Abstract: A sign with an etched or embossed appearance comprises a transparent substrate on which an extraordinarily thick ridge of viscous ink has been deposited to form a design. For an embossed appearance, the ridge of ink is uniformly smooth. For an etched appearance, the ridge of ink is formed with a textured pattern. A sheet having a thin layer of adhesive on one side is pressed onto the substrate over the ridge of ink to adhere the sheet to the substrate and conform the sheet to the ridge to give the appropriate appearance for the design.

Abstract: A three-dimensional road sign portraying the International "DO NOT ENTER" symbol for warning traffic approaching a one way side street from either side of the street. The International "DO NOT ENTER" sign uses vertically separated red and white zones which retain the information content when expanded into a three-dimensional shape. The sign is painted or embossed such that when in place and approached front end on, it is virtually indistinguishable from a conventional "DO NOT ENTER" sign. When approached from either side of the sign, the vertically separated red and white zones are seen as the information that warns the approaching traffic of the one way restriction. A single sign thus warns at a greater distance and angle than the conventional sign and reduces ambiguities.

Abstract: A buryable warning tape comprises a length of woven polyolefin fabric. Visible indicia are printed on a first face of the fabric in ink which is essentially nondegradable during burial, typically an ink with a carbon-based pigment. A transparent polyolefin coating is bonded to and covers the first face. Preferably a second polyolefin coating is bonded to and covers the side of the fabric which is opposed to the first face. Such warning tape can have greatly increased tensile strength and tear strength over the warning tapes of the prior art, and the indicia have significantly improved durability.

Abstract: A supporting assembly for a sign enables sign mounting on an upright standard having an upper terminal portion, and defining an upright axis. The assembly includes:(a) a collar located directly above and removably seated downwardly on the standard upper portion,(b) an armature integral with the collar and extending above the level of the collar, the armature having opposite upright sides, and sign structure embedding the armature and defining a sign outer surface offset from the armature side,(c) guide structure integral with the collar and extending downwardly therefrom in telescoping relation with the upper terminal portion of the standard, the guide structure having multiple ribs sidewardly engaging that upper terminal portion at locations spaced about the axis to block sideward tilting of the guide structure and of the armature, relative to the standard, and(d) a retainer means releasably retaining the guide structure to the standard upper terminal portion.

Abstract: A display surface for long-lasting fluorescent markings comprises a generally planar sheet of colored fluorescent film which is electrostatically charged and placed against one (front) side of a clear plastic panel member, with an airtight seal created between the two. The back side of the clear plastic panel is similarly electrostatically charged and placed against a sheet of photoreflective film, again with an airtight seal created between the two. The reflective surface of the photoreflective film is oriented outward towards the clear plastic panel and fluorescent film. These assembled layers are then sealed around their perimeter edges to prevent introduction of air and to preserve the induced electrostatic charges. The layers can then be mounted on a mounting board or other suitably strong, rigid material to enable them to be used as a writing surface, preferably with fluorescent-type writing markers such as pens or crayons.

Abstract: A three dimensional composite display card is disclosed which includes multiple components of different materials. The first component consists of a planar backing member optionally including decorative printing thereon. Secured to the backing member is a planar metallic member smaller in size than the backing member, and engraved on one side. These components are secured together using an adhesive material, preferably dual-sided tape. The tape is smaller than the metallic member so as to obscure it from view in the assembled product. Adhesion is accomplished in a manner wherein the metallic member and backing member are parallel to each other. This enables the completed unit to be inserted in a card, envelope, or the like. The resulting product has a unique three-dimensional appearance, is durable in construction, and may be made in a variety of sizes.

Abstract: An edge lighted display in which light is transmitted through a translucent planar panel to be refracted by the presence of indicia, such as a crayon marking to provide a luminescent appearance. In the disclosed embodiment, the translucent panel which is made of synthetic resinous materials is provided with a thin coating on an outer surface thereof of a harden silicate material, whereby light rays pass in the plane of the junction between the outer surface of the panel and the inner surface of the coating prior to refraction for improved brilliance.

Abstract: A lenticular screen display designed for viewing in sunlight which comprises an array of parallel, horizontally arranged cylindrical lenticules with a sequence of animated images on a section located in the top portion of the focal plane of the lenticules, and means for preventing the sun's rays from focusing on the focal plane of the lenticules so as to prevent burning the image bearing sections. The means for preventing the sun's rays from focusing on the image bearing section can be diffusers or reflectors located in the lenticule at the appropriate position. Another means is to alter the focal length of the lower portion of the lenticules so it is either less or greater than the focal length of the top portion. A further means is to make the top portion of the front surface of the lenticule flat.

Abstract: An advertising apparatus for a telephone includes a box provided with an advertising plate disposed in the front thereof and illuminating lamp disposed inside thereof, a power source for the illuminating lamp, detection means for detecting used and unused conditions of the telephone and a control for controlling an on and off condition of the illuminating lamp in response to an output of a detection device. An information display apparatus includes a light source, a light transmitting plate for transmitting light incident from the light source, a light scattering transmissive plate for irregularly reflecting light produced from one side surface of the light transmitting plate, an information display film disposed at the front of the light scattering plate and on which information is displayed, a light transmissive front plate disposed in the front of the information display film, a frame for supporting the preceding members and a control unit for controlling an on and off condition of the light source.

Abstract: A transparency mounting device includes a support member made from a non-opaque material. Adhesive is applied to one face of the support member so that a transparency may be attached thereto. The adhesive has low tack characteristics to permit the ready detachment or repositioning of the transparency. In addition, the adhesive is non-opaque so that transparency may be illuminated through the support member and adhesive.

Abstract: This is a composition and method of creating one's own design for packages. A design sheet of a selected design or color is peelable from a backing sheet. The design sheet is provided with a plurality of non-contiguous holes cut therein and arranged in rows. The first sheet is cut between the holes in each row so that a plurality of peelable design building units are formed. These designed building units are placed on the package which is desired to decorate with the designer forming his own pattern.

Abstract: An improved roadway sign comprising a light retroreflective indicia region and colored retroreflective background region is provided. The retroreflective properties of the regions are selected such that the ratio of the retroreflective brightness of the indicia to that of the background is substantially larger at observation locations within the legibility zone for the sign, than the ratio is at observation locations outside the legibility zone. The sign is conspicuous by virtue of the bright retroreflection and distinctive color of the background outside the legibility zone, yet is legible because of the increased contrast ratio of the indicia to the background in the legibility zone.

Abstract: An ornamental body comprises a transparent layer and a metal foil laminated with the transparent layer. A visible image such as scenery or the like is formed upon a laminated surface of the transparent layer or the metal layer by photography printing. The visible image is characterized by its vivid color contrast and stereoscopic appeal.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a sign or similar article by providing a wooden substrate having an upper surface; providing a laminate formed by several plies including a ply of sandblast-resistant material, an adhesive, a ply of vinyl, another adhesive and a carrier ply; cutting the laminate to form a template of a desired configuration and applying the template to the upper surface of the substrate, sandblasting the upper surface of the substrate which removes an upper surface strata thereof which is exposed to the sandblast material while unexposed surface strata is uneffected, and thereafter removing the sandblast-resistant ply from the vinyl ply forms a permanent upper covering/indicia/design atop the selected area of the substrate unaffected by the sandblast material.

Abstract: A vinyl fabric sign having a panel of vinyl fabric, an undercoat layer of vinyl solvent based transparent coating, a graphics transfer of vinyl based paint bonded to the front of the undercoating, and, an exterior coating layer of vinyl solvent based transparent coating over the front of the graphics and the undercoating, the exterior coating combining chemically with the graphics and bonding it chemically to the undercoating.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid crystal display for the displaying of characters and symbols, having a liquid crystal cell 1 and polarizers 8 and 10, one arranged on the viewing side and one arranged on the rear side of the liquid crystal cell 1. Furthermore, a reflector 9 is arranged behind the rear polarizer 8. A surface of the viewing-side polarizer 10 is inclined to the plane of the liquid crystal cell 1. The surface of the viewing-side polarizer facing the liquid crystal cell 1 serves as a deflection surface 15 for light incident thereon approximately transversely to the plane of the liquid crystal cell 1.

Abstract: An internally-illuminated medical data card in a credit card format containing a summary of the medical history of the bearer germane to his existing medical condition. The card, which is of laminated construction, includes a plastic core panel having light-transmitting properties, one face of the panel having formed thereon a metallized layer functioning as a double-faced mirror. Mounted on the layer and on the other face of the panel, respectively, are front and rear film transparencies containing medical data in a directly legible scale, the combined data affording the required summary. The long edges and one end of the panel are in a concave formation to define reflective convex terminations whereby light entering the remaining flat end is transmitted through the panel and is reflected by the convex terminations and by the inner face of the mirror to provide multiple internal reflection, causing the light to illuminate the front transparency to enhance its readability.

Abstract: Brass plaque indicia indicating products are provided according to the present invention which can be economically produced by stamping of brass plate. Prior to the present invention stamping of brass plate to define brass indicia was not economical relative to forging techniques due to the high amount of scrap brass plate which resulted by the stamping operation. The present invention recognizes that the scrap produced during this stamping of the indicia can provide a brass plaque having an interior which defines an outline of the indicia and if a background member is secured behind the brass plate this combination defines the desired indicia. Therefore by stamping of brass indicia and using the remaining scrap to define a further brass plaque which in combination with a background member defines the indicia, the stamping operation becomes very economical relative to a forging operation as two brass products for identifying indicia are produced by the one stamping operation.

Abstract: A retroreflective laminar sheet assembly comprises base and cover sheets made from flexible synthetic plastic materials, and an array of interposed retroreflective film pieces seated within discrete cells formed therebetween. The sheets and film pieces of different compositions are used to afford a preselected balance of mechanical and optical properties, and the construction is such that distortion is minimized and flexibility of the assembly is maintained. The invention also provides novel methods by which such an assembly can be produced, which may take advantage of inherent or induced cohesive characteristics of the components employed.

Abstract: Laminar structures useful as road signs, markers, informational signs and the like comprised of:(i) a modified thermoplastic polyester core structure; and(ii) a front light reflective layer disposed on and laminated to said core structure.

Abstract: A laminar polycarbonate resin structure comprising a polycarbonate resin core lamina, an ultraviolet radiation absorbing back lamina bonded to the rear face of said core lamina, and a light reflecting front lamina bonded to the front face of said core lamina. This laminar structure is useful for making road signs and markers.

Abstract: A display panel comprising a plurality of printing ink layers having the same patterns one another being formed on the surface of a transparent substrate by means of transferring operation and a semi-opaque layer existing among the printing ink layers adjacent to each other; a display panel obtained by forming a pattern involving arbitrary characters, figures or pictures on the surface of a substrate by means of transferring technique; and a process for forming such pattern.

Abstract: A colored plastic sheet is interposed between a pair of metallic luster plastic sheets having metallic luster pigment dispersed therein and sandwiched between a pair of transparent plastic sheets to form a metallic luster plastic card. The metallic luster plastic card has good and homogeneous luster with the use of a relatively small amount of a metallic luster pigment without entailing an increase of the total thickness of the card and also has a high optical transmission density which is required for positional recognition of the card.

Abstract: A menu board is provided which utilizes members carrying interchangeable numbers, letters or other characters, and possesses special features which render the menu board highly legible. The menu board is provided with window-like openings and means for replaceably mounting the interchangeable character members behind the board openings. The character members include appendages selectively engageable with end stops provided on the board, or with slots provided on the board for positioning and locking the members in place. In one embodiment, the characters are each of a selected length and are overlaid one upon the other within the board openings, but so that the characters themselves are not overlain as viewed from the front of the menu board. Alignment means is provided for controlling the registration of the characters with respect to one another within the windows, and locking means is provided for securing each group of character members in place.

Abstract: An automotive decorative display panel is devised to provide a reflective black insignia on a bright field during daylight conditions and illuminated insignia on a dark field during night-time conditions. The illuminated display panel is comprised of a lens panel having a reflective, opaque field and a translucent insignia field. A screen is disposed behind the insignia field. The screen is characterized by being partially reflective and partially transmissive. During the day, light is reflected from the screen through the insignia portion to form a black insignia field against the bright reflective field. During the night the screen is back lit to form a bright insignia field against a relatively dark background. A solid state electroluminescent panel is used as the light source in a hermetically sealed package.

Abstract: A merchandise pricing ticket assembly has a rigid highly polished plastic material forming a support panel which is printed with display matter and has areas left clear to form windows. Components of a soft flexible material, also highly polished, are provided which adhere to the rear of the windows whereby information on the components may be viewed therethrough. A setting panel is provided enabling the components to be laid out in their correct relative position before the support panel is laid thereover to pick-up the components. The support panel is thereafter retained in a channeled shelf fixture.

Abstract: This invention discloses an information display device including a front plate and information visualizing means provided behind the front plate and adapted to make information consisting of characters, patters and/or others appear on the front surface of the plate by the light emitted from the visualizing means and passing through the plate, the device being characterized in that the front plate is made from transparent material such as transparent synthetic resins, glass or the like and is provided with metal coating on the front surface or the back surface of the front plate. The thickness of the metal coating is such that the metal coating permits the light emitted from the visualizing means to pass through it to make the information emerge on the front surface of the front plate and substantially prevents light the intensity of which is less than the former light from passing through the coating.

Abstract: A verification device has a transparent sheet including parallel rows of lenticules and rows of colored lines in registration therewith. Verification is accomplished by observing optical effects presented by patterns of irregularly positioned rows of lenticules and corresponding colored lines viewed against a surrounding background area of regularly positioned rows of lenticules and corresponding colored lines.

Abstract: An arrangement of alpha numeric character sets comprising a plurality of alpha numeric characters of graduated sizes graphically layered in two or three dimensional form. The characters are arranged in a superimposed fashion with the sizes of the characters uniformly graduating in size as one views each set of characters. The characters thus arranged appear to be arranged in a stacked form over a common center point or axis. Such an arrangement is particularly adapted to provide a representation of a calendar date but can, when desirable, be utilized to spell a word such as a person's name.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the present invention are contemplated in combination with a laminated tape including a clear film and a suitable base, an extrudable adhesive being arranged between the clear film and the base along with a color agent adapted for transport with the adhesive during lateral extrusion. Substantial removal of the adhesive from a selected area of the laminated tape thus results in removal of the color agent and exposure of the base within the selected area. The method and apparatus contemplate means for applying heat and pressure to the selected area of the laminated tape within predetermined parameters for causing lateral extrusion of the adhesive layer and corresponding transport of the color agent to expose the base within the selected area. The method and apparatus of the invention preferably contemplate the laminated tape as being of an elongated configuration with a variety of indicia being available for sequentially imprinting different portions of the tape.

Abstract: According to this process, a plurality of translucent monochrome supports of different colors are prepared. Each support is constituted by a transparent film coated on one side with a coloring matter. Then an elementary pattern is made by a selective scraping with a tool. By superimposing the engraved monochrome supports a final image is obtained by transparency which is the synthesis of the elementary patterns. The process lends itself particularly well to three-color or four-color printing.

Abstract: The process of displaying indicia on a panel includes forming a panel with a substratum of a first selected material and at least one superstratum of a second contrasting material attached to the substratum. At least the superstratum is meltable, and preferably both layers are formed of tough, pliable, weatherproof plastic such as polyurethane. A heated indicia-forming tool is pressurally applied selectively to the superstratum to melt localized portions of its material throughout its thickness and force it out of the path of movement of the tool, leaving corresponding portions of the substratum exposed to define indicia with a contrasting background. The method can include also melting a portion of the substratum, having a contrasting color to the superstratum and causing a portion of the substratum to flow up over the melted raised portion of the superstratum along the edge of the melted area to form highly visible indicia on the panel.

Abstract: A reflecting device for the display of information includes a substantially flat layer of highly reflecting material placed over a backing member. Over the reflecting material is laid a single sheet of transparent or translucent synthetic plastics material having the information printed thereon. The flat layer, the backing member, and the sheet are all held together by a frame carrying a pane of plain glass or equivalent which frame can be opened for removal and replacement of the sheet.

Abstract: An advertising or promotional item is made by preparing a visual advertising or promotional message and cutting it into a plurality of separate interfitting pieces, substantially all of which have the same shape and size as at least one other piece. After interchanging the locations of most of the pieces to scramble them and hide the message, the scrambled relationship visual image is printed upon sheet material and then die-cut to form the original message pieces arranged in scrambled relationship, whereby the recipient must rearrange the pieces to discover the hidden, advertising or promotional message. Preferably, the message region is divided into three or more substantially identical sections. The die-cut sheet material may be laminated with pressure-sensitive adhesive to a backing sheet having a release coating and may be applied to or formed as a part of the sidewall of a container.

Abstract: Aluminum foil labels for bottles are disclosed which have on both sides a colorless or colored coating provided with an imprint on the outside, if desired, the aluminum foil label being adapted to cover the closure and part of the bottle--neck and to be affixed thereto with the aid of a glue which is soluble in an alkaline cleaning liquor. In accordance with the invention the coating comprises a varnish coating which is insoluble in the alkaline cleaning liquor. The coating can have mutually opposite weak areas which can consist of uncoated stripes. Also disclosed are bottles comprising a bottle body to which is attached such aluminum foil coated on both sides thereof with a varnish coating which is insoluble in an alkaline cleaning liquor. The insoluble varnish coating defines open areas which are opposed from open areas on the opposed insoluble varnish coating.

Abstract: A portable display unit for display of advertising material or other informational or decorative material on changeable display cards and for storage of other display cards. The display unit includes a rectangular box-like housing convertible between a collapsed or closed and portable configuration and an erect or a display configuration supported on a stand. At least one wall of the housing is comprised as a removable panel to expose a picture type frame surrounding a viewing area to be filled by the display card to be viewed. A retractable handle is provided for transport of the unit from place to place in the collapsed or closed configuration.

Abstract: In cartons made from laminated packaging material wherein a peelably removable section of the outer ply is defined by a weakened tear line and said section is unadhered to the substrate, resistance to unauthorized tampering or removal of such section from said container is achieved by utilizing a water soluble adhesive as a laminant and including a border area of said section at the starting point of the tear outline within the area of adherence by said laminant to thus require application of moisture to said border area to dissolve said adhesive at said area before the tearing away of such section can be accomplished.

Abstract: A back-lighted display sign having a protective outer face panel, a copy frame positioned behind the face panel, and a number of retaining members affixed to the rear of the copy frame to receive and retain replaceable copy inserts and color filters behind the copy frame. In one disclosed embodiment, the copy inserts include a number of transparent overlays bearing characters defined by regions of contrasting transparency.

Abstract: A label for application to containers to be shipped under bottle-to-bottle contact conditions comprising a laminate structure of superposed layers of transparent film printed with indicia on the underside thereof, and adhered to an intermediate paper layer, said paper layer being adhered on its underside to a foam layer.The process for making the laminate is also disclosed.

Abstract: A label for application to containers to be shipped under bottle-to-bottle contact conditions comprising a laminate structure comprising a film layer superposed over a layer having indicia printed thereon which in turn is superposed upon a foam layer.The process of making the laminate is also disclosed.

Abstract: A business form, which may be a tag, label, ticket, identification card, or the like, comprising a base sheet adapted to receive writing or printing and a transparent sheet having adhesive by which it can be laminated to the base sheet, and a liner sheet covering the adhesive. A removable carbon paper or other sheet lying between the liner and base sheets is secured to the former whereby removal of the carbon sheet automatically causes the liner sheet to be pulled off and removed and the transparent sheet to be applied to the face of the base sheet.

Abstract: A display device includes a hollow base having a slot in its top wall and a bottle simulating transparent shell has its rear opening covered by a plurality of superimposed transparent sheets having relatively vertically staggered, translucent faced dimples formed in their rear faces, their lower border interfaces opaque with these lower borders engaging the slot and the remaining borders opaque. A longitudinally slotted hollow cylinder is motor rotated in the base and a lamp is located in the cylinder so that the bottom edges of the sheets are cyclically successively illuminated whereby the light dispersing dimples provide the illusion of rising bubbles in the bottle.

Abstract: A reflector with illuminated indicia, such as for automotive use, comprising a translucent sheet-like material having reflecting elements on at least a portion of at least one surface thereof and indicia defining means on the rear surface portion of said translucent sheet-like material; reflecting material on the reflecting elements but not on the indicia; a dark, translucent material adjacent to the indicia on the rear surface portion of the translucent sheet-like material; translucent diffusing material adjacent the dark translucent material and located more remote from the translucent sheet-like material than the dark translucent material; and a source of illumination rearward of the translucent material. The invention is also directed to a method of making such a reflector and a method of modifying conventional reflectors.

Abstract: A calendar has transparent overlay pages which carry opaque calendar data areas and opaque picture portions which are superimposed on an underlying picture, with the opaque picture portions depicting the underlying obscured portions at a different season of the year.

Abstract: A reflective sheeting is disclosed having spaced apart cavities extending along one face and light-reflecting beads lining both wall and bottom portions of the cavities to impart a wide angle retroreflective response to incident light and improved brightness or intensity. The sheet is prepared by forming in a deformable carrier sheet a network of relatively depressed cavities having wall and bottom portions and spaced apart by intervening ridges, and then coating the wall and bottom portions of the cavities and the ridges with light-reflecting beads. After filling the cavities and covering the ridges with a solidified layer of a resinous organic matrix having a greater adherence to the beads than the carrier sheet has, the sheet is stripped away. This transfers the beads to the organic matrix and locates them in similarly shaped cavities and ridges molded in the matrix by the carrier sheet.

Abstract: A biorhythmic cycle indicator having three, sine-wave-contoured plates that slidingly overlay a backing plate that has a calendar strip. The plate contours and the calendar register to provide a graphic representation of a person's biorhythmic cycle.The contours of the sliding plates are illuminated to accent the component cycles.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method of securing a sheet or a poster to a base, wherein the sheet or poster is brought into contact with at least one plastics material sheet and caused to adhere to said base by dampening said base or by wiping said base on the poster side with a means suitable for producing an electrostatic charge.In one particular application two plastics material sheets joined together along one edge and folded along said edge so as to be superposed one on the other are utilized, said sheet or poster being placed between or on said superposed sheets, said superposed sheets being caused to adhere to one another by being wiped with means suitable for producing an electrostatic charge.

Abstract: A photographic display apparatus which comprises a substrate, as for example, a glass sheet having a mirrored surface thereon. An orthochromatic, high contrast, graphic arts copy film, or so-called "ortho film," having a positive visual image is disposed on the substrate and is covered by a transparent sheet. These three components may then be secured together by conventional means. The image on the ortho film is viewed through the transparent sheet against the mirrored surface of the substrate and which presents a unique visual appearance, similar to that of an image etched onto glass. The ortho film may be made by using a positive print of the desired image and generating a negative film therefrom through conventional photographic techniques. This negative film may be printed and enlarged if desired during the printing process in order to produce a positive ortho film sheet which is used in the above photographic display apparatus.

Abstract: A method of label installation employing two sheets suitably coated to produce an image on the underside of the upper transparent sheet and thereafter applying the upper sheet to a label receiving surface.

Abstract: A sheet of clear plastic or vinyl type material having a clear adhesive covering the entire one side thereof so to adhere to a front of a roadway sign and prevent it from becoming defaced by vandals having spray cans of paint; the sheet being readily peeled off and replaced by a fresh sheet after being excessively defaced.