DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a cross sectional view of a first embodiment of a printed article produced in accordance with the present invention, depicted on a much enlarged basis over actual size. The printed article 10 includes a substrate 12 having a top surface 14 and a bottom surface 16 . The substrate 12 can be formed of paper, cardboard, plastic, acrylic, glass, metal or any other suitable printable material.

[0044] A reflective ink layer 18 is printed over all or a portion of the top surface 14 of the substrate 12 . The reflective layer 18 is preferably formed of reflective ink which is printed onto the substrate 12 . The reflective layer 18 can be clear or have any color. The reflective layer 18 can be opaque, transparent, semi-transparent or translucent. The reflective layer 18 gives the printed article a shiny or glossy metallic appearance. Alternatively, the reflective layer 18 can be formed of a chrome film, diffraction film, metallic foil, holographic foil, roll leafing, or any metalized material having a shiny surface.

[0045] A graphic design or image 20 is printed over all or a portion of the reflective layer 18 . The image 20 can have any desired form, for example, a football player on a sports trading card as shown in FIG. 14 , or any other image. The graphic design or image 20 may comprise a plurality of ink layers in order to provide the desired design. The graphic design 20 may also include hidden or latent images 28 printed within the design. These hidden or latent images 28 are “weak” or “lightly” printed images that are printed among the plurality of ink layers of the graphic design, and are visible only at certain viewing angles. The hidden images 28 appear and disappear from a viewer as the viewing angle of the printed article is changed.

[0046] A preferred method of forming the graphic design 20 and hidden images 28 is through a four-color offset printing process where a base layer is printed and a four-color image is printed over the base layer. The graphic design 20 and hidden images 28 may be printed with opaque ink, semi-transparent ink, translucent ink, or any combination thereof. These inks are preferably curable in response to ultraviolet (UV) light. Other methods of forming the graphic design 20 and hidden images 28 images include silk screening, lithography, flexography, gravure or other known printing methods.

[0047] A textured pattern 29 is printed over and/or around the graphic design or image 20 . The textured pattern includes a plurality of parallel convex rounded ridges or lines 22 of transparent ink printed in bands, rays or sections 60 , FIG. 14 , over and/or around the graphic design or image 20 . The textured pattern 29 is created by a plurality of very thin lines 22 spaced very closely together at various angles and orientations to reflect light in various directions. In the preferred embodiment, the height and thickness of the lines is approximately 0.2 mils to 0.5 mils. However, the thickness, height and spacing of the lines may vary depending upon the particular application and desired visual effect. The textured pattern 29 can be formed over the entire surface of the image 20 or over only a portion thereof. The textured pattern 29 of lines 22 is preferably formed from a transparent ink, such as Nasdar 3527 or the like, printed on top of the graphic design or image 20 by a printing method such as silk screening, lithography, flexography, offset printing, gravure, coating or other known printing method. The transparent ink has rheological properties such that when it is applied, it flows into a semi-cylindrical or other convex shape when viewed in cross-section. This transparent ink is also preferably a UV curable ink. The transparent ink may also include flakes of glitter, or pearls, or other materials to produce a “glittery” effect on the printed article.

[0048] The textured pattern 29 gives the appearance of a raised or embossed effect, which simulates depth and three-dimensionality. The semi-cylindrically shaped raised ridges or lines 22 bend and reflect light incident on the printed article 10 producing the visual illusion of depth, three-dimensionality, hidden images and motion through hue and color changes in the printed article as it is viewed from different angles. Light incident on the printed article 10 is reflected off the reflective layer 18 back through the graphic design or image 20 and the textured pattern 29 to create a unique visual effect. As mentioned previously, the textured pattern 29 includes a plurality of parallel lines 22 printed in bands, rays or sections 60 over the image 20 . The parallel lines 22 in each section 60 are all oriented in the same direction to illuminate the entire section of printed lines when light is reflected from the reflective layer 18 through the textured pattern of lines. Adjacent sections 60 have parallel lines 22 oriented in different directions to reflect light in different directions as the printed article 10 is viewed from different angles. These different sections 60 of textured patterns of lines create the illusion of depth, three-dimensionality, appearing and disappearing images, and motion in the printed article 10 as it is viewed from different angles.

[0049] FIG. 1A illustrates the printed article 10 of FIG. 1 with printing on both the top 14 and bottom 16 surfaces of the substrate 12 . The printed article 10 A of FIG. 1A includes a second reflective layer 18 A printed on the bottom surface 16 of the substrate 12 , a second graphic design or image 20 A printed over and/or around the second reflective layer 18 A, and a second textured pattern 29 A of lines 22 A printed on the second graphic design or image 20 A. The graphic design or image 20 A may also include hidden or latent images 28 A “lightly” printed within the design.

[0050] FIGS. 2, 2A , 3 , 3 A, 4 and 4 A show variations or modifications 11 , 11 A, 13 , 13 A, 15 and 15 A of the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 1 A. In FIGS. 2 and 2 A, variations 11 and 11 A include a graphic design or image 20 , 20 A printed on selected portions of a reflective layer 18 , 18 A with a textured pattern 29 , 29 A of lines 22 , 22 A printed on both the reflective layer 18 , 18 A and graphic image 20 , 20 A. In FIGS. 3 and 3 A, variations 13 and 13 A include a graphic design or image 20 , 20 A printed on selected portions of a reflective layer 18 , 18 A with a textured pattern 29 , 29 A of lines 22 , 22 A printed only on the graphic image 20 , 20 A. In FIGS. 4 and 4 A, variations 15 and 15 A include a graphic design or image 20 , 20 A printed on selected portions of a reflective layer 18 , 18 A with a textured pattern 29 , 29 A of lines 22 , 22 A printed only on the reflective layer 18 , 18 A. The graphic design or image layers 20 , 20 A may also include hidden or latent images 28 , 28 A “lightly” printed within the design.

[0051] FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged cross sectional view of a second embodiment of a printed article 17 produced in accordance with the present invention. The difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is that this embodiment does not include a reflective layer printed on the surface of the substrate. Instead, a graphic design or image is printed directly on the surface of the substrate.

[0052] The printed article 17 includes a substrate 12 having a top surface 14 and a bottom surface 16 . The substrate 12 may be formed of any suitable printable material. It is preferred that the top 14 and bottom 16 surfaces of the substrate 12 are substantially reflective or glossy.

[0053] A graphic design or image 20 is printed over all or a portion of the top surface 14 of the substrate 12 . The graphic design or image 20 may comprise a plurality of ink layers having hidden or latent images 28 printed among the plurality of ink layers. These hidden or latent images 28 are “weak” or “lightly” printed images that are visible only at certain viewing angles. The graphic design 20 and hidden images 28 may be printed with opaque ink, semi-transparent ink, translucent ink, or any combination thereof. The inks used are preferably UV curable inks.

[0054] A textured pattern 29 is printed over and/or around the graphic design or image 20 . The textured pattern 29 includes a plurality of parallel convex rounded ridges or lines 22 of transparent ink printed in bands, rays or sections over and/or around the graphic design or image 20 . In the preferred embodiment, the height and thickness of the lines is approximately 0.2 mils to 0.5 mils. However, the thickness, height and spacing of the lines may vary depending upon the particular application and desired visual effect. The textured pattern 29 can be formed over the entire surface of the image 20 or over only a portion thereof. The textured pattern 29 of lines 22 is preferably formed from a transparent ink, such as Nasdar 3527 or the like, printed on top of the graphic design or image 20 by a printing method such as silk screening, lithography, flexography, offset printing, gravure, coating or other known printing method. The transparent ink has theological properties such that when it is applied, it flows into a semi-cylindrical or convex shape when viewed in cross-section. This transparent ink is also preferably a UV curable ink. The textured pattern 29 of lines 22 create the illusion of depth, three-dimensionality, appearing and disappearing images, and motion in the printed article 17 as it is viewed from different angles.

[0055] FIG. 5A shows a printed article 17 A similar to the printed article 17 of FIG. 5 with printing on both the top 14 and bottom 16 surfaces of the substrate 12 . The printed article 17 A includes a second graphic design or image 20 A printed on the bottom surface 16 of the substrate 12 and a second textured pattern 29 A of convex-shaped lines 22 A printed on the second graphic design or image 20 A. The graphic design or image 20 A may also include hidden or latent images 28 A “lightly” printed within the design.

[0056] FIGS. 6, 6A , 7 , 7 A, 8 and 8 A show variations or modifications 19 , 19 A, 21 , 21 A, 23 and 23 A of the second embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 5 A. In FIGS. 6 and 6 A, variations 19 and 19 A include a graphic design or image 20 , 20 A printed on selected portions of the top 14 and bottom 16 surfaces of the substrate 12 with the textured pattern 29 , 29 A of lines 22 , 22 A printed on both the top 14 and bottom 16 surfaces of the substrate 12 and image 20 , 20 A. In FIGS. 7 and 7 A, variations 21 and 21 A include a graphic design or image 20 , 20 A printed on selected portions of the top 14 and bottom 16 surfaces of the substrate 12 with the textured pattern 29 , 29 A of lines 22 , 22 A printed only on the image 20 , 20 A. In FIGS. 8 and 8 A, variations 23 and 23 A include a graphic design or image 20 , 20 A printed on selected portions of the top 14 and bottom 16 surfaces of the substrate 12 and the textured pattern 29 , 29 A of lines 22 , 22 A printed only on the top 14 and bottom 16 surfaces of the substrate 12 . The graphic design or image 20 , 20 A may also include hidden or latent images 28 , 28 A “lightly” printed within the design.

[0057] FIG. 9 illustrates an enlarged cross sectional view of a third embodiment of a printed article 24 produced in accordance with the present invention. The difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is that this embodiment includes a transparent glossy layer printed between the graphic image and the textured pattern.

[0058] The printed article 24 includes a substrate 28 having a top surface 30 and a bottom surface 32 . A reflective ink layer 34 is printed over all or a portion of the top surface 30 of the substrate 28 . The reflective layer 34 is preferably formed of reflective ink which is printed on the substrate 28 . The reflective ink can be opaque, transparent, semi-transparent or translucent to give the printed article 24 a shiny or glossy metallic appearance.

[0059] A graphic design or image 36 is printed over all or a portion of the reflective layer 34 . The graphic design or image 36 comprises a plurality of ink layers that may include hidden or latent images 35 printed within the design. These hidden or latent images 35 are “weak” or “lightly” printed images that may be visible only at certain viewing angles. The graphic design 36 and hidden images 35 may be printed with opaque ink, semi-transparent ink, translucent ink, or any combination thereof. The inks used are preferably UV curable inks.

[0060] A transparent glossy layer 38 is printed over the image 36 and any exposed portion of the reflective layer 34 . The transparent glossy layer 38 may be formed of clear polyester by thermal lamination, or by printing or coating with a clear plastic or transparent ink. The glossy layer 38 can also be formed of a pressure sensitive sheet using cold lamination.

[0061] A textured pattern 37 is printed on top of the glossy layer 38 . The textured pattern 37 includes a plurality of parallel convex ridges or lines 40 of transparent ink printed in bands, rays or sections over the glossy layer 38 . In the preferred embodiment, the height and thickness of the lines is approximately 0.2 mils to 0.5 mils. However, the thickness, height and spacing of the lines may vary depending upon the particular application and desired visual effect. The textured pattern 37 can be formed over the entire surface of the glossy layer 38 or over only a portion thereof. The textured pattern 37 of lines 40 is preferably formed from a transparent ink, such as Nasdar 3527 or the like, printed on the glossy layer 38 by a printing method such as silk screening, lithography, flexography, offset printing, gravure, coating or other known printing method. The transparent ink has rheological properties such that when it is applied, it flows into a semi-cylindrical or other convex shape when viewed in cross-section. This transparent ink is also preferably a UV curable ink. The textured pattern 37 of lines 40 create the illusion of depth, three-dimensionality, appearing and disappearing images, and motion in the printed article 24 as it is viewed from different angles.

[0062] FIG. 9A illustrates a printed article 24 A similar to the printed article 24 of FIG. 9 with printing on both the top 30 and bottom 32 surfaces of the substrate 28 . The printed article 24 A includes a second reflective layer 34 A printed on the bottom surface 32 of the substrate 28 , a second graphic design or image 36 A printed on the second reflective layer 34 A, a second transparent glossy layer 38 A printed on the image 36 A and a second textured pattern 37 A of lines 40 A printed on the second transparent glossy layer 38 A. The graphic design or image 36 A may also include hidden or latent images 35 A “lightly” printed within the design.

[0063] FIGS. 10, 10A , 11 , 11 A, 12 and 12 A show variations or modifications 25 , 25 A, 26 , 26 A, 27 and 27 A of the third embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 9 A. In FIGS. 10 and 10 A, variations 25 and 25 A include a graphic design or image 36 , 36 A printed on selected portions of a reflective layer 34 , 34 A with a textured pattern 37 , 37 A of lines 40 , 40 A printed on a transparent glossy layer 38 , 38 A over both the reflective layer 34 , 34 A and image 36 , 36 A. In FIGS. 11 and 11 A, variations 26 and 26 A include a graphic design or image 36 , 36 A printed on selected portions of a reflective layer 34 , 34 A with a textured pattern 37 , 37 A of lines 40 , 40 A printed on a transparent glossy layer 38 , 38 A only over the image 36 , 36 A. In FIGS. 12 and 12 A, variations 27 and 27 A include a graphic design or image 36 , 36 A printed on selected portions of a reflective layer 34 , 34 A with a textured pattern 37 , 37 A of lines 40 , 40 A printed on a transparent glossy layer 38 , 38 A over only the reflective layer 34 , 34 A. The graphic design or image 36 , 36 A may also include hidden or latent images 35 , 35 A “lightly” printed within the design.

[0064] FIG. 13 illustrates an enlarged cross sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a printed article 42 produced in accordance with the present invention. The printed article 42 includes a clear or transparent substrate 44 having a top surface 46 and a bottom surface 48 . A graphic design or image 50 is printed over all or a portion of the bottom surface 48 of the substrate 44 . The graphic design or image 50 comprises a plurality of ink layers that may include hidden or latent images 56 printed within the design. These hidden or latent images 56 are “weak” or “lightly” printed images that may be visible only at certain viewing angles. The graphic design 50 and hidden images 56 may be printed with opaque ink, semi-transparent ink, translucent ink, or any combination thereof. The inks used are preferably UV curable inks. A reflective layer 52 is printed over all or a portion of the graphic image 50 on the bottom surface 48 of the substrate 44 . The reflective layer 52 is preferably formed of reflective ink which can be opaque, transparent, semi-transparent or translucent to give the printed article 42 a shiny or glossy metallic appearance.

[0065] A textured pattern 62 is printed on the top surface 46 of the substrate 44 . The textured pattern 62 includes a plurality of parallel convex ridges or lines 54 of opaque, semi-transparent, or translucent ink printed in bands, rays or sections on the top surface 46 of the substrate 44 . In the preferred embodiment, the height and thickness of the lines is approximately 0.2 mils to 0.5 mils. However, the thickness, height and spacing of the lines may vary depending upon the particular application and desired visual effect. The textured pattern 62 can be formed over the entire top surface 46 of the substrate 44 or over only a portion thereof. The textured pattern 62 of lines 54 is preferably formed from an opaque, semi-transparent, or translucent ink, such as Flint RVW29129 or the like, printed on top of the substrate by processes such as silk screening, lithography, flexography, offset printing, gravure, coating or other known printing method. The ink has rheological properties such that when it is applied, it flows into a semi-cylindrical or other convex shape when viewed in cross-section. This ink is also preferably a UV curable ink. The textured pattern 62 of lines 54 create the illusion of depth, three-dimensionality, appearing and disappearing images, and motion in the printed article 42 .

[0066] FIG. 14 illustrates an example, a sports trading card 56 manufactured in accordance with the present invention. The card 56 includes the image of a football player 58 printed over a reflective layer covering the entire top surface of the card. Printed around the image 58 is a plurality of textured lines 60 printed within a plurality of sections or rays 62 emanating from the image 58 . The textured lines 60 are produced by transparent ink printed within the sections or rays 62 . Each of the sections 62 includes a plurality of parallel lines 60 all oriented in the same direction to illuminate the entire section 62 when light is reflected from the reflective layer through the textured pattern of lines 60 when the card 56 is viewed at different angles. Adjacent sections 62 have lines 60 oriented in different directions to reflect the light in different directions as the card 56 is viewed from different angles. The invention also contemplates sections 62 not having a textured pattern of lines 60 , but a layer of translucent ink covering the reflective layer creating a flat appearance. The different sections 62 of textured patterns of lines 60 creates the illusion of depth, three-dimensionality, appearing and disappearing images, and motion in the printed sports trading card 56 .

[0067] FIG. 15 illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a printed article, similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 . The printed article 64 preferably includes a substrate 66 having a top surface 68 and a bottom surface 70 . A reflective layer 72 is preferably applied over all or a portion of the top surface 68 of the substrate 66 . A graphic design or image 74 is preferably applied over all or a portion of the reflective layer 72 . The graphic design or image 74 may comprise a plurality of layers in order to provide the desired design. The graphic design 74 may also include hidden or latent images 28 printed within the design. A clear plastic layer 69 is then preferably applied over and/or around the graphic design or image 76 . This clear plastic layer is preferably a clear plastic laminate that is impressed, stamped, embossed or otherwise formed with a plurality of light controlling lines or lenses 79 that are semi-circular in cross-section. This textured pattern of lines 79 can be formed over the entire surface of the image 76 or over only a portion thereof. The textured pattern 79 preferably includes a plurality of parallel lines 67 stamped into bands, rays or sections 60 over the image 76 to create the same visual effect as described above.

[0068] FIG. 16 illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a printed article, similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 . The printed article 73 includes a substrate 66 having a top surface 68 and a bottom surface 70 . A graphic design or image 74 is applied over all or a portion of the top surface 68 of the substrate 70 . The graphic design or image 74 may comprise hidden or latent images 76 . A clear plastic layer 69 is then preferably applied over and/or around the graphic design or image 76 . This clear plastic layer is preferably a clear plastic laminate that is impressed, stamped, embossed or otherwise formed with a plurality of light controlling lines or lenses 79 that are semi-circular in cross-section. This textured pattern of lines 79 can be formed over the entire surface of the image 76 or over only a portion thereof. The textured pattern 79 preferably includes a plurality of parallel lines 67 stamped into bands, rays or sections 60 over the image 76 to create the same visual effect as described above.

[0069] FIG. 17 illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a printed article 82 , similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 . The printed article 82 includes a substrate 66 having a top surface 68 and a bottom surface 70 . A reflective ink layer 72 is preferably applied over all or a portion of the top surface 68 of the substrate 70 . A graphic design or image 74 is preferably applied over all or a portion of the reflective layer 72 . The graphic design or image 74 may include hidden or latent images 76 incorporated within the design. A transparent glossy layer 84 is preferably applied over the image 74 and any exposed portion of the reflective layer 72 . A clear plastic layer 69 is then preferably applied over and/or around the graphic design or image 76 . This clear plastic layer is preferably a clear plastic laminate that is impressed, stamped, embossed or otherwise formed with a plurality of light controlling lines or lenses 79 that are semi-circular in cross-section. This textured pattern of lines 79 can be formed over the entire surface of the image 76 or over only a portion thereof. The textured pattern 79 preferably includes a plurality of parallel lines 67 stamped into bands, rays or sections 60 over the image 76 to create the same visual effect as described above.

[0070] FIG. 18 illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a printed article 86 , similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 . The printed article 86 preferably includes a clear or transparent substrate 77 having a top surface 81 and a bottom surface 83 . A graphic design or image 74 is preferably applied over all or a portion of the bottom surface 81 of the substrate 77 . The graphic design or image 74 may include hidden or latent images 85 printed within the design. A reflective layer 72 is preferably applied over all or a portion of the graphic image 74 on the bottom surface 83 of the substrate 77 . A clear plastic layer 69 is then preferably applied over and/or around the graphic design or image 76 . This clear plastic layer is preferably a clear plastic laminate that is impressed, stamped, embossed or otherwise formed with a plurality of light controlling lines or lenses 79 that are semi-circular in cross-section. This textured pattern of lines 79 can be formed over the entire surface of the image 76 or over only a portion thereof. The textured pattern 79 preferably includes a plurality of parallel lines 67 stamped into bands, rays or sections 60 over the image 76 to create the same visual effect as described above.

[0071] While the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain substitutions, alterations, and omissions may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is meant to be exemplary only and should not limit the scope of the invention set forth in the following claims.