U.S. patent application number 10/863693 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-11 for apparatus and methods for the use of shrinkable print media.
Invention is credited to Bean, Heather N., Flach, Matt, Robins, Mark Nelson.
Application Number | 20040221759 10/863693 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28039159 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040221759 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bean, Heather N. ; et
al. |
November 11, 2004 |
Apparatus and methods for the use of shrinkable print media
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for the use of shrinkable print media.
Various embodiments generate image data accounting for a desired
size of an output image and an expected extent of shrinkage of the
shrinkable print media. The image data is adapted for use by an
imaging device to produce the output image having a size such that
an output image having that size prior to shrinking would be
expected to have the desired size after shrinking. Further
embodiments provide a shrinkable print media having an adhesive
attached to at least a portion of one surface. Still further
embodiments provide print media kits having shrinkable print media
and one or more templates adapted to impart a texture and/or shape
to the shrinkable print media in a softened state.
Inventors: |
Bean, Heather N.; (Fort
Collins, CO) ; Robins, Mark Nelson; (Greeley, CO)
; Flach, Matt; (Fort Collins, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY
Intellectual Property Administration
P.O. Box 272400
Fort Collins
CO
80527-2400
US
|
Family ID: |
28039159 |
Appl. No.: |
10/863693 |
Filed: |
June 7, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10863693 |
Jun 7, 2004 |
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10097313 |
Mar 14, 2002 |
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6764233 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
101/483 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B41M 7/00 20130101; B42D
15/0093 20130101; H04N 1/2323 20130101; Y10T 428/28 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
101/483 |
International
Class: |
G03G 015/00 |
Claims
1-18. (canceled).
19. A print media kit, comprising: at least one sheet of
heat-shrinkable print media; and at least one template adapted to
transfer a texture to the print media in a softened state.
20. A print media kit, comprising: at least one sheet of
heat-shrinkable print media; and at least one template adapted to
impart a shape to the print media in a softened state.
21. A print media, comprising: a heat-shrinkable sheet having a
first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface;
wherein at least one of the surfaces is a printable surface; and
wherein the second surface has an adhesive covering at least a
portion of that surface.
22. The print media of claim 21, wherein only the first surface is
a printable surface.
23. The print media of claim 22, wherein the adhesive covers an
edge portion of the second surface.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to print media, and
in particular to apparatus and methods for the use of shrinkable
print media.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Imaging devices, e.g., inkjet printers, laser printers,
plotters, copiers, facsimile machines or multi-function devices,
use marking materials, e.g., ink or toner, to print text, graphics
and other images onto print media. The print media may be of a
variety of types, commonly including paper, card stock,
transparencies, envelopes, photographic print stock, cloth, etc.
Some common forms of print media include cut-sheet stock, roll
stock, tractor-feed stock and fan-fold stock. The chosen form is
generally dictated by the imaging device in terms of what it is
designed to use. For example, an imaging device designed for
cut-sheet stock will generally be unable to handle roll stock or
tractor-feed stock. However, it may be able to use fan-fold
stock.
[0003] One particular print media is a heat-shrinkable media, e.g.,
Super Color Shrink available through Micro Format, Inc., Wheeling,
Ill., USA. This type of shrinkable media is typically based on
polystyrene or oriented polypropylene, and generally includes some
form of print coating or other surface treatment to increase the
printability of its surface. In use, an image is transferred to the
shrinkable media and then the media is exposed to heat, commonly in
an ordinary oven. Once exposed to heat, generally less than about
250.degree. F. (120.degree. C.), for a period of time, generally
measured as a matter of minutes, the media will shrink in at least
one dimension. Heat sufficient to initiate contraction of such
print media is generally around the glass transition temperature of
the material used in the media.
[0004] For a sheet media, shrinkage is generally measured in two
planar dimensions, e.g., a length and a width of the sheet. The
depth or thickness of the sheet will typically increase as the
length and/or width decrease during the shrinking process. This
increased thickness tends to stiffen the sheet upon cooling. Such
media may be designed to shrink symmetrically, such that a shrunk
article will have substantially the same proportions of length to
width as the original article. An example of a material capable of
symmetrical shrinkage includes biaxially oriented polypropylene.
Alternatively, the media may be designed to shrink asymmetrically,
such that a shrunk article will have proportions of length to width
that differ significantly from the original article. An example of
a material providing asymmetrical shrinkage includes monoaxially
oriented polypropylene. The extent of shrinkage in one or both
planar dimensions can be well controlled in the manufacturing
process such that the cut-sheet product can be produced having a
predetermined extent of shrinkage in each dimension, whether such
extent is the same for both dimensions, i.e., symmetrical, or
different, i.e., asymmetrical.
SUMMARY
[0005] Apparatus and methods for the use of shrinkable print media
are described herein. Various embodiments generate image data
accounting for a desired size of an output image and an expected
extent of shrinkage of the shrinkable print media. The image data
is adapted for use by an imaging device to produce the output image
having a size such that an output image having that size prior to
shrinking would be expected to have the desired size after
shrinking. Further embodiments provide a shrinkable print media
having an adhesive attached to at least a portion of one surface.
Still further embodiments provide print media kits having
shrinkable print media and one or more templates adapted to impart
a texture and/or shape to the shrinkable print media in a softened
state.
[0006] For one embodiment, the invention provides a method of using
a shrinkable print media. The method includes determining a desired
size of an output image and generating image data representative of
the output image and accounting for the desired size of the output
image and an expected extent of shrinkage of the print media. The
image data is adapted for use by an imaging device to produce the
output image on the print media having a second size that is
greater than the desired size.
[0007] For another embodiment, the invention provides a method of
using a shrinkable print media. The method includes determining an
expected extent of shrinkage of the print media in a first planar
dimension and a second planar dimension and determining a desired
size of an output image in the first planar dimension and the
second planar dimension. The method further includes generating a
second size of the output image in the first planar dimension and
the second planar dimension, wherein reducing an output image of
the second size by the expected extent of shrinkage of the print
media would generate an output image having the desired size. The
method still further includes generating image data representative
of the output image and adapted for use by an imaging device to
produce the output image on the print media having the second
size.
[0008] For yet another embodiment, the invention provides a
computer-usable medium having computer-readable instructions stored
thereon capable of causing a processor to perform a method. The
method includes determining a desired size of an output image,
determining a desired print media for use in generating the output
image, determining an expected extent of shrinkage of the desired
print media and generating image data representative of the output
image and accounting for the desired size of the output image and
an expected extent of shrinkage of the print media. The image data
is adapted for use by an imaging device to produce the output image
on the print media having a second size that is greater than the
desired size.
[0009] For still another embodiment, the invention provides a print
media kit. The kit includes at least one sheet of heat-shrinkable
print media and at least one template adapted to transfer a texture
and/or shape to the print media in a softened state.
[0010] For a further embodiment, the invention provides a print
media. The print media includes a heat-shrinkable sheet having a
first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface. At
least one of the surfaces is a printable surface and the second
surface has an adhesive covering at least a portion of that
surface.
[0011] Further embodiments of the invention include apparatus and
methods of varying scope.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a top view of a shrinkable print media for use
with various embodiments of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is view of an image having a size relative to
margins
[0014] FIGS. 3A-3B are side views of a template for imparting a
texture to a shrinkable print media in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention.
[0015] FIGS. 4A-4C are views depicting stages in the production of
a faux stained glass item in accordance with an embodiment of the
invention.
[0016] FIGS. 5A-5C are views of a print media in accordance with
embodiments of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a schematic of a system for use in generating an
output image in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] In the following detailed description of the present
embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that
form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration
specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These
embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those
skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be
understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that process,
electrical, chemical or mechanical changes may be made without
departing from the scope of the present invention. The following
detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting
sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by
the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a top view of a shrinkable print media 100 for use
with embodiments of the invention. The print media 100 includes a
first surface 120 and a second, opposing, surface 140. At least one
surface, such as the first surface 120, is a printable surface,
meaning that it is capable of accepting marking materials.
[0020] The print media 100 is adapted to shrink in at least one of
a first dimension 160, e.g., a width and a second dimension 180,
e.g., a length. The shrink is typically initiated through exposure
to heat. The extent of shrinkage of the print media 100 in the
first dimension 160, i.e., the maximum percentage reduction of the
width of the print media 100 when exposed to sufficient heat, has a
predetermined value. The extent of shrinkage of the print media 100
in the second dimension 180, i.e., the maximum percentage reduction
of the length of the print media 100 when exposed to sufficient
heat, has a predetermined positive value. Typical values for the
extent of shrinkage range from 20% to 60% or more, although the
invention is not limited to print media 100 having a specific
extent of shrinkage.
[0021] These predetermined values for the extent of shrinkage are
preferably known to the user of the print media 100, but need not
be. The values of the extent of shrinkage are determined by the
manufacturing process used to produce the print media 100 as well
as its material of construction. Heat sufficient to produce the
extent of shrinkage of the print media 100 is dependent upon the
material of construction, but is generally slightly above its glass
transition temperature. For example, for a sheet of print media 100
made of polystyrene having a glass transition temperature of about
100.degree. C., heat sufficient to produce the maximum percentage
reductions of its length and width may be about 120.degree. C.
[0022] Various embodiments of the invention can be used to produce
output images on shrinkable print media that, once shrunk to the
expected extent of shrinkage of the print media, would have a
predetermined or desired size. As shown in FIG. 2, an image 250 can
be defined to have a desired size, commonly measured within the
planar dimensions. The desired size can be articulated in terms of
a maximum width 260 and a maximum length 280. The image 250 can be
a predefined image, such as from clip art collection, a drawing
archive or some other set of images selectable by a user of the
print media. A user could use the predefined image as-is, or they
could resize, distort, customize or otherwise edit the image.
Alternatively, the image 250 can be generated entirely by the user,
such as through commonly available graphics design software.
[0023] The image 250 can be displayed to the user as a display
image prior to transferring the image 250 to the print media as the
output image. A common example would be to display the image 250 on
a computer monitor. The image 250 may further be displayed to the
user with margins 265 and 285 to aid the user in defining the
desired size of the output image. For one embodiment, the margins
265 and 285 define a maximum width and length, respectively, of a
printable surface of the print media upon reducing the print media
by its expected extent of shrinkage. Using a standard
81/2".times.11" (216 mm.times.279 mm) sheet of print media in
portrait orientation as an example, and an imaging device requiring
margins of 1/2" (13 mm) on each side, print media having an
expected extent of shrinkage of 40% in the width dimension and 50%
in the length dimension would have a margin 265 of 4.5" (114 mm)
and a margin 285 of 5" (127 mm).
[0024] In determining the desired size of the output image, various
options are available. For one embodiment, the user can provide
values or coordinates explicitly defining the desired size of the
output image. For another embodiment, the user can generate or edit
the image 250 relative to the margins 265 and 285 such that the
size of the image 250 relative to the margins 265 and 285 defines
the desired size of the output image. For yet another embodiment,
the user can generate or edit the image 250 without regard to
margins, and have the embodiment resize the image 250, whether
reducing or enlarging, to fit within the margins 265 and 285. For
such an embodiment, the image 250 may further be rotated within the
margins 265 and 285, if necessary, to facilitate producing an
output image having a size that is the maximum size within the
printable margins of the print media as used with the imaging
device.
[0025] Having determined the desired size of the output image,
image data representative of the output image is generated. This
image data accounts for the desired size of the output image and
the expected extent of shrinkage of the pint media. That is, the
image data is adapted for use by an imaging device to produce an
output image on the print media having a size greater than the
desired size, such that upon reducing the output image by the
expected extent of shrinkage, the size of the output image would be
equal to the desired size. It is recognized that manufacturing
processes are not perfect and that an actual extent of shrinkage of
a print media would vary within some distribution of the expected
value. As such, after shrinking an output image, its actual size
may vary from the desired size as controlled by this variation in
actual extent of shrinkage.
[0026] Calculating the necessary pre-shrink size of the output
image adapted to produce the output image having its desired size
if reduced by the expected extent of shrinkage is a straightforward
calculation. In essence, the desired size is increased by an amount
necessary to compensate for the expected shrinkage. In a Cartesian
coordinate system, the x and y components could each be multiplied
by a corresponding value of (100/[100-N]), where N is the expected
extent of shrinkage of the print media in the corresponding
dimension expressed as a percentage. Such calculations, even for
more complex coordinate systems, are easily performed by processors
contained in a typical home computer.
[0027] During exposure to heat, the print media softens to
facilitate shrinking. In this softened state, textures can be
embossed on a surface of the print media that will be retained upon
cooling the print media below its glass transition temperature.
FIG. 3A is a side view of a template 305 for imparting a texture to
a surface of a softened, post-shrink print media 100. In its
softened state, the print media 100 can assume the texture of the
template 305 as shown in FIG. 3B. To aid in texturing the surface
of the print media 100, pressure may be applied to the print media
100 using a weight (not shown) that may either be flat or mated to
the template 305. While the template 305 is depicted to have a
regular pattern of hills and valleys, any texture can be used. As
one example, the template 305 could have a texture to simulate
poured glass. Using this example, shrunken output images could be
used to produce a stained-glass effect. Kits may be provided having
shrinkable print media and an accompanying template or templates
for various craft projects, e.g., faux stained glass. Similar to
texturing, three-dimensional shapes may be imparted to the softened
print media that will be retained upon cooling the print media
below its glass transition temperature. Shape templates could be
made of the same or similar materials as texture templates. The
print media could be applied to the shape template either before
shrinking or after shrinking under heating to return the media to a
softened state. Variously shaped curved surfaces could be used to
form the print media into items like soap dishes, round mandrels
could be used for drooping bowls, rectangular bars could be used as
a drooping template for business card holders, etc. These shape
templates could also impart texture, if desired.
[0028] To carry the example of faux stained glass forward, a
pattern 452 can be defined as shown in FIG. 4A. The pattern 452 can
be edited by a user to produce the image 450 as shown in FIG. 4B.
Such editing may include modifying colors of various elements of
the pattern 452 as well as resizing the pattern 452. The image 450
is then transferred to a shrinkable print media 100 as an output
image using an imaging device. As described above, image data
representative of output image is generated from the image 450 that
is adapted for use by the imaging device. Adapted for use by the
imaging device does not require that the imaging device be able to
use the image data directly. In fact, it is common for a software
application to provide such image data in a format compatible with
the operating system upon which the application is running, and to
have a device driver specific to the operating system and the
imaging device provide a translation between the operating system
compatible format and a format for use by the imaging device. As
such, adapted for use by an imaging device includes image data that
is in a format compatible with a driver for the imaging device.
[0029] The output image may be kept intact, similar to the image
450 depicted in FIG. 4B, or it may be separated into sections, such
as is depicted in FIG. 4C. Separation of the output image into
sections is most easily accomplished prior to shrinking when the
print media is relatively thin, although there is no prohibition to
sectioning the output image after shrinking when the thickness has
increased. After shrinking, the sections may be assembled using
standard stained glass techniques, although plastic leading may be
preferred over standard leading to avoid concerns about melting or
burning the plastic sections with lead solder. As discussed above,
during or after shrinking the sections, the softened sections can
be placed on a textured template to impart a texture of poured
glass. Larger faux stained glass projects can be accommodated by
sectioning the image prior to producing the output image. In this
manner, a section could be made as large as the maximum printable
area of the print media.
[0030] Beyond imitating the texture of actual stained glass,
embodiments of the invention can be used to create stained-glass
effects that change with variations in available lighting or
variations in ambient temperature. Because of the relatively low
temperature of many shrinkable plastics for use in shrinkable print
media, photochromic or thermochromic inks may be used to produce
the output image. In this manner, variations in available lighting
can create varying effects in an output image produced using
photochromic inks while variations in ambient temperature can
create varying effects in an output image produced using
thermochromic inks.
[0031] FIG. 5A is a sectional view of a print media 100 having an
attached adhesive 590. The print media 100 may further have a liner
595 used to protect the adhesive 590 during handling or printing.
The adhesive 590 may cover only a portion of the surface 140 of the
print media 100 as shown in FIG. 5A. Alternatively, the adhesive
590 may cover the entire surface 140. Also, the adhesive 590 may
only be on an edge of the print media 100 as shown in FIG. 5A, or
it may form some other contiguous or non-contiguous pattern on the
surface 140. The adhesive 590 is preferably a pressure-sensitive
adhesive or solvent-activated adhesive. For a solvent-activated
adhesive, the liner 595 may be unnecessary. A liner 595 lacking or
having a different expected extent of shrinkage than the bulk of
the print media 100 should be removed during shrinking to avoid
interfering with the shrink process. It is noted that the drawings
herein are not drawn to scale and that the height differential of
the print media 100 between portions containing adhesive 590 and
portions devoid of adhesive 590 would not be as dramatic as it
might appear in FIG. 5A.
[0032] The adhesive 590 is adapted for use in temperatures or other
conditions necessary for the shrinking of the print media 100. The
adhesive 590 may be used to attach the print media 100 to itself,
e.g., to form a ring 592 as shown in FIG. 5B. Such a ring could be
used to decorate such items as eggs, cups, mugs or other
substantially cylindrical items. Because various embodiments
provide for definition of a post-shrink size of an output image,
such decoration can be sized to produce a snug fit to the item
without producing undue stress on the adhesive bond. Alternatively,
the adhesive 590 can be used to attach the print media to some
other object 594 as shown in FIG. 5C.
[0033] In use, the print media 100 is supplied or fed to an imaging
device, e.g., inkjet printers, laser printers, copiers and other
similar imaging devices, whether local or networked. An output
image is generated on the printable surface 120 of the print media
100. The output image can then be reduced by exposure to heat or
other mechanism, e.g., exposure to radiation or microwaves, that is
compatible with the material of construction of the shrinkable
print media 100.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a schematic of a system for use in generating a
stretchable image in a preferred embodiment of the invention. The
system includes a personal computer, workstation or other
processor-based device 602 used to generate and display an image
650. The image 650 can represent anything within the imagination of
the user, whether it be text, a drawing, a photograph or some other
image. The processor-based device 602 includes a processor 603 and
a computer-usable media 604 in communication with the processor
603. The processor 603 generates image data representative of the
image 650 and, thus, the desired output image 655. The image data
is provided to an imaging device 606. For one embodiment, the
imaging device 606 is an inkjet printer, although other imaging
devices as described above are also usable with embodiments of the
invention. If the imaging device 606 is in direct communication
with the processor-based device 602, e.g., a printer coupled to a
personal computer, the imaging device 606 is termed a local imaging
device. If communication between the processor-based device 602 and
the imaging device 606 is through a communication network, the
imaging device 606 is termed a network imaging device.
[0035] The processor 603 is adapted to perform methods in
accordance with embodiments of the invention in response to
computer-readable instructions. These computer-readable
instructions are stored on the computer-usable media 604 and may be
in the form of either software, firmware or hardware. In a hardware
solution, the instructions are hard coded as part of a processor,
e.g., an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip. In a
software or firmware solution, the instructions are stored for
retrieval by the processor. Some additional examples of
computer-usable media include static or dynamic random access
memory (SRAM or DRAM), read-only memory (ROM),
electrically-erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), magnetic media and
optical media, whether permanent or removable. Most
consumer-oriented computer applications are software solutions
provided to the user on some removable computer-usable media, such
as a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM).
[0036] The imaging device 606 has a formatter 608 for interpreting
the image data and rendering the image data into a printable image.
The printable image is provided to a print engine 610 to produce a
tangible output image 655. The output image 655 is produced on a
print media 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
The print engine 610 represents the mechanical aspects of the
imaging device 606. The print engine 610 further includes a source
612 for supplying the print engine 610 with the print media 100.
Examples of the source 612 include media trays or by-pass
feeders.
[0037] After production of the output image 655 on a printable
surface of the print media 100, the output image 655 may be shrunk
by exposing the print media 100 to heat or other appropriate
mechanism adapted to shrink the print media 100 to produce the
post-shrink output image 655'.
Conclusion
[0038] Apparatus and methods for the use of shrinkable print media
have been described. Various embodiments generate image data
accounting for a desired size of an output image and an expected
extent of shrinkage of the shrinkable print media. The image data
is adapted for use by an imaging device to produce the output image
having a size such that an output image having that size prior to
shrinking would be expected to have the desired size after
shrinking. Further embodiments provide a shrinkable print media
having an adhesive attached to at least a portion of one surface.
Still further embodiments provide print media kits having
shrinkable print media and one or more templates adapted to impart
a texture and/or shape to the shrinkable print media in a softened
state.
[0039] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill
in the art that any arrangement that is calculated to achieve the
same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown.
Many adaptations of the invention will be apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, this application is
intended to cover any such adaptations or variations of the
invention. It is manifestly intended that this invention be limited
only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *