Abstract: A traffic control marker is provided and described herein. The traffic control marker can be configured with a main marker body that is flexible and durable, the main marker body can be further configured with a reflective element that covers at least a portion of the main marker body. The main marker body can further be configured with an indentation or a channel that extends a portion of or alternatively the length of the main marker body. The reflective element is configured to be protected during a vehicle impact with the traffic control marker, such that at least a portion of the reflective element remains effective and reflective after the impact.

Abstract: A method and a device for producing multi-view images optical films used therein are disclosed. The method and device use an optical film 2, comprising a superlens array 3 with between 0.5 to 225 superlenses per inch, formed by two arrays of positive microlenses which are fixed relative to one another. In order to produce a multi-view image 1 between a viewer 11 and the optical film 2, an array 10 of elemental images is arranged between the focal plane 9 of the superlenses 3 and the optical film 2.

Abstract: An exposed lens retroreflective article that includes a binder layer; a layer of spaced apart optical elements that are partially embedded in the binder layer; a penetrated colored layer that is located between the spaced apart optical elements; and a reflective layer that is located functionally behind the layer of optical elements and the penetrated colored layer.

Abstract: The present invention on provides retroreflective sheeting (100) having at least two types of set images (L1, L2) adjacent to one another each termed as a set of a number of points of image (P1, P2) that are directionally visible in a predetermined direction.

Abstract: Retroreflective elements and articles that include such elements. The retroreflective elements (100) include a solid spherical core (110) having an outer surface. A first complete concentric optical interference layer (112) overlays the outer surface of the core providing a first interface between the core and the first optical interference layer, and a second complete concentric optical interference layer (122) overlays the first optical interference layer to provide a second interface between the first optical interference layer and the second optical interference layer. In some embodiments, a third complete concentric optical interference layer overlays the second optical interference layer to provide a third interface between the second optical interference layer and the third optical interference layer.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided a retroreflective film, comprising a retroreflective sub-structure, and a transparent polymeric film, having a surface roughness profile where the Arithmetic Mean Deviation of the Roughness Profile (Ra) ranges from about 0.18 microns to about 1.30 microns and where the Mean Spacing of Local Peaks (R-S) in the printing direction ranges from about 10 microns to about 85 microns, located over and coupled to the retroreflective sub-structure and wherein the polymeric film as a Vicat softening point of about 90° or greater.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided a retroreflective film, comprising a retroreflective sub-structure, and a transparent polymeric film, having a surface roughness profile where the Arithmetic Mean Deviation of the Roughness Profile (Ra) ranges from about 0.18 microns to about 1.30 microns and where the Mean Spacing of Local Peaks (R-S) in the printing direction ranges from about 10 microns to about 85 microns, located over and coupled to the retroreflective sub-structure.

Abstract: An exposed lens retroreflective article that includes a binder layer; a layer of spaced apart optical elements that are partially embedded in the binder layer; a penetrated colored layer that is located between the spaced apart optical elements; and a reflective layer that is located functionally behind the layer of optical elements and the penetrated colored layer.

Abstract: Retroreflective sheeting articles comprising a colorless thermal mass transferred image, methods of thermal mass transfer printing substrate such as polymeric films with a colorless thermal mass transferable composition, and thermal mass transfer ribbon articles comprising a colorless thermal mass transferable composition are described. The thermal mass transfer composition comprises a homogeneous unreactive thermoplastic composition comprising at least one acrylic resin and less than 3 wt-% of components that are opaque at ambient temperature.

Abstract: A flexible abrasion resistant water shedding omnidirectionally reflective rope has a central low-density polymeric closed cell foam core comprising EPDM, Neoprene, SBR, NBR, EVA, PVC, PVC/NBR foam surrounded by cylindrically braided sleeve of reflective strips composed of narrow width reflective strips that comprise a woven or knitted narrow width strip and a flexible nylon retroreflective sheet sewn thereon and covered with abrasion resistant water shedding coating. The flexible retroreflective sheet is formed by thermally bonding corner cube, microsphere retroreflectors, or wide angle exposed retroreflective lenses to a flexible polymeric sheet. Due to its low-density foam core construction, the reflective rope floats on water and sheds water from the surface preserving omnidirectional reflectivity.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided a retroreflective film, comprising a retroreflective sub-structure, and a transparent polymeric film, having a surface roughness profile where the Arithmetic Mean Deviation of the Roughness Profile (Ra) ranges from about 0.18 microns to about 1.30 microns and where the Mean Spacing of Local Peaks (R-S) in the printing direction ranges from about 10 microns to about 85 microns, located over and coupled to the retroreflective sub-structure and wherein the polymeric film as a Vicat softening point of about 90° or greater.

Abstract: Retroreflective elements and articles that include such elements. The retroreflective elements (100) include a solid spherical core (110) having an outer surface. A first complete concentric optical interference layer (112) overlays the outer surface of the core providing a first interface between the core and the first optical interference layer, and a second complete concentric optical interference layer (122) overlays the first optical interference layer to provide a second interface between the first optical interference layer and the second optical interference layer. In some embodiments, a third complete concentric optical interference layer overlays the second optical interference layer to provide a third interface between the second optical interference layer and the third optical interference layer.

Abstract: Reflective pellets (16) are formed by extrusion of reflective micro beads (26) in a thermoplastic (20), removal of the surface layer of the pellets so as to expose the reflective beads at the surface of the pellets and applying the reflective pellets to the base line (14) of the striping applied to a paved road.

Abstract: Retroreflective sheeting is described comprising a viewing surface and a non-viewing surface and a thermal mass transferred image disposed in the optical path of the viewing surface wherein the thermal mass transferred image comprises a homogeneous unreactive thermoplastic composition. In one embodiment, the unreactive thermoplastic composition comprises at least one acrylic resin and at least one colorant, wherein the composition has less than 3 wt-% of components that are opaque at ambient temperature. The percent maximum diffuse luminous transmittance to total luminous transmittance of the composition is less than 50%.

Abstract: A light receiving device 7 includes a sensor 10 for outputting a signal correlating to incident light on a detection surface 10a and a light receiving element 8 disposed in confrontation with the detection surface and capable of transmitting light. The light receiving element has a recessed portion 22 on the opposite surface of the surface confronting the detection surface. A wall surface 24 of the recessed portion reflects the light beam L2 from a lateral direction of the detection surface toward the detection surface 10a.

Abstract: A brightness enhancing structure for a reflective display. A plurality of transparent hemi-beads form a film substantially covering and protruding inwardly from the structure's inward surface. A corresponding plurality of microstructured toroidal lenses are provided on the structure's outward side. Each lens is optically coupled to an adjacent one of the hemi-beads to redirect incident light rays toward the adjacent hemi-bead, such that the redirected light is totally internally reflected by the hemi-bead and reflected back in a direction approximately opposite that of the incident rays. This substantially reduces undesirable dark, non-reflective circular regions of each hemi-bead which would otherwise exist in the absence of this invention.

Abstract: The invention is a coded cat's eye retro-reflector array fabricated using data-driven, ink jet micro-dispensing technology. Specifically the invention claims the apparatus, the method of fabricating the apparatus, and the method of using the apparatus. The function of the apparatus is the identification of objects, materials and gasses from a distance using light beams. The apparatus is based upon the cat's eye retro-reflector device that is well known to one skilled in the art.

Abstract: Retrochromic articles have a retrochromic pattern comprising first and second viewable retroreflective regions, wherein at least one viewable retroreflective region comprises a plurality of intrinsically retrochromic beads. Methods for making such articles are also provided. Articles according to the present invention have covert security features, and may be used, for example, to authenticate security articles.

Abstract: To provide a retroreflective sheet which is suitable for co-molding by injection molding or the like, wherein the retroreflective sheet can be laid within a mold and molded with a resin to form a molded product, and, after molding, the sheet retains a significant portion of its reflection luminance and appearance as compared with the reflection luminance value before molding. A retroreflective sheet used for a co-molding, comprising a metallic reflective layer, a microspherical lens layer disposed as a single layer, and a transparent focal resin layer disposed between the reflective layer and the microspherical lens layer, in which the focal resin layer comprises a mixture of cellulose ester and polyvinyl butyral resin.

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: The pavement marking article comprises a substrate, a plurality of protrusions provided on the surface of the substrate, and first transparent microspheres having a refractive index of not less than 2.0 fixed at least on the surface of the substrate between adjacent protrusions.

Abstract: To provide a vehicle lamp having a high quality lens and a method for manufacturing the same and make it possible to reliably separate a pre-molded lens member while being securely held in the movable die during composite lens molding in a multi-color molding process.

Abstract: A retroreflective article that has a layer of optical elements and a multilayer reflective coating disposed on the optical elements. The reflective coating reflects light back into the optical elements so that it can be returned toward the light source. The multilayer reflective coating has multiple polymer layers and has layers that possess different refractive indices.

Abstract: Luminous retroreflective sheetings have a transparent cover layer, an optical layer disposed beneath the cover layer, and a reflective layer. The optical layer includes a first polymer layer and a monolayer of beads at least partially embedded therein. The reflective layer is disposed proximate a focal plane of the monolayer of beads. The monolayer of beads includes transparent beads that, in combination with the reflective layer, retroreflect incident light. The monolayer also includes light-emitting beads that emit light under the influence of an applied voltage or ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Processes for making such sheetings are also disclosed.

Abstract: All-ceramic retroreflective elements which may be used in pavement markings comprising an opacified ceramic core and ceramic optical elements partially embedded into the core.

Abstract: A retroreflective element which may be used in pavement markings comprising a core having (a) a central layer having first and second major surfaces and at least one vertical surface, (b) a barrier layer applied to the first major surface, and (c) a barrier layer applied to the second major surface; and a plurality of optical elements embedded in the vertical surface(s) of the central layer.

Abstract: A fluorescent yellow article comprising polyolefin copolymer, perylene imide dye N,N'-bis(2,6-di-isopropylphenyl)-3,4:9,10-perylenebis(dicarboximide), and at least one yellow-green dye selected from the group consisting essentially of Lumogen F Yellow 083, CI Solvent Yellow 98, CI Solvent Yellow 160:1, Oraset Yellow 8GF, CI Solvent Green 4, CI Solvent Green 5, CI Pigment Yellow 101 and CI Solvent Yellow 131 wherein the resultant article has chromaticity coordinates (x,y) within the area defined by (0.425,0.480), (0.465,0.535), (0.557,0.440), and (0.500,0.410) in terms of the CIE 1931 Standard Colorimetric System and measured using 0/45 geometry and evaluated with CIE Standard Illuminant D65.

Abstract: Retroreflective signage articles comprise a colorant layer directly thermally transferred to a top layer of a reretroreflective sheeting, the top layer devoid of priming treatments and extraneous print-receptive layers. Systems or kits are also described comprising a retroreflective base sheeting in combination with a thermal mass transfer donor element, the donor elements comprising a carrier and a colorant layer adhered thereto, the colorant layer of the signage articles and the donor elements comprising a binder and a colorant. Methods of producing the signage articles employing the systems or kits are also presented.

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 retroreflective article comprising a transparent base sheet having first and second broad faces, the second face being substantially planar and the first face having an array of substantially hemi-spheroidal microlenses thereon, the microlenses being wider and shorter than portions of true spheres, the shape of the microlenses and thickness of the base sheet being such that collimated light substantially orthogonally incident to the array is focused approximately at the second face, wherein the second face has a coating of a nacreous pigment composition thereon. The article can include an optional layer of adhesive over the reflective layer to permit the article to be adhered to a document as a tamper-indicating, authenticating, and protective overlay. Special images can be formed within the article to enhance the security provided thereby. Also, a method for making such base sheets, and a method for making a forming master.

Abstract: The invention relates to a glass for at least one signalling lamp, in particular for a motor vehicle. The glass includes a plurality of non-catadioptric elements that have the appearance of catadioptric needles but without performing the same function. At least a portion of the non-catadioptric elements have conical ends on the inside face of the glass. This makes it much easier to make a mold for mass-producing such a glass.

Abstract: Retroreflective sheet material is produced by forming sheet material with closely spaced retroreflective formations on one face and depositing on this face silver and copper atoms having high kinetic energy to provide a reflective metallic deposit comprising a base layer of metallic silver and an overlying layer of metallic copper. An organic protective coating is thereafter applied over the reflective metallic deposit. Light rays passing through the front face of the body enter the retroreflective formations, impinge upon the interface provided by the silver base layer and are retroreflected therefrom. As a result, the sheet material exhibits a bright white appearance in daylight as well as a bright white coloration at night when an incandescent beam impinges thereon.

Abstract: An article comprising a transparent plano-convex base sheet having first and second broad faces, the second face being substantially planar and the first face having an array of substantially hemi-spheroidal microlenses thereon, the shape of the microlenses and thickness of the base sheet being such that collimated light substantially orthogonally incident to the array is focused approximately at the second face. The article optionally further comprising a specularly reflective layer on the second face which renders the base sheet retroreflective. An optional layer of adhesive over the reflective layer permits the article to be adhered to a document as a tamper-indicating, authenticating, and protective overlay. Special images can be formed within the article to enhance the security provided thereby. Also, a method for forming such articles.

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.

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.