GB2230228A - Novelty article - Google Patents

Abstract

A novelty article is disclosed in which a recognisable image is separated into portions thereby forming a plurality of unrecognisable images. The unrecognisable images are conveyed by respective disc-shaped elements which are rotatably mounted about pivot (8) so as to be movable independently of each other in a superposed relationship such that, in a particular orientation, the complete desired image becomes recognisable. The upper element has a tab (5) which when aligned with either tab (6) or (7) on the lower element reveals one of the images. <IMAGE>

Description

NOVELTY ARTICLE DESCRIPTION This invention relates to a novelty article whereby a desired image, such as, a picture, pattern, plan, design or like configuration, can be formed (assembled), broken up (disassembled) and reformed (reassembled) at the discretion of a user, its having many applications in the fields of novelties and puzzles, for instance, greeting cards, post cards, promotional items, advertising displays, signs, business cards and puzzle-type games.

In accordance with the invention, therefore, there is provided a novelty article comprising a plurality of elements bearing respective portions (unrecognisable) of a desired (recognisable) image and being movable independently of each other into a predetermined orientation with respect to each other in superposed relationship, to form the desired image.

Preferably, the elements are sheets in any suitable combination of transparent, opaque and/or partially transparent/opaque material(s), for instance, paper, card, board, Mylar (Registered Trade Mark) film, perspex, glass, plexi-glass or the like.

In a preferred embodiment, the image portionbearing elements are thin, circular discs rotatable independently of one another about a common central axis, the discs being flexible (floppy), rigid, semirigid or any combination thereof, depending upon the particular application of the article.

Such discs represent layers bearing respective partial (unrecognisable) images which, when the discs are brought into the predetermined orientation with respect to each other, the superposed partial images form the desired (recognisable) image.

The discs may be provided with radially extending tabs which can be used to rotate the discs individually into the predetermined angular orientation with respect to each other.

Photographs, illustrations, transparencies and typeset in monchrome or colour may all be used as subject matter for the desired image, individually or in any combination.

The number of partial (unrecognisable) imagebearing layers can be as few as two or as many as one hundred. A novelty article in accordance with the invention and with many partial image-bearing layers has each such layer -bearing 1/X of the desired (recognisable) image, where X equals the number of layers.

Clearly, fewer layers are easier to use and more economical to manufacture than articles with more layers.

However, in the former case for an article with fewer layers, each layer has to bear more of the desired image than that of an article with more layers, thereby rendering it easier to recognise the subject image by viewing, say, one such layer. Thus, the best form of the article is one which may be considered as a compromise, in that it has as few partial image-bearing layers as possible without any one layer revealing sufficient subject matter to render its partial image recognisable Assembly of the article is fairly critical, in that substantially perfect registration between the partial image-bearing layers has to be achieved, one such arrangement being the combination of disctype layers mentioned above, whereby circular layers, preferably with radially projecting, operating tabs, are individually rotatable into the predetermined orientation with respect to each other, thereby achieving complete registration of the layers for the desired (recognisable) image. The common axis about which the dics layers are rotatable may be provided in any suitable form, for instance, a centrally-located rivet.

However, this arrangement has been found to experience what might be termed as "layer warping", due to any inherent flexibility of the layers, particularly when lithographic film is used. This problem, which results in poor registration between the partial image-bearing layers and, hence, a desired image of poor quality (blurred), may be overcome by printing the partial images on to comparatively more rigid layers.

Alternatively, therefore, a housing for the layers may be provided, with, say, the central axis rivet secured to the housing but enabling the layers to be rotated individually with respect thereto. Slots or channels may be provided in the circumferential edge of any such housing, for accommodating any operating tabs associated with the layers.

The technique for splitting the desired image into the partial images borne by respective element layers may comprise converting the desired image into lithographic half tones or colour separations, to yield film which is "place ready" for printing.

Alternatively, a combination of high contrast or lithographic with continuous tone monochrome or colour imaging, form either prints or transparancies, may be employed to produce continuous tone, photographic emulsions, which is otherwise unsuitable for direct exposure to conventional lithographic techniques.

Thus, the first alternative would be to reproduce the images by lithographic means or, for the second alternative, to reproduce such images using continuous tone, photographic emulsions by darkroom techniques and limited production.

In this regard, a first prototype comprised three partial (unrecognisable) image-bearing layers, two being in the form of transparent lithographic film and the third, an opaque bromide print.

The range of possibilities for producing the partial image-bearing layers with differing partial images is, to all intents and purposes, limitless, although some yield better results than others. In general, however, the partial image should be of a random nature. For example, a meso screen tint has beeb found to be more effective than a conventional screen tint, constituted by a square, circular or elliptical dot matrix pattern.

Thus, high contrast images taken from random patterns and textures, such as, fabrics, gravel, wood grains and the like, have proved to provide and even more interesting and effective image.

A wide variety of such patterns is already available, although their intended applications are very different to that of the presently inventive article.

Indeed, such known patterns are intended to be used mainly for creating decorative backgrounds or graphic patterns and for half toning or colour separating black and white or full colour imaging in preparation for printing.

The inventive, novelty device, however, utilises such known arrangements for what is known in lithography as "knock-outs", unmasks", "mattes" or "windows".

In lithography, it is customary to use a device for the purpose of "trapping" colours, photographs, graphics and/or typeset into one another, rather than for breaking-up or splitting images into a plurality of partial images which can subsequently "reassembled" into the original image.

A first embodiment of novelty article comprising three partial image-bearing layers, consists of two layers of lithographic film (A and B), with a bromide print, created with the use of the known device described above using a fabric type pattern. More specifically, the device included one film positive and negative of the fabric pattern at 100%, one film positive and negative at 200% and a half tone of a glossy photograph.

It was found that this combination yielded a very effective result, although it was considered likely that the combination of two or more different patterns, instead of the same pattern at different percentages, would be even more effective. Also, it was found that it would be best if the total exposed surface area in the negative to positive relationship is either 60%:40% or 708:308, thereby ensuring that one of the three partial images is darker than the other two and that one of them is lighter, the lightest one being the best one for the bromide print, because the latter, which forms the lowermost layer, requires the least amount of partial image to reveal the identity of the complete, desired image.

The first (100%) positive was placed upon the half tone negative and thereupon was placed the second (200%) positive. Then, this three-piece film arrangement was exposed to one piece of lithographic line film to provide film "A". Film "B" was made in much the same manner, except by using the first (100%) positive with the second (200%) negative, both placed upon the half tone. The third and final layer of this embodiment of article was made by placing the first (100%) negative on top of the half tone and exposing such combination to bromide print paper.

A first improvement for this method was developed, whereby the "choke" and "spread" principles of offset lithography were applied to the partial imagebearing layers, such that the partial image on one layer overlapped another partial image on another layer.

This permitted greater registration tolerances between the layers, such that registration between layers was lees critical when forming the desired (recognisable) image.

A second improvement involved the addition of secondary partial images for forming double or more desired images, resulting in the ability to intermingle different images. Instead of using random patterns to split or divide an image, typeset or graphics could also be used in conjunction, with or without random patterns, depending upon the desired image required.

Thus, positive and negative typeset or graphics, with or without positive and/or negative random patterns.

A further, third improvement was developed when it was realised that secondary image reinforcement and additional registration orientations could be achieved; namely, if the layers are arranged so that a primary image is recognisable (in registration), then the other layers can be rotated to any number of different registration orientations, to reveal a secondary image(s).

For this to be possible, the typeset or graphics should be arranged on each layer such that there are alternating positive and negative versions of the same type of graphics located negative-to-positive-to-negative around concentric rings in an even number. Each point on such a ring should be adjacent to the opposite version (positive/negative) of itself on all sides, thereby producing 2 decorative, circular checkerboard arrangement.

Additionally, these circles can be slightly offset with respect to each other, in an angular sense, so that this checkerboard effect is can be viewed as a somewhat more random arrangement. If the number of segments on each concentric ring is increased by an even amount, proceeding from the outermost to the innermost ring, then different registration orientations will be available for each ring. It is this multiregistration arrangement which leads on to a basic form of "motion" picture article, in that if a two, three or four layer arrangement is employed with the multi-registration arrangement, then it is possible to create such a motion picture effect by placing the sequential "picture frames" at selected areas, to coincide with the successive registration orientations.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, various embodiments in accordance therewith will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figs. 1 to 5 are views of a first embodiment of novelty article with two partial image-bearing layers; and Figs. 6 to 11 are various views of another embodiment of novelty article with three partial imagebearing layers.

Referring firstly to Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings, a novelty article, indicated generally at 1, comprises two elements 3,4 which bear respective partial (unrecognisable) images of a desired (recognisable) image and of which an upper one is in the form of a transparent layer 3 bearing a partial image and a lower one is in the form of an opaque layer 4 bearing its partial image.

The images borne by the respective layers 3,4 are applied thereto by any of the techniques discussed above.

The upper, partial image-bearing layer 3 has a radially projecting operating tab 5 on its circumference and, similarly, the lower, partial image-bearing layer 4 has two tabs 6,7 which can be used to rotate the layer 4 with respect to the layer 3 but which is used more for orientation purposes, as will be described hereinbelow.

The two layers 3,4 are superposed on one another and are rotatable independently of each other about a central rivet 8 which also holds them together, When the two layers 3,4 are oriented with respect to each other such that the tab 5 of layer 3 overlies neither tab 6 nor tab 7 of layer 4, then neither of two desired images is discernable, as shown in Fig. 3.

When the upper layer 3 is rotated in the anti-clockwise direction with respect to the lower layer 4 such that the tab 5 of the former overlies the tab 7 of the latter, then the respective partial images of the two layers form a first desired image, as shown in Fig. 4.

When the upper layer 3 is rotated further in the anti-clockwise direction with respect to the lower layer 4 until the tab 5 of the former overlies the tab 6 of the latter, then a second desired image is formed.

Thus, when the tab 5 of the upper, partial image-bearing layer 3 overlies either the tab 7 or 6 of the lower, partial image-bearing layer 4, then the two layers are in registration with respect to each other, to provide the respective desired image.

Referring now to Figs. 6 to 11 of the accompanying drawings, another embodiment of novelty article comprises three partial image-bearing layers 22 to 24, the upper layer 22 being shown in Fig. 6, an intermediate layer in Fig. 7, both transparent, and the lower, opaque layer 24, in Fig. 8.

As in the case of the first embodiment described above in relation to Figs. 1 to 5, the layers 22 to 24 are. rotatably secured together by a central rivet 30, such that they are movably independently of each other.

In the orientation of the layers 22 to 24 shown in Fig. 9, none of the operating tabs 25 to 26 overlies another, such that the image so-produced is not discernable.

In Fig. 10 the tab 25 of the upper, partial image-bearing layer 22 has been brought into register with the tab 26 of the intermediate, partial imagebearing layer 23, such that the so-formed iamge is only slightly discernable. If now the tab 27 of the lower, partial image-bearing layer 24 is brought into registration with the other two in-register tabs 25,26, then the image becomes discernable, as shown in Fig.

Claims (11)

1. A novelty article comprising a plurality of elements bearing respective portions (unrecognisable) of a desired (recognisable) image and being movable independently of each other into a predetermined orientation with respect to each other in superposed relationship, to form the desired image.

2. An article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elements are sheets in any desired combination of transparent, opaque and/or partially transparent/opaque material(s).

3. An article as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the image portion-bearing elements are thin, circular discs rotatable independently of one another about a common central axis.

4. An article as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the elements are flexible, rigid, semi-rigid or any combination thereof.

5. An article as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 when dependent upon claim 3, wherein the discs are provided with radially extending tabs for rotating the discs individually into the predetermined angular orientation with respect to each other.

6. An article as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein photographs, illustrations, transparencles, typeset or any combination thereof in monochrome and/or colour, is used as the subject matter for the desired image.

7. An article as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein each element bears 1/X of the desired (recognisable) image, where X is the number of elements.

8. An article as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the elements are mounted movable within a housing, to permit the elements to be moved independently of each other in superposed relationship, to form the desired image.

9. An article as claimed in claim 8, wherein the housing includes means arranged to accommodate any operating tabs associated with the elements.

10. An article as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the partial image portions borne by respective elements have been formed by converting the desired image into Xthographic half tones or colour separations, to yield film elements which are ready for printing.

11. An article as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the partial image portions borne by respective elements have been formed as continuous tone, photographic emulsions using a combination of high contrast or lithographic with continuous tone monochrome or colour imaging.