GB2512142A

GB2512142A - Method for modifying, customising or personalising flip flop straps

Info

Publication number: GB2512142A
Application number: GB201305336A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kieran Mark Holman Laxen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-03-22
Filing date: 2013-03-22
Publication date: 2014-09-24
Also published as: GB201305336D0

Abstract

A method of modifying flip flop straps 20, 22 by laser etching the strap material using a laser beam 21. The strap may be modified before or after attachment to the flip flop sole. The strap is preferably produced form natural or synthetic rubber, textiles or leather. The process may be carried out by vector or raster methods, or a combination of both. The method may produce a raised or lowered pattern, or may create holes or notches in the strap. The laser may create a recess for ink, paint, or a liquid plastic to be poured into.

Description

Method for modifying, customising or personalising flip flop sLraps.

Background

Field of Invention

This invention relates to a method for modifying footwear uppers, in particular, straps for flip flops.

Description of Background

flip flops have been around for hundreds of years and are known by many names including sandals, slippers, thongs, zOri and jandals; from hereon any mention of flip flops (or flip flop singular) also refers to the other names.

Due to the nature of the modern production techniques, flip flops, like many other shoes, are generally mass-produced. One problem with the aforementioned mass-production of shoes is that the end consumcr is limited to the mass-produced styles.

Current mass-production methods restrict the end user from being able to have unique, customised or personalised styles. This is also true for flip flop straps.

flip flop straps come in different forms, however, the most recognisahle form is the Y-shaped strap which is made up of a strap that connects to the sole at three locations using plugs. The strap includes a toe piece which passes between the big toe and the adjacent toe and connects to the flip flop sole in the area below the void between the aforementioned big toe and adjacent toe and then two sections which run over the top side of a foot and connect to the flip flop sole nearer to the heel and either side of the foot. These straps can be produced from a range of materials include fabric, leather, rubber and plastic.

Two of the more common materials for flip flop straps are rubber and plastic, in particular PVC. Typically straps made using these materials are produced by moulding. Therefore the straps take the shape defined by the mould and the mould surface texture. Making moulds is very expensive and therefore producing unique textures or customi sed straps is also very expensive.

Increasingly individuals or groups, for example sports clubs or corporate crganisations, wish to use flip flops that are tailored specifically to their requirements, for example a promotional [lip flop with a branded logo on [he strap.

The scope of the potential customisation or personalisation is large; however, as previously explained it is also expensive and only becomes cost effective if the flip flop straps are produced in large quantities. This invention provides a meLhod for customising flip flop straps on an individual basis.

Others have developed approaches to modify, customise or personalise flip flop straps.

Some of Lhese will be described here. Even though these innovations may he good, they differ from the present invention.

A first technique for custonHsing or personalising straps has been explained previously, and it is the most effective method. This technique does not modify the straps because the design is incorporated before producLion. This is done by producing a mould with a texture, pattern or design, which call include any embossed text, graphics or logos, which will make the resulting moulded strap appear to have raised or lowered text, graphics or textures, as defined by the mould. Any colour strap can he produced using this mould by changing the colour of the input material. The advantage of moulding the customisation into the straps is that it will he physically set into the shape of the sirap and ii will lasL for Ihe life of Ihe strap. The disadvantage of moulding is the high cost of producing the nioulds. In addition to the high expetise of creating a single mould, a separate mould will he required for each strap size.

Different size flip flops require different size straps. A series of different moulds is therefore required, further increasing the cost. . Furthermore, the process of producing moulds is time consuming, which can he an additional disadvantage.

A second technique for modifying, customising or personali sing straps is to print on the surface. This method allows graphics including text to he printed onto the surface typically using inks or paints, however for this to work the surface generally needs to he smooth so textured straps are generally avoided when printing onto straps.

Textured straps are very popular and aesthetically pleasing, therefore printing may add customisation but at the loss of a desirable textured strap. Furtherniore printing on the surface will have a limited effective life span. Over time the print can rub off.

A third technique for modifying, cuslomising or personalising straps is to have labels fixed onto the strap. Typically these are soft PVC or rubber labels that are manufactured independently of the straps and then fixed onto the strap using a bonding agent. Experience has shown thai these labels over Lime can fall off. Furthermore, the glue or bonding agent is often visible on the strap, which has an adverse impact on the appearance. These labels also have to be manufactured and they tend to he moulded so again there is a cost for the mould, thus production in small numbers becomes uneconomic. Some strap manufactures now include a recessed area on the strap for the label to he fixed to the strap. This has two advantages, one is it provides good surface to surface contact because both the rear side of the label and the surface of the strap to which it is fixed are smooth. Secondly the label can appear to be part of the strap because the front side is flush with the top of the strap surface. However, this method does mean that all the labels must he the same shape i.e. the shape of the recess which is typically rectangular. Other labels are attached on top of the textured surface to clearly separate them from the strap for aesthetic purposes. hut this reduces the surlace to surface contact and can result in a greater chance ol the label falling off.

A fourth technique for modifying, custornising or personalising straps is to have attachments pinned on. This is where small labels or badges are pinned onto the strap.

With this technique the attachments are clearly attachments and no effort is made to make them appear to he part of the manufactured strap. Again the attachments have to be manufactured and do this on a small scale may not he cost effective.

A fifth technique for modifying, custom ising or personalising straps is to attach fabrics, covers, gemstones etc Again these arc generally attached using a bonding agent, a pin or a thread.

laser engraving (also known as laser etching or laser marking) is commonly used to engrave materials, including in the shoe manufacturing industry, although not specifically for modifying, customising or personalising flip flop straps, in particular moulded straps. Laser engraving works by directing a laser beam at a material. The focused beam will then burn or vaporise a proportion of the material at the point of interception of the laser beam with the materials surface. The term etch is used from 9(1 hereon to refer to carving or cutting into a material.

Laser engraving is not effective on all materials. For example PVC, which is a common flip flop strap material, should not he laser engraved. Laser engraving PVC can give off very loxic and harmful fumes and chemicals.

T.aser engraving can work by either vcdor engraving or raster engraving. Vector engraving follows the line and curve of the pattern to he engrav ed. Raster engraving traces the laser beam across the surface in a back-and-forth slowly-advancing linear pattern, turning the laser beam on and off at the points required to he etched. The laser scans across the surface. \Tector engraving follows outlines; therefore the area within the shape can be etched out (removed) by the laser beam scanning across the area in the same way as for the raster engraving.

Vector engraving tends to he better for etching outlines, curves or paths. Raster engraving tends to he better for engraving textures or fills where larger areas need to be modified, customised or personalised rather than just lines or paths. The depth can be consistent or changed during the process and is defined by the laser power.

The laser does not transmit colour hut it can change the colour of the engraved material. Any colour change of the item is caused by the interaction of the laser beam and the material being engraved.

There are two types of laser machines, one in which the laser beam moves over the material surface and the second in which the material surface itself moves while the laser beam remains saLionary.

From hereon, unless otherwise stated, army mention of modifying, custornising or personalising can he inter-changed and used to make reference to changing the form or appearance of the original strap.

Summary of Invention

To allow for straps to he modified on any scale from a single strap to many straps, the present invention proposes to use a laser beam to modify the strap maLerial, in particular rubber straps, although it is not limited to rubber.

The invention laser etches a design into the strap material with the aid of a laser engraving device and a control programme which controls the laser beam. The laser engraving device is used to direct a laser beam at the strap material and remove material from the strap to form the desired pattern or design.

The invention provides a method for modifying, customising or personalising manufactured flip flop straps comprising of the following steps: providing a flip flop strap manufactured from a material that can he laser etched; and laser etching a design or pattern into the strap.

This allows for mass-produced straps Lo he modified, customised or personalised relatively cheaply and quickly and on a small scale, which is currently not an economic C pt i oil.

The main purpose of the invention is to reduce the need for moulds for each different design of sirap. The idea is Lo modify, cusloniise or personalise siraps LhaL have been produced using standard moulds. these nioulds can be changed at any time. The aforementioned standard moulds could already exist, which is the case for many popular textures seen on flip flop straps now. To create a new texture it is best to etch onto a smooth strap surface. However, it is also possible to laser etch textured straps.

The invention is suitable for both textured and smooth straps.

It is also possible to engrave any part of the strap, including for example the underside of the plugs or the underside of the strap, which is the surface nearest to the foot.

Although laser engraving is a well developed technology the process of modifying, customising or personalising flip flop straps using a laser beam is unohvious to those skilled in the art of flip flop strap production, modification, customisation or personal i sat i on.

Advantages There are a number of advantages to the method propo sed. Sonic of these arc included below: 1) The material itself is modified. Therefore any modification, customisation or personalisation will not rub off or an atLachmcnt fall off, \hich can occur if graphics are printed or if labels or attachments are fixed to the strap.

2) The pre-modi fled strap can be either textured or smooth, and thus not limited to just one type, which is generally the case for printing which needs to he on a smooLh s u r fa c e.

3) Small numbers of straps from one strap to many straps can easily he nb dified without vast expense of producing unique moulds for each design.

4) Existing moulds can be used because the method modifies the straps po stproduction.

It also means that existing moulds can he used for each strap size again saving on production costs of customised or unique straps requiring a mould for each size strap.

5) Unique textures or patterns can he produced with very fine detail. It will be possible to produce greater detail than textures produced from moulds because of material restrictions of the moulds. The detail from laser engraving can he very fine and is defined by the width of the laser beam, which can he a fraction of a millimetre in diameter (approximately 0.003mm).

6) It can provide a tactile enhancement to a smooth strap.

7) The method can he used to mark flip flops for individuals with names, graphics or logos.

8) The method will create a 31) modification, customisation or personalisation to the strap which could further enhance any 2D design.

Introduction to Drawings

The foregoing Summary of Invention and the Advantages, as well as the following Detailed Description of the Invention, will he better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

figure 1 shows an exaniple of an assembled flip flop with a Y-shaped strap that has been laser etched with the word TEXT.

figure 2 shows a laser etching device located ready to start the laser etching on the strap material.

figure 3 shows a laser bean) aimed at the strap material and removing material by laser etch in g.

figure 4 shows a laser bean) moving relative to the strap material and laser etching a grove that follows the path the laser beam has travelled over the surface.

figure 5 shows an example of modifying the strap to include text or a design by removing the material, which defines the area for the text or the design, thus making the [ext or design appear reces sed.

figure 6 shows an example of modifying the strap to include a design by removing thc material, which is not defined by the text or design, thus making the text or design appear raised.

figure 7 shows an example of modifying a smooth strap, where the laser removes material at a constant depth froni the original surface and thus creating a surface at the bottom of the groove that follows the profile of the original surface, which in this case will he flat.

figure 8 shows an exaniple of modifying a textured strap, where the laser beam removes material at a constant depth from the original surface and thus creating a surface at the bottom of the groove that follows the profile of the original surface.

figure 9 shows an example of modifying a textured strap, where the laser beam removes material at a varying depth from the original surface such that a flat profile is created at the bottom of the grove.

figure 10 shows an example of modifying a strap, where the laser beam removes material at a varying depth from the original surface such that the profile created at the bottom of the grove changes smoothly or changes in steps.

figure 11 shows examples of modifying the strap to include a hole or holes cut through the matcrial, a notch or notches cut into the side and a repeating pattern etched into the material, these can be done independently or as a combination on a single strap.

figure 12 shows two approaches to modifying the straps, one by removing the strap material so the main design features appear raised from the strap and two by removing the material that represents the main design Features so that the design appears 205 recessed.

Figure 13 shows an example of a secondary part or parts being inserted into a grove or area etched out by the laser beam.

Figure 14 shows the secondary part or parts can he either flush, protrude or he recessed from the top surface of the strap.

210 Figure 15 shows an example of other sections of the strap that can be modifying, for example [he underside of the plug, ftc underside of ftc straps the toe piece.

Figure 16 shows an example a moulded textured strap that includes a smooth area for the easy modification to the strap by laser etching.

Detailed description

215 This invention is for (he modification of flip flop straps, in particular rubber straps, although the invention may also be applied to other materials and straps for other footwear. The invention is primarily focused on Y-shaped flip flop straps but other styles can also he modified. It helps ft understand the parts of a flip flops strap so Figure 1 depicts a flip flop with a Y-shaped strap (1) which has the word TEXT (2) 220 laser etched into the strap to customise it. The figure shows how the strap attaches to the sole via three plugs. One plug (3) is atLached Lo the sole (4) in the void below where the big toe and the adjacent toe would he; the other two plugs (5) are connecled to the so Ic (4) nearer to the heel (6) and either side of where the foot would hc; two bands (7) connect the rear plugs to he toe plug via a toe piece (8) and pass over the 225 foot to secure the foot to the sole. Other types of straps are available and modification to those straps is also possible.

This description will focus on rubber hut it is not limited to just rubber, it can include any elastomeric material or those materials mentioned previously -leather, plasLic, fabric. FurLhermore, the rubber used in this method is not limited, and thus 230 any rubber that is used in the strap-manufacturing processes is suitable for Lhe present method herein. Specifically, the rubber could he natural rubber, a synthetic rubber or a combination of the above. In alternative embodiments, the rubber may comprise a combination of a synthetic rubber and natural rubber. [he material may also comprise range of additives in addition to the rubber.

235 Figure 2 depicts a laser engraving device (9) and a provided strap material (10) with the laser device (9) located ready to start modifying. Figure 3 show the laser beam (11) starting Lo modify the material (12) wherein the laser is used to burn, vaporise or otherwise remove p ortions of the material where the laser intercepts with the material (13). The laser beam can either move relative to the strap stationary in place or the 240 strap can move relative to the stationary laser beam. Either way the laser beam moves relative to the strap.

As the laser beam moves across the surface of the strap the material is etched and material removed. Figure 4 shows a path (14) etched out of the strap material (15) as the laser device (16) moves the laser beam (17) across the surface of the material. The 245 beam can he set to follow either a vector path or a raster scan or a combination of the two techniques to achieve the final design.

Figure 5 shows the word TEXT (18) and a repeating design (19) laser eLched into the material (20). Where the laser beam (21) inlercepls with the material surface (22) material is removed and a recessed pattern is created. In this example the design (or 250 word TEXT) is the main design feature and is laser eLehed into Ihe strap so the pattern is lower than the original surface (22).

The inverse is also possible where the area that does not define the design or pattern is laser etched. Figure 6 shows the word TEXT (23) and a repeating design (24) that appear 10 be raised from Ihe main surface (25) of Ihe slrap. This is achieved by 255 removing the material using the laser beam that is not defined by the area of the design.

the laser can etch both smooth strap surfaces and textured strap surfaces. Figure 7 and 8 depict a smooth strap and a textured strap respectively, which have been laser etched to include a grove from one side of the strap H the other. To produce groves at a 260 consistent depth into the material the laser power must he constant and the material be homogeneous. Flip flop straps are unlikely to he completely homogeneous, however, Ihey are likely to he reasonably consisLenl and the depth of the etching will he conslanl within reasonable tolerance levels. Figure 7 shows a grove (26) etched into the material (27) at a constant depth to create a flat profile (28) at the bottom of the 265 grove (26). Etching into textured surfaces ivi th a constant laser beam power will penetrate the material at a constant depth relative to the point on the surface the laser intersects with, under the assumption that the material is homogeneous. Figure 8 shows a textured strap (29) thaI has a grove (30) that has been laser etched with a laser beam at constant power. The surface at the bottom of the grove (31) will follow the 270 same profile as the original surface (32) hut at an offset distance. *The offset distance or depth of Lhc grove (30) sill depend on the laser power.

For aesthetic reasons it may he desired to follow the original surface profile, of either a lexlured or smoolh strap, al the olisel distance from the original surlace. 11 may also be desired to have a flat profile at the holLom surface of the etching. To do this on a 275 textured strap the laser power can he varied to etch to a flat surface by increasing the power on sections where more material needs to he removed and decreasing the power on sections where less material needs to he removed. Figure 9 shows a textured strap (33) that has a grove (34) laser etched into it to create a flat profile (35). This is achieved by increasing the laser power for the sections where more material needs to 280 he removed (36) or reducing the power for the sections where less material needs to he removed (37).

The depth of the etching can vary depending on the desired outcome and the power of the laser beam applied. Figure 10 depicts material with two groves laser etched into the strap material (38). For the first grove (39), the area has a gradually increasing 285 depth (40) relative to the top surface (41) as the laser power increases. This can be done for an area or for a line. For the second grove (12), the area has a stepped change in depth (13) relative to the top surface (11) as the laser power changes.

To best control the pattern etched into the strap a smooth surface is preferred hut is not required.

290 Typically the depth of the etching will be less than 2 ruin; however any depth can he used lo achieve Ihe hesl appearance or LexLure for the given design. The elching can also he all the way through the material, in effect cutting a hole or holes in the material or a notch or notches out of the side of the material. Figure 11 shows notches (44) and two holes (45) etched out of the straps material (46). Cutting holes or notches 295 can be for aesthetic improvements or for physical enhancements. Removing material will alter the flexibility and strength of the strap. If a more flexible strap is requi red it may he possible to removed sections of the material. It may also he useful to cut holes for the purpose of ventilation to the foot or to allow fluid to drain or he removed which may build up between the strap and users loot during use. tt is possible 300 for the laser to create a repeating pattern (47) to produce textures like existing textures or a new texture.

figure 12 depicts two approaches to modifying the surface of the material. Depending on [he design requirements ci [her [he strap material can he removed to result in the paLtern (48) being raised compared with the new main surface (49) or the pattern (50) 305 itself can be etched into the strap material to create a recessed pattern relative to the original main surface (51).

An additional application could he to laser etch an area or grove which could later he filled with a secondary material or part. Figure 13 shows a pattern/area (52) laser etched into [he strap material (53). The secondary parts (54) can then then he slotted 310 into the groves (55) created by the laser etching.

The secondary part (54) could either be pre-cut or moulded to fit into the etched area and then fixed into the slot (55) etched by the laser. This would provide a greatly enhanced aesthetic appearance of any logo, text or graphic and reduce the risk of the fixture from falling off. It also means that the secondary part can he in any shape and 315 does not have to he the rectangular shape of recessed holes used in current methods to attach lahels. The secondary part could he cut out using a laser heam, die cut or mouldcd or using another method. The secondary part could he attached with a bonding agent.

As shown in Figure 14, the secondary part or parts can either be flush (56) with the 320 strap surface (57), protrude (58) from Lhe sLrap surface (59) or he recessed (60) from the strap surface (61).

Alternatively a paint or ink could he poured, injected or, by use of another method, he deposited into the hole to colour or decorated the recessed surfaces.

An alternative embodiment is laser etching a design into the strap material as 325 previously described, then filling the void which has been created with a filler in fluid form for example liquid PVC which can then he cured.An example of curing the fluid is by heating it. The curing temperature of the filler must be below the melting temperature of tIme strap material. Those skilled in the art will know the most appropriated temperatures and curing times.

330 Up to this point the main focus of the invention has been modification, customisation or personalisation of the top side of the straps. It is also possible to engrave any other part of the strap, including for example, as shown in Figure 15, the underside of the plugs (62), the underside of the strap (63), which is the surface nearest to the foot, or the [oe piece (64).

335 The modification can be carried out on the strap material while it is fully or partially assembled wi [h the sole. One or more plugs can he connected to the sole during the an o di fi c a t i o n There are a number of existing popular strap textures. In order to laser etch on straps that have these textures a mould or a set of moulds for the standard textures with an 340 area of smooth strap may he produced. Figure 16 shows an example of a moulded textured strap (65) with a smooth area (66), the tcxLurcd area (67) can he in a popular pattern currently in use or a new texture pattern. This would allow for easy and clear modification, customisation or personalisation of the smooth area while maintaining the popular and aesthetically pleasing texture over the remaining sections of flip flop 345 straps. *The straps can then he produced on mass and easily he modified, customnised or personalised afLer produclion wiLh Lhe benefit of a design that will lasi Lhe life of the strap.

Laser eLching can he used Lo transpose an image onto the strap. This is done by changing the image to greyscale. The degree of darkness of each pixel can then be 351) translated to the material by varying the laser beam power and thus removing more or less material depending on he tone of the pixel. The final result can be a 3D textured surface that represents the shading in the image.

To this point the description has dealt with the laser beam removing material, laser engraving may also change the colour of the material rather than remove it. This can he 355 used to mark the material. The amount the colour will change will depend on the power of the laser beam. Therefore it is possible to create an image on the strap material by vary in intensity laser bean) and therefore the colour change depending on the colour of each of the pixels in the image. In addition to transposing an image onto the strap, this marking can also he used to burn a pattern, logo, text or design into the strap 360 surface.

The present invention is disclosed above and in the accompanying drawings with reference to a variety of embodiments. the purpose served by the disclosure, ho wever, is to provide an example of the various features and concepts related to the invention, not to limit the scope ci the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognise 365 thaI numerous variations and modifications may he made to the embodiments described above without dep.arting from the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A method for modifying, customising or personalising flip flop straps 370 comprising the following steps: providing a flip flop strap made from a material which can he laser etched; and laser etching the strap maLerial using a laser beam Lo form a textured or marked surface in a desired design or pattern.

375
2. A method, of claim 1, where the strap is a 1f-shaped strap for flip flops.
3. A method, of claim 1, where the strap is pre-assembled with the sole when the strap is modified.
4. A method, of claim 1, where the strap is separate and the flip flop is not assembled when [he s[rap is modified.

380
5. A method, of claim 1, where the strap has one or more plugs connect to the sole when modified.
6. A method of claim 1, where the strap is produced from natural rubber.
7. A method of claim 1, where the strap is produced synthetic rubber.
8. A method of claim 1, where the strap is produced in a rubber type material from 385 a combination of natural rubber and synthetic rubber.
9. A method of claim 6-8, where [he strap is produced in a rubber type maLerial that includes other additives.
10. A method of claim 1, where the strap is produced in any non-rubber material that can be laser engraved.

390
11. A method of claim 3 or 4, where the strap surface to be laser etched is smooth.
12. A method of claim 3 or 4, where the strap surface to he laser etched is textured.
13. A method of claim 3 or 4, where the strap is stationary and the laser beam is moved relative to the strap in order to laser etch the material in a pre-define p at t e r n 395 11. A method of claim 3 or 1, where the laser beam is stationary and the strap is moved relative to the laser beam in order to laser etch the material in a pre-define pattern.15. A method of claim 3 or 1, where [he modification maybe carried ouL by vector engraving, etching or marking.400 16. A method of claim 3 or 4, where [he modification maybe carried ouL by raster engraving, etching or marking.17. A method of claim 3 or 4, where the modification may he carried ouL by a combination of vector arid raster engraving, etching or marking.18. A method of claim 3 or 4, where the laser beam can remove material following a 405 vector path to create lines where material has been removed.19. A method of claim 3 or 4, where the laser etching removes niaterial at a constant depth relative to the original surface.20. A method of claim 3 or 4, where the laser etching removes material at a varying or graduating depth relative to the original surface.410 21. A method of claim 3 or 4, where the laser etching removes material to create a flat profile at the bottom of the cut.22. A method of claim 3 or 4, where the laser etching can result in raised text, graphics, or patterns relative to the main strap surface by removing the material that does not define the text, graphics or patterns.415 23. A method of claim 3 or 4, where the laser etching can result in lowered text, graphics, or patterns relative o the main strap surface by removing the material that is defined by the text, graphics or patterns.24. A method of claim 3 or 4, where the depth of the laser etching will generally he less than 2mm.420 25. A method of claim 3 or 4, where the laser beam cuts through the entire strap material to create a hole or holes or a notch or notches for aesthetic purposes.26. A method of claim 3 or 4, where the laser beam cuts through the entire strap material to create a hole or holes or a notch or notches for physical improvements for comfort.425 27. A method of claim 3 or 4, where the modification of the strap can make the strap more flexible by removing material.28. A method of claim 3 or 4, where the underside of the strap, the side in contact with the user's foot, may he modified using the laser etching technique.29. A method of claim 3 or 4, where the plugs for the strap may be modified using 430 the laser etch Hg tech nique.30. A method of claim 3 or 4, the laser etching design may include text.3!. A method of claim 3 or 4, the laser etching design may include graphics.32. A method of claim 3 or 1, the laser etching design may include a repeating pat tern.435 33. A method of claim 3 or 1, where an image, maybe transposed onto the strap by using different depths of etching, thus creating a 3D fading effect.34. A method of claim 3 or 4, where an image, maybe transposed onto the strap by burning and thus marking the material to different degrees, thus creating a fading effect.440 35. A method of claim 3 or 1, where an design, pattern, logo, text or graphic maybe transposed onto Lhe sirap by burning and Ihus marking Ihe malerial.36. A method of claim 3 or 4, where the laser beam creates a recess for ink or paint to fill.37. A method of claim 3 or 4, where the laser beam creates a recess for a second part 445 to he inserted into.38. A method of claim 3 or 1, where the laser beam creates a recess for a liquid plastic to he poured or inserted into.39. A method of claim 37, where the second part can be pre-cut into the same shape as the hole created by the laser beam.450 40. A method of claim 37, where the second part can he moulded into the same shape as the hole created by the laser beam.11. A method of claim 37, where the second part can he laser cut into the same shape as the hole created by the laser beam.12. A method of claim 39-41, where the second part is flush with the strap surface.455 43. A method of claim 39-41, where the second part protrudes relative to the sirap u r face.44. A method of claim 39-41, where the second part is recessed relative to the strap u r face.45. A method of claim 38, where the liquid plastic is cured using heat.460 46. A method of claim 3 or 4, where the laser etching is on any surface of the strap.