One-Way Graphics Materials and Methods

Abstract

Included herein are base materials and methods for use in creation of one-way graphics, including a dye-receptive substrate with a pattern of ink-repellent material over the dye-receptive substrate. An image may be printed selectively onto the base material to leave a visual perforation pattern that allows vision through the printed image under appropriate illumination. Also disclosed are printing methods involving the application of variously ordered layers of light-absorbing, light-reflective, and image mediums to printing substrates with physically raised and lowered areas to create one-way graphics. The invention also includes new forms of one-way graphics, including lenticular and holographic one-way displays, and one-way displays having internal lighting sources.

Description

[0001]This invention relates to materials for one-way graphics and manufacturing techniques for the production of both those materials and one-way graphic images. In particular, this invention relates to novel substrates for one-way graphics, methods of producing those substrates, and methods of placing images upon them. This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §120 of the filing date for application No. 61 / 656,681 filed Jun. 7, 2012.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]One-way graphic materials are materials that have an image on one side, yet permit vision through the material from the other side. Optical properties are manipulated such that the material appears opaque from the image side, but appears substantially transparent when viewed from the non-image side. Generally, one-way graphic materials are light permeable, with one relatively dark side and one relatively light side. Images are typically placed on the light side of the one-way material. People viewing from that sid...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent is for a panel that can be printed with an image and then have a removable covering peeled off to create a one-way graphic. The panel can be mounted on a window or other transparent surface for this effect. The technical effect of this invention is a versatile method for producing one-way graphics that can be easily applied to a variety of surfaces.

Problems solved by technology

One-way graphics typically use expensive perforated substrates, upon which an image is printed using digital printers or silk screening.

Hill does not disclose methods of producing a one-way film that has a protective layer after application to a window, without requiring a lamination step after production of the image.

One-way vision films have been limited by available production techniques.

The process is slow and expensive.

This requires specialized digital printers capable of applying the white dye, paint, or ink, since normal CMYK printers are not capable of printing the color white.

As a result, this process is very time-consuming and slow.

Because of the labor involved and the time involved in this process, this process is very expensive when compared to other methods of printing.

Finally, because of the labor involved, screen printing is generally not economical unless a minimum number of printed images are being prepared.

Because of this one-way window graphics have remained very expensive.

One-way graphics produced using the methods above are visually static, in that the image printed on the graphic does not move in any way.

Images