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US 5,049,432 AGranted
Method for preparing a marking structure
AssigneePorelon, Inc.
InventorsWillem Ooms, Frank R. Moss, Jonnie L. Key, Robert E. Ponter, David L. Hedgecoth
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved microporous marking structure has a layer of a microporous material containing a marking fluid and an absorbent backing layer superposed thereon which shortens processing time by absorbing excess marking fluid from the microporous layer. The marking structure according to the invention may be advantageously used to make a self-inking hand stamp. No lengthy step for removing excess ink from the microporous layer is needed.
Claims12
A hand stamp, comprising:
- a mount;
- a marking structure including a microporous layer having front and rear faces and formed from interconnected particles of a thermoplastic resin impregnated with an ink, said microporous layer having a relief pattern on a front face thereof for transferring an ink image of said relief pattern to a surface to be marked, said particles forming an open-celled network of pores allowing repetitive transfer of an ink image of said relief pattern to the marking surface, and an absorbent backing layer having front and rear faces, said front face of said backing layer being superposed on said rear face of said ink impregnated layer, said backing layer containing excess ink absorbed from said ink impregnated layer in an amount in the range of about 0.3 to 0.7 grams of ink per square inch of said backing layer, and said backing layer is bonded to said microporous layer at an interface zone wherein said resin permeates said backing layer;
- and
- means for securing said marking structure to said mount.
1 more element
A method for preparing a marking structure, comprising:
- placing a premix containing a resin and a marking fluid in a mold having cavities defining a pattern so that said premix fills said cavities and excess premix forms a continuous layer over said cavities;
- placing a layer of a marking fluid absorbent material substantially free of marking fluid on said layer of premix;
- heating said premix to form a microporous, marking fluid impregnated structure having a relief pattern corresponding to said cavities;
- and
- cooling said microporous structure;
- wherein said fluid absorbent material absorbs excess marking fluid from said microporous structure to form said marking structure.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.