WO2005100935A1

WO2005100935A1 - Method for creating harmonious colour combinations and associated colour chart

Info

Publication number: WO2005100935A1
Application number: PCT/NL2005/000278
Authority: WO
Inventors: Josephina Maria Desirée DE PAUW
Original assignee: Forbo International S.A.
Priority date: 2004-04-14
Filing date: 2005-04-13
Publication date: 2005-10-27
Also published as: NL1025945C2

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for providing a coherent, at distance optically grey, colour image for an interior decorating product. The invention also relates to a colour system for use with the method according to invention. This colour system comprises a number of circular colour disks whereby each disk is built up by a number of concentric colour circles each being subdivided into an equal number of colours. The colours are positioned at equal intervals around this circle, so that as a result a complete range of complementary colours is created and whereby moreover the colours on a circle are adjusted for saturation and lightness resulting in an substantially equal reflection factor The radially adjacent colours are provided with equal hue, but deviate with a fixed saturation interval value.

Description

METHOD FOR CREATING HARMONIOUS COLOUR COMBINATIONS AND ASSOCIATED COLOUR CHART

The invention relates to a method for creating a coherent, at distance optically grey, colour image for an interior decorating product. Such methods are generally used for selecting or designing a colour combination or colour image, which most people will appreciate as pleasing (to the eye) and harmonious (blending in well together). These harmonious colour combinations or colour schemes are to some extent based on the subjective concept that colour is a sensation produced by the eye. In order to be able to select harmonious colour combinations more easily, colour systems or colour arrangements, colour charts or colour guides are known, in which a great numbers of colours is systematically arranged. The colour system according to DIN 6164 is an example of such a much used arrangement system for systematically ordering, classifying and describing colours, based on the Munsell colour system. This system takes into account the way in which the human (eye) perceives colours. The colour indications according to DIN 6164 are based upon three colour elements, attributes or characteristics: the hue, the lightness and the saturation.

Hue is indicated with a hue identification number which corresponds to a frequency wavelength within the visible light spectrum. The hues are sequentially located upon an circular hue area with gradually increasing wavelength and are furthermore optionally indicated with the well know descriptions: red, green and yellow. Lightness is an attribute to a colour indicating that a colour appears to be lighter or darker and is indicated by a lightness identification number relating to a graduation scale running from black through grey to white. This scale of so called neutral colour elements is also known as grey scale or grey steps. Saturation is a colour component indicating the colour intensity (also described as colour pureness or density) and is indicated with a saturation identification number that according to a scale gradually increases from colourless (hueless) to complete pureness and density or fully saturated hue. According to the DIN 6164 colour system colours with different hues, but equal lightness number, which are perceived as equally saturated, have the same saturation value. Based upon this order of colours twenty four colour charts are provided, upon which colours are represented by equal hue and different lightness and saturation values.

Choosing or selecting colours for a decoration product by means of well-known colour systems, like DIN6164, has the disadvantage that a coherent, at distance optically grey, colour combinations can not easily be defined or selected. For one colour not always a good matching complementary colour or set of colours can be selected, because the colours are set on order for these characteristics. Furthermore these colour systems are cumbersome to use when colour combinations must be adapted to the natural basic colour of a product, like e.g. in case of linoleum. It is known that linoleum is a natural product having a brown- beige basic colour so that in selecting a coherent, at distance optically grey, colour combination may not readily be found e.g. with the DIN 6164 system.

It has been found that a pattern, defined by dots of different colours with a substantially equal size of the dots and equal distance between the dots, is perceived as grey by a person at a shorter distance from the eyes of a person, when the colours are complementary and are comprising the same reflection factor. The reflection factor is defined as the ratio between the reflected light flux and the incoming light flux, taking average daylight for the light flux. Because colours, starting from a certain lightness value, having equally perceived saturation intervals or values, but having mutually different hues, are represented and positioned on one circle in known colours systems like DIN 6164, the colours on a colour circle are comprising mutually different reflection factors, so that a coherent colour combination which gives an optical grey impression at short distance of the eye's of a person cannot easily be found.

The object of the invention is a method for creating a coherent, at distance optically grey, colour image for an interior decorating product like flooring, wall cladding (or covering) or furniture covering comprising the following steps: - arranging a circular colour disk having consecutive colours and comprising at least one colour circle provided with a number of colours having equal interval hue values defining a complete colour range, whereby the hues are chosen complementary so that as a result every colour has at least one complementary colour on the colour disk and whereby furthermore the colours on a circle are suchlike adjusted in saturation and lightness that essentially all are substantially having equal reflection factors ;

- selecting two or more complementary colours from the colour disk;

- applying the selected two or more colours in a pattern on the decorating product, in such a way that the applied individual colours remain each visible with their own hue.

By arranging the colour disks and ordering the colours by means of the aforementioned method, whereby on each colour circle a range of colours is provided with substantially the same reflection value, selection of two or more complementary colours there from will result quickly in a new colour image, whereby the total impression, at some distance from the human eye, will be quiet and coherent, with a grey (neutral) colour. Particularly adjacent to the first colour circle the colour disk is provided with one or more colour circles, wherein radially adjacent colours are having equal hues, but differ mutually in saturation with a fixed saturation interval value, and whereby the colours on a circle are suchlike adjusted for lightness that essentially all are substantially having equal reflection factors. By the application of a saturation interval value between two radially adjacent colours upon two colour circles generally the reflection factor will also change. Because colours with mutually different reflection factors will less quickly provide for an optically grey colour image, in other words on a greater distance from the eyes, the colours upon the adjacent colour circles are adapted in lightness to compensate for the increase or decrease of the reflection factor as a result of the change in the saturation. Preferably adjacent colours on consecutive colour disks are only mutually deviating in lightness having a fixed lightness interval value between the colours. Subdividing and arranging the basic colour disk in this way the remaining colour disks may be arranged or defined easily by choosing and fixing several lightness interval values upon the other colour disks. Particularly for the selection of N colours (N = 2,3,4,...) for a N-coloured colour image, each colour circle of a colour disk is subdivided into N or a multiple of N colours or hues = a.N colours (a = 1 ,2,3...). Consequently it is now always possible to simply select a set of N complementary colours, in other words, colours which are equidistantly positioned on a colour circle, because always a number of a colours is positioned between the chosen N complementary colours. Preferably each colour disk is provided with six colour circles having six successive saturation interval values and whereby each colour circle is subdivided into eighteen hues. This results in a colour space upon a colour disk comprising 108 coherent colours, which is optimal for defining a coherent colour image or scheme for decorating products. Preferably for a colour(ed) image three complementary colours are selected from a colour circle of a colour disk, in other words three, equidistant colours positioned on a colour ring, and whereby furthermore the three selected colours in equal amounts are mixed or blended in equal amounts and subsequently applied or provided as a pattern on the interior decorating product, whereby each of the colours remain visible, with their own hue, individually and/or physically and physiologically mixed, so that as a result an optically uniform grey colour image is created when viewed from a distance. With this special ordering of colours in the colour system a colour combination may be easily selected whereby the optical grey effect upon a decorating product is appearing or occurring already at short distance from the human eyes. In particular the interior decorating product is linoleum, whereby the pattern is produced by the application of linoleum grains or granules with colours chosen from a colour circle of a colour disk, the granules having dimensions between 0.5 and 50 mm. Applying this method with a basic material feedstock of individually coloured linoleum granulates, surprisingly provides for a well coherently or harmoniously coloured linoleum whereby the optically grey effect already appears at short distance from the human eyes. Preferably by mutual tuning between pattern and diameter of the granule the individual colours of the pattern are still visible at distance between 2 and 4 meters from the eyes of a person, while at distance of 3 meter or more from the eyes of that person the individual colours of the linoleum are hardly visible and the linoleum appears to have an optically substantially uniformly grey colour. By selecting the colour image according to the invention for the pattern in combination with the optimal diameter of the coloured granulates a linoleum is manufactured with said very special optical properties.

The invention also relates to an interior decorating product manufactured by applying one or more of the preceding methods

The invention also relates to a colour system for use to provide for a coherent, at distance optical grey, colour image for an interior decorating product which colour system consists of a number of circular colour disks having consecutive colours, a disk comprising at least one concentric colour circle divided into a number of colours, whereby the colours on a colour circle are positioned at mutually equal hue interval values, so that as a result each colour is provided with al least one complementary colour, and whereby the colours on a circle are adjusted in such a way for saturation and lightness that they essentially all are substantially having equal reflection factors, and whereby radially adjacent colours on adjacent colour circles of a colour disk have mutually equal hues however different saturation and whereby adjacent colours on consecutive colour disks only deviate mutually in lightness by a fixed lightness interval value between the colours. This ordering method of colours is highly advantageous when such a colour system is used for selecting a coherent set of colours for a colour image of an interior decorating product. Particularly this colour system enables for easily selecting the colours for a pattern which creates an optically uniform grey effect, at some distance of the eyes of a person.

The invention is further explained by means of the drawing.

In Fig.1 is shown a colour disk according to the invention comprising concentric colour circles; In Fig.2 are shown several colour disks positioned one upon the other;

In Fig.3 is shown the increase in lightness for one colour on colour disks positioned one upon the other.

In Fig.4 is shown a radial portion of a colour disk with gradually decreasing saturation in the direction of the centre.

In Fig.1 a colour disk 1 is shown, which is subdivided into six concentric colour circles 2, 2', 2", 5, 6 etc. In this example each colour circle is subdivided into eighteen colours 3. These colours 3 pass through the complete range of colours, counter clockwise, from red through yellow, green and blue, and again back to red. Preferably the circles on a disk are rings, but other shapes forming a closed loop are also possible. In this colour system the eighteen colours 3 upon the colour disk are specially selected, such that a colour disk is created making selections for a coherent colour combinations more readily and easily possible, in particular for interior decorating products. The eighteen colours 3 are chosen in such a way that a complete range of colours is passed through by means of a fixed hue interval value (equidistant colours) and that at the same time the colours are also complementary. It is meant thereby that the hues of sets of colours complement each other substantially. The complementary colours each absorb a portion of the incoming light spectrum (light flux) in such a way that the reflected amount of light of the complementary colours added together (additive mixing) is approximately perceived by the human eye as "white" or hueless or neutral light. Moreover the colours are adapted with respect to lightness and saturation, such that all eighteen colours upon colour disk 5 approximately have the same reflection factor. By application of the above mentioned method a basic colour circle 5 is arranged or configured, which disk serves as a starting point for configuring the other colour circles upon the other colour disks. If required in this basic colour circle 5 may be included adjustments to the specific properties of the interior decorating products for which the system is intended and designed, like e.g. including introduction of the brown-beige starting or basic colour of a flooring product like linoleum. Fig.4 shows, starting from the basic colour circle 5, how easy the complete coherent colour space or pallet of a colour disk 1 may be created. Fig. 4 shows again the colour circles 2, 2', 2", 5, 6 and a colour 4 from the basic colour circle 5 of Fig. 1. The colours positioned on radially adjacent colour circles in the direction of the exterior circumference (or rim) of colour disk 1 are determined, by constant hue to increase the saturation with equal interval values, e.g. by increasing the amount of colour pigment or dye. By only increasing the saturation for each colour on a colour disk with a fixed interval value, a new colour circle is not obtained in which colours have an equal reflection factor. This results in that the colours on an adjacent colour circle are adjusted or corrected for deviations in the reflection factor. These adjustments may be effected by measurement and comparison of the light reflections, but it may also be done visually e.g. by a colour specialist. The exterior colour 7 on the colour circle 6 positioned at the circumference of the colour disk 1 may therefore be a completely saturated colour, but that is not obvious in this colour system. Because of the previous choice of the colours in the basic colour circle 5 having equal reflection factors or values and subsequently inherent adaptation or adjustment of the colours with respect to the lightness and/or the saturation dependent on their hue, achieving or not of complete saturation is dependent on the colour and the hue on the basic colour circle 5. When the various saturation interval values for a colour and hue are defined, the same saturation interval values are applied on the remaining seventeen colours and hues of the basic colour circle 5, in order to determine the colours on the remaining colour circles and as a result the colours are now determined and fixed for the whole colour disk 1. This disk is now also named the basic colour disk, because this disk serves as a starting point for defining the colours upon the other colour disks. Obviously there are many equivalent methods for configuring, arranging or putting together a basic colour circle and arranging the colours. It is possible to start from an essentially saturated colour circle 6 positioned on the circumference of colour disk 1 ; starting is also possible with a circle comprising strongly unsaturated colours positioned adjacent to the centre of the colour disk 1. If desired the saturation direction may also be reversed, so that as a result the most saturated colours are positioned nearby the centre of the disk and the most unsaturated colours are positioned nearby the circumference of the colour disk. In Fig.3 is shown how from the basic circle 1 starting from colour 4 having a constant hue by means of equal interval values the lightness of the colours in a downward direction is decreased by increasing the amount of black pigment or dye. Starting with the chosen lightness interval value for colour 4 on basic colour disk 1 the colours upon the other colour disks may be easily defined. In this way a number of colour disks 1 , 1' is created as shown in Fig.2 which mutually only differ in lightness. Fig.2 shows the colour disk 1' with the colours having the lowest lightness values positioned at the bottom, obviously according to the invention this colour disk may also be configured upside down.

When the entire colour system is defined and laid down comprising several colour disks it is possible to easily select coherent harmonious colour combinations or scheme's from the entire range of colours or colour space for a colour image or scheme for a interior decorating product. Preferably the colour combination is applied in such a way on the interior decorating product that the individual colours remain visible. With certain interior decorating products, like e.g. linoleum flooring, physically and physiologically mixing of the colour may occur as a result of the applied manufacturing process.

Coherent or harmonious colour accents may be selected by selecting colours for a pattern having a deviating or different saturation or lightness. From different starting points it is now possible to select a set of coherent colours comprising mutually intensifying colours or complementary colours. The colour system is particularly advantageous for manufacturing interior decorating products like e.g. flooring, draperies or furniture coverings and is preferably applied for manufacturing linoleum. When the colour circles are composed from a multiple of three colours, is it possible by selecting three complementary colours upon a colour circle, in other words three equidistant colours, to create a special colour combination. Because the three complementary colours are absorbing light in the entire visible light spectrum a colour combination based upon these three complementary colours will result in a sharp reduction of the perceived hues (strong weakening optical effect of the hues)

In a special embodiment of the method according to invention the three colours are applied in equal amounts e.g. on an interior decorating product, the optical or visual impression at a certain distance from the eyes of a person will be uniformly grey. This optically uniform grey effect is caused by the application of the complementary colours from a colour circle having colours with equal reflection factors. This method for selecting three complementary colours from a colour circle will preferably be applied for manufacturing linoleum, starting with three differently coloured granulates having granules or particle diameters between 0.5 and 50 mm. With a usual granule diameter of 5 mm and at standard production conditions for obtaining a marbled product by calendaring the linoleum sheet twice, a partially physically mixed and marbled product is obtained wherein at a distance of approximately two meter from the eyes of a person the three individual colours are still visible, however at a distance of approximately four meters from the eyes of a person a uniform grey impression is obtained. The linoleum manufactured by this method gives a lively colourful impression at short sight, but at some distance it gives a quiet greyish impression. The invention is not limited to the aforesaid embodiment of eighteen colours on a basic colour circle. Also with four complementary colours the uniform grey impression may be obtained. The colour system is then preferably constituted from a multiple of four colours such that easily four complementary colours may be chosen. Generally speaking a colour system for choosing N colours for a N- coloured colour scheme, complementary or not, is subdivided into a multiple of N different colours or hues, or in other words a.N colours whereby a = 1 ,2,3,... and N = 2,3,4,... CLAIMS

Claims

1. Method for creating a coherent, at distance optically grey, colour image for an interior decorating product like flooring, wall cladding or furniture covering, comprising the following steps:

- arranging a circular shaped colour disk (1 , 1 ') having consecutive colours (3, 4, 5) and comprising at least one colour circle (2, 2', 2", 5, 6) provided with a number of colours having equal interval hue values defining a complete colour range, whereby the hues are chosen complementary so that as a result every colour has at least one complementary colour on the colour disk (1 , 1 ') and whereby furthermore the colours on a circle (2, 2', 2", 5, 6) are suchlike adjusted in saturation and lightness that essentially all are substantially having equal reflection factors;

- selecting two or more complementary colours from the colour disk (1 , 1 ');

- applying the selected two or more colours in a pattern on the interior decorating product, in such a way that the applied individual colours remain each visible with their own hue.

2. Method for creating a coherent, at distance optically grey, colour image for an interior decorating product according to claim 1 , characterized in that adjacent to the first colour circle (2) the colour disk (1 ) is provided with one or more colour circles (2', 2"), wherein radially adjacent colours are having equal hues, but differ mutually in saturation with a fixed saturation interval value, and whereby the colours on a circle are adjusted suchlike for lightness that essentially all are substantially having equal reflection factors.

3. Method for creating a coherent, at distance optically grey, colour image for an interior decorating product according to claim 2, characterized in that the adjacent colours on consecutive colour disks (1 , 1') are only mutually deviating in lightness having a fixed lightness interval value between the colours.

4. Method for creating a coherent, at distance optically grey, colour image for an interior decorating product according to anyone of the preceding claims 1 - 3, characterized in that, for the selection of N colours (N = 2,3,4,...) for a N- coloured colour image, each colour circle of a colour disk is subdivided into N or a multiple of N colours or hues = a.N colours (a = 1 ,2,3...).

5. Method for creating a coherent, at distance optically grey, colour image for an interior decorating product according to anyone of the preceding claims 1 - 4, characterized in that each colour disk (1 ,1 ') is provided with six colour circles (2, 2', 2") having six successive saturation interval values and whereby each colour circle is subdivided into eighteen hues.

6. Method for creating a coherent, at distance optically grey, colour image for an interior decorating product according to anyone of the preceding claims 1 - 5, characterized in that for a colour(ed) image three complementary colours are selected from a colour circle of a colour disk, in other words three, equidistant colours positioned on a colour ring, and whereby furthermore the three selected colours are mixed or blended in equal amounts and subsequently applied or provided as a pattern on the interior decorating product, whereby each of the colours remain visible, with their own hue, individually and/or physically and physiologically mixed, so that as a result an optically uniform grey colour image is created when viewed from a distance.

7. Method for creating a coherent, at distance optically grey, colour image for an interior decorating product according to anyone of the preceding claims 1 - 6, characterized in that the interior decorating product is linoleum, whereby the pattern is produced by the application of linoleum grains or granules with colours chosen from a colour circle of a colour disk, the granules having dimensions between 0.5 and 50 mm.

8. Method for creating a coherent, at distance optically grey, colour image for an interior decorating product according to claim 6, characterized in that by mutual tuning between pattern and diameter of the granule the individual colours of the pattern are still visible at a distance between 2 and 4 meters from the eyes of a person, while at a distance of 3 meter or more from the eyes of that person the individual colours of the linoleum are hardly visible and the linoleum appears to have an optically substantially uniformly grey colour.

9. Interior decorating product manufactured by applying one or more of the preceding methods according to anyone of the preceding claims 1 - 8.

10. Colour system for use to provide for a coherent, at distance optical grey, colour image for an interior decorating product making use of a method according to anyone of the preceding claims 1 - 8, which colour system consists of a number of circular colour disks (1 , 1') having consecutive colours, a disk (1 , 1') comprising at least one concentric colour circle (2, 2', 2", 5, 6) divided into a number of colours (3, 4, 5), whereby the colours on a colour circle are positioned at mutually equal hue interval values, so that as a result each colour is provided with at least one complementary colour, and whereby the colours (3, 4, 5) on a circle (2, 2', 2", 5, 6) are adjusted in such a way for saturation and lightness that they essentially have substantially equal reflection factors, and whereby radially adjacent colours on adjacent colour circles (2, 2', 2") of a colour disk have mutually equal hues however different saturation and whereby adjacent colours on consecutive colour disks (1 , 1 ') only deviate mutually in lightness by a fixed lightness interval value between the colours.