Moisture activated phantom imaging process and product

Abstract

Moisture activated invisible stencil technology is created by applying a moisture blocking agent in accordance with an artwork is applied to a base substrate. The base substrate is preferably fabricated of a moisture absorbing material. When the object is subjected to moisture, moisture wets to the exposed portion of the base substrate and is repelled in the areas where the moisture blocking agent is applied thereon. The wetted portion of the base substrate changes in shade or color to expose the concealed image. The moisture activated invisible stencil technology can be applied for simple aesthetic applications or advanced for applications to identify wet objects. The advanced applications can include warnings for wet roadways, pool decks, umbrellas, etc.

1 . A moisture activated image comprising:
 a moisture absorbing material provided as a base carrier substrate;   a colorless moisture blocking agent applied onto said base carrier substrate, said moisture blocking agent being applied in a pattern resembling a desired artwork.   
     
     
         2 . A moisture activated image as recited in  claim 1 , the colorless moisture blocking agent is applied representing a positive image of said artwork, wherein said blocking agent is applied as a background, outlining lines of said artwork and repels moisture and lines of said artwork remains exposed for absorption of moisture. 
     
     
         3 . A moisture activated image as recited in  claim 1 , the colorless moisture blocking agent is applied representing a negative image of said artwork, wherein said blocking agent is applied as lines of said artwork and repels moisture and a background remains exposed for absorption of moisture. 
     
     
         4 . A moisture activated image as recited in  claim 1 , the colorless moisture blocking agent being selected from a block agent group, the block agent group consisting of:
 a. a four carbon fluorocarbon chain and a sulfonic acid functional group,   b. a synthetic hydrophobic surface-applied compound, and   c. a fluoropolymer.   
     
     
         5 . A moisture activated image as recited in  claim 1 , the base carrier substrate being selected from a base carrier substrate group, said base carrier substrate group comprising:
 a. 100% cotton,   b. cotton blend,   c. fabric,   d. rubber,   e. concrete,   f. canvas,   g. polyester,   h. polyester blend,   i. leather,   j. flannel,   k. fleece,   l. wood,   m. concrete,   n. cement, and   o. asphalt.   
     
     
         6 . A moisture activated image as recited in  claim 1 , said base carrier substrate being integrated into an image carrying product, said image carrying product being selected from an image carrying product group comprising:
 a. an apparel;   b. bedding, including at least one of a mattress, a sheet, a cover sheet, and a mattress liner;   c. a handkerchief;   d. tableware, including at least one of a table cloth and a napkin;   e. an absorbent, including at least one of a sponge and a towel;   f. an umbrella;   g. a pool deck;   h. a roadway surface;   i. a roadway sign;   j. a cooler; and   k. an individual beverage cooler.   
     
     
         7 . A moisture activated image as recited in  claim 1 , said base carrier substrate being integrated into an image carrying product, said image carrying product being selected from an apparel group comprising:
 a. a shirt;   b. a T-shirt;   c. a sweatshirt;   d. sweatpants;   e. a jacket;   f. socks; and   g. a hat.   
     
     
         8 . A method of creating a moisture activated image, the method comprising the steps of:
 creating an artwork for a desired moisture activated invisible stencil;   creating an applicator in accordance with said artwork;   applying a colorless moisture blocking agent onto a base carrier substrate, wherein said moisture blocking agent becomes invisible after application;   wherein moisture is repelled in areas of the base carrier substrate where the moisture blocking agent was applied and moisture wets the area of the base carrier substrate absent the moisture blocking agent to transition between a concealed state and a visible state when dry and wet respectively.   
     
     
         9 . A method of creating a moisture activated image as recited in  claim 8 , the method further comprising the step of applying the colorless moisture blocking agent as a background, outlining lines of said artwork, wherein said background repels moisture and lines of said artwork remains exposed for absorption of moisture. 
     
     
         10 . A method of creating a moisture activated image as recited in  claim 8 , the method further comprising the step of applying the colorless moisture blocking agent as lines of said artwork, wherein said lines of said artwork repels moisture and a background of said artwork remains exposed for absorption of moisture. 
     
     
         11 . A method of creating a moisture activated image as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said step of applying the colorless moisture blocking agent utilizes a moisture blocking agent being selected from a block agent group, the block agent group consisting of:
 a. a four carbon fluorocarbon chain and a sulfonic acid functional group,   b. a synthetic hydrophobic surface-applied compound, and   c. a fluoropolymer.   
     
     
         12 . A method of creating a moisture activated image as recited in  claim 8 , the method further comprising a step of enhancing the image by applying said colorless moisture blocking agent onto a moisture absorbing material as the base carrier substrate. 
     
     
         13 . A method of creating a moisture activated image as recited in  claim 8 , the method further comprising a step of enhancing the image by applying said colorless moisture blocking agent onto a moisture absorbing material as the base carrier substrate, wherein the moisture absorbing material is selected from a moisture absorbing material group comprising:
 a. 100% cotton,   b. cotton blend,   c. fabric,   d. rubber,   e. concrete,   f. canvas,   g. polyester,   h. polyester blend,   i. leather,   j. flannel,   k. fleece,   l. wood,   m. concrete,   n. cement, and   o. asphalt.   
     
     
         14 . A method of creating a moisture activated image, the method comprising the steps of:
 creating an artwork for a desired moisture activated invisible stencil, wherein said artwork includes an image communicating a status wherein an object is wet;   creating an applicator in accordance with said artwork;   applying a colorless moisture blocking agent onto a base carrier substrate, wherein said moisture blocking agent becomes invisible after application; and   communicating to individuals when said object is wet as applied moisture is repelled in areas of the base carrier substrate where the moisture blocking agent was applied and moisture wets the area of the base carrier substrate absent the moisture blocking agent to transition from a concealed state to a visible state informing individuals that the object is exposed to moisture.   
     
     
         15 . A method of creating a moisture activated image as recited in  claim 14 , the method further comprising the step of applying the colorless moisture blocking agent as a background, outlining lines of said artwork, wherein said background repels moisture and lines of said artwork remains exposed for absorption of moisture. 
     
     
         16 . A method of creating a moisture activated image as recited in  claim 14 , the method further comprising the step of applying the colorless moisture blocking agent as lines of said artwork, wherein said lines of said artwork repels moisture and a background of said artwork remains exposed for absorption of moisture. 
     
     
         17 . A method of creating a moisture activated image as recited in  claim 14 , the method further comprising a step of enhancing the image by applying said colorless moisture blocking agent onto a moisture absorbing material as the base carrier substrate. 
     
     
         18 . A method of creating a moisture activated image as recited in  claim 14 , the method further comprising a step of enhancing the image by applying said colorless moisture blocking agent onto a moisture absorbing material as the base carrier substrate, wherein the moisture absorbing material is selected from a moisture absorbing material group comprising:
 a. 100% cotton,   b. cotton blend,   c. fabric,   d. rubber,   e. concrete,   f. canvas,   g. polyester,   h. polyester blend,   i. leather,   j. flannel,   k. fleece,   l. wood,   m. concrete,   n. cement, and   o. asphalt.   
     
     
         19 . A method of creating a moisture activated image as recited in  claim 14 , the method further comprising a step of informing an individual of a wet roadway by applying said colorless moisture blocking agent onto at least one of a roadway surface and a roadway sign. 
     
     
         20 . A method of creating a moisture activated image as recited in  claim 14 , the method further comprising a step of informing an individual of a wet pool deck by applying said colorless moisture blocking agent onto said pool deck.