Method and apparatus pertaining to reversed thermoformed film
View Patent ↗An apparatus, such as one or more keyboard keys, comprises at least one form-in-place component that comprises an injection-molded core and a thermoformed film conformally co-molded over at least a portion of the core, wherein the thermoformed film has its smoother side facing outwardly and away from the injection-molded core. Reversing of the film provides a suitable surface for high-resolution character artwork and appearance finish. The smoother surface also allows for top clear coating having a matte, satin or high-gloss finish as desired.
1. A method of forming a layered component of an electronic device, the method comprising:
reversing a pocket formed by a thermoformed film, the thermoformed film having a smooth finish on a smoother side forming the pocket and a rougher side having a finish that is rougher than the smoother side, so that a concave surface portion of the smoother side of the thermoformed film facing inwardly towards an interior cavity of the pocket changes into a convex surface portion facing outwardly away from an interior cavity of a new resulting pocket formed from the rougher side as a result of said reversing; and
injecting a resin core into the interior of the new pocket and into contact with the rougher side to thereby combine the resin core and new pocket of the reversed film into a layered component having the smoother side of the reversed film facing away from the core.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the layered component comprises a keyboard key.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the reversed film is conformally disposed about at least a portion of the core.
4. The method of claim 3 further comprising printing at least one key symbol on the smoother side of the reversed film.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the printing comprises printing using a silk screen-mesh printing process.
6. The method of claim 3 further comprising disposing a clear layer over at least a portion of the reversed film.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein said injecting is conducted by a form-in-place co-molding process.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the thermoformed film is translucent.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the thermoformed film is formed from a blend of polycarbonate and polyester.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the thermoformed film is formed from a blend of polycarbonate and polybutylene terephthalate.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the injected resin is acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein the thermoformed film comprises polycarbonate.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the injected resin is transparent.
14. The method of claim 1 , wherein a convex surface portion of the rougher side of the thermoformed film is caused to change into a concave surface portion forming the new pocket as a result of said reversing.