Abstract:
A decorative lighting fixture includes a frame, a light source, a sheer layer, a coating, and a plurality of light bending particles. The frame has at least a structural element adapted to form a three dimensional shape that includes an interior and an exterior. The light source is positioned within the frame or may be external. The sheer layer extends over at least a portion of the frame so light from the light source passes through at least a portion of the sheer layer as it exits or enters the fixture. A coating is located on at least a portion of an external and/or internal surface of the fixture. The light bending particles are coupled to the coating such that light colliding with the light bending particles is altered to create a desired visual effect. Methods for making the decorative lighting fixture are also provided.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/564,794, filed Nov. 29, 2011, and Provisional Patent Application No. 61/626,992, filed Oct. 5, 2011, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates generally to lighted displays, and more particularly, to an improved lighted display having portions printed with a coating containing elements that reflect, refract, diffract or otherwise bend and/or break up light. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In order to heighten a festive atmosphere, lighted displays made in specific shapes can be displayed. Embodiments of various lighted displays are described in many of the inventor&#39;s United States Patents, including: U.S. Pat. No. 7,878,685, U.S. Pat. No. 7,682,060, U.S. Pat. No. 7,661,847, U.S. Pat. No. 7,585,091, U.S. Pat. No. 7,303,312, U.S. Pat. No. 7,086,757, U.S. Pat. No. 6,830,361, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,719,440, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    According to one embodiment, a decorative lighting fixture includes a frame, a light source, a sheer layer, a coating, and a plurality of light bending particles. The frame has at least a structural element adapted to form a three dimensional shape that includes an interior and an exterior. The light source may be positioned within the frame or may be an external light source. The sheer layer extends over at least a portion of the frame such that light from the light source passes through at least a portion of the sheer layer as it exits the fixture. A coating is located on at least a portion of an external surface or an internal surface of the lighting fixture. The light bending particles are coupled to the coating such that light colliding with the light bending particles is altered to create a desired visual effect. 
         [0005]    According to another embodiment, a method for making a lighting fixture includes providing a sheer layer, manufacturing a frame in a three dimensional shape that includes an interior and an exterior, coupling lighting elements to the frame, wrapping the sheer layer over at least a portion of the frame; and positioning a coating embedded with light bending particles on at least a portion of an external surface or an internal surface of the lighting fixture. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The drawings discussed in the detailed description of this invention are described briefly as follows, in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a lighted display according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an elevation view of the inside of the lighted display of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of the lighted display of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged side elevation view of the lighted display of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 5A-5E  are a series of schematic drawings sequentially illustrating some of the steps in a process for printing an external layer of a lighted display according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5F  is a schematic drawing illustrating the external layer made through the steps illustrated in  FIGS. 5A-5E , during operation; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a lighted display according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of the lighted display of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged side elevation view of the lighted display of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 9A-9C  are a series of schematic drawings sequentially illustrating some of the steps in a process for printing an external layer of a lighted display according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9D  is a schematic drawing illustrating the external layer made through the steps illustrated in  FIGS. 9A-9C , during operation; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10A  is a perspective view of a lighted display according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10B  illustrates a frame of the lighted display illustrated in  FIG. 10A ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10C  illustrates a partial cutaway perspective view of back portion of the lighted display illustrated in  FIG. 10A ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10D  illustrates a partial cutaway perspective view of front portion of the lighted display illustrated in  FIG. 10A ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10E  is a schematic drawing illustrating a cutaway side view of the external layer of the lighted display of  FIG. 10A , during operation; 
           [0023]      FIG. 11A  is a perspective view of a lighted display according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 11B  is an enlarged perspective view of an interior surface of the lighted display illustrated in  FIG. 11A ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a lighted display according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 13A  is a perspective view of a lighted display according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 13B  is a schematic drawing illustrating a cutaway side view of the external layer of the lighted display of  FIG. 13A , during operation; 
           [0028]      FIG. 14A  is a perspective view of a lighted display according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 14B  is a schematic drawing illustrating a cutaway side view of the external layer of the lighted display of  FIG. 14A , during operation; 
           [0030]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a lighted display according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a lighted display according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0032]      FIGS. 17A-17I  are a series of schematic drawings sequentially illustrating some of the steps in a process of applying a coating to an exterior surface of an external layer of a lighted display, applying a coating to an interior surface of the external layer, and mounting the external layer to the lighted display according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIGS. 18A-18F  are a series of schematic drawings sequentially illustrating some of the steps in a process of applying a coating to an exterior surface of an external layer of a lighted display, mounting the external layer to the lighted display, and applying a coating to an interior surface of the mounted external layer according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0034]      FIGS. 19A-19C  are a series of schematic drawings sequentially illustrating some of the steps in a process of mounting a coated external layer and a coated internal layer to the lighted display according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0035]    The present disclosure is directed toward lighted displays. In certain embodiments, the lighted displays incorporate a sheer external layer printed with coatings containing elements that reflect, refract, diffract, or otherwise bend and/or break up light as the light contacts the element. As explained in greater detail below, the coatings containing elements can be printed on an exterior surface of the external layer, an interior surface of the external layer, or both. Other embodiments utilize both an internal and an external layer, with coatings printed on one or both of the layers. Other embodiments utilize an external layer and an insert piece, with coatings printed at least on the insert piece. Certain details of selected embodiments, and selected methods for making certain embodiments, are discussed below and illustrated in the associated images and schematics. Additionally, like reference numerals may be used herein repeatedly to designate identical or similar features depicted in the various drawings. An individual of ordinary skill in the art, having reviewed the following disclosure and drawings in their entireties, will appreciate that many of the details shown and described can be modified, and some eliminated, without deviating from the spirit of the invention. 
         [0036]      FIG. 1  illustrates a lighted display  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated display  10  is in the shape of a polar bear, and is primarily white and wearing a red and white hat. The polar bear in the illustrated display  10  has a particular spiral shapes pattern, as shown in the two partial detail views and discussed further below. The red hat of the illustrated display  10  is covered with a red and a white coating embedded with glitter or other refractive substance. This particular embodiment, in the shape of a polar bear, is assembled by coupling six pieces: four legs, head, and body together; however, as can be appreciated by one skilled in the ordinary art, the illustrated display  10  may be made as a single unit or broken into several more components, rather than the six mentioned above. 
         [0037]    While the illustrated display  10  of this particular embodiment is in the shape of a polar bear, the illustrated display can be in the shape of a different animal, could be in the shape of a human or fanciful character, or could be in the shape of an inanimate object. Depending on the occasion on which the display  10  is to be used, individuals will desire having a wide variety of shapes, colors, color combinations, and accessories. All shapes, colors, color combinations and accessories are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. 
         [0038]    As further illustrated in  FIGS. 2-4 , the illustrated display  10  is a wire frame sculpture manufactured from rods  12  formed and interconnected to create a frame having the desired shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the rods  12  are metal rods that have been bent, welded together, and painted to conform to the desired color of the display  10 . 
         [0039]    The rods  12  could instead be made from plastic, nylon, wood or any other suitable material; they could be injection molded or otherwise formed into their desired shapes; and they could be glued, tied or otherwise connected together. Further, the frame need not be a wire frame sculpture; it instead could be a flat panel wall display, a double-sided lawn display, or any other type of display suitable for use with the present invention, provided it otherwise falls within the scope of one of the following claims. 
         [0040]    The rods  12  making up the illustrated display  10  collectively form a frame that is covered, at least in part, with a sheer layer  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, the sheer layer  14  is one or more sheets of sheer fabric that have been stretched and wrapped around the rods  12  of the display  10  to form a skin-like external cover, and that are attached to points around the display  10  to remain taut. The illustrated sheer layer  14  is a woven fabric that has been cut into desired shapes, stretched over some of the rods  12 , wrapped around portions of the display  10 , and attached at its edges to the rods. 
         [0041]    The illustrated sheer layer  14  is configured to allow light to pass through it; it may be translucent and/or transparent, depending on the desired lighting and visual effects. The sheer layer  14  can have one or more selected colors to help create a desired overall visual effect; for example, white fur, a red hat, a silver leaf, etc. Any particular display  10  can be a single uniform color or multiple colors, depending on the desired appearance. 
         [0042]    The sheer layer  14  could be made from woven nylon, silk, cotton, or any other suitable thread; it could instead be made from a polymer or other type of foil, or from Mylar or another type of film; or it could be made from any other material or construction known in the art. The edges of the sheer layer  14  can be wrapped or twisted around some of the rods  12 , can be glued to the rods  12 , or can be otherwise affixed to the display  10 . An individual, having reviewed this entire disclosure, will immediately appreciate the possible variations that can be made. 
         [0043]    The sheer layer  14  has a coating  16  thereon containing light bending particles  18 . The illustrated coating  16  is made from a colloidal PET that has been printed onto the sheer layer  14 . The coating  16  can have any desired color, and can have different colors in different places on the display  10 . The illustrated coating  16  has a repeating pattern of spiral shapes, with uncoated portions of the sheer layer  14  interposed between the coated portions. The patterns or other shapes of the coating  16  can be created by screen printing or any other known process. 
         [0044]    The illustrated light bending particles  18  are in the form of glitter, some of which can be treated to break up light, either as it passes through the light bending particle or as it reflects off of the light bending particle. The light bending particles  18  can be made from a polymer or other material, such as Mylar, and can be small pieces of a foil or sheet. The light bending particles  18  can be treated to create a holographic or spectral effect, can have diffracting features, can be translucent and/or transparent, can bend light as the light passes through it, and can otherwise reflect, refract, break up and/or bend light as the light comes into contact with the light bending particles. 
         [0045]    During the day, or in an area with ambient light, the light bending particles  18  can reflect, refract and otherwise alter the exterior light contacting the outer surface of the display  10 . This feature can create a sparkling, brilliant effect when viewed by an individual near the display  10 . 
         [0046]    In addition to reflecting and otherwise altering light originating outside the display  10 , the display  10  contains lighting elements  20  that create light internally with respect to the display  10 . As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the lighting elements  20  are spaced about inside the display  10 , and are connected by one or more wires  22  in a light string. The illustrated lighting elements  20  are light bulbs; however, LED lights or other known forms of lighting elements could instead be used, as necessary or desirable based on the display  10 , design specifications or customer requests. The illustrated lighting elements  20  are clipped to the rods  12  via integral clips  40 , making up the frame of the display  20 ; however, any known form of fastener, adhesive or other attachment means could be equally effective. In other embodiments, the lighting elements  20  could be attached to other portions of the display, or could be strung across openings in the display. 
         [0047]    Light emitted by the lighting elements  20  exits the display  10  through the sheer layer  14 , illuminating the display. As visualized in  FIG. 4 , light exiting the display  10  reflects and refracts when it contacts the light bending particles  18  embedded in the coating  16 . Further, the coating  16  patterns create designs by blocking light in the shape of the pattern, such as the swirl patterns visualized in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , for example, thus adding to the illuminated features of the display  10 . 
         [0048]      FIGS. 5A-5E  consecutively illustrates one method of manufacturing the display  10 . In  FIG. 5A , the process begins with an untreated, uncoated piece of the sheer layer  14 . The sheer layer  14  can be in the form of a roll or in another form, and can be stretched across a platen or other substrate for processing. 
         [0049]    In  FIG. 5B , a screen  24  is placed over portions of the sheer layer  14 . The screen  24  has a shape complementary to the desired shape of some or all of the portions of the coating  16 , depending on whether the coating  16  will be printed in a single screening or in multiple screenings. An individual of ordinary skill in the art, having reviewed this entire disclosure, will immediately appreciate the process of screen printing in this respect. 
         [0050]    In  FIG. 5C , the liquid or other form of coating  16  is applied over the top of the sheer layer  14  and the screen  24 . The coating  16  can be sprayed on, put on or spread with a squeegee, or applied to the sheer layer  14  and screen  24  using other known methods. 
         [0051]    In  FIG. 5D , the screen  24  has been removed, leaving only the coating  16 , in the desired pattern or shape, on the sheer layer  14 . 
         [0052]    In  FIG. 5E , the light bending particles  18  have been distributed across the top surface of the coating  16  before the coating has dried. As a result, the light bending particles  18  bond to the exterior surface of the coating  16 . The light bending particles  18  do not bond to the areas of the sheer layer  14  where there is no coating  16 . In an alternate embodiment, an adhesive could be applied to the coating  16  after the coating has dried, and the light bending particles  18  can be distributed about the adhesive. 
         [0053]      FIG. 5F  illustrates the display  10  having a sheer layer  14  treated as described immediately above, during use. Beams of interior light  26  escape the display  10  through portions of the sheer layer  14  not covered by the coating  16 , while beams of exterior light  28  reflect off of the light bending particles  18 , creating a brilliant effect. 
         [0054]      FIGS. 6-8  illustrate an alternate embodiment of the device, in the form of a wrapped present. As discussed below, this alternate embodiment, and other embodiments of the display  10 , can be coated and treated in a manner that bends and/or breaks up light not only when it collides with the outside of the display, but also as it leaves the display and passes through the coating  16  and the light bending particles  18 . 
         [0055]      FIGS. 9A-D  illustrate steps in an alternate method of making a display  10  according to the present invention. In  FIG. 9A , the sheer layer  14  and screen  24  have been positioned for printing or other application of the coating  16 . 
         [0056]    In  FIG. 9B , the coating  16  is applied over the top of the sheer layer  14  and the screen  24 . In this particular embodiment, the coating  16  can be applied thinner than in the previous version, and/or it can be thinned using a squeegee or other device. 
         [0057]    In  FIG. 9C , the light bending particles  18  are applied to the coating  16 . Because the coating  16  is extremely thin in this example, some of the light bending particles  18  penetrate completely through the coating  16 , contacting the sheer layer  14  underneath the coating. 
         [0058]      FIG. 9D  shows this embodiment of the display  10  during use. As with the prior embodiment, some of the exterior light  28  that contacts the display  10  collides with the light bending particles  18  and reflects back. In addition, some of the interior light  26  passes through the sheer layer  14 , also passes through the light bending particle  18 , refracts and, after being bent, exits the display  10 . This combined effect also creates a brilliant effect. The interior light  26  and/or the exterior light  28  can also be altered by holographic or spectral features contained in or on the light bending particles  18 . 
         [0059]      FIGS. 10A-10D  illustrate another embodiment of the device, in which the lighted display  10  is in the shape of a ghost. An interior of the ghost is visible through openings  30 , which are in the shape of the eyes and mouth of the ghost. As discussed in greater detail below, the interior surface of the display  10  is selectively coated and treated in a manner that bends and/or breaks up light, to provide an elegant appearance through the openings  30 . Moreover, one skilled in the relevant art will also recognize that the openings  30  can be configured in a desired manner to achieve a diffraction effect. In this embodiment, the exterior color of the ghost is white, and the selectively coated interior surfaces are orange. 
         [0060]      FIG. 10B  is a schematic view of the lighted display of  FIG. 10A  depicted without any sheer layer  14 , for illustrative purposes. As with the display  10  in  FIGS. 1-4 , the display  10  of  FIG. 10B  is wire frame sculpture manufactured from rods  12  formed and interconnected to create a frame having the desired shape. As previously noted, the rods  12  could instead be made from metal, plastic, nylon, wood or any other suitable material; they could be injection molded or otherwise formed into their desired shapes; and they could be glued, tied or otherwise connected together. The display  10  contains lighting elements  20  that create light internally with respect to the display  10 . 
         [0061]    The above-noted selective coating of the interior surface of the display  10  is best seen in  FIGS. 10C and 10D .  FIGS. 10C and 10D  are partial cutaway views of the display  10  of  FIG. 10A .  FIG. 100  illustrates a portion of the back half of the display  10  from  FIG. 10A , and  FIG. 10D  illustrates a portion of the front half of the display from  FIG. 10A . A shown in  FIG. 100 , the interior surface of the sheer layer  14  mounted on the back half of the display  10  includes a coating  16  containing light bending particles  18 . On the other hand, as shown in  FIG. 10D , the interior surface of the front half of the display  10  does not include either a coating  16  or light bending particles  18 . 
         [0062]    As discussed in greater detail below, the interior surface of the display  10  can be coated by a variety of different methods. For example, the sheer layer  14  can be coated on an interior-facing side prior to or after mounting to the rods  12  of the frame of the display. Another option would be to supply a second layer in addition to the layer  14  that includes a coating on an interior-facing side. In another option, a coated insert is used to create a sparkling effect. 
         [0063]    The effects of this design on the appearance of the display  10  during operation can be understood with reference to the schematic drawing shown in  FIG. 10E , which is a partial cutaway view of the device  10  of  FIG. 10A  during operation. In the example in  FIG. 10E , the sheer layer  14  has been coated on an interior-facing side of the display  10 . The sheer layer  14  of the device  10  includes an inner surface  14   b  and an outer surface  14   a.  The back half of the inner surface  14   b  of the sheer layer  14  includes a coating  16  containing light bending particles  18 . This configuration creates a dazzling effect when a lighting element  20  is illuminated within the display  10 . In particular, some of the light beams from the lighting element  20  pass through the uncovered portions of the sheer layer  14  (illustrated as beams  26   a ); other light beams from the lighting element  20  reflect off the surface of the light bending particles  18  on the interior surface of the display  10  and then pass through the uncovered portions of the sheer layer  14  (illustrated as beams  26   b ); and still other light beams from the lighting element  20  reflect off the surface of the light bending particles  18  on the interior surface of the display  10  and then pass through the openings  30  in the display  10  (illustrated as beams  26   c ). As noted above, the coating  16  has an orange color and the sheer layer  14  has a white color in this embodiment. Thus, beams of light from the lighting element  20  not only illuminate the display  10  through the uncoated portions of the sheer layer  14 , but also present a brilliant spectral effect that is visible through the openings  30  when the beams of light are refracted off of the bending particles  18 . 
         [0064]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate another embodiment of the device, in the form of a pumpkin, with openings  30  in the shape of the eyes, nose, and mouth of the pumpkin. In this embodiment, the exterior layer  14  has an orange color, and, as best shown in  FIG. 11B , a back half of an internal surface of the display  10  is covered with glitter or other refractive substance and has a purple color. When internally illuminated, light refracted off the back half of the pumpkin is visible through the openings  30 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 12  illustrates another embodiment of the device, in which the display  10  is in the shape of a cat, with openings  30  in the form of the eyes and mouth of the cat. In this embodiment, the exterior layer  14  has a black color. At least a portion of the interior surface of the display  10  that is visible through the openings  30  includes a red coating embedded with glitter or other refractive substance. The display  10  in this embodiment includes multiple lighting elements  20  that serve to illuminate the display through the sheer exterior layer  14 , as depicted in the form of the darker colored pattern in  FIG. 12 , and also reveal a brilliant display of the coated internal surface through the openings  30 . In addition, the red coating provides an elegant red tint to select portions of the otherwise black cat. 
         [0066]    Many of the techniques and elements discussed above in isolation can also be employed in combination with each other without deviating from the scope of the invention. For example, as discussed below,  FIGS. 13 and 14  illustrate layers that are coated on both an interior and exterior side as well as layers coated and treated in a manner that bends and/or breaks up light not only when it collides with the outside of the display, but also as it leaves the display and passes through the coating  16  and the light bending particles  18 . 
         [0067]      FIGS. 13A and 13B  illustrate an embodiment of the device, in which the display  10  is in the shape of a holiday ornament. A top portion of the ornament has a golden color, the body of the ornament is white, and there are several designs in the shape of holly berries and leaves. The design for the holly berries is realized via a red coating on the exterior of the ornament, and the shape for the holly leaves is realized by openings  30  in the exterior surface of the ornament. A portion of the interior of the ornaments is coated in a manner that reveals a green surface through the leaf-shaped openings. 
         [0068]    As shown in the schematic view in  FIG. 13B , the coatings used for the golden color on the top of the ornament, the red color for the holly berries on the exterior of the ornament, and the green color on the interior of the ornament combine several different aspects of the present invention discussed above. For example, an exterior surface of the sheer layer  14  of the top of the ornament is at least partially coated with a coating  16   a  that includes light bending particles  18  positioned to allow internally generated light beams  26   d  to leave the display by passing through the coating  16   a  and the light bending particles  18 . The holly berry effect is created by coating the exterior surface of the ornament with a coating  16   b  that includes light bending particles  18  positioned to refract and reflect external light beams  28 . The green color for the holly leaves is achieved via a coating  16   c  on the interior surface of the sheer layer  14  embedded with light bending particles  18  positioned such that internal light reflects off of the light bending particles  18  and out the leaf-shaped openings  30  (light beam  26   c ) or through the uncoated portions of the shear material  14  (light beam  26   b ). An attractive green tint is also imparted on the sheer layer  14  by the coating  16   c  and light bending particles  18 . 
         [0069]      FIGS. 14A and 14B  illustrate an embodiment of the device, in which the display  10  is in the shape of a bell, with an attaching silver colored bow at the top of the bell. The bell is at least partially covered in a shear layer  14  having a red color and includes several openings  30  in the shape of stars. As best seen in the schematic view in  FIG. 14B , a bottom portion of the exterior of the bell includes a silver colored coating  16   d  that includes several light bending particles  18 . At least a portion of the interior surface of the layer  14  is coated with a silver coating  16   e  that includes several light bending particles  18 , which refract and reflect external light beams  28  and internal light beams  26   b  and  26   c.  The coating  16  is visible through the star-shaped openings  30 , and adds to the sparkling effect of the display when lit from the interior. Specifically, internal light refracts off of the light bending particles and out the star-shaped openings  30  (light beam  26   c ) or through the uncoated portions of the shear material  14  (light beam  26   b ). 
         [0070]      FIGS. 15 and 16  illustrate displays  10  in the shape of snowmen. The snowmen bodies include several openings in the shape of snowflakes that reveal coatings on an internal surface of each display. The coatings can take any color so as to achieve the desired effect. For example, in  FIG. 15 , the internal coating is blue, whereas the display in  FIG. 16  includes a red coating. 
         [0071]      FIGS. 17A-17I  consecutively illustrate one method of manufacturing the display  10  so as to include coatings on both an interior and exterior surface, on selected portions of the device. Although the method illustrated in  FIG. 17  describes screen printing opposite sides of the sheer layer  14  in two discrete steps, as will be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, it is also possible to perform the screen printing of both sides at the same time. In  FIG. 17A , a screen  24  is placed over portions of an external surface  14   a  of a sheer layer  14 . In  FIG. 17B , a liquid or other form of coating  16  is applied over the top of the sheer layer  14  and the screen  24 . In  FIG. 17C , the light bending particles  18  have been distributed across the top surface of the coating  16  before the coating has dried. In  FIG. 17D , the screen  24  has been removed, leaving the coating  16  with the light bending particles  18 , in the desired pattern or shape, on external surface  14   a  of the sheer layer  14 . 
         [0072]    The process is then repeated for the reverse side of the sheer layer  14 . In  FIG. 17E , a screen  24  is placed over portions of the internal side  14   b  of the sheer layer  14 . In  FIG. 17F , a liquid or other form of coating  16  is applied over the internal surface  14   b  of the sheer layer  14  and the screen  24 . In  FIG. 17G , the light bending particles  18  have been distributed across the top surface of the coating  16  before the coating has dried. In  FIG. 17H , the screen  24  has been removed, leaving the coating  16  with the light bending particles  18  embedded therein, in the desired pattern or shape, on the internal surface  14   b  of the sheer layer  14 . 
         [0073]    Finally, in  FIG. 17I , the sheer layer  14  having coatings on both the external surface  14   a  and the internal surface  14   b  is affixed to the rods  12  of the frame of the display by any one of the various techniques described above. 
         [0074]      FIGS. 18A-18F  consecutively illustrate another method of manufacturing the display  10  so as to include coatings on both an interior and exterior surface of the device. In this embodiment, a single side of the sheer layer  14  is coated, the sheer layer  14  is then affixed to the rods  12  of the frame, and then the interior of the display  10 , including both the rods  12  and the interior surface of the sheer layer  14   b,  are coated. This technique advantageously provides more continuity between the appearance of the rods  12  and the interior surface of the sheer layer  14   b,  as both interior elements of the display  10  are coated at the same time. 
         [0075]      FIG. 18A  illustrates a sheer layer  14  that includes several coatings  16  embedded with light bending particles  18  on an external surface  14   a.  In  FIG. 18B , the sheer layer  14  is positioned and affixed to the rods  12  of the frame of the display by any one of the various techniques described above. Next,  FIGS. 18C-18F  illustrate a technique of screen printing both the interior surface  14   b  of the sheer layer  14  and the rods  12  with a coating  16  and then subsequently embedding the coating  16  with light bending particles  18 . In  FIG. 18C , a screen  24  is placed over portions of the internal side  14   b  of the sheer layer  14 . In  FIG. 18D , a liquid or other form of coating  16  is applied over the internal surface  14   b  of the sheer layer  14 , at least a portion of the exposed surfaces of the rods  12 , and the screen  24 . In  FIG. 18E , the light bending particles  18  have been distributed across the top surface of the coating  16  before the coating has dried. In  FIG. 18F , the screen  24  has been removed, leaving the coating  16 , with the light bending particles  18  distributed therein, in the desired pattern or shape, on the internal surface  14   b  of the sheer layer  14  and the rods  12 . 
         [0076]    As will be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, although the technique in  FIGS. 18C-18F  is described as a screen printing process, any other known screening or application technique can be used to apply a coating embedded with light bending particles to both the interior surface  14   b  of the sheer layer  14  and the rods  12 . Further, the variations discussed above in each of the other embodiments are equally applicable to this embodiment. For example, as an alternative to spreading the light bending particles  18  in the coating  16  before the coating  16  dries, an adhesive could be applied to the coating  16  after the coating has dried, and the light bending particles  18  can be distributed about the adhesive. 
         [0077]      FIGS. 19A-19C  consecutively illustrate another method of manufacturing the display  10  so as to include coatings on portions of both an interior and exterior surface of the device. In this embodiment, two separate sheer layers  14  are provided that each has a coating on a single surface. The two separate sheer layers are then mounted on the frame of the display  10  such that the coated surface of one of the sheer layers  14  is positioned on an exterior surface of the display, the coated surface of the other sheer layer  14  is positioned on an interior surface of the display, and the rods  12  are sandwiched between the two layers. This technique provides the dual benefits of a simplified process and a more uniform interior appearance. 
         [0078]      FIG. 19A  illustrates a sheer layer  14  that includes several coatings  16  embedded with light bending particles  18  on an external surface  14   a.  In  FIG. 19B , the sheer layer  14  having coatings on the external surface  14   a  is affixed to the rods  12  on an external side of the frame of the display by any one of the various techniques described above. In  FIG. 19C , a sheer layer  14  that includes several coatings  16  embedded with light bending particles  18  on an internal surface  14   b  is affixed to the rods  12  on an internal side of the frame of the display by any one of the various techniques described above. The resulting structure provides a more continuous visual appearance. 
         [0079]    In an alternative to the example in  FIG. 19C , a more rigid, opaque, insert piece can be used instead of a sheer layer  14 . The insert piece can be made of, for example, cardboard, paper, or plastic material. The insert piece can be of any desired color and can be coated with light refracting particles by, for example, applying an adhesive to the surface of the insert piece and then coating the adhesive with, for example glitter. Then, the insert piece can be secured to an interior of the display so as to provide a brilliant effect when viewed through the openings in the display. Advantageously, the insert piece can be sized and shaped so as to make a selected portion of the lighted display opaque, with a tint of the color of the insert piece, when viewed from a side of the lighted display that is opposite the side of the lighted display that includes the openings. 
         [0080]    As used herein, the term layer is a term used to help delineate the spatial relationship of one material to another. Accordingly, the term layer does not require the layer to be contiguous, a single thickness, or in a single plane. 
         [0081]    From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.