Decorative items with light effects

Abstract

The present invention relates to a decorative article (1) comprising: an element (3) at least partially made of a metal, polymer, or ceramic-based material, and including a surface (3a) visible to an observer (5); at least one light source (4) external to or internal to the element (3), the decorative article (1) being characterized in that it further comprises at least one optical fiber (2) embedded in the material of the element (3), the optical fiber (2) serving as a guide for light from the light source (4) to produce a light effect on the visible surface (3a) of the element (3) during use. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the decorative article.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to decorative articles, and more particularly to external components for watchmaking or jewelry used to display a light-emitting effect. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing decorative articles. Background Technology

[0002] There are many items that seek special aesthetic effects. In particular, items in the field of watchmaking that are always seeking aesthetic improvements might be mentioned. Aesthetic improvements can be achieved through several elements, such as color, graphics, or even light effects via, for example, a luminescent coating. In patent number EP 2950167, a light effect can also be provided via a light source placed inside the watch, and this light effect is intended to illuminate the dial, hands, or even the hands.

[0003] The object of this invention is to provide new light effects for decorative items, and especially for exterior parts of watches or jewelry. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a decorative article comprising one or more optical fibers coated with a metal, ceramic or polymer-based material, and designed to direct light from one or more light sources toward the visible surface of the decorative article in order to create a light effect.

[0005] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent with reference to the accompanying drawings, and will be shown by way of non-limiting example in the following description of preferred embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0006] Figures 1a to 1e Different variations in the arrangement of light sources and optical fibers within decorative articles according to the present invention are illustrated schematically.

[0007] Figure 2 The use is illustrated schematically. Figure 1e The variations can achieve certain lighting effects.

[0008] Figure 3a and Figure 3b A cross-section of a clock according to the invention is schematically shown, the clock including a dial in which optical fibers are embedded for two different arrangements of light source.

[0009] Figure 4 The steps of a method according to the present invention for manufacturing decorative articles that exhibit light effects are illustrated schematically. Detailed Implementation

[0010] This invention relates to an article that displays a light effect for decorative purposes. The decorative article can be a component of watches, jewelry, bracelets, brooches, necklaces, handbags, etc. In the watchmaking industry, this article is an external part, such as the middle of the watch case, the case back, the bezel, pushers, the bracelet, the dial, the hands, the scale, etc.

[0011] According to the present invention and as Figures 1a to 1e As schematically shown, the decorative article 1 includes an element 3 made of a polymer, ceramic, or metal-based material, in which one or more optical fibers 2 are arranged. For simplicity, multiple optical fibers will be referred to below. The decorative article 1 also includes at least one light source 4 outside or inside the element 3. The optical fiber 2 appears on at least one visible surface 3a of the element 3, i.e., the surface pointing towards the observer 5. However, if the element has a surface made of a transparent material, it is not inconceivable that one end of the optical fiber appears near the visible surface. "Near the visible surface" means a distance of less than or equal to 2 mm below the visible surface. The optical fiber can be a standard optical fiber or a fluorescent optical fiber that produces color during illumination. The fiber acts as a waveguide for the light emitted by one or more light sources 4. The light source is an element that emits photons through photoluminescence, electroluminescence, or chemiluminescence phenomena. Therefore, this can be a light-emitting diode (LED), a fluorescent source, etc. Figure 1d and Figure 1e As shown, fiber optic 2 can be directly connected to light source 4, or as... Figures 1a to 1c As shown, the light can be exposed to the light source 4 without direct connection. According to a variation not shown, the light can also be guided from the light source to the optical fiber via, for example, a waveguide arranged inside the element.

[0012] Within the material of element 3, optical fiber 2 can pass from the first surface 3b to the second surface, which is the visible surface 3a of element 3, as shown below. Figure 1a To Figure b and Figure 1d As schematically shown in Figure e, the first and second surfaces can be opposite (configuration shown) or continuous (configuration not shown). When the fiber 2 passes directly through, the light source 4 is arranged on the side of the first surface 3b or 3c of the element. In a variation, both ends of the fiber 2 can appear on the visible surface 3a, as shown... Figure 1c As shown in the diagram. In this case, the light source 4 is on the side of the visible surface 3a. Optical fibers appear on the visible surface, forming a set of light spots, which, depending on the fiber arrangement, can form a given shape or marking, for example, in... Figure 2 Examples include stars or smiley faces. Such shapes or symbols are more generally referred to as decorations.

[0013] Optical fibers are embedded in materials and can be oriented in various ways within the material. According to Figure 1aThe variations all oriented in the same direction, substantially perpendicular to the visible surface 3a of the element. In the example shown, they are oriented parallel to the axis between the light source 4 and the observer 5. Figure 1b In this context, they are each oriented differently relative to the axis at angles less than 90°, making it possible to create aesthetic effects that change according to the viewing angle. Figure 1c In the variant, fiber 2 is bent, with both ends extending onto the visible surface 3a. Figure 1d and Figure 1e In this configuration, fiber 2 passes directly through, and one or more light sources 4 are connected to fiber 2. Figure 1d In this configuration, all fibers 2 are connected to a single light source 4. Figure 1e In this optical fiber, a portion of fiber 2 is connected to light source 4, and the remaining portion of fiber 2 is connected to another light source 4. Therefore, by connecting several light sources to the optical fiber, images of different colors can be produced. Similarly, by alternating the operation of the light sources, continuous images can be displayed, such as... Figure 2 As shown schematically in the diagram.

[0014] For example, element 3 could be a dial, where optical fiber 2 is embedded in the dial's material to form an image. A light source, such as an LED, connected to the optical fiber embedded in the material is located below the dial. As the LEDs light up alternately, the observer sees different images. Similarly, animations can be created on the dial. This is illustrated by example. Figure 3a and Figure 3b This indicates different arrangements of the light source 4 below the dial 3, in which optical fiber 2 is embedded. Figure 3a In this arrangement, the light source 4 is positioned to the side of the dial 3. Light is transmitted from the light source 4 toward the fiber 2 via a waveguide 10 arranged in the dial 3. The waveguide 10 may have a reflector 11 on its lower surface opposite the fiber 2 to reflect the light toward the fiber. Figure 3b In this example, light source 4 is arranged below dial 3, and particularly on the periphery of the dial. It is directly connected to optical fiber 2. A single light source is shown in this example. Depending on the variation, it is conceivable to provide 2, 3, 4, 5, etc., light sources. According to the invention, the light source is connected to a power source, such as a battery disposed within the decorative item, for example, via a manually operated control member arranged on the exterior of the decorative item.

[0015] In the example shown, the light source is outside the element. However, it is also conceivable to position the light source inside the element. In this case, it is not necessary for both ends of the fiber to appear on the outer surface of the element. For example, it is conceivable to overlay the light source into the element. For instance, in the watchmaking industry, the light source can be overlay molded into an external component, such as a watch chain including the fiber. As disclosed in patent EP 2950167, it is also conceivable to integrate the light source into a housing arranged in the hands that form the element in which the optical fiber is embedded.

[0016] Preferably, the optical fiber is embedded in a polymer matrix. For example, the polymer can be selected from epoxy, acrylic, phenolic, ester, polyurethane resins, etc. The polymer matrix optionally includes fillers that allow modification of the material's mechanical properties, color, density, to make the material luminescent, and / or, where necessary, to make the polymer opaque. These fillers are particularly inorganic fillers, such as metal or ceramic powders, added in amounts between 20% and 90% by weight, designed to increase the material's density and modify its thermal conductivity; glass fibers, added in amounts between 10% and 50% by weight, to increase the material's dimensional stability; or organic fillers, such as plant fibers (cellulose, flax, hemp, etc.) or animal fibers (leather, wool), added in amounts between 5% and 50% by weight, which can give the material a natural appearance and allow for the recycling of waste from the production of natural materials. Photoluminescent pigments (e.g., strontium aluminate doped with lanthanides) may also be involved, added to the resin in amounts between 10% and 90% by weight, to make the material luminescent in the dark after being charged under light. Therefore, if the mass percentage of the filler does not exceed 90% of the polymer matrix by mass, the polymer matrix may include one or more fillers, alone or in combination. Preferably, the polymer matrix will include at least inorganic fillers.

[0017] To manufacture this material, optical fibers are integrated into a mixture comprising an organic binder, namely the aforementioned resin, and any filler. Figure 4In the example application shown, the material is produced by vacuum casting in a mold 8 having the shape of the component. In step a), a fast-curing resin 7, referred to as the adhesive, is poured into the bottom of the mold 8. This resin can be, for example, epoxy resin, which will subsequently be removed when the part is machined and polished. This adhesive layer, with a thickness on the order of millimeters, forms a sacrificial area for positioning the optical fiber. Once the sacrificial area is removed, the exposed surface forms a face intended to be visible through light effects. Alternatively, instead of sacrificial resin, a plate with an array of micropores is provided, which allows the fibers to be positioned and a decoration to be formed. When the light source is turned on, the pattern will be illuminated. This plate can be sacrificial or retained in the material. In step b), optical fibers 2 are placed at the bottom of the mold to produce the desired pattern. Resin 7 with the base of the fibers 2 embedded is polymerized. In step c), the fibers are cut to the desired size so that they appear on or near the visible surface of the finished component. When the intention is to directly connect the fibers to a light source, in this step, they are twisted and bonded together to form one or more bundles, each connected to one or more light sources 4. In step d), the polymer matrix resin 9 forming the material is cast into the mold cavity along with the desired filler to coat the molded optical fiber. In step e), the resin is crosslinked, and the assembly is removed from the mold after a curing time. In step f), the sacrificial resin layer 7 or plate is removed by machining, as appropriate.

[0018] It should be noted that, alternatively, optical fibers can be embedded in an amorphous metal or crystalline matrix by injecting a raw material comprising metal powder and an organic binder system (paraffin, polyethylene, etc.) onto fibers positioned in a mold. After injection, the raw material is debonded by thermal degradation or by dissolving in a solvent before sintering. The fiber is then made of a material such as quartz that is resistant to the sintering temperatures of metals.

[0019] Optical fibers can also be embedded in a ceramic matrix based on nitrides, oxides, and / or carbides. Prior to sintering, ceramic powder, optionally mixed with an organic binder system (paraffin, polyethylene, etc.), is injected or pressed into a mold containing the fibers. The fibers are then also made of a material resistant to the sintering temperature of the ceramic.

[0020] Keywords (1) Decorative items (2) Optical fiber (3) Components or dial a. Can be met b. The side opposite to the visible surface c. Link to the visible surface (4) Light source (5) Observer (6) Surface glass (7) Support, also known as sacrificial resin (8) Mold (9) Materials or resins (10) Waveguide (11) Reflector.

Claims

1. A decorative item (1), comprising: - Element (3), which is at least partially made of a metal, polymer or ceramic-based material and includes a surface (3a) visible to an observer (5). - At least two light sources (4) outside or inside the element (3). The decorative article (1) is characterized in that it further includes at least one optical fiber (2) embedded in the material of the element (3), the optical fiber (2) serving as a guide for light from the light source (4) to produce a light effect on the visible surface (3a) of the element (3) during use. The at least one optical fiber (2) comprises at least two plurality of optical fibers (2), the first plurality of optical fibers (2) being oriented in a first direction relative to the visible surface (3a) of the element (3) and the second plurality of optical fibers (2) being oriented in a second direction relative to the visible surface (3a) of the element (3), the first direction and the second direction being different and each of the plurality of optical fibers producing an optical effect having a different shape on the visible surface (3a) of the element (3), and the at least two light sources (4) being respectively intended to form decorations on the visible surface (3a) of the element (3) during use, the decorations being different from each other in shape or color.

2. The decorative article (1) as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The optical fiber (2) appears at one end on the visible surface (3a) or near the visible surface (3a) of the element (3) and at its other end on the same visible surface (3a) or near the same visible surface (3a) of the element (3).

3. The decorative article (1) as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The optical fiber (2) appears at one end on the visible surface (3a) or near the visible surface (3a) of the element (3) and at its other end on the surface (3c) adjacent to the visible surface (3a).

4. The decorative article (1) as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The optical fiber (2) appears at one end on the visible surface (3a) or near the visible surface (3a) of the element (3) and at its other end on the surface (3b) opposite to the visible surface (3a).

5. The decorative article (1) as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The other end of the optical fiber (2) is directly connected to the light source (4).

6. The decorative article (1) as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The other end of the optical fiber (2) is coupled to the light source (4) via a waveguide (10).

7. The decorative article (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The element (3) is an external part for watchmaking or jewelry selected from a list including the middle of the case, the back cover, the bezel, the pushers, the bracelet, the dial, the hands, and the scale.

8. The decorative article (1) as described in the preceding claim, characterized in that, The element (3) is a dial, wherein the light source (4) is arranged below the dial.

9. The decorative article (1) as described in claim 8, characterized in that, The element (3) is a dial, wherein the light source (4) is arranged on the side facing the dial.

10. A method for manufacturing a decorative article (1), the decorative article (1) comprising elements at least partially made of a metal, polymer, or ceramic-based material, the article (1) comprising at least two light sources (4) and at least one optical fiber (2), the optical fiber being embedded in the material, The at least one optical fiber (2) comprises at least two plurality of optical fibers (2), the first plurality of optical fibers (2) being oriented in a first direction relative to the visible surface (3a) of the element (3) and the second plurality of optical fibers (2) being oriented in a second direction relative to the visible surface (3a) of the element (3), the first direction and the second direction being different and each of the plurality of optical fibers producing an optical effect having a different shape on the visible surface (3a) of the element (3), and the at least two light sources (4) being respectively intended to form decorations on the visible surface (3a) of the element (3) during use, the decorations being different from each other in shape or color. The method includes the following steps: - Provides the optical fiber (2) and a mold (8) having the shape of the element (3). - A support (7) for positioning the optical fiber (2) is placed in the bottom of the mold (8). - The starting material is poured, injected, or pressed onto the support (7) to coat the optical fiber (2) and obtain the metal, polymer, or ceramic-based material. - Remove the metal, polymer, or ceramic-based material from the mold.

11. The manufacturing method as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The support (7) is sacrificial.

12. The manufacturing method as described in claim 11, characterized in that, The support (7) is a sacrificial resin that serves as an adhesive for the optical fiber (2) during the positioning of the optical fiber (2).

13. The manufacturing method as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The support member (7) is a plate perforated with one or more holes for positioning the optical fiber (2).

14. The manufacturing method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that, The starting material is a polymer matrix or resin, the polymer matrix or resin comprising at least one filler designed to alter the mechanical properties, color, and density of the material to make the material opaque and / or luminescent, the at least one filler being present in a weight percentage between 20% and 90%, the material being obtained by polymerizing the polymer matrix or the resin.

15. The manufacturing method as described in claim 14, characterized in that, The polymer matrix or resin is a resin selected from epoxy, acrylic, phenolic, ester and polyurethane resins.

16. The manufacturing method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that, The starting material is a metal or ceramic raw material comprising an organic binder system, which is obtained by sintering the raw material after a debinding step.

17. The manufacturing method according to any one of claims 10 to 16, characterized in that, Several optical fibers (2) are provided, which are twisted and bonded together after the positioning step of the optical fibers (2) to form one or more bundles of optical fibers (2).

18. The manufacturing method as described in claim 17, characterized in that, After the step of removing the mold, each fiber (2) is connected to the light source (4).

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