Dual anodization surface treatment
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorJivan K. KHOSLA
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A metal surface treated to have two anodized layers or regions may be used in electronic devices. The surface treatment may include performing a first anodization process to create a first anodized layer, removing the first anodized layer at select locations, and performing a second anodization process to create a second anodized layer at the select locations. The first and second anodized regions may have different decorative properties, such as color, and different structural properties, such as degree of abrasion resistance. One of the anodization processes may be hard anodization and the other may be standard anodization.
Claims20
A metal part, comprising:
- a metal substrate having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second surface is laterally displaced within metal substrate a distance below the first surface;
- a first anodized layer disposed on at least a portion of the first surface, the first anodized layer having a first top surface and first hardness;
- and
- a second anodized layer disposed on at least a portion the second surface and in contact with the first anodized layer, the second anodized layer having a second top surface that extends above the first top surface, the second anodized layer having a second hardness which is greater than the first hardness, wherein the second anodized protects the first anodized layer from scratching or abrasion.
An enclosure of an electronic device, comprising:
- a metal base having a shape and size to house a plurality of electronic components, the metal base having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second surface extends farther within the metal base than the first surface;
- a first anodized layer disposed on at least a portion the first surface, the first anodized layer having a first top surface and first hardness;
- and
- a second anodized layer disposed on at least a portion the second surface and in contact with the first anodized layer, the second anodized layer having a second top surface that extends above the first top surface, the first and second top surfaces corresponding to the exterior of the enclosure, the second anodized layer having a second hardness which is greater than the first hardness, wherein the second anodized layer provides structural support for and protects the first anodized layer from scratching or abrasion.
A metal part, comprising:
- a metal base having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second surface extends farther within the metal base than the first surface;
- a first anodized layer disposed on at least a portion the first surface, the first anodized layer having a first top surface and first hardness;
- a second anodized layer disposed on at least a portion the second surface and in contact with the first anodized layer, the second anodized layer having a second top surface that is flush with or extends above the first top surface, the first and second top surfaces corresponding to the exterior of the enclosure, the second anodized layer having a second hardness which is greater than the first hardness, wherein the second anodized layer provides structural support for and protects the first anodized layer from scratching or abrasion;
- and
- a sealant disposed over at least a portion the first and second top surfaces to seal pores within the first and second anodized layers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.