Method for manufacturing dial

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a dial, the method comprising the steps of: forming a first portion of the dial with a first resin filled with reflective particles, the first portion forming a substrate; pouring at least one second resin into the substrate to form a second part of the dial and obtain the dial; the dial is comprehensively or selectively polished to locally reveal the first resin including the reflective particles.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of horology. More specifically, this invention relates to a method for manufacturing watch dials that resemble gemstones.

[0002] In this article, the term "gemstone" is used interchangeably to refer to precious gemstones and semi-precious stones. Background Technology

[0003] Composite materials made from gemstones are commonly used in fields such as watchmaking and jewelry. The desired properties can be varied, but they are typically aesthetically pleasing and mechanical, and relatively expensive.

[0004] Therefore, for economic reasons, horological components using polymer materials have been developed that mimic the appearance of gemstones.

[0005] However, manufacturing such decorative elements always requires the use of synthetic production stone, which inevitably leads to high manufacturing costs.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for decorative elements that are inexpensive to manufacture while retaining the appearance of gemstones, namely their brilliance or sparkle, thus giving the decorated object a luxurious look. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a watch dial, the method comprising the following steps: - A first portion of the dial is formed from a first resin filled with reflective particles, which forms the base; - At least one second resin is poured into the substrate to form a second portion of the dial and obtain the dial; - Polish the dial fully or selectively to partially expose the first resin, including reflective particles.

[0008] Other advantageous variations according to the invention are as follows: - The first resin is a thermoplastic resin, epoxy resin, or polyurethane resin, and the second resin is an epoxy resin or polyurethane resin; - The reflective particles are selected from phosphorescent particles, fluorescent particles, metallic particles, precious gemstone particles, semi-precious gemstone particles, or combinations thereof. - The second resin includes at least one additive selected from colorants, pigments, UV blockers, or combinations thereof; - A certain amount of resin is poured into the substrate of the first part of the dial; - The second resin is poured into the substrate of the first portion of the dial to partially fill the substrate; - The content of reflective particle filler integrated into the first resin is between 0.001% and 5%; - The content of reflective particle filler integrated into the first resin is between 0.02% and 1%; - The base includes decorative elements in the form of raised relief; - The decorative elements are scales, inlays, trademarks, or geometric shapes.

[0009] The present invention also relates to a dial produced by the method described above. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the specific embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of non-limiting example, in which: - Figure 1 The steps in the production of a dial according to the present invention are shown; - Figure 2 Showing during execution Figure 1 The dial obtained after the steps in the process; - Figure 3 A dial is shown according to a first embodiment of the method according to the invention; - Figure 4 A dial is shown according to a second embodiment of the method according to the invention; - Figure 5 A dial is shown according to a third embodiment of the method according to the invention. Detailed Implementation

[0011] This invention relates to a method for manufacturing a dial 1, the method comprising the following steps: - A first portion 10 of the dial is formed from a first resin filled with reflective particles, the first portion forming a substrate 11; - At least one second resin is poured into the substrate 11 to form the second portion 12 of the dial and obtain the dial 1; - Polish the dial 1 fully or selectively to partially expose the first resin, including reflective particles.

[0012] The first resin is selected from thermoplastic resins, epoxy resins, or polyurethane resins, and the second resin is selected from epoxy resins or polyurethane resins. Typically, these resins are cured by polymerization of monomers and / or prepolymers and / or by crosslinking. Curing in the presence of a curing agent enhances the hardness properties of the composite material. The resins are also colorless after curing. In other words, they do not change the color or appearance of the particles present in the resin after curing.

[0013] If no hardener is present, the composite resin is a paste with a greater or less liquid consistency.

[0014] Choose resins or thermoplastic polymers with a light transmittance of more than 80% so that the visual appearance of the dial tends to be as close as possible to the appearance of a gemstone.

[0015] The reflective particles added to the first resin help improve the refraction of the dial. Rate This enhances its reflectivity, giving the dial a gem-like appearance. The reflective particles comprise between 0.001% and 5% of the weight of the first filler resin, and preferably between 0.02% and 1%.

[0016] The particles may have any type of geometry, such as spherical, parallelepiped, cylindrical, or elliptical, and have dimensions between 1 µm and 100 µm.

[0017] The particles may be selected from phosphorescent particles, fluorescent particles, metallic particles, precious gemstone particles, semi-precious gemstone particles, or combinations thereof.

[0018] The particles may have any type of geometry, such as spherical, parallelepiped, cylindrical, or elliptical.

[0019] The particles may be selected from phosphorescent particles, fluorescent particles, metallic particles, precious gemstone particles, semi-precious gemstone particles, mother-of-pearl particles, or combinations thereof.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second resin includes at least one additive selected from colorants, pigments, ultraviolet blockers, or combinations thereof.

[0021] The first part of the dial may be produced by molding, injection molding, additive manufacturing, or by machining thermoplastic or thermosetting pallet stones.

[0022] As can be seen in the accompanying drawings, the base 11 of the first portion 10 of the dial includes decorative elements 13, 14, and 15 in the form of raised reliefs; these decorative elements 13, 14, and 15 may be scales, inlays, trademarks, or geometric shapes.

[0023] These decorative elements are revealed when the dial is polished, or may be directly visible when the second transparent resin is poured into the base 11.

[0024] according to Figure 5 In another embodiment illustrated herein, the dial may not include decorative elements and may only have a surface with a gemstone appearance, that is, a sparkling and / or shimmering appearance.

[0025] Therefore, the present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing composite materials, the method comprising the following steps: - A first portion 10 of the dial 1 is formed from a first resin filled with reflective particles, the first portion forming a substrate 11; - At least one second resin is poured into the substrate 11 to form the second portion 12 of the dial and obtain the dial 1; - Polish the dial 1 fully or selectively to expose the first resin, which includes reflective particles.

[0026] The first resin and the reflective particles are in a generally paste-like form; this mixture can be homogenized by being conveyed through a mill. The milling step not only homogenizes the mixture but also breaks down any aggregates formed by the particles in the resin.

[0027] Regardless of the presence or absence of a hardener, the formation of the resin typically results in the incorporation of air bubbles into the paste.

[0028] Therefore, in order to remove these bubbles, the method may include a gas purging step. This step can be advantageously performed using a centrifuge or a centrifugal / planetary mixer with partial vacuum.

[0029] If necessary, at least one hardener may be added to the resin. If indicated, this hardener enables the resin to be polymerized and / or crosslinked.

[0030] After adding the hardener, the mixture can be homogenized, for example, using a spiral mixer.

[0031] Once mixed, the resin can be poured or injected to form the first part of the dial.

[0032] According to a particular embodiment, the first portion of the dial is placed in a vacuum chamber, thereby simultaneously expelling air and forming the resin.

[0033] The mold can be optionally heated, as increasing the temperature will liquefy the resin and accelerate its hardening.

[0034] Subsequently, a second resin is prepared in a manner similar to that of the first resin, the second resin comprising one or more additives, such as colorants, pigments, and ultraviolet blockers.

[0035] The second resin is poured into the substrate of the first portion of the dial to completely or partially fill the substrate and form the dial.

[0036] According to a particular embodiment, several resins with different compositions can be cast into the substrate. The resins can be cast by stacking them on top of each other or by partial casting within compartments of the substrate.

[0037] The second resin or supplementary resin may be transparent to enhance the three-dimensional effect of the dial.

[0038] Finally, the dial is polished completely or selectively to expose the first resin, including the reflective particles, on the visible / observable surface of the dial.

[0039] The present invention also relates to a dial formed using the method according to the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a watch dial (1), characterized in that, The method comprises the following steps: - forming a first part (10) of the dial from a first resin filled with reflective particles, said first part forming a base (11); - pouring at least one second resin into the base to form a second part (12) of the dial and to obtain a dial (1); - polishing the dial (1) globally or selectively to locally reveal the first resin comprising reflective particles.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first resin is a thermoplastic resin, an epoxy resin or a polyurethane resin, and the second resin is an epoxy resin or a polyurethane resin.

3. The method of any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein, The reflective particles are chosen from phosphorescent particles, fluorescent particles, metallic particles, precious gemstone particles, semi-precious gemstone particles or a combination of these particles.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The second resin comprises at least one additive chosen from a colorant, a pigment, an ultraviolet blocker or a combination of these additives.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, A plurality of resins is poured into the base of the first part of the dial.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The second resin is poured into the base of the first part of the dial so as to partially fill the base.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The reflective particle filler integrated into the first resin is between 0.001% and 5% of the weight of the first filling resin.

8. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein, The reflective particle filler integrated into the first resin is between 0.02% and 1% of the weight of the first filling resin.

9. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein, The base (11) comprises decorative elements (13, 14, 15) in the form of raised reliefs.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, The decorative elements (13, 14, 15) are scales, inlays, trademarks or geometric shapes.

11. A dial (100) manufactured by the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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