US5008142A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Embedded lens retroreflective sheeting with flexible, dimensionally stable coating
Assignee: 3M Co
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Filing: 1988-09-02
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Granted: 1991-04-16
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Expires: 2008-09-02
Abstract
Abstract A curable polymer composition for use in providing a dimensionally stable coating comprises a semi-interpenetrating polymer network. The semi-interpenetrating polymer network includes a reactive polymer component, cross-linking agent, and non-reactive polymer component. The non-reactive polymer component has a molecular weight of about 7,000-30,000, and preferably about 15,000. In preferred embodiments, the reactive polymer has a molecular weight of about 30,000-200,000, and preferably about 40,000-60,000. Spacecoat compositions made with formulations described, exhibit good long-term stability, and resistance to failure upon embossing of a substrate to which the retroreflective sheeting is applied.
Inventors
- 👤 Bruce B. Wilson
- 👤 Raymond E. Grunzinger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 01:53
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F13/00; G09F13/16; C; C09; C09D; C09D201/00; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/12; G02B5/126; G02B5/128; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/913; Y10S525/00; Y10S525/903; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24802; Y10T428/24851; Y10T428/24868; Y10T428/24876; Y10T428/25; Y10T428/252; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31678; Y10T428/31688; Y10T428/31692; Y10T428/31699
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
An embedded lens retroeflective sheeting comprising a resin matrix layer in which is partially embedded a plurality of bead lenses, a spacecoat comprising a light transmissive, polymeric layer on the side of the lenses not embedded in the resin matrix layer, and a reflective surface on the side of the spacecoat opposite the lenses; said spacecoat comprising a semi-interpenetrating polymer network which comprises: (a) a cross-linked reactive polymer component (b) a cross-linking agent which is at least di-functional with respect to reaction with reactive polymer component; and (c) a non-reactive polymer component having a weight average molecular weight of between about 7,000 and 30,000, and at least 40% of which can be extracted by solvent from said spacecoat.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
An embedded lens retroeflective sheeting comprising a resin matrix layer in which is partially embedded a plurality of bead lenses, a spacecoat comprising a light transmissive, polymeric layer on the side of the lenses not embedded in the resin matrix layer, and a reflective surface on the side of the spacecoat opposite the lenses; said spacecoat comprising a semi-interpenetrating polymer network which comprises: (a) a cross-linked reactive polymer component (b) a cross-linking agent which is at least di-functional with respect to reaction with reactive polymer component; and (c) a non-reactive polymer component having a weight average molecular weight of between about 7,000 and 30,000, and at least 40% of which can be extracted by solvent from said spacecoat.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A retroreflective sheeting according to claim 1 wherein: (a) said cross-linker is an eminoplast resin; (b) said reactive polymer component comprises polyvinyl acetal material; and (c) said non-reactive polymer component is polycaprolactone polymer having no greater than about 10 functional hydroxy groups per 15,000 weight average molecular weight.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A retroreflective sheeting according to claim 2 wherein: (a) said cross-linker is a methoxy methylated malamine, (b) said reactive polymer component is a polyvinyl butyral; and, (c) said non-reactive polymer component is hydroxy terminated polycaprolactone polymer.
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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) | 1994-04-15 | 1994-10-15 | 1995-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-04-15 | 1998-10-15 | 1999-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-04-15 | 2002-10-15 | 2003-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |