Presently a wide range of decoration methods and techniques are applied to items such as tableware, e. g. cups, plates, teapots etc. It is desirable to produce new affects in such decoration. It is also generally a requirement that such decorations should be durable and also dishwasher proof.

Thermochromic inks are materials which at a specified temperature change colour, or become transparent or at least translucent.

According to the present invention there is provided a method of decorating an article, the method comprising mixing a thermochromic ink with a first coating material, applying the mixture onto part or all of a surface of the article, once the mixture is set applying a second coating material onto said surface of the article.

The second coating material is preferably transparent. The second coating material is desirably substantially dishwasher proof.

The first coating material is preferably transparent.

The first and/or second coating materials preferably comprise lacquers.

The first coating material preferably comprises an organic water based lacquer, though the lacquer could be acrylic based. The second coating material preferably comprises a two-part epoxy fortified acrylic resin, including an activator and a thinner.

The proportion of ink in the mixture is preferably within the range 5- 25%.

The mixture and/or second coating material are preferably cured following application onto the article. The curing preferably commences with a period in an infra red shortwave drier followed by a heat cure. The heat cure preferably comprises a lower temperature first period, followed by a higher temperature second period. For the mixture, the first period preferably lasts between one and two minutes at 35°C to 65°C, with the second period lasting eight to twelve minutes at 140 to 220°C. For the second coating the first period preferably lasts between eight and twelve minutes at 35 to 65°C, with the second period lasting twenty five to thirty minutes at 110 to 165°C.

A decoration may be provided on the article beneath the mixture such that when the thermochromic ink is at least translucent, said decoration is visible.

The mixture may comprise a plurality of thermochromic inks with different colour change temperatures, and the inks may be of different colours.

The mixture and/or second coating material may be applied to the article by spraying, and desirable electrostatic spraying. In the latter case, an electrostatic thinner may be added to the mixture and/or second coating prior to spraying.

The mixture and/or the second coating material are preferably sprayed to a thickness of between 12 and 24 microns.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only.

A ceramic teapot is formed, decorated and glazed in a conventional manner so as to have a pattern such as a series of fruit on it. A thermochromic outer layer is then applied as follows. A dark blue thermochromic ink is mixed with an organic water-based lacquer with 5 to 25% of the ink, dependent on the strength of colour required. An electrostatic thinner is added to the mixture which is then applied by electrostatic spraying using an RD-3000 Turbodisc system. The mixture is sprayed to provide a 20 micron layer.

This layer is then cured by an initial pass through an infra red shortwave drier and then a subsequent pass through a gas convection drier or driers with an initial first stage of one to two minutes at 35 to 65°C, and a second stage lasting eight to twelve minutes at 140 to 220°C.

A transparent outer coating is then applied to the teapot as follows. A two-part epoxy fortified acrylic resin is mixed together and applied by electrostatic spraying in a similar manner to the first layer outlined above. This second layer is then cured again with a first pass through a shortwave infra red drier and then subsequent passes through a gas convection drier initially for eight to twelve minutes at 35 to 65°C, and then twenty five to thirty minutes at 110 to 165°C.

The finished product has a durable glossy finish which is substantially dishwasher proof. At room temperature the teapot is dark blue. When boiling water is added the thermochromic ink changes to a substantially transparent state such that the fruit pattern beneath the thermochromic coating can be clearly seen. As the teapot subsequently cools, the dark blue colouring will return to again obscure the fruit pattern.

There is thus described a decoration method which permits items such as ceramic tableware to be readily decorated in a relatively straightforward manner with a novel decoration. In view of the good finish provided by the decoration and the fact that it is substantially dishwasher proof, the decoration does not detract from the product and provides considerable enhancement with the decoration.

It is to be realised that a wide range of decorations can be provided using a method according to the present invention, to provide for example decorations which appear or disappear at below or above room temperature.

These decorations can selectively obscure decorations, messages etc. therebeneath. It is possible for a plurality of different inks with different colour change temperatures and perhaps also different colours to be mixed, such that a decoration can pass from one colour perhaps to reveal a pattern or decoration therebeneath, and subsequently to move to a further colour as the temperature rises or falls. A wide range of colours can be used as is available.

Various other modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the coatings could be applied by different techniques and perhaps only to cover part of the surface of an article to provide particular effects. Different spraying and/or curing conditions can be used etc., as are appropriate to particular materials used. The technique whilst ideally suited to decorating tableware, can be used on a wide range of articles.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.