EP0287746B1 - A method for producing a decorative surface structure with holographic or diffraction pattern - Google Patents
A method for producing a decorative surface structure with holographic or diffraction pattern Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0287746B1 EP0287746B1 EP19870810255 EP87810255A EP0287746B1 EP 0287746 B1 EP0287746 B1 EP 0287746B1 EP 19870810255 EP19870810255 EP 19870810255 EP 87810255 A EP87810255 A EP 87810255A EP 0287746 B1 EP0287746 B1 EP 0287746B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- producing
- surface structure
- holographic
- decorative
- decorative surface
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title claims description 11
- 238000005266 casting Methods 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000005323 electroforming Methods 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- PCHJSUWPFVWCPO-UHFFFAOYSA-N gold Chemical compound [Au] PCHJSUWPFVWCPO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000010931 gold Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910052737 gold Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000003754 machining Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000007639 printing Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000004088 simulation Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000001427 coherent effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 11
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 11
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 description 3
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 description 3
- RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N Copper Chemical compound [Cu] RYGMFSIKBFXOCR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229910052802 copper Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010949 copper Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005034 decoration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004049 embossing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012467 final product Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000976 ink Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000049 pigment Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009966 trimming Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G04—HOROLOGY
- G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
- G04B45/00—Time pieces of which the indicating means or cases provoke special effects, e.g. aesthetic effects
- G04B45/0084—Pictures or inscriptions on the case or parts thereof, attaching complete pictures
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B44—DECORATIVE ARTS
- B44C—PRODUCING DECORATIVE EFFECTS; MOSAICS; TARSIA WORK; PAPERHANGING
- B44C3/00—Processes, not specifically provided for elsewhere, for producing ornamental structures
- B44C3/04—Modelling plastic materials, e.g. clay
- B44C3/042—Modelling plastic materials, e.g. clay producing a copy from an original structure
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B44—DECORATIVE ARTS
- B44F—SPECIAL DESIGNS OR PICTURES
- B44F1/00—Designs or pictures characterised by special or unusual light effects
- B44F1/08—Designs or pictures characterised by special or unusual light effects characterised by colour effects
- B44F1/14—Iridescent effects
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B44—DECORATIVE ARTS
- B44F—SPECIAL DESIGNS OR PICTURES
- B44F7/00—Designs imitating three-dimensional effects
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25D—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTION OF COATINGS; ELECTROFORMING; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25D1/00—Electroforming
- C25D1/10—Moulds; Masks; Masterforms
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a method for producing a decorative surface structure, comprising the steps of forming a casting of the surface of a master model in a suitable polymeric material, applying a thin conducting layer to the surface of the casting, and then electroforming the polymeric casting to produce a metallic replica of the desired surface.
- a method is known for example from the CH-A 601 500, wherein items such as a watch face can be produced by an electroforming process whereby a master model of the watch face is made - commonly in metal -, plastic copies of this master are produced by a process such as casting, and subsequent electroformed metal copies are made from the plastic intermediate.
- This electroforming process allows considerable product enhancement because relief information (for example raised numerals) can be incorporated into the master model, and are thus also copied onto the subsequent elec- troform.
- embossed hologram and a multiplicity of decorative diffraction foils use the presence of a micro-relief structure on a surface to create a surface enhancement which is based on optical diffraction and not on the properties of coloured inks, pigments etc.
- embossed surfaces may be further enhanced by the application of a thin metal layer (for example vacuum coated aluminium).
- From the US-A 4 867 264 is also known an electroforming process for duplicating the surface contour of a master form.
- the EP-A 175 460 discloses a method of manufacturing a diffraction grating, utilizing specially adapted steps for it, wherein the master is also a grating.
- a holographic or diffractive relief pattern is formed in a metal surface whereby this step may itself involve producing an electroformed copy of a holographic or diffractive relief pattern recorded using laser technology on a photosensitive surface.
- this metal relief pattern are then incorporated into a master model of the finally required watch face.
- this master model will also include non-holographic or non-diffractive areas and elements to provide macroscopic relief effects and surface texturing, and utilitarian features such as apertures for the date wheel and driving axles for the hands.
- holographic or diffractive elements may be incorporated into different areas of the same watch face.
- Castings in a polymer system are produced of the master model surface.
- These castings are coated with a suitable electrically conducting layer, preferentially less than 100 nm, and then in a suitable holder, are electroformed to provide replicas of the original master model surface. It is convenient and economic to use copper as the electroforming metal.
- the electroformed watch faces are then finished by applying a further decorative layer to the replica surface, for example of gold in a thin layer of less than 100 nm and various metal finishing operations such as stamping to the final size and machining the rear suface if necessary.
- a further decorative layer for example of gold in a thin layer of less than 100 nm and various metal finishing operations such as stamping to the final size and machining the rear suface if necessary.
- the resultant watch face being made of metal is inherently very stable and the final quality depends essentially upon the care and precision which was exercised in the origination of the initial master model. Only one master model is required for the production of large numbers of identical replicas.
- the invention described here is not limited to watch faces, but includes metal surfaces where an enhancement is required.
- the technology described here provides a security feature which can protect the surface of an object into which such a surface is intimately combined, against simulation by conventional printing or engraving methods.
- the technology can be applied to costume jewelry to provide product enhancement, to medals and coin-like items where the inclusion of holographic or diffractive -surface elements can provide both enhancement and proof of authenticity, and to general metal objects which can be produced using an electroforming technique and which can be enhanced by the inclusion of holographic and diffractive effects.
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Metallurgy (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Holo Graphy (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to a method for producing a decorative surface structure, comprising the steps of forming a casting of the surface of a master model in a suitable polymeric material, applying a thin conducting layer to the surface of the casting, and then electroforming the polymeric casting to produce a metallic replica of the desired surface. Such a method is known for example from the CH-A 601 500, wherein items such as a watch face can be produced by an electroforming process whereby a master model of the watch face is made - commonly in metal -, plastic copies of this master are produced by a process such as casting, and subsequent electroformed metal copies are made from the plastic intermediate. This electroforming process allows considerable product enhancement because relief information (for example raised numerals) can be incorporated into the master model, and are thus also copied onto the subsequent elec- troform.
- It is also known that decorative effect and surface enhancement can be achieved by means of certain types of hologram and diffractive pattern. The so-called embossed hologram, and a multiplicity of decorative diffraction foils use the presence of a micro-relief structure on a surface to create a surface enhancement which is based on optical diffraction and not on the properties of coloured inks, pigments etc. Such embossed surfaces may be further enhanced by the application of a thin metal layer (for example vacuum coated aluminium). Products such as the embossed hologram and diffraction foil are available in todays marketplace in the form of thin plastic foils which have been embossed using a suitably made embossing master carrying the diffractive information as a surface relief structure, see for example US-A 4 184 700.
- From the US-A 4 867 264 is also known an electroforming process for duplicating the surface contour of a master form.
- The EP-A 175 460 discloses a method of manufacturing a diffraction grating, utilizing specially adapted steps for it, wherein the master is also a grating.
- It is the object of the present invention to improve the quality and the range of the decoration of surfaces, mainly by improving the structure of the master model. This object is attained by the method disclosed in the claims.
- The method according to the invention will be described below by way of an example for producing decorated surfaces, in particular of a watch face.
- First, a holographic or diffractive relief pattern is formed in a metal surface whereby this step may itself involve producing an electroformed copy of a holographic or diffractive relief pattern recorded using laser technology on a photosensitive surface.
- All or parts of this metal relief pattern are then incorporated into a master model of the finally required watch face. In general, this master model will also include non-holographic or non-diffractive areas and elements to provide macroscopic relief effects and surface texturing, and utilitarian features such as apertures for the date wheel and driving axles for the hands. Several different holographic or diffractive elements may be incorporated into different areas of the same watch face.
- Castings in a polymer system are produced of the master model surface.
- These castings are coated with a suitable electrically conducting layer, preferentially less than 100 nm, and then in a suitable holder, are electroformed to provide replicas of the original master model surface. It is convenient and economic to use copper as the electroforming metal.
- The electroformed watch faces are then finished by applying a further decorative layer to the replica surface, for example of gold in a thin layer of less than 100 nm and various metal finishing operations such as stamping to the final size and machining the rear suface if necessary.
- The resultant watch face being made of metal is inherently very stable and the final quality depends essentially upon the care and precision which was exercised in the origination of the initial master model. Only one master model is required for the production of large numbers of identical replicas.
- It is of course also possible to use the result of the casting process, a polymer replica of the master model surface, directly as the enhanced surface in the final product. If this course is adopted then the master model must be constructed to be the "negative" of the desired final surface. A suitable decorative finish can then be applied to the surface of the polymer casting, for example a vacuum evaporated gold layer, and final operations such as stamping to size or trimming can be performed. Again, a series of replicas can be made from a single model, but the final result will be less stable both mechanically and thermally than the metal version described above.
- The invention described here is not limited to watch faces, but includes metal surfaces where an enhancement is required. As an additional feature the technology described here provides a security feature which can protect the surface of an object into which such a surface is intimately combined, against simulation by conventional printing or engraving methods.
- The technology can be applied to costume jewelry to provide product enhancement, to medals and coin-like items where the inclusion of holographic or diffractive -surface elements can provide both enhancement and proof of authenticity, and to general metal objects which can be produced using an electroforming technique and which can be enhanced by the inclusion of holographic and diffractive effects.
Claims (8)
1. A method for producing a decorative surface structure, comprising the steps of forming a casting of the surface of a metallic master model in a suitable polymeric material, applying a thin conducting layer to the surface of the casting, and then electroforming the polymeric casting to produce a metallic replica of the desired surface, characterized in that said metallic master model is formed by combining a macroscopic relief pattern with one or more elements carrying a microscopic relief pattern in the form of holographic or diffracting structures.
2. The method of claim 1 to which an additional thin metallic layer such as gold is applied to the finished product to enhance the decorative effect.
3. A method for producing a decorative surface structure according to claim 1, where the application of the thin conducting layer provides the decorative effect, and the casting with its conducting layer provides the decorative surface structure.
4. A method for producing a decorative surface structure according to claim 3 in the form of a watch face.
5. A method for producing a decorative surface structure according to claim 3 which provides the decorative part of a piece of jewelry.
6. A method for producing a decorative surface structure according to claim 3 in the form of a medallion or coin.
7. The method for producing a surface structure made according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the holographic or diffractive elements incorporated into the surface are provided with a security feature to guard against the simulation of a similar surface by conventional printing or non-holographic or non-diffractive finishing methods.
8. A method for producing a decorative surface structure according to claim 1 or 2, where the macroscopic relief regions of the metallic master model have been formed by conventional machining operations, and the holographic or diffracting elements are themselves in the form of an electroformed replica of an optically recorded holographic or diffractive microscopic relief structure recorded using the interference between coherent wavefronts on a suitable photosensitive recording medium.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP19870810255 EP0287746B1 (en) | 1987-04-22 | 1987-04-22 | A method for producing a decorative surface structure with holographic or diffraction pattern |
| DE8787810255T DE3765776D1 (en) | 1987-04-22 | 1987-04-22 | METHOD FOR PRODUCING A DECORATIVE SURFACE STRUCTURE WITH A HOLOGRAM OR A DIFFUSION PATTERN. |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP19870810255 EP0287746B1 (en) | 1987-04-22 | 1987-04-22 | A method for producing a decorative surface structure with holographic or diffraction pattern |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| EP0287746A1 EP0287746A1 (en) | 1988-10-26 |
| EP0287746B1 true EP0287746B1 (en) | 1990-10-24 |
Family
ID=8198399
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP19870810255 Expired EP0287746B1 (en) | 1987-04-22 | 1987-04-22 | A method for producing a decorative surface structure with holographic or diffraction pattern |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0287746B1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3765776D1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN107219747A (en) * | 2015-11-11 | 2017-09-29 | 尼瓦洛克斯-法尔股份有限公司 | The manufacture method of Metal Substrate part with least one optical illusion pattern |
Families Citing this family (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP0484974A1 (en) * | 1990-11-09 | 1992-05-13 | Luis Remba | A method of making artistic prints (II) |
| AU638881B2 (en) * | 1991-06-13 | 1993-07-08 | Farmer, Diana C. | Simulated objects |
| DE4211235C2 (en) * | 1992-04-03 | 2003-04-17 | Gao Ges Automation Org | Method and device for producing metallic surface elements on substrates and their use |
| DE4323554A1 (en) * | 1993-07-14 | 1995-01-19 | Reinert Udo Dipl Ing | Process for producing redundant holographic information stores for the rotative reconstruction of the holograms and their projection on sheet-like image sensors |
| ES2159477B1 (en) * | 1999-08-17 | 2002-04-16 | Montana Exposito Vicenta De | Metal coating of eg. sports shoes for decoration purposes consists of application of eg. gold by electrolysis after covering the shoe with a conductive metal and varnish mixture |
| CH697447B1 (en) * | 2003-12-23 | 2008-10-15 | 3D Ag | Substrate's i.e. embossing matrix, surface structure producing method for e.g. manufacturing decorative pattern, involves applying surface reliefs, and forming impression of substrate before formation of production unit |
| EP3181006A1 (en) * | 2015-12-18 | 2017-06-21 | The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd. | Zirconia panel element with selective colouring |
| EP3181007A1 (en) * | 2015-12-18 | 2017-06-21 | The Swatch Group Research and Development Ltd. | Zirconia panel element with selectively conductive areas for electronic applications |
| EP3266905B1 (en) | 2016-07-04 | 2020-05-13 | Richemont International S.A. | Method for manufacturing a timepiece component |
| JP7051098B2 (en) * | 2018-07-20 | 2022-04-11 | アサダメッシュ株式会社 | Decorative sheet and its manufacturing method |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CH555558A (en) * | 1970-04-21 | 1974-10-31 | ||
| US3867264A (en) * | 1973-03-30 | 1975-02-18 | Bell & Howell Co | Electroforming process |
| CH601500A5 (en) * | 1975-04-25 | 1978-07-14 | Liss Sa | Decorative metal parts and jewellery |
| US4184700A (en) * | 1975-11-17 | 1980-01-22 | Lgz Landis & Gyr Zug Ag | Documents embossed with optical markings representing genuineness information |
| GB8420182D0 (en) * | 1984-08-08 | 1984-09-12 | Pa Consulting Services | Diffraction gratings |
-
1987
- 1987-04-22 EP EP19870810255 patent/EP0287746B1/en not_active Expired
- 1987-04-22 DE DE8787810255T patent/DE3765776D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN107219747A (en) * | 2015-11-11 | 2017-09-29 | 尼瓦洛克斯-法尔股份有限公司 | The manufacture method of Metal Substrate part with least one optical illusion pattern |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE3765776D1 (en) | 1990-11-29 |
| EP0287746A1 (en) | 1988-10-26 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US6017657A (en) | Method for embossing holograms into aluminum and other hard substrates | |
| EP0287746B1 (en) | A method for producing a decorative surface structure with holographic or diffraction pattern | |
| US5071597A (en) | Plastic molding of articles including a hologram or other microstructure | |
| EP1501045B1 (en) | Optically variable element with non-holographic data and its production method | |
| US4725111A (en) | Holograms embossed into metal surfaces | |
| US5956164A (en) | Two-dimensional/three dimensional graphic material and method of making same | |
| US7420720B2 (en) | Optical element and method for the production thereof | |
| EP1782108B1 (en) | A method of creating a three-dimensional image, a diffractive element and method of creating the same | |
| US7403309B2 (en) | Method for producing printed image having 3-dimensional appearance | |
| EP0611472A1 (en) | Optical data storage disc. | |
| US5807456A (en) | Method for producing metallic planar elements on substrates | |
| JPH01307789A (en) | Method and apparatus for producing hologram | |
| KR960019012A (en) | Optical diffraction structure, certification pattern, certification label, diffraction structure production method, certification pattern production method and certification label production method | |
| CN101419402B (en) | Method for making cemented carbide punching mold | |
| CA2554149C (en) | Security device | |
| JPH04273392A (en) | Data medium and manufacture thereof | |
| DE19722575A1 (en) | Process for embossing microstructures in metals or other hard materials | |
| US6011767A (en) | Optical data storage disc with a visible holographic image and method for its manufacture | |
| KR102214046B1 (en) | Manufacturing method of security hologram sticker labels | |
| EP0421181A1 (en) | Method for making a holographic image on a metallic object and tool for carrying out the method | |
| JPS62280884A (en) | Manufacture of molded parts having hologram | |
| KR100507936B1 (en) | Electro forming method for 3d hologram product | |
| Newswanger | Mass Replication of Holograms and Diffraction Gratings by Embossing | |
| WO2005039886A1 (en) | Method for the production of a stamping tool to stamp safety elements in surfaces of carrier materials, as well as carrier material with at least one safety element | |
| JPH05221200A (en) | Duplicating method of relief pattern |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
| 17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19880414 |
|
| AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE ES FR GB GR IT LI LU NL SE |
|
| RBV | Designated contracting states (corrected) |
Designated state(s): CH DE FR GB IT LI |
|
| 17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19890302 |
|
| GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
| ITF | It: translation for a ep patent filed | ||
| AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): CH DE FR GB IT LI |
|
| REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 3765776 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 19901129 |
|
| ET | Fr: translation filed | ||
| ITTA | It: last paid annual fee | ||
| PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
| STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
| 26N | No opposition filed | ||
| PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 19970321 Year of fee payment: 11 |
|
| PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 19970411 Year of fee payment: 11 |
|
| PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 19970430 Year of fee payment: 11 |
|
| PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 19980422 |
|
| PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CH Payment date: 19980427 Year of fee payment: 12 |
|
| PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Free format text: THE PATENT HAS BEEN ANNULLED BY A DECISION OF A NATIONAL AUTHORITY Effective date: 19980430 |
|
| GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 19980422 |
|
| PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 19990202 |
|
| REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: ST |
|
| PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 19990430 Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 19990430 |
|
| REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
| PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED. Effective date: 20050422 |