US4769257A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser etching of foam substrate
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1987-10-09
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Granted: 1988-09-06
•
Expires: 2007-10-09
Abstract
Abstract A foamed plastics substrate has an image formed on its surface by differential ablation by a laser. A composition is applied to the surface in the shape of the image to be formed and has an ablation rate different to that of the foam. After irradiation of the surface, the image is formed in relief on the surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter W. Duley
- 👤 Theodore A. Bieler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 22:15
CPC Classifications
B; B05; B05D; B05D3/00; B05D3/06; B23; B23K; B23K26/00; B23K26/18; B29; B29C; B29C59/00; B29C59/16; B41; B41M; B41M5/00; B41M5/24; B44; B44C; B44C1/00; B44C1/02; B44C1/22; B44C1/228
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of forming a relief image on a foamed plastic substrate ablatable at a predetermined rate by laser radiation comprising the steps of (a) applying to a surface of said substrate a composition having a different ablation rate than said substrate and having a shape corresponding to the shape of image to be formed, (b) irradiating by scanning whole portions of said surface to ablate both said substrate and said composition.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
72 words
A method of forming a relief image on a foamed plastic substrate ablatable at a predetermined rate by laser radiation comprising the steps of (a) applying to a surface of said substrate a composition having a different ablation rate than said substrate and having a shape corresponding to the shape of image to be formed, (b) irradiating by scanning whole portions of said surface to ablate both said substrate and said composition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the material of said plastic substrate is ablatable at a faster rate than said composition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said composition is applied to said surface by a dry transfer technique.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said composition is applied to said surface by printing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein said printing uses a water based ink.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein said shape is printed by a dot matrix pattern whereby said ablation rate is inversely proportional to the density of the dot matrix to provide a contoured surface to said shape.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said foamed plastics is a polystyrene foam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said substrate is irradiated by an elongate line of radiation and said line is stepped along said surface to irradiate said shape.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-09-06 | 1992-03-07 | 1992-09-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-09-06 | 1996-03-07 | 1996-09-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-09-06 | 2000-03-07 | 2000-09-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |