MICROENTERING WINDOWS AND INTERFACEED IMAGES FOR PACKAGING AND PRINTING AND MANUFACTURING METHODS CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED REQUESTS This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Application No. 60 / 778,108, filed on April 3, 2006. The entirety of the aforementioned application it is incorporated here by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The field of the invention refers, in general terms, to packaging and printing. More particularly, the present invention relates to micro lens windows having interfaced images for packaging and printing. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Nowadays, there are flat plastic windows for cardboard containers. Certain marketers of packaged products use these transparent windows in their packaging to allow a consumer to see the actual product and product level through the packaging window. This is done to increase the visibility of the actual product that could not otherwise be seen due to the non-transparent material with which the package or container is manufactured. For example, certain liquid packages, such as inclined top containers, and the like, can be marketed and deployed with transparent windows made of a film.
transparent. The window is strategically located in the body of the package or container to allow a consumer to see the materials through the window. These windows add mercadotécnica attraction to the container. Typically, these windows are hot sealed on the inner surface of the container before being bent and filled with the contents. To increase this marketing appeal, any feature added to the plastic window will additionally call attention to packaging. While a simple print can be used on the back of the flat plastic, the attraction is not as large as in the case of a window. COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION These and other problems are overcome and additional benefits are provided through the present Microlens Windows and Interfaced Images for Packaging and Printing ("microlens for packaging and printing"). In one embodiment, the microlens for packaging and printing includes a new material and uses different techniques to create attractive and eye-catching products with transparent windows. The present microlens for packaging and printing incorporates' multidimensional printing incorporated in windows of microlenses manufactured as part of the packaging. Multidimensional printing includes three-dimensional images, fluttering, moving, and transformation
or any combination of them. The functionality of the window is maintained with the present microlens for packaging and printing by including transparent portions located in the microlens windows. The striking appearance increases the marketability of the package. In addition, the present microlens for packaging and printing adds security to the packaging because the total system must be used to manufacture the same packaged and printed products. The present microlens for packaging and printing also includes graphic images that produce anti-counterfeiting characteristics for printed material. The graphic images incorporated into the microlens for packaging and printing can change as desired to provide additional security features to packaged and printed products. The undulatory and particle structure of the light transmitted to the consumer's eye by the present microlens for packaging and printing complicates that unauthorized producers manufacture the same package. The present microlente for packaging and printing can be used for promotional pieces and for all types of packaging such as, for example, soft drink cartons, cereal boxes, boxes for dry products, boxes for toothpaste, etc. The present microlente for packaging and printing allows to draw the attention of a consumer
while adding security features to the packaging through the integral graphic images that can not be duplicated. Certain additional exemplary microlenses for packaging and printing include perfume bottles, high-quality liquor boxes, and over-the-counter pharmaceutical retail boxes. Also, the present microlens for packaging and printing can be used for security cards, passports, ID cards, driver's licenses, fiscal stamps, currency, documents, and the like. The present microlens for packaging and printing can be sealed on a container, packing, or the like by thermal sealing, adhesive, or by any other means of incorporation. In one aspect, if it is adhered to a package, the adhesive can be used to allow a user to peel off and preserve some portion of the promotional label. The security aspect is retained since the label identifies the product as original. The present microlens for packaging and printing provides optical material connected to computer-interfaced graphic images to produce a transparent microlens window for container or any package that benefits from the transparent capacity of the microlens window. The system is designed to control the images presented to the eyes of the person who is watching or of the consumed person through a tracking technology.
Light rays. The final product produced by the system creates a window of microlenses that attracts attention and maintains attention, which adds attractiveness to the product through an innovative design. The system can also be used in all other forms of packaging by using the present microlens for packaging and printing in order to provide multidimensional images, symbol patterns and optical material for labels, boxes, and containers to provide additional levels of anti-counterfeiting capacity. The present system can be used in all forms of printed material from currency to passports. The physical structure of the micro lens window makes the packaging resistant to alteration. The wave and particle of light transmitted from microlens windows, created by the system software to the optical material, is transmitted to the eye of a consumer and very importantly complicates the fraudulent reproduction of visual information in the final product. . In addition, the microlens construct is unique in itself since the lens surface is the thermal seal layer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 illustrates a front view of a package including a window of microlenses according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of a window
of microlenses according to Figure 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a micro lens window in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 illustrates a front view of the microlens window of Figure 2 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 illustrates a front view of the microlens window of Figure 4 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 illustrates a front view of the microlens window according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 illustrates a bottom view of a microlens window according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 illustrates a front view of a micro lens window in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 illustrates a front view of a microlens window according to another embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 10 illustrates a perspective rear view of a lenticule showing 6 frames in accordance with a
embodiment of the present invention Figure 11 illustrates a front perspective view of the lenticule of Figure 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 12 illustrates a front perspective view of a lenticle showing blank dots in the graph fixed on its back surface in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 13 illustrates a front perspective view of a lenticle showing parallax blank spots on the graph fixed on its back surface in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 14 illustrates a perspective view of a system for manufacturing a package with micro lens windows in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 15 illustrates a top view of a heated shoe of Figure 14 in accordance with the present invention; Figure 16 illustrates a block flow diagram for the process for making a package with a micro lens window in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, the same elements or similar elements are designated with identical reference numbers in all
the views and figures, and various illustrated elements may not necessarily be drawn to scale, Figure 2 illustrates a mode 100 of a pack including a micro lens window 104 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The pack 100 includes one or more microlens windows 104. The pack 100 can be a cardboard, a box, a container, or any other type of packaging used to contain and market a particular product, such as a liquid product. A paguete 100 includes a body 102 typically made of a transparent or non-transparent material that contains the product. The material can be any type of material suitable for containing the product within the bundle 100. For all materials, a thermal seal layer is included in the construction. The thermal seal layer for the microlens material is preferably the lens layer. In one embodiment, specific types of lens materials are used where the lens surface is produced from the thermal and clear seal material such as, for example, EVA, EMA, LDPE, etc. Certain examples of materials are cardboard, plastic, and the like. Turning to Figure 2, a modality of the microlens window 104 is shown. The microlens window 104 includes an outer surface 210 and an inner surface 208. In this embodiment, the outer surface 210 faces the
consumer to be able to see it and the inner surface 208 is in the contents of the package 100. As can be seen, the microlens window 104 is formed by a plurality 204 of cylindrical lenticules 206. The lenticules 206 are spaced apart by flat portions as it can be seen in Figure 4. A graphic image 212, as discussed further below, is adjacent to the internal surface 208 of the microlens window 104. Referring to Figure 3, another mode 300 of a micro lens window is shown. . The microlens window 300 further includes at least one or more "transparent" windows 314 located randomly in the printed interfaceed image. The designed image allows to see the contents of the cardboard through the image from the top to the bottom of the piece in a non-continuous but nevertheless aesthetically pleasing way. In Figure 4, a front view of the microlens window 104 is shown. The microlens window '104 includes lenticules 206 which image graphic images 212 as will be described further below. Adjacent to the lenticles 206 there are clear flat portions 402, which consequently allows a consumed person to see the contents of the package 100. In figure 5, a front view of the microlens window 300 is shown. A window of microlenses 300 includes
lenticules 306 that splice graphic images 312 as will be further described below. In addition adjacent to the lenticles 306 are clear flat portions 502, which allows a consumer to see the contents of the package 100 as noted above. In addition, a micro lens window 300 shows the transparent windows 314 randomly oriented in the graphic image 312 of the lenticles 306. Even when only 3 lenticles 206 and 306 are shown in Figures 4 and 5, respectively, in accordance with what is described below, any desired number of lenticles 206 and 306 can be used. In Figure 6, another modality 600 of a micro lens window is shown. In this embodiment, a window of microlenses 600 is used in place of the other microlens windows or in addition to the other microlens windows, described above. A microlens window 600 includes several lenses 610, each lenticle includes a clear beveled edge 604 on each side of a flat portion 606 that splices the graphic images 608 adjacent thereto as described in more detail below. This provides the consumer with a graphic image that can change as his eyes move relative to the microlens 600 window in the direction of. the arrows 610. A window of microlenses 600 includes an outer surface 612 and an inner surface 614. In this embodiment, the surface
external 612 faces the consumer to view the contents of the package 100 and the inner surface 614 is in contact with the contents of the package 100. In figure 7, another mode 700 of a window of microlenses is shown. In this mode, a window of microlenses 700 is used in place of the other microlens windows or in addition to the other microlens windows described above. The microlens window 700 includes shoulders 706 near the edges of the microlens window 700. Preferably, the shoulders 706 extend around a portion of the entire perimeter of the microlens window 700. The shoulders 706 allow a consumer to see the contents of the packaging 100 around the perimeter of the microlens window 700. The microlens window 700 includes a plurality 704 of cylindrical lenticules 702. As can be seen from Figure 7, there are graphic images 710 located adjacent to each lenticle 702. In this mode, there are clear flat potions 708 located between each lenticle 702. Similar to the shoulders 706, there are no localized graphic images adjacent to the flat portions 708 of the microlens window 700. Flat portions 708 and shoulders 706 allow to view the contents of the packaging 100 while displaying the graphic images 710 through the lenticles 702 to a consumer as seen in l packaging 100.
In Figure 8 another modality 800 of a window of microlenses is shown. In this embodiment, a window of microlenses 800 is used in place of the other microlens windows or in addition to the other microlens windows described above. The microlens window 800 includes a plurality of parabolic lenticules 802 and shoulders 802 located approximately at the intersection of the parabolic lenticules 802. Preferably, graphic images are located behind each lenticule 802 in a manner similar to that described above. In this embodiment, shoulders 804 are light wool portions. Preferably, there are no graphic images located behind the shoulders 804 of the microlens window 800. The shoulders 804 allow the contents of the package 100 to be viewed while the graphic images are displayed through lenticules 802 to a consumer as seen in the package 100. The Figure 9 illustrates another embodiment of a microlens window 900 that does not include shoulders between the parabolic lenticules 902. Micro lens windows 800 and 900 also have internal and external surfaces similar to those described and shown herein. A random eye fly lens will have no image behind it so it becomes transparent to see the elements. Turning to Figure 10, a modality 1000 of an individual lenticule with 6 frames 1002, 1004, 1006, 1008, is shown.
1010, and 1012. The following description refers to a lenticule 1000, but can be applied to any of the lenticules described herein. As also shown is a graphic image 1014 that has been inte grated in accordance with the present disclosure which can be affixed on the rear surface 1016 of lenticule 1000. As described herein, various views of a particular graphic image 1014 or graphic images are cut or sliced in segments and then interfaced together in order to produce a finished interfaced graphic image 1014 fixed in a aligned fashion on the back surface 1016 such that each segment of the interfaced graphic image 1014 is aligned with a particular panel 1002, 1004, 1006 , 1008, 1010, and 1012. The segments are mathematically interfaced, such as beam tracing, such that they use the desired method directly bd a desired panel 1002, 1004, 1006, 1008, 1010, and 1012. In the case of three-dimensional graphic images, the graphic images are of the same scene but slightly out of phase (parallax). The left eye and the right eye of the consumer or of the person who is watching observe the two different out-of-phase scenes and perceive the depth of the graphic image. In the case of change, transformations, etc., the eyes of a consumer or of a person who is watching observe the same scene at any given angle, but in another angle they will see another scene,
perceiving consequently the effects of change, transformation or approach. With reference to Figure 11, a mode 1100 of the individual lenticule of Figure 10 is shown in which panels 1112 and 1110 are blank without a graphic image affixed to the back surface in these panels. The panels 1102-1108 have a graphic image 1114 affixed to the back surface such as cover panels 1102 and 1108 thereby producing an interfaced graphic image 1114 to the consumer or the person being viewed. In the effect of change, transformation, or approach, blank panels 1112 and 1110 could remain blank without graphic image 1114 fixed on the back surface. In another aspect, the graphic image 1114 could be made to incorporate entire blank panels to be fixed adjacent to the panels 1112 and 1110. In addition, the lenticules 1100 can be used for three-dimensional images as well. Depending on the desired effect, any number of panels may remain blank, thereby allowing a consumer or a person watching to observe the contents of the package 100 through the microlens windows 104, 300, 600, 700, 800, and 900 incorporating these lenses 1100. In Figure 12, a mode 1200 of a single lenticule having 6 panels 1212 with dots in
white 1214.1216, and 1218 in the graphic image (not illustrated) fixed on the back surface of the lenticula 1200. Blank points 1214, 1216, and 1218 may be inserted in the graphic image after the graphic image has been intefaceada by the software and hardware of the system. Accordingly, blank dots 1214 appear as a bubble or as circular dots 1214 and 1216, although any desired blank dots can be used. Figure 13 illustrates a mode 1300 of a single lenticule including interface blank points 1314 and 1316 in the graphic image (not illustrated) before being secured to panels 1302-1312. In this embodiment, the blank points 1314 and 1316 are part of the graphic image before interfacing, and therefore appear as sliced blank points 1314 and 1316 as shown in Figure 13. Figure 14 illustrates a 1400 mode of a system for producing a package 100 that includes any of the microlens windows 104, 300, 600, 700, 800, and 900. the system 1400 includes a heated upper tractor (conveyor) 1402 and a lower continuous conveyor 1405. Figure 15 illustrates one embodiment of a heated shoe 1408, showing an outer perimeter 1502 that forms a cavity. The outer perimeter 1502 applies pressure on the outer perimeter of the hole in the packing to adhere the
piece of lenticular material on the package. In this mode, a 1400 system is shown, but any number of conveyors can be used in the process. The upper heated tractor 1402 includes pulleys 1404 that convey a band 1406 in the direction of the arrow shown adjacent to the belt 1406. The belt 1406 includes several heated shoes 1408 located on an outer surface of the belt 1406 and move along in length. the same direction as the web 1406. The lower continuous conveyor 1405 includes pulleys 1410 that convey a web 1412 in the direction illustrated by the arrow located at the end of the pulley 1410. A stack of cartons 1428 feeds individual folded cartons 1416 in the web 1412 which are then transported to a cutting station 1430 where a piece of a lenticular piece is cut from a roll of lenticular material 1426 in accordance with what is described herein. The lenticular pieces cut with markers, one per carton 1416, in the carton 1416. In one embodiment, the cut pieces of lenticular material are adhered to an opening (orifice) in the cardboard 1416 by applying a hot adhesive from a hot melt applicator 1422 through a pipe 1424 in a cardboard 1416 before placing the piece of lenticular material in the cardboard 1416. In another embodiment, if the cut piece of lenticular material is
applied by hot rolling, then hot melt is not used. Holding bars 1418 hold the parts in alignment until the cut piece of lenticular material and the cardboard 1416 enters the choke (between the upper heated tractor 1402 and the lower continuous conveyor 1405) where the heated shoe 1408 comes into contact with the two pieces. The speeds of the upper heated tractor 1402 and the lower continuous conveyor 1405 correspond in such a way that the heated shoe is aligned with the outer edges of the microlens window and the hole of the cardboard 1416. The two pieces are further transported along the length of the heated upper tractor 1402 and lower continuous conveyor 1405 while a constant upward and downward pressure is exerted by means of rollers 1414 as shown by the arrows. This pressure and heat binds the lenticular material to form a container (packing) with a micro lens window and the packing leaves the end of the 1400 system. In one embodiment, the web speed is approximately 24 meters (80 feet) per minute with five of such systems 1400. In this embodiment, the heated shoe 1408 is heated to approximately 104 ° C (220 ° F). In this embodiment, heat is applied to heated shoes 1408 through a heater, such as an electric heater located in each heated shoe 1408.
provides electricity to the hot shoes 1408 through a heater system in the upper heated tractor 1402. This results in the union of approximately 400 packages per minute. The opacity of the microlens windows 104, 300, 600, 700, 800 and 900 can be controlled through the white backing printed on the back of the above-mentioned interfaced images formed in graphic images 212, 312, 608 and 710. Preferably, all shoulders and flat portions should be clear or transparent. However, if one simply wishes to have the ability to easily deploy the level of the contents of the package 100, then the density of the white backing material can be designed to allow the density of the material to form a darker portion in the microlens window. In one embodiment, the microlens windows 104, 300, 600, 700, 800 and 900 have a lens number comprised between 20 and 1,575 lenses per centimeter (between 50 and 4,000 lenses per inch) ("LPI"). Preferably, the microlens windows 104, 300, 600, 700, 800 and 900 are parabolic, spherical, aspherical or cylindrical. Preferably, the material of the microlens windows 104, 300, 600, 700, 800 and 900 is a lenticular coated substrate by extrusion such as for example biaxial oriented polyester, (OPET), amorphous polyester (APET), or any other
Clear stable plastic film. The lenticular coated substrate is either primed or not primed and then coated with a heat-sealable polymer, such as EMA, EVA, EBA, PP plus Clarifier, PE, or any other clear heat-sealable resin. During the process of extrusion coating, the film has embossed microlenses on the surface which creates a set of optical microlenses. The material of the microlens window 104, 300, 600, 700, 800 and 900 is preferably dependent on the thermal sealing temperatures and residence time in the process to add the microlens window 104, 300, 600, 700, 800 and 900 to the body 102 of the package 100. Some additional considerations when selecting the material of the microlens window 104, 300, 600, 700, 800 and 900 include: its approval of use with the food contact, its non-blocking capacity (no adhesion in normal roll formation during extrusion coating), non-adhesive during normal handling conditions (it does not collect dust and is hard to the touch when handled by the consumer), its resistance to perforation, its stability under various environmental conditions (room temperature, cooling, or heating), and its durability to pass through all the normal filling and sealing machinery that creates the finished package without degradation and / or lamination.
Graphic images 212, 312, 406, 506, 608 and 710 are computer-generated special graphic images that are sliced digital images and then recombined into interfaced digital masters. The algorithm slices the images to correspond to the spacing of the coating lenticules of each of the microlens windows. The combination of combined images and microlens windows is designed to project to the human eye information that will make the image appear three-dimensional, transformed, approached, or any combination of these. Within the digital slices are light slices scattered without printing. These clear areas are designed in such a way that when the eye of the person who is watching observes the appropriate area (s), the contents of the packaging, cardboard, box, etc. can be seen through the window of micro lenses 104, 300, 600, 700, 800 and 900. Graphic images 212, 312, 406, 506, 608 and 710 are shown adjacent to the internal side of the microlens windows 104, 300, 600 , 700, 800 and 900. Adhesives can be used to connect the graphic images 212, 312, 406, 506, 608 and 710 to the microlens windows 104, 300, 600, 700, 800 and 900. In yet another aspect of the present invention, security cards, documents, etc. You can use the microlens windows 104, 300, 600, 700, 800 and 900 to place
images and visual information at different optical levels the material used. This placement can be from one level up to 10,000 times 100 levels. The material for security cards, etc., can be used as a platform to include covert features in conjunction with open anti-counterfeiting features. Some example covert features include: chemical markers, digital watermarks, smart chips, bar codes, magnetic strips and all other machine-readable technologies. Plastic substrate films suitable for use in this invention include any clear plastic film, particularly an optically clear film. The particular film used depends, to a great extent, on characteristics such as strength, curl, thermostability, useful life or low cost, which are desired for the final application of the lenticular coated substrate. For example, biaxially oriented films typically provide good mechanical stability but are relatively expensive while non-oriented films provide less strength but are usually considerably less expensive. Typical examples of suitable plastic substrate films include, but are not limited to, biaxially oriented polyester films, polypropylene films.
biaxially oriented, unoriented polypropylene films, and non-oriented polyethylene terephthalate films. Coated or pre-treated plastic films, such as ELINEX 504. RTM (ICI, Wilmington, Del.) Are useful for controlling the degree of adhesion between the substrate film and the adhesive layer for sealing on the package 100. The resins Thermoplastic lenticulars suitable for use within the scope of the present invention include any clear polymer that can be extruded. The lenticular resin used to manufacture a particular lenticular coated substrate is selected primarily based on the final application of the lenticular coated substrate and the ease of processing the resin, resistance to damage, clarity, and cost. As in the case of the adhesion resin, the lenticular resin must be compatible with the selected adhesion resin from a co-extrusion perspective; the rheology of these two resins must correspond to allow the two resins to flow together with little or no cutting. Typical examples of lenticular resins include, but are not limited to, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and mixtures containing these polymers. Balancing layer resins suitable for use in the present invention include the resins specified above for
lenticular resins. Base resins and / or films are any clear uniform substance that meets the end-use application, such as ink, gel emulsion, or adhesive receptibility. In addition, a treated substrate film can be used in which pretreatment inhibits binding of the substrate layer to the binding layer to produce a releasable lenticular (or non-lenticular) product. For example, MELINIX 504®, which is a plastic film that has been primed to accept solvent ink on the upper side, inhibits the bonding of the substrate layer on the bonding layer or adhesion layer. Suitable linker resins used in combination with this film include ethylene methyl ethyl acrylate. In addition, exposure of the upper side of the pre-treated substrate film, such as ELINEX 504®, to corona treatment before co-extrusion into a substrate can be used to control the adhesion strength between the substrate layer and the substrate layer. link. For example, the adhesion strength between the substrate layer (MELINEX 504®) and the bond layer (ethylene methyl ethyl acrylate) ranged from about 49 g / centimeter (125 g / inch) to about 98 g / centimeter (250 g) / inch) as MELINEX 504® was exposed to 0 kW to 2.5 kW corona treatment, respectively. Above 2.5 kW, the adhesion force decreased and leveled at approximately 79
g / centimeters (200 g / inch). In another embodiment of the present invention, the lenticular coated substrate is further processed to produce a three-dimensional image of superior quality. In order to produce a quality three-dimensional image, it is necessary to have a correspondence of the printing pattern with the lenticular pattern. It has now been found that exact correspondence of the printing pattern with the lenticular pattern can be achieved by employing a cooling roller that has been machined in a modified electronic recording recorder such as those produced by Ohio lectronic Engraver (Dayton, Ohio) to produce the lenticular pattern of the lenticular coated substrate in combination with the printing from the recording printing cylinders in which the pattern of recording points has been recorded with spacings of lines identical to the lenticular pattern of the cooling roller. Since the electronic recording allows a high degree of accuracy in matching the machining accuracy for the cooling roller and the printing cylinders, an exact correspondence between the printing pattern and the lenticular pattern can be achieved. Due to the high correspondence accuracy that can be obtained by cutting all the cylinders in the same machine with constant line spacings in relation to the
accuracy of electronic systems, it is not necessary to use low numbers of lenses for the lenticular pattern, for example 31 to 47 lenses per centimeter (80 to 120 lpi) to allow an inaccurate correspondence. In addition, since engraving printing means are employed in place of lithographic printing means or other conventional printing means, it is possible to achieve printing at more than 71 dots / centimeter (180 dots / inch), preferably greater than about 79 dots. 197 points / centimeters (200-500 points / inch). The higher the number of lenses and the greater the density of the pattern of engraving points that can be obtained with this process, the superior three-dimensional image quality is achieved; not only the image is of a much higher resolution, moire patterns can be eliminated and the colors are reproduced with greater accuracy. In addition, since it is possible to achieve an impression with high dot density, the thickness of the lenticular coated substrate can be reduced while still allowing a focused image. For example, focused products can be produced using a lenticular coated substrate of 0.41 millimeter (16 mils) and 71 lenses per centimeter (180 lpi); a lenticular coated substrate of 0.32 millimeter (12.5 mils) and 87 lenses per centimeter (220 lpi); and a lenticular coated substrate of 0.13 millimeter (5 mils of
inch) and 118 lenses per centimeter (300 lpi). Accordingly, this embodiment of the present invention offers a process for producing a three-dimensional image which, in addition to the steps discussed above for the production of the lenticular coated substrate, requires (A) cutting the lenticular pattern in the cooling roll with an engraving machine. precision recording in such a way that the lenticular pattern comprises equally spaced lines; (B) separates the colors of an image to produce a multiplicity of images separated by color;
(C) for each image separated by color, in recording a pattern of recording points with line spacings identical to the lenticular pattern in a recording printing cylinder; Y
(D) print the image on the underside of a substrate film. Alternatively, a paper substrate in which the image has been printed can be used with the bond and lenticular layers coextruded therein. In addition, the coated lenticular substrate can be fabricated and then used to coat the image that has been printed on either paper, opaque plastic, or clear plastic. In addition, by printing all other forms of packaging and printing next to the transparent cartons, phantom pigments can be integrated into their own polymer combinations to make the material photosensitive under specific light conditions. Inks sensitive to
light can be added which can only be seen under specific light sources. In addition to the aforementioned aspects and embodiments of the present microlens for packaging and printing, the present invention further includes methods for manufacturing a microlens for packaging and printing. Figure 16 illustrates a mode 1600 of a block flow diagram of a method for manufacturing a package having a window of microlenses in accordance with the present invention. In step 1602, a material suitable for extrusion is provided to form the lenticular coated substrate. In step 1604 the lenticular coated substrate of the microlens window 104, 300, 600, 700, 800, and 900 is extruded. Preferably, the extrusion process comprises the steps of continuously advancing a plastic substrate film having an upper side and a lower side beyond an extrusion station; continuously coextruding a melted thermoplastic bonding resin and a melted thermoplastic lenticular resin on the upper side of this substrate film from the extrusion station to form a composite comprising a substrate layer, a bonding layer, and a lenticular layer such that the bonding layer is superimposed on the substrate film and the lenticular layer is superimposed on the bonding layer; and 'move forward
continuously compounding beyond a cooling roll to form the lenticular coated substrate in such a manner that the lenticular layer of the compound comes in contact with the cooling roll to form a lenticular pattern. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the substrate film comprises an optically clear film, the binding resin comprises a clear adhesive polymer, the lenticular resin comprises a clear polymer, the thickness of the lenticular coated substrate is within a range from about 0.06 millimeter (2.5 mil) to about 0.5 millimeter (20 mil), the ratio between the thickness of the substrate layer and the sum of the thickness of the bond layer, and the thickness of the lenticular layer is within from a range of about 0.5: 1 to about 1: 1, and the ratio between the thickness of the lenticular layer and the thickness of the bonding layer is within a range of about 9: 1 to about 4: 1. General manufacturing steps for manufacturing the lenticular coated substrate are described in US Patent No. 5, 362, 351, issued November 08,. ? 994 to Karszes and in US Patent No. 6,060,003 issued May 09, 2000 to Karszes, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. In step 1606, graphic images 212, 312, 608, and 710
are interfaced by providing a lenticular coated substrate having several microlenses or lenticules that extend in a first direction with a spacing between lenticules and having an ink receiving surface positioned on a surface of the lenticular sheet, and providing an image processing apparatus digital devices that have a data storage, a data input / output interface, a raster image processing software ("RIP"), and providing an ink jet printer having a print head that is displaced "in a carriage direction by a servo, a light sensor to receive an ambient light that passes through the lenticular sheet and to generate a sensor signal in response, and a transmitter to transmit the sensor signal to the input interface / output of the digital image processing apparatus, and a servo to move the sensor in the direction of the carriage. Then, a digital image file representing, in the form of pixels, an image to be printed on the lenticular sheet is stored in the image data storage of the digital image processing apparatus. The lenticular sheet is then fed or placed in an ink jet printer in such a manner that the lenticules extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the carriage. Then, a scanner step moves the light sensor in the direction of the carriage to detect light
through the lenticular sheet in a sequence of positions along the direction of the carriage and transmits sensor data corresponding to the digital image processing apparatus. The digital image processing apparatus then calculates a lenticle spacing data, which represents an estimated value of the lenticle spacing based on the sensor data transmitted by the scanner step. Then an image modification step generates a re-spaced digital image file based on the digital image file and the lenticle spacing data. One printing step then prints an image on the lenticular sheet corresponding to the re-spaced digital image file, general manufacturing steps for interfacing the lenticular coated substrate are described in US Patent No. 6,709,080 issued March 23, 2004 to Nims et al, U.S. Patent No. 6,760,021 to Karszes et al, U.S. Patent No. 6, 781, 707 issued August 24, 2004 to Petes et al, U.S. Patent No. 7,019,865 issued March 28, 2006 to Nims et al. US Patent Application No. 09/988, 382 filed November 19, 2001 to Nims et al, now abandoned, and US Patent Application No. 10/025, 835 issued December 26, 2001 by Karszes et al. al, now abandoned, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
In step 1608, the interfacial graphic image 212, 312, 608, and 710 is fixed on the microlens window 104, 300, 600, 700, 800, and 900. Preferably, the internal surfaces 208, 308, 614, and 714 are treated for ink receptivity. The graphic images 212, 312, 608, and 710 are presented in CYMK separations and printed on the internal surfaces 208, 308, 614, and 714 respectively, of the microlens window 104, 300, 600, 700, 800, and 900 using conventional printing devices such as roll lithography or flexo-graph. A final clear varnish or a UV hard coating is added to the back of the print to allow contact with food. The general manufacturing steps for fixing the intefaced graphic image on the microlens window 104, 300, 600, 700, 800, and 900 are further described in the references mentioned above. In step 1610, a package 100 is provided to the system and in step 1612, the microlens window 104, 300, 600, 700, 800, and 900 is thermally sealed on the package 100. In another embodiment, the steps are performed using a 1400 system in accordance with what is described above. Some examples of the present microlenses for packaging and printing are offered below. EXAMPLE 1 A oriented polyester is subjected to priming with a
material such as Primex ™ 'A heat-sealable polyethylene at 206 ° C is extrusion coated to a thickness of 0.30 millimeter (12 mils) to create a microlens window. The cylindrical lens per image is the packaging 100. An approximated image is created with twelve frames. The pictures are intefaceados with 6 clear pictures and 6 pictures of image. The image is printed reversed on the back of the material. White pigment is added behind the image area only. As the consumer walks near the box, a different movement is noted due to the approach effect. The piece when viewed at an offset angle shows the product behind the micro lens window. Curiosity in relation to what the consumer is seeing will drive the consumer to investigate the effect. Standard marketing data show that once a consumer takes a product there is an 80% chance that the consumer will consume the product. EXAMPLE 2 The window of the microlenses is made of the same material as in Example 1, but the lenticules are parabolic lenses with a shoulder. The total thickness of the microlens window is 0.13 millimeter (5 mils). EXAMPLE 3 The microlens window either as in Example 2 or in the
Example 3 is used with an interdispersed three-dimensional with movement (flutter). EXAMPLE 4 A multidimensional piece is designed with clear areas incorporated into the graphic images. Clear areas of different sizes as well as clear areas in a logo are incorporated in such a way that there is a clear discontinuous area in all portions of the micro lens window. The graphic images are printed in the window of microlenses in accordance with what is described here. The graphic image area in unclear areas consists of 12 cuados. The white opacity area is printed behind all unclear areas. This product is seen through the "transparent designed areas". The advantage is that there is less alignment in the printing of richer images deeper, which therefore offers a movement that draws attention and also three-dimensional images that retain attention and clear transparent images scattered in the packaging. A microlens has been described for packaging and printing. It will be understood that the particular embodiments described within this specification are for example purposes and should not be considered as a limitation of the invention. It is also evident that persons with knowledge in the field will be able to make numerous uses and modifications of the
specific embodiment described without departing from the concepts of the present invention. For example, different types and numbers of microlens windows, materials for micro lens windows, and gaskets can be used without departing from the concepts of the present invention.