Metalized Inner Surface Coating for Perfume Bottle Durability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Glass containers, particularly perfume bottles, face challenges in decoration due to glass's difficulty to work with and the corrosive nature of alcoholic liquids, leading to aesthetic and safety issues with interior surface decoration visibility and durability.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a predominantly metallic coating, such as silver, applied to the interior glass surface using tin chloride and palladium chloride solutions, with activation and grafting steps to ensure adhesion and stability, allowing for a reflective, durable, and chemically resistant finish.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If glass containers are decorated on the interior surface to be transparently visible from the outside, then aesthetic quality is improved, but the decoration deteriorates due to prolonged immersion in alcoholic liquid

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic qualityVSAvoiddurability of decoration
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a multi-layer composite coating structure consisting of a primer layer and a decorative layer. The primer layer provides chemical resistance to alcoholic liquids, while the decorative layer provides aesthetic visibility. This composite structure resolves the contradiction by combining materials with different functions - one layer protects against chemical degradation while the other maintains visual appeal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The primer layer acts as an intermediary between the glass substrate and the decorative layer. It provides a stable, chemically resistant base that protects the decorative layer from direct contact with and degradation by alcoholic liquids, while still allowing the decorative layer to maintain its aesthetic properties and visual transparency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If glass is worked and decorated under acceptable economic conditions, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but glass is singularly difficult to work and decorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoiddifficulty to work with
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary treatment to the glass interior surface through a primer layer before applying the decorative layer. This preliminary action modifies the surface properties of the glass to improve subsequent coating adhesion and make the decoration process easier and more reliable, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical glassworking and decoration processes with chemical coating processes. Instead of mechanically etching or carving decorations into the glass, the invention uses chemical deposition of primer and decorative layers, which is easier to control, more cost-effective, and produces more durable results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Illumination intensity

If a coating is applied to the interior glass surface, then aesthetic visibility is improved, but the coating must withstand being permanently bathed in alcoholic solution without disintegrating

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic visibilityVSAvoidchemical aggression of alcoholic environment
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite coating system where the primer layer is specifically designed to resist chemical aggression from alcoholic solutions. This primer layer acts as a protective barrier that prevents the alcoholic liquid from degrading the decorative layer, while the decorative layer maintains aesthetic visibility. The composite structure allows each layer to specialize in its primary function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The primer layer serves as an intermediary protective barrier between the alcoholic liquid and the decorative coating. It withstands the chemical aggression of the alcoholic environment and prevents direct attack on the decorative layer, thereby preserving both the integrity and aesthetic visibility of the interior surface decoration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method provides a visually appealing, robust, and chemically stable interior surface that maintains its integrity when in contact with aggressive substances like perfumes, enhancing both the aesthetic and functional properties of glass containers.

Implementation Method 1

covering said interior glass surface with a predominantly metallic coating by a method comprising the following steps: washing said interior glass surface; activating said interior glass surface by bringing it into contact with a solution of tin chloride

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical deposition: Deposition (physical)

Implementation Method 2

grafting said interior glass surface activated with the tin chloride solution with a grafting agent by bringing it into contact with a solution of a salt of said grafting agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReduction: Reduction

Implementation Method 3

The aesthetic qualities of a perfume bottle are also extremely important for the overall commercial appeal of a perfume... a particularly attractive and rewarding character for the perfume contained in the bottle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2370614B1Hollow glas article with metalized inner surface and process for obtaining such articles
Publication Date: 2020.10.21 VERESCENCE FRANCE
  • EP2370614B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a hollow body (1) provided with an inner glass surface (2) defining a cavity (3), characterized in that the method includes a step of covering at least a fraction of said inner surface (2) with a coating made of a predominantly metal composition, said covering stage including sub-steps for activating and grafting said inner surface (2) with an activating agent and a grafting agent, respectively. The invention is also characterized in that said hollow body (1) includes a glass part made of a single piece, in the middle of which said cavity (3) is provided.