Abstract: A transparent cover film better protects enclosed-lens retroreflective sheeting and can be applied more economically when it is extruded and is a thermoplastic polymer which has good elongation and minimal elastic memory. Preferred polymers are (a) aliphatic urethanes, (b) copolymers of ethylene or propylene, and (c) homopolymers of ethylene and propylene.

Abstract: A transparent cover film better protects enclosed-lens retroreflective sheeting and can be applied more economically when it is extruded and is a thermoplastic polymer which has good elongation and minimal elastic memory. Preferred polymers are (a) aliphatic urethanes and (b) copolymers of ethylene or propylene.

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.

Abstract: A new embedded-lens retroreflective sheeting which exhibits superior properties, including superior angularity, and which is made by a new method of manufacture involving lamination techniques. Microspheres are embedded into a first polymeric layer to less than one-half the average diameter of the microspheres, and a pre-formed spacing film is laminated to the microsphere covered surface of the first layer so as to obtain conformation of the spacing film in a substantially constant thickness over a useful portion of the back surface of the microspheres.

Abstract: A new embedded-lens retroreflective sheeting which exhibits superior properties, including superior angularity, and which is made by a new method of manufacture involving lamination techniques. Microspheres are embedded into a first polymeric layer to less than one-half the average diameter of the microspheres, and a pre-formed spacing film is laminated to the microsphere covered surface of the first layer so as to obtain conformation of the spacing film in a substantially constant thickness over a useful portion of the back surface of the microspheres.

Abstract: Retroreflective sheeting in which a specularly reflective layer within the sheeting has extensive discontinuities which make the sheeting permeable to vapor, thereby allowing release of vapors from a substrate to which the sheeting is applied.

Abstract: A process for imparting colored image patterns to an exposed lens retroreflective sheet material comprising disposing a preprinted sublimable-dye source sheet over the exposed lens surface under sufficient pressure to insure intimate contact therebetween, and heating the source sheet to the dye sublimation temperature, whereupon the retroreflective sheet becomes visibly patterned with the pattern on the source sheet.

Abstract: Retroreflective-treated fabrics, and products and methods for forming the treatments are taught. As an example, a free-flowing mass of minute retroreflectorization particles that each comprise hemispherically reflectorized transparent microspheres supported in a softenable binder material are cascaded onto a fabric. The binder material is softened during application to provide adhesion of the particles to the fabric. A very sparse retroreflective treatment can be provided, which leaves the fabric with nearly its full original appearance as well as hand, feel, and breathability. Yet the treatment will greatly increase the safety of a pedestrian by making him visible at night.

Abstract: A new sheet material carries specially viewable reflective legends provided by a dielectric mirror. The mirror is patterned so that the reflectivity from the mirror carries a pattern of contrasting colors. In some embodiments the mirror is incorporated into retroreflective sheet materials, and in other embodiments in specularly reflective sheet materials.

Abstract: Novel magnetically orientable retroreflectorization particles permit application of highly oriented retroreflective coatings. The retroreflectorization particles individually comprise at least one transparent microsphere, specular reflective means in optical connection with a first portion of said microsphere so as to provide retroreflection of light incident on the opposed portion of the microsphere, and a magnetic layer underlying said specular reflective means and having a magnetic axis parallel to the optical axis on which said first and opposed portions of the microsphere are aligned. When the particles are applied to a substrate in the presence of a magnetic field having flux lines of appropriate polarity perpendicular to the substrate, the particles tend to become aligned in a common direction that retroreflects light incident on the coating.

Abstract: Retroreflective-treated fabrics, and products and methods for forming the treatments are taught. As an example, a free-flowing mass of minute retroreflectorization particles that each comprise hemispherically reflectorized transparent microspheres supported in a softenable binder material are cascaded onto a fabric. The binder material is softened during application to provide adhesion of the particles to the fabric. A very sparse retroreflective treatment can be provided, which leaves the fabric with nearly its full original appearance as well as hand, feel, and breathability. Yet the treatment will greatly increase the safety of a pedestrian by making him visible at night.