Ultraviolet printing with luminosity control

Number: 9765226
Published: 2017-09-19
Filed: 2014-03-27
Assignee: DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
Inventors: Dain; Susan
CPC: C09D11/30; C09D11/38; C09D11/02; C09D11/03
Verdict: Low Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

A printable UV-blocking ink composition free of visible or UV-visible colorants, used to create hidden or luminosity-controlled printed images.

Abstract

Disclosed herein areprintable compositions that include a UV-A blocking compound, wherein the composition is free of colorants that are visible under white light or UV light. Also disclosed herein are images formed by printing the printable composition on a substrate surface, wherein the substrate surface includes one or more Uv fluorescent materials on at least a portion thereof. Also disclosed herein are methods of forming an image on a substrate including printing a selected amount of the printable composition on top of a UV fluorescent material.

Background

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS(1) FIGS. 1A-1B show a schematic illustration of an inkjet cartridge for holding and printing a UV blocking ink of the invention.(2) FIG. 2 shows an array of inkjet cartridges wherein one thereof is for holding and printing a UV blocking ink of the invention.(3) FIGS. 3A-3B show an image generated using a UV blocking ink of the invention.(4) FIGS. 4A-4B show another image generated using a UV blocking ink of the invention.(5) FIG. 5 is a magnified section of the image ofFIG. 4B.(6) FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a 3D printer and a printed 3D article including a UV blocking ink of the invention.(7) FIG. 7 is a simplified block diagram of a computer in communication with a printer.DETAILED DESCRIPTION(8) As used herein, “UV radiation” or “UV light” means radiation having wavelength range between 100-400 nm. UV radiation includes one or more of UV-A radiation, UV-B radiation, UV-C radiation, or an overlapping range thereof. UV-A radiation is ultraviolet light having wavelengths of 315-400 nm. UV-B radiation is ultraviolet light having wavelengths of 280-315 nm. UV-C radiation is ultraviolet light having wavelengths of 100-280 nm.(9) As used herein, “UV ink” means a printable material that fluoresces under UV radiation. In some embodiments, the UV ink fluoresces under UV-A radiation. In other embodiments, as determined by context, the UV ink is a printable material that fluoresces under UV-A, UV-B, or UV-C radiation, or a combination of tw

Claims

1. A printable composition comprising a UV blocking compound, wherein the composition contains substantially no colorants visible under white light, and substantially no colorants that fluoresce when irradiated by UV light having a range of wavelengths that correspond to at least a portion of a range of wavelengths blocked by the UV blocking compound, wherein the printable composition is a UV curable ink, a wax-based ink, a laser toner, a3D printer filament, or a dye sublimation ink. 4. An image comprising a selected pattern of UV blocking ink on a substrate surface, the substrate surface comprising one or more UVfluorescent materials on at least a portion thereof, wherein the UV blocking ink is disposed on the UV fluorescent materials; the UV blocking ink comprising a UV blocking compound, substantially no colorants visible under white light, and substantially no colorants that fluoresce when irradiated by UV light having a range of wavelengths that correspond to at least a portion of a range of wavelengths blocked by the UV blocking compound; the UV fluorescent materials exhibit fluorescence when irradiated by UV light having a range of wavelengths that correspond to at least a portion of the range of wavelengths blocked by the UV blocking compound; the selected pattern of UV blocking ink is applied such that variable amounts of UV blocking ink are disposed on the UV fluorescent material such that when the image is illuminated by UV light having a range of wavelengths that correspond to at least a portion of the rage of wavelengths blocked by the UV blocking compound, the image exhibits one or more of fading, shadows, or an illusion of depth on the one or more UV fluorescent materials.