US3565005A

US3565005A - Device for permanently recording, by the application of pressure, multicolored informative markings

Info

Publication number: US3565005A
Application number: US723432A
Authority: US
Inventors: Philip H Knott
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1968-04-23
Filing date: 1968-04-23
Publication date: 1971-02-23
Anticipated expiration: 1988-02-23

Abstract

A device suitable for permanently recording multicolored information on a sheet merely by the application of pressure to the sheet. The sheet contains a plurality of pressure rupturable encapsulated inclusions capable of producing, upon rupture, several different colors. As localized pressure is applied to the sheet by sandwiching it between pressure-applying means and raised lands, certain of the capsules are ruptured selectively, releasing coloring agents to a surface of the sheet so as to provide observable markings or an image of a certain design thereon. The color of the markings or image is selected by locating the lands in positions adapted to cause rupture of capsules containing materials that produce the desired colors. Other features of the invention appear in the following specification and accompanying drawings.

Description

I United States Patent l 3,565,005

[72] Inventor Philip H. Knott $063,864 1 1/ 1962 Norman 1l7/36.8 San Francisco, Calif. (315 E. 86th St., Apt. 3,138,515 6/1964 Dritz 1 l7/36.2X 2N East, New York, N.Y. 10028) 3,322,557 5/1967 Schwab 1 17/36.2 [21] Appl. No. 723,432 3,329,590 7/1967 Renfrew 117/36.8X 22 Filed A 23,1968 3,351,948 ll/1967 Bonn ll7/36.1X [45] patented 23 1971 3,426,679 2/1969 Rarnes 101/175 Primary Examiner-Robert E. Pulfrey ss' t tExami er-J. R ed Fisher [54] DEVICE FOR PERMANENTLY RECORDING, BY j Leaveenworth & Keno THE APPLICATION OF PRESSURE, MULTICOLORED INFORMATIVE MARKINGS 19 Claims, 12 Drawing Figs. ABSTRACT: A device suitable for permanently recording [52] U 8 Cl 101/171 multicolored information on a sheet merely by the application 1 17B 6 of pressure to the sheet. The sheet contains a plurality of pres. I 5 n In cl 5/1'6 sure rupturable encapsulated inclusions capable of producing, [50] Fkid 1 01/171 upon rupture, several different colors. As localized pressure is 175 176 36 2 36 applied to the sheet by sandwrching it between pressure-apply- 1 I ing means and raised lands, certain of the capsules are rup- 35/27 tured selectively, releasing coloring agents to a surface of the sheet so as to provide observable markings or an image of a [56] References Cited certain design thereon. The color of the markings or image is UNITED STATES PATENTS selected by locating the lands in positions adapted to cause 611,457 1898 MCD g 1 X rupture of capsules containing materials that produce the ,171 2/1962 Bakan et all17/36.2 desired colors. Other features of the invention appear in the 3,062,136 1 l/ 1962 Lieberman et a1 101 /287 following specification and accompanying drawings.

PATENTFLD FEB23 ISYI SHEEI 1 OF 5 FIG! PATENTEOFEB23|97| 3.665005 SHEET 5 [1F 5 FIGH' merely by the selective application of localized pressure. It is believed that the area in which the most advantageous exploitation of this invention may be realized is in the multicolored halftone printing industry. Another area may be in the toy industry to produce a device for amusement purposes. It should be realized that the invention is not restricted to use in these industries, but is adaptable for service wherever development of a multicolored display or message is desired.

In present printing practice the production of a multicolor halftone picture requires several photographic steps and several passes through the printing presses. Employing the present invention the duplicative operations of current practice can be eliminated, thereby effecting significant savings in the costs associated with producing multicolored pictures and images, and also reducing the time necessary to produce them. It is anticipated that, if carried out on a large scale, these economies may reduce the cost and time factors sufficiently to make virtually all color printing competitive with black and white printing.

The instant invention permits a printer to cast a single printing plate which is capable, in a single pass through the press, to produce all the desired colors. Thus, the printing step itself would not differ significantly from those presently used in black and white operations. The only area where it is anticipated that the costs may be somewhat higher than those associated with black and white printing is in the cost of the paper.

In addition to use in the printing industry, which use can be termed essentially simultaneous color representation, the present invention is attractive for incorporation in devices allowing for sequentially entering color informative markings. Such devices may be designed to permit one to draw, by hand, pictures in various colors using an implement, such as a stylus, capable of applying pressure in selected areas. Present day devices suitable for producing such displays generally require the use of varicolored crayons, paints, pencils or similar materials. The dangers inherent in the use of crayons, paints, etc., such as marring of surrounding objects, is eliminated by employing the present invention without curtailing in any significant manner the pictorial or message-conveying production capabilities.

My U.S. Pat. No. 3,297,100 teaches the construction and use of devices which are variations of what is frequently called a Magic Slate." The invention of that patent teaches the construction of devices which make possible thedrawing of multicolored pictures in contrast to certain prior art devices which restricted the results to single color markings. The development of color pictorial representations that may be produced thereby embody the use of certain elements or concepts proposed therein that can be used to advantage in the practice of the present invention in both its simultaneous and sequential embodiments. The devices of my earlier invention are designed primarily for the production of temporary, erasable markings. Using one of those devices, only one picture can be drawn and displayed at a time. Subsequent pictures require partial or total obliteration of earlier displays. Those devices are therefore believed to be primarily useful as instruments of amusement.

Multicolored pictures or images produced by use of the device of the present invention are permanent. They can be displayed as finished and permanent products and therefore are perfectly well suited for use in the printing industry as well as other industries.

The present invention contemplates the use of a suitably reinforced or stiffened panel embodying discreet and relative- 1y inflexible raised lands or buttons arranged in a predetermined pattern. A specially prepared display carrier embodying hidden bodies of different color producing materials is positioned such that the lands of the latter are opposed to certain areas of this carrier. When pressure is applied locally between the face of the carrier and the lands of the panel colors are selectively released from the hidden bodies in the carrier at the points of contact, there producing, on the carrier face, observable spots of color, to form multicolored images of pressure-applied designs.

The display carrier is preferably in flexible sheet form and can be made of almost any matrix or homogeneous material. it is preferably primarily paper or a paperlike felted material but may be of film material such as those of polymeric origin or of a woven material. The bodies of color are encapsulated inclusions which are hidden from view within the body of the flexible sheet before application of pressure and these encapsulated inclusions are rupturable upon such application of pressure. The inclusions may be made so that subjection to a given treatment, such as heat or-a liquid bath, will make them no longer capable of producing color on the sheet. This can be accomplished by using materials which, when subjected to a particular treatment make the capsules substantially nonrupturable or the encapsulated matter nonflowable or uncolored.

The display sheet of my invention may be one possessing certain of the characteristics of the sheet described in the Bakan U.S. Pat. No. 3,020,171. However, while Bakan contemplates only a surface coating of a base layer, which coating contains color capsules, the preferred embodiment of my invention contemplates the use of discreet globules embedded within the main body of the sheet itself, each globule being encapsulated within a pressure rupturable material such as a plastic membrane. Unlike the sheet described in the Bakan patent wherein all the globules are randomly located and contain the same color-producible material, my sheet contains globules of several different color-producible materials arranged in particular patterns.

It is by virtue of the prearranged pattern of multicolored globules, together with a prearranged pattern of the pressure resisting lands of the panel, that it is possible to select the desired colors to be produced observably together to form upon the face of the sheet multicolored images.

Similar to the proposal of the Bakan patent, Schwab U.S. Pat. No. 3,322,557 proposes a sheet capable of displaying permanent informative markings produced by the use of a pressure-applying implement, such as a stylus. The sheet described by Schwab contains inclusions capable of producing markings at desired points upon the application of either heat or pressure. Like Bakan, Schwab discloses a sheet in which there is a random array of inclusions all of which produce only a single color upon the application of pressure. In addition, the Schwab sheet requires reaction between two different types of inclusions in order for markings to appear. The present invention distinguishes from the Schwabproposal in all of these characteristics.

it is believed that the present invention can most advantageously be practiced by the use of a display sheet containing prearranged hidden encapsulated materials which, when released, produce at localized points, observable minute spots of the three primary colors, red, yellow and blue. it is not, however, necessary that three colors be used. The invention may be practiced using a greater or lesser number of colors and even when practiced with only three colors the three need not necessarily be the primaries.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention the hidden encapsulated materials are arranged in the sheet in a pattern of zones each of which contains material designed to produce only one of the three primary colors. The pattern is such that no zone is contiguous with a zone of the same coloring material but is contiguous with zones of each of the other two materials.

Under certain circumstances it may be desirable to produce the colors which result from combining two or more of the color-producing materials encapsulated in the sheet. This can be accomplished by two basically different methods. In the preferred embodiment the zones are each small enough so that when materials are released from adjacent zones the perceptive faculties of the observer register a blending of the colors produced causing the illusion of a single color which is different from the colors actually produced. The second method is to use coloring materials and a sheet which allow the materials in adjacent zones, when released, to bleed together so as to produce a mixed color different from that which each would produce alone.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention each color zone in the exhibitor sheet contains a plurality of globules of materials to produce one color. As a result, when only a portion of a given color zone is opposed to a land, upon the application of pressure, only a portion of the color producing capsules in that zone are ruptured, releasing only a portion of the coloring matter hidden in that zone. When each color zone of the exhibitor sheet contains numerous color-producing capsules the achievable gradation of the individual colors as well as the gradations of the compound colors are, for all practical purposes, continuous, the producible hues being a function of the relative areas which adjacent zones have opposed to raised lands.

The coloring matter contained in the globules is most advantageously of the nature of colored inks or dyes adapted to stain the exhibitor sheet when released. An alternative method of coloring the exhibitor sheet is to use various chemicals in the capsules which, when released, combine with the sheet or with the fillers in the sheet to produce the desired colors.

The preferred embodiment of my invention is designed for use in the printing industry. In present practice printing plates for producing multicolored halftone pictures are made using photographic techniques. The picture is projected through a screen and several color filters. The screen breaks the picture up into many small dots and each filter permits the passage of light of only a certain wavelength. A plate is cast for each filter used, and each of these plates has raised lands where the screen dots were located but only in those regions where the passage of light was permitted by the filter. The sizes of the dots is varied during the photographic process in order to vary the sizes of the lands on each casting, and these size variations control the intensities of the colors produced by use of that cast plate.

When a picture is printed the paper is first run under plate A which has been inked with color A ink. It is then run under plate 8 which has been inked with color B, and so forth for each plate and color until the picture is complete. The final image consists of thousands of minute dots of each of the colors. The coloring in each of the various regions is a function of the size and number of dots of each color in that region which are optically combined by the viewer.

The present invention makes possible the elimination of most of the above steps without the sacrifice of color quality. Only a single plate is needed and it can be made in substantially the same manner as each of the presently used plates is made. Instead of using a separate plate for each color, the raised lands are so located and of such sizes as to cause rupture of only the desired encapsulated inclusions in the sheet. The number and color of the ruptured inclusions in the various regions of the sheet are dictated by the representation it is desired to have appear in those regions. Since all the necessary colors are in the sheet and since the plate is designed selectively to release the colors, a single pass under a single plate produces a complete color picture. Following printing, further production of pressure-produced color can be prevented, thereby preserving the desired print, by subjecting the sheet to a suitable fixing treatment, such as chemical or physical, as described above.

My invention is also suitably employed in devices, such as those used for amusement purposes, designed for sequentially entering or progressively developing observable information or images. In such an embodiment of my invention of a planar backing may be provided which has a pair of laterally spaced, raised, parallel and channeled members in which the channel bases are separated by a distance approximately the same as the width of a planar land-bearing panel. The channels are of a width so as slidably to accept and retain therein the opposing sides of the panel. The channels are preferably formed and positioned in such a manner as to have the underside of the land-bearing panel rest upon the backing when the panel is inserted into the channels. In addition to the panel retaining channels, the planar backing may be provided with alignment pegs or equivalent means for locating the carrier or display sheet, and with color-indicating areas for use in selecting desired colors. The land-bearing or button panel may be equipped with a color registration window which, in conjunc tion with the color indicating areas of the backing, pennits one readily to ascertain the location of the raised lands or buttons of the panel. The land-bearing panel also may be equipped with means to facilitate its manual movement in order to change the location of the buttons.

The carrier or display sheet used for this amusement embodiment may be virtually identical with that described for use in the printing industry embodiment. In addition, however, the amusement display sheet may be provided with guidance apertures, notches, or the like, which when engaged by the aligning means or receive the alignment pegs, seat it in a predetermined and precise position with respect to the backing plate.

This amusement device is assembled by inserting the landbearing panel in the channels of the backing plate in such a manner as to permit viewing, through the color registration window, one of the color indicating areas of the planar backing; for example, blue. The exhibitor sheet is then placed over the land-bearing panel in proper alignment, as is dictated by the alignment pegs or equivalent guidance means, with respect to the land-bearing panel. In this position the lands of the panel are positioned under globules of a certain coloring material which, when released by rupture, produces only the selected color. As a result of this positioning, when pressure is applied to selected areas or along selected paths of the carrier or display sheet by use of a stylus or other suitable device only globules of the coloring material that produces the selected color, in this instance blue, are ruptured, causing that color observably to appear on the surface of the sheet along the path of pressure application by the stylus or equivalent means. The globules containing coloring materials for producing the other colors, not being directly above any raised land areas, are not ruptured when the stylus passes over them and therefore none of the other colors are developed on the surface of the sheet by this action.

In the printing embodiment in order to change the image or its coloring a new plate must be cast since printing presses are not built to permit locating the plates in more than one position. The construction of the amusement device embodiment is such that it permits the employment of a single raised lands panel for successive productions which are entirely different, one from another. The image, being a product of the paths taken by the stylus, is substantially independent of the construction of the panel and can therefore be changed without changing the panel. With a properly designed and built panel the colors produced are also independent of its construction. They are entirely functions of the panels location. Therefore, as with the image, there is no need to change panels in order to change colors. The blending of colors in the sequential embodiment is most easily accomplished by positioning the lands under portions of adjacent zones containing the materials capable of producing two or more colors so that they are bridged thereby. When so positioned globules containing materials designed to produce at least two colors are ruptured as the pressure is progressively applied along a bridging path on the face of the sheet, such as by the stylus. The coloring matter released in one zone may be allowed to bleed into the coloring matter released in an adjacent zone, the two combining to produce a color different from either of the colors released. Alternatively, but more suitable for the simultaneous embodiment, the sheet and coloring materials may be such as to inhibit bleeding but, due to the close proximity of adjacent zones, pressure may be made to produce closely spaced dots of released different colors which give the visual illusion of a blend of those colors.

There are various methods by which the release of two or more coloring materials can be caused. Generally, it requires that lands be opposed to at least portions of zones of two or more coloring materials. In the printing embodiment this is most advantageously accomplished by producing castings bearing lands, some of which are opposed to one colorproducing group of zones and some of which are opposed to other color-producing groups of zones. In the amusement embodiment this is most easily accomplished by permitting registration of the lands of the panel intermediate the adjacent positions which respectively permit the release of difierent colors. It can also be accomplished by forming the lands or buttons of a size, orientation and configuration to overlap adjacent zones. Or, as with the printing embodiment the lands can be so located that some will rupture capsules of one coloring material and some another.

As already described with respect to the printing embodiment, the hue produced by mechanically, chemically or optically combining colors is a function of the relative areas of adjacent zones opposed to raised lands which, in turn, is a function of the size and location of the lands of the casting. In the amusement embodiment it can be made dependent merely upon the registration of a single panel. Alternatively, the amusement embodiment may include a set of panels, each designed to produce a particular hue or group of hues. The color produced will then depend upon the panel selected. Provision can be made for combining more than two colors simply by including in the set one or more panels that carry lands designed to be overlapped by portions of more than two color zones. In this manner virtually any color and any shade of that color can be selected.

In addition to devices for amusement, the sequential embodiment of the present invention can easily be adapted for various commercial applications. For example, in accounting practice it is frequently desired to enter FIGS. in more than one color on a sheet, each color being used to indicate a different kind of entry. It is customary that certain entries be in red and others in blue. Present practice requires the use of red ink or pencil for the red numerals and blue ink or pencil for the blue numerals. In contrast, the present invention permits all entries to be made with a common pressure-applying implement, such as a stylus, the color changes being achieved merely by moving the land-bearing panel.

Further, one might desire to make columnar entries of numerals on a sheet of paper that may bear a plurality of columns, e.g., 10, with the entries in adjacent columns being in different colors, such as red numerals in columns one, four, seven and 10, blue numerals in columns two, five and eight and yellow numerals in columns three, six and nine. This can easily be accomplished by the use of a land-bearing panel which has the lands arranged in a columnar pattern such that, when inserted into the guides of the planar backing, the lands underlying columns one, four, seven and ten are aligned with the red zones of color in those columns, those underlying columns two, five and eight are aligned with the blue zones and those underlying columns three, six and nine are aligned with the yellow zones. Once the correct panel is properly inserted there is no possibility of color error.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective viewof an embodiment of the present invention, adapted to be employed in a commercial flat-bed printing process, in the form of a substantially flat stack having an unique paper display or exhibitor sheet intervening a platen and a special printing plate prepared in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an exemplary pictorial representation produced by the use of the device of FIG. 1, with the individual discreet markings greatly exaggerated in size;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the paper exhibitor sheet shown in FIG. 2 prior to its use in recording of any informative markings, with a portion of the surface layer of the paper broken away to reveal the color zones included therein, marginal straight lines delineating the respective color bearing zones being hypothetical and indicated only for clarity in understanding since they do not exist as structural margins in or on the sheet structure;

FIG. 3a is a top plan view, similar to FIG. 3, of a paper exhibitor sheet, suitable for use in an amusement device, with a portion of the surface layer of the paper broken away to reveal the color zones included therein, hypothetical marginal lines of the respective zones being indicated only for clarity;

FIG. 4 is a portion of a cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 3a indicating the impregnation of the medial layer of the exhibitor sheet having color-producible globules embedded therein;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view, with parts broken away, of a cross section of the exhibitor sheet, taken substantially along line 5-5 of FIG. 4, showing the arrangement, in the medial layer, of groups of different color-producing globules collected in different color zones, hypothetical marginal lines of the respective zones being indicated only for clarity;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an embodiment of the present invention, suitable for amusement purposes, provided in the form of a substantially flat stack of planar elements, including a flat panel equipped with pressure localizing raised lands or buttons, that intervene a paper display or exhibitor sheet and a flat backing carrying channeled guide into the channels of which are inserted marginal edges of the raised lands panel for reciprocative guidance, and indicating on the paper a pictorial design developed by the use of this embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional detail, with parts broken away, taken substantially along line 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective detail, with parts broken away, of a portion of the left-hand end of the structure shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and pertaining to a manually operable handle for laterally shifting the pressure localizing lands panel, and indicating a lateral shift of the latter from the position shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a group of strips, with parts broken away, and

greatly magnified in size, of various modified forms of pressure localizing lands or buttons of the printing plate shown in FIG. 1 or of the panel shown in FIGS. 6 to 9; and

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative structure of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 6 to 9.

Referring to the drawings, in which like numerals identify similar parts throughout, it will be seen that FIGS. 1 to 5 incl. depict critical elements of a preferred embodiment of my invention. The elements shown therein are suitable for employment in a conventional flat-bed printing press, and comprise a printing plate 20, a display sheet 22 and a backing or platen 24.

The platen 24 may be formed of any relatively rigid material. Most commonly, it will be the normal platen used on the press for conventional printing operations.

The display or carrier 22 preferably is a flexible paper web in the form of a sheet of matted fibers, or of other suitable similar material. The nature of the construction of this sheet can best be understood by referenceto FIGS. 3 to 5 incl. It is shown in FIG. 4 to include, by way of example, two outer layers 22a and 22c separated by an intermediate layer 22b. Layers 22a and 22c, being conventional paper having substantial opacity, impart to the entire sheet, prior to use, the appearance of ordinary paper. Medial layer 22b has embedded in it a multitude of minute color-producing globules 23, each such globule being encapsulated within an easily ruptured material such as a plastic membrane. In this embodiment the resulting capsules contain dyes of the three primary colors, red, yellow and blue, with each capsule containing only one color dye.

As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 5 the display sheet 22 embodies in its intermediate layer 22b a plurality of discreet color zones each embodying a group of many capsules containing globules of printing ink or dye of all the same color. Since all the globules in each zone contain printing ink or dye of only one color each zone is capable of producing, by itself, only one color, namely either red (zone 25), yellow (zone 27) or blue (zone 29).

As can best be understood by referring to FIG. 3, the color zones are arranged in rows, which, for explanatory purposes have been labeled 1 to 10, and in columns, labeled a to t. As can be seen, the columns in the even-numbered rows are offset one-half column transversely from those in the odd-numbered rows. Each row contains contiguous zones in a repeating sequence of the three colors and the sequence is the same in each row. In the even-numbered rows the zones in columns a, g, m, etc., all contain blue globules; those in columns c, i, 0, etc., all contain red globules and those in columns e, k, q, etc., all contain yellow globules. Similarly, in the odd-numbered rows the zones in columns b, h, n, etc., all contain yellow globules, those in columns d, j, p, etc., all contain blue globules and those in columns f, l, r, etc., all contain red globules. Thus, in the even-numbered rows the zones in columns a, c and 2 form one sequence which is repeated by the zones in columns g, i and k, and again by those in columns m, and q. In the odd-numbered rows the same sequence appears in columns d, f and h and is repeated in columns j, l and n and again in columns p, r and t. Whereas the zones in contiguous rows are offset by one-half a zone, the sequences in contiguous rows are offset by one-half a sequence (one and one-half zones) thereby assuring that no zone is contiguous with any portion of a zone of the same color. Thus yellow zone 2-e is transversely offset one and one-half zones from zones l-b, l-h, 3-b and 3- h, the closest. yellow zones. Also, zone 2-e is contiguous only with blue zones l-d, 2-g and 3-d and with red zones l-f, 3-1 and 2-c.

FIGS. 3, 5 and 8 show all zones as being in contiguous relationship. This need not necessarily be so. There may be small spaces between adjacent zones, but as the distances between adjacent zones increases the ability of the device to produce lines of separated dots that may appear to be substantially continuous lines, and also compound colors, diminishes.

Printing plate is a relatively rigid metal casting which has raised lands or buttons 26 protruding from its bottom face. These buttons 26 are of such a size and are so located as to develop in a face of sheet 22, upon the application of localized pressure by these buttons for rupture of capsules there opposite, the desired color images.

Referring now to FIG. 2, let it be assumed that the picture to be produced in one of the unique sheets 22 consists of green grass in area 28, a yellow sun in area 30, blue sky in area 32, a red trademark design in area 34 and an evergreen tree having a triangularly shaped green upper portion in area 36 and a brown trunk in area 38. Sheet 22 is placed upon platen 24, plate 20 is lowered onto the sheet and clamping force is applied to the resulting stack as is indicated by arrows F on FIG. 1. The application of this force applies pressure in sheet 22, at those points of contact between buttons 26 and the sheet, sufficient to rupture the encapsulated globules in the sheet at those points for release of the colors contained therein to migrate to a surface of the sheet for observation. At the intermediate points in the sheet, i.e., those areas not in contact with any raised lands, there is no significant degree of pressure applied and consequently no capsules are ruptured at these intermediate points.

As indicated above, the colors produced are a function of the sizes and locations of buttons 26. For example, sun area 30, being a homogenous yellow, is produced by having certain ones of the button 26 of the plate which contact this area of the sheet all of the same size and all so located as to be directly above only yellow color zones. FIG. 2 indicates that sun area 30 will be composed of a uniform pattern of small dots of substantially equal size, which have been enormously enlarged in size to the FIG. 2 showing for illustrative purposes. In practice these dots are so small and so closely spaced as to give the illusion of a solid continuous mass of color as viewed from a point of normal observation.

The red trademark design in area 34 is produced by certain other buttons 26 which contact the sheet above only red color zones. Here, as in the remainder of FIG. 3, the size and spacing of the dots produced have been greatly exaggerated for illustrative purposes. In reality the trademark symbol will appear to be composed of continuous lines. Since symbol area 34 also is of uniform color it is depicted as being composed of dots of substantially uniform size.

Let it be assumed that it is desired to have the blue sky appear lighter at the top of the picture and become progressively darker as it approaches the horizon in the lower portion of the picture. This is accomplished first by assuring that all the buttons 26 in the sky region of the plate 20 will be opposed only to blue color zones of sheet 22, through proper initial location of these buttons in the casting of plate 20. In addition the buttons of the plate 20 at the top of the picture are much smaller than those near the horizon, and those intervening may be of progressively greater size as those in the vicinity of the horizon area are approached. The larger buttons cause rupture of a large number of the capsules in the lower zones whereas the smaller buttons cause rupture of significantly smaller numbers of capsules in each zone. Thus the amount of blue printing ink or dye released increases as one moves from the top of the picture down to the horizon: In addition, since the buttons near the horizon are larger than those at the top of the picture the distances at the horizon between adjacent dots are smaller thanare these distances at the top. The combination of varying the amount of ink or dye staining the paper and the size of the areas of the paper remaining unstained by the ink or dye produces the illusion of a deeper blue at the horizon than at the top.

The green grass area 28 is produced by having some of the buttons 26 of plate 20 which contact this area of the sheet opposed to yellow color zones and other buttons opposed to blue color zones. Since it is desired to have the grass appear light green the buttons which rupture yellow capsules are made larger than those which rupture blue capsules. Although the pictorial representation of grass will be composed of many finite blue and yellow dots it will appear to be a continuous compound color, namely, green, Because the yellow dots are larger than the blue, the yellow will predominate and the illusion created will be that of light green.

In the triangular area of the tree portion 36 the registration of the buttons is similar to the registration of the buttons in the grass area 28. Since, however, it is desired that this portion of the tree appear dark green the buttons to rupture blue capsules are made larger than the ones to rupture yellow capsules. Thus the blue will predominate and create the illusion of the compound color dark green.

Tree trunk area 38 should appear to be brown. In order to obtain this effect some buttons 26 of the plate 20 will be aligned with zones of the capsules of each of the three colors. As with the green areas, the shade will depend upon the amount of each of the coloring materials released, which in turn is determined by the size and spacing of the various buttons.

Of critical importance in the successful employment of this invention in the printing industry are two factors. One, which has already been described, is the relative sizes of the raised buttons or lands designed to produce the various colors in the various regions of the display sheet. The second factor is the registration of the printing plate during the printing process with respect to the display sheet in order that the raised lands contact the sheet in the proper areas thereby causing each to produce, upon the application of pressure, the color which it was intended to produce.

In present black and white halftone printing processes the various shades of gray are achieved by varying the size of and spacing between the raised clots. Similarly, presently in color printing the halftone dots produced for each of the color plates are varied in size to produce the desired compound colors. In addition, present color printing technique requires rather precise registration of the various color plates with respect to the display sheet in order that the different color dots do not print one on top of another, but rather that they are printed in the interstices between the dots of each other color to produce the illusion of the compound color, and this is realized by preparing a separate printing plate for each of the colors embodied in the finished printed sheet. Thus, it can be seen that the skills of the present technology are readily adaptable for employment in devices embodying the instant invention wherein a single land or button equipped plate is to be used simultaneously to release controllably and selectively all of the colors to be produced in the finished design or pictures.

The above preferred embodiment has been described with reference to a procedure of printing on single sheets. The principles of that embodiment are realized in a printing procedure which may employ a rotary press using long and substantially continuous display carrier sheets as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. The relationship between present day flat-bed single sheet printing operations and continuous feed rotary press operations is similar to the corresponding relationships in flat-bed and rotary press operation embodying the present invention.

In addition to the printing industry where practice of this in vention permits the production of all parts of full color images on a single sheet in a single pass, the instant invention can be embodied to advantage in a device designed for sequentially recording information, in color, on a carrier sheet. Devices of the latter variety are illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 11 incl.

FIGS. 6 to incl. illustrate an embodiment of my invention in a device designed primarily for amusement purposes. This embodiment comprises as three major elements, a relatively inflexible planar backing 40, a pressure localizing land-bearing or button panel 42 and a display carrier sheet 44 of the type indicated above.

The planar backing 40 may be in the form of a relatively thick and rigid plate of cardboard, fiberboard, wood, etc., preferably substantially rectangular in shape having opposite ends 46 and 48 and side edges 50 and 52. Parallel to but preferably inboard of

edges

50 and 52 are mounted channeled members 54 and 56 respectively with

opposed channels

58 and 60 formed respectively therein. The shape of the

channels

58 and 60 can best be seen in FIG. 8 at the location identified by numeral 62. Inboard of end 48 is provided stop 64 which extends transversely substantially parallel to end edge 48, and which may extend to the outermost extremities of the

channels

58 and 60. By way of example, along side edges 50 and 52 and outboard of the outermost extremities of

channels

58 and 60 are located display sheet alignment pins 66, although other forms of sheet alignment means may be used. These pins extend perpendicular to the plane of backing 40, a distance sufficient to be accepted in holes provided in, for retention thereon, of sheet 44. Near end 46 backing 40 preferably is provided with color indicating means 68. In the embodiment of FIG. 6 the color indicating means consists of four

colored squares

70, 72, 74 and 94, the colors of which correspond to the colors in exhibitor sheet 44 with the end two squares, 74 and 94 indicating the same color. In the embodiment shown, square 70 is red, 72 is yellow and 74 and 94 are blue.

Land-bearing or button panel 42 preferably is rectangular in shape with the length of its shorter sides or ends being only slightly less than the distance between the bottoms of

channels

58 and 60 and its thickness being slightly less than the width of these channels. The dimensional relationships between these interacting parts permits side edges 76 and 78 of panel 42 to be inserted into

channels

58 and 60 and to be retained therein in any particular position by a snug fit which virtually eliminates the possiblity of rotational and vertical movement of the panel with respect to backing 40. As is obvious from the above, button panel 42, when its side edges 76 and 78 are engaged in

channels

58 and 60, can be moved only in a straight line longitudinally of the backing 40, and then, due to the snugness of the fit, only when such movement is desired.

When the side panel edges 76 and 78 are inserted into channels 53 and 60, end 80 of panel 42 will preferably be parallel to the transverse stop 64. End stop 64 limits the travel of panel 42 by abutment of its end 82 thereagainst. The button or pressure localizing panel 42 preferably is equipped with an elongated, integral tab 84 extending from end 80 at a point where, when this panel is guided in

channels

58 and 60 will overlie the backing indicator means 68. The tab is provided with a viewing aperture which may be equipped with a convex lens 86 which serves as the color viewing means to permit determination of the color producible when the panel is in any given position. The viewing aperture and lens are so located as to be centered over the innermost square 74 when end 82 abuts stop 64. Tab 84 is also provided with a handle 88, preferably an integrally formed finger-engaging roll, which permits panel 42 to be moved manually parallel to the

guidance channels

58 and 60 therefor.

Embossed upon the upper surface of panel 42 are raised lands or buttons 90 as can be seen in FIG. 8 or, in greater enlargement, in FIG. 9. These lands are arranged in a predetermined pattern as will hereinafter be described in relation to the display carrier.

Display carrier sheet 44 is preferablyrectangular with two alignment holes 92 provided in each of side margins thereof. These alignment holes are of such a diameter and are so located as to readily receive therein simultaneously the alignment pins 66. Holes 92 are also located in such a manner as to precisely position the color zones of sheet 44 with respect to color indicating means 68.

Referring now to FIG. 9, the pressure localizing lands or buttons 90 of panel 42 are arranged in a pattern the same as that of the sequences of color zones in the display sheet, with the buttons in each row being on sequence apart from one another and being transversely offset one-half sequence from those in the contiguous 'rows. As previously indicated, when sheet 44 is registered with pins 66 the color zones of this sheet are precisely located relative to color indicating means 68 of backing 40. Thus, when the lens-equipped aperture 86 is centered over indicator red square 70 buttons 90 are positioned under only red color zones of sheet 44. Sliding panel 42 forward to align aperture-86 with indicator yellow square 72 positions buttons 90 under only yellow color zones of the sheet. Similarly, sliding the panel further forward until its end 82 abuts stop 64 with aperture 86 aligned with indicator blue color square 74 positions buttons 90 under only blue color zones of the sheet. Since the color zones of sheet 44 are arranged in repeating sequences and the buttons are arranged in a pattern corresponding to that of the sequences it is readily apparent that retraction of panel 42 a distance one zone width outward of indicator red square 70 positions the buttons under only blue color zones of the sheet. This is indicated by alignment of viewing aperture 86 with indicator blue square 94.

Although the embodiment of FIGS. 6 to 8 incl. is shown with the same pattern of color zones being repeated throughout sheet 44 this is not a necessary feature of my invention. The zoned pattern may be varied from one region of the sheet to another as long as the variation is taken into account when designing the pattern of pressure localizing lands or buttons of panel 42, such as by varying the pattern of lands of the latter to correspond with the variations in the pattern of color zones of the sheet. Alternatively, the color zone pattern in the sheet may be varied from region to region without varying the pattern of lands in order to produce informative markings in different colors in the different regions of the sheet when panel 42 is in any given position. This latter result may also be obtained by maintaining a uniform pattern of zones throughout the sheet while varying the pattern of buttons on the panel from region to region.

Either of these latter constructions is useful for making colored columnar entries on a display sheet having ruled lines and columns on its face. The color zone patterns may be varied from column to column while the land pattern remains the same throughout or vice versa. With either arrangement of elements one can, for example, make blue entries in column one, yellow entries in column two and red entries in column three across the top five lines with panel 42 in a position labeled A. Moving the panel to a position labeled B entries can then be made across the next three lines in red in column one, blue in column two and yellow in column three, etc.

The buttons of the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 9 incl. and 11 are shown as being circular in configuration whereas the color zones are shown as being square. Although it is not readily apparent from the showings in the drawings, the buttons have a diameter which is just slightly less than the lateral dimensions of the color zone squares. Because of this dimensional relationship the buttons can be positioned so that each is opposed to an area of the sheet entirely within a single color zone area. When the buttons are located in this fashion, since there is no overlap, the application of pressure by each button can cause the release of only one color dye in any position of accurate alignment. This same result can be obtained by the use of buttons of virtually any configuration, such as

buttons

91, 93, 95 and 97 illustrated in FIG. 10, so long as the size and orientation of the buttons is such as to preclude overlap and thereby confine the application of pressure by each button within a single color zone. Alternatively, for certain applications it may be desirable to have minor amounts of other colors released upon the application of pressure. This can easily be accomplished by making the lateral dimensions of the buttons slightly greater than those of the color zones, or by making the buttons of a configuration differing from that of the color zones and orienting the buttons in such a manner as to have certain of their edges overlap contiguous color zones, the overlap permitting the release, upon the application of pressure, of more than one color for compound mixing.

To illustrate the operation of the embodiment of the device shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 incl. let it be assumed that the operator wishes to draw a picture depicting a red house in the area 96, a yellow sun in the area 98, a blue stream in the area 100, a green tree in the area 102 and green grass in the area 104. Button panel 42 is slidably mounted on the backing 40 by insertion of its side edges 76 and 78 into

channels

58 and 60 to a position which aligns aperture 86 with indicator red square 70. Sheet 44 is then placed on top of button panel 42 with pins 66 indexed in sheet holes 92. In this position the buttons or lands 90 are located only under zones of sheet 44 which contain encapsulated red globules. A suitable pressure-applying instrument, such as a stylus, is then moved over the face of sheet 44 to apply pressure thereto progressively along the paths 106 forming the outlines of house 96. As the stylus passes over the raised lands it causes progressive rupture of encapsulated red globules along paths 106 and the release of red dye therefrom which stains sheet 44 in the red zones that lie in the path taken by the stylus.

Although a pressure-localizing path of a stylus produces many discreet dots, as shown in greatly exaggerated fashion on FIG. 6, the dots are so small and so closely spaced as to create the optical illusion of a continuous line when viewed from any normal viewing distance.

After the outline of house 96 is completed it may be decided to add the shore lines 108 of the stream area 100. In order to accomplish this, panel 42 is moved by tab handle 88 until aperture 86 is aligned with indicator blue square 74, whereby the panel lands 90 are caused to underlie only blue color zones of the sheet 44. As the stylus is run over the surface of sheet 44 along the paths of the river shore lines 108 numerous blue globules are progressively ruptured releasing blue dye which stains sheet 44.

To draw the outline of sun 98 in yellow, button panel 42 is again shifted so that aperture 86 is aligned with the indicator yellow square 72. In this position, as the outline 114 of sun 98 is traced by the stylus, encapsulated yellow globules are ruptured releasing yellow dye to stain sheet 44 in the circular path followed by the stylus.

It may next be desired to draw in green the outline 112 of tree area 102 and margins of the grass area 104. Once again panel 42 is moved by tab handle 88 to a position where aperture 86 overlies portions of yellow and

blue indicator squares

72 and 74. With the panel 42 so located, the lands 90 will lie under portions of adjacent color zones containing encapsulated yellow and blue globules or capsules individually containing yellow and blue dyes. As the stylus is run over the surface of sheet 44 tracing outlines of tree area 102 it causes rupture of some of the capsules containing blue dye and others containing yellow dye. A similar procedure will be followed in developing in green margins of the grass area 104. The rupture of these encapsulated globules releases both blue and yellow dyes which, when released, produce the appearance of green on the sheet surface.

The above discussion of this embodiment of the present invention has illustrated its use for drawing colored outlines of parts of a picture. It can readily be seen that the outlines can be filled in merely by moving button panel 42 to the positions appropriate for producing the desired fill-in colors and applying pressure to the surface of the interior areas enclosed by its outlines, such as by running the stylus back and forth over at least a major portion of the areas of the sheet 44 wherein an extensive surface dying is desired. For example, the upper portion of tree area 102 and the grass area 104 can be made to appear green substantially throughout.

Upon the completion of the picture, sheet 44 is lifted off alignment pins 66 and is replaced by a clean sheet or by a sheet previously used on which additions are sought to be made. It should be understood that the removal of sheet 44 does not alter its appearance since the markings are permanent and entirely within the sheet. Hence the drawings can be exhibited in the absence of backing 40 or panel 42.

The embodiment depicted in FIG. 11 is quite similar to that of FIGS. 6 to 8 incl., but is somewhat more sophisticated and provides greater flexibility.

The major components shown in FIG. 11 are display sheet or carrier 118, land-bearing or button panel 120, planar backing 122, and additionally a frame member 124. As in the preceding embodiment of FIGS. 6 to 8 incl. sheet 118 is provided with apertures 126 adapted to receive alignment pins 128, which are mounted on frame member 124. The color zones in sheet 118 are arranged in the same pattern as that shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. A plurality of pressuredocalizing raised lands or buttons 136 are provided on the top face of panel 20, which are arranged in the same pattern as that shown in FIG. 9. Button panel is provided with a rack along one of its side edges, e.g., edge 132, and this may be duplicated along its other side edge 134. An indicator tab 138 is carried by the outer end of button panel 120, and lens covered aperture 140 is provided therein.

Backing 122 is equipped along its sides with channeled

members

142 and 144 which provide opposed

panel guiding channels

146 and 148, and this backing is equipped with a transverse end stop 150, which may be provided as the front edge of a transverse end ledge 152. The back edge of ledge 152 carries a rack 154. One of the side members, such as 142, is provided with a lateral slot 155 extending to the channel thereof, such as 146, in which is pivotalIy mounted a segmenta] pinion 156 having the toothed segment thereof located in the channel for mesh with rack 130 of button panel 120, when side edges of the latter are slidably mounted in the opposed channels. Transversely extending,

guide rails

158 and 160 are mounted to the bottom of backing 122, and this bottom has a sight hole 162 formed therein.

Frame member 124 is constructed of any suitable, relatively rigid material, and is preferably substantially rectangular in shape. One end of frame member 124 pivotally supports a segmental pinion 166 which has a toothed segment 167 to be meshed with rack 154 of backing 122. This frame member is also provided with transversely extending recessed grooves or

slots

168 and 170 of such size, configuration and location as to slidably receive

rails

158 and 160 carried by backing 122 with rack 154 of the latter engaging the toothed segment 167 of pinion 166. The top face of frame member 124 also carries color indicating means 172 consisting of two rows, 174 and 176, of color indicating squares. Each row contains squares indicating the basic or primary colors included in sheet 118;

squares

178 and 190 being red,

squares

180 and 186 being yellow, and

squares

182, 184 and 188 being blue. Row 176 also contains a square half-section at each end, 192 being yellow and 194 being red. As can be seen the relationship between

rows

174 and 176 is the same as that between contiguous rows of color zones in sheet 118. The alignment pins 128 that are carried by frame member 124 properly locate sheet 118, by reception in holes 126 of the latter, with respect to color indicating means 172.

The parts of device of FIG. 11 are assembled as follows. Backing 122 is placed on frame 124 with

rails

158 and 160 seated in grooves or

slots

168 and 170, and with rack 154 meshed with the toothed segment 167 of pinion 166, and with at least a portion of color indicating means 172 being visible through the sight hole 162. The side edges 132 and 134 of button panel 120 are inserted in

channels

146 and 148 at least far enough for rack 130 to mesh with the teeth of pinion 152 and for indicating aperture 140 in the tab 130 of this panel to overlie aperture 162 in the backing 122, so as to permit viewing of a portion of color indicating means 172 therethrough. Then sheet 118 is placed over panel 120 with alignment pins 128 received in the sheet holes 126.

In use of the assembled device of FIG. 11, the backing 122 may be so positioned as to align the center of indicating aperture 140 with the centerline of either of the

color indicating rows

174 or 176. This may be accomplished by manually engaging segmental pinion 166 and by careful rotation causing transverse shift of button panel 122. Thereafter, longitudinal shift of the button panel may be effected by manual rotation of segmental pinion 152 to align the indicating aperture 140 with a certain one of the color squares in the selected one of the

indicator rows

174 and 176, to align the pressure-localizing buttons 136 with the sheet zones of the same color. The operator then proceeds to develop a desired pictorial representation or design in the manner of use of the FIGS. 6 to 8 incl. device.

Since the FIG. 11 device permits both longitudinal and transverse shift of the button panel 120 relative to the fixedly positioned sheet 118 the longitudinal shift will allow the raised lands or buttons 136 to be moved to positions where each will simultaneously lap adjacent color zones in the longitudinal rows thereof and the transverse panel shift will allow some lap of a third color zone in the adjacent row. As a result, the device of FIG. 11 will permit simultaneous rupture of capsules of three different colors by each of the buttons when pressure is applied to the sheet 118 above any such button. Selectivity for this purpose is guided by so shiftingthe button panel 120 that the central axis of the indicating aperture is aligned with the juncture of margins of three different color zones, such as will be attained when the indicating aperture axis is aligned with the juncture of margins of

indicator color squares

178, 180 and 188; or 178, 186 and 188. This is readily obtained by observing in the circular indicator field that a half-section thereof is of one color and the remaining pair of quarter sections are of the other two of the three colors.

Practice of the present invention is not limited to instances where straight line translation of the button panel is satisfactory. Those skilled in the art will understand that devices embodying this invention can easily be designed for attainment of the lateral translation of the pressure-localizing, land equipped panel by rotation thereof.

In the embodiments heretofore described the landequipped, pressure-localizing panel has been shown and described as being relatively inflexible with the outer ends of the segregated raised lands being directed toward the display carrier sheet. Similar results may be obtained with the use of a flexible panel equipped with relatively inflexible lands, to be employed with a relatively inflexible backing located behind the land-bearing printing plate in the printing embodiment or behind either the land-bearing panel or the sheet in the other sequential embodiments. Such a modified form of land-bearing panel constitutes, in effect, a plurality of patterned and spaced, relatively inflexible lands connected together by areas of flexible webbing. Such a variant does not require the landbearing surface of the flexible panel or web to face the sheet. With the reverse planar surface of a flexible panel or web in contact with the sheet the device is operable since application of pressure to either the sheet or the flexible panel or web, with the other relatively rigidly backed, causes the lands to localize the pressure while the intervening areas of the flexible connecting web will deform or flex away from the opposed face of the sheet sufiiciently to avoid application in these web areas of such pressure as would otherwise cause rupture of encapsulated color globules embedded in the opposed areas of the sheet.

Alternatively, a similar variant may employ a flexible panel consisting of two relatively flexible sheets separated by intervening, relatively rigid lands or connecting button bodies. Also the flexible web may interconnect medial zones of such pressure-localizing bodies so that relatively rigid buttons extend in transverse alignment from opposite faces of the web.

The embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings are fairly representative of operative forms of the invention. However, it is believed to be apparent therefrom that many variations thereof are possible provided each includes the three requisite elements and their relative associations. These requisites are: (l) a flexible sheet embodying a predetermined and undiscemible pattern of zones each containing inclusions of encapsulated color-producing materials of multicolor character for release of the latter when selectively ruptured to produce a single one of a plurality of colors in each zone that differ in some of the zones; (2) a pressure-localizing member having a related pattern of pressure applying lands to effect selective rupture of the inclusions; and (3) means for selectively positioning this pressure-localizing -member relative to the patternof zones for controlling the selective release of the different color-producing materials.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. Exhibitor device for permanently recording, by the application of pressure, informative markings comprising:

a. a sheeted display carrier having on one side an observable display surface, said carrier containing a zoned pattern of encapsulated inclusions of at least two different color producible materials which are concealed with respect to observation of said surface, said encapsulated inclusions being selectively rupturable upon the application of pressure to said carrier substantially normal to said surface for release from the ruptured encapsulated inclusions of the color producible materials therein to be observable in said display surface;

. panel means bearing a fixed pattern of spaced, pressurelocalizing, relatively inflexible raised lands, said pattern of lands bearing a predetermined relationship to the zoned pattern of inclusions of the display carrier; and

c. at least a portion of one side of said sheeted display carrier being opposed to at least a portion of said panel means with portions of said zoned pattern located opposite said lands thereby being adapted to cause rupture of certain ones of said encapsulated inclusions within certain ones of said zoned pattern portions that are aligned with certain ones of said opposed lands upon normal application of pressure between said carrier and said certain ones of said lands in areas of a desired design to produce in said display surface without there being necessity for the transfer of coloring material from said panel means to said display carrier a colored image of the design defined by the areas of applied pressure.

2. The exhibitor device of claim 1 in which said pattern of l lands is arranged in a predetermined design to guide production of a certain colored image thereof in the display surface by release of the color producible materials within areas of the design.

3. The exhibitor device of claim 1 further comprising means to shift laterally one of said display carrier and said panel means relative to the other and means for indicating the position of said zoned pattern relative to the pattern of lands.

4. The exhibitor device of claim 1 wherein the panel means is a planar element.

5. The exhibitor device of claim 1 wherein the display carrier is a relatively opaque, flexible sheet effectively concealing said encapsulated inclusions therein, and said panel means is a relatively stiff member with the patterned lands of said panel means having their outer ends opposed to said sheet.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the display carrier is further characterized by having:

a. the zoned pattern of encapsulated inclusions comprised of a plurality of zones each containing at least one inclusion;

b. each of said inclusions in the zoned pattern containing material which, when not associated with material from any other inclusion, produces, upon rupture, only one color;

c. each of said zones in said pattern containing inclusions of only one color; and

d. the pattern comprising at least one sequence of color zones, said sequence being comprised of at least one zone of each color-producible material, which sequence is repeated over at least a portion of said carrier.

7. The exhibitor device of claim 6 wherein there are a plurality of inclusions in each carrier zone and wherein the pattern of zones comprises:

a. a first group of zones of each of three different colors extending in a certain direction in or parallel to said display surface and arranged in a certain sequence which is repeated at least once;

b. a second group of zones of each of the three colors adjacent said first group and extending in the same direction,,these second group zones being arranged in the same sequence as in said first group with this second group sequence being repeated in the same manner as in said first group;

0. wherein the zones in the first and second groups are of substantially the same size in said direction; and

d. wherein the sequences in the second group are offset in said direction less than one complete sequence from the sequences of the first group.

8. The exhibitor device of claim 7 in which the zoned pattern is further characterized by a plurality of groups of color zones, said groups being arranged in pairs, each pair consisting of one of said first groups and one of said second groups and wherein said pair is repeated at least once in a direction at right angles to the direction of repetition of said sequences, said zones of the three colors in any one of the groups being so offset with respect to those in any adjacent group that no two zones of the same color are located in adjacency to each other.

9. The exhibitor device of claim 7 wherein the panel means carries a single land for each sequence of color zones alignable with a particular color zone thereof and with all of the lands aligned with the same colorzones of all of the sequences in any particular position of said display carrier relative to said panel means.

It) The exhibitor device dtTlaiin 1 further comprising a platen of a printing press wherein:

a. said panel means is a casting suitable for use as a printing plate on a printing press;

b. said sheeted display carrier is a printing web;

0. said sheathed display carrier is positioned between said platen and said casting; and

d. said pressure is applied by forces urging said platen and said casting together.

11. The exhibitor device of claim 10 wherein the display web is in the form of a sheet of matted fibers and wherein said casting is a substantially planar printing plate.

12. The exhibitor device of claim 10 wherein the display carrier is a relatively long continuous web and wherein said casting is arcuate in shape for use on a rotary printing press.

13. Exhibitor device for permanently recording, by the application of pressure, informative markings comprising:

a. a relatively extended planar stiff backing means;

b. a relatively thin display sheet overlying said backing means and having hidden there in at least two separate sets of capsules of coloring material with those of one set producing a color difierent from that produced by those of any other set, one set of said capsules of a first colorproducing material being arranged in a pattern of spaced first color zones and another set of said capsules of a second color-producing material being arranged in a similar pattern of spaced second color zones, the zones of said second pattern being offset laterally from those of said first pattern, said capsules being rupturable upon the application of pressure to said sheet for release of the color-producing material contained therein;

c. a pressure-localizing planar panel intervening the backing means and the display sheet, said panel bearing on at least one face thereof a fixed pattern of spaced pressure-localizing raised lands with said lands arranged in a particular pattern whereby:

1. when said panel is in a first particular position relative to said display sheet said lands are aligned with at least some of said zones of one set so as to cause rupture, upon the application of pressure between aligned lands and zones, of at least some of the capsules in this set; and

2. when said panel is in a second particular position relative to said display sheet said lands are aligned with at least some of said zones of another set so as to cause rupture, upon the application of pressure between said aligned lands and zones of this other set, of at least some of the capsules in this second set;

d. said backing means, pressure-localizing raised lands panel and display carrier forming a stack of planar elements;

e. means for laterally shifting said panel relative to said display sheet from said first particular position to said second particular position; and

f. means for indicating the location of said panel relative to said display sheet.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the display sheet carries therein capsules of three different color-producible materials arranged in three similar patterns of zones, each pattern embodying zones of capsules containing only one color producing material and parts of each pattern being offset laterally in a given direction from like parts of each other pattern.

15. The device of claim 13 wherein the pattern of spaced raised lands is similar to the pattern of zones of capsules of any one particular color-producing material.

16. The device of claim 14 wherein:

a. the pattern of spaced raised lands is similar to each of the patterns of single color zones;

b. said panel may be positioned in at least three different lateral positions relative to said display carrier; and

c. each of said three positions causes said lands to be aligned only with the zones of one of the patterns of single color zones.

17. The device of claim 16 in which the display carrier is further characterized by the color zones being arranged in a plurality of transversely contiguous, longitudinally parallel rows, each row comprising successively repeated like ii versely aligned;

18. The device of claim 17 wherein the zones within each sequence are contiguous and the sequences in each row are also contiguous.

19. The device of claim 17 wherein the panel can be shifted longitudinally and transversely relative to said display carrier.

Claims

1. Exhibitor device for permanently recording, by the application of pressure, informative markings comprising: a. a sheeted display carrier having on one side an observable display surface, said carrier containing a zoned pattern of encapsulated inclusions of at least two different color producible materials which are concealed with respect to observation of said surface, said encapsulated inclusions being selectively rupturable upon the application of pressure to said carrier substantially normal to said surface for release from the ruptured encapsulated inclusions of the color producible materials therein to be observable in said display surface; b. panel means bearing a fixed pattern of spaced, pressurelocalizing, relatively inflexible raised lands, said pattern of lands bearing a predetermined relationship to the zoned pattern of inclusions of the display carrier; and c. at least a portion of one side of said sheeted display carrier being opposed to at least a portion of said panel means with portions of said zoned pattern located opposite said lands thereby being adapted to cause rupture of certain ones of said encapsulated inclusions within certain ones of said zoned pattern portions that are aligned with certain ones of said opposed lands upon normal application of pressure between said carrier and said certain ones of said lands in areas of a desired design to produce in said display surface without there being necessity for the transfer of coloring material from said panel means to said display carrier a colored image of the design defined by the areas of applied pressure.

2. The exhibitor device of claim 1 in which said pattern of lands is arranged in a predetermined design to guide production of a certain colored image thereof in the display surface by release of the color producible materials within areas of the design.

2. when said panel is in a second particular position relative to said display sheet said lands are aligned with at least some of said zones of another set so as to cause rupture, upon the application of pressure between said aligned lands and zones of this other set, of at least some of the capsules in this second set; d. said backing means, pressure-localizing raised lands panel and display carrier forming a stack of planar elements; e. means for laterally shifting said panel relative to said display sheet from said first particular position to said second particular position; and f. means for indicating the location of said panel relative to said display sheet.

4. The exhibitor device of claim 1 wherein the panel means is a planar element.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein the display carrier is further characterized by having: a. the zoned pattern of encapsulated inclusions comprised of a plurality of zones each containing at least one inclusion; b. each of said inclusions in the zoned pattern containing material which, when not associated with material from any other inclusion, produces, upon rupture, only one color; c. each of said zones in said pattern containing inclusions of only one color; and d. the pattern comprising at least one sequence of color zones, said sequence being comprised of at least one zone of each color-producible material, which sequence is repeated over at least a portion of said carrier.

7. The exhibitor Device of claim 6 wherein there are a plurality of inclusions in each carrier zone and wherein the pattern of zones comprises: a. a first group of zones of each of three different colors extending in a certain direction in or parallel to said display surface and arranged in a certain sequence which is repeated at least once; b. a second group of zones of each of the three colors adjacent said first group and extending in the same direction, these second group zones being arranged in the same sequence as in said first group with this second group sequence being repeated in the same manner as in said first group; c. wherein the zones in the first and second groups are of substantially the same size in said direction; and d. wherein the sequences in the second group are offset in said direction less than one complete sequence from the sequences of the first group.

9. The exhibitor device of claim 7 wherein the panel means carries a single land for each sequence of color zones alignable with a particular color zone thereof and with all of the lands aligned with the same color zones of all of the sequences in any particular position of said display carrier relative to said panel means. 10 The exhibitor device of claim 1 further comprising a platen of a printing press wherein: a. said panel means is a casting suitable for use as a printing plate on a printing press; b. said sheeted display carrier is a printing web; c. said sheathed display carrier is positioned between said platen and said casting; and d. said pressure is applied by forces urging said platen and said casting together.

13. Exhibitor device for permanently recording, by the application of pressure, informative markings comprising: a. a relatively extended planar stiff backing means; b. a relatively thin display sheet overlying said backing means and having hidden therein at least two separate sets of capsules of coloring material with those of one set producing a color different from that produced by those of any other set, one set of said capsules of a first color-producing material being arranged in a pattern of spaced first color zones and another set of said capsules of a second color-producing material being arranged in a similar pattern of spaced second color zones, the zones of said second pattern being offset laterally from those of said first pattern, said capsules being rupturable upon the application of pressure to said sheet for release of the color-producing material contained therein; c. a pressure-localizing planar panel intervening the backing means and the display sheet, said panel bearing on at least one face thereof a fixed pattern of spaced pressure-localizing raised lands with said lands arranged in a particular pattern whereby:

16. The device of claim 14 wherein: a. the pattern of spaced raised lands is similar to each of the patterns of single color zones; b. said panel may be positioned in at least three different lateral positions relative to said display carrier; and c. each of said three positions causes said lands to be aligned only with the zones of one of the patterns of single color zones.

17. The device of claim 16 in which the display carrier is further characterized by the color zones being arranged in a plurality of transversely contiguous, longitudinally parallel rows, each row comprising successively repeated like sequences of three color zones of the three different colors, the parts of the sequences in each row being offset longitudinally from like parts of the sequences in the contiguous rows and like parts of the sequences in alternating rows being transversely aligned.