Lenticular optical system

• US 6,414,794 B1
• Filed: 08/02/2000
• Issued: 07/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bruce A. Rosenthal
• Original Assignee: Bruce A. Rosenthal
• Inventors: Rosenthal, Bruce A.
• Primary Examiner(s): MACK, RICKY LEVERN
• Application Number:
  US09/630,965
• Time in Patent Office: 699 Days
• Field of Search: 359/619, 359/625, 359/626, 359/455
• US Class Current: 359/619
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/10 Beam splitting or combining systems polarising systems G02B27/28; mixing and splitting light signals using optical waveguides G02B6/28; beam shaping, e.g. changing the cross-sectional area, by dividing or superposing multiple light beams G02B27/0905
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/0031 Replication or moulding, e.g. hot embossing, UV-casting, injection moulding
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/005 arranged along a single direction only, e.g. lenticular sheets G02B3/0043 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 3/0075 characterized by non-optical structures, e.g. having integrated holding or alignment means
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/27 involving lenticular arrays
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 35/24 using apertured or refractive resolving means on screens or between screen and eye
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/14 displaying different signs depending upon the view-point of the observer

Abstract

A lenticular optical system is described in which a composite image is viewable through a lens sheet from a first angle and an object or image placed at a preselected distance beneath the composite image is viewable from a second angle. Optical designs and alignment processes are disclosed which make possible the economical production of thin materials which facilitate the manufacturing and utilization of the optical system in packaging and the like.

Claims

1. A method of forming an lenticular printed material comprising

A. forming a sheet including a first surface on one side an a second surface opposite said first surface,

B. forming parallel light directing lenticular portions on said second surface,

C. forming parallel protruding portions on said first surface with alternating indented spaces therebetween,

D. contacting protruding portions with ink on an ink transfer surface,

whereby said protruding portions being spaced at a sufficient frequency that when coated with ink through contact with an ink transfer surface containing a whole continuous image, although adhering only alternating image lines of ink from the continuous ink transfer surface, leaving every other line of the image on the transfer surface, produce an apparent comprehensive picture of an entire composite image, said ink being transferred from said transfer surface only to parallel protruding portions, and not to alternating indented spaces therebetween.

2. A package having an area of transparent sheet containing an outer second surface constituted by a plurality of lenticular lenses, a first surface constituted by a plurality of parallel protruding portions, with grooves therebetween,

a composite image formed by a plurality of spaced apart image lines on said protruding portions facing into the package readable when viewed through said lenticular lenses at a first range of angles, said protruding portions, being spaced at a sufficient frequency that when coated with ink through contact with an ink transfer surface containing a whole continuous image, although adhering only alternating image lines of ink from the continuous ink transfer surface, leaving every other line of the image on the transfer surface, produce an apparent comprehensive picture of an entire composite image,

said protruding portions being capable of receiving ink from contact with an ink transfer surface, said indented portions being incapable of receiving ink,

said grooves permitting the passage of light from the interior of the package through said lenticular lenses at a second range of angles, allowing the view of the contents of the package and the inside of the package through said sheet.

3. A multiple image optical system comprising a transparent sheet, including a first surface constituted by a plurality of parallel protruding portions having image portion lines thereupon, which are alternating lines form of a master picture, with indented unprinted portions therebetween, and a second surface comprising parallel lenticular lenses,

wherein said protruding portions, being spaced at a sufficient frequency that when coated with ink through contact with an ink transfer surface containing a whole continuous image, although adhering only alternating image lines of ink from the continuous ink transfer surface, leaving every other line of the image on the transfer surface, produce an apparent comprehensive picture of an entire composite image,

wherein said protruding portions are capable of receiving ink from contact with the ink transfer surface, said indented portions are incapable of receiving ink,

wherein said lenticular lenses on said second surface transmit light from said ink on the protruding portions at a first range of angles of sight, displaying said comprehensive picture, light being transmitted through the indented potions from an object beneath said sheet at a second range of angles of sight.

4. The optical system according to claim 3, wherein said protruding portions are at least partially flat.

6. The optical system according to claim 3, wherein said lenticular lenses on said second surface are at least partly parabolic.

7. The optical system according to claim 3, wherein said lenticular lenses on said second surface are at least partly elliptical.

8. The optical system according to claim 3, wherein said lenticular lenses on said second surface have flat portions.

9. The optical system according to claim 3, wherein said ink portions are strips of a composite image.

10. The optical system according to claim 3, wherein said ink portions are independently replaceable.

11. The optical system according to claim 3, wherein said ink portions can be removed entirely.

12. the optical system according to claim 3, wherein said sheet forms at least a part of a container.

5. The optical system according to clam 3, wherein said protruding portions are at least partially curved.