Stock material or miscellaneous articles – Coated or structually defined flake – particle – cell – strand,... – Particulate matter
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-31
2001-10-16
Le, Hoa T. (Department: 1773)
Stock material or miscellaneous articles
Coated or structually defined flake, particle, cell, strand,...
Particulate matter
Reexamination Certificate
active
06303222
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to embossed metallic flakelets to be used as a material for a hologram pigment and a method for producing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, embossed metallic flakelets are known as a material for a hologram pigment to show different colors depending On viewing direction. For example, Japanese National Stage Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 8-502301 discloses a method for producing a metallic flake pigment with an embossed pattern. According to this disclosed method, on an embossed pattern formed on the surface of a carrier sheet is formed a release surface which is embossed so to follow the embossed pattern, a metallic film is adhered to the release surface so to form the embossed pattern on it, and the release surface is dissolved to remove the metallic film from the carrier sheet. The prepared metallic film with the embossed pattern is pulverized into metallic flakes with the embossed pattern.
However, the above-described conventional production method does not form any protective film on the embossed metallic film, and when the metallic film is finely pulverized, it is probable that the embossed pattern formed on the metallic film might be lost. Also, the embossed surface might be damaged. Accordingly, it is not a practically established technology as the method for producing embossed metallic flakelets.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the problems described above, the invention was completed to provide embossed metallic flakelets with high damage resistance which can be produced readily, and to provide a method for producing such flakelets.
In order to achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the invention, embossed metallic flakelets have an organic-inorganic composite layer formed on at least one side thereof.
According to a second aspect of the invention, the organic-inorganic composite layer of the embossed metallic flakelets is formed by a sol-gel process. In the embossed metallic flakelets, the organic-inorganic composite layer formed by the sol-gel process has substituted metal alkoxide in a mixing ratio of 10 to 90% with respect to metal alkoxide. A method for producing embossed metallic flakelets may comprise a step of forming an embossed pattern on an organic-inorganic composite layer, a step of forming a metallic film on the embossed pattern, and a step of forming an organic-inorganic composite layer on the metallic film, while another method for producing embossed metallic flakelets comprises a step of forming an embossed pattern on a metallic film, and a step of forming an organic-inorganic composite layer on at least one side of the metallic film having the embossed pattern.
In the method for producing embossed metallic flakelets, the step of forming the embossed pattern on the metallic film may be a step of pressing an original embossed pattern onto the metallic film.
The step of forming the embossed pattern on the metallic film may be a step of forming a metallic film on the surface of the original embossed pattern by plating.
Also, the step of forming the organic-inorganic composite layer on at least one side of the metallic film having the embossed pattern may include a step of applying an adhesive tape to the metallic film having the embossed pattern to fix the metallic film, and a step of dipping the fixed metallic film into an organic-inorganic composite solution to form the organic-inorganic composite layer on the metallic film.
In the method for producing embossed metallic flakelets, the step of forming the organic-inorganic composite layer on at least one side of the metallic film having the embossed pattern may also include a step of oxidizing the surface of the metallic film having the embossed pattern, and a step of forming an organic-inorganic composite layer on the oxidized surface.
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Kato Akira
Katsumata Takatoshi
Kimoto Hiroyuki
Nakanishi Masatugu
Okochi Yukio
Le Hoa T.
Oliff & Berridg,e PLC
Toyota Jidosha & Kabushiki Kaisha
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