Method of marking using encapsulated etchant

• US 6,074,570 A
• Filed: 06/21/1994
• Issued: 06/13/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: X-Cal Corporation
• Original Assignee: X-Cal Corporation
• Inventors: Samonides, John
• Primary Examiner(s): YAMNITZKY, MARIE ROSE
• Application Number:
  US08/262,848
• Time in Patent Office: 2,184 Days
• Field of Search: 106/19 R, 106/20 R, 106/20 C, 106/31.01, 106/31.06, 106/31.13, 156/625, 156/635, 156/654, 156/664, 428/402.2, 427/216, 427/218, 427/287, 252/79.1, 252/79.2, 134/3, 216/28, 216/32, 216/54, 216/96, 216/100, 216/103, 216/106, 216/108, 216/83
• US Class Current: 216/83
• CPC Class Codes: B44C 1/227 by etching
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/10 Registration, licensing, or like devices
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2003/028 Labels containing microcapsules, e.g. ink microcapsules for indicia transfer
• 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: G09F 3/02 Forms or constructions layered products B32B
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1405 Capsule or particulate matter containing [e.g., sphere, flake, microballoon, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24802 Discontinuous or differential coating, impregnation or bond [e.g., artwork, printing, retouched photograph, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2486 with outer strippable or release layer
• 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 428/249994 Composite having a component wherein a constituent is liquid or is contained within preformed walls [e.g., impregnant-filled, previously void containing component, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249997 Encapsulated liquid
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2839 with release or antistick coating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2984 Microcapsule with fluid core [includes liposome]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31504 Composite [nonstructural laminate]

Abstract

An identification label for permanently marking a metal or other etchable surface such as an automobile part with an identifying indicia is disclosed. The label has a protective cover sheet, a pressure sensitive adhesive irremovably affixed to the cover sheet, and a liner with a release coating removably affixed to the adhesive. An identifying indicia comprising an etchant in a visible vehicle such as a printing ink is printed on the adhesive at the interface of the removable liner and the adhesive so that when the liner is removed, the remaining portions of the label may be adhesively attached to the metal surface with the etchant of the identifying indicia in etching contact therewith. The identifying indicia will thus be etched into the surface of the part for a permanent marking of the part.

Claims

1. A method of permanently marking an identifying indicia on an etchable surface, said method comprising applying to the etchable surface an indicia with a mixture of a visible ink and a time release encapsulation of a surface etchant, the encapsulation being such that the release of the encapsulated surface etchant occurs over a predetermined period of time during or after application of said mixture to said etchable surface and the release is accomplished by the dissolution of all or part of the encapsulating constituent of the mixture.

2. A method of permanently marking an identifying indicia on an etchable surface, said method comprising applying to the etchable surface an indicia with a composition comprising a time release encapsulation of a surface etchant, the encapsulation being such that the release of the encapsulated surface etchant occurs over a predetermined period of time during or after application of said composition to said etchable surface and the release is accomplished by the dissolution of all or part of the encapsulating constituent of the mixture.