Sheeting with composite image that floats

• US 7,068,434 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2001
• Issued: 06/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Krasa, Robert T., Maki, Stephen P., Osgood, Richard M. III, Florczak, Jeffrey M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Spector, David N.
• Application Number:
  US09/898,580
• Publication Number:
  US 20020054434A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,820 Days
• Field of Search: 359/619, 359/620, 359/625, 359/626, 359/627, 359/455, 359/456, 359/45, 283/85
• US Class Current: 359/626
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 27/08 Trimmings; Ornaments
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/32 Retroreflective
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 3/003 on optical devices, e.g. lens elements; for the production of optical devices production by thermal imaging means B41M5/265
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 3/148 Transitory images, i.e. images only visible from certain viewing angles
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/106 for splitting or combining a plurality of identical beams or images, e.g. image replication
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/1066 for enhancing image performance, like resolution, pixel numbers, dual magnifications or dynamic range, by tiling, slicing or overlapping fields of view
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/123 The splitting element being a lens or a system of lenses, including arrays and surfaces with refractive power
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/27 involving lenticular arrays
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/56 by projecting aerial or floating images
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/128 transparent spheres being embedded in matrix

Abstract

Microlens sheetings with composite images are disclosed, in which the composite image floats above or below the sheeting, or both. The composite image may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. Methods for providing such an imaged sheeting, including by the application of radiation to a radiation sensitive material layer adjacent the microlenses, are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A sheeting, comprising:

at least one layer of microlenses, the layer having first and second sides; and

a layer of material disposed adjacent the first side of the layer of microlenses,

wherein the material has one or more images formed therein, wherein at least one of the images is a partially complete image, and wherein each image is associated with one of a plurality of microlenses, and

wherein each microlens has a refractive surface that transmits light to a position of the material to produce, under reflected or transmitted light, a composite image from the images formed within the material that appears to float above the sheeting, float below the sheeting or float in the plane of the sheeting.

2. The sheeting of claim 1, wherein the composite image appears to move relative to the sheeting as the viewing position changes relative to the sheeting.

3. The sheeting of claim 1, wherein the composite image disappears and reappears when the angle at which the sheeting is viewed changes.

4. The sheeting of claim 1, wherein the sheeting comprises more than one composite image.

5. The sheeting of claim 1, wherein the material is selected from sodium aluminum fluoride, titanium oxide, bismuth oxychloride or lead carbonate.

6. The sheeting of any one of claims 1 through 4, wherein the sheeting is applied to vehicle license plates.

7. The sheeting of any one of claims 1 through 4, wherein the sheeting is applied to banknotes.

8. The sheeting of any one of claims 1 through 4, wherein the sheeting is applied to fashion clothing.

9. The sheeting of any one of claims 1 through 4, wherein the sheeting is applied to safety clothing.

10. The sheeting of any one of claims 1 through 4, wherein the sheeting is applied to accessories.

11. The sheeting of claim 10, wherein the accessories are selected from purses, wallets, briefcases, backpacks, fanny packs, computer cases, luggage, notebooks.

12. The sheeting of claim 1, wherein the material has two or more partial images formed therein, wherein each of the partial images includes at least some common portion of the composite image.

13. The sheeting of claim 1, wherein the material is a radiation sensitive material.

14. The sheeting of claim 13, wherein each image is firmed by multiple patterned exposures of a radiation source, with the sheeting being at a different position relative to the radiation source during each exposure.