US5234729A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multilayer polymeric reflective bodies for decorative and security applications
Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
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Filing: 1992-02-27
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Granted: 1993-08-10
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Expires: 2012-02-27
Abstract
Abstract A multilayered reflective polymeric body of alternating layers of polymers wherein at least a portion of the layers are in a folded-over relationship is provided along with a coextrusion apparatus and method of preparing the multilayer polymeric body. The reflective polymeric body includes at least first and second diverse polymeric materials having a sufficient number of alternating layers of the first and second polymeric materials such that a portion of the light incident on the body is reflected. The first and second polymeric materials differ from each other in refractive index by at least about 0.03. The reflective body is thermoformable and may be fabricated into wall panels, dishware, decorative trims, and the like, and may also find use in security applications such as credit cards, credit card emblems, or on currency.
Inventors
- 👤 John A. Wheatley
- 👤 Walter J. Schrenk
- 👤 David M. Wisniewski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 08:05
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29D; B29D11/00; B29C; B29C43/00; B29C43/22; B29C43/30; B29C48/00; B29C48/001; B29C48/03; B29C48/07; B29C48/08; B29C48/12; B29C48/16; B29C48/18; B29C48/21; B29C48/25; B29C48/30; B29C48/305; B29C48/307; B29C48/88; B29C48/911; B29C48/9135; B29C48/914; B29C48/915; B29C48/9155; G; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/20; G02B5/28; G02B5/285; G02B5/287; B29C48/0017; B29C48/0019; B29C48/13; B29C48/90; B29C48/908; B29K; B29K2995/00; B29K2995/0018; B29K2995/003; B29L; B29L2009/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/2419; Y10T428/24264; Y10T428/24355; Y10T428/24471; Y10T428/24479; Y10T428/2457; Y10T428/24628; Y10T428/24636; Y10T428/24645; Y10T428/24942; Y10T428/2495; Y10T428/31504
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A multilayer reflective polymeric body of at least first and second diverse generally transparent polymeric materials, arranged in a sufficient number of alternating layers of said first and second polymeric materials such that at least 30% of the light incident on said body is reflected, wherein said first and second polymeric materials differ from each other in refractive index by at least about 0.03, and wherein at least a portion of said reflective polymeric body includes at least some of said alternating layers in a folded-over relationship.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
A multilayer reflective polymeric body of at least first and second diverse generally transparent polymeric materials, arranged in a sufficient number of alternating layers of said first and second polymeric materials such that at least 30% of the light incident on said body is reflected, wherein said first and second polymeric materials differ from each other in refractive index by at least about 0.03, and wherein at least a portion of said reflective polymeric body includes at least some of said alternating layers in a folded-over relationship.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The multilayer reflective polymeric body of claim 1 wherein said folded-over relationship of said layers produces striations on portions of said body.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The multilayer reflective polymeric body of claim 1 wherein said body comprises at least 500 layers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The multilayer reflective polymeric body of claim 1 wherein said body is thermoformable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The multilayer reflective polymeric body of claim 1 including a coloring agent incorporated into at least one layer of said polymeric body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The multilayer reflective polymeric body of claim 1 wherein a substantial majority of said alternating layers have optical thicknesses of at least 0.45 μm or less than 0.09 μm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
The multilayer reflective polymeric body of claim 1 wherein a portion of said alternating layers have optical thicknesses between 0.09 μm and 0.45 μm and the remaining layers have optical thicknesses of not greater than 0.09 μm or not less than 0.45 μm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The multilayer reflective polymeric body of claim 1 wherein the portion of said layers in said folded-over relationship have optical thicknesses of at least 0.45 μm or less than 0.09 μm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The multilayer reflective polymeric body of claim 1 wherein a portion of said layers in said folded-over relationship have optical thicknesses between 0.09 and 0.45 μm and the remaining layers have optical thicknesses of not greater than 0.09 μm or not less than 0.45 μm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The multilayer reflective polymeric body of claim 1 wherein a substantial majority of said alternating layers have optical thicknesses of greater than 0.09 μm and less than 0.45 μm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
The multilayer reflective polymeric body of claim 1 wherein a substantial majority of the individual layers of said first polymeric material in said folded-over relationship have an optical thickness of at least 0.45 μm and a substantial majority of the individual layers of said second polymeric material in said folded-over relationship have an optical thickness of 0.09 μm or less.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The multilayer reflective polymeric body of claim 1 in which said body is extruded as a profile.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The multilayer reflective polymeric body of claim 1 in which said body is post formed into a profile.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The multilayer reflective polymeric body of claim 1 wherein said polymeric body is in the form of a sheet having two major surfaces.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The multilayer reflective polymeric body of claim 1 wherein said polymeric body includes a protective skin layer on at least one major surface thereof.
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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) | 1996-08-09 | 1997-02-08 | 1997-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-09 | 2001-02-08 | 2001-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-09 | 2005-02-08 | 2005-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |