The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 30, 2001
Filed:
May. 19, 1999
Robert C. Fitzer, North Oaks, MN (US);
Haitao Huang, Woodbury, MN (US);
Pierre H. LePere, Cottage Grove, MN (US);
Theresa A. McCarthy-Pohl, Inver Grove Heights, MN (US);
Robert D. Waid, Oakdale, MN (US);
3M Innovative Properties Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
A method of imaging an article comprising a metal/metal oxide imageable layer with a laser beam. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for imparting a color image on the article. The method includes: a) providing an article including a substrate and an imageable layer, the imageable layer comprising a metal/metal oxide layer; b) imagewise applying a laser beam to the article; and c) in the portion of the article having the laser applied thereto, imparting a color to the metal/metal oxide layer different from the color in the non-imaged portion. Preferably, the imageable layer comprises aluminum/aluminum oxide. Also presented are imageable articles, and the resulting imaged articles.