US3626143A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Scoring of materials with laser energy
Assignee: Primerica Inc
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Filing: 1969-04-02
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Granted: 1971-12-07
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Expires: 1989-04-02
Abstract
Abstract A process in which a groove or score is generated in a thermoplastic substrate. A focused continuous beam of laser light is directed against the substrate and relative motion is applied between the beam and the substrate. The laser beam is generated and focused with suitable optics so that the beam has sufficient energy density to degrade the plastic material. The relative velocity between the beam and the substrate is such that the beam degrades the substrate without cutting through the substrate and thereby forms a groove in the substrate with a bead bordering the groove.
Inventors
- 👤 Franklin Hornor Fry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 08:16
CPC Classifications
C; C03; C03B; C03B33/00; B; B29; B29C; B29C59/00; B29C59/007; B44; B44B; B44B7/00; B23; B23K; B23K2103/00; B23K2103/30; B23K2103/42; B23K2103/50; B29C35/00; B29C35/02; B29C35/08; B29C35/0805; B29C2035/0838; B29C2791/00; B29C2791/004; B29C2791/009; B29C37/00; B29C37/0053; B29C37/0057; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S65/00; Y10S65/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for generating a groove in a thermoplastic, substrate material, comprising the steps of: generating a concentrated beam of laser light of sufficient energy density to degrade the substrate material; directing the laser beam against the surface of the substrate material; of such intensity that said beam does not cause substantial vaporization; and moving the laser beam and the surface of the substrate material at a relative velocity, for the length of the desired groove, such that the laser beam degrades only a portion of the thickness of the thermoplastic material along the path of the desired groove to form the desired groove in the substrate material; application of the laser beam at such intensity causing bubbles to evolve from the degraded portion of the substrate material and to accumulate along the sides of the groove while leaving the residual thickness of substrate material, along the path of the groove, substantially undegraded.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
153 words
A method for generating a groove in a thermoplastic, substrate material, comprising the steps of: generating a concentrated beam of laser light of sufficient energy density to degrade the substrate material; directing the laser beam against the surface of the substrate material; of such intensity that said beam does not cause substantial vaporization; and moving the laser beam and the surface of the substrate material at a relative velocity, for the length of the desired groove, such that the laser beam degrades only a portion of the thickness of the thermoplastic material along the path of the desired groove to form the desired groove in the substrate material; application of the laser beam at such intensity causing bubbles to evolve from the degraded portion of the substrate material and to accumulate along the sides of the groove while leaving the residual thickness of substrate material, along the path of the groove, substantially undegraded.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process for generating a groove in a substrate as defined in claim 1 including the step of applying backing plate means to said substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process for generating a groove in a substrate as defined in claim 2 wherein said backing plate means is a metal plate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3400456A
Cited
US3465091A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-12-06 | 1975-06-07 | 1975-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-12-06 | 1979-06-07 | 1979-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-12-06 | 1983-06-07 | 1983-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |