CA2267458A1 - 3-dimensional printing process with hidden message - Google Patents

Description

Description:
P3 printing can be briefly described as a process which gives the illusion of multiple images or even motion, through a screen printing technique which requires combining technical computer Graphic design, layout, and output procedures with revolutionary High density printing inks and or standard inks. The end result is unbelievable even after it has been seen. We at Anthem Sportswear believe that the potential is unlimited - Advertisers, Retailers, and consumers will not have seen such an overwhelming sweep of the market in decades. We at Anthem Sportswear believe that this will be the largest advancement ever experienced in the Screenprinting industry.
Use:
A form of advertising or display for use in all sorts of apparel, signage and display natured industries. The patent we are applying for is not trade specific.
It is a versatile process which can be applied to any industry.
Procedure:
Although we will be describing the computer version of this process it is important to note that the same results can be achieved by manually producing the artwork.
P3 printing is made possible through strategically placed ink on a substrate.
Step 1: choose a graphic - as in example (A) the "Ongaro brothers" or ~Obros"athletic logo was chosen.
A. )

2 OBROS

Decide which areas or sections of the design you would like to involve in the P3 process.
Referring to example (A) we will chose to use only the oval area of the graphic.
A. ) Only this area will be affected by P3 Process.
OBROS
STEP 3.
Now that we have selected our P3 zone (circular or oval areas work well) Using conventional vector graphics software, in this example Macromedia Freehand version 7 was used. Start placing vertical lines (repetitive ovals, circles, squares, triangles, rectangles or any shape) see example C.) parallel to each other, spaced evenly apart and trapped within your selected P3 zone. See example B.) Effect will still work even if lines are not perfectly evenly spaced or parallel.
B.) P3 Zone perimeter Vertical Ilnes trapped Inside of oval by using the {command, Shift 'V'} function in freehand version 7 As mentioned above a variety of shapes can produce the same results. With

3 shapes that have multiple sides multiple messages can be hidden.

STEP 4. HIDDEN MESSAGE IMPLANT.
Decide on your message. Type it on your computer,( using a bold - preferably san - serif type face works best, however a serifed font will work just as well).
Now it is again important to note that objects, logos, images of any sort can also be hidden. This process is not limited in any way to messages.
Distort your message or graphic by stretching the entire width of the P3 zone, this is done so that when viewed from an angle, the natural visual compression is compensated for.
Once this has been done the message has to be trapped within not only the oval (or chosen shape) but also the vertical lines (or chosen repetitive objects) themselves. See example D.) (for dual messages refer to step 5 - for single messages refer to step b) D.) Distorted by stretching Pasted inside lines within shape

4 STEP 5.
To create a second message as seen in example E.) follow step 4 however, the second message , once trapped within it's own set of lines - must be butted up against the first set of lines. The right side view will now display the 2nd. Message as seen in example E.) Assuming that the second set of lines are placed to the right of the first set of lines.
E.) Hidden message trapped within first set of lines.
Hidden message 2 trapped within second set of lines.
~~rn messages trapped within individual lines sharing a common shape.
Message two should be trapped within right side lines. Once lines are butted together they form one line.
See example F.) for exploded view F. ) Portion of message 1 which will be viewed from aprox. 30' angle from the left.
from the right In our "OBROS" Sample the message from the left read " I WIN' and from the right "YOU LOSE" see example G.) rornon or message which will be viewed from aprox. 30' angle G.) View from left: logo becomes obscured by lines and message becomes visible.
OSR°' rte' View from right: logo becomes obscured by lines and message 2 becomes visible.
oB~iOs STEP 6. CREATING ARTWORK TO "COVER UP" , This will be the concealing top coat for both messages, vertical lines, and P3 zone.
this obscures the message from direct view (front view), NOTE: For best results messages should not contrast background, they should blend. However, they should contrast the color used for the lines. See diagram H.) for a cross section and description.
Standard ink top coat= concealing cover print, High density ink # 2 = lines High density ink color 1 = Hidden message one from 30' angle from left side a °W" appears High density ink # 2 = lines Standard ink top coat= concealing cover print.
High density ink color 1 = Hidden message two from 30' angle from right side an "L" appears Through this very same principal, motion can be achieved in 3 still frames which progressively vary to imitate or give the illusion of motion. See diagram I.) i.>
W( STEP 7 - ART OUTPUT.
First output original art as per the standard separations for a standard print. Then, output the top coat (with normal ink), and finally output the white and black "High density"( message) film.

THE SCREEN PRINTING PROCESS
Vertical lines are printed over an existing regular two dimensional print, using a "High density"
based ink. This is printed through conventional screens and standard emulsion stencils (not the prescribed emulsion for use with "High density" inks).
The H.D. ink is layered and flash - cured repeatedly until it has formed high enough to create the effect of the print to disappear and message to appear from a view at an angle of approximately thirty - degrees . This is directly relative to the size and spacing of the lines.

\ L I N E O F 5 I G H 1 i.) \ J) \, \
Cross Section \ \

In diagram I.) the "stacks" are thin, high, and spaced well enough to let the underlaying print show through well.
In diagram J.) the stacks are wider and placed slightly closer together.
This would make production time faster, but obscure more of the print.
SCREEN PRINTING HIDDEN MESSAGES
Hidden messages are seen from the side angle view of the print only. (See diagram H) This is achieved by breaking the vertical lines of High density into more than one color, but maintaining the straight lined effect. The colors added to the H.D. vertical lines must also be printed in H.D. ink.
As well it is neccesary to maintain a balance of H.D, base in all the inks involved, or the effect could be crippled by an uneven height between the colors. (HD is an abbreviation for high density which refers to a specially formulated ink designed to rise when heated.) It is important for any hidden message to be printed with a color that highly contrasts the balance of the line. Black and white works best.
This process demands absolute registration accuracy to avoid gaps or lumps in the finished line.
After the underlay print is applied, the H.D. lines are created by layering both H.D. screens.
Black - flash - white - flash - Black - flash - white - flash- Black - flash -white - flash ...
This is continued until the desired height of the lines is achieved.
This allows for very tight registration and high control of process.
When the High density lines are complete, it is important to print a uniform cover on the lines.
(see diagram H.) This screen is printed with regular Plastisol ink and is intended to obscure the hidden message from a direct view at a straight ninety degrees. from finished print.
If the registration is not adequate, the cover print will not cover all of the contrast color.
To print a hidden message that is different from left view to right view, the process is the same.
It is strictly the artwork that determines the messages.

Claims