Steven A Perreault

US Patent:

20030203161, Oct 30, 2003

Filed:

May 14, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/437575

Inventors:

Albert Wilkinson - Nashua NH, US
Steven Perreault - Haverhill MA, US

Assignee:

Omnova Solutions, Inc. - Fairlawn OH

International Classification:

B32B001/00

US Classification:

428/141000

Abstract:

A method and system for forming an article having an optical effect is provided. An original texture is obtained which is digitized using a scanner. The scanner causes a shadow effect on the texture based on the scanning direction. The digitized texture is then edited to define a selected shape. The texture within the selected shape is offset such that its direction is changed. The digitized texture is then engraved by a laser onto the surface of an article. The selected shape is then visually distinct from the other areas of the texture at certain viewing angles caused by the difference in their texture direction. With the present invention, lines or seams between areas of the texture are eliminated.

US Patent:

6589628, Jul 8, 2003

Filed:

Jun 27, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/604134

Inventors:

Albert Wilkinson - Nashua NH
Steven M. Perreault - Haverhill MA

Assignee:

Omnova Solutions Inc. - Fairlawn OH

International Classification:

B32B 330

US Classification:

428141, 428195, 428212, 345583, 345582, 283 91, 382100

Abstract:

A method and system for forming an article having an optical effect is provided. An original texture is obtained which is digitized using a scanner. The scanner causes a shadow effect on the texture based on the scanning direction. The digitized texture is then edited to define a selected shape. The texture within the selected shape is offset such that its direction is changed. The digitized texture is then engraved by a laser onto the surface of an article. The selected shape is then visually distinct from the other areas of the texture at certain viewing angles caused by the difference in their texture direction. With the present invention, lines or seams between areas of the texture are eliminated.