# US 8,784,932 B2 · Glass panels partially printed with ceramic ink layers in substantially exact registration > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,784,932 B2 - Document ID: US8784932B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/529,367 - Filed: 2003-09-29 - Published: 2006-07-13 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2002-10-02 - Assignees: Contra Vision Ltd. - Applicants: George Roland Hill; Howard Quinn - Inventors: George Roland Hill; Howard Quinn - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8784932B2 ## CPC - B41M 3/12: Transfer pictures or the like, e.g. decalcomanias {(processes for producing decorative surface effects B44C1/00; B41M5/0256 takes precedence)} - B32B 17/10247: {Laminated safety glass or glazing containing decorations or patterns for aesthetic reasons (containing metal wires for aesthetic reasons B32B17/10422)} - B41M 1/34: on glass or ceramic surfaces {(ink-jet printing on glass or ceramic surfaces B41M5/00)} - B44C 1/1712: {Decalcomanias applied under heat and pressure, e.g. provided with a heat activable adhesive} - B44F 1/06: produced by transmitted light, e.g. transparencies, imitations of glass paintings - B41M 3/003: {on optical devices, e.g. lens elements; for the production of optical devices (production by thermal imaging means B41M5/265)} - B41M 5/265: {for the production of optical filters or electrical components} - B41M: PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING, (correction of typographical errors B41J; processes for applying transfer pictures or the like B44C1/16; fluid media for correction of typographical errors by coating C09D10/00; printing textiles D06P) - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM - B44C: PRODUCING DECORATIVE EFFECTS (processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces, in general B05D; shaping of plastics or substances in a plastic state B29C; printing processes to produce transfer pictures B41M3/12; thermographic duplication or marking methods B41M5/00); MOSAICS; TARSIA WORK (imitation of mosaic or tarsia work patterns B44F11/04); PAPERHANGING {(labels G09F; multi-step processes for making paper labels or tags B31D1/02)} - B44F: SPECIAL DESIGNS OR PICTURES ## Abstract A glass panel is partially printed with a plurality of layers in the form of a print pattern which subdivides the panel into a plurality of discrete printed areas and/or a plurality of discrete unprinted areas, the layers being in substantially exact registration. Exact registration is achieved by the application of a plurality of superimposed layers to a sheet of glass. One layer contains-ceramic ink comprising glass frit. The glass sheet and layers are subjected to a heat treatment process which causes the glass frit to fuse to the glass and bind at least one other layer of ink within the print pattern. Ink outside the print pattern is burnt off and/or vaporised during the heat treatment process and/or removed by a subsequent finishing process, to leave the desired layers in substantially exact registration within the print pattern. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of making a glass panel that is partially printed with a plurality of layers in the form of a print pattern which subdivides the panel into a plurality of discrete printed areas and/or a plurality of discrete unprinted areas, said layers being in substantially exact registration, said method comprising: (i) applying a plurality of layers to a sheet of glass, wherein said applying comprises printing one of said layers comprising a ceramic ink comprising glass frit in the form of said print pattern, and printing another of said layers both within and outside said print pattern, wherein the another of said layers comprises first and second parts, wherein the first part is disposed within the print pattern, wherein the second part is disposed outside the print pattern, wherein the first and second parts each comprise pigment, wherein said printing comprises (a) printing the one of said layers in the form of said print pattern onto the sheet of glass such that said sheet of glass is devoid of said one of said layers outside said print pattern, or (b) printing the one of said layers in the form of said print pattern onto a decal carrier material and transferring said one of said layers in the form of a decal from said decal carrier material onto said sheet of glass such that said sheet of glass is devoid of said one of said layers outside said print pattern, (ii) subjecting said sheet of glass and said plurality of layers to a heat treatment process wherein said glass frit in said one of said layers melts and fuses with said sheet of glass and binds at least a portion of the pigment of the first part of the another of said layers within said print pattern, and (iii) removing at least a portion of the pigment of the second part of said another of said layers outside said print pattern by (a) burning off during said heat treatment process, and/or (b) vaporizing during said heat treatment process, and/or (c) a subsequent finishing process. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, after (iii), a plurality of said plurality of layers are superimposed and are coterminous at a common length of boundary with a boundary between contiguous printed areas and unprinted areas of the print pattern. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, after (iii), a plurality of said plurality of layers are single layers of different color and have boundaries to said print pattern which are spaced apart. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said print pattern is defined by said one of said layers comprising a clear ceramic ink comprising said glass frit and resin matrix material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one of said layers comprises a resin matrix and wherein the method further comprises applying a preliminary heat treatment to said one of said layers before the application of said another of said layers and before said subjecting of said sheet of glass and said plurality of layers to said heat treatment process, wherein said resin matrix is substantially removed from said one of said layers by said preliminary heat treatment. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said glass frit in molten, liquid form migrates into said another of said layers. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said at least the portion of said another of said layers comprises said pigment, the heat treatment process binds said pigment to said sheet of glass within said print pattern, and said removing the parts of said another of said layers outside said print pattern removes said pigment outside said print pattern by said subsequent finishing process. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, where said another of said layers comprises an ink comprising a binding matrix. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said matrix comprises resin, and wherein said resin melts during said heat treatment process to form liquid resin. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein said liquid resin carries particles of said glass frit from said one of said layers into said another of said layers during said heat treatment process. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said another of said layers does not comprise glass frit. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the heat treatment process burns off said matrix, leaving said pigment of the second part of said another of said layers on said sheet of glass outside said print pattern prior to said removing of the at least a portion of the pigment of said another of said layers outside said print pattern. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said print pattern is defined by a white ceramic ink comprising said glass frit and resin matrix material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said print pattern is defined by a black ceramic ink comprising said glass frit and resin matrix material. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein applying said plurality of layers to said sheet of glass comprises printing said plurality of layers onto said sheet of glass. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein applying said plurality of layers to said sheet of glass comprises transferring said plurality of layers in the form of the decal from the decal carrier material to the sheet of glass. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising, after (iii), subjecting said sheet of glass to a glass toughening process comprising a further heat treatment process and subsequent cooling by cold air quenching. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein (iii) comprises removing the parts of said another of said layers outside said print pattern by the subsequent finishing process, and wherein said subsequent finishing process comprises applying a vacuum, water jetting, or air jetting. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pigment settles into molten glass frit. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said printing of said one of said layers comprises printing said one of said layers onto one surface of the sheet of glass. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said printing of said another of said layers comprises printing said another of said layers onto said sheet of glass and said printing of said one of said layers comprises printing said one of said layers onto a surface of said another of said layers remote from said sheet of glass. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said printing of said one of said layers comprises printing said one of said layers intermediate said another of said layers and a further layer of said plurality of layers. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein (iii) comprises: burning off and vaporizing the parts of said another of said layers outside said print pattern during said heat treatment process; burning off the parts of said another of said layers outside said print pattern during said heat treatment process, and removing the parts of said another of said layers outside said print pattern by a subsequent finishing process; vaporizing the parts of said another of said layers outside said print pattern during said heat treatment process, and removing the parts of said another of said layers outside said print pattern by a subsequent finishing process; or burning off and vaporizing the parts of said another of said layers outside said print pattern during said heat treatment process, and removing the parts of said another of said layers outside said print pattern by a subsequent finishing process. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least a portion of said first part of said another of said layers remains within said print pattern after said (a) burning, (b) vaporizing, or (c) removing. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the at least a portion of said another of said layers comprises pigment that remains within said print pattern after said (a) burning, (b) vaporizing, or (c) removing. ### Claim 26 (depends on 1) A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said applying of the plurality of layers to the sheet of glass comprises applying said another of said layers both within and outside of said print pattern. ### Claim 27 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein said subjecting of said sheet of glass and said plurality of layers to the heat treatment process does not cause said glass frit (a) to fuse with said sheet of glass outside said print pattern, or (b) bind said another of said layers outside said print pattern. ### Claim 28 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein, as viewed in a cross-section through the glass panel, the print pattern comprises alternate printed portions formed by said one of said layers comprising glass frit and unprinted portions devoid of said glass frit. ### Claim 29 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein removing the parts of said another of said layers outside said print pattern comprises removing all parts of said another of said layers outside said print pattern. ### Claim 30 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein: the pigment of the second part remains on the sheet of glass outside the print pattern until after the completion of the heat treatment process. ### Claim 31 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of layers other than the one of said layers are devoid of glass frit. ### Claim 32 A method of making a glass panel that is partially printed with a plurality of layers in the form of a print pattern which subdivides the panel into a plurality of discrete printed areas and/or a plurality of discrete unprinted areas, said layers being in substantially exact registration, said method comprising: (i) applying a plurality of layers to a sheet of glass, wherein said applying comprises printing one of said layers comprising a ceramic ink comprising glass frit in the form of said print pattern, wherein said printing comprises (a) printing the one of said layers in the form of said print pattern onto the sheet of glass, or (b) printing the one of said layers in the form of said print pattern onto a decal carrier material and transferring said one of said layers in the form of a decal from said decal carrier material onto said sheet of glass, and wherein said applying comprises applying another of said layers both within and outside said print pattern, wherein the another of said layers comprises first and second parts, wherein the first part is disposed within the print pattern, wherein the second part is disposed outside the print pattern, wherein the first and second parts each comprise pigment; and (ii) subjecting said sheet of glass and said plurality of layers to a heat treatment process that melts said glass frit, fuses said glass frit with said sheet of glass and the first part of said another layer, and binds at least a portion of said first part of said another of said layers to said sheet of glass within said print pattern more strongly than the second part of said another of said layers binds to said sheet of glass outside said print pattern, and (iii) removing at least a portion of the second part of said another of said layers outside said print pattern. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The method of claim 32, wherein said removing comprises removing the at least a portion of the second part of said another of said layers outside said print pattern by (a) burning off during said heat treatment process, (b) vaporizing during said heat treatment process, or (c) a subsequent finishing process. ### Claim 34 (depends on 32) The method of claim 32, wherein said removing comprises removing the at least a portion of the second part of said another of said layers outside said print pattern after the completion of said heat treatment process. ### Claim 35 (depends on 32) The method of claim 32, wherein said subjecting of said sheet of glass and said plurality of layers to the heat treatment process causes (a) said glass frit to melt, fuse with said sheet of glass, migrate into the first part of said another of said layers, and bind at least a portion of said first part of said another of said layers to said one of said layers and to said sheet of glass within said print pattern, and (b) said glass frit not to migrate into said second part of said another of said layers outside said print pattern or bind said second part of said another of said layers to said sheet of glass outside said print pattern. ### Claim 36 A method of making a glass panel that is partially printed with a plurality of layers in the form of a print pattern which subdivides the panel into a plurality of discrete printed areas and/or a plurality of discrete unprinted areas, said method comprising, in sequence: (i) applying a plurality of layers to a sheet of glass, wherein said applying comprises printing one of said layers comprising a ceramic ink comprising glass frit in the form of said print pattern, and wherein said applying comprises applying another of said layers comprising pigment both within and outside said print pattern, (ii) subjecting said sheet of glass and said plurality of layers to a heat treatment process wherein said glass frit melts and fuses with said sheet of glass and binds said pigment within the print pattern to said sheet of glass within the print pattern more strongly than said pigment outside the print pattern binds to said sheet outside the print pattern, and (iii) removing said pigment outside said print pattern from said sheet of glass. ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) The method of claim 36, wherein, as viewed in a cross-section through the glass panel, the print pattern comprises alternate printed portions formed by said one of said layers comprising glass frit and unprinted portions devoid of said glass frit. ### Claim 38 (depends on 36) The method of claim 36, wherein said another of said layers does not comprise glass frit. ### Claim 39 (depends on 36) The method of claim 36, wherein said printing of said one of said layers comprises printing the one of said layers in the form of said print pattern onto the sheet of glass. ### Claim 40 (depends on 36) The method of claim 36, wherein said printing of said one of said layers comprises printing the one of said layers in the form of said print pattern onto a decal carrier material and transferring said one of said layers in the form of a decal from said decal carrier material onto said sheet of glass.