Method for modifying local properties of materials

Number: 10112119
Published: 2018-10-30
Filed: 2015-11-09
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors: Nicholson; Nolan Andrew; Hsing; Alexander W.; Jackson; Philip
CPC: A63H9/00; A63H13/00; C08J7/08; C08J3/20
Verdict: Low Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Material property modification (toy/prop fabrication).

Abstract

The present disclosure includes a method for altering one or more properties of a primary material. The method includes reducing the elasticity of a primary material and creating a delivery aperture through an outer layer of the primary material. Once the delivery aperture is created, or as the delivery aperture is created, introducing through the delivery aperture a secondary material into a sublayer of the primary material and applying a closure treatment to the primary material to close the delivery aperture. The secondary material includes one or more properties that are different from the primary material. By introducing the secondary material into the primary material, the secondary material locally changes the properties of the primary material. Examples of the variable properties include color, strength, flexibility, magnetism, and optical.

Background

TECHNICAL FIELD(1) This invention relates generally to techniques to modify local properties of materials.BACKGROUND(2) Durable, flexible materials are often used as skins or coverings that are applied to an internal physical structure. For example, silicone rubber is often used to create realistic models of humans, animals, and fantasy characters, and when combined with robotics, such models can accurately simulate live animals, persons, or characters.(3) The design of such skins presents a particular unique challenge. Specifically, the skin must be robust enough to withstand prolonged used and exposure to environmental conditions. The skin must also be realistic in appearance, movement, and texture to accurately imitate the person or animal it resembles. The skin must also be easily formed and easy to handle and attach to a physical support structure or skeleton. To create a realistic appearance and deformation, soft elastomers are typically used to create skin. Some elastomers, such as silicone rubber, can be painted by applying pigment to an outer surface. However, painting can hide or modify the outer texture of the skin, which may affect the desired appearance. Additionally, silicone rubber is often quite heavy, which requires powerful robotics to move the internal structure to which the skin is attached.(4) Many thermoplastic elastomers, such as styrene-butadiene rubber, are lighter weight than silicone rubber and have mechanical properties that are often preferred for

Claims

1. A method for altering at least one local property of a primary material, comprising: reducing an elasticity of the primary material, wherein the primary material is an artificial skin material; while the elasticity of the primary material is reduced, creating a delivery aperture through a portion of the primary material; and introducing through the delivery aperture a secondary material into the primary material. 12. An artificial skin manufacturing method comprising: thermally treating an artificial skin material until an elasticity of the artificial skin material drops below a predetermined level; creating a passage through the outer surface of the artificial skin material to an inner layer of the artificial skin material, wherein the passage is created while the artificial skin elasticity remains below the predetermined level; and injecting an enhancement material into the inner layer of the artificial skin material. 18. The artificial skin manufacturing method of 16, wherein the outer surface of the artificial skin is pierced by a needle of an injection device.