Abstract:
A method for forming retroreflective sheeting comprising a binder layer having a first surface with protrusions thereon and a plurality of retroreflective elements partially embedded in the surface, wherein the method comprises forming the binder layer in a first profile, embedding the retroreflective elements therein, and then activating that binder layer such that it is restored to the first profile via shape memory.
Abstract:
A retroreflective graphic article bearing a fluorescent legend comprising a retroreflective base sheet, an image layer containing one or more pigments and one or more fluorescent dyes and a dye-receiving layer containing fluorescent dye which migrated from the image layer. Also, a method for making such articles is provided.
Abstract:
Retroreflective material is disclosed which is formed of an array of microprisms (50) which reflect light more uniformly by forming a concave curvature in the base face (51') of the prisms.
Abstract:
A cube-corner retroreflective sheeting (60) includes an array of cube-corner elements (30) that are defined by three sets of intersecting parallel grooves (45, 46, 47). The cube-corner elements (30) are arranged in the array such that the sheeting (60) glitters when exposed to light. The glitter is in the form of many discrete points of light (68) that tend to blink on and off when viewed by the nacked eye. The array may be configured such that a dihedral angle alpha varies between adjacent cube faces (31) of adjacent cube-corner elements (30) in each groove in one of the groove sets (45, 46 or 47) and such that base planes (36) are not parallel to each other when the sheeting (60) is laid flat. Preferably, the dihedral angle alpha between faces (31) of adjacent cube-corner elements (30) varies in essentially all of the grooves such that the cube-corner elements are randomly tilted throughout the array. The sheeting glitters very well under daytime viewing conditions and also to some extent under nighttime or retroreflective conditions. The glittering effect can enhance the sheeting's conspicuity, and hence highlight a person's presence to give them improved safety and security.
Abstract:
A glittering non-reflective sheeting (60) includes an array of cube-corner elements (30) that are arranged in the array such that the sheeting glitters when light is incident thereon. The glitter is in the form of many discrete points of light (68) that tend to blink off and on. The array may be configured such that a dihedral angle alpha varies between adjacent cube faces (31) of adjacent cube-corner elements (30) in each groove in one of the groove sets (45, 46, or 47) and such that the base planes (36) are not parallel to each other when the sheeting (60) is laid flat. Preferably, the dihedral angle alpha between faces (31) of adjacent cube-corner elements (30) varies in essentially all of the grooves such that the cube-corner elements are randomly tilted throughout the array. The glitter can make the sheeting very useful for aesthetic or decorative applications.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a retroreflective sheeting including a structured film having an array of structured elements and a sealing film attached to the structured film by a plurality of rivet-like connections perforating the sealing film. Preferably, the rivet-like connections form flanges. The preferred sealing film is a thermoplastic polymer with a ductile yield of at least about 20 %. The retroreflective sheetings according to the present invention can also include a seal coat located on the sealing film. In some embodiments, the seal coat can be prepared from a seal coat precursor comprising radiation curable components. The present invention also includes methods of manufacturing the various embodiments of the retroreflective sheetings.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a retroreflective sheeting including a structured retroreflective film including an array of structured retroreflective elements, a thermoplastic sealing film located proximate the structured elements, and bonding agent between the sealing film and the structured retroreflective elements, wherein the bonding agent bonds the sealing film to the structured retroreflective film.
Abstract:
A retroreflective article comprising an ultra-flexible structured retroreflective sheeting having a front surface and a back surface, the sheeting retroreflecting light entering through the front surface, wherein the sheeting comprises an overlay film, a two-dimensional array of substantially independent structured elements, the structured elements bonded to the overlay film, and a sealing film forming the back surface of the sheeting and bonded to the overlay film between the structured elements; a plurality of indentations in the sealing film; and a seal coat located on the sealing film, wherein the seal coat at least partially fills the indentations in the sealing film.
Abstract:
Microstructured articles of the invention comprising, in order: a) a microstructured member; b) a sealing layer melt-bonded to the microstructured member; and c) a backing member. The backing member is a fibrous web comprising a plurality of multifilament strands and is melt-bonded to the second surface of the sealing layer.
Abstract:
Retroreflective sheeting and articles are formed in which the size of the retroreflective and non-retroreflective surfaces may be varied across an array of microprisms. This is accomplished by varying the location of the reflective coating applied to the microprism side facets, such that, some prism side facets are completely coated with reflective material while others are coated only at the apex area; and still others are coated with a non-reflective coating, such as, a colored adhesive.