POST-PRODUCTION COATINGS AND INCORPORATION PROCESSES FOR PLASTIC

摘要

A method of producing incorporated marks into thermoplastics and the apparatus resulting from the method. The marking material may be applied as a coating via a number of techniques, and then incorporated into the plastic via a variety of heat sources, including a laser. The incorporated coating components may have features such as color that contrasts with the color of the surrounding substrate surface material, and/or may contain environmental indicators or tracer materials. A laser may be used to heat the coating and cause the plastic structure's surface to soften, thereby permitting the components of the coating to become physically encompassed in the plastic. Surrounding coating and/or plastic may be removed using a stronger laser or other energy-application apparatus.

主权项

1. A method of marking a surface of a plastic substrate, the method comprising:
(a) coating at least a portion of the surface of the plastic substrate; and (b) applying energy to at least a first region of the coating, thereby incorporating at least a portion of the coating in the first region into the surface of the plastic substrate.