Laser marking process and products

• US 6,231,196 B1
• Filed: 03/27/1997
• Issued: 05/15/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daniel W. Mahachek
• Original Assignee: Precision Laser Marking, Inc.
• Inventors: Mahachek, Daniel W.
• Primary Examiner(s): SIKDER, MOHAMMAD YUNUS
• Application Number:
  US08/829,495
• Time in Patent Office: 1,510 Days
• Field of Search: 359/838, 359/839, 359/884, 359/15, 359/25, 359/33, 401/581, 407/98, 405/41, 216/65, 63/20, 434/365
• US Class Current: 359/838
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/08 Mirrors vehicle mirrors involving special optical features B60R1/08

Abstract

The reflective backing of a mirror or other product is marked, engraved, scribed, or decorated with a laser beam to produce a decorative display assembly with a laser-enhanced image thereon. This can be accomplished by vaporizing part of the reflective backing with the laser beam. Multi-colored laser-enhanced images can also be formed. The decorative display assembly can also be backlit or back colored to further enhance the attractiveness of the laser-enhanced image.

Claims

1. A decorative display assembly, comprising:

a decorative display mirror having a front surface and a back surface, and said mirror comprising a material selected from the group consisting of glass and plastic;

at least one of said surfaces of said mirror having a two-dimensional laser-enhanced image thereon;

said decorative display assembly comprising an article selected from the group consisting of a coaster, tray, kiosk display, rack, coffee cup rack, hat rack, coat rack, wall sconce, chandelier, refrigerator magnet display, key chain, desk set, picture frame, paper weight, hanging sun catcher, mobile, chime, napkin holder, utensil holder, tissue dispenser, vase, sculpture, clock, and watch;

said two-dimensional laser-enhanced image is selected from the group consisting of a laser engraved image and a laser marked image; and

said decorative display mirror and said decorative display assembly being present in the absence of an opaque material tape necessary to absorb the wavelength output beam of a laser so as to heat an underlying region to a plasma state.

2. A decorative display assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said image is selected from the group consisting of a:

design portrait, picture, photograph, name, wording, lettering, numbers, logo, pattern, indicia, and combinations thereof.

3. A decorative display assembly in accordance with claim 1 including an image enhancer positioned behind said back surface of said decorative display mirror, said image enhancer being selected from the group consisting of a lightbulb or candle.