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

[0014]In another embodiment of the invention, one-way graphics may be produced using a panel of material comprising a transparent substrate with a perforated or selectively permeable removable covering over its face. The perforated or selectively permeable layer has adhesion properties so it peels off easily and is very thin. This assembly can be backed with adhesive and a protective release liner. The printable panel would be constructed so that an image may be printed on the panel as a whole. Once the printing is complete, the perforated low tack covering is separated from the assembly leaving behind a pattern that makes up an image. The windows or voids in the image necessary for the one-way graphic effect are created by the removal of the perforated covering. The panel may then be mounted on a window or other transparent surface for one-way graphic effect.

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