WO2006123206A1

WO2006123206A1 - A process for making tiles and a tile obtained from the process

Info

Publication number: WO2006123206A1
Application number: PCT/IB2006/000199
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giulio Soragni
Original assignee: Ceramica Nuova Due S.R.L.
Priority date: 2005-05-19
Filing date: 2006-01-18
Publication date: 2006-11-23
Also published as: ITMO20050124A1; EP1881947A1

Abstract

A glass tile (1) is provided at least a fluorescent material embedded in a plurality of glass-based layers. The invention also relates to a process for realising the tile (1) in which a series of layers (2,3,4) are deposited in a die (5); at least an intermediate layer (3) is realised in a fluorescent material.

Description

Description A Process for Making Tiles and a Tile obtained from the Process.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a process for making tiles and a tile obtained from the process, and is destined for the ceramics sector, in particular the production of composite tiles with a substantially glassy composition. Background Art The prior art includes tiles of various types, predisposed to cover masonry surfaces such as floors or internal or external walls.

These tiles, made of ceramic or glass materials, are of any colour or design, as they are destined to produce a pleasing aesthetic effect. Furthermore, the tiles of this type are widely used in the construction sector mainly for their durability, resistance over time and their washability.

However, these tiles are not used in special locations, such as places that have by their use to be kept dark, such as cinemas, theatres, discotheques and so on. In these places, wall coverings or floorings which are used which include light sources. These coverings are generally constituted by panels having a housing for a light source, such as, for example a spotlight or a lamp.

These types of coverings are widely used in cinemas and environments that have to be kept dark, as they provide, for example, an emergency lighting, or they light up pathways in places where there is no other light. The above-described coverings, however, exhibit considerable drawbacks, mostly due to the structure thereof. These coverings are notably expensive as the include a light bulb or a spot, and what is more, when the lighting element breaks the panels have to be replaced or in any case serviced. A further important drawback is that the above-cited coverings do not fully substitute tiles made of glass or ceramic materials. They are mostly made of plastic material or pasteboard and are not washable, nor do they exhibit a long-lasting external surface, as do glass or ceramic tiles. They also suffer from not presenting an aesthetically pleasing external surface, as do known tiles. The main aim of the present invention is to solve the problems encountered in the prior art by providing a process for realising tiles and a tile obtained from the process.

In more detail, a main aim of the present invention is to provide a tile having a light source which can be used in places where there is no other light source. These aims and more besides, which will better emerge during the course of the following description, are attained by a process for making tiles and a tile obtained from the process, according to what is described and claimed in the present patent application. Disclosure of Invention Further characteristics and advantages will better emerge from the detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the process for making tiles and a tile obtained from the process. The description follows herein below, with reference to the accompanying figures of the drawings, provided by way of non-exclusive and non-limiting example, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tile of the invention, partially sectioned; Figure 2 is a perspective exploded view of the tile of figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a lateral view in part-section of the tile of figure 1, during a manufacturing thereof.

With reference to the figures of the drawings, 1 denotes in its entirety a tile of the present invention. It is specified that the tile illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the figures is substantially rectangular. However, the tile 1 can be of any shape and geometric structure.

In particular, the tile 1 exhibits at least a first layer 2 which constitutes the lower portion of the tile 1. In more detail, the first layer is made of a glass material, preferably opaque white in colour. In other words, the first layer 2 is constituted by a white sheet of glass having a lower surface 2a which is couplable to a surface to be covered, such as for example a wall or floor.

The first layer 2 further exhibits an upper surface 2b which is opposite the lower surface 2a, and which is associated to a second layer 3.

In particular, the second layer 3 is made of a fluorescent material, advantageously also glass-based. In other words, the second layer 3 is constituted by a mixture of glass and fluorescent granular elements, of any type and colour. As is better illustrated in the exploded view of figure 2, the second layer 3 exhibits a first surface 3 a associated to the upper surface 2b of the first layer

2, and a second surface 3b in view and opposite to the first surface 3a.

Advantageously the tile 1 further exhibits at least a third layer 4, made of a glassy and transparent material. The third layer 4 is also constituted by a transparent glass sheet having a lower surface 4a associated to the second surface 3b of the second layer 3, and an upper surface 4b opposite to the lower surface 4a. As illustrated in figure 1 , the second surface 3b of the second layer 3 is in view on the outside, as the third layer 4 covering the second layer 3 is made of transparent glass.

The above-described tile 1 is obtained via a process which is also an object of the present invention.

The process comprises the initial stages of predisposing a special die 5 in which the tile 1 is to be realised, and distributing a detaching material in the die 5. The detaching material, of known type and therefore not herein described in detail, prevents the glass material from adhering to the die 5. Thereafter the first layer 2 of white glassy material is placed in the die 5.

The first layer 2 is distributed in the die 5 is solid granular form and the second layer 3, of fluorescent material, is laid over the first layer 2. The second layer 3 is preferably a solid granular material. Advantageously the second layer 3 is previously mixed with a glass powder to cover each grain of fluorescent material with the glass powder.

Thereafter the third layer 4 of transparent glass material, also in a solid granular material, is distributed over the second layer 3. As illustrated in figure 3, the three layers arranged in the die 5 are blended to obtain a glass tile, constituted by the above-described layers. In more detail, the layers are fired at a temperature comprised between 900⁰C and 1000⁰C to liquefy them and enable a correct blending. The second layer is perfectly blended with the adjacent layers thanks to the glass powder that covers each granule of the fluorescent material. Advantageously, following a cooling stage, the layers return into the previous solid state, forming a single glass sheet in which the fluorescent material is fully absorbed.

The tile 1 of the present invention resolves the problems encountered in the prior art and attains the set aims. Primarily, a glass tile is obtained which is provided with a fluorescent material which, following exposition to light, releases light radiation in dark places.

The tile 1, laid in closed environments, can provide a previously-stored light by effect of the fluorescent characteristics of the second layer 3.

The tile 1 can also be advantageously laid in an external environment, illuminating, during the dark hours, using the sunlight absorbed by the fluorescent material during the daytime.

The tiles 1 advantageously do not have to be electrically connected and do not require maintenance operations, as the fluorescent effect lasts for a considerable time.

Further, the tile has all the advantageous characteristics of glass tiles, i.e. hardness, practicality, washability and a pleasant aesthetic effect.

Claims

Claims.

1). A process for making tiles, comprising stages of: distributing a first layer (2) of a glassy material internally of a die (5); distributing a second layer (3) of fluorescent material on the first layer (2); blending the first layer (2) and the second layer (3) together to obtain a single glass tile (1).

2). The process of claim 1, comprising a stage of distributing a third layer (4) of glassy material on the second layer (3) before proceeding to the blending of the layers.

3). The process of claim 2, wherein each of the first, second and third layers

(2, 3, 4) is distributed in the die (5) in a solid granular form.

4). The process of any one of the preceding claims, wherein it further comprises a stage of distributing a detaching material internally of the die (5) in order to prevent the glassy material from adhering to the die (5); the stage of distributing the detaching material preceding the stage of distributing the first layer (2).

5). The process of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stage of blending the first, second and third layers (2, 3, 4) comprises sub-stages of: firing the layers (2, 3, 4) at a temperature comprised between 900⁰C and

1000⁰C and cooling the layers (2, 3, 4) at ambient temperature.

6). The process of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first layer (2) is white.

7). The process of any one of claims from 2 to 6, wherein the third layer (4) is transparent. 8). The process of any one of the preceding claims, wherein it comprises a stage of mixing the second layer (3) of fluorescent material with a glass powder; the stage of mixing the second layer (3) with the glass powder preceding the stage of distributing the second layer (3) over the first layer (2).

9). The process of claim 8, wherein the stage of mixing the second layer (3) with the glass powder is realised by covering each grain of fluorescent material with the glass powder.

10). A tile, comprising: at least a first layer (2) of glassy material having a lower surface (2a) which is associable to a surface to be covered; and at least a second layer (3) of fluorescent material having a first surface (3a) associated to an upper surface (2b) of the first layer (2) opposite the lower surface (2a), and a second surface (3b) which is in view.

1 1). The tile of claim 10, wherein it comprises at least a third layer (4) of glassy material having a lower surface (4a) associated to the second surface

(3b) of the second layer (3), and an upper surface (4b) opposite the lower surface (4a).

12). The tile of claim 10 or 11, wherein the first layer (2) is constituted by a sheet of white glass.

13). The tile of any one of claims from 10 to 12, wherein the third layer (4) is constituted by a transparent glass sheet.

14). The tile of any one of claims from 10 to 13, wherein the second layer (3) is constituted by a mixture of glass and granular fluorescent elements.