# US 9,256,006 B2 · Method for printing product features on a substrate sheet > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,256,006 B2 - Document ID: US9256006B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/579,746 - Filed: 2011-02-21 - Published: 2012-12-20 - Granted: 2016-02-09 - Earliest claimed: 2010-02-19 - Assignees: Rolling Optics AB - Applicants: Axel Lundvall; Johannes Enlund; Tobias Wedin; Fredrik Gustavsson - Inventors: Axel Lundvall; Johannes Enlund; Tobias Wedin; Fredrik Gustavsson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9256006B2 ## CPC - G02B 3/0012: {characterised by the manufacturing method} - B29D 11/00288: {made by a rotating cylinder} - B41M 3/003: {on optical devices, e.g. lens elements; for the production of optical devices (production by thermal imaging means B41M5/265)} - B41M 3/06: Veined printings; Fluorescent printings; Stereoscopic images; Imitated patterns, e.g. tissues, textiles - B41P 2200/30: Heliography - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - B29D: PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE (making granules B29B9/00; making preforms B29B11/00) - B41M: PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING, (correction of typographical errors B41J; processes for applying transfer pictures or the like B44C1/16; fluid media for correction of typographical errors by coating C09D10/00; printing textiles D06P) - B41P: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO PRINTING, LINING MACHINES, TYPEWRITERS, AND TO STAMPS ## Abstract The present invention provides a method of producing a product comprising an array of product features (3) arranged on a surface (7) of a substrate sheet (5), and an arrangement for the production of such products. In this method curable compound (13) is filled into recesses of a matrix (8), pre-cured and then printed onto the substrate sheet (5), thereby forming printed product features (3). These printed product features (3) and additional product features (2) arranged on the opposed side of the substrate sheet (5) may form image objects and focusing elements, respectively, of a synthetic image device. By way of example a cast cure step can be used to form the additional product features (2). Preferably the production of the product is performed in a continuous roll-to-roll process. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of producing a product comprising printed product features (3) arranged on a surface (7) of a substrate sheet (5), comprising the steps of: providing a matrix (8) comprising a matrix surface (9) with a plurality of recesses (12); applying a curable compound (13) to the matrix surface (9) and the recesses (12) to fill the recesses (12) with a curable compound (13); increasing the viscosity of the curable compound (13); removing excess curable compound from the matrix surface outside the recesses (12); and transferring the curable compound (13) in the recesses (12) to the surface (7) of the substrate sheet (5) by bringing the matrix (8) in contact with the surface (7) of a substrate sheet (5), whereby the curable compound forms (13) the printed product features (3) on the surface (7) of the substrate sheet (5); wherein the step of increasing the viscosity comprises at least partly curing (23a) the curable compound (13) before removal (22a) of excess curable compound. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the step of removing comprises polishing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the curable compound (13) is cured during contact between the substrate sheet (5) and the matrix (8). ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the curable compound (13) is cured during contact between the substrate sheet (5) and the matrix (8). ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of applying a surface layer (6) on the surface (7) of the substrate sheet (5) facing the matrix (8) before transfer of the curable compound (13) thereto. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the surface layer (6) comprises a curable compound for improving the adhesion of the curable compound (13) to the substrate sheet (5). ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the matrix (8) is provided on a matrix roll and at least the transferring of the curable compound (13) is performed by a roll-to-roll process. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising providing additional product features (2), each additional product feature (2) being associated with a printed product feature (3) on the opposite side of the substrate sheet (5), the printed product features (3) and the additional product features (2) forming image objects and focusing elements for a synthetic image device, respectively. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the recesses (12) comprises supporting structures (20). ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the step of removal of excess curable compound from the matrix surface comprises wiping the matrix surface with a soft wiping material able to at least partly absorb the curable compound. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the wiping comprises conveying a web of the wiping material from a first wiping roll to a second wiping roll, both wiping rolls being in contact with the matrix surface. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the product features (3) are printed directly on the surface (7) of the substrate sheet (5) or on one or more layers (6) arranged on the substrate sheet (5) without pre-structuring the substrate sheet (5) or the layer(s) (6) for filling and on a side of the substrate sheet (5) opposite a side on which an array of micro lenses (2) is arranged. ### Claim 13 An arrangement for continuous production of a product with printed product features (3) arranged on a surface (7) of a substrate sheet (5) comprising: a matrix roll (8) comprising a circumferential surface (9) with a plurality of recesses (12) arranged to be brought into rolling contact with the substrate sheet (5); an applicator (21) arranged for application of curable compound onto the matrix roll (8); removal means (22a) arranged for removal of excessive curable compound from the circumferential surface (9) of the matrix roll (8) after application of curable compound (13) with the applicator (21); and curing means (23a) arranged at least in-between the applicator (21) and the removal means (22a) for increasing a viscosity of the curable compound (13) before removal of excessive curable compound (13); whereby remaining curable compound filling the recesses (12) is transferred to the substrate sheet (5) during rolling contact between the substrate sheet and the matrix roll. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The arrangement of claim 13, wherein the curing means is arranged to increase the viscosity of the curable compound by at least partly curing the curable compound (13). ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The arrangement of claim 14, further comprising means for providing additional product features (2), each additional product feature (2) being associated with a printed product feature (3) on the opposite side of the substrate sheet (5), the printed product features (3) and the additional product features (2) forming image objects and focusing elements for a synthetic image device, respectively. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The arrangement of claim 13, further comprising first and second wiping rolls arranged in contact with the matrix surface for conveying a web of wiping material from the first roll to the second roll. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The arrangement of claim 16, wherein the wiping rolls comprises a support surface for supporting the web, which support surface is sufficiently soft to yield to the shape of the matrix surface.