Abstract: The present invention provides a retroreflective sheeting having a front surface and a back surface, the retroreflective sheeting retroreflecting light entering through the front surface, wherein the retroreflective sheeting comprises encapsulated-lens retroreflectors. The retroreflective sheeting includes a plurality of indentations in the back surface of the retroreflective sheeting and seal coat at least partially filling the indentations.

Abstract: Pavement marking material comprising a top layer, an optional base sheet, and a layer of adhesive, wherein the adhesive comprises a rubber and a high loading of tackifier. Such adhesives have been found to exhibit exceptional impact shear resistance.

Abstract: A film that exhibits increased scratch resistant characteristics. The film is formed from a layer of crosslinkable oligomeric resin composition on a base. The film is made by: forming the layer of crosslinkable oligomeric resin composition on the base, and curing the resin composition to an extent that the film exhibits a haze decrease of less than or equal to 60 percent after abrading according to the ASTM D-968-81 procedure using 200 milliliters of sand. Preferably, the layer has a microstructure of alternating tips and grooves. Such films are useful in backlit displays which are useful in computers and the like.

Abstract: A process for preparing a sign that includes the steps of providing a sheet of material; defining on a surface of the sheet a series of image-bearig areas and non-image-bearing areas; treating the surface of the sheet with an essentially solvent-free composition comprising a colorant and a polymeric binder to selectively deposit the composition on the non-image-bearing areas of the surface of the sheet; and fusing the composition to create a continuous polymer film on the non-image-bearing areas.

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: 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 film that exhibits increased scratch resistant characteristics. The film is formed from a layer of crosslinkable oligomeric resin composition on a base. The film is made by: forming the layer of crosslinkable oligomeric resin composition on the base, and curing the resin composition to an extent that the film exhibits a haze decrease of less than or equal to 60 percent after abrading according to the ASTM D-968-81 procedure using 200 milliliters of sand. Preferably, the layer has a microstructure of alternating tips and grooves. Such films are useful in backlit displays which are useful in computers and the like.

Abstract: Retroreflective article that provides effective retroreflective brightness at very high entrance angles as well as low entrance angles.

Abstract: A process for forming biocompatible porous matrices of bioabsorbable materials comprising:a) providing a bioabsorbable polymer;b) dissolving the bioabsorbable polymer in a volumetric orientation aid to yield a molten solution;c) solidifying the molten solution to yield an orientation matrix comprising first and second phases, the first phase being the bioabsorbable polymer and the second phase being the volumetric orientation aid; andd) removing the volumetric orientation aid while the solution is solid; to yield a biocompatible matrix of bioabsorbable polymer. Also matrices formed by the process and devices made with such matrices.

Abstract: A flame resistant composite film includes a first layer and a second layer that are joined together. The first layer has a light transmission of at least 93 percent and is substantially constructed from a radiation-cured polymer and a flame retardant material. The second layer is constructed primarily from thermoplastic polymer resin. The first and second layer when taken as a whole have a flame retardancy sufficient to pass VTM-2 standard of Oct. 27, 1988, of Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc. Also, microstructured films comprising such flame retardant films, backlit displays comprising such microstructured films, and computers comprising such displays.

Abstract: An acid-resistant glass article is provided comprising: about 25-45 wt-% SiO.sub.2 ; about 20-35 wt-% TiO.sub.2 ; less than about 5 wt-% B.sub.2 O.sub.3 ; about 15-40 wt-% of an alkaline earth modifier selected from the group consisting of BaO, SrO, and mixtures thereof; and no greater than about 25 wt-% of an alkali-metal oxide selected from the group consisting of Na.sub.2 O, K.sub.2 O, and mixtures thereof. The glass article is preferably in the form of a microsphere that is adapted for use as a retroreflective element in pavement markings.

Abstract: Traffic delineators with vertically disposed retroreflective markings that exhibit high retroreflective brightness at high incidence angles and low incidence angles. The delineators are well suited for use on guard rails, Jersey barriers, bridge abutments, walls, barrels, posts, etc., especially in locations near intersecting traffic lanes.

Abstract: A retroreflective element that exhibits exceptional wet retroreflectivity, and a method of manufacturing the same. The retroreflective element includes an assembly having a multi-sided retroreflector and a clear thermoplastic. In one embodiment, the clear thermoplastic is at least partially thermally deformed to create a convex retroreflective dome for capturing high incident angle light rays. The retroreflective elements may be used in a pavement marking system, such as attached to pavement marking tape or deposited in pavement marking paint.

Abstract: A cube corner article has a plurality of geometric structures formed by at least three intersecting groove sets. Each geometric structure has three faces arranged as a cube corner element. Some of the geometric structures also have a fourth face which is not a part of a cube corner element. At least one of the grooves in the three intersecting groove sets has a first and second side surface extending uniformly from a groove vertex, the first side surface forming one of the three faces and the second side surface forming the fourth face.

Abstract: A retroreflective element which may be used in pavement markings comprising a core having (a) a central layer having first and second major surfaces and at least one vertical surface, (b) a barrier layer applied to the first major surface, and (c) a barrier layer applied to the second major surface; and a plurality of optical elements embedded in the vertical surface(s) of the central layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved cube corner retroreflective articles which exhibit a wide range of retroreflective entrance angularity in at least one plane, and preferably in two or more planes. An article in accordance with the present invention includes a structured surface having at least one array of cube corner elements formed by three intersecting sets of substantially parallel grooves. Each cube corner element includes a base triangle bonded by one groove from each of the three intersecting groove sets, the base triangle being scalene.

Abstract: A solar collector exhibiting durable fluorescent properties comprising a polymeric matrix, dye, and hindered amine light stabilizer, wherein the polymeric matrix is comprised of polycarbonate and the dye is comprised of a dye selected from the group consisting essentially of thioxanthone, perylene imide and/or thioindigoid compounds. The solar collector exhibits durable fluorescence which resists degradation by ultraviolet or visible radiation. The invention is optionally combined with reflective elements so that the sunlight collected may be directed to a solar cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides cube corner retroreflective articles that have improved retroreflective performance in at least one plane, and preferably in two or more planes. A preferred article is a retroreflective sheeting that includes a structured surface having at least one array of cube corner elements oriented at a predetermined angle relative to the edge of the article. The angle is selected to align one broad plane of entrance angularity approximately parallel with the edge of the sheeting and another broad plane of entrance angularity approximately perpendicular to the edge of the sheeting. Individual cube corner elements on the structured surface are canted to yield an isosceles base triangle or a scalene base triangle. Additionally, the structured surface may include a plurality of cube corner element arrays arranged in a tiled fashion to yield greater than two planes of broad entrance angularity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a replication master tooling article suitable for manufacturing replicated articles by machining a substrate surface with laser energy to produce a plurality of geometric structures in the substrate, the geometric structures having side surfaces extending from the surface of the substrate into the substrate.