WO1996026872A9 - Container and method of making same - Google Patents
Container and method of making sameInfo
- Publication number
- WO1996026872A9 WO1996026872A9 PCT/US1996/002876 US9602876W WO9626872A9 WO 1996026872 A9 WO1996026872 A9 WO 1996026872A9 US 9602876 W US9602876 W US 9602876W WO 9626872 A9 WO9626872 A9 WO 9626872A9
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- container
- lenticular
- image
- lenticular image
- affixed
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 title description 8
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 230000000875 corresponding Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 5
- 238000010030 laminating Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 abstract 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000005266 casting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012611 container material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003292 diminished Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004049 embossing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001125 extrusion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003475 lamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009740 moulding (composite fabrication) Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009966 trimming Methods 0.000 description 1
Definitions
- the subject invention provides a transparent container, in which an outer surface is partially covered with a lenticulating material and an inner surface, arranged beneath said outer surface, accepts an inserted piece of printed material. Viewing the image through the lenticular surface of the container gives the printed material (image) the illusion of depth, partial opacity or animation.
- Lenticular pictures are well known and typically consist of a lenticular surface permanently bonded, by lamination, or by integral printing, to an image which, when viewed, produces a stereoscopic, partially opaque or animation effect.
- the lenticular surface is plastic with a total thickness that approximates the focal length of a lens which is permanently attached to the surface of the printed image.
- manufacturing these types of pictures is often difficult because the process of registering and laminating the lenticular screen to the printed surface requires a high degree of accuracy. As a result, there is a need for pre-production test runs which increase the costs of creating lenticular images substantially above those produced by conventional printing. Summary of the invention
- a conventional container for example, in the form of a Compact Laser Disk storage container, with additional features including a partially lenticulated surface on the outside of the container and a separate piece of printed matter arranged beneath said partially lenticulated surface, whereby the printed matter is a specially multiplexed image rather than conventional image.
- the combination of the lenticulated surface on the container and the specially printed insert provides a simple and cost effective method for producing lenticulated images. The special effects are created with minimal additional production requirements and their associated costs.
- Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the portion of the container on which the lenticular image is created.
- Figure 2 is an oblique view of the container displaying a partially lenticulated outer surface.
- Figures 3A-3C illustrate a top view of the corner of the container displaying alternate means for securing the printed images.
- the subject invention provides a container, in which an outer surface is partially covered with a lenticulating material and an inner surface accepts an inserted piece of printed material.
- the container material between the inner and outer surface is transparent.
- the lenticulating material is applied to the outer surface of the container to create a lenticular surface which acts as a lens for viewing the printed material (image) on the inner surface of the container. Because of the unique characteristics of the newly formed lenticular surface, an image viewed through it appears to have a stereoscopic, three dimensional, or animated effect.
- the image is secured to the inner surface of the container in such a manner so as to easily and positively orient the image to the lenticular surface to maximize the visual illusion or animation effect.
- a lenticulating material 1 ideally plastic, is applied to the container 10 as a laminate, or encapsulated, or formed as part of the manufacturing process of the container, typically by embossing, molding, casting, forming or extrusion to create a grooved lenticular surface.
- the grooved profile of the lenticular surface is determined by the thickness of the wall of the container which in this embodiment is transparent 2.
- the wall of the container acts as a focusing medium. To be effective, the thickness should preferably be equal to the focal length of the lenticular lens (surface) with a tolerance of ⁇ 20%.
- the printed surface 3 is formed by interlacing or multiplexing two or more base images.
- the number of base images used to create the printed surface will be between 5 and 65. Because of the spacing and positioning of these base images interlaced on the same printed surface, the lenticular image will have a smooth, continuous animated sequence or three dimensional image when viewed through the lenticular lens 1.
- the printed surface itself may be folded so as to securely position it once inside the container.
- An optional backing card 4, or folded paper, may be applied behind the printed surface in order to keep the printed surface flat against the inner surface of the container.
- Figure 2 shows an oblique view of the container wherein the outer surface of the container 8 (at the open edge of the container cover) acts as a preformed guide along side the inside edge of container top 5.
- the left side wall 6 is slightly tapered to allow the printed surface to be in direct contact with the inner surface of the container cover.
- the side wall acts as a wedge, wedging the opposite edge of the printed surface against the right side wall 7.
- the printed surface is also cut to conform to the wedge of the left side wall 6, further ensuring correct orientation of the image with the lenticular surface.
- the outer surface of the container is a grooved lenticular lens sheet 1.
- the grooves 9 run vertically along the container top 8 to create a stereoscopic or three dimensional image.
- the grooves may also run horizontally across the container top to create an animation sequence.
- a printed image surface 3 is prepared with corresponding vertical or horizontal interlacing of two or more base images.
- the printed surface 3 is mounted inside the box for proper viewing.
- the flat printed surface must be held in correct orientation with the direction of the grooves on the container. Accurate trimming of the printed surface in relation to the inside width of the box is normally sufficient to achieve the desired result.
- the printed surface must be oriented and fitted to the inner surface so as to prevent angular shifting between the image and the lenticular surface of the container since even minor rotational movement of the image significantly degrades the visual illusion of depth or animation.
- Various positioning guides within the container may also be used to achieve adequate orientation.
- Figure 3 shows three such types of positioning guides which include notched corners in Figure 3A, rounded corners in Figure 3B, and pegs for hole-punched images in Figure 3C.
- the lenticular lens will be out of focus and the quality of the visual illusion will be greatly diminished.
- One possible method for keeping the printed image flat is by inserting cardboard or creased paper 4 behind the image (see Figure 1) thereby pressing the image against the inner surface of the container.
- Another method is to sandwich the printed image between the components already in the container (i.e., the mounting boss for the compact disc) .
- the advantage of this second method is that no additional elements are required thereby eliminating additional manufacturing costs and variables affecting image quality.
- the resulting assembly acts as a conventional lenticular image but without the expense of having conventional laminated lenticular prints.
Abstract
A container (10) has an outer, transparent portion (8) with an outer surface of the transparent portion covered with a lenticular material (1) thereby creating a lens whereby a stereoscopic, 3-D or animated image may be seen. The printed image (3) is a specially created matrix or interlacing of various base images which is then inserted and accurately aligned and flattened against an inner surface of the transparent portion (2) of the container without need for further laminating or screening of the printed image. The printed image (3) is then viewed through the lenticular lens to produce the desired visual effect.
Description
Container and Method of Making
Field of the Invention
The subject invention provides a transparent container, in which an outer surface is partially covered with a lenticulating material and an inner surface, arranged beneath said outer surface, accepts an inserted piece of printed material. Viewing the image through the lenticular surface of the container gives the printed material (image) the illusion of depth, partial opacity or animation.
Background of the Invention
Lenticular pictures are well known and typically consist of a lenticular surface permanently bonded, by lamination, or by integral printing, to an image which, when viewed, produces a stereoscopic, partially opaque or animation effect. Traditionally, the lenticular surface is plastic with a total thickness that approximates the focal length of a lens which is permanently attached to the surface of the printed image. However, manufacturing these types of pictures is often difficult because the process of registering and laminating the lenticular screen to the printed surface requires a high degree of accuracy. As a result, there is a need for pre-production test runs which increase the costs of creating lenticular images substantially above those produced by conventional printing.
Summary of the invention
According to the present invention, there is provided a conventional container, for example, in the form of a Compact Laser Disk storage container, with additional features including a partially lenticulated surface on the outside of the container and a separate piece of printed matter arranged beneath said partially lenticulated surface, whereby the printed matter is a specially multiplexed image rather than conventional image. The combination of the lenticulated surface on the container and the specially printed insert provides a simple and cost effective method for producing lenticulated images. The special effects are created with minimal additional production requirements and their associated costs.
Brief Description of the Figures Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the portion of the container on which the lenticular image is created.
Figure 2 is an oblique view of the container displaying a partially lenticulated outer surface.
Figures 3A-3C illustrate a top view of the corner of the container displaying alternate means for securing the printed images.
Detailed Description of the Invention
The subject invention provides a container, in which an outer surface is partially covered with a lenticulating material and an inner surface accepts an inserted piece of printed material. In a preferred embodiment, the container material between the inner
and outer surface is transparent. The lenticulating material is applied to the outer surface of the container to create a lenticular surface which acts as a lens for viewing the printed material (image) on the inner surface of the container. Because of the unique characteristics of the newly formed lenticular surface, an image viewed through it appears to have a stereoscopic, three dimensional, or animated effect. The image is secured to the inner surface of the container in such a manner so as to easily and positively orient the image to the lenticular surface to maximize the visual illusion or animation effect.
Referring now to Figure 1, a lenticulating material 1, ideally plastic, is applied to the container 10 as a laminate, or encapsulated, or formed as part of the manufacturing process of the container, typically by embossing, molding, casting, forming or extrusion to create a grooved lenticular surface. The grooved profile of the lenticular surface is determined by the thickness of the wall of the container which in this embodiment is transparent 2. The wall of the container acts as a focusing medium. To be effective, the thickness should preferably be equal to the focal length of the lenticular lens (surface) with a tolerance of ±20%.
The printed surface 3 is formed by interlacing or multiplexing two or more base images. In a preferred embodiment, the number of base images used to create the printed surface will be between 5 and 65. Because of the spacing and positioning of these base images interlaced on the same printed surface, the lenticular image will have a smooth, continuous animated sequence or three dimensional image when viewed through the lenticular lens 1. The
printed surface itself may be folded so as to securely position it once inside the container. An optional backing card 4, or folded paper, may be applied behind the printed surface in order to keep the printed surface flat against the inner surface of the container.
Figure 2 shows an oblique view of the container wherein the outer surface of the container 8 (at the open edge of the container cover) acts as a preformed guide along side the inside edge of container top 5. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the left side wall 6 is slightly tapered to allow the printed surface to be in direct contact with the inner surface of the container cover. In addition, the side wall acts as a wedge, wedging the opposite edge of the printed surface against the right side wall 7. The printed surface is also cut to conform to the wedge of the left side wall 6, further ensuring correct orientation of the image with the lenticular surface.
The outer surface of the container is a grooved lenticular lens sheet 1. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the grooves 9 run vertically along the container top 8 to create a stereoscopic or three dimensional image. The grooves may also run horizontally across the container top to create an animation sequence. To create the proper visual effect, a printed image surface 3 is prepared with corresponding vertical or horizontal interlacing of two or more base images. The printed surface 3 is mounted inside the box for proper viewing. The flat printed surface must be held in correct orientation with the direction of the grooves on the container. Accurate trimming of the printed
surface in relation to the inside width of the box is normally sufficient to achieve the desired result.
The printed surface must be oriented and fitted to the inner surface so as to prevent angular shifting between the image and the lenticular surface of the container since even minor rotational movement of the image significantly degrades the visual illusion of depth or animation. Various positioning guides within the container may also be used to achieve adequate orientation. Figure 3 shows three such types of positioning guides which include notched corners in Figure 3A, rounded corners in Figure 3B, and pegs for hole-punched images in Figure 3C.
As previously discussed, it is essential to keep the printed image flat; otherwise, the lenticular lens will be out of focus and the quality of the visual illusion will be greatly diminished. One possible method for keeping the printed image flat is by inserting cardboard or creased paper 4 behind the image (see Figure 1) thereby pressing the image against the inner surface of the container. Another method is to sandwich the printed image between the components already in the container (i.e., the mounting boss for the compact disc) . The advantage of this second method is that no additional elements are required thereby eliminating additional manufacturing costs and variables affecting image quality. The resulting assembly acts as a conventional lenticular image but without the expense of having conventional laminated lenticular prints.
While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in detail, alternate embodiments will become obvious to those skilled in the art after reading this disclosure. These
variations are to be considered within the scope and spirit of the subject invention. Consequently, the subject invention is only to be limited by the claims which follow and their equivalence. More particularly it is to be understood that the container itself need not be transparent but that the lenticular lens arrangement described herein could be affixed to one portion of an opaque container.
Claims
I claim:
1. A container for providing a lenticulated image comprising, a lenticulating lens affixed to an outer surface of a transparent portion of said container to create a lenticular surface, a separately prepared lenticular image, and means for affixing said lenticular image to an inner surface of said transparent portion of said container.
2. A container according to claim 1 wherein said transparent container portion has a thickness sufficient to function as a focusing medium for said lenticular surface.
3. A container according to claim 1 wherein the lenticular lens is plastic.
4. A container according to claim 2 wherein the thickness of said container is within 20% of the focal length of the lenticular lens.
5. A container according to claim 1 wherein the lenticular image comprises a plurality of interlaced or multiplexed base images.
6. The container according to claim 5 wherein plurality of interlaced or multiplexed base images is between 5 and 65.
17. The method of claim 15 wherein the lenticular material is plastic .
18. The method of claim 15 wherein the plurality of interlaced or multiplexed base images is between 5 and 65.
19. The method of claim 15 wherein the lenticular image is affixed to the inner surface of the container by at least one notched corner of the inner surface of the container communicating with a corresponding notched cutout of the lenticular image.
20. The method of claim 15 wherein the lenticular image is affixed to the inner surface of the container by at least one rounded corner of the inner surface of the container communicating with a corresponding rounded cutout of the lenticular image.
21. The method of claim 15 wherein the lenticular image is affixed to the inner surface of the container by at least one peg positioned in a corner of the inner surface of the container communicating with a corresponding hole-punched cutout of the lenticular image.
22. The method of claim 15 wherein the lenticular image is affixed to the inner surface of the container by a tapered inner edge of the inner surface of the container communicating with a tapered edge of the lenticular image.
10
portion of the container comprises a backing material applied behind the lenticular image.
12. The container of claim 1 wherein the means for affixing the lenticular image to the inner surface of the transparent portion of the container comprises compressing the image against components already in the container.
13. The container of claim 1 wherein the lenticular image viewed is a smooth, continuous action animation sequence.
14. The container of claim 1 wherein the lenticular image viewed is a smooth, continuous three dimensional image.
15. A method for creating lenticular images which comprises the steps of: affixing lenticular material to an outer surface of a transparent portion of a container to form a lenticular lens, creating a lenticular image by interlacing or multiplexing a plurality of base images, affixing the lenticular image to an inner surface of said transparent portion of said container so that the image remains flat against the inner surface of the transparent portion of the container and can be viewed through said lenticular material.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the thickness of the container is within 20% of the focal length of the lenticular lens.
23. The method of claim 15 wherein the lenticular image is affixed to the inner surface of the container by a backing material applied behind the lenticular image.
24. The method of claim 15 wherein the lenticular image is affixed to the inner surface of the container by compressing the image against components already in the container.
25. The method of claim 15 wherein the lenticular image viewed is a smooth, continuous action animation sequence.
26. The method of claim 15 wherein the lenticular image viewed is a smooth, continuous three dimensional image.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU51802/96A AU5180296A (en) | 1995-02-27 | 1996-02-27 | Container and method of making same |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9503911A GB2298188B (en) | 1995-02-27 | 1995-02-27 | Lenticulated transparent box |
| GB9503911.1 | 1995-02-27 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO1996026872A1 WO1996026872A1 (en) | 1996-09-06 |
| WO1996026872A9 true WO1996026872A9 (en) | 1997-04-03 |
Family
ID=10770327
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US1996/002876 WO1996026872A1 (en) | 1995-02-27 | 1996-02-27 | Container and method of making same |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AU5180296A (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2298188B (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1996026872A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPH09309583A (en) * | 1996-05-24 | 1997-12-02 | Sony Corp | Cassette housing case |
| FR2767789A1 (en) * | 1997-08-27 | 1999-03-05 | Vincent Pizzo | Method of making confectionery box |
| US6394293B1 (en) * | 1998-02-13 | 2002-05-28 | Crown Cork & Seal Technologies Corporation | Closure having a lenticular lens |
| JP2003084230A (en) | 2001-09-07 | 2003-03-19 | Canon Inc | Display device |
| ES2226546B1 (en) * | 2002-11-20 | 2006-02-16 | Joaquin Devesa Company | PROCEDURE FOR CONSTRUCTION OF MULTI-PAD CYLINDRICAL CONTAINERS AND PACKAGES AS OBTAINED. |
| EP1422052B1 (en) * | 2002-11-20 | 2009-05-13 | Joaquin Devesa Company | Procedure for construction of multi-layer cylindrical containers and containers so obtained |
| US8804186B2 (en) | 2010-07-13 | 2014-08-12 | Tracer Imaging Llc | Automated lenticular photographic system |
| WO2012065046A2 (en) * | 2010-11-13 | 2012-05-18 | Tracer Imaging Llc | Automated lenticular photographic system |
| US9380845B2 (en) * | 2013-11-28 | 2016-07-05 | Heys International Ltd. | Luggage with wrap around design panel |
Family Cites Families (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2522812A (en) * | 1938-10-24 | 1950-09-19 | Reliephographie Soc Pour L Exp | Composite photographic picture with reflecting back |
| US2500511A (en) * | 1944-07-10 | 1950-03-14 | Reliephographie Soc Pour L Exp | Relief photograph having reflecting back |
| US2514814A (en) * | 1947-12-12 | 1950-07-11 | Towne Gene | Three-dimensional picture |
| BE538880A (en) * | 1954-06-11 | |||
| US3119195A (en) * | 1961-05-19 | 1964-01-28 | Harold N Braunhut | Ocular toy device |
| US3268238A (en) * | 1964-06-03 | 1966-08-23 | Finkel Richard | Publications |
| JPS552449Y2 (en) * | 1973-07-11 | 1980-01-22 | ||
| US4044889A (en) * | 1976-09-13 | 1977-08-30 | Seymour Orentreich | Cosmetic container including integrated lens structure |
| GB2150918B (en) * | 1983-12-06 | 1987-05-07 | Peak Plastic & Metal Prod | Packaging tubes for electronic components |
| US4732453A (en) * | 1984-12-10 | 1988-03-22 | Integrated Images, Inc. | Integral photography apparatus and method of forming same |
| US4863026A (en) * | 1988-05-13 | 1989-09-05 | Perkowski Thomas J | Storage cases for information recording devices |
| EP0553182A1 (en) * | 1990-10-17 | 1993-08-04 | REULECKE, Fritz | Container for culture media, and use of the container |
| AU2231895A (en) * | 1994-04-01 | 1995-10-23 | Insight, Inc. | Flat box system with multiple view optics |
-
1995
- 1995-02-27 GB GB9503911A patent/GB2298188B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1996
- 1996-02-27 WO PCT/US1996/002876 patent/WO1996026872A1/en active Application Filing
- 1996-02-27 AU AU51802/96A patent/AU5180296A/en not_active Abandoned
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