Article with high reflectivity ink layer and opaque ink layer

Abstract

An article comprising: (a) a substrate (i) comprising a first major surface and a second major surface generally facing away from the first major surface, and (ii) exhibiting a substrate refractive index; (b) a first layer of high reflectivity ink (i) laminated on the second major surface of the substrate and (ii) exhibiting an ink refractive index greater than the substrate refractive index; and (c) a second layer of substantially opaque ink, the second layer being laminated on the first layer, the first layer being sandwiched between the second layer and the substrate. The first layer is substantially free of metal components. The article exhibits an average reflectance greater than or equal to 4% for electromagnetic radiation over the entire visible spectrum initially transmitted through the first major surface of the substrate and incident on the first layer.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to articles having a transparent substrate and a high-reflectance ink. BACKGROUND

[0002] Substrates exhibiting a metallic-looking visual appearance provide an aesthetic benefit that can be used in a variety of applications. Household appliances, architectural elements (e.g., walls, windows, mirrors, etc.), and vehicles (e.g., automobiles, airplanes, ships, train cars) are all examples of applications for such substrates.

[0003] To provide such a metallic-looking appearance, certain existing methods utilize a metallic substrate or a metallic-containing ink layer. However, these methods are prohibitively costly and undesirable. This is because the cost of the metal as a raw material can be undesirable, and the process of applying the metal to a non-metallic surface (e.g., vapor deposition) can be prohibitively costly and time-consuming, and undesirable. Furthermore, the use of metal to impart a metallic-looking visual appearance limits the range of colors that can be manufactured to appear metallic. SUMMARY

[0004] The present disclosure solves these problems by an article that includes a substrate having a major surface, a first layer of a high-reflectance ink on the major surface of the substrate, and a second layer of a substantially opaque ink on the first layer. The first layer of high-reflectance ink enhances the reflectance of visible light that initially transmits through the substrate back through the substrate as compared to a case in which only the second layer of substantially opaque ink is present on the substrate. The enhanced reflectance makes the second layer of substantially opaque ink appear more colorful through the substrate as compared to a case in which only the second layer of substantially opaque ink is present on the substrate. In many cases, the enhanced reflectance causes the article to exhibit a metallic look.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, an article includes: (a) a substrate that (i) includes a first major surface and a second major surface generally opposite the first major surface, and (ii) exhibits a substrate index of refraction; (b) a first layer of a high-reflectance ink that (i) is layered on the second major surface of the substrate, the first layer directly contacting the second major surface of the substrate, and (ii) exhibits an ink index of refraction greater than the substrate index of refraction; and (c) a second layer of a substantially opaque ink, the second layer layered on the first layer, the first layer sandwiched between the second layer and the substrate; wherein (i) the first layer is substantially free of a metallic component, and (ii) for electromagnetic radiation across the entire visible spectrum that initially transmits through the first major surface of the substrate and is incident on the first layer, the article exhibits an average reflectance greater than or equal to 4%.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is presented the article of any of the first aspect, wherein (i) the substrate further comprises a thickness between the first major surface and the second major surface, and (ii) the thickness of the substrate is in a range of 0.1 mm to 5.0 mm.

[0007] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is presented the article of any of the first to second aspects, wherein the substrate alone exhibits an electromagnetic radiation transmittance across the entire visible spectrum that is greater than or equal to 80%.

[0008] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, there is presented the article of any of the first to third aspects, wherein (i) the first layer comprises a thickness that is orthogonal to the second major surface of the substrate, and (ii) the thickness of the first layer is in a range of 2.0 pm to 10.0 pm.

[0009] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, there is presented the article of any of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the high-reflectance ink of the first layer comprises a resin.

[0010] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, there is presented the article of any of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the high-reflectance ink comprises a non-metallic colorant.

[0011] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is presented the article of any of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the first layer directly contacts the second major surface of the substrate.

[0012] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, there is presented the article of any of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the first layer alone exhibits an electromagnetic radiation transmittance across the entire visible spectrum that is greater than or equal to 50%.

[0013] According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, there is presented the article of any of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the first layer exhibits a reflectance across the entire visible spectrum that is greater than or equal to 1% for electromagnetic radiation that is initially transmitted through the substrate and impinges on the first layer.

[0014] According to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is presented the article of any of the first to ninth aspects, wherein the second layer is disposed directly on the first layer with no other interlayer therebetween.

[0015] According to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is presented the article of any of the first to tenth aspects, wherein the article exhibits an average reflectance across the entire visible spectrum of electromagnetic radiation that is initially transmitted through the substrate that is greater than an average reflectance exhibited by a comparative article having only the substrate and the second layer disposed directly on the substrate.

[0016] According to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, there is presented the article of the eleventh aspect, wherein the average reflectance exhibited by the article is at least 0.1% greater than the average reflectance exhibited by the comparative article.

[0017] According to a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is presented the article of the twelfth aspect, wherein the article exhibits an L* value under the CIE colorimetric system including specular component (SCI) that is greater than an L* value exhibited by a comparative article having only the substrate and the second layer disposed directly on the substrate.

[0018] According to a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is presented the article of the thirteenth aspect, wherein the article exhibits a delta E under the CIE colorimetric system including specular component (SCI) that is less than 1.0 as compared to a comparative article.

[0019] According to a fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure, an article comprises: (a) a substrate that (i) includes a first major surface and a second major surface generally facing away from the first major surface, and (ii) exhibits a substrate refractive index; (b) a first layer of a high-refractive index ink that (i) is layered on the second major surface of the substrate, and (ii) exhibits an ink refractive index that is greater than the substrate refractive index; and (c) a second layer of a substantially opaque ink, the second layer being layered on the first layer, the first layer being sandwiched between the second layer and the substrate; wherein (i) for electromagnetic radiation across the entire visible spectrum that is initially transmitted through the first major surface of the substrate and is incident on the first layer, the article exhibits an average reflectance that is greater than or equal to 4%, and (ii) the article exhibits an L* value under the CIE colorimetric system including specular component (SCI) that is greater than or equal to 24 when measured from a viewpoint that is oriented toward the first major surface.

[0020] According to a sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is presented the article of the fifteenth aspect, wherein the first layer is substantially free of a metallic component.

[0021] According to a seventeenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is presented the article of any one of the fifteenth through sixteenth aspects, wherein the article exhibits a CIE colorimetric system a* value including specular component that is in the range of -2.0 to 2.0, and exhibits a b* value including specular component that is likewise in the range of -2.0 to 2.0.

[0022] According to an eighteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is presented the article of any one of the fifteenth through sixteenth aspects, wherein the article exhibits a CIE colorimetric system a* value including specular component that is in the range of 3.0 to 14.0, and exhibits a b* value including specular component that is likewise in the range of 1.0 to 7.0.

[0023] According to a nineteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is presented the article of any one of the fifteenth through sixteenth aspects, wherein the article exhibits a CIE colorimetric system a* value including specular component that is in the range of 1.0 to 6.0, and exhibits a b* value including specular component that is likewise in the range of 22.0 to 32.0.

[0024] According to a twentieth aspect of the present disclosure, a method of manufacturing the article of any one of the first through eighteenth aspects includes: (1) a first printing step comprising printing a first layer of high-reflectance ink onto a second major surface of a substrate; (2) a first curing step comprising curing the first layer, the first curing step being performed after the first printing step; (3) a second printing step comprising printing a second layer onto the first layer, the second printing step being performed after the first curing step; and (4) a second curing step comprising curing the second layer, the second curing step being performed after the second printing step.

[0025] According to a twenty-first aspect of the present disclosure, the method of the twentieth aspect is presented, wherein the printing of the first printing step comprises inkjet printing, screen printing, pad printing, or rotary printing the first layer of high-reflectance ink onto the second major surface of the substrate.

[0026] According to a twenty-second aspect of the present disclosure, the method of any one of the twentieth through twenty-first aspects is presented, wherein the first curing step comprises curing the first layer with one or more of ultraviolet light, heat treatment, and infrared light.

[0027] According to a twenty-third aspect of the present disclosure, the method of any one of the twentieth through twenty-second aspects is presented, wherein after the first curing step but before the second printing step, the article exhibits a CIE colorimetric system L* value including a specular component of reflectance in a range of 35 to 45.

[0028] According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present disclosure, the method of any one of the twentieth through twenty-third aspects is presented, wherein the method does not include an etching step that removes a portion of the first layer or the second layer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] In the drawings:

[0030] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the article of the present disclosure, showing a substrate, a first layer of high-reflectance ink disposed on a major surface of the substrate, and a second layer of substantially opaque ink disposed on the first layer of high-reflectance ink;

[0031] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the article of Figure 1 taken orthogonally to a major surface of the substrate, to illustrate a functional layer disposed on another major surface of the substrate in phantom;

[0032] Figure 3 is a method of manufacturing the article of Figure 1a schematic diagram of a method of making an article of the present disclosure, showing a first printing step of applying a first layer of high reflectance ink, a first curing step of (at least partially) curing the first layer of high reflectance ink, a second printing step of applying a second layer of substantially opaque ink, and a second curing step of (at least partially) curing the second layer of substantially opaque ink;

[0033] Figure 4 Referring to Example 1, a graph plotting the percent transmittance of a workpiece comprising a substrate and a first layer of high reflectance ink versus wavelength is shown, illustrating a high level of transmission across the visible spectrum;

[0034] Figure 5 Also referring to Example 1, a graph plotting the reflectance exhibited by a workpiece for visible light initially transmitted through a first major surface of a substrate and incident on a first layer of high reflectance ink is shown, illustrating that the high reflectance ink causes the workpiece to exhibit a reflectance across the visible spectrum in the range of about 1% to about 2%;

[0035] Figure 6 Referring to Example 2, an experimental setup is shown in which "Position 0" is only a substrate, "Position 1" is a workpiece having a first layer of high reflectance ink on a major surface of the substrate, "Position 2" is one embodiment of an article of the present disclosure having a second layer of substantially opaque ink disposed on the first layer of high reflectance ink, and "Position 3" is another workpiece having a second layer of substantially opaque ink disposed on a major surface of the substrate and no first layer of high reflectance ink;

[0036] Figure 7 Also referring to Example 2, a graph plotting the reflectance exhibited by the article of "Position 2" and the workpiece of "Position 3" for visible light initially transmitted through a first major surface of the substrate and incident on the first layer of high reflectance ink is shown, illustrating that the inclusion of the first layer of high reflectance ink causes the article of "Position 2" to exhibit enhanced reflectance across the visible spectrum compared to the workpiece of "Position 3";

[0037] Figure 8 Referring to Example 3, which uses the same first layer as Example 2, but a different ink for the second layer of substantially opaque ink, the graph is similar to Figure 7 the graph of Example 2, and shows the same enhanced reflectance for the article of "Position 2";

[0038] Figure 9 Referring to Example 4, which uses the same first layer as Examples 2 and 3, but a different ink for the second layer of substantially opaque ink, the graph is similar to Figure 7 the graph of Example 2, and shows the same enhanced reflectance for the article of "Position 2";

[0039] Figure 10 relating to Example 5, using the same first layer as Examples 2-4, but a different ink for the second layer of substantially opaque ink, the graph is similar to Figure 7 and shows the same enhanced reflectivity for the article at "Position 2";

[0040] Figure 11 relating to Example 5, showing the same experimental setup as Figure 6 and illustrating that the article at "Position 2" exhibits the gold color of the second layer of substantially opaque ink more brightly (and essentially metallic in texture) than the workpiece at "Position 3" due to the first layer comprising a high reflectivity ink;

[0041] Figure 12 relating to Example 6, is a graph plotting reflectivity versus wavelength for: (i) the workpiece comprising the substrate and the high reflectivity ink different from the high reflectivity ink of the workpiece of Figure 5 ; and (ii) the comparative workpiece comprising the substrate and an ink having a non-high reflectivity for visible light initially transmitted through the first major surface of the substrate to the first layer of high reflectivity ink, illustrating that the high reflectivity ink enhances the reflectivity exhibited by the workpiece in certain ranges but not other ranges of the visible spectrum;

[0042] Figure 13 relating to Example 7, using the same first layer as Example 6, but a different ink for the second layer of substantially opaque ink, the graph is similar to Figure 7 and shows the same enhanced reflectivity for the article at "Position 2";

[0043] Figure 14 relating to Example 8, using the same first layer as Example 7, but a different ink for the second layer of substantially opaque ink, the graph is similar to Figure 12 and shows the same enhanced reflectivity for the article at "Position 2" at least for some but not other portions of the visible spectrum;

[0044] Figure 15 relating to Example 9, using the same first layer as Examples 7 and 8, but a different ink for the second layer of substantially opaque ink, the graph is similar to Figure 12 and shows the same enhanced reflectivity for the article at "Position 2" at least for some but not other portions of the visible spectrum;

[0045] Figure 16 relating to Example 10, using the same first layer as Examples 7-9, but a different ink for the second layer of substantially opaque ink, the graph is similar to Figure 12The chart shows that the item at "position 2" has the same enhanced reflectance for at least some portions of the visible spectrum, but not others; and

[0046] Figure 17 Referring to Example 11, which uses the same first layer as Examples 7 through 10, but uses a different ink for the second layer of substantially opaque ink, the diagram is similar. Figure 12 The figure shows that the item at "position 2" has the same enhanced reflectance across the entire visible spectrum. Detailed Implementation

[0047] Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the following detailed description, and will be apparent in part to those skilled in the art from the description, or will be recognized by practicing the embodiments described herein, including the following detailed description, claims, and drawings.

[0048] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and features of the claims. Drawings are included to provide further understanding and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate one or more embodiments and, together with the description, explain the principles and operation of various embodiments.

[0049] Preferred embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals in all the drawings will be used to refer to the same or similar parts.

[0050] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims.

[0051] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 This document discloses article 10. Article 10 includes a substrate 12, a first layer 14 of highly reflective ink, and a second layer 16 of substantially opaque ink. The substrate 12 includes a first main surface 18 and a second main surface 20. The first main surface 18 and the second main surface 20 are generally opposite to each other. In some embodiments, the first main surface 18 and the second main surface 20 are each planar and parallel, but this is not necessary. Other geometries are also contemplated. In some embodiments, the first main surface 18 is positioned facing the eye 19 of the intended viewer.

[0052] Substrate 12 exhibits a substrate refractive index. In some embodiments, the substrate refractive index is in the range of 1.3 to 1.8. For example, the substrate refractive index may be 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, or any range defined by any two of these values ​​(e.g., 1.5 to 1.7, 1.4 to 1.6, etc.). For the purposes of this disclosure, any refractive index listed herein refers to a wavelength of 633 nm and is under standard temperature and pressure.

[0053] The substrate 12 has a thickness 22. Thickness 22 is the shortest straight-line distance between the first main surface 18 and the second main surface 20. In some embodiments, the thickness 22 of the substrate 12 is in the range of 0.1 mm to 5.0 mm. For example, thickness 22 can be 0.1 mm, 0.5 mm, 1.0 mm, 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm, 3.0 mm, 3.5 mm, 4.0 mm, 5.0 mm, or any range defined by any two of these values ​​(e.g., 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm to 3.5 mm, etc.). Thickness 22 can be measured with a micrometer.

[0054] The individual substrate 12 (e.g., not incorporated as part of article 10) exhibits an electromagnetic radiation transmittance greater than or equal to 80% across the entire visible spectrum (e.g., 400 nm to 700 nm). For example, transmittance can be 80%, 81%, 82%, 83%, 84%, 85%, 86%, 87%, 88%, 89%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, or any range defined by any two of these values ​​(e.g., 82% to 94%, 85% to 93%, etc.). For the purposes of this disclosure, “transmittance” is the percentage of incident light power transmitted through the associated material within a given wavelength range. Transmittance is measured according to ASTM E903-12. Furthermore, transmittance is measured using a specific linewidth. In some embodiments, the spectral resolution characterized by transmittance is less than 5 nm or 0.02 eV. Unless otherwise stated, the transmittance values ​​provided herein are given at a normal incident angle.

[0055] The substrate 12 has a specific composition. This composition is not particularly important to the present disclosure. For example, the composition of the substrate 12 may be a polymer, such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or polycarbonate.

[0056] As another example, the substrate 12 may be composed of glass. Suitable glasses include soda-lime glass, aluminosilicate glass, borosilicate glass, borosilicate glass, alkali aluminosilicate glass, alkali borosilicate glass, and alkali borosilicate glass.

[0057] As another example, the substrate 12 may be composed of a glass-ceramic material produced by controlled crystallization of glass. In such an embodiment, the glass-ceramic has a crystallinity of about 30% to about 90%. Non-limiting examples of glass-ceramic systems that can be used include Li2O×Al2O3×nSiO2 (e.g., LAS system), MgO×Al2O3×nSiO2 (e.g., MAS system), and ZnO×Al2O3×nSiO2 (e.g., ZAS system).

[0058] Unless otherwise stated, the glass compositions disclosed herein are described as molar percentages (mol%) based on oxide-based analysis.

[0059] In some embodiments, the glass composition comprises SiO2 in the range of 66 mol% to 80 mol%. For example, the SiO2 content may be 66 mol%, 67 mol%, 68 mol%, 69 mol%, 70 mol%, 71 mol%, 72 mol%, 73 mol%, 74 mol%, 75 mol%, 76 mol%, 77 mol%, 78 mol%, 79 mol%, 80 mol%, or any range defined by any two of these values ​​(e.g., 68 mol% to 79 mol%, 72 mol% to 75 mol%, etc.).

[0060] In some embodiments, the glass composition comprises Al2O3 in the range of 1 mol% to 20 mol%. For example, the Al2O3 content may be 1 mol%, 2 mol%, 3 mol%, 4 mol%, 5 mol%, 6 mol%, 7 mol%, 8 mol%, 9 mol%, 10 mol%, 11 mol%, 12 mol%, 13 mol%, 14 mol%, 15 mol%, 16 mol%, 17 mol%, 18 mol%, 19 mol%, 20 mol%, or any range defined by any two of these values ​​(e.g., 9 mol% to 14 mol%, 2 mol% to 18 mol%, etc.).

[0061] In some embodiments, the glass composition contains B2O3 in the range of 1 mol% to 20 mol%. For example, the B2O3 content can be 1 mol%, 2 mol%, 3 mol%, 4 mol%, 5 mol%, 6 mol%, 7 mol%, 8 mol%, 9 mol%, 10 mol%, 11 mol%, 12 mol%, 13 mol%, 14 mol%, 15 mol%, 16 mol%, 17 mol%, 18 mol%, 19 mol%, 20 mol%, or any range defined by any two of these values ​​(e.g., 9 mol% to 14 mol%, 2 mol% to 18 mol%, etc.). In some embodiments, the glass composition is substantially free of B2O3. For the purposes of this disclosure, "substantially free" means that the component was not actively or intentionally added to the composition during initial batching, but may be present as an impurity in a content of less than about 0.001 mol%.

[0062] In some embodiments, the glass composition contains P2O5 in the range of 0.1 mol% to 5.0 mol%. For example, the P2O5 content can be 0.1 mol%, 0.5 mol%, 1.0 mol%, 1.5 mol%, 2.0 mol%, 2.5 mol%, 3.0 mol%, 3.5 mol%, 4.0 mol%, 4.5 mol%, 5.0 mol%, or any range defined by any two of these values ​​(e.g., 0.5 mol% to 4.0 mol%, 1.0 mol% to 2.0 mol%, etc.). In some embodiments, the glass composition is substantially free of P2O5.

[0063] In some embodiments, the total content of R2O in the glass composition (i.e., the total content of one or more alkali metal oxides such as Li2O, Na2O, K2O, Rb2O, and Cs2O) is in the range of 8 mol% to 20 mol%. For example, the R2O content can be 8 mol%, 9 mol%, 10 mol%, 11 mol%, 12 mol%, 13 mol%, 14 mol%, 15 mol%, 16 mol%, 17 mol%, 18 mol%, 19 mol%, 20 mol%, or any range defined by any two of these values ​​(e.g., 9 mol% to 14 mol%, 9 mol% to 18 mol%, etc.). In some embodiments, the glass composition is substantially free of one or more of Li2O, K2O, Rb2O, and Cs2O.

[0064] In some embodiments, the glass composition contains Na₂O in the range of 8 mol% to 20 mol%. For example, the Na₂O content can be 8 mol%, 9 mol%, 10 mol%, 11 mol%, 12 mol%, 13 mol%, 14 mol%, 15 mol%, 16 mol%, 17 mol%, 18 mol%, 19 mol%, 20 mol%, or any range defined by any two of these values ​​(e.g., 9 mol% to 14 mol%, 9 mol% to 18 mol%, etc.).

[0065] In some embodiments, the glass composition contains K₂O in the range of 0.1 mol% to 4.0 mol%. For example, the K₂O content may be 0.1 mol%, 0.5 mol%, 1.0 mol%, 1.5 mol%, 2.0 mol%, 2.5 mol%, 3.0 mol%, 3.5 mol%, 4.0 mol%, or any range defined by any two of these values ​​(e.g., 0.1 mol% to 3.0 mol%, 1.0 mol% to 2.0 mol%, etc.).

[0066] In some embodiments, the total RO content (i.e., the total content of one or more alkaline earth metal oxides such as CaO, MgO, BaO, ZnO, and SrO) contained in the glass composition is in the range of 0.1 mol% to 2.0 mol%. For example, the RO content may be 0.1 mol%, 0.2 mol%, 0.3 mol%, 0.4 mol%, 0.5 mol%, 0.6 mol%, 0.7 mol%, 0.8 mol%, 0.9 mol%, 1.0 mol%, 1.1 mol%, 1.2 mol%, 1.3 mol%, 1.4 mol%, 1.5 mol%, 1.6 mol%, 1.7 mol%, 1.8 mol%, 1.9 mol%, 2.0 mol%, or any range defined by any two of these values ​​(e.g., 0.1 mol% to 1.5 mol%, 1.0 mol% to 2.0 mol%, etc.).

[0067] In some embodiments, the glass composition contains CaO in the range of 0.1 mol% to 1.0 mol%. For example, the CaO content may be 0.1 mol%, 0.2 mol%, 0.3 mol%, 0.4 mol%, 0.5 mol%, 0.6 mol%, 0.7 mol%, 0.8 mol%, 0.9 mol%, 1.0 mol%, or any range defined by any two of these values ​​(e.g., 0.1 mol% to 0.7 mol%, 0.3 mol% to 0.5 mol%, etc.). In one or more embodiments, the glass composition is substantially free of CaO.

[0068] In some embodiments, the glass composition contains MgO in the range of 0.1 mol% to 7.0 mol%. For example, the MgO content can be 0.1 mol%, 0.5 mol%, 1.0 mol%, 1.5 mol%, 2.0 mol%, 2.5 mol%, 3.0 mol%, 3.5 mol%, 4.0 mol%, 4.5 mol%, 5.0 mol%, 5.5 mol%, 6.0 mol%, 6.5 mol%, 7.0 mol%, or any range defined by any two of these values ​​(e.g., 0.1 mol% to 0.7 mol%, 0.3 mol% to 0.5 mol%, etc.). In one or more embodiments, the glass composition is substantially free of MgO.

[0069] In some embodiments, the glass composition includes oxides that impart color or hue to the substrate 12 and consequently to the article 10. In some embodiments, the glass composition includes oxides that prevent the substrate 12 from fading when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Examples of such oxides include, but are not limited to, oxides of the following elements: Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Ce, W, and Mo.

[0070] In some embodiments, the glass composition contains Fe, denoted as Fe₂O₃, wherein the Fe content is up to (and contains) about 1 mol%. For example, the Fe₂O₃ content can be 0.1 mol%, 0.2 mol%, 0.3 mol%, 0.4 mol%, 0.5 mol%, 0.6 mol%, 0.7 mol%, 0.8 mol%, 0.9 mol%, 1.0 mol%, or any range defined by any two of these values ​​(e.g., 0.1 mol% to 0.4 mol%, 0.3 mol% to 0.5 mol%, etc.). In some embodiments, the glass composition is substantially Fe-free.

[0071] In embodiments of the glass composition containing TiO2, the content of TiO2 may be about 5 mol% or less. For example, the TiO2 content may be 0.1 mol%, 0.5 mol%, 1.0 mol%, 1.5 mol%, 2.0 mol%, 2.5 mol%, 3.0 mol%, 3.5 mol%, 4.0 mol%, 4.5 mol%, 5.0 mol%, or any range defined by any two of these values ​​(e.g., 0.1 mol% to 0.5 mol%, 0.5 mol% to 2.5 mol%, etc.). In one or more embodiments, the glass composition may be substantially free of TiO2.

[0072] In a more specific embodiment, the glass composition comprises 65 mol% to 75 mol% of SiO2, 8 mol% to 14 mol% of Al2O3, 12 mol% to 17 mol% of Na2O, 0 mol% to 0.2 mol% of K2O, and 1.5 mol% to 6 mol% of MgO.

[0073] As described above, article 10 also includes a first layer 14 of highly reflective ink. The first layer 14 is laminated on the second main surface 20 of substrate 12. The first layer 14 may be in direct contact with the second main surface 20 of substrate 12, or, in some embodiments, an optional primer layer may be provided between substrate 12 and the first layer 14. "Direct contact" does not preclude the use of one or more adhesion promoters to promote adhesion between the first layer 14 and the second main surface 20 of substrate 12.

[0074] The first layer 14 of the high-reflectivity ink exhibits an ink refractive index. The ink refractive index is greater than the substrate refractive index. In some embodiments, the ink refractive index is in the range of 1.7 to 2.5. For example, the substrate refractive index can be 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, or any range defined by any two of these values ​​(e.g., 1.9 to 2.2, 2.0 to 2.4, etc.).

[0075] The first layer 14 of the high-reflectivity ink has a thickness 24. The thickness 24 is measured orthogonally to the second main surface 20 of the substrate 12. The thickness 24 can be measured using a micrometer or a scanning electron microscope. In some embodiments, the thickness 24 is in the range of 2.0 μm to 10.0 μm. For example, the thickness 24 can be 2.0 μm, 2.5 μm, 3.0 μm, 3.5 μm, 4.0 μm, 4.5 μm, 5.0 μm, 5.5 μm, 6.0 μm, 6.5 μm, 7.0 μm, 7.5 μm, 8.0 μm, 8.5 μm, 9.0 μm, 9.5 μm, 10.0 μm, or any range defined by any two of these values ​​(e.g., 2.5 μm to 8.0 μm, 3.5 μm to 6.0 μm, etc.).

[0076] The high-reflectivity ink has a specific composition, and this composition is substantially free of metallic components. For the purposes of this disclosure, "metallic component" refers to metals in elemental form, and does not exclude the inclusion of metal oxides. In some embodiments, the composition comprises a polymeric resin. Exemplary polymeric resins include acrylic, polyester, and epoxy resins. In some embodiments, the composition comprises high-refractive-index particles, such as TiO2 or ZrO2. In some embodiments, the composition comprises a colorant. The colorant may be a non-metallic colorant. In some embodiments, the composition may also comprise a solvent (e.g., an alcohol, ketone, or ether) to dilute or suppress the colorant and / or resin. The composition may also comprise one or more additives, such as a hardener.

[0077] In some embodiments, when considered alone, the first layer 14 exhibits an electromagnetic radiation transmittance greater than or equal to 50% across the entire visible spectrum. For example, the transmittance of the first layer 14 may be 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, or greater than 85%, or within any range defined by any two of these values ​​(e.g., 55% to 65%, 60% to 70%, etc.). Similarly, the first layer 14 and the substrate 12 together exhibit an electromagnetic radiation transmittance greater than or equal to 50% across the entire visible spectrum. For example, the electromagnetic radiation transmittance of the first layer 14 and the substrate 12 together across the entire visible spectrum may be 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, or greater than 90%, or within any range defined by any two of these values ​​(e.g., 55% to 70%, 60% to 75%, etc.).

[0078] In some embodiments, when disposed on substrate 12, the first layer 14 exhibits a reflectivity greater than or equal to 1% across the entire visible spectrum for electromagnetic radiation initially transmitted through substrate 12 and incident on the first layer 14. The reflectivity of the first layer 14 can vary considerably with wavelengths throughout the visible spectrum. In some embodiments, the reflectivity of the first layer 14 (for electromagnetic radiation initially transmitted through substrate 12 and incident on the first layer 14) varying with wavelengths within the visible spectrum can range from 1% to 12%. In some embodiments, the reflectivity of the first layer 14 at one or more wavelengths or wavelength ranges within the visible spectrum (for electromagnetic radiation initially transmitted through substrate 12 and incident on the first layer 14) is 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 11%, 12%, or within any range defined by any two of these values ​​(e.g., 5% to 10%, 6% to 9%, etc.). Unless otherwise stated, the reflectivity values ​​provided herein are for an incident angle of 8 degrees to the normal of the second primary surface 20 of the substrate 12.

[0079] As described above, article 10 also includes a second layer 16 of substantially opaque ink. The second layer 16 is laminated on the first layer 14. The first layer 14 is thus sandwiched between the second layer 16 and the substrate 12. In some embodiments, the second layer 16 is disposed directly on the first layer 14 without any other interlayer. In some embodiments, the second layer 16 exhibits an optical density of at least 1.0, at least 2.0, at least 3.0, or even at least 4.0 for light in the visible spectrum. For example, in some embodiments, the second layer 16 exhibits an optical density greater than or equal to 1.0 and less than or equal to 6.0, greater than or equal to 1.5 and less than or equal to 6.0, greater than or equal to 2.0 and less than or equal to 6.0, greater than or equal to 3.0 and less than or equal to 6.0, or greater than or equal to 4.0 and less than or equal to 6.0. In some embodiments, the second layer 16 exhibits an optical density of 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, or any range defined by any two of these values ​​(e.g., 2.0 to 6.0, 1.5 to 3.5, etc.). Optical density is a measure of the absorbance of a test material as measured by a spectrophotometer, and is formulated as optical density = log(I / I0), where I0 is the intensity of light incident on the sample, and I is the intensity of light transmitted through the sample. For example, an optical density of 3.0 means that 99.9% of the light is absorbed by the material. The higher the optical density, the greater the percentage of light absorbed by the material. The optical density values ​​in this document are average values ​​of optical density measured in the visible spectrum.

[0080] In some embodiments, article 10 exhibits an average reflectance across the entire visible spectrum of electromagnetic radiation initially transmitted through substrate 12 that is greater than the average reflectance exhibited by a comparative article having only substrate 12 and a second layer 16 (but without the first layer 14). In short, the inclusion of a high-reflectance ink enhances the reflectance of electromagnetic radiation initially transmitted through substrate 12. In some cases, article 10 exhibits an average reflectance at least 0.1% greater than the average reflectance exhibited by the comparative article. For example, the average reflectance exhibited by article 10 may be greater than 0%, 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, 0.5%, 0.6%, 0.7%, 0.8%, 0.9%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, or greater than 5% of the average reflectance exhibited by comparative article 14, or within any range defined by any two of these values ​​(e.g., greater than 0% to 0.4%, 1% to 3%, etc.).

[0081] In some embodiments, the article 10 exhibits an average reflectance greater than or equal to 4% for electromagnetic radiation of the entire visible spectrum initially transmitted through the first primary surface 18 of the substrate 12 and incident on the first layer 14. In some embodiments, the article 10 exhibits an average reflectance of 4%, 5%, 7.5%, 10%, 12.5%, 15%, 17.5%, 20%, 22.5%, 25%, 27.5%, 30%, 32.5%, 35%, 37.5%, 40%, or within any range defined by any two of these values ​​(e.g., 10% to 17.5%, 20% to 32.5%, etc.).

[0082] Article 10 exhibits L*, a*, and b* values ​​under the International Commission on Illumination (CIE) system. Unless otherwise stated, L*, a*, and b* values ​​all include the specular component (SCI). In some embodiments, article 10 exhibits a greater L* value than a comparative article having only a substrate 12 and a second layer 16 directly disposed on the substrate 12 (e.g., without the first layer 14). In short, in these embodiments, article 10 exhibits greater whiteness than the comparative article due to the inclusion of a highly reflective ink in the first layer 14. The values ​​of L*, a*, and b* can be determined using a spectrophotometer via specular reflection measurements.

[0083] In some embodiments, the article 10 exhibits an L* value greater than or equal to 24 when measured from a viewpoint toward the first main surface 18. The exhibited L* value can depend on the color exhibited by the second layer 16 alone. For example, when the substantially opaque ink of the second layer 16 is black, the article 10 may exhibit an L* value greater than or equal to 24 and less than or equal to 30. When the substantially opaque ink of the second layer 16 exhibits a color other than black, the L* value may be higher than when the substantially opaque ink of the second layer 16 is black. In such embodiments, the article 10 may exhibit an L* value greater than or equal to 28, greater than or equal to 30, greater than or equal to 35, greater than or equal to 40, greater than or equal to 45, greater than or equal to 50, greater than or equal to 60, or even greater than or equal to 70. More specifically, when the substantially opaque ink of the second layer 16 is gray, the L* exhibited by article 10 can be 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, or any range defined by any two of these values ​​(e.g., 50 to 70, 52 to 66, etc.). Exhibiting such an L* value, combined with the reflectance in the visible spectrum described herein, advantageously provides article 10 with a shiny, metallic appearance.

[0084] In some embodiments, article 10 exhibits a ΔE less than 1.0 compared to a comparative article having only substrate 12 and a second layer 16 disposed on substrate 12 (e.g., without a first layer 14 of highly reflective ink). In short, although the first layer 14 of highly reflective ink has the effect of increasing the reflectivity of visible light returning through substrate 12 and increasing the whiteness exhibited by article 10, in those embodiments, the first layer 14 of highly reflective ink does not cause a perceptible color change compared to the comparative article. For example, ΔE can be 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, or any range defined by any two of these values ​​(e.g., 0.1 to 0.9, 0.3 to 0.4, etc.). In other embodiments, ΔE is greater than 1.0. For the purposes of this disclosure, ΔE is calculated according to the following formula:

[0085]

[0086] In some embodiments, article 10 further includes a functional layer 26. The functional layer 26 is laminated on a first main surface 18 of substrate 12. Exemplary functional layer 26 includes at least one of an anti-glare coating, an anti-scratch coating, an anti-reflective coating, and an easy-clean coating.

[0087] Now for reference Figure 3 This document further discloses a method 100 for manufacturing article 10. Method 100 includes a first printing step 102, a first curing step 104, a second printing step 106, and a second curing step 108. Method 100 can be performed in this order.

[0088] The first printing step 102 includes printing a first layer 14 of high-reflectivity ink onto a second main surface 20 of the substrate 12. The printing in the first printing step 102 may include inkjet printing, screen printing, pad printing, or spin printing of the first layer 14 of high-reflectivity ink onto the second main surface 20 of the substrate 12. In some embodiments, the inkjet printer may have a printhead with 128 to 2560 nozzles, each nozzle ejecting 3 pL to 40 pL of high-reflectivity ink.

[0089] The first curing step 104 includes curing the first layer 14. In some embodiments, the curing of the first curing step 104 includes curing the first layer 14 using ultraviolet light, heat treatment, and infrared light. In some embodiments, after the first curing step 104 but before the second printing step 106, the article 10 exhibits a CIE colorimetric system L* value, including the specular reflection component, in the range of 35 to 45. For example, L* can be 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, or any range defined by any two of these values ​​(e.g., 38 to 41, 40 to 44, etc.). In some embodiments, after the first curing step 104 but before the second printing step 106, the article 10 exhibits a CIE colorimetric system a* value, including the specular reflection component, in the range of -1.0 to 1.0. For example, a* can be -1.0, -0.9, -0.8, -0.7, -0.6, -0.5, -0.4, -0.3, -0.2, -0.1, 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, or any range defined by any two of these values ​​(e.g., 0 to 0.8, -0.8 to 0.1, etc.). In some embodiments, after the first curing step 104 but before the second printing step 106, the article 10 exhibits a CIE colorimetric system b* value, including the specular reflection component, in the range of -1.0 to 1.0. For example, b* can be -1.0, -0.9, -0.8, -0.7, -0.6, -0.5, -0.4, -0.3, -0.2, -0.1, 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, or any range defined by any two of these values ​​(e.g., 0 to 0.8, -0.8 to 0.1, etc.).

[0090] The second printing step 106 includes printing the second layer 16 onto the first layer 14. The printing in the second printing step 106 may include inkjet printing, screen printing, pad printing, or spin printing of the second layer 16 of opaque ink onto the second main surface 20 of the substrate 12. The first printing step 102 and the second printing step 106 may employ the same printing method (e.g., both may employ inkjet printing).

[0091] The second curing step 108 includes curing the second layer 16. In some embodiments, the curing in the second curing step 108 includes curing the second layer 16 using ultraviolet light, heat treatment, and infrared light. In some embodiments, method 100 does not include an etching step that removes a portion of the first layer 14 or the second layer 16.

[0092] In some embodiments, after the second printing step 106, when the substantially opaque ink is black, the article 10 exhibits a CIE colorimetric system a* value including the specular reflection component in the range of -2.0 to 2.0, and a b* value including the specular reflection component is also in the range of -2.0 to 2.0. For example, a* can be -2.0, -1.9, -1.8, -1.7, -1.6, -1.5, -1.4, -1.3, -1.2, -1.1, -1.0, -0.9, -0.8, -0.7, -0.6, -0.5, -0.4, -0.3, -0.2, -0.1, 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, or any range defined by any two of these values ​​(e.g., 0 to 0.8, -0.8 to 0.1, etc.). For example, b* can be -2.0, -1.9, -1.8, -1.7, -1.6, -1.5, -1.4, -1.3, -1.2, -1.1, -1.0, -0.9, -0.8, -0.7, -0.6, -0.5, -0.4, -0.3, -0.2, -0.1, 0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, or any range defined by any two of these values ​​(e.g., 0 to 0.8, -0.8 to 0.1, etc.).

[0093] In some embodiments, after the second printing step 106, when the substantially opaque ink is red, the article 10 exhibits a CIE colorimetric system a* value, including the specular reflection component, in the range of 3.0 to 14.0, and a b* value, including the specular reflection component, is also in the range of 1.0 to 7.0. For example, a* can be 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5, 9.0, 9.5, 10.0, 10.5, 11.0, 11.5, 12.0, 12.5, 13.0, 13.5, 14.0, or any range defined by any two of these values ​​(e.g., 8.5 to 11.0, 9.0 to 13.5, etc.). For example, b* can be 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, or any range defined by any two of these values ​​(e.g., 1.5 to 3.0, 3.5 to 5.0, etc.).

[0094] In some embodiments, after the second printing step 106, when the substantially opaque ink is gold, the article 10 exhibits a CIE colorimetric system a* value, including the specular reflection component, in the range of 1.0 to 6.0, and a b* value, including the specular reflection component, is also in the range of 22.0 to 32.0. For example, a* can be 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, or any range defined by any two of these values ​​(e.g., 1.5 to 3.5, 3.0 to 6.5, etc.). For example, b* can be 22.0, 22.5, 23.0, 23.5, 24.0, 24.5, 25.0, 25.5, 26.0, 26.5, 27.0, 28.5, 29.0, 29.5, 30.0, 30.5, 31.0, 31.5, 32.0, or any range defined by any two of these values ​​(e.g., 22.5 to 27.0, 26.0 to 31.5, etc.).

[0095] Article 10 and method 100 of this disclosure solve the problems raised in the prior art in various ways. Specifically, a first layer 14 containing high-reflectivity ink enhances the reflectivity of a second layer 16 of substantially opaque ink transmitted through a substrate 12. This enhanced reflectivity gives the impression that article 10 is metallic. However, neither the substrate 12, the first layer 14 of high-reflectivity ink, nor the second layer 16 of substantially opaque ink contains any metal. Therefore, article 10 and method 100 avoid the less-than-ideal costs of using metal as a raw material and the deposition processes required to apply metal. Article 10 provides a metallic visual impression without containing any metal. The color of the substantially opaque ink can be chosen so that article 10 exhibits the desired metallic appearance (e.g., gold, silver, etc.). The higher the refractive index of the first layer 14 of high-reflectivity ink, the more vibrant the color of article 10 and the stronger the metallic appearance. The same high-reflectivity ink can be used with any number of different colors of opaque ink and still provide the same enhanced reflectivity and metallic appearance.

[0096] Item 10 can be used inside a vehicle, such as providing a surface visible to vehicle passengers at the dashboard or center console.

[0097] Example

[0098] Example 1 - For Example 1, a layer of high-reflectivity ink was printed onto the main surface of a glass substrate to form a workpiece. The high-reflectivity ink has a composition containing acrylic resin and is supplied by Seiko Ink Co., Ltd. (China), product code HF SG4127. The glass substrate has an alkali aluminosilicate glass composition. The relationship between the workpiece's transmittance percentage and wavelength was determined. The results are plotted on... Figure 4The graph, reproduced in the image, shows that the substrate and the workpiece with the high-reflectivity ink layer exhibit approximately 90% transmittance across the entire visible spectrum.

[0099] In addition, the relationship between the percentage of reflectance of the workpiece and wavelength was measured four times using a CM700D spectrophotometer (Konica Minolta). The results are plotted on... Figure 5 The graph is reproduced in the image. The graph shows that the high-reflectivity ink layer exhibits a reflectivity in the range of approximately 2% to approximately 3% across the entire visible spectrum.

[0100] Examples 2 to 5 - For each of Examples 2 to 5, two glass specimens were prepared. Figure 6 The image from Example 2 has been copied. Figure 12 The image of Example 6 is reproduced here. For each example, one location (“Location 0”) on one of the glass specimens remains bare glass, while at another location (“Location 3”) on the glass specimen, a layer of opaque ink is added to the main surface of the glass specimen without a layer of high-reflectivity ink in between. For the other of the two glass specimens, at one location (“Location 1”), a layer of high-reflectivity ink is added to the main surface of the glass specimen, while at another location (“Location 2”), a layer of high-reflectivity ink is added to the main surface of the glass specimen, and an opaque ink layer is added on top of the high-reflectivity ink layer. Examples 2 through 4 each include different black base inks as opaque inks. Example 5 includes gold ink as an opaque ink.

[0101] The CEI L*, a*, and b* values ​​for each of the three ink layers in Examples 2 through 5 were again measured using a CMD700D spectrophotometer. The results are reproduced in Table 1 below. In the table, “SCI” indicates the inclusion of specular components, “SCE” indicates the exclusion of specular components, and “γ” is the average reflectance across the entire visible spectrum. The results show that for all Examples 2 through 5, adding a high-reflectance ink layer to the opaque ink (position 2) increases the L*, a*, and b* values ​​compared to having only opaque ink on the glass sample (position 3). Comparing the color changes caused by the inclusion of high-reflectance ink (positions 2 and 3), the ΔE values ​​in the examples are lower. For example, the ΔE for Example 3 is 0.34.

[0102]

[0103] Furthermore, for each example, the reflectance (varying with wavelength) of visible light initially incident through the glass sample was measured, considering the presence of a high-reflectivity ink layer and an opaque ink layer (position 2) and the presence of only an opaque ink layer (position 3). Results were reproduced in... Figures 7 to 10The chart shows that the inclusion of a high-reflectivity ink layer increases the reflectivity transmitted back through the glass sample across the entire visible spectrum.

[0104] Example 6 - For Example 6, a different high-reflectivity ink than that used in Examples 2 through 5 was used and tested. The high-reflectivity ink is... (Pixelligent, Maryland, USA) Its composition includes an acrylic polymer and TiO2 as high-refractive-index particles. In the first test, the high-reflectivity ink was applied to the main surface of a glass substrate. As a comparison, a non-high-reflectivity ink was applied to the main surface of another glass substrate with the same composition. The reflectivity as a function of wavelength was then measured for visible light initially incident through the glass substrates. Figure 12 The results are provided in the reproduced chart. As shown in the chart, for most wavelengths within the visible spectrum, this high-reflectivity ink enhances the reflectivity returning through the glass substrate compared to the contrast ink. The oscillations in reflectivity are thought to be a result of interference effects caused by the ink layer thickness being sufficiently correlated with the visible spectral wavelength.

[0105] Examples 7 to 11 – For these examples, five substantially opaque inks were analyzed, with and without high-reflectivity inks placed between the substantially opaque inks and the glass substrate, to determine how the high-reflectivity inks would affect the reflectivity and color returning through the substrate. The “position 0” to “position 3” scheme used in Examples 2 to 6 is also used in Examples 7 to 11. For example, referring to Example 7, position 0 would be bare glass, position 1 would be a workpiece with a first layer of high-reflectivity ink on the main surface of the glass substrate, position 2 would be an article of this disclosure with a first layer of high-reflectivity ink on the main surface of the glass substrate and a second layer of substantially opaque ink (106-070 black matrix) above the first layer, and position 3 would be a workpiece with a first layer of substantially opaque ink on the main surface of the glass substrate but without a first layer of high-reflectivity ink. The substantially opaque ink in Example 7 is Seiko Ink Co., Ltd. (China) code 106-070. Examples 8 to 11 use the same scheme, but each uses a different substantially opaque ink. For Example 8, the substantially opaque ink is Seiko Ink Co., Ltd. 186C red ink, for example 9, is a substantially opaque ink from Seiko Ink Company. 348C green ink, for example 10, is a substantially opaque ink for a wood grain pattern printed by an inkjet head, and for example 11, is a substantially opaque ink for another wood grain pattern printed by an inkjet head.

[0106] Figures 12 to 1The graphs reproduced in 7 show the reflection spectra of "Position 2" with high-reflectivity ink and "Position 3" without high-reflectivity ink in Examples 7 through 11, respectively. As shown in the graphs, according to the specific examples, the inclusion of high-reflectivity ink enhances the reflectivity of electromagnetic radiation initially incident through the glass substrate that returns through the glass substrate for all or most wavelengths within the visible spectrum.

[0107] Table 2 below reproduces the CIE color data for each example from Examples 7 to 11. As the data in the table shows, including high-reflectivity inks (position 2) will increase the L* (whiteness) and γ (reflectivity) exhibited by the item.

[0108]

Claims

1. An article comprising: A substrate, which (i) includes a first main surface and a second main surface generally facing away from the first main surface, and (ii) exhibits a substrate refractive index; A first layer of high reflectivity ink, which (i) is laminated on the second main surface of the substrate and (ii) exhibits an ink refractive index greater than that of the substrate; as well as A second layer of essentially opaque ink is stacked on top of the first layer, with the first layer sandwiched between the second layer and the substrate; The first layer contains virtually no metal components, and The article exhibits an average reflectivity greater than or equal to 4% for electromagnetic radiation that is initially transmitted through the first main surface of the substrate and incident on the first layer across the entire visible spectrum.

2. The article as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The substrate also includes a thickness between the first main surface and the second main surface, and The thickness of the substrate is in the range of 0.1 mm to 5.0 mm.

3. The article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein, The substrate alone exhibits an electromagnetic radiation transmittance of greater than or equal to 80% across the entire visible spectrum.

4. The article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein, The first layer includes a thickness orthogonal to the second main surface of the substrate, and The thickness of the first layer is in the range of 2.0 μm to 10.0 μm.

5. The article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein, The high-reflectivity ink in the first layer comprises a resin.

6. The article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein, The high-reflectivity ink includes non-metallic colorants.

7. The article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein, The first layer is in direct contact with the second main surface of the substrate.

8. The article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein, The first layer alone exhibits an electromagnetic radiation transmittance of greater than or equal to 50% across the entire visible spectrum.

9. The article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein, For electromagnetic radiation initially transmitted through the substrate and incident on the first layer, the first layer exhibits a reflectivity greater than or equal to 1% across the entire visible spectrum.

10. The article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein, The second layer is placed directly on top of the first layer, with no other interlayer in between.

11. The article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein, The article exhibits an average reflectance across the entire visible spectrum of electromagnetic radiation initially transmitted through the substrate, which is greater than the average reflectance exhibited by a contrasting article having only the substrate and a second layer directly disposed on the substrate.

12. The article as claimed in claim 11, wherein, The average reflectance exhibited by the article is at least 0.1% greater than that exhibited by the comparison article.

13. The article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein, The L* value exhibited by the article under the CIE colorimetric system, including the specular reflection component (SCI), is greater than the L* value exhibited by the comparison article having only the substrate and the second layer directly disposed on the substrate.

14. The article as claimed in claim 13, wherein, Compared to the comparison article, the article exhibits a ΔE of less than 1.0 in the CIE colorimetric system, including the specular reflection component (SCI).

15. An article comprising: A substrate, which (i) includes a first main surface and a second main surface generally facing away from the first main surface, and (ii) exhibits a substrate refractive index; A first layer of high reflectivity ink, which (i) is laminated on the second main surface of the substrate and (ii) exhibits an ink refractive index greater than that of the substrate; as well as A second layer of essentially opaque ink is stacked on top of the first layer, with the first layer sandwiched between the second layer and the substrate; Wherein, for electromagnetic radiation of the entire visible spectrum initially transmitted through the first main surface of the substrate and incident on the first layer, the article exhibits an average reflectivity greater than or equal to 4%, and Wherein, when measured from a viewpoint toward the first primary surface, the article exhibits an L* value of 24 or greater than or equal to 24 in the CIE colorimetric system, including the specular reflection component (SCI).

16. The article as claimed in claim 15, wherein, The first layer contains virtually no metal components.

17. The article as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 16, wherein, The article exhibits a CIE colorimetric system a* value, including the specular reflection component, in the range of -2.0 to 2.0, and a b* value, including the specular reflection component, is also in the range of -2.0 to 2.

0.

18. The article as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 16, wherein, The article exhibits a CIE colorimetric system a* value, including the specular reflection component, in the range of 3.0 to 14.0, and a b* value, including the specular reflection component, is also in the range of 1.0 to 7.

0.

19. The article as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 16, wherein, The article exhibits a CIE colorimetric system a* value, including the specular reflection component, in the range of 1.0 to 6.0, and a b* value, including the specular reflection component, is also in the range of 22.0 to 32.

0.

20. A method of manufacturing an article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 2 or 15 to 16, comprising: The first printing step includes printing the first layer of the high-reflectivity ink onto the second main surface of the substrate; The first curing step includes curing the first layer, and the first curing step is performed after the first printing step; The second printing step includes printing the second layer onto the first layer, and the second printing step is performed after the first curing step. as well as The second curing step includes curing the second layer, and the second curing step is performed after the second printing step.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein, The printing in the first printing step includes inkjet printing, screen printing, pad printing, or spin printing of the first layer of the high reflectivity ink onto the second main surface of the substrate.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein, The first curing step includes curing the first layer using one or more of ultraviolet light, heat treatment, and infrared light.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein, After the first curing step but before the second printing step, the article exhibits a CIE colorimetric L* value, including the specular reflection component, in the range of 35 to 45.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein, The method does not include an etching step that removes a portion of the first layer or the second layer.

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