Abstract: Retroreflective pavement marking material comprising on the top surface thereof an enclosed-lens retroreflective sheet that comprises a monolayer of retroreflective elements wherein first portions of the monolayer are arranged in an upwardly contoured profile and second portions of the monolayer are arranged a lower, substantially planar position.

Abstract: A method of making a retroreflective marking material is provided, the method has the steps of: (a) providing an enclosed-lens retroreflective sheet having a top surface and a bottom surface and comprising a cover layer and a monolayer of retroreflective elements; (b) applying a conformance layer to the bottom surface of the retroreflective sheet; and (c) laminating a configuration member to the conformance layer thereby creating first portions and second portions in the sheet, the first portions being arranged in an upwardly contoured profile and the second portions being arranged in a lower, substantially planar position. A retroreflective article made by the method is also provided.

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

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: Thermoplastic based pavement marking sheets are disclosed. The marking sheets employ a conformant composite material including: polyolefin and a nonreinforcing mineral particulate; and/or a thermoplastic upper surface. Preferably, the sheet's thermoplastic upper surface is embedded with reflective elements and/or skid-resistant particles. A solventless process of embedding particles in thermoplastic pavement marking sheets is disclosed. Processes for preparing marking sheets are also disclosed. Conformant pavement marking sheets which may be applied in cooler conditions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A retroreflective sheeting utilizing a particular polymer as the bead bond layer is disclosed. The polymeric bead bond comprises urethane and urea linkages, and has a stage prior to thermosetting in which it may be softened by the application of heat and in which it has a relatively nontacky character. The retroreflective sheeting disclosed possesses the unique combination of high reflectance and superior exterior durability.

Abstract: A retroreflective sheeting utilizing a particular polymer as the bead bond layer is disclosed. The polymeric bead bond comprises urethane and urea linkages, and has a stage prior to thermosetting in which it may be softened by the application of heat and in which it has a relatively nontacky character. The retroreflective sheeting disclosed possesses the unique combination of high reflectance and superior exterior durability.

Abstract: Retroreflective sheeting has a flat, transparent cover film of excellent clarity and weatherability that resists dirt accumulation while also having good flexibility, conformability and stretchability, this desirable combination of properties being achieved when the cover film includes a urethane inner layer and an acrylic outer layer. The acrylic outer layer preferably is a copolymer of 60 to 80 parts of methyl methacrylate and correspondingly 40 to 20 parts by weight of at least one of ethyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, and-butyl methacrylate. The urethane inner layer comprises a thermoplastic aliphatic urethane polymer.