Systems and methods for altering the color, appearance, or feel of a vehicle surface

Abstract

Systems and methods for altering the appearance and/or texture of a surface include installing a vest relative to the surface such that an exterior side of the vest, spaced from the surface, defines a fluid-tight space between the surface and the exterior side of the vest. Visual media can be provided into and from the fluid-tight space using one or more ports, the exterior side being at least partially transparent or translucent such that the visible media within the fluid-tight space are visible through the exterior side of the vest, thereby allowing the repeatable alteration of the appearance of the surface.

1 . A system for altering the appearance of a surface, the system comprising:
 a vest comprising an edge secured to the surface and an exterior side spaced from the surface to define a fluid-tight space between the exterior side of the vest and the surface, wherein the exterior side is at least partially transparent, at least partially translucent, or combinations thereof for enabling visualization of visible media in the fluid-tight space through the exterior side; and   at least one port communicating between the fluid-tight space and a region exterior to the fluid-tight space for receiving visible media into the fluid-tight space, removing visible media from the fluid-tight space, or combinations thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vest further comprises an interior side adjacent to the surface and spaced from the exterior side, and wherein the fluid-tight space is defined between the exterior side and the interior side. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a sealant between the interior side of the vest and the surface for preventing passage of materials between the interior side of the vest and the surface. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a visible medium within the fluid-tight space, where in the visible medium comprises a fluid adapted to remain flowable at temperatures ranging from negative 37 degrees Fahrenheit to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the visible medium comprises a quantity of visible solid or viscous components sufficient to remain flowable in the visible medium and through said at least one port. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one port comprises a bidirectional valve, a multidirectional valve, at least two one-way valves, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the surface comprises a body portion of an object, and wherein the vest comprises a shape that matches that of at least a portion of the body portion of the object. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the edge comprises an extension associated therewith, and wherein the extension is adapted for securing the vest to the surface by welding, laser welding, ultrasonic welding, heat sealing, heat fusion, crimping, soldering, brazing, adhesives, pressure-sensitive adhesives, contact adhesives, hot adhesives, hot gas welding, infrared welding, receiving at least one fastener, compressively retaining an extension extending from the edge of the vest between the surface and an adjacent object, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid-tight space comprises a thickness of at least 1 micron. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vest is at least partially formed from polyester, acrylic, fiberglass, polyethylene, plastic, silicone, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyester, glass, fiber, thermoplastic, thermoset, latex, polymer fibers, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, vinyl, thermoplastic materials, thermoset materials, phenolics, furane resins, amino resins, epoxy, alkyds, allyl plastics, aminos, polyamides, polyethylene resins, polycarbonate, acrylic resin, cellulose acetate, cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose propionate, rubber, neoprene, Thiokol, nitrile, butyl rubber, silicone rubber, acetals, cellulosics, fluoroplastics, ionomers, polyimide, polyolefins, polysulfone, composites, polythene, epoxides, polyurethane, synthetic rubber, synthetic plastic, synthetic resin, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vest comprises an interior adjacent to the fluid-tight space, and wherein the interior comprises a hydrophobic coating adapted to facilitate removal of visible media from the fluid-tight space. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vest comprises at least one interior barrier, protrusion, or recession on an interior thereof adapted to provide the vest with a plurality of fluid-tight spaces, regions, spaces, or combinations thereof, at least one of the fluid-tight spaces, regions, or spaces having at least one port associated therewith and adapted to receive media therein, remove media therefrom, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vest comprises an exterior having a material, a coating, a treatment, or combinations thereof adapted to provide the vest, and thereby the surface, with a glossy texture, a rubbery texture, a silky texture, a smooth texture, a metallic texture, a matte texture, a stringy texture, a bubbled texture, a flakey texture, a thorny texture, a rough texture, a geometrically patterned texture, a pebble-like texture, a fur-like texture, a leather-like texture, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the vest is removably associated with the surface for enabling changing of the vest to alter the texture of the surface, the appearance of the surface, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the exterior side of the vest and the fluid-tight space comprise an integral portion of the surface. 
     
     
         16 . A method for altering the appearance of a surface, the method comprising:
 providing a vest in association with the surface, wherein the vest comprises an exterior side spaced from the surface to define a fluid-tight space between the exterior side of the vest and the surface, and wherein the exterior side is at least partially transparent, at least partially translucent, or combinations thereof and   providing a first visible medium into the fluid-tight space through at least one port communicating between the fluid-tight space and a region exterior to the fluid-tight space.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 removing the first visible medium from the fluid-tight space through said at least one port; and   providing a second visible medium into the fluid-tight space through said at least one port.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of providing the vest into association with the surface comprises positioning an interior side of the vest adjacent to the surface and spaced from the exterior side, and wherein the fluid-tight space is defined between the exterior side and the interior side. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of providing the vest into association with the surface comprises securing an extension extending from an edge of the vest to the surface by welding, laser welding, ultrasonic welding, heat sealing, heat fusion, crimping, soldering, brazing, adhesives, pressure-sensitive adhesives, contact adhesives, hot adhesives, hot gas welding, infrared welding, receiving at least one fastener, compressively retaining an extension extending from an edge of the vest between the surface and an adjacent object, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of providing the vest into association with the surface comprises spacing the exterior side of the vest from 1 micron to 5 millimeters from the surface. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the step of removing the first visible medium from the fluid-tight space comprises flowing a wash fluid through said at least one port into the fluid-tight space to displace the first visible medium, alter the first visible medium, or combinations thereof, and removing the wash fluid from the fluid-tight space through said at least one port. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of drying the fluid-tight space after removing the first visible medium therefrom by flowing a gas into the fluid-tight space. 
     
     
         23 . A method for altering the appearance of a surface, the method comprising:
 providing a vest into association with a surface, wherein the vest comprises an exterior side spaced from the surface to define a fluid-tight space between the exterior side of the vest and the surface, wherein the exterior side is at least partially transparent, at least partially translucent, or combinations thereof, and wherein a first medium is disposed within the fluid-tight space and visible through the exterior side;   engaging at least one conduit to at least one port associated with the vest;   generating a suction pressure via said at least one conduit to draw the first medium through said at least one port to remove the first medium from the fluid-tight space;   injecting an intermediate medium via said at least one conduit through said at least one port and into the fluid-tight space to displace the first medium, alter the first medium, clean an interior of the vest, or combinations thereof;   generating a suction pressure via said at least one conduit to draw the intermediate medium through said at least one port to remove the intermediate medium from the fluid-tight space;   injecting a gas via said at least one conduit through said at least one port and into the fluid-tight space to dry the interior of the vest; and   injecting a second medium via said at least one conduit through said at least one port and into the fluid-tight space to at least partially fill the fluid-tight space, wherein the second medium is visible through the exterior side.   
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the surface is at least a portion of the surface of a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a cellular telephone, or other electronic device. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the surface is at least a portion of the surface of a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a cellular telephone, or other electronic device. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the surface is at least a portion of the surface of a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a cellular telephone, or other electronic device. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the surface is at least a portion of the surface of an appliance. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the surface is at least a portion of the surface of an appliance. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the surface is at least a portion of the surface of an appliance.