Patent US5117304A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5117304A
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US
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Retroreflective article
Assignee: 3M Co
•
Filing: 1990-09-21
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Granted: 1992-05-26
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Expires: 2010-09-21
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides improved, flexible retroreflective articles based upon an optically clear, aliphatic polyurethane polymer. The aliphatic polymer has a plurality of hard chain segments of the formula --C(O)N(H)--C.sub.6 H.sub.10 --N(H)C(O)--.
Inventors
- 👤 Tzu-Li J. Huang
- 👤 Walton J. Hammar
- 👤 James C. Coderre
- 👤 Mirian D. Nave
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:43
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/12; G02B5/122; G02B5/124; C; C08; C08G; C08G18/00; C08G18/06; C08G18/70; C08G18/72; C08G18/74; C08G18/75; C08G18/751; G02B1/00; G02B1/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
54 words
A flexible, retroreflective article, comprising a land and an array of retroreflective elements on the land, wherein the retroreflective elements comprise an optically clear, flexible, aliphatic polyurethane polymer wherein the aliphatic polyurethane polymer comprises a first plurality of hard chain segments having the formula --C(O)N(H)--C.sub.6 H.sub.10 --N(H)C(O)-- which are incorporated into the polyurethane polymer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
54 words
A flexible, retroreflective article, comprising a land and an array of retroreflective elements on the land, wherein the retroreflective elements comprise an optically clear, flexible, aliphatic polyurethane polymer wherein the aliphatic polyurethane polymer comprises a first plurality of hard chain segments having the formula --C(O)N(H)--C.sub.6 H.sub.10 --N(H)C(O)-- which are incorporated into the polyurethane polymer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The retroreflective article of claim 1, wherein the retroreflective elements and the land are an integral body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The retroreflective article of claim 1, wherein the retroreflective elements are cube-corner retroreflective elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The retroreflective article of claim 1, wherein the aliphatic polyurethane polymer comprises from about 2 to about 20 percent by weight of the first plurality of hard chain segments.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The retroreflective article of claim 1, wherein the aliphatic polyurethane polymer further comprises a plurality of soft chain segments having the formula --ORO--, wherein R is a divalent, aliphatic moiety, and wherein the soft chain segments have a molecular weight of from about 400 to about 5000.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The retroreflective article of claim 5, wherein the aliphatic polyurethane polymer comprises from about 30 weight percent to about 90 weight percent of the soft chain segments.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The retroreflective article of claim 5, wherein the soft chain segments are derived from a polydiol selected from the group consisting of polyester diols, polycaprolactone diols, polycarbonate diols, polydimethylsiloxane diols, polyether diols, polyolefin diols, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The retroreflective article of claim 5, wherein the soft chain segments are derived from a polydiol selected from the group consisting of a hydroxy-terminated polycaprolactone diol, a hydroxy-terminated poly(tetramethylene oxide) diol, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
87 words
The retroreflective article of claim 5, wherein the aliphatic polyurethane polymer further comprises a second plurality of hard chain segments having the formula --C(O)N(H)--R'--N(H)C(O) wherein R' is a divalent aliphatic moiety, said second plurality of hard chain segments being incorporated into the polyurethane polymer in an amount such that the ratio of the number of moles of the first plurality of hard chain segments to the total number of moles of the first and second plurality of hard chain segments is from about 0.05 to about 1.0.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The retroreflective article of claim 9, wherein the ratio of the number of moles of the first plurality of hard chain segments to the total number of moles of the first and second plurality of hard chain segments is from about 0.05 to about 0.40.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The retroreflective article of claim 9, wherein the second plurality of hard chain segments are derived from methylene bis-(4-cyclohexyl-isocyanate).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
66 words
The retroreflective article of claim 9, wherein the aliphatic polyurethane polymer further comprises a plurality of chain extender segments incorporated into the polyurethane polymer in an amount such that the ratio of the total number of moles of the first and second plurality of hard chain segments to the total number of moles of the soft chain segments and the chain extender segments is about 1.0+/-0.05.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
55 words
The retroreflective article of claim 12, wherein the chain extender segments have the formula --X--R.sup.o --X-- wherein the chain extender segments have a molecular weight of about 400 or less, wherein R o is a divalent aliphatic moiety, and wherein X is selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur, NH, C(O)O, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
38 words
The retroreflective article of claim 12, wherein the chain extender segments are derived from a compound having a molecular weight of less than about 400 and are selected from the group consisting of diamines, diols, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The retroreflective article of claim 12, wherein the chain extender segments are derived from 1,4-butane diol.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
87 words
The retroreflective article of claim 1, wherein the aliphatic polyurethane polymer further comprises a second plurality of hard chain segments having the formula --C(O)N(H)--R'--N(H)C(O)-- wherein R' is a divalent aliphatic moiety, said second plurality of hard chain segments being incorporated into the polyurethane polymer in an amount such that the ratio of the number of moles of the first plurality of hard chain segments to the total number of moles of the first and second plurality of hard chain segments is from about 0.05 to about 1.0.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
The retroreflective article of claim 16, wherein the ratio of the number of moles of the first plurality of hard claim segments to the total number of moles of the first and second plurality of hard chain segments is from about 0.10 to about 0.40.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The retroreflective article of claim 16, wherein the second plurality of hard chain segments are derived from methylene bis-(4-cyclohexyl-isocyanate).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The retroreflective article of claim 1, wherein the aliphatic polyurethane polymer further comprises a plurality of chain extender segments incorporated into the polyurethane polymer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
55 words
The retroreflective article of claim 19, wherein the chain extender segments have the formula --X--R.sup.o --X--, wherein the chain extender segments have a molecular weight of about 400 or less, wherein R o is a divalent aliphatic moiety, and wherein X is selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur, NH, C(O)O, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The retroreflective article of claim 19, wherein the chain extender segments are derived from a compound having a molecular weight of less than about 400 and are selected from the group consisting of diamines, diols, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The retroreflective article of claim 19, wherein the chain extender segments are derived from 1,4-butane diol.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The retroreflective article of claim 1, wherein the aliphatic polyurethane polymer has a number average molecular weight of at least about 60,000.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The retroreflective article of claim 1, wherein the aliphatic polyurethane polymer has a weight average molecular weight of at least about 100,000.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The retroreflective article of claim 1, further comprising a backing layer applied to the apices of the retroreflective elements.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The retroreflective article of claim 1, further comprising a protective top layer applied to the lower surface of the land.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
A flexible, retroreflective article, comprising a land and an array of retroreflective elements on the land, wherein the retroreflective elements comprise an optically clear, flexible aliphatic polyurethane polymer having a softening temperature of at least 110° C.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
37 words
A flexible, retroreflective article, comprising a land and an array of retroreflective elements on the land, wherein the retroreflective elements comprise an optically clear, flexible aliphatic polyurethane polymer having a softening temperature of at least 110° C.
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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) | 1995-05-26 | 1995-11-25 | 1996-05-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-05-26 | 1999-11-25 | 2000-05-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-05-26 | 2003-11-25 | 2004-05-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |