Abstract: A system and method for utilizing corner-cube reflector technology for irradiation control in direct radiant heating systems is described. The system and method has application in many types of direct irradiation heating systems and is applicable to both narrowband or broadband directed irradiation heating systems. The purpose and result of the implementation is to improve the overall system efficiency through the redirection of photons back to a targeted item which is being heated or treated with the irradiation energy.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a display system that may comprise a retro-reflective screen having retro-reflective screen elements that reflect incident light and comprising at least one projector that (i) generates light characterizing an image or video and (ii) projects the light on the retro-reflective screen, wherein the projected light has a nominal profile. Additionally, the retro-reflective screen may reflect the light characterizing the image or video to a viewer in a manner such that an intensity profile of the light is offset away from the projector and has a uniform brightness profile within a field of view of the viewer with respect to the retro-reflective screen. The projected light may have an intensity drop-off that has at least a 200% or 2×, or at least a 500% or 5× intensity reduction per 0.5 degrees outside of the nominal region.

Abstract: Provided herein is a retroreflective article comprising a retroreflective film and a plurality of isosceles triangular pyramid prisms embossed on the back surface of the retroreflective film. The prisms are configured such that the article reflects an incident light beam into two reflected light beams that are offset from and on opposite sides of the incident light beam. The two reflected light beams can provide two viewing zones located at different positions relative to the incident light beam source.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a display system that may comprise a retro-reflective screen having retro-reflective screen elements that reflect incident light and comprising at least one projector that (i) generates light characterizing an image or video and (ii) projects the light on the retro-reflective screen, wherein the projected light has a nominal profile. Additionally, the retro-reflective screen may reflect the light characterizing the image or video to a viewer in a manner such that an intensity profile of the light is offset away from the projector and has a uniform brightness profile within a field of view of the viewer with respect to the retro-reflective screen. The projected light may have an intensity drop-off that has at least a 200% or 2×, or at least a 500% or 5× intensity reduction per 0.5 degrees outside of the nominal region.

Abstract: Provided herein is a retroreflective article comprising a retroreflective film and a plurality of isosceles triangular pyramid prisms embossed on the back surface of the retroreflective film. The prisms are configured such that the article reflects an incident light beam into two reflected light beams that are offset from and on opposite sides of the incident light beam. The two reflected light beams can provide two viewing zones located at different positions relative to the incident light beam source.

Abstract: A dynamic message sign includes a front housing defining a viewing window and an interior. A LED assembly is in the interior for displaying a message within a cone of vision. A louver assembly limits the cone of vision. The dynamic message sign may also include a back frame for supporting the front housing and a bracket for setting the front assembly at an angle with respect to the back frame. The LED assembly can include a plurality of LED pixels arranged in rows and columns. The louver assembly can include a plurality of louver racks, each louver rack extending adjacent to a column of LED pixels.

Abstract: A dynamic message sign includes a front housing defining a viewing window and an interior. A LED assembly is in the interior for displaying a message within a cone of vision. A louver assembly limits the cone of vision. The dynamic message sign may also include a back frame for supporting the front housing and a bracket for setting the front assembly at an angle with respect to the back frame. The LED assembly can include a plurality of LED pixels arranged in rows and columns. The louver assembly can include a plurality of louver racks, each louver rack extending adjacent to a column of LED pixels.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a reflective object, which comprises the structure with the following layers sequentially: an adhesive layer embedded with optical components; a color layer; and a reflective layer; wherein the reflective object is characterized that the color layer is not contacted with the optical components. The present invention is also disclosed a method of producing the reflective object.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and apparatus for producing a polymeric film that accurately replicates a complex mold surface at least a portion of which surface has microstructured or nano-structured dimensions. A polymeric powder is electrodeposited on an underlying mold surface. Then the powder is cured to create a polymeric film. Finally the film is removed from the mold surface.

Abstract: A system, method and assembly for performing traffic sign inspections is provided. In one embodiment, the assembly includes a first plurality of sheetings that each have a combination of retroreflectivity and color that is different from the combination of retroreflectivity and color of each of the other first plurality of sheetings; a first clamp and second clamp for clamping one of said first plurality of sheetings to a traffic sign; a first handheld light source; and a first enclosure for removably housing the first plurality of sheetings, said first and second clamps, and said first handheld light source. The assembly may further include a second enclosure for removably housing a second plurality of sheetings that each has a combination of retroreflectivity and color that is different from the combination of retroreflectivity and color of each of the other second plurality of sheetings.

Abstract: A foldable delineator comprises: a fixing plate (100) installed at a guardrail or a protective wall and having one or more first hinge coupling portions (110) formed by bending corners thereof; a pivotal plate (200) at which a reflective panel fixing frame (30) to which a reflective panel (10) is coupled by means of a bolt is installed, the pivotal plate (200) having one or more hinge coupling portions (210) coupled to the first hinge coupling portions (110) by means of a hinge (20) and formed by bending corners of the pivotal plate (200), one or more bending preventing bosses (220) protruding along a lengthwise direction of the pivotal plate (200) on one surface of the pivotal plate (200), and one or more bending preventing portions (230) formed by bending lengthwise edges of the pivotal plate (200) toward the protrusion direction of the bending preventing bosses (220); a stopper (120) for limiting the pivoting movement of the pivotal plate (200) to a range of 90 degrees with the pivotal plate (200) being co

Abstract: A reflector system for to allow a reflector to be positioned adjacent an edge of road while reducing the chance of being struck by a vehicle includes a spike being drivable into and extending upwardly from a support surface. The spike includes a tapered end for facilitating driving of the spike into the support surface. The spike has a slot therein extending through a pair of sides of the spike and positioned adjacent a top end of the spike. A reflector is couplable to the spike. The reflector is positioned in the slot of the spike when the reflector is coupled to the spike. The reflector reflects light from the headlights of the vehicle to alert a driver to an edge of a road adjacent the reflector.

Abstract: A traffic safety system may be affiliated with an object to be seen from a distance and may be located within a traffic area. The traffic safety system may comprise a retroreflecting mechanism, enabling to switch between reflecting mode and non retroreflecting mode at certain frequency, thereby creating a flickering effect. In some embodiments, the retroreflecting mechanism may operated in a retroreflective normally on default mode. The non-reflecting mode may include an absorbing mode, a transmissive mode and/or a dispersive mode.

Abstract: A retroreflective article comprises a) a microporous substrate (52) containing a plurality of pores (56) which are less than 0.5 ?m in diameter; and b) a layer of reflective material (54) located on the surface (58) of the substrate such that the reflective material layer at least partially obscures a plurality of the pores of the substrate. A method for the production of a reflective article comprises the steps of a) providing a substrate which contains pores which have a diameter of less than 0.5 ?m; and b) applying a layer of reflective material to the substrate in such a way that the reflective material layer at least partially obscures a plurality of the pores of the substrate.

Abstract: A continuously formed, low profiled reflective pavement marker comprising a multiple, inclined, low profiled reflective portions, which are integrally connected by horizontally, positioned reflective sheeting. Each raised reflective portion integrally having multiple reflective cube corner elements within two defined inclined reflective faces. Each of the two opposite reflective faces are integrally supported by load carrying structural walls in a multi-directional manner, said load carrying structural walks define cell like areas within each inclined reflective face. A method of making said reflective marker is disclosed that includes the steps of sealing and coloring the lower portion of the reflective marking sheet.

Abstract: Sheeting material is disclosed that contains a retroreflective layer and a layer of luminescent material on the bottom or lower surface of the retroreflective layer. The sheeting material can be formed into signage or decorative articles that are highly visible under a variety of lighting conditions. A portion of the retroreflective layer is visible through the luminescent layer or through one or more openings in the luminescent layer which are in the form of slits, perforations, alphanumeric or other patterns. The luminescent layer can be imaged using analog or digital printing processes. The sheeting material can be made from materials that are suitable for back-lit illumination. Adhesives or other conventional attachment means can be employed to anchor the signs in interior or exterior environments.

Abstract: A retroreflective structure includes a retroreflective sheeting having an array of transparent prisms formed into pairs of prisms. Each prism includes a base aperture and three intersecting lateral faces meeting at an apex. Each of the lateral faces includes a base edge which forms a portion of the perimeter of the base aperture. The base edge of each lateral face intersects the base edge of a contiguous lateral face to form a base point, the first face of at least one prism in the array including a first face first planar surface and a first face second planar surface. The first face first planar surface and the first face second planar surface are contiguous along an edge having a first and second end points, wherein the apex, the first end point, and a first base point are coplanar and form a continuous edge from the first base point to the apex.

Abstract: A retroreflective article that exhibits suitable retroreflective luminance under dry and dynamic wet conditions. The article includes an enclosed-lens retroreflective sheeting that, under dry conditions, exhibits a coefficient of retroreflective luminance of about 40 (millicandela/m2)/lux as measured by ASTM D 4061-94 and, under dynamic wet conditions the sheeting increases in coefficient of retroreflective luminance. The article further includes a plurality of retroreflective elements partially embedded in a light transmissible bonding layer on the front, reflective surface of the retroreflective sheeting.

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 delineator easily recognized by the driver even when attached at a moderate curve of a road includes colorless transparent reflectors attached inclined by a prescribed angle with respect to an aluminum base and amber transparent reflectors attached inclined in the opposite direction. Each reflector has a reflex reflecting element, an optical axis of which is inclined in the same direction as the corresponding reflector. Thus light beams entering in a direction parallel to the surface on which the delineator is attached can also be reflected.

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: A road safety reflector assembly has a pair of oppositely disposed finger cradles with a hollow, reinforceable housing, which has one or two reflectors mounted therein.

Abstract: Retroreflective sheeting and articles are formed in which the size of the retroreflective and non-retroreflective surfaces may be varied across an array of microprisms. This is accomplished by varying the location of the reflective coating applied to the microprism side facets, such that, some prism side facets are completely coated with reflective material while others are coated only at the apex area; and still others are coated with a non-reflective coatings, such as, a colored adhesive.

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: A delineator easily recognized by the driver even when attached at a moderate curve of a road includes colorless transparent reflectors attached inclined by a prescribed angle with respect to an aluminum base and amber transparent reflectors attached inclined in the opposite direction. Each reflector has a reflex reflecting element, an optical axis of which is inclined in the same direction as the corresponding reflector. Thus light beams entering in a direction parallel to the surface on which the delineator is attached can also be reflected.

Abstract: A retroreflective sheet comprises a film having a substantially flat surface and a large number of pyramidal projections having retroreflectivity on the opposite surface, and a colored layer and an adhesive layer disposed on the surface of the film having the projections. The adhesive layer comprises a heat-sensitive adhesive containing an acrylic polymer and a phenolic resin, and exhibits an elastic modulus (by dynamic viscoelasticity measurement, compression mode) at 30.degree. C. ranging from about 1.times.10.sup.6 to 1.times.10.sup.8 dyn/cm.sup.2.

Abstract: Radiation curable ink compositions and coating compositions contain an aliphatic (meth)acrylate functional macromonomer, a reactive acrylate monomer, and a photoinitiator. Ink compositions also contain an effective amount of a colorant or pigment. These inks, when cured by exposure to actinic radiation, have excellent durability, weatherability, and adhesion to acrylate substrates such as polymethylmethacrylate.

Abstract: A cube corner article and method of manufacturing the article from a series of directly machinable unitary substrates. The method of manufacture comprises the first step of providing an initial unitary directly machinable substrate of material suitable for forming retroreflective surfaces. Then, a first cube corner element array zone is formed having a plurality of geometric structures including cube corner elements. The zone is created by directly machining at least two sets of parallel grooves in the substrate. A replica of the cube corner element array zone is formed as an additional unitary substrate suitable for forming retroreflective surfaces. Portions of the replica substrate material are removed. The removal of these portions forms at least two intersecting cavities bounded by side walls in the replica at a depth at least that of the cube corner elements formed by the groove sets.

Abstract: A retroreflector construction comprises a first transparent layer of a relatively high refractive index having on its rear surface one or more cube corner retroreflector elements; a second thin transparent layer of relatively low refractive index in substantially uninterrupted contact with the rear surface of the first layer; and a third metallic reflective layer in substantially uninterrupted contact with the rear surface of the second layer. The ratio of the indices of refraction of the two transparent layers is sufficient to allow TIR at their interface for at least some of the cube faces. The third, metallic layer assures face reflection when TIR fails. The construction provides greater retroreflectance than would be achieved with a single metallized transparent layer, and provides retroreflectance over a broader range of entrance angles and orientation angles than would be achieved with a single non-metallized (air-backed) transparent layer.

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: A retroreflective sheeting material comprising at least one retroreflective optical system (200, 300, 400) consisting of an entrance transmission optical element (201, 301) for receiving and focusing incident electromagnetic radiation from an irradiation source, and a reflective optical element (205, 405) for reflecting the incident electromagnetic radiation back toward the irradiation source; said reflective optical element being positioned in or near the effective focal point of the transmission optical element and the space between the optical elements optionally being constituted by a spacing material (202); wherein at least one of the optical elements (205, 301, 405) is a diffractive optical element, the reflective optical element (205, 405) for substantially all angles of incidence sends at least a part of the incident electromagnetic radiation back along the direction of the incoming chief ray (204), and the reflective optical element does not exclusively consist of a specular mirror type reflective op

Abstract: This relates to a system for and method of illuminating a sign, so that drivers and observers may easily recognize and read the sign and billboard. The apparatus employs an external illumination source that is easy to inspect and maintain. The illumination source and the sign or billboard are separately installed from each other. Light emitted from the illumination source forms an incident angle (.theta.) in the range of 0.degree. to about 30.degree. at any point on the road sign. A road sign area of the sign is made of a retroreflective sheet having a wide observation angle.

Abstract: Ultraviolet luminescent retroreflective sheeting includes a retroreflective portion containing retroreflective elements and an ultraviolet luminescent portion to facilitate nighttime viewing by persons not located at or near a source of light being retroreflected by the retroreflective portion. At least part of the ultraviolet luminescent portion is provided as the bonding lines for bonding the transparent cover sheet to the support sheet to form a series of sealed cells in which the retroreflective elements, which may be of the encapsulated lens-type or the encapsulated cube-corner-type, are disposed. The ultraviolet luminescenct portion includes fluorescent agent which emits light when irradiation by ultraviolet irradiation.

Abstract: A reflective element mountable to a post comprises a body member having an internal keyway formed therein for sliding over the post. A bore is provided, preferably transversely through the body member, and is dimensioned to receive either a pin or a bolt which locks the element to the post. The body member in preferred form is cylindrical in shape. A reflective material such as in sheet form is wrapped around the outer surface of the body member. Thereby, the element is capable of reflecting light incident on its surface from 360 degrees around the element. The body of the element may be readily manufactured from a non-corroding plastic material as to provide years of service. By the construction of the element, it is also easily attached to a typical post used as a highway marker, such as a studded T-post.

Abstract: Retroreflective sheeting and articles are formed in which the size of the retroreflective and non-retroflective surfaces may be varied across an array of microprisms. This is accomplished by varying the location of the reflective coating applied to the microprism side facets, such that, some prism side facets are completely coated with reflective material while others are coated only at the apex area; and still others are coated with a non-reflective coatings, such as, a colored adhesive.

Abstract: A flexible retroreflective sheet material is formed by adhering a first face of a first flexible synthetic resin sheet material to a synthetic resin second sheet material by a first adhesive which preferentially adheres to the second sheet material. On the second face of said first sheet material are thereafter formed closely spaced retroreflective microprisms having a height of 0.001-0.010 inches. A second adhesive is applied to the second face of said first sheet and firmly engages therewith. A flexible backing material is adhered to the second adhesive over the second face. Lastly, the second sheet material and first adhesive are stripped from the first sheet material to produce a firmly bonded flexible composite sheet material comprised of the adhesively bonded first sheet material and backing material. The retroreflective microprisms may be coated with a reflective metal deposit or surrounded by air to provide a retroreflective interface.

Abstract: A highway sign includes a reflective back surface and a biased lenticular lens front surface for reflecting light back in the direction of the original light source. The reflective back surface preferably comprises a plurality of corner cubic reflectors arranged in a regular matrix. The biased lenticular lens front surface comprises arcuate surfaces, or flat surfaces having arcuate indentations, separated by relatively flat surfaces which are substantially perpendicular to the plane of the reflective surface and which form a saw-toothed pattern when seen in profile. Printing can be applied to the lens surface to form traffic control messages or indicia. The biased lenticular front surface diffuses the oncoming light, thus providing a uniform reflective surface. The reflective surface and biased lenticular lens system can be formed from a single integrated sheet of polycarbonate plastic or similar material.