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 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: 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: 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: 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.

Abstract: A cover assembly for a vehicle airbag containing decorative material. The cover assembly includes a resilient polymeric cover and an insert is located on the upper surface of the cover. The outer peripheral portion of the insert is imbedded in the cover while the central portion of the insert which bears the decorative material is exposed. The peripheral portion of the insert includes at least one opening and the polymeric material of the cover is disposed in the opening to mechanically interlock the insert to the cover. The cover is designed to split along a line of weakness on the deployment of the airbag and the line is located so that the insert is positioned wholly within one of the split cover sections.

Abstract: A thermoforming method and apparatus is provided for a flat thin sheet plastic substrate having printed material thereon in the form of a matrix of a plurality of items. The substrate is clamped between a pair of clamp plates providing support for the substrate around the perimeter thereof and also in a matrix support pattern having a plurality of subperimeters providing individual support around the respective perimeter of each item. The assembly is heated, and then thermoformed into a contoured three dimensional workpiece by pushing a matrix of a plurality of tool faces into the substrate at respective items. The matrix support pattern of the clamp plates along the plurality of subperimeters prevents sagging across the substrate during heating, and isolates the items from each other during deformation of the substrate by the tool faces.

Abstract: A construction toy includes a plurality of rigid die-cut laminated plastic modular cards having a plurality of sides. A first side of a first card has a plurality of cuts opposite and complementary to respective cuts of a first side of a second card, such that the cards may be assembled by interfacing sides in mating relation. The side of a card extends along an axis and is defined by a varying height profile formed by inner and outer lands, an outer land being along the outer edge of the side, and an inner land being recessed inwardly therefrom. The cards have a first assembled condition with coincident axes providing two-dimensional and three-dimensional structures. A slit in the side enables a third assembled condition with noncoincident axes.

Abstract: A punch button (32) has a central disc (36) integral with and separable from an outer peripheral annular ring (38). The disc and ring are joined by a breakaway portion (40) of reduced thickness. A pair of peel points or pilot cuts (50 and 52) may be provided on distally opposite sides of the disc, and if so, the disc is initially separable from the ring at the peel points and then rotatable about a rotation axis perpendicular to an axis through the distally opposite pilot cuts. The punch button is formed by providing a strip of material of a first thickness, placing the strip in a die, performing an inner cut with the die and partially cutting through the strip to yield first and second subpieces joined to each other by material of a second reduced thickness, and performing an outer cut with the die and cutting all the way through the strip to yield a piece composed of the first and second subpieces providing the disc and ring.

Abstract: An article, and method for making the same, including a film of reflective material, a textured pattern associated with the one surface of the film such that the film substantially conforms to the textured pattern, and an ink design forming an image associated with the other surface of the film.