Abstract: A flexible trim strip especially useful on an automobile's exterior surface provides a decorative appearance with enhanced depth of vision. The trim strip comprises an elongated transparent of translucent core of a plastic material. A bottom surface of the core is covered with an opaque layer and an adhesive layer. A top surface of the core has a thin covering of a metal having a mirror-like appearance with selected portions removed so that a pattern of the underlying opaque layer is revealed. A transparent plastic overlay is formed over the top covering of metal. The overlay has radiused edges to give enhanced depth of vision to the trim strip.

Abstract: A decorative article is made by a process in which a controlled-flatness substrate having an effective edge in a closed pattern on its surface receives a fluent plastic composition which is cast into an area defined by the edge. The fluent plastic flows to the effective edge and is then cured to form a clear plastic cap. During casting and curing the substrate is held flat and horizontal by reason of its being releasably adhered to a flat, smooth-surfaced, stiff release liner. The resulting decorative article is free of optical distortions and may be used as a covering preferrably for elongated automotive components such as the external vertical pillars between the passenger compartments of automobiles.

Abstract: A decorative article is made by a process in which a substrate having an effective edge in a closed pattern on its surface receives a fluent plastic composition which is cast into an elongated area defined by the edge. Relative movement between a casting head and the substrate is effected in a direction generally parallel to the direction of elongation of the area while varying amounts of the fluent plastic composition area cast on portions of the area in relation to the widths of the portions. The fluent plastic flows to the effective edge and is then cured to form a clear plastic cap.

Abstract: A decorative emblem is formed by insertion of a decorative foil shape into a preformed bezel and encapsulating and bonding the foil to the bezel with a fluent, curable plastic material. After an initial casting of a measured amount of plastic onto the base of the bezel, the foil is inserted and seated. A second cast of plastic forms a cap contiguous with the sides of the bezel and encapsulates the foil and bonds it within the bezel. Upon curing, the plastic cap gives a lens effect to the decorative emblem. The emblem may be equipped with attachment means for fastening it to an automobile, appliance, or other object. In alternative embodiments, a decorative foil shape is placed directly onto the base of the bezel, and a fluent, curable plastic material is cast thereon. As the plastic material cures, it migrates around the edges and under the foil to at least partially encapsulate the foil and bond it within the bezel.

Abstract: A decorative article and method of manufacture are provided. The article includes a plastic cap overlying a printed and/or decorated upper surface of an adhesive layer. The need for an intermediate metal, plastic, or paper substrate is eleiminated. By treating the upper surface of the adhesive to render it substantially tack free, the printing and/or decoration may be applied to that surface and the cap formed directly thereon.

Abstract: A method of making a pressure sensitive adhesive stock material for tags or labels is provided which eliminates the need for a self-supporting paper, cardboard, or plastic substrate. A layer of pressure sensitive adhesive is provided, preferably on a release liner. The upper surface of the adhesive is then treated to render it substantially tack free and suitable for printing directly thereon.

Abstract: A cover mechanism for covering a lock, having a key opening, on a lock support surface includes a cover plate which may be pivoted between a closed position in which the key opening of the lock is covered, and an opened position in which the key opening is exposed. A detent arrangement engages the cover plate at a first point to hold it in its opened position until a key is inserted into the key opening and rotated towards an unlatching position, whereupon the detent arrangement engages the cover plate at a second point and prevents movement of the cover plate into its closed position. The cover plate is released when the key is withdrawn from the lock such that the cover plate is free to move into its closed position.

Abstract: A plastic-capped decorative article and method of manufacture are provided. The article includes a plastic cap which is applied over a decorated embedment positioned on a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive and then cured. Optionally, the upper surface of the adhesive may be treated to render its substantially tack free and suitable for printing thereon prior to the application of the plastic cap.

Abstract: A plastic-capped adhesive article and method of manufacture are provided. The article includes a plastic cap which is applied as a liquid directly to the upper surface of a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive and then cured. Optionally, the upper surface of the adhesive may be treated to render it substantially tack free and suitable for printing thereon prior to the application of the plastic cap.

Abstract: A method of protecting at least one portion of the surface of a glass bottle from scuffing due to contact with bottle handling and filling equipment, other bottles, and bottle containers, comprises the step of providing a glass bottle defining a circumferential groove in the area to be protected. The bottle is rotated about a horizontal axis and an uncured plastic liquid is applied to the bottle surface by flow coating the plastic into the circumferential groove. An amount of plastic liquid is applied which is sufficient to fill completely the circumferential groove. The plastic liquid is then cured to produce a bottle which is protected from scuffing by a circumferential band of plastic material in the area to be protected.

Abstract: A decorative emblem and method of manufacture are provided. The emblem includes a plastic cap overlying a printed and/or decorated upper surface of an adhesive layer. The need for an intermediate metal, plastic, or paper substrate is eliminated. By treating the upper surface of the adhesive to render it tack free, the printing and/or decoration may be applied to that surface and the cap formed directly thereon.

Abstract: A decorative trim strip and method of manufacture are provided. The trim strip includes a plastic cap overlying a printed and/or decorated upper surface of an adhesive layer. The need for an intermediate metal, plastic, or paper substrate is eliminated. By treating the upper surface of the adhesive to render it tack free, the printing and/or decoration may be applied to that surface and the cap formed directly thereon.

Abstract: A decorative emblem is formed by producing a decorative surface, which may be printed and embossed, on a foil substrate. An integral bezel is then formed around the periphery of the decorative surface. Fluent plastic is cast onto the decorative surface to form a meniscus over it. Upon curing, the plastic cap gives a lens effect to the decorative surface. The decorative emblem may be adapted with several types of different attachment means, such as an edge adhesive strip, for fastening it to the intended surface such as an automobile, appliance, or other object.

Abstract: A method for making decorative emblems, plaques, and other decorative shapes having a clear, strong, weather-resistant, plastic coating over a decorative surface and shapes prepared by that method. The coated shapes are stamped from a substrate using a cutting die in which a pressure platform is resiliently mounted. The platform sandwiches the substrate in the area of the decorative shape against a punch such that the shape is not domed during the cutting operation and the shape obtained is essentially flat. In accordance with one working embodiment, a 2-working station die is employed wherein the shape is cut out with one stroke of the press at a first station using the aforesaid cutting die and the shape is ejected from the substrate at a second station with a subsequent stroke.

Abstract: A cover mechanism for covering a lock having a key opening in a lock support surface includes a cover plate which may be pivoted between a closed position in which the key opening of the lock is covered and an opened position in which the key opening is exposed. A detent arrangement includes a first stop which engages the cover plate to hold it in its opened position until insertion of a key into the key opening, whereupon a second stop of the detent arrangement engages the cover plate and prevents movement of the cover plate into its closed position until withdrawal of the key is initiated. A damping arrangement slows movement of the cover plate from its opened position into its closed position.

Abstract: An elongate trim strip comprising an elongate moulding, said moulding having a flat surface for receiving adhesive or otherwise attaching the strip to the body of a vehicle, a longitudinal channel formed in said moulding, a decorative surface in said channel and a weather-resistant and impact-resistant plastic overlay having radiused edges which provides a lens effect to the decorative surface beneath. Also a trim strip consisting essentially of an elongate decorative foil member having an upper surface and a lower surface and sharply defined peripheral edges, said upper surface having thereon a weather-resistant and impact-resistant overlay having radiused edges and providing a lens effect to said foil member, said overlay being formed by overcoating said upper surface of said foil member with a fluent clear plastic material which flows to said sharply defined peripheral edges and forms a positive meniscus and curing said plastic material.

Abstract: A method of casting decorative emblems from a polyurethane-type compound. A series of decorvative discs are held flat and horizontal while the polyurethane composition is cast thereon to form a meniscus. The polyurethane composition comprises a polyether polyol component and a diisocyanate component. The cast polyurethane, when cured, gives a lens effect to the decorative discs.