MOISTURE ACTIVATED PHANTOM IMAGING PROCESS AND PRODUCT
Moisture activated invisible stencil technology is created by applying a moisture blocking agent in accordance with an artwork is applied to a base substrate. The base substrate is preferably fabricated of a moisture absorbing material. When the object is subjected to moisture, moisture wets to the exposed portion of the base substrate and is repelled in the areas where the moisture blocking agent is applied thereon. The wetted portion of the base substrate changes in shade or color to expose the concealed image. The moisture activated invisible stencil technology can be applied for simple aesthetic applications or advanced for applications to identify wet objects. The advanced applications can include warnings for wet roadways, pool decks, umbrellas, etc.
The present invention relates to a moisture activated image. More specifically, the disclosure describes a process and related applications for applying an image onto an object, where the applied image remains concealed until the image is subjected to moisture.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a method and respective applications which apply a graphical image, a pattern, text, or any combination thereof onto an article, wherein the illustration appears, disappears, then re-appears through a multitude of cycles without compromising the durability of the article using a process defined as moisture activated invisible stencil technology.
It is common to apply or create an image, graphic, pattern or text on and into a fabric or material to enhance its aesthetic appearance. For instance, often times typical t-shirts are altered by applying artwork in a form of an image, a graphic, a pattern, and/or text to the front or back of the fabric or material of the t-shirt to share artwork, convey a message, display a logo, or present any other information. Other articles such as apparel, including shirts, pants, sweatshirts, sweatpants, coats, shoes, canvas shoes, hats, socks, and the like can also be adorned by the moisture activated invisible stencil technology. The technology can be expanded to other products, including backpacks, bedding including mattresses, bed sheets, cover sheets, mattress liners, and the like; table wear including tablecloths, napkins, and the like; pool decks; wet roadway warnings including road surface appliqués, road signs, and the like; absorbents, including sponges, towels, and the like; coolers; individual beverage coolers; umbrellas; and the like.
Artwork is commonly applied to the apparel or other material via an appliqué, silk screening, heat transfers, printing process, painting, embroidery, weaves, stone washing, tie dyes and/or other dyes, and the like. The artwork is generally of an opaque colored process, where the artwork remains visible throughout the life of the garment or other object. It is further noted that the artwork remains visible as applied to the material. More specifically, if the artwork were printed or applied to a single side of the material, it remains visible to and only to the first side of the material. If the artwork were applied to both sides of the material, such as embroidery, it remains visible to both sides of the material.
A first known related art utilizes nylon or other synthetic material that is treated to allow a variation in the shading of the fabric to appear as a pattern when the fabric is wet which is not visible when the fabric dries. The first known related art is limited wherein the nylon fabric does not allow the pattern to be visible on both sides of the fabric. The surface of the nylon fabric must be altered on the top of the fabric to allow the pattern to become visible on only the top of the fabric. The method is limited to nylon or very similar synthetic material, as process requires a branding or melting of the synthetic fabric surface of the nylon fabric to produce the effect. It is recognized that the synthetic nylon fabric dries very quickly, thus the image is only visible over a very short time period. Since the surface of the nylon fabric is altered, the image can become visible when the material is placed at an angle to the viewing party. The contrast created when the material is subject to moisture is limited at best, thus the artwork is only visible within a short viewing distance.
A second known related art utilizes a method forming of a distinct pattern on an article of apparel by applying a template onto a base substrate. A wax is applied over the stencil. The stencil is removed, leaving an exposed portion of the base substrate for application of a dye, paint, stain, or other color treatment. The exposed portion of the base substrate is colored. The wax is subsequently removed, leaving the applied image thereon.
A third known related art utilizes a method by which images on a disposable material fade when the material gets wet. The third known related art is limited where the visible image only fades when wet and fails to reappear when the material dries. The moisture causes degradation of the applied image, thus causing the image to fade away. This creates a single use application of the third known related art. The third known related art generally applies the images onto a disposable back-sheet which are typically made of a ‘breathable’ polyethylene film or a non-woven and film composite which is intended to prevent wetness transfer to the bed or clothes while helping the child to learn to stay dry. An example of this embodiment is a diaper, which includes an image. The image is dissolved by moisture to indicate that the image has been subjected to moisture. Since the image dissolves, it can't reappear when dry.
A fourth known related art utilizes a method of placing an opaque fabric over a secondary printed fabric such that when the opaque fabric subjected to moisture, the opaque fabric becomes partially transparent enabling the secondary printed fabric to show therethrough. The fourth known related art is limited in the requirement of two layers of material. The outer layer must be of a special type of opaque fabric, which would become partially transparent when wet. The opaque fabric must also remain in contact with the printed layer to ensure visibility of the artwork. Any gap therebetween would limit the viewing of the artwork of the second layer.
A fifth known related art is a toy that utilizes a frame which holds paper that has a highly colored substrate covered by a layer of silica and resins which becomes transparent when wet and opaque when dry so that the bright color does or does not show through depending on whether the surface is wet or dry. A fifth known related art is limited wherein the apparatus requires a layer of silica and resin across its entire surface. The concept severely limits any potential applications, as the material is not robust. Paper is not susceptible to applications for apparel, repeated use, heavy traffic such as floors, roadways, etc., and the like. The design is not capable of being cleaned.
A sixth known related art utilizes printed artwork using inks that remain concealed until exposed to an activator are currently available, wherein the activator is Ultra-Violet light. The image is commonly outlined with non-changing ink, such as a black outline, a colored image, and the like. The UV activated ink is generally colored and applied within the printed line drawing, where the UV activated inks become visible, revealing a color enhancement to the illustration. The ink required for this application is expensive. Applications using this ink are limited, as the process requires UV light to reveal the image.
Objects that are wet can create hazardous conditions. Wet roads generally have less traction than dry roads. Signs are commonly used to warn drives that roads may become slippery when wet. This process is limited, where the driver is not informed if the roads are actually wet. Wet pool decks can become slippery. Pool decks are subjected to a warning system similar to the process described for roads; relying upon signs. Floors, such as retail outlets, supermarkets, office buildings, and the like can become slippery when wet. When a floor becomes wet, the process commonly requires deployment of a warning marker, such as a cone or other warning device. A significant limitation is the time between when traction is reduced on a surface due to moisture and when a warning of the pending hazard is presented.
While the disclosed references may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they fail to enable hidden or “phantom” artwork to appear when moisture is applied to the material and subsequently disappear when the material dries.
There is a need for a method of applying an illustration onto an object, where the illustration is revealed when subjected to moisture and disappears when the article dries. The desired process should be repeatable over a multitude of cycles without compromising the durability of the article. The illustration can be provided in the form of a graphical image, a pattern, text, or any combination thereof. The method should be repeatable, the process should not require costly equipment, and such method should not affect the use of the article and in which the article is unchanged by the process. It is desired to provide a method that can provide immediate notification of a hazardous surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present disclosure is generally directed to an apparatus and respective method of enabling artwork to remain invisible until the artwork is subjected to moisture. When the artwork is subjected to moisture, the artwork becomes visible until the material dries, where the artwork then subsequently disappears.
In a generic embodiment, the apparatus and respective method for providing a moisture activated image includes:
a moisture absorbing material provided as a base carrier substrate;
a colorless moisture blocking agent applied onto the base carrier substrate, wherein the moisture blocking agent is applied in a pattern resembling the desired artwork.
In another aspect, the moisture blocking agent is applied by a printing process.
In another aspect, the base carrier substrate is provided in a form factor of an item of apparel, including a shirt, a T-shirt, pants, an undergarment, a cap, socks, a belt, a jacket, shoes, a sweater, a scarf, a bandana, and the like.
In yet another aspect, the moisture activated image is incorporated into a handkerchief.
In yet another aspect, the moisture activated image is incorporated into a tablecloth, napkins, and the like.
In yet another aspect, the moisture activated image is incorporated into a wet roadway notification, wherein the notification can be provided onto a roadway surface, a street sign, and the like.
In yet another aspect, the moisture activated image is incorporated into a floor, including a flooring of a retail outlet, supermarket, office building, convenience store, commercial high traffic areas, warehouse, basement, and the like.
In yet another aspect, the moisture activated image is incorporated into a pool deck, a boat deck, runway or airport gate surface, and the like.
In yet another aspect, the moisture activated image is incorporated into a bed, a mattress, a sheet or sheets, a bed liner, and the like.
In yet another aspect, the moisture activated image is incorporated into a sponge, a towel, and the like.
In yet another aspect, the moisture activated image is incorporated into a cooler, an individual beverage cooler, and the like.
In yet another aspect, the moisture activated image is applied presenting a positive image of the artwork, where the artwork becomes visible when the material is subjected to moisture.
In yet another aspect, the moisture activated image can include a quantifiable means for determining a volume of moisture applied to the material. An exemplary embodiment includes a series of smaller, individual markings applied to a T-shirt, wherein the wearer would count the visible markings, which would correlate to a number of burnt calories.
In yet another aspect, the moisture activated image is applied presenting a negative image of the artwork, where the background of the artwork changes to present the artwork when the material is subjected to moisture.
These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings.
The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, where like numerals denote like elements and in which:
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONThe following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
A moisture activated image can be created by applying a moisture blocking agent to any moisture absorbent material as illustrated in a first exemplary embodiment presented in
The applied moisture blocking agent 220 can be any type of moisture repelling or blocking chemical compound including, a four carbon fluorocarbon chain and a sulfonic acid functional group acting as an anion or ion with more electrons than protons, giving a net negative charge which functions as a stable fluorosurfactant because of the strength of carbon-fluorine bonds, a synthetic hydrophobic surface-applied compound, a fluoropolymer, and the like, and any combinations thereof.
The applied moisture blocking agent 220 is applied by an exemplary printing process. It is understood that any application process can be used to create the moisture activatable image 222. The application process can be referred to as moisture activated, invisible stencil technology. The printing process utilizes a screen printer 100, the screen printer 100 comprising a printing screen 112 held in tension by a screen printing frame 110. A blocked screen image 120 is applied to a portion of the printing screen 112, wherein the blocked screen image 120 blocks transfer of the applied moisture blocking agent 220 to the apparel material 210. The blocked screen image 120 can be created by any stencil generation process; including a manual cut stencil, a photo developed stencil, a laser cut stencil, and the like. The stencil is applied to the printing screen 112 creating a blocked screen image 120. The balance of the printing screen 112 remains as an exposed screen background 122, allowing the applied moisture blocking agent 220 to pass therethrough. A screen lower surface 116 of the printing screen 112 is positioned to contact a desired application surface of the apparel material 210 in registration with the desired image location. The applied moisture blocking agent 220, in a liquid or paste form, is applied upon a screen upper surface 114 and wiped across the entire exposed surface of the printing screen 112. The applied moisture blocking agent 220 passes through the exposed screen section 122, transferring the applied moisture blocking agent 220 therethrough onto a receiving surface of the apparel material 210. The moisture blocking agent 220 is refrained from transfer by the blocked screen image 120 applied to the printing screen 112. The applied moisture blocking agent 220 penetrates into the weave of the apparel material 210, preferably penetrating through the apparel material 210 forming a barrier that protects the apparel material 210 against moisture without leaving the fabric or material discolored, stiff or sticky.
The contrast between a dry configuration and a wet configuration is demonstrated in the illustration of
Alternatively, the blocking agent may be applied as a liquid, gas, solid, or plasma, which then disappears to leave a pattern of both treated or blocked areas and untreated or unblocked areas. The blocking agent may be applied to the apparel material 210 by various methods, including a spray can, air brush, brush, sponge, pen applicator, paint roller, and the like.
The graphic image 222 does not appear in dry conditions 242 on the fabric or material 210 exhibiting the blocking agent properties 220, but when subjected to a liquid 250, exposes through the use of a stencil or template bearing the desired marking pattern, the blocking agent 220 prevents a change in the fabric or material 210 of the blocking agent area 220 so that the artwork 222 remains invisible under ordinary dry conditions 242, and becomes visible 224 when exposed to moisture 250.
The first example presents a positive image, where the moisture activatable image 222 is in a form of the actual image and becomes visible when subjected to applied moisture 250. A positive image can be defined where the colorless moisture blocking agent 220 is applied representing a positive image of said artwork, wherein said blocking agent 220 is applied as a background, outlining lines of said artwork 222 and repels moisture where lines of said artwork 222 remains exposed for absorption of moisture.
It is understood that the image may be presented in a negative form, as illustrated in
The first two examples are presented to describe the process using an aesthetic application. The concept can be expanded into a variety of functional applications, having several examples presented in
A first exemplary embodiment provides a calorie correlating apparel 300, presented in the illustration of
A second exemplary embodiment provides a moisture indicating mattress 400, presented in the illustration of
A third exemplary embodiment provides a moisture indicating handkerchief 500, presented in the illustration of
A fourth exemplary embodiment provides a tablecloth 600, presented in the illustration of
A fifth exemplary embodiment presents a pool area 700 comprising a wet surface warning system, presented in the illustration of
A sixth exemplary embodiment presents a sponge 800, comprising a method of notifying an individual that a sponge 800 or towel is wet, which is presented in the illustration of
A seventh exemplary embodiment presents a slippery road warning system for notifying a driver that a roadway surface 910, 912 may be slippery from moisture, which is presented in the illustration of
An eighth exemplary embodiment presents a cooler assembly 1000, comprising a method of notifying an individual that the cooler assembly 1000 is wet, which is presented in the illustration of
A ninth exemplary embodiment presents a drink cooler wrap 1100, comprising a method of notifying an individual that the drink cooler wrap 1100 is wet, which is presented in the illustration of
A summary of the present invention is described in a moisture activated invisible stencil technology flow diagram 1200 presented in
It is understood that the concept of the moisture activated image can be used for authentication of goods, wherein the moisture activated image would be applied to an object. The object would be subjected to moisture to activate and present the moisture activated image. The moisture activated image would be verification of authenticity of the object. Essentially, this application would parallel functionality of a watermark.
Alternatively, the blocking agent may be a dewetting agent applied to a wettable surface, such as glass, glazed ceramic, and the like, wherein the applied dewetting agent repels moisture and the exposed surface wets. An example of a dewetting agent is a water repellant sold under the brand name Rain-X®.
Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.
Claims
1. A moisture activated image comprising:
- a moisture absorbing material provided as a base carrier substrate;
- a colorless moisture blocking agent applied onto said base carrier substrate, said moisture blocking agent being applied in a pattern resembling a desired artwork.
2. A moisture activated image as recited in claim 1, the colorless moisture blocking agent is applied representing a positive image of said artwork, wherein said blocking agent is applied as a background, outlining lines of said artwork and repels moisture and lines of said artwork remains exposed for absorption of moisture.
3. A moisture activated image as recited in claim 1, the colorless moisture blocking agent is applied representing a negative image of said artwork, wherein said blocking agent is applied as lines of said artwork and repels moisture and a background remains exposed for absorption of moisture.
4. A moisture activated image as recited in claim 1, the colorless moisture blocking agent being selected from a block agent group, the block agent group consisting of:
- a. a four carbon fluorocarbon chain and a sulfonic acid functional group,
- b. a synthetic hydrophobic surface-applied compound, and
- c. a fluoropolymer.
5. A moisture activated image as recited in claim 1, the base carrier substrate being selected from a base carrier substrate group, said base carrier substrate group comprising:
- a. 100% cotton,
- b. cotton blend,
- c. fabric,
- d. rubber,
- e. concrete,
- f. canvas,
- g. polyester,
- h. polyester blend,
- i. leather,
- j. flannel,
- k. fleece,
- l. wood,
- m. concrete,
- n. cement, and
- o. asphalt.
6. A moisture activated image as recited in claim 1, said base carrier substrate being integrated into an image carrying product, said image carrying product being selected from an image carrying product group comprising:
- a. an apparel;
- b. bedding, including at least one of a mattress, a sheet, a cover sheet, and a mattress liner;
- c. a handkerchief;
- d. tableware, including at least one of a table cloth and a napkin;
- e. an absorbent, including at least one of a sponge and a towel;
- f. an umbrella;
- g. a pool deck;
- h. a roadway surface;
- i. a roadway sign;
- j. a cooler; and
- k. an individual beverage cooler.
7. A moisture activated image as recited in claim 1, said base carrier substrate being integrated into an image carrying product, said image carrying product being selected from an apparel group comprising:
- a. a shirt;
- b. a T-shirt;
- c. a sweatshirt;
- d. sweatpants;
- e. a jacket;
- f. socks; and
- g. a hat.
8. A method of creating a moisture activated image, the method comprising the steps of:
- creating an artwork for a desired moisture activated invisible stencil;
- creating an applicator in accordance with said artwork;
- applying a colorless moisture blocking agent onto a base carrier substrate, wherein said moisture blocking agent becomes invisible after application;
- wherein moisture is repelled in areas of the base carrier substrate where the moisture blocking agent was applied and moisture wets the area of the base carrier substrate absent the moisture blocking agent to transition between a concealed state and a visible state when dry and wet respectively.
9. A method of creating a moisture activated image as recited in claim 8, the method further comprising the step of applying the colorless moisture blocking agent as a background, outlining lines of said artwork, wherein said background repels moisture and lines of said artwork remains exposed for absorption of moisture.
10. A method of creating a moisture activated image as recited in claim 8, the method further comprising the step of applying the colorless moisture blocking agent as lines of said artwork, wherein said lines of said artwork repels moisture and a background of said artwork remains exposed for absorption of moisture.
11. A method of creating a moisture activated image as recited in claim 8, wherein said step of applying the colorless moisture blocking agent utilizes a moisture blocking agent being selected from a block agent group, the block agent group consisting of:
- a. a four carbon fluorocarbon chain and a sulfonic acid functional group,
- b. a synthetic hydrophobic surface-applied compound, and
- c. a fluoropolymer.
12. A method of creating a moisture activated image as recited in claim 8, the method further comprising a step of enhancing the image by applying said colorless moisture blocking agent onto a moisture absorbing material as the base carrier substrate.
13. A method of creating a moisture activated image as recited in claim 8, the method further comprising a step of enhancing the image by applying said colorless moisture blocking agent onto a moisture absorbing material as the base carrier substrate, wherein the moisture absorbing material is selected from a moisture absorbing material group comprising:
- a. 100% cotton,
- b. cotton blend,
- c. fabric,
- d. rubber,
- e. concrete,
- f. canvas,
- g. polyester,
- h. polyester blend,
- i. leather,
- j. flannel,
- k. fleece,
- l. wood,
- m. concrete,
- n. cement, and
- o. asphalt.
14. A method of creating a moisture activated image, the method comprising the steps of:
- creating an artwork for a desired moisture activated invisible stencil, wherein said artwork includes an image communicating a status wherein an object is wet;
- creating an applicator in accordance with said artwork;
- applying a colorless moisture blocking agent onto a base carrier substrate, wherein said moisture blocking agent becomes invisible after application; and
- communicating to individuals when said object is wet as applied moisture is repelled in areas of the base carrier substrate where the moisture blocking agent was applied and moisture wets the area of the base carrier substrate absent the moisture blocking agent to transition from a concealed state to a visible state informing individuals that the object is exposed to moisture.
15. A method of creating a moisture activated image as recited in claim 14, the method further comprising the step of applying the colorless moisture blocking agent as a background, outlining lines of said artwork, wherein said background repels moisture and lines of said artwork remains exposed for absorption of moisture.
16. A method of creating a moisture activated image as recited in claim 14, the method further comprising the step of applying the colorless moisture blocking agent as lines of said artwork, wherein said lines of said artwork repels moisture and a background of said artwork remains exposed for absorption of moisture.
17. A method of creating a moisture activated image as recited in claim 14, the method further comprising a step of enhancing the image by applying said colorless moisture blocking agent onto a moisture absorbing material as the base carrier substrate.
18. A method of creating a moisture activated image as recited in claim 14, the method further comprising a step of enhancing the image by applying said colorless moisture blocking agent onto a moisture absorbing material as the base carrier substrate, wherein the moisture absorbing material is selected from a moisture absorbing material group comprising:
- a. 100% cotton,
- b. cotton blend,
- c. fabric,
- d. rubber,
- e. concrete,
- f. canvas,
- g. polyester,
- h. polyester blend,
- i. leather,
- j. flannel,
- k. fleece,
- l. wood,
- m. concrete,
- n. cement, and
- o. asphalt.
19. A method of creating a moisture activated image as recited in claim 14, the method further comprising a step of informing an individual of a wet roadway by applying said colorless moisture blocking agent onto at least one of a roadway surface and a roadway sign.
20. A method of creating a moisture activated image as recited in claim 14, the method further comprising a step of informing an individual of a wet pool deck by applying said colorless moisture blocking agent onto said pool deck.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 26, 2011
Publication Date: Dec 27, 2012
Inventor: James Drago (Boca Raton, FL)
Application Number: 13/168,984
International Classification: A41D 1/02 (20060101); A41B 1/00 (20060101); B05D 1/32 (20060101); A43B 17/00 (20060101); A42B 1/00 (20060101); B32B 3/10 (20060101); A41D 1/06 (20060101);