MXPA97006308A - Method for placing discriminating brands in substrates that have an enamel band over the mis - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for fixing discriminant markers on a substrate comprising the steps of: a) providing a substrate having an enamel band applied to at least one surface thereof, b) applying to the enamel band in a pattern by a non-contact ink jet process an ink composition including an inorganic pigment, by which the discriminating marks substantially conforming to the pattern supplied by a non-contact inkjet printer are fixed to the substrate

Description

METHOD FOR PLACING DISCRIMINATING BRANDS IN SUBSTRATES THAT HAVE AN ENAMEL BAND ON THEMSELVES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to a method for placing discriminating indicia on windshields found on various substrates, for example, glass and plastic. More particularly, the invention is directed to the use of an ink jet printing composition containing inorganic pigments, which does not require a frit or flux, in an ink jet printing process to place opaque and easily modifiable discriminant marks, for example. example, serial numbers and the like, in the enamel band. More particularly, the present invention involves using a known ink containing inorganic titanium oxide pigments in an ink jet printer to place opaque discriminant marks on a distinct and well-differentiated layer in a band of ceramic enamel found on a substrate. The discriminating marks can be temporary or permanent. If the discriminant marks are to be permanent, a heating step is used to "cure" the pigment. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED TECHNIQUE It is common in the automotive and architectural glass industries to have glass with an enamel band applied thereto to hide a portion of the structure to which enameling is applied. The enamel band conceals otherwise visible features of the structure in which the windshield or structural glass is used. However, the enamel band is also applied to an area of the glass where it is desired to place discriminating marks either temporary or permanent, with respect to the manufacturing process, for example, serial numbers, logos and the like. This has caused a problem in the art because the enamel band, either a black ceramic enamel band, or another type, is usually screen printed on the substrate to which it is being applied. In order to number in series, for example, each change of number will require a new serigraphy, which would make costs prohibitive. Ball, U.S. Patent No. 4,835,208, discloses the use of a non-contact inkjet printer to place discriminating marks on the surface directly on glass, and a hot melt ink composition for use therein. However, this patent moves away from a cure step because this will cause the hot melt ink to melt and run again.

Therefore, the marking composition is not only for direct use in the glass, rather than in an enamel band, but is not suitable for use when a cure step is to be taken. Boaz, U.S. Patent No. 5,091,003, discloses the use of a low viscosity thermal diffusion ink containing silver nitrate, which can be applied directly to the surface of a glass article through an ink jet printer. without contact, and the glass will subsequently overheat. However, it is not usable in a ceramic enamel band because the invention depends on the diffusion of ions between the ink and the glass to dye the glass in the area of the discriminating marks, and make them readable. Airey, U.S. Patent No. 5,407,474, discloses a pigmented ink usable in an inkjet printer in which the maximum particle size of the pigment is small enough to not block the nozzles or filters of the printer, and the The particle size range is narrow enough for the ink to have low viscosity for the printer to work. Although this ink is suitable for printing on glass or a ceramic enamel band, it is unnecessarily expensive for the purposes of the present invention, because it contains, in addition to the organic pigment, a frit, or flux, which is not required in the process of the present invention, as will be explained below. The patent granted to Airey also departs markedly from pigments based on titanium oxide that provide the desired opacity to provide a white label in the ceramic enamel band. Therefore, those skilled in automotive glass and structural glass continue to seek a solution to the problem of placing easily legible and modifiable discriminant markings on windshields present in substrates. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, a known ink composition is used in a novel application to place opaque discriminant marks on an enamel strip on an architectural or automotive substrate. It has been found that the discriminating marks can be fixed temporarily or permanently in the enamel band through a method or process comprising the steps of: first, providing an architectural or automotive substrate, even a surface having on it applied a band of enamel; second, with an ink jet printer, an ink jet composition, even an inorganic pigment, preferably without frit or flux, and; third, heat, if desired, the substrate with ink on itself at a temperature and for a time sufficient to cause the flux of the enamel band to soften and adhere, or stick to, the inorganic pigments of the ink to cause an opaque and well-differentiated layer of the pigment to deposit on the enamel band. The process of permanently affixing the discriminant marks in the enamel band is particularly useful either for placing permanent identification, for example dates, batch numbers, codes of numbers in sequence and the like in the substrates, or if the heating step is omitted , to provide temporary discriminant marks of those types, or others, on the substrate. In an embodiment of the present invention, an ink jet composition is applied which includes an inorganic pigment, but without a frit, using a known ink jet printer to an enamel band carried by a glass substrate. In another embodiment of the present invention, an ink jet composition is applied which includes inorganic pigments, but without a frit, to an enamel band carried by an architectural glass piece. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, an ink jet composition including between 3 and 7% by weight of l-methoxy-2-propanol, between 5 and 10% by weight of titanium dioxide, between 0% and 60% by weight. % by weight of acrylic resin, between 20 and 35% by weight of methane, between 20 and 35% by weight of 2-botanone, and between 1 and 3 percent of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone is applied to a band of ceramic enamel contained or carried by a glass substrate, the glass substrate subsequently being heated to a predetermined temperature and bent into a desired shape. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for placing discriminating marks in bands of enameled paint carried by automotive or architectural substrates of various types. Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description and dependent claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, wherein the like reference characters designate the corresponding parts in the various views. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a construction incorporating the present invention showing an ink jet head connected to an inkjet printer mechanisms for applying discriminant marks to an enamel strip or a substrate in accordance with the method of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view, particularly exploded, showing discriminating marks applied to a band of ceramic enamel on a glass substrate. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to its application of the details of construction and arrangement of the parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments, and of being practiced or effected in various ways within of the scope of the claims. In addition, it should be understood that the phraseology and terminology used in this document are for descriptive purposes, and are not a limitation. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS It is desired to apply ink jet compositions to automotive or architectural substrates, for example, glass or polycarbonate and the like. It was discovered that the ink jet printer and a pigmented inkjet ink composition could be used to place discriminating marks on the top of a black ceramic enamel band not exposed to fire on a substrate to be formed on a windshield . With reference to Fig. 1, there is shown an ink jet printer, generally designated by the number 10, which may be a normal ink jet printer as discussed below. The ink jet printer 10 generally has a cabinet 11, mounted on a support 12, which can be stationary or of the rolling type. A control panel 13, well known in the art, is provided on which the operator adjusts the desired operating conditions. The ink is supplied from the cabinet 10 through the duct 14 to the ink jet head 15 mounted on a known flange 16. The flange 16 is held by means of a manual screw 17 to the arm 18. In accordance with the invention, the arm 18 may be of the stationary type, or may be a movable arm, for example a robot arm, which may be programmable through mechanisms well known in the art to cause the head of the ink jet 15 to follow the curvature of the substrate as discussed below. The inkjet printer 10 may be of the type in demand, or a continuous ink jet printer. In a demand-type inkjet printer, ink is fed below a desired pressure from a reservoir to a series of nozzles through valve mechanisms that control the flow of ink through each nozzle. The valve mechanism is typically an electromagnetically activated valve, notably a solenoid valve. The ink is discharged through the nozzles in the form of discrete droplets in the desired sequence to form the required image on the substrate. In general, the nozzles are arranged in one or more series transversely with respect to the line of movement of the substrate. Typically printers have quick acting valves with an operating cycle of 1 to 5 milliseconds, feed nozzles with holes with diameters of 0.01 to 0.45 mm. For compositions to be applied using a continuous ink jet printer, it is necessary that the composition be one that can accept an electrical charge. This is conveniently achieved by including in the composition one or more ionic or polar materials. It will be seen that compositions can be chosen that can be used in any type of ink jet printer. The ink jet printer 10, using the ink jet head 15, is shown by applying discriminating marks to a substrate, generally designated 20. The substrate 20 may be glass sheet 21 with a black ceramic enamel strip 22, which has been previously applied to it. The substrate 20 can be manufactured with a wide range of materials, for example soda lime and silicate glass, or polycarbonate. Such materials are typically used for automobile headlights or windshields. The substrate 20 can also be of any type suitable for use in architectural applications. With reference now to Fig. 2, the windshield 21 has a black ceramic windshield not exposed to fire 22 applied to the surface thereof. As is conventional, the enamel band includes a flux or bond as a component thereof. The enamel band 22 is shown having a representative serial number 23 applied thereto. In one of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the serial number 23 will include an opaque and discrete layer of pigment 23A at the top of the ceramic enamel band 22. In automotive applications, after application of the discriminating marks 23, the substrate 20 is typically heated before bending it into the desired shape, and it was the availability of this heating step that contributed to the utility of the present invention. Although the operation of the method of the present invention is not fully understood, it is believed that when the black ceramic enamel band not exposed to fire 22 is applied to a substrate 20, on magnification it would be seen on the substrate not exposed to fire 22 hills. and valleys. It is believed that these hills and valleys help capture the pigment 23A applied by the ink jet head 15, and allow ink jet printing to be done with a high degree of resolution. It is further believed that, upon heating the windshield 21, the ceramic enamel band not exposed to fire 22 begins to soften and flow somewhat, thus reducing the hills and valleys. Substantially simultaneously, the frit or flux found in the ceramic enamel band not exposed to the fire becomes sticky and provides a surface to which the pigments in the ink may stick or adhere, thereby making a permanent mark after the heating step or cure. It is the use of this property that allows the novel use of a less expensive ink, that is, one that does not have frit or flux, but that continues to provide a permanent mark by using the heating step known in the manufacture of windshield. When the composition of the ink itself was printed on a clean glass surface, it was discovered that it did not adhere after heating at 1200 degrees F for four minutes. The ink composition should be printed on top of the black enamel strip in order to remain after heating. It was further discovered that the composition of the ink jet, if applied to the black ceramic enamel band 22 after folding the windshield 21, will provide satisfactory temporary markings, for example batch numbers, etc., which are useful for many purposes. This led to the use of the method of the present invention to provide a wide variety of temporary and permanent marks on automotive substrates, for example, permanent marks on glass when the discriminating marks are applied before heating or bending, or both, and temporary marks. , for example when the discriminating markings are applied to windshield after bending, or to the side lights of automobiles, for example, polycarbonate, without heating. The same considerations apply to applications to architectural substrates. Whether the substrate is to be bent or not, if a permanent mark is desired, the substrate must be heated to a temperature for a sufficient time to cure the ink and make the mark permanent. The substrate is preferably heated to a temperature between about 1000 ° F and about 1400 ° F. However, a large number of temporary marks may be applied to a flat architectural glass having an enamel band if a mark of a temporary nature is desired. A non-contact ink jet printer contemplated as being usable for practicing the present invention is the Excel® 170i ultra high speed ink jet printer manufactured by Video Jet® Systems International Inc. of ooddale, Illinois. Other non-contact inkjet printers may be used as long as they have the ability to use the inorganic inks required by the method of the present invention. The ink compositions usable in the method of the present invention are those which contain a pigment and a vehicle. A wide range of pigment levels is possible in the composition of the ink according to the invention, depending on the particular inkjet printer used, and the desired appearance of the brand. Improper clogging of the inkjet printer will probably occur if the pigment concentration is too high. On the other hand, depending on the ink jet printer used, the mark may be undesirably light if the concentration of the pigment is too low. Preferably, the ink compositions used in the invention contain pigment in an amount of about 1% to 25%, and more preferably 5% to 10%. The ink compositions further contain a suitable vehicle for the pigment, as is well known. Methanol and 2-butanone are preferred examples. The ink compositions may also contain other known additives, for example, flow modifiers. The other components of the ink will depend on the application. It is desired that the pigment of the ink jet composition contain titanium dioxide to provide the preferred white opaque layer on the black ceramic enamel band. However, other pigments may be used if color markings are desired, or if enamel stripes of another color are used. A known inkjet composition having titanium dioxide pigments and meeting the other desired weight percentages of the preferred composition is a Video Jet® ink number 2520 supplied by Video Jet Systems International of Wooddale, Illinois. In operation, an ink jet composition of the present invention is applied at a temperature of about 70 ° F to about 200 ° F in the form of a thin layer to the surface of an enamel band 22 in a previously determined pattern using a contactless inkjet printer 10. Thereafter, the substrate 20 having the ink 23A on it is heated at a temperature and for a time sufficient to cause the pigment particles to adhere or stick to the fluxes of the ink. black enamel band 22. The invention is more readily understood by reference to the specific embodiments that are representative thereof. It should be understood, however, that the specific examples are provided for illustrative purposes only, and not by way of limitation, and that the invention may be practiced or performed in a manner other than that specified in the examples and is well within the scope of the invention. the same. Example I A Video Jet® 2520 ink is applied to a black ceramic enamel band in a piece of coarse glass of soda and lime, and silicate which will be shaped as a windshield. The composition of this ink is from about 3% to about 7% by weight of l-methoxy-2-propanol; from about 5% to about 10% by weight of Titanium Dioxide; from about 20% to about 35%, from about 20% by weight of acrylic resin, by weight of Methanol; from about 20% to about 35% by weight of 2-Butanone; and from about 1% to about 3% by weight of N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone. The ink is applied through an Excel® 170i ultra high-speed ink jet printer at a temperature of 76 °. After printing, the glass is heated to approximately 1200 ° F for about four minutes. The printed inkjet mark becomes permanent because the white pigments of titanium oxide of the inkjet composition have adhered to the fluxes of the black ceramic. The coarse piece of glass is then folded to form a windshield.

Example II A temporary mark is applied to a glass of soda and lime, and silicate using a Video Jet® 2520 ink is applied to a black ceramic glaze band of a windshield glass using an Excel® 170i ink jet printer. Ultra high speed after the glass has been bent to acquire its shape. In this case, a robotic arm 18 moves the ink jet head 15 (Fig. 1) in a pattern that closely follows the curvature of the windshield 21. Example III Temporary discriminant markings are applied to a polycarbonate automotive side light by applying a inkjet composition 2520 manufactured by Video Jet Systems International of Wooddale, Illinois to a black ceramic enamel band contained on the surface around the periphery of the sidelight.

Having described the foregoing invention, the following are claimed as property

Claims (16)

1. CLAIMS 1. A process for fixing discriminant markers on a substrate comprising the steps of: a) providing a substrate having an enamel band applied to at least one surface thereof; b) applying to the enamel band in a pattern by a non-contact ink jet process an ink composition including an inorganic pigment, by which the discriminating marks substantially conforming to the pattern supplied by an ink jet printer without contact they are fixed to the substrate.
2. 2. The process defined in claim 1, and further including the step of: a) heating the substrate having ink on it at a temperature and for a time sufficient to cause the inorganic pigment to adhere thereto.
3. 3. The process defined therein, wherein the ink jet composition includes: a) from about 0.5% to about 80% by weight of an inorganic pigment or mixture of inorganic pigments; b) from approximately 20% to approximately 99. 5% by weight of a vehicle; and c) about 0% to about 30% by weight of a resin.
4. 4. The process defined in claim 1, wherein the percentage by weight of the inorganic pigment is from about 5% to about 10% by weight.
5. 5. The process defined in claim 4, wherein the ink is applied at a temperature of about 70 ° to approximately 200 ° F.
6. 6. A process for permanently fixing discriminant marks to a glass sheet of the type that has a black ceramic applied to its surface, including the method of: a) using a non-contact inkjet printer to apply the ink strip enamel, an ink composition comprising from about 5% by weight to about 10% by weight of titanium dioxide pigment at a temperature of about 70 ° F to about 200 ° F; and b) heating the glass article having ink on it at a temperature and for a time sufficient to cause the titanium dioxide pigment to adhere to the frit present in the enamel band.
7. 7. A process for permanently fixing discriminant marks to a glass sheet, which includes the steps of: a) providing a glass sheet, including a surface having on it an enamel band; b) using a non-contact ink jet printer to apply to the surface in a predetermined pattern by contacting therewith droplets generated by the non-contact inkjet printer an ink composition comprising; i) from about 3% to about 7% by weight of l-Methoxy-2-Propanol, ii) from about 5% to about 10% by weight of Titanium Dioxide, iii) from about 20% to about 35% by weight of Methanol, iv) from about 20% to about 35% by weight of 2-Butanone, and v) from about 1% to about 3% by weight of N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone, vi) from about 0% to about 30 % acrylic resin, and c) heating the glass article having the enamel band and the ink thereon at a temperature and for a time sufficient to cause the pigment of the ink to adhere to the frit of the enamel band.
8. 8. A method for permanently affixing discriminant marks to glass enamels for automotive or architectural use, including the steps of: a) providing an enamel that includes a surface having an enamel band provided thereon; b) using an ink jet printer to apply the black enamel strip in a previously determined pattern an ink jet composition comprising: i) from about 3% to about 7% by weight of l-methoxy-2-propanol , ii) from about 5% to about 10% by weight of Titanium Dioxide, iii) from about 20% to about 35% by weight of Methanol, iv) from about 20% to about 35% by weight of 2-Butanone, and v) from about 1% to about 3% by weight of N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone, vi) from about 0% to about 30% of acrylic resin, and c) contacting enamel with the enamel band and the ink on fire at a temperature and for a time sufficient to cause the pigments in the ink to adhere to the frit of the enamel band.
9. 9. A process for permanently attaching discriminating markings to a soda and lime glass windshield, and silicate for automotive use, comprising the steps of: a) providing an enamel that includes a surface having an enamel band provided thereon; b) using an ink jet printer to apply the black enamel strip in a previously determined pattern an ink jet composition comprising: i) from about 3% to about 7% by weight of l-methoxy-2-propanol , ii) from about 5% to about 10% by weight of Titanium Dioxide, iii) from about 20% to about 35% by weight of Methanol, iv) from about 20% to about 35% by weight of 2-Butanone, and v) from about 1% to about 3% by weight of N-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone, vi) from about 0% to about 30% acrylic resin, and c) contacting enamel with the enamel band with fire. and the ink on it at a temperature and for a time sufficient to cause the pigments of the ink to adhere to the frit of the enamel band; and d) folding the windshield to a predetermined shape.
10. 10. A process for fixing discriminant marks and patterns to a polycarbonate enamel for automotive use, including the steps of: a) providing a polycarbonate enamel; b) using an ink jet printer to apply to the polycarbonate enameling surface in a previously determined pattern an ink jet composition comprising: i) from about 0.05% to about 80% by weight of pigments, ii) from about 20% to about 95% by weight of a vehicle, and iii) from about 0% to about 30% by weight of resin. The process defined in claim 1, and including the additional steps of: a) providing the non-contact ink jet printer as an ink jet printhead for application of the ink composition and jet head Ink is mounted on a programmable robotic arm. The process defined in claim 6, and including the additional steps of: a) providing the non-contact ink jet printer as an ink jet print head for application of the ink composition and the jet head of Ink is mounted on a programmable robotic arm. The process defined in claim 7, and including the additional steps of: a) providing the non-contact ink jet printer as an ink jet printhead for application of the ink composition and jet head Ink is mounted on a programmable robotic arm. The process defined in claim 8, and including the additional steps of: a) providing the non-contact ink jet printer as an ink jet print head for application of the ink composition and jet head Ink is mounted on a programmable robotic arm. The process defined in claim 7, and including the additional steps of: a) providing the non-contact ink jet printer as an ink jet printhead for application of the ink composition and jet head Ink is mounted on a programmable robotic arm. The process defined in claim 8, and including the additional steps of: a) providing the non-contact ink jet printer as an ink jet printhead for application of the ink composition and jet head Ink is mounted on a programmable robotic arm.