Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to lamina(e) comprising cube corner elements, a tool comprising an assembly of laminae and replicas thereof. The disclosure further relates to retroreflective sheeting.

Abstract: A vehicle reflector can include a plurality of retroreflection elements including a first reflection surface, a second reflection surface, and a third reflection surface which are adjacently disposed to form a corner portion of a substantially regular hexahedron. The first reflection surface can be inclined by 35.264°+angle ?1 with respect to a reference axis. The second reflection surface can be inclined by 35.264°+angle ?2 with respect to the reference axis and can be disposed at a position rotated by 120° about the reference axis from the first reflection surface. The third reflection surface can be inclined by 35.264°+angle ?3 with respect to the reference axis and can be disposed at a position rotated by 120° in an opposite direction from the second reflection surface about the reference axis from the first reflection surface. The angle ?1, angle ?2 and angle ?3 can be set to satisfy a relation of ??1=?2=?3 or ??1??2=?3.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to lamina(e) comprising cube corner elements, a tool comprising an assembly of laminae and replicas thereof. The disclosure further relates to retroreflective sheeting.

Abstract: The present application relates to retroreflective sheeting that is capable of use in a license plate and that can be accurately read and/or detected by an ALPR system. The retroreflective sheeting is a prismatic retroreflective sheeting that provides reduced retroreflectivity of infra-red light. The retroreflective sheeting can also be a prismatic retroreflective sheeting that exhibits reduced retroreflectivity of incident infra-red light and substantially unaffected retroreflectivity of incident visible light.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for producing a polymeric film that accurately replicates a complex mold surface at least a portion of which surface has microstructured or nano-structured dimensions. A polymeric powder is electrodeposited on an underlying mold surface. Then the powder is cured to create a polymeric film. Finally the film is removed from the mold surface.

Abstract: A retroreflective sheeting (10) comprising a cube layer (20) having a front light-receiving surface (30) and a rear retroreflecting surface (32), and a metallic layer (22) covering the rear retroreflecting surface (32). The rear surface (32) comprises an array of retroreflective elements (34) and diffusing patches (36) within such array (without retroreflective elements (34)). The metallic layer (22) covers the retroreflective elements (34) and the diffusing patches (36), whereby diffusing patches (36) scatter incoming light increasing daytime brightness to a desired level.

Abstract: The invention provides for compositions and process for fabricating an optical reflector constructed from biocompatible and bioresorbable silk fibroin proteins. For example, the silk retroreflectors may be built based on millimeter size microprism arrays to rotate the image plane of imaged cortical layers, thus enhancing the amount of photons that are detectable in the reflected direction when inserted in a sample to be analyzed, and ultimately increasing in contrast ratio in multiphoton microscopy. Such device can be used as a label-free, biocompatible, bioresorbable, implantable device for various applications ranging from medical imaging/diagnostics, drug/therapeutic delivery, to food chain safety and environmental monitoring.

Abstract: A retroreflective sheeting (10) comprising a cube layer (20) having a front light-receiving surface (30) and a rear retroreflecting surface (32), and a metallic layer (22) covering the rear retroreflecting surface (32). The rear surface (32) comprises an array of retroreflective elements (34) and diffusing patches (36) within such array (without retroreflective elements (34)). The metallic layer (22) covers the retroreflective elements (34) and the diffusing patches (36), whereby diffusing patches (36) scatter incoming light increasing daytime brightness to a desired level.

Abstract: A light trapping optical cover employing an optically transparent layer is described. The transparent layer has at least one corrugated surface formed by a plurality of isosceles right-angle prismatic corrugations configured to internally retroreflect light into the transparent layer. The corrugated surface also includes optical windows configured for inputting or outputting light to or from the transparent layer. The optical cover may further employ a focusing array of light collectors being pairwise associated with the respective optical windows.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to lamina(e) comprising cube corner elements, a tool comprising an assembly of laminae and replicas thereof. The disclosure further relates to retroreflective sheeting.

Abstract: An apparatus for retro-reflecting electromagnetic energy and a method for producing the same are provided. The apparatus includes a substrate and a plurality of corner mirrors disposed in said substrate. The plurality of corner mirrors may have respective angles of acceptance with respect to the substrate to be operable to retro-reflect the electromagnetic energy within the respective angles of acceptance. The plurality of corner mirrors are arranged to provide a combined angle of acceptance that is greater than any one of the respective angles of acceptance. The apparatus may also include at least one modulator disposed over at least a portion of said plurality of corner mirrors. The modulator is operable to modulate any of said electromagnetic energy received and retro-reflected.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to lamina(e) comprising cube corner elements, a tool comprising an assembly of laminae and replicas thereof. The disclosure further relates to retroreflective sheeting.

Abstract: A system, method and assembly for performing traffic sign inspections is provided. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a first plurality of sheetings that each have a combination of retroreflectivity and color that is different from the combination of retroreflectivity and color of each of the other first plurality of sheetings; a first clamp and second clamp for clamping one of said first plurality of sheetings to a traffic sign; a first handheld light source; and a first enclosure for removably housing the first plurality of sheetings, said first and second clamps, and said first handheld light source. The assembly may further include a second enclosure for removably housing a second plurality of sheetings that each has a combination of retroreflectivity and color that is different from the combination of retroreflectivity and color of each of the other second plurality of sheetings.

Abstract: A retroreflection article formed of groups of grooves in three directions having substantially V-shaped cross sections, including a large number of pairs of cube corner retroreflection elements being disposed, the elements in each pair being formed to be rotationally symmetric while sharing one base line forming the retroreflection elements. A group of parallel V-shaped grooves in one direction (grooves x) forming the group of pairs of retroreflection elements has straight-line bottom tracks, the groups of parallel V-shaped grooves in the other two directions (grooves w1 and w2) have continuous bent-line bottom tracks bent at intersection points with the grooves x, the bottom tracks of the groups of parallel V-shaped grooves in the two directions (grooves w1 and w2) do not intersect with each other, and projection geometries of base planes (A-B-E1-D1 and A-B-E2-D2) forming the retroreflection elements are quadrilaterals.

Abstract: An optical element includes: a first optical layer having a concavo-convex surface; a wavelength-selective reflective layer provided on the concavo-convex surface of the first optical layer; a second optical layer provided on the concavo-convex surface on which the wavelength-selective reflective layer is provided so as to fill the concavo-convex surface, and in the optical element described above, the wavelength-selective reflective layer includes a metal layer, a protective layer provided on the metal layer and containing a metal oxide as a primary component, and a high refractive index layer provided on the protective layer and containing a metal oxide other than zinc oxide as a primary component, and the wavelength-selective reflective layer selectively directionally reflects light in a specific wavelength band while transmitting light other than that in the specific wavelength band.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a retro-reflector microarray including a plurality of micro retro-reflectors arranged on a common plane. Each of the retro-reflectors is a concave corner cube consisting of three mutually orthogonal reflective surfaces. The concave corner cubes are the main reflecting elements of the microarray and make the reflected light anti-parallel to the incident light. The retro-reflector microarray can be used in optical detection instrument as an auxiliary element for remotely scanning fluorescence and Raman signals.

Abstract: Retroreflective sheeting includes a body layer having a structured surface with recessed faces forming cube corner cavities. A reflective film is disposed at least on the recessed faces, and a fill material fills the cube corner cavities. The fill material comprises radiation-curable materials, adhesives, or both, and preferably transparent radiation-curable pressure-sensitive adhesives. The fill material preferably forms a continuous layer covering both the recessed faces and upper portions of the structured surface. A transparent cover layer preferably contacts the fill material layer.

Abstract: A retroreflective sheet structure (10) comprising a transparent layer (20) having a front light-receiving surface (30) and a rear retroreflecting surface (32). Light incident on the front surface (30) will pass through the layer (20), impinge on the rear retroreflective surface (32) and reflect back out through the front surface (30) in a predetermined direction. An identifying indicia (44) is chosen and then formed on the retroreflecting surface (32). This indicia (44) can be used for identification purposes, even years after an end product incorporating the reflective sheet structure (10) has been out in the field.

Abstract: Retroreflective lenticular systems employing a focusing array and a retroreflector array optically coupled to the focusing array. The focusing array is provided on a first surface and the retroreflector array is provided on an opposing second surface. The retroreflector array includes an array of retroreflective elements alternating with separation areas and disposed in energy exchange relationship with respect to the focusing array. The focusing array includes a plurality of focusing lenses configured to illuminate only the retroreflective elements with focused beams at least at some angles and to focus the incident beam only onto the separation areas at other angles. The intermittent illumination of retroreflective elements provides variable retroreflectivity of at least portions of the system and enhances the system visibility and conspicuity in the reflected light.

Abstract: Retroreflective structures and methods of forming the same comprise a body of material extending along a helical path about a longitudinal axis and a plurality of retroreflective optical elements positioned along the helical path of the body of material, and constructed and arranged to retroreflect electromagnetic energy directed from a range of angular orientations about the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: There is provided a hexagonal cube corner retroreflective article with excellent observation angle characteristics. The hexagonal cube corner retroreflective article has a set of a large number of hexagonal cube corner retroreflective elements. In the hexagonal cube corner retroreflective element, at least one reflective lateral face (face a, face b, and/or, face c) is divided into a pair of an upper secondary reflective lateral face (face a1, face b1, and/or face c1) and a lower secondary reflective lateral face (face a2, face b2, and/or face c2) partitioned by a line segment (EF, FD, and/or DE) connected by apexes (E, F, and/or D) constituting that reflective lateral face, in which two secondary reflective lateral faces constituting the pair of the secondary reflective lateral faces are not on the same plane.

Abstract: A dual light-source position detecting system for use in touch screens is provided that utilizes parallax to determine the position of an interposing object, and a prismatic film that is brightly retroreflective over a broad entrance angle to enhance to accuracy of the parallax determination of position. The position detecting system includes at least one camera positioned to receive light radiation traversing a detection area and that generates a signal representative of an image; two spaced-apart sources of light radiation, which may be LEDs, or IR emitters positioned adjacent to the camera for outputting light radiation that overlaps over at least a portion of a detection area, and a prismatic film positioned along a periphery of at least a portion of the detection area that retroreflects the light radiation from the two sources to the camera.

Abstract: An optically variable device is disclosed having a substrate with an array of pyramidal structures formed upon it or within it. The structures are coated with an optically variable color-shifting coating. Each of the structures form a pyramidal-like having at least three slanted faces and wherein one or more colors seen when viewing the pyramids vary as substrate is rotated at least 30 degrees about an axis orthogonal to the substrate. In order to see a color shift the device is rotated around the surface normal of the substrate, while keeping the angle of incidence to the light source the same, and keeping the viewing angle the same. Various forms of pyramids may be used, however pyramids with planar faces are most suitable.

Abstract: Retroreflective articles and constructions are disclosed. One exemplary retroreflective article or construction includes a retroreflective layer and a low refractive index layer. In one exemplary embodiment, the low refractive index layer is adjacent to at least a portion of a retroreflective structured major surface of the retroreflective layer.

Abstract: Embodiments for electro-optical identification are disclosed.

Abstract: An optically variable device is disclosed having a substrate with an array of pyramidal structures formed upon it or within it. The structures are preferably formed by printing pyramids with an optically variable color-shifting ink using an Intaglio-like printing process. Alternatively the structure can be formed by embossing a layer of ink with positive pyramids so as to yield an array of positive embossed pyramids. Each of the structures form a pyramidal-like having at least three slanted faces and wherein one or more than one color is seen when viewing the pyramids vary as substrate is rotated at least 30 degrees about an axis orthogonal to the substrate. In order to see a color shift the device is rotated around the surface normal of the substrate, while keeping the angle of incidence to the light source the same, and keeping the viewing angle the same. Various forms of pyramids may be used, however pyramids with planar faces are most suitable.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to lamina(e) comprising cube corner elements, a tool comprising an assembly of laminae and replicas thereof. The disclosure further relates to retroreflective sheeting.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to lamina(e) comprising cube corner elements, a tool comprising an assembly of laminae and replicas thereof. The disclosure further relates to retroreflective sheeting.

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 reflection-type display device includes an optical modulation layer 34, a pair of substrates 30 and 32 between which the optical modulation layer 34 is retained, an electrode structure 52, 44 for causing pixel-by-pixel changes in the optical characteristics of the optical modulation layer 34. One of the pair of substrates 32 has a corner cube array composed of a plurality of corner cubes 36. The corner cube array 36 has a plurality of projections 46 defining an interval between the pair of substrates 30 and 32, the plurality of projections 46 being disposed in peak portions.

Abstract: The present application relates generally to retroreflective sheeting and the tools and methods used to make retroreflective sheeting. Microreplication tools and sheeting include controlled surface structure or haze. The surface structure or haze can be introduced, for example, by chemical etching of the tool surface and/or electroplating.

Abstract: Retroreflective structures and methods of forming the same comprise a body of material extending along a helical path about a longitudinal axis and a plurality of retroreflective optical elements positioned along the helical path of the body of material, and constructed and arranged to retroreflect electromagnetic energy directed from a range of angular orientations about the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: An optical retroreflective apparatus and method thereof are described. The optical retroreflective apparatus includes a substrate, a first material layer, a first taper pattern layer, a reflecting layer, and a second material layer. The first material layer is formed on the substrate. The first taper pattern layer is formed on the first material layer wherein the first taper pattern layer has a plurality of first pyramidal units. The reflecting layer is formed on the first taper pattern layer wherein the reflecting layer has a plurality of reflecting patterns and each of the reflecting patterns is covered with each of first pyramidal units. The second material layer is formed on the reflecting layer wherein the second material layer has a second taper pattern layer having a plurality of second pyramidal units. The second taper pattern layer is covered with the reflecting layer and the second pyramidal units are filled with the spacing region between the reflecting patterns of the reflecting layer.

Abstract: A prismatic retroreflective article bearing a graphic and a method of making the same. The prismatic retroreflective article can include an optical layer including a front surface and a rear structured surface defined at least partially by internally reflecting cube-corner optical elements. The rear structured surface can be infused with a graphic, such that the prismatic retroreflective article retroreflects the graphic when viewed from the front surface of the optical layer. The method can include providing a graphic donor sheet, coupling the graphic donor sheet to the prismatic retroreflective article to form a composite, and applying heat and pressure to the composite to transfer at least a portion of the sublimation colorant from the graphic donor sheet to the rear structured surface of the optical layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to lamina(e) comprising cube corner elements, a tool comprising an assembly of laminae and replicas thereof. The disclosure further relates to retroreflective sheeting.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, retro-reflective sheeting is disclosed. The retro-reflective sheeting comprises a flexible optical material film or substrate having a geometric optical surface opposite a base surface. The geometric optical surface includes a background pattern region of corner cubes arranged at a first orientation with respect to an edge of the retro-reflective sheeting; and an array of circular corner cube regions periodically interrupting the background pattern region of corner cubes. Each of the circular corner cube regions has a second orientation with respect to the edge of the retro-reflective sheeting. The array of the plurality of circular corner cube regions reflects incident light differently than the background pattern region of corner cubes.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a master tool is disclosed including a top plate, a plurality of buttons, and a releasable locking mechanism. The top plate has an array of openings and a top side with a background patterned surface. The plurality of buttons are in the array of openings and configured to be repositioned to selectively orient their orientable patterned surface into a different orientation with respect to the background patterned surface. The releasable locking mechanism releasably locks the position of the plurality of buttons within the array of openings to hold the selected orientation of each orientable patterned surface with respect to the background patterned surface to provide a top surface pattern. The top surface pattern of the master tooling may be transferred to form a surface pattern into retro-reflective sheeting during its manufacture.

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 retroreflective article including a retroreflective element layer having an array of a large number of total internal reflective cube corner retroreflective elements, an optical property-adjusting layer partially provided on the back side of the retroreflective element layer, and an air layer on the back side of the optical property-adjusting layer. The retroreflective article exhibits optical properties suited for an intended use, such as a reflector of traffic or commercial signs, such as traffic signs, regulating signs, informative signs, and construction signs, or visible, laser or infrared light reflective sensors, by the presence of the optical property-adjusting layer with an adjusted hue or an adjusted area ratio. The retroreflective article can easily be produced at low cost and high efficiency by utilizing an existing retroreflective article.

Abstract: Structured surface articles such as molds or sheeting are formed on a compound substrate including a machined substrate and a replicated substrate. In one embodiment, the structured surface is a cube corner element on a compound substrate. In another embodiment, the structured surface is a geometric structure that has a plurality of faces, where one face is located on the machined substrate and another face is located on the replicated substrate. In yet another embodiment, at least some of the faces include a compound face with a portion formed on the machined substrate and a portion formed on the replicated substrate.

Abstract: Retroreflective sheeting articles comprising a colorless thermal mass transferred image, methods of thermal mass transfer printing substrate such as polymeric films with a colorless thermal mass transferable composition, and thermal mass transfer ribbon articles comprising a colorless thermal mass transferable composition are described. The thermal mass transfer composition comprises a homogeneous unreactive thermoplastic composition comprising at least one acrylic resin and less than 3 wt-% of components that are opaque at ambient temperature.

Abstract: Presented is a low-power retro-reflective communication system that reflects modulated light back in substantially the same direction as the light source using a retro-reflector. The light modulator in the retro-reflector modulates the light in response to a stimulus, such as an electrical communications stimulus or an environmental stimulus. In embodiments, the retro-reflector is a corner-cube retro-reflector and the modulator is one of the reflecting surfaces, or a spherical retro-reflector and the light modulator is a variably reflecting backing.

Abstract: Adoption of composite cube-corner retroreflective elements in which groups of each at least two sub-retroreflective elements which are each defined by three lateral faces mutually crossing at approximately right angles, as being configured by three-directional V-shaped parallel groove groups having substantially symmetrical sections and intersecting with each other, and which are arrayed in the closest-packed state, projecting on one side of their common sub-plane (SH-SH), each of said groups of sub-reflective elements being disposed on one main retroreflective element which is defined by three lateral faces mutually crossing at approximately right angles, as being configured by three-directional V-shaped parallel groove groups having substantially symmetrical sections and intersecting with each other, and which is disposed on the main plane (S-S).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an optical device having a light source, a viscoelastic lightguide and a retroreflective film suitable for retroreflecting light. Light from the light source enters the viscoelastic lightguide and is transported within the lightguide by total internal reflection. The optical device may have a “front lit” configuration such that light being transported within the lightguide is extracted and retroreflected by the film toward a viewer. The optical device may have a “back lit” configuration such that light being transported within the lightguide is extracted and transmitted through the film toward a viewer. The retroreflective film may comprise beaded retroreflective sheeting such as that used in traffic signs and markings.

Abstract: A retroreflective article with excellent wide-angle characteristics is provided. Entrance angle characteristics, observation angle characteristics, and rotation angle characteristics are improved. In a retroreflective article, an assembly of multidirectional retroreflective elements is formed, in which either five, or seven or more unit elements are formed so as to share two common base edges forming the triangular base face of the unit elements and a common vertex at which the common base edges intersect, with an adjacent retroreflective element.

Abstract: A microreplicated article is disclosed. The article includes an opaque web having first and second opposed surfaces. The first surface includes a first microreplicated structure having a plurality of first features. The second surface includes a second microreplicated structure having a plurality of second features. The first microreplicated structure and the second microreplicated structure retain registration within 100 micrometers.

Abstract: A retroreflective sheeting (10) comprising a cube layer (20) having a front light-receiving surface (30) and a rear retroreflecting surface (32), and a metallic layer (22) covering the rear retroreflecting surface (32). The rear surface (32) comprises an array of retroreflective elements (34) and diffusing patches (36) within such array (without retroreflective elements (34)). The metallic layer (22) covers the retroreflective elements (34) and the diffusing patches (36), whereby diffusing patches (36) scatter incoming light increasing daytime brightness to a desired level.

Abstract: A vehicle for travel on a roadway comprising a vehicle and at least one retroreflector affixed to the vehicle, at least a portion of the retroreflector having a substantially planar, substantially transparent exterior surface, the substantially planar exterior surface aligned substantially parallel to the roadway. The retroreflector is preferably mounted to an underside of the vehicle to retroreflect light from oncoming vehicles when the vehicle has tipped on a side so that an underside portion of the vehicle may be seen by an observer in the oncoming vehicle.

Abstract: [Object] An object to be solved by the invention is to improve a retroreflective characteristic of a quadrilateral element that is a cube-corner element, which has reflective lateral surfaces including two trapezoidal reflective lateral surfaces and one pentagonal or isosceles-triangular reflective lateral surface, and which has a projection shape of a quadrangle when projected onto a common plane and is particularly to provide a cube-corner retroreflective article provided with a quadrilateral element excellent in an entrance angle characteristic and a rotation angle characteristic.

Abstract: A flexible abrasion resistant water shedding omnidirectionally reflective rope has a central low-density polymeric closed cell foam core comprising EPDM, Neoprene, SBR, NBR, EVA, PVC, PVC/NBR foam surrounded by cylindrically braided sleeve of reflective strips composed of narrow width reflective strips that comprise a woven or knitted narrow width strip and a flexible nylon retroreflective sheet sewn thereon and covered with abrasion resistant water shedding coating. The flexible retroreflective sheet is formed by thermally bonding corner cube, microsphere retroreflectors, or wide angle exposed retroreflective lenses to a flexible polymeric sheet. Due to its low-density foam core construction, the reflective rope floats on water and sheds water from the surface preserving omnidirectional reflectivity.