Patent Grant
8318273
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a glassware structure, and more particularly to an innovative one which is designed with metal cladding for a decorative effect.
2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98.
Many currently available products are generally provided with a metal cladding to create aesthetically pleasing texture and top-quality attributes. For instance, sanitary wares (e.g.: hangers, hanger joints, handles, main bodies and seats of faucets) are extensively coated with said metal cladding for intended surface texture.
As common products with a metal cladding are concerned, the substrate is generally made of metal tubes or castings. Yet, the following shortcomings are observed during actual applications:
Endurance: since sanitary wares are often used in the operating environment of high humidity, the metal cladding is vulnerable to corrosion arising from moisture infiltration into the metal substrate, resulting in rapid peeling and non-durability of the metal cladding.
Material cost: the consumption of relevant metal products is doubled with the rising cost of metal materials in the international market, reducing greatly the profit margin of the manufacturers and bringing about more cost burden against the customers. Hence, a great concern in this industry is how to save costs while maintaining the product performance.
Design flexibility of the product pattern: common products with a metal cladding could produce a metallic glossy texture, however this makes it difficult to increase varied and brand new surface texture.
Thus, to overcome the aforementioned problems of the prior art, it would be an advancement if the art to provide an improved structure that can significantly improve the efficacy.
Therefore, the inventor has provided the present invention of practicability after deliberate design and evaluation based on years of experience in the production, development and design of related products.
Based on the unique construction of the present invention wherein “the glassware structure with metal cladding for decorative effect” mainly comprises a main body and a metal cladding incorporated onto the surface of the main body by means of vacuum vapor deposition, the tensile strength of the main body ranges between 120 and 200 MPa (N/mm2), the thickness of the metal cladding between 0.1 and 1.0 μm, and the coverage ratio between 95% and 100%, and the material is selected from either of zirconium nitride, nickel nitride, molybdenum nitride, titanium nitride, chromium nitride and silicon nitride, so the metal cladding and the main body of the present invention can be securely fixed with currently feasible vacuum film-coating equipments and technologies. As compared with the prior art, the metal cladding of the present invention has advantages such as stronger resistance to rust, acid/alkali and high temperature as well as excellent robustness. Moreover, with the reinforced structural design of the main body, the present invention can be used instead of metal castings and tubes so as to save manufacturing cost for better economic benefits.
Another technical feature of the present invention lies in that the unique glassware comprises hollow portions, a luminous element is set within the main body, and the light from the highlighted luminous element can be emitted from the hollow portions. So the glassware of the present invention can be used in a manner that, with the shape of the hollow portion and lighting design of the luminous element, the glassware could produce metallic glossy texture and light transmittance effect, thus improving markedly the shape design flexibility as well as the novelty and value of the glassware.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
the tensile strength of the main body 10 ranges between 120 and 200 MPa (N/mm2), i.e.: construction level of reinforced glass;
the thickness of the metal cladding 20 ranges between 0.1 and 1.0 μm;
the coverage ratio of the metal cladding 20 ranges between 95% and 100%;
the metal cladding 20 is made of either of zirconium nitride, nickel nitride, molybdenum nitride, titanium nitride, chromium nitride and silicon nitride.
The coupling surface of the main body 10 for the metal cladding 20 is of a smooth or rough type. Namely, the metal cladding 20 could be designed with a smooth (or specular) surface or rough (or sand-finished, matted) surface.
Of which, said glassware A functionally comprises a hanger, hanger joint, handle, main body and seat of faucet as well as a soap dish. Referring to
Referring also to
The hollow portion 30 can be designed into either of geometrical (e.g.: round, triangular, polygonal and star), irregular or mimetic shapes (e.g.: characters, animals and plants) or literal forms.
The main body 10 is made of colorless or colored glass. With the construction of the hollow portion 30 and color fitness of the metal cladding 20, it is possible to realize diversified styles of matched color or hue contrast, so as to meet the demanding requirements of the customers.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 99215865 U | Aug 2010 | TW | national |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4749126 | Kessener et al. | Jun 1988 | A |
| D416415 | Ming-Hsiao | Nov 1999 | S |
| D416785 | Ming-Hsiao | Nov 1999 | S |
| D417576 | Ming-Hsiao | Dec 1999 | S |
| 7008073 | Stuhlmacher, II | Mar 2006 | B2 |
| 7434960 | Stuhlmacher et al. | Oct 2008 | B2 |
| 8123967 | Anton et al. | Feb 2012 | B2 |
| 8247050 | McCrea et al. | Aug 2012 | B2 |
| 20070026205 | Anton et al. | Feb 2007 | A1 |
| 20120045610 | Lai | Feb 2012 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20120045610 A1 | Feb 2012 | US |
