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 . A method for making an article, comprising:
 printing a conductive ink sensing zone on a film using one or more conductive inks, the one or more conductive inks forming a sensing zone being arranged to operate as capacitive switch;   placing the film into a mold;   introducing molten plastic into the mold to create a support structure for the film such that a portion of the conductive sensing zone is contoured to mate with a curved portion of the support structure.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising printing at least one non-conductive layer. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein at least one non-conductive layer is a dielectric layer. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one non-conductive layer substantially covers the conductive ink sensing zone. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising forming the formable film into a desired shape prior to placing the film into the mold. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the step of forming the formable film into a desired shape comprises vacuum thermoforming. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of forming the film into a desired shape comprises high pressure forming. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising removing the article from the mold. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising removing the article from the mold, wherein the sensing zone is not exposed. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising printing graphic indicia on at least one surface of the film or the support structure. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the curved portion forms a three dimensional structure.