EP0761473A1 - Panneau à effet visuel à trois dimensions - Google Patents

Panneau à effet visuel à trois dimensions Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0761473A1
EP0761473A1 EP96305671A EP96305671A EP0761473A1 EP 0761473 A1 EP0761473 A1 EP 0761473A1 EP 96305671 A EP96305671 A EP 96305671A EP 96305671 A EP96305671 A EP 96305671A EP 0761473 A1 EP0761473 A1 EP 0761473A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
sign
ink
image
recited
superstratum
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP96305671A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Douglas I. Lovison
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Premier Card Solutions LLC
Original Assignee
Chromium Graphics Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Chromium Graphics Inc filed Critical Chromium Graphics Inc
Publication of EP0761473A1 publication Critical patent/EP0761473A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B42—BOOKBINDING; ALBUMS; FILES; SPECIAL PRINTED MATTER
    • B42D—BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS
    • B42D15/00—Printed matter of special format or style not otherwise provided for
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B44—DECORATIVE ARTS
    • B44F—SPECIAL DESIGNS OR PICTURES
    • B44F1/00—Designs or pictures characterised by special or unusual light effects
    • B44F1/08—Designs or pictures characterised by special or unusual light effects characterised by colour effects
    • B44F1/14—Iridescent effects

Definitions

  • the present invention pertains generally to signs and visual displays. More particularly, the present invention pertains to signs and displays which present a three dimensional visual sensation.
  • the present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, pertinent to novelty items, such as sports trading cards and magazine covers, which rely on a unique and sensational visual presentation to attract attention.
  • U.S. Patent No. 5,106,126 for an invention entitled “Process Printed Image with Reflective Coating” incorporates a design on a transparent substrate with portions of the design masked and a reflective backing to achieve a unique visual effect.
  • U.S. Patent No. 4,933,218 for an invention entitled “Sign with Transparent Substrate” incorporates an extraordinarily thick ridge of ink along the border of a design, under a transparent substrate, to give the sign or display a three-dimensional visual effect or quality.
  • the present invention recognizes that a particularly unique visual effect is achieved with a sign or display, by employing a multi-layered laminated construction which features different images or designs on each of several layers. More specifically, the present invention recognizes that a three dimensional visual effect may be achieved by printing an image or design on a transparent superstratum and laminating the superstratum to a substrate on which a background design is printed. The present invention also recognizes that the three dimensional visual effect may be enhanced by including a translucent, iridescent layer between the superstratum and the substrate giving the images printed on the superstratum and substrate an iridescent visual quality.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a display/sign which provides a three dimensional visual effect. Another object of the present invention is to provide a display/sign which has an iridescent quality in its visual presentation. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a display/sign which is relative easy to manufacture, and comparatively cost effective.
  • a display in accordance with the present invention includes a substantially flat, transparent, superstratum which is made from a rigid or semi-rigid material, such as a plastic.
  • a foreground image is printed onto a portion of a surface of the superstratum using translucent or opaque inks.
  • the printing of the image is accomplished using a four-color process wherein red, yellow, blue and black dots are juxtaposed to create the particularly desired color effect for the image.
  • selected portions of the superstratum surface on which the image is printed may be textured to give those parts of the image a roughened appearance. In keeping with the present invention, this texturing can be accomplished by physical alteration of the superstratum surface by using ink deposits in a manner well known in the art.
  • a masking layer may be deposited onto the superstratum over certain portions of the image.
  • a white ink is suitable for this purpose.
  • these masked portions give the image a flat appearance in contrast with the unmasked portions of the image.
  • the masked portions of the image may or may not coincide with the textured portions of the superstratum.
  • the image printed on the surface of the superstratum may be given an embossed, etched or otherwise emphasized appearance by adding an extraordinarily thick ridge of translucent ink on the superstratum at the border of the image.
  • An extraordinarily thick ink ridge of this type may be added using methodologies well known in the art and the actual thickness of the ridge may be varied from product to product to create the desired visual effect. Ridges of this type are preferably applied using a viscous UV curable translucent ink.
  • An example of a display which utilizes an extraordinarily thick ridge of this type is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,933,218 for an invention entitled "Sign with Transparent Substrate".
  • Another example, U.S. Patent No. 5,082,703 for an invention entitled “Sign with Transparent Substrate” discloses a display using an extraordinarily thick ridge which has been textured to give the display an embossed appearance.
  • a semi-transparent, iridescent foil which is preferably a plastic film, is laminated against the superstratum with the image and any masked or textured portions positioned between the superstratum and the foil.
  • this iridescent backing is pre-printed with a pigment which will give light passing through the foil an iridescent visual quality. This iridescent quality is, in turn, imparted to the image on the superstratum.
  • the display of the present invention also includes a substantially flat substrate, which is preferably a rigid or semi-rigid material, such as plastic or cardboard.
  • a background design is printed on the substrate preferably using the same type of four-color process used to form the foreground image on the superstratum.
  • the substrate is then bonded, or laminated, to the back of the iridescent foil with the background design positioned between the substrate and the iridescent foil.
  • the display of the present invention achieves its unique three dimensional visual effect by combining the foreground image printed on the superstratum with the background design printed on the substrate and the overall iridescent quality provided by the iridescent foil. Additionally, the visual effect achieved by the present invention may be enhanced by combining, as desired, the flat appearance of the masked portions, the roughened appearance of the textured portions, and the embossed quality provided by the extraordinarily thick ink layer.
  • a display/sign/trading card according to the present invention is shown and generally designated 10.
  • the display 10 has an image 12 which is viewed by the user. Additionally, the display has a background design 14 which appears to form a backdrop for the image 12.
  • Figs. 2 and 3 To appreciate and understand the three dimensional and iridescent visual qualities of the display 10, reference is made to Figs. 2 and 3 wherein the construction of display 10 which accomplishes this effect is shown.
  • display 10 includes, essentially, three structural components. These are a superstratum 16, iridescent foil 18, and substrate 20.
  • the superstratum 16 is preferably made of a clear or transparent, semi-rigid plastic.
  • Superstratum 16 is generally flat and, as shown in the drawings, can be generally rectangular in shape.
  • iridescent foil 18 is generally clear or transparent.
  • iridescent foil 18 is fabricated as a very thin plastic foil or film.
  • foil 18 has a pigment printed thereon (not shown) to give the iridescent foil 18 an iridescent visual quality. The printing of pigment on iridescent foil 18 can be accomplished in any manner well known in the pertinent art.
  • substrate 20 may be fabricated as either a translucent or opaque layer. Therefore, for the purposes of the present invention, substrate 20 may be fabricated from various materials including plastics and cardboards.
  • the image 12 is printed on a surface 22 of the superstratum 16.
  • image 12 is printed on surface 22 using a second surface printing technique and the well known four-color process.
  • the four-color printing process individual red, yellow, blue and black dots of ink are juxtaposed to create the particular color effect for image 12.
  • the inks used for image 12 are translucent or opaque.
  • a masking layer 24 can be printed or deposited onto selected portions of the image 12.
  • the numeral zero on the player's jersey shown in Figure 2 can be considered as masked by masking layer 24.
  • the masking layer 24 is substantially opaque, and preferably comprises a white ink which will give the portions of image 12 which have been masked by the masking layer 24 a flat visual effect. This flat visual effect is presented on image 12 by the layer 24 to provide a contrast to the remaining unmasked portions of the image 12.
  • the unmasked portions of image 12 will be translucent with an iridescent quality.
  • Figure 3 indicates that portions of surface 22 of superstratum 16 can also be textured, physically or with inks, to give the display 10 a roughened appearance in the areas 26 where the surface 22 is textured.
  • an extraordinarily thick ridge of ink 28 may be applied to selected areas of the image 12.
  • such an ink ridge might be applied at the perimeter of image 12 using the well-known silk screen process.
  • ridges, such as ridge 28 may be located at varying positions on surface 22, masking layer 24 and image 12.
  • the extraordinarily thick ridge of ink 28 is applied using a silk screening methodology utilizing silk screens with mesh counts which vary between 60 to 150 threads-per-inch.
  • the laminating process is accomplished by using a thermal or pressure sensitive adhesive.
  • the background design 14 is printed or deposited on the substrate 20. More specifically, the background design 14 is formed using translucent or opaque inks and is preferably applied using the same type of four-color process used to form the image 12 included on the superstratum 16. For the purposes of the present invention, the background design 14, or a portion of the background design, such as 14a, may substantially duplicate the image 12 included on the superstratum 16. Additionally, the background design 14 may include areas, such as area 14b which are distinct from the image 12 included on the superstratum 16.
  • the substrate 20 is bonded or laminated to the iridescent foil 18 with the background design 14 positioned between the substrate 20 and the foil 18.
  • the laminating process is accomplished by using a thermal or pressure sensitive adhesive.
  • display 10 can have several visual effects.
  • region 30 only the translucent inks of image 12 are positioned between the transparent superstratum 16 and the iridescent foil 18.
  • light passes through the iridescent foil 18 to expose portions of the background design 14 and make them visible.
  • the simultaneous visibility of the foreground image 12 and the background design 14 within the region 30 gives the display 10 a three dimensional visual quality. This quality is enhanced by the physical separation of the image 12 and the background design 14.
  • the inclusion of iridescent foil 18 gives an iridescent visual effect to the image 12 and background design 14 in the region 30.
  • the masking layer 24 is behind the translucent inks of image 12. In this region 32, the blocking effect of the masking layer 24 renders background design 14 invisible. Additionally, masking layer 24 blocks the iridescent quality of foil 18 and gives the image 12 a relatively flat appearance within the region 32. Regions, like region 32, which include the blocking effect of the masking layer 24 are particularly effective on portions of image 12 which require emphasis such as areas representing an extreme foreground.
  • region 34 With the addition of a textured area 26 in region 34, the relatively flat appearance of region 32 is enhanced to include a roughened appearance. Finally, region 36 has no masking layer 24, but includes a textured area 26. As a result, region 36 features the same three dimensional and iridescent qualities exhibited by region 30. This time, however, due to texturing of the area 26, the iridescent quality of image 12 and background design 14 has a roughened effect.
  • Figure 3 also shows several variations or embodiments for the extraordinarily thick ridge of ink 28.
  • an extraordinarily thick ridge 28a is shown applied directly to the surface 22 of superstratum 16.
  • extraordinarily thick ridge 28b is shown applied at the boundary of image 12 and surface 22.
  • extraordinarily thick ridge 28c is shown located entirely on image 12. In general, such ridges may be located wherever needed or desired to create embossed, etched, or offset appearances.
  • the extraordinarily thick ridge of ink 28 has a thickness 38 which may be compared to the thickness 40 of the ink used to create the image 12. It may also be assumed that the thickness of the extraordinarily thick ridge 28 may be varied to meet the needs of various products and that the ratio of thickness 38 to thickness 40 may typically be on the order of ten to one or greater.

Landscapes

  • Printing Methods (AREA)
  • Laminated Bodies (AREA)
  • Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)
EP96305671A 1995-09-07 1996-08-01 Panneau à effet visuel à trois dimensions Withdrawn EP0761473A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US52534095A 1995-09-07 1995-09-07
US525340 1995-09-07

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0761473A1 true EP0761473A1 (fr) 1997-03-12

Family

ID=24092833

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96305671A Withdrawn EP0761473A1 (fr) 1995-09-07 1996-08-01 Panneau à effet visuel à trois dimensions

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0761473A1 (fr)
BR (1) BR9602590A (fr)
MX (1) MX9601996A (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012007563A3 (fr) * 2010-07-15 2012-07-19 Sun Chemical B.V. Procédé pour produire des images imprimées en 3-d
ITFI20110248A1 (it) * 2011-11-14 2013-05-15 Apuomarg S R L "procedimento per realizzare un pannello retroilluminato"

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS60193637A (ja) * 1984-03-15 1985-10-02 Taihei Kagaku Seihin Kk 立体感のある地紋を有するプラスチツクカ−ド材料の製法
EP0458631A2 (fr) * 1990-05-24 1991-11-27 Lawrence J. Longobardi Enseignes à substrat transparent
US5106126A (en) * 1990-11-29 1992-04-21 Longobardi Lawrence J Process printed image with reflective coating
JPH06135118A (ja) * 1992-10-27 1994-05-17 Shunji Kokubu 立体模様現出方法
DE4406185A1 (de) * 1994-02-25 1995-08-31 Waldemar Spaete Verfahren zur Herstellung von bedruckten Unterlagen mit irisierender Oberfläche und/oder hologrammartigem Hintergrund (3D-Effekt) und nach dem Verfahren hergestellte Unterlage
EP0703099A2 (fr) * 1994-09-23 1996-03-27 SIGNS & GLASSWORKS, INC. Enseigne irisée

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS60193637A (ja) * 1984-03-15 1985-10-02 Taihei Kagaku Seihin Kk 立体感のある地紋を有するプラスチツクカ−ド材料の製法
US5082703A (en) * 1988-12-28 1992-01-21 Longobardi Lawrence J Sign with transparent substrate
EP0458631A2 (fr) * 1990-05-24 1991-11-27 Lawrence J. Longobardi Enseignes à substrat transparent
US5106126A (en) * 1990-11-29 1992-04-21 Longobardi Lawrence J Process printed image with reflective coating
JPH06135118A (ja) * 1992-10-27 1994-05-17 Shunji Kokubu 立体模様現出方法
DE4406185A1 (de) * 1994-02-25 1995-08-31 Waldemar Spaete Verfahren zur Herstellung von bedruckten Unterlagen mit irisierender Oberfläche und/oder hologrammartigem Hintergrund (3D-Effekt) und nach dem Verfahren hergestellte Unterlage
EP0703099A2 (fr) * 1994-09-23 1996-03-27 SIGNS & GLASSWORKS, INC. Enseigne irisée

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
DATABASE WPI Week 9424, Derwent World Patents Index; AN 94-196741, XP002021454 *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 10, no. 40 (M - 454) 18 February 1986 (1986-02-18) *

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012007563A3 (fr) * 2010-07-15 2012-07-19 Sun Chemical B.V. Procédé pour produire des images imprimées en 3-d
ITFI20110248A1 (it) * 2011-11-14 2013-05-15 Apuomarg S R L "procedimento per realizzare un pannello retroilluminato"

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
BR9602590A (pt) 1998-10-06
MX9601996A (es) 1997-09-30

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