In-molded resistive and shielding elements

Abstract

An article of manufacture having an in-molded resistive and/or shielding element and method of making the same are shown and described. In one disclosed method, a resistive and/or shielding element is printed on a film. The film is formed to a desired shape and put in an injection mold. A molten plastic material is introduced into the injection mold to form a rigid structure that retains the film.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . An article of manufacture comprising:
 a formable plastic film having a surface;   at least one printed graphical layer on the surface of the formable plastic film;   at least one first printed conductive ink layer on the surface of the formable plastic film or on the graphical layer;   at least one non-conductive layer printed on the first printed conductive ink layer;   at least one second printed conductive ink layer printed on the non-conductive layer, wherein the at least one non-conductive layer insulates the at least one first conducive ink layer from the at least one second conductive ink layer; and   a plastic support structure,   wherein the surface of the formable plastic film faces the plastic support structure and wherein the formable plastic film is secured to the plastic support structure to form a substantially rigid structure.   
     
     
         17 . The article of  claim 16 , wherein at least one non-conductive layer is a dielectric layer. 
     
     
         18 . The article of  claim 16 , further comprising at least one ground layer. 
     
     
         19 . The article of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one second printed conductive ink layer comprises a conductive ink layer sensing zone. 
     
     
         20 . The article of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one non-conducive ink layer substantially covers the at least one first conductive layer. 
     
     
         21 . The article of  claim 16 , wherein the plastic support structure is a molded plastic support structure. 
     
     
         22 . The article of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one first conductive ink layer is not exposed. 
     
     
         23 . The article of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one second conductive ink layer is not exposed. 
     
     
         24 . The article of  claim 16 , further comprising at least one connector electrically connected to the at least one first printed conductive ink layer or the at least one second printed conductive ink layer, wherein a portion of the at least one connector projects away from the plastic support structure. 
     
     
         25 . A control device, comprising:
 the article of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one conductive ink sensing zone is electrically connected to a circuit that is operable to detect capacitance changes.