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`PTO/$3116 (2 98)
`Please type a plus sign (+) inside this box —9 I
`Approved for usethrough 01/31/2001. OM80651—0037 +
`E
`Patent and Trademark Office, US. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Underthe Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are requIred to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a
`valid OMB control number.
`2——
`2
`PRO VlSlONAL A PPLlCA TION FOR PA TENT COVER SHEET
`a.“ --—=H =0
`This is a request for filing a PROVISIONAL APPLICATION FOR PATENT under 37 CFR 1.53 (c).
`« ,... =3
`-
`a =
`.:‘I :\
`Given Name (firstand middle[Ifany])
`Family Name orSurname
`(Cityand ehhergggeoiclgoreign Country)
`3213
`Timothy P.
`Goggins
`Nashotah, WI
`g“) “'5
`1'! —‘__
`
`E Additional inventors are being named on the _ separately numbered sheets attached hereto
`
`Directallccnespondence to:
`
`CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS
`
`Place Customer Number
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`C)2!
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`Firm or
`
`Type Customer Number here
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`individual Name G R, Plotecher
`
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`111 E. Wisconsin Avenue Suite 2100
`
`Milwaukee
`53202
`
`
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` er a contract with an agency of the
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`Address
`Address
`9.q
`Country
`Telephm‘e 414 273-2100 Fax 414 223-5000
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`ENCLOSED APPLICATION PARTS (check all that apply)
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`A check or money order is enclosed to cover the filing fees
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`The Commissioner is hereby authorized to charge filing
`fees or creditany overpayment to Deposit Account Number. 23‘2053
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`150-00
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`The invention was made by an agency of the United States Government or und
`United States Government.
`[Zion
`
`
`[:1 Yes, the name ofthe US. Government agency and the Government contract number are
`
`Respectfullys ”Ia/d, QT?1c,.22V[xfif’
`Date
`TYPED or PRINTED NAMEMM‘QLLEL EE§§EE§%: NO.
`TELEPHONE%_ '
`USE ONLY FOR FILING A PROVISIONAL APPLICATION FOR PA TENT
`This collection of Information Is requrred by 37 CFR 1.51. The information is used by the public to file (and by the PTO to
`process) a provisionat application. Confidentiality is governed by 35 U SC. 122 and 37 CFR 1.14. This collection is estimated
`to take 8 hours to complete, including gathering, preparing, and submitting the complete provisional application to the PTO.
`Time will vary depending upon the Individual case. Any comments on the amount of time you require to complete this form
`+ and/or suggDestions for reducing this burden, should be sent to the Chief lnfonnation Officer, US. Patent and Trademark
`Office, U
`epartment of Commerce, Washington, D.C., 20231. DO NOT SEND FEES OR COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS
`ADDRESS. SEND TO: Box Provisional Application, Assistant Commissioner for Patents. Washington, 0.0.. 20231.
`
`
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`SlGNATUR 1;
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`.—
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`"Exhibit 1010 l
`
`

`

`Patent
`
`Attorney Docket No.: NG-31015
`
`Applicant(s)
`Serial No.
`Filing Date
`
`Title of Invention
`
`:
`
`Examiner:
`Group Art Unit:
`
`:
`:
`:
`
`:
`
`:
`:
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`Timothy P. Goggins
`Unknown
`Unknown
`
`MOLDED ARTICLES HAVING A SURFACE
`BEARING A LENTICULAR IMAGE
`
`Unknown
`Unknown
`
`Assistant Commissioner for Patents
`Washington, DC. 2023]
`BOX PROVISIONAL APPLICATION
`
`
`
`13'"ll?iii?!Hill‘Eill
`
`l
`
`"HIT"I
`
`
`
`
`CERTIFICATE OF MAILING
`
`I hereby certify that, on the date shown below, this correspondence is being deposited with the
`United States Postal Service within an envelope addressed to the Assistant Commissioner for Patents,
`Washington, DC. 20231, BOX PROVISIONAL APPLICATION, as “Express Mail Post Office to
`Addressee” Mailing Label No. EL553337685US.
`
`Date:
`
`June 12. 2000
`
`A
`
`Thomas J. Pienkos
`
`:DDMAWCDOCSWE_SOLWI
`
`

`

`MOLDED ARTICLES HAVING A SURFACE BEARING A LENTICULAR IMAGE
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`The present invention relates generally to molded articles.
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`In one aspect, the
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`invention comprises molded articles bearing a surface image while in another aspect, the
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`invention relates to molded articles bearing a lenticular image. In yet another aspect, the
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`invention pertains to a method of making molded articles bearing an image, and more
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`particularly, a lenticular image.
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`Molded articles and their methods of manufacture are well known in the art.
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`Typically, these articles are molded from any one of a number of common plastics, e. g.,
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`ABS, acrylic, polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, PET, nylon, polycarbonate, and
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`the like, and these articles are molded into any one of a host of different sizes and shapes,
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`e.g.,
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`telephone, compact disc and cosmetic cases, cups, bottles, promotional
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`items,
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`automobile and appliance parts, etc. These products are molded or shaped by any one of
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`a number of different processes, e.g., injection molding, resin transfer molding, blow
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`molding, pressure molding, and the like. Such parts can be complex, that is, comprising
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`more than one injection molded part. For example, a cosmetic case could include an
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`opaque portion and a separately or even simultaneously molded clear portion.
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`The aesthetic quality of a molded plastic part is, of course, dependent in large part
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`upon its ultimate use. For those products that are used in applications in which their use
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`is not visible to an end user, e.g., fasteners, plugs, etc., the aesthetics of the product are of
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`little, if any, importance. For those products that are used in applications in which their
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`use is visible to an end user, or in which their appearance is important to their sale, e.g.,
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`promotional items, automobile and appliance facie, cups, bottles, bottle caps/enclosures,
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`snowboards or wake boards, skis (e.g., water, snow), cameras, computer cases (e.g.,
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`laptop cases), cell phone (or other electronic) cases, cosmetic cases, collectibles, signs,
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`magnets, coasters, display posters, menu boards, postcards, business cards, and packaging
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`on boxes, the aesthetics ofthe product are important.
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`One way to improve the look of a product is to incorporate into it bright color
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`schemes and fancy or even glitzy décor so as to attract and keep a viewer’s attention.
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`The application of a lenticular image is one form of such a decor. As here used, a
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`“lenticular image” means a segmented image comprising two or more component images,
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`the segments interlaced in any conventional manner, and mapped (i.e., aligned) to a
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`lenticular lens.
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`In general, lenticular imaging is known, commercially available and
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`described in US. Patent Nos. 5,113,213; 5,266,995; 5,488,451; 5,617,178; 5,847,808;
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`5,896,230 and 5,967,032 (all of which are incorporated herein by reference), and US.
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`Application Serial No. 09/536246.
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`
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`The incorporation of a decorative surface feature into a molded product is known,
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`e.g., US. Patent Nos. 5,514,427; 5,985,198; 5,972,279; 5,968,444; 5,951,939; 4,906,315;
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`4,668,5584,582,885; 4,576,850 and Re. 36,457 (all of which are incorporated herein by
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`reference).
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`In general, molded parts are used in a variety of applications and lenticular images
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`provide an attractive and eye-catching way to improve the overall aesthetic appeal of an
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`object to the viewer. Current technology provides for injection molding of colored
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`f
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`plastics and plastics which can incorporate such decorative features as, for instance, a
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`“sparkle.”
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`A method for manufacturing a molded article having a decorative surface layer
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`comprising a lenticular image is of interest to the injection molding industry in that it can
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`provide a product that is simply more beautifiil or attractive. On another level, the
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`
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`product can communicate a message or use (inanimate though it may be) using the
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`decorative lenticular image. A method that can promote the integrity of the lenticular
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`image and the lenticular image’s adhesion to the molded article while also protecting the
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`cg
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`optical properties achieved by the lenticular lens surface is also desirable.
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`
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`SUMMARY
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`According to this invention, a molded article bearing a lenticular image on its
`
`surface is prepared by an in—mold method comprising the steps of:
`
`A.
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`B.
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`C.
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`providing a mold in which to form the molded article;
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`inserting a lenticular image into the mold;
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`introducing a molten plastic into the mold to form the molded article with
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`the lenticular lens attached to the surface of the molded article; and
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`D.
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`removing the molded article with the attached lenticular image from the
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`mold.
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`In one embodiment of this invention, the molded article is formed by an iii—mold method
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`of injection molding in which the lenticular image is placed on the surface of one or both
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`halves of the mold and held in place with a vacuum assist, the molten plastic injected into
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`the mold to create the molded article with the lenticular image attached to the surface of
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`the article, and the mold subsequently opened and the finished article removed.
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`In another embodiment of this invention, the lenticular image bears a coating over
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`the segmented, interlaced and mapped image that protects the integrity of the image from
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`distortion that would otherwise result from the heat and pressure of the molten plastic
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`during the molding process. In other embodiments of this invention, the temperature and
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`pressure of the molten plastic is selected, and/or the gate placement is selected, such that
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`the integrity of the lenticular image remains undistorted without the need for a protective
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`coating.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`Figure l is a flow chart illustrating one method of making a molded article with a
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`surface bearing a lenticular image.
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`Figures 2a-d are cross-sectional views of typical lenticular images.
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`Figure 3a shows a robotic arm picking or grasping a typical lenticular image from
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`a stack prior to placing the lenticular image into a typical mold, the mold shown in an
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`open position.
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`Figure 3b shows a robotic arm placing a typical lenticular image into position
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`within a mold, the mold in an open position, prior to the introduction of molten plastic
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`into the mold.
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`Figure 3c shows a lenticular image placed within a mold, the mold having a
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`moveable portion and a stationary portion, the moveable portion of the mold moved so
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`that the mold is in a closed position, and molten plastic having been introduced into the
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`mold.
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`Figure 3d shows a robotic arm removing a molded article from a mold that is in
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`an open position, the molded article comprising a lenticular image that has been joined
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`with a molten plastic material that has hardened.
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`Figure 4 shows a typical lenticular image joined to an optional layer, the optional
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`layer comprising a protective coating or substrate material.
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`Figure 5 shows a typical lenticular image having a coating and joined to an
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`optional layer comprising either a protective coating or substrate mater.
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`Figure 6 shows an enlarged version of the lenticular image having an optional
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`layer comprising a protective coating or substrate material disposed within a mold, the
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`view taken along line 6—6 of Figure 3c. A molten plastic material is shown being
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`introduced using arrows via a typical hook gate arrangement.
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`Figure 7 shows a lenticular image having an optional layer comprising a
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`protective coating or substrate material disposed within a mold. A molten plastic
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`material is shown being introduced using arrows via a typical sub gate arrangement.
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`Figure 8 shows a lenticular image having an optional layer comprising a
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`protective coating or substrate material disposed within a mold. A molten plastic
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`material is shown being introduced using arrows via a typical edge gate arrangement.
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`Also included are four (4) photos of an injection molding apparatus/system for
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`making the molded articles bearing a lenticular image according to the present invention.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
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`The preparation of lenticular images is well known in the art. The lenticular
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`image is, by definition, a composite of two or more component images that are preferably
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`of photographic quality. The component images are selected based upon the desired
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`features of the lenticular or final image. The component images are then arranged,
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`segmented, interlaced and mapped to the lenticular lens in any convenient manner, e.g.,
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`such as those taught in US. Patent Nos. 5,488,451; 5,617,178; 5,847,808 and 5,896,230
`
`all of which are incorporated herein by reference. The mapped image can be printed
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`directly to the flat back surface of a lenticular lens, e.g., such as that taught in U.S.P. No.
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`5,457,515 (which is incorporated herein by reference). When the image is viewed
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`through the lenticular lens, the Viewer will perceive the desired visual effect (e.g., motion
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`and/or depth).
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`Lenticular lenses typically take the form of a transparent web. The web includes
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`an array of identical curved (usually hemispherical) surfaces that are formed (e.g.,
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`embossed, extruded) on the fiont surface of a plastic sheet, and the back surface of the
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`lens is typically flat. Each individual lens or Ienticule is a section of a long cylinder that
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`typically extends over the full length of the underlying image. The image can be printed
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`directly to the flat back surface of the lens, or alternatively, the lens can be laminated to
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`the image. The lenticular lens is generally selected to accommodate both the image and
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`the distance from which the image will ordinarily be viewed.
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`Other factors to consider when selecting a lenticular lens include: the lens web
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`thickness,
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`its flexibility, and of course, the cost of the lens material.
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`For a large
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`application, such as a snowboard surface, a thick, coarser lenticular lens is usually
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`preferred. For smaller applications, for example, a cup, key chain, necklace charm, or
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`cosmetic or compact disc case, a thin, finer lenticular lens may be preferred. Coarse
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`lenticular lenses have fewer lenticules per linear inch than fine lenticular lenses. The
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`front (i.e., the surface having the identically curved surfaces) can include a protective
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`layer. Alternatively, a “slip sheet” can be used. In either case, the layer or slip sheet can
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`be removed once the lens is shipped from a manufacturer (i.e., an extruder) to an end
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`USCI‘.
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`Shown in Figures 2a~d (and similarly, in Figures 4 and 5) are cross—sectional
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`views of some of the various embodiments of a typical lenticular image 10a. As shown
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`in Figure 2a, below and adjacent to flat backside 12a of lenticular lens 12, and printed
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`upon it, is an image 14 (preferably comprising the interlaced image described above). An
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`optional coating (also called “floodcoating”, or “spotcoating”) 16, such as a vinyl plastic
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`or opaque white ink can also be applied to enhance, or provide contrast for, the image.
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`This coating can also be used to provide a special effect, for example, a glow—in—the-dark
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`effect. The coating may also serve to protect the lenticular image (the lenticular lens itself
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`or the underlying interlaced image) from distortion and/or other degradation that may
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`result from exposure to excessive pressure and/or heat that may be present during a
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`molding process.
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`Figure 2b shows another embodiment of the present invention in which coating 16
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`(e.g., a clear coating) is applied below and adjacent to flat backside 12a of lenticular lens
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`12 and image 14 is printed on the coating. Additionally, an optional layer 18, comprising
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`a substrate or other coating, can be included to protect the image, for instance, from heat,
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`pressure, and/or the turbulence of molten plastic flow.
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`Figures 2c—d illustrate two ways in which an adhesive can be applied to the
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`lenticular image.
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`In Figure 2c, adhesive 20 is applied below and adjacent flat backside
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`12a of the lenticular lens 12. In this case, image 14 is printed to substrate 22 and affixed
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`using the adhesive to the lens. Finally, in Figure 2d, image 14 is printed to flat back
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`surface 12a of lens 12 and affixed using adhesive 20 to layer 18 (again, a substrate or
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`coating). As a practical matter, the substrate can be made of wood, metal, glass, or
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`plastic, and the adhesive can be any adhesive compatible with the substrate and coating
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`and/or ink of the segmented and interlaced image.
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`Figure 4 illustrates another cross—sectional View, similar to that of Figures 2aod, of
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`a typical lenticular image having an optional layer comprising a protective layer or
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`substrate. Figure 5 shows a typical lenticular image with a protective coating along with
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`an optional layer comprising a coating or substrate material.
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`The following description of the method of this invention is in the context of an
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`injection molding process. However, the method of this invention is also applicable to
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`other molding processes, such as: flash molding, positive pressure molding, transfer resin
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`molding, and blow molding.
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`Injection molding provides an economical and rapid way to produce high quality
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`precision parts (for example, containers such as a cup or computer case, or for a laptop
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`computer) from a wide variety of plastic materials. Representative of these materials are:
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`polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, ABS
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`rubbers, polyethylene terephthalate glycol,
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`acrylic, nylon and RIM urethanes.
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`Polyolefins, homopolymers and co—polymers
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`(ionomers, etc.) are also inexpensive
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`thermoplastic resins that have excellent molding properties and are mentioned here as
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`potentially suitable for use. Additionally, certain thermoplastic elastomers, such as the
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`TPO’s (thermoplastic olefin) elastomers, may be employed as desired. Generally, this
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`invention can be viewed as applicable to a variety of molten, solidifyable materials,
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`which, besides plastic, might include materials such as glass. For purposes of the present
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`invention, and as a practical matter, conventional molding equipment may be used and,
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`although not shown, is known to those of skill in the molding art.
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`In general, plastic granules or pellets are heated until melted, (the melting
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`temperature a fimction of the plastic, among other things, but typically between about
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`200 to 500 F). Once melted, the plastic is forced under high pressure (e.g. 10,000 pounds
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`per square inch or more) into a rigid mold press. The mold press is often made of a metal
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`such as aluminum or steel. Once the mold is filled, the molten plastic cools and
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`resolidifies, producing a part with the desired shape and appropriate dimensions.
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`‘L‘IillUH“!nil”:.
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`I,w.
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`Referring to Figures 3a—d and Figures 6—8,
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`typically the mold comprises a
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`stationary portion 32 and a movable portion 34, the moveable portion capable of being
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`moved from an open position (shown in Figures 3a—b) to a closed position (Figures 3c—d)
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`having a cavity with a surface 35. At least one of the halves can be equipped with a
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`runner or channel for delivering a molten plastic to the cavity via at least one injection
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`gate (Figures 6—8, numbers 38a—c, described below). A vacuum assist (or some other
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`means, for instance, static electricity) can be used to hold a part in place, the part being,
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`for instance, the lenticular image of the present invention, in place. The injection gates
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`are preferably sized to accommodate the part that is to be manufactured. Such aspects of
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`the present invention (i.e., the size and placement of various items, for instance, the
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`runners and gates) can be determined by those of skill in the art of injection molding.
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`Referring to Figures 6—8, a variety of gate types can be employed to provide
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`molten plastic to the mold in a fashion that reduces deterioration or degradation to the
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`lenticular image (such as, for example, melting of the lenticular lens material, or
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`distortion to the interlaced image itself). These include, but are not limited to, hook
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`gates, edge gates and sub gates. “Hook” gates (for example, a “banana” or “j” hook gate)
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`refer to those gates that provide for molten plastic to flow into the mold cavity generally
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`directly behind (or beneath) the lenticular image (e.g., a side opposite the lenticular lens).
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`A typical hook gate 38a arrangement is shown in Figure 6. “Edge” gates, as used herein,
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`generally refer to those gates that can permit the flow of molten plastic along (or at a
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`seam or gap between) the stationary half and the moveable core. A typical edge gate 380
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`arrangement is shown in Figure 8. Finally, “sub” gates here mean those gates that
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`provide molten plastic to be angled away from the image surface (or surface and
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`protective layer) such that the plastic can be injected off of the moveable core prior to
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`joining with the surface of the lenticular image opposite the lenticular lens. Thus, sub
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`gates can substantially reduce direct contact (or impingement) of molten plastic with the
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`side of the lenticular image bearing the interlaced image. Figure 7 shows a typical sub
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`gate 38b arrangement.
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`Preferably, sub gates are used since such gates provide the necessary time for the
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`temperature of molten plastic to decrease prior to contacting the lenticular image (or
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`other backing surface), which in turn, reduces the potential for deleterious effects on the
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`lenticular image due to excessive temperature. Additionally, sub gates provide a way to
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`inject molten plastic in a manner that can exert a more controlled and less turbulent
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`pressure on the back surface of the lenticular image. This pressure exerts a force such
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`that the lenticular lens surface against the stationary half, holding it in place, and further,
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`the pressure promotes better adhesion between the molten plastic and the lenticular part.
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`In alternative embodiments of this invention, the mold is equipped with two or
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`more injection ports, and the placement of the ports can vary to convenience.
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`In certain
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`circumstances, the ports are placed distal or oblique to the lenticular image. Generally,
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`so as to minimize any distortion or other deleterious effects (e.g., burning) to the image or
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`the lenticular lens itself (e.g., melting) that may result from the heat and/or pressure of the
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`molten plastic.
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`Referring to Figures 3a—d, in operation, the two halves of the mold begin in an
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`open position, i.e., extended apart from one another.
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`In a preferred embodiment of this
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`invention, a plurality of appropriately sized lenticular images (preferably the images are
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`die cut or similarly portioned from larger sheets) are delivered to an area near the mold in
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`a stack 10 (or alternatively, on a tape), as shown in Figure 3a. The images are then
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`preferably removed individually from the stack (or tape) and placed within the mold
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`through a pick-and—place motion of a robotic arm 40.
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`Referring to Figures 3a—c, lenticular image 10a is positioned within stationary half
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`32 (or alternatively, on moveable core portion 34) and held in place through the action of
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`vacuum assist (or optionally, static electricity — separately or in addition to the vacuum
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`assist — can be used to promote positioning of the lenticular image Within the mold). The
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`lenticular image is preferably oriented within the mold such that the lenticular lens is
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`positioned between the interlaced image and the preferably polished surface of mold half
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`32 (or the surface of moveable core 34). Moveable core portion 34 (again, preferably
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`having a polished surface) is then closed (Figure 3c) upon stationary portion 32, leaving a
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`cavity or gap between the surface of the stationary portion and the core portion into
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`which molten plastic is injected.
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`Referring to Figures 6—8, the molten solidifyable material,
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`i.e., the plastic,
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`is
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`injected (via a variety of gate arrangements, e.g., hook, edge, or sub) in a manner as
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`illustrated by the respective arrows of each Figure. The temperature and pressure are
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`sufficient to ensure proper formation of the molded part without distortion of the
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`lenticular image. Of course, the working temperature and pressure of the molten plastic
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`is a function of a number of variables, e.g.,
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`the composition of the plastic,
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`the
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`composition and structure of the lenticular image, etc., but as a practical matter, the
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`temperature and pressure experienced by the surface of the lenticular image exposed to
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`the plastic (e.g., ink, protective coating, substrate, etc.) is sufficiently below that at which
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`the surface deteriorates or otherwise degrades.
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`As the molten plastic material flows between stationary mold 32 and moveable
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`core 34, it pushes the lenticular part against the stationary mold cavity surface. This
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`action (not shown), coupled with the vacuum assist (or, for example, static electricity),
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`prevents any substantial molten plastic material from flowing between the cavity surface
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`and the decorative surface containing the lenticular lens material.
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`The mold halves are cooled separately. Of course, mold temperatures must be
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`selected such that the molten plastic does not unacceptably degrade the lenticular image,
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`and in particular, the optical properties promoted by the curved surface of the lens.
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`Additionally, the temperature must accommodate the plastic so as to permit it to set
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`sufficiently such that lenticular image is permanently affixed to the surface of the
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`injection molded article. An enlarged cross-sectional view of a molded article 50 hearing
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`a lenticular image 10a is shown in Figure 9. The multiple layers shown in Figures 6-9
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`correspond to those described above with reference to Figures 2a—d and Figures 4-5.
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`Referring to Figure 3d, once adhesion is achieved and the plastic set and cooled,
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`mold portions 32 and 34 can be separated- The vacuum assist can be disengaged, and the
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`molded article bearing the lenticular image can then be removed using robotic arm 40.
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`In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the lenticular lens of the
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`lenticular image is made in Situ.
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`In this embodiment, at least one surface or at least one
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`part of one surface of one of the mold halves is shaped to impart a lenticular lens
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`configuration to a portion of the surface of the molded article.
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`In this embodiment, the
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`image, typically printed upon a suitable substrate, is positioned over the part of the mold
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`shaped to impart a lenticular lens configuration to the molded article in such a manner as
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`to map the image to the lenticules of the lens. The method as described above is then
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`performed.
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`Molded articles that can be made by the method of this invention include such
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`diverse items as: containers (for example, cups, bottles, etc.), key chains, necklaces,
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`charms, automobile dashboards, cosmetic or compact disc cases, among others, including
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`those listed above.
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`The present invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments.
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`Equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated herein, are
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`possible and should be understood to be within the scope of the appending claims.
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`What is claimed is:
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`1.
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`A method for making a molded article, the method comprising the steps
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`of:
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`A
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`B.
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`C.
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`providing a mold in which to form the molded article;
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`inserting a lenticular image into the mold;
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`introducing a molten plastic into the mold to form the molded article with
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`the lenticular lens attached to the surface ofthe molded article; and
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`D.
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`removing the molded article with the attached lenticular image from the
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`mold.
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`2
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`The method of Claim 1 fiirther comprising the step of delivering a
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`plurality of lenticular images to an area near the mold on a tape and removing the at least
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`one of the plurality of lenticular images from the tape for insertion into the mold using a
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`robotic arm.
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`3
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`The method of Claim 1 in which the mold has a concave surface and the
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`lenticular image, comprising a lenticular lens and an interlaced image, is oriented within
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`the mold such that the lenticular lens is positioned between the interlaced image and the
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`concave surface.
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`4.
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`The method of Claim 1 in which the molten plastic is introduced at a
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`temperature and pressure so as to result in little, if any, distortion to the lenticular image.
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`5.
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`The method of Claim 1 in which the lenticular image further includes at
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`least one of a substrate, an adhesive, and a coating.
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`6.
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`The method of Claim 5 in which the substrate is further defined as one of:
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`plastic, metal, glass, or wood.
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`7.
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`A molded article having a surface comprising a lenticular image made by
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`the method of Claim 1.
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`8.
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`The molded article of Claim 7 in which the molded article is further
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`defined to be one of a flash molded, a positive pressure molded, a transfer resin molded, a
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`blow molded, or an injection molded article.
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`9.
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`A molded article bearing an integrally joined lenticular image.
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`10.
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`A molded article comprising a molten plastic that has cooled and
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`hardened, the article bearing a lenticular image that is joined with the plastic in an
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`integral fashion.
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`ABSTRACT
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`Disclosed herein is a molded article bearing a lenticular image on its surface that
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`is prepared by a method comprising the steps of:
`
`A
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`B.
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`C.
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`providing a mold in which to form the molded article;
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`inserting a lenticular image into the mold;
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`introducing a molten plastic into the mold to form the molded article with
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`the lenticular image attached to the surface of the molded article; and
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`D.
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`removing the molded article with the attached lenticular image from the
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`mold.
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`
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`i,
`l
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