U.S. patent application number 14/161887 was filed with the patent office on 2014-07-24 for glass enclosure article with color and pattern decoration, and process preparing thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to SCHOTT NIPPON K.K.. The applicant listed for this patent is SCHOTT NIPPON K.K.. Invention is credited to Hiroshi Kanda.
Application Number | 20140202916 14/161887 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51206898 |
Filed Date | 2014-07-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140202916 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kanda; Hiroshi |
July 24, 2014 |
GLASS ENCLOSURE ARTICLE WITH COLOR AND PATTERN DECORATION, AND
PROCESS PREPARING THEREOF
Abstract
A glass enclosure article is provided that includes color and
patterned decoration and a process of making thereof. The glass
enclosure article has a desired color and appearance and also a
durable impact resistance. The glass enclosure article includes a
glass enclosure having an inner surface, an outer surface and a rim
and a coating. The coating is made of colored thermoplastic elastic
material that covers a whole or a part of the inner surface of the
glass enclosure.
Inventors: |
Kanda; Hiroshi; (Kanagawa,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SCHOTT NIPPON K.K. |
Saitama |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
SCHOTT NIPPON K.K.
Saitama
JP
|
Family ID: |
51206898 |
Appl. No.: |
14/161887 |
Filed: |
January 23, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/524.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/1626 20130101;
C03B 11/14 20130101; C03C 17/004 20130101; C03B 11/10 20130101;
A45C 2011/002 20130101; C03C 2217/485 20130101; C03C 17/32
20130101; B32B 17/064 20130101; B32B 1/00 20130101; A45C 11/00
20130101; A45C 2011/003 20130101; G06F 2200/1634 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/524.3 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/14 20060101
B65D025/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 24, 2013 |
CN |
201310027942.4 |
Claims
1. A glass enclosure article, comprising: a glass enclosure having
an inner surface, an outer surface, and a rim; and a coating made
of a thermoplastic elastic material covering a whole or a part of
the inner surface of the glass enclosure.
2. The glass enclosure article according to claim 1, wherein the
thermoplastic elastic material is a colored thermoplastic elastic
material.
3. The glass enclosure article according to claim 1, wherein the
coating covers a whole or a part of the rim.
4. The glass enclosure article according to claim 1, further
comprising a notch formed along the rim, wherein the coating
extends to and fills the notch.
5. The glass enclosure article according to claim 1, wherein the
glass enclosure is a chemically or thermally toughened glass.
6. The glass enclosure article according to claim 1, wherein the
glass enclosure is colorless and transparent or translucent.
7. The glass enclosure article according to claim 1, wherein the
glass enclosure has a shape selected from the group consisting of a
rectangle, a circle, a square, and an irregular shape.
8. The glass enclosure article according to claim 1, wherein the
glass enclosure is curved or planar.
9. The glass enclosure article according to claim 1, wherein the
glass enclosure has a thickness of 0.2 mm to 5.0 mm.
10. The glass enclosure article according to claim 1, wherein the
glass enclosure has a thickness of 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm.
11. The glass enclosure article according to claim 1, wherein the
glass enclosure comprises a glass selected from the group
consisting of soda-lime glass, aluminosilicate glass, and
borosilicate glass.
12. The glass enclosure article according to claim 2, wherein the
colored thermoplastic elastic material is made of the mixture of
pigment and polymer.
13. The glass enclosure article according to claim 2, wherein the
colored thermoplastic elastic material is colored with pigment on a
boundary surface in contact with the glass enclosure.
14. The glass enclosure article according to claim 1, wherein the
thermoplastic elastic material is selected from the group
consisting of acrylic polymer, polyethylene, polystyrene,
styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane,
polyolefin, and combinations thereof.
15. The glass enclosure article according to claim 1, wherein the
thermoplastic elastic material has a thickness of 0.02 mm-1.0
mm.
16. The glass enclosure article according to claim 1, wherein the
thermoplastic elastic material has a thickness of 0.1 mm-0.4
mm.
17. A process of preparing a glass enclosure article, comprising:
placing a glass enclosure having a concave inner surface onto a
first mold which has surface suitable for covering a convex outer
surface of the glass enclosure; placing a second mold at a position
over the glass enclosure which makes a space between the second
mold and the glass enclosure; and injecting a thermoplastic elastic
material into the space between the second mold and the glass
enclosure.
18. The process according to claim 17, wherein the second mold is
positioned over the glass enclosure so that the space is 0.02
mm-1.0 mm.
19. The process according to claim 17, wherein the second mold is
positioned over the glass enclosure so that the space is 0.2 mm-0.4
mm.
20. The process according to claim 17, wherein the first and second
molds are made of a material selected from the group consisting of
steel, steel alloy, titanium, silicon carbide, silicon nitride,
aluminum oxide, and zirconium oxide.
21. The process according to claim 17, wherein the thermoplastic
elastic material is selected from the group consisting of acrylic
polymer, polyethylene, polystyrene, styrene-acrylonitrile
copolymer, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, polyolefin, and
combinations thereof.
22. A process of preparing a glass enclosure article, comprising:
printing a solid color or texture or pattern on a film; placing a
glass enclosure having a concave inner surface onto a first mold
which has surface suitable for covering a convex outer surface of
the glass enclosure; placing the film onto the glass enclosure so
that an unprinted side of the film is brought into contact with the
glass enclosure; placing a second mold at a position over the film
to make a space between the second mold and the film; injecting a
thermoplastic elastic material into the space between the second
mold and the film to form a shaped thermoplastic elastic material
with a printed texture; detaching the film from the shaped
thermoplastic elastic material; placing the shaped thermoplastic
elastic material in the glass enclosure so that the glass enclosure
is contacting the printed texture; pressing the shaped
thermoplastic elastic material with the second mold; and heating
the glass enclosure and the shaped thermoplastic elastic
material.
23. The process according to claim 22, wherein the thermoplastic
elastic material is selected from the group consisting of acrylic
polymer, polyethylene, polystyrene, styrene-acrylonitrile
copolymer, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, polyolefin, and
combinations thereof.
24. The process according to claim 22, wherein the film is made of
a material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene,
polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyamide,
polyester, acrylic resin, polyvinyl chloride, metal foil, aluminum
foil, copper foil, and complexes thereof.
25. The process according to claim 22, wherein the film comprises a
base film and a release layer coated on a surface of the base film.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(a)
of Chinese Patent Application No. 201310027942.4, filed Jan. 24,
2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention is directed to a structure of an
enclosure of a portable electronic device, especially a structure
of a glass enclosure of a portable electronic device having desired
color and pattern decoration as well as durable impact resistance,
and a process of preparing the structure of an enclosure.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Personal portable electronic devices such as mobile-phone,
smart phone, tablet-PC, note book-PC, e-book reader had been
commonly used now a days. As the market became mature and
comparative, design of such device appearance has been diversified
and demands to apply various materials such as plastic, metal, wood
and glass became overt. Among such materials, there is a demand for
glass especially for high grade models because of the superior
aesthetic.
[0006] Colored glass can be made by adding additives to a glass
composition, and it is also possible to make the glass opaque by
crystallization of glass by adding proper chemical substances.
However it is difficult to make variation of colors with economical
ways.
[0007] Another issue was durability, especially the application to
portable devices, which requires the strength against impact (such
as falling down to floor). Chemically toughened glass is usually
used for this type of applications. However, compositions of the
chemically toughened glass are limited, giving difficulty for
obtaining a glass composition that meets other requirement such as
appearance.
[0008] The present invention gives a glass enclosure article with
color and pattern decoration, which has the desired color or
texture appearance and also a durable impact resistance. The
present invention also provides a process for the preparation of
the glass enclosure article with a simple and economical way.
SUMMARY
[0009] According to one embodiment, the glass enclosure article of
the present invention comprises a glass enclosure having an inner
surface, an outer surface and a rim and a coating, wherein the
coating is made of a thermoplastic elastic material, the
thermoplastic elastic material being preferably colored
thermoplastic elastic material, and wherein the coating covers a
whole or a part of the inner surface of the glass enclosure.
[0010] In another embodiment, the coating covers a whole or a part
of the edge of rim, ensuring mechanical insulation between the
glass enclosure and other flaming structure.
[0011] In another embodiment, a notch formed along the rim of the
glass enclosure, and the coating extends to and fills the
notch.
[0012] In another embodiment, the glass used in the glass enclosure
is chemically or thermally toughened.
[0013] In another embodiment, the process of preparing the glass
enclosure article of the present invention comprises the following
steps: placing a glass enclosure having an inner surface shaped in
concave onto a first mold which has surface suitable for covering
the convex outer surface of the glass enclosure; placing a second
mold at a position over the glass enclosure which makes a space
between the second mold and the glass enclosure; and injecting the
colored thermoplastic elastic material into the space between the
second mold and the glass enclosure.
[0014] In another embodiment, the process of preparing the glass
enclosure article of the present invention comprises the following
steps: printing solid color or texture or pattern on a film;
placing a glass enclosure having an inner surface shaped in concave
onto a first mold which has surface suitable for covering the
convex outer surface of the glass enclosure; placing the printed
film onto the glass enclosure, wherein an unprinted side of the
film is brought into contact with the glass enclosure; placing a
second mold at a position over the printed film which makes a space
between the second mold and the film; injecting the thermoplastic
elastic material into the space between the second mold and the
film; detaching the film from shaped thermoplastic elastic
material; placing the shaped thermoplastic elastic material in a
direction corresponding to the glass enclosure, and in contacting
with the, printed texture; pressing the thermoplastic elastic
material with the second mold; and heating the glass enclosure and
the thermoplastic elastic material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a glass enclosure article
according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a glass enclosure article
according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a glass enclosure article
according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a glass enclosure article
according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 5 shows a method used to prepare an exemplary
embodiment of a glass enclosure article according to the present
disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a glass enclosure article
according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0021] FIG. 7 shows another method used to prepare an exemplary
embodiment of a glass enclosure article according to the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] FIG. 1 shows the glass enclosure article of one embodiment
illustrated according to the present invention, wherein 10
represents the glass enclosure, and 20 represents the coating
formed from the colored thermoplastic elastic material.
[0023] FIG. 2 shows the glass enclosure article of one embodiment
illustrated according to the present invention, wherein 10
represents the glass enclosure, and 20 represents the coating
formed from the colored thermoplastic elastic material.
[0024] FIG. 3 shows the glass enclosure article of one embodiment
illustrated according to the present invention, wherein 10
represents the glass enclosure, 20 represents the coating formed
from the colored thermoplastic elastic material, and 15 represents
notch formed along the rim of the glass enclosure.
[0025] FIG. 4 shows the glass enclosure article of one embodiment
illustrated according to the present invention, wherein 10
represents the glass enclosure, 20 represents the coating formed
from the colored thermoplastic elastic material, and 30 and 31
represent other members to be installed.
[0026] FIG. 5 shows the method used to prepare the glass enclosure
article of one embodiment illustrated according to the present
invention, wherein 11 represents the glass enclosure, 41 represents
the first mold, 42 represents the second mold, 51 represents the
space formed between the glass enclosure 11 and the second mold 42,
and 61 represents a injection channel through the second mold
42.
[0027] FIG. 6 shows the glass enclosure article of one embodiment
illustrated according to the present invention, wherein 10
represents the glass enclosure, 20 represents the coating formed
from the thermoplastic elastic material, and 80 represent
decoration layer on thermoplastic elastic material and in contact
to the glass enclosure.
[0028] FIG. 7 shows the method used to prepare the glass enclosure
article of one embodiment illustrated according to the present
invention, wherein 12 represents the glass enclosure, 43 represents
the first mold, 44 represents the second mold, 62 represents the
injection channel through the second mold 42, 71 represents the
film, and 81 represents the printed pigment layer on film 71.
[0029] Additional features and advantages of the embodiments
described herein will be set forth in the detailed description
which follows, and in part will be readily apparent to those
skilled in the art from that description or recognized by
practicing the embodiments described herein.
[0030] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description describe various
embodiments and are intended to provide an overview or framework
for understanding the nature and character of the claimed subject
matter. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further
understanding of the present invention, and are incorporated into
and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings
illustrate the various embodiments described herein, and together
with the Description serve to explain the principles and operations
of the claimed subject matter.
[0031] In the present description, the term "glass" represents
glass, toughened glass.
[0032] In the present description, the term "colored thermoplastic
elastic material" represents a thermoplastic elastic material
having the desired color through selected or colored thermoplastic
elastic material.
[0033] In the present description, the term "article" represents an
article having a colored thermoplastic elastic material on the
inner surface of the glass enclosure. With reference to the inner
surface of the glass enclosure covered by a colored thermoplastic
elastic material, the term "a whole" indicates that all the inner
surfaces (faces and edges) of the glass enclosure are covered by
the colored thermoplastic elastic material. The term "a part"
indicates that a part of the selected region (faces and edges) of
the inner surface of the glass enclosure is covered by the colored
thermoplastic elastic material.
[0034] Referring now to FIG. 1, it schematically depicts a glass
enclosure article according to one embodiment of the present
invention. The glass enclosure article comprises a glass enclosure
10 and a coating 20 formed from a colored thermoplastic elastic
material. The glass enclosure 10 has an inner surface shaped in
concave, an outer surface shaped in convex and a rim. The inner
surface shaped in concave of the glass enclosure 10 is covered
completely by the coating 20 formed from the colored thermoplastic
elastic material, that is to say that the coating 20 covers the
whole inner surfaces of the glass enclosure 10 (including faces and
edges).
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 2, it schematically depicts a glass
enclosure article according to one embodiment of the present
invention. The glass enclosure article comprises a glass enclosure
10 and a coating 20 formed from a colored thermoplastic elastic
material. The glass enclosure 10 has an inner surface shaped in
concave, an outer surface shaped in convex and a rim. The inner
surface shaped in concave of the glass enclosure 10 is covered by
the coating 20 formed from the colored thermoplastic elastic
material in a selected region. In another embodiment, the rim
region of the inner surface shaped in concave of the glass
enclosure 10 is covered by the coating 20 formed from the colored
thermoplastic elastic material, whereas in other embodiments (not
shown in the Figs.), the central region of the inner surface shaped
in concave of the glass enclosure 10 is covered by the coating 20
formed from the colored thermoplastic elastic material.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 3, it schematically depicts a glass
enclosure article according to one embodiment of the present
invention. The glass enclosure article comprises a glass enclosure
10 and a coating 20 formed from a colored thermoplastic elastic
material. The glass enclosure 10 has an inner surface shaped in
concave, an outer surface shaped in convex and a rim. The inner
surface shaped in concave of the glass enclosure 10 is covered
completely by the coating 20 formed from the colored thermoplastic
elastic material. A notch 15 formed along the rim of the glass
enclosure, and the coating 20 extends to and fills the notch
15.
[0037] Referring now to FIG. 4, which schematically depicts a glass
enclosure article according to one embodiment of the present
invention. The glass enclosure article comprises a glass enclosure
10 and a coating 20 formed from a colored thermoplastic elastic
material. The glass enclosure 10 has an inner surface shaped in
concave, an outer surface shaped in convex and a rim. The inner
surface shaped in concave of the glass enclosure 10 is covered
completely by the coating 20 formed from the colored thermoplastic
elastic material. 30 and 31 represent other members to be
installed.
[0038] While FIGS. 1 to 4 depict a rectangular glass enclosure 10,
it should be understood that the glass enclosure may be formed in
other shapes. For example, and without limitation, the glass
enclosure may be circular, square or any other regular or irregular
shape. Further, while FIGS. 1 to 4 depict the rectangular glass
enclosure 10 as being planar, it should be understood that the
rectangular glass enclosure may be curved, such as the glass
enclosure has a curved cross-sectional profile in at least one
dimension.
[0039] In the embodiments of the glass enclosure article described
in the present invention, the glass enclosure 10 may have a
thickness of 0.2 mm to 5.0 mm, preferably 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm.
[0040] In the embodiments of the glass enclosure article described
in the present invention, the glass enclosure 10 is preferably
colorless and transparent or translucent. All the standard
soda-lime glass, aluminosilicate glass, borosilicate glass or other
glasses industrially available can be used, and toughened glass can
also be used.
[0041] In one embodiment, the glass enclosure is formed from glass
purchased from markets, for example SCHOTT LAS80.
[0042] That the inner surface of the glass enclosure article of the
present invention is covered by a coating formed from a colored
thermoplastic elastic material renders the article of the present
invention the desired color appearance and also a durable impact
resistance.
[0043] It can be selected the color of the thermoplastic elastic
material of the present invention according to requirements, or the
thermoplastic elastic material is colored to obtain a desired
color. The desired color can be available by mixing pigments or
colored pigments onto the thermoplastic elastic material.
[0044] In one specific embodiment, the colored thermoplastic
elastic material of the present invention may be black by adding
black carbon particles to acrylic resin.
[0045] The thermoplastic elastic material used in the glass
enclosure article of the present invention is commercially
available. Specifically, the thermoplastic elastic material can be
selected from acrylic polymer, polyethylene, polystyrene,
styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane,
polyolefin and combination thereof, whereas the present invention
is not limited within the above listed materials.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 5, it schematically depicts a process of
preparing the glass enclosure article of the present invention.
Specifically, a glass enclosure 11 having an inner surface shaped
in concave is placed on a first mold 41, and the first mold 41 has
a surface corresponding to the outer shape shaped in convex of the
glass enclosure. The glass enclosure 11 is immobilized onto the
mold 41 mechanically or by vacuum. The second mold 42 is
immobilized onto the upper of the glass enclosure 11 at a position
to make a space 51 between the second mold 42 and the glass
enclosure 11. The distance between the glass enclosure 11 and the
second mold 42 is 0.02 mm-1.0 mm, preferably 0.2 mm-0.4 mm to allow
conductivity of injected thermoplastic elastic material and to
minimize weight and thickness. Heating the thermoplastic elastic
material for having plasticizing and fluidness, and the
thermoplastic elastic material is injected into a space 51 via
channel 61. The shape of the thermoplastic elastic material is
stabilized by controlling the temperature higher enough than
crystallization point of the selected thermoplastic elastic
material and pressure appropriately. The thermoplastic elastic
material is adhered to glass enclosure 11 and stabilized by cooling
down temperature lower than crystallization point of the selected
thermoplastic elastic material to form a glass enclosure
article.
[0047] After cooling, the glass enclosure article made by the above
device has the desired color appearance and luster, hardness, and
smoothness since the glass enclosure is transparent and the colored
thermoplastic elastic material has the desired color. When the
glass enclosure article is immobilized into the structure of an
electronic device, the glass enclosure is insulated from other
members due to the thermoplastic elastic material between the glass
enclosure and other members to be installed, and thus the impact
applied to the glass enclosure can be absorbed.
[0048] Herein the mold can be made of one from metals such as
stainless steel, Titanium or ceramics like aluminum oxide,
zirconium oxide, silicon-carbide or silicon-nitride.
[0049] The thermoplastic elastic material is selected from acrylic
polymer, polyethylene, polystyrene, styrene-acrylonitrile
copolymer, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, polyolefin and
combination thereof.
[0050] Further, in order to obtain not only a solid color
appearance of the thermoplastic elastic material but also
diversified color and texture or pattern such as geometric feature,
geometric leather or geometric pattern, the following treatment is
introduced.
[0051] Referring now to FIG. 6, it schematically depicts a glass
enclosure article according to one embodiment of the present
invention. The glass enclosure article comprises a glass enclosure
10, a texture layer 80 and a coating 20 formed from a thermoplastic
elastic material. The glass enclosure 10 has an inner surface
shaped in concave, an outer surface shaped in convex and a rim. The
inner surface shaped in concave of the glass enclosure 10 is
covered completely by the texture layer 80 and the coating 20
formed from the thermoplastic elastic material.
[0052] Referring now to FIG. 7, it schematically depicts a process
of preparing the glass enclosure article of the present invention,
wherein a transparent glass enclosure 12 having an inner surface
shaped in concave is used. The glass enclosure 12 is placed onto
the first mold 43, which has a surface corresponding to the outer
shape shaped in convex of the glass enclosure. The glass enclosure
12 is immobilized to the first mold 43 mechanically or by vacuum. A
film 71 having ductility is selected as a substrate on which colors
or patterns to be decollated on enclosure are to be printed. The
printing material and the film 71 are selected to have a weak
bonding force between the printing material and the film 71, or the
film 71 is applied with a release layer prior to be printed to
ensure that the substrate film 71 is separated from the printing
layer after the thermoplastic elastic material is shaped. The film
71 is printed with the desired color and pattern, and the printed
film 71 is placed on the glass enclosure wherein the unprinted side
contacts the glass enclosure 12. The second mold 44 is immobilized
over the film 71 at a position to make a space between the second
mold 44 and the glass enclosure 12 bigger than film thickness.
[0053] The distance between the glass enclosure 12 and the second
mold 44 not including the printed film thickness is 0.02 mm-1.0 mm,
preferably 0.2 mm-0.4 mm.
[0054] The thermoplastic elastic material is heated to the
temperature which the material to have plasticity and fluidness,
and the thermoplastic elastic material is injected into the space
via a channel 62. Whole mold and article are cooled down the
temperature the thermoplastic elastic material loose fluidness and
the article is separated from mold. The film 71 is detached by
peeling off from shaped thermoplastic elastic material. The shaped
thermoplastic elastic material with print material on surface is
placed in a direction corresponding to the glass enclosure and the
glass enclosure contacts with the printed texture. The second mold
44 is immobilized in contact to the shaped thermoplastic elastic
material at the position no gap is made between the second mold and
the glass enclosure. Molds and the glass enclosure article are
heated to the temperature which the thermoplastic elastic material
has plasticity and fluidness and thermoplastic elastic material is
pressed with the second mold and adhere to glass enclosure article.
The shape of the thermoplastic elastic material is stabilized by
cooling mold and article.
[0055] Herein the mold can be made of one from metals such as
stainless steel, Titanium or ceramics like aluminum oxide,
zirconium oxide, silicon-carbide or silicon-nitride.
[0056] The film can be made of one from polypropylene,
polyethylene, polycarbonate, polyamide, polyester, acrylic resin,
polyvinyl chloride or metal foil such as aluminum foil, copper
foil, or complexes of each of the above materials and the release
layer can be coated on the surface of above film to improve
separation of the sheet from glass enclosure.
[0057] The thermoplastic elastic material is selected from acrylic
polymer, polyethylene, polystyrene, styrene-acrylonitrile
copolymer, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, polyolefin and
combination thereof.
[0058] The glass enclosure article made by the process shown in
FIG. 7, since the glass enclosure is transparent, and the desired
color and pattern are printed on the film, the obtained glass
enclosure article has the desired color and pattern appearance, and
the luster, hardness, and smoothness. When the glass enclosure
article is immobilized into the structure of an electronic device,
the glass enclosure is insulated from other members due to the
thermoplastic elastic material between the glass enclosure and
other members to be installed, and thus the impact applied to the
glass enclosure can be absorbed.
[0059] As unlimited examples, the glass enclosure article of the
present invention can be used as an enclosure of an electronic
device, such as mobile phones, tablet computers, notebook
computers, personal music players, electronic book readers,
handheld calculators, computer mouse top covers, and the like.
[0060] The glass enclosure article of the present invention may
have the desired color and pattern appearance by covering the whole
or a part of the inner surface of the glass enclosure with a
colored thermoplastic elastic material, and the glass enclosure is
insulated from other members by having a thermoplastic elastic
material between the glass enclosure and the members to be
installed, and thus the impact applied to the glass enclosure can
be absorbed.
[0061] The glass enclosure article of the present invention
combines the beneficial properties of glass and thermoplastic
elastic material in the same article. Specifically, glass has
beautiful appearance and smooth feeling but various colors and/or
patterns cannot be obtained easily through economical ways; whereas
a thermoplastic elastic material can have the desired color readily
by selecting appropriate components. To have a thermoplastic
elastic material on the inner surface of the glass enclosure
renders the obtained glass enclosure article the desired color
and/or pattern, and also the beautiful appearance and smooth
feeling of the glass. Further, the glass enclosure is insulated
from other members by having a thermoplastic elastic material
between the glass enclosure and the members to be installed, and
thus the impact applied to the glass enclosure can be absorbed, and
the glass enclosure article has a durable impact resistance.
[0062] It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that
various modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments
described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
claimed subject matter. Thus it is intended that the modifications
and variations of the various embodiments described herein are
within the scope of protection of the present invention provided
such modification and variations come within the scope of the
appended claims and their equivalents.
Example 1
[0063] Glass enclosure was shaped by casting melted Schott LAS80
glass to have dimension of 100 mm.times.60 mm rectangle shape with
curved corner of radius 5 mm and 3 mm depth concave with uniform
thickness of 1.0 mm.
[0064] One set of mold is made with stainless-steel SUS420 by
Numerical Control machining. First mold has concave which
corresponds to the outer dimension of above glass enclosure. Second
mold has convex shape and it is made to give uniform distance of 1
mm from the inner surface of above glass enclosure when two mold
and glass enclosure are combined.
[0065] Acrylic resin and black carbon powder was mixed with 99:1
ratio for black colored thermoplastic elastic material by roll
mill.
[0066] Glass enclosure was fixed in the concave on first mold by
vacuum via hole through mold body. Then second mold was fixed on
the first mold to make space between second mold and glass
enclosure. The molds and glass enclosure were heated up to 110
degree C. and the colored thermoplastic elastic material was heated
up to 120 degree C. and injected into the space between the second
mold and the glass enclosure by pumping system through the
injection channel made through the second mold. The molds and glass
enclosure were cooled down to 70 degree C. and second mold was
removed.
Example 2
[0067] The Glass enclosure prepared in Example is used. Colored
layer printed film was prepared as following process. 100 um thick
polyethylene terephthalate film was used as a base film. Release
layer was made by coating silicone resin on the film surface. Ink
made of acrylic resin and color dye was coated by offset printing
on the film to make colored decoration pattern.
[0068] The glass enclosure was set on first mold and fixed with
vacuum and above printed film was positioned to cover the glass
enclosure with direction which the printed side opposite to glass
enclosure and base film surface facing to glass enclosure. Second
mold was set over the glass enclosure and printed film and the film
was fixed with two molds in the whole area out of glass mold. The
molds and glass enclosure were heated up to 110 degree C. and the
thermoplastic elastic material was heated up to 120 degree C. and
injected into the space between the second mold and the glass
enclosures by pumping system through the injection channel made
through the second mold. The molds and glass enclosure were cooled
down to 70 degree C. and second mold was removed. The thermoplastic
elastic material has shape to correspond to the inner surface of
glass enclosure and removed from glass enclosure by pulling up
printed film. The base film of printed film was removed from the
thermoplastic elastic material easily from release layer on it and
decoration texture remained on the surface of shaped elastic
article.
[0069] The elastic material was placed on the glass enclosure on
the first mold, and the printed side of the elastic material is
brought into contact with the glass enclosure. The second mold was
placed on the glass enclosure and the first mold. Molds, glass
enclosure and elastic article were heated up to 120 degree Celsius
and softened ink layer became adhesive to glass enclosure. Whole
set was cooled down to ambient temperature and the glass enclosure
was separated by compressed air applied through hole in first mold.
The obtained glass enclosure had desired color and texture when
observed from outer side through glass and covered whole area and
edge by thermoplastic elastic material.
* * * * *