Accelerated development time-delayed message system

• US 5,633,836 A
• Filed: 12/04/1995
• Issued: 05/27/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Noteworthy Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Noteworthy Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Sacks, Allan G., Langer, Robert, Johnson, Mark E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Roskoski, Bernard
• Application Number:
  US08/566,791
• Time in Patent Office: 540 Days
• Field of Search: 368/327, 116/200, 116/207, 116/217, 116/360
• US Class Current: 368/327
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 3/005 Colour cards; Painting supports; Latent or hidden images, e.g. for games; Time delayed images
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 1/06 by flowing-away of a prefixed quantity of fine-granular or liquid materials, e.g. sand-glass, water-clock

Abstract

A time-delayed message indicator system typically displays a printed message pattern on a contrasting viewing surface at a predetermined time after activation. One preferred indicator system employs a migrating message pattern and has a laminar, multilayer construction. The message is printed on a source layer using a migratable ink. An opaque layer overlies the source layer and a release layer protects the migratable message from contact with the opaque layer until the system is activated by removal of the release layer initiating migration of the message ink through the opaque layer. Arrival of the message agent at the viewing surface initiates development of a visible message pattern. To enhance the development process the invention includes a message development trigger, for example, a heating system. The heating system can consist of exothermic chemical reactants that are mixed to react and produce heat, for example by oxidizing iron filings or activated carbon. Other embodiments employ buffered pH indicators and a migrating acid or base.

Claims

1. A time-delayed message display system for displaying a message pattern of a colorant at a viewable surface against a contrasting background, the message pattern being viewable by reflected light at a predetermined time after activation of the message display system, said message display system having an essentially laminar, multilayer construction and comprising:

a) a source layer;

b) a migratable message agent supported on the source layer;

c) a viewable surface;

d) an opaque polymer film layer to overlie said source layer and to provide said viewable surface or to lie between said viewable surface and said source layer, said message agent being migratable through said opaque polymer film layer to said viewable surface; and

e) a release layer protecting said message agent from contact with said opaque polymer film layer, said release layer being removable to activate the system by initiating migration of said message agent through said opaque polymer film;

wherein arrival of said message agent at said viewable surface initiates development of a visible message pattern, said message display system further comprising;

f) a message development trigger acting to accelerate migation of said message agent through said opaque polymer film to promote said development of a visible message pattern; and

g) a trigger delay means to delay action of said message development trigger;

whereby development of said visible message is accelerated and initiation of development is delayed by said trigger delay means.

2. A message display system according to claim 1 wherein the message agent comprises a migratable colorant material, the message development accelerator comprises a chemical reactant heating system and the trigger delay means comprises a removable barrier preventing said chemical reaction.

3. A message display system according to claim 2, wherein said migratable colorant material is an ink printed in a message pattern on said source layer and said chemical reactant heating system comprises an air-oxidizable reactant.

4. A message display system according to claim 3, wherein said removable barrier comprises an external sealant film enclosing the display system.

5. A message display system according to claim 2, wherein said removable barrier comprises a degradable coating encapsulating said chemical reactant.

6. A message display system according to claim 2, wherein said opaque polymer film layer comprises at least one film of migration rate controlling material having a thickness and composition selected to provide a desired migration time.

7. A message display system according to claim 2 wherein said predetermined time has a duration at least ten times that of a development time from a point at which said message pattern is discernible to a point at which it is clearly legible or determinable.

8. A time-delayed message display system for displaying a message pattern of a colorant on a viewable surface against a contrasting background for viewing by reflected light, at a predetermined time after activation, said message display system having an essentially laminar, multilayer construction and comprising:

a) a source layer supporting a printed image of said colorant in a desired message pattern;

b) an opaque polymer film layer to overlie said source layer, said colorant being migratable through said opaque polymer film layer; and

c) a release layer protecting said colorant from contact with said opaque polymer film layer, said release layer being removable to activate the system by initiating migration of said colorant through or to said opaque polymer film layer;

wherein said message display system further comprises;

d) a chemical reactant heating system to trigger rapid development of the message at said visible surface by heating said opaque polymer film layer to accelerate migration of said colorant through said opaque polymer film; and

e) a removable barrier preventing said chemical reactant heating system from reacting.

9. A time-delayed message display system for displaying a message pattern of a pH-indicating dye against a contrasting background at a predetermined time after activation, said message display system having an essentially laminar, multilayer construction and comprising:

a) a source layer supporting a migratable acid or base;

b) a timing layer to overlie said source layer, said acid or base being migratable through said timing layer;

c) a release layer protecting said acid or base from contact with said timing layer, said release layer being removable to activate the system by initiating migration of said acid or base through said timing layer; and

d) a basic or acid buffer, respectively, to delay pH changes at said visible surface, whereby migration of sufficient acid or base to said visible surface provides a rapid color change in said pH-indicating dye.

11. A time-delayed message display system for displaying a message pattern of a colorant on a viewable surface against a contrasting background for viewing by reflected light, at a predetermined time after activation, said message display system having an essentially laminar, multilayer construction and comprising:

a) a source layer supporting a migratable message agent;

b) an opaque polymer film layer to overlie said source layer, said message agent being migratable through said opaque polymer film layer; and

c) a release layer protecting said message agent from contact with said opaque polymer film layer, said release layer being removable to activate the system by initiating migration of said message agent through or to said opaque polymer film layer;

wherein arrival of said message agent at said viewable surface initiates development of a visible message pattern, said message display system further comprising; and

d) a message development trigger acting to accelerate migration of said message agent through said opaque polymer film to promote said development of a visible message pattern;

whereby development of said visible message is accelerated.

10. A time-delayed message display system according to claim 11 further comprising

d) a chemical reactant heating system to trigger rapid development of the message at said visible surface by heating said opaque polymer film layer and a removable barrier preventing said chemical reaction.