WO2004060701A2

WO2004060701A2 - Layered tile

Info

Publication number: WO2004060701A2
Application number: PCT/NL2003/000945
Authority: WO
Inventors: Josephus Petrus Wilhelmus Hagemeier
Original assignee: Hagemeier Josephus Petrus Wilh
Priority date: 2003-01-03
Filing date: 2003-12-29
Publication date: 2004-07-22
Also published as: AU2003295281A8; WO2004060701A3; NL1022298C2; AU2003295281A1

Abstract

A device such as a tile comprises a transparent top layer (2), of which a back side (4) is provided with a relief. A front colour layer (7) is applied to this back side (4). The device also comprises a back colour layer (8), which is situated at a distance from the front colour layer (7), wherein a transparent intermediate layer (9) is located between the colour layers (7, 8). At a back side (13) of the back colour layer (8), a protective layer (11) is arranged for protection. The view side of the device is constituted by a front side (3) of the top layer (2). Because the front colour layer (7) is situated at a distance from the front side (3) of the top layer (2), and because the back colour layer (8) is situated at a distance from the front colour layer (7), a person who sees the view side of the device, observes depth in the device. The layered structure provides the device with an eye-catching and beautiful appearance.

Description

Title: Layered tile

The present invention relates to a device such as a tile for covering a surface .

Various possibilities for the realization of a tile are known. In a common realization, the tile is manufactured in ceramics and provided with a coloured top layer, which serves as view side of the tile. The top layer may be plain or have various colours. Such a top layer is non-transparent , as a result of which the view side of the tile has a two-dimensional appearance, which has the effect that a person who sees the view side of the tile, experiences this as a flat surface.

In the following description of the device according to the invention, with respect to using the terms "front" and "back", it is assumed that the view side defines the front side of the device, and that the opposite side defines the back side of the device. It is an objective of the present invention to provide a device such as a tile, of which the view side has a three-dimensional appearance, which has the effect that a person who sees the view side of the tile, observes depth in the tile. The objective is achieved by a device comprising: an at least partially transparent top layer, of which a back side is provided with a relief; at least one colour layer which is located at the back side of the top layer,- and a protective layer, of which a front side contacts a back side of the at least one colour layer; wherein a view side of the device is constituted by a front side of the top layer. In the device according to the present invention, the view side is constituted by a front side of the at least partially transparent top layer, which comprises glass or plastic, for example. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, this front side is completely planar, contrary to the back side of the top layer, which is provided with a relief. A person who watches the front side of the top layer is capable of seeing the colour layer arranged on the back side of the top layer, through the intermediate transparent mass of the top layer. In the process, said person experiences a difference in depth between the front side of the top layer and the colour layer. Hence, the device according to the present invention has a special and eye-catching appearance, which is experienced as beautiful and fashionable. For the protection of the colour layer, or, in the case of several colour layers, of a back colour layer, the device according to the present invention comprises a protective layer.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device comprises several colour layers, wherein an at least partially transparent intermediate layer is arranged between two successive colour layers . In case the front colour layers are completely or partially transparent and/or interrupted at one or more positions, all colour layers can be observed from the view side. The presence of the at least partially transparent intermediate layer realizes a difference in depth between the various colour layers. Preferably, the refractive index of the transparent portion of the intermediate layer equals the refractive index of the transparent portion of the top layer .

The present invention will be explained in more detail on the basis of the following description of a preferred embodiment of a device according to the invention with reference to the drawing, in which equal reference signs indicate equal or similar parts, and in which: figure 1 is a top view of a device according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; figure 2 is a side view of a section taken along the line A-A in figure 1; figure 3 shows a detail Z of the side view shown in figure 2; figure 4 shows a top view of a device according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention,- figure 5 shows a top view of a device according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention; and figure 6 shows a top view of a device according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 1-3 show a first preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention, in which said device is realized as a tile 1. In figure 1, the view side of the tile 1 is shown. When the tile 1 is arranged on a wall in a correct manner, then a person who watches the tile 1, will see the tile 1 as depicted in figure 1. The tile 1 comprises a number of layers, as can clearly be seen in figures 2 and 3. A front layer is a transparent top layer 2, which comprises glass or plastic, for example. In the shown example, a front side 3 of the top layer 2 is completely planar. Conversely, a back side 4 of the top layer 2 is provided with a relief. In the shown first preferred embodiment, the relief comprises bulges 5 with respect to a rough basic surface 6, wherein the bulges 5 have the shape of a portion of a sphere. However, within the scope of the present invention, the shape of the relief can be chosen at random. Figures 4-6 show the view side of tiles having an alternative relief .

A front colour layer 7 is arranged on the back side 4 of the top layer 2. The front colour layer 7 may comprise all sorts of materials, and may be a layer of powder or paint, for example. The front colour layer 7 may be completely transparent, but may also comprise non-transparent components.

Furthermore, the tile 1 comprises a back colour layer 8, for which it is also true that this may comprise all sorts of materials and may be completely or partially transparent. Each of the colour layers 7, 8 may have one colour or have a number of various colours. The colours may be chosen at random.

A transparent intermediate layer 9 is located between the front colour layer 7 and the back colour layer 8. Preferably, the intermediate layer 9 comprises plastic, and the refractive index of the intermediate layer 9 equals the refractive index of the top layer 2. A back side 10 is the intermediate layer 9 may be planar, but may also be provided with a relief.

A back layer of the tile 1 is a non-transparent protective layer 11, which comprises plastic, for example. A front side 12 of the protective layer 11 contacts a back side 13 of the back colour layer 8. In essence, the protective layer 11 serves for the protection of the back colour layer 8, and is usually considerably thicker than the colour layers 7, 8.

A person who watches the tile 1 from the view side, observes that the front colour layer 7 is located at a distance from the front side 3 of the top layer 2. Furthermore, the person observes that the back colour layer 8 is located at a distance from the front colour layer 7. Because of this, the person sees depth in the tile 1, in other words, the tile 1 has a three-dimensional appearance. The effect that a person observes depth in the tile 1 is already achieved in case the tile 1 comprises only one colour layer 7, 8. This single colour layer 7, 8 may comprise a non-transparent, reflecting layer of paint, for example. In that case, the protective layer 11 is not visible from the view side of the tile 1. In such a tile 1, a person observes that the single colour layer 7, 8 is located at a distance from the front side 3 of the top layer 2.

An additional effect can be achieved by means of the relief shown in figures 1-3, for example. As can clearly be seen in the sections of the tile 1 as shown in figures 2 and 3, and as already has been described, the relief comprises bulges 5 with respect to a basic surface 6. The bulges 5 have the shape of a portion of a sphere, so that the connections of the bulges 5 to the basic surface 6 have a circular circumference, as can be seen in figure 1. A person who watches the tile 1 from the front side 3 of the top layer 2, sees the surface of the basic surface 6 and the surface of the bulges 5 through the transparent top layer 2. Because of this, the bulges 5 are observed by the person as excavations in the basic surface 6. In general, in the device according to the present invention, it is true that bulges 5 with respect to a relatively planar basic surface 6 appear to be excavations when observed from the view side, because the relief is observed from the inner side, as it were. It will be clear that the reverse is also true: excavations with respect to a relatively planar basic surface 6 appear to be bulges which extend from the basic surface 6 in the direction of the front side 3 of the top layer 2.

The number of colour layers 7, 8 which is located between the top layer 2 and the protective layer 11 may be chosen freely within the scope of the present invention. In case the front colour layers 7, 8 are completely or partially transparent, or are interrupted at one or more positions, the colour layers 7, 8 which are situated more toward the back can be observed through at least a portion of the front colour layers 7, 8. In case all colour layers 7,8 are transparent and/or in case one or more portions of the back side 4 of the top layer 2 are left clear by the colour layers 7, 8, at least a portion of the protective layer 11 can be observed from the view side. In such a case, the protective layer 11 functions as a back colour layer, as it were, and preferably is non-transparent . In a case in which the view to the protective layer 11 is hindered by one or more non-transparent colour layers 7, 8, the protective layer 11 may also be transparent. A suitable material for the protective layer 11 is an elastic plastic, for example. In principle, it is possible to realize the tile 1 without protective layer 11, but the back colour layer 8 usually is so vulnerable, that it is important to have a protective layer 11 present.

As has already been noted in the foregoing, the colour layers 7, 8 may be interrupted. Figure 4 shows a second preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention, wherein a front colour layer 7 is interrupted, so that portions of a back colour layer 8 are visible. Furthermore, it is true that the colour layers 7, 8 may comprise various components. The thickness of the colour layers 7, 8 may be variable.

Within the scope of the present invention, it is not essential that a transparent intermediate layer 9 is located between two colour layers 7, 8. It also possible that two colour layers 7, 8 are situated on top of each other. In such a case, a difference in depth between the two colour layers 7, 8 is not or hardly observed. An important advantage of applying a transparent intermediate layer 9 is that distance is created between the two colour layers 7, 8, and that the created difference in depth can be observed by a person from the view side of the tile 1. In that case, the person does not only experience depth between the front side 3 of the top layer 2 and the front colour layer 7, but also among the colour layers 7, 8. Figure 5 shows a third preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention, wherein a front colour layer 7 only covers a small portion of the back side 4 of the top layer 2, and wherein the dimensions of a back colour layer 8 and a transparent intermediate layer 9 correspond to those of the top layer 2, except for the thickness.

Figure 6 shows a fourth preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the device is exceedingly suitable for forming a decorative border on a wall, for example, due to its relief and elongated shape. The shown tiles 1 according to the present invention can be arranged on a wall, for example, in a conventional manner, namely by applying glue to a back side 14 of the protective layer 11 and pressing the tile 1 against the wall at a desired position. Also, the tiles 1 can be arranged at a mutual distance, wherein, in a conventional manner, jointing agent may be used to fill up the spaces between the tiles 1.

The manufacturing process of the device according to the present invention comprises a number of steps, which will be briefly described in the following.

The basic material for tile 1, for example, is a tile of glass having a planar top side, a planar bottom side and planar sides. In a first manufacturing step, this planar glass tile is laid on a mould, which is provided with a fireproof basic relief.

Subsequently, the glass tile is heated. At the side where the glass tile is supported on the mould, glass flows into recesses which are located in the basic relief on the mould. As a result, a glass tile having a back side 4 which is provided with a relief is obtained, which can be considered as a negative moulding of the basic relief in the mould. This glass tile forms a top layer 2 for the tile 1.

When the glass tile has cooled down, a front colour layer 7 is applied to the back side 4 of the top layer 2, in a second manufacturing step. The application of the front colour layer 7 takes place by scattering powder, for example, on the desired position, or by applying paint, for example, to the desired position by means of a large or small paint brush, or an airbrush apparatus.

In a third manufacturing step, an intermediate layer 9 of transparent plastic is spread on a back side of the front colour layer 7. When the plastic is cured, a back colour layer 8 is applied to the intermediate layer 9, in a fourth manufacturing step. For the application of the back colour layer 8, the same options as for the application of the front colour layer 7 are applicable.

In a fifth and last manufacturing step, a protective layer 11 of non-transparent plastic is applied to a back side 13 of the back colour layer 8. When this protective layer 11 is cured, the tile 1 is ready. A person who watches the tile 1 from the view side, sees the relief on the back side 4 of the top layer 2 through the glass of the top layer 2. The person observes the relief in its positive appearance, i.e. the perception of the relief in the tile 1 substantially corresponds to the perception of the basic relief in the mould on which the top layer 2 is formed.

Many alternatives are possible for the above-described manufacturing process . The steps of the manufacturing process are adapted to the desired composition of the final product. In case more or less than two colour layers 7, 8 need to be applied to the back side 4 of the top layer 2, logically more or less manufacturing steps will be needed. Likewise, more manufacturing steps will be needed when the device needs to have more than one intermediate layer 9. On the other hand, in case the device according to the present invention needs to be realized without intermediate layer, the manufacturing step which is mentioned as the third in the foregoing will need to be omitted.

The top layer 2 may be formed in another manner than by means of a mould. For example, a relief may be applied to the back side 4 of a planar tile by means of a removing treatment. As has already been noted in the foregoing, the top layer 2 may be manufactured from another suitable material than glass, for example plastic.

It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that the scope of the present invention is not limited to the examples discussed above, but that several amendments and modifications thereof are possible without deviating from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims . In the above-described examples of a device according to the present invention, it is true for the top layer 2 and the intermediate layer 9 that these may be completely transparent . However, it is also possible that only portions of the top layer 2 and/or the intermediate layer 9 are transparent . Like the back side 4 of the top layer 2, the front side 3 of the top layer 2 may be provided with a relief. However, the front side 3 is preferably completely planar, because a relief at the front side 3 may disturb the perception of the relief at the back side 4 of the top layer 2 and the colour layers 7, 8 which are situated more toward the back.

The device according to the present invention may be mounted in a frame of metal, for example, which only leaves clear the front side 3 of the top layer 2. In such an embodiment, the frame can function as protective layer. As has already been described in the foregoing, the device according to the present invention may be realized as a tile 1 which is destined to be arranged on a wall, for example. However, the device can also be suitable for all kinds of other applications. For instance, the device can be part of a picture frame or tabletop, or be applied as paperweight. Thus, the present invention provides a device such as a tile 1 for decoration of a wall, for example. This device comprises a transparent top layer 2, of which a back side 4 is provided with a relief. A front colour layer 7 is applied to this back side 4. The device also comprises a back colour layer 8, which is situated at a distance from the front colour layer 7, wherein a transparent intermediate layer 9 is located between the colour layers 7, 8. At a back side 13 of the back colour layer 8, a protective layer 11 is arranged for protection.

The view side of the device is constituted by a front side 3 of the top layer 2. Because the front colour layer 7 is situated at a distance from the front side 3 of the top layer 2, and because the back colour layer 8 is situated at a distance from the front colour layer 7, a person who sees the view side of the device, observes depth in the device. The layered structure provides the device with an eye-catching and beautiful appearance.

Claims

1. Device such as a tile for covering a surface, comprising:

- an at least partially transparent top layer (2) , of which a back side (4) is provided with a relief;

- at least one colour layer (7, 8) which is located at the back side (4) of the top layer (2) ; and

- a protective layer (11) , of which a front side contacts a back side (13) of the at least one colour layer (8) ; wherein a view side of the device is constituted by a front side (3) of the top layer (2) .

2. Device according to claim 1, comprising at least two colour layers (7, 8) , and also an at least partially transparent intermediate layer (9) which is located between the colour layers (7, 8) .

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the refractive index of the top layer (2) and the refractive index of the intermediate layer (9) are substantially equal to each other.

4. Device according to any of claims 1-3, comprising at least two colour layers (7, 8) , wherein at least a front colour layer (7) is interrupted at one or more positions .

5. Device according to any of claims 1-4, comprising at least two colour layers (7, 8) , wherein at least a portion of at least a front colour layer (7) is transparent.

6. Device according to any of claims 1-5, comprising at least two colour layers (7, 8) , wherein a back colour layer (8) is non- transparent.

7. Device according to any of claims 1-6, wherein the at least one colour layer (7, 8) comprises powder or paint.

8. Process for manufacturing a device according to any of claims 1-7, comprising the following steps:

- placing a glass tile on a mould which is provided with a relief; - heating the glass tile, wherein glass of the glass tile flows into recesses in the mould;

- applying at least one colour layer (7, 8) to a back side (4) of the glass tile (2) ; and - applying a protective layer (11) to a back side (13) of the colour layer (8) .

9. Process according to claim 8, wherein at least two colour layers (7, 8) are applied to the back side (4) of the glass tile (2) , further comprising the step of applying an at least partially transparent intermediate layer (9) to a back side of a colour layer (7) , before a colour layer (8) which is situated more toward the back is applied.