Abstract: An information carrier such as a push-button switch consists of a silicone elastomer. The information carrier has an a label-carrying surface in which there is embedded a printing ink having a vulcanizing mechanism similar to that of the silicone elastomer. The ink and silicone elastomer are vulcanized to form the ink into a pattern on the label-carrying surface. The label-carrying surface having the pattern embedded therein constitutes a non-glossy surface of a predetermined roughness. Also disclosed are a method and apparatus for manufacturing the information carrier by printing the printing ink on a transfer plate, which has a roughness of several microns, followed by half vulcanization to embed a pattern which is manifested by the printing ink into the label-carrying surface of the information carrier.

Abstract: A printing ink is vulcanized on the top surface of an operation indicating member consisting of a silicone-type elastomer and is integrated with the elastomer to form a character of a predetermined shape on the top surface. The printing ink consists essentially of a material which exhibits a vulcanizing mechanism similar to that of the silicon-type elastomer. In manufacturing the operation indicating member, the predetermined character is formed by means of the printing ink on a transfer plate disposed within a mold for molding the body of the indicating member. Next, the silicon-type elastomer is introduced into the mold and heated under elevated pressure to vulcanize and integrate the character on the transfer plate and the silicone-type elastomer, whereby the character is integrally embedded in the top surface of the operation indicating member formed in the mold.

Abstract: A keyboard having a plurality of keys thereon, with each key being moveable from a rest position along an actuation path having a makepoint therealong, whereby completion of an electrical circuit is effected by moving a key with a predetermined force along its actuation path to its associated said makepoint. Each of the keys has means for restoring it towards its rest position. At least one of the keys is designated as a special key and it has warning means associated therewith and positioned with respect to the special key and keyboard so as to increase the force (above the predetermined force) required to actuate the special key. The increase in force provides tactile feedback to an operator of the keyboard before the special key's associated makepoint is reached to thereby warn said operator that he is about to actuate the special key. The warning means is made of resilient material, has a general, washer-like shape, and is positioned under the key cap of the special key.