CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority to U. S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/472,552 filed on March 16, 2017 and U. S. Provisional Patent Application No.

62/541,413 filed on August 4, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to techniques for printing, and more particularly, to techniques for printing on a panel to achieve a three-dimensional (3-D) effect.

BACKGROUND

Several techniques are well-known in the art for printing designs on objects of all sorts. Screen printing, for instance, involves the use of a mesh screen to transfer ink onto a substrate, often in conjunction with a stencil which forms a design by blocking ink in a desired pattern from permeating onto the substrate. A squeegee is then moved across the screen filling the mesh apertures not occluded by the stencil with ink. Eventually ink permeates the mesh and contacts the substrate. Meanwhile, other techniques, such as laser etching, involve engraving the surface of an object.

Recently, some printing techniques have been combined with light-emitting diode (LED) edge-lighting to create two-dimensional illuminated image signage. LED edge- lighting is beneficial because LEDs offer low voltage DC operation, low power consumption, l long, maintenance-free lifespans, and relatively rugged construction that is impervious to vibration and shock. Edge-lighting technology incorporates a light source coupled to a light guide that uses total intemal reflection (TIR) to direct light from the light source to the target application space (e.g., a flat acrylic sheet). Fluorescent and LED light sources are common for these applications because they are small and can readily fit within confined spaces. In this regard, a small light source combined with a thin light guide makes it possible for a display to maintain a very low profile while simultaneously being both modular and portable. Additionally, the cost-effective nature of LED light sources allows such displays to be both energy-efficient and long-lasting. However, methods for combining many modem printing techniques with LED edge-lighting to create 3-D illuminated images in a modular and portable format do not currently exist.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides techniques for creating a design on a surface of a panel to achieve a 3-D effect. The panel is made of a material that is at least partially transparent, and the surface of the panel is flat. A design is screen printed onto the surface of the panel using an ink that has been mixed with at least one additive causing the ink to become optically reactive. Other techniques discussed herein are used for applying the design to the surface of the panel, as well. Ultimately, light passing through the material of the panel illuminates the design to produce a 3-D effect.

An electronics module coupled to the panel can provide the light for illuminating the design. The electronics module may include a light source which, when activated, emits light through the material of the panel.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for creating a design on a surface to achieve a three-dimensional (3-D) effect includes: providing a panel having a flat surface made of a material that is at least partially transparent; mixing ink with at least one additive causing the ink to become optically reactive; and screen printing a design on the surface of the panel using the mixed ink. Light passing through the material of the panel illuminates the design to achieve the 3-D effect.

The screen printing may include, for example: providing a print plate containing the design; and applying pressure to the print plate to transfer the design from the print plate onto the surface of the panel.

The method may further include: before the screen printing, applying a coating to the surface of the panel; and screen printing the design on the applied coating.

The design may include an outline of an image and a plurality of vector lines within the outline. Also, a color of the ink can be white or non-white.

The material of the panel may include a glass-based material, a plastic-based material, a metal-based material, or a ceramic-based material.

The at least one additive may include at least one of: a fluorescence additive, an ultraviolet (UV) additive, plastisol, a puff additive, a multi-chromatic additive, a glitter additive, a phosphorescent powder, a photochromatic additive, and a glow-in-the-dark additive.

Furthermore, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for creating a design on a surface to achieve a three-dimensional (3-D) effect includes: providing a panel having a flat surface made of a material that is at least partially transparent; applying a coating to the surface of the panel; and laser etching a design on the applied coating. Light passing through the material of the panel illuminates the design to achieve the 3-D effect.

Furthermore, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for creating a design on a surface to achieve a three-dimensional (3-D) effect includes: providing a panel having a flat surface made of a material that is at least partially transparent; impregnating the material with at least one additive; and screen printing a design on the surface of the panel using ink. The at least one additive causes the ink to become optically reactive, and light passing through the material of the panel illuminates the design to achieve the 3-D effect.

Furthermore, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for creating a design on a surface to achieve a three-dimensional (3-D) effect includes: providing a panel having a flat surface made of a material that is at least partially transparent; mixing ink with at least one additive causing the ink to become optically reactive; printing a design on a plastic film using the mixed ink; and adhering the plastic film to the surface of the panel. Light passing through the material of the panel illuminates the design to achieve the 3-D effect.

Furthermore, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, a panel for achieving a three-dimensional (3-D) effect includes: a flat surface made of a material that is at least partially transparent; and a design that is screen-printed on the surface using ink mixed with at least one additive causing the ink to become optically reactive. Light passing through the material illuminates the design to achieve the 3-D effect.

Furthermore, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, a system for achieving a three-dimensional (3-D) effect includes: a panel having a flat surface made of a material that is at least partially transparent and including a design that is screen-printed on the surface using ink mixed with at least one additive causing the ink to become optically reactive; and an electronics module configured to mate with the panel and including a light source. When the electronics module mates with the panel and the light source is activated, the light source emits light through the material of the panel and illuminates the design to achieve the 3-D effect.

The electronics module can mate with the panel via a receiving groove positioned along a longitudinal axis of the electronics module.

The light source may be disposed within the electronics module such that, when the electronics module mates with the panel and the light source is activated, the light emitted by the light source passes through one or more longitudinal walls of the panel.

In addition, the light source may include a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed along a longitudinal axis of the electronics module. Alternatively, the light source may include at least one of: an incandescent light, a fluorescent light, a neon light, and an argon light.

The system may further include a resealable, soft-sided insulated container, and the panel may be removably disposed in an interior portion of the container. The container may include a handle and a pocket configured to receive the panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments herein may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate identically or functionally similar elements, of which:

FIGS. 1A to ID provide a front view, a back view, a side view, and an exploded view, respectively, of a flat panel on which a design can be printed and an electronics module embodying a light source for edge-lighting the panel according to embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a panel on which a design is screen-printed according to embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an LED edge-lit panel on which a design is screen-printed producing a 3-D effect according to embodiments of the disclosure;

FIGS. 4 to 7 provide flowcharts demonstrating simplified procedures for creating a design on a surface of a panel to achieve a 3-D effect;

FIG. 8 is a view of a soft-sided insulated container having a removable screen capable of displaying an illuminated image having a 3-D graphic effect according to embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a view of a top portion of a soft-sided insulated container having a removable screen capable of displaying an image having a 3-D graphic effect according to embodiments of the disclosure; and

FIG. 10 is a view of a top portion of a soft-sided insulated container having a removable screen capable of displaying an illuminated image having a 3-D graphic effect according to embodiments of the disclosure.

It should be understood that the above-referenced drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various preferred features illustrative of the basic principles of the disclosure. The specific design features of the present disclosure, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, locations, and shapes, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Further, throughout the specification, like reference numerals refer to like elements.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Referring now to embodiments of the present disclosure, techniques described herein provide for the creation of a design on a surface of a flat surface panel that achieves a 3-D effect. The present disclosure further provides a soft-sided insulated container configured to removably receive the panel.

FIGS. 1A to ID provide a front view, a back view, a side view, and an exploded view, respectively, of a flat panel 100 on which a design can be printed and an electronics module 120 embodying a light source for edge-lighting the panel 100 according to embodiments of the disclosure. As shown in FIGS. 1A to ID, the panel 100 may be, for instance, a flat acrylic sheet or screen capable of displaying an illuminated image having a 3-D graphic effect. The panel 100 may be formed in any of a variety of shapes such as, for example, a rectangle, a square, a circle, an oval, and the like. An electronics module 120 can mate with a bottom portion of the panel 100 via a receiving groove 124 positioned along a longitudinal axis of the electronics module 120. It should be understood that the screen shown in FIGS. 1A to ID is but a single example of the panel 100 presented for demonstration purposes, and the panel 100 may be modified in any suitable manner, within the scope of the present claims, as would be understood by a person possessing an ordinary level of skill in the art. Thus, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The panel 100 can be made of a transparent material or a partially transparent material. The panel 100 can be made of any variety of transparent or partially transparent material. For example, the panel 100 may be made of a plastic-based material, including Tritan™, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate, poly (methyl methacrylate) (e.g., acrylic such as, for example, Plexiglas™, Lucite™, Acrylite™, Perspex™, Oroglass™, Optix™, Altuglass™, and the like), polystyrene, acrylonitrile-styrene, polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PP), a glass-based material, a ceramic-based material, a metal-based material, and so on. The material may be manufactured in any way, such as extrusion, injection molding, blow molding, solvent casting, thermoforming, and so forth. Also, the material may be clear, or one or more colors may be added to the material to modify the resultant 3-D effect. Furthermore, the surface of the panel 100 may be flat. For instance, the panel 100 may be a flat screen or sheet, as shown in FIGS. 1 A to ID.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a panel 100 on which a design 110 is screen- printed according to embodiments of the disclosure; and FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an LED edge-lit panel 100 on which a design 110 is screen-printed producing a 3-D effect according to embodiments of the disclosure. The design 110 can be screen printed onto the surface of the panel 100 using an ink that has been mixed with at least one additive causing the ink to become optically reactive. The design 110 is not limited to any particular design, such as that shown in the figures, but rather includes any design capable of being printed onto the surface of the panel 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the ink may be white, though colored inks may be utilized as well. For an enhanced 3-D effect, the design 1 10 may include an outline of an image and a plurality of vector lines within the outline. Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the panel 100 may be removably inserted in a container, such as a backpack, a lunchbox, a bag, a stocking, and the like, having a transparent window through which the design 1 10 can be viewed.

One or more additives can be mixed with the ink to enhance the 3-D effect produced when light passes through the material of the panel 100 and illuminates the design 110. As light passes through the transparent material, it can bounce off the additive(s) in the ink and create a glowing effect or other visual effect, which would otherwise be absent if the ink was not mixed with any additive, while the rest of the material remains clear. Various additives can be utilized, including a fluorescence additive, an ultraviolet (UV) additive, plastisol, a puff additive, a multi-chromatic additive, a glitter additive, a phosphorescent powder, a photochromatic additive, and a glow-in-the-dark additive. In addition, a plurality of the above additives can be added to ink in conjunction. There is no limit as to the amount of said additive(s) which can be added to the ink.

Various techniques for screen printing the design 110 on the flat panel 100 can be employed. For example, a first screen printing technique involves using a mesh print plate (not shown) containing a graphic. Ink can be added on top of the print plate, and a squeegee or blade can be used to apply pressure to the print plate and transfer the ink (i.e., the design 110) onto the surface of the panel 100 on the opposite side of the mesh. A stencil may be employed to transfer the ink to the surface of the panel 100 in a desired manner. Other screen printing techniques, such as photo emulsion, may also be employed.

The screen printing techniques described above are provided for illustrative purposes only, and should not be treated as limiting the scope of the disclosure to those techniques only. Any suitable screen printing technique for screen printing a design 110 onto the surface of the panel 100 using ink mixed with one or more additives may be employed. Furthermore, the design 110 may be screen-printed directly onto the surface of the panel, or, alternatively, a coating may first be applied to the surface of the panel 100, and the design 1 10 may be screen-printed onto the coating.

Meanwhile, the electronics module 120 may include a housing 126 and one or more light sources 122 which, when activated, emit light through the material of the panel 100 and illuminates the design 110 to achieve the 3-D effect, as shown in FIG. 3. The one or more light sources 122 may include, as one example, a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) disposed along a longitudinal axis of the electronics module 130, as shown in FIG. ID. Alternatively, the light source 132 could include one or more of incandescent lights, fluorescent lights, neon lights, argon lights, and the like. The one or more light sources 122 may embody types of lights other than LEDs, including both clear lights and colored lights (causing the 3-D effect to be colored), and may include a printed circuit board (PCB) to control the light(s) therein. In some cases, the one or more light sources 122 may be installed into or integral with the PCB. Similarly, the one or more light sources 122 may be configured to display multiple colors of light one at a time, sequentially, or in any of a variety of patterns (e.g., blinking, alternating, and the like). The electronics module 120 may also include a power source, e.g., a battery, a fuel-cell, or the like.

Though the one or more light sources 122 have been described as emitting a single color, the lights may be able to emit one or more different colors, respectively. The controller (e.g., computer processor) may activate the one or more light sources 122 in various colors to create various effects through the design 110. For example, a red-green- blue lighting source may be cycled to display various colors sequentially by, for example, changing the red lighting source to green, the green to blue, the blue to red, etc.

The one or more light sources 122 may be positioned proximal to the bottom surface of receiving groove 124 so that light projected from the light sources 122 enters the bottom end/edge of the transparent material of the panel 100. In some instances, the light sources 122 may be positioned equi distantly along the longitudinal axis of the electronics module 120, as shown in FIG. ID. The one or more light sources 122 may be disposed within the electronics module 120 such that, when the electronics module 120 mates with the panel 100, the walls of the panel 100 sit directly atop the light sources 122. When the light sources 122 are activated, the emitted light passes through the longitudinal wall of the panel 100, thereby edge-lighting the panel.

Edge-lit technology incorporates a light source coupled to a light guide that uses total internal reflection (TIR) to direct light from the light source to the target application space (e.g., the panel 100). Fluorescent and LED light sources are common for these applications because they are small and can readily fit within confined spaces. In this regard, a small light source combined with a thin light guide makes it possible for a display to maintain a very low profile. Additionally, the cost-effective nature of LED light sources allows such displays to be both energy-efficient and long-lasting.

In other instances, the one or more light sources 122 may include a single-point light source (e.g., a light disposed in the center of the electronics module 120), instead of a multipoint light source as shown in FIG. ID. It should be understood that the one or more light sources 122 are not limited to any particular type, number, or arrangement of lights, and the embodiments shown in the figures are provided merely for the purpose of illustration.

The transparent material of the panel 100 may be lit by the one or more light sources 122 in the electronics module 120. The light emitted from the light sources 122 may travel through the translucent material, and at the site of the screen-printed design 110, the light may be redirected outwardly from the surface of the transparent material so that the light is made visible to a user viewing the edge-lit design 110, as shown in FIG. 3, thereby producing the 3-D effect. In areas of the transparent material where one or more lines of the screen- printed design are not present, light from the one or more light sources 122 is not emitted.

The angle of the panel 100 with respect to the angle at which light is emitted from the light sources 122 affects the total internal reflection (TIR) of light within the material of the panel 100. The degree of 3-D illusion depends on the TIR of light within the material of the panel 100, as well as the quality of printed design 110 on the panel's surface. The TIR is directly proportional to the amount of light passing through the material of the panel 100. For instance, changing the angle of the panel 100 from the angle at which light is emitted can significantly reduce light intensity. Conversely, an angle of zero degrees between the panel 100 and the angle at which light is emitted can produce maximal TIR as light emitted from the light sources 122 can pass through the entirety of the panel 100.

Additional techniques for applying the design 110 to the panel 100 are described below. For instance, rather than screen printing the design 110 onto the surface of panel 100 using ink mixed with one or more additives, as described above, a design can be laser-etched or laser-engraved into the surface of the panel 100, causing one or more etched lines. (In this case, the material of the panel 100 may be glass or cast acrylic.) A coating (e.g., paint, metallic layer, or the like) can be applied to the surface of the panel 100, and the design can be laser-etched onto the applied coating. It is contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure that a coating material applied to the surface of the panel 100 may be any type of coating that will make the surface of the object similar to glass or cast acrylic, such as, for example, glass, acrylic, epoxy, and the like. The one or more etched lines may include depressions on the transparent material. A 3-D effect may be achieved when light passes through the material of the panel 100 and gets refracted along the etched design.

FIGS. 4 to 7 provide flowcharts demonstrating simplified procedures for creating a design on a surface of a panel to achieve a 3-D effect. FIG. 4 demonstrates a screen printing process using ink mixed with one or more additives. At step 410, a panel 100 made of a transparent or partially transparent material can be provided. At step 420, ink can be mixed with at least one additive causing the ink to become optically reactive. At step 430, a design 110 can be screen-printed onto a surface of the panel 100 using the mixed ink. As a result, light passing through the material of the panel 100 illuminates the design 110 and achieves a 3-D effect (e.g., see FIG. 3).

FIG. 5 demonstrates a laser etching process in which a design is etched into a coating applied on a panel. At step 510, a panel 100 made of a transparent or partially transparent material can be provided. At step 520, a coating can be applied to a surface of the panel 100. At step 530, a design can be laser-etched onto the coating applied to the surface of the panel 100. As a result, light passing through the material of the panel 100 illuminates the etched design and achieves a 3-D effect.

FIG. 6 demonstrates a screen printing process in which the material of a panel is impregnated with one or more additives. At step 610, a panel 100 made of a transparent or partially transparent material can be provided. At step 620, the material of the panel 100 can be impregnated with at least one additive that is capable of causing ink to become optically reactive. At step 630, a design 110 can be screen-printed onto a surface of the panel 100 using ink. As a result, light passing through the material of the panel 100 illuminates the design 110 and achieves a 3-D effect.

FIG. 7 demonstrates a printing process in which a design is applied to the surface of a panel in an indirect manner, such as via a decal or sticker. At step 710, a panel 100 made of a transparent or partially transparent material can be provided. At step 720, ink can be mixed with at least one additive causing the ink to become optically reactive. At step 730, a design 110 can be printed onto a decal, such as a plastic film. At step 740, the decal can be adhered (e.g., heat transferred) to the surface of the panel 100. As a result, light passing through the material of the panel 100 illuminates the design 110 and achieves a 3-D effect.

The techniques by which the steps shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 may be performed, as well as ancillary procedures and parameters, are described in detail herein. Further, while a particular order of the steps is shown, this ordering is merely illustrative, and any suitable arrangement of the steps may be utilized without departing from the scope of the

embodiments herein. Even further, the illustrated steps may be modified in any suitable manner in accordance with the scope of the present claims. FIG. 8 shows an exemplary soft-sided insulated container 100 having a removable screen 110, such as panel 100 described hereinabove, capable of displaying an illuminated image having a 3-D graphic effect. Soft sided insulated container 100 may be formed in any of a variety of shapes such as, for example, a rectangle, a square, a circle, an oval, and the like. In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, soft sided insulated container 100 is shaped like a rectangle having two short sides 120 and two long sides 130. Soft sided insulated container 100 may have a bottom portion 140 and a top portion 150. Top portion 150 may be hingedly connected to one of the two long sides 130 and configured to be resealably connectable to the remaining long side 130 and the two short sides 120 by any of a variety of mechanisms known to one of skill in the art (e.g., a zipper, a Velcro connector, a button connector, and the like). In the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIG. 8, the mechanism may include zipper 160. Soft sided insulated container 100 may have a handle or strap 170 affixed to one or more of the short sides 120 and/or long sides 130. Soft sided insulated container 100 may further include pocket 200 configured to receive removable screen 110.

Electronics control package 180 may include receiving groove 250 configured to mate with bottom end 224 of translucent material 1 15. Light source 230 may include one or more illumination sources positioned proximal to the bottom surface of receiving groove 250 so that light proj ected from the one or more illumination sources enters the bottom end/edge 224 of translucent material 115. Light source 230 may include a circuit board to control the one or more illumination sources (e.g., a light, diode, LED, and the like). It is contemplated within the scope of the disclosure that the one or more illumination sources may be installed into the circuit board within electronics control package 180. It is also contemplated within the scope of the disclosure that light source 230 may include a lighting source for use in case of emergency (e.g., a flashlight), Bluetooth capability, a speaker, and/or a charging station for mobile devices. While the illustrative example disclosed herein contemplates that the one or more illumination sources are positioned proximal to the bottom surface of receiving groove 250, one of skill in the art will appreciate that the one or more illumination sources may be positioned in other locations.

FIG. 9 shows that removable screen 1 10 may include any of a variety of edge-lit designs such as, for example, dinosaur 210 including one or more etched lines 105 that have been laser etched into a 3-D translucent material 115 such as, for example, acrylic. For convenience throughout the present disclosure, the translucent material may be referred to as acrylic, however, it is specifically contemplated within the scope of the disclosure that other translucent materials capable of being edge-lit may also be used.

As shown in FIG. 10, the 3-D translucent material 115 may be lit by a light source 230 that transmits light through translucent material 115. The light emitted from a light source 230 may travel through 3-D translucent material 115 and at the site of the one or more etched lines 105, the light may be redirected outwardly from the surface of 3-D translucent material 1 15 so that the light is made visible to a user viewing edge-lit design 210. Where the translucent material 115 does not have one or more etched lines 105, light from light source 230 is not emitted.

Accordingly, the printing techniques disclosed herein allow for achieving a 3-D effect on a flat surface in various ways, including screen printing a design onto transparent material of a flat panel using ink mixed with one or more additives causing the ink to become optically reactive. Exposing the transparent material and the design printed thereon to light thus creates a 3-D effect, as described in detail above. Advantageously, this aspect of the disclosure allows a wide variety of materials to be used for the panel (e.g., plastic, glass, metal, ceramic, and the like). Certain plastics eligible for use with screen printing are known to be safer, cheaper, lighter, more sustainable, and more durable than glass or cast acrylic, which is required for laser etching. Moreover, manufacturing time can be reduced as screen printing is less time-consuming than laser etching.

While there have been shown and described illustrative embodiments that provide for printing on a flat panel to achieve a 3-D effect, it is to be understood that various other adaptations and modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the embodiments herein. For example, the embodiments have been primarily shown and described herein with relation to a screen. However, the embodiments in their broader sense are not as limited, as the panel may be shaped and sized in any suitable manner, and a screen is but one of numerous possible objects having a flat surface to which the techniques described herein can be applied. Thus, the embodiments may be modified in any suitable manner in accordance with the scope of the present claims.

The foregoing description has been directed to embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, that other variations and modifications may be made to the described embodiments, with the attainment of some or all of their advantages. Accordingly, this description is to be taken only by way of example and not to otherwise limit the scope of the embodiments herein. Therefore, it is the object of the appended claims to cover all such variations and modifications as come within the true spirit and scope of the embodiments herein.