Method and apparatus for printing on a surface
AssigneeSony Corporation
InventorsJerry Kim, Christopher Russo
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention generally include a method and apparatus for performing printing onto a product. Specifically, embodiments of the invention comprise a printing apparatus and a method for printing on a product surface. Further, the printing apparatus comprises a laser etch system, and a printer. A masking film is applied to the product to be printed upon. The laser etch system creates an etch pattern through the masking film and into the product being printed upon. An ink pattern is applied to the etch pattern. The masking film is then removed to revealed the print pattern on the product.
Claims20
A method of printing on a product, the method comprising:
- etching an etch pattern in a masking film and into a surface of the product, where the masking film is adhered to the surface of the product;
- and
- applying at least one ink in an ink pattern on the etch pattern, wherein the ink pattern is slightly wider than the etch pattern (310) to form an over spray region on the masking film.
Apparatus for printing on a product comprising:
- a laser etch system for etching an etch pattern in a masking film and into a surface of a product, where the masking film is adhered to the surface of the product;
- and
- a printer for applying at least one ink in an ink pattern onto the etch pattern, where in the ink pattern is slightly wider than the etch pattern to form an over spray region on the masking film.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.