Method for fabrication of a metal component with at least one optical illusion design

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017130353-A1
Application number	US-201615342515-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 3, 2016
Priority date	Nov 11, 2015
Publication date	May 11, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for fabrication of a one-piece, metal-based component of simple shape offering the illusion of faceting and/or chamfering for forming all or part of the exterior part of a timepiece.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method for fabrication of at least one metal-based component with at least one optical illusion pattern, wherein the method comprises the following steps:
a) forming a substrate whose flat upper surface is electrically conductive and comprises negative ribs of the at least one optical illusion pattern of the at least one metal-based component to be fabricated; b) forming a mould on the substrate, the mould comprising at least one cavity whose base is formed by the upper surface of the substrate; c) filling the at least one cavity of the mould by electrodeposition to form the at least one metal-based component with a flat surface comprising the at least one optical illusion pattern making the surface appear not to be flat; d) releasing the at least one metal-based component thereby formed from the substrate and from the mould.

2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the ribs form at least two series of parallel segments, the first series of parallel segments joining the second series of parallel segments at an angle comprised between 10 and 170°, such that the at least one metal-based component gives the illusion that the flat surface comprises two bevelled surfaces forming an edge.

3 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the ribs form at least one series of curved segments such that the at least one metal-based component gives the illusion that the flat surface is domed.

4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the ribs form at least one series of recesses arranged symmetrically in relation to each other, the at least one series of recesses being formed adjacent to a portion wherein the upper surface of the substrate has no negative rib such that the at least one metal-based component gives the illusion that the flat surface comprises two bevelled surfaces forming an edge.

5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the ribs are arranged at the periphery of the at least one mould cavity and form at least two series of parallel segments, the parallel segments of the first series being perpendicular to the parallel segments of the second series and joining at an angle such that the at least one metal-based component gives the illusion that the flat surface is chamfered.

6 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the height of the ribs is comprised between 2 and 100 micrometres.

7 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein between step c) and step d), the method further comprises the following step:
e) selectively machining one portion of the at least one metal-based component to form the at least one metal-based component with a securing means.

8 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the upper surface of the substrate is rendered electrically conductive by doping a silicon substrate and/or by the deposition of an electrically conductive layer on a silicon substrate.

9 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the substrate has a thickness comprised between 0.3 and 1 mm.

10 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein step b) comprises the following phases:
f) depositing a layer of photosensitive resin on the electrically conductive upper surface of the substrate; g) selectively illuminating one portion of the photosensitive resin; h) developing the photosensitive resin to form the at least one cavity of the mould.

11 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one metal-based component is formed from a nickel or nickel-phosphorus base.

12 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein several metal-based components are formed on the same substrate.

13 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one metal-based component forms all or part of a dial, an aperture decoration, a flange, a bezel, a push-piece, a crown, a case back cover, a hand, a bracelet or strap, a link, a clasp, a decoration, an oscillating weight or an applique.

Assignees

• Nivarox Far Sa

Inventors

• Cusin Pierre
• Gandelhman Alex
• Musy Michel

Classifications

• C25D1/003 Primary

  3D structures, e.g. superposed patterned layers · CPC title

• C22C19/03 Primary

  based on nickel · CPC title

• G04B19/10 Primary

  Ornamental shape of the graduations or the surface of the dial; Attachment of the graduations to the dial {(cases for special purposes, e.g. ring or button watches G04B37/12; indicating means with special effects G04B45/00)} · CPC title

• G04D3/0043

  for components of the time-indicating mechanisms (construction thereof G04B19/00) · CPC title

• A44C5/00

  Bracelets; Wrist-watch straps; Fastenings for bracelets or wrist-watch straps {(settings for holding gems or the like A44C17/02; devices for putting-on or pulling-off bracelets A47G25/901)} · CPC title