Decoration method using thermochromic ink

• US 6,759,099 B2
• Filed: 02/15/2002
• Issued: 07/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Neil Brothers Limited
• Original Assignee: Neil Brothers Limited
• Inventors: Lodge, James Anthony
• Primary Examiner(s): Beck, Shrive P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): JOLLEY, KIRSTEN
• Application Number:
  US10/078,024
• Publication Number:
  US 20020076494A1
• Time in Patent Office: 872 Days
• Field of Search: 427/258, 427/261, 427/407.1, 427/508, 427/510, 427/407.2, 427/266, 427/287, 427/421, 427/542, 427/379, 427/389.7, 427/393.6
• US Class Current: 427/542
• 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 of glazed tableware comprising the steps of:

(a) mixing a thermochromic ink with a first coating material to form a first coating mixture;

(b) applying the first coating mixture directly onto substantially the whole outer surface of the tableware article by spraying;

(c) once the first coating mixture is set, applying a second transparent coating material over the first coating mixture;

wherein the second coating material is substantially dishwasher proof.

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

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first and/or second coating materials comprise lacquers.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the first coating material comprises a water bused lacquer.

5. A method according to claim 3 wherein the second coating material comprises a two-part epoxy fortified acrylic resin, including an activator and a thinner.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the proportion of ink in the mixture is within the range 5-25% by volume.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the mixture and/or second coating material are cured following application onto the article.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein the curing commences with a period in an infra red shortwave drier followed by a heat cure.

9. A method according to claim 1 wherein the curing includes a heat cure comprising a lower temperature first period, followed by a higher temperature second period.

10. A method according to claim 9 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.

11. A method according to claim 1 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.

12. A method according to claim 1 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.

13. A method according to claim 1 wherein the mixture comprises a plurality of thermochromic inks with different colour change temperatures.

14. A method according to claim 13 wherein the inks are different colours.

15. A method according to claim 1 where said second coating material is applied to the article by spraying.

16. A method according to claim 15 wherein the mixture and/or second coating material are applied to the article by electrostatic spraying.

17. A method according to claim 16 wherein an electrostatic thinner is added to the mixture and/or second coating prior to spraying.

18. A method according to claim 15 wherein the mixture and the second coating material are sprayed to a thickness of between 12 and 24 microns.

19. The method according to claim 1 wherein an electrostatic thinner is added to at least one of said mixture and said second coating material prior to spraying.