Method for forming pad character in push button switch and method for manufacturing cover member for push button switch

Patent 6187514 Issued on February 13, 2001. Estimated Expiration Date:

October 13, 2018. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

Method for encapsulating and marking electronic devices
Patent #: 4595647
Issued on: 06/17/1986
Inventor: Spanjer

Covering member of keyboard and a base plate therefor
Patent #: 4775574
Issued on: 10/04/1988
Inventor: Fukushima , et al.

Push button switch and method for manufacturing same
Patent #: 5270507
Issued on: 12/14/1993
Inventor: Nakamura, et al.

Laser beam absorbing resin composition, coloring material therefor and laser beam marking method
Patent #: 5422383
Issued on: 06/06/1995
Inventor: Takahashi, et al.

Pigmented plastics molding composition and its use Patent #: 5599869
Issued on: 02/04/1997
Inventor: Kurz

Inventors

Assignee

Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd.

Application

No. 170905 filed on 10/13/1998

US Classes:

430/320, Making named article430/945LASER BEAM

Examiners

Primary: Huff, Mark F.
Assistant: Barreca, Nicole

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Lerner, David, Littenberg, Krumholz & Mentlik, LLP

Foreign Patent References

195 23 086 A1 DE. 01/13/1997
07169360 JP. 07/13/1995
95/23417 WO. 08/13/1995

International Class

G03F 007/00

Foreign Application Priority Data

1997-10-14 JP

Abstract

A method for forming a pad character in a key top for a push button switch and a method for manufacturing a cover member for a push button switch capable of permitting a push button switch to be manually operated in a manner comfortable to fingers over an extended period of time while preventing wearing of an indication section and simplifying the manufacturing of the cover member for the push button switch. A pigment particle is coated with a volatilization layer formed of resin blended with an electromagnetic wave absorbing powder to prepare a laser-sensitive color developing agent, which agent is then added to a thermosetting resin or elastomer material to prepare a composition. Each of key tops is formed of the composition, followed by irradiation of a laser beam on each of the key tops to form a character-like or figure-like indication section in the key top.