Abstract: Presently described are retroreflective articles, such as pavement markings, that comprise transparent microspheres partially embedded in a (e.g., polymeric) binder. Also described are (e.g., glass-ceramic) microspheres, methods of making microspheres, as well as compositions of glass materials and compositions of glass-ceramic materials. The microspheres generally comprise lanthanide series oxide(s), titanium oxide (TiO2), and optionally zirconium oxide (ZrO2).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 17, 2008
Date of Patent:
August 25, 2009
Assignee:
3M Innovative Properties Company
Inventors:
Matthew H. Frey, Anatoly Z. Rosenflanz, Kenton D. Budd
Abstract: The present invention is directed to lamina(e) comprising cube corner elements, a tool comprising an assembly of laminae and replicas thereof. The invention further relates to retroreflective sheeting.
Abstract: Presently described are retroreflective articles, such as pavement markings, that comprise transparent microspheres partially embedded in a (e.g. polymeric) binder. Also described are (e.g. glass-ceramic) microspheres, methods of making microspheres, as well as compositions of glass materials and compositions of glass-ceramic materials. The microspheres generally comprise lanthanide series oxide(s), titanium oxide (TiO2), and optionally zirconium oxide (ZrO2).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 14, 2005
Date of Patent:
April 7, 2009
Assignee:
3M Innovative Properties Company
Inventors:
Matthew H. Frey, Anatoly Z. Rosenflanz, Kenton D. Budd
Abstract: Plastic articles can be coated with polymerizable compositions containing a vinyl-functional crosslinkable film former, a large amount of benzotriazole and a copolymerizable monomer that solubilizes the benzotriazole. The cured compositions help protect the article from UV exposure and other weathering effects.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 15, 2005
Date of Patent:
March 24, 2009
Assignee:
3M Innovative Properties Company
Inventors:
Steven J. McMan, Stephen A. Johnson, Clinton L. Jones, Eric W. Nelson, Emily S. Goenner
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.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 30, 2001
Date of Patent:
November 18, 2008
Assignee:
3M Innovative Properties Company
Inventors:
Kenneth L. Smith, Gerald M. Benson, James C. Coderre, Cheryl M. Frey, Bruce B. Wilson
Abstract: The present invention is directed to lamina(e) comprising cube corner elements, a tool comprising an assembly of laminae and replicas thereof. The invention further relates to retroreflective sheeting.
Abstract: A process for making molds for retroreflective sheeting and like articles includes making a substrate having a structured surface of geometric structures such as cube corner elements. The structured surface is in one embodiment partially replicated from a previous generation structured surface, and partially machined in the substrate. At least one of the faces of the structured surface is a compound face that has one machined portion and one non-machined portion, such as a replicated portion. The process can be used to manufacture substrates with desirable geometry cube corner elements, such as cube corner elements having a hexagonal outline in plan view, without requiring the use of pin bundling techniques or laminae. The process can also be used to manufacture articles having cube corner elements in which at least one face of the cube corner element has two constituent faces disposed on opposed sides of a transition line that is nonparallel to a nondihedral edge of such cube corner element.
Abstract: The present invention is directed to lamina(e) comprising cube corner elements, a tool comprising an assembly of laminae and replicas thereof. The invention further relates to retroreflective sheeting.
Abstract: A process for making molds for retroreflective sheeting and like articles includes making a substrate having a structured surface of geometric structures such as cube corner elements. The structured surface is in one embodiment partially replicated from a previous generation structured surface, and partially machined in the substrate. At least one of the faces of the structured surface is a compound face that has one machined portion and one non-machined portion, such as a replicated portion. The process can be used to manufacture substrates with desirable geometry cube corner elements, such as cube corner elements having a hexagonal outline in plan view, without requiring the use of pin bundling techniques or laminae. The process can also be used to manufacture articles having cube corner elements in which at least one face of the cube corner element has two constituent faces disposed on opposed sides of a transition line that is nonparallel to a nondihedral edge of such cube corner element.
Abstract: The present invention is directed to lamina(e) comprising cube corner elements, a tool comprising an assembly of laminae and replicas thereof. The invention further relates to retroreflective sheeting.
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.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 30, 2001
Date of Patent:
February 27, 2007
Assignee:
3M Innovative Properties Company
Inventors:
Kenneth L. Smith, Gerald M. Benson, Michele A. Craton, Michael P. Daniels, Roger E. Luehrs
Abstract: Naphthalate polyester articles can be coated with polymerizable compositions containing a vinyl-functional crosslinkable film former, a large amount of benzotriazole and a copolymerizable monomer that solubilizes the benzotriazole. The cured compositions help protect the naphthalate polyester from UV exposure and other weathering effects.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 30, 2003
Date of Patent:
December 26, 2006
Assignee:
3M Innovative Properties Company
Inventors:
Steven J. McMan, Stephen A. Johnson, Clinton L. Jones, Eric W. Nelson, Emily S. Goenner