HUP0501150A2 - Method to decorate wood articles - Google Patents

Description

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Representative: Tamás Péter Varga, patent attorney

PUBLICATION COPY

Process for surface decoration of wood products

Reporter: Rózs^Ferenc, Budapest

Date of announcement: December 13, 2005.

Internal authority: 2005 12. 15. (Case number: P 04 02575)

The invention relates to a method for surface decoration of wood products, with the help of which solution aesthetic, timeless decorations, inlays and marquetry can be produced in the recesses and grooves formed in the surface of the wood in wood products, such as parquet floors and other wood covering materials, as well as in wooden furniture and furnishings.

In the decoration and surface treatment of wood products, new solutions are increasingly being used with the development of wood industry technologies. According to the state of the art, a solution suitable for forming decorative wood panels is described in the US patent specification with registration number US 4 486 371. A method for forming decorative panels is described in the US patent specification with registration number US 4 844 850. A decorative body is placed in a cavity formed in this wood panel.

A method for forming decorative inlay characters is described in US 3,8532,154, which involves applying a thermoplastically curable polyester material into cavities formed in a wood-based substrate. US 5,697,413, a method and apparatus for performing the method, primarily for forming inlays in wood floors.

A method for forming inlays on a carrier layer is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,198,168. In this process, the carrier is heated to approximately 150° F and filled with a mixture of epoxy materials.

The disadvantage of the already known solutions is that they mostly involve heat treatment processes, and that during their application, the decorative material applied to or in the surface of the wood interacts with the wood upon contact, resulting in color distortion and blurring of contour lines.

When developing the solution according to the invention, our goal was to create a solution that allows us to insert decorations or other materials into grooves formed in the surface of wood in a way that does not damage their aesthetic value.

When creating the solution according to the invention, we recognized that if a groove is formed in the supporting surface of the wood and the formed groove is provided with a protective layer, a coupling surface, which prevents the materials in the wood from interacting with the material introduced into the groove and thereby changing its consistency, then the set goal can be achieved. A properly formed coupling layer is suitable for compensating for the dimensional changes of the wood due to temperature, humidity or aging, so that the inserted inlay forms a dynamic unit that works together with the wood mechanically and prevents the inlay filler from separating from the wood or falling out of it.

The invention is therefore a method for surface decoration of wood products, during which a groove is formed in the surface of the wood product by milling, and the product is surface cleaned and groove cleaned, then a transparent material that solidifies is applied to the groove thus formed, and the surface thus formed is provided with a top sealing layer after grinding and varnished. The method according to the invention is characterized in that a coupling material is applied to the groove formed in the surface of the wood product by milling, after surface cleaning and groove cleaned in the groove, and after this the surface of the coupling material in the groove is formed in the required place and manner, preferably colored, then the groove is filled by applying a transparent material, and then sanded, and after applying a top sealing layer, it is provided with a final varnish.

In a preferred application of the method according to the invention, the sealing material and the coupling material are simple colorless nitro lacquer. In a further preferred application of the method according to the invention, the coloring material is selected according to need.

In a further preferred application of the method according to the invention, the transparent material is a two-component epoxy resin (artificial resin, synthetic resin, polyepoxy). In a further preferred application of the method according to the invention, the final varnish material is: traditional parquet varnish or furniture varnish. In a further preferred application of the method according to the invention, the method can be used: furniture industry, traditional wood covering materials, processed laminated covering materials, parquets, wall coverings, panelling, doors, windows, ceilings, false ceilings.

In a further advantageous application of the method according to the invention, it is also possible to insert pictures, smaller objects, or decorative elements into the milled area, and by sealing this, a surface that can be sanded repeatedly is obtained.

In a further preferred application of the method according to the invention, the applicable surfaces are flat, curved, concave or convex surfaces.

In a further advantageous application of the method according to the invention, the surface may be colored or uncolored, decorated in its own material.

In a further preferred application of the method according to the invention, a final sealing layer or surface protection is used to protect the wood product and the inlay formed therein, which is preferably a parquet varnish or a surface protection layer based on synthetic resin.

In the most common application of the method according to the invention, before the surface treatment of the wood product is completed, a pattern is mechanically milled into the material, then the pattern is suitably provided with an insulating material, a coupling material, which material partly blocks the organic acids in the wood (i.e. blocks the poles), partly facilitates coloring. After this, the remaining part of the groove is filled with a transparent (transparent) plastic that behaves similarly to the physical properties of wood in its solidified state. At the end of the sequence of operations, the last phase of the surface treatment is carried out traditionally, the coating is formed, e.g. by sanding or varnishing. This can be repeated several times.

The requirement for the transparent material is that it should not clash with current varnishes, i.e. in addition to the physical properties, it must also meet the chemical conditions that meet the requirements of modern varnishes. By painting the surface of the coupling material, we technologically separate the wood from the coloring and subsequent processes and procedural steps.

The coloring in the process is a separate novelty, because previous processes did not allow for this in such a way that the shades of naturally occurring materials, primarily wood materials, could be different from each other. Traditionally, the final result of the coloring could not be guaranteed uniformly, because the basic characteristics of the wood were decisive, and thus influenced the final result. In the process according to the invention, the coupling material makes it possible to ensure the same color on trees with different basic characteristics.

The method according to the invention is described below with reference to the attached figures:

Figure 1 shows the initial phase of the method according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows the application of the coupling material according to the method.

Figure 3 shows the formation of a paint layer formed during the process according to the invention.

Figure 4 shows another possible embodiment of the method according to the invention.

Figure 5 shows the placement of the filler used in the process according to the invention.

Figure 6 shows the process of surface leveling of the wood base material.

Figure 7 shows the final treatment of the surface according to the method, its coating with a final sealing layer.

Figure 8 shows a groove design preferably used in the method according to the invention.

Figure 9 shows a milling head suitably used to create the groove according to Figure 8.

Figure 10 shows a top view of a possible design of a wood product formed by the method according to the invention.

Figure 11 shows the formation of the protective and covering layer in a preferred specific application of the method according to the invention.

Figure 12 shows the introduction of the filler in a preferred specific application of the method according to the invention.

Figure 13 shows the formation of the primary paint layer and the final top layer in a preferred specific application of the method according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows the initial phase of the method according to the invention. The figure shows the wooden base material 1, into which the grooves 2 have been formed by milling or other methods.

Figure 2 shows the application of the coupling material according to the method. The figure shows the grooves 2 formed in the wood base material 1. The coupling material 3 is applied to the surface of the grooves 2 by spraying, lubricating or other means. An important aspect of the application of the coupling material 3 is that this layer must be continuous over the entire surface of the grooves 2. The thickness of the coupling layer depends on the material used and the material used as the inlay material, thereby ensuring the mechanical and aesthetic requirements.

Figure 3 shows the formation of the paint layer formed during the process according to the invention. In the figure, the paint layer 5 is applied to the surface of the coupling material 3 in a groove 2 formed in the wood base material 1 and coated with a coupling material 3.

Figure 4 shows another possible embodiment of the method according to the invention. In this case, the object or decorative element 6 is placed on the surface of the coupling material 3 in a groove 2 formed in the wood base material 1 and coated with a coupling material 3.

Figure 5 shows the placement of the filler used in the process according to the invention. In this process, a layer of paint 5 is placed in a groove 2 formed in the wood base material 1 and coated with a coupling material 3, or a filler 4 is placed in the groove 2 to protect the object 6 placed there and to level the surface.

Figure 6 shows the process of leveling the surface of the wood base material. Figure 6 shows the next technological process of the solution according to Figure 5. After the filler 4 placed in the groove 2 has solidified, the surface of the filler 4 is leveled. Using the grinder 9, the level of the filler 4 is ground to the level of the wood base material 1.

Figure 7 shows the final treatment of the surface according to the method, its coating with a final sealing layer. The grooves 2 provided with filler 4 and the surface of the wood product 1 are provided with a covering, protective layer 7 for the final protection.

Figure 8 shows the groove design 2 preferably used in the process according to the invention. The shape of the groove 2 is preferably slightly expanding downwards, which ensures that the introduced filler 4 is fixed in the groove 2 in a form-locking manner. Thus, even in extreme cases, layer changes resulting from dimensional changes in the wood cannot result in the inlay falling out or separating from the wood base material 1.

Figure 9 shows a milling head 8 suitably used to form the groove according to Figure 8. Its side profile widens downwards and narrows upwards by a distance of preferably S=1-3 mm, so that with its help the groove 2 with trapezoidal cross-section shown in Figure 8 can be formed in the surface of the wood product by simple technological process, milling.

Figure 10 shows a possible design of a wood product formed by the method according to the invention, from a top view. The pattern shown in the figure can be formed during the technological process by appropriately guiding 8 milling heads, for which any of the currently known woodworking technologies can be used. The milling process can be carried out most efficiently with CNC or other computer-controlled equipment developed for this purpose.

Figure 11. shows the formation of the protective and covering layer in a preferred specific application of the method according to the invention. The coupling material 3 placed as a protective and covering layer is applied to the inner wooden surface of the groove 2 of the wooden base material 2 by spray painting, in which the material used is preferably acrylic paint.

Figure 12 shows the introduction of the filler 4 in a preferred specific application of the method according to the invention. The filler 4 is introduced by means of a filling head. Before this, if necessary, the decorative paint layer 5 is formed in the bottom of the groove 2 or the object 6 is placed.

Figure 13 shows the formation of the primary paint layer 12 and the final topcoat 7 in a preferred specific application of the method according to the invention. After removing the excess filler 4, a UV-cured primary paint layer 12 and a final topcoat 7 are applied.

In a preferred specific implementation/application of the solution according to the invention, the coupling material is a nitro-based paint, and the painting is done with a special spray head. The method according to the invention can also be used to apply a special color gradient, which was not possible with the previously known technologies. In some cases, even flammable e.g. paper-based or other cellulose-containing objects e.g. leaf or other natural material, decorative elements can be placed in the groove, because the epoxy polymerization used during the method according to the invention does not produce a thermal effect that would damage the paper or other material.

The main steps of the surface decoration technology implemented by the method according to the invention.

The method according to the invention enables a technology that creates a uniform, wear-resistant decorative surface in wood in three main steps, using various paints and coloring agents.

Step 1: Protect and seal the wood contact surfaces on wood surfaces that will come into contact with the filler.

Step 2: Filling the surface to be decorated with a special water- and solvent-free material to prevent shrinkage during drying.

Step 3: After removing excess filler, apply 12 UV-cured primer coats and a final 7 topcoats.

When using colored filler in step 2, many different paint and color effects can be achieved. In particular, the combination of dark/light effects can be very decorative. The use of step 1 is not necessary for all types of wood, so step 1 can sometimes be omitted depending on the quality of the wood. The materials used for steps 1 and 2 are specially prepared high-quality paint systems. The UV-curing paints used in step 3 provide the same wear resistance as other standard/usual parquets on the market.

Applying Step 1:

To install the decoration, the open spaces in the wood are sealed with filler after the decoration has been cut out. Depending on the quality of the wood, this sealing may not be necessary. The sealant is a fast-drying acrylic paint that is applied to the cut-out surface using a computer-controlled spray system. The spray system moves the spray head with the nozzle along the line corresponding to the cut-out decoration.

Technical data for step 1:

Nozzle diameter:

Viscosity of acrylic coating

0.6 - 0.8mm

- 30 SEC F 4 mm/20 °C

Air pressure

Drying time

-6 bar depending on the spraying system

After 30-60 minutes, the insulating layer dries and becomes stable against the filler.

Applying Step 2:

During this process, the isolated surface to be decorated is filled with a two-component solvent-free paint system with 100% active material, which does not shrink during drying.

The filling head is a special mixing nozzle that mixes the two components in the correct ratio. The two components are delivered to the filling head in the correct amount by micropumps.

In the nozzle, the ingredients are mixed into a uniform, medium-viscosity liquid and are poured into the surface to be decorated until an additional layer of 0.5 mm is achieved.

The operation and movement of the mixing/filling head and micro-pumps are controlled by special computer programs.

Technical details of step 2:

Viscosity of component A

Viscosity of component B

Drying time after filling:

Reaction time after mixing: max. 20 minutes If different colors are to be used, the component can remain unchanged.

only

10,000 - 11,000 mPas

300 — 400 mpas min. 8 hours, average 12 hours component A must be changed, component B

Applying Step 3:

After 8-12 hours of drying, the excess filler applied during step 2 should be removed and the parquet surface should be prepared in the usual way for the application of the final coating. For this coating, the usual parquet technology and UV-curing paints can be used. We recommend applying one layer of transparent-UV primer and at least 3 layers of UV-curing transparent and glossy top coat.

The final result:

On the surface of the wood, parquet, a transparent top layer is formed on a transparent primer layer, which covers both the decoration and the wood, parquet surface. With this decorative technology, a variety of different decorative and coloring effects can be achieved. Light-dark combinations are particularly spectacular. The surface with the decoration remains as wear-resistant as normal parquet. The strength and flexibility/elasticity of the wood can even be increased if the decorative material used is very strong.

The advantage of the solution according to the invention is that it can create a widely usable aesthetic surface, allowing on-site, subsequent application, especially in the case of floor and walking surfaces, it is advantageous because existing surfaces can also be renewed and made aesthetic. The surface created by the method according to the invention can be sanded and polished several times without damaging the inlay. An important advantage and novelty of the method according to the invention is the use of a coupling material, and furthermore, the fact that the inside of the cavity formed in the wood is painted, and not the filler.

Claims (10)

PATENT CLAIMS: 1. Method for surface decoration of wood products, during which a groove is formed in the surface of the wood product by milling, and the product is surface cleaned and groove cleaned, then a transparent material that solidifies is applied to the groove thus formed, and the surface thus formed is provided with a top sealing layer after grinding and varnished, characterized in that a coupling material is applied to the groove formed in the surface of the wood product by milling, after the surface cleaning in the groove and groove cleaned, and after this the surface of the coupling material in the groove is preferably colored in the place and manner as required, then the groove is filled by applying a transparent material, and then sanded, and after applying a top sealing layer, it is provided with a final varnish. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing material and the coupling material are simple colorless nitro lacquer. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the coloring agent is selected according to need. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the transparent material is a two-component epoxy resin (artificial resin, synthetic resin, polyepoxy). 5. The method according to claims 1-4, characterized in that the final varnish material is: traditional parquet varnish or furniture varnish. 6. The method according to claims 1-5, characterized in that the method can be used in: furniture industry, traditional wood covering materials, processed laminated covering materials, parquet floors, wall coverings, paneling, doors, windows, ceilings, false ceilings. ···· « «·♦· · ·····♦ · < ! ·*ς * ^Μ · ··$· ' 11 7. The method according to claims 1-6, characterized in that during advantageous application, it is also possible to insert pictures, smaller objects, or decorative elements into the milled area, and by sealing this, a surface that can be sanded repeatedly is obtained. 8. The method according to claims 1-7, characterized in that the applicable surfaces are flat, curved, concave or convex surfaces. 9. The method according to claims 1-8, characterized in that the surface may be colored or uncolored, decorated in its own material. 10. The method according to claims 1-9, characterized in that a final sealing layer or surface protection is applied to protect the wood product and the inlay formed therein, which is preferably a parquet varnish or a surface protection layer based on synthetic resin.