A method for efficient application of acid-resistant coating on glass surfaces

Abstract

Method for the processing of tempered glass (10) surfaces used, mainly in the white goods sector, characterized in that it comprises the process steps of: coating the entire glass (10) surface with foil (11) prior to the chemical etching process applied to form the matted glass (10) surface, so that the desired regions are matted and the desired regions remain glossy; in the case that the areas to be chemically etched are large / wide, cutting them along their boundaries by burning, or, in the case that they are small, removing the foil (11) from the glass (10) directly over the areas to be etched by burning; leaving the foil (11) on the regions of the surface of the glass (10) to be protected against acid / chemicals without being lifted.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] A METHOD FOR EFFICIENT APPLICATION OF ACID-RESISTANT COATING ON GLASS SURFACES

[0003] Technical Field

[0004] The invention relates to an improved method for more efficient application of an acid-resistant coating prior to the treatment of glass surfaces by chemical etching.

[0005] In particular, the invention relates to a method that provides accuracy and efficiency in the production process by offering a foil-based coating process as an alternative to screen printing or other traditional coating techniques for the precise, cost-effective and rapid application of acid-resistant coating in order to ensure that certain regions of tempered glass used in the white goods industry are left matte and certain regions are left glossy.

[0006] State of the Art

[0007] The matting of glass surfaces is commonly preferred for both aesthetic and functional reasons. In particular, it offers advantages in the white goods, automotive, and decorative glass sectors, such as glare prevention, anti-fingerprint, and the ability to create different patterns for visual design purposes. Chemical etching methods is one of the most commonly used methods for the determination of matte and glossy regions on glass surfaces. During this process, an acid-resistant coating must be applied to prevent certain regions of the glass surface from being exposed to acid / corrosive chemicals.

[0008] In the state of the art, screen printing or other printing methods are used to apply the acid-resistant coating to the glass surface. In these methods, an acid-resistant emulsion or protective coating material is printed on the glass surface in accordance with a specified pattern. Chemical etching process is then applied, leaving the acid-protected regions glossy, while the uncoated areas are etched and the glass surface becomes matte. However, this method has several technical limitations and significant shortcomings in terms of efficiency.The drying time of acid-resistant coatings applied by screen printing or other printing methods generally varies between 48-72 hours. This long waiting time slows down the production process, requires waiting areas in production facilities, and increases costs. Furthermore, acid-resistant coatings applied by the printing method cannot be spread completely homogeneously over the surface, and point-like voids may form. Due to these voids, acid leakage occurs and unwanted point abrasions occur on the glass surface, leading to scrap product. During the production process, the wastage rate due to this error is around 10% and 10 out of every 100 products become unusable. This not only increases production costs, but also leads to loss of energy and raw materials, which reduces efficiency and has negative impacts on sustainability. In order to prevent acid leakage, two layers of coating can be applied, but this method also increases the cost and again does not offer a definitive solution. In addition, caustic and similar chemical cleaning agents are used to clean the coating after the chemical etching process. This creates both additional costs and negative impacts on environmental sustainability by causing chemical waste generation.

[0009] When the existing methods in this field are examined, it is seen that different techniques have been developed to create matte and glossy regions on glass surfaces. Patent no. WO2020263197A1 describes a production system and method that eliminates the need for a double-sided printing process. This method aims to create an anti-fingerprint and scratch-resistant matte surface on glass surfaces. The patent aims to make only one side of the glass surface matte, making the process faster and more efficient. This reduces time and material loss in the production process and results in a more durable and aesthetic product.

[0010] Patent CN1098074A involves printing a pattern on a glass surface and then applying an acid-resistant protective layer to protect the pattern. The etching process is carried out only in areas without patterns. This process helps to maintain the desired pattern and glossy areas on the glass surface and allows the etching process to be more controlled and precise. However, this method also has some difficulties and inefficiencies; for example, the uniform application of the coating used during printing is not always ensured.

[0011] Patent no. EP1447389A1 covers the process of applying an acid-resistant plastic layer to the glass surface. This layer is removed after etching to protect the glass surface.The method also includes cleaning the layer after the etching process. In this way, the contrast between mattness and glossiness of the glass surface can be clearly determined. However, the process of cleaning the plastic layers used in this process creates additional costs and may have some negative impacts in terms of environmental sustainability. Moreover, this method also faces challenges such as long drying times and low efficiency.

[0012] Patent no. CN107935401 A describes a production method that enables the simultaneous creation of both matte and glossy regions on a glass surface. In this method, the desired surface pattern is obtained by combining the sandblasting process and the chemical etching process. Sandblasting process gives the glass surface an embossed or textured appearance, while chemical etching protects glossy areas. This method allows the creation of more aesthetic and functional glass surfaces. However, sandblasting and chemical etching processes are complex, time-consuming, and can have a negative impact on productivity.

[0013] Patent no. CN1686887A provides a production process for obtaining visually variable patterns using a deep etching method. In this method, the protective coating applied to the glass surface allows the patterns to be seen from different angles by deep etching process. This technique can be used to achieve aesthetically impressive glass surfaces, but the complexity of the process and the lengthy etching processes increase costs and pose some sustainability challenges.

[0014] Patent no. US20160368308 discloses a surface treatment method for treating glass surfaces with different levels of contrast for decorative purposes. This patent allows the glass surface to have various levels of contrast, creating aesthetically enhanced visual effects. However, this process similarly creates high costs and reduces production efficiency due to long drying times and etching processes.

[0015] Common shortcomings of existing methods include long drying times, high scrap rates due to acid leaks, the need for additional chemical cleaning, and negative impacts on sustainability. As a result, the existence of a need for a method that eliminates the disadvantages of the present art and ensures the precise and efficient application of acid-resistant coating on glass surfaces, and the shortcomings of existing solutions have made it necessary to make a development in the relevant technical field.Summary of the Invention

[0016] The present invention relates to an improved method for more efficient application of an acid-resistant coating prior to treatment of tempered glass surfaces used in the white goods industry with chemical etching method, which meets the above-mentioned requirements, eliminates all disadvantages, and brings some additional advantages.

[0017] Based on the state of the art, the object of the invention is to increase efficiency in production processes, reduce costs, and minimize environmental impacts by developing a new method for more efficient, fast, and precise application of acid-resistant coating for the matting process of tempered glass used in the exterior of products such as ovens, cookers, cooker hoods, and refrigerators in the white goods industry.

[0018] The object of the invention is to make the matting process faster and more efficient by applying the acid-resistant coating, which is applied to provide a balance of mattness and glossiness in the desired regions of the glass surface, much more easily, with high accuracy, and at low cost.

[0019] Another object of the invention is to prevent the formation of air bubbles on the surface and to provide a uniform coating of the entire glass surface by means of the use of PVC-based foil with air channels, which ensures homogeneous coating of the glass surface.

[0020] Another object of the invention is to ensure that the boundaries of the region to be etched are precisely defined and the foil is easily removed by means of laser cutting after foil coating.

[0021] Another object of the invention is to precisely define the boundaries of the region to be etched and to prevent loss of time and material by applying the etching process only to the desired regions by easily removing the foil.Another object of the invention is to ensure that the processes are completed with minimal effort and time by protecting the area around the area to be etched on the glass surface, i.e. the area not to be etched.

[0022] Another object of the invention is to accelerate the production process and increase productivity by reducing the waiting time to zero thanks to the rapid application that allows the matting process to be started immediately after the protective coating.

[0023] Another object of the invention is to reduce the scrap rates to zero by completely eliminating the problem of acid leaking, thereby reducing waste and reducing costs.

[0024] Another object of the invention is to reduce the process costs and minimize the environmental impact by eliminating the need for caustic or chemical cleaning after the matting process.

[0025] The structural and characteristic features of the invention and all advantages thereof will be understood more clearly with the figures given below and the detailed description provided with reference to the figures, therefore, evaluation must be made by taking these figures and detailed description into account.

[0026] Brief Description of the Figures

[0027] In order to best understand the embodiment of the present invention and its advantages with additional elements, it should be evaluated together with the figures described below.

[0028] Fig.-1 is a schematic overview of the glass to be treated,

[0029] Fig. -2 is a schematic overview of the glass with foil coating on the entire surface, Fig. -3 is a schematic overview of the burning guides on the foil coated on a glass surface,

[0030] Fig. -4 is schematic overview of the final product with etched / matted surface and glossy surface,

[0031] Fig. -5 is a schematic overview of the system of the glass processing method.

[0032] Reference Numbers10. Glass

[0033] 11. Foil

[0034] 12. Burning guide

[0035] 13. Etched / matted surface

[0036] 14. Glossy surface

[0037] 15. Laser burning area

[0038] 20. Cutting Unit

[0039] 30. Matting unit

[0040] 31. First washing unit

[0041] 32. Anti-corrosion foil coating unit

[0042] 33. Laser burning unit

[0043] 34. Foil removal unit

[0044] 35. Backside film coating unit

[0045] 36. Etching unit

[0046] 37. Acid Stripping unit

[0047] 38. Second washing unit

[0048] 39. Foil and plastic film removal unit

[0049] 40. Grinding unit

[0050] 50. Perforation unit

[0051] 60. Dye printing unit

[0052] 70. Tempering unit

[0053] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0054] In this detailed description, the method developed for more efficient application of the acid-resistant coating prior to treating tempered glass (10) surfaces, particularly those used in the white goods sector, by a chemical etching method, is explained solely as an example for better understanding of the subject and without any limiting effect.

[0055] The invention is a method for the matting (frosting) of tempered glass (10) covering the exterior of white goods such as ovens, cookers, cooker hoods, and refrigerators. In the white goods industry, matte glass (10) is becoming increasingly preferred due to its aesthetic appearance and functional advantages such as anti-fingerprint and anti-glare. The method subject to the invention includes the application of acid-resistant coatingapplied to leave certain regions on the glass (10) glossy and make certain regions matte in the chemical etching method, which is the most preferred method in the matting process in this field, much more easily, with high accuracy, and low cost.

[0056] In the method subject to the invention, prior to the chemical etching process applied to form a matted surface on the glass (10) surface shown in fig.1 , the glass (10) surface is covered with a PVC-based, acid / chemical-resistant foil (11) having micro air channels, so that the desired regions are matted and the desired regions remain glossy. Thanks to the micro air channels in the mentioned PVC-based foil (11), air bubbles are prevented and the entire surface is homogeneously coated. This PVC-based micro channel foil (11) is then cut / burned, preferably in a UV laser processing machine, after marking the boundaries of the desired etching area on the coating with a burning guide (12). Then, the foil (11) in this region is removed, and a clearance process is carried out on the glass (10) In this way, the region where the foil (11) is lifted becomes exposed to acid / chemicals and can be etched / matted. If a clearance process is to be performed on numerous and small areas of the foil (11) on the glass (10), laser burning is applied directly to the region itself, i.e., the laser burning area (15), rather than to the periphery of the region to be removed. This minimizes the effort and time required to lift the foil (11). With this method, the waiting time is reduced to zero and the matting process can be started immediately after the protective coating is applied without waiting. In addition, the acid leakage problem experienced in existing embodiments is completely eliminated and scraps is prevented. Costs are reduced and environmental damage is minimized as there is no need for caustic / chemical cleaning after the matting process.

[0057] The method according to the invention enables the glass (10) surfaces to have the desired properties by means of special processes. The main object of the invention is to improve the aesthetic and functional properties of the glass (10) surface and to use advanced processing techniques to create desired patterns. In the method, the glass (10) is subjected to various processing stages to etch and make certain areas of its surface matte while leaving other areas glossy. During the treatment of the glass (10) surface, the foil (11) shown in fig. -2 is applied to protect certain regions of the surface. To guide the chemical etching process, the burning guide (12) lines shown in fig. -3 are laser burned on the foil (11) to create foil (11) clearance areas. If the area to be matted is large, laser burning areas (15) are made linearly around the region to be matted. Ifthe area to be matted is small, as it will be difficult to lift the foil (11), the laser burning areas (15) are the areas to be directly matted. The regions exposed by this process are subjected to chemical etching process to obtain the etched / matted surface (13) shown in fig.-4, while the regions protected by foil (11) preserve the natural structure of the glass (10) to create a glossy surface (14). Thanks to this method, the desired pattern and texture differences on the glass (10) surface can be obtained precisely.

[0058] In the first step of the method subject to the invention shown in fig. -5, flat glasses (10) supplied in large sizes are taken to the cutting unit (20) and cut into the desired sizes. During the cutting process, impurities such as cutting oil, dust, and dirt on the glass (10) surface are cleaned by washing with water in the first washing unit (31). This prepares the glass (10) surface for the subsequent processing steps. The cleaned glass (10) surface is protected with a corrosion-resistant foil (11) coating in the corrosion-preventive foil coating unit (32) before chemical etching process is applied. Said coating is preferably made with PVC-based and micro-channeled foil (11), whereby the foil (11) covers the glass (10) surface homogeneously and prevents the formation of air bubbles.

[0059] Before starting the etching process, the burning guide (12) showing the boundaries of the areas to be chemically etched is set in the laser burning unit (33). This laser treatment cuts and / or burns the desired areas of the foil (11) so that the foil (11) is removed from the areas defined by the burning guide (12) by lifting or directly burning, making the area suitable for chemical etching process. The laser burning process minimizes labor time and effort as only the areas of the foil (11) defined by the burning guide (12) or the laser burning area (15) are cut and / or burned.

[0060] After laser burning process, the foil removal unit (34) is activated and the laser-cut foil pieces are removed from the glass (10) surface. In the case that the area to be matted is small, there is no removal process since the foil (11) directly on the area to be matted is removed by burning. In this way, the parts of the glass (10) to be etched become exposed, while the other areas remain unexposed with foil (11). The back surface of the glass (10) is coated with a plastic film in the back side film coating unit (35) to protect it from chemical etching. This film prevents the glass (10) from being damaged during the etching process.Chemical etching is carried out in the etching unit (36). Here, the top surface of the glass (10) is flooded with a mixture containing chemicals such as acid, usually hydrofluoric acid, by the waterfall method. The acid remains on the glass (10) surface for a certain period of time, etching the glass (10) and creating an etched / matted surface (13)with a matte appearance. During the etching process, the acid is poured in such a way that it is homogeneously distributed on the glass (10) surface. Then, in the acid stripping unit (37), the acid is removed from the glass (10) surface with a scraper. In the second washing unit (38), the acid residues remaining on the glass (10) surface are completely cleaned by washing with water.

[0061] After these processes, the foil (11) and plastic films on the front and back surfaces of the glass (10) are removed in the foil and plastic film removal unit (39) and the glass (10) surface is completely exposed. The edges of the glass (10) are processed by grinding in the grinding unit (40) to remove sharpness and make them safe.

[0062] In cases where it is necessary to drill holes in the glass (10), the perforation unit (50) is used to drill holes in the glass (10) where necessary. This makes the glass (10) suitable for assembly processes. Subsequently, printing with enamel paint is carried out on the glass (10) in the dye printing unit (60). This printing process is realized by screen printing or digital printing methods. The printing creates colors, patterns, or symbols on the glass (10).

[0063] Finally, the glass (10) is tempered in the tempering unit (70). In this process, the glass (10) is heated to the softening point by bringing it to a high temperature and then suddenly cooled to increase the strength of the glass (10). This makes the glass (10) more durable and safe when broken by any impact, breaking into small round pieces instead of large sharp shards. Furthermore, the enamel paint applied during the printing process is riveted to the glass (10) surface, making it permanent.

[0064] This invention offers aesthetic and functional improvements in glass (10) treatment processes. In addition to etched / matted surfaces (13), glossy surfaces (14) and patterned surfaces are obtained, while at the same time increasing the durability of the glass (10).

Claims

CLAIMS1. Method for the processing of tempered glass (10) surfaces used, mainly in the white goods sector, characterized in that it comprises the process steps of:- coating the entire glass (10) surface with foil (11) prior to the chemical etching process applied for matting the glass (10) surface, so that the desired regions are matted and the desired regions remain glossy; - in the case that the areas to be chemically etched are large / wide, cutting them along their boundaries by burning, or, in the case that they are small, removing the foil (11) from the glass (10) directly over the areas to be etched by burning;- leaving the foil (11) on the regions of the surface of the glass (10) desired to be protected against acid / chemicals without being lifted.

2. The method according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises the process step of determining the boundaries of the regions desired to be etched on the surface of the foil (11) coated glass (10) by a burning guide (12) or a laser burning area (15).

3. The method according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises the process step of laser cutting the boundaries determined by the burning guide (12) in the case that the area to be matted is large / wide, or forming laser burning areas (15) by burning the foil (11) on the area to be matted directly in the case that the area to be matted is small.

4. The method according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises the process step of forming acid / chemical-exposed regions on the glass (10) surface by lifting the foil (11) from the area determined by the laser burning guide (12) in the case that the area to be matted is large / wide.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the foil (11) is microchanneled to prevent the formation of air bubbles and to homogeneously coat the entire surface.

6. The method according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises the process step of burning / cutting the foil (11) using a UV laser processing machine.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, in small and high- number removal processes, it comprises the process step of burning the foil (11) only in the region to be matted with a laser.

8. The glass processing method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the process step of starting the etching / matting process without waiting time after the lifting process of the foil (11) in order to speed up the production process and reduce the labor time.

9. The glass processing method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the process step of coating the back surface of the glass (10) with a plastic film in an back side film coating unit (35 to protect it from chemical etching.

10. The glass processing method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the process step of pouring the acid to be chemically etched onto the glass (10) surface by means of a waterfall method and keeping it on the glass (10) surface for a certain period of time after pouring for etching and thus matting process.

11. The glass processing method according to claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises the process step of removing the foil (11) and plastic films on the front and back surfaces of the glass (10) after the etching and matting process in the foil and plastic film removal unit (39) and completely exposing the glass (10) surface.

12. The glass processing method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the process step of removing the foil (11) pieces cut along their boundaries by the laser burning unit (33) from the glass (10) surface by peeling off.

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