U.S. patent application number 10/206813 was filed with the patent office on 2004-01-29 for special effects device.
Invention is credited to Hall, Kevin.
Application Number | 20040018881 10/206813 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30770374 |
Filed Date | 2004-01-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040018881 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hall, Kevin |
January 29, 2004 |
Special effects device
Abstract
A special effects device is disclosed having a transparent,
flexible, static-cling backing for removable attachment to glass or
other smooth surfaces, a shatter object attached to the backing,
and a shatter pattern imprinted on the backing. When attached to a
surface such as glass or plastic, the device gives the visual
effect of the shatter object having broken and partially penetrated
the surface. A message, logo, or other alphanumeric identification
can be imprinted on the shatter object for advertising
purposes.
Inventors: |
Hall, Kevin; (Rockwall,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KAVIN HALL
SUITE 107
811 YELLOW JACKET LANE
RACKWALL
TX
75087
US
|
Family ID: |
30770374 |
Appl. No.: |
10/206813 |
Filed: |
July 27, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
472/72 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F 19/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
472/72 |
International
Class: |
A63J 005/02 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A special effects device comprising: a flexible static cling
(PCV) backing; and a shatter object attached to the backing.
2. A special effects device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
backing is made of static cling vinyl known as PCV.
3. A special effects device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
shatter object is a fractional portion of a normally whole object
specifically machined, sanded, filled, and in some cases, coated
for appropriate preparation to the backing.
4. A special effects device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
backing is made of a transparent PCV material that has no adhesives
or requires any tools for its application to flat surfaces such as
glass.
5. A special effects device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
shatter object has a substantially flat base achieved either
through cutting and sanding, or through cutting, sanding,
application of a primer for surface tension translation, and a
circular tin for better material adhesion.
6. A special effects device in accordance with claim 1, further
comprising: a specific adhesive produced by 3M for use between the
shatter object surfaces and the unique nature of the PCV backing
for attaching the attachment surface of the shatter object to the
backing.
7. A special effects device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
backing is irregular in specific shape due to custom designed die
molds made specifically for this product to create the enhanced
illusionary effect of shatter object in the surface.
8. A special effects device in accordance with claim 1, further
comprising a shatter pattern imprinted on the backing.
9. A special effects device in accordance with claim 1, wherein the
shatter pattern is comprised of a plurality of lines.
10. A special effects device in accordance with claim 9, wherein
the lines are printed in white with a UV vinyl link or other
specialty ink such as glow in the dark type inks.
11. A special effects device in accordance with claim 10, wherein
the shatter pattern is comprised of a plurality of lines decreasing
in density at increasing radial distances from the center of the
backing derived from photographs of actual shattered glass.
12. A special effects device in accordance with claim 1, wherein
the shatter object is comprised of a fractional portion of a sports
object, such as a baseball, golf ball, hockey puck, softball,
tennis ball, or other sports object.
13. A special effects device in accordance with claim 12, wherein
the shatter object is machined by cutting, sanding and preparing
the surface for adhesion, which may include injection of rigid high
density polyurethane foam and/or the coating of such surfaces with
an activator to modify the surface tension of the object.
14. A special effects device in accordance with claim 1, wherein
the shatter object is comprised of a fractional portion of a
beverage container or other type of containers.
15. A special effects device in accordance with claim 14, wherein
the shatter object is injected with a rigid high density
polyurethane foam and then machined by cutting, sanding, and
preparing the surface for adhesion.
16. A special effects device in accordance with claim 15, wherein
the shatter object requires the form to be custom dyed to match
another object such as cola, beer, foam, or other colors associated
with the shatter object.
17. A special effects device in accordance with claim 1, wherein
the shatter object is comprised of a non-sports object such as a
rock, brick, hammer, tools, auto parts, computer components,
outdoor equipment.
18. A special effects device in accordance with claim 1, wherein
the shatter object is comprised of a fractional portion
representation of a normally living thing.
19. A special effects device in accordance with claim 1, wherein
the interior of the shatter object is filled with a rigid high
density polyurethane foam.
20. A special effects device in accordance with claim 1, further
comprising an imprinting on the shatter object.
21. A special effects device in accordance with claim 1, further
comprising an imprinting on the backing.
22. A special effects device in accordance with claim 1, further
comprising a plastic-coated transfer sheet for display of the
attachment of the special effects device.
23. A special effects device in accordance with claim 22, wherein
the mounting sheet has a dark-colored surface.
24. A method of advertising, comprising the steps of: imprinting a
promotional message on the shatter object of a special effects
device; and attaching the special effects device onto a display
surface.
25. A method of advertising, comprising the steps of: imprinting a
promotional message on the backing attached to the shatter object
of a special effects device; and attaching the special effects
device onto a display surface.
26. A method of manufacturing a special effects device, comprising
the steps of: portioning a normally whole object via filling with
foam, cutting, sanding, and surface preparation to create a shatter
object; preparing some surfaces, specifically foam or low surface
tension objects, with a specialty application of glues, enamels,
and other circular tins; adhering the shatter object to a PCV
flexible backing to form a special effects device; and attaching
the special effects device onto a display surface.
27. The method of manufacturing a special effects device of claim
26, further comprising the step of imprinting a message or image on
the backing.
28. The method of manufacturing a special effects device of claim
26, wherein the step of "attaching" further comprises the step of
attaching a specialty adhesive tape designed to interface PCV to
the base of the shatter object.
29. The method of manufacturing a special effects device of claim
24, further comprising the step of imprinting a shatter pattern on
the backing wherein the shatter pattern is derived from photographs
of actual shattered glass; and the shatter pattern is printed in a
wide UV vinyl ink or in other specialty inks such as
glow-in-the-dark inks.
30. The method of manufacturing a special effects device of claim
26, further comprising the steps of dying foam to meet shatter
object color needs; injecting or filling a hollow shatter object
with a rigid high density polyurethane foam; allowing the foam to
harden; sanding the hardened foam to form a substantially flat
base; and final preparation of the foam with glues or enamels and
circular tins to create an adhesible surface.
31. The method of manufacturing a special effects device of claim
26, further comprising the step of die-cutting the backing in
irregular patterns from the vinyl sheets.
32. A method of displaying a special effect, comprising the steps
of: removably attaching a special effects device having a shatter
object attached to a flexible backing onto a blister coated card;
sealing the special effects device to the card utilizing a blister
seal covering custom designed with specific molds to fit the
shatter objects.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] None
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention relates to special effects devices,
and more particularly to special effects designed to give the
visual effect of a selected shatter object having broken and
partially penetrated a surface such as glass. A message, logo, or
other alphanumeric identification can be imprinted on the shatter
object for promotional or advertising purposes.
[0004] 2. Description Of Related Art
[0005] None
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0006] Special effects can be used for both personal and commercial
purposes. For example, special effects of all sorts are a common
component of movie and theater productions. Various special effects
devices are also commonly used by individuals for entertainment,
amusement, and celebratory purposes. On the personal level, people
frequently incorporate the use of special effects devices during
the celebration of Halloween, to perform magic tricks, or when
playing a practical joke on another person. As another example,
U.S. Pat. No. 4,358,488 issued to Dunklin discloses a perforated
polymer laminate sheet for attachment to the inside of a vehicle
window. The outermost surface of the laminate includes artwork such
that when viewed by an outside observer, simulates the appearance
of a three-dimensional object such as a mechanical window Louver.
In commercial use, special effects devices are often used to market
products. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,023,870 issued to McGarrah,
discloses a system for displaying information interior to a vending
machine, including a plurality of removably adhered graphical
sheets adhered by static cling to a clear display panel for
advertising and other promotional purposes.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] A primary advantage of the present invention is that it
creates a non-destructive visual effect of a shatter object having
broken and partially penetrated a surface such as glass. Another
advantage of the present invention is that it permits the
application of a wide variety of shatter objects to achieve
different desired effects. Another advantage of the present
invention is that it can be used as a novel means to promote goods,
services, charities or other organizations such as schools. Another
advantage of the present invention is that it doesn't require the
use of adhesives or other materials in order to apply it to
surfaces for novelty or advertising purposes. Another advantage of
the present invention is that it can be applied and removed by
hand, without the need for any tools. Another advantage is that the
shatter objects can be actual sports objects, such as a real
golfball or baseball, when machined. Another advantage of the
object is that the printed shatter image often utilized on the
backing is an actual pattern of glass breaking, translated to print
via digital photograph. Another advantage of
[0008] the invention is that the backing is die cut in irregular
shapes, as opposed to a perfect circular cut, so as to further
disguise the novelty's visibility and enhance the perception of
the
[0009] special effect of the shatter object having impacted and
partially penetrated the glass. Other advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following descriptions,
taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way
of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention
is disclosed.
[0010] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a
backing made from a static cling vinyl material is provided. The
static cling (PCV 8 mil) material is printed with an ultraviolet
vinyl ink, cured in UV dryers, and then die-cut with specific
design and molds unique to this invention. The die-cut molds create
the non-uniform pattern of the static cling material. A shatter
object is prepared by cutting, sanding, in some cases applying an
enamel to raise the surface tension of some objects in preparation
for the shatter object adhesive. Once the preparation of the
shatter object is complete is adhesively attached to the backing
(no adhesion material is used on the surface of the backing for
application to the glass) using a specially sized die-cut adhesive
readily available from 3M corporation. The die-cut size of the
adhesion material is made from molds specifically designed for this
invention. In a preferred embodiment, the backing is irregular in
exact form, though generally circular in a broad nature. In another
preferred embodiment, a shatter pattern is graphically imprinted on
the backing. In another preferred embodiment, the imprinted shatter
pattern is comprised of white lines printed with white UV vinyl ink
or a glow-in-the-dark ink. In another preferred embodiment, the
imprinted shatter pattern is comprised of a fracture-like pattern
with lines decreasing in density at increasing radial distances
from the center and derived in its visible look from digital images
specifically photographed from breaking glass with a shatter object
and then graphically translating the patterns to printing
processes. In a preferred embodiment, the shatter object is
comprised of a fractional portion of a sports object, such as a
baseball, golf ball, hockey puck, softball, soccer ball, football,
tennis ball, basketball, sporting clay, or other sports object. In
another preferred embodiment, a rigid high density polyurethane
foam is injected via a heated two part injection system to fill the
interior of an otherwise hollow shatter object. In another
preferred embodiment, the foam is custom dyed with pigments to
create a specific color so as when visible to the eye to compliment
or enhance the shatter object appearance.
[0011] In another preferred embodiment, die cut circular tins are
used as an intermediary fixation surface between the shatter object
and the backing. In another preferred embodiment, a message, logo,
redeemable coupon, or other alphanumeric identification is
graphically imprinted on the shatter object or on to the cling
backing. In another preferred embodiment, the special effects
device is attached to a smooth, plastic-coated mounting sheet for
retail sale. In another preferred embodiment, the mounting sheet is
a dark color, such as black. In another preferred embodiment the
sheet is attached to a blister coated retail card and then sealed
with blister seal coverings. In another preferred embodiments, the
blister seal coverings are made from molds custom designed and made
specifically to fit the shatter object invention.
[0012] In a less preferred embodiment, the backing is removably
adhered to a surface by a tacky adhesive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0013] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and
include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be
embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some
instances, various aspects of the invention may be shown
exaggerated, enlarged, or otherwise spatially modified to
facilitate an understanding of the invention.
[0014] A reference to and brief description of each Figure in the
drawing(s) as set forth in 37 CFR 1.74.
[0015] FIG. 1 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the
special effects device according to the principles of the
invention, in which the shatter object is a baseball.
[0016] FIG. 2 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the
special effects device shown in FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a back view of the preferred embodiment of the
special effects device shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a front view of another preferred embodiment of
the special effects device according to the principles of the
invention, in which the shatter object is a golf ball.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a front view of another preferred embodiment of
the special effects device according to the principles of the
invention, in which the shatter object is a soccer ball.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a front view of another preferred embodiment of
the special effects device according to the principles of the
invention, in which the shatter object is a tennis ball.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a back view of the preferred embodiment of the
special effects device shown in FIG. 6.
[0022] FIG. 8 is a front view of another preferred embodiment of
the special effects device according to the principles of the
invention, in which the shatter object is a beer can.
[0023] FIG. 9 is a front view of another preferred embodiment
according to the principles of the invention, in which a special
effects device is adhered to a side window of an automobile.
[0024] FIG. 10 is a front view of another preferred embodiment
according to the principles of the invention, in which a special
effects device is adhered to the front window of an automobile.
[0025] FIG. 11 is a front view of another preferred embodiment
according to the principles of the invention, in which a special
effects device is adhered to the rear window of an automobile.
[0026] FIG. 12 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the
present invention in which special effects devices are shown in a
manufacturing stage. The actual die-cut edge composing the outer
edge of the special effects design is shown in FIG. A-1.
[0027] FIG. A-1 is a front view of the preferred embodiment
according to the principles of the invention, in which the outer
die-cut edge of the special effects device has an irregular shape
surrounding the printed backing as shown in FIG. A-1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] The following description is presented to enable any person
skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided
in the context of a particular application and its requirements.
Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles
defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be
limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest
scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed
herein.
[0029] FIG. A-1 is the front view of how each special effects
device in FIGS. 1 thru 12 are die-cut. While FIGS. 1-12 show a
perfect circle encapsulating the design, this FIG. A-1 is the
actual die-cut outline that will be utilized in the making of the
product. At any point that backing 12 is referred to in the
Figures, it is fully assumed in this description that the actual
die-cut edge of the backing will be this irregular shape shown in
FIG. A-1.
[0030] FIG. 1 is a front view of the present invention. In this
view, the special effects device 10 is shown generally. A backing
12 is attached to a shatter object 14, by an adhesive 16 (not seen
in this view). In the preferred embodiment, adhesive 16 is a custom
die-cut circle of double sided adhesive tape of the type commonly
available from 3M but specifically designed to work in chemical
conjunction with the backing's plasticizer elements. In a preferred
embodiment, shatter object 14 is a selected sports object, such as
a baseball, golf ball, hockey puck, softball, tennis ball, soccer
ball, football, or other shatter object 14. In another preferred
embodiment, shatter object 14 is any non-sports object such as a
rock, beer can, plastic soda bottle, hammer handle, potted plant, a
hand, the rear end of a bird, cat, brick, fishing lure, or other
modifiable and adhesivable products. It is readily seen by one of
ordinary skill in the art that shatter object can be any object for
which it is desired to create the special effects of the object
having partially penetrated a display surface such as glass. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 1, shatter object 14 is a portion of a
baseball. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention,
backing 12 is made from a transparent, static cling vinyl material
(8 mil PCV). In another preferred embodiment, backing 12 is
irregular in shape as depicted in FIG. A-1 but generally circular
in nature. In another preferred embodiment, a shatter pattern 18
comprised of at least one line 20, is imprinted on backing 12. In
another preferred embodiment, lines 20 are printed in an UV vinyl
white ink or some other available ink. Test of various colors
resulted in the selection of white as a preferred color for
replication of actual fractures in glass surfaces. In another
preferred embodiment, a plurality of lines 20 form a fracture-like
pattern in decreasing density at increasing radial distances from
the center of shatter object 14. Digital photographs from
actual
[0031] glass shattering upon impact of an object and studies of
fractured glass surfaces resulted in the selection of line 20
concentrations in decreasing density at increasing radial distances
from center as a preferred replication of actual fractures in glass
surfaces.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a side view of the preferred embodiment of the
special effects device shown in FIG. 1. As best seen in FIG. 2, in
the preferred embodiment, shatter object 14 is a fractional portion
of a whole object. In another preferred embodiment, shatter object
14 is comprised of approximately one-half of a whole object, though
some objects might be used at slightly less or more than one-half
of its original form. As best seen in FIG. 2, in the preferred
embodiment, shatter object 14 is modified to include a
substantially flat base 22, thereby defining a substantially flat
section of the fractional portion. Base 22 can be attached to
backing 12 with a thin layered adhesive 16 as currently embodied in
a readily available product from 3M.
[0033] FIG. 3 is a back view of the special effects device 10 of
FIG. 1. In this view, it can be seen that base 22 is readily formed
when sectioning solid shatter object 14, such as a baseball,
softball, hockey puck, or golf ball. In some instances, a flat
circular piece of tin may be placed on the flat surface to act as
an intermediary, particularly in the case where a foam is the basis
for the flat surface of the shatter object.
[0034] FIG. 4 is a front view of special effects device 10 in which
shatter object 14 is a sectioned golf ball. FIG. 5 is a front view
of special effects 15 device 10 in which shatter object 14 is a
sectioned soccer ball. In this instance, the soccer ball is a four
and one-half inch leather replica of a real soccer ball, filled
with foam, having a tin intermediary and applied then to the
backing.
[0035] FIG. 6 is a front view of another preferred embodiment of
special effects device 10, in which shatter object 14 is a tennis
ball. FIG. 7 is a back view of shatter object 14 of FIG. 6, having
a natural hollow interior 24. In this embodiment, a rigid high
density polyurethane foam 26 is injected via a two part electric
pump injection system fill hollow interior 24 of shatter object 14.
When foam 26 hardens, it is cut and sanded to provide substantially
flat base 22 for attachment of hollow shatter object 14 to backing
12 with adhesive 16 and an intermediary circular tin. In a
preferred embodiment, a 2.2 pound high density rigid polyurethane
foam 26 is used to fill hollow interior 24. In a less preferred
embodiment, a polystyrene foam may be cut and used inside the
object. Other shatter objects 14 having hollow interior 24 include
devices such as basketballs, soccer balls, footballs, and other
non-sports objects such as beer cans, plastic soda and drink
bottles, and hollow containers such as tobacco cans, coffee cans,
and other containers having open space within their bodies. For
example, FIG. 8 is a front view of another preferred embodiment of
special effects device 10, in which shatter object 14 is a beer
can. In a preferred embodiment such as a clear plastic soda bottle,
the polyurethane foam was custom dyed prior to injection so as to
match the soda color of a national branded drink Dr Pepper. In this
embodiment, the foam was visible when applied as an advertising
piece so it required to have the visual appearance of the brand's
soda.
[0036] Referring back to FIG. 1, in another preferred embodiment,
an image 10 is imprinted on shatter object 14. Examples of image 10
include, but are not limited to, a message 46, a logo 34, a
redeemable coupon 36, or other graphic or alphanumeric
identification, including such things as college, professional, or
amateur sports team logos, company brand logos, event logos, or
other types of graphical representations. In another preferred
embodiment, an image 44 is imprinted on backing 12. Examples of
image 44 also include, but are not limited to, a message 46, a logo
48, or other graphic or alphanumeric identification, including such
things as college, professional, or amateur sports team logos,
company brand logos, event logos, or other types of graphical
representations. In another preferred embodiment, special effects
device 10 is attached to a smooth, plastic-coated carrying sheet 40
for retail sale. In another preferred embodiment, the carrier sheet
is a dark-colored surface, particularly black, 42. In another
preferred embodiment, the carrier sheet with shatter object is then
placed onto a blister-coated card and sealed with a plastic blister
seal covering that has been specifically molded to fit the shatter
object.
[0037] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method
of displaying special effect is disclosed, comprising the step of
removably attaching special effects device 10 having shatter object
14 attached to a flexible backing 12, onto a display surface 50.
This is best seen in FIGS. 9, 10, and 11, in which special effects
device 10 is to a side window of an automobile, the front window of
an automobile, and the rear window of an automobile,
respectively.
[0038] FIG. 12 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the
present invention in which special effects devices are shown in a
manufacturing stage. In a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, vinyl sheet 60 is provided in a roll attached to a
mounting sheet 62. In the preferred embodiment mounting sheet is
colored black. Vinyl sheet 60 and mounting sheet 62 are cross cut
into a sheet 63 that can be easily handled. Vinyl sheet 60 is
kiss-cut to provide cutouts 64 to form the perimeter of backing 12
with the shape of the cut-out being described in FIG. A-1. Shatter
pattern 18 and backing image 44 are
[0039] printed onto vinyl sheet 60 of sheet 63. Sheet 63 is then
divided into display pages 66, each display page 66 having one
shatter pattern 18. The residual vinyl 68 is then removed. The
shatter image is then placed onto a blister card and covered with a
plastic blister seal made specifically to fit over the shatter
object and then sealed with a sealing machine and then readied for
retail.
[0040] Operation of the Invention
[0041] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention,
special effects device 10 is preferably marketed or otherwise
distributed attached to mounting sheet 40 having a dark-colored
surface 42. Dark-colored surface 42 allows ready observation by
contrast to white lines 20 of shatter pattern 18. Backing 12
adheres to mounting sheet 40 via static cling. Special effects
device 10 is easily removable from mounting sheet 40 by peeling
backing 12 from mounting sheet 40. Special effects device 10 can
then be placed on a generally smooth display surface 50 such as a
windshield, office windows, glass doors, or otherwise smooth
surfaces to achieve the illusion of the shattered object 14 having
fractured or partially penetrated the various display surfaces
50.
* * * * *