Abstract: A plastic material which is suitable for simulating engraving on metal has a substrate which is not deformed by the heat or pressure of a hot stamping process. A sheet or layer of thermoplastic material of limited thickness is laminated to the upper surface of the substrate. The opposite side of the thermoplastic material is covered by a containment film. Thus, within the limits of manufacturing tolerances, the layer of thermoplastic material may be subjected to any amount of pressure to produce a debossment which is no deeper than the depth of the limited thickness when a hot stamping die bottoms on the non-deformable substrate. Therefore, there is a much more predictable end product.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for reproducing pictorial works, in particular paintings, on a canvas, wood or the like support, by taking a photograph or a flat copy of the original painting, a process wherein said support is prepared by making relief portions therein which correspond to the relief portions of the original painting to be reproduced, and said photograph or flat copy are applied on to said relief support thus prepared.

Abstract: A method for decorating the border panel or any other area of a cardboard picture mat and the product of that method. Boundary lines of ink or other material are drawn to give a desired pattern and to define design areas. Then a finely divided pigmented powder is brushed into the areas which are desired to be colored. The paper surface holds only a limited amount of the powder, and excess powder is removed. The areas may be rubbed down to assure even distribution and to impart a desired brilliance or tone.

Abstract: A stereo relief modelling apparatus based on photogrammetric method and apparatus comprising a flexible platen, used with standard stereo plotting instrumentation such as double-projection direct-viewing plotting instruments. The purpose of the flexible platen is to provide an absolute stereo image for photographic, modelling and other purposes. The flexible platen, which is of sufficient size to provide a meaningful mapping surface, is vertically adjustable at a multiplicity of points by mechanical, pneumatic, electro-mechanical, fully automated, or other means to provide an actual model-like three-dimensional photographic or modelling surface to enable relief distortion from aerial photographs to be effectively eliminated in planimetric photographs which are taken of the adjusted flexible platen, or models molded on the adjusted flexible platen, upon which the aerial images are projected. Modelling is facilitated by situating the platen inside a sealable vacuum box from which the air is removable.

Abstract: A moire contour map of a three-dimensional object is obtained by a moire contour measuring system. The moire contour map is used for making a profiling model to be used in a profiling machine to make a number of plates having configurations corresponding to the contour lines of the moire contour map. The number of plates prepared by the profiling machine are stacked to form a stack of plates having a contour approximately equivalent to the contour of the original three-dimensional object. The stacked plates are bound together and a surface smoothing cover or a filling agent is applied on the surface of the stacked plates to form a replica of the object.

Abstract: This invention provides a decorative laminated structure having on the surface a pattern composed of concaves, at least one of said concaves having an opening at its bottom portion formed by local heat shrinkage of a layer of a heat-shrinkable resin sheet employed. Such decorative laminated structure is prepared by a method comprising forming a composite layer structure including a base, a heat-shrinkable resin sheet, a picture layer containing heat insensitive picture areas and another picture layer having heat sensitive picture areas, said heat sensitive picture areas being contiguous and closely adherent to said heat-shrinkable resin sheet; and irradiating the composite layer structure with a heat ray in an amount sufficient for making an opening in the heat-shrinkable resin sheet to thereby cause the heat-shrinkable resin sheet to shrink locally and form concaves, at least one of said concaves having an opening at its bottom portion at portions corresponding to the heat sensitive picture areas.

Abstract: A kit is provided for practicing a method of preparing novel, three-dimensional objects of plastic material. The method comprises forming an object from shrinkable plastic sheeting, a portion of which object is provided with a decorative coat of particulate material such as flocking; heating said object sufficiently to cause the plastic to shrink but not flow whereupon the portion of the plastic covered with the coat of particulate material bulges or puffs outwardly, then cooling the object to harden the plastic and to obtain a novel three-dimensional object. The kit may include shrinkable plastic sheeting which already has a portion coated with a decorative particulate material or alternatively it may include uncoated shrinkable plastic sheeting, a supply of a decorative particulate material such as rayon flocking and, if necessary, means for attaching the particulate material to the plastic sheeting.

Abstract: Photogrammetric method and apparatus comprising a flexible platen used with standard stereo plotting instrumentation such as double-projection direct-viewing plotting instruments. The purpose of said flexible platen is to provide an absolute stereo image for photographic and other purposes. The flexible platen which is of sufficient size to provide a meaningful mapping surface is vertically adjustable at a multiplicity of points by mechanical, pneumatic, electro-mechanical, fully automated, or other means to provide an actual model-like three-dimensional photographic surface to enable relief distortion from the aerial photographs to be effectively eliminated in planimetric photographs which are taken of the adjusted flexible platen upon which the aerial images are projected. Additionally, an orthostereoscopic photo can be produced by the use of color film.

Abstract: Reproductions of works of art or other artifacts in which the surface irregularities are reproduced as well as the colors of the original, are prepared by forming a mold which reproduces in negative form the surface irregularities of the original, preparing a transparent moldment in said mold, preparing a photographic reproduction of the original to the same scale as the moldment, and joining the moldment and the reproduction in registry. The mold may be prepared either by casting on the original work of art or artifact to be reproduced, or on a reproduction prepared manually by a skilled artisan, the latter technique making it possible to vary the scale of the reproduction. Where the scale of the mold is different from that of the original, the scale of the photographic reproduction is changed correspondingly.

Abstract: A three dimensional reproduction of an object is made by photographing the object at predetermined intervals by rotating the camera in a fixed plane 180.degree. about a fixed axis which is at right angles to the plane of rotation. Each photograph is divided at a point perpendicular to the photograph and along the axis of rotation. Each photograph is then embedded in or affixed to a wedge shaped carvable material, the angle of the wedges being the same as the angle of rotation between photographs. The wedges are fitted together such that the dissected portions of each photograph meet each other at the common axis in a linear plane, and all wedges, when fitted together, form a 360.degree. circle. The outlines of the photographed article in the composite of wedges represent substantially a three dimensional reproduction of the article. Each wedge, when carved along the outline, represented by the photograph, thus produces a substantially accurate three dimensional reproduction of the image photographed.

Abstract: An oil painting is simulated by gluing a photograph onto a textured surface, rolling the photograph with a nubby roller to force portions thereof into the voids of the textured surface and sealing the photographic surface thereafter in a manner to simulate an artist's brush strokes.

Abstract: A decorative laminated structure having on its surface a pattern composed of concaves and convexes which are formed by local heat shrinkages of a layer of a heat-shrinkable resin sheet employed. Such decorative laminated structure can be obtained by laying a base, a heat-shrinkable resin sheet and a picture layer containing at least a plurality of heat sensitive picture areas in a predetermined order to form a composite material, said heat sensitive picture areas being contiguous and closely adherent to said heat-shrinkable resin sheet; and irradiating the resulting composite material with a heat ray to cause said heat-shrinkable resin sheet at its portions corresponding to said heat sensitive picture areas to cave in, thus forming concaves.

Abstract: This invention relates to composite articles of manufacture and to a method for the preparation of these articles. The articles are impact-resistant, three-dimensional and rigid. The articles are comprised of two essential elements: (1) A pliable, hollow premolded outer plastics layer and (2) an essentially rigid non-cellular organic plastics structural backing member solidified in the hollow interior of the plastics skin, and essentially solidly filling said hollow interior. The hollow outer layer is prepared in a manner to have an access opening to its hollow interior. A liquid plastics composition is next prepared in a separate step that comprises an organic binder which solidifies at room temperature, in most cases by converting to a thermoset stage. This liquid composition is then introduced through the access opening into the cavity of the premolded outer layer.

Abstract: A three-dimensional, ornamental product is made by cutting a two-dimensional design out of a planar laminate and abrading the design into the final three-dimensional shape of the product, thereby exposing the different layers of the laminate in an exterior surface pattern. The laminate is formed from multi-colored sheets of paper.