US5353154A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Polymeric reflective materials utilizing a back light source
Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
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Filing: 1992-11-02
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Granted: 1994-10-04
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Expires: 2012-11-02
Abstract
Abstract A multilayered reflective body which is thermoformable and capable of being fabricated into a number of parts while maintaining a uniform reflective appearance is provided. The reflective polymeric body is formed from at least two diverse polymeric materials which differ in refractive index and which are arranged in substantially parallel alternating layers. The polymeric body is reflective in appearance yet is transparent or, colored if a coloring agent is included, upon illumination from a back light source. The polymeric body has application in variety of areas such as in an automobile lighting lens which is reflective and thereby indiscernible yet transmissive upon exposure to a back light source. Additionally, various parts of consumer appliances, for example a refrigerator door, can be formed from the polymeric body.
Inventors
- 👤 William G. Lutz
- 👤 Gregg A. Motter
- 👤 John A. Wheatley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 07:08
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B1/00; G02B1/10; F; F21; F21S; F21S43/00; F21S43/30; F21S43/33; B; B29; B29C; B29C51/00; B29C51/14; F21S41/00; F21S41/20; F21S41/28; F21S43/20; G02B5/00; G02B5/20; G02B5/28; G02B5/285; G02B5/287; B29C43/00; B29C51/08; B29K; B29K2033/00; B29K2033/04; B29K2033/12; B29K2075/00; B29K2995/00; B29K2995/0018; B29K2995/002; B29K2995/0026; B29K2995/003; B29K2995/0031; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/747; F25; F25D; F25D23/00; F25D23/02; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24942; Y10T428/2495
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
A multilayer reflective polymeric body of at least first and second diverse polymeric materials arranged in substantially parallel alternating layers, said body having first and second major surfaces, wherein said first and second polymeric materials differ from each other in refractive index by at least 0.03, said body including a sufficient number of layers such that said body reflects at least 40% of light impinging on said first major surface thereof such that when said body is viewed in reflection it displays a substantially uniform reflective appearance, said body transmitting at least 5% of light directed through said body from said second major surface, said reflective polymeric body further including a coloring agent incorporated in or present on at least one of said first and second major surfaces such that when said body is illuminated, said body exhibits the color of said coloring agent, and wherein at least one of said first and second major surfaces has indicia printed thereon, which indicia is concealed from view on said reflective body when viewed in reflection, but which is displayed when said body is illuminated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
A multilayer reflective polymeric body of at least first and second diverse polymeric materials arranged in substantially parallel alternating layers, said body having first and second major surfaces, wherein said first and second polymeric materials differ from each other in refractive index by at least 0.03, said body including a sufficient number of layers such that said body reflects at least 40% of light impinging on said first major surface thereof such that when said body is viewed in reflection it displays a substantially uniform reflective appearance, said body transmitting at least 5% of light directed through said body from said second major surface, said reflective polymeric body further including a coloring agent incorporated in or present on at least one of said first and second major surfaces such that when said body is illuminated, said body exhibits the color of said coloring agent, and wherein at least one of said first and second major surfaces has indicia printed thereon, which indicia is concealed from view on said reflective body when viewed in reflection, but which is displayed when said body is illuminated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
124 words
A multilayer reflective polymeric body of at lest first and second diverse polymeric materials arranged in substantially parallel alternating layers wherein said first and second polymeric materials differ from each other in refractive index by at least 0.03, said body having first and second major surfaces, means for projecting an image onto said first major surface of said body, and means for directing light through said body from said second major surface, said body including a sufficient number of layers such that said body reflects at least 40% of light impinging on said first major surface thereof while transmitting at least 5% of light directed through said body from said second major surface so as to illuminate said image on said first major surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
124 words
A multilayer reflective polymeric body of at lest first and second diverse polymeric materials arranged in substantially parallel alternating layers wherein said first and second polymeric materials differ from each other in refractive index by at least 0.03, said body having first and second major surfaces, means for projecting an image onto said first major surface of said body, and means for directing light through said body from said second major surface, said body including a sufficient number of layers such that said body reflects at least 40% of light impinging on said first major surface thereof while transmitting at least 5% of light directed through said body from said second major surface so as to illuminate said image on said first major surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
158 words
In a combination, a multilayer reflective polymeric body of at least first and second diverse polymeric materials arranged in substantially parallel alternating layers which define at least one edge of said body, and means for illuminating said edge of said body, said body further having first and second major surfaces substantially parallel to said layers, said body including a coloring agent incorporated in or present on at least one of said layers, wherein said first and second polymeric materials differ from each other in refractive index by at least 0.03, said body including a sufficient number of layers such that said body reflects at least 40% of light impinging on said first major surface thereof while transmitting at least 5% of light directed through said edge of said body, at least one of said first and second major surfaces includes irregularities thereon such that when said edge is illuminated, said body exhibits the color of said coloring agent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
158 words
In a combination, a multilayer reflective polymeric body of at least first and second diverse polymeric materials arranged in substantially parallel alternating layers which define at least one edge of said body, and means for illuminating said edge of said body, said body further having first and second major surfaces substantially parallel to said layers, said body including a coloring agent incorporated in or present on at least one of said layers, wherein said first and second polymeric materials differ from each other in refractive index by at least 0.03, said body including a sufficient number of layers such that said body reflects at least 40% of light impinging on said first major surface thereof while transmitting at least 5% of light directed through said edge of said body, at least one of said first and second major surfaces includes irregularities thereon such that when said edge is illuminated, said body exhibits the color of said coloring agent.
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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) | 1997-10-03 | 1998-04-04 | 1998-10-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-10-03 | 2002-04-04 | 2002-10-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-10-03 | 2006-04-04 | 2006-10-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |