Patents by Inventor Masaaki Mimura

Masaaki Mimura has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6819349
    Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a method for forming a mark having superior conspicuity, wherein plural plating layers each having a different hue are formed on a base, a portion of the upper plating layer is removed by laser marking so as to reveal the color of the lower plating layer, and thereby the color difference between a mark and the upper plating layer is made clear. Further, after the upper plating layer is removed by laser marking, another plating layer may be applied to a mark portion to make the mark conspicuous. Furthermore, a concave portion or concavo-convex portions may be provided on the surface of the plating layers, and the concave portion or concavo-convex portions may be colored with ink or paint. With these methods, it is possible to easily form a colored mark having superior conspicuity, corrosion resistance, adhesion, abrasion resistance and to produce a product bearing such a mark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaaki Mimura, Mitsuo Imamoto, Masashi Kawamoto
  • Publication number: 20020097279
    Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a method for forming a mark having superior conspicuity, wherein plural plating layers each having a different hue are formed on a base, a portion of the upper plating layer is removed by laser marking so as to reveal the color of the lower plating layer, and thereby the color difference between a mark and the upper plating layer is made clear. Further, after the upper plating layer is removed by laser marking, another plating layer may be applied to a mark portion to make the mark conspicuous. Furthermore, a concave portion or concavo-convex portions may be provided on the surface of the plating layers, and the concave portion or concavo-convex portions may be colored with ink or paint. With these methods, it is possible to easily form a colored mark having superior conspicuity, corrosion resistance, adhesion, abrasion resistance and to produce a product bearing such a mark.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Masaaki Mimura, Mitsuo Imamoto, Masashi Kawamoto