JP2003080382A - Decorative article and laser marking method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To prevent contamination of foreign matters such as burns when a laser beam is irradiated through a light transmitting plate such as a glass plate to perform marking, and a laser-free decorative product and laser To provide a marking method. A predetermined laser beam 9 is emitted from the outside of a wristwatch.
The cover glass 23 and the covering layer 8 are sequentially transmitted to irradiate the marking layer 72 of the dial plate 7 and, for example, a marking 10 such as a desired character, symbol, figure, or pattern is applied. Laser light 9
Is at least 1064 nm, such as YVO ₄ laser
It is a laser beam containing the wavelength of.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a decorative article and a laser marking method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Characters, symbols, figures, etc. are displayed on a dial of a wristwatch, but in recent years, an original character, symbol, etc. are attached to a dial of a watch (marking) for a finished watch. Is required. In this case, a laser marking method by irradiation with laser light can be adopted. According to this method, a dial is irradiated with laser light from the outside of the watch through a cover glass to mark a desired character.

However, this method has a problem that foreign matter such as burnt dust or gas is generated by the irradiation of the laser beam and adheres to the inner surface of the cover glass or the dial and becomes dirty.

For this reason, the finished watch cannot be marked, and the dial can only be assembled after marking the dial before assembly.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to prevent scattering of foreign matter such as burnt residue when marking is performed by irradiating a laser beam through a translucent plate such as a glass plate to prevent contamination. An object of the present invention is to provide a decorative article and a laser marking method.

[0006]

The above objects are achieved by the present invention described in (1) to (18) below.

(1) A marking portion for marking by irradiation of the laser light is provided in a closed space surrounded by a casing including a transparent plate capable of transmitting a laser light having a wavelength of at least 1064 nm. An ornamental article, characterized in that the portion is covered with a coating layer through which the laser light can pass.

(2) The decorative article according to (1), wherein the laser light is laser light from a YAG laser or a YVO ₄ laser.

(3) The ornamental article according to (1) or (2), wherein the transparent plate is a cover glass for a watch.

(4) The marking portion is present on any one of a dial, a cutout plate, a dial ring, a needle, an abbreviation, a dial decorative component, and a movement constituent component of a timepiece. ) Any one of the above.

(5) The decorative article according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the marking portion contains a color former.

(6) The decorative article according to any one of (1) to (5) above, wherein the marking portion contains a foaming agent.

(7) The decorative article according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the coating layer is made of glass or polymer.

(8) The decorative article according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein the coating layer is formed by painting or printing.

(9) The coating layer has a thickness of 30 μm to
The decorative article according to any one of (1) to (8), which has a length of 2 mm.

(10) In a sealed space surrounded by a casing including a transparent plate capable of transmitting a laser beam having a wavelength of at least 1064 nm, a marking portion for marking by irradiation of the laser beam and the marking portion are provided. In a state of covering and covering with the coating layer through which the laser light can be transmitted, the laser light is sequentially transmitted through the light transmitting plate and the coating layer to irradiate the marking portion to form a marking. Characteristic laser marking method.

(11) The laser light is laser light from a YAG laser or a YVO ₄ laser.
The laser marking method according to 0).

(12) The laser marking method according to the above (10) or (11), wherein the transparent plate is a cover glass of a watch.

(13) The marking portion is any one of a dial, a cutout plate, a dial ring, a needle, an abbreviation, a dial decorative component, and a movement constituent component of the timepiece of the above (10) to (12). The laser marking method according to any one of 1.

(14) The laser marking method according to any one of (10) to (13), wherein the marking portion contains a color former.

(15) The laser marking method according to any one of (10) to (14), wherein the marking portion contains a foaming agent.

(16) The laser marking method according to any one of (10) to (15), wherein the coating layer is made of glass or polymer.

(17) The coating layer is formed by painting or printing. (10) to (1)
The laser marking method according to any one of 5).

(18) The thickness of the coating layer is 30 μm
The laser marking method according to any one of (10) to (17), wherein the laser marking method is about 2 mm.

[0025]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the decorative article and the laser marking method of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an embodiment in which the decorative article of the present invention is applied to a wrist watch. First, the structure of the wristwatch 1 will be described. For convenience of explanation, the upper side in FIG. 1 is referred to as “upper” and the lower side is referred to as “lower”.

The wristwatch 1 mainly comprises a body 21 and a glass rim 2.
2, a case (casing) 2 including a cover glass (transparent plate) 23 and a back cover 24. Also,
Packings 25, 26, and 27 are installed between the body 21 and the glass edge 22, between the glass edge 22 and the cover glass 23, and between the body 21 and the back cover 24, respectively.

As the cover glass 23, for example, inorganic glass such as soda lime glass, borosilicate glass, Hardrex (reinforced inorganic glass), Clearrex (antireflection treatment), spinel glass, sapphire glass, crystal,
Diamond, organic glass (for example, acrylic resin such as polymethylmethacrylate) and the like can be mentioned, but any of them may be used for the laser beam transmittance described later, but sapphire glass having good scratch resistance and heat resistance, Hardlex is more preferable as a watch cover glass. The cover glass 23 may have a light collecting function or a prism function.

A middle frame 3 is installed inside the case 2, and a movement 4 and a battery 5 are housed inside the middle frame 3.

A crown 6 with a winding stem 61 is provided on the side of the body 21 so as to penetrate the body 21. A winding stem pipe 62 is installed around the axis of the crown 6, and the shaft of the crown 6 is in contact with the inner surface of the winding stem pipe 62 via the crown packing 63.

A dial 7 is installed above the movement 4 in the case 2. The upper edge of the dial 7 is in contact with the lower surface of the glass edge 22. An abbreviation 73 is provided on the dial 7.

Between the dial 7 and the cover glass 23,
A space 28 is formed, and an hour hand 41, a minute hand 42 and a second hand 43 are rotatably installed in the space 28.

This wristwatch 1 is provided with packings 25, 26, 2
The airtight state in the case 2 is maintained by the 7 and the crown packing 63.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing the vicinity of the marking portion of the dial of the wristwatch shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the dial 7 is composed of a base 71 and a marking layer (marking portion) 72 formed on the base 71, and further, a coating layer 8 is formed on the marking layer 72. There is.

As the base 71, for example, an alloy of stainless steel (SUS), brass (Bs), nickel silver (NS), etc.,
Al or Al-based alloy, Ti or Ti-based alloy, Au or Au alloy, carbon steel, various metal materials such as tungsten (W), polycarbonate, polyester, polymethylmethacrylate, polyacetal, polysulfone, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyamide, polyimide ,
Examples include various resin materials such as ABS resin and acrylic, ceramics such as alumina and zirconia, and natural materials such as stone, shellfish and wood.

The marking layer 72 is a layer for marking by irradiation of laser light described later, and is, for example,
Various resin materials such as polycarbonate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, polymethylmethacrylate, polyacetal, polysulfone, polyamide, ABS resin, polyvinyl chloride, Au, Ag, Pt, A
1, stainless steel, Cu, Ni, Cr, Pd, Rh, R
Examples include various metals such as u and the like or alloys containing them, as well as various ceramic materials, wood, paper materials, and the like. When the marking layer 72 is composed of a metal layer,
For example, a thin layer formed by dry or wet plating is preferable.
Further, the marking layer 72 may be a coating film made of an organic or inorganic material.

The marking layer 72 as described above may contain, for example, a pigment (colorant) or a filler in order to enhance the absorption of the laser beam 9.

Further, the marking layer 72 may contain a color former. With this, when the laser beam described later is irradiated, the color-developing agent present in the irradiation site is colored, a marking of a desired color can be formed, and a clearer marking can be obtained.

Examples of color formers include silicon inorganic compounds and phenol compounds.

The marking layer 72 may also contain a foaming agent. Thereby, when the laser beam 9 described later is irradiated, the irradiated portion is raised in a convex shape with a height of, for example, about 0.03 to 1.2 mm, and a three-dimensional marking can be formed.

Examples of the foaming agent include pentane, hexane, azo compounds, nitroso compounds and the like.

In the case of the marking layer 72 containing a foaming agent, it is preferable to use a flexible and flexible coating layer 8 in consideration of the bulge of the laser light irradiation site.

The constituent material of the marking layer 72 is preferably one having a melting point as low as possible, and particularly preferably equal to or lower than the melting point of the constituent material of the coating layer 8. As a result, there is more room for selection of the constituent material of the coating layer 8.

The thickness of the marking layer 72 is not particularly limited, but is preferably about 0.1 μm to 1 mm, and 1 to 50.
More preferably, it is about μm.

The coating layer 8 is bonded to the marking layer 72. The coating layer 8 is a laser beam 9 described later.
Is a layer that is permeable to, for example, inorganic glass such as soda lime glass, borosilicate glass, glass such as sapphire glass, spinel, crystal, etc., or a polymer (resin) such as polycarbonate, polymethylmethacrylate, acrylic resin. Those constructed are preferred.

When the coating layer 8 is made of glass,
The coating layer 8 made of a glass plate may be bonded to the marking layer 72, or a method such as thermal spraying, vapor deposition, coating or printing may be used.

When the coating layer 8 is made of a polymer, the coating layer 8 formed in a sheet shape (film shape) in advance is bonded to the marking layer 72, or a liquid material is applied (dipping, brush coating, Spray painting, electrostatic painting,
It can be formed by forming a layer on the marking layer 72 by electro-deposition coating or the like) or printing (screen printing, offset printing, pad printing, etc.) and then curing (solidifying).

The coating layer 8 is preferably transparent,
If the laser beam 9 described below can be sufficiently transmitted,
It may be translucent or colored transparent.

The thickness of the coating layer 8 is not particularly limited and may be appropriately determined depending on the material thereof, etc.
0.1 μm to 1 mm is preferable, 1 to 50 μm
It is more preferable that the degree is. If the covering layer 8 is too thick, the dial and timepiece will be too thick, and if it is too thin, it will be easily damaged and the scattering of foreign matter may not be sufficiently prevented.

The coating layer 8 and the marking layer 72 may be in close contact with each other or may face each other with a slight gap. The method for joining the coating layer 8 to the marking layer 72 is not particularly limited. For example, in the case of a sheet-shaped or plate-shaped coating layer 8, a method of adhering the entire surface to the marking layer 72 with an adhesive, Examples include a method of adhering a portion, for example, an edge portion with an adhesive.

In the present invention, a predetermined laser beam 9 is transmitted from the outside of the wristwatch 1 through the cover glass 23 and irradiates the marking portion (the portion to be marked) of the dial 7 with, for example, a desired character (also a numeral). (Including), markings such as symbols, figures and patterns (see FIG. 2).

The laser light 9 used in the present invention is a laser light containing a wavelength of at least 1064 nm. In particular,
Laser light from a YAG laser or a YVO ₄ laser is preferable because continuous oscillation can be easily performed at room temperature and controllability is low in a low irradiation energy region.
Laser light from ₄ lasers is most preferred. Most of the light from the YAG laser has a wavelength of 1064 nm, while the laser light from the YVO ₄ laser has a wavelength of 1
This is because, in addition to the 064 nm light, the 532 nm light as the second harmonic is included, so that temperature control is easy and it is suitable for more precise pattern marking.

Laser light 9 transmitted through the cover glass 23
After passing through the space 28, the light passes through the coating layer 8 and is applied to the marking layer 72. The portion of the marking layer 72 irradiated with the laser light 9 is altered or discolored, and the marking 10 is first made in a spot shape. In this state, laser light 9
The (laser light source) or the wristwatch 1 is moved relatively to form the marking of the desired pattern.

Irradiation of the marking layer 72 with the laser beam 9 locally generates foreign matters such as burnt residue and gas, but since the periphery of the marking 10 is covered with the coating layer 8, these are scattered in the space 28. Therefore, a good aesthetic can be maintained. Further, the function of the wristwatch is not deteriorated or hindered by the diffusion of foreign matter or gas.

When the marking layer 72 contains a color-developing agent, the irradiation site (marking 10) of the laser beam 9 is
It has the color of the color former.

When the marking layer 72 contains a foaming agent, the laser light 9 irradiation site (marking 1
0) or its periphery is raised in a convex shape to form a three-dimensional marking.

In the structure shown in FIG. 2, the marking 1
Although 0 exists only inside the coating layer 8, the marking 10 may reach the base 71.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the dial 7 is
Although the base 71 and the marking layer 72 are provided separately, the base 71 and the marking layer 72 are not limited to this and may be integrated with the same material. In addition, the marking layer 72 and the coating layer 8
Each may be a laminate of a plurality of layers. Further, the base 71 may serve as the marking layer without the marking layer 72.

In FIG. 2, the laser beam 9 is irradiated almost perpendicularly to the marking layer 72, but the invention is not limited to this. It may be irradiated.

Further, the laser light 9 may be continuously or intermittently irradiated (pulse light).

As described above, in the present invention, the marking 10 can be attached to the dial 7 and the like inside the case 2 from the outside of the finished watch 1. Marking 10
The contents of, for example, the serial number of the wristwatch, the date of manufacture or sale, various information such as the name of the wristwatch purchaser, initials, constellations, blood type, signs, photographs, portraits, character marks. , Brand names, etc., and has an advantage that the marking 10 having these contents can be attached at any time after the wristwatch is assembled.

In the illustrated embodiment, the marking portion is provided on the dial 7 of the wristwatch 1,
Not limited to this, the marking portion may be present on, for example, a parting plate of a wristwatch, a dial ring, a needle, an abbreviation, a dial plate decorative component, a movement constituent component (such as a date indicator, a day indicator, a main plate).

For example, the back cover of a wrist watch is a skeleton (a transparent window is provided so that the movement inside can be visually confirmed).
It is also possible to form the marking on the movement component, for example, a gear, through the transparent window.

The decorative article of the present invention may be any article as long as it has decorative properties, and examples thereof include watches other than wrist watches or parts thereof, interiors such as figurines, exterior articles, jewelry, glasses, tie pins, Accessories such as cufflinks, lighters or their cases, sports equipment,
Name plates, panels, frames, souvenirs, other various equipment parts, various containers, etc. can be mentioned. Of these, a watch or an exterior part for a watch is particularly preferable.

The preferred embodiments of the decorative article and laser marking method of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to these.

[0066]

EXAMPLES Next, specific examples of the present invention will be described.

(Example 1) As a decorative article, a completed wristwatch having the structure shown in Fig. 1 was prepared. The specifications of each part are as follows.

Cover glass: Sapphire glass (thickness 1.2 mm) Dial base: Brass plate (thickness 0.4 mm) Dial marking layer: Silver plating layer (glossy color, thickness 3 μm)
m) Coating layer: Polycarbonate sheet (transparent, thickness 100
μm) Method of joining coating layers: Adhesive at the edges with an adhesive

(Example 2) As a decorative article, a completed wristwatch having the structure shown in Fig. 1 was prepared. The specifications of each part are as follows.

Cover glass: sapphire glass (thickness 1.2 mm) Dial base: brass plate (thickness 0.4 mm) Dial marking layer: coating film by spray coating (white, thickness 20 μm) Coating layer: Glass plate with soda-lime glass (transparent, thickness 0.4 mm) Method of joining coating layers: Adhesion at the edges with an adhesive

(Example 3) As a decorative article, a completed wristwatch having the structure shown in Fig. 1 was prepared. The specifications of each part are as follows.

Cover glass: sapphire glass (thickness 1.2 mm) Dial base: brass plate (thickness 0.4 mm) Dial marking layer: Coating by spray coating (white, thickness 20 μm) Coating layer: Coating film by electrodeposition coating (transparent, thickness 30 μm)

(Example 4) As a decorative item, a completed wristwatch having the structure shown in Fig. 1 was prepared. The specifications of each part are as follows.

Cover glass: Sapphire glass (thickness 1.2 mm) Dial base: Polycarbonate (white, thickness 0.4 mm) containing a dye (black color former) containing a silicon inorganic compound Marking layer of a dial: None ( Also used as a dial base) Cover layer: Polycarbonate sheet (transparent, thickness 100)
μm) Coating layer joining method: Bonding by hot stamping

(Example 5) As a decorative article, a completed wristwatch having the structure shown in Fig. 1 was prepared. The specifications of each part are as follows.

Cover glass: sapphire glass (thickness 1.2 mm) Dial base: Azodicarbonamide (foaming agent) -containing polycarbonate (white, thickness 0.4 mm) Dial marking layer: Dial base Dual-use coating layer: Polycarbonate sheet (transparent, thickness 50μ
m)

(Comparative Example 1) As a decorative article, a completed wristwatch having the structure shown in FIG. 1 (without a covering layer) was prepared. The specifications of each part are as follows.

Cover glass: sapphire glass (thickness 1.2 mm) Dial base: brass plate (thickness 0.4 mm) Dial marking layer: silver plating layer (glossy color, thickness 2 μ)
m) Coating layer: None

(Comparative Example 2) As a decorative article, a completed wristwatch having the structure shown in FIG. 1 (without a covering layer) was prepared. The specifications of each part are as follows.

Cover glass: sapphire glass (thickness 1.2 mm) Dial base: brass plate (thickness 0.4 mm) Dial marking layer: coating film by spray coating (white, thickness 20 μm) Coating layer: None

Next, laser light (pulse light) from a YVO ₄ laser was irradiated to each of the 10 wristwatches of Examples 1 to 5 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2 as shown in FIG. A predetermined character (character thickness: 0.2 mm) was marked.

After the completion of this marking work, the internal state of each wristwatch (scattering of foreign matter in the space between the dial and the cover glass, the generation / diffusion of gas and the sharpness of marking) was observed and evaluated. . The results are shown in Table 1 below.

The symbols in the table are as follows. <Scattering of foreign matter and generation / diffusion of gas> A: No scattering of foreign matter (burnt residue, etc.) and diffusion of gas B: Almost no scattering of foreign matter (burnt residue, etc.) and diffusion of gas C: There is some scattering of foreign matter (burnt residue etc.) and diffusion of gas D: Remarkable scattering of foreign matter (burnt residue etc.) or diffusion of gas <Clearness of marking> ◎: Marking is very clear ○: Marking is Clear △: Marking is slightly unclear ×: Marking is unclear (characters are difficult to read)

[0084]

[Table 1] Table 1

As is apparent from Table 1 above, Examples 1 to 1
It was confirmed that, in each of the wristwatches of No. 5, there was no scattering of foreign matter (burnt residue, etc.) and diffusion of gas due to laser light irradiation, and moreover, clear marking was made.

[0086]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to prevent scattering of foreign matters such as burnt residue when marking is performed by irradiating a laser beam through a transparent plate such as a glass plate. ,
It is possible to secure good appearance quality without causing stains and the like on the surroundings. Further, by preventing the scattering of foreign matter and the diffusion of gas, it is possible to eliminate the cause of functional deterioration, obstruction, and failure.

From the above, the finished product can be internally marked, and the original marking can be carried out one by one. In addition, it is not necessary to assemble the parts after marking them, and it is possible to deal with a wide variety of products in a short delivery time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment when the decorative article of the present invention is applied to a wristwatch.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the marking portion of the dial of the wristwatch shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Wristwatch (decoration) 2 cases 21 torso 22 glass edge 23 cover glass 24 Case back 25 packing 26 Packing 27 packing 28 space 3 middle frame 4 movements 41 hour hand 42 minute hand 43 second hand 5 batteries 6 crown 61 Makishin 62 winding true pipe 63 Crown packing 7 dial 71 base 72 marking layer 73 Abbreviation 8 coating layer 9 laser light 10 marking

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A marking portion for marking by irradiation of the laser light is provided in a closed space surrounded by a casing including a transparent plate capable of transmitting a laser light having a wavelength of at least 1064 nm, and the marking portion. An ornamental article, characterized in that the above is covered with a coating layer through which the laser light can pass. 2. The YAG laser or Y laser is used as the laser light.
The decorative article according to claim 1, which is a laser beam from a VO ₄ laser. 3. The decorative article according to claim 1, wherein the transparent plate is a cover glass for a watch. 4. The marking part is present on any one of a dial, a cutout plate, a dial ring, a needle, an abbreviation, a dial decorative component, and a movement component of a timepiece. The ornaments described in. 5. The decorative article according to claim 1, wherein the marking portion contains a color former. 6. The ornamental article according to claim 1, wherein the marking portion contains a foaming agent. 7. The decorative article according to claim 1, wherein the coating layer is made of glass or polymer. 8. The decorative article according to claim 1, wherein the coating layer is formed by painting or printing. 9. The thickness of the coating layer is 30 μm to 2 mm.
The ornamental article according to any one of claims 1 to 8. 10. A marking part for marking by irradiation of the laser light in a closed space surrounded by a casing including a transparent plate capable of transmitting a laser light having a wavelength of at least 1064 nm and covering the marking part. In a state in which a coating layer that can transmit the laser light is installed,
A laser marking method, wherein the laser light is sequentially transmitted through the transparent plate and the coating layer to irradiate the marking portion to form a marking. 11. The laser marking method according to claim 10, wherein the laser light is laser light from a YAG laser or a YVO ₄ laser. 12. The laser marking method according to claim 10, wherein the transparent plate is a cover glass of a watch. 13. The marking portion is a timepiece dial,
Out-of-print, dial ring, needles, abbreviations, dial decorative parts,
5. One of the movement components.
The laser marking method according to any one of 0 to 12. 14. The laser marking method according to claim 10, wherein the marking portion contains a color former. 15. The laser marking method according to claim 10, wherein the marking portion contains a foaming agent. 16. The laser marking method according to claim 10, wherein the coating layer is made of glass or polymer. 17. The laser marking method according to claim 10, wherein the coating layer is formed by painting or printing. 18. The coating layer has a thickness of 30 μm to 2 m.
The laser marking method according to any one of claims 10 to 17, wherein m is m.