Abstract: Bollards and methods of making bollards having a material with a thickness of less than 0.125?. The material has a fixed end, a floating end opposite the fixed end, and a fixation region defined therebetween. The bollard further includes a locking system for retaining the floating end of the material adjacent to the fixation region. The bollard is configured to be assembled by folding the material such that the floating end is adjacent to the fixation region and engaging the locking system to retain the floating end adjacent to the fixation region.

Abstract: Disclosed are printed articles that may be used to decorate substrates.

Abstract: Disclosed are printed articles and methods for manufacturing printed articles. The printed articles typically include: (a) a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface; (b) a graphic image layer comprising a plurality of images printed on at least one surface of the substrate; and (c) a plurality of polygonal lenses printed or formed on at least one surface of the substrate above the graphic image layer, wherein the polygonal lenses are clear, magnifying, convex lenses. The lenses may selectively magnify portions of the array of images to create a plurality of images that appear and disappear or images that float under or on top of the graphic image when viewed from different perspectives.

Abstract: A printed substrate includes multi-textured patterns and reflective layers thereover. An economical manufacturing method is provided. A printed circuit board is further provided.

Abstract: A printed article comprising a substrate; a graphic image formed over the surface of the substrate; and a textured pattern printed over the graphic image with an embossed appearance and the capability of containing hidden images and unique security features. The textured pattern formed of a number of lines, formed in adjacent sections over the surface of the graphic image. The lines of each section are all substantially parallel to each other and oriented in a first direction, and the lines of a directly adjacent section are all substantially parallel to each other and oriented in a second direction different from the first direction, such that the plurality of parallel lines in each section reflect light in a direction different than that of each adjacent section. Each of directions of the lines is selected so as to minimize any errors introduced by equipment used to create the lines.

Abstract: A reflective printed article includes a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface with a graphic image printed thereon. A reflective or glossy ink layer is printed over the entire top surface of the substrate. A graphic image is printed over the reflective ink layer. The image may cover the entire portion of the reflective layer or only selected portions thereof. The graphic image includes hidden or latent images printed within the graphic image layers. An optional glossy layer of transparent ink may be printed over the graphic image. A textured pattern of lines is printed or applied in sections over the optional glossy layer or graphical image, with each line in the section printed at the same angle or orientation, with the lines of adjacent sections printed at different angles in order to reflect light in different directions to create the illusion of depth, three-dimensionality, hidden images and motion.

Abstract: A second surface micromotion display includes a see-through base having a first surface, defined in the art as a front surface facing a viewer, and a second surface, defined in the art as a rear surface opposite to the front surface and facing away from the viewer, an image formed over the second surface, a micromotion textured pattern formed over the image, and a reflective layer over the micromotion textured pattern, such that the illusion of motion is viewable through the base as reflected from the reflective layer through the micromotion textured pattern.

Abstract: An appliqué is formed by a sheet having a printed first area providing a printed graphic, and a deformed second area having a relief profile providing a three dimensional formed graphic bordering the printed graphic.

Abstract: A display includes a base having a front surface, an adhesive pattern formed over a first area of the front surface, a reflective layer over the adhesive pattern, and may include an image formed over a second area of the front surface which is at least partially not occupied by the reflective layer. A manufacturing method improves economy of manufacture by combining a texture pattern layer and an adhesive layer.

Abstract: An improved printed article and a method of making same. The article including a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, with a reflective layer printed on the top surface of the substrate, a graphic design layer printed on the reflective layer, a textured pattern of transparent ink printed over the graphic design and reflective layer, and a glossy layer of transparent ink printed over the textured pattern and reflective layer. The glossy layer is printed over the entire surface of the substrate. The graphic image is printed through a four-color printing process over portions of the reflective layer. The textured pattern includes a plurality of light bending convex lines of transparent ink printed on and around the graphic image and reflective layers. The lines produce a reflective glossy textured surface on the printed article creating the illusion of depth and three-dimensionality.

Abstract: A lenticular imaging system for viewing printed images on a printed article, the lenticular imaging system creating the illusion of three-dimensional (3-D) images moving or floating across the printed article. The lenticular imaging system of the present invention comprises a substrate with a plurality of images preferably printed on at least one of the surfaces of the substrate and a plurality of spaced-apart convex lenses forming a lenticular lens array applied on top of the plurality of images. The images may be centered directly under each of the lenses of the lens array or shifted in relation to the lenses of the lens array creating the appearance of depth, three-dimensionality and motion to a viewer viewing the printed article.

Abstract: A lenticular imaging system for viewing printed images on a printed article, the lenticular imaging system creating the illusion of three-dimensional (3-D) images moving or floating across the printed article. The lenticular imaging system of the present invention comprises a substrate with a plurality of images preferably printed on at least one of the surfaces of the substrate and a plurality of spaced-apart convex lenses forming a lenticular lens array on-top of the plurality of images. The images may be centered directly under each of the lenses of the lens array or shifted in relation to the lenses of the lens array creating the appearance of depth, three-dimensionality and motion to a viewer viewing the printed article. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the images on the substrate are preferably separated from the lenses of the lens array by a fixed distance.

Abstract: A protected lenticular product includes a lenticular substrate having an index of refraction NL, the substrate having a lenticular surface with a plurality of peaks and valleys forming a plurality of respective lenticule lenses. An optical medium is provided on the lenticular surface, the medium having an index of refraction NC substantially less than NL.

Abstract: A reflective printed article includes a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface with a graphic image printed thereon. A reflective or glossy ink layer is printed over the entire top surface of the substrate. A graphic image is printed over the reflective ink layer. The image may cover the entire portion of the reflective layer or only selected portions thereof. The graphic image includes hidden or latent images printed within the graphic image layers. An optional glossy layer of transparent ink may be printed over the graphic image. A textured pattern of lines is printed or applied in sections over the optional glossy layer or graphical image, with each line in the section printed at the same angle or orientation, with the lines of adjacent sections printed at different angles in order to reflect light in different directions to create the illusion of depth, three-dimensionality, hidden images and motion.

Abstract: A method of using a multi-purpose processing apparatus for simultaneously performing an injection molding operation and a cutting/forming operation. The multi-purpose apparatus places a forming operation into unused space within the injection molding machine, thereby utilizing the already present injection molding clamping pressure to pressure form parts. The apparatus results in a method that combines the three steps of forming, cutting, and injection molding into one continuous operation performed within the injection molding machine, as well as eliminating the need for numerous pre-injection molding steps.

Abstract: An emblem (20, 20a, 20b) with encapsulated embossed 3-D graphics is provided by a substrate (22) having a first side (24) and an opposite second side (26), an ink pattern (28) printed on the second side and providing embossed 3-D graphics, and a transparent layer (30) molded on the first side and through which the graphics are viewable. The substrate is softer than the ink pattern and deforms therearound during molding of the transparent layer, to provide differing depths. A mold (36, 38) has a smooth nonembossed surface (42) engaging the second side of the substrate without a 3-D mold-insert.

Abstract: A multi-purpose processing apparatus able to perform both an injection molding operation and a cutting/forming operation. The multi-purpose apparatus places a forming operation into unused space within the injection molding machine, thereby utilizing the already present injection molding clamping pressure to pressure form parts. The apparatus results in a process which combines the three steps of forming, cutting, and injection molding into one continuous operation performed within the injection molding machine, as well as eliminating the need for numerous pre-injection molding steps.

Abstract: An in-mold decorating and laser etching method prints a plurality of layers on a flat thin sheet plastic substrate, including combinations of opaque and colored, including translucent and smoked, forms the substrate into a contoured three dimensional workpiece, injection molds the workpiece to an injection molded part, and laser etches a designated graphic in the opaque layer on the part.

Abstract: A textured pattern including raised lines, bumps, etc. is formed of ink on a front surface of a base sheet. A layer of reflective monochrome or holographic roll leafing is formed over the textured pattern such that the surface of the leafing follows that of the pattern to simulate embossing. An ink image is formed over the front surface of the sheet in an area not occupied by the roll leafing, and an additional ink image can be formed over at least part of the roll leafing. A protective transparent layer is formed over the leafing and ink image. The base sheet can be transparent, and a reflective layer can be formed on a rear surface of the sheet to reflect light back through the sheet and transparent portions of the ink image. Alternatively, the base sheet can be opaque, and an additional ink image can be formed on the rear surface of the sheet.

Abstract: A reflective layer is formed on a front surface of a cardboard or other base sheet. An at least partially transparent printed image is formed on the reflective layer. A first textured pattern which provides the illusion of depth is formed on at least part of the printed image, and a protective transparent layer is formed over the textured pattern and image. A second textured pattern which provides a tactile texture feeling is formed on at least part of the transparent layer. The textured patterns can be formed as thick ink layers, or alternatively by embossing to provide convex or concave shapes. An additional image and protective transparent layer can be formed on a back surface of the base sheet.