Abstract: The disclosure describes vapor permeable retroreflective material for use on protective garments. The material may be formed in a non-continuous pattern that provides a high-level of retroreflective brightness, yet also provides adequate permeability to prevent exposure to trapped thermal energy and heated moisture. The non-continuous retroreflective pattern may include retroreflective regions and non-retroreflective regions arranged such that thermal decay through the protective garment is not substantially decreased in the regions corresponding to the retroreflective material. Rather, vapor permeation and thermal decay through the garment may be substantially the same as if the retroreflective material was not present.

Abstract: A continuous process for imparting a striking glittering or sparkling appearance to a roll of initially non-glittering cube corner sheeting includes exposing the sheeting to a combination of heat and pressure. The process includes passing the sheeting through an extended heated zone and applying pressure to the sheeting after it has been heated. At least one belt is employed to support or carry the sheeting as the sheeting is passed through the heated zone and as the pressure is applied. In one embodiment the sheeting is sandwiched between a pair of endless belts that pass through the extended heated zone, the nip, and a cooling zone downweb of the nip. The process is particularly advantageous for converting rolls of non-glittering cube corner sheeting into rolls of glittering cube corner sheeting.

Abstract: A process for making a retroreflective article that includes the steps of providing a device (tool or a mold) having a first structured surface; applying a reflective layer on the first structured surface resulting in a first adhesion value between the reflective layer and the first structured surface, the reflective layer having an exposed surface; applying a molding polymer to the exposed surface of the reflective layer resulting in a second adhesion value between the reflective layer and the molding polymer. The second adhesion value is higher than the first adhesion value. The device is separated from the molding polymer to yield a retroreflective article that has a second structured surface that is the reverse image of the first structured surface. The separation causes a transfer of the reflective layer from the first structured surface to the retroreflective article.

Abstract: A detection system determines the position of an object moving along a first direction. The system includes a magnetic field source generating a magnetic field signal and a magnetic field detection system coupled to the object. The detection system includes a source interface module with magnetic field sensors positioned a known distance apart along a second direction different from the first direction. Each sensor detects the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field source and generates a magnetic field signal. A processing module processes the magnetic field intensity signal produced by the source interface module. The processing module generates data for each sensor in the source interface module, which is made up of points representing peak magnetic field and sensor location along the second direction. The points are compared to determine the distance of the object from the magnetic field source along the second direction.

Abstract: An electroluminescent device and a method for making it are disclosed. The device has a transparent substrate, a transparent conductive layer, a luminescent layer comprising luminescent particles and a matrix resin, and a rear electrode, wherein the luminescent layer has a transparent support layer comprising a matrix resin and the insulating layer comprising an insulating material, and a luminescent particle layer consisting essentially of particles which comprise luminescent particle and are embedded in both the support layer and the insulating layer.

Abstract: The articles of the present invention comprise pavement marking articles which are retroreflective under dry and/or wet conditions. The articles comprise a monolayer of exposed-lens optical elements, a spacing layer, and a reflective layer. The present invention also provides a method of making said pavement marking articles.

Abstract: A quick disconnect and release hose couplings is disclosed where the socket will disconnect and release from a plug if the hose connected to the hose coupling is pulled with sufficient force. A quick disconnect female socket used in the hose coupling includes a body portion and a movable sleeve. The hose coupling includes an end conduit that is adapted for coupling to a hose. The end conduit is connected to an intermediate conduit, and the intermediate conduit is connected to the body portion of the socket. The hose is in fluid communication with the socket through the end conduit and intermediate conduit. The intermediate conduit also permits the end conduit to move relative to the body portion. A mechanical coupling is attached to the end conduit and to the sleeve of the socket such that when the end conduit moves relative to the body portion the mechanical coupling moves the sleeve relative to the body portion.

Abstract: Retroreflective article (10), e.g., in the form of a pavement marking, having raised, nonintegral protuberances (16) that exhibit good dry retroreflectivity and recover retroreflectivity quickly after exposure to water. The protuberance comprise a thermoplastic polymer body. Partially embedded in the protuberance are optical elements (14) which are in optical association with a light scattering agent. The protuberance is disposed on top of a conformable base sheet (12).

Abstract: Retroreflective sheeting includes a transparent film, a pigmented layer having pigmented indicia thereon, and a retroreflective cube layer. The cube layer includes a number of cube corner elements bounded by at least two sets of intersecting grooves. A metallic film is disposed on at least some of the cube corner elements. The pigmented layer is interposed between the transparent film and the cube layer, and has pigmented indicia aligned with at least one of the sets of intersecting grooves.

Abstract: Conformable cube corner retroreflective sheetings comprising a plurality of discrete cube corner segments which are conformably bonded together, each cube corner segment comprising a plastic body portion having a substantially planar front major surface and at least one minute cube corner retroreflective element projecting rearwardly from the body portion and defining a cube corner point side of the cube corner segment. The peripheries of the cube corner segments can be defined by a plurality of separations extending from the cube corner point sides to the front major surfaces, the separations being disposed between adjacent cube corner segments. Adjacent cube corner segments are conformably bonded together in the sense that they are either: (1) separated by a gap of less than about 1 millimeter and bonded together through a conformable carrier layer; or (2) separated by a gap which is substantially filled with a conformable resin that bonds the side walls of adjacent cube corner segments together.

Abstract: A method of making a retroreflective article comprising on the top surface thereof a retroreflective sheet that comprises a monolayer of retroreflective elements wherein first portions of the monolayer are arranged in a contoured profile and second portions of the monolayer are arranged a substantially planar position.

Abstract: Retroreflective sheeting includes a body layer having a structured surface with recessed faces and top surfaces, the recessed faces forming cube corner cavities. The recessed faces have a high specular reflectivity, while the top surfaces have a low specular reflectivity. In some embodiments a substantially continuous film of reflective material covers the structured surface, and a masking substance is provided over the reflective material at the top surfaces. Alternatively, the top surfaces are given a non-smooth surface finish so that the film of reflective material on those portions has a diffuse reflectivity. In other embodiments the film of reflective material is discontinuous, disposed selectively on the recessed faces and not on the top surfaces. A cover layer is also provided, and can bond at least to the top surfaces. Keeping the top surfaces substantially free of reflective material inhibits corrosion and can enhance the bond integrity.

Abstract: Retroreflective articles provide varying retroreflection using a first surface that includes a plurality of light redirecting structures and a second surface that includes retroreflective areas and separation areas. The light redirecting structures on the first surface are preferably arranged relative to the retroreflective areas and the separation areas on the second surface such that a substantial portion of light incident on the light redirecting structures is superimposed on areas of the second surface. At some angles, it is preferred that substantially all of the light is superimposed on either the retroreflective areas or the separation areas, resulting in varying retroreflection from the retroreflective articles. Together, the two optical surfaces of the retroreflective articles provide varying retroreflection of incident light where the variations can be between, e.g., retroreflection or no retroreflection, retroreflection of different colors, retroreflection at different brightness levels, etc.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for making retroreflective elements which are retroreflective under dry and/or wet conditions. The method provides a means for placing optical elements and/or skid-resistant particles on selected surfaces.

Abstract: A reflective article has a structured surface which includes a first and second array of reflective elements. The first array includes elements which have at least a first, second, and third reflecting face arranged to retroreflect incident light in a retroreflected beam. The second array includes elements which have at least a fourth, fifth, and sixth reflecting face arranged to reflect incident light in a second beam at an observation angle greater than 2 degrees. In signing applications, the second beam can be light originating from a stationary light source, the second beam having a direction and beam width suitable for illuminating an observation zone of interest. The retroreflected beam can be light originating from a moving light source such as a vehicle headlamp. Sheeting comprising such an article can be used both where external lighting from a suitable stationary light source is available and where it is not available.