when the article undergoes a change in temperature by, for example, hot liquid being poured in it, the image placed on the article becomes visible when the thermochromatic ink becomes transparent, and when the article cools, the image "disappears". Thermochromatic inks are also known that change from opaque to transparent when their temperature changes from hot to cold. With such inks, the images can be made to "disappear" when the article is heated. U.S. Patent No. 5,223,958 to Berry discloses a well-known article incorporating thermochromatic ink in a amusement device comprising a support substrate, a layer of crystalline, liquid, thermochromatic, microencapsulated material, placed on the substrate and an external transparent film that has a message or visual image about it. The requirements of a separate layer to contain the image, however, contribute to an increase in manufacturing costs in terms of both materials and process steps. In addition, the Berry reference does not provide any type of protection for the transparent film. That is, the transparent film can be easily damaged by scratches or the like. Furthermore, an article manufactured according to Berry's description is deficient given that protection is not provided for when the article is subjected to relatively harsh conditions, such as those presented by an automatic dish washer. U.S. Patent No. 5,219,625 to Matsunami et al., Is similar to Berry's, and discloses a thermochromatic laminated member having a base layer, a thermochromic layer, and a transparent, thin, laminated, iridescent film on the thermochromatic layer. The color patterns on the film become visible once the thermochromatic layer becomes transparent after heating. An article manufactured according to Matsunami et al., However, like an article made in agreement with Berry, requires a separate transparent film on the thermochromatic ink and, in addition, is susceptible to harsh conditions, where the sheet and still The thermochromatic ink layer can be damaged.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an article covered with thermochromatic ink with an image therein, which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and can resist wear and tear, including wear and tear associated with an automatic dishwasher. A further object of the present invention is to simplify the manufacturing process of an article covered with thermochromatic ink, eliminating the step of placing and placing a transparent film on a layer of thermochromatic ink. Another object of the present invention is to provide an article covered with thermochromatic ink having an image placed on it via ink transfer by sublimation. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an article covered with thermochromatic ink includes a substrate such as a rate or beaker, a layer of thermochromatic ink placed on the substrate, a protective coating, preferably polymeric acrylic on the thermochromatic ink layer , and a design placed at least partially in the protective coating, so that it is visible when the thermochromatic ink is heated or disappears when it is cooled. Preferably, the design is incrated with the protective layer via ink sublimation and related processes. To simplify manufacturing, both the thermochromatic ink layer and the protective layer are preferably sprayed onto the substrate. In addition, to improve the adhesive properties of the sprayed thermochromic ink, a mixture including the thermochromatic ink together with a base medium and a catalyst is prepared, preferably in a preliminary manner. A preferred method for manufacturing the thermochromatic ink coated article according to the present invention includes spraying thermochromatic ink onto a substrate to produce a thermochromatic ink layer on the substrate, then coating, by spray, the thermochromatic ink layer with a coating protector preferably comprising polymeric acrylic, and applying a design to the protective coating, preferably, via a transfer process by sublimation, screen printing or ceramic decal baked in the oven.

The method preferably further includes washing, drying and heating the article before at least one of the spray and coating steps, and curing the article after the spray passage of the thermochromatic ink. Additionally, the method of the present invention includes drying the article after the coating step. In accordance with the present invention, an article covered with durable thermochromatic ink and relatively easy to manufacture is provided; durable because the design is, for all practical purposes, permanently bonded to the protective layer of polymeric acrylic, thus making the thermochromatic ink layer and "safe to the dishwasher" design, and easy to manufacture due to the steps of dew and transfer by sublimation relatively simple.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be more fully understood after reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying figures, in which consistent numerical references were used to indicate similar elements, and in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an article having an image placed thereon, in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a schematic view, in cross section, of the plurality of materials comprising the structure of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an article covered with improved thermochromatic ink, and a process for manufacturing same. Specifically, according to the present invention, a rate, vessel or any other article that can withstand temperature changes and that is capable of "hiding" a design within a thermochromic material placed on the article, which is capable of doing so, is provided. that the design appears when a hot drink is poured, for example, into the article. Alternatively, the present invention provides an article that is capable of displaying a design at room temperature, but which conceals the design when pouring a cold beverage, for example, into the article, thereby cooling the article. It should be understood that although the preferred embodiment discussed herein is directed to a rate or vessel, the present invention is applicable to any container in which liquids can be added at different temperatures, such as a pot. In fact, the present invention is also applicable to any article that undergoes temperature changes and on which it may be desirable to place a design or an image that appears or disappears according to temperature changes. A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a rate 20 having an image placed therein according to the present invention and Figure 2 schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of the plurality of materials comprising the structure of the present invention. In accordance with the present invention, a thermochromic ink was prepared, which contains epichlorohydrin polymers in a base medium such as Butoxyethanol and Methyl Pyrrolidone, which provides a viscosity suitable for the spray, using any conventional methods or electrostatic methods. Just before a dew step (described below), a catalyst, such as glycidyloxypropyl, is added to the thermochromatic ink mixture to improve the adhesive properties of the mixture. The rate 20 is washed and dried first in preparation for the spray. The rate 20 is then heated from approximately 43.3 ° C to 57.22 ° C (110 ° F to 135 ° F) and then routed through a spray booth where the thermochromatic ink mixture described above is sprayed on rate 20, and, more specifically, as shown in Figure 2, on an external surface 10 of the rate 20. The rate 20 is, preferably, then subjected to a curing process at a temperature of about 201.66 ° C to 273.9 ° C (395 ° F to 525 ° F) for about 15 to 30 minutes. At the end of the curing period, the rate 20 is externally coated with an appropriately adhered thermochromic ink layer 12 and, consequently, exhibits the color of the thermochromatic ink / base medium mixture. Although the layer 12 is substantially permanent on the surface 10, it is not durable enough to withstand the conditions that can be experienced in an automatic dish washer. To make the dishwasher safe rate 20, another coating, preferably polymeric acrylic, is applied on the thermochromatic ink layer 12. Specifically, the rate 20 is preferably again washed, dried and heated to about 43.3 °. C at 57.22 ° C (110 ° F to 135 ° F) to prepare it for another dew step. In this second spray step, a mixture of a part of polymeric acrylic, such as Xylene and Butyl Di Etoxol, is prepared and sprayed to completely cover the rate 20 and the thermochromatic ink cap 12, previously applied. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the material used for the second spray passage does not require a catalyst. However, catalyst could be added if deemed desirable. It should also be noted that although the polymeric acrylic has been described above, any material that can provide the desired protective layer is within the scope of the present invention. The sprayed polymeric acrylic material is then preferably dried in an oven for 15 to 30 minutes from 201.66 ° C to 273.9 ° C (395 ° F to 525 ° F). Once hardened, a protective layer 14 is formed on the thermochromatic ink layer 12 and provides protection against the desired plate washer for the thermochromatic ink layer 12. The protective layer 14 also provides a glossy appearance at the rate 20 and still further provides a surface on which a decorative pattern or image can be applied, as described below. Furthermore, according to the present invention, a design 16 is incorporated with the protective coating layer 14. Preferably, a design is created on a piece of paper using sublimation inks, either through the electronic reproduction systems known or offset printing processes. This step results in a well-known paper transfer. Preferably, a design is printed inverted, so that the sublimation ink can be applied directly to the exposed surface of the protective layer 14. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the paper transfer is applied with sufficient pressure to a temperature of about 201.66 ° C to 273.9 ° C (395 ° F to 525 ° F) for about 5 to 15 minutes. During this time, the sublimation inks are evaporated and transferred from the paper to the protective layer 14, as shown in Figure 2. The resulting bond is, for all practical purposes, permanent. According to the present invention, an image or design can be transferred into layer 14 in any area of the rate 20 on which the layer 14 is coated. Additionally, it is possible to place a desired design on the rate 20 via silk-screening or decalcomania. baked ceramics. Once the process of transferring and cooling the rate 20 to room temperature is completed, any colors incorporated in the transferred design are substantially hidden. However, when hot liquid is poured into the rate 20, the thermochromatic ink layer 12 becomes transparent and the transferred pattern 16 becomes bright and well defined to the observer. The four-color process designs are particularly vivid when implemented in the present invention. If a thermochromatic material is used that is transparent at room temperature and opaque at cold temperatures, then the thermochromatic ink layer 12, after curing becomes transparent. The protective layer 14 e applies in the same manner as detailed above, such as the design 16. However, instead of the design 16 being concealed at room temperature, the design 16 is visible at such temperatures. When the rate 20 is cooled, for example, by adding a cold drink, the design is partial or, depending on the color of the design 16, completely hidden from view. According to the present invention the sprayed protective coating layer 14 provides a safe coating to the dishwashing machine for the thermochromatic ink coated article and further provides a simple receiver for the sublimation inks comprising the design 16. Of this Thus, there is no need for alignment procedures as would be necessary for films containing designs of the prior art. There is also no concern that such films containing a design will be damaged under the expected handling of the article, including the likelihood that the article will be placed in an automatic dish washer. That is to say, since the sublimation inks are incorporated in the relatively durable protective coating layer 14, the design 16 is virtually permanently adhered to the article. Accordingly, the structure of the present invention provides numerous advantages over articles containing thermochromatic ink of the prior art. The present invention has been described from the point of view of the preferred embodiments hitherto, so that an understanding of the present invention can be gained. The present invention therefore should not be limited to the particular embodiments described herein. On the contrary, all modifications, variations or equivalent arrangements that are within the scope of the appended claims should be considered within the scope of the invention.

Claims (16)

1. CHAPTER CLAIMING Having described the invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content is claimed in the following: 1. An article covered with thermochromatic ink, characterized in that it comprises: a substrate; a layer of thermochromatic ink placed on the substrate; a protective coating on the thermochromatic ink layer; a design placed at least partially in the protective coating.
2. 2. The article according to claim 1, characterized in that the protective coating comprises a sprayable polymeric article.
3. 3. The article according to claim 1, characterized in that the design comprises sublimation ink.
4. 4. The article according to claim 1, characterized in that the thermochromatic ink layer comprises a base medium and a catalyst.
5. 5. The article according to claim 1, characterized in that the substrate comprises a container for containing fluid.
6. 6. The article according to claim 5, characterized in that the article is one of a rate, a cup, a cup or a pot. A method for manufacturing an article covered with thermochromatic ink, characterized in that it comprises "the steps of: spraying thermochromatic ink onto a substrate to produce a thermochromatic ink layer on the substrate, coating the thermochromatic ink layer with a protective coating; 8. Applying a design to at least one exposed surface of the protective coating 8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that it also comprises washing, drying and heating the article before at least one of the spray and coating steps. 9. The article according to claim 7, characterized in that it also comprises mixing the thermochromatic ink with a base medium and a catalyst before the spray pass 10. The article according to claim 7, characterized in that it also comprises , cure the item after the step of spraying. 11. The article according to claim 7, characterized in that it also comprises drying the article after the coating step. 12. The article according to claim 7, characterized in that the application step comprises an ink transfer process by sublimation. 13. The article according to claim 12, characterized in that the sublimation ink transfer process comprises applying a transfer paper having the design on it to an exposed surface of the protective coating under a predetermined pressure and temperature. 14. The article according to claim 13, characterized in that the predetermined pressure and temperature are applied for approximately 5 to 15 minutes. 15. The article according to claim 7, characterized in that the step of coating comprises spraying a polymeric acrylic. 16. The article according to claim 7, characterized in that the application step comprises at least one of the application by silk-screen or ceramic decal baked in the oven.