Textured Decorative Glazing with Reflective Layer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decorative glazing technologies are limited by the scale and shape of available textures, with hot lamination producing textures greater than a few hundred microns and satin glass textures fixed by chemical attack, restricting the creation of large, complex decorative surfaces with controlled texture and reflective layers.
Innovation Solution
A composite comprising a transparent substrate with a thermoplastic polymer matrix and a textured transparent layer coated with a reflective metal or high-index oxide layer, featuring a protective organic or mineral paint, allowing for precise control of texture dimensions from 10 nm to 100 μm and replication of complex patterns like stainless steel or brushed aluminum.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If hot lamination texturing process is used, then large area decorative surfaces can be produced, but the texture scale is limited to greater than a few hundred microns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the texturing process from hot lamination to cold embossing, allowing precise control of texture dimensions (10 nm to 100 μm) while maintaining the ability to produce large area decorative surfaces. This parameter change in the texturing method resolves the contradiction between area and precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If satin glass chemical attack process is used, then fine texture dimensions can be achieved, but the texture shape and scale are fixed and cannot be varied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a stamp or roller that copies a desired texture pattern onto the glass surface through cold embossing. This copying mechanism allows precise control of texture dimensions while providing versatility to replicate any desired pattern shape, resolving the contradiction between precision and adaptability.
3Ease of manufacture
If textured layer is added to substrate, then decorative appearance is achieved, but the number of manufacturing steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the texturing step with the application of the transparent layer in a single cold embossing operation. The textured pattern is directly formed on the transparent layer as it is applied to the substrate, merging two steps into one and reducing overall process complexity while maintaining decorative functionality.
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
Enables the production of large, unlimited dimension decorative glazing with perfectly controllable and reproducible textures, achieving complex decorative effects such as stainless steel or brushed aluminum appearances, suitable for various applications including furniture and wall coverings.
Implementation Method 1
coated with a reflective layer which comprises a metal and/or a high-index oxide and/or a paint
Implementation Method 2
a transparent layer having a thermoplastic polymer matrix... of which at least part of the surface is textured, with dimensions characteristic of texturing between 10 nm and 100 μm
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a composite (1) including, in sequence: a transparent substrate (2), a transparent layer (3) having at least one portion of the surface that is textured, and typical texturisation dimensions of 10 nm to 100 µm, and coated with a reflective layer (4).