AU775586B2 - Window painting apparatus and method - Google Patents

Description

2 2 0 4 :15 I P IZ Z Y S61 7 32218077 8/ 47 1 WINDOW PAINTING APPARATUS AND METHOD FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to techniques for the painting of transparent panels, such as windows, which permits messages, signs, and other such displays to be affixed to and displayed on such panels while permitting the passage in one direction but not in the opposite direction of visible light through light passages.

DEFINITIONS

The term "indicia" or similar, as used herein, includes, but is not limited to visual shapes, colours, dots of colour, visible images, designs, pictures, graphics, visible information, text and the like.

The term "paint" or similar, as used herein, includes, but is not limited to, any method of applying or positioning a coating onto or in close proximity to a surface and include traditional methods such as paint jet, ink jet, digital printing, sublimation, magnetic attraction of repulsion, or any other method of causing a visible or invisible coating to be applied on or in close proximity to a material or substrate or another coating or substance and includes new technology print application methods when developed.

The term "application methods" include: toner particles, liquid and particulates, sprayed paint, powder transfer, hand applications, such as brush, air brush, roller, spray and the like, electrostatic attraction, electrostatic repulsion from one surface to S: 25 another, magnetic attraction, magnetic repulsion, gravity, liquid flow, blade coating, reverse roll coating, reflective materials or treatments, air abrasion, mechanical abrasion, and other means to affect previously applied coatings.

The term "non-perforated backing layer", "solid liner", "impervious liner", "solid backing", "backing liner", or similar, as used herein, includes, but is not limited to, at 30 least one partially continuous or impervious layer.

The term "one way vision", "two way vision", or similar, as used herein, includes, but is not limited to, means to see through a surface or material from at least one side. Visibility may vary from one side to the other or in a multi-sided COMS ID No: SBMI-00799647 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:23 Date 2004-06-22 2 2 0 04 :15 17 P IZ Z Y 61 7 32218077 9/ 47 2 structure may vary from any one side more or less than any other one or more sides.

It may also incorporate visible indicia on any or all sides or portion of any or all sides and may incorporate indicia all over one side and have a black coating on the other side or all other sides, usually with at least one light passage or pattern of light passages.

In the specification the term "comprising" shall be understood to have a broad meaning similar to the term "Including" and will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. This definition also applies to variations on the term "comprising" such as "comprise" and "comprises".

The term "design" or "image", or similar, as used herein, includes, but is not limited to, light reflective substances, colour or colours, and other visible indicia, applied to the material, panel or to other coatings that may also be subsequently transposed to another surface whereby an. image is readable. In addition, the decorative coating may be a monochromic coating of only one colour or one material.

The term "coating" includes but is not limited to coatings placed on primary or secondary materials and any combinations of placing those materials or substrates together to combine coatings. A certain coating may be made up of two or more coatings which have been partially or fully blended together or mixed together.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the practice of window painting for advertising or promotional purposes, it is desirable to create as large and as eye-catching a display as possible. Generally, 25 however, a display across a window will block any light which would otherwise come through the window. Thus, this light cannot add to the interior lighting requirement of •the structure or store having the window. Additionally, in such structures as banks where security Is of importance, not being able to see out through the windows can present serious security problems. Security can be important to the safety and well- 30 being of the bank customers and employees.

Painted window graphics is one of the largest segments in the sign painting industry. They can be seen practically everywhere-at banks, restaurants, and retail stores. Yet, traditional painted window graphics look untidy from a location inside of o• COMS ID No: SBMI-00799647 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:23 Date 2004-06-22 2 2 0 6- 0 1 1 P IZ Z Y :61 7 32218077 10/ 47 3 the window, as well as blocking natural light into and through the store window and out of the window. Typically, from the reverse side of an image on the graphics, the appearance of the image looks poor and can be a great distraction. This is a wellknown objection to the use of such images upon window surfaces.

Hill, U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,609, discloses a method of painting one-way graphics onto windows by the use of a mask applied to the window where paint goes through the holes to adhere directly to the glass. There are many problems associated with this method.

1. If the mask does not adhere properly, the paint will bleed under the mask and create unsightly Irregular or ragged patterns of dots.

2. Removal of the mask may remove portions of the colour or lift entire dots from the surface of the glass.

3. Removal of the graphics from the glass is labour intensive, requiring the use of aggressive window cleaning techniques including scraping the paint from the window, the use of cleaning agents, or the use of high pressure sprays.

4. During the removal of painted graphics from. the surface of the glass, the washed off or scraped off paint particles can stain the surrounding areas such as window frames or sills, wall areas, landscaping and walkways.

Multiple coats of paint are required to achieve one way graphics; first a black or dark coat is applied and then after the black coat has dried, then at least one coat of the background colour is required to cover the black coating.

6. One way graphics painted directly onto glass require a significant investment of time both in the application of several coats of paint and in the labourintensive removal methods required.

Clearly therefore it would be advantageous if a technique could be devised of efficaciously applying one-way graphics onto a window. This would enable the surface area of the window to be used for advertising while still enabling the window COMS ID No: SBMI-00799647 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:23 Date 2004-06-22 2 2 0 4 ;15 I P IZ Z Y S:6 1 7 32218077 11/ 47 4 to perform its intended function. This way people on the reverse side could look out through the window and the flow of light in through the window would not be affected.

It is well recognised that the commercial benefit of using windows for advertising would be great.

The method of this invention seeks to ameliorate in part at least some of these shortcomings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an improved display product and method of making the display wherein a perforated panel is provided with layers of paint which are kept on the perforated panel. Thus, using the teachings of the present invention a sign painter can have a wide latitude of choice of designs which can be applied to see-through graphics. He is not limited to designs that are applied to the panel before it is marked on the window. The resulting product can be substantially opaque to an observer looking from one side of a display product yet the observer is able to see through the product from the other side of the product itself.

For a sign painter who wants quality and durability with the ability to create see-through graphics, the preferred embodiment is a superior display product for hand painted one-way graphics.

An image is painted onto a perforated panel assembly or panel, which is applied to window surfaces. This allows durable and high quality paints to be used for long term graphic displays, compared to traditional painted window graphics.

According to one aspect of this invention there is provided a method of 25 painting a one-way vision image onto a window, the method comprising the steps of: providing a panel assembly comprising a panel layer having a first panel side for receiving the image and a second panel side for mounting on to the window, the panel assembly being perforated with a plurality of through-holes; applying a removable solid backing layer to the second panel side of the panel 30 assembly; temporarily mounting the panel assembly with the solid backing layer onto a window; o COMS ID No: SBMI-00799647 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:23 Date 2004-06-22 2 2 0 6 0 4 15 1 8 P I Z Z E Y S 22-06-04 6: I 1ZES1 7 3 22 1 80 77 1 2/ 417 painting said first panel side of said panel layer with at least one layer of paint to form an Image on non-perforated portions of said first panel side, said solid backing layer resisting paint which travels through said plurality of through-holes in said panel assembly from being applied to the window; removing said panel assembly along with said 'solid backing layer from the window and detaching said solid backing layer from said panel assembly; and adhering said panel assembly to the window to form a one-way vision image on the window.

The method may further include the step of perforating the panel assembly with a plurality of through-holes prior to applying said solid backing layer.

The panel assembly may further include a protective liner removably attached to said second panel side, and the method may include removing said protective liner from said panel layer after said solid backing layer is detached from said panel assembly and prior to adhering said panel assembly to said window.

The second panel side may have adhesive applied thereto and the removal of the protective liner will expose the adhesive for adhering said panel assembly to said window. The adhesive may bq coloured black.

The solid backing layer may be applied to the second panel side by adhesive, eg a releasable adhesive. Other options such as double-sided tape and suction cups may also be used.

The panel layer may comprise transparent material, eg static cling plastic material.

The painting step may comprise applying at least a layer of paint of light reflective colour and optionally also a further layer of paint that is of dark colour.

25 The solid backing layer may have the same size and shape as the panel ~:assembly such that when the solid backing layer is mounted over the second panel side of the panel layer, the edges of the two layers are substantially aligned.

According to another aspect of this invention there is provided a method of applying a one-way vision image to a window, the method comprising the steps of: providing a panel assembly comprising a panel layer having a first panel side for receiving the image and a second panel side for mounting to a window the panel assembly being perforated with a plurality of through-holes; COMS ID No: SBMI-00799647 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:23 Date 2004-06-22 2 2 0 4 :15 1 P IZ Z Y 61 7 322 1 8077 13/ 47 applying a removable solid backing layer to said second panel side of the perforated panel layer; temporarily mounting the panel assembly with the solid backing layer on to a window; applying an image forming material to said first panel side of said panel layer to form an image on non-perforated portions of said first panel side, said solid backing layer resisting excess material which travels through said plurality of throughholes In said panel assembly from being applied to the window; removing said panel assembly along with said solid backing player from the window and then detaching said solid backing layer from said panel assembly; and adhering said panel layer to the window to form a one-way vision image on the window.

The method may further include the step of perforating the panel assembly with a plurality of through-holes prior to applying said solid backing layer.

The panel assembly may further include a protective liner removably attached to said second panel side, and the method may further include removing said protective liner from said panel layer after said solid backing layer is detached from said panel assembly and prior to-adhering said panel assembly to said window. The second panel side may have adhesive applied thereto and the removal of said protective liner may expose said adhesive for adhering said panel assembly to said window.

The method may further include any one or more of the other optional features described above according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to yet another aspect of this invention there is provided a method of 25 painting a one-way vision image onto a window, the method comprising the steps of: eproviding a panel assembly comprising a panel layer having a first panel side for receiving the image and a second panel side for mounting on to the window, the panel assembly being perforated with a plurality of through-holes; masking a window to be painted with a masking sheet; 30 temporarily mounting the perforated panel over the masking sheet on the window; painting said first panel side of said panel layer with at least one layer of paint to form an image on non-perforated portions of said first panel side, said masking

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COMS ID No: SBMI-00799647 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:23 Date 2004-06-22 2 2 0 04 :15 :19 P IZ Z Y 6 1 7 3221 0177 14/ 47 sheet resisting paint which travels through said plurality of through-holes in said panel assembly from being applied to the window; separating said perforated panel assembly from said masking sheet; removing said masking sheet from said window; and adhering said panel assembly to the window to form a one-way vision image on the window.

The method may further include the step of perforating the panel assembly with a plurality of through-holes prior to applying said solid backing layer.

The panel assembly may further include a protective liner removably attached to said second panel side, and the method may further include removing said protective liner from said panel layer after said solid backing layer is detached from said panel assembly and prior to adhering said panel assembly to said window. The second panel side may have adhesive applied thereto and the removal of said protective liner may expose said adhesive for adhering said panel assembly to said window.

The method may further include any one or more of the other optional features described above according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of applying a one-way vision image to,a window, the method comprising the steps of: providing a panel assembly comprising a panel layer having a first panel side for receiving the image and a second panel side for mounting on to the window, the panel assembly being perforated with a plurality of through-holes; •masking a window to be painted with a masking sheet; temporarily mounting the perforated panel over the masking sheet on the :o 25 window; applying an image forming material to said first panel side of said panel layer to form an image on non-perforated portions of said first panel side, said masking sheet resisting excess material which travels through said plurality of through-holes in said panel assembly from being applied to the window; separating said perforated panel assembly from said masking sheet; removing said masking sheet from said window; and adhering said panel assembly to the window to form a one-way vision image t on the window.

COMS ID No: SBMI-00799647 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:23 Date 2004-06-22 2 2 0 04 :15 :19 P IZ Z Y :61 7 32218077 IE/ 47 The method may further include the step of perforating the panel assembly with a plurality of through-holes prior to applying said solid backing layer.

The panel assembly may further include a protective liner removably attached to said second panel side, and the method may further include removing said protective liner from said panel layer after said solid backing layer is detached from said panel assembly and prior to adhering said panel assembly to said window. The second panel side may have adhesive applied thereto and the removal of said protective liner may expose said adhesive for adhering said panel assembly to said window.

The method may further include any one or more of the other optional features described above according to the first aspect of the invention.

Thus in one embodiment of the invention, a window to be provided with a display product is masked with masking paper and masking tape to cover the exposed parts. A perforated panel assembly is cut to fit the window and attached over the masking paper and the masking tape. -The perforated panel is painted with an image that is desired. Once the painting is completed, the panel assembly Is taken away from the masking, paper, and the masking paper and the masking tape are removed and discarded. The painted panel with the one or more layers of paint thereon is applied to the window which was previously covered by the masking tape and the masking paper.

The perforated panel could have an adhesive coating that would have a protective backing liner to protect the adhesive. This liner is peeled off when the perforated panel is peeled or separated from the backing masking paper and masking tape. This leaves the holes of the perforated panel free. The adhesive is then used to adhere the panel to the window.

Once the perforated panel with paint thereon is applied to the window, the assembly of panel and paint layers is complete and an observer looking in the direction of the panel will see through the panels without seeing the paint layer and the observer looking at the paint layer from a distance will not see the interior of the space or the opposite side of the panel from the window side.

The perforated panel may be applied to the masking paper by an adhesive. It could also be applied by other methods, such as tape, double-stick tape, sprayed adhesive, suction cups and the like.

o* COMS ID No: SBMI-00799647 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:23 Date 2004-06-22 2 2 0 04 :15 20 P IZ Z Y 61 7 32218077 16/ 47 In addition as described above the perforated panel can be backed by a nonperforated backing layer. The removable backing liner may provide an alternative to masking of the windows. The perforated panel and backing layer may have an adhesive there-between.

Thus at least the preferred forms of the invention provide an Improved painted display product and method of making the product wherein a perforate panel is used to form a display product on a glass surface or window and in which the display product is possible due to the placement of the perforate panel on the window. Thus the observer can view the image from one side of the window surface, but not from the other side, all of which gives wider latitude to the formation of designs on window surfaces in an efficient, economical manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a front elevation view of a window to be provided with a design covered by masking paper and tape; Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing a perforated panel applied over masking tape and masking paper on the window; Fig. 3 is a view of the window with the perforated panel mounted on the masking tape and masking paper applied to the window surface, and a paint layer applied to the perforated panel and to areas around the window; Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the masking paper and masking tape to which are applied the dots of paint passing through the holes of the perforated panel, the result being observed when the panel and tape layer are peeled off the masking tape and masking paper; Fig. 5 shows the window after the masking paper and masking tape have been removed, portions of the image not on the window remaining; Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing the painted panel installed on the window surface with the remaining image portions aligned with the surrounding graphics; o D* COMS ID No: SBMI-00799647 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:23 Date 2004-06-22 Fig. 6A is a view of a spray nozzle applying image to one surface of a perforated panel; Fig. 6B is a view of a paint application machine printing the image to a surface of a perforated material; Fig. 6C is a view of the solid backing liner being removed from the imaged perforated material prior to application to a see-through surface; Fig. 6D is a view of the imaged perforated material being applied to a seethrough surface, such as a window; Fig. 7 shows a fragmentary perspective view of the assembly of layers capable of holding the design of the present invention; Fig. 7A is a view of an image or design being painted onto a light-reflective surface of a perforated material; Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 7 but showing a slightly modified form from that shown in Fig. 7; oo oi S 15 Fig. 9 is a view similar to Figs. 7 and 8 but showing black adhesive backing for the stack of the present invention; Fig. 10 is a cross-section view of an imaged perforated material applied to a see-through surface, further incorporating a reflective cover material; Fig. 11 is a cross-section view of an imaged perforated material attached to a reflective material that is attached or in close proximity to a window; Fig. 12 is a cross-section view of an imaged perforated material together with a light-absorbing layer attached to the reflective material that is attached or in close proximity to a window, for improved one-way vision optics, and Fig. 13 is a perspective view of an image or design being sprayed onto a surface of the perforated material shown in Fig. 7, 8, 9, 11, and 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In Fig. 1 a preferred embodiment of the invention denoted by the numeral having clear glass panes or window 12 is provided with a masking tape 2 around the exposed window hardware and a masking paper sheet 1. is applied to the window on one surface thereof.

A perforated panel 3 is shown in Fig. 2 as applied to and fitted with the window on one side of the transparent or translucent pane or surface thereof. The perforated panel 3 may be cut to fit the window. The display panel 3 is hung in place with double-stick tape strips, the attachment being in covering relationship to the masking paper 1 and the masking tape 2.

The outer surface of the panel 3 is painted with an image denoted by the numeral 4 as desired, as shown in Fig. 3. In applications where the window will have the graphics to match the image around the window on large continuous graphics, for example, the entire scene can be painted at one time including the masked windows covering the perforated panels. The numeral 5 shows portions of the image that extend onto the surrounding surfaces of the structure that supports the window.

Since the same paint is used on the assembly and the rest of the site to be painted, and the painting is all done at one time, there will be little noticeable difference between a portion of the image on the panel and the rest of the graphic, yet persons on the inside of the window can still see out through the window to the outside of the ."'.building or structure (which the window forms a part.) Once the painting layer has completely dried, the panel 3 is separated from and taken off the masking paper and masking tape. Then, after the masking paper and masking tape have been taken off the window surface, they are discarded as 20 they are no longer needed to carry out the teachings of the present invention. Fig. 4 shows a portion of the paint dots and a masking paper and masking tape but this is not the image which is desired. The desired image is painted on the outer surface of the perforated panel 3 (Fig. 6) and this panel has been separated from the masking paper 1 and masking tape 2.

25 Fig 5 shows the windows, from which the masking paper 1 and the masking tape 2 have been removed. The end portions of the image not on the window remain on the panel.

After the masking paper and masking tape have been removed from the window, the perforated panel with the layers of paint forming the image on the panel are applied to the window surface as shown in Fig. 6, and the holes in the perforated panel allow the observer to see through the panel from one side of the window but an 8 observer can only see the image in the form of the paint layers when looking at the window from the other side of the window.

The panel could have an adhesive coating that would have a protective backing liner to protect the adhesive until ready for use. The assembly could be done either before or after the perforation of the panel. To install the painted panel in this configuration, the backing liner of the assembly is first removed to expose the adhesive backing. Then the image on the assembly is aligned with the surrounding graphics and the assembly is smoothed out onto the surface of the window attaching the perforated panel and the image to the window surface. Another possibility of the installation would be to affix the perforated panel to the glass window surface by some other method such as by an adhesive or tape, a double-stick tape, spray adhesive, suction cups and the like.

The panel can be backed with a non-perforate backing either with or without *the adhesive layer in a protective backing liner which could or would eliminate the need for the masking of the windows in many installations.

6A shows a spray nozzle 30 that may be coupled to a reservoir as part of a paint application system so that the paint 29 may be applied to at least a part of a surface of a material 3 comprising a plurality of holes 28 to form a design or image or indicia 4. The orientation of the design application apparatus may be vertical, 20 horizontal or any other angle relative to the surface of the material 3.

Fig. 6B shows a plurality of spray nozzles 30 to apply different colors 29, as taught herein. The spray nozzles 30 would typically be coupled to a paint reservoir and the assembly could be moved by machine or by hand to progressively apply a design 4 to the surface of material 3 where the surface of the material and the 25 material itself includes a plurality of holes 28. Such machines are well-known in the art and are called inkjet, paint jet, spray jet or spray equipment.

Fig. 6C shows an imaged assembly 3 comprising a plurality of through-holes 28, indicia 4, image or design 99, both applied to the surface of material 3, whereby the backing liner is being separated from the material 3 in the direction of movement 40, prior to application to a see-through material such as a window.

Fig. 6D shows the perforated imaged material of Fig. 6C being applied to a surface of a window 96 in the direction of movement 40. Upon installation the image or design 4 on the surface of the material 3 will be visible to an observer on the side of the glass adjacent to the perforated imaged material.

Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment with a non-perforated backing paper. This configuration uses transparent materials which could be affixed to the glass and is provided for configurations which could be used for applications where the image would be viewed through the glass panel. The panel on which the image is to be painted or printed, broadly denoted by the numeral 52, is transparent and is backed with a transparent adhesive layer 53 which could also be an electrostatically charged surface as in static cling plastic materials. The term "printed", "print", "image", "design", or similar, as used herein, includes, but is not limited to, any substance or material that is light-reflective or light-absorbing and that may be liquid, solid, flowable solid or combined with gas, such as in a spray system to permit application of these materials to another material or surface of a material.

Methods of print and the like can include hand applications or mechanised applications such as spray systems, ink movement systems, paint jet, inkjet and S .similar.

The adhesive layer 53 is protected by a removable backing liner 55. These three elements, namely panel 52, clear adhesive 53, and backing liner 55 could form an assembly of layers which could be perforated together with holes 49. The assembly of these three layers would then be bonded or laminated onto a backing material 61 by an adhesive 73. The adhesive 53 as shown is applied to the backing and then the assembly 55 and 73 is laminated to the assembly of layers 52 and 53.

The adhesive could be applied to the back of the removable backing liner to adhere the backing material 73 to the assemblies 52 and 53. It is only necessary that the 25 panel which is to be painted or printed upon, namely panel 52, be perforated. All other elements except the backing material 73 can be perforated or not as desired.

Fig. 8 shows perspective views of the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 6 wherein the image can be visible over the surface of the glass. The panel 80 on which the image is to be painted or printed is substantially opaque material. Panel 80 is backed with a dark colored adhesive 82. The adhesive layer 82 is protected by a removable backing layer 83. These three elements, namely elements 80, 82 and 83 could form an assembly which permits the elements to be perforated together. The assembly of layers 80, 82 and 83 would then be bonded to or laminated to a backing material by an adhesive 84. The adhesive as shown is applied to the backing liner 85 and then the assembly of layers 84 and 85 is laminated to the assembly layers 80, 82 and 83. The adhesive is applied to the back of the layer 83 to adhere the backing material layer 85 to the exposed assembly of layers 80, 82 and 83.

It is only necessary that the panel which is to be painted or printed upon, namely panel 80, be perforated. All of the other elements, except the printed material at layer 85 can be perforated or not perforated, as desired. The backing liner should be solid for most applications.

Fig. 9 shows a view similar to Figs. 7 and 8 in which the opaque panel 90 has a dark colored layer 91 with an adhesive means 92 which may comprise an electrostatically charged film as in static cling plastic materials, a transparent adhesive or a dark colored adhesive. The adhesive layer 95 is protected by a removable backing liner 93. These four elements could form an assembly which :o oi 15 could be perforated together. The assembly of elements 90, 91, 92 and 93, would ooos then be bonded or laminated to a backing material 95 by an adhesive 94. The adhesive may be applied to the backing and then the assembly 94 and 95 is laminated by the assembly of 90, 91 and 92. The adhesive may also be applied to the back of the removable liner 93 to adhere the backing material 95 to the assembly 90, 91 and 92. It is only necessary that panel 90 which is to be painted or printed upon be perforated. All the other elements except the backing material 95 can be perforated or not, as desired. The backing material should be solid for most applications.

Fig. 10. shows a window 96 to which an imaged perforated assembly, comprising an adhering means 53 together with a substantially transparent material 52 together with a design, image, or indicia 99 together with a dark monochromic light-absorbing material 91, all with holes therethrough, further attached to a nonperforated metalized material 98. The viewer through the assembly would be located on the right side of Fig: 10 and the one-way mirror melalized material 98 would be reflective back to a viewer on the left side of Fig. 10. The viewer on the left side would be typically on the exterior of a building. This structure provides much 11 improved one-way vision capabilities because of the addition of the metalized layer 98.

Fig. 11 shows an alternative embodiment where the metalized reflective oneway vision material is placed adjacent to or in close proximity to the window 96 and is adjacent to an adhering means 82, a light reflective material 80 which inclIdes an image or design layer 99. The perforation holes 28 are only through the materials 82, 80 and 99 such that an observer on the right side of Fig. 11 will see the design 99 and a reflection from the surface of material 98. An observer on the left side of Fig.

11 will see through the window 96 and the reflectorized material 98 via the holes 28.

Fig. 12 shows an improved one-way vision embodiment of the assembly shown in Fig. 11 by the addition of a substantially opaque light-absorbing layer 91.

Typically, layer 91 would be black. This further enhances the visibility through the structure for an observer on the left side of Fig. 12.

Fig. 13 shows a perspective view of a method of imaging a perforated oneway vision material comprising the use of one or more paint application devices whereby the design 99, in this case the letter'T'. The paint 29 is being ejected out of one or more spray nozzles 30 which are receiving a supply of paint, ink or the like from a reservoir 31. A machine 35 may be used as an alternative to a human hand to move and control the spray nozzles in any direction including the example direction of movement 40. The material 3 comprising a plurality of holes 28 has the partially-completed image applied.

Coatings may also be partially metalized or reflective over some section or sections of the area, such as reflectorized behind the key word of an advertisement or company logo, so as to be reflective under light, under sunlight or artificial light.

The addition of this semitransparent material allows the one-way printing effect to compensate for different light levels and would offer a greater degree of one-way vision, which would have many applications in the field of security or surveillance.

The term "printing" or similar as used herein, includes but is not limited to methods of applying ink, paint or other visible coatings to materials. Printing may be accomplished by hand, such as by brush or by roller or by hand-held machines such as air brush or by machines. Figs. 10, 11 and 12 also show the panels adhered to a 12 window material 96 such as glass or plastic after the backing materials have been removed and discarded.

It will of course be realised that the above has been given only by way of illustrative example of the invention and that all such modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as is herein set forth.

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Claims (1)

1. 22-06-04 15 :2 :PIZZEYS 6 1 7 32218077 31/ 47 13 THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1 A method of painting a one-way vision image onto a window, the method comprising the steps of: providing a panel assembly comprising a panel layer having a first panel side for receiving the image and a second panel side for mounting on to the window, the panel assembly being perforated with a plurality of through-holes; applying a removable solid backing layer to the second panel side of the panel assembly; temporarily mounting the panel assembly with the solid backing layer onto a window; painting said first panel side of said panel layer with at least one layer of paint to form an image on non-perforated portions of said first panel side, said solid backing layer resisting paint which travels through said plurality of through-holes in said panel assembly from being applied to the window; removing said panel assembly along with said solid backing layer from the window and detaching said solid backing layer from said panel assembly; and adhering said panel assembly to the window to form a one-way vision image on the window. 2 A method according to Claim 1, further including the step of perforating the panel assembly with a plurality of through-holes prior to applying said solid backing layer. 25 3 A method according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the panel assembly further includes a protective liner removably attached to said second panel side, and the method further includes removing said protective liner from said panel layer after said solid backing layer is detached from said panel assembly and prior to adhering said panel assembly to said window. *i *e COMS ID No: SBMI-00799647 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:23 Date 2004-06-22 2 2 0 04 :15 25 P IZ Z Y ;61 7 32218077 32/ 47 14 4 A method according to Claim 3, wherein said second panel side has adhesive applied thereto, and said removal of said protective liner exposes said adhesive for adhering said panel assembly to said window. 5 A method according to Claim 4, wherein said adhesive is coloured black. 6 A method according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the solid backing layer is applied to the second panel side by adhesive. 7 A method according to any of Claims 1 to 6, wherein said panel layer comprises transparent material. 8 A method according to Claim 6, wherein said panel layer comprises static cling plastic material. 9 A method according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein said painting step comprises applying at least a layer of paint of light reflective colour. A method according to Claim 9, wherein said painting step includes applying a 20 further layer of paint that is of dark colour. 11 A method according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, wherein said solid backing layer has the same size and shape as the panel assembly such that when the solid backing layer is mounted over the second panel side of the panel layer, the edges of 25 the two layers are substantially aligned. 12 A method of applying a one-way vision image to a window, the method e: comprising the steps of: providing a panel assembly comprising a panel layer having a first panel side 30 for receiving the image and a second panel side for mounting to a window the panel assembly being perforated with a plurality of through-holes; S S COMS ID No: SBMI-00799647 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:23 Date 2004-06-22 22-06-04:15:25 PI ZEYS 6 1 7 32218077 33/ 47 applying a removable solid backing layer to said second panel side of the perforated panel layer; temporarily mounting the panel assembly with the solid backing layer on to a window; applying an image forming material to said first panel side of said panel layer to form an image on non-perforated portions of said first panel side, said solid backing layer resisting excess material which travels through said plurality of through- holes in said panel assembly from being applied to the window; removing said panel assembly along with said solid backing player from the window and then detaching said solid backing layer from said panel assembly; and adhering said panel layer to the window to form a one-way vision image on the window. 13 A method according to Claim 12, further including the step of perforating the panel assembly with a plurality of through-holes prior to applying said solid backing layer. 14 A method according to Claim 12 or Claim 13, wherein the panel assembly further includes a protective liner removably attached to said second panel side, and the method further includes removing said protective liner from said panel layer after said solid backing layer is detached from said panel assembly and prior to adhering said panel assembly to said window. A method according to Claim 14, wherein said second panel side has 25 adhesive applied thereto and said removal of said protective liner exposes said adhesive for adhering said panel assembly to said window. 16 A method according to Claim 15, wherein said adhesive is coloured black. boo. 30 17 A method according to any one of Claims 12 to 16, wherein the solid backing layer is applied to the second panel side by adhesive. .i COMS ID No: SBMI-00799647 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:23 Date 2004-06-22 2 2 0 4 15 25 P IZ Z Y :6 1 7 32218077 34/ 47 16 18 A method according to any of Claims 12 to 17, wherein said panel layer comprises transparent material. 19 A method according to Claim 18, wherein said panel layer comprises static cling plastic material. A method according to any one of Claims 1 to 19, wherein said painting step comprises applying at least a layer of paint of light reflective colour. 21 A method according to Claim 20, wherein said painting step includes applying a further layer of paint that is of dark colour. 22 A method according to any one of Claims 12 to 21, wherein said solid backing layer has the same size and shape as the panel assembly such that when the solid backing layer is mounted over the second panel side of the panel layer, the edges of the two layers are substantially aligned. 23 A method of painting a one-way vision image onto a window, the method comprising the steps of: 20 providing a panel assembly comprising a panel layer having a first panel side S: for receiving the image and a second panel side for mounting on to the window, the panel assembly being perforated with a plurality of through-holes; masking a window to be painted with a masking sheet; temporarily mounting the perforated panel over the masking sheet on the 25 window; painting said first panel side of said panel layer with at least one layer of paint to form an image on non-perforated portions of said first panel side, said masking S: sheet resisting paint which travels through said plurality of through-holes in said panel assembly from being applied to the window; 30 separating said perforated panel assembly from said masking sheet; removing said masking sheet from said window; and COMS ID No: SBMI-00799647 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:23 Date 2004-06-22 22-06-04:15:25 P I EYS 6 1 7 32218077 35/ 47 17 adhering said panel assembly to the window to form a one-way vision image on the window. 24 A method of applying a one-way vision image to a window, the method comprising the steps of: providing a panel assembly comprising a panel layer having a first panel side for receiving the image and a second panel side for mounting on to the window, the panel assembly being perforated with a plurality of through-holes; masking a window to be painted with a masking sheet; temporarily mounting the perforated panel over the masking sheet on the window; applying an image forming material to said first panel side of said panel layer to form an image on non-perforated portions of said first panel side, said masking sheet resisting excess material which travels through said plurality of through-holes in said panel assembly from being applied to the window; separating said perforated panel assembly from said masking sheet; removing said masking sheet from said window; and adhering said panel assembly to the window to form a one-way vision image on the window. A method of painting a one-way vision image onto a window substantially as herein described in the detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. 25 DATED THIS TWENTY-SECOND DAY OF JUNE 2004 ROBYN HUMPHRIES BY PIZZEYS PATENT AND TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS ee** 4 *ooo *o COMS ID No: SBMI-00799647 Received by IP Australia: Time 15:23 Date 2004-06-22