WO2009030835A2

WO2009030835A2 - Method for applying a decoration on a sliding board

Info

Publication number: WO2009030835A2
Application number: PCT/FR2008/001045
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jacques Lacroix; Christian Alary
Original assignee: Hiona Inspiration
Priority date: 2007-07-20
Filing date: 2008-07-16
Publication date: 2009-03-12
Also published as: FR2918907A1; WO2009030835A3; FR2918907B1; EP2167322A2

Abstract

A method for applying a decoration on a sliding board, that comprises the steps of (E1) making a decoration layer, (E3) bonding the decoration layer onto the board using temperature and pressure application means. The method is characterised in that the application layer is made (E1) in the form of a protection layer decorated on the inner surface thereof, and in that the step (E3) of bonding the decoration layer is carried out by placing a hot-melt glue film between the inner surface of the decoration layer and the upper surface of the board and by applying pressure application means having a contact surface that can be adapted to the shape of the board.

Description

METHOD OF FIXING A DECORATION ON A PLAN OF

GLIDE

The present invention relates to a method of fixing a decoration on a snowboard, especially on a downhill ski board, surfing, kite surfing, water skiing or wakeboarding.

It is known, for example from document FR 2 741 008, a method of fixing a decoration on a gliding board comprising the steps of:

- make a decorative layer of the upper face of the board,

- Fix the decorative layer on the board by the application of temperature application means and / or pressure.

It is also known from US 2006/0201319, WO 2004/106082 and US 4,436,571 to employ a decoration method using an image transfer technique on an article, in particular by sublimation or fusion. Such methods conventionally comprise a step of transferring an image from a support or film applied against the article to be decorated, and then step of removing the support or film optionally followed by a cleaning step of the article. . The decorative layer is thus made in the form of a film temporarily applied to the article, the time of the image transfer. Such a method therefore requires additional steps of removing the film, cleaning the article, and possibly laying an additional layer of protection to protect the images transferred to the article.

The state of the art can also be illustrated by the teaching of WO 03/041945 which describes a method for wrapping an article by means of a deformable sheet by applying a pressure difference and by using a mechanical device with an orifice adapted to the size of the article. This document describes that it is conceivable to provide a preliminary step of applying a decorative film, before the wrapping of the article by the deformable sheet. Such a process is complex, requires a device adapted to each article, and includes many steps such as laying a decorative film followed by the installation of a protective envelope.

A known method for decorating a ski, disclosed in particular in document EP 0 641 575, consists in fixing a decorated layer on the face upper ski by means of a layer of adhesive positioned beforehand on the upper face of the ski before the application of the decorative layer. Such a method has many disadvantages, such as the necessary precision in the application of the decorative layer on the upper face of the ski, due to the presence of the layer of glue on the ski.

The object of the present invention is to solve in part the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a method which consists in fixedly restoring a protective decorative layer (or decorated film) on a gliding board already made, with or without a protective upper layer, in order to be able to customize and / or decorate the board according to the will of the user of it in a reduced time.

For this purpose, the object of the invention is a process of the type comprising the steps of:

- make a decorative layer,

fixing the decorative layer on an upper face of the board by the application of means for applying a pressure and a temperature, wherein said process is remarkable in that

the decorative layer is produced in the form of a protective layer decorated on an internal face, and

the fixing step of the decorative layer is carried out by the interposition of a heat-sealing film between the inner face of the decorative layer and the upper face of the board, and by the application of the application means of a pressure which has a contact surface adaptable to the shape of the board.

These arrangements allow to realize the first part of manufacture of the board in a factory, with molds specific to each type of ski, then to realize later a decoration at the level of a store in a workshop, with an equipment which n is not specific to the type of board to decorate.

The process according to the invention thus makes it possible to decorate a finished gliding board, that is to say of the type sold on the market, ready to serve, decorated or not, in a simple, fast manner and independently of the dimensions. of the board. This method does not require removal of a portion of the decorative layer, being understood within the meaning of the present application, that this decorative layer is fixed entirely on the board, unlike films or transfer media disclosed in US 2006/0201319, WO 2004/106082 and US 4,436,571.

This method makes it possible to precoat the decorative layer on the board by means of the heat-sealing film, then to permanently glue the decorative layer by applying a pressure and a temperature on the assembly.

The decorative layer is of course transparent or translucent so that the decoration is visible from the outside once glued to the board, and it plays an additional role of protection of the board and decoration.

The decoration layer and fusible film assembly can be prepared in advance to be ready for use and stored in particular by using a peelable film on the fusible film that will be removed before precollage on the board.

According to one possibility, the pressure application means comprise immersion in a hot liquid of density at least equal to that of water.

According to another possibility, the pressure application means consist of at least one membrane applied around the board and the decorative layer, an air gap being maintained inside the membrane.

Advantageously, the pressure applied is between 0.8 bar and 4 bar above ambient pressure.

Advantageously, the temperature applied is between 80 and 150 ^° C.

This rise in temperature allows a deformation of the decoration and a glue taking faster.

According to one embodiment, two membranes are used to surround the board and the decorative layer.

Advantageously, a plate is positioned under the board during the fixing step of the decorative layer, the first membrane being disposed above the plate, the second membrane below the plate.

Thanks to the arrangement of the plate, the joint plane between the membranes is imposed, which makes it possible to ensure that it is not disposed in an area comprising a decoration, especially in the case of board having decorations extending on the side faces.

According to one embodiment, the board is deposited on a shim of width substantially equal to that of the board during the fixing step of the decorative layer.

Thanks to the arrangement of the wedge, the seal between the upper membrane and the plate is not located in contact with the board, but in contact with the hold. Thus this joint area is not located in an area including a decoration, especially in the case of board having decoration extending to the bottom of the side faces of the board.

Advantageously, two elements at the level of the upper surface of the board are deposited on either side of the board during the fixing step of the decorative layer, and in which a subsequent operation of cutting the decorative layer is performed at the side edge of the board.

These provisions make it possible to avoid, in the case of board having an acute edge, that the upper layer which can protrude on either side of the edge, forms a pocket at the edge during attachment. Indeed, this edge effect would occur in this case at the edge of the elements, the parts of the decoration being cut later are not present on the finished product.

In a particular embodiment, the method comprises an intermediate step of producing a contrast layer interposed between the inner face of the decoration layer and the heat-sealing film, said intermediate step being carried out between the step of producing the decorative layer. and the step of fixing the decoration layer.

Advantageously, the intermediate step is performed by applying a lacquer on the inner face of the decorative layer.

Thus, the contrast layer makes it possible to reveal the decor arranged on the internal face of the decorative layer, and possibly to cover images initially present on the upper face of the board.

The decorative layer assembly, contrast layer and heat-sealing film may also be prepared in advance to be ready for use and stored in particular by employing a peelable film on the fusible film. Such an assembly has a thickness that can be between 0.1 and 1 mm. In any case, the invention will be better understood from the description which follows, with reference to the attached schematic drawing showing, by way of non-limiting example, a mode of implementation of the method according to the invention.

FIG. 1 represents a flowchart of the steps of a first mode of implementation of a method according to the invention.

Figure 2 schematically shows, in cross section, a gliding board after the first manufacturing step.

Figure 3 shows a protective upper layer in a second decorative step.

FIG. 4 represents the protective upper layer after a third lacquering step.

Figure 5 shows the components of the gliding board before the decoration fixing step with the positioning of two membranes.

Figure 6 shows the same components as Figure 5 during the fixing step.

Figure 7 shows the board after the fixing step.

FIG. 8 represents a fixing step according to a second method according to the invention.

FIG. 9 represents a fixing step according to a third method according to the invention.

FIG. 10 represents a fixing step according to a fourth method according to the invention.

As represented in FIGS. 1 to 7, according to a first embodiment, a method of fixing a decoration on a board 2 made of gliding made for example by molding, as represented in FIG. 2, comprises a first step E1 of producing a top decorative layer 3 of the upper face of the board.

In particular, the upper decorative layer 3 is made in the form of a protective upper layer which is decorated on its inner face, as shown in FIG. 3. The decoration can be performed by sublimation, screen printing or digital printing. direct according to different variants.

The constituent material of this protective upper layer is adapted to the type of decoration produced. In the case of sublimation, the The material used may be for example a polyamide, in particular a polyamide 11 or 12 coextruded or monolayer. In the case of screen printing or direct printing, the material used may be acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and polyurethane for the decorated side, coextruded or monolayer.

The protective upper layer is made of a transparent or translucent material so that the decorations present on its inner face are visible from its outer face opposite to the decorated inner face; said inner face being intended to be fixed on the board 2, and said outer face being intended to form the outer surface of the board 2 once the decoration is carried out.

The method then comprises a second step E2 of lacquering the inner face, this lacquering 4 preferably being of white color, to achieve a revelation of the decoration made in the first step E1, as shown in FIG. and a lacquer or varnish-type contrast layer or white print.

In a third step E3, fixing of the decorative layer on the film is carried out by the interposition of fastening means made in the form of a heat-sealing film 5 between the decorated inner face of the upper layer 3 and the upper surface. of the board 2, and the application of pressurizing means having a non-rigid surface whose contact surface adapts to the shape of the board.

The heat-sealing film may be of the hot-melt film type (or "hotmelt" film) made in particular from thermoplastic polymers, such as, for example, polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polyamides, or EVA-type copolymers. Such a hot-melt film has the advantage of precisely controlling the thickness of the film over the entire bonding interface, and to flow in a very limited manner thus avoiding pollution of the finished product.

The fusible film can also be made from epoxy resins.

In particular, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the pressure application means consist of two membranes 6, 7 applied around the board 2 and the upper layer 3 comprising the decoration, an air gap being maintained in the membrane to press the membrane. Under these conditions, the pressure applied is of the order of 1 bar. The whole is introduced into a ventilated hot air oven. Alternatively, the increase in temperature can be achieved using an infrared lamp.

The membranes are preferably made of silicone to resist heat. The applied temperature is between 80 and 150 ° C.

Temperatures above 150 ⁰ C may damage the structure of the board, while temperatures below 80 ⁰ C do not guarantee that a thermoplastic film does not remelt later.

The steps E1 to E3 of the method are intended to be performed after the manufacture of the board structure.

Thus, the manufacturing step EO can be carried out in a factory, with molds specific to each type of ski, the subsequent stages of decoration and fixing can be carried out in a shop or workshop, with equipment that is not not specific to the type of board to decorate.

According to a second mode of implementation, during the fixing step, as shown in FIG. 8, a plate 8 is positioned under the board 2, the first membrane 6 being disposed above the plate 8, the second membrane 7 below the plate.

These provisions make it possible to impose the position of the joint plane between the two membranes 6, 7.

According to a third mode of implementation of the method, during the fixing step, as shown in FIG. 9, the board 2 is deposited on a shim 9 of width substantially equal to that of the board 2.

According to a fourth mode of implementation of the method, before the step of the fixing step, as shown in FIG. 10, two elements 10 are deposited on either side of the board 2 at the level of the upper surface. of the board.

A subsequent operation of cutting the decorative layer is performed at the side edge of the board.

According to another embodiment not claimed, the means of application of temperature and pressure comprise immersion in a hot liquid of density at least equal to that of water.

According to another embodiment shown, the pressure application means are constituted by a bag inflated with water vapor pressing the upper surface of the board. It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the forms of implementation described above by way of example, but it embraces all variants.

Claims

A method of fixing a decoration on a board (2) of gliding comprising the steps of:

- producing (E1) a decorative layer (3),

- Fixing (E3) the decorative layer (3) on an upper face of the board (2) by applying means for applying a pressure (6, 7) and a temperature, characterized in that

the decorative layer (3) is made (E1) in the form of a protective layer decorated on an internal face, and

- The step (E3) of fixing the decorative layer (3) is performed by the interposition of a heat-sealing film (5) between the inner face of the decorative layer (3) and the upper face of the board (2), and by the application of the pressure applying means (6, 7) which have a contact surface adaptable to the shape of the board (2).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the pressure applying means comprises a bag inflated with a gas, including water vapor, pressing the upper surface of the board.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein the pressure application means are constituted by at least one membrane (6, 7) applied around the board (2) and the decorative layer (3), a vacuum of air being maintained inside the membrane (6, 7).

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the pressure applying means comprises immersing in a hot liquid of density at least equal to that of water.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure applied is between 0.8 bar and 4 bar above ambient pressure.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the applied temperature is between 80 and 150 ⁰ C.

7. Method according to one of claims 3, 5 or 6, wherein two membranes (6, 7) are used to surround the board (2) and the decorative layer (3).

8. The method of claim 7, wherein a plate (8) is positioned under the board during the step (E3) of fixing the decorative layer, the first membrane (6) being disposed above the plate ( 8), the second membrane (7) below the plate.

9. Method according to one of claims 7 or 8, wherein the board (2) is deposited on a shim (9) of width substantially equal to that of the board (2) during the step (E3) fixation of the decoration layer.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein two elements (10) at the upper surface of the board (2) are deposited on either side of the board (2) during the step (E3) of fixing of the decorative layer, and wherein a subsequent operation of cutting the decorative layer (3) is performed at the side edge of the board.

11. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an intermediate step (E2) for producing a contrast layer (4) interposed between the inner face of the decoration layer (3) and the heat-sealing film (5). , said intermediate step (E2) being performed between the step (E1) of producing the decorative layer (3) and the step (E3) for fixing the decorative layer.

12. The method of claim 112 wherein the intermediate step (e2) is performed by the application of a lacquer (4) on the inner face of the decorative layer (3).

13. Process according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the heat-sealing film (5) is of the hot-melt film type, in particular made from thermoplastic polymers.