ENCAPSULATED SIGNAGE AND METHOD OF PRODUCTION

摘要

An article of manufacture (160) in the form of a sign or label comprises a disclosed embodiment, produced in accordance with an example method. A substrate (170) is provided which forms a substantially planar surface area having a desired shape, thickness and size. A design layer (173) is formed through the use of inks (172) applied to the substrate (170) in a pre-determined pattern. When the inks (172) are applied to the substrate (170), no ink (172) is applied on one or more edges formed around the periphery of the sign (160) for an edge bare border (130). Also, a mounting hole (168) is provided, and an opening bare border (132) is formed around the mounting hole (168). An encapsulant (176) is then applied over the inks (172) so as to provide a protective cover. Also, the encapsulant (176) is applied to the edge bare border (130) and the opening bare border (132) so that the encapsulant (176) fully covers not only the inks (172), but also all borders, thereby forming edge encapsulation borders (130) and an opening encapsulation border (132), and the sign (160) is therefore fully encapsulated.

主权项

1. A method for enhancing and extending the integrity and useful life of an article of manufacture, said article being in the form of a sign or label, said sign or label comprising a substrate formed on a substantially planar surface area having any one of a plurality of shapes, thicknesses and sizes, said method comprising:
forming a design layer with inks or similar materials which are applied to said substrate in a predetermined pattern so as to convey visual information to a viewer, with said substrate supporting said inks thereupon; when applying said inks to said substrate, refraining from applying any of said inks adjacent one or more edges formed around the periphery of said sign or label, so as to provide for a bare edge border; applying a protective encapsulant over said inks so as to provide a protective cover to said inks and to said substrate under said inks; and continuing the application of said encapsulant so that said encapsulant fully covers not only said design layer, but also said edge borders formed on said substrate where the developer has refrained from applying said inks.