Local removal of a lenticular optical effect by a high volume offset coating

摘要

A combined use of a pervasively textured anilox supply roll and a customized, locally patterned flexographic roll is provided for forming a lenticular product. The customized, locally patterned flexographic roll includes an intermittent raised and recessed surface pattern analogous to a type used in a “spot” ink application. In the present case, however, the applied material is transparent and preferably matched in its refractive index to the lenticular sheet. Relevant aspects of the invention also register the selectively coated areas with graphic features on the planar reverse side of the lenticular sheet.

主权项

1. A system for selectively and locally nullifying a lenticular effect of a lenticular lens sheet that includes a back surface and a front lenticulated surface having lenticules defining vertices and valleys therebetween comprising:
a printing assembly that is configured to deposit a clear coating on a select portion of the front lenticulated surface to define a filled region defined by a first coating material that is formed of a first transparent liquid that at least partially fills at least some valleys of the lenticules, wherein an image is viewable through the filled region without lenticular distortion, the printing assembly comprising: a first anilox roll that carries a first anilox plate, the first anilox plate having incused cells formed therein; a source of the first transparent liquid, the source being in select fluid communication with the first anilox plate such that first coating material can be captured within the cells; and a first flexographic roll that carries a first flexographic plate, the first flexographic plate including at least one raised region and at least one recessed region, the first flexographic roll being disposed proximate the first anilox roll such that the first coating material that is captured within the cells is transferred to the at least one raised region when the cells and the at least one raised region are in registration with one another, the at least one raised region being in select contact with the front lenticular surface in order to transfer the first coating material to the front lenticular surface to form at least a portion of the filled region in which the optical effect of lenticular refraction is substantially anulled; a second anilox roll that carries a second anilox plate, the second anilox plate having at incused cells formed therein; a source of a second coating material formed of a second transparent liquid, the source being in select fluid communication with the second anilox plate such that second coating material can be captured within the cells; and a second flexographic roll that carries a second flexographic plate, the second flexographic plate including at least one raised region and at least one recessed region, the second flexographic roll being disposed proximate the second anilox roll such that the second coating material that is captured within the cells is transferred to the at least one raised region when the second anilox roll and the at least one raised region of the second flexographic roll are placed in selective contact with one another, the at least one raised region subsequently being placed in selective contact with the front lenticular surface in order to transfer the second coating material to the front lenticular surface to form at least a portion of the filled region in which the optical effect of lenticular refraction is substantially anulled.