Images in solid surfaces

Abstract

The present invention relates to systems and methods for forming images in solid surfaces, and to solid surfaces containing an image. In particular, the present invention provides systems and methods for forming images in polymeric materials, and polymeric materials containing an image with novel optical density characteristics.

1 - 30 . (canceled)  
     
     
         31 . A method making a filled polymeric material with a fixed image, comprising; 
 a) providing; 
 i) a filled polymeric material comprising a polymer component and an inorganic filler, and  
 ii) a transfer medium comprising a transfer image; and  
   b) pre-heating said filled polymeric material at a temperature of at least 160 degrees Celsius, and    c) contacting at least a portion of said filled polymeric material with at least a portion of said transfer medium such that a filled polymeric material comprising a fixed image is generated.    
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said pre-heating is at a temperature of at least 175 degrees Celsius.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said pre-heating is at a temperature between 175 and 210 degrees Celsius.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said pre-heating is at a temperature of approximately 177 degrees Celsius.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said polymer component comprises polymethyl methacrylate.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said inorganic filler comprises alumina trihydrate.  
     
     
         37 . A method of making a polymeric material with a fixed image, comprising; 
 a) providing; 
 i) a filled polymeric material comprising a polymer component and an inorganic filler, and  
 ii) a transfer medium comprising a transfer image; and  
   b) contacting said filled polymeric material with said transfer medium at a temperature of at least 160 degrees Celsius such that a filled polymeric material comprising a fixed image is generated, wherein said fixed image: i) has a fixed image optical density value within 1.5 of a said transfer image optical density value before it is used for said contacting, or ii) has a fixed image optical density value of at least 0.7.    
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said temperature is at least 175 degrees Celsius.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said temperature is between 175 and 210 degrees Celsius.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said temperature is approximately 177 degrees Celsius.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said fixed image has a fixed image optical density value within 1.0 of the optical density value of said transfer image before said contacting.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said fixed image has an optical density value of at least 1.0.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said fixed image has an optical density value of at least 1.5.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said polymer component comprises polymethyl methacrylate.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said inorganic filler comprises alumina trihydrate.  
     
     
         46 . A method of making a polymeric material with a fixed image, comprising; 
 a) providing; 
 i) a filled polymeric material comprising a polymer component and an inorganic filler, and  
 ii) a transfer medium comprising a transfer image; and  
   b) contacting said filled polymeric material with said transfer medium such that a filled polymeric material comprising a fixed image is generated, wherein said contacting employs heat and is conducted for a time of less than 20 seconds.    
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein said contacting is conducted for a time of less than 10 seconds.  
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein said contacting is conducted for a time of less than 5 seconds.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein said polymer component comprises polymethyl methacrylate.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein said inorganic filler comprises alumina trihydrate.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein said fixed image has a fixed image optical density value within 1.5 of a said transfer image optical density value before it is used for said contacting.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein said fixed image has a fixed image optical density value of at least 0.7.