Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B44—DECORATIVE ARTS
  • B44C—PRODUCING DECORATIVE EFFECTS; MOSAICS; TARSIA WORK; PAPERHANGING
  • B44C5/00—Processes for producing special ornamental bodies
  • B44C5/04—Ornamental plaques, e.g. decorative panels, decorative veneers
  • B44C5/0415—Ornamental plaques, e.g. decorative panels, decorative veneers containing metallic elements
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05D5/00—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures
  • B05D5/06—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures to obtain multicolour or other optical effects
  • B05D5/067—Metallic effect
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05D5/00—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures
  • B05D5/06—Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces to obtain special surface effects, finishes or structures to obtain multicolour or other optical effects
  • B05D5/067—Metallic effect
  • B05D5/068—Metallic effect achieved by multilayers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
  • B32B27/06—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B44—DECORATIVE ARTS
  • B44C—PRODUCING DECORATIVE EFFECTS; MOSAICS; TARSIA WORK; PAPERHANGING
  • B44C1/00—Processes, not specifically provided for elsewhere, for producing decorative surface effects
  • B44C1/10—Applying flat materials, e.g. leaflets, pieces of fabrics
  • B44C1/14—Metallic leaves or foils, e.g. gold leaf
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B44—DECORATIVE ARTS
  • B44C—PRODUCING DECORATIVE EFFECTS; MOSAICS; TARSIA WORK; PAPERHANGING
  • B44C1/00—Processes, not specifically provided for elsewhere, for producing decorative surface effects
  • B44C1/18—Applying ornamental structures, e.g. shaped bodies consisting of plastic material
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B44—DECORATIVE ARTS
  • B44C—PRODUCING DECORATIVE EFFECTS; MOSAICS; TARSIA WORK; PAPERHANGING
  • B44C3/00—Processes, not specifically provided for elsewhere, for producing ornamental structures
  • B44C3/02—Superimposing layers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R13/00—Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R13/00—Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes
  • B60R13/005—Manufacturers' emblems, name plates, bonnet ornaments, mascots or the like; Mounting means therefor
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
  • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B60R13/00—Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes
  • B60R13/10—Registration, licensing, or like devices
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05D—PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05D2201/00—Polymeric substrate or laminate
  • B05D2201/02—Polymeric substrate

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a display member having metallic luster. More particularly, the present invention relates to a flexible display member having metallic luster, which can be applied as an exterior surfacing material of automobiles, motorcycles, etc. while conforming to various curved surfaces.
• a display member such as an emblem, that is attached to the vehicle body of an automobile has hitherto been produced, for example, by plating a substrate made of a rigid resin, such as ABS resin, with chromium.
• a display member is entirely rigid because of its rigid substrate and has poor flexibility, it is produced so as to correspond with a curvature of the adherend surface. Therefore, it was impossible to apply it on the surface having a different curvature. That is, a new display member having the different curvature, corresponding with that of the adherend surface, had to be produced.
• Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 9-152838 has suggested a flexible decorative mark having a lustrous color formed by attaching a decorative film provided with a metallic vapor deposition layer onto a flexible substrate.
• the flexible decorative mark can be applied on the respective surfaces of automobiles while conforming to them because the entire flexible decorative mark is formed of a flexible material.
• Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 11-50026 has suggested a structural member for three-dimensional display, which is produced by laying a flexible base layer made of a thermoplastic synthetic resin sheet on the back surface of a thermoplastic synthetic resin film having a metallic lustrous film on its back surface, and punching the resulting laminate into a predetermined shape.
• This structural member can conform to various curved surfaces because the entire structural member is formed of a flexible material.
• chromium exhibits more dark metallic luster than that in case of tin, thus obtaining no appearance with good bright metallic luster, and is inferior in malleability, there arises whitening at the portion where the film is drastically stretched on forming of the decorative mark, i.e. a phenomenon that the color of the metal itself changes.
• the appearance with good bright metallic luster can be obtained, but whitening is liable to arise on forming and corrosion is liable to arise under the conditions on use.
• silver the appearance with good bright metallic luster can be obtained, but darkening is caused by the reaction with sulfur in the air and, furthermore, the acid resistance and alkali resistance are poor, similar to tin.
• the metal is vapor deposited so that the metal has a visible ray transmittance of 8 to 17%, thereby to form a metallic lustrous film.
• the visible ray transmittance is high such as 8% or more, the color of the base layer disposed under the metallic lustrous layer, the color of the adhesive layer disposed under the base layer or the color of the surface of the adherend, to which the three-dimensional display member is applied, can be seen through, and a desired metallic color tone can not be reproduced sometimes due to an influence of these colors.
• the three-dimensional display member is produced by laying the base layer on the thermoplastic synthetic resin film having the metallic lustrous film to form a laminate, and punching the laminate into a desired shape, the shape of the cross section of the resulting structural member is merely a shape of a layer and it is impossible to present a complicated three-dimensional shape.
• the area of the exposed portion increases at the end portion and, therefore, the metallic lustrous layer is likely to be corroded.
• An object of the present invention is to solve the problems described above and to provide a three-dimensional display member which is flexible and superior in curved surface conformability and durability, and which can present various three-dimensional shapes.
• the above object can be attained by a display member having metallic luster, comprising a substrate, a metallic layer and a transparent layer in this sequence, said display member further comprising an adhesive layer on the side opposite to the metallic layer on the substrate, the metallic layer being an indium vapor deposition film provided on the surface of the transparent layer, the indium vapor deposition film having a visible ray transmittance of not more than 6% and a thickness of not more than 600 angstroms.
• the display member of the present invention As a result of various studies about the metal constituting the metallic layer, according to the display member of the present invention, excellent durability such as weathering resistance, salt water resistance, acid resistance, alkali resistance, water resistance, and moisture resistance can be imparted by using indium and a desired metallic color tone can be reproduced and, furthermore, the corrosion resistance can be improved by adjusting the visible layer transmittance of the metallic layer to 6% or less and adjusting the thickness to 600 angstroms or less.
• the entire three-dimensional display member can be made flexible and the curved surface conformability can be imparted by using a flexible thermoplastic resin as the substrate and, furthermore, the three- dimensional appearance can be imparted by forming the substrate by the injection molding.
• Fig. 1 is sectional view showing one embodiment of the display member having metallic luster according to the present invention.
• Fig. 2 is sectional view showing another embodiment of the display member having metallic luster according to the present invention.
• Fig. 1 is sectional view showing one preferred embodiment of the display member according to the present invention.
• Fig. 2 is sectional view showing another preferred embodiment of the display member according to the present invention.
• a display member 1 comprises a substrate formed of a flexible resin having a predetermined three-dimensional shape, a metallic layer 3 and a transparent layer 2 in this sequence, said display member further comprising an adhesive layer 5 on the side opposite to the metallic layer 3 on the substrate.
• thermoplastic resins which are colorless or colored and which are transparent and flexible are required.
• flexible vinyl chloride resin fluororesin, urethane resin, silicone resin, polyester resin, and olefinic resin such as polyethylene, polypropylene and ionomer resin.
• the thickness of the transparent layer 2 is preferably within a range from about 10 to 150 ⁇ m, When the thickness is smaller than 10 ⁇ m, the film is liable to be broken in the forming step of the display member described below. On the other hand, the thickness larger than 150 ⁇ m is not required because of the forming step and constitution of the display member.
• the transparent layer 2 is colorless and transparent, it is possible to impart the appearance of good metallic luster of indium, which is vapor deposited on the back surface thereof, to the display member. Since indium has a bright silver color, a desired color that is different from that of indium itself (e.g. golden color) can be developed by coloring the transparent layer 2 due to incorporation of a transparent pigment. Since chromium used conventionally in this metallic layer has a darkish color, a desired color could not be developed even if the transparent pigment was incorporated into the transparent layer 2.
• Various additives such as ultraviolet absorbers, photostabilizers and antioxidants can be incorporated into the transparent layer 2 to improve the performances under the conditions on use of the display member.
• leveling agents such as silicone resin, fluororesin and acrylic resin, lubricants, and auxiliary film forming agents may be incorporated.
• the transparent layer 2 may be composed of not only a single resin, but also a composite film formed by a combination of resins having different materials.
• a primer such as urethane resin, silicone resin, epoxy resin, and polyester resin may be coated previously.
• the surface to be vapor deposited may be previously subjected to a plasma treatment or corona treatment.
• the metallic layer 3 can be formed on one major surface of the transparent layer 2 by vapor depositing indium by a heating method such as high-frequency dielectric heating, electron beam method, etc., using a conventional vacuum vapor deposition device for plastic film. It is necessary that the visible ray transmittance of the metallic layer 3 is not more than 6%. When the visible ray transmittance is larger than 6%, the substrate disposed under the lower lamination is seen through the metallic layer 3 and desired metallic luster is hardly developed.
• the thickness of the metallic layer 3 is not more than 600 angstroms, and preferably within a range from 300 to 600 angstroms. Even if the thickness is larger than 600 angstroms, predetermined metallic luster does not change and the cost becomes higher because indium itself is an expensive substance.
• the substrate 4 is composed of a flexible resin to make the entire three-dimensional display material 1 flexible.
• the flexible resin thermoplastic resin such as flexible vinyl chloride resin, urethane resin and thermoplastic elastomer can be used.
• the substrate 4 can be provided in a predetermined three-dimensional shape by putting the layer 2 provided with the metallic layer 3 as the indium vapor deposition film in a die, and injecting the above resin on the metallic layer 3 using an injection molding method such as hot melt injection molding, two-components mixing type reaction injection molding, etc.
• the preform having a predetermined shape formed from the above flexible resin by injection molding may be contact-bonded with the layer 2 provided with the metallic layer 3.
• the substrate 4 since the substrate 4 is formed by injection molding in such way, it is possible to present a complicated design that is hardly presented by punching.
• Exposure of the metallic layer 3 can be reduced as possible by coating the layer 2 provided with the metallic layer so as to coat the end portion of the substrate 4, thus making it possible to avoid risk of corrosion of the metallic layer 3.
• the thickness of the substrate 4 varies depending on the design of the required display material, but is within a range from about 0.5 to 10 mm when using in an emblem product for general automobile exteriors.
• various additives such as ultraviolet absorbers, photostabilizers and antioxidants may be incorporated into the resin used in the substrate 4.
• the substrate 4 may be directly contact-bonded with the layer 2 provided with the metallic layer 3, but an adhesive resin layer 7 made of a polyamide, nylon, polyurethane, vinyl chloride or vinyl acetate resin may be provided between the metallic layer 3 and the substrate 4 to protect the metallic layer 3 and/or to improve the adhesion with the substrate up to the forming step after the step of providing the metallic layer 3, as shown in Fig. 2.
• the thickness of the adhesive resin layer 7 is preferably within a range from 2 to 100 ⁇ m. When the thickness is smaller than 2 ⁇ m, the adhesion is lowered. On the other hand, even if the thickness is larger than 100 ⁇ m, a predetermined effect can not be obtained and the material is useless. Furthermore, the resulting entire three-dimensional display member becomes thick, resulting in poor processability.
• an adhesive layer provided on the side opposite to the metallic layer 3 for example, an acrylic adhesive, a rubber adhesive or a silicone adhesive can be used.
• a double-coated tape having a foam layer, such as acrylic foam tape, urethane foam tape, etc. can also be used.
• the thickness of the adhesive layer 5 is usually within a range from about 0.1 to 1.2 mm. When the thickness is smaller than 0.1 mm, it becomes difficult to adhere to the adherend. Even if the thickness is larger than 0.5 mm, the effect of improving the adhesion is not obtained and the material is useless. Furthermore, the resulting entire display member becomes thick, resulting in poor processability.
• a release paper or film 6 whose one surface is subjected to a release treatment is usually provided.
• the adhesive layer 5 and release paper 6 may be simultaneously provided by separately preparing an adhesive layer with a release paper, wherein a coated adhesive layer is provided on a release surface of a release paper, and dry-laminating the adhesive layer with a substrate 4.
• a clear coat layer 9 made of an acrylic resin or a fluororesin may be provided in order to prevent scratching and to improve the weathering resistance.
• the thickness of the clear coat layer is preferably within a range from 10 to 60 ⁇ m. When the thickness is smaller than 10 ⁇ m, a desired protection effect can not be obtained.
• a colored layer 8 having a desired shape may be provided on the surface of the layer 2 by means of digital printing, screen printing, spray coating, and transfer due to hot stamp.
• the thickness of the colored layer 8 is preferably within a range from 2 to 50 ⁇ m. When the thickness is smaller than 2 ⁇ m, a desired coloration effect can not be obtained. On the other hand, even if the thickness is larger than 50 ⁇ m, an improvement in desired effect can not be obtained and the material is useless. Furthermore, the resulting entire display member becomes thick, resulting in poor processability.
• this colored layer 8 is provided, the above clear coat layer 9 is required to protect the colored layer 8.
• a publicly known surface protective tape may be applied to protect the surface on storage, transfer and application on the adherend.
• a polyester polyol (DESMOPHENETM 670, manufactured by SUMITOMO BYER URETHANE Co., Ltd.) and yellowing-free type polyisocyanate (SUMJJULETM N3300, manufactured by SUMITOMO BYER URETHANE Co., Ltd.) were mixed in an equivalent amount, and then the mixture was extruded to produce a colorless and transparent polyester urethane film having a thickness of 50 ⁇ m.
• Indium was vacuum- deposited on one surface of the polyester urethane film in the thickness of about 400 angstroms to form a laminated film.
• the visible ray transmittance of the laminated film was measured in accordance with JIS A 5759. As a result, it was 5%.
• the laminated film was disposed in a die for in-mold decorating so that the indium vapor deposition layer being disposed at the injection resin side, and then a predetermined amount of a liquid resin prepared by mixing of a polyester polyol which is two parts polyurethane resin and a dicyclohexylmethane-4,4'-diisocyanate prepolymer in an equivalent amount was injected into the die.
• the polyester polyol was reacted with the dicyclohexylmethane-4,4'- diisocyanate prepolymer to form a substrate, and then the die was opened to obtain an intermediate preform.
• An acrylic foam tape #4215 manufactured by SUMITOMO 3M Co., Ltd. was laid on the lower surface of the substrate resin of the intermediate preform. Finally, an unnecessary laminated film, burr of the substrate resin, and an unnecessary acrylic foam tape are trimmed to obtain a display member of the present invention.
• Indium was vacuum-deposited on one surface of the film in the thickness of about 400 angstroms to form a laminated film.
• the visible ray transmittance of the laminated film was measured in accordance with JIS A 5759. As a result, it was 5%.
• a display member of the present invention was produced.
• Example 2 Indium was vacuum-deposited on one surface of the colorless and transparent polyester urethane film having a thickness of 50 ⁇ m produced in Example 1 in the thickness of about 500 angstroms to form a laminated film.
• the visible ray transmittance of the laminated film was measured in accordance with JIS A 5759 to be 2%. Using the same step and material as those in Example 1, a display member was produced.
• Example 2 Aluminum was vacuum-deposited on one surface of the colorless and transparent polyester urethane film having a thickness of 50 ⁇ m produced in Example 1 in the thickness of about 500 angstroms to form a laminated film. Using the same step and material as those in Example 1, a display member was produced. Comparative Example 2
• Chromium was vacuum-deposited on one surface of the colorless and transparent polyester urethane film having a thickness of 50 ⁇ m produced in Example 1 in the thickness of about 500 angstroms to form a laminated film. Using the same step and material as those in Example 1, a display member was produced.
• Tin was vacuum-deposited on one surface of the colorless and transparent polyester urethane film having a thickness of 50 ⁇ m produced in Example 1 in the thickness of about 500 angstroms to form a laminated film. Using the same step and material as those in Example 1, a display member was produced.
• Indium was vacuum-deposited on one surface of the colorless and transparent polyester urethane film having a thickness of 50 ⁇ m produced in Example 1 in the thickness of about 200 angstroms to form a laminated film.
• the visible ray transmittance of the laminated film was measured in accordance with JIS A 5759. As a result, it was 11%.
• the laminated film thus obtained had the appearance with metallic luster but is entirely see-through, and was not suited for use as the three-dimensional display member of the present invention.
• Example 2 Indium was vacuum-deposited on one surface of the colorless and transparent polyester urethane film having a thickness of 50 ⁇ m produced in Example 1 in the thickness of about 650 angstroms to form a laminated film. Using same step and material as those in Example 1, a display member was produced.
• Three-dimensional display members were dipped in an aqueous sulfuric acid solution (0.05 mol/liter) at 20°C for 24 hours.
• Alkali resistance Three-dimensional display members were dipped in an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (0.1 mol/liter) at 20°C for 8 hours.
• Salt water spray resistance An aqueous 5% sodium chloride solution was sprayed over three-dimensional display members at 40°C for 336 hours.
• Water resistance Three-dimensional display members were dipped in water at
• Moisture resistance Three-dimensional display members were allowed to stand in an atmosphere under the conditions of 50°C and 95% RH for 168 hours. Evaluation procedures
• Adhesion It is evaluated by Checkers Taping Method (8.5.2) of Adhesion (8.5) defined in JIS K5400. The checkers have a distance of 2 mm. With respect to corroded test specimens, the adhesion test at the non-corroded place was conducted.
• Adhesion Evaluation scores based on the evaluation criteria of Checkers Taping Method (8.5.2) of Adhesion (8.5) defined in JIS K5400.
• a display member of the present invention which is flexible and superior in curved surface conformability and durability, and which can present various shapes, by forming a metallic layer by vapor depositing indium, and adjusting the thickness of the metallic layer to a predetermined thickness.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Laminated Bodies (AREA)
• Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)
• Vehicle Waterproofing, Decoration, And Sanitation Devices (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=18641502

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Families Citing this family (12)

Family Cites Families (13)

• 2000
  • 2000-04-27 JP JP2000132895A patent/JP2001312232A/ja active Pending
• 2001
  • 2001-04-20 KR KR1020027014439A patent/KR100728847B1/ko not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2001-04-20 EP EP01928683A patent/EP1277192A2/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2001-04-20 WO PCT/US2001/012823 patent/WO2001082269A2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2001-04-20 AU AU2001255514A patent/AU2001255514A1/en not_active Abandoned

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events