Sheeting with composite image that floats
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsJeffrey M. Florczak, Robert T. Krasa, Stephen P. Maki, Richard M. Osgood, III
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims59
A sheeting, comprising:
- a. at least one layer of microlenses, the layer having first and second sides;
- b. a layer of material disposed adjacent the first side of the layer of microlenses;
- c. an at least partially complete image formed in the material associated with each of a plurality of the microlenses, wherein the image contrasts with the material;
- and
- d. a composite image, provided by the individual images, that appears to the unaided eye to be floating above or below the sheeting, or both.
The sheeting of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composite image also appears to the unaided eye to be at least in part in the plane of the sheeting.
A method of forming a composite image on a microlens sheeting, comprising the steps of:
- a. providing a sheeting having an array of microlenses and a radiation sensitive material layer adjacent one side of the layer of microlenses;
- b. providing a radiation source;
- and
- c. forming an at least partially complete image in the radiation sensitive material associated with each of a plurality of the microlenses using the radiation source, whereby the sheeting exhibits a composite image, provided by the individual images, that appears to the unaided eye to float above or below the sheeting, or both.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.