US4336092A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Retroreflective fiber and method of making same
Assignee: 3M Co
•
Filing: 1980-03-24
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Granted: 1982-06-22
•
Expires: 2000-03-24
Abstract
Abstract A thread-like continuous retroreflective fiber and method of making same, comprising the steps of laminating a thin film of retroreflective material to a supporting polyester film, and then slitting the laminate to form narrow strips of retroreflective material having sufficient strength to be combined with other fibers to form a composite yarn having retroreflective characteristics, which composite yarn may then be woven, knitted, or spun to provide a fabric having retroreflective characteristics.
Inventors
- 👤 Allan Wasserman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 08:14
CPC Classifications
D; D01; D01D; D01D5/00; D01D5/42; D02; D02G; D02G3/00; D02G3/02; D02G3/06; D02G3/22; D02G3/34; D02G3/346; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T156/00; Y10T156/10; Y10T156/1052; Y10T156/1084; Y10T156/1087; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/29; Y10T428/2913; Y10T428/2927; Y10T428/2933; Y10T428/2964; Y10T428/2967; Y10T428/2969
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of making a thread-like continuous fiber having retroreflective characteristics and having sufficient structural strength to permit it to be effectively used during knitting, weaving or spinning of a composite yarn or fabric consisting of the following steps: (A) Providing a thin film of retroreflective material consisting of a plurality of exposed minute glass beads bonded in a flexible elastomeric material; (B) Laminating thereto a thin flexible supporting film so as to provide a laminate defined by said retroreflective material on one surface and said supporting film on the opposite surface; and (C) Slitting said laminate into elongated thread-like fibers.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of making a thread-like continuous fiber having retroreflective characteristics and having sufficient structural strength to permit it to be effectively used during knitting, weaving or spinning of a composite yarn or fabric consisting of the following steps: (A) Providing a thin film of retroreflective material consisting of a plurality of exposed minute glass beads bonded in a flexible elastomeric material; (B) Laminating thereto a thin flexible supporting film so as to provide a laminate defined by said retroreflective material on one surface and said supporting film on the opposite surface; and (C) Slitting said laminate into elongated thread-like fibers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 further characterized in that said thin flexible supporting film is a polyester.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2 further characterized in that said retroreflective film is approximately 10 times as thick as said polyester film.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 3 further characterized in that said polyester film is approximately 1/2 mil in thickness.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 2 further characterized in that said polyester film is metallized.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-06-21 | 1985-12-21 | 1986-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-06-21 | 1989-12-21 | 1990-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-06-21 | 1993-12-21 | 1994-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |