Light canvas

Abstract

A light conducting substrate, method for forming a light conducting substrate “light canvas”, and kit for creating a light conductive substrate. The light canvas includes: a transparent or translucent (or opaque) underlying substrate having a surface; and a surface treatment that includes a mixture of frit with transparent or translucent filler.

1 . A light canvas, comprising: 
 a transparent or translucent underlying substrate having a surface; and    a surface treatment that includes a mixture of frit with a transparent or translucent filler.    
   
   
       2 . The light canvas of  claim 1 , further comprising a sealant applied over the surface treatment.  
   
   
       3 . The light canvas of  claim 2 , further comprising a decoratively painted image on the surface treatment.  
   
   
       4 . The light canvas of  claim 3 , further comprising a second sealant applied over the decoratively painted image.  
   
   
       5 . The light canvas of  claim 4 , further comprising a light source disposed behind the light conducting substrate.  
   
   
       6 . The light canvas of  claim 1 , wherein the underlying substrate is selected from the group consisting of: glass, plastic, and plexi-glass.  
   
   
       7 . The light canvas of  claim 1 , wherein the transparent or translucent filler is selected from the group consisting of: a polyvinyl acetate (PVA) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) adhesive, a resin, a thermoplastic, an acrylic, a urethane, a polyurethane, a polyethylene, a silicone-based polymer, and a fast-drying cement.  
   
   
       8 . The light canvas of  claim 1 , wherein the surface treatment covers only a portion of the underlying substrate.  
   
   
       9 . A method of creating a light canvas, comprising: 
 providing an underlying substrate;    applying a coating to a surface of the underlying substrate, wherein the coating includes frit and a transparent or translucent filler;    curing the coating to create surface treatment on the underlying substrate; and    sealing the surface treatment.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the coating is premixed.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the underlying substrate is opaque, translucent or transparent.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the coating is applied with a stencil.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of painting the surface treatment.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the step of disposing a light source behind the light canvas.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the step of applying the coating includes smoothing or roughening the coating to a desired texture.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the step of applying the coating includes: 
 applying a layer of filler; and    applying a dusting of frit onto the layer of filler.    
   
   
       17 . A kit for creating a light canvas, comprising: 
 at least one underlying substrate;    at least one type of coating, wherein the coating includes frit and a transparent or translucent filler;    at least one device for applying the coating to a surface of the underlying substrate to create a surface treatment; and    a sealant for sealing the surface treatment.    
   
   
       18 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one underlying substrate is transparent or translucent.  
   
   
       19 . The kit of  claim 17 , further comprising means for providing coatings of different frit-to-filler ratios.  
   
   
       20 . The kit of  claim 17 , further comprising paints for coloring the surface treatment.