US5082715A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Conformable polymeric marking sheet
Assignee: 3M Co
•
Filing: 1989-08-28
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Granted: 1992-01-21
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Expires: 2009-08-28
Abstract
Abstract Conformable marking sheet comprising a microporous thermoplastic polymer base sheet having a network of interconnected pores. The marking sheet has a low yield stress, making it conformable to rough surfaces. The pores of the base sheet can be filled with a diluent (wax) or they may have the diluent removed, for example by extraction. The construction may further comprise an adhesive on the bottom and a top marking indicium layer comprising a polymeric binder in which is partially embedded a multiplicity of retroflective lens elements, e.g., transparent microspheres.
Inventors
- 👤 James E. Lasch
- 👤 James M. Kaczmarczik
- 👤 James A. Klein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:26
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01F; E01F9/00; E01F9/50; E01F9/506; E01F9/512; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24355; Y10T428/24372; Y10T428/24802; Y10T428/24893; Y10T428/249921; Y10T428/249953; Y10T428/249978; Y10T428/249979; Y10T428/249986
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
A conformable marking sheet, having a top surface and a bottom surface, comprising a base sheet comprising microporous thermoplastic polymer, which marking sheet is characterized by: A. exhibiting, when tested using standard tensile strength testing apparatus, at least 25% inelastic deformation after being stretched once to 115% of original sample length; and B. a top surface useful as a marking indicium and having a multiplicity of retroreflective elements partially embedded therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
A conformable marking sheet, having a top surface and a bottom surface, comprising a base sheet comprising microporous thermoplastic polymer, which marking sheet is characterized by: A. exhibiting, when tested using standard tensile strength testing apparatus, at least 25% inelastic deformation after being stretched once to 115% of original sample length; and B. a top surface useful as a marking indicium and having a multiplicity of retroreflective elements partially embedded therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The conformable marking sheet of claim 1 of which the stress required to achieve a strain of 15% is less than 260 Newtons per cm of sample width.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The conformable marking sheet of claim 1 having an effective pore size of from 100 Angstroms to 4 micrometers in the base sheet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The conformable marking sheet of claim 1 wherein the base sheet is characterized by a having a multiplicity of spaced, randomly dispersed, non-uniform microscopic masses of crystallizable thermoplastic polymer interconnected by fibrils of the thermoplastic polymer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The conformable marking sheet of claim 1 wherein the base sheet is characterized by having a multiplicity of cells, adjacent cells being connected to form a network of communicating pores.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The conformable marking sheet of claim 1 wherein the thermoplastic polymer is selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, ethylene copolymers, ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymers, polymethylpentene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinyl-containing polymers, polyamides, polyesters, polyurethanes, and polycarbonates.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The conformable marking sheet of claim 6 wherein the pores of the thermoplastic polymer are at least partially filled with a diluent selected from the group consisting of polymers and resins that are substantially miscible with the melt of the thermoplastic polymer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
The conformable marking sheet of claim 6 wherein the pores of the thermoplastic polymer are at least partially filled with a diluent selected from the group consisting of: toluene, xylene, naphthalene, butylbenzene, p-cymene, diethylbenzene, pentylbenzene, monochlorobenzene, nonane, decane, undecane, dodecane, kerosene, tetralin, decalin, mineral oil, mineral spirits, methyl nonyl ketone, dibenzyl ether, dibutyl phthalate, diethylphthalate, dioctylphthalate, decanoic acid, oleic acid, decyl alcohol, and waxes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The conformable marking sheet of claim 8 wherein the diluent at least partially filling the pores comprises wax and a second polymer in lesser amount than the wax.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The conformable marking sheet of claim 8 wherein the thermoplastic polymer comprises 1-75 weight percent of the total of thermoplastic polymer and diluent in the base layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The conformable marking sheet of claim 6 which further comprises a top layer comprising a flexible polymer useful as a marking indicium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
27 words
The conformable marking sheet of claim 6 which further comprises a top layer comprising a flexible polymer in which a multiplicity of reflective elements is partially embedded.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The conformable marking sheet of claim 12 in which the top layer polymer is selected from the group consisting of vinyl polymers, polyurethane, epoxies, polyesters and ethylene copolymers.
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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) | 1995-01-20 | 1995-07-22 | 1996-01-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-01-20 | 1999-07-22 | 2000-01-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-01-20 | 2003-07-22 | 2004-01-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |