Abstract:
A method and apparatus for forming "seamless" retroreflective sheeting is described. At least two mold surfaces (10, 10') are used, each having alternate areas of arrays of prism recesses and spaces. In a first step, prisms are formed in one of the mold surfaces (10) and applied to a base film (46) or web. Next, prisms are formed on the second mold (10') surface and applied to the spaced areas left in the first step.
Abstract:
A retroreflective structure and a method for forming the structure are disclosed. The structure has a window side and a facet side. The facet side has a plurality of steps with treads and risers intersecting at an angle. The risers include an array of retroreflective elements. Preferably, the elements are cube-corner prisms.
Abstract:
A durable reusable polymeric mold (10) for casting a microstructure sheet having an array of prism elements and a method for forming the microstructure sheet are disclosed. A polymeric mold has a facet side (14) and a base side (16) comprising an array of prism elements upon which a radiation cured sheet can be formed. A protective surface layer (20) can be formed on the facet side (14) of the polymeric mold (10). The protective surface layer (20) is sufficiently opaque to radiation to protect the polymeric mold (10) from damage when the curable sheet (22) is formed and is sufficiently bonded to the polymeric mold to allow the cured sheet (22) to be removed from the protective surface layer (20) while not substantially removing the protective surface layer (20) from the polymeric mold (10). The microstructure sheet can be used as a retroreflective structure.
Abstract:
Retroreflective sheet material is produced by forming sheet material with closely spaced retroreflective formations (12) on one face and depositing on this face silver and copper atoms having high kinetic energy to provide a reflective metallic deposit (14) comprising a base layer of metallic silver and an overlying layer of metallic copper. An organic protective coating (20) is thereafter applied over the reflective metallic deposit (14). Light rays passing through the front face of the body enter the retroreflective formations (12), impinge upon the interface provided by the silver base layer and are retroreflected therefrom. As a result, the sheet material exhibits a bright white appearance in daylight as well as a bright white coloration at night when an incandescent beam impinges thereon.
Abstract:
Flame retardant and heat resistant retroreflective structures are disclosed. Generally, the retroreflective structure includes a transparent plasticized polyvinyl chloride film, an array of retroreflective cube-corner elements underlying the transparent plasticized polyvinyl chloride film, a flame retardant and heat resistant adhesive underlying the array of retroreflective cube-corner elements, and a flame retardant woven fabric bonded to the flame retardant and heat resistant adhesive.
Abstract:
Optical structures and sheeting that include polyurea and method for forming same are proposed in accordance with aspects of the present invention. One and two-component layers can be used to form the optical structures. The optical structures can include microstructures formed from polyurea. The sheeting can include at least one of cube-corner prisms, open-faced cube-corner prisms, linear prisms, lenticular lenses, moth-eye structures, lenses, Fresnel lens arrays, lenses, and fish-eye lens arrays.
Abstract:
A rear-projection screen and a method for forming same are proved. The screen can include a substrate including a first side and a second side, apertures disposed on the first side of the substrate, and an opaque layer disposed on the second side of the substrate. In a particular embodiment, the opaque layer includes a plurality of apertures therethrough. A surface relief diffuser can be proved in the substrate at the plurality of apertures. A bulk diffuser can be provided at plurality of apertures to diffuse the projected image. A cover can be attached to the opaque layer, for example, with an adhesive. An overlayer can be provided on the opaque layer for providing deep apertures that can be filled with bulk diffuser to further diffuse the projected image. The overlayer disposed on the opaque layer can include a light-absorbing material in and/or on the overlayer.
Abstract:
A structure includes a layer which includes a first cured portion and a second cured portion which are formed from a same light curable material. The first cured portion is cured to a first amount, and the second cured portion is cured to a second amount. The first amount is sufficiently different than the second amount to result in a visible discontinuity on the surface of the structure. A method for forming a pattern in a radiation curable material includes providing between a radiation source and the radiation curable material, a pattern that can block a portion of the radiation from the radiation source. The material is cured with radiation from the radiation source to form a pattern in the radiation curable material.
Abstract:
Optical structures and methods for manufacturing the same includes, in one embodiment, a substrate and a plurality of two-sided optical components disposed along the substrate. Each component includes optical microstructures on each side. At least a portion of one side of at least some of the components is air-backed and the other side of the at least some of the components is substantially wetted-out by a material. Retroreflective optical structures, threads or fibers and manufacturing methods for forming same are also provided.
Abstract:
A retroreflective structure includes a retroreflective sheeting having an array of transparent prisms formed into pairs of prisms. Each prism includes a base aperture and three intersecting lateral faces meeting at an apex. Each of the lateral faces includes a base edge which forms a portion of the perimeter of the base aperture. The base edge of each lateral face intersects the base edge of a contiguous lateral face to from a base point, the first face of at least one prism in the array including a first face first planar surface and a first face second planar surface. The first face first planar surface and the first face second planar surface are contiguous along an edge having a first and second end points, wherein the apex, the first end point, and a first base point are colplanar and form a continuous edge from the first base point to the apex.