Discrete Reflecting Elements Formed As A Unitary Mass Patents (Class 359/546)
  • Patent number: 11465440
    Abstract: An artwork includes a frame, an image support medium bearing an image, and a plurality of reflective elements. The plurality of reflective elements is connected to the image support medium, wherein the plurality of reflective elements has a generally non-reflective appearance when viewed at an angle that is not generally parallel with an incident ray of light, and has an illuminated appearance when viewed at an angle generally in line with an incident ray of light. A method of preparing the artwork includes the steps of obtaining a frame, preparing an image on an image support medium that is on a surface of or is extended over the frame, and connecting a plurality of reflective elements to the image support medium to achieve the respective generally non-reflective appearance and illuminated appearance depending on the angle of an incident ray of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Inventor: Frank C. Adorno, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10682878
    Abstract: A security element for manufacturing value documents provides at least one image, formed by a grating structure which has a plurality of trough-shaped microcavities. The microcavities have a structure width from 0.5 ?m to 3 ?m and an aspect ratio of 0.4 or greater, a metal-containing coating is applied to the grating structure, and in the grating structure the trough-shaped microcavities are separated from each other respectively by strips which are planar and respectively more than 200 nm and maximally 1,200 nm wide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: GIESECKE+DEVRIENT CURRENCY TECHNOLOGY GMBH
    Inventor: Hans Lochbihler
  • Patent number: 10281625
    Abstract: Disclosed are a retro-reflective sheet and a method for manufacturing the same. The retro-reflective sheet includes a heat-resistant film, a first thermoplastic bonding layer, a first heat-resistant layer, a colored layer, a light transmitting layer, a colored part allowing a portion of scattered light to be emitted to the outside through a first light condensing layer, a second thermoplastic bonding layer, a second heat-resistant layer, a reflective layer, and a reflective part reflecting light input to a reflective area through a second light condensing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Inventor: Se Won Yoon
  • Patent number: 10281624
    Abstract: Disclosed are a retro-reflective sheet and a method for manufacturing the same. The retro-reflective sheet includes a first protective film, a first thermoplastic bonding layer, a first heat-resistant bonding layer, a colored layer, a light transmitting layer, a colored area allowing a portion of scattered light to be emitted to the outside through a first light condensing layer, a second protective film, a second thermoplastic bonding layer, a second heat-resistant bonding layer, a reflective layer, a reflective area reflecting light input through a second light condensing layer, and a base film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Inventor: Se Won Yoon
  • Patent number: 10095015
    Abstract: Telescope with optical resolution and continuity of the field of view comprising a spherical primary mirror, wherein: a) said telescope is equipped with a field of view and a system of repartitioning the field of view, b) said system of repartitioning the field of view is placed in proximity of die focus of the primary mirror, and is constituted by a secondary mirror composed of n planar reflective surfaces, c) said n planar reflective surfaces are contiguous sine to the other and form a continuous multifaceted prismatic reflector, so as to obtain continuity of the field of view over the whole field, d) said n planar reflective surfaces are followed by a corresponding number of optical cameras that form n portions of image in n distinct focal planes, and e) a collecting and recording element is positioned on each n-th focal plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: OHB ITALIA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Marco Chiarini, Lorenzo Cibin, Roberto Ragazzoni
  • Patent number: 9869876
    Abstract: Light rays from an image A are made to enter one or more retroreflective bodies formed by first and second light-reflective surfaces 13 and 14 and third light-reflective surfaces 15, the first and second light-reflective surfaces 13 and 14 each being orthogonal to one another and formed in a right-triangle-wave pattern in cross section, the third light-reflective surfaces 15 being orthogonal to each of corresponding ones of the first and second light-reflective surfaces 13 and 14, a direction of each of one or more reflected lights from the one or more retroreflective bodies is further turned in a different direction on a corresponding one of fourth light-reflective surfaces 16, and an image B is formed at a different position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: ASUKANET COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Makoto Otsubo
  • Patent number: 9134005
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus including a lamp housing, a light source and a glare restraining unit is provided. The lamp housing has a light exit opening. The light source is disposed according to the light exit opening. The glare restraining unit includes a substrate and a plurality of cone microstructures disposed on the substrate. After passing the glare restraining unit, the light converges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: WINTEK CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ping-Yeng Chen, Kuo-Jui Huang
  • Patent number: 9016875
    Abstract: The invention provides for compositions and process for fabricating an optical reflector constructed from biocompatible and bioresorbable silk fibroin proteins. For example, the silk retroreflectors may be built based on millimeter size microprism arrays to rotate the image plane of imaged cortical layers, thus enhancing the amount of photons that are detectable in the reflected direction when inserted in a sample to be analyzed, and ultimately increasing in contrast ratio in multiphoton microscopy. Such device can be used as a label-free, biocompatible, bioresorbable, implantable device for various applications ranging from medical imaging/diagnostics, drug/therapeutic delivery, to food chain safety and environmental monitoring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Tufts University/Trustees of Tufts College
    Inventors: Fiorenzo Omenetto, David L. Kaplan
  • Patent number: 8953124
    Abstract: An optical system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a reflective imaging element having a first principal face which is struck by light emitted from a display panel, a second principal face parallel to the first principal face, and two mutually-orthogonal specular elements being perpendicular to the first principal face, and causes an image displayed on a display surface of the display panel to form an image at a position of planar symmetry with respect to the reflective imaging element as a plane of symmetry. A transparent substrate which is disposed on at least either the first principal face side or the second principal face side of the reflective imaging element is further included, and first light striking the transparent substrate is linearly polarized light, with a large proportion of p-polarized light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kentarou Imamura, Shigeto Yoshida, Takafumi Shimatani, Hisashi Watanabe
  • Publication number: 20150009566
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to articles, such as retroreflective sheeting articles that comprise a release coating. Also described are release coatings and hydrophilic components suitable for use in release coatings. The release coatings comprise a polyorganosiloxane polymer and at least 10 or 15 wt-% of hydrophilic units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Suresh S. Iyer, Vivek Krishnan, Matthew D. Wilding, Kenton D. Budd, Yu Yang, Sonja S. Mackey
  • Patent number: 8919974
    Abstract: A multi-reflection structure including a substrate and pyramid is provided. The substrate includes an inversed pyramid shaped recess having at least three first reflection sidewalls. The pyramid is disposed on the substrate and located in the inversed pyramid shaped recess. The pyramid has at least three second reflection sidewalls, wherein the normal of each of the second reflection sidewalls and the normal of each of the first reflection sidewalls are not located in the same plane. Furthermore, a photo-electric device is also provided in the present application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Tsung-Dar Cheng, Jen-You Chu, Ding-Zheng Lin, Yi-Ping Chen, Jia-Han Li, Hsin-Hung Cheng, Ying-Yu Chang
  • Publication number: 20140268338
    Abstract: A reflector array optical device has a plurality of dihedral corner reflector array optical elements which are disposed side by side on the same plane. Each of the dihedral corner reflector array optical elements has a substrate and a plurality of dihedral corner reflectors which each have at least two orthogonal side faces perpendicular to the principal surface of the substrate and orthogonal to each other, and which are formed on the substrate so that the orientations of the interior angles of the orthogonal side faces are aligned with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Kunihiko Katano, Takashi Sugiyama, Yuki Kitamura, Satoshi Maekawa
  • Publication number: 20140118827
    Abstract: Retroreflective appliqués and articles include a first binder layer with a first major surface and a second major surface, a retroreflective layer including a plurality of retroreflective elements at least partially embedded in the first major surface of the first binder layer, a second binder layer adhered to the second major surface of the first binder layer, and a substrate layer attached to the second binder layer. The first binder layer is a non-thermoplastic crosslinked copolymer with a Tg of less than 30° C. The second binder layer is an adhesive polymer. The first binder layer and the second binder layer include functional groups capable of co-reacting to form a chemical bond. The retroreflective appliqués can be attached to clothing articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Xiwen Zhang, Ningyong Huang
  • Publication number: 20130250419
    Abstract: A security element for manufacturing value documents, such as bank notes, checks or the like, has an upper side on which there is formed a microcavity structure that has a multiplicity of adjacent microcavities configured as retroreflectors, wherein on the microcavities there is formed a structure causing a color effect. The microcavities are respectively configured such that they have a first region in which radiation incident on the upper side is singly reflected, and a second region in which radiation incident on the upper side is multiply reflected. The structure causing the color effect has a dispersion dependent on the angle of incidence, so that radiation singly reflected at the first region shows a different color effect, when viewed from the upper side, than radiation multiply reflected at the second region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: GIESECKE & DEVRIENT GMBH
    Inventor: Hans Lochbihler
  • Patent number: 8459806
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a triangular pyramidal cube corner retroreflective article and a producing method thereof. In the triangular pyramidal cube corner retroreflective article, a triangular pyramidal cube corner retroreflective element pair group is disposed in a closest-packed fashion on a common plane defined by three base lines, and the each of retroreflective elements in a pair having one base line (A-B) shared by the retroreflective elements in the pair. The triangular pyramidal cube corner retroreflective article includes a first element pair group, in which two interior angles (?=?BAC and ?=?ABC) formed by the shared base line of the element pair and two other base lines are different from each other and the element pair is line-symmetrically disposed in relation to the shared base line (A-B); and a second element pair group, in which the element pair is congruent to a line-symmetrical shape to the first element pair in relation to a line segment connecting vertexes of the base planes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Nippon Carbide Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ikuo Mimura, Chihiro Hayashi, Keiji Amemiya
  • Publication number: 20130128272
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: AVERY DENNISON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Scott N. CHAPMAN
  • Patent number: 8360586
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Aura Optical Systems, LP
    Inventor: Drew J. Buoni
  • Patent number: 8358468
    Abstract: A reflecting sheet of the invention includes at least a surface layer portion and an inner layer portion, where the surface layer portion contains at least 0.3 g/m2 to 20 g/m2 of an inorganic powder and a polyolefin resin (C), the inner layer portion contains a polyolefin resin (A) and at least one kind of resins (B) incompatible with the polyolefin resin (A) at temperatures enabling stretching of the polyolefin resin(A), the surface layer portion meets (n1?n2)/n2?0.20 (n1: refractive index of the inorganic powder, n2: refractive index of the polyolefin resin (C)), and the inner layer portion has voids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shinya Hamasaki, Yuuichi Arito, Kenji Takasa, Tsumoru Kuwabara
  • Publication number: 20120260545
    Abstract: A rescue locator signal is provided that includes a central member with a first arm extending therefrom in a first direction. A second arm extends from the central member in a second direction that is completely opposite to the first direction, and a third arm extends from the central member in a third direction. A fourth arm extends from the central member in a fourth direction that is completely opposite to the third direction. A plurality of reflective members are located on upper surfaces of the first arm, second arm, third arm, and fourth arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: Rescued In Time, LLC.
    Inventor: Richard C. Desaulniers
  • Publication number: 20120229898
    Abstract: Retroreflective sheeting includes a first portion of prismatic retroreflective sheeting having a first cube corner structure that creates a first visual feature in the retroreflective sheeting and a second portion of prismatic retroreflective sheeting having a second cube corner structure that differs from the first cube structure and that creates a second visual feature in the sheeting. The second visual feature in the retroreflective sheeting forms a security mark.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Paul J. Northey, Bruce D. Orensteen
  • Publication number: 20120188641
    Abstract: A retroreflective sheet, which may be a beaded retroreflective sheet or a prismatic retroreflective sheet, is comprised of a substrate having a first and second surfaces with a plurality of retroreflective elements disposed on the second surface of the substrate to form the retroreflective sheet having an initial performance standard and a printed pattern disposed on the second surface, the pattern provided in an amount ranging from 30% to about 100% of an area of the second surface to change a performance level of the retroreflective sheet from the initial performance standard to a selected performance standard. A method for producing the retroreflective sheeting and a system for controlling the retroreflectivity of the retroreflective sheeting by altering a surface of the retroreflective sheeting is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventor: Nikhil AGASHE
  • Publication number: 20120140325
    Abstract: A display device includes a dihedral corner reflector array optical element composed of a substrate and a plurality of dihedral corner reflectors arranged regularly on one main surface of the substrate, the dihedral corner reflectors including orthogonal mirror planes perpendicular to each other and being perpendicular to the main surface of the substrate; and an object existing by the one surface of the substrate, the optical element forming a real image of the object by the other main surface of the substrate. The optical element includes a plurality of protrudent bodies integrally formed of a transparent material of the substrate, each of the protrudent bodies including two sides of orthogonal mirror planes perpendicular to each other as the dihedral corner reflector perpendicular to the main surface of the substrate. The optical element is disposed so that the protrudent bodies face toward a space in which the object exists.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicants: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY, STANLEY ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Sugiyama, Satoshi Maekawa
  • Publication number: 20120092766
    Abstract: A display device is capable of freely setting a viewing location for a real image formed by an imaging optical system of real specular image. The display device includes: an object of view; the imaging optical system having a semitransparent substrate with a plane of symmetry to define an object side space in which the object exists and a viewer side space in which a viewer exists, where the imaging optical system forms a real image of the object of view in the viewer side space with light passing through the substrate; and a reflective mirror arranged in the viewer side space so as to reflect light beams supplied from the imaging optical system to guide the reflected light beams toward the viewer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicants: National Institute of Information and Communications technology, Satnley electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Satoshi Maekawa, Takashi Sugiyama
  • Publication number: 20120092767
    Abstract: A laminate article preferably including two or more layers adapted to be applied to a surface of a roadway that can function as a reflective marker, such as a lane marker or road feature marker. The article includes one or more reflective compounds, preferably particles, aggregates, or clusters that are partially embedded in an exposed outer surface layer of the article. In order to increase the durability of the material, protective media compounds are also present in the outer layer and extend outward therefrom with the protective material protruding a greater distance than the reflective compounds. The articles of the present invention are weather resistant, durable and resistant to damage by vehicles and snowplows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2009
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventors: Hemant A. Naik, Puneet Singh, Ratanjit Sondhe
  • Publication number: 20120081788
    Abstract: A display device is capable of freely setting a viewing location for a real image formed by an imaging optical system of real specular image. The display device includes: an object of view; the imaging optical system having a semitransparent substrate with a plane of symmetry to define an object side space in which the object exists and a viewer side space in which a viewer exists, where the imaging optical system forms a real image of the object of view in the viewer side space with light passing through the substrate; and at least one reflective mirror arranged in the object side space so as to reflect light beams from the object of view to guide the reflected light beams to the imaging optical system of real specular image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Inventors: Satoshi Maekawa, Takashi Sugiyama
  • Publication number: 20110211257
    Abstract: A retroreflective article includes a prismatic film having prismatic elements with a metallized coating wherein the metallized coating is laser etched to provide one or more light transmissive regions to expose underlying material that one or more provides high contrast images that contrast with the retroreflective film. The underlying material can include one or more contrasting elements. The article may be back-lighted to increase the contrast especially during conditions of reduced lighting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: AVERY DENNISON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael HANNINGTON, Anita JUBY, Nikhil AGASHE
  • Publication number: 20110141563
    Abstract: An improved reflective structure utilizing a water transfer printing means for adhesion onto an object in a detachable/non-detachable manner includes a substrate, an isolation layer, an ink layer and a cover layer. The substrate is used for adhesion onto an object, and the isolation layer (an essential oil) is disposed over the substrate and dissolvable in water such that the thickness of the entire structure is reduced. The ink layer has a high polymer content and is printed onto the surface of the isolation layer to provide different patterns. The glass bead layer is capable of reflecting light and is disposed onto the ink layer surface. The cover layer is disposed over the surface of the glass bead layer. Alternatively, the glass bead layer is disposed over the cover layer, and the cover layer is disposed on the ink layer, so that the reflective structure is flexible for complicated, curved shapes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventor: Jin Can Wang
  • Publication number: 20110043914
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2009
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventor: Marni Markell Hurwitz
  • Publication number: 20110013282
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: AURA OPTICAL SYSTEMS, LP
    Inventor: Drew J. Buoni
  • Patent number: 7820083
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Fortson-Peek Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark S. Bjorklund
  • Publication number: 20100265584
    Abstract: Retroreflecting optical constructions are disclosed. A disclosed retroreflecting optical construction includes a retroreflecting layer that has a retroreflecting structured major surface, and an optical film that is disposed on the retroreflecting structured major surface of the retroreflecting layer. The optical film has an optical haze that is not less than about 30%. Substantial portions of each two neighboring major surfaces in the retroreflecting optical construction are in physical contact with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: William D. Coggio, John S. Huizinga, Michael L. Steiner, Robert F. Watkins, Encai Hao, William B. Kolb, Peiwang Zhu, Michael Benton Free, Brant U. Kolb, Kui Chen-Ho, Paul E. Humpal, Kenneth L. Smith, Scott M. Tapio
  • Publication number: 20100238552
    Abstract: A retroreflective article includes: a retroreflective layer including a binding matrix and a plurality of optical elements, the binding matrix having an upper surface, the optical elements being bonded to and protruding from the upper surface of the binding matrix and being capable of directing light, that enters the optical elements, in a direction such that the light can be substantially returned toward a light source from which the light is emitted; a transparent printable layer formed on the retroreflective layer and cooperating with the binding matrix to enclose the optical elements; and a colored layer printed on the printable layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventor: Sheng-Hsu TSAI
  • Patent number: 7777955
    Abstract: Various embodiments described herein comprise mixers comprising a light pipe having input and output ends and a central region therebetween. An optical path extends in a longitudinal direction from the input end through the central region to the output end. The central region of the light pipe comprises one or more rippled reflective sidewalls having a plurality of elongate ridges and valleys and sloping surfaces therebetween. Light from the input end propagating along the optical path reflects from the sloping surfaces and is redirected at a different azimuthal direction toward the output end thereby mixing the light at the output end. Illuminance and/or color mixing can therefore be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Optical Research Associates
    Inventors: William J. Cassarly, Thomas L. R. Davenport, James P. McGuire, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20100101126
    Abstract: A reflective sheet material for use on exterior signs and exposed surfaces includes a sheet member having a series of adjacent, parallel primary grooves extending across at least one surface. Each group is defined by first and second elongate facets forming an angle of at least 90 degrees in a plane perpendicular to the surface and to the length of the facets. A thin opaque, reflective layer extends over the surface in the region of the grooves and conforms to the series of grooves so as to form a series of associated angular grooves. A transparent material extends over and substantially fills these angular grooves, thereby forming a substantially smooth outer surface which is located at or close to the top edges of the grooves. The sheet material can be flexible or rigid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventor: Stanley KEIL
  • Publication number: 20100007824
    Abstract: A reflection-type display device (200) with a plurality of pixel regions (40) includes: alight modulation layer (1); a front substrate (10) and a rear substrate (12) between which the light modulation layer (1) is held; electrode structures (18 and 56) for varying optical characteristics of the light modulation layer (1) for each pixel region (40); a retroreflective layer (2) which is placed on a rear side of the light modulation layer (1); and a non-retroreflection member (53) which is placed on the rear side of the light modulation layer (1) and which has reflection characteristics different from retroreflection. The front substrate (10) includes alight shielding layer (20) which defines an opening (50) in the each pixel region (40), and the opening contains a non-retroreflection region (50n), which is defined by the non-retroreflection member (53), and a retroreflection region (50r), which is defined by the retroreflective layer (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Eiji Satoh
  • Publication number: 20090303593
    Abstract: A series of retroreflective materials of graduated reflectivity each comprising a plurality of transparent elements wherein each of the retroreflective materials has a different proportion of the plurality of transparent elements which are covered with a reflective coating. The materials can be used to dress a set design suitable for filming using chromakeying techniques. A plurality of different objects on the set are covered in different ones of the series of retroreflective materials according, for example, to the position and orientation of the object on the set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventors: Brian Frederick Sagar, John Herbert
  • Publication number: 20090290157
    Abstract: Ellipsometry systems for imaging binding events between analytes in a sample and an array of ligands in an evanescent field generated by a beam of light reflected from the plane of the ligands is adapted to a multiwell plate structure in common use. In one example, a film of prism arrays is affixed to the underside of the plate with each prism array located in registry with a well and ligand arrays being immobilized on the (planar) bottom surface of the wells. The prism array may be formed in a film and juxtaposed with the bottom surface of the plate or a prism array can be made integral with the plate bottom of a multiwell plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Applicant: Maven Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shane C. Dultz, David Ralin
  • Publication number: 20080231954
    Abstract: A reflex reflector can include: a first indicator member composed of a light transmissive resin and including at least one substantially plate-like first reflector with a reflex reflective surface formed thereon and at least one first link plate, in which the first reflector and the first link plate are linked and arranged at a certain angle; and a second indicator member composed of a light transmissive resin and including at least one substantially plate-like second reflector with a reflex reflective surface formed thereon and at least one second link plate having an opening in which the first reflector and the first link plate are linked and arranged at the certain angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventor: JUNJI NISHIYAMA
  • Publication number: 20080198461
    Abstract: This invention provides a retroreflective sheeting provided with a destructive layer, which comprises at least a surface layer, retroreflective element layer and adhesive layer, characterized in that at least one destructive layer is provided between the layers constituting the retroreflective sheeting, that the resin constituting said destructive layer is alicyclic polyolefin resin or alicyclic acrylic resin; and when the retroreflective sheeting which is once stuck on a substrate is peeled off from the substrate, that the peeling takes place at the interface of the destructive layer and the layer which is in intimate contact therewith and/or by destruction of the destructive layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: NIPPON CARBIDE KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Futoshi Nomura, Ikuo Mimura
  • Patent number: 7399092
    Abstract: A reflector (10) includes a frame (20) and reflector pieces (40, 50). The frame (20) is made of a light-opaque material and the reflector pieces (40, 50) are made of semi-light-transparent materials, preferably color tinted. The frame (20) includes frame portions (22, 24, 26, 28) that are, in cross-section, L-shaped members that support and cover the edge of a flat object when that object is placed within the frame (20). The frame (20) includes a plurality of bands (32, 34, 36). Between the bands (32, 34, 36) are voids (33, 35). The bands (32, 34, 36) include rearwardly extending posts (38). A first reflector piece (40) includes a reflector surface (42) surrounded by a flat border (44). The reflector surface (42) is made up of a plurality of pyramidal elements (46), that are intended to reflect light back toward a light source in a generally light-scattering and diffusing manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Inventors: Robert D. Heckel, II, Richard D. Heckel, Richard C. Kochanski
  • Publication number: 20080055725
    Abstract: An embodiment of a vehicle reflector comprises a prismatic lens and a vehicle coupling mechanism adapted to couple the lens to a vehicle. Typically, the reflector also includes a substrate, the prismatic lens being substantially permanently coupled to the substrate and the substrate is additionally permanently coupled to the vehicle coupling mechanism. The vehicle coupling mechanism may detachably couple the reflector to a vehicle coupling surface. The vehicle coupling surface is typically a rear-facing surface located between a tailgate and the rear bumper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Inventor: David M. Dornbos
  • Patent number: 7274508
    Abstract: A projection screen includes a plurality of passive elements each having a sidewall surrounding a surface, wherein said sidewall is configured to attenuate light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: William J. Allen, John M. Koegler, Anurag Gupta, Lawrence C. Mann
  • Patent number: 7151639
    Abstract: A thin-type spherical lens, fabricated according to the result of the virtual procedures of removing the portion of each of a plurality of lens bodies with different radii of curvature of light-exiting faces, which corresponds to a spherical surface with the optical axis of the thin-type spherical lens as its central axis, and assembling the preserved portions thereof to form a plurality of grooves as the light-exiting faces, which are equivalent to the grooves of the conventional Fresnel lens, wherein the depths or the widths of the plurality of grooves are different, and the curvature radii of the plurality of light-exiting faces are also designed to be different so that the lights emerging from the plurality of light-exiting faces are all focused on an identical point. The present invention can, as compare to the conventional approach, reduce the lens thickness when the radius of the apertures on the lens increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Assignee: Everspring Industry, Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ting-Hua Lung
  • Patent number: 6958179
    Abstract: The present invention provides a new sheeting article that may suitably include: a carrier having a first major surface and a second major surface; and a plurality of discrete segments of a sheeting (e.g., a retroreflective sheeting), wherein the sheeting has a first major viewing surface and a second major opposing surface, and the first major viewing surface of the sheeting is preferably removably attached to the second major surface of the carrier. Preferably, the first major surface of the carrier comprises a release surface, the second major opposing surface of the sheeting comprises an adhesive, the article is provided in the form of a roll, and the adhesive surface of the sheeting is adjacent the release surface of an adjacent layer of the roll. In a presently preferred embodiment the present invention provides novel easy-to-use truck conspicuity sheeting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Eugene H. Carlson, James C. Coderre, Christopher L. Harvey, James E. Lasch, David W. Meitz, Colleen C. Nagel
  • Patent number: 6935756
    Abstract: The invention relates to articles comprising a sheeting having a microstructured surface that reflects light in a moiré-like pattern. The invention further relates to methods of making a master and replicas thereof including tooling that results in sheeting having such pattern. A preferred method comprises forming V-shaped grooves in a substrate (e.g. metal plate) wherein the intersections of three grooves form cube-corner elements. The cube-corner elements are formed in such a manner that adjacent parallel grooves have substantially the same groove spacing and groove depth throughout the array. The master as well as corresponding tooling and sheeting preferably have a groove spacing within the range of about 0.0005 inches (0.0127 mm) to about 0.007 inches (0.1778 mm) throughout the array and more preferably a groove spacing of less than about 0.004 inches (0.1016 mm).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Nelson D. Sewall, Kenneth L. Smith, David W. Meitz, Madeleine B. Fleming, John C. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6843571
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods of making a master and replicas thereof including tooling and retroreflective sheeting. The invention further relates to the corresponding master, tooling and in particular retroreflective sheeting. The method comprises forming V-shaped grooves in a substrate (e.g. metal plate) wherein the intersections of three grooves form cube-corner elements. The cube-corner elements are substantially the same size throughout the array. The master as well as corresponding tooling and sheeting preferably have an average groove spacing within the range of about 0.0005 inches (0.0127 mm) to about 0.007 inches (0.1778 mm) throughout the array and more preferably an average groove spacing of less than about 0.004 inches (0.1016 mm).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Nelson D. Sewall, Kenneth L. Smith, David W. Meitz, Madeleine B. Fleming, John C. Nelson
  • Patent number: 6793375
    Abstract: A surface mountable strobe incorporates an elongated light source and a multi-element reflector. The reflector includes a first generally circular partial parabolic reflector element with an axis of rotation which corresponds to an axis of symmetry of the source. The first reflector element produces a spike of on-axis radiant energy which substantially exceeds the off-axis output profile. A plurality of spaced apart arcuate reflector elements provides output light profiles in horizontal and vertical planes which intersect at or near the axis of the source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas J. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6758567
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Inventor: Adl Attar
  • Patent number: 6678097
    Abstract: A non-planar Fresnel reflector array mold pattern and fabrication method are described which can be utilized to manufacture integral non-planar Fresnel reflector arrays which are not subject to molding inclusions. The Fresnel reflector segments comprising the mold pattern are joined at angles to one another and incorporate off-axis Fresnel segments at segment positions in which the optical axis of the segment is not sufficiently parallel to the intended pull direction of the associated mold. The focal point of each off-axis segment lies along a path that is angularly offset from the optical axis of said segment. The use of properly oriented off-axis Fresnel segments within the non-planar Fresnel array result in the elimination of molding inclusions. The mold pattern thus created may be positive or negative, and provides the three-dimensional pattern from which the final manufacturing molds or tools are created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: David I. McKenney
  • Patent number: RE40227
    Abstract: A thin, flexible film made of a transparent polymeric material including a structured surface and an opposite smooth surface, wherein light striking either surface, within certain angular ranges, is totally internally reflected. The structured surface includes a linear array of miniature substantially right angled isosceles prisms arranged side-by-side to form a plurality of peaks and grooves. In addition, the perpendicular sides of the prims make an angle of approximately 45° with the smooth surface, and when the film is curled the smooth surface lies in a smooth continuous arcuate curve without materially affecting the performance of the film. Because of the film's flexibility and its ability to totally internally reflect light, it may be utilized in a variety of ways, for example, as a collector of solar energy or as a light conduit. The performance of the film may be manipulated to permit controlled light leakage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventor: Sanford Cobb, Jr.