Nonreflective articles
US5212596A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 18, 1992 |
| Grant date | May 18, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 18, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B5/124
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An article for presenting dye/pigment images therein comprising a substantially transparent viewing region 20; photodeveloped, printed, deposited or diffused dyes and/or pigments 21 in the viewing region; and a substrate region 22 adjacent to the viewing region. The outer surface 23 of the viewing region is configured in a relief pattern comprising microscopic, smooth, sharp pyramids 31, cones 48, or ridges 29, to provide a series of at least 3 surface reflections of any light impinging thereon, before the light travels toward the viewer's eyes. The reflectivity at any one surface reflection is less than about 5% of normally incident light, so less than about 0.05% (and preferably not more than 0.02%) of such incident light is returned toward the viewer after 3 reflections, and less after 4. A viewer thus can see the dye/pigment images clearly from any direction and free from noticeable reflected light from the outer surface, and without loss of detail or contrast in dark areas.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.