Molded encapsulated indicia system

• US 6,660,396 B1
• Filed: 06/03/2002
• Issued: 12/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Corporation (Compagnie De Saint-Gobain)
• Original Assignee: Truseal Usa, Inc.
• Inventors: Warburton-Pitt, Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Dawson, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): Feely, Michael J
• Application Number:
  US10/161,341
• Publication Number:
  US 20030224183A1
• Time in Patent Office: 554 Days
• Field of Search: 428/446, 428/447, 428/448, 428/34.1, 428/34.6, 428/34.7, 428/68, 428/76, 428/13, 156/306.6, 156/306.9, 156/307.1, 156/307.7, 264/132, 493/189
• US Class Current: 428/447
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2043/181 encapsulated
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 43/18 incorporating preformed parts or layers, e.g. compression moulding around inserts or for coating articles B29C43/206 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 43/52 Heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/74 Moulding material on a relatively small portion of the preformed part, e.g. outsert moulding B29C70/845 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2083/00 Use of polymers having silicon, with or without sulfur, nitrogen, oxygen, or carbon only, in the main chain, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/258 Tubular
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 11/124 Distinguishing marks for hoses
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 2201/60 Identification or marking
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1317 Multilayer [continuous layer]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1321 Polymer or resin containing [i.e., natural or synthetic]
• 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 428/31663 As siloxane, silicone or silane

Abstract

A system for permanently associating identifying indicia with a previously manufactured product. Silicone sheet material having imbedded therein a quantity of thermally activatable crosslinking catalyst is secured to the product. An indici-containing element is placed on the silicone sheet material and is then covered by another piece of the same type of silicone sheet material. Heat is then applied to the assembly to cause the pieces of silicone sheet material to crosslink together and encapsulate the indicia-containing element.

Claims

1. A method for securing an element containing indicia to a base member, comprising the steps of:

providing a supply of silicone sheet material having imbedded therein a quantity of thermally activatable crosslinking catalyst;

placing a first piece of said sheet material on said base member;

applying heat to said first piece sufficient to secure said first piece to said base member;

placing said element on said first piece;

placing a second piece of said sheet material in overlying relation to said element, wherein said second piece is of sufficient size to completely cover said element and be in contact with said first piece; and

applying heat to said first and second pieces sufficient to crosslink together said first and second pieces where they are in contact.

2. The method according to claim 1:

wherein said base member has a cylindrical shape; and

wherein the step of placing a first piece comprises the step of wrapping said first piece around the cylindrical shape of said base member so that a first end of said first piece overlies a second end of said first piece.

3. The method according to claim 1:

wherein the step of providing a supply of silicone sheet material comprises the step of providing an elongated strip of silicone sheet material having imbedded therein a quantity of thermally activatable crosslinking catalyst; and

wherein the step of placing a first piece comprises the steps of;

selecting a length of said strip greater than an outer perimeter of said base member; and

wrapping said length of said strip about said outer perimeter so that said length of said strip is self-overlapping.

4. A method for securing an element containing indicia to a base member, comprising the steps of:

providing a supply of silicone sheet material having imbedded therein a quantity of thermally activatable crosslinking catalyst;

forming a sandwich comprising said element between two pieces of said sheet material so that said element is completely covered;

wrapping said sandwich around said base member so that a first end of said sandwich contacts a second end of said sandwich; and

applying heat to said sandwich sufficient to crosslink together the two pieces of said silicone sheet material where they are in contact.

5. A method for securing an element containing indicia to a silicone base member, comprising the steps of:

providing a supply of silicone sheet material having imbedded therein a quantity of thermally activatable crosslinking catalyst;

placing said element on said base member;

placing a piece of said sheet material in overlying relation to said element, wherein said piece is of sufficient size to completely cover said element; and

applying heat to said piece sufficient to crosslink together said piece and said silicone base member where they are in contact.

6. In combination:

a base member;

an element containing indicia; and

silicone sheet material having imbedded therein a quantity of thermally activatable crosslinking catalyst;

wherein said element is sandwiched between two layers of said silicone sheet material and said two layers are crosslinked one to the other.

7. In combination:

a silicone base member;

an element containing indicia; and

silicone sheet material having imbedded therein a quantity of thermally activatable crosslinking catalyst;

wherein said element is sandwiched between a layer of said silicone sheet material and said silicone base member and said layer is crosslinked to said base member.