Object having a decorative pattern and method of applying the decorative pattern

Abstract

An object formed from a molded support may comprise a material that may be metallically coated by electrodeposition. At least a part of the support's surface may be covered with a first metallic coating formed of at least n superposed layers of metal, where n≧2. The first metallic coating may at least partially delimit a decorative pattern. A second metallic coating formed of at most n−1 metal layers may cover the surface of the support in a region corresponding to the decorative pattern. An outer metallic layer of the first metallic coating may have at least one of a color and an appearance that differs from a color and an appearance of a metallic outer layer of the second metallic coating.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An object including at least one decorative pattern, the object comprising: 
 a support formed of molded material;    a first metallic coating covering at least part of a surface of the support, the first metallic coating being formed of at least n superposed layers of metal, wherein n≧2, the first metallic coating at least partially delimiting a decorative pattern; and    a second metallic coating covering the surface of the support in a region corresponding to the decorative pattern, the second metallic coating being formed of a maximum of n−1 layers of metal;    wherein an outer metallic layer of the first metallic coating has at least one of a color and an appearance differing from that of an outer metallic layer of the second metallic coating.    
     
     
         2 . An object according to    claim 1   , wherein the molded material is a material capable of being metallically coated by at least one of electrodeposition and galvanoplasty.  
     
     
         3 . An object according to    claim 2   , wherein the molded material is chosen from zamak, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), PP (polypropylene), POM (polyoxymethylene) and a polyester.  
     
     
         4 . An object according to    claim 3   , wherein the molded material is filled.  
     
     
         5 . An object according to    claim 1   , wherein the outer metallic layer of the first metallic coating is formed of a first metal chosen from chromium, silver, gold and zinc.  
     
     
         6 . An object according to    claim 5   , wherein the outer metallic layer of the second metallic coating is formed of a second metal, differing from the first, the second metal being chosen from chromium, nickel, silver, gold, zinc, copper and an alloy.  
     
     
         7 . An object according to    claim 6   , wherein the second metal is an alloy comprising bronze.  
     
     
         8 . An object according to    claim 1   , wherein the object is configured in the form of a container.  
     
     
         9 . An object according to    claim 1   , wherein the object is configured in the form of an accessory intended to be associated with a container.  
     
     
         10 . An object according to    claim 9   , wherein the accessory is a stopper for a container.  
     
     
         11 . An object according to    claim 1   , wherein the object is configured in the form of a stopper for a container intended for packaging a cosmetic product, and wherein the object further comprises a transverse wall and a lateral skirt extending from the transverse wall, wherein the decorative pattern is formed on at least one of the transverse wall and the lateral skirt.  
     
     
         12 . An object according to    claim 11   , wherein the skirt is a cylindrical skirt, and wherein the decorative pattern is formed on the cylindrical skirt.  
     
     
         13 . An object according to    claim 1   , wherein n=3.  
     
     
         14 . A system comprising: 
 the object of    claim 8   ; and    a cosmetic product contained in the object.    
     
     
         15 . A system comprising: 
 a container containing a cosmetic product; and    the object of    claim 9    on the container.    
     
     
         16 . A method of producing at least one decorative pattern on an object, comprising: 
 providing a support formed of molded material;    depositing at least two superposed layers of metal on at least a part of a surface of the support, an outer layer of the at least two layers being formed of a first metal; and    eliminating a portion of at least the outer layer so as to reveal a portion of another layer formed of a second metal having at least one of a color and an appearance differing from that of the first metal, wherein the eliminated portion corresponds to a decorative pattern.    
     
     
         17 . A method according to    claim 16   , wherein the eliminating includes using a laser beam.  
     
     
         18 . A method according to    claim 16   , wherein the molded material is a material capable of being metallically coated by at least one of electrodeposition and galvanoplasty, and wherein the depositing comprises performing at least one of electrodeposition and galvanoplasty.  
     
     
         19 . A method according to    claim 17   , further comprising emitting the laser beam with a YAG type laser.  
     
     
         20 . A method according to    claim 16   , wherein the first and second metals comprise at least one of a metal and an alloy chosen from copper, nickel, chromium, silver, gold, zinc and bronze.  
     
     
         21 . A method according to    claim 16   , further comprising molding the support.