Article with embedded optically-readable identification means and method for making same

• US 4,891,254 A
• Filed: 06/17/1988
• Issued: 01/02/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James S. Bianco
• Original Assignee: James S. Bianco
• Inventors: Bianco, James S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Robinson, Ellis P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): RYAN, PATRICK J
• Application Number:
  US07/208,088
• Time in Patent Office: 564 Days
• Field of Search: 235/487, 235/488, 428/195, 428/204, 428/206, 428/207, 428/208, 428/209, 428/458, 428/68, 428/76, 428/473.5, 156/60, 156/155, 156/298, 156/307.1, 156/308.2, 156/311
• US Class Current: 428/68
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 1/12 otherwise than by punching
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06046 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 3/00 Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means medals or badges A44C3/00; making labels B31D1/02; sheets temporarily attached together B42F; labelling B65C; labels on record carriers G11B23/38, G11B23/40; Seals; Postage or like stamps
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0266 Marks, test patterns or identification means
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/28 Applying non-metallic protective coatings H05K3/0091 takes precedence; methods for intermediate insulating layers for build-up multilayer circuits H05K3/4673
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 283/901 Concealed data
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/10 Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/109 Embedding of laminae within face of additional laminae
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/23 Sheet including cover or casing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/239 Complete cover or casing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24802 Discontinuous or differential coating, impregnation or bond [e.g., artwork, printing, retouched photograph, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24876 Intermediate layer contains particulate material [e.g., pigment, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24893 including particulate material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24901 including coloring matter
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24909 Free metal or mineral containing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24917 including metal layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31681 Next to polyester, polyamide or polyimide [e.g., alkyd, glue, or nylon, etc.]

Abstract

Optically-readable identification means embedded in an article to be identified. One method of the invention is to apply the identification means to an article and then subsequently cover the article, at least in the area of the identification means, with a protective layer so that the identification means becomes an integral part of the article. In the case of fiberglass articles, the identification means is applied to the article before the final layer of epoxy or polyester is applied. In one preferred embodiment for high temperature applications, there is provided an embeddable bar code strip comprising a bar code which can withstand high temperatures disposesd on a polymeric carrier substrate which is stable at temperatures to at about 500 degrees Fahrenheit. This bar code is preferably iron powder placed on a polyimide substrate by means of xerographic copying. In another preferred embodiment, for nonreflective articles, one surface of the carrier substrate is coated with aluminum by vapor deposition.

Claims

1. An article having embedded therein optically-readable identification means, comprising:

(a) a base member, said base member having a surface;

(b) identification means disposed upon a high-temperature-resistant polymeric carrier substrate;

(c) said carrier substrate being disposed upon said surface; and

(d) an integral protective layer disposed upon said surface, said protective layer covering at least said identification means to embed said identification means within said aritcle.

2. An article, as defined in claim 1, wherein said high-temperature-resistant polymeric material is a polyimide.

3. An article, as defined in claim 1, wherein said identification means is formed of iron powder.

4. An article having embedded therein optically-readable identification means, comprising:

(a) a base member, said base member having a surface;

(b) identification means disposed upon a carrier substrate;

(c) said carrier substrate being disposed upon said surface;

(d) a reflective layer disposed between said identification means and said carrier substrate; and

(e) an integral protective layer disposed upon said surface, said protective layer covering at least said identification means to embed said identification means within said article.

5. An article, as defined in claim 4, wherein said reflective layer is vapor-deposited aluminum.

6. A fiberglass article having embedded therein optically-readable identification means, comprising:

(a) a base surface;

(b) identification means disposed upon said base surface; and

(c) an integral layer, comprising the final layer of said fiberglass article, disposed upon said surface, said integral layer covering at least said identification means to embed said identification means within said article.

11. A method, as defined in claim 6, wherein said reflective layer is vapor-deposited aluminum.

7. A method of making an article having embedded therein optically-readable identification means, comprising:

(a) providing a base surface of said article;

(b) placing said identification means upon a high-temperature-resistant polymeric carrier substrate;

(c) then, placing upon said base surface said carrier substrate; and

(d) finally, placing an integral protective layer upon said base surface covering at least said identification means to embed said identification means within said article.

8. A method, as defined in claim 7, wherein said high-temperature-resistant polymeric material is a polyimide.

9. A method, as defined in claim 7, wherein said identification means is formed of iron powder.

14. A method, as defined in claim 9, wherein the method of making said identification means comprises passing said substrate through a xerographic copier whereby to copy a master of said identification means upon said substrate, resulting in an image formed by iron powder in said xerographic copier.

10. A method of making an article having embedded therein optically-readable identification means, comprising:

(a) providing a base surface of said article;

(b) providing a carrier substate having thereon identification means, with a reflective layer between said identification means and said carrier substrate;

(c) then, placing said carrier substrate upon said base surface; and

(d) finally, placing an integral protective layer upon said base surface covering at least said identification means to embed said identification means within said article.

12. A method of making a fiberglass article having embedded therein optically-readable identification means, comprising:

(a) providing a uncured base surface of said article;

(b) then, placing upon said uncured base surface, said identification means before said base surface has cured; and

(c) finally, allowing said base surface to cure, thereby adhering said identification means to said base surface without additional adhesive.

13. A method of making a fiberglass article, as defined in claim 12, further comprising:

(d) placing an integral layer, comprising the final layer of said fiberglass article, covering at least said identification means to embed said identification means within said article.