US1711330A - Surface ornamentation - Google Patents

Description

April 30, 1929. SIMON 1,711,330

SURFACE ORNAMENTATION Filed Feb. 18, 1927 PROTECTIVE Covsmue Cencmms Vamhsn 5moen DESIGN SuRmca INVEN TOR.

LEO L. SMoN "ii Mafia).

A TTORNE Y.

Patented Apr. 30, 1929.

UNITED STATES LEO L. smon, or NEW YORK, n. Y.

' SURFACE ORNAIENTATION.

Application filed February 18, 1927. Serial No. 169,421.

This invention relates broadly to surface ornamentation and more specifically to those processes for surface ornamentation which utilize crackle enamel and its peculiar properties for giving ornamental surfaces on all types of materials and on a great variety of articles.

Crackle enamel is available commercially under this name; The distinguishing feature of the enamel is that when it dries, fissures are formed in the enamel, forming grains of varyingsizes and shapes.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to improve such ornamentation processes and to obtain novel ornamental effects and novel ornamental surfaces by imparting to thelayer of crackle enamel various design effects preferably in one or more colors different from the color of the crackle enamel.

These objects are accomplished by printing, dyeing, painting, or applying in any other known manner to the surface of the article to be ornamented a design in one or more colors and then applying a layer of crackle enamel thereover. When the enamel dries, the fissures formed therein will expose the colored design disposed below the crackle enamel and will together with the grains of crackle enamel, which is preferably of a color different from the colors used in the des gn, produce a designed ornamented surface of a novel effect. This process gives particularly pleasing and desirable effects when the design used comprises bodies of color whichare large as compared with the size of the grains of the enamel. In such cases the design becomes the predominant element of the surface, the crackle enamel cooperating with the design to give the entire surface a novel and highly pleasing efi'ect.

One embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in the drawings which accom pany this application.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a surface having a multicolored design thereon.

Figure 2 shows the same surface having the crackle enamel thereon and giving the ornamental effect obtained by the invention disclosed herein.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view of Figure 2.

When desired the mottled or variegated appearance in color and design of the surface is obtained by applying to the surface a basic coating of a metal paint, enamel or lacquer such as a bronze paint, enamel or lacquer or any other type of coating having a metal for its color giving constituent. With the metal color or paint serving as the ground workfor the color scheme, any number of other colors may be applied to this ground work in spots or daubs by means of a brush, a spray or any other appliances using as many colors as the color design may require. These colors are applied in such a manner that they do not constitute a continuous coating over the ground work of metal color and are so distributed as to give a harmonious blending and a highly ornamental appearance, together with the ground work of the metal color.

The final effect is obtained by applying a coating of crackling varnish, lacquer or enamel. The crackling varnish, laquer or enamel is of .such a nature that when it dries, it cracks, with the result that it represents a number of spots of one color applied over the colors of the layers immediately below it. The manner of cracking of this crackling varnish or enamel may be controlled, if desired by the thickness of the coating, this type of lacquer or enamel being such that when it is applied in thick coatings, it cracks into large crystals giving wide spaces between the crystals. If, however, it is applied to a thin coating. it cracks into small crystals.

I have found that the best results are obtained when a coating of uncolored and transparent varnish, lacquer or enamel is applied to the ground work and the spots or daubs of other colors before the crackling enamel is applied to the surface. This uncolored varnish, lacquer or enamel that is interposed between the crackling coating serves as a binder for all of the layers, and thereby prevents the possibility of any crackling of the layers.

I shall now describe my process step by step.

The surface which is to be ornamented is first coated with Varnish. This varnish is preferably colorless and serves as a primary coating for binding the subsequent layers of color, paint and enamel to the surface which is to be coated. While I have found that this primary layer of varnish is desirable in coating all types of surfaces for the purpose of increasing the adherence of the various coatings to the surface, it is nevertheless possible to eliminate this primary coating of varnish in the treatment of such surfaces,

whose physical characteristics are such that any other metal paint, is now applied to the I varnish coating to constitute a continuous surface which serves as the background for the color design. On top of the metal color 1 next apply one or more colors, preferably in spots or daubs, by a brush, spraying device or by any other appliance such as a stipple brush, in such a manner that this color does not constitute a continuous layer over the background of metal color but it is disposed thereon in such a manner that the back ground is clearly visible in spots, and together with the spots and daubs of one or more colors constitutes a harmonious blending, and gives a highly ornamental effect.

The ornamental effect and the color design accomplished by my process are the resultant effects of the layer of bronze background, the spots or daubs, consisting of one or more colors disposed on the background, combined withan application of a crackling enamel, lacquer or varnish. The peculiar and highly ornamental efi'ect resulting from this combination is due to the irregularity of the fissures and crystals formed by the crackling enamel which are superimposed upon the comparatively regular spots of color which in turn are superimposed upon the background. I have found that this effect is highly enhanced and the desired ends maybe obtained with great facility by interposing a layer of transparent and uncolored varnish between the layer of crackling enamel and the other layers of paint.

After the application of the spots or daubs of one or more colors described above, I therefore next apply a thin coating of transparent and uncolored varnish over the entire surface. Over this surface I apply a coating of crackling varnish, lacquer or enamel in any thickness desired or perhaps varyin its thickness on different portions of the sur ace, obtaining different ornamental effects on different portions of the surface. The intermediate layer of transparent and uncolored varnish serves as a binding agent between the ground work of metal color and the spots or daubs of color or paint disposed below the layer of varnish and the layer of crackling enamel disposed over it, thereby converting the layers above described into a unitary layer, and thereby preventing any possible cracking or peeling of the coating that reprotective coating of transparent and colorless varnish, lacquer or enamel'is preferably applied to the entire surface which gives the surface a bright and lustrous appearance, and protects it against scratching, wear and abrasion.

The ornamental effects that may be obta1ned by the process described herein may be varied considerably, if desired; the ornamental effect may be such as to show a number of different colored spots disposed on a uni-colored background, the entire surface including the uni-colored background as well as the different colored spots being covered by small crystals of crackling enamel. This effect, however, may be varied in any manner desired by varying the manner of distribution of the lnulti-colored coating which is appliedto the uni-colored background and by varying the manner of apphcation of the crackling enamel. I

As was pointed out above, the ornamental effect obtained by the process described above is due to the resultant effects of the uni colored background, the multi-colored coating applied thcrcover and the layer of crack ling enamel applied over the latter, and the ornamental effects may be varied as desired by varying each or all of these layers or by varying the manner of application. In addition to these three layers in the process as I prefer to practice it, I also a ply three layers of transparent and uncolored varnish, one being applied to the surface to be ornamented underneath the uni-colored background, an other layer of transparent and uncolored varnish being interposed between the multicolored layer and'the layer of crackling enamel and a third coating of varnish being applied to the surface after the ornamentation is finished, for the purpose of giving the surface a bright, lustrous appearance, protecting it against wear and abrasion.

The function of each of these layers of varnish has been set forth hereinabove and it,

is obvious that the process disclosed herein may be varied and that the same or similar ornamental effects may be obtained by eliminating any one of the layers of varnish.

It is obvious that the terms paint, enamel, lacquer and varnish as used in the body of the specification and in the-claims are interchangeable for the reason that any one of these types of coatings may be used for any other in the practice of my invention.

The process described herein has particular application in the manufacture of a novel patent leather. The process as described herein is interposed preferably between two adjacent layers of j apanners varnish or japan color mixed with varnish in the standard practice of producing patent leather; In the application of the process to the manufacture of patent leather the lowest anduppe'rmost layers of uncolored and transparent varn ish described hereinabove may be eliminated 4 plain color.

for the reason that the upper and lower layers of japanners varnish serve the functions of the corresponding coatings of varnish described hereinabove. Patent leather made in accordance with this process may be made to have any ornamental effect desired and if desired, the colordesign may be so chosen as to cause the finished product to simulate in appearance the highly decorative and expensive textiles which have variously colored woven patterns and are used for ,the uppers of ladies shoes.

My process may be used in combination with any one of the processes for making patent leather, it not being limited to those processcs which use japanners varnish. It may, for example, be utilized in the processes which use liquids containing nitrocellulose in the treatment of leather for the manufacture of patent leather. I

The following is an outline of a modified process. 7

The surface to he treated is first dyed or otherwise colored uniformly with a basic This step may be omitted depending upon the nature of the surface and the nature of the material. For the second step of the process a design in one or more colors is applied to the dyed or colored surfaces This design may printing, lithography, or it may be applied by the aid of a brush or a spray.

The final ornamental effect is obtained by applying a coating of crackle enamel, varnish or lacquer of a color which harmonizes or contrasts with the colors of the design or basic color. The crackle varnish, lacquer or enamel is of such a nature that when it dries, it cracks with the result that it presents a number of grains of one color disposed over the colors of the layers immediately below it. The manner and sizes in which the fissures are formed in this layer of crackle enamel may be controlled if desired by the thickness of the coating or otherwise by the manner of its application. When the layer of crackle enamel is thin, it forms small crystals separated by small fissures. A thick coating of crackle enamel forms large crystals separated by larger fissures.

I-have found that the best results are obtained when a coating of uncolored and transparent varnish or the like is interposed between the crackle enamel and the design. This serves as abinder and prevents peeling. This step may be omitted if desired.

After the crackle enamel has dried, a thin protective coating of colorless and transparent varnish or the like is preferably applied to the entire surface, which gives the surface a bright and lustrous appearance, and protects it against abrasion.

The process described herein may be ap plied to any surface desired. The types of surfaces-to which I have applied my process be'applied by dyeing.

successfully are numerous and include such surfaces as wood, metal, paper, pottery, glass, leather, textiles, hard rubber, plaster of Paris, to surfaces of articles made of rattan or straw as well as to other surfaces. The present invention has particular application in resurfacing ornamented surfaces of articles which for some reason have become unmarketable on account of the type of ornamented surface that the article bears. By the aid of my invention ther'esurfacing is done without removing or obliterating the design which already appears on the article and it is done in such a manner that while the ornamental surface obtained is entirely different from the surface which originally was on the article, the original design and its color scheme are utilized and enter into the final composition of'the surface. One illustration of this use of the present invention is on boxes having the conventional design of red and green leaves, petals and berries commonly used by merchants during the Christmas season. Such boxes become practically valueless on the lapse of the Christmas season. By the present invention a coating of crackle enamel is appliedto the surface, the. enamel being of a color that harmonizes or contrasts with the red and green of the previous design. A new ornamental surface highly pleasing to the eye is obtained in which the original design is modified by having the grains of enamel disposed there over.

\Vhen the present invention is applied to shoe leather a product may be obtained which simulates in appearance the highly expensive textiles which have variously colored woven patterns and are used in ladies shoes.

Referring to the drawings, 10 shows a surface which is desired to be ornamented. As the first step of the process, a multi-colored design 11 is applied to the surfaces. In the form shown in the drawings, the multi-colored design 11 comprises various figures and forms of two different colors as indicated by the various numerals 12 and 13. 15 shows the layer of crackle enamel disposed over the ornamented surface 11. This layer 15 is shown in the form of irregularly shaped spots separated by channels and fissures which expose the design 11. The color of the crackle enamel 15 is chosen to harmonize or contrast with the color of the design 11 and the size of the grains or crystals of the enamel formed is controlled so as to give the desired ornamental effect.

cardboard,

Inorder to cause great adhesion between the layer of crackle enamel 15 and the multicolored design of the surface 11, a layer of uncolored transparent varnish 14 is first applied to the design 11 before the crackle enamel is applied thereto. This serves as a binder between the two layers. After the crackle enamel is dried, a layer of uncolored and transparent varnish or other coating 16 is applied thereover.

It will be seen from the above that by the proper control of the size of the grains or crystals of crackle enamel and by its proper distribution over the design 11, an entirely novel and highly pleasing ornamental effect is obtained by the cooperation of the crackle enamel crystals with the multi-colored design. A mottled variegated appearance is given to the finished surface without obliterating the design below, and if desired, still maintaining a design as a-predominant ele ment in the composition.

The process disclosed herein may be applied to any surface desired either with or without variations and modifications of the process disclosed hereinbefore. The types of surfaces to which I have successfully ap-..

plied my process are numerous and include such surfaces as wood, metal, paper, pottery, glass, leather, textiles, hard rubber, plaster of Paris and to surfaces ofarticles made of rattan or straw, as well as to other suri type is applied to any surface and dried, the

coating shrinks, loses its continuity so that cracks and fissures are developed throughout the coating, the cracks and fissures being highly irregular and presenting peculiar pattern which permits the multi-colored design disposed underneath the crackled layer to cooperate with the layer of crackle enamel or varnish and presenting a new ornamental effect. It is understood, however, that any other type of enamel or varnish which upon drying forms cracks and fissures may be used in place of the type described above.

What I claim is:

1. The process of resurfacin' ornamented .surfaces having a multicolored esign thereon comprising the steps of applying a coating of transparent and uncolored varnish to the surface and over said design, applying a layer of crackle enamel, permitting said layer to dry whereby fissures are formed in the coating thereby exposing the design and causing the layer and design to form a new ornamental surface, and applying a protective coating of transparent and uncolored varnish.

2. The process of resurfacing ornamented surfaces having a multicolored design thereon comprising the steps of applying a coating of transparent varnish to the surface and over the'design, applying a layer of crackle enamel, and permitting said layer to'dry whereby fissures are formed in the coating thereby exposing the design and causing the size of the crystals and fissures of the crackle enamel being so related to the multi-colored design that the design and the crackle enamel cooperate to form an ornamental surface in which only portions of the design enter.

5. An article of manufacture having an ornamented surface comprising a uni-colored coating serving as a background, a multi-colored layer disposed thereover and a layer of crackle enamel disposed over the said multicolored layer.

4 6. An article of manufacture having an ornamented surface comprising a uni-colored coating, a multi-colored coating thereover, a layer of crackle enamel, and a layer of varnish interposed between the multi-colored coating and the layer of crackle enamel.

7. As a new article of manufacture, a patent leather comprising ordinary patent leather having a multi-colored layer of coloring material aflixed on the surface of the coating, a layer of crackle varnish and a transparent protective layer covering the crackle varnish.

8. As a new article of manufacture, a patent leather comprising ordinary patent leather having a la er of crackle varnish aflixed on the surface 0 the coating and a transparent protective layercovering the crackle varnish.

9. As a new article of manufacture, a patent leather comprising ordinary patent leather having a uni-colored layer of bronze or metal coloring compound afiixed on the surface thereof, a multi-colored layer of paint, a layer of crackle varnish, and a transparent protective layer covering the said layer of crackle varnish.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

LEO L. SIMON.

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