Abstract: An article comprising (a) a curved substrate having a surface energy below about 38 dynes/cm2; (b) flexible retroreflective sheeting; and (c) a crosslinked pressure-sensitive adhesive adhering the sheeting to the curved substrate. The adhesive contains sufficient polar monomer and tackifier, and is sufficiently crosslinked, to (i) have a glass transition temperature less than −15° C., (ii) permit the sheeting to remain firmly bonded to a low density polyethylene barrel without buckling when cooled from 49° C. to −1° C., and (iii) provide an adhesive bond to the barrel that exhibits increased energy absorption when tested for impact resistance at 0° C. according to ASTM D4272. The adhesive can be manufactured by partially polymerizing some of the ingredients in a pouch using UV radiation, dispersing the pouch and its contents in the other ingredients using an extruder, extrusion coating the adhesive and then UV crosslinking the coating.

Abstract: Retroreflective articles having multilayer films are useful for commercial graphics and retroreflective products, such as roll-up signs for highway transportation safety. The articles comprise multilayer films having at least one layer of polyurethane and at least one layer of a copolymer of alkylene and at least one non-acidic, polar co-monomer. Articles having the new multilayer films provide the same or improved performance, are less expensive, and offer improved methods for manufacturing, when compared to prior articles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to articles having a printed surface as well as flexible coating and film compositions that are printable in combination with exhibiting stain resistance. The composition comprises a hard component having an elongation of less than about 150%, a soft component having an elongation of greater than about 200%, and a cross-linking agent. The hard component preferably comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane, acrylic polymer, polymeric polyol or mixture thereof. The soft component preferably comprises a thermoplastic urethane, polymeric polyol, or mixture thereof; whereas the cross-linking agent is preferably an isocyanate.

Abstract: Adhesive articles and methods of applying and activating adhesive articles to bond to substrates using a fluid application aid. Preferably, the substrates are traffic devices such as traffic cones and the adhesive articles are retroreflective cone collars or sleeves.

Abstract: Sheeting material is disclosed that contains a retroreflective layer and a layer of luminescent material on the bottom or lower surface of the retroreflective layer. The sheeting material can be formed into signage or decorative articles that are highly visible under a variety of lighting conditions. A portion of the retroreflective layer is visible through the luminescent layer or through one or more openings in the luminescent layer which are in the form of slits, perforations, alphanumeric or other patterns. The luminescent layer can be imaged using analog or digital printing processes. The sheeting material can be made from materials that are suitable for back-lit illumination. Adhesives or other conventional attachment means can be employed to anchor the signs in interior or exterior environments.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laminate and an article comprising a retroreflective layer having a retroreflective viewing surface and an opposing surface and a tear resistant film disposed on the retroreflective layer. The finished article is preferably flexible and suitable for use as roll-up signs, flags, banners and other retroreflective articles requiring similar flexibility including other traffic warning and personal safety items.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optical elements comprising fluorochemical surface treatments. The invention further relates to materials such as retroreflective sheetings, pavement markings and beaded projection screens comprising a binder and the surface treated optical elements. The fluorochemical surface treatment is substantially free of perfluoroalkyl groups having more than four carbon atoms. Preferably, the surface treatment is a polyfluoropolyether-based compound comprising at least one polar group or polar group-containing organic radical.

Abstract: An electroluminescent (EL) device is disclosed and includes an electroluminescent element (9) having a light-emitting surface (91), and a prismatic film (1) having a surface (11) on which a plurality of prisms are provided and a back surface (12) opposed to said surface (11) and being placed on said light-emitting surface (91), wherein the back surface (12) of the prismatic film (1) and said light-emitting-surface (91) of the electroluminescent element (9) are closely bonded optically. The EL device can effectively intensify the light which is emitted in the normal line direction and also in the direction deviating from the normal line, and increase the luminance in the wide observation angle range.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electroluminescent device comprising a transparent conductive layer, a binder layer placed on the back surface of the transparent conductive layer, a luminescent-particle layer comprising a substantially single layer of particles containing luminescent particles, which layer is applied on the back surface of the transparent conductive layer through the binder layer, an insulating layer comprising insulating particles, which is placed on the back surface of the luminescent-particle layer, and a rear electrode placed on the back surface of the insulating layer, in which the luminescent particles are embedded in the binder layer, or the luminescent particles are substantially not embedded in the insulating layer.

Abstract: Oligomeric materials contain ultraviolet light absorbing compounds that are covalently bound to the oligomer backbone through an ester or amide linkage. These ultraviolet light absorbing oligomers may be combined with polymers such as polyolefins to provide protection against the harmful effects of ultraviolet light.

Abstract: The present invention relates to optical elements comprising fluorochemical surface treatments. The invention further relates to materials such as retroreflective sheetings, pavement markings and beaded projection screens comprising a binder and the surface treated optical elements.

Abstract: A fluorescent red composition providing a coating having chromaticity coordinates (x, y) within the area defined by (0.648, 0.351), (0.735, 0.265), (0.629, 0.281) and (0.565, 0.346) in terms of the CIE 1931 Standard Colorimetric System and measured using 0/45 geometry and evaluated with CIE Standard Illuminant D65 and a fluorescence luminance factor of at least about 8; articles comprising the composition or coating, and methods of making.

Abstract: New secondary amines are described which are prepared from inexpensive, commercially available raw materials, are stable at room temperature, and are reactive toward electrophiles. The secondary amines are prepared by the addition of one or more primary amines with one or more male (amide/ester) and fumar (amide/ester) Michael receptors. The above amines can be used as coreactants with aliphatic polyisocyanates for polyurea coatings. The novel secondary amines are also described as particularly useful as part of a two-part liquid pavement marking composition for pavement markings.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved and novel removable sheeting, having a specular reflective layer, and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer adjacent the specular reflective layer. The adhesive layer of this sheeting includes an organofunctional coupling agent. In preferred embodiments the sheeting is retroreflective and further includes an array of retroreflective elements.

Abstract: Daylight fluorescent articles are disclosed that utilize durable fluorescent pigment particles resulting from a fluorescent dye incorporated within a matrix polymer selected from polycarbonate, polyester and mixtures thereof and where the particles are of various desired shapes and sizes. Embodiments of such fluorescent pigment particles may also be retroreflective and are especially useful for pavement marking surfaces and retroreflective products for highway transportation safety.

Abstract: Described are novel branched 6-alkoxy-14H-anthra[2,1,9-mna]thioxanthene-14-one compounds which are dyes with excellent fluorescent properties and improved solubility characteristics.

Abstract: A durable colored article having fluorescent properties comprises a substantially solventless polyvinyl chloride matrix, a thioxanthene fluorescent dye, and a secondary or tertiary hindered amine light stabilizer having a molecular weight less than about 1000 grams/mole. The invention has the advantage in that it provides a flexible polyvinyl chloride film that exhibits durable fluorescent colors.

Abstract: A pavement marking composition comprises (a) a polyfunctional ethylenically unsaturated polymer selected from the group consisting of polyfunctional ethylenically unsaturated polyurethanes, polyureas, polythiocarbamates, polythiocarbamateurethanes, polythiocarbamateureas, and polyurethaneureas comprising at least one chain extender-derived segment and at least one polycarbonate, polyether, or polyester segment; and (b) at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer. The composition can be easily applied, cures in a reasonable amount of time at any of a wide range of commonly-encountered temperatures, and provides pavement markings that exhibit both improved cold impact resistance and improved wear resistance.

Abstract: An electrographic process for making a base construction useful for making retroreflective graphic articles is provided.

Abstract: Transparent solid, fused microspheres are provided. In one embodiment, the microspheres contain alumina, zirconia, and silica in a total content of at least about 70% by weight, based on the total weight of the solid, fused microspheres, wherein the total content of alumina and zirconia is greater than the content of silica, and further wherein the microspheres have an index of refraction of at least about 1.6 and are useful as lens elements.