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A method for impressing holographic images or holograms in the surface of metal objects such as aluminum cans. The surfaces of metal shims and print rolls bearing holograms are hardened as by coating them with thin amorphous diamond coatings or diamond like coatings so the holograms can be embossed into many thousands of metal cans with clarity and consistency.

Inventors: Mark W. Schaefer, Thomas L. Levendusky, Simon Sheu, Robert B. Larsen, Neville C. Whittle
Original Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
Current U.S. Classification: 29/527.1; 72/349; 101/32
International Classification: B21B 146

View patent at USPTO
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Citations

Cited PatentFiling dateIssue dateOriginal AssigneeTitle
US3048512Jun 27, 1957Aug 7, 1962METHOD OF MAKING MATCHED EMBOSSING ROLLS
US3244094Jul 16, 1962Apr 5, 1966METAL EMBOSSING ROLLER FOR PAPER
US3733258Feb 3, 1971May 15, 1973COUNTER ELECTRODE
US3875026May 22, 1974May 15, 1975METHOD FOR PRODUCING ALUMINUM HOLOGRAPHIC MASTERS
US3944420May 22, 1974Mar 16, 1976RCA CorporationGeneration of permanent phase holograms and relief patterns in durable media by chemical etching
US4368979May 22, 1980Jan 18, 1983Siemens CorporationAutomobile identification system
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US4725111Jul 29, 1986Feb 16, 1988American Bank Note Holographics, Inc.Holograms embossed into metal surfaces
US4741266Oct 8, 1986May 3, 1988Adolph Coors CompanyCan decorating apparatus
US4773718Dec 1, 1987Sep 27, 1988American Bank Note Holographics, Inc.Holograms embossed into metal surfaces
US4856857Sep 26, 1988Aug 15, 1989Dai Nippon Insatsu Kabushiki KaishaTransparent reflection-type
US4913858Oct 3, 1988Apr 3, 1990Dennison Manufacturing CompanyMethod of embossing a coated sheet with a diffraction or holographic pattern
US4971646Mar 21, 1989Nov 20, 1990Method for forming a hologram film laminate and the hologram laminated product formed thereby
US4999075Jun 7, 1989Mar 12, 1991Processes of mass manufacturing a plurality of security cards and processes of manufacturing security card substrates from which a plurality of security cards may be further manufactured
US5059499Jun 3, 1988Oct 22, 1991Master hologram and micropattern replication method
US5111572Feb 22, 1991May 12, 1992Austria Metall AktiengesellschaftMethod of mechanical surface treatment of a blank metal sheet
US5227897May 4, 1990Jul 13, 1993Reproduction of holograms
US5267753Mar 24, 1992Dec 7, 1993Holographic bank draft
US5327825May 12, 1993Jul 12, 1994Transfer Print Foils, Inc.Seamless holographic transfer
US5370763Mar 16, 1994Dec 6, 1994TSL IncorporatedTamper evident and counterfeit resisting informational article and associated method
US5521030Jun 6, 1995May 28, 1996Process for making holographic embossing tools

Referenced by

Citing PatentFiling dateIssue dateOriginal AssigneeTitle
US6290062Nov 22, 1999Sep 18, 2001Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Packaging for sports equipment
US6520049Apr 27, 2001Feb 18, 2003Hallmark Cards IncorporatedMethod of digitizing emboss dies and the like
US6790387May 10, 2002Sep 14, 2004Alcan International LimitedProcess of producing diffraction gratings on the surface of articles
US7094502Dec 27, 1999Aug 22, 2006Alcon Inc.Methods for transferring holographic images into metal surfaces
US7134381Aug 19, 2004Nov 14, 2006Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Refrigerant compressor and friction control process therefor
US7146956Aug 6, 2004Dec 12, 2006Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Valve train for internal combustion engine
US7228786May 13, 2004Jun 12, 2007Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Engine piston-pin sliding structure
US7255083May 2, 2005Aug 14, 2007Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Sliding structure for automotive engine
US7273655Jan 12, 2005Sep 25, 2007Shojiro Miyake
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.		Slidably movable member and method of producing same
US7284525Aug 10, 2004Oct 23, 2007Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Structure for connecting piston to crankshaft
US7318514Aug 19, 2004Jan 15, 2008Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Low-friction sliding member in transmission, and transmission oil therefor
US7322749May 6, 2005Jan 29, 2008Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Nippon Oil Corporation		Low-friction sliding mechanism
US7353681Dec 1, 2005Apr 8, 2008Novelis Inc.Roll embossing of discrete features
US7406940May 21, 2004Aug 5, 2008Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Piston for internal combustion engine
US7427162May 26, 2004Sep 23, 2008Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Rolling element
US7458585Aug 6, 2004Dec 2, 2008Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Sliding member and production process thereof
US7500472Apr 14, 2004Mar 10, 2009Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Fuel injection valve
US7572200Aug 10, 2004Aug 11, 2009Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Chain drive system
US7624609Nov 2, 2007Dec 1, 2009Novelis Inc.Roll embossing of discrete features
US7650976Nov 28, 2007Jan 26, 2010Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Low-friction sliding member in transmission, and transmission oil therefor
US7767126Aug 2, 2006Aug 3, 2010SiPix Imaging, Inc.Embossing assembly and methods of preparation
US7771821Aug 5, 2004Aug 10, 2010Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Low-friction sliding member and low-friction sliding mechanism using same
US8096205Jul 23, 2008Jan 17, 2012Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Gear
US8152377Jul 13, 2010Apr 10, 2012Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Nippon Oil Corporation		Low-friction sliding mechanism
US8206035Aug 6, 2004Jun 26, 2012Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Nippon Oil Corporation
Jean Michel Martin		Low-friction sliding mechanism, low-friction agent composition and method of friction reduction

Claims

1. A method for imposing a holographic image on exterior surfaces of many hollow metal cylinders, comprising:

forming a positive holographic image into a surface of a shim;
impressing said positive holographic image into the outer surface of a print cylinder so as to form a negative holographic image on the exterior surface of said print cylinder; and
embossing said negative image from said print cylinder seriatim into the exterior surfaces of said hollow metal cylinders so as to form a positive holographic image on each cylinder.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said print cylinder is substantially the same diameter as said hollow metal cylinder.

3. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said forming comprises forming a positive holographic image on a substantially flat shim.

4. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said forming comprises forming a positive holographic image on the convex surface of a curved shim.

5. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said forming comprises forming a positive holographic image on a surface of a shim by electroforming.

6. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said forming comprises forming a positive holographic image on a surface of a shim by laser etching.

7. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said shim comprises nickel.

8. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said print cylinder comprises a metal.

9. A method as set forth in claim 8 wherein said print cylinder is comprised of a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum and steel.

10. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said hollow metal cylinder is comprised of a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum and steel and the cylinder has a substantially mirror-like outer surface.

11. A method as set forth in claim 10 wherein said print cylinder is aluminum.

12. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said shim is pressed against the exterior surface of said print cylinder by a rigid support roll.

13. A method as set forth in claim 12 wherein while impressing said positive holographic image onto said outer surface of said print cylinder, said support roll and said print cylinder are maintained substantially parallel to each other.

14. A method as set forth in claim 1 in which said print cylinder is mounted on a rigid support.

15. A method as set forth in claim 1 in which said hollow metal cylinder is mounted on a rigid support.

16. A method as set forth in claim 15 wherein the longitudinal axis of said hollow metal cylinder is maintained parallel to the longitudinal axis of said print cylinder while said negative image is embossed into the exterior surface of said hollow metal cylinder.

17. A method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising mounting said shim on a wheel having an outer surface.

18. A method as set forth in claim 17 wherein said shim is arcuate having an inner section and an outer section, said positive holographic image being formed on the outer section of said arcuate shim.

19. A method as set forth in claim 18 wherein said inner section of said shim is secured on said outer surface of said wheel.

20. A method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising applying an amorphous diamond or diamond-like coating to said outer surface of said print cylinder to substantially alleviate transfer of debris from said hollow metal cylinder to said print cylinder.

21. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said impressing of said positive holographic image onto the outer surface of said print cylinder is performed at a pressure of between about 500 and 700 pounds per linear inch.

22. A method as set forth in claim 21 wherein said impressing is performed at a temperature of between about 70.degree. F. and 95.degree. F.

23. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said embossing of said negative image onto said external surface of said hollow metal cylinder is performed at a pressure of between about 500 and 700 pounds per linear inch.

24. A method as set forth in claim 23 wherein said embossing is performed at a temperature of between about 70.degree. F. and 95.degree. F.

25. A method for imposing a holographic image on an exterior surface of a hollow metal cylinder, comprising:

forming a positive holographic image into a surface of a shim;
impressing said positive holographic image into the outer surface of a print cylinder so as to form a negative holographic image on the exterior surface of said print cylinder;
hardening said exterior surface of said print cylinder after said negative holographic image has been formed thereon; and
embossing said negative image from said print cylinder into said exterior surface of said hollow metal cylinder so as to form a positive holographic image thereon.

26. A method as set forth in claim 25 wherein said hardening comprises ion implantation onto said exterior surface.

27. A method as set forth in claim 25 wherein said hardening comprises application of an amorphous diamond coating or a diamond-like coating onto said exterior surface.

28. A method for imposing a holographic image on an exterior surface of a hollow metal cylinder, comprising:

forming a positive holographic image into a surface of a shim;
hardening the surface of said shim before said holographic image is impressed into the outer surface of said print cylinder;
impressing said positive holographic image into the outer surface of a print cylinder so as to form a negative holographic image on the exterior surface of said print cylinder; and
embossing said negative image from said print cylinder into said exterior surface of said hollow metal cylinder so as to form a positive holographic image thereon.

29. A method as set forth in claim 28 further comprising fabricating said shim by placing an amorphous diamond coating on thin gauge aluminum sheet.

30. A method for imposing a holographic image on an exterior surface of a hollow metal cylinder, comprising:

forming a positive holographic image into a surface of a shim;
impressing said positive holographic image into the outer surface of a print cylinder so as to form a negative holographic image on the exterior surface of said print cylinder;
embossing said negative image from said print cylinder into said exterior surface of said hollow metal cylinder so as to form a positive holographic image thereon; and
wherein the surface of said shim is at least 2.5 times harder than said outer surface of said print cylinder and wherein said outer surface of said print cylinder is at least 2.5 times harder than said exterior surface of said hollow metal cylinder.

31. A method of decorating a metal can body comprising the steps of:

providing a hard metal can having a substantially mirror-like outer surface;
providing a hard metal shim having a holographic or diffraction image thereon;
transferring said image from said shim to a metal roll having a surface hardness less than about 40% of the surface hardness of said shim;
hardening the surface of said roll after said image has been transferred to the roll; and
transferring said image from said roll to said substantially mirror-like outer surface of the metal can body.

32. A method as set forth in claim 31 in which said metal can is made of a hard temper aluminum alloy.

33. A method as set forth in claim 32 in which said image is transferred from said roll to said can by mounting said can on a mandrel and rolling said metal roll against said can on said mandrel.

34. A method as set forth in claim 31 in which said metal roll has a coating selected from a group consisting of diamond like coatings and amorphous diamond coatings applied thereto.

35. A method as set forth in claim 31 in which the surface of said metal roll is hardened to be at least 2.5 times harder than the surface of said metal can.

36. A method as set forth in claim 31 in which the surface of said metal roll is hardened to be at least 4 times harder than the surface of said metal can.

37. A method as set forth in claim 31 in which the surface of said shim is at least 4 times harder than the surface of said metal roll when said image is transferred from the shim to the metal roll.

38. A method as set forth in claim 31 in which the surface of said metal shim is at least 4 times harder than the surface of said metal roll when, said image is transferred from the shim to the metal roll, and the metal roll is thereafter hardened to be at least about 4 times harder than the surface of said metal can.

39. A method as set forth in claim 30 in which said metal roll has a diameter in the range of about 2 to 4 inches.

40. A method as set forth in claim 32 in which said metal roll has a diameter of about 2.6 inches.

41. A method as set forth in claim 31 in which said metal roll is made of an aluminum alloy having a hardness of about 100 to 125 kg/mm.sup.2 when said image is transferred from said metal shim to said metal roll whereafter the surface of said metal roll is hardened to at least about 545 kg/mm.sup.2.

42. A method as set forth in claim 32 in which said metal can is an aluminum can having a surface hardness in a range of about 100-150 kg/mm.sup.2.

43. A method as set forth in claim 31 in which the surface of said metal roll is hardened by ion implantation.

44. A method as set forth in claim 31 in which two or more holographic images are sequentially transferred to an outer surface of a metal can.

45. A method for decorating a hard temper aluminum alloy can body with a holographic image comprising:

providing at least one metal shim having a holographic image on it and having a surface hardness of at least about 550 kg/mm.sup.2,
mounting said shim on a cylindrical roller around at least a portion of the perimeter of the roller,
providing a cup-shaped can body made of aluminum alloy having a hardness in a range of about 110-125 kg/mm.sup.2 and a substantially mirror-like exterior surface,
positioning said can body on a rigidly supported mandrel, and
pressing said shim on said roller against the outer surface of said can body and rolling said roller with respect to longitudinal axis of said can body to transfer the image on said shim to the outer surface of said can body.

46. A method as set forth in claim 45 in which at least two of said shims are provided and are mounted end-to-end around the perimeter of said roller.

47. A method as set forth in claim 45 in which said shim is pressed against said can body under a pressure of about 500-700 pounds per linear inch of nip length between the shim and the can body.

48. A method as set forth in claim 45 in which said shim is arcuate in configuration and has a concave face mounted against said roller and a convex face bearing said holographic image.

Drawings