MXPA97006781A - Process to manufacture decorated, extruded elements, profile - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for realization of large metal articles, such as semi-finished, extruded or stretched products, shaped and curved sheets and the like, still provided with indentations, recesses, grooves and the like, painted and / or decorated in various forms, especially of aluminum alloy, using the technique of pattern transfer, decorations of figures of an omulticolor color, reproduced on a transfer paper support or the like, by means of the combined action of pressure and temperature, characterized because it comprises the following steps, subjecting the raw article to be decorated, consisting of profiles of a length of up to 20 meters or of curved or shaped sheets, to usual operations of surface preparation, such as cleaning, defatting, chemical conversion and / or electrolytic, anodization, then subject to one or more preliminary painting cycles, r EALIZABLE with fluid or powder paints, carrying out a first operation with paints of a predetermined color and such as 9 to constitute a coating of primary element, and a possible subsequent operation with transparent paints to avoid the diffusion phenomenon with the colors of the support of transfer, or in the case of aluminum and its alloys, subject it to anodization, either colorless or colorless, then, after curing the paints by low polymerization of paint or at the end of the anodization, carry out wrapping of the article or the coating of the surfaces of the article to be decorated, with the transfer support, and then covering the article already wrapped in the support with a sheath or membrane of elastically deformable inertible material, such as rubber, flat or shaped in such a way to conform substantially to the shape of the article, then to interpose between the article wrapped by the support and the sleeve om embrains elastically deformable waterproof material, a medium of air permeable flexible material, such as a long weft cloth, a gauze, suitable for creating thin channels between the article wrapped in the support and the inpermeable membrane, thus causing the exit Complete and uniform air in the stage of creation of vacuum, avoiding disuniformities in the adhesion of the membrane to the article, the formation of air bubbles and the like, create the vacuum between the article wrapped in the support and the membrane, thereby to cause the transfer support to adhere uniformly to the shape of the article, and finally to subject the treated article to a variable heating action, up to about 280 ° C, for a time in the range of about 30 seconds to 30 minutes, to perform the transfer of colors from the transfer support to the article and its hardening by polymerase

Description

PROCESS TO MANUFACTURE DECORATED, EXTRUDED, PROFILED ELEMENTS DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a process and apparatus relevant for the realization of articles or metal parts, painted and / or decorated in various forms, particularly aluminum alloys, comprising semi-finished products, stretched or extruded, also large or curved or shaped sheets, still large in size, in particular for use in the construction and in the field of the production of household appliances, such as refrigerators, washing machines and the like. More particularly, the process allows to obtain surface finishes, which reproduce exactly the appearance of various materials, such as the texture of wood and veins of marble or other patterns, as well as to transfer on the part and / or the surface of the surfaces. extruded or stretched profiles, or the shaped sheets of any ornamental pattern, even a complicated one, without deformations or defects in the same pattern. This invention also relates to an apparatus which allows to make decorated articles. As is known, the process of the known art for carrying out decoration on metals involves difficulties and complexities of realization due to the fact that it may require more or less automated installations, which operate on the flat surface of the strips or sheets. In addition, other processes and apparatuses are known for carrying out the painting of a color of metal articles, for example, parts or profiles of aluminum alloys, which consist, for example, in electrocolouration, very complicated and expensive, or processes in base of the technique of the transfer of a multicolored pattern, from a support that takes the pattern to the flat surface of the metal or fabric, from other materials, by a contemporary action of pressure and temperature, carried out sometimes continuously by half of heated mills. The associated processes and apparatuses are also known, which allow the realization of complicated and multi-colored decorations in articles of various types and which also have a surface different from the flat one by the technique of the transfer of a pattern from a flexible support for the entire surface of the article by sublimation of ink. As is known, such a technique consists of wrapping the article with a support comprising sublimated decoration, usually of paper, in introducing the article wrapped in the paper support in a container made of two elastically deformable membranes, fixed to two substantially rectangular structures articulated to each other, making the vacuum in the container, in such a way that the flexible membranes adhere to the article, compressing the support against the surface of the articles. The pressure and heat can also be obtained in an oil bath furnace. In this case, the article to be decorated, suitably wrapped by the decoration transfer support, is introduced into the oil bath furnace, protected by a casing or bag of an elastically deformable high temperature resistant material. Processes of this type and associated apparatuses such as, for example, those described in FR 2203321 (VILLEROY, EP 544603 (CLAVEAU), EP 451067 (CLAVEAU) and EP 606189 (CLAVEAU), make it possible, however, to make multicolored or complicated decorations only in small-sized articles, such as, for example, cans, baskets, porcelain articles and the like, but not in large-sized articles, such as extruded profiles of a length of up to 20 meters, curved or shaped sheets and the like. the fool, the object of this invention is to provide a process and the associated apparatus for the realization of section-open or closed profiles from aluminum alloys or other metals, of large size, for example, extruded pieces having a length up to approximately 20 meters and rigid shaped and curved sheets, therefore decorated to carefully reproduce the aesthetic effect of various materials, such as wood, marble or similar, or any that totally show the surface or part of it any mental pattern (floral, geometric or other), however, complicated and elaborate . Another additional object of this invention is to provide extruded profiles for construction, shaped sheets for domestic appliances, etc., decorated in varied form on the surfaces which remain visible, even with complicated patios, substantially free of defects, mifoi midado dost of the ppti on and the like. Another invention is the invention of a process that bought in the second phase of the Pimples and highly reliable forests, as well as an associated partner, such as carrying the finished thermions, suitable for To be widely used in many and different sectors, it is important to mention the amount of construction and in the field of furniture, in the field of domestic appliances and similar. These and still other objects, which will be more clearly apparent from the following description, are carried out by a process for the realization of large articles such as semi-finished products by stretch or extruded, shaped and curved sheets and the like, which also have indentations, spaces and notches, painted and / or decorated in a varied way, particularly from aluminum alloys, which use the technique of the Ir ansfei gum of patterns or figures of a Color or multicolor, r epi They are produced in a stack of paper or the like, by a combined action of pressure and temperature, wherein the process comprises, according to this invention, the following steps: subjecting the raw article to be decorated, which consists of profiles of a length of up to 20 meters or of shaped or curved sheets, to usual operations of surface preparation, such as cleaning, defatting, convection chemical and / or electrolytic, then - subjecting it to one or more preliminary painting cycles, achievable with fluid or powder paints, carrying out a first operation with paints of a pri-colored color and such to constitute a primary coating , and a subsequent possible operation with transparent paints to avoid the phenomenon of diffusion with the colors of the transfer support, or in the case of aluminum and its alloys, subject it to anodization, either colorful or colorless, then - after the annealing of the paints by polymerization under painting cycles or at the end of the anodization, carry out the wrapping of the article or the coating of the surfaces of the article to be decorated, with the transfer support, and then - cover the article wrapped in the support with a sheath or membrane of a waterproof, elastically deformable material, such as a rubber band or the like, flat or shaped to conform r substantially the shape of the article, then - create a vacuum between the article wrapped in the support and the membrane, to cause the transfer support to adhere uniformly to the shape of the article, and finally - subject the article in this way treated to a variable heating action, up to about 280 ° C, for a time range from about 30 seconds to 30 minutes, to effect the transfer of the colors from the transfer support to the article and its tempering by polymerization. More particularly, according to this invention, between the wrapped article of the support and in the sheath or membrane of the elastically deformable waterproof material, a medium of a flexible material, permeable to air, such as a long weft cloth, wire cloth is interposed. or similar, suitable for creating thin channels between the article wrapped in the support and the impermeable membrane or sheath, thus allowing the complete and uniform air output during the vacuum creation stage, avoiding disuniformities in the adhesion of the cover to the article, the formation of air bubbles and the like. In fact, it has been noted that the interposition of the media of the air-permeable material according to this invention makes it possible to make articles provided with various and complicated decorations, substantially free of deformations of the pattern, presence of non-decorated areas or areas with engraving decorations. deficient, also when the article is of a large size, such as for example, an extruded profile of a length of up to 20 meters, a shaped and curved sheet, such as the door of a refrigerator, etc. Always according to this invention, between the article wrapped in the support and the elastically deformable membrane, a means of the permanently deformed flexible material, such as crepe paper or the like, is interposed, suitable to unify or equalize the pressure exerted by the membrane in the surfaces of the article under vacuum action. In fact, it has been noted that the interposition of the permanently deformed medium, such as crepe paper or the like, allows to perform any pattern and decoration substantially without deformations, contortions, discolorations or the like, however, complicated and / or with shades, contrasts, etc. ., even in the most difficult points of the surface of the article, such as those in correspondence of the edges. Furthermore, always in accordance with this invention, in order to ensure the adhesion of the inked support to the article to be decorated and / or to prevent deformations of the open profile articles, cushions or counter-molds are applied inside the indentations or spaces, between the transfer support and the membrane before creating the vacuum, if it is desired to also create the internal surface of the indentations, or directly in contact with the surface of the spaces, if it is not desired to decorate the internal surface of the recess, as for example in the case of the inner surface of a curved blade to be used by a refrigerator door, in which case, as is obvious, it is useless to decorate the inner face of the sheet, since the latter will be covered entirely by the insulation material and the back door. In the previous case, the countermold is used for the purpose of calculating the pressure that comes from the creation of the vacuum, preventing in this way the deformations in the parts to be decorated. The cushion or counter-mold can be made of any rigid or semi-rigid material that can withstand working temperatures. Materials such as elastic silicone rubber, wood, aluminum, steel, etc. can be advantageously used. More particularly, the final heating action is carried out by means of several infrared lamps or the heating is carried out inside a tunnel oven or the like with circulation of hot air, obtained by an energy source. In addition, the final heating temperature is preferably maintained for a time ranging from 30 seconds to 30 minutes. The subject matter of the process of the invention used for the application in profiles, inks suitable also for external exposure.

After the suitable and known operations of preparing the surfaces to be decorated, one or more preliminary painting cycles are carried out, which are obtained by either liquid paints, or powder for the purpose of obtaining a coating of the primary element and a transparent layer possible to prevent the diffusion phenomenon with the transfer colors of the support. Furthermore, for the practical realization of the process according to this invention, several apparatuses can be used, which allow to decorate profiles of open or closed section of lengths up to approximately 20 meters, as well as shaped and curved sheets whose size is fixed for constituent parts of furniture, domestic appliances, such as refrigerator doors and the like. An apparatus for the realization of profiles and shaped sheet decorated in varied form according to this invention comprises: - a work table of a length of up to 20 m, in which the article rests which has to be decorated, suitably pretreated ( cleaned, defatted and treated with one or more coatings of preliminary or anodized paints, either colored or colorless), and in which the article is prepared by wrapping it with the transfer support, the permeable medium and possibly the permanently deformed medium; - a table of the length equal to the length of the work table, provided with a plurality of through holes, in which the wrapped article is transferred and placed; - a cover means comprising at least one sheath or membrane of the elastically deformable impermeable material, to be placed in the wrapped article resting on the table; - a device for creating the vacuum between the membrane and the perforated table through the holes, in such a way that the membrane adheres and exerts a pressure on the wrapped article; - heaters located on the perforated table, associated with ventilation and air circulation means, placed in a special hood. More particularly, the heaters may advantageously comprise, for example, a battery of infrared lamps in a room with ventilated air. In addition, the perforated table can be moved horizontally, and / or the lifting hood to make easier access to the area related to the perforated table in the case of particularly delicate work. The elastically deformable membrane is substantially formed by a blanket of elastic rubber or other elastic and heat resistant material, which is placed on the wrapped article to be decorated and which adheres thereto thanks to the vacuum created through the holes. The membrane may be totally free, or, for the purpose of convenience may be fixed to the table along one of its sides or along one edge of the bell, etc. According to a variant of this invention, the covering means can be formed on a horizontally transferable base, comprising a first rigid structure to which a table is fixed, elastic or semi-rigid, on which table the wrapped article rests, and an elastically deformed top cover is attached to a second, upright or open frame similar to a book on the base, creating the vacuum that is obtained between the base and the top cover through the through holes obtained in the first and second frames and connected to the device by the creation of vacuum. The means for covering can be constituted by a flexible tubular bag of a length slightly greater than the length of the article to be decorated, inside which the article covered with the support to be decorated is wrapped, the vacuum that is obtained from the end of the tubular bag by means of the vacuum creation device. Additional features and advantages of this invention will be better understood by the following detailed description, made with reference to the connecting drawings, which have only an indicative and non-limiting purpose, wherein: Figures 1 and 2 schematically show the section of a article wrapped in various preparation means and covered by the elastically deformable membrane, ready to be subjected to the heating action; Figure 3 schematically shows the section of another type of covered article resting on the transferable base, according to the variant of this invention and ready to be subjected to heating; Figure 4 schematically shows the section of an apparatus suitable for carrying out the decorating process according to the invention in various articles, such as extruded rolls or shaped profiles or sheets of different sizes and of a length up to 20 meters; Figure 5 shows schematically and in section a variant of the apparatus of Figure 4. With reference to Figure 1, the article 1, constituted by an extruded profile in the form of "C" of an aluminum alloy, to be used generically in the field of construction, is wrapped in the transfer support 2, in the long weft fabric 3, suitable to create the channels for the flow and exit of air, and in the permanently deformed medium 4, formed by crepe paper, particularly suitable, as it is said, when it is desired to decorate the surfaces of the joined edges, as in this case the surface 1 a, 1 b and c. The article is then covered with the elastically deformed membrane 5, which adheres perfectly to all parts of the articles, which are being decorated, thanks to the vacuum created between the membrane 5 and the table 7 through the holes 6 obtained in the table 7 and connected to the device for the creation of the vacuum 8. A countermold 9 can be inserted in the space of the cavity profile, where the creation of vacuum can create deformations in the piece to be decorated, acting in this case as a reinforcer Figure 2 shows the profile 1 in the form of "C" provided against a counter-mold 9 applied in the space of the same profile, when it is desired to also decorate its internal surfaces; in this case, the counter-mold 9 acts as a cushion as well as a reinforcer.

Figure 3 shows a variant of the invention: the cylindrically extruded profile 10, wrapped in the transfer support 11 and in the long weft fabric 12 is placed on the elastic table 13 fixedly to the first cavity framework 16; the upper cover 14, in fixed form to the cavity frame 15 covers the profile wrapped in the support and the fabric, and adheres to the same support, thanks to the vacuum created through the holes 17, which, through the space 17a of the frame and the holes 17b, are connected to the device for the creation of vacuum 8, through the channels 18. In this way, thanks to the space 17a provided in the frame, a perfect uniformity in the creation of the vacuum is obtained. which also helps to prevent defects in the decoration transfer, when the article is complicated or long. In the example of Figure 3, the interposition of the crepe paper, that is, of a permanently deformed medium, is not necessary, as soon as the surface of the profile has no edges. Figure 4 shows an apparatus suitable for making the decorated article according to the invention. Such an apparatus comprises the work table 19 in which the article 1 is wrapped in the transfer support, the cloth, etc., the latter not being shown. From the work table 19, the wrapped article is transferred to the table 7 and covered with the membrane or the sheath 5. Then, through the device 8, formed by a pump or the like, and through the holes 6 the vacuum is created, in such a way that the membrane 5 adheres to the wrapped article for its total length. The necessary heat is provided for the transfer of the decoration from the support to the article, by heaters 20 located on the table, in hood 21. Medium 22, formed by fans or the like, which ensure air circulation for the total length of the bell, and uniformly throughout the entire article. For ease of use, the hood 21 can be elevable and also the table on which the item rests can be transposed horizontally. The apparatus shown in Figure 5 comprises a semi-rigid base 13 anchored to the frame 16, movable in the position 3a, of a length greater than the length of the profile or the sheet, and with a cover 14 Upper IO that is in fixed form to the cavity frame 15, elevable or open similar to a book, made of a flexible material (rubber band or similar) which retracts and adheres perfectly to the pieces in the previous creation of the vacuum with the special device 8. This part of the apparatus slides in tracks and is placed inside an air oven 21 hot, to carry out the transfer of colors from the support to the article. Figure 5 indicates the position for the preparation of the pieces and * 13a shows the working position inside the appliance. The fans 22 are provided for ventilation and air circulation. The flexible membrane can be constituted by a flexible tubular bag of a length slightly greater than the length of the article to be decorated, inside which is enclosed the article wrapped in the transfer support, the vacuum that is created from the end of the tubular bag by means of the device 8 through the channel 5 18. In practice, it has been noted that the process described above perfectly allows the transfer of the decorations obtained in the support to all areas, even the non-planar areas, of the profile, which allows to perfectly decorate profiles that have a complicated section and profiles of any size.

Claims (9)

1. A process for the realization of large metal articles, such as semifinished products, extruded or stretched, shaped and curved sheets and the like, still provided with indentations, spaces, notches and the like, painted and / or decorated in varied form, especially of aluminum alloys, which use the technique of transferring patterns, decorations of figures of a color or multicolor, reproduced on a transfer paper support or the like, by means of the combined action of pressure and temperature, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: subjecting the raw article to be decorated, consisting of profiles of a length of up to 20 meters or of curved or shaped sheets, to usual surface preparation operations, such as degreasing cleaning, chemical conversion and / or electrolytic, anodizing, then - subjecting it to one or more preliminary painting cycles, achievable with liquid or powder paints, carrying out a first operation with the paints of a predetermined color and such to constitute a coating of the primary element, and a possible subsequent operation with transparent paints to avoid the phenomenon of diffusion with the colors of the transfer medium , or in the case of aluminum and its alloys, subject it to anodization, either colorful or colorless, then - after curing the paints by polymerization under painting cycles or at the end of the anodization, carry out the wrapping of the article or cover of the surfaces of the article to be decorated, with the transfer support, and then - covering the article wrapped in the support with a membrane or sheath of an elastically deformable impermeable material, such as flat elastic rubber or also shaped for adjust substantially to the shape of the article, then - create a vacuum between the article wrapped in the sop Orte and the membrane, to cause the transfer support to adhere uniformly to the shape of the article, and finally - subject the treated article to a variable heating action, up to about 280 ° C, for a time in the range of about 30 seconds to 30 minutes, to perform the transfer of colors from the transfer support to the article and its hardening by polymerization.

2. The process according to claim 1, characterized in that between the article wrapped by the support and the membrane or sheath of the elastically deformable, impermeable material, a means is interposed from the flexible material permeable to air, such as a long weft fabric, metallic fabric or the like, suitable for creating thin channels between the article wrapped in the support and the impermeable membrane, thus causing the complete and uniform exit of the air in the vacuum creation stage, avoiding disuniformities in the adhesion of the membrane to the article, the formation of air bubbles and the like.

3. The process according to claim 1, characterized in that the article wrapped by the support and the elastically deformable membrane is interposed by means of a permanently deformable, flexible material, suitable to unify and equalize the pressure exerted by the membrane on the surfaces of the article. under the action of emptiness.

4. The process according to claim 3, characterized in that the permanently deformed flexible means is constituted by crepe paper.

5. The process according to claim 1, characterized in that the countermolds or pads are applied inside the indentations or spaces, between the transfer support and the membrane before the creation of a vacuum, if it is desired to also decorate the internal surface of the space, or directly in contact with the surface of the space, if you do not want to decorate the internal surface of the recess.

6. The process according to claim 1, characterized in that the final heating action is carried out by means of infrared lamps in a ventilated air environment, or inside a hot air tunnel oven or the like, wherein the air hot is supplied by any induction power source.

7. The process according to claim 1, characterized in that the final heating temperature is maintained for a time that comprises between 30 seconds and 30 minutes.

8. An apparatus for carrying out the process for decorating large metal articles according to the preceding claims, comprising a work table in which an article rests, which is to be decorated, suitably pretreated, and where the article is prepared by wrapping it with the transfer support, a table of a length equal to the length of the work table, in which the wrapped article is transferred and placed, a covering means of a waterproof material, elastically deformable, a device for creating the vacuum, the heaters located on the table, associated with the ventilation and air circulation means, placed in a special hood, characterized in that the table is provided with a plurality of through holes and that the impermeable cover means is constituted by a membrane to be placed on the wrapped article that rests on the perforated table, the vacuum that is created between the membrane and the table through the holes, in such a way that the membrane adheres and exerts a pressure on the wrapped article.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the perforated table is horizontally movable and / or the hood is liftable.