Sign with three dimensional visual effect

Abstract

 A display and its method of manufacture requires a transparent superstratum having an image printed thereon using a four-color process. An iridescent foil is laminated to the superstratum with the image positioned between the superstratum and the foil. A substrate having a background design printed thereon is laminated to the foil with the background design positioned between the foil and the substrate to distance the design from the image and give the display a three-dimensional effect. To obtain additional visual effects for the sign, selected portions of the superstratum may be textured. Additionally, certain portions of the image can be masked with an opaque ink to give the masked portions a flat appearance while the remainder of the sign retains its iridescent qualities. To enhance the three-dimensional effect and give an embossed or etched look an extraordinarily thick ridge of ink can be deposited over certain portions of the image on the superstratum.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention pertains generally to signs and visual displays. More particularly, the present invention pertains to signs and displays which present a three dimensional visual sensation. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, pertinent to novelty items, such as sports trading cards and magazine covers, which rely on a unique and sensational visual presentation to attract attention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The advertising and sale of many products requires, in part, that the product provide a unique and sensational visual presentation in order to attract the attention of the consumer. Additionally, many products, such as sports trading cards and comic magazines, retain value due to their uniqueness. Consequently, many attempts have been made to make such products attractive to the consuming public.

[0003] The techniques and processes for manufacturing signs and displays which have unique visual effects are many and varied. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,106,126 for an invention entitled "Process Printed Image with Reflective Coating" incorporates a design on a transparent substrate with portions of the design masked and a reflective backing to achieve a unique visual effect. As another example, U.S. Patent No. 4,933,218 for an invention entitled "Sign with Transparent Substrate" incorporates an extraordinarily thick ridge of ink along the border of a design, under a transparent substrate, to give the sign or display a three-dimensional visual effect or quality.

[0004] The present invention recognizes that a particularly unique visual effect is achieved with a sign or display, by employing a multi-layered laminated construction which features different images or designs on each of several layers. More specifically, the present invention recognizes that a three dimensional visual effect may be achieved by printing an image or design on a transparent superstratum and laminating the superstratum to a substrate on which a background design is printed. The present invention also recognizes that the three dimensional visual effect may be enhanced by including a translucent, iridescent layer between the superstratum and the substrate giving the images printed on the superstratum and substrate an iridescent visual quality.

[0005] In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a display/sign which provides a three dimensional visual effect. Another object of the present invention is to provide a display/sign which has an iridescent quality in its visual presentation. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a display/sign which is relative easy to manufacture, and comparatively cost effective.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] A display, in accordance with the present invention includes a substantially flat, transparent, superstratum which is made from a rigid or semi-rigid material, such as a plastic. A foreground image is printed onto a portion of a surface of the superstratum using translucent or opaque inks. Preferably, the printing of the image is accomplished using a four-color process wherein red, yellow, blue and black dots are juxtaposed to create the particularly desired color effect for the image. Also, selected portions of the superstratum surface on which the image is printed may be textured to give those parts of the image a roughened appearance. In keeping with the present invention, this texturing can be accomplished by physical alteration of the superstratum surface by using ink deposits in a manner well known in the art.

[0007] In addition to the textured regions, a masking layer may be deposited onto the superstratum over certain portions of the image. A white ink is suitable for this purpose. Against the translucent inks of the image, these masked portions give the image a flat appearance in contrast with the unmasked portions of the image. As intended for the present invention, the masked portions of the image may or may not coincide with the textured portions of the superstratum. Thus, there are many possible variations and image configurations which are possible for the present invention.

[0008] The image printed on the surface of the superstratum may be given an embossed, etched or otherwise emphasized appearance by adding an extraordinarily thick ridge of translucent ink on the superstratum at the border of the image. An extraordinarily thick ink ridge of this type may be added using methodologies well known in the art and the actual thickness of the ridge may be varied from product to product to create the desired visual effect. Ridges of this type are preferably applied using a viscous UV curable translucent ink. An example of a display which utilizes an extraordinarily thick ridge of this type is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,933,218 for an invention entitled "Sign with Transparent Substrate". Another example, U.S. Patent No. 5,082,703 for an invention entitled "Sign with Transparent Substrate", discloses a display using an extraordinarily thick ridge which has been textured to give the display an embossed appearance.

[0009] A semi-transparent, iridescent foil, which is preferably a plastic film, is laminated against the superstratum with the image and any masked or textured portions positioned between the superstratum and the foil. For the present invention, this iridescent backing is pre-printed with a pigment which will give light passing through the foil an iridescent visual quality. This iridescent quality is, in turn, imparted to the image on the superstratum.

[0010] The display of the present invention also includes a substantially flat substrate, which is preferably a rigid or semi-rigid material, such as plastic or cardboard. A background design is printed on the substrate preferably using the same type of four-color process used to form the foreground image on the superstratum. The substrate is then bonded, or laminated, to the back of the iridescent foil with the background design positioned between the substrate and the iridescent foil.

[0011] The display of the present invention achieves its unique three dimensional visual effect by combining the foreground image printed on the superstratum with the background design printed on the substrate and the overall iridescent quality provided by the iridescent foil. Additionally, the visual effect achieved by the present invention may be enhanced by combining, as desired, the flat appearance of the masked portions, the roughened appearance of the textured portions, and the embossed quality provided by the extraordinarily thick ink layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which:

[0013] The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a display (sports trading card) according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the present invention showing the iridescent foil and substrate separated from the superstratum; and

Figure 3 is an exemplary cross sectional view of the display of the present invention as seen along the line 3-3 in Figure 2.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Referring initially to Figure 1, a display/sign/trading card according to the present invention is shown and generally designated 10. As shown, the display 10 has an image 12 which is viewed by the user. Additionally, the display has a background design 14 which appears to form a backdrop for the image 12. To appreciate and understand the three dimensional and iridescent visual qualities of the display 10, reference is made to Figs. 2 and 3 wherein the construction of display 10 which accomplishes this effect is shown.

[0015] In Figure 2 it will be seen that display 10 includes, essentially, three structural components. These are a superstratum 16, iridescent foil 18, and substrate 20. For purposes of the present invention, the superstratum 16 is preferably made of a clear or transparent, semi-rigid plastic. Superstratum 16 is generally flat and, as shown in the drawings, can be generally rectangular in shape. Like superstratum 16, iridescent foil 18 is generally clear or transparent. Preferably, however, iridescent foil 18 is fabricated as a very thin plastic foil or film. Further, foil 18 has a pigment printed thereon (not shown) to give the iridescent foil 18 an iridescent visual quality. The printing of pigment on iridescent foil 18 can be accomplished in any manner well known in the pertinent art. Unlike, superstratum 16 and foil 18, substrate 20 may be fabricated as either a translucent or opaque layer. Therefore, for the purposes of the present invention, substrate 20 may be fabricated from various materials including plastics and cardboards.

[0016] Still referring to Figure 2, it will be seen that the image 12 is printed on a surface 22 of the superstratum 16. Preferably, image 12 is printed on surface 22 using a second surface printing technique and the well known four-color process. According to the four-color printing process, individual red, yellow, blue and black dots of ink are juxtaposed to create the particular color effect for image 12. For purposes of the present invention, the inks used for image 12 are translucent or opaque.

[0017] Referring briefly to Figure 3, a masking layer 24 can be printed or deposited onto selected portions of the image 12. By way of example, the numeral zero on the player's jersey shown in Figure 2 can be considered as masked by masking layer 24. The masking layer 24 is substantially opaque, and preferably comprises a white ink which will give the portions of image 12 which have been masked by the masking layer 24 a flat visual effect. This flat visual effect is presented on image 12 by the layer 24 to provide a contrast to the remaining unmasked portions of the image 12. For the present invention, the unmasked portions of image 12 will be translucent with an iridescent quality.

[0018] In addition to the ink image 12 on superstratum 16, and the masked portions of image 12 created by masking layer 22, Figure 3 indicates that portions of surface 22 of superstratum 16 can also be textured, physically or with inks, to give the display 10 a roughened appearance in the areas 26 where the surface 22 is textured.

[0019] In cases where it is desirable to give the display 10 an embossed or etched appearance, an extraordinarily thick ridge of ink 28 may be applied to selected areas of the image 12. For instance, such an ink ridge might be applied at the perimeter of image 12 using the well-known silk screen process. Alternatively, ridges, such as ridge 28, may be located at varying positions on surface 22, masking layer 24 and image 12. Preferably, the extraordinarily thick ridge of ink 28 is applied using a silk screening methodology utilizing silk screens with mesh counts which vary between 60 to 150 threads-per-inch. Additionally, it is preferable to apply extraordinarily thick ridge of ink 28 using a translucent viscous ink curable by exposure to ultraviolet radiation within approximately 6 seconds.

[0020] With an image 12 printed on superstratum 16; with predetermined areas 26 of surface 22 being textured; and selected portions of the image 12 masked by the masking layer 24; the iridescent foil 18 is laminated to superstratum 16. Preferably, the laminating process is accomplished by using a thermal or pressure sensitive adhesive.

[0021] Continuing with Figure 2, it may be seen that the background design 14 is printed or deposited on the substrate 20. More specifically, the background design 14 is formed using translucent or opaque inks and is preferably applied using the same type of four-color process used to form the image 12 included on the superstratum 16. For the purposes of the present invention, the background design 14, or a portion of the background design, such as 14a, may substantially duplicate the image 12 included on the superstratum 16. Additionally, the background design 14 may include areas, such as area 14b which are distinct from the image 12 included on the superstratum 16. The substrate 20 is bonded or laminated to the iridescent foil 18 with the background design 14 positioned between the substrate 20 and the foil 18. Preferably, the laminating process is accomplished by using a thermal or pressure sensitive adhesive.

[0022] In accordance with the above, and as best appreciated with reference to Figure 3, display 10 can have several visual effects. For example, in the region 30, only the translucent inks of image 12 are positioned between the transparent superstratum 16 and the iridescent foil 18. As a result, in region 30, light passes through the iridescent foil 18 to expose portions of the background design 14 and make them visible. It may be appreciated that the simultaneous visibility of the foreground image 12 and the background design 14 within the region 30 gives the display 10 a three dimensional visual quality. This quality is enhanced by the physical separation of the image 12 and the background design 14. Additionally, the inclusion of iridescent foil 18 gives an iridescent visual effect to the image 12 and background design 14 in the region 30.

[0023] In the region 32, however, the masking layer 24 is behind the translucent inks of image 12. In this region 32, the blocking effect of the masking layer 24 renders background design 14 invisible. Additionally, masking layer 24 blocks the iridescent quality of foil 18 and gives the image 12 a relatively flat appearance within the region 32. Regions, like region 32, which include the blocking effect of the masking layer 24 are particularly effective on portions of image 12 which require emphasis such as areas representing an extreme foreground.

[0024] With the addition of a textured area 26 in region 34, the relatively flat appearance of region 32 is enhanced to include a roughened appearance. Finally, region 36 has no masking layer 24, but includes a textured area 26. As a result, region 36 features the same three dimensional and iridescent qualities exhibited by region 30. This time, however, due to texturing of the area 26, the iridescent quality of image 12 and background design 14 has a roughened effect.

[0025] Figure 3 also shows several variations or embodiments for the extraordinarily thick ridge of ink 28. Specifically, an extraordinarily thick ridge 28a is shown applied directly to the surface 22 of superstratum 16. Alternatively, extraordinarily thick ridge 28b is shown applied at the boundary of image 12 and surface 22. Finally, extraordinarily thick ridge 28c is shown located entirely on image 12. In general, such ridges may be located wherever needed or desired to create embossed, etched, or offset appearances. For the purposes of the present invention, it may be assumed that the extraordinarily thick ridge of ink 28 has a thickness 38 which may be compared to the thickness 40 of the ink used to create the image 12. It may also be assumed that the thickness of the extraordinarily thick ridge 28 may be varied to meet the needs of various products and that the ratio of thickness 38 to thickness 40 may typically be on the order of ten to one or greater.

[0026] While the particular display/sign with three dimensional visual effect as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A sign which comprises:

a transparent superstratum having a surface;

a color variable ink layer selectively deposited on portions of said surface to form an image;

an iridescent foil attached to said surface with said image positioned therebetween; and

a substrate having a background design printed thereon, said substrate being attached to said iridescent foil with said background design positioned therebetween.

2. A sign as recited in claim 1 further comprising an extraordinarily thick ridge of ink deposited on selected portions of said surface.

3. A sign as recited in claim 1 wherein said superstratum is a plastic.

4. A sign as recited in claim 1 wherein said color variable ink layer includes a translucent ink.

5. A sign as recited in claim 4 further comprising an opaque stratum deposited onto preselected areas of said color variable ink layer to define masked portions of said ink layer corresponding to said preselected areas and unmasked portions of said ink layer corresponding to the remainder of said ink layer.

6. A sign as recited in claim 2 wherein said extraordinarily thick ridge of ink includes a translucent ink.

7. A sign as recited in claim 6 further comprises a plurality of extraordinarily thick dots of ink to provide a textured appearance.

8. A sign as recited in claim 6 wherein said extraordinarily thick ridge of ink outlines at least a portion of said image.

9. A sign as recited in claim 1 wherein said background design includes a duplication of said image.

10. A sign as recited in claim 1 wherein said substrate is made of a cardboard material.

11. A sign which comprises:

a substrate having a background design printed thereon;

an iridescent foil attached to said substrate with said design positioned therebetween;

a transparent superstratum having a surface, said surface being attached to said iridescent foil; and

a color variable ink layer deposited on said surface to form an image.

12. A sign as recited in claim 11 further comprising an extraordinarily thick ridge of ink deposited on selected portions of said surface.

13. A sign as recited in claim 12 wherein said extraordinarily thick ridge of ink includes a translucent ink.

14. A sign as recited in claim 12 wherein said extraordinarily thick ridge of ink provides a textured appearance.

15. A sign as recited in claim 12 wherein said extraordinarily thick ridge of ink outlines at least a portion of said image.

16. A sign as recited in claim 11 wherein said background design includes a duplication of said image.

17. A sign as recited in claim 11 further comprising a stratum deposited between said substrate and said superstratum, said stratum having opaque areas corresponding to preselected areas of said color variable ink layer to define masked portions of said ink layer corresponding to said preselected areas and unmasked portions of said ink layer corresponding to the remainder of said ink layer.

18. A method for manufacturing a sign which comprises the steps of:

depositing a color variable ink layer on a surface of a transparent substrate to form an image thereon;

depositing an extraordinarily thick presentation of ink on selected portions of said surface;

attaching an iridescent foil to said surface with said image and said ink presentation positioned therebetween; and

attaching a substrate having a background design printed thereon to said iridescent foil, said background design being positioned against said iridescent foil.

19. A method as recited in claim 18 wherein said step of depositing a color variable ink layer is performed using a four-color lithographic process.

20. A method as recited in claim 18 wherein said step of depositing an extraordinarily thick presentation of ink is performed using a silk-screen process utilizing screen meshes having mesh counts in the range of 60 to 150 threads-per-inch.

Drawing