초록 ▼

A method and apparatus are disclosed for constructing a three-dimensional surface of predetermined shape and color from a length of sheet material. A series of color profiles are made along one side of the sheet material in sequence, each color profile corresponding in shape and color to the shape a

A method and apparatus are disclosed for constructing a three-dimensional surface of predetermined shape and color from a length of sheet material. A series of color profiles are made along one side of the sheet material in sequence, each color profile corresponding in shape and color to the shape and color of a different cross-section of the surface to be constructed. A coating of a pressure sensitive adhesive is then applied to one side of the sheet material. Areas on the sheet material outside of the profiles are then removed and discarded so as to leave a series of unconnected planar elements, each planar element having an edge shape or outline corresponding to a cross-section of the surface with the color profile itself forming at least a color border or margin on the surface of its respective planar element around the edge. The planar elements are then stacked one on top of the other in proper alignment and sequence and individually laminated together to produce the desired three-dimensional surface. When viewed, the entire surface appears to be colored even though the color is applied only along one side of the planar elements and not along the edges of the planar elements. In another embodiment of the invention the individual planar elements are not made at one location and then transported to the form and stacked one on top of the other but instead are made on the form itself, a layer at a time.

대표청구항 ▼

A method of constructing a three-dimensional surface of predetermined shape and having a predetermined color pattern, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing information corresponding to the shape and to the color pattern of said three-dimensional surface at a plurality of different cross-s

A method of constructing a three-dimensional surface of predetermined shape and having a predetermined color pattern, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing information corresponding to the shape and to the color pattern of said three-dimensional surface at a plurality of different cross-sections and information corresponding to the order of the cross-sections, b. providing a length of sheet material, the sheet material having a top surface, a bottom surface and an edge, the sheet material being either ink absorbing or a material which will transmit color through an edge when colored on either the top surface or the bottom surface in the vicinity of the edge, c. producing a series of color profiles on either the top surface or the bottom surface of said sheet material using said information and using either a liquid or dry coloring agent if the sheet material is one that will transmit color through an edge when colored on either the top surface or bottom surface in the vicinity of the edge or a liquid coloring agent capable of being absorbed if the sheet material is ink absorbing, each color profile corresponding to the shape and to the color pattern of said three-dimensional surface at a different cross-section, then d. removing all of the sheet material outside of each color profile so produced so as to leave a series of unconnected individually shaped planar elements, each planar element having a shape in accordance with its color profile, and then e. stacking the planar elements so produced adjacent one to another in the order of the cross-sections to which they correspond to form said three-dimensional surface. f. whereby, the color perceived of the three-dimensional surface so produced will correspond to the color of the color profiles planar elements. Apparatus for constructing a three-dimensional surface of predetermined shape and color from information corresponding to the shape and color of the three-dimensional surface at a plurality of different cross-sections, the apparatus comprising: a. a form constructing station for forming the three-dimensional surface, and b. a computer for controlling the operations of the form constructing station, c. the form constructing station including: i. a supply reel for holding a quantity of sheet material, the sheet material having a top surface, a bottom surface and an edge and being either ink absorbing or a material that will transmit color through an edge when colored on either the top surface or the bottom surface in the vicinity of the edge, the bottom surface of the sheet material being coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive, ii. a take up reel for receiving sheet material from the supply reel, iii. a press plate equipped with suction disposed between said supply reel and said take up reel underneath said sheet material and movable up and down, iv. movable roller means for pressing the sheet material between the supply reel and the take up reel down over the press plate, and v. means for drawing a color profile on the sheet material while it is over the press plate, cutting the color profile to shape while it is over the press plate and removing waste material from the color profile so cut.