Patent US4516978A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4516978A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Colored character printed on key button
Assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
•
Filing: 1983-09-19
•
Granted: 1985-05-14
•
Expires: 2003-09-19
Abstract
Abstract A key button molded of a synthetic resin and having on the top surface thereof a character or symbol printed with a coloring agent comprising a dye and a solvent which is capable of dissolving the dye and the synthetic resin, wherein the character or symbol is durably formed on the top surface by the action of the solvent on the surface and body to cause the dye to permeate the surface and the body.
Inventors
- 👤 Hideo Goto
- 👤 Takeo Hosoe
- 👤 Toshinori Oda
- 👤 Sosuke Ohtsuka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 19:50
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H9/00; H01H9/18; H01H3/00; H01H3/02; H01H3/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A key button formed by molding a synthetic resin and provided on a top surface thereof with a character or symbol, wherein said character or symbol is printed on said top surface with a coloring agent comprising methyl violet dye, a nitrocellulose binder and a ketonic solvent, said solvent being capable of dissolving said dye and said synthetic resin, whereby said solvent acts on said synthetic resin to cause said dye to permeate through said top surface and into said button, and said binder acts to bind the molecules of said methyl violet to each other and to the molecules of said synthetic resin, wherein said synthetic resin is acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
A key button formed by molding a synthetic resin and provided on a top surface thereof with a character or symbol, wherein said character or symbol is printed on said top surface with a coloring agent comprising methyl violet dye, a nitrocellulose binder and a ketonic solvent, said solvent being capable of dissolving said dye and said synthetic resin, whereby said solvent acts on said synthetic resin to cause said dye to permeate through said top surface and into said button, and said binder acts to bind the molecules of said methyl violet to each other and to the molecules of said synthetic resin, wherein said synthetic resin is acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The key button of claim 1, wherein said ketonic solvent is acetone or isobutyl ketone.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The key button of claim 1, wherein said methyl violet, ketonic solvent and nitrocellulose are mixed in a weight ratio of 1:15:1.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 2, wherein said methyl violet, ketonic solvent and nitrocellulose are in a weight ratio of 1:15:1.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The process of claim 4, wherein after printing of said character or symbol on said top surface with said coloring matter, said body is left at room temperature for about 20 hours.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 4, wherein said ketonic solvent is acetone or isobutyl ketone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
119 words
A process of manufacturing a key button, comprising the steps of molding a resin material into a key body; printing a character or symbol on a top surface of said key body, with a coloring matter comprising methyl violet dye, a nitrocellulose binder and a ketonic solvent, said solvent being capable of dissolving said dye and said resin material; whereby said solvent acts on said resin material on said top surface and in said body, thereby to cause said dye to permeate through said top surface and into said body, with said binder acting to bind the molecules of said dye to each other and to molecules of said resin material; and wherein said resin material is acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
119 words
A process of manufacturing a key button, comprising the steps of molding a resin material into a key body; printing a character or symbol on a top surface of said key body, with a coloring matter comprising methyl violet dye, a nitrocellulose binder and a ketonic solvent, said solvent being capable of dissolving said dye and said resin material; whereby said solvent acts on said resin material on said top surface and in said body, thereby to cause said dye to permeate through said top surface and into said body, with said binder acting to bind the molecules of said dye to each other and to molecules of said resin material; and wherein said resin material is acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4451264A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-05-13 | 1988-11-12 | 1989-05-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-05-13 | 1992-11-12 | 1993-05-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-05-13 | 1996-11-12 | 1997-05-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |