METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR PRODUCING THREE- DIMENSIONAL IMAGES Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the field of artistic articles. More particularly, the invention relates to a method for producing, from transparent or translucent materials, articles being capable of generating three-dimensional images by reflection of surfaces through said materials.

Background of the Invention Many conventional techniques are known for providing a two-dimensional object with the illusion of being three-dimensional. For example, a well drawn illustration presents a sense of realism by suggesting an object with depth and a hologram reproduces an interference pattern of laser light that has been directed on an object. However, such an illusionary three- dimensional object is generally visible only in one perspective at any given time, without using external lenses or reflectors.

Since promoters and advertisers continuously seek different ways to promote and enhance the sales of a product by visual association with a known characteristic of the product, such as textual information, a picture, or a unique color or shape, a promotional device or a souvenir to be distributed at tradeshows or at any other suitable gathering that generates an optical effect not known heretofore would be advantageous.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and article for producing three-dimensional images.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a thin, substantially two-dimensional object with the illusion of being three- dimensional.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a method and article for generating an optical effect whereby a three-dimensional image is visible in many perspectives at any given time, without the use of external lenses or reflectors.

It is yet an additional object of the present invention to provide ornamental articles, souvenirs or promotional devices that generate said optical effect.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a method for producing three-dimensional images comprising providing an article made of transparent solid material and forming one or more cavities in said solid material such that the walls and/or contours of said one or more cavities are visible through said material by reflection of said walls and/or by an image obtained from the projection of said contours, through said solid material.

Preferably, a plurality of cavities can be formed according to a predetermined arrangement within said solid material, thereby obtaining desired optical effects, such as reflection of projections of said walls and/or contours, and seeming suspension within the solid material of a three- dimensional object generated by a cavity, which are visible at one or more outer surfaces of said article.

Preferably a desired three-dimensional shape is visible by forming a sequence of cavities, the walls of each cavity having a different geometric shape and/or orientation.

In one aspect, each cavity is formed in a corresponding plate of the transparent solid material, each of said plates being placed one on top of the other in such a sequence that said desired three-dimensional shape is visible at one or more outer surfaces of said article.

In one aspect, the article is illuminated by white or colored light.

The present invention is also directed to an article produced by the aforementioned method.

In one aspect, the article is rectilinear, and in another aspect the article is round.

In one aspect, the article is a singular element from which material is removed and in another aspect the article comprises a plurality of plates.

Brief Description of the Drawings In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a top view of a plate in which a cavity is formed; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an article produced according to the present invention, showing different reflections of cavity walls; Fig. 3 is a picture of a top view of an article produced according to the present invention, showing an optical effect generated thereby; Fig. 4 is a picture of the article of Fig. 3 at another angle of view, showing another optical effect generated thereby; Fig. 5 is a picture of a side view of the article of Fig. 3, showing a projection of the various cavity walls; Figs. 6-8 are pictures of another article produced according to the present invention, showing other optical effects generated thereby; Fig. 9 is a picture of another article produced according to the present invention, showing yet another optical effect generated thereby; -Fig. 10a-e are exemplary representations of plates which are superimposed one on top of the other and Fig. 10f if an article produced thereby; Fig. 11 is perspective drawing of plates that are arranged with a gap therebetween; and Figs. 12a is a perspective drawing of a cavity wall which is engraved with various details and Fig. 12b is a representation of an article produced thereby.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments The present invention is an article for generating three-dimensional images that are visible by the passage of light through a plurality of cavities formed in said article and by the reflection of the light by solid transparent material adjacent to the cavities. Such an article is particularly suitable for ornamental articles, souvenirs or promotional devices, due to the optical effect that is generated thereby.

The invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the accompanying drawings. Transparent plate 5, e. g. of glass, transparent PVC, plexiglass, or any other suitable polycarbonate, which is shown in Fig. 1, is formed with a triangular cavity 7. Cavity 7 is formed in a central location within plate 5, such that walls 3 and 4 of the cavity are symmetrical about centerline 9 of the plate. The cavity is formed by any suitable method well known to those skilled in the art, such as by molding, sawing, cutting and milling.

As shown in Fig. 2, an image generating article plate generally designated by numeral 10 comprises upper transparent portion 11, lower transparent portion 12 and plate 5, which is affixed to upper portion 11 and to lower portion 12. During the propagation of light through upper portion 11, the contour of cavity 7, as exemplified by wall 3, is visible. The light which passes through cavity 7 is vertically reflected by the solid material of lower portion 12 and impinges the walls of the cavity. As a result, the depth of walls 4 and 8 of the cavity are visible by the reflected light, for the shown angle of view. Due to the depth perspective of the cavity walls, and since the solid material of article 10 is clear, cavity 7 is seen as a solid object, seemingly being suspended in article 10. Furthermore, light reflected from lower portion 12 impinges the walls of the cavity. Transversally reflected light from wall 8 generates image 15, while transversally reflected light from walls 3 and 8 generates image 18. Both images 15 and 18 also seem to be suspended in article 10, appearing to be solid rectangular objects having a thickness equal to that of plate 5. Due to the angle of view of article 10, images 15 and 18 are generated simultaneously and appear on different sides of the article.

As shown in Fig l0a-f, an article may be formed from a plurality of plates, the sequence of cavities from each of the plates being combined in a harmonious fashion to obtain a desired optical effect. The plates, e. g. plates 60-64, are formed in such a way and then superimposed one on top of the other to produce the desired effect, e. g. a ball which is visible in Fig. lOf. Each plate may be disposed in a horizontal disposition, in a vertical disposition, or if so desired, in an inclined disposition. Additional effects are obtainable by inserting one or more vertical plates within horizontal plates, or conversely, one or more horizontal plates within vertical plates.

The thickness of each plate may also be varied in order to obtain additional details. As the thickness of each plate is reduced, additional and more precise details may be added to the article.

As shown in Fig. 11, adjacent plates 71 and 72 need not be contiguous, but rather a gap 75 may be formed therebetween, in order e. g. to provide an effect of spaciousness.

The generated object may be formed by plate cavities which are symmetrically or asymmetrically cut, made from geometric or non- geometric shapes, i. e. those which do not repeat in an orderly fashion, or cut by straight or curved lined. Similarly the external side of each plate may be symmetrically or asymmetrically cut, made from geometric or non- geometric shapes, or cut from straight or curved lines.

The plate cavities or the external sides thereof may be manually cut.

When curved shapes or generated objects are desired, a straight cavity wall for example may be further processed to produce a manually cut curved wall.

The plate cavities or the external sides thereof may be automatically cut, e. g. by means of an industrial laser or by a CNC milling machine wherein the cutting tool may be automatically produced so as to produce cavities or external sides of a harmonious shape or configuration.

As shown in Figs. 12a-b, the cavity wall 81 may be engraved with details 83. If so desired, details 83 may protrude from cavity wall 81. When plates 85 are superimposed, article 90 may be produced whereby details generate a transversally extending effect.

Fig. 3 illustrates rectilinear article 20 which comprises a plurality of plates 5, wherein each plate is formed a cavity such that the walls of each cavity have a different geometric shape and/or orientation. Each cavity is symmetric about centerline 25 of its corresponding plate, and the plurality of cavities superimposed one on the other are arranged by a suitable sequence which results in an illusionary two-dimensional drawing defined by the contour of each cavity to be visible in top or bottom view. When the angle of view of article 20 is changed, or alternatively article 20 is slightly moved, to produce the effect shown in Fig. 4, the various cavities gain a perspective of depth, as visible at top surface 23. Cavity 29 appears to be a solid object that is supported by the illusionary three-dimensional objects generated by the walls of cavities 31 and 33. While the illusionary object generated by cavity 29 seems to be recessed by cavities 35 and 36, it appears to support illusionary objects generated by the walls of cavity 26- 28. At this angle of view, a projection of the various cavity walls is also visible, at side surface 37 of article 20. The projection of the various cavity walls onto side surface 37 is seen more clearly in Fig. 5, with the relative projected length of the cavities being noticeable.

Figs. 6-8 illustrate another arrangement of cavities formed in an article which is designated by numeral 40. Article 40 provides the illusion, in top view, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, that the objects generated by circular cavities 42 are higher than the objects generated by the surrounding rectilinear cavities 45, while in reality the circular cavities 42 are more recessed than the rectilinear cavities, as shown in the view of Fig. 8. A different optical effect is produced when article 40 is illuminated, as shown in Fig. 7.

It will be appreciated that other optical effects may be obtained by illuminating article 40 at different angles and by different colored light.

Similarly, other optical effects may be obtained when the plates, or a predetermined combination of plates, are of different transparent or translucent colors. The article may be internally illuminated by conventional means, such as lamps, a combination of one or more optical fibers, each of which used for guiding light or laser directional waves, LEDs etc, powered by suitable power supplies, such as batteries. This way, the generated illusionary three-dimensional objects include coloring effects, as well.

Fig. 9 illustrates an article 50 produced in accordance with the present invention, which is placed on a reflective surface 52. When article 50 is properly illuminated, two sets of projected images are observable: a set of orthoscopic images and a set of pseudoscopic images, which seemingly appear to descend below reflective surface 52.

Other optical effects are obtainable when an article, within which various cavities are formed, in accordance with the present invention, is round, and alternatively, when the article is a singular molded element, which is formed with a plurality of cavities, as described hereinabove, or an element from which material is removed and not produced from a plurality of plates.

While some embodiments of the invention have been described by way of illustration, it will be apparent that the invention can be carried into practice with many modifications, variations and adaptations, and with the use of numerous equivalents or alternative solutions that are within the scope of persons skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention or exceeding the scope of the claims.