Method for obtaining a flexible stone and article comprising said flexible stone

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for obtaining a flexible stone comprising the steps of supplying a stone in the form of a strip (1) having a first face (11) and a second face (12) opposite the first face (11); forming a plurality of grooves (2) in the strip (1) on the first face (11); fixing the first face (11) of the strip onto a flexible support (3) so as to form a composite strip (4); supplying a part (5) having a curved surface (6) and arranging the composite strip (4), support side (3), onto said curved surface (6); and applying pressure (7) to the second face (12) so as to generate cracks (8) on the grooves (2) and to obtain a flexible composite strip (4). The invention also relates to a decorative article comprising the flexible stone obtained by said method.

Description

technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for obtaining a flexible stone, generally precious or semi-precious, as well as a decorative article comprising said flexible stone. State of the art

[0002] Obtaining soft stones by combining them (for example, by emulsion) with elastomers, silicones, polymers is known from CN102493618.

[0003] Document EP2605893 describes a process for preparing a flexible stone with a natural surface, comprising mixing stone grinding with a flexible binder.

[0004] The document JPH08156500 describes a layer of hard material placed on an elastic surface so as to generate cracks and produce a decorative effect.

[0005] The flexible stones obtained by the processes described in these documents are, however, intended for architectural decoration applications and require the addition of additives to the stone material.

[0006] Obtaining a flexible stone for use in decorative articles such as jewelry, watches, fashion, leather goods, etc., would be of great interest since such a stone would give the article new visual and tactile characteristics. Brief summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention relates to a method for obtaining, particularly from a precious or semi-precious stone, a soft and flexible stone by controlled microfracturing of the stone. The invention aims to provide a method according to claim 1 and a flexible composite lamella according to claim 11.

[0008] In a preferred method, the stone is first thinned into a slab, then a grid of grooves or channels is laser-etched onto the back of the slab. The back of the slab is then fixed (for example, glued) to a flexible support, such as a metal or other material with various suitable adhesives. The assembly (glued slab) is then inverted and placed on a slightly curved camber, and the surface is pressed (for example, with a gouge). The stone cracks along the grooves.

[0009] The size and shape of the flexible stone can subsequently be adjusted in any way for the incorporation of a decorative item such as a jewelry item, watchmaking (e.g., a watch strap), fashion, leather goods, etc. Brief description of the figures

[0010] Examples of implementation of the invention are shown in the description illustrated by the accompanying figures, in which: THE figures 1a to 1c illustrate part of a process for obtaining a flexible stone comprising a stone in the form of a strip and a flexible support, according to one embodiment; the figure 2 shows grooves formed on the surface of the lamella; the figure 3 illustrates another part of the said process; and the Figures 4a and 4b show a side view ( figure 4a ) and a top view ( figure 4b ) of a bracelet comprising a plurality of decorative elements including the flexible composite strip 4, according to one embodiment. Example(s) of an embodiment of the invention

[0011] THE Figures 1 And 3 illustrate a process for obtaining a flexible stone, according to one embodiment. The process includes a step of providing a stone in the form of a plate, blade or strip having a first face 11 and a second face 12 opposite the first face 11, the two faces 11, 12 preferably being substantially parallel ( figure 1a ).

[0012] The term "stone" primarily, but not exclusively, refers to semi-precious stones, such as those defined in the list of the "International Confederation of Jewellery, Goldsmithing, and Precious Stones," including agate, jasper, lapis lazuli, onyx, amethyst, jade, rock crystal, malachite, opal, organic stones (amber, mother-of-pearl, etc.), and artificial stones. This list is not exhaustive, and other types of stones suitable for decorating an item may also be used.

[0013] The lamella 1 can be shaped using any suitable method, such as sawing or cutting. Sawing can be carried out using a diamond saw or waterjet cutting. A polishing step is also possible. The lamella 1 can therefore be produced in a predefined shape and thickness.

[0014] The process then includes a step of forming a plurality of grooves 2 in the lamella 1 on the first face 11 ( figure 1b ).

[0015] The grooves 2 can be formed using an engraving device comprising, for example, a mechanical device, such as a milling device, or a waterjet cutting device.

[0016] Preferably, the engraving device includes a laser device. The laser device may include a carbon dioxide laser (CO2 laser), an Nd:YAG laser, or other suitable types of laser device.

[0017] The grooves can be formed according to an arbitrary pattern, but they are preferably formed according to a controlled pattern, such as a grid, a set of lines, a hexagonal pattern, or a triangular pattern. figure 2shows the surface of a blade 1 (here a malachite stone) on which grooves 2 have been engraved according to a grid pattern.

[0018] A guide to guide the engraving can be used during groove formation step 2. Alternatively, the pattern to be engraved can be programmed into the engraving device.

[0019] The depth of the grooves 2 is preferably such that at least 15% of the thickness of the slat 1 remains unengraved (undivided).

[0020] According to one embodiment, the depth of grooves 2 is 50% to 85% of the thickness of slat 1. Preferably, the depth of grooves 2 is 60% to 80% of the thickness of slat 1.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the thickness of the slat 1 is between 0.1 and 0.6 mm.

[0022] Following the groove formation step 2, the first surface 11 can be polished.

[0023] The process then includes a step of fixing a flexible support 3 to the first face 11 of the lamella 1, i.e. on the surface including the grooves 2, so as to obtain a composite lamella 4 ( figure 1c ).

[0024] The flexible support 3 can be made of any flexible material, such as fabric, a piece of leather, a metal support, or other materials. The flexible support 3 can be attached to the first surface 11 using various suitable means, for example, adhesive.

[0025] In a later step of the process shown at the figure 3The composite strip 4 is positioned, on the side of the flexible support 3, on a curved surface 6 of a support piece 5. Pressure 7 is then applied to the second face 12. The pressure 7 can be applied using a crimping tool, a roller, or other similar means. The applied pressure 7 generates cracks 8 at the bottom of the grooves 2. Under the effect of the pressure 7 and the cracks 8, the composite strip 4 deforms until it conforms to the shape of the curved surface 6. The figure 3 shows the deformed composite lamella 4 on the curved surface 6 and the cracks 8 formed at the bottom of grooves 2.

[0026] During the application of pressure 7, the cracks formed generally propagate from the grooves 2 towards the second face 12. The lamella 1 is thus traversed over substantially its entire thickness by the succession of the grooves 2 and the cracks 8. In other words, the cracks 8 extend from the bottom of the groove 2 towards (and preferably substantially up to) the second face 12. The grooves 2 and the cracks 8 therefore divide the lamella 1 into a plurality of portions 1a, which makes the lamella 1 flexible.

[0027] The flexibility of the lamella 1, and therefore of the composite lamella 4 (hereafter referred to as the flexible composite lamella 4), can be adjusted by varying the density of the grooves 2, and thus of the cracks 8, and / or the shape of the curved surface 6. Depending on the pattern formed by the grooves 2, the lamella 1 will be flexible in one direction or in several directions. For example, a groove pattern 2 with lines in a single direction will make the lamella 1 flexible only in a direction perpendicular to that of the grooves 2. A grid pattern of grooves 2 will make the lamella 1 flexible in two directions parallel to the plane of the lamella 1.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the flexible composite lamella 4 is used in a decorative article, for example, a jewelry or watchmaking article, a bracelet, a fashion article, or a leather goods article.

[0029] To this end, the process may include a step of adjusting the size and shape of the flexible composite lamella 4.

[0030] There figure 4 shows a partial view of a bracelet 20, according to one embodiment. The bracelet 20 comprises a band 21 to which are attached a plurality of decorative elements 22, each comprising a flexible composite strip 4. The figure 4a shows a side view of the bracelet and the figure 4b a top view. In the figure 4b , band 21 is shown set with 23 stones (precious stones) but any other configuration of the band can be considered.

[0031] According to one form of execution (not visible in the figure 4), each of the decorative elements 22 comprises two flexible composite strips 4 assembled together on the side of the support 3, so that the second face 12 showing the stone is visible from both sides of the decorative elements 22. The two flexible composite strips 4 can be glued parallel to each other.

[0032] In the specific example of figures 4a and 4b The flexible composite strips 4 are cut to give the decorative element 22 an oval leaf shape. figure 4b shows the plurality of decorative elements 22 distributed on each side of the band 21. The decorative elements 22 comprising the flexible composite strips 4 are soft and able to flex upon touch, giving the bracelet an undulating appearance and special tactile characteristics. Reference numbers used in the figures

[0033] 1. blade 1. portion 2. groove 3. support 4. composite blade, flexible composite blade 5. support piece 6. curved surface 7. pressure 8. cracks 11. first face 12. second face 20. item, bracelet 21. band 22. decorative elements 23. set stone

Claims

1. Process for obtaining a flexible stone comprising the steps of: - providing a stone in the form of a plate, blade, or strip (1) having a first face (11) and a second face (12) opposite the first face (11); - forming a plurality of grooves (2) in the plate, blade, or strip (1) on the first face (11); - attaching the first face (11) of the plate, blade, or strip to a flexible support (3) so as to form a composite strip (4); - providing a part (5) having a curved surface (6) and placing the composite strip (4), on the support side (3), on said curved surface (6); - applying pressure (7) to the second face (12) so as to generate cracks (8) on the grooves (2) and obtain a flexibilized composite lamella (4).

2. Method according to claim 1, in which the grooves (2) are formed using a laser device.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the grooves (2) are arranged in a controlled pattern on the first face (11).

4. Method according to claim 3, wherein the pattern comprises one of: a grid, a set of lines, a hexagonal pattern, or a triangular pattern.

5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the depth of the grooves (2) is 50% to 85% of the thickness of the plate, blade, or strip (1).

6. Method according to claim 5, wherein the depth of the grooves (2) is 60% to 80% of the thickness of the plate, blade, or strip (1).

7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the thickness of the plate, blade, or strip (1) is between 0.1 mm and 0.6 mm.

8. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which the cracks (8) extend substantially to the second face (12).

9. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, comprising a step of adjusting the size and shape of the composite strip (4).

10. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the stone is a fine stone, an organic stone, or an artificial stone.

11. Flexible composite strip (4) comprising a stone and a flexible support (3), the stone having the shape of a plate, blade or strip (1) and comprising a first face (11) and a second face (12) opposite the first face, characterized in that the first face has a plurality of grooves (2), the plate, blade or strip (1) having cracks (8) extending from the bottom of the grooves (2) towards its second face (12), and the flexible support (3) being attached to the first face (11) of the plate, blade or strip (1) comprising the grooves (2).

12. Flexible composite strip (4) according to claim 11, wherein the depth of the plurality of grooves (2) is such that at least 15% of the thickness of the plate, blade or strip (1) is undivided.

13. Decorative article comprising the flexible composite strip (4) according to claim 11.

14. Decorative article according to claim 13, comprising a piece of jewelry, a watch, a bracelet, a fashion item, or a leather goods item.

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