Decorative products created by lazing graphics and patterns directly on substrates with painted surfaces

• US 8,529,775 B2
• Filed: 02/20/2008
• Issued: 09/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: RevoLaze LLC (Lear Corporation)
• Original Assignee: RevoLaze LLC (Lear Corporation)
• Inventors: Costin, Darryl J, Costin, Darryl Jr., Fishburn, Richard C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Binh X
• Assistant Examiner(s): CATHEY JR, DAVID A
• Application Number:
  US12/034,130
• Publication Number:
  US 20080241478A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,029 Days
• Field of Search: 216/28
• US Class Current: 216/28
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 3/068 using ionising radiations (gamma, X, electrons)
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 5/06 to obtain multicolour or other optical effects B05D5/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 7/02 to macromolecular substances, e.g. rubber treatment or coating of shaped articles made of macromolecular substances C08J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 7/06 to wood
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 7/14 to metal, e.g. car bodies involving a chemical reaction between the metal and the coating C23
• CPC Class Codes: B05D 7/52 Two layers
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/24 Ablative recording, e.g. by burning marks; Spark recording marking by high energetic means, e.g. by laser otherwise than burning or ablative removal B41M5/26; materials or methods for recording or reproduction by optical means G11B7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B44C 1/228 by laser radiation
• CPC Class Codes: B44F 9/02 wood grain effects
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24496 Foamed or cellular component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24612 Composite web or sheet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24802 Discontinuous or differential coating, impregnation or bond [e.g., artwork, printing, retouched photograph, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24851 Intermediate layer is discontinuous or differential

Abstract

A painted surface is processed by a laser beam to remove at least one layer of paint. The surface that is exposed may be the raw substrate material, e.g., wood or wood laminate, or may be another painted surface. The laser may engrave a pattern, e.g. a wood grain pattern.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

applying and moving a laser beam having a power level between 500 and 5,000 watts and a speed between 0.5 and 65 meters per second relative to a painted substrate comprising a substrate layer, a first layer of paint overlaying the substrate layer, and a second layer of paint overlaying the first layer of paint, wherein the first layer of paint has a first color and the second layer of paint has a second color different than the first color; and

etching the painted substrate with the laser beam to form a graphic, the laser beam fusing the first layer of paint and the second layer of paint together.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein the substrate layer comprises wood fiber.

3. A method as in claim 2, wherein the graphic is a wood grain pattern.

4. A method as in claim 1, wherein the substrate layer comprises at least one member selected form the group consisting of steel, metal and alloy.

5. A method as in claim 1, wherein the substrate layer comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of plastic, PVC, and urethane.