House wares and decorative process therefor

Abstract

House wares, including frangible wares, comprising glassware, earthenware including china, and ceramics, the glassware including dishes and vessels such as drinking glasses, are coated with a protective plastic coating, usually including an initial adhesion-promoting silane, and a coating of urethane, such as a high temperature urethane to give protection to the underlying layers, and to the article, including protection within a commercial dishwasher. The silane combines with glass, and couples strongly with urethane. The urethane is highly receptive to decoration, which may be transferred or printed onto the urethane surface. If sublimation is applied to the decoration, then subsequent application of a sealing outer coat of urethane may prove unnecessary. For transfer or screen printed decoration, an outer protective urethane coating is applied to serve as a safety coating, to diminish breakage during both handling and use, and to act as a safeguard to hermetically contain any toxic content of the article or any decorative feature. The high temperature urethane outer coating is preferably a thermosetting urethane, capable of withstanding temperatures as high as about 400 F. degrees. With the capability of selectively varying the respective thicknesses of the urethane coating/coatings, a range of desired characteristics, of resistance to chemicals, abrasion and impact for the vessel composite can be provided. The coating can be provided within vessels such as drinking mugs, in order to seal off any toxic components of the vessel. The process may also be used with unglazed ware. Use of the process with flatware also is contemplated, including application of clear coatings over gold and silver decoration or plating, to prevent tarnishing and wear.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.