Disappearing printed images and a method for creating them

Abstract

In one aspect, the present invention comprises a method and system for creating images that disappear when exposed to light. The method and system are suitable for commercial printing. In another aspect, the invention comprises a printed image that disappears when exposed to light. In yet another aspect, the image reappears when removed from exposure to light, permitting reuse. In a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a item for amusement, preferably a collectible card, bearing an image that disappears when exposed to light and reappears thereafter when removed from exposure to light. In one preferred embodiment, the invention comprises an image, the image comprising a first image portion and a second image portion, the first image portion and second image portion being substantially visibly distinct before exposure to light by an end user, and the first image portion and second image portion being substantially visibly indistinguishable after exposure to light by the end user.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A printed surface comprising an image that substantially disappears within a predetermined interval in response to exposure to light by an end-user.  
     
     
         2 . The printed surface of  claim 1 , wherein the image substantially reappears within a predetermined interval when removed from exposure to light.  
     
     
         3 . The printed surface of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a background comprising a color that does not substantially vary color when exposed to light;    a figure comprising an unexposed figure color visibly different from the background color, the unexposed figure color changing to an exposed figure color substantially the same as the background color when exposed to light.    
     
     
         4 . The printed surface of  claim 1 , wherein the background and figure comprise a portion of a larger image.  
     
     
         5 . The print of  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 a second background color;    a second figure comprising a second unexposed figure color visibly different from the second background color, the second unexposed figure color changing to a second exposed figure color substantially the same as the second background color when exposed to light.    
     
     
         6 . A line drawing that substantially disappears within a predetermined interval in response to exposure to light by an end-user.  
     
     
         7 . A kit for drawing line drawings that substantially disappear comprising a marking tool for creating a first image portion on a surface, the surface comprising a second image portion, the first image portion having a different color than the second image portion before exposure to light by an end-user, and the first image portion having substantially the same color as the second image portion after exposure to light by the end-user.  
     
     
         8 . The printed surface of  claim 1 , the image comprising a first image portion and a second image portion, comprising a marker for creating a first image portion on a surface, the surface comprising a second image portion, the first image portion having a different color than the second image portion before exposure to light by the end-user, and the first image portion having substantially the same color as the second image portion after exposure to light by the end-user.  
     
     
         9 . The printed surface of  claim 8 , wherein the image substantially reappears within a predetermined interval when removed from exposure to light.  
     
     
         10 . A method for printing a disappearing image, comprising the steps of printing a first image portion and printing a second image portion, the first image portion having a different color than the second image portion before exposure to light by the end-user, and the first image portion having substantially the same color as the second image portion after exposure to light by the end-user.  
     
     
         11 . A toy comprising an image that noticeably fades within 15 seconds and substantially disappears within 60 seconds in response to exposure to light.  
     
     
         12 . A collectible comprising an image that substantially disappears in response to exposure to light.  
     
     
         13 . The collectible of  claim 12 , wherein the image substantially reappears in response to removal from exposure to light.  
     
     
         14 . A set of collectibles comprising images that substantially disappear within a predetermined interval in response to exposure to light, wherein the predetermined interval varies based on the subject of each collectible.