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: Methods of extruding thin multiphase polymer films using a flat film extrusion die closely spaced to a nip to transport and cool the melt from the die to produce thin multiphase polymer films having substantially uniform calipers of about 250 micrometers or less.

Abstract: Retroreflective articles, for example in the form of pavement markers or retroreflective elements, exhibit both wet and dry retroreflectivity by using a plurality of Type A microspheres and a plurality of Type B microspheres partially embedded in a binder layer containing specular pigments. The Type A and Type B microspheres have different average indices of refraction.

Abstract: A pavement marking and a method of making a pavement marking, where retroreflectivity and skid-resistance can be independently controlled while making efficient use of the optical elements and skid-resistant particles. One illustrative embodiment includes two topcoats on a base sheet having first and second major surfaces, the first major surface having a plurality of protuberances located thereon which are separated by valleys. A first topcoat is attached to the first major surface of the base sheet and a second topcoat is selectively located on the protuberances. A first mixture of optical elements and/or skid-resistant particles is attached to, e.g., partially embedded in, the first topcoat and a second mixture of optical elements and/or skid-resistant particles is attached to, e.g., partially embedded in, the second topcoat.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tiled cube corner retroreflective sheeting that exhibits improved retroreflective performance in at least one plane substantially parallel with an edge of the sheeting, and preferably in two or more planes. A tiled retroreflective sheeting includes a structured surface having a plurality of cube corner element arrays oriented at a predetermined angles relative to the edge of the sheeting. The angles are selected to align at least one broad plane of entrance angularity approximately parallel with the edge of the sheeting and preferably to align another broad plane of entrance angularity approximately perpendicular to the edge of the sheeting.

Abstract: A pavement marking material comprises a flexible base sheet that is conformable to an irregular pavement surface. A non-continuous, durable, wear-resistant polymeric top layer is adhered to one surface of the base sheet. The discontinuous nature of the polymeric top layer provides for increased initial conformance of the pavement marking to irregular pavement surfaces. The discontinuous nature of the polymeric top layer also reduces elastic tensile stresses which tend to build up in continuous top layers and cause adhesive failure. A plurality of particles, retroreflective microspheres and/or skid-resistant particles, are embedded in and protrude from the non-continuous top layer.

Abstract: A cube corner article and method of manufacturing the article from a series of unitary substrates. A plurality of pins are assembled to form a mold having an array of cube corner elements on a surface. Then, a replica of the cube corner element array is produced in a substrate suitable for forming retroreflective surfaces. Portions of the replica substrate material are removed. The removal of these portions forms at least one cavity bounded by side walls in the replica at a depth at least that of the cube cube corner elements. The replica is replicated to produce an additional directly machinable substrate suitable for forming retroreflective surfaces having at least one raised section having sidewalls at a height at least that of the cube corner elements. At least one raised section is directly machined to form an array of cube corner elements.

Abstract: A fluorescent yellow article comprising polyolefin copolymer, perylene imide dye N,N'-bis(2,6-di-isopropylphenyl)-3,4:9,10-perylenebis(dicarboximide), and at least one yellow-green dye selected from the group consisting essentially of Lumogen F Yellow 083, CI Solvent Yellow 98, CI Solvent Yellow 160:1, Oraset Yellow 8GF, CI Solvent Green 4, CI Solvent Green 5, CI Pigment Yellow 101 and CI Solvent Yellow 131 wherein the resultant article has chromaticity coordinates (x,y) within the area defined by (0.425,0.480), (0.465,0.535), (0.557,0.440), and (0.500,0.410) in terms of the CIE 1931 Standard Colorimetric System and measured using 0/45 geometry and evaluated with CIE Standard Illuminant D65.

Abstract: The present invention provides pressure sensitive adhesives, compositions from which the pressure sensitive adhesives are formed, and articles having therein these pressure sensitive adhesives. The pressure sensitive adhesives, which have a Tg of less than about 20.degree. C., include a poly(.beta.-hydroxyorganoate) or mixture thereof. Preferably, these poly(.beta.-hydroxyorganoate)s include monomeric units of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein a minor amount (preferably no greater than about 20 mole percent) of the monomeric units have an R group containing 1-3 carbon atoms; and a major amount (preferably at least about 80 mole percent) of the monomeric units have an R group containing 4-30 (preferably 4-20) carbon atoms.

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: A process and retroreflective elements are provided. The process of preparing a retroreflective element includes the steps of (a) combining a bed of optical elements and one or more core elements comprising a thermoplastic material; and (b) agitating the combination of optical elements and core elements for a sufficient period of time and at a sufficient temperature to coat the optical elements onto the core elements to form retroreflective elements.

Abstract: This invention relates to the addition of antimicrobial agents to pavement marking systems to inhibit the growth of microorganisms on and under the pavement marking when it is affixed to a pavement.

Abstract: A retroreflective article that exhibits high retroreflective efficiency in response to light incident on the sheeting at high angles of incidence is disclosed. A retroreflective article includes a body portion having a base surface and a structured surface opposite the base surface. The structured surface includes a plurality of retroreflective cube corner elements defined by two intersecting groove sets. Each cube corner element has three tetragonal optically reflective faces that intersect to define a cube corner apex and two tetragonal non-optical faces that intersect along an edge. The symmetry axes of the cube corner elements are substantially parallel.

Abstract: Cold curing epoxy resin compositions contain an epoxy functional component having an average epoxide functionality greater than 1; a hydroxy functional component; a pigment, a filler or a mixture thereof; and an SbF.sub.5 -alcohol complex curing agent in an amount effective to cure the epoxide composition. The cure rate of the compositions can be controlled by manipulating the pH and concentration of the filler and/or the pigment, making the use of amine rate controlling agents unnecessary. The compositions may be used, for example, as pavement marking compositions.

Abstract: The present invention discloses signage articles having a layer of fused dry toner powder which is fused by employing a tacky pressure-sensitive adhesive and low compression. Suitable tacky pressure-sensitive adhesives include alkyl acrylate polymers or copolymers, alkyl vinyl ether polymers or copolymers, polyisobutylene, polybutadiene, and butadiene-styrene copolymers. Such signage articles further comprise a transparent cover layer disposed over the fused dry toner powder-bearing surface. Also disclosed are methods of forming signage articles, one method comprising the steps of applying dry toner powder to a first substrate surface, applying a composition including a tacky pressure-sensitive adhesive to a second substrate surface, and laminating the two substrates to admix the dry toner powder and the tacky pressure-sensitive adhesive. Either the first or second substrate may be the transparent cover layer of the resulting signage article.

Abstract: A retroreflective cube corner article which is a replica of a directly machined substrate comprises a plurality of single cube corner elements which are machined in the substrate. Each cube corner element is bounded by at least one groove from each of three sets of parallel grooves in the substrate so that the article comprises a plurality of different geometric structures.

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: 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: A cube corner retroreflective sheeting construction comprising alternating zones of cube corner element arrays disposed at approximately ninety degrees orientations to provide exactly two principal plane of improved retroreflective performance in response to light incident on the sheeting at high entrance angles is disclosed. According to one embodiment the sheeting includes a body layer which has an elastic modulus less than 7.times.10.sup.8 pascals and cube corner elements formed from a material which has an elastic modulus greater than 16.times.10.sup.8 pascals. According to a second embodiment the sheeting includes an overlay film having two major surfaces and comprising a first polymeric material and a plurality of arrays of substantially independent cube corner elements bonded to a major surface of the overlay film having a minimal, fractured land.

Abstract: A line light source includes point light source and a light distribution assembly for transporting light from the point source. A fluorescent colorant is included in the light distribution assembly.