Ornaments and their manufacturing methods

Abstract

To improve the luminescence of a picture pattern of an ornament composed of materials including a translucent material.SOLUTION: An ornament according to one embodiment includes a translucent first plate-shaped member, and a translucent second plate-shaped member fixed so as to be in contact with the first plate-shaped member. The first plate-shaped member has a first recess having a shape of a first picture pattern on its back surface, and the second plate-shaped member has a second recess having the shape of the first picture pattern on its front surface. The first plate-shaped member and the second plate-shaped member are fixed such that the first recess and the second recess overlap.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a decorative article and a method for manufacturing the same. [Background technology]

[0002] A method has been proposed in the past in which a pattern is drawn on the surface of a transparent plate-like member such as acrylic by etching or other methods, and the pattern is made to glow when light is irradiated from the side of the plate-like member, thereby using the plate-like member as a decorative item such as a signboard. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Publication No. 3145177 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional methods, the light emitted from the surface pattern is weak, so when a background pattern is drawn on the back surface of the plate-like member, the surface pattern becomes invisible.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to improve the luminescence of a pattern on a decorative item that is configured to contain a translucent material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The decorative item in one embodiment comprises a first plate-shaped member that is translucent, and a second plate-shaped member that is translucent and fixed so as to be in contact with the first plate-shaped member, wherein the first plate-shaped member has a first recess in the shape of a first pattern on its back surface, and the second plate-shaped member has a second recess in the shape of the first pattern on its front surface, and the first plate-shaped member and the second plate-shaped member are fixed so that the first recess and the second recess overlap. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one embodiment, the luminescence of the pattern of the decorative item that is configured to include a translucent material can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of an ornament according to one embodiment. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the decorative item 10 of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the decorative item 10 of FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the decorative item 10 of FIG. 1 taken along line AA. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for manufacturing an ornament. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a neon sign 20. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view of the neon sign 20 of FIG. 6 taken along line BB. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that, in the description of the specification and drawings relating to each embodiment, components having substantially the same functional configuration are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0010] <Decoration composition> First, the configuration of an ornament 10 according to one embodiment will be described. The ornament 10 according to this embodiment is an ornament having a luminous pattern inside, and is formed by stacking two plate-shaped members made of a light-transmitting material. The ornament 10 may be, for example, a signboard, a key chain, an acrylic stand, an accessory, a trophy, or a miniature, but is not limited to these. The light-transmitting material is a material that has light-transmitting properties, and may be any transparent or translucent material. The light-transmitting material may be, for example, acrylic, polycarbonate, or glass, but is not limited to these.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a front view showing an example of decorative item 10. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of decorative item 10 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of decorative item 10 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of decorative item 10 of Fig. 1 taken along line AA. As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, decorative item 10 comprises a first plate-shaped member 11, a second plate-shaped member 12, a first recess 13, a second recess 14, a first paint portion 15, a second paint portion 16, a background portion 17, and a light-emitting portion 18.

[0012] The first plate-shaped member 11 is a translucent plate-shaped member and is made of a translucent material. In the example shown in the figure, the first plate-shaped member 11 is rectangular, but it can be any shape. The first plate-shaped member 11 has a front and a back surface. The front surface of the first plate-shaped member 11 forms the surface of the decorative item 10. The back surface of the first plate-shaped member 11 is formed with a first recess 13 and a first paint portion 15. The first plate-shaped member 11 is fixed so that its back surface is in contact with the front surface of the second plate-shaped member 12. The first plate-shaped member 11 is also fixed so that the first recess 13 and the second recess 14 overlap.

[0013] The second plate-shaped member 12 is a translucent plate-shaped member and is made of a translucent material. In the example shown in the figure, the second plate-shaped member 12 is rectangular, but it can be any shape. The second plate-shaped member 12 preferably has the same shape as the first plate-shaped member 11. The second plate-shaped member 12 has a front surface and a back surface. The front surface of the second plate-shaped member 12 is formed with a second recess 14 and a second paint portion 16. The back surface of the second plate-shaped member 12 is formed with a background portion 17, which constitutes the back surface of the decorative item 10. The second plate-shaped member 12 is fixed so that its front surface is in contact with the back surface of the first plate-shaped member 11. The second plate-shaped member 12 is also fixed so that the first recess 13 and the second recess 14 overlap.

[0014] The first recess 13 is a recess having the shape of a first pattern. The first pattern is a luminous pattern on the decorative item 10. The first recess 13 is formed on the back surface of the first plate-like member 11 so as to appear as the first pattern when the decorative item 10 is viewed from the front. In the example shown in the figure, the first pattern is a substantially rectangular outline and the word "engraved letters" surrounded by the outline, but it can be any pattern. The first pattern is, for example, but is not limited to, letters, numbers, symbols, figures, or a combination of these.

[0015] The second recess 14 is a recess having the shape of the first pattern. The first pattern is as described above. The second recess 14 is formed on the surface of the second plate-like member 12 so that it appears as the first pattern when the decorative item 10 is viewed from the front. The second recess 14 is also formed to have the same dimensions as the first recess 13.

[0016] The first paint section 15 is a paint section having the shape of the first pattern. The first paint section 15 is formed on the back surface of the first plate-like member 11 so as to appear as the first pattern when the decorative item 10 is viewed from the front. As shown in FIG. 4, the first paint section 15 is formed by applying paint to the first recess 13 in a thickness thinner than the depth of the first recess 13. Therefore, the first paint section 15 is formed in the same position as the first recess 13 and with the same dimensions. By fixing the first plate-like member 11 and the second plate-like member 12 so that the first recess 13 and the second recess 14 overlap, the first paint section 15 is positioned to face (overlap with a gap between) the second paint section 16. The first paint section 15 may contain paint of one or more colors, or may contain paint of one or more types.

[0017] The second paint section 16 is a paint section having the shape of the first pattern. The second paint section 16 is formed on the surface of the second plate-like member 12 so as to appear as the first pattern when the decorative item 10 is viewed from the front. The second paint section 16 is formed by applying paint to the second recess 14 in a thickness thinner than the depth of the second recess 14 (see FIG. 4). Therefore, the second paint section 16 is formed in the same position as the second recess 14 and with the same dimensions. By fixing the first plate-like member 11 and the second plate-like member 12 so that the first recess 13 and the second recess 14 overlap, the second paint section 16 is positioned to face the first paint section 15 (overlapping with a gap between them). The second paint section 16 may contain paint of one or more colors, or may contain paint of one or more types.

[0018] The background portion 17 is a portion having the shape of the second pattern. The background portion 17 is formed on the back surface of the second plate-like member 12 so that it appears as the second pattern when the decorative item 10 is viewed from the front. The background portion 17 forms the background of the first pattern when the decorative item 10 is viewed from the front. In the example shown in the figure, the second pattern is a substantially rectangular painted portion and the word "engraved letters" surrounded by the painted portion. The painted portion of the second pattern is slightly larger than the outline of the first pattern, and the letters of the second pattern are slightly larger than the letters of the first pattern. The background portion 17 is arranged so that the second pattern covers the first pattern when the decorative item 10 is viewed from the front (see FIG. 1). However, the background portion 17 is not limited to the example shown in the figure and can be any pattern that serves as the background of the first pattern. The second pattern may be, for example, letters, numbers, symbols, figures, or a combination thereof, but is not limited to these.

[0019] The light-emitting unit 18 is a part that irradiates the decorative item 10 with light from the side. The light-emitting unit 18 is configured to include, for example, a light-emitting element and a battery that supplies power to the light-emitting element. The light-emitting element is, for example, an LED, but is not limited to this. The light-emitting unit 18 is fixed to the side surfaces of the first plate-shaped member 11 and the second plate-shaped member 12 so that the light-emitting element can irradiate the first plate-shaped member 11 and the second plate-shaped member 12 with light from the side. In the example shown in the figure, the light-emitting unit 18 is fixed to the underside of the first plate-shaped member 11 and the second plate-shaped member 12, but it can be fixed to any side surface. Furthermore, multiple light-emitting units 18 may be provided, and the decorative item may be configured to be powered externally without including a battery.

[0020] <How to manufacture ornaments> Next, a method for manufacturing the decorative item 10 will be described. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for manufacturing the decorative item 10.

[0021] (Step S101) First, a first plate-shaped member 11 is prepared. Specifically, the first plate-shaped member 11 is formed by cutting a light-transmitting material into a desired shape. The light-transmitting material may be cut using a machine such as a laser processing machine, or may be cut manually using an acrylic cutter or the like. At this time, the cut light-transmitting material may be subjected to processing such as chamfering or polishing.

[0022] (Step S102) The first recess 13 is formed by etching a reversed version of the first design at a predetermined position on the back surface of the first plate-shaped member 11. The etching depth may be uniform or may vary depending on the location of the first design. Etching of the first plate-shaped member 11 may be performed using a machine such as a laser processing machine, or may be performed manually using an acrylic cutter or the like.

[0023] (Step S103) The first painted portion 15 is formed by painting a reversed version of the first pattern on the first recess 13 formed on the back surface of the first plate-like member 11. The first pattern may be painted by printing the first pattern using a device such as a UV printer, or may be painted manually.

[0024] (Step S104) Next, the second plate-shaped member 12 is prepared. Specifically, the second plate-shaped member 12 is formed by cutting a light-transmitting material into a desired shape. The light-transmitting material may be cut using a machine such as a laser processing machine, or may be cut manually using an acrylic cutter or the like. At this time, the cut light-transmitting material may be subjected to processing such as chamfering or polishing.

[0025] (Step S105) The second recesses 14 are formed by etching the first pattern at predetermined positions on the surface of the second plate-shaped member 12. The etching depth may be uniform or may vary depending on the location of the first pattern. Etching of the second plate-shaped member 12 may be performed using equipment such as a laser processing machine, or may be performed manually using an acrylic cutter or the like.

[0026] (Step S106) The second painted portion 16 is formed by painting the first pattern on the second recess 14 formed on the back surface of the second plate-like member 12. The painting of the first pattern may be performed by printing the first pattern using a device such as a UV printer, or may be performed manually.

[0027] (Step S107) Next, the first plate-shaped member 11 and the second plate-shaped member 12 are fixed together so that the back surface of the first plate-shaped member 11 and the front surface of the second plate-shaped member 12 are in contact with each other and the first recess 13 and the second recess 14 overlap. The first plate-shaped member 11 and the second plate-shaped member 12 may be bonded together with an adhesive, or their positional relationship may be fixed with fasteners such as bolts.

[0028] (Step S108) Thereafter, a reversed version of the second design is formed at a predetermined position on the rear surface of the second plate-shaped member 12, thereby forming the background portion 17. The background portion 17 may be formed by printing the reversed version of the second design using a device such as a UV printer, by manually painting the reversed version of the second design, by attaching a sticker on which the reversed version of the second design is printed to the rear surface of the second plate-shaped member 12, or by fixing another component on whose surface the second design is printed so that it is in contact with the rear surface of the second plate-shaped member 12.

[0029] (Step S109) Finally, the light emitting section 18 is fixed to the side surfaces of the first plate-shaped member 11 and the second plate-shaped member 12. The light emitting section 18 may be fixed with an adhesive or with a fastener such as a bolt.

[0030] The decorative item 10 can be manufactured through the above steps. The order in which the first plate-shaped member 11 and the second plate-shaped member 12 are prepared may be reversed. Furthermore, the second plate-shaped member 12 may be formed before the first plate-shaped member 11 and the second plate-shaped member 12 are fixed together.

[0031] <Effects of Decorations> As described above, the first plate-shaped member 11 and the second plate-shaped member 12 are fixed together so that the first recess 13 and the second recess 14 overlap. As a result, a space having the shape of the first pattern is formed inside the decorative item 10 (between the first plate-shaped member 11 and the second plate-shaped member 12) and is surrounded by the first recess 13 and the second recess 14.

[0032] When light enters this decorative item 10, at least a portion of the entering light is reflected within the space surrounded by the first recess 13 and the second recess 14, passes through the first painted section 15 or the second painted section 16, and exits the decorative item 10. As a result, the first pattern appears to be luminous from the outside.

[0033] Conventional decorative items have recesses formed on the surface in the shape of a pattern, and the pattern is made to glow by reflecting light from these recesses. In contrast, decorative item 10 according to this embodiment, as described above, has a space formed inside that is in the shape of the first pattern, and the pattern is made to glow by reflecting light from this space. With this configuration, decorative item 10 reflects more light from the areas corresponding to the pattern than conventional decorative items, thereby improving the luminescence of the pattern (first pattern).

[0034] In this way, the first pattern of the decorative item 10 is highly luminescent and therefore visible even with the background portion 17. In other words, by adopting the configuration of the decorative item 10 according to this embodiment, it is possible to realize a decorative item 10 having a first pattern that appears to glow and a background portion 17 that is drawn as the background of the first pattern.

[0035] Here, the appearance of the decorative item 10 will be explained in comparison with a neon sign 20. The neon sign 20 is a signboard composed of neon tubes in the shape of a picture, and functions as a signboard at night or in a dark place by emitting light from the neon tubes. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of the neon sign 20. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the neon sign 20 of FIG. 6 taken along line BB. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the neon sign 20 comprises a plate-shaped member 21, a neon tube 22, a fixing member 23, and a background portion 24.

[0036] The plate-like member 21 is a plate-like member made of metal, plastic, wood, etc. In the illustrated example, the plate-like member 21 is rectangular.

[0037] The neon tube 22 has the shape of a third design. In the example shown in the figure, the third design is a substantially rectangular outline and the word "engraved" surrounded by the outline. Although not shown, the neon tube 22 is connected to a power source and emits light using the power supplied from the power source.

[0038] The fixing member 23 is a linear member that fixes the neon tube 22 at a predetermined position relative to the plate-like member 21. The fixing member 23 extends perpendicularly from the plate-like member 21, with one end fixed to the plate-like member 21 and the other end fixed to the neon tube 22.

[0039] The background portion 24 is a portion of the fourth design drawn on the surface of the plate-like member 21. In the example shown in the figure, the fourth design is a substantially rectangular painted portion and the word "engraved letters" surrounded by the painted portion.

[0040] In this neon sign 20, the third pattern appears to glow when the neon tube 22 emits light. When the neon tube 22 emits light, the light from the neon tube 22 is reflected by the plate-like member 21, and the reflected light brightens the area around the neon tube 22, creating the distinctive dim appearance of the neon sign 20 (the area around the emitting neon tube 22 is dimly lit with light of the same color as the neon tube 22). This dim appearance is particularly pronounced when the surface of the plate-like member 21 is formed with a background portion 24 of a fourth pattern that is drawn so as to cover the third pattern when the neon sign 20 is viewed from the front.

[0041] In this way, the unique dimness of the neon sign 20 is caused by the presence of a gap between the luminous neon tube 22 (third pattern) and the plate-like member 21 on which the background portion 24 (fourth pattern) is formed (see Figure 7).

[0042] Incidentally, in the decorative item 10 according to this embodiment, a gap exists between the space (first pattern) between the luminous first recesses 13 and second recesses 14 and the second plate-like member 12 on which the background portion 17 (second pattern) is formed (see FIG. 4). In other words, the decorative item 10 has a structure similar to that of a neon sign 20. Therefore, the decorative item 10 can reproduce the distinctive dim feeling of the neon sign 20. In particular, as shown in FIG. 1, when the decorative item 10 is viewed from the front, the dim feeling can be enhanced by drawing the second pattern (forming the background portion 17) so as to cover the first pattern.

[0043] In this embodiment, the decorative item 10 can be configured without the first paint section 15 or the second paint section 16. In this case, the color of the first pattern will be weaker. The decorative item 10 can also be configured without the first paint section 15 or the second paint section 16. In this case, the first pattern will glow white. The decorative item 10 can also be configured without the background section 17. In this case, the dim appearance of the neon sign 20 will be weakened. The decorative item 10 can also be configured without the light-emitting section 18. In this case, the first pattern will glow when exposed to light from the external environment.

[0044] <Additional Notes> The present embodiment includes the following disclosure.

[0045] (Appendix 1) a first plate-shaped member having light-transmitting properties; a second plate-shaped member that is translucent and fixed so as to be in contact with the first plate-shaped member; Equipped with the first plate-like member has a first recess in the shape of a first pattern on a rear surface thereof; the second plate-like member has a second recess in the surface thereof, the second recess having the shape of the first pattern; The first plate-shaped member and the second plate-shaped member are fixed so that the first recess and the second recess overlap. Decorations.

[0046] (Appendix 2) The first plate-shaped member has a first paint portion formed on the first recess and having the shape of the first pattern. Ornaments as described in Appendix 1.

[0047] (Appendix 3) The second plate-shaped member has a second paint portion formed on the second recess and having the shape of the first pattern. An ornament as described in Appendix 1 or Appendix 2.

[0048] (Appendix 4) The first plate-shaped member and the second plate-shaped member are bonded together. An ornament described in any of Appendix 1 to Appendix 3.

[0049] (Appendix 5) The first plate-shaped member and the second plate-shaped member are transparent. An ornament described in any of Appendix 1 to Appendix 4.

[0050] (Appendix 6) The second plate-shaped member further includes a background portion on the rear surface thereof, the background portion having a shape of a second pattern. An ornament described in any of Appendix 1 to Appendix 5.

[0051] (Appendix 7) a light emitting section for irradiating the first plate-shaped member and the second plate-shaped member with light from the side surfaces thereof; An ornament described in any of Appendix 1 to Appendix 6.

[0052] (Appendix 8) forming a first recess having a shape of a first pattern on a rear surface of a first plate-like member having translucency; forming a second recess having the shape of the first pattern on a surface of a second plate-like member having translucency; fixing the first plate-shaped member and the second plate-shaped member so that the first recess and the second recess overlap; A method for manufacturing an ornament, comprising:

[0053] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above meaning, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 10: Ornaments 11: First plate-shaped member 12: Second plate-shaped member 13: First recess 14: Second recess 15: 1st paint section 16: 2nd paint section 17: Background part 18: Light-emitting part 20: Neon sign 21: Plate-shaped member 22: Neon tube 23: Fixing member 24: Background part

Claims

1. a first plate-shaped member having light-transmitting properties; a second plate-like member that is translucent and fixed to the first plate-like member so as to be in contact with the first plate-like member; Equipped with the first plate-like member has a first recess in the shape of a first pattern on a back surface thereof; the second plate-like member has a second recess in a surface thereof, the second recess having the shape of the first pattern; the first plate-shaped member and the second plate-shaped member are fixed so that a rear surface of the first plate-shaped member and a front surface of the second plate-shaped member are in contact with each other and the first recess and the second recess overlap each other; a first paint portion having the shape of the first pattern formed on the first recess, or a second paint portion having the shape of the first pattern formed on the second recess; Decorations.

2. The first plate-shaped member and the second plate-shaped member are bonded together. The decorative article according to claim 1.

3. The first plate-shaped member and the second plate-shaped member are transparent. The decorative article according to claim 1.

4. The second plate-shaped member further includes a background portion on the rear surface thereof, the background portion having a shape of a second pattern. The decorative article according to claim 1.

5. a light emitting section for irradiating the first plate-shaped member and the second plate-shaped member with light from the side surfaces thereof; The decorative article according to claim 1.

6. forming a first recess having a shape of a first pattern on a rear surface of a first plate-like member having light-transmitting properties; forming a second recess having the shape of the first pattern on a surface of a second plate-like member having light-transmitting properties; a step of fixing the first plate-shaped member and the second plate-shaped member so that a back surface of the first plate-shaped member and a front surface of the second plate-shaped member are in contact with each other and the first recess and the second recess overlap; forming a first paint portion having the shape of the first pattern on the first recess, or forming a second paint portion having the shape of the first pattern on the second recess; A method for manufacturing an ornament, comprising:

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