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US 2014/0272337 A1Published application
Method of producing a graphic design on a vehicle body and design produced thereby
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsMark Edward Nichols, Tony Misovski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method is provided for printing graphic designs in-line during manufacture of a vehicle. The method utilizes an ink jet printing system to apply graphic designs over an uncured base coat of paint on the vehicle surface followed by the application of a protective clear coat over the graphic design.
Claims17
A method for producing a graphic design on a vehicle body comprising:
- providing a vehicle body having a surface thereon;
- applying a base coat of paint to said vehicle surface;
- wherein said base coat comprises one or more pigments and solvents and has a surface energy of about 35 to 50 J/ma;
- vaporizing a portion of said solvent from said base coat;
- printing a graphic design onto said base coat utilizing ink jet ink;
- said ink jet ink having a surface energy less than or equal to the surface energy of said base coat;
- and
- applying a clear top coat over said vehicle surface containing said printed graphic design.
5 more elements
A vehicle body including a graphic design thereon comprising:
- a base coat paint layer applied directly to a surface of said vehicle body;
- an ink jet printed graphic design on said base coat paint layer;
- and
- a clear top coat on said graphic design and said base coat layer;
- wherein the ink comprising said graphic design has a surface energy less than or equal to the surface energy of said base coat.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.