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US5128804A
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US
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Permeable retroreflective sheeting
Assignee: 3M Co
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Filing: 1991-02-06
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Granted: 1992-07-07
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Expires: 2011-02-06
Abstract
Abstract Flexible, self-supporting, air-permeable retroreflective sheeting comprising a two-sided, self-supporting, air-permeable web of thermoplastic filaments with retroreflective elements partially embedded in the filaments on one side of the web. On the other side of the web, the surfaces of the filaments are substantially free of retroreflective elements. In some embodiments, the web may be used as a bonding agent to secure the sheeting to a desired substrate.
Inventors
- 👤 Vera L. Lightle
- 👤 Johann F. Petersen
- 👤 Wallace K. Bingham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 02:35
CPC Classifications
D; D04; D04H; D04H3/00; D04H3/08; D04H3/16; G; G02; G02B; G02B1/00; G02B1/10; G02B5/00; G02B5/12; G02B5/126; G02B5/128; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T442/00; Y10T442/20; Y10T442/259; Y10T442/2598; Y10T442/60; Y10T442/654; Y10T442/658
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
55 words
An air-permeable retroreflective sheeting comprising a two-sided web of thermoplastic filaments wherein on a first side of the web retroreflective elements are partially embedded in said filaments, and on the second side of said web the filaments are substantially free of said retroreflective elements, said sheeting having an air-permeability of at least about 5 liters/minute.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
55 words
An air-permeable retroreflective sheeting comprising a two-sided web of thermoplastic filaments wherein on a first side of the web retroreflective elements are partially embedded in said filaments, and on the second side of said web the filaments are substantially free of said retroreflective elements, said sheeting having an air-permeability of at least about 5 liters/minute.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The sheeting of claim 1 wherein said sheeting has an air-permeability of at least about 14 liters/minute.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The sheeting of claim 1 wherein said sheeting has an air-permeability of at least about 55 liters/minute.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The sheeting of claim 1 wherein said web is a non-woven web.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sheeting of claim 1 wherein said filaments have a melt index of between about 2 and about 60.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sheeting of claim 1 wherein said filaments have a melt index of between about 15 and about 30.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The sheeting of claim 1 wherein said filaments have a melting point between about 40° C. and about 250° C.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The sheeting of claim 1 wherein said filaments have a melting point between about 95° C. and about 205° C.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The sheeting of claim 1 wherein said web contains a coloring agent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sheeting of claim 1 wherein said retroreflective elements comprise substantially transparent microspheres having substantially hemispheric reflective layers thereon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
10 words
The sheeting of claim 10 wherein said microspheres comprise glass.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The sheeting of claim 10 wherein said microspheres have an average diameter between about 40 and about 90 microns.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The sheeting of claim 10 wherein said microspheres have an average index of refraction of between about 1.7 and about 2.5.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The sheeting of claim 10 wherein said reflective layers comprise at least one of the following: aluminum, silver, dielectric coating, or flakes of reflective material in a binder layer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
An article of clothing made from the sheeting of claim 1.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
The article of claim 15 wherein said article is a vest.
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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) | 1995-07-07 | 1996-01-06 | 1996-07-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-07-07 | 2000-01-06 | 2000-07-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-07-07 | 2004-01-06 | 2004-07-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |