US 12,227,020 B2
System and method for precision inking of micro-optic recesses
Paul F. Cote, Barnstead, NH (US)
Assigned to Crane & Co., Inc., Dalton, MA (US)
Appl. No. 18/556,425
Filed by Crane & Co., Inc., Dalton, MA (US)
PCT Filed Apr. 22, 2022, PCT No. PCT/US2022/071874
§ 371(c)(1), (2) Date Oct. 20, 2023,
PCT Pub. No. WO2022/226538, PCT Pub. Date Oct. 27, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/178,825, filed on Apr. 23, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2024/0198713 A1, Jun. 20, 2024
Int. Cl. B42D 25/324 (2014.01); B41M 3/00 (2006.01); B41M 3/14 (2006.01); B41M 7/00 (2006.01); B42D 25/21 (2014.01); B42D 25/378 (2014.01)
CPC B42D 25/324 (2014.10) [B41M 3/008 (2013.01); B41M 3/14 (2013.01); B41M 7/0009 (2013.01); B41M 7/0081 (2013.01); B41M 7/009 (2013.01); B42D 25/21 (2014.10); B42D 25/378 (2014.10)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for inking a three-dimensional micro-optic structure, the method comprising:
jetting a first volume of a first radiation-curable ink having a first pigment concentration to a first portion of a three-dimensional icon layer, wherein the first portion of the three-dimensional icon layer has a first volumetric fill requirement, wherein the first volumetric fill requirement indicates a quantity of radiation-curable ink required to fill a relief structure of the first portion of the three-dimensional icon layer with radiation-curable ink of a given pigment concentration;
jetting a second volume of the first radiation-curable ink to a second portion of the three-dimensional icon layer, wherein the second portion of the three-dimensional icon layer has a second volumetric fill requirement, wherein the second volumetric fill requirement indicates a quantity of radiation-curable ink required to fill a relief structure of the second portion of the three-dimensional icon layer with radiation-curable ink of a given pigment concentration, and wherein the second volumetric fill requirement differs from the first volumetric fill requirement;
blading an excess amount of the first radiation-curable ink from the three-dimensional icon layer; and
radiation curing a remaining volume of the first radiation-curable ink.