HK1229448B - Method for producing a watch glass having at least one gemstone - Google Patents

Description

Method for producing a watch glass having at least one gemstone

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method for producing a watch glass in which at least one diamond or precious stone (Edelstein) or other gemstone is embedded. The invention also relates to such a watch glass.

Background Art

Methods for making watch glasses with gemstones or precious stones inserted into grooves are well known. Therefore, for example, in this method in EP 1 347 349 A2, two glasses are heated to above their melting point and thus fused. However, this method has the following disadvantages: the shape of the groove changes due to the heating of the glass. Thus, the gemstone tilts or moves in the groove. As a result, the gemstone loses its clear and definite orientation and position, which impairs the visual effect of the watch glass. Even if only slightly tilted or moved by one or more gemstones, the beautiful, smooth and uniform form of the watch glass with multiple precious stones will be damaged.

Summary of the Invention

The object of the present invention is to propose a method for producing a watch glass in which at least one diamond or precious stone or other gemstone is embedded, by which a secure connection between the two glasses is achieved without impairing the visual effect of the stone and the watch glass.

This object is achieved by a method for producing a watch glass having at least one diamond, precious stone, or other gemstone embedded therein, the method comprising the following steps: providing a carrier glass, providing a cover glass, forming at least one recess in the carrier glass, providing at least one diamond, precious stone, or other gemstone, inserting the at least one diamond, precious stone, or gemstone into the at least one recess in the carrier glass, placing the cover glass onto the carrier glass, and connecting the cover glass to the carrier glass such that a gas-tight connection point, which is subject to a suction cup effect, is formed between the cover glass and the carrier glass. A suction cup effect is understood to be an effect that occurs between two planes and generates a negative pressure when attempting to separate one plane from the other. The gas-tight connection point and the suction cup effect ensure that the cover glass and the carrier glass remain connected to each other stably and bubble-free. Consequently, the orientation of the gemstone within the recess remains unchanged, which results in a highly aesthetic, particularly uniform, and harmonious, appearance of the watch glass with multiple gemstones.

The term "carrier glass" is used herein to refer to a glass that carries gemstones, regardless of the arrangement of the glass within the watch glass. Thus, for example, in the case of a watch glass with an upper glass and a lower glass, with the gemstones arranged within the upper glass, the upper glass can be understood as the carrier glass and the lower glass as the cover glass.

According to the invention, the cover glass can preferably have at least one groove.

Within the scope of the present invention, the cover glass can have at least one recess that is flush with at least one recess in the carrier glass. Thus, the first part of the gemstone can be placed in the recess of the carrier glass, and the second part of the gemstone can be placed in a corresponding recess in the cover glass. This allows both glasses to be designed as thin, which is beneficial for the visual appearance of the watch glass, particularly when using large gemstones. Preferably, the sum of the thickness of the carrier glass and the thickness of the cover glass at the location of the recess is greater than the height of the gemstone.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, at least one groove can be formed in each of the carrier glass and the cover glass, into which a gemstone is placed. In this sense, both glasses support at least one gemstone. Therefore, the cover glass can also be considered a carrier glass.

According to the present invention, a gas-tight connection point can preferably be achieved by applying a vacuum to the entire structure consisting of the carrier glass and the cover glass using a vacuum chamber or a vacuum furnace, and then removing the entire structure from the vacuum chamber or vacuum furnace. This removes the air in the recess and in the space between the cover glass and the carrier glass. This creates a vacuum in the recess containing the gemstone. By removing the entire structure from the vacuum furnace or vacuum chamber, the cover glass and the carrier glass are pressed together by air pressure, thus connecting the two glasses to each other.

According to the present invention, the entire structure can preferably be heated simultaneously with or after the vacuum is applied. Heating the entire structure facilitates the connection of the carrier glass to the cover glass. The assembly is preferably heated to a temperature below the melting point of the glass but above its softening temperature, thereby slightly softening the glass on the surface without causing the groove to lose its shape. This allows the gemstone to be precisely positioned.

It is particularly preferred that the maximum heating temperature is less than or equal to 730°C, preferably 700°C, and the maximum heating duration is less than 30 minutes, preferably 20 minutes. This optimally promotes the interconnection of the glass. Furthermore, damage to the gemstones, particularly their visual impact, is avoided.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if the maximum heating temperature is reached within 45 to 60 minutes. Thus, the cover glass and the carrier glass are heated in the shortest possible time. A faster or slower transition to the maximum heating temperature would increase the total time required to carry out the method or could negatively affect the properties of the glasses and thus their ability to be joined together.

Furthermore, the method according to the invention preferably comprises a cooling step. The entire structure of glass can preferably be cooled by means of a cooling furnace.

Cooling can preferably be performed in three steps. This provides a more stable connection between the two glass panes 2 and 3. In particular, the first cooling step is performed in the shortest possible time, preferably to a first cooling temperature of 530°C. Cooling from the maximum heating temperature to the first cooling temperature preferably takes place within approximately 40 to 45 minutes. Alternatively, the first cooling step can be performed inside the vacuum furnace when its vacuum switch is open.

Preferably, the first cooling temperature is kept constant for a period of approximately 17 minutes per millimeter of thickness of the entire structure of the glass.

According to the invention, the entire structure is therefore uniformly cooled to the second cooling temperature, preferably to 480° C., within a period of approximately 17 minutes per millimeter thickness of the entire structure of glass.

The entire structure is then cooled to a third cooling temperature, preferably room temperature of 20° C., within the same time period as in the second cooling.

Preferably, the duration of the steps of obtaining the first cooling temperature, the second cooling temperature and the third cooling temperature is the same. In particular, these steps each occur in approximately 17 minutes per millimeter thickness of the entire structure of the glass.

Here, the second cooling step and the third cooling step together should last not less than 45 minutes.

This makes it possible to avoid the occurrence of stresses in the crystal during cooling, which could otherwise lead to sudden cracks in the crystal.

According to the present invention, as an alternative to or in addition to applying a vacuum to the entire structure, a gas-tight connection between the cover glass and the carrier glass can advantageously be achieved by introducing an interlayer between the carrier glass and the cover glass before the cover glass is placed on the carrier glass and pressing the entire structure together. The interlayer between the cover glass and the carrier glass intensifies the suction cup effect, thereby firmly bonding the two glasses to each other. Therefore, heating is no longer required when using the interlayer, and the method can be performed at room temperature or "cold." The use of an interlayer offers the additional advantage that the method according to the present invention can also be applied to glasses with very high softening temperatures, such as highly scratch-resistant sapphire glass. Such temperatures would impair the visual quality of the gemstone. Furthermore, the use of an interlayer enables or facilitates the bonding of glasses with different chemical and physical structures, such as mineral glass and sapphire glass. While the entire structure is heated to facilitate bonding the glasses, the presence of the interlayer between the two glasses significantly reduces the maximum required heating temperature.

The intermediate layer can preferably consist of an organic or inorganic connecting or bonding substance, or an adhesive layer or an elastic film. Thus, for example, a carrier glass can be sprayed with a thin silicon layer. Surface deviations of the carrier glass and the cover glass can be compensated by the intermediate layer, resulting in a very stable connection between the two glasses.

To achieve a more stable and reliable connection between the carrier glass and the cover glass, the present invention incorporates an interlayer over the entire common contact surface between the carrier glass and the cover glass. The interlayer thus extends all the way to the edges of the glass. This large contact surface provides a high connection force for joining the glass surfaces. The contact surface is defined as the surface where the carrier glass and the cover glass actually come into contact with each other. Consequently, the grooves are not covered by the interlayer.

When an interlayer is used between two glasses, a maximum heating temperature of less than or equal to 100° C., preferably 60° C., is advantageous. The heating temperature is significantly below the melting and softening temperatures of the glasses, which also protects the gemstones.

In an advantageous refinement of the present invention, the surface of the cover glass facing the carrier glass and the surface of the carrier glass facing the cover glass are curved identically and complementary. Consequently, when using curved glass, no air can penetrate into the space between the cover glass and the carrier glass, which could cause the glass to separate from one another. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to flat glass.

The gemstone is advantageously positioned precisely in the groove, so that it does not move loosely in the groove, thereby achieving an elegant visual effect of the watch glass.

The invention further relates to a watch glass comprising a carrier glass provided with at least one groove, a cover glass with at least one diamond, precious stone or other gemstone placed in the at least one groove, wherein the cover glass is placed on the carrier glass and is connected to the carrier glass in such a way that a gas-tight connection point exists between the cover glass and the carrier glass, said connection point being subject to a suction cup effect.

The present invention therefore relates to a watch glass manufactured according to the method of the invention. Said watch glass therefore combines the advantages described above with reference to the manufacturing method of the invention.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a watch having a watch glass according to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further details, advantages and features of the present invention are apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which identical or functionally identical components are provided with the same reference numerals.

FIG1 shows a top view of a watch comprising a watch glass with diamonds,

FIG2 shows a greatly simplified schematic sectional view of a watch glass comprising a cover glass and a carrier glass in the unassembled state according to a first embodiment of the invention,

FIG3 shows a greatly simplified schematic sectional view of the watch glass according to the invention of FIG2 in the assembled state,

FIG4 shows a greatly simplified schematic sectional view of a watch glass comprising a cover glass and a carrier glass in an unassembled state according to a second embodiment of the invention, and

FIG. 5 shows a greatly simplified schematic sectional view of the watch glass according to the invention of FIG. 4 in the assembled state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A watch glass 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 .

FIG1 shows a watch 10 in the form of an armband, with a case 11 and a crystal 1 according to the present invention, which is arranged within the case 11 and is provided with jewels. The case 11 and the crystal 1 are circular, but may have any other shape, such as rectangular, polygonal, etc. Specifically, four jewels 5 (illustrated as diamonds) with a constant radius are arranged circumferentially within the crystal 1 at equal intervals. However, the position and number of jewels 5 can be arbitrarily selected depending on the design of the watch. Thus, for example, one, two, or twelve jewels may be incorporated into the crystal 1. Furthermore, the watch 10 has a dial 12, for example, a gold plate, three hands 13 for indicating the hours, minutes, and seconds, and two connections for an armband.

FIG2 is a greatly simplified schematic diagram of the section A-A of the watch glass in FIG1 in the unassembled state. Watch glass 1 comprises carrier glass 2 and cover glass 3. Carrier glass 2 and cover glass 3 are made of the same glass type, in particular mineral glass. Other glass types may also be used. Combining different glass types is also possible within the scope of the present invention.

A recess 4 for accommodating a gemstone 5 is arranged in carrier glass 2. Cover glass 3 and carrier glass 2 are circular and have the same diameter. Glasses 2 and 3 have different thicknesses, with cover glass 3 being thinner. However, it is also possible for both glasses 2 and 3 to have the same thickness. Furthermore, inner surface 20 of carrier glass 2 and inner surface 30 of cover glass 3 are flat at the contact point between the two glasses 2 and 3. However, according to alternative designs, inner surfaces 20 and 30 can also be curved in the same and complementary manner.

FIG3 shows the finished watch glass 1. Here, the carrier glass 2 and the cover glass 3 are connected to one another and thus form a glass unit 7 in the assembled state. In the assembled state, the two glasses 2, 3 are so close to one another that an observer can no longer visually distinguish them. This results in a seamless, airtight connection 8 around the groove 4.

The method according to the invention for producing a watch glass 1 according to FIGS. 2 and 3 is described below.

First, a carrier glass 2 and a cover glass 3 are provided, and a groove 4 is opened into the carrier glass 2, for example, by laser. Then, a gemstone 5 provided in the desired form and size is placed in the groove 4. The cover glass 3 is placed on the carrier glass 2, and then the entire structure consisting of the two glasses 2 and 3 is placed in a vacuum furnace (not shown).

A vacuum is applied to the entire structure in a vacuum furnace. Preferably, a vacuum of less than 0.01 bar is used. Alternatively, a vacuum chamber can be used. By applying the vacuum, the air in the recess 4 and the space between the carrier glass 2 and the cover glass 3 is removed. Thus, the recess 4 functions as a vacuum chamber.

At the same time, the entire structure consisting of the cover glass 3 and the carrier glass 2 is heated to a temperature above the softening temperature and below the melting point of the glasses 2, 3. This ensures that the groove 4 opened into the carrier glass 2 does not deform.

The maximum heating temperature should preferably be reached as quickly as possible. In particular, the entire structure is heated to a maximum heating temperature of approximately 700° C. This achieves an excellent connection between the carrier glass 2 and the cover glass 3 .

Preferably, the heating temperature should be raised to the maximum heating temperature from room temperature in approximately 45 minutes to 60 minutes. In this temperature change, thermal shock for glass 2, 3 is avoided when the temperature rises very quickly.

The maximum heating temperature is then maintained for approximately 20 minutes, so that the glasses 2 , 3 become as soft as necessary to allow them to be joined together without damaging the gemstone 5 .

The vacuum on the entire structure is then reduced by removing it from the vacuum furnace. To this end, the vacuum switch of the vacuum furnace is opened, briefly raising the pressure inside the furnace to atmospheric pressure. The heated, softened glasses 2 and 3 are pressed together by the atmospheric pressure existing outside the vacuum furnace, since the recess 4 is under negative pressure. This results in the cover glass 3 being connected to the carrier glass 2, thereby forming a common glass unit 7.

The entire structure, or glass unit 7, is then cooled. For cooling, the glass unit 7 is removed from the vacuum furnace and placed in a cooling furnace. This has the advantage that, during the mass production of watch glasses, the vacuum furnace remains available for the next load. Cooling is controlled and can preferably be performed in three steps. This provides a more stable connection between the two glasses 2 and 3. In particular, the first cooling step is achieved in the shortest possible time, preferably to a first cooling temperature of 530°C. Cooling from the maximum heating temperature to the first cooling temperature preferably occurs within approximately 40 to 45 minutes.

Alternatively, the entire structure can be cooled inside the vacuum furnace when the vacuum switch is open. This can be particularly advantageous when producing relatively small quantities of watch glasses. After the vacuum switch is opened, the vacuum furnace, which is ventilated with air, functions solely as a cooling furnace. In this case, the furnace cools naturally.

Preferably, when the total thickness of the two glass panes 2, 3 is 2 mm, the first cooling temperature is kept constant for a period of approximately 34 minutes. The entire structure is then uniformly cooled to a second cooling temperature, preferably 480° C., over a period of approximately 34 minutes. The entire structure is then cooled to a third cooling temperature, preferably 20° C., over the same period of time.

The pressing of the cover glass 3 and the carrier glass 2 due to atmospheric pressure (illustrated by arrows in FIG. 3 ) combined with the cooling of the entire structure leads to the fusion of the two glasses 2 , 3 , thereby producing a stable watch glass with a high-quality and aesthetically pleasing visual effect.

Next, a watch glass 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is described in detail with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 .

The watch glass 1 of the second embodiment differs from the watch glass of the first embodiment primarily in that an interlayer 6 is placed between the cover glass 3 and the carrier glass 2 before the cover glass 3 is placed on the carrier glass 2. The interlayer 6, which can be formed as an organic or inorganic bonding or adhesive substance, an adhesive layer, or an elastic film, is applied over the entire contact surface between the two glasses 2, 3. Pressing the glasses 2, 3 together using air pressure firmly presses the interlayer 6 against the glasses, preventing air from entering the recess 4. This creates a gas-tight connection 8 between the carrier glass 2 and the cover glass 3. Unlike the first embodiment, the carrier glass 2 and the cover glass 3 are connected to each other via the interlayer 6, not directly. However, due to its very thin thickness, its optical properties, and the high pressure used to press the two glasses 2, 3 together, the interlayer 6 is not visually noticeable to the observer. For illustrative purposes, the interlayer 6 is shown enlarged in Figures 4 and 5.

By providing an intermediate layer 6 , which intensifies the resulting suction cup effect, the entire structure can be heated to a maximum heating temperature below the softening temperature of the glass panes 2 and 3 . Preferably, the glass panes 2 and 3 are heated to a heating temperature of less than 100°C, in particular, to 60°C. The manufacturing method can also be advantageously performed at room temperature. Consequently, a vacuum furnace or a heating device supplementing the vacuum chamber can be omitted, resulting in cost savings when performing the method.

In addition to the foregoing written description of the invention, reference is hereby made in detail to the illustrations of the invention in Figures 1 to 5 for a disclosure supplement thereto.

List of Figure Numbers

1 watch glass

2 Carrier glass

3 Cover glass

4 grooves

5 Gems/Diamonds/Precious Stones

6 Middle Layer

7 glass units

8 Airtight connection points

10 tables

11 Housing

12 dials

13 pointers

14 Connecting part for watch strap

20 Inner side of carrier glass (side of carrier glass facing cover glass)

30 Inner side of cover glass (side of cover glass facing carrier glass)

A-A section

P Air pressure or atmospheric pressure

Claims (16)

1. A method for manufacturing watch glass, wherein at least one precious gemstone or other gemstone is embedded in the watch glass (5), the method comprising the following steps: - Provide carrier glass (2). - Provide cover glass (3). - At least one groove (4) is formed inside the carrier glass (2). - Provide at least one precious gem or other gem (5). - Place at least one precious gemstone or other gemstone (5) into at least one groove (4) of the carrier glass (2), - Place the cover glass (3) onto the carrier glass (2), and - The cover glass (3) and the carrier glass (2) are connected such that an airtight connection position, subject to a suction cup effect, is formed between the cover glass (3) and the carrier glass (2). - The airtight connection between the cover glass (3) and the carrier glass (2) is achieved by introducing an intermediate layer (6) between the carrier glass (2) and the cover glass (3) before placing the cover glass (3) onto the carrier glass (2), and pressing the entire structure consisting of the carrier glass (2) and the cover glass (3) together. - Wherein, the intermediate layer (6) is introduced onto the entire common contact surface between the carrier glass (2) and the cover glass (3), - And the groove (4) therein is not covered by the intermediate layer (6). 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the airtight connection is achieved by applying a vacuum to the entire structure consisting of the carrier glass (2) and the cover glass (3) by means of a vacuum chamber or vacuum furnace, and then removing the entire structure from the vacuum chamber or vacuum furnace. 3. The method according to claim 2 further includes the step of heating the entire structure simultaneously with or after applying a vacuum. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the maximum heating temperature is less than or equal to 730°C and the maximum heating duration is less than 30 minutes. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the maximum heating temperature is reached within 45 to 60 minutes. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer (6) comprises an organic or inorganic connecting material. 7. The method according to claim 3, wherein the maximum heating temperature is less than or equal to 100°C. 8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the face of the covering glass (3) facing the carrier glass (2) and the face of the carrier glass (2) facing the covering glass (3) are curved in the same and complementary manner. 9. The method according to claim 4, wherein the maximum heating temperature is 700°C and the maximum heating duration is 20 minutes. 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer (6) comprises an organic or inorganic adhesive material. 11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate layer (6) comprises an adhesive layer or an elastic film. 12. The method according to claim 7, wherein the maximum heating temperature is 60°C. 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the precious gemstone or other gem is a diamond. 14. A watch glass, comprising: - Carrier glass (2), which is provided with at least one groove (4). - Covering glass (3), the covering glass having at least one precious gem or other gemstone placed in at least one groove (4), the precious gemstone or other gemstone being precisely positioned in the groove, -The cover glass is placed on the carrier glass (2) and connected to the carrier glass (2) in such a way that there is an airtight connection between the cover glass (3) and the carrier glass (2), the connection being subject to a suction cup effect. - The airtight connection between the cover glass (3) and the carrier glass (2) is achieved by introducing an intermediate layer (6) between the carrier glass (2) and the cover glass (3) before placing the cover glass (3) onto the carrier glass (2), and pressing the entire structure consisting of the carrier glass (2) and the cover glass (3) together. - Wherein, the intermediate layer (6) is introduced onto the entire common contact surface between the carrier glass (2) and the cover glass (3), - And the groove (4) therein is not covered by the intermediate layer (6). 15. The watch glass according to claim 14, wherein the precious gemstone or other gemstone is a diamond. 16. A watch glass, characterized in that the watch glass is manufactured using the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13.