Hybrid inorganic/organic color effect materials and production thereof

Abstract

A color effect material is composed of a plurality of encapsulated substrate platelets in which each platelet is encapsulated with a first layer which acts as a reflector to light directed thereon, a visibly transparent second organic layer encapsulating the first layer in which the second layer provides an optically variable reflection of light impinging thereon and a third layer encapsulating the second layer and being selectively transparent to light directed thereon.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A hybrid inorganic/organic color effect material comprising a platelet-shaped substrate encapsulated with: 
 (a) a first layer highly reflective to light directed thereon; and    (b) a visibly transparent second organic layer encapsulating the first layer and providing a variable pathlength for light dependent on the angle of incidence of light impinging thereon; and    (c) a selectively transparent third layer to light directed thereon.    
     
     
         2 . The hybrid inorganic/organic color effect material of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is selected from the group consisting of mica, aluminum oxide, bismuth oxychloride, boron nitride, glass flake, iron oxide-coated mica, iron oxide coated glass, silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide coated mica, titanium dioxide coated glass, copper flakes, zinc flakes, alloy of copper flakes, and alloy of zinc flakes.  
     
     
         3 . The hybrid inorganic/organic color effect material of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer is selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, osmium, iridium and alloys thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The hybrid inorganic/organic color effect material of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, copper, gold, palladium, platinum, silver, zinc, an alloy of aluminum, an alloy of copper, and an alloy of zinc.  
     
     
         5 . The hybrid inorganic/organic color effect material of  claim 4 , wherein the first layer is silver.  
     
     
         6 . The hybrid inorganic/organic color effect material of  claim 4 , wherein the first layer is gold.  
     
     
         7 . The hybrid inorganic/organic color effect material of  claim 4 , wherein the first layer is platinum.  
     
     
         8 . The hybrid inorganic/organic color effect material of  claim 4 , wherein the first layer is palladium.  
     
     
         9 . The hybrid inorganic/organic color effect material of  claim 4 , wherein the first layer is said alloy.  
     
     
         10 . The hybrid inorganic/organic color effect material of  claim 1 , wherein the third encapsulating layer is selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, osmium, iridium and alloys thereof.  
     
     
         11 . The hybrid inorganic/organic color effect material of  claim 10 , wherein the third encapsulating layer is silver.  
     
     
         12 . The hybrid inorganic/organic color effect material of  claim 10 , wherein the third encapsulating layer is gold.  
     
     
         13 . The hybrid inorganic/organic color effect material of  claim 10 , wherein the third encapsulating layer is platinum.  
     
     
         14 . The hybrid inorganic/organic color effect material of  claim 10 , wherein the third encapsulating layer is palladium.  
     
     
         15 . The hybrid inorganic/organic color effect material of  claim 10 , wherein the third encapsulating layer is said alloy.  
     
     
         16 . The hybrid inorganic/organic color effect material of  claim 1 , wherein the third layer is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, copper, silicon, titanium dioxide, iron oxide, chromium oxide, a mixed metal oxide, aluminum, and alloys thereof.  
     
     
         17 . The hybrid inorganic/organic color effect material of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer is a sputter deposited layer.  
     
     
         18 . The hybrid inorganic/organic color effect material of  claim 1 , wherein the first layer is an electroless deposition layer.  
     
     
         19 . A cosmetic preparation comprising the color effect material of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         20 . A paint formulation comprising the color effect material of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         21 . An ink formulation comprising the color effect material of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         22 . A nail enamel formulation comprising the color effect material of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         23 . A plastic formulation comprising the color effect material of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         24 . A toiletry preparation comprising the color effect material of  claim 1.