Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ORNAMENTAL SEQUIN SYSTEM AND METHOD
STATEMENT OF RELATED CASES
This application is a continuation in part of US patent
application no. 13/975,268 filed august 23, 2013 and claims priority to
USSN 13/975,288, USSN 62/041075, USSN 62/041073, USSN
62/041,076 all of which are filed on even date herewith and
incorporated herein in the entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure relates to an ornamental sequin system and method.
More particularly, the disclosure relates to a sequin system having multi-view
and
color variable visual effects, and methodology for applying sequins to form an
ornamental arrangement.
BACKGROUND
Historically, the wealthy have used various methods to display their status.
One ancient method of displaying wealth involved the sewing of gold, sequin-
like
discs onto garments. Such discs exist, for example, on the ancient Egyptian
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garments contained in King Tut's tomb, discovered in 1922. Although the
contents
of King Tut's tomb, which dazzled the world, included many other artifacts of
his
riches and symbols of power, the sequins, or spangles, sewn onto his clothing
both
endure and continue to exhibit his wealth to all those who gaze upon them.
Herbert Lieberman more recently developed acetate sequins. Acetate sequins
look beautiful, but form a brittle, fragile decoration. Further improvement
was
achieved when DuPont invented Mylar in 1952, which was used to surround the
sequins to increase durability.
Mylar-acetate sequins became less common with the introduction of vinyl
plastic sequins. Vinyl plastic sequins proved more durable and cost effective
than
Mylar-acetate sequins.
Sequined garments and accessories remain in high demand in modern
commerce. Consequently, numerous modern efforts to improve the decorative
effect and ease of application of sequins to garments are represented in the
patent
literature. For example, U.S. Patent No. 6,301,044 to Huber et al. discusses a
system for producing a visual effect at a surface of stage apparel, including:
a
latent image projector which projects light comprising polarizer-encoded
latent
visual information, such as a color and/or an image, enabling the visual
effect, the
light being projected along a light path onto the apparel and reflected
therefrom
toward a viewer along the light path.
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Further, U.S. Patent No. 6,454,895 to Weder discusses a process for
producing a holographic material wherein the holographic image is formed on a
polished, substantially smooth surface of a printing element and then
transferred
the holographic image to a substrate.
Holographic images do not provide the same qualities of appearance as does
printing. Further, if you cut a substrate with a holographic image, each part
of the
substrate contains the entire image. As a result, a mosaic of an image cannot
be
created by cutting the substrate into parts when using holographic images.
To facilitate applying the sequins to garments, U.S. Patent No. 4,756,265 to
Brownbill et al. discusses an embroidery and applique machine having a number
of
article feeding modules, each adapted to supply articles such as sequins which
are
to be appliqued in alignment with a needle. U.S. Patent No. 7,293, 512 to
Tajima et
al. discusses a feeding mechanism that feeds a plurality of continuous sequin
strips
which are supplied in an overlapped state, a predetermined pitch at a time to
a
sewing mechanism while keeping the continuous sequin strips in the overlapped
state. U.S. Patent Application number 2007/0199490 to Suzuki discusses a jump
code inserted into embroidery data at a position where a shift is to be made
from
sequin sewing to ordinary sewing or from ordinary sewing to sequin sewing.
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Despite the advantages purported to be offered, known sequin systems and
application methods exhibit numerous shortcomings. For the foregoing reasons,
there is a need for improved decorative sequins and sequin application methods
that enhance the advantages of modern sequins and application mechanisms.
SUMMARY
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an exemplary ornamental
sequin system including a non-holographic lensed display formed in a visual
plane
of at least one sequin to produce an ornamental sequin system having unique
outputs. Examples of suitable non-holographic lensed displays can include, but
are
not limited to, lenticular lens, parallax barrier, volumetric display, auto-
stereoscopic and various light field displays. The outputs are not limited to
stereo
outputs. The ornamental surface of the sequin system can be formed on a
surface
of the at least one sequin, or in a visual plane of the sequin surface.
The non-holographic lensed display can further include a preselected
lenticular lens integrated with or forming at least one sequin.
The sequin system can include a plurality of sequins. The sequin system can
further include a visual animation display, color display, other visual
effect, or a
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combination of visual effects formed using the preselected lenticular lens
over
interlaced colors or images.
Further features may be employed to constrain the relative rotational
alignment of sequin elements, once applied to a target designated surface or
finished work, and even during use. For example, the sequin attachment point
can
be well above its center of gravity, which will allow it to dangle and swing,
but
will generally be in alignment when motion ceases. Multiple attachment points
for
each sequin element can also be employed.
The ornamental sequin system can be formed with visual adjustments for the
geometric shape of the at least one sequin and an information device attached
to
the at least one sequin for providing the position of attachment of the at
least one
sequin within a design scheme, or adjusted to accommodate a size variation or
any
other suitable design constraint.
The information device can include, for example, a machine-readable
identifier, radio frequency, bit flag enumerator, bit array, binary number, or
any
other suitable readable or transferable code that can render the position for
the
sequin within the desired design based on garment size, sequin size, or any
other
suitable variable.
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One difficulty associated with producing ornamental elements by printing
methods where portions of the sheet of sequin base material are removed when
individual or groups of elements are formed from the printing sheet is the
loss of
information incurred when portions are removed, whether such a sheet is
substantially continuous, such as a roll (or reel), or otherwise.
In accordance with the principles herein, an information device can be
incorporated into or associated with the printed elements from which the at
least
one sequin is formed to provide proper orientation on a finished work, while
other
visual adaptations can be adjusted within the design for the process prior to
printing the design upon a sequin base material, for example a roll or a
sheet. As a
result, a roll incorporating a design to be formed, for example by punching or
otherwise cutting, and subsequently reassembled on a finished product can
produce
beautiful visual effects with the incorporation of the information device by
providing an adjustment for the information included on an individual element,
or
sequin, defined from or upon the sequin base material.
Furthermore, registration information can be incorporated along with the
printing pattern and used to guide the forming process so that imagery
contained
on individual elements are accurately isolated or perhaps even removed from
the
surrounding sequin base material.
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In an embodiment, the ornamental sequin system can include a suitable
target designated surface. The ornamental sequin system can be adapted and
configured for attachment to the target designated surface. For example, the
target
designated surface can include target surfaces to which sequins can be applied
for a
decorative effect such as, for example, a garment.
In yet another embodiment, the ornamental sequin system can include at
least one sequin, wherein a portion of the sequin is transparent.
An exemplary method in accordance with the principles herein can include
the following steps. First, a sheet or roll of sequin base material containing
visual
effect information is produced. Next, sequin base material is formed from the
sheet
to make a plurality of sequins, the plurality of sequins containing both
visual and
positional information required to comprise and place them into an ornamental
arrangement, such that the plurality of sequins are adapted for application to
a
target designated surface.
Thus, the ornamental appearance of the plurality of sequins, such as for
example, a visual effect providing dynamic change between two or more colors,
each visible from one or more distinct angles of view, a color flip, which may
be
applied in placement groupings, interspersed among others, or otherwise
arranged
to create a myriad of decorative designs, provides different visual
information for
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the design as compared to an additional embodiment that comprises at least one
mosaic formed by the plurality of sequins, which constitute a cumulative
ornamental arrangement for the design. In this latter embodiment, each sequin
contains a specified portion of the overall imagery or design corresponding to
its
positional placement within a mosaic of sequins. Such a mosaic of sequins can
display any suitable visual depiction such as a pattern, an image, text, a
montage, a
motif, or any combination of depictions. This mosaic embodiment, when further
enhanced with multi-view and color variable visual effects, in accordance with
the
principles herein, results in yet another embodiment that provides a dynamic
aesthetic. This may include, for example, an arrangement that morphs from a
checkered pattern to polka dots, and perhaps even into a hound's-tooth
pattern.
Alternatively, or in combination, the depictions so displayed may exhibit size
and
or color variations. Furthermore, since such a plurality of sequins may be
applied
upon a flexible finished work, for example a fabric, they may conform to a
bending
contour and hence provide different viewing angles for different portions of
the
surface as viewed from any given vantage point.
Since micro-lens arrays, or lenticular lens system, can cause different sets
of
graphic interlacings to become visible from different viewing angles, various
aspects of the multi-view and color variable visual effects are observable on
various portions of any such finished work simultaneously. Whenever the
finished
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work surface flexes and bends ripple across its expanse, such as the
undulation of a
flowing skirt, various aspects of the visual effect will fluctuate accordingly
with
exquisite eye-catching effect.
In an embodiment, the method can include the step of feeding the sheet onto
an anvil whereupon a row or group of sequins can be formed with their
respective
adjacency predetermined by position. This may occur above, or the resulting
set
conveyed above, an expanse of a target designated surface, such as, for
example,
fabric as to allow attachment thereupon. Elasticity would allow for stretching
the
fabric expanse outwardly during the attachment process. This can be
advantageous
because doing so allows sufficient space for processing to occur while
conversely
when the tension is relaxed, the surface area of the expanse reduces back to
normal
size and thus the sequins will come closer in proximity to one another,
allowing
their visual aspects to further coalesce.
In yet another embodiment, the method can further include the step of
forming a connected series of sequins using a conventional punching machine.
A punching process can form the perimeter edges of the ornamental surface
of the sequins of the system disclosed. The punching process can include a
conventional punching machine applied to a lenticular sheet of sequin base
material, or a punching process applied to the sheet as it is fed over an
anvil,
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punched, and deposited onto a target designated surface, such as a fabric, or
any
other suitable method of preparing sequins formed in the lenticular sheet of
sequin
base material for attachment to achieve a visual effect.
Other envisioned alternatives to the use of a preformed lenticular material
include forging, etching, molding, extrusion, lamination, additive
manufacture, or
any suitable method of imparting a lenticular surface onto one or more
sequins,
whether prior, during, or after formation by any suitable action.
In an embodiment, the information required to form the ornamental
arrangement can be contained in an information device within or upon at least
one
sequin of the ornamental sequin system. In yet another embodiment, an
apparatus
that applies the sequins to a target designated surface, such as a fabric or
garment,
accesses encoded information either by reading or by receiving transmitted
data. In
any case, the information may consist of an internet or intranet address from
which
the required data is to be obtained.
In an embodiment, a sequin can be formed by the exemplary method. A
sequin formed by the exemplary method can include visual effects produced by a
lenticular lens, an interlaced color array, image, or any combination of
visual
components containing visual content.
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The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present disclosure
will become further apparent from the following detailed description of
exemplary
embodiments constructed in accordance with the principles herein, read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not to scale. The
detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the principles of
the
present disclosure rather than limiting, the scope of the present disclosure
being
defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top view of an exemplary embodiment of an ornamental sequin
system constructed in accordance with the principles herein;
FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are each a top view of other embodiments constructed
in accordance with the principles herein, wherein sequins contain varied
lenticular
information to achieve a visual effect;
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FIG. 3A and 3B are each a top view of yet other embodiments constructed in
accordance with the principles herein wherein sequins contain embedded
positional
information;
FIG. 4 is a flow chart for an exemplary method constructed in accordance
with the principles herein,
FIG. 5 is a flow chart of another exemplary method constructed in
accordance with the principles herein,
FIG. 6 is a flow chart of still another exemplary method constructed in
accordance with the principles herein,
FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an exemplary process constructed in accordance
with the principles herein,
FIG8A is a perspective view, partially in section of an ornamental sequin
constructed in accordance with the principles herein,
FIGS. 8B and 8C are front sectional views of alternative embodiments of
FIG. 8A,
FIG. 8D is a top view of one exemplary sequin constructed in accordance
with the principles herein,
FIG. 8E is a top view of another exemplary sequin constructed in accordance
with the principles herein,
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FIG. 8F is a top view of yet another exemplary sequin constructed in
accordance with the principles herein;
FIG. 9 is a sectional view of threads arranged for weaving into a fabric,
showing multiple exemplary arrangements of sequins along the threads adapted
for
weaving directly into a fabric;
FIG. 10 is a rear view of an exemplary sequin adapted for the system of
Figure 9; and
FIGS. 11A and 11B are rear and front views, respectively, of sequins
disposed upon a loop of material, such as yarn, in preparation for
incorporation
into a knit.
FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment, wherein image portions on sequins can
be shown together.
FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate an ordered arrangement in the placement of
sequins using position and orientation information contained therein.
FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary embodiment containing adjacent sequins of
an exemplary geometric shape.
FIGS. 16 and 17 illustrate an ordered arrangement in the placement of
adjacent sequins using position and orientation information contained therein.
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FIGS. 18 and 19 illustrate an ordered arrangement in the placement of
overlapping sequins using position and orientation information contained
therein.
FIG. 20 illustrates an embodiment wherein a plurality of lenticular lenses are
provided over a target designated surface, such as a fabric in a visual plane
of
sequins to form an ornamental sequin system surface of interlaced colors or
images.
FIG. 20A illustrates an enlarged view of a section of Figure 20.
FIG. 21 illustrates yet another embodiment wherein notches provide
rotational stability for one or more sequins sewn to a target designated
surface.
FIG. 22A is a front view of yet another embodiment constructed in
accordance with the principles herein; and
FIG. 22B is a front view of an application of the Embodiment of Figure
22A, including a close-up section showing an area as seen from slightly above
and
slightly below eye level; and
FIG. 23 illustrates an application incorporating an embodiment constructed
in accordance with the principles herein.
Throughout the various figures, like reference numbers refer to like
elements.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a sequin system shown
generally at 100 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present
disclosure. The system 100 includes at least one sequin 110 or a group of
sequins
110 through 118 (110-118), and a preselected lenticular lens, such as a single
preselected lens 120 having a Radius R and disposed at a selected distance t
from a
surface 130 of the sequin 110. The preselected lenticular lens 120 can be
supported
over a sequin at a preselected distance t, or disposed on the sequin.
Alternatively, an array of preselected lenticular lenses, such as, for
example,
a linear array of lenses 121 and 122 formed over a sequin 112; a curved array
of
lenticular lenses 123, 124, and 125 over a sequin 114, a radial array of
lenses 126,
127, 128, and 129 over a sequin 116, or any other suitable geometric
arrangement
to accommodate a desired visual effect can be formed directly over or on the
surface 130 of a suitable sequin, such as sequin 110. Interlaced images can be
provided on a back of the lenticular lens or on the surface 130 of the sequin
110. A
lenticular lens of a preselected size and shape can be applied using a
suitable
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method, such as, for example, printing, etching, heat transfer, or any other
suitable
method to cover all or a portion of the sequin in a desired geometry.
Lenticular lens 120 can be provided over a target designated surface, such as
a fabric 140 in a visual plane of the sequin 110 to form an ornamental sequin
system surface of interlaced colors or images. Further, the fabric 140 can be
any
suitable fabric, such as, for example, a stretchable fabric. Visual effects
can be
achieved in accordance with the principles herein to include interlaced
graphical
content providing a color array, an image, an animation or any other suitable
visual
effect with the sequin system 100. Further, when use in conjunction with a
substantially transparent base material, interlaced content can include clear
areas
that can expose the underlying target designated surface, providing background
color neutrality. It is anticipated that the use of reflective ink for
printing non-clear
sections will enhance the visibility of graphic content displayed on or
through
transparent or other base material. Other enhanced visual effects can be
achieved
by incorporating, for example, optical grating, thin film effect, or any other
suitable enhancement.
The interlaced images are independently viewable, depending on the angle
of observation. At a first viewing angle, a first set of interlaced image
slices or
segments appears through the lenticular lens element(s). As the angle of view
through the lenticular lens changes, another set of interlaced image slices or
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segments becomes apparent and the first set shifts out of focal view. In
another
exemplary embodiment, image portions on sequins can be shown together in an
ornamental sequin system constructed in accordance with the principles herein
so
as to form a larger image when viewed together so as to form one or more
mosaic,
which can be expanded to provide one or more pattern or montage and can
incorporate, if desired, other decorative elements, such as, for example, one
or
more beads. To this end, corresponding portions of the graphic content of a
given
sequin may be repeated on adjacent sequins to ensure formation of a complete
image in cases where overlapping sequins are desired. Additionally, lenticular
images can be embedded in other decorative elements such as, for example, one
or
more beads.
Moreover, the material, geometry, thickness, and the color of a lens can be
varied, as desired, to achieve a desired optical effect. For example, in an
embodiment lenticular lenses of various sizes can be combined to achieve a
unique
visual effect. The variation in sizes can be random or can be determined by
any
number of suitable methods including, for example, an arithmetic scale or
mathematical function.
As illustrated in figures 2A to 2C, animation, color array, or image
information, respectively, or any suitable combination of visual information
can be
incorporated into an exemplary sequin 210A to 210 C constructed in accordance
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with the principles herein. With a lenticular or barrier surface, unique 3D
and
animations can be created in accordance with the principles herein.
In an exemplary embodiment, an information device can be incorporated
onto a sequin, as illustrated in figures 3A and 3B. The information device can
include any suitable device such as, for example, a magnetic recording,
machine-
readable marking, or radio frequency identification tag, as illustrated at 310
in
figure 3A. In an embodiment, a multiplicity of such data points can be
embedded
on a given element or sequin and used to represent a serial numbering scheme
for a
mapping process. Each data point can be pre-assigned to represent a binary
magnitude, in that for any given place setting (binary magnitude), the
corresponding frequency or frequencies would be found to be present or not,
rendering either a one or a zero.
Mapping is particularly useful when, for example, a sequin is lost or an
application process is interrupted and information is needed to determine when
the
process stopped or which sequin was lost.
The possible number of combinations actually doubles with each additional
binary magnitude anticipated. Absence of data point information can signify a
default next relative position or end of sequence.
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Alternatively, the information device can include, for example, a binary code
as illustrated at 320 in figure 3B, or any other suitable information,
magnetic
information, bit array, binary bit flag enumerator, bar code made of invisible
ink,
or any other device, used in conjunction with an apparatus adapted for
decoding or
encoding in order to use the information to control the application apparatus
to
produce an ordered arrangement in the placement of the sequins, such as the
position and orientation information contained therein. In an embodiment, the
information device can be printed onto a sheet of sequin base material during
a
printing process. In accordance with the principles herein, each sequin can be
modified further to include a physical modification, such as a notch, for
further
assisting in orienting the sequin and creating a unique visual effect
Exemplary methods for printing processes that are capable of producing
suitable color arrays, animations, images or combinations thereof can include,
for
example, conventional printing methods such as screen, letterpress,
flexographic,
offset lithography, or other suitable methods, as well as non-impact printing
methods such as electro-photography, iconography, magnetography, ink jet,
thermography, and photographic printing.
An exemplary method, shown generally at 400 in figure 4, and constructed
in accordance with the principles herein can include the following steps.
First, a
sheet of sequin base material containing visual effect information is formed
at 410.
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Next, the sequin base material is punched from the sheet at 420 to form a
plurality
of sequins, the plurality of sequins containing both information required to
form an
ornamental arrangement and positional information, thereby adapting the
plurality
of sequins for application to a surface. In addition, registration marks or a
magnetic
strip can be included on the sequin base material beyond the perimeter of the
intended sequin, which is readable by the processing equipment to ensure that
it
operates at the proper location and produces each sequin inclusive of all its
associated graphical content in accordance with the principles herein.
As illustrated in figure 5, an exemplary method shown generally at 500 can
include the following steps. First, a sheet of sequin base material containing
visual
effect information is formed at 510. Next, the sheet is fed onto an anvil
disposed
above or near a fabric sheet at 520. Finally, the sheet is punched at 530 to
form a
plurality of sequins, the plurality of sequins containing both information
required
to form an ornamental arrangement and positional information, thereby adapting
the plurality of sequins for application to a surface at 540.
As illustrated in figure 6, an exemplary method shown generally at 600 can
include the following steps. First, a sequin base material containing an
information
device is formed at 610. Next, a connected series of sequins having edges is
formed at 620 using a conventional punching machine. Finally, information
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contained thereupon required to form the ornamental arrangement of the
ornamental sequin system is decoded at step 630.
In each exemplary process above, understanding the occurrence of, and
planning to avoid the problems associated with, disaster recovery when
applying,
for example, an ornamental sequin system having a complicated arrangement, is
useful for achieving the ornamental system in accordance with the principles
herein.
Alternatively, information contained in yet another exemplary system
illustrated generally at 700 in Figure 7 can enable a sequential process that
avoids
the problems associated with disaster recovery in an ornamental sequin system.
To
this end, identical rolls of sequins can be unwound co-synchronously at 710
using
a suitable application apparatus, such as, for example, an apparatus attached
to or
incorporated in an embroidery machine. Sequins from the first roll of the
identical
rolls are applied to the target designated surface as the sequins are unwound
from
the first roll by the application apparatus, while sequins from the second
roll are
unwound at an identical rate as the sequins from the first roll.
The first roll is removed from the application apparatus when a break occurs
at a break point at 720 while applying the sequins from the first roll to the
target
designated surface. The second reel is rewound at 730 to compensate for the
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number of sequins lost in the incident and cut at 740 to create an end from
which to
restart the attachment process. Next, the first roll is replaced by the second
roll at
750. Sequins from the second roll are then applied to the target designated
surface
starting from an identical location on the second roll as the break point of
the first
roll at 760, as shown in the flow chart of Figure 7.
In accordance with the principles herein, any suitable procedure can be
employed to apply a sequin system constructed in accordance with the
principles
herein to a target designated surface, such as, for example, sewing, adhesive,
punching, heat transfer, or any other suitable procedure.
As illustrated in figure 8A, a lenticular lens 810 can be applied across the
entire surface of an ornamental sequin system shown generally at 800. The
lenticular lens 810 can include, if desired, a non-linear surface, such as for
example, a concave surface as shown in figure 8A. Alternatively, any surface
of
the lenticular lens 810 can include any chosen topology, such as, for example,
a
graduated surface, convex surface, or any other selected topology.
As illustrated in Figure 8B, the ornamental sequin system can include a
lenticular lens 815 over transparent sections 830 on a sequin surface 820 of
the
sequin system 800. A lenticular lens 840 can be provided on a surface 850 of a
sequin, as illustrated in Figure 8C, wherein interlaced sections 860 are
provided on
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the sequin surface 850. As shown in Figures 8D and 8E, a sequin can be
modified
to provide orientation information such as, for example, by providing a notch
870
along an edge of the sequin and/or an aperture 875. Figure 8F illustrates yet
another embodiment of an ornamental sequin system constructed in accordance
with the principles herein, wherein a lenticular lens 880 forms the entirety
of a
sequin other than an optional aperture 890. The aperture can be positioned,
for
example, substantially above the center of gravity of the sequin, so as to
allow the
sequin to dangle and swing and yet regain the desired general alignment of the
sequin when motion ceases.
In accordance with the principles herein, sequins can be adapted and
constructed to be woven directly into a loom after stamping them out, as
illustrated, for example in figure 9. Further, if desired, the sequins can
incorporate
suitable slits 1010 or any other suitable structural adaptation in order to
thread the
sequins directly so as to retain the desired position and/or alignment within
the
overall finished work, as illustrated, for example, in the embodiment shown in
figure 10.
Further, as illustrated in figures 11A and 11B, a sequin can be disposed upon
a loop of yarn or thread for the purpose of knitting. The interlocking loops
of a knit
can stabilize the sequin position within a work.
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Clearly, such effects require placement where preferred on a target
designated surface, such that positional information can be useful to
achieving the
unique effects contemplated in accordance with the principles herein. Then
advantageous optical properties using same colors, color complements, or
various
different colors can be used singly or in combination to create a visual
effect.
Figure 12 illustrates an embodiment, shown generally at 1200, wherein
image portions on sequins can be shown together. Specifically, image portions
on
sequins can be shown together in an ornamental sequin system constructed in
accordance with the principles herein so as to form a larger image when viewed
together so as to form one or more mosaic, which can be expanded to provide
one
or more pattern.
Figures 13 and 14 illustrate an ordered arrangement in the placement of
sequins, shown generally at 1300 and 1400, using position and orientation
information contained therein.
Figure 15 illustrates an exemplary embodiment, shown generally at 1500
containing adjacent sequins of an exemplary geometric shape.
Figures 16 and 17 illustrate an ordered arrangement in the placement of
adjacent sequins, shown generally at 1600 and 1700, using position and
orientation
information contained therein.
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Figures 18 and 19 illustrate an ordered arrangement in the placement of
overlapping sequins, shown generally at 1800 and 1900, using position and
orientation information contained therein.
FIG. 20 illustrates an embodiment, shown generally at 2000, wherein a
plurality of lenticular lenses are provided over a target designated surface,
such as
a fabric in a visual plane of sequins to form an ornamental sequin system
surface of
interlaced colors or images.
Figure 20A illustrates an enlarged view of a section of the ornamental sequin
system surface of interlaced colors or images of Figure 20.
Figure 21 shows yet another embodiment wherein one or more sequins,
shown generally at 2100, can maintain rotational orientation when sewn around
one or more notches disposed along an edge or edges of the sequin and/or an
aperture.
Figure 22A and 22B illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a non-
holographic lensed display comprising a rubbery optical film material having
multiple parabolic lenses therein.
FIGS. 22A and 22B illustrate an ordered arrangement 2220 in the placement
of adjacent sequins 2210 using relevant position and orientation information
which
may be contained therein. In this embodiment, the sequins can be of a RowLux
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style which provides a visual effect that appears to move across the surface
in a
predefined pattern in keeping with any change of the observer's viewpoint.
Reproducing this effect among an arrangements of sequins requires that the
position and orientation of each sequin 2210 in the arrangement 2220 is
appropriate to allow the visual effect pattern to span across adjacent
sequins.
Efficiency in arranging and applying the sequins can be greatly increased by
pre-
sorting them to dispense in the same order they are intended to be applied
upon a
exemplary suitable decorative surface 2230.
FIG. 22A illustrates this intent with sequin 2210 elements A-101 through
A-103 designated to be applied as part of the bottom row in the detailed
section of
FIG. 22B. It should also be noted that the detailed section of FIG. 22B shows
the
identical arrangement of sequins from both slightly above and below eye level
and
is intended to illustrate the apparent shift and visual effect. A similar
shift would
occur commensurate with any change in the observer's relative viewpoint
regardless of the direction of change. Furthermore, FIG. 22A also indicates,
by
way of a pair of curved dashed lines crossing the successive sequins depicted
as
dispensing from a reel, that the remainder of the sequins designated for that
same
row, not depicted in the detailed section, are implied but not shown. Should
it be
desirable that the sequins slightly overlap one another (imbricated), the
overlapping sequins could contain the matching visual effect pattern in the
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overlapped areas, so that the appearance of the visual effect formed by the
sequins
is retained when the sequins move in and out of the overlapping position when,
for
example, the decorative surface is in motion.
Figure 23 illustrates an application, shown generally at 2300, of an optical
display wherein the display comprises at least one sequin, 2310 formed of a
rubbery optical film material to provide optical advantages using lenses in
tactile
friendly materials, as discussed for example in US patent application number
62041073, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. For example,
fashion
involves the production of articles that can satisfy consumer demands and
preferences. One preference many consumers have is to purchase products that
feel
good to the touch. Although some products have attempted to incorporate or
produce unique optical properties using know lenses and materials, the known
optical devices fail to produce rubbery soft materials that feel good to the
touch.
While exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are provided herein,
various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the
spirit
and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is indicated in the
appended
claims, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalents
are
intended to be embraced therein. For example, variations in the forming and/or
any
other features described in the present disclosure are within the spirit and
meaning
of the appended claims.
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