MX2013010674A - System and method for creating visible and invisible graphics on transparent surfaces. - Google Patents

Abstract

A surface is prepared with a special proprietary bonding mechanism and stamped, masked or stenciled off in a specific pattern or design and treated with a liquid or vapor chemical composition. The resulting pattern or design on the surface is substantially invisible in the absence of condensation. A clarity-boosting layer using grafted nanoparticles is then adhered to the surface and subject to a temperature change, for example, when moved from a cooler ambient to a warmer ambient, the specific pattern or design becomes visible and sharp as a result of selective condensation and clarity boosting process.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE CREATION OF VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE GRAPHICS ON TRANSPARENT SURFACES FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the application and the resistive link of advertising and promotional graphics, and, more particularly, to graphic images that appear and disappear on the surfaces of glass or other door surfaces of refrigerators and freezers based on transparent silica or translucent, and provide a sharp contrast for clear visibility under the influence of a temperature or humidity difference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many of the contemporary marketing (or marketing) materials for supermarkets are focused on attracting consumer attention in novel and exciting ways. The containers, either for dry food, whether for refrigerated or frozen products, are very colorful, and often highlight the brand or commercial name of the producer or distributor, in highly intensive ways referring to visual issues. In fact, a large amount, if not most, of the micromercadotecnia (merchandising) effort is carried out with a view to maintaining the commercial name or trademark at the top of the consumer's conscience.

Frequently, brands are graphic in nature, and lend themselves to visual display. However, frozen or refrigerated products are contained within controlled environments, where the products are kept behind the doors, which, while made of glass, are closed. There is little opportunity for the display of the commercial denomination, in addition to that placed on the packaging of the product itself.

Conventionally, marks, logos or other related graphic images are placed on the doors of refrigerators or freezers, or in its surroundings, as adherent appliques to the surface. The trademarks or trade names could be applied to a film substrate as a printed layer, in contrasting colors, or could be provided as a paper or plastic card, a poster, or the like, with the logo printed prominently thereon. Contemporary graphic exhibits are little more than posters, in terms of which they are generally opaque, either completely, or in those areas that contain the logo or graphic.

In addition, conventional displays adhere to the surface with adhesives that are very difficult to remove by cleaning when you want to change the display of micromercadotecnia; however, it is easy for these adhesives to be removed by the competitors of the exhibitor, in order to destroy the marketing value. The glues often cause discoloration, and can damage the glass surface of the door. Opaque materials are also very inconvenient, in terms of preventing the consumer from seeing all the contents of the freezer or the refrigerator, while only one product or supplier is highlighted. Suppliers, unwilling or unable to supply their own appliqué charts to the market, would be very upset if their products were hidden from view by a competitive banner.

Therefore, there is a need to look for a method of implementing a design or a graphic image on a glass door of a refrigerator or freezer, in order to maintain the integrity and clarity of the glass, and at the same time provide the link in such a way that the removal or alteration of the image by the users of the competition is extremely difficult. The presentation of the image must be carried out in such a way that the image does not interfere with the complete vision through the door, although, in addition, it is clearly visible, in an unambiguous way, through means of additional acuity toners such as part of the process.

These contradictory requirements, to date, have not been able to be obtained. The visual images have either been visible, in which case, they interfere with the complete view through the door, or otherwise, in which case, they are invisible and serve no purpose. The present invention implements these contradictory requirements, in a method and system of presentation of images that harbor both the complete vision to through, for example, a glass mat, plastic, or other transparent or translucent material, freezer door or refrigerator, as a clearly visible image in an unambiguous manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A method for obtaining images of graphic objects on a otherwise transparent surface comprises the provision of the graphic object in the form of a pre-cut stamp or as a stencil. In the case of the stamp, the use of rubber, plastic, polymer, or other solid materials, for the creation of the desired graphic by placing the cut stamp of the image, on the transparent surface smoothing material, and the stamping Of the surface. In the case of the stenciling method, the desired results are achieved by fixing the stencil to the surface of a transparent or translucent sheet of material, and the application of a transparent surface smoothing composition to the stencil, so that the composition it comes into contact with the surface of the transparent material through open stencil regions. By any of these methods, the image of a graphic object is obtained on the surface of transparent material; as the surface passes through a transition from a colder environment to a warmer environment, the image of the graphic object is obtained against the material surface transparent as a region of contrast between areas that have the presence or absence of condensation droplets.

In one aspect of the invention, a cleaning solution is provided that prepares the transparent surface to be treated, both in terms of removal of contaminants and previously applied films, and which, in addition, leaves a special bonding mechanism on the surface, by which transparent smoothing can be attached in order to avoid easy removal by unwanted parts.

In another aspect of the invention, the transparent material is a sheet of transparent plastic or glass, where the screen is applied to an inner surface of the glass sheet. The plastic or glass sheet could be provided as a door, a window, a side cover, or another surface of a refrigerator or freezer, where the transition of the covering functions takes place in order to move the surface of an environment colder to a warmer environment, in order to produce condensation. The transition takes the form of either the movement of the material surface from one environment to another, such as the opening or closing of a door, or the change of the environment through the material surface, for example, the puff of warmer or cooler air through the surface.

Conveniently, the surface of glass or plastic material is characterized by a first roughness of surface Ra, where the transparent surface smoothing composition is characterized by a second surface roughness lower than the first. Characteristically, the second surface roughness is approximately one order of magnitude lower than the first surface roughness. The surface roughness is improved by the use of the link mechanism. In addition, the clear surface softening composition has a refractive index substantially equal to the glass or plastic sheet, so that the composition is not visible when the glass and the composition are in thermal equilibrium.

In a further aspect, the invention comprises a method for obtaining patterns and designs images on a sheet of transparent material having internal and external surfaces. The method comprises the provision of a stencil, which defines the pattern or design; the application of stenciling to a surface of the glass or plastic sheet; and the application of a surface softening composition to the glass or plastic surface, so that the composition contacts the surface through open stencil regions, so as to transfer the pattern or design to the glass. The image of the pattern or design is obtained on the material surface; As the surface passes through a transition from a colder environment to a warmer environment, the pattern or design is obtained against the material surface, such as the presence or absence of condensation droplets.

Specifically, the transparent surface smoothing composition is a film selected from the group consisting of films of silicon or silane, siloxanes, silicon oils, diamond type carbons, polymers, copolymers, oligomers, petroleum distillates, liquid plastics, acrylics, acetates and resins. The composition is designed to have substantially the same refractive index as the sheet of material, so that the pattern or design is not visible when the composition and the sheet of material are in thermal equilibrium.

The intensity and clarity of the visible image are enhanced after the softening composition, by applying a specialized "toner", applied in a liquid form with an isopropyl alcohol carrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood in consideration of the following specification, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, where: FIG. 1 is a simplified cross-sectional diagram of the common glass surface, illustrating surface roughness; FIG. 2 is a simplified cross-sectional diagram of the common glass surface, illustrating the surface texture after application of a film according to the present invention; FIG. 3 is a semi-schematic diagram of exemplary condensation droplet incidence angles, illustrating wetting and droplet formation; FIG. 4 is a simplified semi-schematic transverse diagram of the common glass surface, illustrating the formation of droplets on the native glass surface and wetting on the glass surface after application of a film according to the present invention; FIG. 5 is a semi-schematic diagram of application of a stamp or stencil on the surface of, for example, a refrigerator door; FIG. 6 is a semi-schematic diagram illustrating a transfer of design to the glass surface; FIG. 7 is a semi-schematic diagram illustrating the formation of negative condensation (i.e., stenciling) in an area surrounding the transferred design according to the invention; Y FIG. 8 is a semi-schematic diagram illustrating the formation of positive condensation (ie, mask) in an area representing the transferred design according to the invention; FIG. 9 is a semi-schematic diagram illustrating the formation of positive condensation (ie stamping) in an area representing the transferred design according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES This application reveals a new method for the creation of designs and images of specific patterns in glass and other substrates containing silica, plastic substrates or other transparent or translucent materials, found, for example, in refrigerator and freezer doors, windows , or other covered areas, which are only visible to the human eye when condensation or other moisture occurs. Although described in terms of transparent or translucent surfaces, commonly associated with refrigerator or freezer doors, the surfaces described in the present application can be characterized in terms of any form of windowing. Consequently, the terminology referred to window, door or cover will not be considered limiting in any way, but exemplary and illustrative.

A glass or other silica-containing surface is prepared with a specialized cleaning solution that removes contaminants and leaves a binding mechanism for the next smoothing stage. The surface is then masked or stenciled randomly or in a specific pattern or design, and is treated with a liquid or vapor chemical composition that, randomly, or by a specific pattern, fills the pits and microscopic valleys found in all types of glass surfaces and those that contain silica, so as to fix said random or specific pattern (image) on the substrate, or on it, and link the specially prepared surface. After the application of the composition Liquid or vapor chemistry, mask or stencil is removed.

Alternatively, the mask or stencil. They could include portions composed of colored vinyl or some other similar material that can remain on the glass or plastic surface after the transfer is complete. A colored material (colored or highly contrasting) attracts a person's view to the surface, and tends to startle the area that has been treated.

At this stage, the specific or random pattern is not visible to the naked eye by the human eye. The liquid or vapor chemical composition is usually transparent, and has a refractive index similar to the substrate material, so that the image is not readily visible when the glass surface is in thermal equilibrium in a particular environment.

After removal of the mask or stencil, a specialized toner is applied to the substrate as a means for creating additional hydrophilicity in the sections of the substrate that remain untreated. This additional stage reinforces clarity, and keeps it in a wider range of temperatures.

As the environment changes, ie, for example, when moisture is introduced to the surface, the image appears as a differential "shadow" pattern on the glass surface. Moisture can be introduced to the surface by any method, including, without limitation, the following: natural condensation - which occurs as a consequence of the appearance of a sufficiently large thermal difference between the ambient temperature and the temperature of the surface of the glass or other surface containing silica- and mechanical condensation -which includes fog, fog, spray, blowing, splashing or vaporizing any liquid- and any system, manual or driven by dust, which can carry it out.

Under the application of condensation, the specific or random fixed pattern (image) is visible to the human eye, and remains visible for as long as moisture is present. The images that can be formed include specific logos and other artisanal design or promotional work and marketing and text, as a means of displaying the brand of a product or service, or some other specific type of communication on surfaces that contain silica and glass of refrigerator or freezer doors. A colored material, such as a colored vinyl, tends to attract the attention of the person to the exemplary door, and increases the likelihood that said interested person will open the door, so as to induce condensation and the implementation of the desired inventive effect. .

It is well understood in the art that thermal differences between an environmental environment and a surface will induce condensation on the surface, provided that the environment is warmer than the surface. When the refrigerator or freezer door is opened, the door enters a warmer environment, and the difference in temperature causes the condensation of moisture on the cooler surface. It is also well known that condensation is a function of the texture of the surface; that is, a certain The amount of surface texturing will allow moisture (condensation) to adhere to the surface.

As represented in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, all glasses have an inherent amount of surface roughness (texture). Even optical grade borosilicate glasses exhibit surface texturization in the nanometer range (approximately 5 to 20 nm). The common glass exhibits surface texturization of from about 200 to about 1000 nanometers, with even higher values being common. Surface texturing is characterized by microscopic irregularities (peaks and valleys) that are non-uniform and resemble a relief diagram of a mountainous range. It is this characteristic surface texturing that allows the formation of moisture on a glass thermal differential surface, as condensation. As the cooler surface is introduced into a warmer environment, the thermal difference draws water vapor from the surrounding air, which then "drops" on the surface, like droplets that, in turn, adhere to the texturization at through surface tension. The additional hydrophilicity created by the toner stage increases the contrast between the treated and untreated sections, when they are visible by decreasing the surface tension additionally in the untreated areas.

Air trapping, or bubbles, trapped in the glass during mixing or forming, can produce bubbles or crater-like defects in the cured glass sheet. Similarly, the protuberances and depressions are high and low points caused by unwanted flows that occur during curing after leveling or initial formation, and are often caused by surface tension gradients during curing. Cratering refers to the formation of small cup-shaped depressions in a film, and can be caused by particles, dirt, fibers, or other substrate or surface contamination. All of them, like numerous other defects, can be introduced into a glass substrate during the manufacturing process, although this is not the only mechanism by which the glass can be textured.

Once installed, the glass can withstand large amounts of water, without significant surface damage. However, glass in contact with water enters a series of complex chemical reactions, which achieve alkaline solutions. The trapped water reacts slowly initially, although, as a function of time, the reaction accelerates, in order to achieve a rapidly increasing alkaline concentration. The alkaline solution attacks the surface of the glass by means of the dissolution of superficial ingredients (sodium), which produces turbidity and roughness. The initial attack may cause only a slight whitening of the glass surface, due to the change of a glassy silicate structure, to a crystalline silicate structure. At this stage, a slight polish or special chemical treatment will probably restore the surface of the glass, but at the cost of an additional surface roughness due to the action of the polishing agent.

Certain chemical agents can also deteriorate glass surfaces. Although glass is resistant to most acids, even diluted forms of hydrofluoric and phosphoric acids react rapidly with silica in glass. A variety of additional chemical agents can also attack glass surfaces. These substances are transmitted in mists and sprays carried by the air. Certain distances can be carried, not only in industrial areas, but also in rural and residential areas. Even solid particles can decompose to form destructive compounds when held against glass surfaces by the condensation of water. Even water alone can be a damaging agent of glass surface. Certain types of hard water, for example, can leave harmful deposits if they are left to dry on glass surfaces. These deposits can be formed in the washing or rinsing of glass, or accidentally, by the evaporation of water from sources such as sprinklers or mist sprayers.

Each of these structures and / or these mechanisms contributes to the roughness of the surface, which, in turn, affects the degree to which a drop of water wets the surface. Those skilled in the art have established that increasing the roughness of a surface causes the contact angle between said surface and a liquid droplet to deviate 90 degrees (in any direction). The larger contact angles mean smaller contact areas between the drop and the surface, and therefore both, less surface wet, so as to leave liquid droplets substantially in place.

Surface roughness is measured by means of instruments that measure vertical deviations when crossing the material surface. Ra is the most commonly used parameter to describe average surface roughness, and is defined as an integral of the absolute value of the roughness profile measured over an evaluation length: .multiplied by .. intg .. multiplied by..function .. multiplied by.d ## EQU00001 ## The average roughness is the total area of the peaks and valleys divided by the evaluation length, and is expressed in .mu.m (that is, microns or thousandths of a millimeter). The center line average (CLA) and the arithmetic average (AA) are older designations for average surface roughness.

As represented in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2, in the context of the present invention, it is sufficient the provision of a formulation, liquid or chemical composition, which exhibits a surface roughness (Ra) an order of magnitude lower than that of the underlying glass surface, once it is applies to it the formulation, liquid or chemical composition. This difference in surface roughness is sufficient to change the angle of incidence (contact) between the surface and a drop of liquid, formed by condensation, to one of up to 180 degrees.

At any liquid-solid surface interface, if the liquid molecules have a stronger attraction to the molecules of the solid surface, than to each other (the adhesive forces are stronger than the cohesive forces), then wetting occurs. Of the surface. Alternatively, if the liquid molecules are more strongly attracted to each other, and not to the molecules of the solid surface (the cohesive forces are stronger than the adhesive forces), then the liquid forms droplets and does not wet the surface of the material . As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the condensation droplets that are formed normally exhibit a spherical shape, due to the effects of surface tension and a smaller contact area (greater contact angle) between the drop and the surface. The smaller contact area achieves a reduction in the liquid-solid interface area and a consequent reduction in the adhesive forces. Conversely, the condensation droplets formed in contact with the treated surface have much lower contact angles, due to the lower degree of surface roughness caused by the softening composition and the toner, and greater surface area of liquid interface -solid, and consequently, higher ratio of adhesive forces to cohesive forces (surface tension). Wetting occurs, preferably, in those areas softened by the formulation, liquid or chemical composition, while the formation of condensation droplets occurs, preferably, on the untreated surfaces. However, it should be noted that the effect is visibly perceived in reverse, that is, those areas that have been treated according to the present invention will have a "cloudy" appearance, so that the voluminous surface appears "clear", while the image shows a "cloudy" or contrasting area.

Under certain conditions, the present invention could be considered to have a mechanical characteristic and a chemical characteristic. In the sense of the mechanical characteristic, it will be understood that a formulation, liquid or chemical composition, according to the invention, will be appropriate as long as it exhibits a surface roughness (Ra) approximately one order of magnitude less than the underlying glass surface. The actual chemical properties of the formulation are less important than its Ra, as applied. This mechanical characteristic of the invention is based on the smoothing properties of the material surface and its consequent effects on the liquid-solid interface area of a condensation droplet in formation.

In the context of the chemical characteristic, it will be understood that a formulation, liquid or chemical composition, according to the invention, will be appropriate when it also exhibits a surface roughness (Ra) lower than that of the underlying glass surface, although, moreover, it exhibits stronger adhesive forces on a condensation droplet in formation by the chemical bond, in a manner similar to the effects of a wetting agent. Naturally, a combination of the two mechanisms (mechanical and chemical) will provide a very satisfactory formulation, liquid or chemical composition, for application on a glass substrate.

Additionally, the chemical characteristic can be provided with moisture-repelling properties, which function in a manner to reduce the adhesive forces to minimum levels. In this regard, the composition could be composed of chains of functional groups of dimethylsiloxane (DMS), which is chemically bonded to the surface of a glass substrate through, for example, an oxygen moiety. Subsequently, the film can be treated with trimethylchlorosiloxane in order to remove any hydrophilic surface constituent by replacing the inert components. Full details of films of this type, as well as abrasion-resistant films having similar characteristics, can be found in United States Patent No. 6,245,387, commonly owned by the assignee of the present invention, Total contents are expressly incorporated in the present application by way of reference.

It will be further understood that the composition, designed to chemically or mechanically favor (or both) the wet, must be able to adhere to the underlying glass film sufficiently to create a surface film that is not removed or substantially diluted after just a few cycles of passage from a colder environment to a warmer environment and the consequent formation of moisture.

In the case of the present invention, a silicon-containing substrate is cleaned and prepared with a special cleaning solution; then, a formulation is applied to localized portions of a glass surface, in particular, the inner surface which is in thermal equilibrium with the environment inside the refrigerator or freezer. The formulation is formed by a liquid or vapor chemical composition that can be flowed, used as rinsing, painting, spraying or otherwise applied to glass, and having a characteristic molecular chemical composition that achieves an exterior surface having a surface roughness (Ra) lower than that of the glass, preferably, Ra around an order of magnitude lower than that Ra of the native surface. In fact, the formulation fills the characteristic microscopic valleys found on virtually all glass surfaces and containing silica (and containing alumina).

The liquid and vapor chemical compositions that can be used to fill the pits and microscopic valleys found on all types of glass surfaces and containing silica include, without limitation, the silicone films mentioned above, with or without crosslinking, branching or cap, created with any type of formulas that contain silane. Said silicone films and formulas are disclosed and described in United States of America Patent No. 6,245,387, commonly owned with the present invention, the total contents of which are expressly incorporated in the present application by way of reference . Other suitable compositions include: formulations containing silane and silica; siloxanes and silicon oils; diamond type carbons; polymers and multipolymers; petroleum distillates; liquid plastics; acrylics; thermoplastic and other resins; alcohols; esters; ethers; copolymers; oligomers; ethoxy compounds; acetoxy compounds; acetates.

It should be understood that the foregoing is a representative and illustrative list of suitable compositions, and is not intended to be limiting in any way. It is only necessary for the implementation of the present invention that the composition has a surface texture (surface roughness), after application, of about an order of magnitude less than the surface texture of the glass substrate material .

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the composition is applied to the substrate surface by masking or stenciling random or specific designs on the substrate, and the composition is applied to open areas of the mask or stencil. The mask or stencil is removed, and the composition remains where it was applied. Alternatively, with composition could be "painted" the substrate, without the use of a mask or stencil, as an artistic design.

Methods for masking or stenciling of random or specific designs on glass surfaces and those containing silica include, without limitation, the use of vinyl, wax, plastic or any of the chemicals listed above, which could be used. to fill valleys and microscopic pits on all types of glass surfaces and containing silica. In addition, stenciling can be provided in a positive or negative way, where the design (the composition) could be introduced through openings in a stencil (negative form), or the stencil could define areas where the transfer of composition is prevented (positive form). .

Specifically, and with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, once the composition and toner have been applied, and the surface enters into thermal equilibrium with the environment inside a refrigerator or freezer, the design or pattern is invisible. When the door (glass) is opened towards a warmer environment, small droplets of condensation appear to form on the treated area with the composition, although they do not seem to form on the normally textured glass surface area. This causes the appearance of a "reverse image" on the glass (as shown in FIG.7), due to the transparency and contrast difference between the treated surface portion exhibiting the condensation, and the surface portion not treated, which does not exhibit condensation. It should be understood that the portion of untreated surface, technically, sustains some degree of condensation. However, due to the difference in the size of the surface texture, the droplet size of condensation is sufficiently different, or it can be resolved in a wetting regime, where the treated area is visibly different in contrast to the untreated area, so as to make the pattern stand out in visual terms.

It should also be understood that the stamp, mask or stencil can be applied as a "negative", that is, that the mask blocks the application of the composition, and the design appears as a clear area of condensation, on a substrate of another "cloudy" mode, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8 Furthermore, it should be understood that it is not necessary that the image itself be "moved" between the environments, for example, the application to a door that is open or closed. Instead, the image could be applied to a surface through which the environment changes. By way of example, when the image is placed on a window or other roof surface, which experiences a generally cold environment in equilibrium, a jet or a "breeze" of warmer air may be directed onto the surface of the cover, in order to produce the desired effect. This jet or breeze can be introduced on a regular basis, by times, or on a random time basis, or it can be blown on the deck as a person approaches the facility. A simple proximity sensor can be used to detect the approach of a person, and can be made to blow the jet or breeze through the treated surface as a consequence.

The images that have been fixed can be removed using a variety of abrasive pads, powders and composites according to the selected composition material, in order to allow the fixation of a new image with the frequency desired by the owner of the substrate. Alternatively, the composition could be removed by an appropriate solvent.

The invention also covers the ability to bind to any other material containing opaque or translucent silica or plastic, at the doors of refrigerators or freezers that have been produced off-site, in the first place, to create the same effect as that observed above. Only the provision of a design or an image that can be transferred to a transparent surface, where the design or image is implemented in a material having substantially the same refractive index as the substrate, is needed for the implementation of the invention. of glass and a surface roughness Ra about an order of magnitude different from the substrate.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to a method for obtaining the image of a pattern or design on a transparent glass sheet having internal and external surfaces, wherein the method comprises: a method of creating the image selected from the group consisting of: a stamping or stenciling method; if the creation is used by means of the stamping method: the use of rubber, plastic, polymer, or other solid materials, to create the desired graphic by placing the cut stamp of the image on the transparent surface smoothing material, and the pattern of the surface; if the creation is used by means of the stencil method: the provision of a stencil, where the stencil has open portions and a backing, which, together, define the pattern or design; the application of the stamp or stencil to a surface of the transparent glass sheet; and the provision of a transparent surface softening composition to the glass surface, such that the composition is brought into contact with the glass surface through open stencil regions, so as to transfer the pattern or design to the glass surface. glass sheet, to form a coated portion having substantially the same refractive index as the glass sheet, such that the pattern or design is not visible, and the coated portion of the sheet is visually indistinguishable from an uncoated portion. without the presence of humidity; where the pattern or design image is obtained on the glass surface, as the glass surface passes through the transition from a colder temperature to a warmer temperature, so as to provide conditions for the formation of condensation droplets, and where the image of the pattern or design is obtained as a consequence of the greater presence of condensation, in contrast to the lower presence or absence of condensation.

In a particular embodiment, encapsulated nanoparticles are deposited on a substrate by a diatomaceous earth medium, as part of a preparation for efficient binding of the softening composition. In particular, these encapsulated particles are selected from a group containing silver, gold, titanium dioxide, alumina and silica, in an amount less than 5% of total content. In addition, these encapsulated particles comprise encapsulated nanoparticles which may have a core and at least one ligand bonded to the core, and which serves as said encapsulating material.

In some cases, the affinity of the substrate for the encapsulating ligand is high enough to break the core and ligand bonds and release the metal cores in physical contact.

The method may further comprise the use of a substrate with a charged surface layer.

The prepared substrate may be composed of some combination of gold, silver, alumina or silica particles, having an average size between 5 and 40 nm; binder for a polar solvent; and cationic additive, to facilitate the fixation of the particles.

The encapsulating material may further comprise ligands having ionic termination groups, preferably, anionic termination groups.

In another embodiment, the disclosed method may additionally comprise the use of nanoparticles having an average diameter of 5-50 nm, wherein at least 80% of the nanoparticles have a diameter that deviates less than 5 nm from the average diameter. In a preferred embodiment, the average encapsulation thickness is less than 0.5 nm.

In another embodiment, the clear surface softening composition comprises a film containing silicon or silicon dioxide, or is a film selected from the group consisting of siloxanes, silicon oils, diamond type carbons, polymers, copolymers, oligomers, distilled of petroleum, liquid plastics, acrylics, acetates and resins.

In a further embodiment, the glass surface is characterized by a first surface roughness Ra, wherein the transparent surface softening composition is characterized by a second surface roughness below the first surface roughness. For example, the second surface roughness is about an order of magnitude less than the first surface roughness.

The glass sheet can be provided as an exterior door or a refrigerator or freezer cover, where the transition from the glass surface from the coldest temperature to the warmest temperature comprises opening or closing the door or cover of the refrigerator or from the freezer, in order to produce condensation.

Alternatively, the glass sheet is provided as an exterior door or cover for a refrigerator or freezer, where the transition from the glass surface comprises the change from an ambient temperature from a colder to a warmer temperature, in order to produce condensation.

The disclosed method can also be used to obtain an image of a pattern or design on a sheet of transparent material having internal and external surfaces, where the method comprises: the definition of the pattern or design for transfer to the sheet of transparent material; the provision of transfer means to house and sustain the pattern or design; the application of a special link mechanism through a cleaning process; the application of a surface softening composition to the transfer medium that is used for the application of a coating to the sheet of transparent material, to form a coated portion having substantially the same refractive index as the sheet of transparent material, so that the pattern or design is not visible, and the coated portion of the sheet is visually indistinguishable from an uncoated portion of the sheet, without the presence of moisture, where the image of the pattern or design is obtained on the sheet of transparent material as a surface of the sheet of transparent material passes through a transition from a colder temperature to a warmer temperature, so as to provide conditions for the formation of condensation droplets, where the pattern or design image is obtained as consequence of the greater presence of condensation in contrast with the lower presence or absence of co ndensación.

In a particular embodiment, the transfer means comprises a stencil having open portions and a backing, which together define the pattern or design. Additionally, the surface softening composition can be applied to the surface of the sheet of transparent material, so that the composition is brought into contact with the surface of the sheet of transparent material through open regions of the screen, so as to transfer the pattern or design to the sheet of transparent material, wherein the composition has substantially the same refractive index as the sheet of transparent material, so that the pattern or design is not visible when the composition and the sheet of transparent material are in thermal equilibrium. The transfer medium may comprise a substrate material having the same refractive index as the sheet of transparent material, wherein the surface softening composition is applied to the substrate material through a stencil or mask defining the pattern or design. This clear surface softening composition comprises a silicon-containing film, or a film selected from the group consisting of siloxanes, silicon oils, diamond-like carbons, polymers, copolymers, oligomers, petroleum distillates, liquid plastics, acrylics, acetates and resins.

It increases the observed contrast, and reinforces the clarity of any image, by means of a toning solution after smoothing, which contains a registered combination of grafted nanoparticles. The The grafted nanoparticle combination is selected from the group consisting of elemental metals including gold, silver, aluminum and titanium dioxide, supplied by means of an isopropyl alcohol solution. In some cases, the softening toning solution after the smoothing layer creates a reinforcement of the clarity of the image and provides better visibility compared to the previous methods, regarding an average person with a 20:20 vision, for observation of clear image details from a distance as large as 15 meters (50 feet) from the source. Without the tonifying clarifying solution of the image, the images that become visible can only be observed by an average person with a 20:20 vision from a distance of approximately 4.5 meters (15 feet) from the source.

Claims (27)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. A method for obtaining an image of a pattern or design on a transparent glass sheet having internal and external surfaces, wherein the method comprises: a method of creating the image selected from the group consisting of: a stamping method or a stenciling method; if the creation is used by means of the stamping method: the use of rubber, plastic, polymer, or other solid materials, to create the desired graphic by placing the cut stamp of the image on the transparent surface smoothing material, and the pattern of the surface; if the creation is used by means of the stencil method: the provision of a stencil, where the stencil has open portions and a backing, which, together, define the pattern or design; the application of the stamp or stencil to a surface of the transparent glass sheet; and the provision of a transparent surface softening composition to the glass surface, such that the composition is brought into contact with the glass surface through open stencil regions, so as to transfer the pattern or design to the glass surface. glass sheet, to form a coated portion having substantially the same refractive index as the glass sheet, such that the pattern or design is not visible, and the coated portion of the sheet is visually indistinguishable from a uncoated portion without the presence of moisture; where the pattern or design image is obtained on the glass surface, as the glass surface passes through the transition from a colder temperature to a warmer temperature, so as to provide conditions for the formation of condensation droplets, and where the image of the pattern or design is obtained as a consequence of the greater presence of condensation, in contrast to the lower presence or absence of condensation.

2. The method according to claim 1, further characterized in that encapsulated nanoparticles are deposited on a substrate by means of a diatomaceous earth medium as part of a preparation for efficient binding of the softening composition.

3. The method according to claim 2, further characterized in that the encapsulated particles are selected from a group containing silver, gold, titanium dioxide, alumina and silica, in an amount less than 5% of total content.

4. The method according to claim 2, further characterized in that the encapsulated particles comprise encapsulated nanoparticles having a core and at least one ligand bonded to the core, and serving as said encapsulating material.

5. The method according to claim 2, further characterized in that the affinity of the substrate for the encapsulating ligand is sufficiently high to break the core and ligand bonds and release the metal cores in physical contact.

6. The method according to claim 2, further characterized in that it further comprises the use of a substrate with a charged surface layer.

7. The method according to claim 2, further characterized in that it additionally comprises the use of a substrate having a charged surface layer, preferably a charged surface layer.

8. The method according to claim 2, further characterized in that the prepared substrate is composed of some combination of gold, silver, alumina or silica particles, having an average size between 5 and 40 nm, binder for a polar solvent, and Cationic additive to facilitate the fixation of the particles.

9. The method according to claim 2, further characterized in that said encapsulating material comprises ligands having ionic termination groups, preferably, anionic termination groups.

10. The method according to claim 2, further characterized in that it additionally comprises the use of nanoparticles having an average diameter of 5-50 nm, where at least 80% of the nanoparticles have a diameter that deviates less than 5 nm from the diameter average.

11. The method according to claim 2, further characterized in that it further comprises the use of nanoparticles where the average encapsulation thickness is less than 0.5 nm.

12. The method according to claim 1, further characterized in that the transparent surface softening composition comprises a film containing silicon or silicon dioxide.

13. The method according to claim 12, further characterized in that the transparent surface softening composition is a film selected from the group consisting of siloxanes, silicon oils, diamond type carbons, polymers, copolymers, oligomers, petroleum distillates, plastics liquids, acrylics, acetates and resins.

14. The method according to claim 1, further characterized in that the glass surface is determined by a first surface roughness Ra, and where the transparent surface softening composition is determined by a second surface roughness below the first surface roughness. .

15. The method according to claim 14, further characterized in that the second surface roughness is about one order of magnitude smaller than the first surface roughness.

16. The method according to claim 1, further characterized in that the glass sheet is provided as an outer door or cover for a refrigerator or freezer, and where the glass surface transition from the coldest temperature to the highest temperature warm includes the opening or closing of the door or the cover of the refrigerator or freezer, so as to produce condensation.

17, The method according to claim 1, further characterized in that the glass sheet is provided as an exterior door or cover for a refrigerator or freezer, and where the transition of the glass surface comprises the change of an ambient temperature from a colder temperature to a warmer one, in order to produce condensation.

18. A method for obtaining an image of a pattern or design on a sheet of transparent material having internal and external surfaces, wherein the method comprises: defining the pattern or design for transfer to the sheet of transparent material; the provision of transfer means to house and sustain the pattern or design; the application of a special link mechanism through a cleaning process; the application of a surface softening composition to the transfer medium that is used for the application of a coating to the sheet of transparent material, to form a coated portion having substantially the same refractive index as the sheet of transparent material, so that the pattern or design is not visible, and the coated portion of the sheet is visually indistinguishable from an uncoated portion of the sheet, without the presence of moisture, where the image of the pattern or design is obtained on the sheet of transparent material as a surface of the sheet of transparent material passes through a transition from a colder temperature to a warmer temperature, in order to provide the conditions for the formation of condensation droplets, where the image of the pattern or design is obtained as a consequence of the greater presence of condensation in contrast with the lower presence or the absence of condensation.

19. The method according to claim 18, further characterized in that the transfer means comprises a stencil having open portions and a backing, which together define the pattern or design.

20. The method according to claim 18, further characterized in that the surface softening composition is applied to the surface of the sheet of transparent material, such that the composition is brought into contact with the surface of the transparent sheet of material. through open regions of the stencil in order to transfer the pattern or design to the sheet of transparent material, where the composition has substantially the same refractive index as the sheet of transparent material, so that the pattern or design is not visible when the Composition and the sheet of transparent material are in thermal equilibrium.

21. The method according to claim 18, further characterized in that the transfer medium comprises a substrate material having the same refractive index as the sheet of transparent material, wherein the surface softening composition is applies to the substrate material through a stencil or mask that defines the pattern or design.

22. The method according to claim 18, further characterized in that the transparent surface softening composition comprises a silicon-containing film.

23. The method according to claim 18, further characterized in that the transparent surface softening composition is a film selected from the group consisting of siloxanes, silicon oils, diamond type carbons, polymers, copolymers, oligomers, petroleum distillates, plastics liquids, acrylics, acetates and resins.

24. The method according to claim 18, further characterized by increasing the observed contrast and enhancing the clarity of any image by means of a toning solution subsequent to the smoothing containing a registered combination of grafted nanoparticles.

25. The method according to claim 24, further characterized in that the recorded combination of grafted nanoparticles is selected from the group consisting of elemental metals including gold, silver, aluminum and titanium dioxide, supplied by means of an isopropyl alcohol solution.

26. The method according to claim 25, further characterized by the application of the toning solution softener after the softener layer creates a reinforcement of the clarity of the image, when it is visible.

27. The method according to claim 26, further characterized in that the application of the softening toning solution after the softening layer creates a reinforcement of the clarity of the image, and provides better visibility compared to the previous methods, with respect to an average person with a 20:20 vision, for the observation of clear image details from a distance as large as 15 meters (50 feet) from the source, without the tonifying clarifying solution of the image, the images that become visible can only be be observed by an average person with a 20:20 vision from a distance of approximately 4.5 meters (15 feet) from the source.