Film-integrated key top

• US 20030132507A1
• Filed: 12/18/2002
• Published: 07/17/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Polymatech Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Polymatech Company Limited
• Inventors: Odaira, Miho
• Application Number:
  US10/325,229
• Publication Number:
  US 20030132507A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 257/620
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/702 with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/056 Diffuser; Uneven surface
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/002 integral with membrane

Abstract

A film-integrated key top include a resin key top and a resin film which is integrated with the resin key top. The resin film may be three types: (1) a matte film that contains powders fine enough to provide the film with translucency, (2) a laminate film that includes a base film and a resin matte layer which is laminated on at least one side of the base film, wherein the resin matte layer contains powders fine enough to provide the film with translucency, (3) a processed film that includes the base film or the laminate film, wherein at least a surface of the film is processed to have a roughened portion. Thus, a film-integrated key top which shows excellent translucency as well as excellent matte texture is provided.

Claims

1. A film-integrated key top comprising:

a resin key top; and

a resin film integrated with the resin key top, wherein the resin film includes a matte film that contains powders fine enough to provide the film with translucency.

5. A film-integrated key top according to claim 1, wherein the powders have an average particle size of 40 μ

m or less.

8. A film-integrated key top according to claim 1, further comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of a decorative layer, a display portion, and a metal film, wherein the selected one is located between the resin key top and the resin film.

12. A film-integrated key top according to claim 1, wherein the resin film has a thickness from 12 to 300 μ

m.

16. A film-integrated key top according to claim 1, wherein the resin film has degree of brilliancy of 1 to 80%, haze value of 20 to 70%, and transmittance of 40 to 70%.

2. A film-integrated key top comprising:

a resin key top; and

a resin film integrated with the resin key top, wherein the resin film include a laminate film, wherein the laminate film includes a base film and a resin matte layer which is laminated on at least one side of the base film, wherein the resin matte layer contains powders fine enough to provide the layer with translucency.

6. A film-integrated key top according to claim 2, wherein the powders have an average particle size of 40 μ

m or less.

9. A film-integrated key top according to claim 2, further comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of a decorative layer, a display portion, and a metal film, wherein the selected one is located between the resin key top and the resin film.

13. A film-integrated key top according to claim 2, wherein the resin film has a thickness from 12 to 300 μ

m.

17. A film-integrated key top according to claim 2, wherein the resin film has degree of brilliancy of 1 to 80%, haze value of 20 to 70%, and transmittance of 40 to 70%.

20. A film-integrated key top according to claim 2, wherein the resin matte layer is formed of thermoplastic elastomer.

3. A film-integrated key top comprising;

a resin key top; and

a resin film integrated with the resin key top, wherein the resin film includes a base film which has translucency, wherein at least a surface of the base film is processed to have a roughened portion.

10. A film-integrated key top according to claim 3, further comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of a decorative layer, a display portion, and a metal film, wherein the selected one is located between the resin key top and the resin film.

14. A film-integrated key top according to claim 3, wherein the resin film has a thickness from 12 to 300 μ

m.

18. A film-integrated key top according to claim 3, wherein the resin film has degree of brilliancy of 1 to 80%, haze value of 20 to 70%, and transmittance of 40 to 70%.

4. A film-integrated key top comprising;

a resin key top; and

a resin film integrated with the resin key top, wherein the resin film includes a laminate film, wherein the laminate film includes a base film and a resin matte layer which is laminated on at least one side of the base film, wherein the resin matte layer contains powders fine enough to provide the layer with translucency, wherein at least a surface of the laminate film is processed to have a roughened portion.

7. A film-integrated key top according to claim 4, wherein the powders have an average particle size of 40 μ

m or less.

11. A film-integrated key top according to claim 4, further comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of a decorative layer, a display portion, and a metal film, wherein the selected one is located between the resin key top and the resin film.

15. A film-integrated key top according to claim 4, wherein the resin film has a thickness from 12 to 300 μ

m.

19. A film-integrated key top according to claim 4, wherein the resin film has degree of brilliancy of 1 to 80%, haze value of 20 to 70%, and transmittance of 40 to 70%.

21. A film-integrated key top according to claim 4, wherein the resin matte layer is formed of thermoplastic elastomer.