US4714656A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sheet containing contour-dependent directional image and method for forming the same
Assignee: 3M Co
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Filing: 1986-12-19
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Granted: 1987-12-22
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Expires: 2006-12-19
Abstract
Abstract A sheet having a set of axial markings viewable as a contour-dependent, directional image. The image is intact only when the sheet is in substantially a predetermined contour and viewed within a predetermined conical field of view. Also a method for forming such sheets.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas I. Bradshaw
- 👤 Bruce D. Orensteen
- 👤 Jack E. Cook
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 11:44
CPC Classifications
B; B42; B42D; B42D15/00; B42D15/0073; B42D15/0093; B42D25/00; B42D25/40; B42D25/405; B42D25/41; B42D25/425; G; G02; G02B; G02B3/00; G02B5/00; G02B5/12; G02B5/126; G02B5/128; B42D2033/04; B42D2033/10; B42D2033/20; B42D2033/30; B42D2033/32; B42D2035/08; B42D2035/20; B42D25/30; B42D25/324; B42D25/45; B42D25/455; B42D25/46; B42D25/465; B42D25/47; B42D25/475; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S206/00; Y10S206/807; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/916; Y10S430/00; Y10S430/146; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/31504
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A contour-dependent, directionally imaged sheet which comprises: (A) a monolayer of closely spaced transparent microlenses, (B) means for securing said microlenses to said sheet in a monolayer arrangement; and (C) a set of axial markings, each axial marking being located at the rear of a microlens such that the set of said axial markings is visible from the front of the sheeting an intact image only when said sheet is in substantially a predetermined nonplanar contour and is viewed within a predetermined conical field of view.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
A contour-dependent, directionally imaged sheet which comprises: (A) a monolayer of closely spaced transparent microlenses, (B) means for securing said microlenses to said sheet in a monolayer arrangement; and (C) a set of axial markings, each axial marking being located at the rear of a microlens such that the set of said axial markings is visible from the front of the sheeting an intact image only when said sheet is in substantially a predetermined nonplanar contour and is viewed within a predetermined conical field of view.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
10 words
The sheet of claim 1 wherein said microlenses are microspheres.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The sheet of claim 2 wherein said microspheres have a refractive index of about 1.5 to 2.7.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
10 words
The sheet of claim 1 wherein said microlenses are glass.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
The sheet of claim 1 wherein said sheet is retroreflective.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The sheet of claim 1 further comprising a substantially opaque layer underlying said microlenses.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The sheet of claim 1 wherein said sheet is substantially transparent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The sheet of claim 1 wherein said sheet further comprises a second set of axial markings, each disposed at the rear of a microlens such that said second set of axial markings is visible as an intact image only when said sheet is viewed within a second predetermined conical field of view.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
54 words
The sheet of claim 1 wherein said sheet further comprises an additional set of axial markings, each disposed at the rear of a microlens such that said additional set of axial markings is visible as an intact image only when said sheet is in substantially a predetermined contour different from said predetermined nonplanar contour.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The sheet of claim 9 wherein said additional set of axial markings is visible as an intact image within said predetermined conical field of view.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The sheet of claim 1 which is attached across the mouth of a container under a vacuum, said vacuum determining said predetermined nonplanar contour.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The sheet of claim 1 which is attached across the mouth of a container under a positive pressure, said positive pressure determining said predetermined nonplanar contour.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The sheet of claim 1 which is adhered as a surface conforming overlay across at least a portion of the embossed face of an embossed card, the embossing defining said predetermined nonplanar contour.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
The sheet of claim 1 which is adhered to overlap a container and the cap which seals such container so as to conform to the exterior contour of said container and cap, said exterior contour defining said predetermined nonplanar contour.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
A document to which is adhered the sheet of claim 1 wherein said sheet is substantially transparent and is adhered as an overlay to an information area of the document without interfering appreciably with the legibility of said information.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The sheet of claim 1 wherein said sheet is attached to a contour-defining means, said contour-defining means being movable between at least two positions in which said sheet assumes differing predetermined contours, including said predetermined nonplanar contour.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
54 words
The sheet of claim 16 wherein said sheet further comprises a second set of axial markings, each disposed at the rear of a microlens such that said second set of axial markings is visible as an intact image only when said sheet is in substantially a second contour other than said predetermined nonplanar contour.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
The sheet of claim 17 wherein said second contour is nonplanar.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
117 words
A method comprising: (A) arranging into a nonplanar contour a sheeting comprising a monolayer of closely spaced transparent microlenses and a means for securing said microlenses to said sheeting in a monolayer arrangement; and (B) directing highly collimated light in an imagewise fashion at a selected angle of incidence to the face of the sheeting to form an axial marking at the rear of each microlens which said light strikes, which markings compose a set of axial markings which is visible as an intact image only when said sheet is in substantially said nonplanar contour and is viewed within a conical field of view, the central axis of which is the angle of incidence of the irradiation.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
117 words
A method comprising: (A) arranging into a nonplanar contour a sheeting comprising a monolayer of closely spaced transparent microlenses and a means for securing said microlenses to said sheeting in a monolayer arrangement; and (B) directing highly collimated light in an imagewise fashion at a selected angle of incidence to the face of the sheeting to form an axial marking at the rear of each microlens which said light strikes, which markings compose a set of axial markings which is visible as an intact image only when said sheet is in substantially said nonplanar contour and is viewed within a conical field of view, the central axis of which is the angle of incidence of the irradiation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said sheeting further comprises a substantially opaque layer underlying said microlenses.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 19 wherein arranging said sheeting into a nonplanar contour in Step (A) comprises adhering said sheeting across the opening of a container.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 21 wherein arranging said sheeting into a nonplanar contour in Step (A) comprises adhering said sheeting to said container to seal the opening of said container.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 21 wherein arranging said sheeting into a nonplanar contour in Step (A) comprises adhering said sheeting to an article which seals the container.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said sheeting is adhered to the surface of a card and arranging said sheeting into a nonplanar contour in Step (A) comprises embossing said card thereby also embossing said sheeting.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said highly collimated light is a pulsed laser beam.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 25 wherein said pulsed laser beam scans the entire face of said sheeting.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
97 words
The method of claim 19 further comprising after said Step (B): (C) directing said highly collimated light in an imagewise fashion at a second selected angle of incidence to the face of said sheeting to form an axial marking at the rear of each microlens which said light strikes, which markings compose a second set of axial markings which is visible as an intact image only when said sheet is in substantially said nonplanar contour and is viewed within a second conical field of view, the central axis of which is said second selected angle of incidence.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
87 words
The method of claim 19 further comprising after said Step (B): (C 1 ) arranging said sheeting into a different contour; and (D 1 ) directing said highly collimated light in an imagewise fashion at said selected angle of incidence to the face of the sheeting to form an axial marking at the rear of each microlens which said light strikes, which markings compose an additional set of axial markings which is visible as an intact image only when said sheet is in substantially said different contour.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
109 words
The method of claim 19 further comprising, after said Step (B): (C 2 ) arranging said sheeting into a different contour; and (D 2 ) directing said highly collimated light in an imagewise fashion at a different selected angle of incidence to the face of said sheeting to form an axial marking at the rear of each microlens which said light strikes, which markings compose another set of axial markings which is visible as an intact image only when said sheet is in substantially said different contour and is viewed within a different conical field of view, the central axis of which is said different selected angle of incidence.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-12-21 | 1991-06-22 | 1991-12-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-12-21 | 1995-06-22 | 1995-12-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-12-21 | 1999-06-22 | 1999-12-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |