Method for manufacturing exterior parts
The method uses transparent polymer materials with reflective and luminescent features to create decorative elements that mimic gemstones, addressing the need for cost-effective and energy-efficient decoration that replicates the brilliance of natural stones.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- THE SWATCH GRP RES & DEVELONMENT LTD
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-23
AI Technical Summary
Existing decorative elements that simulate precious stones using polymer materials do not adequately replicate the brilliance and sparkle of natural stones, and their manufacturing is not cost-effective or energy-efficient.
Manufacturing decorative elements with transparent polymer materials containing reflective particle fillers, using injection molding and anchor legs, and incorporating reflective and luminescent features to enhance visual similarity to gemstones, while minimizing energy consumption.
The method produces decorative elements that closely resemble gemstones in appearance and sparkle, offering a cost-effective and energy-efficient alternative with enhanced visual appeal.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the decoration of watches, jewelry or fashion items, and more particularly to the manufacture of exterior parts including one or more decorative elements that simulate precious stones.
[0002] In this text, the term "precious stone" is referred to without distinguishing between precious stones and semi-precious stones.
[0003] This method can be advantageously applied to any exterior part in the fields of watchmaking, jewelry, or fashion items such as leather products, glasses, writing instruments or portable electronic devices.
Background Art
[0004] In order to give a high added value to an object, one or more precious stones are often fitted and decorated on a pedestal. This significantly increases the perceived value of the object.
[0005] For both economic and ecological reasons, precious stones can be synthetically manufactured in the laboratory. In particular, manufacturing precious stones in the laboratory is less energy-intensive than extracting natural precious stones by mining, so the price of synthetic stones is 30 to 40% lower than that of equivalent natural stones.
[0006] A further advantage of synthetically manufactured stones is that they have the same visual appearance as natural mined stones because their atomic structure is the same as that of natural mined stones.
[0007] In order to further reduce the manufacturing cost of this type of decoration, decorative elements that simulate the appearance of precious stones using polymer materials have been developed. However, although the manufacture of these decorative elements uses only a fraction of the energy required to manufacture synthetically made stones, their appearance is not suitable as a substitute for these stones.
[0008] Therefore, there is a need for decorative elements that maintain the brilliance or sparkle found in precious stones, and consequently give the decorated objects the same highly desirable appearance as those described above, while being manufactured inexpensively and with minimal energy consumption. [Overview of the project]
[0009] To this end, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing exterior parts, the method being: The steps include manufacturing a substrate including a cavity, The steps include: 1. Manufacturing a decorative element made from a transparent polymer material having reflective particle fillers by molding, wherein the decorative element is formed to have at least one decorative head connected to an anchor leg; • Steps include fastening decorative elements to the cavity so that the anchor legs work in conjunction with the cavity using shape fitting,
[0010] In specific implementations, the present invention may further include one or more of the following features. These features should be considered individually or in any technically possible combination.
[0011] In a particular embodiment, the decorative elements are manufactured by injection molding, and the anchor legs are formed by injection sprues.
[0012] In a specific implementation example, in the step of manufacturing the decorative element, the decorative element is manufactured such that the anchor leg forms a support structure that connects multiple decorative heads together.
[0013] In specific implementation examples, the opaque layer is deposited on the anchor leg by vacuum thin-film deposition, spray or selective dip coating, or injection molding during the manufacturing process of the decorative element.
[0014] In a specific implementation example, in the step of manufacturing a decorative element, the decorative element is manufactured to include a decorative head to which the decorative element is connected to a specific anchor leg.
[0015] In a specific implementation example, during the step of fastening the decorative element, the anchor leg is joined to a cavity having a complementary shape.
[0016] In a specific implementation example, during the step of fastening the decorative element, the anchor leg extends beyond the substrate by its end, and the end is deformed under heat, i.e., after being heated until it softens sufficiently to deform, in order to create a permanent bond between the decorative element and the substrate.
[0017] In a specific implementation example, in the step of manufacturing the decorative element, the polymer material is a thermoplastic selected from polycarbonate, polyamide, or poly(methyl methacrylate).
[0018] In a specific implementation example, in the step of manufacturing the decorative element, the polymer material is selected to have a light transmittance of more than 80%, or more than 90%, or more than 95%.
[0019] In a specific implementation example, in the step of manufacturing a decorative element, the reflective particles consist of thin flakes of metallic material and / or pearlescent material, or glass particles having a reflective coating.
[0020] In a specific implementation example, the mass percentage of reflective particle filler is less than 1% in the step of manufacturing the decorative element.
[0021] In a specific implementation example, during the step of manufacturing the decorative element, a thin reflective layer is deposited on at least one surface of the decorative element that is intended to be placed facing a cavity in the substrate.
[0022] In a specific implementation example, a reflective layer is deposited in the cavity during the manufacturing step of the substrate.
[0023] In certain implementation examples, a thin reflective layer is deposited by vacuum deposition and is made from SiO2 or TiO2.
[0024] In a particular implementation example, when the decorative element is being formed, the wall of the mold intended to form the decorative head has a mirror-polished surface finish.
[0025] In a particular implementation example, the method includes the step of polishing the decorative head such that its surface has a mirror-polished surface finish.
[0026] In a particular implementation example, in the step of manufacturing the decorative element, a luminescent particle filler is incorporated into the polymer material at a ratio of less than 1% by mass.
[0027] In a particular implementation example, in the step of manufacturing the decorative element, once the decorative element is obtained by molding, a thin layer of the luminescent material is deposited on the surface of the head intended to be placed facing the cavity in the substrate.
[0028] The present invention further relates to an exterior component manufactured by the above method.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0029] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, given by way of example and not in any way limiting, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0030] [Figure 1] Shows the manufacturing step of the decorative element of the method according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Shows the decorative element obtained after performing the step of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] Shows the step of fastening the decorative element to the substrate. [Figure 4] Shows the manufacturing step of the decorative element of the method according to an alternative of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Shows the manufacturing step of the decorative element of the method according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] In one specific form of the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shows the step of fastening the decorative element to the substrate. [Figure 7] In one specific form of a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the step of fastening a decorative element to a substrate is shown. [Figure 8] In another specific form of the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the step of fastening a decorative element to a substrate is shown. [Figure 9] In another specific form of the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the step of fastening a decorative element to a substrate is shown. [Figure 10] In another specific form of the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the step of fastening a decorative element to a substrate is shown.
[0031] Please note that the diagrams are not necessarily drawn to scale for clarity. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0032] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing exterior components 10 of a wristwatch, such as a dial, flange, crown, or bezel, the method comprising the steps of manufacturing a substrate 11 and decorative elements 12, and subsequently fastening the decorative elements 12 to the substrate 11 to form the exterior component 10. These steps are described in detail below.
[0033] In implementing the method according to the present invention, the substrate 11 is manufactured to include a cavity 110 intended to receive a decorative element 12. The substrate 11 may be made from any suitable material, such as a metal, ceramic, or polymer material. It should be noted that although the substrate 11 may have multiple cavities 110, for clarity, it is described in the text and drawings as having a single cavity 110.
[0034] In particular, the cavity 110 may have a constant cross-section as shown in Figure 3, or a proximal portion 11 that opens to the outer surface 112 of the substrate 11, which is extended by a distal portion 113 that is intended to be visible to the user and has a reduced cross-section, as shown in Figures 6 to 10.
[0035] The cavity 110 may be a blind cavity or a through cavity. In particular, Figures 3, 6, and 7 show that the cavity 110 is a blind cavity, and Figures 8 to 10 show that the cavity 110 is a through cavity that opens through its distal portion 113 to the inner surface 114 of the substrate 11 opposite to the outer surface 112.
[0036] The decorative element 12 is manufactured by integral molding, as schematically shown in Figures 1 and 5, and is not particularly chronologically related to the steps for manufacturing the substrate 11. It is made from a transparent polymer material, such as a thermoplastic selected from polycarbonate, polyamide, or poly(methyl methacrylate).
[0037] The decorative element 12 is intended to have, advantageously, reflective particle fillers. These reflective particles help to increase the refractive index of the decorative element 12, thereby increasing its reflectivity and bringing its appearance closer to that of a gemstone. The reflective particles consist of metallic material and / or flakes of nacre, with a mass ratio of typically less than 1%. Furthermore, the polymer material is selected to have a light transmittance of 80%, 90%, or even more than 95%, so that the visual appearance of the decorative element 12 tends to resemble that of a gemstone as closely as possible.
[0038] The decorative element 12 is formed to have at least one decorative head 120 connected to the anchor leg 121, as shown in the figure. Preferably, the decorative element 12 is manufactured by injection molding, and the anchor leg 121 is formed by all or part of an injection-molded sprue, as shown in Figures 1 and 5. The anchor leg 121 is therefore cylindrical, and its cross-section may be circular, elliptical, polygonal, etc.
[0039] In the first exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the decorative element 12 is manufactured such that an anchor leg 121 forms a support structure in which a plurality of decorative heads 120 are connected together. In particular, as seen in Figure 2, the anchor leg 121 may in this case have an annular shape, and the decorative heads 120 are evenly distributed on the leg around the axis of rotation.
[0040] In this exemplary embodiment, the method may include the step of depositing an opaque layer on the anchor leg 121 to visually separate the transparent decorative head. Preferably, the opaque layer is configured to have the same visual appearance as the outer surface 112.
[0041] This opaque layer may be deposited on the anchor leg by vacuum thin-film deposition, spray or selective dip coating, or by injection molding during the manufacturing step of the decorative element 12. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the opaque layer can be bi-injection molded together with the decorative head 120 and the anchor leg 121. The opaque layer may be made from the same polymer material, but may have, for example, an opaque filler of a given color.
[0042] In the second exemplary embodiment shown in Figures 5 to 10, the decorative element 12 is manufactured to include a single decorative head 120 connected to a specific anchor leg 121.
[0043] Preferably, in the step of manufacturing the decorative element 12, a thin reflective layer is deposited on at least one surface of the decorative element 12 that is intended to be placed facing the cavity 110 of the substrate 11. Alternatively, in the step of manufacturing the substrate 11, the reflective layer is deposited in the cavity 110. The thin reflective layer may be deposited, for example, by vacuum deposition and is made of, for example, SiO2 or TiO2.
[0044] Advantageously, the walls of the mold intended to form the decorative head 120 have a mirror-polished surface finish, and the surface of the decorative head 120 also has a mirror-polished surface finish. Alternatively, the method may include the step of polishing the decorative head 120 so that its surface has a mirror-polished surface finish. This feature improves the transparency of the decorative head 120.
[0045] Another feature of the present invention that enables an enhancement of the visual appeal of the decorative element 12 is to incorporate a ratio of less than 1 mass% of luminous particle filler into the polymer material during the step of manufacturing the decorative element 12. Alternatively or additionally, a thin layer of luminous material may be deposited on the surface of the head that is intended to be placed facing the cavity 110 of the substrate 11.
[0046] Once the substrate 11 and the decorative element 12 are manufactured, the decorative element 12 is fastened to the cavity 110 of the substrate 11. Specifically, during this step, the anchor legs 121 cooperate with a complementary shaped portion of the cavity 110.
[0047] More specifically, during the fastening step, the anchor legs 121 are engaged with the cavity 110 until the decorative element 12 is restrained, for example, by its decorative head 120. The decorative element 12 can be fastened to the cavity 110 by joining its legs inside the cavity 110, for example, if the cavity is blind, as shown in Figure 7.
[0048] Alternatively, if the cavity 110 is a through-cavity, the anchor leg 121 may extend so that its end 122 extends beyond the substrate 11, as shown in Figure 9. This end 122 is deformed under heat (i.e., after the material has been heated and softened), for example by crushing, to produce a radial lip of material that forms an axial stop, as shown in Figure 10. This axial stop holds the decorative element 12 in place within the cavity 110. Needless to say, when the end 122 of the decorative element 12 is deformed, the end 122 is subjected to a force that counteracts the force required to crush the material of the end 122.
[0049] In general, it should be noted that the implementation examples and embodiments considered above are described as non-limiting examples, and that other alternative examples are also possible.
[0050] For example, in the drawing, the decorative head 120 is shown to have facets, a table, a crown, and a pavilion, similar to a cut gemstone, although these may have different appearances.
Claims
1. A method for manufacturing exterior parts (10), - A step of manufacturing a substrate (11) including a cavity (110), - A step of manufacturing a decorative element (12) made from a transparent polymer material having reflective particle fillers by molding, wherein the decorative element (12) is formed to have at least one decorative head (120) connected to an anchor leg (121), - The step of fastening the decorative element (12) to the cavity (110) such that the anchor leg (121) cooperates with the cavity by shape fitting. Includes, The decorative element (12) is manufactured by injection molding, and the anchor leg (121) is formed by injection sprue. The method is characterized in that the decorative head (120) has the appearance of a cut gemstone.
2. A method for manufacturing an exterior part (10), - A step of manufacturing a substrate (11) including a cavity (110), - A step of manufacturing a decorative element (12) made from a transparent polymer material having reflective particle fillers by molding, wherein the decorative element (12) is formed to have at least one decorative head (120) connected to an anchor leg (121), - The step of fastening the decorative element (12) to the cavity (110) such that the anchor leg (121) cooperates with the cavity by shape fitting. Includes, A method for manufacturing the decorative element (12), wherein the decorative element (12) is manufactured such that the anchor leg (121) connects a plurality of decorative heads (120) together.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein an opaque layer is deposited on the anchor leg (121) by vacuum thin-film deposition during the step of manufacturing the decorative element (12) by spraying, selective dip coating, or injection molding.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein in the step of manufacturing the decorative element (12), the decorative element (12) is manufactured to include a decorative head (120) connected to a specific anchor leg (121).
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein in the step of fastening the decorative element (12), the anchor leg (121) is joined to a portion of the cavity (110) having a complementary shape.
6. The method according to claim 4, wherein in the step of fastening the decorative element (12), the anchor leg (121) extends such that its end (122) extends beyond the substrate (11), and the end (122) is deformed under heat to bring about a permanent bond between the decorative element (12) and the substrate (11).
7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the step of manufacturing the decorative element (12), the transparent polymer material is a thermoplastic selected from polycarbonate, polyamide, or poly(methyl methacrylate).
8. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the step of manufacturing the decorative element (12), the transparent polymer material is selected to have a light transmittance of more than 80%.
9. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the step of manufacturing the decorative element (12), the reflective particle filler is made of a metal material and / or a thin flake of pearl.
10. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the step of manufacturing the decorative element (12), the mass ratio of the reflective particle filler to the decorative element (12) is less than 1%.
11. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the step of manufacturing the decorative element (12), a thin reflective layer is deposited on at least one surface of the decorative element (12) that is intended to be placed facing the cavity (110) of the substrate (11).
12. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the step of manufacturing the substrate (11), a reflective layer is deposited in the cavity (110).
13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the thin reflective layer is deposited by vacuum deposition and is made of SiO2 or TiO2.
14. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the decorative element (12) is formed, the wall of the mold intended to form the decorative head (120) has a mirror-polished surface finish.
15. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising the step of polishing the decorative head (120) so that its surface has a mirror-polished surface finish.
16. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the step of manufacturing the decorative element (12), a luminous particle filler is incorporated into the transparent polymer material in a ratio of less than 1% by mass.
17. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, in the step of manufacturing the decorative element (12), once the decorative element (12) is obtained by molding, a thin layer of a glossy material is deposited on the surface of the decorative head (120) which is intended to be placed facing the cavity (110) of the substrate (11).