Patents by Inventor John Tomczyk
John Tomczyk has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20120140333Abstract: A lens sheet having one or more lens arrays positioned in selected discrete areas. Each lens array includes a plurality of lenses, each having a width, a height, and a lens peak. The lens array is set below the planar surface of the lens sheet, such that lens array does not extend above the lens sheet. Furthermore, the lens array is completely bordered by or contained within planar portions of the lens sheet. One or more dimensional images are printed below each of the lens arrays, and/or one or more static images can be printed on the planar portions of the lens sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2011Publication date: June 7, 2012Inventors: John Tomczyk, Jonathan Van Loon, David E. Corey
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Publication number: 20120062917Abstract: Mass customization of articles with a customized composite or dimensional image created from one or more custom images, such as photographs, text, and the like. The customized composite image is automatically generated by interlacing, or otherwise combining, the one or more custom or personalized images, and is automatically placed or imposed in a digital template to form a print ready file. The print file is then digitally printed on a substrate and a lens is married thereto such that the composite image is viewable through the lens. Alternatively, the print ready file, or at least the customized composite image, is printed directly on the back of a lens such that the composite image is viewable through the lens.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2011Publication date: March 15, 2012Inventors: Daniel S. Hirsch, David M. Gilbert, John Tomczyk, Anthony L. Hoffman
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Patent number: 8068283Abstract: A lenticulated sheet including a polymeric backing sheet, an imaged transparent sheet having a first smooth side and a second side with a lenticulated region, the transparent sheet optionally having at least one printed image area on the first smooth side and an adhesive layer over the printed image areas and non-image areas of the first smooth side. Air is removed from between the backing layer and the lenticular layer second side, and the adhesive layer is adapted to join the backing layer and the lenticular layer second side. The invention also provides processes useful for preparing a lenticular card including an optional core sheet, or optional primer layers.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2009Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Travel Tags, Inc.Inventor: John Tomczyk
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Patent number: 8056929Abstract: A moiré pattern display sheet defined by a surface is described. A first layer has a pattern printed thereon. The pattern includes a series of visual elements in a first row that have been distorted at least in a first direction. The series of visual elements is generated from an electronically saved file of vector based graphics. A light steering optical layer overlaying the first layer. The light steering optical layer comprising a plurality of optical features which change the direction of the light and thereby provide a depth effect of the series of visual elements to a viewer looking through the light steering optical layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2007Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Travel Tags, Inc.Inventors: Anthony Lynn Hoffman, Michael Alan Challeen, John Tomczyk, Alain Yves Abdelkader
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Publication number: 20110261464Abstract: A high definition thin lens dimensional image display device and methods of manufacturing the same. The thin lens dimensional image display device generally includes a lens array on a first surface of a film, such as a lenticular lens array or a fly's eye lens array, with a printed imaged either printed directly on a second planar surface of the film, or on a separate substrate that is laminated thereto. The resulting display device offers a lower cost display device having greater flexibility for a wider variety of applications than traditional image display devices, without compromising image quality. Processes for manufacturing the display device include printing on a pre-fabricated thin lens web, inline printing of an image and patterning of the lens array, and inline printing of a substrate and application of a coating to the substrate which is subsequently patterned or embossed.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2011Publication date: October 27, 2011Inventors: Anthony L. Hoffman, John Tomczyk, Lee A. Timmerman, Lane H. Gravley, Chad M. Ratcliff
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Publication number: 20110228402Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a lenticular display article, such as a container, and a method of making the article. The article includes a lenticular sidewall, which defines a cavity having a top end, and a bottom end, the sidewall having a seam; and an optional base attached to the bottom end of the sidewall. The method of making the article can includes forming a frustoconical sidewall having a seam joining the opposite ends and optionally affixing a base to the bottom end of a lenticular sidewall. Alternatively, the bottom end of the sidewall may be sealed to itself to form a baseless tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2011Publication date: September 22, 2011Inventors: Duncan A. McCannel, John Tomczyk
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Publication number: 20110223362Abstract: A printed metalized in mold label (IML) or insert for use in manufacturing injection molded or blow molded drinkware or containers. The labels generally include a metalized film assembly that comprises a base substrate and a metalized layer applied thereon. One or more image or graphic layers are then either printed directly onto the metalized film assembly or laminated thereto. Protective substrates, films, or coatings are applied to the assembly to protect by sandwiching the one or more ink or printed layers between the protective layer and the metalized layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2011Publication date: September 15, 2011Inventors: Jonathan Van Loon, John Tomczyk
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Patent number: 8009359Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a lenticular display article, such as a container, and a method of making the article. The article includes a lenticular sidewall, which defines a cavity having a top end, and a bottom end, the sidewall having a seam; and an optional base attached to the bottom end of the sidewall. The method of making the article can includes forming a frustoconical sidewall having a seam joining the opposite ends and optionally affixing a base to the bottom end of a lenticular sidewall. Alternatively, the bottom end of the sidewall may be sealed to itself to form a baseless tube.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2006Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Travel Tags, Inc.Inventors: Duncan A. McCannel, John Tomczyk
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Publication number: 20110132783Abstract: A carrier assembly for transaction cards or other articles. The assembly includes a carrier having a front panel and a rear panel, and a transaction card or other article retained within the carrier. At least one panel of the carrier comprises a lens sheet assembly including a lens sheet, and an optional image layer. The carrier with lens sheet assembly provides enhanced security features, increased durability, and eye-catching features compared to traditional carrier or packaging assemblies.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2010Publication date: June 9, 2011Inventors: David L. Williams, John Tomczyk
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Publication number: 20110084148Abstract: A plastic card, such as a credit card or gift card, manufactured from recycled polyethylene or recycled polypropylene, and methods of manufacturing the same. The plastic card is made from an unfilled or filled recycled polymeric material, such as a blend of virgin and recycled polyethylene or polypropylene, that can be readily printed, embossed, thermally imaged, surface printed with a variety of inks and printing methodologies, laminated, and/or polished, such that the card will perform acceptably in a retail point of sale machine readable activation system. The plastic card performs similarly to a traditional PVC card in retail point of sale systems or environments.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 14, 2010Publication date: April 14, 2011Inventors: Roger H. Ricketts, John Tomczyk
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Patent number: 7784686Abstract: A transaction card includes a chambered member, a cover substrate and an account identifier. The chambered member defines a rear surface, a front surface and a chamber extending from the front surface toward the rear surface. The front surface and the rear surface are sized similarly to each other. The cover substrate defines a first surface, which is securely coupled to the front surface to enclose the chamber, and a window aligned with the chamber. The window is one of translucent and transparent such that at least a portion of the chamber is viewable through the window. The account identifier is connected to the chambered member and links the transaction card to at least one of an account and a record. Other embodiments, stored-value cards and associated methods are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2007Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.Inventors: Ted C. Halbur, Shawn P. Boyd, Timothy Schumann, Erin M. Borkowski, John Tomczyk
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Publication number: 20100134895Abstract: A high definition thin lens dimensional image display device and methods of manufacturing the same. The thin lens dimensional image display device generally includes a lens array on a first surface of a film, such as a lenticular lens array or a fly's eye lens array, with a printed imaged either printed directly on a second planar surface of the film, or on a separate substrate that is laminated thereto. The resulting display device offers a lower cost display device having greater flexibility for a wider variety of applications than traditional image display devices, without compromising image quality. Processes for manufacturing the display device include printing on a pre-fabricated thin lens web, inline printing of an image and patterning of the lens array, and inline printing of a substrate and application of a coating to the substrate which is subsequently patterned or embossed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2009Publication date: June 3, 2010Inventors: Anthony L. Hoffman, John Tomczyk, Lee A. Timmerman, Lane H. Gravley, Chad M. Ratcliff
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Publication number: 20090251787Abstract: A lenticulated sheet including a polymeric backing sheet, an imaged transparent sheet having a first smooth side and a second side with a lenticulated region, the transparent sheet optionally having at least one printed image area on the first smooth side and an adhesive layer over the printed image areas and non-image areas of the first smooth side. Air is removed from between the backing layer and the lenticular layer second side, and the adhesive layer is adapted to join the backing layer and the lenticular layer second side. The invention also provides processes useful for preparing a lenticular card including an optional core sheet, or optional primer layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2009Publication date: October 8, 2009Inventor: John Tomczyk
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Publication number: 20090184168Abstract: A recyclable plastic card and method of manufacturing the same. The plastic card is made from an unfilled or filled polymeric material, such as polypropylene or polyethylene material, that can be readily printed, embossed, thermally imaged, surface printed with a variety of inks and printing methodologies, laminated, and/or polished, such that the card will perform acceptably in a retail point of sale machine readable activation system. The plastic card performs similarly to a PVC card in retail point of sale systems or environments, and meets ISO requirements for thickness and dimensional stability regarding heat and humidity exposure.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2009Publication date: July 23, 2009Inventors: Roger Ricketts, John Tomczyk
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Publication number: 20090166433Abstract: A transaction card includes a chambered member, a cover substrate and an account identifier. The chambered member defines a rear surface, a front surface and a chamber extending from the front surface toward the rear surface. The front surface and the rear surface are sized similarly to each other. The cover substrate defines a first surface, which is securely coupled to the front surface to enclose the chamber, and a window aligned with the chamber. The window is one of translucent and transparent such that at least a portion of the chamber is viewable through the window. The account identifier is connected to the chambered member and links the transaction card to at least one of an account and a record. Other embodiments, stored-value cards and associated methods are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2007Publication date: July 2, 2009Applicant: TARGET BRANDS, INC.Inventors: Ted C. HALBUR, Shawn P. BOYD, Timothy SCHUMANN, Erin M. BORKOWSKI, John TOMCZYK
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Patent number: 7545565Abstract: A process for making a lenticular card including: providing an imaged transparent sheet having a first smooth side and a second side with a lenticulated region, the transparent sheet optionally having at least one printed image area on the first smooth side and a moisture cure adhesive layer over the printed image areas and non-image areas of the first smooth side, and the moisture cure adhesive layer being applied with a screen press through a screen; and combining the imaged transparent sheet on the adhesive layer side of the transparent sheet with a backing sheet by nipping the paired sheets with a nip roller. The invention also provides processes useful for preparing a lenticular card including an optional core sheet, or optional primer layers.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2005Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: Travel Tags, Inc.Inventor: John Tomczyk
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Patent number: 7545566Abstract: A lenticulated sheet including a polymeric backing sheet, an imaged transparent sheet having a first smooth side and a second side with a lenticulated region, the transparent sheet optionally having at least one printed image area on the first smooth side and an adhesive layer over the printed image areas and non-image areas of the first smooth side. Air is removed from between the backing layer and the lenticular layer second side, and the adhesive layer is adapted to join the backing layer and the lenticular layer second side. The invention also provides processes useful for preparing a lenticular card including an optional core sheet, or optional primer layers.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: Travel Tags, Inc.Inventor: John Tomczyk
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Patent number: 7545567Abstract: A lenticulated article including a backing sheet, an imaged transparent sheet having a first smooth side and a second side with a lenticulated region, the transparent sheet optionally having at least one printed image area on the first smooth side and an adhesive layer over the printed image areas and non-image areas of the first smooth side. The second lenticulated side of the transparent sheet has a lenticulated region having a pitch from about 70 to about 100 lenticules per inch, and a ratio of the transparent sheet thickness to the backing sheet thickness is from about 0.25 to about 8.75. The total thickness of the lenticulated article is from about 10 to about 40 mils. The invention also provides processes useful for preparing a lenticular card including an optional core sheet, or optional primer layers.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: June 9, 2009Assignee: Travel Tags, Inc.Inventor: John Tomczyk
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Publication number: 20090011192Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and system for a protecting an optical lens material during formation of a dimensional image article. A heat compression laminator including a cushioning assembly provides an insulating barrier between the lower compression assembly of the heat compression laminator and the individual lenses of an optical lens material, such as the lenticules on a lenticular lens material. The cushioning web protects the optical lens material so as to prevent significant deformation during the application of heat and pressure in a laminating step. Use of the cushioning web can be especially advantageous during formation of clear, transparent, or semi-transparent dimensional image articles.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 3, 2007Publication date: January 8, 2009Inventors: John Tomczyk, David L. Williams
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Publication number: 20080123195Abstract: A lenticulated sheet including a polymeric backing sheet, an imaged transparent sheet having a first smooth side and a second side with a lenticulated region, the transparent sheet optionally having at least one printed image area on the first smooth side and an adhesive layer over the printed image areas and non-image areas of the first smooth side. Air is removed from between the backing layer and the lenticular layer second side, and the adhesive layer is adapted to join the backing layer and the lenticular layer second side. The invention also provides processes useful for preparing a lenticular card including an optional core sheet, or optional primer layers.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2007Publication date: May 29, 2008Inventor: John Tomczyk