Marking method and marked molding

Details Marking method and marked molding Marking method and marked molding

1998-12-15

2001-06-12

Padgett, Marianne (Department: 1762)

Coating processes

Direct application of electrical, magnetic, wave, or...

Electromagnetic or particulate radiation utilized

C430S200000, C430S201000, C430S363000, C156S155000, C156S230000, C156S232000, C156S272800

Reexamination Certificate

active

06245397

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a marking method of displaying characters and patterns on moldings by laser beam, electron beam, heat ray or other energy ray, and to marked moldings.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The following methods have been known conventionally as the marking method on resin molding by using energy ray such as laser beam. As disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 61-11771 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-59663, a resin is mixed with a filler which is deformed by the action of the laser beam or energy ray, and the mixture is injection-molded to obtain a resin molding. The resin molding is exposed to energy rays such as a laser beam to be partly discolored, so that a desired character or pattern is formed. As disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent No. 60-4094 and Japanese Laid-open Patent No. 1-267092, a plurality of coat films are formed on the surface of a resin molding by applying paints of different colors and only the surface layer or a plurality of coat films are partially removed by a laser beam, so that the desired color is left over.
Exemplary conventional methods are described below while referring to FIG.
12
and FIG.
13
.
FIG. 12
is a front view for explaining a method of discoloring the filler in the resin molding, and
FIG. 13
is a sectional front view for explaining a method of removing the coat film of the paint on the resin molding. In
FIG. 12
, the surface layer containing a paint powder
4
which is discolored by the action of a laser beam is formed on the surface of a resin molding
3
. A laser beam
1
controlled by a deflection device
2
is emitted to the surface layer, and the portion exposed to the laser beam is changed in color, and a mark
5
is formed. As the laser beam
1
is emitted by deflection control according to the desired character or pattern, the mark
5
is formed on the surface layer of the resin molding
3
.
In
FIG. 13
, three color paints are applied sequentially on the surface of a resin molding
6
, and three layers of coat films
7
,
8
,
9
are formed. A laser beam
1
controlled by a deflection device
2
is controlled in reflection according to the emitting position corresponding to a desired character or pattern, and is also controlled in the amount of energy, and is emitted to the surface coat film
7
side of the resin molding
6
. Depending on the amount of energy, the coat film
7
, coat film
8
or coat film
9
having a different color is cut off, and characters and patterns having different colors are formed as required.
However, in the conventional marking method by making use of discoloration of the filler of the resin molding by laser beam, characters or patterns of different colors cannot be formed on one resin molding. On the other hand, in the conventional marking method by removing the coat film partly by irradiation with laser beam by preliminarily formed coat films on the surface of the resin molding, by forming coat film layers in multiple layers by different colors, combination of various color marks is possible, but it requires more steps in coating and drying.
It is hence an object of the invention to present a method of marking desired characters or patterns, and making the molding with different colors, not limited in mark color, at low cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The marking method of forming a mark on a molding of the present invention comprises (a) a step of feeding a film having a first surface and a second surface, (b) adhering, fixing, affixing or disposing a paint on the first surface of the film wherein the paint has a lower melting point than the film, (c) a step of positioning the film on the surface of a molding so that the paint contacts the surface of the molding, and (d) a step of forming a mark by emitting an energy ray from the second surface side of the film, and transferring and disposing the paint positioned on the first surface of the illuminated portion on the surface of the molding, thereby forming a mark.
The marked molding of the present invention is a molding manufactured by the above method.
Preferably, the molding is a resin molding formed of a material containing resin.
Preferably, the molding has at least one surface selected from the group consisting of (i) curved surface, (ii) concave surface, (iii) convex surface, (iv) convexo-concave surface, and (v) flat surface.
Preferably, the molding has a coarser surface roughness than the first surface of the film.
Preferably, the energy ray is controlled in emitting position by a deflection device.
Preferably, the energy ray is emitted on the paint by passing through the film without causing any effects on the film.
Preferably, the energy ray is a laser beam.
Preferably, the paint component has a specific color, and the mark has the specific color.
Preferably, the paint component contains at least one of dye and pigment.
Preferably, the paint can be melted by irradiation with the energy ray, and when the film is irradiated with the energy ray, the paint is melted and transferred to the surface of the molding.
Preferably, the paint can be sublimated when irradiated with the energy ray, and when the film is irradiated with the energy ray, the paint is sublimated and transferred to the surface of the molding.
In accordance with the present invention, a mark with a desired color can be formed on a molding. The mark is formed easily and inexpensively. A mark having an excellent wear resistance is formed. A mark having an excellent precision is easily formed on the surface of a molding having a complicated shape.


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IBM Tech. Disc. Bull., “Prenting by Means of a Laser Beam” Roshon et al, vol. 7, #3, Aug. 1964.*
IBM Tech. Disc. Bull., “Enhancing Ribbon Transfer Using Laser Printing” R.J. Von Gutfeld vol. 17, #6, Nov. 1974.

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