US5448404A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Formable reflective multilayer body
Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Co
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Filing: 1994-05-13
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Granted: 1995-09-05
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Expires: 2014-05-13
Abstract
Abstract A formable multilayer reflective polymeric body which has a substantially uniform broad bandwidth reflectance over substantially the entire range of the visible spectrum to provide a substantially uniform reflective appearance is provided. The body includes at least first and second diverse polymeric materials, the body comprising a sufficient number of alternating layers of the first and second polymeric materials such that at least 40% of visible light incident on the body is reflected. A substantial majority of the individual layers of the body have optical thicknesses in the range where the sum of the optical thicknesses in a repeating unit of the polymeric materials is greater than about 190 nm, and the first and second polymeric materials differ from each other in refractive index by at least about 0.03.
Inventors
- 👤 Walter J. Schrenk
- 👤 Charles B. Arends
- 👤 Conrad F. Balazs
- 👤 Ray A. Lewis
- 👤 John A. Wheatley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 17:25
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B1/00; G02B1/10; G02B5/00; G02B5/20; G02B5/28; G02B5/285; G02B5/287; F; F21; F21S; F21S43/00; F21S43/20; F21S43/26; F21V; F21V3/00; F21V3/04; G02B5/08; G02B5/0816; G02B5/0825; G02B5/0841; G02B5/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
A formable polymeric multilayer reflective body having a substantially uniform reflective appearance over substantially the entire range of the visible spectrum comprising: at least first and second diverse polymeric materials, the body comprising a sufficient number of alternating layers of said first and second polymeric materials such that at least 40% of visible light incident on said body is reflected, a substantial majority of the individual layers of said body having optical thicknesses in the range where the sum of the optical thicknesses in a repeating unit of said polymeric materials is greater than about 190 nm, wherein said first and second polymeric materials differ from each other in refractive index by at least about 0.03, wherein said layers have a gradient of optical layer repeat unit thicknesses spanning a range of optical repeating unit thicknesses through the thickness of said body of at least about 190 nm to 340 nm times a predetermined draw ratio of at least about 1.25, and wherein said gradient of optical layer repeat unit thicknesses is a quartic function, said gradient of optical layer repeat unit thicknesses providing continuous wavelength coverage over substantially the entire range of the visible spectrum for said body to maintain a substantially uniform reflective appearance when drawn.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
208 words
A formable polymeric multilayer reflective body having a substantially uniform reflective appearance over substantially the entire range of the visible spectrum comprising: at least first and second diverse polymeric materials, the body comprising a sufficient number of alternating layers of said first and second polymeric materials such that at least 40% of visible light incident on said body is reflected, a substantial majority of the individual layers of said body having optical thicknesses in the range where the sum of the optical thicknesses in a repeating unit of said polymeric materials is greater than about 190 nm, wherein said first and second polymeric materials differ from each other in refractive index by at least about 0.03, wherein said layers have a gradient of optical layer repeat unit thicknesses spanning a range of optical repeating unit thicknesses through the thickness of said body of at least about 190 nm to 340 nm times a predetermined draw ratio of at least about 1.25, and wherein said gradient of optical layer repeat unit thicknesses is a quartic function, said gradient of optical layer repeat unit thicknesses providing continuous wavelength coverage over substantially the entire range of the visible spectrum for said body to maintain a substantially uniform reflective appearance when drawn.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The formable polymeric multilayer reflective body of claim 1 in which said gradient of optical layer repeat unit thicknesses is greater than about two.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The formable polymeric multilayer reflective body of claim 1 in which said first and second polymeric materials have a repeating unit AB, and the ratio of optical thicknesses between the first and second polymeric materials is 2:1.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The formable polymeric multilayer reflective body of claim 1 in which said gradient of optical layer repeat unit thicknesses is a function which provides substantially continuous wavelength coverage spanning the range of from about 380 nm to about 2000 nm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The formable polymeric multilayer reflective body of claim 1 in which said gradient of optical layer repeat unit thicknesses is a linear function.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The formable polymeric multilayer reflective body of claim 1 in which said quartic function which defines said gradient of optical layer repeat unit thicknesses is superimposed on a linear gradient.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The formable polymeric multilayer reflective body of claim 1 wherein a substantial majority of the individual layers of said body have optical thicknesses in the range where the sum of the optical thicknesses in a repeating unit of said polymeric materials is between about 190 nm and 1700 nm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The formable multilayer reflective body of claim 1 wherein the reflectance of said body increases upon thinning of said layers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The formable polymeric multilayer reflective body of claim 1 wherein said body has at least 1000 layers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The formable polymeric multilayer reflective body of claim 1 wherein at least 80% of visible light incident on said body is reflected.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The formable polymeric multilayer reflective body of claim 1 in which a coloring agent is incorporated into at least one layer of said polymeric body.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The formable polymeric multilayer reflective body of claim 11 in which said coloring agent is selected from the group consisting of pigments and dyes.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The formable polymeric multilayer reflective body of claim 11 in which said coloring agent is incorporated into at least one surface layer of said polymeric body.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The formable polymeric multilayer reflective body of claim 11 in which said coloring agent is incorporated into at least one interior layer of said polymeric body.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The formable polymeric multilayer reflective body of claim 1 in which at least one surface layer has a brushed or roughened surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The formable polymeric multilayer reflective body of claim 1 in which at least one surface layer has been etched to provide a matte or pewter finish.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The formable polymeric multilayer reflective body of claim 1 in which at least one surface layer has been embossed.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
The formable polymeric multilayer reflective body of claim 1 which includes a barrier layer as either an exterior or interior layer of said body.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The formable polymeric multilayer reflective body of claim 1 in which said body includes a permanent protective skin layer on at least one major surface thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The formable polymeric multilayer reflective body of claim 1 in which said body is extruded as a profile.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The formable polymeric multilayer reflective body of claim 1 in which said body is post formed into a profile.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
The formable polymeric multilayer reflective body of claim 1 in which said polymeric body is in the form of a sheet.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The formable polymeric multilayer reflective body of claim 1 in which said polymeric body is blow molded into a container.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The formable polymeric multilayer reflective body of claim 1 in which said polymeric body is blow molded into a lighting fixture, globe, or reflector.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The formable polymeric multilayer reflective body of claim 1 in which said polymeric materials are elastomers.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The formable multilayer reflective body of claim 1 wherein the reflectance of said body decreases upon thinning of said layers.
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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) | 1998-09-04 | 1999-03-06 | 1999-09-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-09-04 | 2003-03-06 | 2003-09-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-09-04 | 2007-03-06 | 2007-09-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |