Nonreflective articles

Abstract

An article for presenting dye/pigment images therein comprising a substantially transparent viewing region 20; photodeveloped, printed, deposited or diffused dyes and/or pigments 21 in the viewing region; and a substrate region 22 adjacent to the viewing region. The outer surface 23 of the viewing region is configured in a relief pattern comprising microscopic, smooth, sharp pyramids 31, cones 48, or ridges 29, to provide a series of at least 3 surface reflections of any light impinging thereon, before the light travels toward the viewer's eyes. The reflectivity at any one surface reflection is less than about 5% of normally incident light, so less than about 0.05% (and preferably not more than 0.02%) of such incident light is returned toward the viewer after 3 reflections, and less after 4. A viewer thus can see the dye/pigment images clearly from any direction and free from noticeable reflected light from the outer surface, and without loss of detail or contrast in dark areas.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.