License plate frame

Abstract

License plate frames having recessed areas in the frame surface which form characters, words, and/or graphics, and having an adhered layer of material of contrasting color on the frame surface.

1 . A frame for a vehicle license plate, comprising: 
 (a) a substrate having a substantially planar surface and having a first color;    (b) a contrast layer comprising a coloring agent having a second color and an adhesive selected from the group consisting of a cold foil type adhesive and a hot melting type adhesive, the contrast layer being adhered to the substantially planar surface of the substrate, wherein the second color contrasts with the first color; and    (c) one or more recessed portions in the substrate comprising one or more characters.    
   
   
       2 . The frame of  claim 1 , wherein at least one recessed portion forms a complete character.  
   
   
       3 . The frame of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the characters formed in the substrate comprises a contrasting portion having a character upper surface which is substantially coplanar with the substantially planar surface of the substrate, and wherein the contrast layer is adhered to the character upper surface.  
   
   
       4 . The frame of  claim 3 , wherein the contrasting portion forms a complete character.  
   
   
       5 . The frame of  claim 3 , wherein the contrasting portion is entirely within a recessed portion.  
   
   
       6 . The frame of  claim 1 , wherein the substrate is a plastic material having a thickness of between about 120 and about 135 thousandths of an inch.  
   
   
       7 . The frame of  claim 6 , wherein the recessed portions are approximately 50 thousandths of an inch deep.  
   
   
       8 . The frame of  claim 1 , wherein the recessed portions and the substantially planar surface of the substrate meet at a substantially non-radiused edge.  
   
   
       9 . The frame of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is black and the contrast layer is metallic in color.  
   
   
       10 . The frame of  claim 1 , wherein the contrast layer comprises multiple coloring agents.  
   
   
       11 . The frame of  claim 10 , wherein the multiple coloring agents form an image.  
   
   
       12 . (canceled)  
   
   
       13 . A method of forming a vehicle license plate frame, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) forming a frame body having a first color, wherein the frame body comprises a substantially planar surface and at least one character integrally molded with the frame body; and    (b) adhering a contrast layer comprising an adhesive substance and a coloring agent having a second color to the substantially planar surface of the frame body and not to the character, wherein the second color contrasts with the first color.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein step (b) further comprises the steps of: 
 (i) providing a hot stamp foil having a transfer surface and a working surface, the transfer surface comprising a layer of colored material;    (ii) placing the transfer surface of the hot stamp foil onto the substantially planar surface; and    (iii) applying heat and pressure to the working surface of the hot stamp foil, thereby forming the layer of colored material on the substantially planar surface of the frame body.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the hot stamp foil has a surface area sufficient to cover the substantially planar surface of the frame body.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the adhesive is a cold foil type adhesive.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the contrast layer is metallic in color.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the contrast layer comprises multiple coloring agents.  
   
   
       19 . A method of forming a vehicle license plate frame, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) forming a frame body having a rear surface, a front surface, and a first color, wherein the front surface has a substantially planar section and at least one character integrally molded with the frame body, wherein the distance between the rear surface and the character is different than the distance between the rear surface and the substantially planar section; and    (b) adhering a contrast layer comprising an adhesive substance and a coloring agent having a second color to the substantially planar section of the front surface of the frame body and not to the character, wherein the second color contrasts with the first color.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the adhesive substance is selected from the group consisting of a cold foil type adhesive and a hot melting type adhesive.