Sheeting with composite image that floats

Abstract

Translucent, transparent, or semi-translucent microlens sheetings with composite images are disclosed, in which a composite image floats above or below the sheeting, or both. The composite image may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. The sheeting may have at least one layer of material having a surface of microlenses that form one or more images at positions internal to the layer of material, at least one of the images being a partially complete image. Additional layers, such as retroreflective, translucent, transparent, or optical structure layers may also be incorporated into the sheeting.

1 . A laser system for forming a composite image on a microlens sheeting, comprising:
 a laser;   a diverging lens; and   a sheeting having a layer of material having a surface of microlenses, wherein each of the microlenses occupies a different position on the layer of material;   wherein the laser images the layer of material through the diverging lens, wherein each of the microlenses transmits the laser energy to a unique position on the material to form a respective image adjacent the microlens.   
     
     
         2 . The laser system of  claim 1 , wherein the diverging lens includes a focal point set in front of the microlenses opposite the layer of material of the sheeting. 
     
     
         3 . The laser system of  claim 1 , further comprising a light collimator, wherein the laser images the layer of material through the light collimator and diverging lens. 
     
     
         4 . The laser system of  claim 1 , wherein the sheeting includes a composite image from the images formed within the material that appear to float above the sheeting, float below the sheeting or float in the plane of the sheeting. 
     
     
         5 . The laser system of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller for movement of the microlens sheeting relative to the laser. 
     
     
         6 . The laser system of  claim 1 , wherein the laser provides multiple patterned exposures with the sheeting being at a different position relative to the laser during each exposure. 
     
     
         7 . The laser system of  claim 1 , wherein the sheeting is included in a security document. 
     
     
         8 . A laser system for forming a composite image on a microlens sheeting, comprising:
 a laser;   a converging lens; and   a sheeting having a layer of material having a surface of microlenses, wherein each of the microlenses occupies a different position on the layer of material;   wherein the laser images the layer of material through the converging lens, wherein each of the microlenses transmits the laser energy to a unique position on the material to form a respective image adjacent the microlens.   
     
     
         9 . The laser system of  claim 8 , wherein the diverging lens includes a focal point set in back of the sheeting opposite the microlenses of the sheeting. 
     
     
         10 . The laser system of  claim 8 , further comprising a light collimator, wherein the laser images the layer of material through the light collimator and diverging lens. 
     
     
         11 . The laser system of  claim 8 , wherein the sheeting includes a composite image from the images formed within the material that appear to float above the sheeting, float below the sheeting or float in the plane of the sheeting. 
     
     
         12 . The laser system of  claim 8 , further comprising a controller for movement of the microlens sheeting relative to the laser. 
     
     
         13 . The laser system of  claim 8 , wherein the laser provides multiple patterned exposures with the sheeting being at a different position relative to the laser during each exposure. 
     
     
         14 . The laser system of  claim 8 , wherein the sheeting is included in a security document.