Decoration method using thermochromic ink

• US 20020076494A1
• Filed: 02/15/2002
• Published: 06/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Neil Brothers Limited
• Original Assignee: Neil Brothers Limited
• Inventors: Lodge, James Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 6,759,099 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 427/266
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 19/025 with means for amusing or giving information to the user
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 19/12 Vessels or pots for table use
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 19/2227 with means for amusing or giving information to the user A47G23/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2200/163 indicator
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 1/02 performed by spraying
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 2203/30 Other inorganic substrates, e.g. ceramics, silicon
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 5/061 Special surface effect
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 7/52 Two layers
• CPC Class Codes: B44F 1/08 characterised by colour effects
• CPC Class Codes: B44F 1/10 Changing, amusing, or secret pictures
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2103/54 Pigments; Dyes
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2111/00965 for household applications, e.g. use of materials as cooking ware
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 2111/82 Coloured materials
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 33/00 Clay-wares monolithic refractories or refractory mortars C04B35/66; porous products C04B38/00
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 41/0045 Irradiation; Radiation, e.g. with UV or IR C04B41/0036 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 41/009 characterised by the material treated
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 41/4543 by spraying, e.g. by atomising
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 41/4568 Electrostatic processes
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 41/483 Polyacrylates
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 41/4853 Epoxides
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 41/52 : Multiple coating or impregnating multiple coating or impregnating with the same composition or with compositions only differing in the concentration of the constituents, is classified as single coating or impregnation
• CPC Class Codes: C04B 41/89 : for obtaining at least two superposed coatings having different compositions
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 11/50 : Sympathetic, colour changing or similar inks

Abstract

A method of decorating an article, the method comprising mixing a thermochromic ink with a transparent lacquer, applying the mixture on to part or all of the surface of an article, once the mixture is set, applying a second layer of dishwasher proof transparent lacquer.

Claims

1. A method of decorating an article, the method comprising mixing a thermochromic ink with a first coating material, applying the mixture onto part or all of a surface of the article, once the mixture is set applying a second coating material onto said surface of the article.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the second coating material is transparent.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the second coating material is substantially dishwasher proof.

4. A method according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the first coating material is transparent.

5. A method according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the first and/or second coating materials comprise lacquers.

6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the first coating material comprises an organic water based lacquer.

7. A method according to claim 5 or 6 wherein the first coating material comprises an acrylic based lacquer.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the second coating material comprises a two-part epoxy fortified acrylic resin, including an activator and a thinner.

9. A method according to any of the preceding claims wherein the proportion of ink in the mixture is within the range 5-25%.

10. A method according to any of the preceding claims wherein the mixture and/or second coating material are cured following application onto the article.

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein the curing commences with a period in an infra red shortwave drier followed by a heat cure.

12. A method according to claim 10 or 11 wherein the curing includes a heat cure comprising a lower temperature first period, followed by a higher temperature second period.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein for the mixture, the first period lasts between one and two minutes at 35°

C. to 65°

C., with the second period lasting eight to twelve minutes at 140 to 220°

C.

14. A method according to claim 12 or 13 wherein for the second coating the first period lasts between eight and twelve minutes at 35 to 65°

C., with the second period lasting twenty five to thirty minutes at 110 to 165°

C.

15. A method according to any of the preceding claims wherein a decoration is provided on the article beneath the mixture such that when the thermochromic ink is at least translucent, said decoration is visible.

16. A method according to any of the preceding claims wherein the mixture comprises a plurality of thermochromic inks with different colour change temperatures.

17. A method according to claim 16 wherein the inks are of different colours.

18. A method according to any of the preceding claims wherein the mixture and/or second coating material are applied to the article by spraying.

19. A method according to claim 18 wherein the mixture and/or second coating material are applied to the article by electrostatic spraying.

20. A method according to claim 19 wherein an electrostatic thinner is added to the mixture and/or second coating prior to spraying.

21. A method according to any of claims 18 to 20 wherein the mixture and/or the second coating material are sprayed to a thickness of between 12 and 24 microns.

23. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.

22. A method of decorating an article, the method being substantially as hereinbefore described.