Patent US5478628A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5478628A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Non-woven fluorescent retrorefletive fabric
Assignee: 3M Co
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Filing: 1994-05-09
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Granted: 1995-12-26
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Expires: 2014-05-09
Abstract
Abstract A high visibility fabric having a non-woven web material with a fluorescent layer. The fluorescent pigment concentration in the fabric is greater proximate a designated fabric outer surface than at other outer surfaces of the fabric. The fabric is used for manufacturing safety vests, signage, and other articles requiring high visibility.
Inventors
- 👤 Britton G. Billingsley
- 👤 Vera L. Lightle
- 👤 David P. Swanson
- 👤 Claus Jansen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:32
CPC Classifications
D; D06; D06P; D06P1/00; D06P1/0004; D06P1/0012; A; A41; A41D; A41D13/00; A41D13/01; A41D31/00; A41D31/04; A41D31/32; A41D31/325; D06N; D06N3/00; D06N3/0056; D06N3/0065; D06Q; D06Q1/00; G; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/12; G02B5/126; G02B5/128; G08; G08B; G08B5/00; G08B5/004; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24479; Y10T428/24595; Y10T428/24603; Y10T428/24612; Y10T428/25; Y10T428/29; Y10T428/2913; Y10T428/2929; Y10T442/00; Y10T442/20; Y10T442/259; Y10T442/2598; Y10T442/2861; Y10T442/60; Y10T442/637; Y10T442/641
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A high visibility fabric comprising: a) a non-woven web comprising fusibly interbonded thermoplastic fibers; and b) a fluorescent layer comprising fluorescent pigment in a cross-linked resin, wherein the resin penetrates into and is bonded to the non-woven web so as to create a concentration of fluorescent pigment proximate a designated outer surface of the fabric, the fluorescent pigment concentration being greater proximate the designated outer surface than at other surfaces of the fabric, and the resin having portions surrounding the fusibly interbonded thermoplastic fibers and reinforcing the bonds therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
A high visibility fabric comprising: a) a non-woven web comprising fusibly interbonded thermoplastic fibers; and b) a fluorescent layer comprising fluorescent pigment in a cross-linked resin, wherein the resin penetrates into and is bonded to the non-woven web so as to create a concentration of fluorescent pigment proximate a designated outer surface of the fabric, the fluorescent pigment concentration being greater proximate the designated outer surface than at other surfaces of the fabric, and the resin having portions surrounding the fusibly interbonded thermoplastic fibers and reinforcing the bonds therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The fabric of claim 1, wherein the non-woven web is selected from the group consisting of carded web, air laid web, hydroentangled web, spun bonded web, melt blown web, and wet laid web material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The fabric of claim 1, wherein the cross-linked resin is selected from the group consisting of urethane resin, acrylic resin, polyester resin, silicone resin, fluoropolymer resin, and polyamide resin.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The fabric of claim 1, wherein the fabric has a total areal density of between 20 grams per square meter and 200 grams per square meter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The fabric of claim 1, wherein the fabric has a total areal density of between 50 grams per square meter and 70 grams per square meter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The fabric of claim 1, wherein the fabric comprises a fluorescent pigment concentration of less than 10 grams per square meter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The fabric of claim 1, wherein the fabric comprises a fluorescent pigment concentration of between 2 grams per square meter and 5 grams per square meter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The fabric of claim 1, wherein the designated outer surface of the non-woven web material has an original spectral reflected radiance of greater than about 100%, and preferably between 170% and 190%, measured at a range of between 400 and 700 nanometers using D-65 illuminant and 0°/45° geometry.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The fabric of claim 1, further comprising a partial layer of retroreflective material selectively applied to areas of the non-woven web at the designated outer surface, the partial layer comprising close packed retroreflective elements in a resin cross-linkable to the resin of the fluorescent layer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The fabric of claim 9, wherein the non-woven web and retroreflective materials have a combined total areal density of between 100 grams per square meter and 300 grams per square meter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The fabric of claim 1, wherein the concentration of fluorescent pigment proximate the designated outer surface comprises greater than 50% of the total amount of fluorescent pigment in the non-woven web.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The fabric of claim 9, wherein the retroreflective material has a brightness value of greater than 65 candelas per square meter per lux.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The fabric of claim 9, wherein the retroreflective material has a brightness value of greater than 250 candelas per square meter per lux.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The fabric of claim 9, wherein the retroreflective material comprises material selected from the list including exposed glass beads, cube corners, resin beads, and resin hemispheres.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The fabric of claim 9, wherein the retroreflective material comprises material selected from the list including enclosed glass beads, cube corners, resin beads, and resin hemispheres.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
The fabric of claim 9, wherein the designated outer surface of the non-woven web has an original spectral reflected radiance of greater than about 100%, and preferably between 170% and 190%, measured at a range of between 400 and 700 nanometers using D-65 illuminant and 0°/45° geometry.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The fabric of claims 8 or 16, wherein the fabric remains physically intact and retains greater than 50% of the original value of spectral reflected radiance following up to about ten domestic laundering wash and dry cycles.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
47 words
The fabric of claim 1, wherein the non-woven web comprises a blend of first and second fibers, the first fibers having a high melting temperature and the second fibers comprising core material having a high melting temperature enclosed in a sheath material having a low melting temperature.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
46 words
The fabric of claim 9, wherein the non-woven web is arranged in a substantially continuous roll and the retroreflective material is arranged in at least one continuous strip applied to the web so that parallel sides of the strip extend along the length of the roll.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
The fabric of claim 9, wherein the non-woven web is arranged in a substantially continuous roll and the retroreflective material is arranged in a continuous strip applied to the web so that sides of the strip are oriented diagonally to the length of the roll.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The fabric of claim 9, wherein the non-woven web is arranged in a substantially continuous roll and the retroreflective material is applied to the web as a distinctive logo pattern.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
11 words
The fabric of claim 1, further comprising a flame retardant material.
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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) | 1998-12-25 | 1999-06-26 | 1999-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-12-25 | 2003-06-26 | 2003-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-12-25 | 2007-06-26 | 2007-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |