Method of manufacturing multilayer coating for decoration of surfaces

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention generally finds application in the field of surface treatments, and particularly relates to a line and a method for making multilayer coating designed to be applied to flat or curved surfaces of panels, furniture surfaces, floors, profiles or sheets, particularly for door and window products in general, for decoration thereof.

Background art

[0002] Various techniques are known for decoration of flat or curved surfaces, such as furniture surfaces or floors or profiles, sheets and similar product, e.g. designed for assembly of door and window products.

[0003] Prior art techniques generally require one or more decorative layers, consisting of paints or other pigmented liquids, to be laid on the surface to be decorated.

[0004] These layers are distributed over the surface to be decorated either uniformly or with predetermined patterns. The various overlapped layers define the final decorative pattern.

[0005] Furthermore, an initial adhesive layer, or primer, may be applied to the surface to be decorated, to facilitate stable connection of the decorative layers thereto.

[0006] Likewise, a varnish or other transparent material may be applied above the decorative layers, with the purpose of finishing and protecting the decorative layers.

[0007] Typically, in prior art, the various layers are applied one above the other directly on the surface to be decorated, from the adhesive layer through all decorative layers proper.

[0008] Accordingly, the line shall have a number of workstations for laying the layers in the predetermined order.

[0009] Otherwise, a single workstation, typically the decorating station may be used for laying two or more layers, but still in sequential order.

[0010] In any case, the surface to be decorated is required to be submitted to several machine steps, each involving a time for applying and drying the deposited layer, thereby excessively increasing the overall process time.

[0011] Furthermore, if a single decorating station is used for depositing the various decorative layers, the decorated product must be picked up from the exit of such station and carried back to the entry thereof.

[0012] This requires particular work and sufficient spaces, thereby adding complexity to the process and increasing the overall space requirements for the plant.

[0013] A further drawback of all prior art solutions is that the multilayer coating is applied to the surface to be decorated at the same time as it is formed.

[0014] Therefore, the presence of the decorated product is always required, which causes an increase of the overall costs.

[0015] Also, in case of errors in layer production, defects will be reflected on the product, which will have to be discarded or reprocessed.

[0016] WO2005/100096 discloses a multilayer coating formed by a plurality of overlapping layers mutually joined only after that the single layers have been formed.

[0017] US5985079 disclose a plant for producing a substrate film, wherein a support layer is unwound form a reel and a transparent layer is formed by extrusion of a molten thermoplastic material and applied on the support layer by a heating roller.

Disclosure of the invention

[0018] The object of the present invention is to overcome the above drawbacks, by providing a method and a plant for making a multilayer coating for decoration of surfaces, that is highly efficient and relatively cost-effective.

[0019] A particular object is to provide a method of making a multilayer decoration coating, that allows relatively quick production of the coating.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of making a multilayer coating that can be immediately stored without waiting for drying thereof, and that can be later applied to any surface to be decorated.

[0021] Yet another object is to provide a plant for making multilayer coating, that ensures a relatively high throughput and has a considerably reduced size.

[0022] Another important object of the present invention is to provide a plant for making multilayer coating, that has a considerably lower power consumption and reduced labor requirements.

[0023] These and other objects, as better explained hereafter, are fulfilled by a method of making multilayer coating as defined in claim 1.

[0024] This peculiarity of the invention will provide a multilayer coating for decoration of surfaces in a quick and simple manner, at a high rate per unit of time.

[0025] In a particular embodiment, a multilayer coating may include at least one lower adhesive layer, one or more intermediate decoration layers, at least one protective layer for protecting the decorative layers, which protective layer is preferably optically transparent or translucent, and a cover layer lying on the protective layer and comprising a film made of a polymeric material, which is designed to be removed after application of the coating to the surface to be decorated.

[0026] In a further aspect, the invention relates to a plant for making multilayer coating as defined in claim 13.

[0027] Advantageous embodiments of the method and plant are defined by the dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

[0028] Further features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following detailed description of a few preferred non limiting embodiments of a method and a plant for making multilayer coating according to the present invention, and a multilayer coating that can be obtained by such method and/or plant, which are described by way of a non limiting example with the help of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a multilayer coating that can be obtained by the method and/or a plant of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a method of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a lateral schematic view of a plant of the invention;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a detail of Fig. 3.

Detailed description of a preferred embodiment

[0029] Fig. 1 shows a multilayer coating, generally designated by numeral 1, for decoration of a flat or curved surface S of a panel P, sheet, profile or similar product.

[0030] The surface S may be an exposed surface of a furniture top, a floor or a door or window element.

[0031] The surface S may be made of any material, of both polymeric, metal or natural nature, such as wood.

[0032] A multilayer coating 1 may include, from top to bottom, a cover layer 2, a protective layer 3, at least one decorative layer 4 with an ornamental pattern, not shown, which is designed to be transferred to the surface to be decorated S, an adhesive layer 5 for anchoring the coating 1 to the surface to be decorated S.

[0033] The illustrated embodiment includes two intermediate decorative layers 4, 4' having corresponding ornamental patterns that will generally define the decoration to be transferred to the surface S.

[0034] Nevertheless, more than two decorative layers 4, 4', ... not necessarily of identical materials, may be provided.

[0035] The cover layer 2 may be a polymeric film, having the purpose of protecting the underlying layers and designed to be removed after application of the cover 1 to the surface S to be decorated.

[0036] By way of non limiting example, the film 2 may be made of polyethylene, polyester, polyamide or the like.

[0037] The film 2 will have a relatively small thickness, e.g. ranging from 10 µm to 50 µm, preferably from 5 µm to 30 µm.

[0038] The film 2 may be either transparent or translucent and its degree of gloss will influence the final gloss of the coating 1.

[0039] Furthermore, a dye, such as a paint or an ink may be distributed uniformly or with a predetermined pattern on the unexposed surface of the cover layer, and is designed to be transferred to the protective layer 3 after removal of the cover layer 2.

[0040] Obviously, the material that forms the dye shall be compatible with the material that forms the protective layer 3, whereas the latter shall be preferably incompatible with the material of the film 2 to allow removal thereof without affecting the surface quality of the coating.

[0041] Advantageously, the selection of the materials for the polymeric film 2 and the underlying layer 3 will allow the film 2 to be reused after removal.

[0042] As used herein, the term "compatible materials" or derivatives thereof shall be intended to indicate materials having a chemical and/or physical compatibility with each other, i.e. materials that, while in joined relationship, provide a junction adapted to support the transfer of tensile or shear stresses through the contact surface. The highest compatibility is thus achieved between identical materials or having the same matrix base.

[0043] As a protective layer 3 a varnish may be used, with a substantially uniform thickness.

[0044] The varnish may be, for instance, an UV varnish adapted for air drying and cross-linking when exposed to UV radiation.

[0045] The decorative layers 4, 4', ... may be obtained by depositing predetermined amounts of any paint or ink.

[0046] Advantageously, the paints in use may be water-based, to avoid the provision of a vapor vent system, which would be otherwise required in case of solvent-based paints.

[0047] The paints or inks that can be used for this purpose may be also adapted for air drying and/or UV cross-linking.

[0048] Finally, the adhesive layer 5 may be composed of a heat-seal adhesive, such as a UV varnish or paint, which is adapted for air drying and UV cross-linking.

[0049] A multilayer coating 1 as described above may be obtained by a method of the present invention, as schematically shown in Fig. 2, which comprises the successive steps of a) providing a supporting substrate 2 with a top surface 6 and a bottom surface 7, b) applying a protective layer 3 on the top surface 6 of the substrate 2, c) applying at least one first decorative layer 4 on the protective layer 3 to transfer a first ornamental pattern thereto, d) depositing an adhesive layer 5 on the first decorative layer 4.

[0050] According to a peculiar feature of the invention, the substrate 2 is a film of a polymeric material designed to be removed from the protective layer 3 after application of the multilayer coating 1 on the surface to be decorated S.

[0051] In practice, the supporting substrate 2 constitutes the cover layer as defined above and its bottom surface 7 constitutes the exposed surface thereof.

[0052] The method may further include the step e) of continuously feeding the polymeric film 2 in a predetermined direction.

[0053] Particularly, the feeding step e) may be carried out at the same time as the steps b) and c) in which the protective layer 3 and the first decorative layer 4 are applied.

[0054] Furthermore, the feeding step e) may be also carried out at the same time as the step d) of depositing the adhesive layer 5.

[0055] Thus, the whole process of making the multilayer coating 1 may be carried out in a very simple and quick manner, while ensuring a considerably increased throughput as compared with prior art solutions.

[0056] The step b) of applying the protective layer 3 may include a step b') of picking up an optically transparent or translucent varnish and a later step b") of distributing the latter on the polymeric film 2.

[0057] Likewise, the step c) of applying the first decorative layer 4 may also include a step c') of picking up a pigmented liquid, such as a paint or an ink, and a later step c") of distributing the pigmented liquid on the protective film 3.

[0058] A further step f) may be also provided, for applying at least one second decorative layer 4' on the first layer 4.

[0059] The second decorative layer 4' may have a second ornamental pattern, which is designed to define, with the first ornamental pattern associated with the first layer 4 and the decoration, if any, released by the film 2, a decoration for the surface to be decorated S.

[0060] The final decoration may be either polychromatic and monochromatic and may consist of particular graphic effects, such as wood-like grains or the like, or of a simple uniform color of the coating.

[0061] Without limiting the scope of the present invention, the method may include additional steps for applying further overlapped decorative layers.

[0062] The step d) of depositing the adhesive layer 5 may include a step d') of picking up an adhesive or varnish having such function and a later step d") of applying the adhesive on the last of the decorative layers 4, 4', ... previously applied.

[0063] The liquids that form the various layers may be distributed by corresponding impression cylinders whose outer surfaces may be substantially smooth or engraved with predetermined patterns, or have a predetermined roughness.

[0064] Particularly, the steps of applying pigmented liquids or paints for forming the decorative layers 4, 4', ... may be carried out by irregular distribution thereof, to obtain the predetermined ornamental patterns.

[0065] The method of the invention may also include one or more steps g), g'), g"), ... in which the liquids or paints distributed in the various steps are dried.

[0066] Advantageously, a drying step g') may be provided after each step of application or distribution of the layers 3, 4, 4', 5.

[0067] The drying steps g), g'), g"), ... may involve the passage of the various layers 3, 4, 4', 5 through drying areas at temperatures T preferably ranging from 30° to 150°.

[0068] Preferably, the decorative layers 4, 4', ... may be dried at temperatures T preferably ranging from 30° to 130° and preferably from 30° to 70°.

[0069] In particular embodiments of the method, the drying steps g), g'), g"), ... may involve the passage of the layers 3, 4, 4', 5 through drying areas at increasing temperatures.

[0070] For example, one or more of the drying steps g), g'), g"),... may involve the passage of the distributed liquid or paint through a first area at a temperature from 20° to 30°, then through a second area at a temperature from 50° to 70° or even to 130° and possibly, in case of more intensive drying, through a third drying area, at temperatures to 100° or even to 150°.

[0071] The coating 1 so obtained may be wound into rolls of predetermined size and stored for later use.

[0072] Application of the coating 1, cut to size, to the surface to be decorated S may include a step h) in which the multilayer coating 1 is placed on the surface to be decorated S with the adhesive layer 5 in contact therewith.

[0073] This step may be followed by a step i) in which the coating 1 on the surface to be decorated S is stabilized.

[0074] Advantageously, the positioning h) and stabilization i) steps may be performed substantially at the same time, for quick and safe application.

[0075] For instance, the stabilization step i) on the coating 1 may be performed by calendering, at predetermined adequate pressure and temperature values, allowing the adhesive of the adhesive layer 5 to set and ensure its sticking action.

[0076] At the end of these steps, a final step I) may be provided, in which the various layers of the coating 1 are at least partially polymerized or cured.

[0077] The polymerization step I) may involve the passage of the surface S decorated with the coating 1 through a UV oven or the like, not shown,

[0078] In a further aspect, the invention relates to a plant for making multilayer coating for decoration of surfaces, which is adapted to implement the above method.

[0079] A plant of the invention, whose basic parts are schematically shown in Fig. 3, and which is generally designated by numeral 10, will include a supporting surface 11 defining a feeding path A, a first station 12 for depositing a protective layer 3 on the supporting surface 11, at least a second station 13 for depositing at least one first decorative layer 4 provided with a first ornamental pattern to be transferred to a surface to be decorated S, a third station 14 for depositing an adhesive layer 5 on the first decorative layer 4 or the upper decorative layer.

[0080] The plant 10 is characterized in that the first 12, second 13 and third 14 stations are successively arranged along the feeding path A.

[0081] Furthermore, the supporting surface 11 comprises a polymeric film 3 having a free top surface 6 which is adapted to receive the various layers, continuous feeding means 15 being also provided for feeding the polymeric film 3 along the feeding path A through the various stations.

[0082] The feeding means 15 may include a motorized axis X for rotatably supporting a roll 16 of polymeric film 3 and means, not shown, for unwinding and guiding the film along the feeding path A.

[0083] The motorized axis X may be associated, as is known in the art, with a quick roll changing mechanism, not shown, for changing the roll 16.

[0084] Each of the liquid applying stations 12, 13, 14 may include a reservoir, not shown, which is adapted to contain the corresponding liquid to be distributed and a cylinder or roller 19, 20, 21 for picking up and transferring the liquid over the top surface 6 of the film 3 or the previously applied layer.

[0085] According to an alternative configuration, at least one of the reservoirs may be replaced by a different device for transferring the liquid or paint to the corresponding cylinder, the device being selected from those commonly used in painting plants, such as spray devices.

[0086] Conveniently, the cylinders 19, 20, 21 may be successively arranged along the feeding path A for the film 3 with their axes of rotation R, R', R" substantially horizontal.

[0087] The plant may also include a plurality of return rollers 22, 22', ... interposed between the cylinders 19, 20, 21 to define therewith a curvilinear feeding path A for the film 3.

[0088] The axes of rotation R, R', R" of the cylinders 19, 20, 21 may be vertically offset to define a substantially curvilinear feeding path A for the polymeric film 3.

[0089] Furthermore, the outer lateral surfaces of the cylinders 19, 20, 21 and the return rollers 22, 22' may at least partially define the guide means for the film 3.

[0090] According to a preferred, non limiting configuration of the plant, the outer lateral surfaces of the cylinders 19 and 21 of the first 12 and third 14 stations may be substantially uniform, for instance they may be smooth or have a predetermined even roughness, or a lattice-like engraving.

[0091] For instance, engravings may have a depth substantially ranging from 40 µm to 140 µm and preferably from 60 µm to 750 µm.

[0092] The cylinder 20 of the second station 14 may have an outer lateral surface with a plurality of relieves and/or recesses defining a decorative engraving to distribute the pigmented liquid according to a first predetermined ornamental pattern.

[0093] Preferably, the plant 10 may include two or more successive decorating stations 13 along the feeding path A.

[0094] The decorating stations 13 may be interposed between the first 12 and third 14 stations, to apply corresponding overlapped decoration layers 4, 4',....

[0095] Each of the stations that form the plant 10 may also include more than one distribution cylinder associated with a single reservoir or to multiple reservoirs for the liquids to be distributed.

[0096] One or more, preferably all of the layer applying stations, may be followed by a drying unit, not shown, for at least partially drying the layers.

[0097] The drying units may be divided into multiple sections, e.g. two or three sections, for drying the layers at progressively increasing temperatures, as described above concerning the method of the invention.

[0098] The plant 10 may end with a winding station 22 for winding the coating 1 into a roll 17, which may be equipped with a quick change device, not shown.

[0099] Fig. 4 shows a detail of the coating 1 as it exits the last station of the plant 10, in this case the third adhesive layer applying station 14, immediately before winding thereof into the final roll 17 for storage.

[0100] The above disclosure clearly shows that the invention fulfills the intended objects and particularly meets the requirement of providing a method and a plant for making a multilayer coating adapted to be applied to surfaces to be decorated, that has high anchoring stability and improved surface quality as compared with the prior art.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a multilayer coating for decoration of surfaces, comprising in sequence the following steps:

a) providing a supporting substrate (2);

b) applying a protective layer (3) on said substrate (2);

c) applying at least one first decorative layer (4) on said protective layer (3) to transfer a first ornamental pattern to this latter;

d) depositing at least one adhesive layer (5) on said at least one first decorative layer (4) to realize a multilayer coating (1) designed to be applied on a surface to be decorated (S);
wherein said substrate (2) is a film of a polymeric material designed to be removed from said protective layer (3) after application of said multilayer coating (1) on the surface to be decorated (S);
wherein a further step (e) is provided for continuous feeding of said substrate (2) along a predetermined feeding path (A),
characterized in that said feeding step (e) is carried out simultaneously to said steps (b, c) of applying said protective layer (3) and said at least one first decorative layer (4) and to said step (d) of depositing said at least one adhesive layer (5), said layers (3, 4, 5) being obtained by distribution of respective liquid materials by means of corresponding cylinders (19, 20, 21) in such a manner to provide a simplified and quick process with increased production rate.

2. Method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said step (b) of applying said protective layer (3) comprises a step (b") of distributing an optically transparent or translucent paint on said film (2).

3. Method as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that said step (c) of applying said first decorative layer comprises a step (c') of distributing a pigmented liquid on said protective layer (3).

4. Method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized by comprising an additional step (f) of application of at least one second decorative layer (4') on said first layer (4), said at least one second decorative layer (4') being provided with a second ornamental pattern designed to define a decoration for a surface to be decorated (S) with said first ornamental pattern of said first layer (4).

5. Method as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that said step (d) of depositing said adhesive layer (5) comprises a step (d") of distributing an adhesive on one of said decorative layers (4, 4',...).

6. Method as claimed in claim 4 or 5, characterized in that said steps (c, f) of applying said at least one first and said at least one second decorative layer (4, 4') provide the irregular distribution of the respective pigmented liquids on respective lower layers (3, 4) to realize said first and said second ornaments patterns.

7. Method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized by comprising at least one step (g, g', g") of drying at least one of said layers (3, 4, 4', 5), said at least one drying step (g, g', g") being carried out at temperature comprised between 30° and 150°.

8. Method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper surface (6) of said sublayer (2) is provided with a third ornamental pattern designed to be transferred to said protective layer (3) subsequently to the removal of said sublayer (2).

9. Method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, characterized by comprise a step (h) of positioning said multilayer coating (1) on the surface to be decorated (S) with said adhesive layer (5) laying in contact with said surface (S) to be decorated and a step (i) of stabilizing said coating (1) on said surface (S), said positioning step (h) and said stabilization step (i) being carried out in substantially simultaneous manner.

10. Method as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that said stabilizing step (i) is carried out by means of rolling at predetermined pressure and temperature sufficient to provide the activation and the setting of said adhesive layer (5).

11. A plant for manufacturing multilayer coatings for the decoration of surfaces, comprising:

- a sublayer (2) defining a predetermined feeding path (A);

- a first station (12) for depositing a protective layer (3) on said sublayer (2);

- at least one second station (13) for depositing at least one first decorative layer (4) provided with a first ornamental pattern to be transferred to a surface to be decorated (S);

- a third station (14) for depositing an adhesive layer (5) on said at least one first decorative layer (4);

- means (15) for continuously feeding a film made of polymeric material on said sublayer (2) along said feeding path (A), said film (2) having a free upper surface (6) adapted to receive and to support in succession said layers (3, 4, 5);
characterized in that said first, second and third stations (12, 13, 14) comprise respective reservoirs (16, 17, 18) for corresponding liquids to be distributed simultaneously and respective cylinders (19, 20, 21) for picking up and transferring each of said liquids on a corresponding one of said layers (3, 4, 5) to provide a simplified and quick process and an increased production rate.

12. Plant as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that said feeding means (15) comprise a motorized axis (X) designed to rotatably support a reel (B) of said film (2) and means for unrolling and guiding said film (2) along said feeding path (A).

13. Plant as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that said cylinders (19, 20, 21) of said stations (12, 13, 14) are placed in sequence relationship along said feeding path (A) with respective rotation axis (R, R', R") substantially horizontal and reciprocally vertically offset to define a substantially curve feeding path for said film (2), said cylinders (19, 20, 21) having respective external lateral surfaces defining said guiding means for said sublayer (2).

14. Plant as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that the cylinder (20) of said at least one second station (13) has an external lateral surface provided with a plurality of relieves and/or recesses designed to distribute said pigmented liquid according a first predefined ornamental pattern.

Ansprüche

1. Ein Verfahren zur Herstellung einer mehrschichtigen Beschichtung zur Dekoration von Oberflächen mit den folgenden Schritten in Reihenfolge:

a) Bereitstellen eines tragenden Materials (2),

b) Aufbringen einer schützenden Schicht (3) auf diesem Material (2),

c) Aufbringen mindestens einer ersten dekorativen Schicht (4) auf diese schützende Schicht (3), um ein erstes schmückendes Muster auf diese Letztere zu übertragen,

d) Auftragen mindestens einer klebenden Schicht (5) auf dieser mindestens einen ersten dekorativen Schicht (4), um eine mehrschichtige Beschichtung (1) zu schaffen, die ausgelegt ist, auf einer zu dekorierenden Oberfläche (S) aufgebracht zu werden,
wobei das Material (2) eine Folie aus polymerem Material ist, die ausgelegt ist, entfernt zu werden von der schützenden Schicht (3) nach Aufbringen der mehrschichtigen Beschichtung (1) auf der zu dekorierenden Oberfläche (S),
wobei ein weiterer Schritt (e) vorgesehen ist für die kontinuierliche Zufuhr des Materials (2) entlang einem vorbestimmten Zufuhrweg (A),
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schritt (e) der Zufuhr gleichzeitig ausgeführt wird mit den Schritten (b, c) des Aufbringens der schützenden Schicht (3) und der mindestens einen ersten dekorativen Schicht (4) und mit dem Schritt (d) des Auftragens der mindestens einen klebenden Schicht (5), wobei die Schichten (3, 4, 5) erhalten werden durch Verteilen jeweils flüssiger Materialien mittels entsprechender Zylinder (19, 20, 21) auf eine solche Weise, dass ein vereinfachtes und schnelles Verfahren mit erhöhter Herstellgeschwindigkeit bereit gestellt wird.

2. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schritt (b) des Aufbringens der schützenden Schicht (3) einen Schritt (b") des Verteilens einer optisch transparenten oder durchsichtigen Farbe auf der Folie (2) umfasst.

3. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schritt (c) des Aufbringens der ersten dekorativen Schicht einen Schritt (c') des Verteilens einer pigmentierten Flüssigkeit auf der schützenden Schicht (3) umfasst.

4. Verfahren gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein zusätzlicher Schritt (f) des Aufbringens von mindestens einer zweiten dekorativen Schicht (4') auf der ersten Schicht (4) vorgesehen ist, wobei die mindestens eine zweite dekorative Schicht (4') mit einem zweiten schmückenden Muster versehen ist, das ausgelegt ist, eine Dekoration für eine zu dekorierende Oberfläche (S) mit dem ersten schmückenden Muster der ersten Schicht (4) zu bilden.

5. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schritt (d) des Auftragens der klebenden Schicht (5) einen Schritt (d") des Verteilens eines Klebers auf einer der dekorativen Schichten (4, 4', ...) umfasst.

6. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 4 oder 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Schritte (c, f) des Aufbringens der mindestens einen ersten und der mindestens einen zweiten dekorativen Schicht (4, 4') die unregelmäßige Verteilung bereit stellen der jeweiligen pigmentierten Flüssigkeiten auf jeweils unteren Schichten (3, 4), um die ersten und zweiten schmückenden Muster zu bilden.

7. Verfahren gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens ein Schritt (g, g', g") des Trocknens mindestens einer der Schichten (3, 4, 4', 5) vorgesehen ist, wobei der mindestens eine Schritt (g, g', g") des Trocknens ausgeführt wird bei Temperaturen zwischen 30° und 150°.

8. Verfahren gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die obere Oberfläche (6) der Unterschicht (2) versehen ist mit einem dritten schmückenden Muster, das ausgelegt ist auf die schützende Schicht (3) übertragen zu werden im Anschluss an das Entfernen dieser Unterschicht (2).

9. Verfahren gemäß einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein Schritt (h) des Positionierens der mehrschichtigen Beschichtung (1) auf der zu dekorierenden Oberfläche (S) mit der klebenden Schicht (5), die anliegt an der zu dekorierenden Oberfläche (S), vorgesehen ist und ein Schritt (i) des Stabilisierens der Beschichtung (1) auf der Oberfläche (S), wobei der Schritt (h) des Positionierens und der Schritt (i) des Stabilisierens auf im Wesentlichen gleichzeitige Weise durchgeführt werden.

10. Verfahren gemäß Anspruch 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schritt (i) des Stabilisierens ausgeführt wird mittels Rollens bei vorbestimmtem Druck und ausreichender Temperatur, um die Aktivierung und das Binden der klebenden Schicht (5) zu erreichen.

11. Eine Anlage zur Herstellung mehrschichtiger Beschichtungen zur Dekoration von Oberflächen mit

- einer Unterschicht (2), die einen vorbestimmten Zufuhrweg (A) bildet,

- einer ersten Station (12) zur Ablage einer schützenden Schicht (3) auf der Unterschicht (2),

- mindestens einer zweiten Station (13) zur Ablage mindestens einer ersten dekorativen Schicht (4), die versehen ist mit einem ersten schmückenden Muster, das auf die zu dekorierende Schicht (S) zu übertragen ist,

- einer dritten Station (14) zur Ablage einer klebenden Schicht (5) auf der mindestens einen dekorativen Schicht (4),

- Einrichtungen (15) zur kontinuierlichen Zufuhr einer Folie aus polymerem Material auf die Unterschicht (2) entlang dem Zufuhrweg (A), wobei die Folie (2) eine freie obere Oberfläche (6) hat, die angepasst ist zur Aufnahme und zum Tragen in Folge der Schichten (3, 4, 5),
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die ersten, zweiten und dritten Stationen (12, 13, 14) jeweils Behälter (16, 17, 18) für entsprechende Flüssigkeiten umfassen, die gleichzeitig zu verteilen sind und jeweilige Zylinder (19, 20, 21) zur Aufnahme und zum Übertrag jede der Flüssigkeiten auf eine Entsprechende dieser Schichten (3, 4, 5), um ein vereinfachtes und schnelles Verfahren und eine erhöhte Herstellgeschwindigkeit bereit zu stellen.

12. Anlage gemäß Anspruch 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Zufuhreinrichtungen (15) eine motorisierte Welle (X) umfassen, die ausgelegt ist eine Spule (B) der Folie (2) drehbar zu tragen und Einrichtungen zum entrollen und führen der Folie (2) entlang dem Zufuhrweg (A).

13. Anlage gemäß Anspruch 12, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Zylinder (19, 20, 21) der Stationen (12,13, 14) in Reihe angeordnet sind entlang dem Zufuhrweg (A) mit jeweiliger Drehachse (R, R', R"), die im Wesentlichen horizontal und reziprok vertikal versetzt sind, um einen im Wesentlichen gekrümmten Zufuhrweg für die Folie (2) zu bilden, wobei die Zylinder (19, 20, 21) jeweils äußere, seitliche Oberflächen aufweisen, die die Führungseinrichtungen für die Unterschicht (2) bilden.

14. Anlage gemäß Anspruch 13, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Zylinder (20) der mindestens einen zweiten Station (13) eine äußere seitliche Oberfläche aufweist, die versehen ist mit einer Vielzahl von Ausnehmungen und/oder Einschnitten, die ausgelegt sind für die Verteilung der pigmentierten Flüssigkeit gemäß einem ersten vorbestimmten schmückenden Muster.

Revendications

1. Procédé pour produire un revêtement multicouche pour la décoration de surfaces, comprenant la séquence d'étapes suivante :

a) mise en oeuvre d'un substrat de support (2) ;

b) application d'une couche de protection (3) sur ledit substrat (2) ;

c) application d'au moins une première couche décorative (4) sur ladite couche de protection (3) pour transférer un premier motif ornemental sur celle-ci ;

d) dépôt d'au moins une couche adhésive (5) sur ladite au moins une couche décorative (4) pour réaliser un revêtement multicouche (1) conçu pour être appliqué sur une surface à décorer (S) ;
dans lequel ledit substrat (2) est un film en matériau polymère conçu pour être retiré de ladite couche de protection (3) après application dudit revêtement multicouche (1) sur la surface à décorer (S) ;
dans lequel il comporte une étape supplémentaire (e) d'avancement continu dudit substrat (2) le long d'un parcours d'avancement préétabli (A),
caractérisé en ce que ladite étape d'avancement (e) est effectuée en même temps que lesdites étapes (b, c) d'application de ladite couche de protection (3) et de ladite au moins une couche décorative (4) et que ladite étape (d)de dépôt de ladite au moins une couche adhésive (5), lesdites couches (3, 4, 5) étant obtenues par la distribution de matériaux liquides respectifs au moyen de cylindres correspondants (19, 20, 21) de manière à mettre en oeuvre un procédé simplifié et rapide avec une meilleure productivité.

2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que ladite étape (b) d'application de ladite couche de protection (3) comprend une étape (b") de distribution d'un vernis transparent ou translucide sur ledit film (2).

3. Procédé selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que ladite étape (c) d'application de ladite première couche décorative comprend une étape (c') de distribution d'un liquide pigmenté sur ladite couche de protection (3).

4. Procédé selon n'importe laquelle des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend une étape supplémentaire (f) d'application d'au moins une seconde couche décorative (4') sur ladite première couche (4), ladite au moins une seconde couche décorative (4') étant pourvue d'un second motif ornemental conçu pour définir une décoration pour une surface à décorer (S) avec ledit premier motif ornemental de ladite première couche (4).

5. Procédé selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que ladite étape (d) de dépôt de ladite couche adhésive (5) comprend une étape (d") de distribution d'un adhésif sur une desdites couches décoratives (4, 4', ...).

6. Procédé selon la revendication 4 ou 5, caractérisé en ce que lesdites étapes (c, f) d'application de ladite au moins une première et de ladite au moins une seconde couches décoratives (4, 4') réalisent la distribution irrégulière des liquides pigmentés respectifs sur les couches inférieures respectives (3, 4) pour obtenir ledit premier et ledit second motifs ornementaux.

7. Procédé selon n'importe laquelle des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend au moins une étape (g, g', g") de séchage d'au moins une desdites couches (3, 4, 4', 5), ladite au moins une étape de séchage (g, g', g") étant effectuée à une température comprise entre 30° et 150°.

8. Procédé selon n'importe laquelle des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que la surface supérieure (6) dudit substrat (2) est pourvue d'un troisième motif ornemental conçu pour être transféré sur ladite couche de protection (3) après le retrait dudit substrat (2).

9. Procédé selon n'importe lequel des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend une étape (h) de positionnement dudit revêtement multicouche (1) sur la surface à décorer (S), avec ladite couche adhésive (5) en contact avec ladite surface (S) à décorer et une étape (i) de stabilisation dudit revêtement (1) sur ladite surface (S), ladite étape de positionnement (h) et ladite étape de stabilisation (i) étant effectuées sensiblement en même temps.

10. Procédé selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce que ladite étape de stabilisation (i) est effectuée par laminage à une pression et à une température préétablies suffisantes a permettre l'activation et la prise de ladite couche adhésive (5).

11. Installation pour produire des revêtements multicouche pour la décoration de surfaces, comprenant :

- un substrat (2) définissant un parcours d'alimentation préétabli (A) :

- une première station (12) de dépôt d'une couche de protection (3) sur ledit substrat (2) ;

- au moins une deuxième station (13) pour le dépôt d'au moins une première couche décorative (4) pourvue d'un premier motif ornemental à transférer sur une surface à décorer (S) ;

- une troisième station (14) de dépôt d'une couche adhésive (5) sur ladite au moins une première couche décorative (4) ;

- des moyens (15) d'alimentation en continu d'un film en matériau polymère sur ledit substrat (2) le long dudit parcours d'alimentation (A), ledit film (2) ayant une première surface supérieure (6) pouvant recevoir et supporter lesdites couches (3, 4, 5) en succession ;
caractérisée en ce que lesdites première, deuxième et troisième stations (12, 13, 14) comprennent des réservoirs respectifs (16, 17, 18) pour des liquides correspondants à distribuer en même temps et des cylindres respectifs (19, 20, 21) pour recueillir et transférer chacun desdits liquides sur une couche correspondante desdites couches (3, 4, 5) pour obtenir un procédé simplifié et rapide et une meilleure productivité.

12. Installation selon la revendication 11, caractérisée en ce que lesdits moyens d'alimentation (15) comprennent un axe motorisé (X) destiné à supporter de manière rotative une bobine (B) dudit film (2) et des moyens de déroulage et de guidage dudit film (2) le long dudit parcours d'alimentation (A).

13. Installation selon la revendication 12, caractérisée en ce que lesdits cylindres (19, 20, 21) desdites stations (12, 13, 14) sont placés en séquence le long dudit parcours d'alimentation (A) avec le les axes de rotation respectifs (R, R', R") sensiblement horizontaux et décalées réciproquement et verticalement pour définir un parcours d'alimentation sensiblement courbé pour ledit film (2), lesdits cylindres (19, 20, 21) ayant des surfaces latérales externes respectives définissant lesdits moyens de guidage pour ledit substrat (2).

14. Installation selon la revendication 13, caractérisée en ce que le cylindre (20) de ladite au moins une deuxième station (13) a une surface latérale externe pourvue d'une pluralité de reliefs et/ou d'évidements conçus pour distribuer ledit liquide pigmenté selon un premier motif ornemental prédéfini.

Drawing