DECORATIVE MIRROR SIGN

• US 20070026200A1
• Filed: 07/27/2005
• Published: 02/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: American TRIM LLC (Superior Metal Products Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: American TRIM LLC (Superior Metal Products Incorporated)
• Inventors: Baker, Dennis, Sanford, Jeffery, Garrett, Allen, Finkenbine, John, Abels, Ronald, Carpenter, Bruce
• Application Number:
  US11/161,216
• Publication Number:
  US 20070026200A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/192
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/16 involving the use of mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24777 Edge feature
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24802 Discontinuous or differential coating, impregnation or bond [e.g., artwork, printing, retouched photograph, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31678 Of metal

Abstract

A decorative sign including an aluminum substrate having a highly reflective surface that is covered, at least in part, by a polymer coating. Inks and/or dyes are transferred into and received by the polymer coating to form a decorative image that covers some, but preferably not all, of the highly reflective surface of the aluminum substrate.

Claims

1. A process for manufacturing a decorative mirror sign comprising:

providing an aluminum substrate having a highly reflective surface;

covering at least a portion of the highly reflective surface with a polymer coating; and

transferring an ink and/or a dye to the polymer coating to form a decorative image, wherein at least a portion of the aluminum substrate remains highly reflective after the decorative image is formed.

2. The process according to claim 1 wherein the highly reflective surface of the aluminum substrate is anodized.

3. The process according to claim 1 wherein covering step comprises coating the highly reflective surface of the aluminum substrate with a pigmented polymer base coat, and coating the base coat with a transparent top coat.

4. The process according to claim 1 wherein the transferring step comprises:

providing a carrier paper bearing the ink and/or dye in the form of a reverse-image of the decorative image;

positioning the carrier paper such that the reverse-image is adjacent to or in contact with the polymer coating on the highly reflective surface of the aluminum substrate; and

pressing the carrier paper and aluminum substrate together using heat and pressure to transfer the reverse-image of the decorative image to the polymer coating.

5. The process according to claim 1 wherein the decorative image is formed on a perimeter portion of the aluminum substrate.

6. The process according to claim 1 further comprising incorporating at least one illumination source into the decorative mirror sign.

7. The process according to claim 6 wherein the incorporating step comprises forming an ilumination source on an edge portion and/or a surface portion of the decorative mirror sign.

8. The process according to claim 6 wherein the illumination source is a light emitting diode or an electroluminescent element.

9. The process according to claim 6 wherein the illumination source emits ultraviolet radiation and wherein at least one of the ink and/or dye applied to form the decorative image comprises a pigment that fluoresces under the ultraviolet radiation.

10. A decorative sign comprising:

an aluminum substrate having a highly reflective surface;

a polymer coating covering at least a portion of the highly reflective surface of the aluminum substrate; and

a decorative image transferred to at least a portion of the polymer coating.

11. The decorative sign according to claim 10 the highly reflective surface of the aluminum substrate is anodized.

12. The decorative sign according to claim 10 wherein the polymer coating comprises a pigmented polymer base coat applied to the highly reflective surface of the aluminum substrate, and a transparent top coat applied to the base coat.

13. The decorative sign according to claim 10 wherein the decorative image is formed on a perimeter portion of the aluminum substrate.

14. The decorative sign according to claim 10 further comprising at least one illumination source.

15. The decorative sign according to claim 14 wherein the illumination source is incorporated into an edge portion of the decorative mirror sign and/or a surface portion of the decorative mirror sign.

16. The decorative sign according to claim 14 wherein the illumination source is a light emitting diode or an electroluminescent element.

17. The decorative sign according to claim 14 wherein the illumination source emits ultraviolet radiation and wherein at least a portion of the decorative image comprises a pigment that fluoresces under the ultraviolet radiation.

18. The decorative sign according to claim 10 further comprising an ultraviolet radiation protective clear cover coat layer applied over the exposed surface of the decorative mirror.

19. The decorative sign according to claim 10 wherein said reflective aluminum has a reflectance of at least 70% measured at 0°

incidence in the light range of 800 to 1900 nm.

20. The decorative sign according to claim 10 wherein at least a portion of said polymer coating is a transparent clear coating such that at least a portion of said aluminum substrate remains highly reflective.