External components for portable watches, fashion items, or jewelry, and methods for manufacturing such external components.
The method improves the alignment and visual appeal of decorative layers on portable timepieces and fashion items by using a translucent substrate with base and secondary layers, ensuring precise alignment and attractive visual effects through polishing and etching processes.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- COMADUR
- Filing Date
- 2023-01-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-23
- Estimated Expiration
- Not applicable · inactive patent
AI Technical Summary
Existing technologies face challenges in achieving accurate alignment and visual appeal of thin layers on outer parts of portable timepieces and fashion items, particularly due to complex dimensional structures and alignment tolerances.
The solution involves creating an outer component with a substrate made of translucent material, featuring a base layer and a secondary layer with different surface conditions, and through-openings, manufactured through polishing, deposition, local removal, and etching processes to ensure precise alignment and attractive visual appearance.
This method enhances the alignment and visual appeal of decorative elements by ensuring precise alignment and contrasting surface conditions, resulting in an aesthetically appealing decoration visible through a light-transmissive substrate.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of portable timepieces (e.g., wristwatches, pocket watches), fashion items or jewelry, and more particularly to outer parts of portable timepieces, fashion items or jewelry, and methods for manufacturing such outer parts.
[0002] In this document, the concept of "fashion item" includes clothing or accessories such as belts, shoes, and clothes, and further includes eyewear items, telephone items, or any decorative item.
Background Art
[0003] Particularly in the field of portable timepieces, there may be decorations on the outer parts of portable timepieces, such as flanges and bezels, made by thin layers deposited on the surface of a substrate.
[0004] Depending on the dimensional structure and the number of details of the decoration of the outer part, it may become relatively complicated to make the outer part. In particular, it may be particularly difficult to comply with the alignment tolerances between thin layers.
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0005] In this regard, an object of the present invention is to improve the accuracy and quality of the decoration of the outer parts of portable timepieces, particularly the visual appearance of juxtaposed thin layers that can be seen through a light-transmissive substrate.
[0006] Particularly, the present invention solves the problem of conforming to the tolerances of the alignment of the decoration in the outer part, particularly the alignment between thin layers and the alignment of the thin layer with respect to the structuration on which the thin layer is deposited.
[0007] Generally, the above problems occur in the field of fashion items or jewelry.
[0008] In this context, the present invention relates to an outer component of a portable watch, fashion article, or jewelry, comprising a substrate made of a translucent material, wherein the substrate has an upper surface opposite to a polished lower surface. The outer component further comprises a base layer deposited on a first portion of the upper surface and at least one secondary layer deposited on a second portion of the upper surface. The first and second portions of the upper surface have different surface conditions.
[0009] In certain embodiments, the present invention may further have one or more of the following features, which may be considered separately or in technically possible combinations.
[0010] In certain embodiments, the first portion of the upper surface is polished, and the second portion of the upper surface has at least one structured structure.
[0011] In certain embodiments, the base layer and the secondary layer have different compositions.
[0012] In a particular embodiment, the base layer and the secondary layer have through-openings that reach a third portion of the upper surface of the substrate.
[0013] In certain embodiments, the outer component includes a lower base layer deposited on a first portion of the lower surface, and the outer component further includes a lower secondary layer deposited on a structured second portion of the lower surface. The lower base layer and the lower secondary layer have lower through openings that reach a third portion of the lower surface and are formed at least on the opposite side of the first and second portions of the upper surface.
[0014] In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a watch face for a portable watch formed by the external components.
[0015] In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a decorative element for a telephone case formed by the outer component.
[0016] In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method for manufacturing outer components of a portable watch, fashion article, or jewelry. A step of polishing the underside of a substrate made of a translucent material, The steps include depositing a base layer on all or part of the upper surface of the substrate, A step of locally removing the base layer, wherein a portion of the base layer is held on a first portion of the upper surface of the substrate, and the removal is carried out to form at least one pocket reaching a second portion of the upper surface of the substrate, thereby structuring the second portion of the upper surface of the substrate. The process includes the step of depositing a secondary layer on the base layer and on the second portion of the upper surface of the substrate.
[0017] In a particular embodiment, the method includes the step of pre-polishing the upper surface of the substrate.
[0018] In a particular embodiment, the method includes the step of etching such that a portion of the base layer and a portion of the secondary layer are removed over their entire thickness without affecting the substrate, thereby forming at least one through-opening that reaches a third portion of the upper surface of the substrate.
[0019] In certain embodiments, this method The steps include depositing a lower base layer on all or part of the surface of the lower surface, The steps include: locally removing the lower base layer so as to form a lower structured structure on the second portion of the lower surface of the substrate; The steps include depositing a lower secondary layer on the lower base layer and the lower structured tissue, The process includes etching the third portion of the lower surface to form one or more lower through-openings that reach the third portion of the lower surface of the substrate, such that the third portion of the lower surface extends at least to the opposite side of the first and second portions of the upper surface.
[0020] In certain embodiments, the method finally includes depositing an anti-reflection coating on one or both of the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate.
[0021] In some specific embodiments, the step of locally removing the base layer is performed by a laser beam.
[0022] Other features and advantages of the present invention can be understood by reading the following detailed description given as an example while referring to the accompanying drawings. Note that in the drawings, the scale has been changed as appropriate and should not be used as a reference.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0023] [Figure 1] A cross-sectional view of an outer component when manufacturing the outer component made by performing some steps of the manufacturing method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. [Figure 2] A cross-sectional view of an outer component when manufacturing the outer component made by performing some steps of the manufacturing method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. [Figure 3] A cross-sectional view of an outer component obtained by performing the manufacturing method according to the embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. [Figure 4] A cross-sectional view of an outer component obtained by performing the manufacturing method according to the embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. [Figure 5] A cross-sectional view of an outer component obtained by performing the manufacturing method according to the embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown.
Modes for Carrying Out the Invention
[0024] The present invention relates to an outer component 10 as shown in several different embodiments in FIGS. 3 to 5, and also shows its manufacturing steps in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0025] The present invention may consist of a decorative element for a portable watch, a fashion item, or jewelry.
[0026] The term "fashion items" includes any clothing or accessories such as belts, shoes, and garments, and further includes eyewear items, telephone items such as telephone cases, or any decorative items.
[0027] The outer component 10 includes a base material 11 made of a translucent material. In this document, the term "translucent" refers to the property of a material to allow all or part of light radiation, particularly light visible to the naked eye, to pass through. Examples of such translucent materials include sapphire and glass.
[0028] The base material 11 has an upper surface 110 opposite to its lower surface 111, and in at least the embodiments of the present invention shown in Figures 3 and 4, it is intended that the user view the decoration of the outer component 10 through the base material 11 from the lower surface 111. Therefore, the lower surface 111 of the base material 11 is preferably polished.
[0029] In particular, in these embodiments, the lower surface 111 is intended to face the external environment, and the upper surface 110 is intended to face the internal environment, for example, facing a timekeeping movement if the outer component 10 is a component of a portable watch.
[0030] In this specification, the relative terms "lower" and "upper" are used to describe elements in relation to the configuration shown in the drawings, and do not necessarily describe the absolute position of such elements. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that such terms are interchangeable with other terms and that the embodiments described herein may operate in orientations different from those shown and described in the drawings.
[0031] The outer component 10 includes a base layer 12 deposited on a first portion 1101 of the upper surface 110, and at least one secondary layer 13 deposited on the base layer 12 and on a second portion 1102 of the upper surface 110 that is not covered by the base layer 12. As shown in Figures 3-5, the first and second portions 1101 and 1102 of the upper surface 110 are adjacent to each other.
[0032] Preferably, the first and second portions 1101 and 1102 of the upper surface 110 have different surface conditions.
[0033] In particular, the first portion 1101 of the top surface 110 is preferably polished, and the second portion 1102 of the top surface 110 preferably has at least one structured texture 112. Hereinafter, for the sake of readability, the second portion 1102 will be described as having one, and therefore one structured texture 112. The concept of “structured texture” as used herein means a surface with altered topography, including satin finish, texturing, etching, etc. Preferably, a combination of the base layer 12, the secondary layer 13, and the different surface conditions of the top surface 110 of the substrate 11 can form a particularly attractive decoration.
[0034] As shown in Figures 3-5, the sub-layer 13 matches the structural shape 112 on the portion of the upper surface 110 facing the second portion 1102. Therefore, the sub-layer 13 replicates the shape of the structured tissue 112 on its outer surface, that is, on the surface facing the opposite side of the substrate.
[0035] Preferably, the base layer 12 and the secondary layer 13 have different compositions. They can be made of metals such as chromium, gold, titanium, zirconium, ceramics, or any suitable material. One or both of the base layer 12 and the secondary layer 13 can be formed by a laminate of thin layers in a form well known to those skilled in the art. The base layer 12 and / or the secondary layer 13 can be opaque or translucent.
[0036] In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the base layer 12 and the secondary layer 13 may have through-openings 15 that reach a third portion 1103 of the upper surface 110.
[0037] Therefore, if there is a through-opening 15 in the base layer 12 and the secondary layer 13, the user can see through it to the outer component 10.
[0038] In this case, the outer component 10 may include an anti-reflective coating (not shown) deposited on the lower surface 111 of the base material 11 and / or on the secondary layer 13, and on a third portion 1103 of the upper surface 110 of the base material 11.
[0039] In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the outer component 10 includes a base layer called the “lower base layer” 12’ on a first portion 1111 of the lower surface 111 of the substrate 11, in a similar manner to the upper surface 110. A “lower secondary layer” 13’ is deposited on a structured second portion 1112 of the lower surface 111, called the “lower structured structure” 112’, and on the lower base layer 12’. Similar in form to the base layer 12 and the secondary layer 13, the lower base layer 12’ and the lower secondary layer 13’ can be made of a metallic material, a ceramic material, or any other suitable material, preferably having a different composition. One or both of these lower base layers 12’ and the lower secondary layer 13’ can be formed by a laminate of thin layers in a manner well known to those skilled in the art.
[0040] Similar to the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the lower base layer 12' and the lower secondary layer 13' may have at least one lower through-opening 15'. As shown in Figure 5, this lower through-opening 15' reaches a third portion 1113 of the lower surface 111 and extends at least on the opposite side of the first and second portions 1101 and 1102 of the upper surface 110. This allows the user to see the decoration resulting from the combination of the base layer 12, the secondary layer 13, and the different surface states of the upper surface 110 of the substrate 11 through the substrate 11 from the lower surface 111.
[0041] Furthermore, similar to the embodiments shown in Figures 3 and 4, the lower secondary layer 13' matches the shape of the lower structured tissue 112' on the portion of the lower secondary layer 13' surface facing the second lower portion 1102 of the lower surface 111. Therefore, as shown in Figure 5, the lower secondary layer 13' replicates the shape of the lower structured tissue 112' on its outer surface, that is, on the surface facing the opposite side of the base material 11.
[0042] Furthermore, the outer component 10 is preferably manufactured by a manufacturing method that shows several steps in chronological order, as shown in Figures 1-3, and possibly in other embodiments, as shown in Figures 1-4 and 1-5.
[0043] Specifically, this manufacturing method includes the steps of polishing the lower surface 111 of the substrate 11 and, as shown in Figure 1, subsequently depositing a base layer 12 on all or part of the upper surface 110 of the substrate 11.
[0044] Such deposition can be carried out by physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, or any other suitable method.
[0045] Preferably, the upper surface 110 is pre-polished in a pre-polishing step before the deposition of the base layer 12.
[0046] Next, the method includes a step of locally removing the base layer 12, as shown in Figure 2, thereby forming one or more pockets 14 that reach the upper surface 110 of the substrate 11, and simultaneously structuring the pockets 14 or the upper surface 110 in each pocket 14 to form a structured structure 112.
[0047] In particular, upon completion of the local removal step, the portion of the base layer 12 that is not affected by the removal rests on the first portion 1101 of the upper surface 110 of the substrate 11, and the pocket 14 reaches the second portion 1102 of the upper surface 110, which is then structured. In this way, the structured tissue 112 or each structured tissue 112 perfectly conforms in shape to the pocket 14 on which it is formed, and therefore to the base layer 12.
[0048] Local removal of the base layer 12 and the resulting structuring of the structured tissue 112 of the second portion 1102 of the upper surface 110 are preferably carried out by laser processing. Alternatively, the local removal step may be carried out by robotic etching with a diamond bit, machining, chemical processing, etc.
[0049] Next, as shown in Figure 3, in order to obtain the outer component 10, a step is performed to deposit a secondary layer 13 on the base layer 12 and within the pocket 14, that is, on the second portion 1102 of the upper surface 110 of the substrate 11. Thus, the alignment tolerances of the first and second portions 1101 and 1102 of the upper surface 110, which have different surface conditions, and the base layer 12 and the secondary layer 13 are ensured to be met.
[0050] Furthermore, thanks to the features of the present invention, in addition to the possibility of color differences between the base layer 12 and the secondary layer 13, the contrasting surface conditions of different parts of the upper surface 110 on which these base layers 12 and secondary layers 13 are deposited make the visual appearance of the decoration of the outer component 10 particularly attractive.
[0051] Furthermore, the secondary layer 13 can be deposited by physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, or any other suitable method.
[0052] Finally, as shown in Figure 4, the method may include an etching step in which a portion of the base layer 12 and a portion of the secondary layer 13 are removed over their entire thickness to form the base layer 12 and secondary layer 13 according to a predetermined shape without affecting the substrate 11.
[0053] Thanks to this etching step, at least one through-opening 15 can be formed that reaches the third portion 1103 of the upper surface 110 of the substrate 11.
[0054] Such etching steps can be performed by photolithography, laser processing, or other methods.
[0055] Instead of this final step, to produce the outer component according to the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the method may sequentially include steps of depositing a lower base layer 12' on all or part of the surface of the lower surface 111, and steps of locally removing the lower base layer 12', similar to the local removal step of the base layer 12. In particular, during the local removal step of the lower base layer 12', the lower structured tissue 112' is formed on the second portion 1112 of the lower surface 111 of the substrate 11, and the remainder of the lower base layer 12' is placed on the first portion 1111 of the lower surface 111. Next, the lower secondary layer 13' is deposited on the lower base layer 12' and the lower structured tissue 112'.
[0056] Subsequently, an etching step is performed, as shown in Figure 5, which is intended to form one or more lower through-openings 15' that reach a third portion 1111 of the lower surface 111 of the substrate 11. Preferably, the lower through-openings 15' are formed such that the third portion 1111 of the lower surface 111 extends at least to the side opposite to the first and second portions 1101 and 1102 of the upper surface 110.
[0057] The embodiment shown in Figure 5 is particularly advantageous for applications where the outer component 10 is mounted on a toolbilon watch or a skeleton watch, and the outer component 10 is visible in all directions.
[0058] After these steps, a possible final step can be performed, which involves depositing an anti-reflective coating on one or both of the upper surface 110 and the lower surface 111 of the substrate 11.
[0059] In general, the implementations and embodiments described above are illustrative examples, and other variations are possible.
[0060] In particular, this manufacturing method may include depositing a third layer on the secondary layer 13, which may be deposited in the pocket, in a manner similar to the step of depositing the secondary layer 13.
[0061] Generally, this method may involve several localized removal steps, followed by a step of depositing an additional layer according to the desired decoration.
[0062] Furthermore, the lower surface 111 can be intended to face the internal environment, and the upper surface 110 can be intended to face the external environment, that is, the user.
[0063] Preferably, the outer component 10 according to the present invention forms the front dial, crystal, bezel, or flange of a portable watch. However, it is not limited to these.
[0064] In another preferred variant, the outer component 10 forms a decorative element of the telephone case. The decorative element may extend over all or part of the visible surface of the telephone case. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0065] 10 Outer parts 11 Base material 12 Base Layer 12' Lower base layer 13 Sub-layers 13' lower sublayer 14 pockets 15 Through-opening 15' Lower through-opening 110 Top surface 111 Bottom side 112 Structured organization 112' lower structured tissue
Claims
1. An outer component (10) of a portable watch, fashion item, or jewelry, comprising a base material (11) made of a translucent material, The base material (11) has an upper surface (110) opposite to the polished lower surface (111), The outer component (10) includes a base layer (12) deposited on a first portion (1101) of the upper surface (110), at least one secondary layer (13) deposited on the base layer (12) and on a second portion (1102) of the upper surface (110), and a lower base layer (12') deposited on a first portion (1111) of the lower surface (111). The first and second portions (1101, 1102) of the upper surface (110) have different surface conditions. The first portion (1101) of the upper surface (110) is polished. The second portion (1102) of the upper surface (110) has at least one structured structure (112), which is not polished and whose topography is altered by satin finish and / or texturing and / or etching. The outer component (10) further includes a lower secondary layer (13') deposited on the lower base layer (12') and on the structured second portion (1112) of the lower surface (111), The lower base layer (12') and the lower secondary layer (13') have a lower through-opening (15') that reaches the third portion (1113) of the lower surface (111) and extends at least to the side opposite to the first and second portions (1101, 1102) of the upper surface (110). An outer component (10) characterized by the above.
2. The base layer (12) and the secondary layer (13) have different compositions. The outer part (10) according to feature 1.
3. The base layer (12) and the secondary layer (13) have through-openings (15) that reach the third portion (1103) of the upper surface (110) of the substrate (11). The outer part (10) according to feature 1.
4. Formed by the outer part (10) described in claim 1 A watch face for a portable watch, characterized by the following features.
5. Formed by the outer part (10) described in claim 1 A decorative element for a telephone case characterized by the following features.
6. A method for manufacturing an outer component (10) of a portable watch, fashion item, or jewelry, The steps include polishing the lower surface (111) of a substrate (11) made of a translucent material, The steps include depositing a base layer (12) on all or part of the upper surface (110) of the substrate (11), A step of locally removing the base layer (12), wherein a portion of the base layer (12) is held on a first portion (1101) of the upper surface (110) of the substrate (11), and the removal is carried out to form at least one pocket (14) reaching a second portion (1102) of the upper surface (110) of the substrate (11), and to structure the second portion (1102) of the upper surface (110) of the substrate (11) to form a structured structure (112), wherein the structured structure (112) has its topography altered by satin finish and / or texturing and / or etching. The steps include depositing a secondary layer (13) on the base layer (12) and on the second portion (1102) of the upper surface (110) of the substrate (11), The steps include depositing a lower base layer (12') on all or part of the surface of the lower surface (111), The steps include: locally removing the lower base layer (12') so that it is structured on the second portion (1112) of the lower surface (111) of the substrate (11) to form a lower structured tissue (112'), and arranging the remaining lower base layer (12') so that it faces the first portion (1111) of the lower surface (111); The steps include depositing a lower secondary layer (13') on the lower base layer (12') and the lower structured tissue (112'), The step of etching the substrate (11) such that the third portion (1113) of the lower surface (111) extends at least to the opposite side of the first and second portions (1101, 1102) of the upper surface (110) to form one or more lower through-openings (15') that reach the third portion (1113) of the lower surface (111) of the substrate (11). A method characterized by the following:
7. The step includes pre-polishing the upper surface (110) of the substrate (11). The method according to feature 6.
8. The step includes etching such that a portion of the base layer (12) and a portion of the secondary layer (13) are removed over their entire thickness without affecting the substrate (11), This creates at least one through-opening (15) that reaches the third portion (1103) of the upper surface (110) of the base material (11). The method according to feature 6.
9. Finally, the process includes the step of depositing an anti-reflective coating on one or both of the upper surface (110) and the lower surface (111) of the substrate (11). The method according to feature 6.