Image making medium

• US 20030035917A1
• Filed: 06/14/2002
• Published: 02/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sydney Hyman
• Original Assignee: Sydney Hyman
• Inventors: Hyman, Sydney
• Granted Patent: US 7,629,400 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 428/67
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 1/30 on organic plastics, horn or similar materials recording sheets having a coating to improve ink, dye or pigment receptivity B41M5/50; marking or recording on plastic by irradiation with electromagnetic beams, e.g. laser, B41M5/267
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/0047 by ink-jet printing
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/24 Ablative recording, e.g. by burning marks; Spark recording marking by high energetic means, e.g. by laser otherwise than burning or ablative removal B41M5/26; materials or methods for recording or reproduction by optical means G11B7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/26 Thermography B41M5/20, B41M5/24 take precedence; Marking by high energetic means, e.g. laser otherwise than by burning, and characterised by the material used B23K takes precedence; thermographic or photothermographic systems using noble metal compounds G03C1/494
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/267 Marking of plastic artifacts, e.g. with laser
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/36 using a polymeric layer, which may be particulate and which is deformed or structurally changed with modification of its' properties, e.g. of its' optical hydrophobic-hydrophilic, solubility or permeability properties B41C1/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B44C 3/046 using a modelling surface, e.g. plate
• CPC Class Codes: B44C 3/048 applying an additional decorative element, e.g. picture
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 5/005 Stabilisers against oxidation, heat, light, ozone
• CPC Class Codes: G03C 5/00 Photographic processes or agents therefor; Regeneration of such processing agents multicolour processes or agents therefor G03C7/00; diffusion-transfer processes or agents therefor G03C8/00; stereo-photographic processes G03C9/00; photomechanical processes G03F
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/22 Nonparticulate element embedded or inlaid in substrate and visible
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24355 Continuous and nonuniform or irregular surface on layer or component [e.g., roofing, etc.]

Abstract

The invention relates to an image support medium for creation of an aesthetic image that is an work or object for display. This support medium includes a polymer in an amount sufficient to enable the image to have at least one aesthetic element. In different embodiments, the image support medium is an image support stabilizer, the polymer is a synthetic absorbent or conductive polymer, or the polymer is a transparent or synthetic translucent polymer and a property of this transparent or translucent polymer is enhanced to facilitate the creation or preservation of the image by at least one stabilizer. The invention also relates to a method for preparing this image support medium. The method includes forming a reaction mixture comprising a monomer in an amount sufficient to provide or enable the image to have an aesthetic element, and processing the reaction mixture into a 2- or 3-dimensional shape.

Claims

1. A fine-art, image-making support medium for creation of an aesthetic image that is an work or object for display, comprised of at least one polymer in an amount sufficient to provide or enable the image to have at least one aesthetic element, wherein:

(A) the fine-art, image-making support medium is an image-support stabilizer,

(B) the at least one polymer is a synthetic absorbent polymer or a conductive polymer, or

(C) the at least one polymer is a transparent polymer or a synthetic translucent polymer and a property of this transparent or translucent polymer is enhanced to facilitate the creation or preservation of the image by at least one fine-art stabilizer.

2. The support medium of claim 1, wherein the at least one polymer has a property which is enhanced to facilitate the creation or preservation of the image by at least one stabilizer selected from the group of:

an ultraviolet light stabilizer, an ultraviolet light absorber, a fiber, a fiberglass surfacing veil, an antioxidant or a hindered amine light stabilizer;

or by a surface preparation stabilizer, an image support stabilizer, a separating layer stabilizer, an image support, an ingredient which modifies the absorbency of the polymer;

a dopant which treats the polymer to make it conductive or more conductive;

a battery or an electrode to supply or carry energy to the polymer;

or an ingredient which enables the formation or fortification of a bond between the polymer and at least one superimposed medium or material, and mixtures thereof.

3. The support medium of claim 1, wherein the at least one polymer has a property which is enhanced to facilitate the creation or preservation of the image by at least one fine-art stabilizer, which:

(a) has a refractive index substantially the same as that of the polymer, (b) is invisible to the unaided human eye in its use in the image, or (c) contributes to the image aesthetically, or a combination thereof.

4. The support medium of claim 1, wherein the at least one polymer comprises a polyester, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyethylene, or polyacrylic polymer, a polymer having a refractive index of at least about 1.4, a polymer with a light transmittance of at least about 85%, a synthetic absorbent polymer, a conductive polymer, or a co-polymer, mixture or combination of such polymers.

5. The support medium of claim 1, wherein the at least one polymer has one or more of a refractive index of at least about 1.5, a yellowness index of no greater than about 3, a haze value of no greater than about 3%, a light transmittance of at least about 90%, an ability to absorb at least about 20% of its weight in water, or an ability to emit light, or is present in an amount or in a design sufficient to provide the image with support or at least a substantial portion of its form, at least one polymer optionally being a mixture of different polymers with one or more of these characteristics, or being present as a combination of different polymers superimposed wherein two or more of the superimposed polymers each have one or more of these characteristics.

6. The support medium of claim 1, which further comprises at least one or more of:

a pigment, a colored particle, paint, a dye, pastel, graphite, charcoal, ink, wax, paper;

an image-making medium;

a light reflective, dichroic or dichromatic, photochromic, fluorescent, iridescent or light diffracting material or medium;

a hologram, a photographic emulsion, a photograph or a photographic transparency;

a lens, a grating, a prism, a filter, a video or a film;

a material with a refractive index that is different from that of the at least one polymer;

a gem or a stone, a layer of polymer that covers at least a portion of the image;

an underlayer, underpainting, underdrawing, an imprimatura, a Clarifying Imprimatura, a ground, or a primer that covers the at least one polymer or a portion of it;

abrasions made by beadblasting, sandblasting, sanding or another process on the at least one polymer or on a portion of it;

carving or incising in the at least one polymer or in a portion of it;

a light source;

the fine-art, image-making support medium or its at least one polymer having a rigid layer, part, or form;

the fine-art, image-making support medium or its at least one polymer having the capacity for self-support or the capacity to be free standing;

a layer or part that provides support to the at least one polymer;

a frame, a base, wire, a material, a device or a part for mounting, installation or display;

inlay, a cut-out, a sculpted portion of the at least one polymer;

a removed portion of the at least one polymer that allows light to enter or pass through;

a sculpted form;

a drawing in space;

a computer print-out;

an application made by ink jet printing or by another printing process;

an inlaid or incised material;

an application or a form embedded within the at least one polymer;

an air pocket within the at least one polymer;

an ingredient which adds texture to the at least one polymer;

a deckled edge on the at least one polymer or on a portion of it;

the at least one polymer having a surface, shape or form that is partially or entirely discontinuous, uneven, irregular, non-geometric, non-planar or non-uniform;

a painting, drawing or print on an image support;

an electrically active layer, part or device;

an electrode;

a switch, a control mechanism, a sensor or a device which turns electricity on and off or which varies the electricity;

a battery;

a part, layer or device which enables the image to emit light;

a layer, application, part or device which modifies light emitted by the image;

or one of these media or materials superimposed upon or bonded to the at least one polymer.

7. The support medium of claim 1, comprised of two or more layers or parts made of different polymers which are superimposed or connected, wherein at least one of these polymer layers or parts provides support to the medium, and at least one different layer or part provides or enables the image to have at least one element selected from the group consisting of an aesthetic element, transparency, translucency, an ability to emit visible light, an ability to bond to at least one superimposed application, or an ability to be further developed by cutting, carving or incising.

8. The support medium of claim 7, wherein the polymer has a first, non-absorbent polymer layer bonded to a second, synthetic absorbent polymer layer, wherein the second polymer has hydroxyl, amide, amine, or ether functional groups or is an alkyl acrylate, an alkyl alkacrylate, or a functionalized derivative thereof.

9. The support medium of claim 8, wherein the second polymer comprises 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), or 2-(acetoacetoxy)ethyl methacrylate and contains no more than 4% by volume HEMA, or the non-absorbent polymer layer includes about 10% by volume of absorbent polymer.

10. The support medium of claim 1, wherein at least one fine-art stabilizer enhances a property of the polymer to facilitate the creation or preservation of the image, and the fine-art stabilizer or stabilizers collectively represent less than about 40% by volume of the total volume of the image, or the at least one fine-art stabilizer is radiation which cures or crosslinks the at least one polymer.

11. The support medium of claim 1, which has a substantially planar, 2- or 3-dimensional form, and which is capable of being used for one or more of:

painting, drawing, collage, printing, photographic processes, carving, cutting, or incising.

12. The support medium of claim 1, which comprises at least one fine-art stabilizer which is present in an amount or in a design sufficient to protect the at least one polymer against at least one of (a) discoloration over time that is visible in the image, (b) changes to its form or surface over time that are visible in the image;

or (c) changes that reduce its strength, its stability or its permanence.

13. A method for preparing a fine-art, image-making support medium for use in the creation of an aesthetic image that is a work or object for display, which comprises:

forming a polymerization reaction mixture comprising at least one polymerizable monomer in an amount sufficient to provide or enable the image to have at least one aesthetic element, and processing the polymerization reaction mixture into a 2- or 3-dimensional shape, wherein;

(A) the fine-art, image-making support medium is an image-support stabilizer,

(B) the polymer is a synthetic absorbent polymer or a conductive polymer, or

(C) the polymer is a transparent polymer or a synthetic translucent polymer and a property of this transparent or translucent polymer is enhanced to facilitate the creation or preservation of the image by at least one fine-art stabilizer.

14. The method of claim 13, which further comprises exposing the fine-art, image-making support medium to energy, (a) to process the polymerization mixture, (b) which is conducted by the polymer;

(c) which enables the polymer or the fine-art, image-making support medium to emit visible light;

or (d) for an aesthetic purpose.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one polymer is a polyester, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyethylene, or polyacrylic polymer, a polymer having a refractive index of at least about 1.4, a polymer with a light transmittance of at least about 85%, a synthetic absorbent polymer, a conductive polymer, or a co-polymer, mixture or combination of such polymers.

16. The method of claim 13, which further comprises enhancing a property of the at least one polymer to facilitate the creation or preservation of the image by using at least one fine-art stabilizer with the at least one polymer, wherein the fine-art stabilizer is one or more of:

a chemical stabilizer selected from the group consisting of an ultraviolet light stabilizer, an ultraviolet light absorber, a fiber, a fiberglass surfacing veil, an antioxidant or a hindered amine light stabilizer;

a surface preparation stabilizer, an image support stabilizer, a separating layer stabilizer, an image support, an ingredient which modifies the absorbency of the polymer;

a dopant which treats the polymer to make it conductive or more conductive;

a battery or an electrode to supply or carry energy to the polymer;

or an ingredient which enables the formation or fortification of a bond between the polymer and at least one superimposed medium or material; and

a mixture thereof.

17. The method of claim 13, which further comprises superimposing one or more mediums on the at least one polymer, wherein the medium or mediums include one or more members of the group consisting of:

paints, dyes, inks, primers, binders, pastels, graphite, charcoal, and photographic emulsions, and mixtures thereof.

18. The method of claim 13, which further comprises superimposing at least one colorant on at least a portion of the fine-art, image-making support medium, wherein the colorant or colorants are one or more members of the group consisting of:

pigment, dye, light reflective particles and colored particles, and exposing the image to energy, and mixtures thereof.

19. The method of claim 13, which further comprises exposing at least a portion of the fine-art, image-making support medium to energy, which is one or more members of the group consisting of:

electrical current, visible light radiation, light capable of inducing fluorescence, light capable of inducing phosphorescence, and light capable of inducing iridescence, and mixtures thereof.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein the reaction mixture is placed in a mold or upon a support surface made of wood, paper, stone, ceramic, metal, fabric, polymer or glass, or a combination thereof.

21. The method of claim 13, wherein the polymer is a conductive polymer which is capable of emitting light and the method further comprises incorporating a layer of a non-conductive polymer under or upon the conductive polymer;

and exposing the conductive polymer to energy so that it emits light.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the conductive polymer is transparent or translucent, or one or more of the non-conductive polymer layers are transparent or translucent;

or both.

23. The method of claim 13, which further comprises developing the image with the addition of at least one or more of:

a pigment, a colored particle, paint, a dye, pastel, graphite, charcoal, ink, wax, paper;

an image-making medium;

a light reflective, dichroic or dichromatic, photochromic, fluorescent, iridescent or light diffracting material or medium;

a hologram, a photographic emulsion, a photograph or a photographic transparency;

a lens, a grating, a prism, a filter, a video or a film;

a material with a refractive index that is different from that of the at least one polymer;

a gem or a stone, a layer of polymer that covers at least a portion of the image;

an underlayer, underpainting, underdrawing, an imprimatura, a Clarifying Imprimatura, a ground, or a primer that covers the at least one polymer or a portion of it;

abrasions made by beadblasting, sandblasting, sanding or another process on the at least one polymer or on a portion of it;

carving or incising in the at least one polymer or in a portion of it;

a light source;

the fine-art, image-making support medium or its at least one polymer having a rigid layer, part, or form;

the fine-art, image-making support medium or its at least one polymer having the capacity for self-support or the capacity to be free standing;

a layer or part that provides support to the at least one polymer;

a frame, a base, wire, a material, a device or a part for mounting, installation or display;

inlay, a cut-out, a sculpted portion of the at least one polymer;

a removed portion of the at least one polymer that allows light to enter or pass through;

a sculpted form;

a drawing in space;

a computer print-out;

an application made by ink jet printing or by another printing process;

an inlaid or incised material;

an application or a form embedded within the at least one polymer;

an air pocket within the at least one polymer;

an ingredient which adds texture to the at least one polymer;

a deckled edge on the at least one polymer or on a portion of it;

the at least one polymer having a surface, shape or form that is partially or entirely discontinuous, uneven, irregular, non-geometric, non-planar or non-uniform;

a painting, drawing or print on an image support;

an electrically active layer, part or device;

an electrode;

a switch, a control mechanism, a sensor or a device which turns electricity on and off or which varies the electricity;

a battery;

a part, layer or device which enables the image to emit light;

a layer, application, part or device which modifies light emitted by the image;

or one of these media or materials superimposed upon or bonded to the at least one polymer;

or a combination thereof.

24. The method of claim 13, which further comprises (A) superimposing or connecting one or more layers or parts of different polymers onto a layer or a part of the at least one polymer, wherein one or more of these polymer layers or parts provides support to the medium, and at least one different layer or part provides or enables the image to have at least one element selected from the group consisting of an aesthetic element, transparency, translucency, an ability to emit visible light, an ability to bond to at least one superimposed application, or an ability to be further developed by cutting, carving or incising;

or (B) cutting, carving or incising the medium to form the image or work of art.