Abstract:
A workpiece, the product thereof, and a kit, for making simulated stained glass works of art includes a transparent sheet covered on one side by an opaque scratch-removable coating and on the other side by a second sheet having transparent-ink patterns or solid colors. Portions of the opaque coating are removed to reveal through the transparent substrate, underlying transparent-ink patterns. The partially scratched product “drawing” produces an excellent visual appearance simulative of stained glass when held up to light. The finished product can be affixed to a window for continued enjoyment.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to an art or hobby workpiece used for making designs or pictures simulating stained glass by scratching away part of an opaque coating to reveal portions of underlying background.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Methods are well known in the prior art for scratching a picture through an opaque or dark coating to reveal a color beneath the coating. A prior art product produced by the present inventor utilizes a wood stylus to scratch a picture through a black top coating applied to a suitable colored substrate.  
         [0003]     One prior art patent (see Bruskin U.S. Pat. No. 4,262,042) describes a method of producing a picture such as a stained glass panel including a paint-removing step. Another prior art reference (see Childs U.S. Pat. No. 4,368,587) describes a method of making color separation plates including the steps of individually scraping a plurality of various solid colored sheets and superimposing the sheets to create offset printing plates. Other scratch-to-sketch products and processes are also known in the prior art (see for example Hess U.S. Pat. No. 4,937,103 that shows the use of a ceramic base).  
         [0004]     Most pertinent to the present invention is the Polsky U.S. Pat. No. 5,270,087 (herein incorporated by reference) which relates to simulated stained glass and a process of making same by removal of portions of an opaque coating to reveal through a transparent substrate an underlying transparent-ink pattern. The product so made produces an excellent visual appearance, which simulates stained glass when held up to light.  
         [0005]     A prepared pre-scratch blank or workpiece  12  disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,087 is shown in  FIG. 1 , along with a scratch tool  20 . The pre-scratch blank  12  is preferably made up of three main layers. The base or middle layer substrate  14  is preferably made of a generally clear transparent or translucent plastic film or sheet material, which may have a solid color inherent therein. One side of the middle layer  14  is coated or printed with a removable (by scratching with a scratch tool  20 , finger, or the like) continuous opaque layer  16 . Onto the opposite side of the clear middle layer substrate  14  is coated or printed a single or, more preferably, multiple color layer  18  which on drying becomes permanently attached to the clear substrate layer  14 .  
         [0006]     The scratch tool  20  is can be made of wood and can be as simple as an elongated stick which has had a stylus  22  or point carved into at least one end. Fingers may also be used.  
         [0007]     The opaque layer  16  may be formed of any opaque coating material, i.e., one that is not transparent to light. Preferred, however, is a well-known ink known as “malleable black” which is a printing ink known in the printing industry which poorly bonds to whatever surface it is applied.  
         [0008]     The color layer  18  is also desirably printed directly onto the clear substrate layer  14 , using conventional printing techniques, such as offset printing, flexographic printing, and silkscreen printing, using conventional transparent overprinting inks. The term “transparent” as used herein is a common term for transparent inks conventionally used in the printing industry, which inks permit the passage therethrough of light. One or more layers of these conventional transparent printing inks are applied as layer  18  in various patterns, and it is normally necessary to provide only one to three layers, each with one of the three primary colors, namely magenta (red), cyan (blue) and yellow, it being understood that secondary colors are achieved by overprinting. For example, in  FIG. 2 , areas  182  are printed in blue, areas  184  in red, and  186  in yellow. In the area  182 ′, blue has been printed over red  184 , so as to give the secondary color (when light shines therethrough) of violet or purple.  
         [0009]     As indicated above, both the opaque coating  16  and the transparent layer or layers  18  can be applied to the transparent substrate  14  using any conventional prior art printing technique. Virtually any pattern or single color can be applied as the printed layer  18 , the only requirement being that the ink be so-called “transparent” and adhere adequately to the substrate  14 . The design illustrated in  FIG. 2  is, of course, only exemplary, it being understood that the number of printed patterns is practically infinite.  
         [0010]     The finished blank  12  is used by scratching through the opaque top blank coat  16  to reveal the colors of the pattern layer  18  on the opposite side of the plastic clear substrate  14 . The drawn picture, two examples of which are shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  by reference numerals  16 ′ and  16 ″ respectively, will be black except where scratched. The black areas of  FIGS. 3 and 4  are the unscratched sections and the light areas are the scratched sections, which reveal the portions of the underlying pattern  18 .  
         [0011]      FIG. 5  shows another embodiment disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,087, wherein both the transparent ink layer(s)  18 , and the opaque overcoating  16  are applied to the same side of the transparent substrate  14 . As noted above, the opaque layer  16  is formed of a poorly bonding ink or coating composition such as malleable black. For this embodiment, a sharp tool  20  ought not be used, i.e., one can only utilize a relatively dull scratch tool  20  such as one formed of wood.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]     It is an object of the present invention to provide an aesthetically pleasing art form, enjoyable to perform, and producing an individualized work of art similar to that of the Polsky U.S. Pat. No. 5,270,087.  
         [0013]     It is another object of the present invention to provide an easy and safe method and workpiece for making simulated stained glass art effects.  
         [0014]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method and workpiece for making simulated stained glass art using only a wooden stick or stylus as the scratching tool so that even a young child can safely create beautiful art.  
         [0015]     It is still another object of the present invention to provide a finished simulated stained glass artwork product, which can be affixed to a windowpane where incoming light will produce, an impressive visual display for continued enjoyment.  
         [0016]     Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an art or hobby workpiece and a method for converting such workpiece to a simulated stained-glass artwork.  
         [0017]     Still a further object of the present invention is to allow the user to obtain a product that can have a large variety of color options and designs, which can be interchanged with one another as desired.  
         [0018]     The present invention is not to be taken as limited to or by the aforementioned objects.  
         [0019]     According to one embodiment of the present invention, a workpiece is provided for making simulated stained glass art including a clear, transparent plastic sheet substrate and a transparent colored sheet disposed separately from the clear plastic sheet substrate and adjacent to a first surface of the clear plastic sheet substrate. A removable by scratching completely opaque layer covers a second surface of the clear plastic sheet substrate, the second surface being on an opposite side of the first surface, whereby the opaque layer can be partially removed in selected patterns by scratching with a tool or with fingers to reveal the transparent color sheet through the clear transparent sheet substrate.  
         [0020]     The opaque layer is malleable black or any other malleable color. The removable-by-scratching completely opaque layer can be formed of an ink or paint coating. The transparent colored sheet is either a single color sheet or a multi-colored sheet.  
         [0021]     A kit is provided which includes at least one workpiece and the tool for scratching the opaque layer. A product is provided in which the clear and the transparent colored sheet are juxtaposed in proximity to one another. In the product, after the opaque coating has been partially removed, the product held up to light creates an effect simulative of stained glass.  
         [0022]     According to another embodiment of the present invention, a workpiece for making simulated stained glass art includes a first transparent sheet, the first transparent sheet have an inherent solid color and a second transparent sheet disposed separately from the first transparent sheet and adjacent to a first surface of the second transparent sheet, the second transparent sheet being colored. A removable by scratching completely opaque layer covers a second surface of the first transparent sheet substrate, the second surface being on an opposite side of the first surface, whereby the opaque layer can be partially removed in selected patterns by scratching with a tool or with fingers to reveal the second transparent sheet through the first transparent sheet.  
         [0023]     Either one of the first or second transparent sheet can be a semi-rigid or rigid substrate and the other one of the first or second transparent sheet can be a cellophane sheet. The second transparent sheet can be either a single color sheet or a multi-colored sheet.  
         [0024]     In a product according to this embodiment of the present invention, the first transparent sheet and the second transparent sheet are juxtaposed in proximity to one another. After the opaque coating has been partially removed, the product held up to light creates an effect simulative of stained glass. A kit includes at least one workpiece according to this embodiment and the tool for scratching the opaque layer.  
         [0025]     According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a workpiece for making simulated stained glass art includes a colored semi-transparent sheet substrate and a removable by scratching completely opaque layer covering a top surface of the colored semi-transparent sheet substrate. The opaque layer can be partially removed in selected patterns by scratching with a tool or with fingers to reveal the colored semi-transparent sheet. After the opaque coating layer has been at least partially removed, the workpiece held up to light creates an effect simulative of stained glass. The semi-transparent colored sheet can be a multi-colored sheet. A kit includes at least one workpiece according to this embodiment and the tool for scratching the opaque layer.  
         [0026]     According to still another embodiment of the present invention, a workpiece for making simulated stained glass art includes a transparent colored sheet and a clear, transparent plastic sheet substrate disposed separately from the transparent colored sheet and adjacent to a first surface of the transparent plastic sheet substrate. A removable by scratching completely opaque layer covers a second surface of the transparent plastic sheet, the second surface being on an opposite side of the first surface, whereby the opaque layer can be partially removed in selected patterns by scratching with a tool or with fingers to reveal the transparent color sheet through the clear transparent sheet substrate.  
         [0027]     In a product the transparent colored sheet and the clear, transparent plastic sheet are juxtaposed in proximity to one another. After the opaque coating has been partially removed, the product held up to light creates an effect simulative of stained glass. A kit includes at least one workpiece according to this embodiment of the present invention and the tool for scratching the opaque layer.  
         [0028]     A workpiece for making simulated stained glass art includes a transparent colored sheet and a clear, transparent plastic sheet substrate disposed separately from the transparent colored sheet and adjacent to a first surface of the transparent colored sheet substrate. A removable by scratching completely opaque layer covers a second surface of the transparent colored sheet, the second surface being on an opposite side of the first surface, whereby the opaque layer can be partially removed in selected patterns by scratching with a tool or with fingers to reveal the transparent color sheet. The transparent colored sheet includes a transparent ink layer directly printed onto a transparent sheet on a surface opposite the surface on which the opaque layer resides.  
         [0029]     In a product according to this embodiment of the present invention, the transparent colored sheet and the clear, transparent plastic sheet substrate are juxtaposed in proximity to one another. After the opaque coating has been partially removed, the product held up to light creates an effect simulative of stained glass. A kit includes at least one workpiece according to this embodiment of the present invention and the tool for scratching the opaque layer.  
         [0030]     A workpiece for making simulated stained glass art includes a transparent colored sheet, a first transparent sheet disposed separately from the transparent colored sheet and adjacent to a first surface of the transparent plastic sheet substrate, and a second transparent sheet disposed separately from the transparent colored sheet and the first transparent sheet, the second transparent sheet having a first surface adjacent to a second surface of the first transparent plastic sheet, the second surface being on a side opposite of the transparent colored sheet than the first surface. A removable by scratching completely opaque layer covers a second surface of the second transparent plastic sheet, the second surface of the second transparent plastic sheet being on an opposite side of the first surface of the second transparent plastic sheet, whereby the opaque layer can be partially removed in selected patterns by scratching with a tool or with fingers to reveal the transparent color sheet through the second transparent sheet. The first transparent sheet can be a colored plastic sheet. The second transparent sheet includes a transparent ink layer directly printed onto a transparent sheet on a surface opposite the surface on which the opaque layer resides. Either one of the first or second transparent sheet can be a semi-rigid or rigid substrate and the other one of the first or second transparent sheet can be a cellophane sheet.  
         [0031]     In a product according to this embodiment of the present invention, the transparent colored sheet, the first transparent sheet and the second transparent sheet are juxtaposed in proximity to one another. After the opaque coating has been partially removed, the product held up to light creates an effect simulative of stained glass. A kit includes at least one workpiece according to this embodiment of the present invention and the tool for scratching the opaque layer. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0032]     Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail in the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings, in which:  
         [0033]      FIG. 1  is a schematic sectional view of coated blank along with a stick tool used to scrape part of the coating from the blank in accordance with an embodiment disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,087;  
         [0034]      FIG. 2  is a schematic rear or bottom view of a printed pattern on the back side of a blank such as that shown in  FIG. 1  in accordance with the embodiments disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,087;  
         [0035]      FIG. 3  is a schematic front or top view of a scratched sketch on an art blank such as that shown in  FIG. 1  having a rear pattern similar to that shown in  FIG. 2  in accordance with the embodiments disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,087;  
         [0036]      FIG. 4  is another schematic front or top view of a scratched sketch, different from that of  FIG. 3 , on an art blank such as that shown in  FIG. 1  having a rear pattern similar to that shown in  FIG. 2  in accordance with the embodiments disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,087;  
         [0037]      FIG. 5  is a schematic sectional view of another embodiment disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,270,087;  
         [0038]      FIG. 6  is a schematic sectional view of a workpiece according to one embodiment of the invention;  
         [0039]      FIG. 7  is a schematic sectional view of a workpiece according to another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0040]      FIG. 8  is a schematic sectional view of a workpiece according to another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0041]      FIG. 9  is a schematic sectional view of a workpiece according to another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0042]      FIG. 10  is a schematic sectional view of a workpiece according to another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0043]      FIG. 11  is a schematic sectional view of a workpiece according to another embodiment of the invention; and  
         [0044]      FIG. 12  is a schematic side view of a light box placed adjacent to a product according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
       [0045]     The workpiece and resultant product of the present invention begin with a first or upper, transparent flat plastic sheet, preferably rigid or semi-rigid. A single or multiple layer coating made with plural, different colored transparent inks is placed adjacent to a top side of a lower or second sheet, i.e., a sheet substrate separate from the first or upper transparent flat plastic sheet, while a removable (by scratching with a scratch tool, fingers, or the like) opaque top coat covers the top side of the first or upper transparent flat plastic sheet. The two sheets are juxtaposed in proximity with the first transparent flat plastic sheet overlaying and are desirably, but not necessarily, mountable or adherable to the underlying second substrate having colors applied thereto.  
         [0046]     Scratching through the opaque topcoat on the upper transparent sheet will reveal the colors therebeneath on the underlying substrate. The opaque top coat or scratchable, malleable opaque ink layer may be an ink or paint which is manipulatable with the use of fingers, as well as tools. Such an ink or paint may include such materials commonly known as “finger paint” and permitting the alteration of opacity by reflection of such finger paint and/or its thickness of application.  
         [0047]     The drawn picture art achieved by selective scratching or finger painting on the upper sheet will thus be opaque or have varying degrees of opacity except where it has been scratched to remove the coating from the upper transparent sheet. When the product is held up to the light, the transparent inks used on the underlying sheets will produce visual effects that simulate stained glass. Additionally, the solid, malleable ink or paint on the upper transparent colored or clear sheet may be of such a nature, with the physical property of being manipulatable with the fingers, as to achieve effects associated with the art and technique of finger painting, with or without a light source behind the product.  
         [0048]     In one embodiment, the color printed substrate below the upper sheet is a clear or frosted plastic sheet, and the transparent coated plastic sheet located there above is completely separate from the lower substrate or subsequently adhereable thereto.  
         [0049]     Another embodiment is similar to the first embodiment, except that the bottom sheet does not have colors printed thereon, but is instead a colored transparent or translucent plastic sheet with the upper transparent sheet of the first embodiment placed thereover.  
         [0050]     A kit in accordance with the present invention may include one or more of the aforementioned workpiece or other embodiments, or components thereof, in accordance with the present invention, along with one or more scrapping tools, directions and an optional light source, e.g., a light box comprising a light bulb, a means to provide electricity, e.g., a circuit adapted to retain a battery, and a translucent sheet of plastic, paper or vellum above the light bulb to disperse the light, the latter being desirable if the lower substrate is transferred rather than frosted or translucent.  
         [0051]     A prepared pre-scratch blank or workpiece  622  is shown in  FIG. 6 , along with a scratch tool  20 . The pre-scratch blank  622  is preferably made up three main layers.  
         [0052]     The middle layer substrate  24  is preferably made of a generally clear transparent or translucent plastic sheet material, such as rigid or semi-rigid, and unpigmented PVC, cellulose acetate, polystyrene, clear polypropylene, ABS, etc., of at least 3 mils thickness, preferably 3-10 mils thickness. The substrate  24  can either be completely clear, or be frosted (sufficiently lightly so as to allow light to pass through the substrate)), either solidly, or in a pattern or design of some kind. Substrate  24  may also be a film or sheet with a solid color inherent therein, such as cellophane or another solidly colored transparent sheet wherein the color is inherent in the film or sheet. One side of the middle layer  24  is coated or printed with a removable (by scratching with a scratch tool  20 , finger, or the like) continuous opaque layer  26 . Opaque layer  26  may be black or any other opaque color.  
         [0053]     As in U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,087, the scratch tool  20  can be made of wood and can be as simple as an elongated stick that can have a stylus  22  or point carved into at least one end. Fingers may also be used. In at least some cases, other types of scratch tools can be used, e.g., formed of metal, plastic or other hard material, and optionally with different types of points at the ends thereof.  
         [0054]     The opaque layer  26  may be formed of any opaque coating material, i.e., one that is not transparent to light. According to one embodiment, however, a well-known ink known as “malleable black” is used that is a printing ink known in the printing industry which poorly bonds to whatever surface it is applied. These malleable black inks, which may be colors other than black, are conventionally used on coin-scratch contest forms to cover a hidden message therebeneath and which are easily scratched away by using the edge of a coin. Alternative, an opaque paint, such as finger paint may be used which can be scratched off with the fingers or a tool. While the scratchable or malleable ink or paint according to the present invention may be black, it may also be any other desired or selected colors or colors.  
         [0055]     When the construction of  FIG. 6  is prepared for use by children, i.e., the scratch tool  20  is formed of wood, then the opaque coating is an easily removable material such as malleable black or a paint which can be removed by one&#39;s fingers. On the other hand, if the device of  FIG. 6  is constructed for use by adults, wherein the scratch tool  20  is formed of metal and is provided with a sharper stylus  22 , more tightly adherent opaque inks could be used. Thus, in place of malleable black, one may use a regular opaque black, e.g. black printers ink. The opaque covering may require two or three printing passes to provide sufficient opacity.  
         [0056]     Adapted to be placed adjacent and in proximity to the opposite side of the clear middle layer substrate  24  is a coated or printed color layer  28 . The color layer  28  is provided separately from the substrate  24 . The color layer  28  can be juxtaposed in proximity to the clear substrate layer  24  and either the substrate layer  24  can either be lain down on top of the color layer  28 , and/or it can be attached in any non-permanent manner to the color layer  28 . The color layer  28  can have a single color or can be multiple colors, in any pattern or design.  
         [0057]     In a similar manner to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,087 (see  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 ), when the scratched blanks are held against light and looked at from the scratched side (see  FIG. 12 ), the transparent inks will provide an effect simulative of stained glass. Transparent colors will appear only where the opaque coating  26  has been scratched off as the light shines through. In addition to a pattern of several printed colors viewable behind the substrate upon which the scratchable or malleable ink or paint is disposed, a single color may be used on the same or other surface positioned behind said substrate to complete the stained glass effect achievable when the substrate is illuminated from behind.  
         [0058]      FIG. 7  through  FIG. 11  illustrate alternative embodiments of the present invention. These figures will be described below to the extent the embodiments are different that the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6  and described above.  
         [0059]     The embodiment of  FIG. 7  comprises a workpiece  722 , which includes a colored, transparent or semi-transparent substrate  30 , coated on one side with an opaque layer  26  which can be scratched off as described above with respect to  FIG. 6 . The colored substrate  30  can either be clear or frosted as described above with respect to  FIG. 6 . The combination of the substrate layer and the colored layer allows the workpiece of the present invention to be manufactured for less money. The substrate  30  may be a plastic sheet or film that is colored in a solid color or in a pattern or design. When the coating is scraped from the upper surface of the colored substrate  30 , the “stained glass” effect is provided by the color of the substrate itself.  
         [0060]     The embodiment of  FIG. 8  comprises a workpiece  822 , which includes a clear substrate  24  provided as a bottom layer. Provided separately from the substrate  24  is a sheet that includes three layers. A coated layer  26  is provided on one side of a colored transparent sheet  32 , and a colored transparent sheet  34  is adhered to the other side of colored sheet  32 . The colored sheet  34  can be a different color than that of colored sheet  32 , so that the combination of the two colors makes a third color.  
         [0061]     The embodiment of  FIG. 9  comprises a workpiece  922 , which is similar to that of  FIG. 8 , however, the position of the colored transparent sheet  32  and the colored transparent sheet  34  are switched.  
         [0062]     The embodiment of  FIG. 10  includes a workpiece  1022  that includes a colored transparent sheet  34 , which includes an opaque coating layer  26  on one side. The color layer  28  is provided as a separate colored sheet on the other side of colored transparent sheet  34  from the opaque coating layer  26 , either as a solid color or having a pattern or design. Additionally, the clear substrate  24  is provided as a separate sheet on the other side of the color layer  28  from the opaque coating layer  26 .  
         [0063]     The embodiment of  FIG. 11  includes a workpiece  1122  is similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 10 , however, the positions of the clear substrate  24  and the color layer  28  are reversed.  
         [0064]     The present invention includes a kit that can be sold including one or more workpieces  622  (or workpieces  722 - 1122  described above), i.e., the various sheets and/or substrates making up those workpieces, and one or more tools  20  which can be used to scratch the coating layer from the top sheet. Multiple sheets of each kind can be included in the kits, with different colors and patterns, so that the user can mix and match the sheets as desired.  
         [0065]      FIG. 12  illustrates a side view of a workpiece  622  placed adjacent to and in proximity to an artificial light source, such as, for example, a lamp or light box, to allow light to shine through the scratched-off opaque layer to the colored layer adjacent thereto. The two layers are mounted in close proximity to one another to achieve the stained-glass effect according to the present invention.  
         [0066]     The above-described invention will greatly simplify and make cost-effective the production of simulated stained glass works of art, such as windows. Furthermore, the invention provides an excellent and novel vehicle for free-hand art in a highly direct method.  
         [0067]     Also, by eliminating the need for glass cutting, the present invention will provide great safety advantages. The present invention is safe and easy to use such that even young children can utilize it.  
         [0068]     Further, by providing separate layers, in whole or in part, as part of the kits, the user may pick and choose the particular construction he desires, so as to have more variety in the color combinations achievable by the present invention.  
         [0069]     Any combination of substrates and applied inks and paints as described above and viewed vertically or horizontally may be utilized in a projection technique or device for the viewing and appreciation of the completed art.  
         [0070]     The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.