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: An improved optical film having a continuous/disperse phase morphology and a method for making the same is provided. At least one of the continuous and disperse phases comprises a blend of homopolymers which are inter-reacted, as by transesterification. The resulting films exhibit a higher degree of birefringence for a given level of strain than analogous films in which the blend is replaced by a random copolymer.

Abstract: Hand-holdable toy light tube comprising a handle, a light source and a tube of color shifting film. The light source is preferably disposed within an end of the handle. The tube of color shifting film extends from the end of the handle. During use, light from the light source interacts with the tube of color shifting film, producing a brilliant colored effect. Movement of the handle and thus of the tube of color shifting film produces multiple colors.

Abstract: Optical devices such as light pipes which incorporate multilayer optical films in which the refractive indices of two adjacent layers in the thickness direction are substantially matched or are small relative to the difference in refractive indices of said two adjacent layers in an given in-plane direction which is at least 0.05. The multilayer optical film exhibits low absorptivity and can reflect light approaching at shallow angles as well as normal to the film.

Abstract: An improved optical film having a continuous/disperse phase morphology and a method for making the same is provided. At least one of the continuous and disperse phases comprises a blend of homopolymers which are inter-reacted, as by transesterification. The resulting films exhibit a higher degree of birefringence for a given level of strain than analogous films in which the blend is replaced by a random copolymer.

Abstract: A novel release liner is provided which has a release surface comprising a syndiotactic polymer. The release liners of the present invention offer superior release to a wide variety of materials without the application of release agents, have relatively high heat distortion temperatures, and are unaffected by radiation sources used to cure most polymeric compositions. The release liners of the present invention can be microreplicated with a pattern which can be transferred to coatings and other impressionable materials to impart unique physical or optical properties. Thus, a method of producing a patterned article is also provided, as is a method of producing a solid object from a curable composition.

Abstract: Birefringent optical films have a Brewster angle (the angle at which reflectance of p-polarized light goes to zero) which is very large or is nonexistent. This allows for the construction of multilayer mirrors and polarizers whose reflectivity for p-polarized light decreases slowly with angle of incidence, are independent of angle of incidence, or increase with angle of incidence away from the normal. As a result, mirror films with high reflectivity in two different planes of polarization for any incident direction over a wide bandwidth can be achieved.

Abstract: Multilayer thin film reflectors, such as mirrors and reflective polarizers, are described in which form birefringent optical layers are incorporated into a plurality of optical repeat units in the film. The form birefringent layers exhibit birefringence as a result of microscopic structures that have a dimension that is small compared to the wavelength of light but large compared to molecular distances. The optical layers within the optical repeat units have out-of-plane indices of refraction that are tailored to produce desired effects as a function of incidence angle for p-polarized light. The multilayer reflectors can be made by conventional vacuum deposition techniques using known inorganic optical materials, but can also be made entirely with polymeric materials by co-extrusion or other processes.

Abstract: An optical film is provided which comprises a disperse phase of polymeric particles disposed within a continuous birefringent matrix. The film is oriented, typically by stretching, in one or more directions. The size and shape of the disperse phase particles, the volume fraction of the disperse phase, the film thickness, and the amount of orientation are chosen to attain a desired degree of diffuse reflection and total transmission of electromagnetic radiation of a desired wavelength in the resulting film.

Abstract: A transparent multilayer device which reflects light in the infrared region of the spectrum while transmitting light in the visible region of the spectrum. The device comprises a multilayered polymer film and a transparent conductor. The multilayered polymer film preferably comprises layers of a semi-crystalline naphthalene dicarboxylic acid polyester having an average thickness of not more than 0.5 microns and layers of a second polymer having an average thickness of not more than 0.5 microns. The layers of semi-crystalline naphthalene dicarboxylic acid polyester preferably have a positive stress optical coefficient. The transparent conductor comprises at least one layer containing a metal or a metal compound in which the metal compound is preferably selected from the group consisting of metal oxides, metal alloys, and combinations thereof. Silver and indium tin oxide are particularly preferred transparent conductors.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing a plurality of laminae for use in a mold suitable for use in forming retroreflective cube corner articles. Each lamina has opposing first and second major surfaces defining therebetween a first reference plane. Each lamina further includes a working surface connecting the first and second major surfaces. The working surface defines a second reference plane substantially parallel to the working surface and perpendicular to the first reference plane and a third reference plane perpendicular to the first reference plane.

Abstract: Disclosed are articles having a color shifting film and indicia located behind the color shifting film. The indicia include at least a first and second colored portion, the first portion including a first fluorescent colorant. The second colored portion is non-fluorescent but has a color similar to that of the first portion to enhance concealment of the indicia under certain viewing conditions. At least one of the colored portions is patterned.

Abstract: Disclosed are articles having a color shifting film and indicia located behind the color shifting film. At least a first and second colored portion are arranged as a foreground and background of the indicia. The first portion includes a first fluorescent colorant and the second portion includes a different second fluorescent colorant. At least one of the colored portions is patterned. Bright fluorescent emission is visible from the different colorants over different angular ranges to produce high contrast reversal or change.

Abstract: Glitter, at least a portion of which comprises color shifting film. The glitter is useful in any of a variety of ways, including in loose form, attached to the surface of a substrate, in a dispersible combination, or present in a matrix material ranging, for example, from liquids, such as water and alcohols, to gels, such as silicone and glycerol, to hard, rigid materials such as plastics, particle board, and fiberglass. Examples of other matrix materials include putties or molding clays, rubbers, and adhesives.

Abstract: A retroreflective sign includes a rigid sign board and a retroreflective sheeting having a structured surface. The structured surface has cube corner elements formed therein, and is bonded to a surface of the sign board to define a plurality of cells. The cells protect the cube corner elements from moisture and dirt, which could adversely impact the retroreflective performance of the film. By sealing the structured surface directly to the sign board, rather than to an intermediate seal film and then to the sign board, a simpler prefabricated sign construction is achieved. In some embodiments, interconnected raised sections are used to define the seal cells. The raised sections can be incorporated into the structured surface of the retroreflective sheeting or into the surface of the sign board. Methods for making the disclosed sign boards are also disclosed.

Abstract: Glitter, at least a portion of which, comprise visible mirror film. The glitter is useful in any of a variety of ways, including in loose form, attached to the surface of a substrate, in a dispersible combination, or present in a matrix material ranging, for example, from liquids, such as water and alcohols, to gels, such as silicone and glycenol, to hard, rigid materials such as plastics, particle board and fiberglass.

Abstract: Laminae suitable for use in a mold suitable for use in forming retroreflective sheeting and methods of making such laminae are disclosed. A representative lamina includes a single row of optically opposing cube corner elements disposed on its working surface. The working surface of a lamina is provided with a plurality of cube corner elements formed by the optical surfaces defined by three groove sets. Corresponding surfaces of opposing groove sets intersect substantially orthogonally along a reference edge to define first and second optical surfaces of the respective cube corner elements. The third optical surface of each respective cube corner element is defined by one surface of the third groove set. The laminae can inclued at least one cube corner element having a four-sided perimeter in plan view in which a first and second pair of opposed paralled sides are obliquely disposed with respect to each other.

Abstract: A cube corner article having a structured surface of geometric structures, each geometric structure having a plurality of faces at least some of which are arranged as a cube corner element, is made by providing a first substrate having a plurality of grooves therein, replicating the first substrate in a second substrate, and forming a second plurality of grooves in the second substrate. Geometric structures in the second substrate are formed in part by replication of the first plurality of grooves and in part by the formation of the second plurality of grooves.

Abstract: A polarized light source includes a diffuse light source and a reflective polarizing element placed: proximate thereto. The reflective polarizing element transmits light of a desired polarization and reflects light of another polarization back into the diffuse source where it is randomized. Some of the initially rejected light is thus converted into the desired polarization and is transmitted through the reflective polarizing element. This process continues, and the repeated reflections and subsequent randomization of light of the undesired polarization increases the amount of light of the desired polarization that is emitted by the polarized light source.