WO2010081557A1 - Production method for encapsulating at least one three-dimensional object in a body, and body produced by means thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a production method for encapsulated at least one three-dimensional object (10) in a body (2), comprising the steps of providing the body, introducing a recess (8, 18) for the object to be encapsulated (10) in the body (2), introducing the object (10) in the recess (8), and applying a transparent layer (14) to the body. The object (10) is thereby completely encapsulated under a closed outer surface free of bubbles. If the object (10) is a ground precious gem, the body (2) can be significantly optically enhanced without degrading the usefulness thereof or exposing the precious gem to detrimental external influences.

Description

 A manufacturing method for enclosing at least one three-dimensional object in a body and a body made therewith

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a manufacturing method for enclosing at least one three-dimensional object in a body as well as a body with at least one enclosed object.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

High-quality jewelry objects or everyday objects, such as watches or writing instruments, are often filled with gemstones for visual enhancement and beautification. However, especially with commodities, it could be disadvantageous if the gems used protrude beyond the outer contour of the object. On the one hand, the gemstones and their enclosures could be stressed mechanically and become detached in the case of frequent or improper use. On the other hand, the enclosures could be damaged by the ingress of moisture or suffer from optical damage due to dirt that has entered and is difficult to remove. Usually jewelry objects or commodities are occupied for this reason only in places with gemstones, which are not exposed to frequent handling.

It is furthermore known from DE 10 2005 050 320 Al to admit gemstones in a multi-part transparent shell mold whose layer thicknesses, however, do not appear to be suitable for furnishing surfaces of jewelry objects or everyday objects.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

To protect gemstone trimming, the gemstones could be potted together with the surface of the body equipped with it, but this would tend to lead to a dominant in relation to the gemstones used and due to the required high precision uneven protective layer thickness. A casting process would also require elaborately adapted to the treated body molds in which the body to be treated must be precisely positioned. This would also be a casting process costly.

It may therefore be considered as an object of the present invention to provide a method of confining one or more three-dimensional objects into a body which is capable of at least partially eliminating or reducing the above-described drawbacks.

The object is achieved by a method for enclosing at least one three-dimensional object in a body according to the independent claim 1. Advantageous further developments can be taken from the subclaims. According to a first aspect of the invention, for each item to be encased, a recess is provided in a surface of a provided body, and the item is introduced there. In a subsequent step, a transparent layer is applied to the surface of the body, so that at least a portion of the body and the object (s) introduced into the body are completely surrounded by this transparent layer.

The present invention provides a method which makes it possible to enclose any three-dimensional objects in a body. The body treated by the method of the invention has a closed outer surface formed by the applied transparent layer. Due to the transparency, it is possible to see the introduced article (s) below the outer surface from the outside, so that a similar optical effect can be achieved as in a body with a conventional trimming of one or more three-dimensional objects. Due to the protective function of the outer transparent layer filigree embellishments can be produced by means of the inventive method even with everyday objects and also in exposed sections gemstones are used. The haptic and usability is essentially no different from that of a body in which no three-dimensional objects are incorporated.

The application of the transparent layer is to be understood as meaning processes in which, for example, liquid, pasty or pulverulent transparent material is successively applied to the treated body by external means or devices in one or more steps. Preferably, the material is sprayed on the body or applied by sputtering. Such application methods for a transparent layer, in contrast to conventional casting methods, realize highly constant layer thicknesses be defined by the over the entire body uniform optical properties. Especially when embedding gemstones such as diamonds, cubic zirconias, gemstones in general, and the like, it is extremely important that no deterioration of the visual appearance of the enclosed objects results from an applied outer layer. So even very high-quality gems can be embedded in jewelry objects or everyday objects without their visual effect ("sparkle") suffers.

Due to the relatively simple way of implementation compared to casting methods or other known encapsulation methods can be complicated

Control technologies, elaborate molds or the like are dispensed with, whereby the direct costs can be reduced in the production of appropriate body with embedded objects.

In the following, the term "three-dimensional" objects is to be understood as meaning bodies which extend noticeably in three spatial directions, thereby clearly distinguishing the three-dimensional objects from, for example, flat, planar or linear decorative elements.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention

Method, the object is arranged in the recess so that no undercut occurs before applying the transparent layer between the surface of the body and the object. As a result, cavities and air bubbles in the edge region of the enclosed article can be avoided.

In an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the application of the transparent layer is realized by a spraying process, for example by a spray painting process. Suitable materials for the transparent layer to be applied may be, for example, acrylic-based, synthetic-resin-based, natural-resin-based or completely natural-based transparent paints. By such an application method, a desired thickness of the outer transparent layer can be achieved particularly well. At the same time the structure of the transparent layer is very homogeneous and disturbing air inclusions can be avoided, by the visual appearance of the treated body would suffer greatly, since trapped air bubbles, the clarity of the transparent shell shape is interrupted and the view of the introduced or objects by concise Disturbable air bubbles or the like is disturbed. At the same time, due to a uniform thickness of the transparent layer over all the objects introduced into the body, the optical properties of the objects in the body are substantially identical.

In a further advantageous development of the present invention, the body is provided with a so-called "active layer" before the indentation for the object to be enclosed is carried out, for example, the active layer can be realized as a dark color layer which, when gemstones or the like are inserted, has its optical effect In the bodies provided with such an active layer, the depression for the object to be introduced is produced.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, located on the surface of the body opening of a recess for an object to be introduced occupies a larger area, as necessary for the object to be introduced. This is particularly advantageous for the optical effect of the article when the body is made of a shiny precious metal such as silver, gold or titanium or has a silvery or golden surface. A mirror-like surface is thereby created around the object to be introduced. If the object to be introduced is a ground gemstone, its gloss effect is clearly emphasized. It is also advantageous to glue the article or objects to be introduced into the respective depression before the transparent layer is applied to the body. This has the advantage that the objects to be introduced are already immovably positioned relative to the body before the application of the transparent layer and can not be accidentally released during the process of applying the outer transparent layer. Alternatively, it would also be possible to clamp the objects to be introduced into the respective recess having a corresponding fit, so that they are glued only later by applying the transparent layer.

In an additional advantageous development of the present invention, after complete application of the transparent layer, selectively small amounts of material are removed again from the transparent layer. Any shape deviations of the body after application of the transparent layer can be further minimized thereby. Possible removal methods include grinding, turning and the like, such methods depending on the basic geometry of the body. The removal of material should be carried out after complete curing of the transparent layer.

In a still further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the body is polished. As a result, the optical properties of the transparent layer and the surface quality are significantly improved. Due to a very high transparency achievable thereby, the objects enclosed in the body can develop their full visual effect.

In a likewise advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the body is made for example of brass, silver or gold or another metal. If the objects to be included refer to ground gemstones, it is particularly useful to provide the respective indentations with a shiny silvery or golden color scheme, so that the effect of the gemstone is particularly good effect and a maximum of incident light is reflected. If the body concerned does not consist of a silvery or golden shiny metal, a galvanic treatment of the body before introducing the gems is particularly favorable. For example, a body made of brass could be significantly upgraded, with lower production costs compared to a body made of silver, gold, titanium or another precious metal.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, multiple parts of a multi-part body are treated simultaneously with the above-described method steps. As a result, it can be ruled out that color deviations or layer thickness deviations arise when an active layer or a transparent layer is applied. By way of example, mention may be made here of making a pencil cap and a pen container, which should be treated as identically as possible, so that a pencil containing these components has the most homogenous appearance possible.

The object is further achieved by a body having at least one enclosed three-dimensional object on which the object is introduced into a depression and embedded by a transparent layer. The transparent layer is configured such that the outer surface of the body completely surrounds the article so that it is not felt when handling the body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following, for further explanation and for better understanding of the present invention, various embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. For identical or similar objects, like reference numerals are used. Show it: Fig. Ia-Id: a schematic outline of an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention;

2 is a sectional view of a body with a different exemplary recess;

3 is a view of an exemplary body treated by the method of the invention; and

4 shows a further schematic representation of the method according to the invention.

The illustrations in the figures are schematic and not to scale, but they can reproduce qualitative proportions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In FIGS. 1 a to 1 d, an exemplary sequence of a method according to the invention for enclosing one or more three-dimensional objects in a body is illustrated. For the sake of clarity, the body in question is greatly simplified and the object to be enclosed is shown as a cut gemstone. It is understood that both the representation of the body and the representation of the subject to be included is not to be understood as a limitation.

An exemplary body 2 from FIG. 1 a is machined by way of example for preparing the method according to the invention on a surface 4 for creating a defined surface roughness. Depending on the geometric design of the body 2, various types of machining processes can be considered. If the body 2 is rotationally symmetric, it is recommended before carrying out the essential process steps according to the invention, a machining on a lathe, for example a turning off, grinding, lapping, honing or polishing. The adhesion of subsequently applied material or ink layers can be improved.

On the surface 4 of the body 2, a so-called active layer 6 could be applied in a subsequent step, which is used especially for trimming with a gemstone for the visual highlighting of the gem. The active layer 6 could be realized as a dark color layer to increase the contrast between the body 2 and the object to be enclosed. The color black or another dark color is particularly suitable as soon as the object to be included is a polished and brightly sparkling gemstone. If the object to be enclosed is dark, an active layer 6 with a lighter color could also be used. The thickness of the active layer 6 is not significant for the application of the method according to the invention, but it could be approximately in the range of a few hundredths of a millimeter.

Preferably, the application of the active layer 6 on the body 2 by a spray painting, but could also be carried out with a powder coating or other common methods for applying a paint layer on metallic and non-metallic body, such as plating or anodization in aluminum.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 1 b, a depression 8 is introduced into the body 2 for the object to be enclosed. Preferably, the introduction of the recess 8 could be realized by an unillustrated drill having a tailored to the recess 8 tip shape. Alternatively, the recess 8 could also be introduced into the body 2 by other cutting or non-cutting machining processes which also do not allow circularly symmetrical depressions 8. When applying non-cutting procedures could be depending on the depth and Expansion of the recess 8 due to material flow a material-removing finishing on the surface 4 of the body 2 may be required.

In the example shown, the recess 8 is introduced into the body 2 in such a way that an object to be enclosed would project just above the surface 4 of the body 2 and over the active layer 6.

Subsequently, the insertion of an article 10 shown in Fig. Ic takes place in the recess 8, wherein the article 10 is realized in the embodiment shown as a ground gem stone. The recess 8 would thus be a version. The article 10 could be fixed selectively when inserted into the recess 8 by an adhesive or by clamping. The object 10 finally protrudes somewhat beyond the active layer 6, so that its uppermost surface 12 - also called a "slab" in polished gemstones - lies above the active layer 6. Consequently, by sweeping over the body 2 the object 10 would be very easily felt with a finger However, such an arrangement would not be very well protected against external influences, be they mechanical, chemical or thermal.

The subsequent process step shown in FIG. Id can prevent this. A transparent layer 14 is applied to the arrangement of body 2, active layer 6 and article 10. The transparent layer 14 could, for example, be realized as a transparent lacquer which is applied by a spray-painting process in one or more successive spraying operations. The extent of the recess 8 and the extent of the article 10 could be adapted to one another such that with a relatively small thickness of the transparent layer 14 above the article 10, the body 2 and the recessed object 10 are completely enclosed. The transparent layer 14 forms after its mission, at least in the intended area of the body 2 a new uniform, smooth and homogeneous outer surface 16 of the body 2. Das Material structure of the transparent layer 14 is homogeneous and has no inclusions, air bubbles or the like.

In order to improve the optical properties of the transparent layer 14, it is advantageous to homogenize the outer surface 16 in its outward extension by means of a material lifting process and then to smoothly polish it to increase transparency. Thus, any minor irregularities still present could be smoothed due to the object 10 standing slightly above the active layer 6. If the body 2 have a rotationally symmetrical shape, would be for the material erosive method, for example

Diamond turning process into consideration. From an exemplarily selected thickness of the applied transparent layer 14 above the object 10 of 0.3 mm, a layer thickness of 0.2 mm could remain after polishing. It should be clear to a person skilled in the art that all other suitable layer thicknesses are also conceivable which provide both an unrestricted view of the embedded surface

Allow objects 10, as well as to provide a protective effect assets. Furthermore, the fixation of the article 10 on the body 2 through the transparent layer 14 is further improved and - especially in polished gemstones or the like - the reflectance can be enhanced and a depth effect can be generated.

By applying the transparent layer 14 can - in contrast to known Eingussvorgängen - also be avoided that form between the recessed objects 10 and the body 2 cavities or air bubbles that would greatly affect the visual appearance of the body 2. This can be further promoted if the article 10 with the surface 4 of the body 2 or the active layer 6 forms no undercuts. In the example shown when executed as a gemstone object 10 is about a Rundiste below the surface 4, whereby the object after outside over the surface 4 also exclusively tapers and thus excludes air pockets.

The application of the method according to the invention is - as already mentioned above - not restricted to one type of body 2. By the method according to the invention, however, especially articles of daily use which are frequently handled can be visually upgraded.

In Fig. 2, an alternatively configured recess 18 is shown, which has a seat 20 for an object to be inserted 10, as well as a circumferential projection 20 around the seat 22, which extends to the sides of an article 10 to be introduced. By the projection 22, a reflective surface can be generated around the object to be introduced 10 with a corresponding surface condition, which can increase the gloss of the object 10 to be introduced and thus enhance its optical effect.

It should be noted that such recesses 8 and 18 in the use of polished gemstones such as diamonds, diamonds, cubic zirconia and the like, usually have a silver, silver, gold, golden or similar surface, which thus produce the characteristic of polished gemstones gloss. If the body 2 itself does not consist of silver, gold, platinum or other precious metals, an appropriate design of the depressions 8 and 18 could be achieved by appropriate pretreatment. For a body 2 made of brass this could be done by a suitable galvanic process. When using the galvanic process, the active layer 6 should - if it is present - be protected by an additional coating such that it withstands the application of a galvanic process. The risk of infiltration of chemical substances, blasting or dissolution of the active layer 6 can be prevented accordingly. Alternatively, the active layer 6 could be a suitable choice of material have a corresponding nature, which already stands by itself a galvanic treatment.

FIG. 3 shows by way of example a practical realization of a body 2 treated by the method according to the invention on the basis of a pin 24 which has a cap 26 and a container 28 in which a plurality of ground gemstones 30 are enclosed. Preferably, the two main parts of the pin 24 in the form of cap 26 and container 28 are simultaneously treated by the method according to the invention, so that the thickness and color of the active layer 6 and the thickness of the transparent layer 14 over the enclosed

Objects 30 on cap 26 and container 28 are as identical as possible in order to avoid color deviations.

In addition to the recesses 18, the pin 24 has numerous decorative grooves 32 visible as bright lines on the cap 26 and the container 28. These decorative milled cuts 32 can be introduced into the respective parts of the pin 24 as interruptions of the active layer 6 after application of the active layer 6. If necessary, for example, when manufacturing the pin 24 made of brass parts, and the decorative Einfräsungen 32 by a corresponding galvanic process are silvery, so that there is a particularly advantageous visual appearance.

By covering the cap 26 and the container 28 with a transparent layer 14, a uniform outer surface is created so that when handling the pin 24, the enclosed ground gems 30 are no longer tactile. The material structure of the transparent layer 14 is homogeneous. By way of example, the pin 24 may have a smooth outer surface, which in some cases could also be upgraded with decorations or a series of subsequently applied indentation patterns. By using depressions 18, whose openings lying, for example, on the surface of the active layer 6 occupy a larger area than the gemstones 30 themselves, the glittering effect of the gemstones 30 is intensified by increased light reflection. By applying the transparent layer 14 and subsequent polishing, the reflectance of the gems 30 and their depth effect is further improved. Likewise, it is ensured by the transparent layer 14 that daily use of the pin 24 keeps the gemstones 30 ideally protected.

In addition, it should be noted that the pin 24 is to be understood merely as an example of a body 2, which can be visually upgraded by means of the inventive method. Any types of articles can be treated by the method of the invention. As examples, jewelry objects of any kind, watches, vehicle parts, electronic devices or the like may be mentioned.

In the supplementary Fig. 4, the inventive method is summarized by a block diagram and briefly explained below. After providing 34 of a body 2, one or more recesses 8, 18 are introduced into the body 36. Optionally, the surface of the body 2 may be machined to enhance adhesion 38 and / or an active layer 6 may be applied. Subsequently, decorative milled cuts 32 or other manufactured decorations could be introduced into the body 2 42. The body 2 may then be subjected to a galvanic treatment 43. After placing 44 of the article or objects 10 in the respective recess 8, 18, the articles there also can be glued 46, the transparent layer 14 is applied 48. In a subsequent step, the outer surface 16 of the body could be reworked 50.

In addition, it should be noted that "having" does not exclude other elements or steps and "a" or "an" does not exclude a multitude It should be understood that features or steps described with reference to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be considered as limiting.

reference numeral

2 bodies

4 area

6 active layer

8 deepening

10 item

12 top surface of the object

14 transparent layer

16 outer surface

18 deepening

20 seat

22 cantilever

24 pen

26 cap

28 containers

30 gemstone

32 milling

34 Deploy body

36 insert recess

38 Edit surface

40 applying active layer

42 Insert milling

43 galvanic treatment

44 introducing object

46 gluing

48 Applying a transparent layer

50 reworking

Claims

Patent claims A manufacturing method for enclosing at least one three-dimensional object (10) in a body (2), comprising the following steps: - providing the body, Inserting a recess (8, 18) for the object (10) to be enclosed in the body (2), - inserting the object (10) into the recess (8, 18), Applying a transparent layer (14) to the body (2) so that the article (10) is completely under a closed outer Surface (16) of the body (2) is included bubble-free. A method of manufacture according to claim 2, wherein the article (10) is placed in the depression (8, 18) such that, prior to application of the transparent layer (14), between the surface (4) of the body (2) and the article (10 ) no undercut is created. A manufacturing method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the article (10) is disposed in the depression (8, 18) so as to protrude above the surface (4) of the body (2) prior to application of the transparent layer (14). The manufacturing method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the application of the transparent layer (14) comprises spraying a transparent varnish. 5. Manufacturing method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein before introducing the recess (8, 18) an active layer (6) on the surface (4) of the body (2) is applied 6. The manufacturing method according to claim 5, further comprising the step - introducing decorative interruptions of the active layer (6). 7. Manufacturing method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the introduction of the recess (8, 18) is performed such that a on the surface (4) of the body (2) located opening of the recess (8, 18) occupies a larger area, as necessary for introducing the article (10) into the recess (8, 18). 8. A manufacturing method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising the step Electroplating the body (2) after insertion of the recess (8, 18). 9. Manufacturing method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the introduction of the article (10) into the recess (8, 18) at least partially gluing the article (10) into the recess (8, 18). The manufacturing method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising the step Ablating material of the transparent layer (14) to smooth the outer surface (16) of the body (2). 11. A manufacturing method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising the step Polishing the transparent layer (14). 12. Production method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method steps in multipart design of the body (2) are carried out substantially in all parts simultaneously. 13. A manufacturing method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a gemstone is used as the object (10). 14. body (2), comprising - at least one recess (8, 18) at least one introduced in the recess three-dimensional object (10) and a transparent layer (14), wherein the transparent layer (14) on the body (2) is applied, that the article (10) is completely enclosed bubble-free under a closed outer surface (16) of the body (2). 15. body (2) according to claim 14, which is prepared by a method according to any one of claims 1-12. 16. writing instrument (24), comprising - At least one recess (8, 18) at least one introduced in the recess three-dimensional Article (10) and - a transparent layer (14), wherein the transparent layer (14) is applied to the writing instrument (24) such that the article (10) is completely under a closed outer surface (16) of the writing instrument (2) is included bubble-free. 17. Jewelery object, having - At least one recess (8, 18) at least one introduced in the recess three-dimensional Article (10) and a transparent layer (14), wherein the transparent layer (14) is applied to the jewelery object (24) such that the article (10) is completely enclosed bubble-free under a closed outer surface (16) of the jewelery object.