Double anodizing processes

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9420713-B2
Application number	US-201213610813-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 11, 2012
Priority date	May 29, 2012
Publication date	Aug 16, 2016
Grant date	Aug 16, 2016

Abstract

Methods and structures for forming anodization layers that protect and cosmetically enhance metal surfaces are described. In some embodiments, methods involve forming an anodization layer on an underlying metal that permits an underlying metal surface to be viewable. In some embodiments, methods involve forming a first anodization layer and an adjacent second anodization layer on an angled surface, the interface between the two anodization layers being regular and uniform. Described are photomasking techniques and tools for providing sharply defined corners on anodized and texturized patterns on metal surfaces. Also described are techniques and tools for providing anodizing resistant components in the manufacture of electronic devices.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A consumer electronic product, comprising:
a housing having a bottom portion defining a first surface and a side wall defining a second surface, the first surface non-parallel to the second surface, wherein the first surface and second surface meet at a chamfered edge, the chamfered edge defining a chamfer surface disposed between the first surface and the second surface, wherein the first surface and the second surface are textured surfaces and the chamfer surface is a mirror reflective surface;
a primary anodization layer disposed on the first surface and the second surface; and
a secondary anodization layer disposed on the chamfer surface.

2. The consumer electronic product as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first surface and second surface are blasted surfaces.

3. The consumer electronic product as recited in claim 2 , wherein the secondary anodization layer has a different pore density than the primary anodization layer.

4. The consumer electronic product as recited in claim 3 , wherein secondary anodization layer has a different average pore size than the primary anodization layer.

5. The consumer electronic product as recited in claim 4 , wherein the primary anodization layer includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein a first angle between an edge of the first portion and the secondary anodization layer is about equal to a second angle between an edge of the second portion and the secondary anodization layer.

6. The consumer electronic product as recited in claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the primary anodization layer is about the same as a thickness of the secondary anodization layer.

7. The consumer electronic product as recited in claim 1 , wherein the secondary anodization layer is characterized as having a first pore density and a first average pore size and wherein the primary anodization layer is characterized as having a second pore density and a second average pore size.

8. The consumer electronic product as recited in claim 7 , wherein the first pore density is greater than the second pore density and the first average pore size is less than the second average pore size.

9. A housing for a consumer electronic product, the housing comprising:
a protective coating covering a chamfered edge of the housing, the chamfered edge comprising a chamfer surface positioned between a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface and the second surface are textured surfaces and the chamfer surface is a mirror reflective surface; the first surface non-parallel to the second surface, the protective coating comprising:
a primary anodization layer covering the first surface and the second surface, and
a secondary anodization layer covering the chamfer surface.

10. The housing of claim 9 , wherein a difference in a thickness of the primary anodization layer and a thickness of the secondary anodization layer is about 5 microns or less.

11. The housing of claim 9 , wherein the first surface and the second surface are characterized as blasted surfaces and the chamfer surface is a polished surface.

12. The housing of claim 9 , wherein the chamfered edge includes a highlighted portion, the highlighted portion characterized as a polished surface portion of at least one of the first surface or the second surface.

13. The housing of claim 9 , wherein the secondary anodization layer has a different pore density than the primary anodization layer.

Assignees

• Browning Lucy Elizabeth
• Woodhull Charles B
• Kiple Bryan Patrick
• Pakula David A
• Tan Tang Yew
• Hanchak-Connors Julie
• Thornton Iii John Murray
• Johannessen Thomas
• Russell-Clarke Peter
• Tatebe Masashige
• Tan Napthaneal Y
• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Browning Lucy Elizabeth
• Woodhull Charles B
• Kiple Bryan Patrick
• Pakula David A
• Tan Tang Yew
• Hanchak-Connors Julie
• Thornton Iii John Murray
• Johannessen Thomas
• Russell-Clarke Peter
• Tatebe Masashige
• Tan Napthaneal Y

Classifications

• H05K5/04 Primary

  Metal casings · CPC title

• H04B1/3827

  Portable transceivers · CPC title

• Y10T409/300896

  with sensing of numerical information and regulation without mechanical connection between sensing means and regulated means [i.e., numerical control] · CPC title

• B23C2226/31

  Diamond · CPC title

• Y10T29/49002

  Electrical device making · CPC title