# US 5,702,772 A · Method for identifying and protecting an activated plastic surface

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- Number: US 5,702,772 A
- Document ID: US5702772A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/794,980
- Filed: 1997-02-05
- Granted: 1997-12-30
- Earliest claimed: 1995-10-06
- Assignees: Ford Motor Company
- Inventors: Jon M. Skelly; Lawrence F. Wilski
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5702772A

## CPC

- B05D 1/322: {Removable films used as masks}
- B05D 3/144: {of polymeric substrates}
- C08J 7/0427: {with only one layer of a composition containing a polymer binder (with more layers C08J7/042)}
- C08J 7/046: Forming abrasion-resistant coatings; Forming surface-hardening coatings
- C08J 7/08: {Heat treatment}
- C09D 5/008: {Temporary coatings (C09D5/20 takes precedence)}
- C08J 2323/02: not modified by chemical after treatment
- C08J 2475/04: Polyurethanes
- B05D: PROCESSES FOR APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL (conveying articles or workpieces through baths of liquid B65G, e.g. B65G49/02)
- C08J: WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H (working, e.g. shaping, of plastics B29)
- C09D: COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR (cosmetics A61K; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces, in general, B05D; staining wood B27K5/02; glazes or vitreous enamels C03C; natural resins, French polish, drying-oils, driers, turpentine, per se, C09F; polishing compositions other than French polish, ski waxes C09G; adhesives or use of materials as adhesives C09J; materials for sealing or packing joints or covers C09K3/10; materials for stopping leaks C09K3/12; processes for the electrolytic or electrophoretic production of coatings C25D)

## Abstract

A method for identifying and protecting activated surface portions of a plastic substrate is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a plastic substrate having one or more activated surface portions and applying a solution containing a water-soluble, organic film-forming substance onto the substrate. The solution coats only the activated portions of the substrate surface. The method further includes the steps of drying the solution to form a temporary protective film on the activated portions of the surface, thereby rendering the activated portions less susceptible to abrasion or disruption during handling.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of manufacturing a painted plastic article, comprising the steps of:
activating one or more portions of a surface of a plastic substrate;
applying a solution containing an organic film-forming substance onto said substrate, said solution coating only the activated portions of said substrate surface;
drying said solution to form a temporary protective film on the activated portions of said surface, thereby rendering the activated portions less susceptible to abrasion or disruption during handling;
removing said temporary protective film to re-expose the activated surface portions of said substrate; and
painting the activated surface portions of said substrate.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said activating step comprises exposing said substrate to a plasma.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said film-forming substance is water-soluble and said temporary protective film is removed with water.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said film-forming substance is a saccharide.