US5673148A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Encapsulated retroreflective elements and method for making same
Assignee: 3M Co
•
Filing: 1994-06-23
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Granted: 1997-09-30
•
Expires: 2014-06-23
Abstract
Abstract Encapsulated retroreflective element comprising a retroreflective assembly made up of a transparent optical body and a reflective member and essentially completely encapsulated within a dense, substantially transparent oxide coating. Also a method for making such retroreflective elements and articles and compositions comprising such retroreflective elements.
Inventors
- 👤 Geoffrey P. Morris
- 👤 Kenton D. Budd
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 09:37
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B5/00; G02B5/12; G02B5/126; G02B5/128
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
33 words
An encapsulated retroreflective element comprising a retroreflective assembly that comprises a transparent optical body and a reflective member wherein said retroreflective assembly is essentially completely encapsulated within a dense substantially transparent oxide coating.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
33 words
An encapsulated retroreflective element comprising a retroreflective assembly that comprises a transparent optical body and a reflective member wherein said retroreflective assembly is essentially completely encapsulated within a dense substantially transparent oxide coating.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The retroreflective element of claim 1 wherein said coating is one of the following: titanium dioxide, silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, tin oxide, or zirconium dioxide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The retroreflective element of claim 1 wherein said coating is one of the following: titanium dioxide, silicon dioxide, or a combination of titanium dioxide and silicon dioxide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The retroreflective element of claim 1 wherein said coating is between about 100 and about 10,000 Angstroms thick.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The retroreflective element of claim 1 wherein said coating is between about 300 and about 5000 Angstroms thick.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The retroreflective element of claim 1 wherein said optical body is substantially colorless.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The retroreflective element of claim 1 wherein said optical body is colored.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The retroreflective element of claim 1 wherein said optical body is a microsphere.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The retroreflective element of claim 8 wherein said microsphere is glass.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The retroreflective element of claim 1 wherein said optical body is a gloguide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The retroreflective element of claim 1 wherein said optical body is a cube-corner element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The retroreflective element of claim 1 wherein said reflective member comprises at least one of aluminum or silver.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The retroreflective element of claim 1 wherein said reflective member comprises dielectric reflectors.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The retroreflective element of claim 1 wherein said reflective member comprises reflective pigments.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
An article having a retroreflective coating thereon, said coating comprising a plurality of encapsulated retroreflective elements of claim 1 on a substrate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
12 words
The article of claim 15 wherein said coating further comprises pigment particles.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
11 words
The article of claim 15 wherein said substrate is a fabric.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
A retroreflective sheeting comprising a monolayer of encapsulated retroreflective elements of claim 1 at least partially embedded in a binder layer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The retroreflective sheeting of claim 18 wherein said retroreflective elements protrude from said binder layer and have an air interface.
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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) | 2000-09-29 | 2001-03-31 | 2001-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-09-29 | 2005-03-31 | 2005-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-09-29 | 2009-03-31 | 2009-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |