Metallization and anodization of plastic and conductive parts of the body of an apparatus
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- combining a plastic part and a conductive part to form at least a portion of a body of a portable electronic device;
forming a metal layer on and immediately adjacent to all exterior surfaces of both the plastic part and the conductive part in order to metallize all of the exterior surfaces of both the plastic part and the conductive part; and
anodizing all of the metallized surfaces of both the plastic part and the conductive part,wherein the body including the plastic part, the conductive part, the metallization layer and the anodization layer form the exterior surface of the portable electronic device.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of fabricating at least a portion of the body of an apparatus, such as a portable electronic device, that includes both plastic and conductive parts is provided with the body appearing relatively seamless such that the interface between the plastic and conductive parts is indistinguishable. In this regard, a plastic part may be combined with a conductive part to form at least a portion of the body of the portable electronic device. The surfaces of the plastic part and the conductive part may be metallized, such as by being subjected to vapor deposition, to metalize the surfaces of the plastic and conductive parts. The metalized surfaces of the plastic and conductive parts may then be anodized, thereby producing at least a portion of the body of a portable electronic device having plastic and conductive parts with a consistent appearance and a consistent tactile response.
36 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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combining a plastic part and a conductive part to form at least a portion of a body of a portable electronic device; forming a metal layer on and immediately adjacent to all exterior surfaces of both the plastic part and the conductive part in order to metallize all of the exterior surfaces of both the plastic part and the conductive part; and anodizing all of the metallized surfaces of both the plastic part and the conductive part, wherein the body including the plastic part, the conductive part, the metallization layer and the anodization layer form the exterior surface of the portable electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A body of an apparatus comprising:
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a plastic part; a conductive part combined with the plastic part; a metallization layer on and immediately adjacent to all exterior surfaces of both the plastic part and the conductive part; and an anodization layer on the metallization layer on all of the exterior surfaces of both the plastic part and the conductive part, wherein the body including the plastic part, the conductive part, the metallization layer and the anodization layer form the exterior surface of the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A portable electronic device comprising:
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at least a portion of a housing comprising a plastic part and a conductive part combined with the plastic part, a metallization layer on and immediately adjacent to all exterior surfaces of both the plastic part and the conductive part, and an anodization layer on the metallization layer on all of the exterior surfaces of both the plastic part and the conductive part, wherein the housing including the plastic part, the conductive part, the metallization layer and the anodization layer form the exterior surface of the portable electronic device; and electronic circuitry disposed at least partially within the housing. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification