US 12,325,926 B2
Method for manufacturing a surface of a press element, pressing element obtained by such method and method for the production of coated panels using such press element
Marco Santori, Olgiate Olona (IT); Carlo Umberto Santori, Olgiate Olona (IT); and Luca Santori, Olgiate Olona (IT)
Assigned to Sesa S.p.A., Olgiate Olona (IT)
Filed by Sesa S.p.A., Olgiate Olona (IT)
Filed on Dec. 20, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/068,625.
Claims priority of application No. 21425071 (EP), filed on Dec. 21, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0220578 A1, Jul. 13, 2023
Int. Cl. C25D 5/14 (2006.01); B30B 15/06 (2006.01); C25D 3/04 (2006.01); C25D 5/00 (2006.01); C25D 5/02 (2006.01); C25D 5/48 (2006.01)
CPC C25D 3/04 (2013.01) [B30B 15/062 (2013.01); C25D 5/022 (2013.01); C25D 5/14 (2013.01); C25D 5/48 (2013.01); C25D 5/605 (2020.08); C25D 5/627 (2020.08)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. Method for processing a smooth or structured surface of a pressing element, the method comprising the steps of:
a) chrome-plating said surface of the pressing element so as to form a chrome coating comprising a first layer having chrome grains oriented in a first direction and a second layer overlapping said first layer, said second layer having chrome grains oriented in a second direction which is different from said first direction;
b) applying a mask on the chrome-plated surface of the pressing element by means of a digital printing technology;
c) chemically treating the chrome-plated surface of the pressing element on which said mask was applied, said chemical treatment being performed so as to partially remove said chrome coating in the areas of said chrome-plated surface not protected by said mask, d) removing said mask from the chrome-plated surface of the pressing element, obtaining a smooth or structured surface having a coating with areas having a different grade of gloss and colour,
wherein said chrome-plating of the smooth or structured surface of the pressing element comprises the steps of:
arranging said pressing element in a chrome-plating bath containing a chrome-plating agent in a first arrangement;
performing a first chrome-plating on the smooth or structured surface of said pressing element arranged in the chrome-plating bath in said first arrangement for a predetermined time so as to form said first layer having chrome grains oriented in said first direction;
rotating the pressing element by a predetermined angle of rotation around an axis which is substantially perpendicular to said smooth or structured surface so as to arrange said pressing element in said chrome-plating bath in a second arrangement;
performing a second chrome-plating on the smooth or structured surface of said pressing element arranged in the chrome-plating bath in said second arrangement for a predetermined time so as to form said second layer having chrome grains oriented in said second direction.