公开(公告)号：US10901458B2

公开(公告)日：2021-01-26

申请号：US16584692

申请日：2019-09-26

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： James A. Curran ,  Sonja R. Postak ,  Todd S. Mintz

IPC: G06F1/16 ,  H05K5/04 ,  C22C14/00 ,  C25D11/02 ,  C25D11/26 ,  H05K5/00

Abstract: This application relates to an enclosure for a portable electronic device. The enclosure includes a titanium substrate having a textured surface that includes peaks separated by valleys, where the textured surface is characterized as having (i) an Sdq (root mean square gradient) that is greater than 0.2 micrometers, and (ii) a gloss value that is greater than 90 gloss units as measured at 60 degrees by a gloss meter.

公开(公告)号：US10781529B2

公开(公告)日：2020-09-22

申请号：US15333058

申请日：2016-10-24

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Masashige Tatebe ,  Takahiro Oshima ,  Jody R. Akana ,  James A. Curran ,  Yutaka Nakagishi ,  Junichi Katayama ,  Kenji Hara ,  Yasuhiro Ito ,  Ayumi Hongou

IPC: C25D11/22 ,  C25D11/16 ,  C25D11/24 ,  C25F3/20 ,  H05K5/02 ,  H05K5/04 ,  C25D11/08 ,  C25D11/10 ,  C25D11/12 ,  C25D11/06 ,  G06F1/16

Abstract: Anodizing techniques for providing highly opaque colorized anodic films are described. According to some embodiments, the methods involve depositing a pigment having a particle diameter of about 20 nanometers or greater into an anodic film. Additionally or alternatively, a barrier layer smoothing operation is used to flatten an interface between the anodic film and underlying metal substrate so as to maximize light reflection off the interface, thereby maximizing light reflected off the pigment that is deposited within pores of the anodic film. The resulting anodic films have an opaque or saturated colored appearance. In some embodiments, the methods involve increasing a thickness of a non-porous barrier layer of the anodic film so as to create thin film interference effects that can add a particular hue to the anodic film. The methods can be used form cosmetically appealing coatings for consumer products, such as housings for electronic products.

公开(公告)号：US10760176B2

公开(公告)日：2020-09-01

申请号：US14795832

申请日：2015-07-09

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： James A. Curran ,  Eric W. Hamann ,  Sean R. Novak

IPC: C25D11/24

Abstract: Sealed anodic coatings that are resistant to leaching of nickel and nickel-containing products and methods for forming the same are described. Methods involve post-sealing thermal processes to remove at least some of the leachable nickel from the sealed anodic coatings. In some embodiments, the post-sealing thermal processes involve immersing the sealed anodic coating within a heated solution so as to promote diffusion of the leachable nickel out of the sealed anodic coatings and into the heated solution. The resultant sealed anodic coating is pre-leached of nickel and is therefore well suited for many consumer product applications. In some embodiments, a post-sealing thermal process is used to further hydrate and seal the sealed anodic coating, thereby repairing structural defects within the sealed anodic coating.

公开(公告)号：US10669618B2

公开(公告)日：2020-06-02

申请号：US16182473

申请日：2018-11-06

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： James A. Curran ,  Zechariah D. Feinberg

IPC: C23C8/20 ,  C23C8/80 ,  C23C8/08 ,  C23C8/24 ,  C23C8/28 ,  C23C8/30 ,  C25D11/02 ,  C25D11/26

Abstract: A method for providing a surface finish to a metal part includes both diffusion hardening a metal surface to form a diffusion-hardened layer, and oxidizing the diffusion-hardened layer to create an oxide coating thereon. The diffusion-hardened layer can be harder than an internal region of the metal part and might be ceramic, and the oxide coating can have a color that is different from the metal or ceramic, the color being unachievable only by diffusion hardening or only by oxidizing. The metal can be titanium or titanium alloy, the diffusion hardening can include carburizing or nitriding, and the oxidizing can include electrochemical oxidization. The oxide layer thickness can be controlled via the amount of voltage applied during oxidation, with the oxide coating color being a function of thickness. An enhanced hardness profile can extend to a depth of at least 20 microns below the top of the oxide coating.

公开(公告)号：US10443145B2

公开(公告)日：2019-10-15

申请号：US15686026

申请日：2017-08-24

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： James A. Curran ,  Aaron D. Paterson ,  William D. Burke

IPC: B32B3/00 ,  C25D11/24 ,  H05K5/00 ,  H05K5/04 ,  C25D11/18 ,  C25D11/22 ,  C23C22/58 ,  B44C1/22 ,  G06F1/16

Abstract: Treatments for anodic coatings that provide improved resistance to staining and cracking during various manufacturing processes are described. According to some embodiments, the methods include placing the anodic coatings in partially sealed states by sealing only the outermost portions of the anodic coatings, which protect the outer surfaces of the anodic coatings from contamination and staining. Inner portions of the anodic coatings are left unsealed, thereby making the anodic coatings more compliant and resistant to cracking when exposed to manufacturing processes, even those that involve exposure to high temperatures or high mechanical stress. Subsequent to the processing, another sealing process can be implemented to fully seal the anodic coatings so that they provide good corrosion and wear resistance.

公开(公告)号：US20170121838A1

公开(公告)日：2017-05-04

申请号：US15333058

申请日：2016-10-24

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Masashige Tatebe ,  Takahiro Oshima ,  Jody R. Akana ,  James A. Curran ,  Yutaka Nakagishi ,  Junichi Katayama ,  Kenji Hara ,  Yasuhiro Ito ,  Ayumi Hongou

IPC: C25D11/22 ,  H05K5/02 ,  C25F3/20 ,  H05K5/04 ,  C25D11/16 ,  C25D11/24

Abstract: Anodizing techniques for providing highly opaque colorized anodic films are described. According to some embodiments, the methods involve depositing a pigment having a particle diameter of about 20 nanometers or greater into an anodic film. Additionally or alternatively, a barrier layer smoothing operation is used to flatten an interface between the anodic film and underlying metal substrate so as to maximize light reflection off the interface, thereby maximizing light reflected off the pigment that is deposited within pores of the anodic film. The resulting anodic films have an opaque or saturated colored appearance. In some embodiments, the methods involve increasing a thickness of a non-porous barrier layer of the anodic film so as to create thin film interference effects that can add a particular hue to the anodic film. The methods can be used form cosmetically appealing coatings for consumer products, such as housings for electronic products.

公开(公告)号：US09512537B2

公开(公告)日：2016-12-06

申请号：US14312502

申请日：2014-06-23

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： James A. Curran ,  Sean R. Novak

IPC: C25D11/14 ,  C25D9/00 ,  C25D11/26 ,  C25D11/08 ,  C25D11/10 ,  C25D11/16 ,  C25D11/22 ,  C25D11/12 ,  C25D11/24 ,  C25D11/30 ,  C25D11/34

CPC classification number: C25D11/26 ,  C25D11/08 ,  C25D11/10 ,  C25D11/12 ,  C25D11/16 ,  C25D11/22 ,  C25D11/246 ,  C25D11/30 ,  C25D11/34

Abstract: Porous metal oxide layers having a color due to visible light interference effects are disclosed. In particular embodiments the porous metal oxide layers are formed using an anodizing processes, which includes a porous metal oxide layer forming process and a barrier layer thickening process. The barrier layer thickening process increases a thickness of a barrier layer within the porous metal oxide layer to a thickness sufficient to and cause incident visible light waves to be reflected in the form of a new visible light waves, thereby imparting a color to the porous metal oxide layer. Methods for tuning the color of the porous metal oxide layer and for color matching surfaces of different types of metal substrates are described.

Abstract translation: 公开了由于可见光干涉效应而具有颜色的多孔金属氧化物层。 在具体实施方案中，使用阳极氧化工艺形成多孔金属氧化物层，其包括多孔金属氧化物层形成工艺和阻挡层增稠工艺。 阻挡层增厚处理使多孔金属氧化物层内的阻挡层的厚度增加到足以使入射的可见光波以新的可见光波形式反射的厚度，从而赋予多孔金属 氧化层。 描述了用于调整多孔金属氧化物层的颜色和用于不同类型的金属基板的颜色匹配表面的方法。

公开(公告)号：US20160237586A1

公开(公告)日：2016-08-18

申请号：US15135458

申请日：2016-04-21

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： James A. Curran ,  William A. Counts ,  Eric W. Hamann

IPC: C25D11/08 ,  C22C21/16 ,  C22C21/14 ,  C22C21/10 ,  C25D11/24 ,  C22C21/00 ,  C22F1/057 ,  C22F1/053 ,  C22F1/047 ,  C22C21/18 ,  C22C21/08

CPC classification number: C25D11/08 ,  C22C21/00 ,  C22C21/08 ,  C22C21/10 ,  C22C21/14 ,  C22C21/16 ,  C22C21/18 ,  C22F1/047 ,  C22F1/053 ,  C22F1/057 ,  C25D11/04 ,  C25D11/18 ,  C25D11/24 ,  C25D11/243 ,  C25D11/246

Abstract: Anodic oxide coatings and methods for forming anodic oxide coatings on metal alloy substrates are disclosed. Methods involve post-anodizing processes that improve the appearance of the anodic oxide coating or increase the strength of the underlying metal alloy substrates. In some embodiments, a diffusion promoting process is used to promote diffusion of one or more types of alloying elements enriched at an interface between the anodic oxide coating and the metal alloy substrate away from the interface. The diffusion promoting process can increase an adhesion strength of the anodic oxide film to the metal alloy substrate and reduce an amount of discoloration due to the enriched alloying elements. In some embodiments, a post-anodizing age hardening process is used to increase the strength of the metal alloy substrate and to improve cosmetics of the anodic oxide coatings.

Abstract translation: 公开了阳极氧化物涂层和在金属合金基底上形成阳极氧化物涂层的方法。 方法包括后阳极氧化方法，其改善阳极氧化物涂层的外观或增加下面的金属合金基材的强度。 在一些实施方案中，扩散促进方法用于促进富集在阳极氧化物涂层和金属合金基底之间的界面处远离界面的一种或多种类型的合金元素的扩散。 扩散促进过程可以增加阳极氧化膜对金属合金基底的粘合强度，并减少由于富集的合金元素引起的变色量。 在一些实施例中，使用后阳极氧化时代硬化工艺来增加金属合金基底的强度并改善阳极氧化物涂层的化妆品。