Apple Inc.

Masashige Tatebe

Peter N Russell-Clarke

Jody R Akana

Takahiro Oshima

Lucy Elizabeth Browning

Kenji Hara

Christopher D Prest

Michael S Nashner

Daniel T McDonald

Ayumi Hongou

Stephen Brian Lynch

Brian S Tryon

Carlo Catalano

Thomas Johannessen

Derrick T Jue

Brian K Miehm

Jonathan P Ive

Tang Yew Tan

David A Pakula

John Benjamin Filson

Charles B Woodhull

Paul Choiniere

Bryan Patrick Kiple

Ronald J Moller

Napthaneal Yuen Tan

Rimple Bhatia

Howard Bujtor

John Murray Thornton, Iii

Masayuki Sakoguchi

Julie Hanchak-Connors

Kenneth J Silverman

Yutaka Nakagishi

Junichi Katayama

Yasuhiro Ito

Ken Silverman

Takashi Kato

Duy P Le

James A Curran

Palaniappan Chinnakaruppan

Shi Hua Zhang

Andrew J Meschke

Kenichi Nakajima

Michael W Barnstead

Shigehiro Sanichi

Tushar S Deshpande

Richard M Bretherton

Sean A Backs

Koji Takano

A glass member for a housing of an electronic device may include an aluminosilicate glass substrate defining a first surface of the glass member, the first surface having a first surface roughness, a fused composite coating bonded to a portion of the aluminosilicate glass substrate and defining a second surface of the glass member, the second surface having a second surface roughness greater than the first surface roughness, a first ion-exchanged layer extending into the glass member and through the fused composite coating, and a second ion-exchanged layer extending into the glass member from the first surface. The fused composite coating may include an amorphous glass matrix and a crystalline material dispersed in the amorphous glass matrix.

Chemically strengthened and textured glass housing member

Methods and structures for forming anodization layers that protect and cosmetically enhance metal surfaces are described. In some embodiments, methods involve forming an anodization layer on an underlying metal that permits an underlying metal surface to be viewable. In some embodiments, methods involve forming a first anodization layer and an adjacent second anodization layer on an angled surface, the interface between the two anodization layers being regular and uniform. Described are photomasking techniques and tools for providing sharply defined corners on anodized and texturized patterns on metal surfaces. Also described are techniques and tools for providing anodizing resistant components in the manufacture of electronic devices.

Double anodized parts

The embodiments described herein relate to anodizing and anodized films. The methods described can be used to form opaque and white anodized films on a substrate. In some embodiments, the methods involve forming anodized films having branched pore structures. The branched pore structure provides a light scattering medium for incident visible light, imparting an opaque and white appearance to the anodized film. In some embodiments, the methods involve infusing metal complex ions within pores of an anodized. Once within the pores, the metal complex ions undergo a chemical change forming metal oxide particles. The metal oxide particles provide a light scattering medium for incident visible light, imparting an opaque and white appearance to the anodized film. In some embodiments, aspects of the methods for creating irregular or branched pores and methods for infusing metal complex ions within pores are combined.

Cosmetic anodic oxide coatings

The embodiments described herein relate to forming anodized films that have a white appearance. In some embodiments, an anodized film having pores with light diffusing pore walls created by varying the current density during an anodizing process is described. In some embodiments, an anodized film having light diffusing micro-cracks created by a laser cracking procedure is described. In some embodiments, a sputtered layer of light diffusing aluminum is provided below an anodized film. In some embodiments, light diffusing particles are infused within openings of an anodized layer.

White appearing anodized films

Anodizing techniques for providing highly opaque colorized anodic films are described. According to some embodiments, the methods involve depositing a pigment having a particle diameter of about 20 nanometers or greater into an anodic film. Additionally or alternatively, a barrier layer smoothing operation is used to flatten an interface between the anodic film and underlying metal substrate so as to maximize light reflection off the interface, thereby maximizing light reflected off the pigment that is deposited within pores of the anodic film. The resulting anodic films have an opaque or saturated colored appearance. In some embodiments, the methods involve increasing a thickness of a non-porous barrier layer of the anodic film so as to create thin film interference effects that can add a particular hue to the anodic film. The methods can be used form cosmetically appealing coatings for consumer products, such as housings for electronic products.

Anodized films with pigment coloring

Anodic films that have a white color, and methods for forming the same, are described. According to some embodiments, the anodic films have multiple metal oxide layers. A first layer can provide scratch and chemical resistance and a second layer can provide a light diffusing pore structure that diffusely reflects incoming light and provides a white appearance to the anodic film. According to some embodiments, the anodic films also include a smoothed barrier layer that specularly reflects incoming light so as to brighten the appearance and enhance the white color of the anodic film. The resulting anodic films have an opaque white appearance not achievable using conventional techniques. The anodic films are well suited for providing cosmetically appealing coatings for consumer products, such as housings for electronic products.

White anodic films with multiple layers

Anodized electroplated aluminum structures and methods for making the same are disclosed. Cosmetic structures according to embodiments of the invention are provided by electroplating a non-cosmetic structure with aluminum and then anodizing the electroplated aluminum. This produces cosmetic structures that may possess desired structural and cosmetic properties and that may be suitable for use as housing or support members of electronic devices.

Anodized electroplated aluminum structures

The embodiments described herein relate to forming white appearing metal oxide films by forming cracks within the metal oxide films. In some embodiments, the methods involve directing a laser beam at a metal oxide film causing portions of the metal oxide film to melt, cool, contract, and crack. The cracks have irregular surfaces that can diffusely reflect visible light incident a top surface of the metal oxide film, thereby imparting a white appearance to the metal oxide film. In some embodiments, the cracks are formed beneath a top surface of a metal oxide film, thereby leaving a continuous and uninterrupted metal oxide film top surface.

Forming white metal oxide films by oxide structure modification or subsurface cracking

A metal surface treated to have a distinct cosmetic appearance such as an integral layer that is glossy may be used in electronic devices. The surface treatment may include polishing a metal surface, texturing the polished metal surface, polishing the textured surface, followed by anodizing the surface, and then polishing the anodized surface. The metal surface may also be dyed to impart a rich color to the surface.

Anodization and polish surface treatment

A surface treatment for metal surfaces can be used to create one or more desired effects, such as functional, tactile, or cosmetic effects. In one embodiment, the treatment involves selectively masking a portion of the surface using a photolithographic process. The mask can protect the masked portion of the surface during subsequent treatment processes such as texturizing and anodization. The mask can result in the creation of a surface having contrasting effects. A pattern can be formed by the contrasting effects in the shape of a distinct graphic, such as a logo or text.

Metal surface and process for treating a metal surface

An article having a metal surface is treated to have one or more desired optical effects. The surface is anodized to create an anodic film having pores therein. In some embodiments, an electrodeposition process is performed to deposit one or more metals within the pores of the anodic film. In some embodiments, a pre-dip procedure is performed prior to electrodeposition to create a more uniformly colored anodic film. In some embodiments, one or more dyes are deposited within the pores of the anodic film. In some embodiments, the substrate is exposed to a chemical etching process prior to anodizing to create a micro-textured surface that enhances the richness of the color of the anodic film.

Cosmetic and protective metal surface treatments

Methods for forming white anodized films by metal complex infusion

Anodized films with branched pore structures

Growing community of inventors

Kakogawa, Japan

Masashige Tatebe