Abstract: A multi-color dielectric coating is formed using interleaved layers of dielectric material, having alternating refractive index, to create reflections at selected wavelengths, thus appearing as different colors. Etching of selected layers at selected locations changes the color appearance of the etched locations, thus generating a coating having multiple colors. The thicknesses of the layers are chosen such that the path-length differences for reflections from different high-index layers are integer multiples of the wavelength for which the coating is designed.

Abstract: A retroreflective member that can improve the visibility further. The retroreflective member includes a reflective layer and transparent microscopic beads 13. The retroreflective member gives a phase difference corresponding to a visible light wavelength to at least a part of incident light and recombines, emphasizes a light component having the visible light wavelength by interference, and returns coherent light having a visible light wavelength depending on the incident angle in the traveling direction of the incident light. The reflective layer includes a light-transmissive interference layer 14, and the interference layer 14 each has an optical layer thickness of 100 to 600 nm so as to generate an interference color having a visible light wavelength depending on the incident angle of light.

Abstract: [Object] A retroreflective sheeting that is provided with a set image having excellent anticounterfeit characteristic and information transmission characteristic is provided.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a retroreflective member that can improve the visibility further. The retroreflective member includes a reflective layer and transparent microscopic beads 13. The retroreflective member gives a phase difference corresponding to a visible light wavelength to at least a part of incident light and recombines, emphasizes a light component having the visible light wavelength by interference, and returns coherent light having a visible light wavelength depending on the incident angle in the traveling direction of the incident light. The reflective layer includes a light-transmissive interference layer 14, and the interference layer 14 each has an optical layer thickness of 100 to 600 nm so as to generate an interference color having a visible light wavelength depending on the incident angle of light.

Abstract: Lighting devices are disclosed that include optical laminated bodies. An exemplary optical laminated body includes a polarizing layer, a first transparent film disposed closely to a front surface of the polarizing layer and a second transparent film disposed closely to a back surface of the polarizing layer. The polarizing layer includes a reflective polarizing film, and both of the first transparent film and the second transparent film are diffusive films. The lighting devices further include a light source supplying light to the optical laminated body through a light entry surface of the first transparent film of the optical laminated body, wherein the light source includes a plurality of diffusing points of a light diffusive substance disposed on a surface of the light source. The lighting device provides diffused-polarized light emitted from a light emitting surface of the second transparent film of the laminated body.

Abstract: Color shifting retroreflective articles can provide features such as decorative effects, evidence of tampering, security authentication or positional information. In some embodiments, the color shifting retroreflective article includes a layer of microspheres, and a reflective coating that is disposed in optical association with the layer of microspheres. The reflective coating includes a spacer layer disposed between a semitransparent first reflective layer and a second reflective layer. The first reflective layer includes a reflective layer disposed adjacent the layer of microspheres. At least one layer of the reflective coating includes a non-uniform thickness associated with each of a plurality of microspheres such that light incident on the article from a first direction is retroreflected at a first color and light incident on the article from a second direction is retroreflected at a second color visibly different from the first color.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel electrophoretic displays and materials useful in fabricating such displays. In particular, novel encapsulated displays are disclosed. Particles encapsulated therein are dispersed within a suspending, or electrophoretic, fluid. This fluid may be a mixture of two or more fluids or may be a single fluid. The displays may further comprise particles dispersed in a suspending fluid, wherein the particles contain a liquid. In either case, the suspending fluid may have a density or refractive index substantially matched to that of the particles dispersed therein. Finally, also disclosed herein are electro-osmotic displays. These displays comprise at least one capsule containing either a cellulosic or gel-like internal phase and a liquid phase, or containing two or more immiscible fluids. Application of electric fields to any of the electrophoretic displays described herein affects an optical property of the display.

Abstract: This invention relates to light transmitting filters comprising: (a) a light absorbing layer of material having a front surface and a back surface, (b) transparent microspheres embedded in the light absorbing layer and contacting the front surface of the light absorbing layer with portions of the microspheres protruding through the back surface of the light absorbing layer for transmitting light through the light absorbing layer, and (c) a conformed layer of optically clear material having a front surface and a back surface wherein the front surface of the conformed layer is in contact with and conforming in shape with the protruding portions of the microspheres, and wherein the back surface of the conformed layer has a textured finish. The invention also relates to methods of making these light transmitting filters.

Abstract: In an optical sheet 10 having a prism surface 16 formed by providing unit prisms 14 on the upper surface of a transparent base material 12, a coating layer 18 is provided on the reverse surface of the transparent base material opposite to the prism surface 16, spherical beads 20 are arranged projecting from the surface of the coating layer 18 by 1 to 10 &mgr;m in height, and the coating layer 18 is brought into contact with the flat and smooth surface 22A of the light-transmissive material 22 through the spherical beads 20 which are put between them. The spherical beads are 1 &mgr;m or less in half bandwidth of the distribution of particle diameters and are made uniform in height projecting from the coating layer 18.

Abstract: In an optical sheet 10 having a prism surface 16 formed by providing unit prisms 14 on the upper surface of a transparent base material 12, a coating layer 18 is provided on the reverse surface of the transparent base material opposite to the prism surface 16, spherical beads 20 are arranged projecting from the surface of the coating layer 18 by 1 to 10 &mgr;m in height, and the coating layer 18 is brought into contact with the flat and smooth surface 22A of the light-transmissive material 22 through the spherical beads 20 which are put between them. The spherical beads are 1 &mgr;m or less in half bandwidth of the distribution of particle diameters and are made uniform in height projecting from the coating layer 18.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system that provides visual and electronic information in a readily identifiable system. For example, the present disclosure is directed to a combination tag, suitable for use as a vehicle identification window sticker. The combination tag includes a retroreflective article having an optical surface and a radio frequency responsive element. The radio frequency-responsive element includes an antenna and an integrated circuit. The radio frequency-responsive element has information storage and transmission capabilities adapted to enable an interrogation system to obtain information from the radio frequency-responsive element. The radio frequency-responsive element is operably coupled to the retroreflective article.

Abstract: This invention relates to retroreflective sheeting that has an image, such as a validation image. In one embodiment, the image is directional having varying appearance at different angles of view. The retroreflective sheeting comprises a layer of transparent microsphere lenses, a transparent polymeric spacing layer having a front surface and a back surface wherein the spacing layer is underlying, contacting, and substantially conforming to the bottom of the lenses, and the spacing layer comprises one or more segments having a refractive index different from the refractive index of the remainder of the spacing layer, a reflective layer having a top surface and a bottom surface wherein the top surface is in contact with the back surface of the spacing layer, and a topcoat cover sheet overlying and conforming to the top surfaces of the lenses and having a flat top surface or face.

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: Surface coverings for marking road surfaces are disclosed including elastic particles for application to the road surface, the elastic particles including a plurality of light reflectors such as glass beads or ceramic particles, which can also include various pigments.

Abstract: A new method and apparatus is provide whereby light diffusion within the light measurement toll has been eliminated. A layer of Anti Reflective Coating is deposited on the outside of the second surface of a quartz mask thereby preventing light that is reflected internally to the quartz mask from exiting the mask. All reflected light is therefor eliminated and, with that, the source of light diffusion is eliminated.

Abstract: In an optical sheet 10 having a prism surface 16 formed by providing unit prisms 14 on the upper surface of a transparent base material 12, a coating layer 18 is provided on the reverse surface of the transparent base material opposite to the prism surface 16, spherical beads 20 are arranged projecting from the surface of the coating layer 18 by 1 to 10 &mgr;m in height, and the coating layer 18 is brought into contact with the flat and smooth surface 22A of the light-transmissive material 22 through the spherical beads 20 which are put between them. The spherical beads are 1 &mgr;m or less in half bandwidth of the distribution of particle diameters and are made uniform in height projecting from the coating layer 18.

Abstract: An improved, “fail-safe” safety device comprising, in combination, a backlighted fluorescent film and a retroreflective sheet.

Abstract: In an optical sheet 10 having a prism surface 16 formed by providing unit prisms 14 on the upper surface of a transparent base material 12, a coating layer 18 is provided on the reverse surface of the transparent base material opposite to the prism surface 16, spherical beads 20 are arranged projecting from the surface of the coating layer 18 by 1 to 10 .mu.m in height, and the coating layer 18 is brought into contact with the flat and smooth surface 22A of the light-transmissive material 22 through the spherical beads 20 which are put between them. The spherical beads are 1 .mu.m or less in half bandwidth of the distribution of particle diameters and are made uniform in height projecting from the coating layer 18.

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: An optical system with an optical unit consisting of a transmission unit with at least one transmission element for emitting optical radiation, a receiving unit with at least one receiving element for detecting optical radiation and an optical path for transmitting the optical radiation between transmission unit and receiving unit. At least one optical unit is located in the optical path to bundle and deflect the optical radiation and an optical body/optical bodies is/are assigned to either the transmission unit or the receiving unit. The optical bodies are designed as a kind of Fresnel lens and have an unstructured surface side and a structured surface side having indentations with steep flanks large slope angle and a small prism angle.

Abstract: This invention relates to glass microsphere (bead) coated articles having an upper surface comprising a layer of low refractive index transparent glass microspheres such as those made from recycled ordinary glass. The articles of the invention have an extremely smooth tactile feel and a low friction surface even though they can be prepared from glass microspheres intermixed with abrasive irregularly shaped glass particles. The invention also relates to the method making the bead coated articles of the invention and transfer articles that can be used to make the bead coated articles of the invention.

Abstract: Conformable cube corner retroreflective sheetings comprising a plurality of discrete cube corner segments which are conformably bonded together, each cube corner segment comprising a plastic body portion having a substantially planar front major surface and at least one minutes cube corner retroreflective element projecting rearwardly from the body portion and defining a cube corner point side of the cube corner segment. The peripheries of the cube corner segments can be defined by a plurality of separations extending from the cube corner point sides to the front major surfaces, the separations being disposed between adjacent cube corner segments. Adjacent cube corner segments are conformably bonded together in the sense that they are either: (1) separated by a gap of less than about 1 millimeter and bonded together through a conformable carrier layer; or (2) separated by a gap which is substantially filled with a conformable resin that bonds the side walls of adjacent cube corner segments together.

Abstract: A composite marker providing electronic article surveillance (EAS), identification, and authentication. The marker preferably includes an EAS detection element which includes a low-coercive force, high-permeability ferromagnetic material, and an adjacent, remanently-magnetizable ferromagnetic material which, when magnetized, alters a characteristic response produced by the first material when in an interrogation zone of an associated EAS system, an intermediate layer containing UPC or similar optically-readable information and a substantially-transparent, optically-detectable security element overlying said intermediate layer and having means integrally associated therewith for thwarting counterfeiting or other unauthorized duplication.

Abstract: A conformable marking tape having improved mechanical properties comprises a support base and a top-coat layer, the support base comprising a highly saturated acrylonitrile elastomer grafted with a zinc salt of methacrylic acid. The top-coat layer preferably comprises a polyurethane resin having about 50 to about 65% by weight of rigid segments and about 35 to about 50% by weight of flexible segments. The rigid segments are derived from diisocyanates and aliphatic and/or cycloaliphatic chain extenders, and the flexible segments are derived from polymeric compounds having at least two active hydrogen atoms and having weight average molecular weights ranging from about 400 to about 4000.

Abstract: A relatively flexible retroreflective band for adhesive bonding about a support structure comprises a length of retroreflective sheeting formed into a continuous band with the outer portion of the band including retroreflective formations adapted to retroreflect light rays impinging thereon. An adhesive coating is disposed on the inner surface of the band to bond the band to a support structure, and a water-soluble release coating is superposed on the adhesive coating to prevent substantially contact of the adhesive coating with other surfaces. When it is desired to assemble the band onto a support structure, water is applied to dissolve the release coating and, while the adhesive coating is still wet with water, the band is slid over the support structure to the desired position.

Abstract: A microprism retroreflector material has a body portion with a planar front face and closely spaced microprisms extending thereacross in a plane spaced from and parallel to the front face. The microprisms are formed with three side surfaces disposed along three intersecting planes, and at least some of the microprisms have at least one side surface which is arcuate along one of the intersecting planes and over at least the major portion of its height. At least some adjacent pairs of microprisms have their prism axes tilted relative to the intersecting plane extending therebetween. The microprisms retroreflect light in six circumferentially spaced radially extending exit-energy patterns, and at least 70 percent of the retroreflected light is within a spread of not more than 0.6.degree. from the light rays impinging thereon.