US5272562A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cube-corner retroreflective articles
Assignee: 3M Co
•
Filing: 1993-02-05
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Granted: 1993-12-21
•
Expires: 2013-02-05
Abstract
Abstract A retroreflective article (30, 50) has opaque pigment particles (38, 58) dispersed in a retroreflective region (33, 53) of a front portion (35, 55) of a sheeting (32, 52) that includes a body portion (34, 54) and a multitude of cube-corner elements (36, 56). The opaque pigment particles (38, 58) scatter white, yellow, or light brown light to allow the retroreflective article to demonstrate improved lightness and, if colored fluorescent, improved fluorescence. The improvement in lightness and fluorescence makes the retroreflective articles more conspicuous to persons during the daytime.
Inventors
- 👤 James C. Coderre
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:54
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/12; G02B5/122; G02B5/124; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/14; Y10T428/1405
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
60 words
A retroreflective article that comprises: a sheeting having a front portion that includes a retroreflective region that has a body portion and a plurality of cube-corner elements which project away from the body portion; and opaque pigment particles that have lightness improving properties, the opaque pigment particles being dispersed in the retroreflective region of the front portion of the sheeting.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
60 words
A retroreflective article that comprises: a sheeting having a front portion that includes a retroreflective region that has a body portion and a plurality of cube-corner elements which project away from the body portion; and opaque pigment particles that have lightness improving properties, the opaque pigment particles being dispersed in the retroreflective region of the front portion of the sheeting.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The retroreflective article of claim 1, wherein the opaque pigment particles are dispersed in the body portion or cube-corner elements of the front portion of the sheeting.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The retroreflective article of claim 1, wherein the back side of the cube-corner elements has a metallic coating placed thereon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The retroreflective article of claim 3, wherein the metallic coating is aluminum or silver.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The retroreflective article of claim 1, wherein the back side of the cube-corner elements interfaces with air contained in a plurality of hermetically sealed air chambers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The retroreflective article of claim 1, wherein the opaque pigment particles have a refractive index greater than 1.8.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The retroreflective article of claim 6, wherein the opaque pigment particles have a refractive index greater than 2.2.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The retroreflective article of claim 7, wherein the opaque pigment particles have a refractive index greater than 2.6.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The retroreflective article of claim 8, wherein the opaque pigment particles include rutile titanium dioxide pigment particles.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The retroreflective article of claim 7, wherein the opaque pigment particles have a mean size ranging from 0.1 to 5 micrometers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The retroreflective article of claim 10, wherein the opaque pigment particles have a mean size ranging from 0.5 to 2 micrometers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The retroreflective article of claim 6, wherein the opaque pigment particles diffusely reflect white light.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The retroreflective article of claim 6, wherein the opaque pigment particles are selected from the group consisting of Colour Index Pigment White 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, and combinations thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The retroreflective article of claim 6, wherein the opaque pigment particles are dispersed in the front portion of the retroreflective sheeting in the range of 0.0001 to 0.75 volume percent.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The retroreflective article of claim 14, wherein the opaque pigment particles are dispersed in the front portion of the sheeting in the range of 0.0002 to 0.075 volume percent.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The retroreflective article of claim 15, wherein the opaque pigment particles are dispersed in the front portion of the sheeting in the range of 0.005 to 0.05 volume percent.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
The retroreflective article of claim 1, wherein the opaque pigment particles are selected from the group consisting of Colour Index Pigment White 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, Pigment Brown 24, Pigment Yellow 34, 35, 37, 53, 161, 184, and combinations thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The retroreflective article of claim 1, wherein the front portion of the sheeting has a layer that is colored by having dye or transparent pigment incorporated therein.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The retroreflective article of claim 18, wherein the opaque pigment particles are not located in the sheeting in front of the colored layer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The retroreflective article of claim 1, wherein retroreflective article displays a fluorescent daytime color.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The retroreflective article of claim 1, which demonstrates a Luminance Factor Y of 50 or greater when tested according to ASTM E 1349-90.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The retroreflective article of claim 21, which demonstrates a Coefficient of Retroreflection of greater than 160 when tested according to ASTM E 810-91.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
36 words
The retroreflective article of claim 1, wherein the Luminance Factor Y is 30 or greater and the Coefficient of Retroreflection is 600 or better when tested according to ASTM E 1349-90 and ASTM E 810-91, respectively.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
44 words
A method of making a retroreflective article, which method comprises: dispersing opaque pigment particles in at least a retroreflective region of a front portion of a sheeting that contains a plurality of cube-corner elements, wherein the dispersed opaque pigment particles possess lightness improving properties.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
44 words
A method of making a retroreflective article, which method comprises: dispersing opaque pigment particles in at least a retroreflective region of a front portion of a sheeting that contains a plurality of cube-corner elements, wherein the dispersed opaque pigment particles possess lightness improving properties.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 24, wherein the opaque pigment particles are titanium dioxide pigment particles that have a refractive index greater than 2.6 and have a mean size in the range of 0.2 to 0.3 micrometer, and are dispersed in the front portion of the sheeting in the range of 0.002 to 0.05 volume percent.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 24, wherein the front portion of the sheeting has a fluorescent colored layer therein, and the opaque pigment particles are not dispersed substantially in front of the fluorescent colored layer.
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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) | 1996-12-20 | 1997-06-21 | 1997-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-12-20 | 2001-06-21 | 2001-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-12-20 | 2005-06-21 | 2005-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |