Incremental printing of symbolic information – Light or beam marking apparatus or processes
Reexamination Certificate
2001-11-14
2004-11-16
Pham, Hai (Department: 2861)
Incremental printing of symbolic information
Light or beam marking apparatus or processes
C205S120000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06819349
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for applying text a picture or the like onto the surface, of plural plating layers or onto the surface of a vacuum plating layer formed an the plural plating layers using laser processing to form a mark (hereinafter, referred to as “laser marking”), a method for applying another plating layer to a mark portion or coloring a mark portion with ink paint, or the like, and a product using these methods. The product refers to a faucet appliance which is attached to a water-supplied area of a toilet room, a washing room, a bathroom, a kitchen, and to other equipment including a faucet or fixtures for water supply or drainage, fixtures for sanitary ware, accessories, a handrail, and other peripheral apparatus.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Mark forming methods for displaying the name of a manufacturer, text, a picture or the like by forming a plating layer on the surface of a metal or resin product have been implemented in various fields. According to a general example on conventional arts, irregularities are formed on the surface of a base by hammering, carving, etching, laser marking or the like, and thereafter a plating layer is applied, so that the differences in brightness among the irregularities on the surface of the plating layer makes the mark distinguishable. There is another example in which a plating layer is applied, and thereafter hammering, etching, laser marking or the like is conducted.
Also, mark forming methods for coloring and displaying the name of a manufacturer, text, a picture or the like on the surface of a metal or resin product or on the surface of a plating layer formed thereon have been implemented in various fields. According to a general example among conventional arts, there is a method for forming a mark by directly printing to the surface of a base or the surface of a plating layer formed thereon, a method in which a concave portion is formed on the surface by cutting, carving, etching or the like, and a method in which a concave portion is formed on the surface and ink, paint, or the like is poured into the concave portion.
In addition, as a method using laser marking, there is a method in which a thin film is formed on the surface of a metal base by ion plating, the surface of the base is exposed by laser marking, and thereafter a gold plating layer is applied a method in which a masking layer is formed on the surface of a metal base, the surface of the base is exposed by laser marking, and thereafter ion plating is conducted. Such a method is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 8-283962, or the like. Another method is known for forming a mark by attaching a printed seal or the like.
Drawbacks of the conventional method in which hammering, caving etching, laser marking or the like is conducted before plating, the mark is distinguished only by the brightness differences on the plating-conducted surface, the plating layer makes narrow and shallow lines vague and the mark is hard to see. Therefore, it is difficult to obtain a conspicuous mark.
Drawback of the conventional method in which hammering is conducted after plating also include the drawback that the mark is hard to see and also the plating layer in the hammered portion is subject to cracking and corrosion. Drawbacks of the conventional method in which etching is conducted after plating include the drawback that narrow lines cannot be drawn and also that the etched portion is subject to corrosion and discoloration. According to the conventional method in which laser marking is conducted after plating, narrow and clear lines can be drawn, however, corrosion will result if the processing depth reaches the base.
Drawbacks of the conventional method for forming a mark by directly printing to the surface of a base or the surface of a plating layer formed thereon, since there are cases where the adhesion is stall and the thickness of the printing is small depending on the kind of a base, include the drawback that the mark is subject to peeling or wear because of friction or abrasion so as to become indistinguishable in particular, since the adhesion is very small and the frequency of maintenance is high, in a case of printing to a plated product the mark becomes indistinguishable as the product is used. Also, attaching a printed seal causes the same problem as the case of printing.
According to the conventional method in which a concave portion is formed on the surface by cutting, carving, etching, molding or the like, and ink, paint or the like is poured into the concave portion, since the ink or the like is embedded into the concave portion, the adhesion and the abrasion resistance are improved. However, elaborate work is required to keep the ink or the like confined to the concave portion. Further, the processing cost becomes higher because it is necessary to increase the processing depth of the concave portion and to wipe or grind the surface after the ink or the like is poured. Also, since the size of the processing tool is limited in the case of cutting, carving or molding and a mark is formed by corrosion in the case of etching, it is difficult to form narrow and clear lines in either case.
Drawbacks of the conventional method in which a thin film is formed on the surface of a metal base by ion plating, the surface of the base is exposed by laser marking, and thereafter a gold plating layer is applied include the drawback that the variation of the color is limited. Drawbacks of the conventional method in which a masking layer is formed on the surface of a metal base, the surface of the base is exposed by laser marking, and thereafter ion plating is conducted include the drawback that the processing cost is high.
Drawbacks of the conventional method in which hammering, carving, etching or the like is conducted to a plated product also include the drawback that only a simple letter or picture an be formed and the mark is not conspicuous for its appearance.
Drawbacks of the conventional method for forming a mark by directly printing to the surface of a base or the surface of the plated base, or the conventional method in which a printed seal is attached also include the drawback that the use of these methods is limited to only a certain area where the adhesion or the abrasion resistance is not required so much. The conventional method by hammering, carving etching, molding, or the like has a limitation that it is applied only to a case of a simple letter or picture from the viewpoint of the cost.
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a method for easily forming a colored display having superior conspicuity, corrosion resistance, adhesion and abrasion resistance and a product treated according to method by conducting laser marking to the surface of a plating layer, then applying another plating layer to the surface of the plating layers to which laser marking is conducted or applying ink or paint to the surface of the plating layers to which laser marking is conducted.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for forming a mark having superior conspicuity, wherein plural plating layers each having a different hue are formed on a base, the upper plating layer is removed by laser marking so as to reveal the color of the underlying plating layer, and thereby the color difference between a mark and the upper plating layer is made clear. With this methods it is possible to color a mark, and also form fine and narrow lines by laser marking, whereby conspicuity and the superiority in design of a mark to be used can be greatly improved.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for forming a mark, wherein plural plating layers formed on a base are comprised of the combination of a nickel plating layer and a chromium plating layer formed thereon. The combination of the yellowish and bright color of the nickel plating layer and th
Imamoto Mitsuo
Kawamoto Masashi
Mimura Masaaki
Bednarek Michael D.
Pham Hai
Shaw Pittman LLP
Toto Ltd.
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