Outer Rim Archives
Archives · 2017 · 9801254

Granted patent

Backlit luminous structure with UV coating

Number
9801254
Published
2017-10-24
Filed
2014-12-17
Assignee
DISNEY ENTERPRISES, INC.
Inventors
Hsing; Alexander W., Smoot; Lanny
CPC
H05B33/10; H05B33/145
Verdict
High Hardware
Source
Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

A backlit luminous structure using a UV-emitting electroluminescent coating on a substrate to create glowing prop or display surfaces.

Abstract

The present disclosure relates generally to a backlit luminous structure. The backlit luminous structure includes a substrate, such as a two dimensional or three dimensional object or surface, an ultraviolet emitting electroluminescent coating or other type of UV emitting coating that emits ultraviolet wavelengths when activated, and an ultraviolet activated luminous coating applied onthe ultraviolet emitting electroluminescent coating. When activated, the ultraviolet emitting electroluminescent coating generates ultraviolet wavelengths that aviate the luminouscoating. The backlit luminous structure may be used in a variety of applications, such as, but not limited to, theme parks, amusement attractions, or the like.

Background

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS(1) FIG. 1A is a simplified diagram illustrating a surface emitting visible light by being exposed to external UV sources.(2) FIG. 1B is a simplified diagram illustrating a 3D surface emitting visible light by being exposed to external UV sources.(3) FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a backlit luminous structure according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.(4) FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of a backlit luminous structure in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure.(5) FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional of a backlit luminous structure with a UV emitting layer coated on twosides with a luminous paint in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.(6) FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of multiple phosphor layers for the UV emitting layer inaccordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.(7) FIG. 3B is a top view of multiple phosphors positioned in different regions of the UV emitting layer in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.(8) FIG. 4 is a top view of the UV emitting layer of FIG. 3B with two bus bars positioned therein in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.(9) FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method for forming a backlit luminous structure in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.(10) FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating steps for thermoforming a UV emitting sheet over a surface in accordance with embodiments of the present disclo

Claims

1. A backlit luminous structure, comprising: a substrate; an ultraviolet (UV) emitting coating applied to the substrate that when activated emits UV light; and a UV activated luminous coating applied over the UV emitting coating. 14. An illumination system for an object comprising: an ultra violet (UV) emitting structure comprising a plurality of selectively activatable UV regions; a blacklight paint coat applied on top of the UV emitting structure; a power source electrically coupled to a plurality of regions; and a controller electrically coupled to the power source to independently activate UV emission from each UV region of the plurality of UV regions. 18. A method for forming a fluorescent illuminating object comprising: applying an electroluminescent ultra violet emitting (UV EL) coating onto a substrate, wherein the UV EL coating comprises a plurality of ultra violet activated phosphors; and applying UV activated pigments over the UV EL coating.