WO1996017264A1 - Retroreflective composition - Google Patents
Retroreflective composition Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1996017264A1 WO1996017264A1 PCT/US1995/015652 US9515652W WO9617264A1 WO 1996017264 A1 WO1996017264 A1 WO 1996017264A1 US 9515652 W US9515652 W US 9515652W WO 9617264 A1 WO9617264 A1 WO 9617264A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- retroreflective
- fabric
- microsphere beads
- matrix material
- composition
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
- G02B5/00—Optical elements other than lenses
- G02B5/12—Reflex reflectors
- G02B5/126—Reflex reflectors including curved refracting surface
- G02B5/128—Reflex reflectors including curved refracting surface transparent spheres being embedded in matrix
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10S428/913—Material designed to be responsive to temperature, light, moisture
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
- Y10T428/24355—Continuous and nonuniform or irregular surface on layer or component [e.g., roofing, etc.]
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
- Y10T428/24355—Continuous and nonuniform or irregular surface on layer or component [e.g., roofing, etc.]
- Y10T428/24372—Particulate matter
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
- Y10T428/24355—Continuous and nonuniform or irregular surface on layer or component [e.g., roofing, etc.]
- Y10T428/24372—Particulate matter
- Y10T428/24421—Silicon containing
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/25—Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component and including a second component containing structurally defined particles
- Y10T428/252—Glass or ceramic [i.e., fired or glazed clay, cement, etc.] [porcelain, quartz, etc.]
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
- Y10T428/27—Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component, the element or component having a specified weight per unit area [e.g., gms/sq cm, lbs/sq ft, etc.]
- Y10T428/273—Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component, the element or component having a specified weight per unit area [e.g., gms/sq cm, lbs/sq ft, etc.] of coating
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T442/00—Fabric [woven, knitted, or nonwoven textile or cloth, etc.]
- Y10T442/20—Coated or impregnated woven, knit, or nonwoven fabric which is not [a] associated with another preformed layer or fiber layer or, [b] with respect to woven and knit, characterized, respectively, by a particular or differential weave or knit, wherein the coating or impregnation is neither a foamed material nor a free metal or alloy layer
- Y10T442/2041—Two or more non-extruded coatings or impregnations
- Y10T442/2049—Each major face of the fabric has at least one coating or impregnation
- Y10T442/2057—At least two coatings or impregnations of different chemical composition
- Y10T442/2074—At least one coating or impregnation contains particulate material
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T442/00—Fabric [woven, knitted, or nonwoven textile or cloth, etc.]
- Y10T442/20—Coated or impregnated woven, knit, or nonwoven fabric which is not [a] associated with another preformed layer or fiber layer or, [b] with respect to woven and knit, characterized, respectively, by a particular or differential weave or knit, wherein the coating or impregnation is neither a foamed material nor a free metal or alloy layer
- Y10T442/2041—Two or more non-extruded coatings or impregnations
- Y10T442/2049—Each major face of the fabric has at least one coating or impregnation
- Y10T442/209—At least one coating or impregnation contains particulate material
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T442/00—Fabric [woven, knitted, or nonwoven textile or cloth, etc.]
- Y10T442/20—Coated or impregnated woven, knit, or nonwoven fabric which is not [a] associated with another preformed layer or fiber layer or, [b] with respect to woven and knit, characterized, respectively, by a particular or differential weave or knit, wherein the coating or impregnation is neither a foamed material nor a free metal or alloy layer
- Y10T442/2041—Two or more non-extruded coatings or impregnations
- Y10T442/2098—At least two coatings or impregnations of different chemical composition
- Y10T442/2107—At least one coating or impregnation contains particulate material
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T442/00—Fabric [woven, knitted, or nonwoven textile or cloth, etc.]
- Y10T442/20—Coated or impregnated woven, knit, or nonwoven fabric which is not [a] associated with another preformed layer or fiber layer or, [b] with respect to woven and knit, characterized, respectively, by a particular or differential weave or knit, wherein the coating or impregnation is neither a foamed material nor a free metal or alloy layer
- Y10T442/2041—Two or more non-extruded coatings or impregnations
- Y10T442/2123—At least one coating or impregnation contains particulate material
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to a retroreflective composition which comprises non-volatile matrix material, a volatile constituent, and a plurality of retroreflective microsphere beads, wherein the ratio of the volume of matrix material to the volume of retroreflective microsphere beads is in the range of 75% to 185%.
- Pedestrian activity at nighttime is increasing rapidly. Similarly, nighttime automobile activity has increased.
- reflective materials that can be applied to garments to provide both hand comfort, breathability comfort and daytime colored appearance while brilliantly reflecting lights at nighttime.
- Materials reflecting light are well known as a means of increasing the visibility of pedestrians or traffic signs to oncoming vehicle drivers or others requiring visual location of objects under conditions of reduced visibility.
- these materials which reflected light were in the form of strips and bands or heat transfer attached to a garment, therefore offering only a limited area of reflected light.
- Retro-reflective coating compositions were taught in Palmquist et al. U.S. Patent No. 2,963,378, and further teachings appear in Nellessen, U.S. Patent Nos. 3,099,637, 3,228,897, 3,420,597; Longlet et al. U.S. Patent No. 3,535,019; Bingham U.S. Patent Nos. 4,103,060; Re. 30,892, 4,263,345; Fouche Jr. U.S. Patent No. 4,187,332.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a retroreflective composition for forming retroreflective substrates which possesses daytime appearance, nighttime retroreflectivity, and satisfies all of the wash, hand, and crock industry standards.
- An object of the present invention is to provide a pigment to the reflective composition which will correspond to a color of a substrate or desired image, while simultaneously providing brilliant retroreflectivity and attractive daytime appearance.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a composition which can be applied to a substrate either evenly distributed over the entire surface of the fabric or in a patterned form or design.
- the colored retroreflective composition may be pigmented to impart fashionable garment colors.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a composition which provides increased area angularity of nighttime reflectivity.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a composition which can be applied to substrates in a solid or patterned form projecting a full reflective silhouette area during nighttime reflectivity.
- rotary screen printing provides a technologically feasible, commercially viable, and economically efficient means of applying the current invention to fabric.
- a feature of the present invention is a retroreflective composition, the composition comprising non-volatile matrix material, volatile constituent, and a plurality of retroreflective microsphere beads, wherein the ratio of the volume of the matrix material to the volume of retroreflective microsphere beads is in the range of 75% to 185%.
- a retroreflective composition comprising a non-volatile matrix material, volatile constituent, a plurality of retroreflective microsphere beads, and pigment particles, wherein the ratio of the volume of the matrix material to the volume of retroreflective microsphere beads plus pigment particles is in the range of 50% to 185%.
- a fabric which has the appearance of being more retroreflective at night than when exposed to ambient or diffuse light, the fabric having applied on at least a portion of a surface thereof a coating layer, the coating layer comprising: non-volatile matrix material, volatile constituent, and a plurality of retroreflective microsphere beads, wherein the ratio of the volume of the matrix material to the volume of retroreflective microsphere beads is in the range of 75% to 185%.
- a fabric which has the appearance of being more retroreflective at night than when exposed to sunlight, the fabric having applied on at least a portion of a surface thereof a coating layer, the coating layer comprising: non-volatile matrix material, volatile constituent, a plurality of retroreflective microsphere beads, and pigment particles, wherein the ratio of the volume of the matrix material to the volume of retroreflective microsphere beads plus pigment particles is in the range of 50% to 185%.
- a method for treating a fabric with retroreflective composition comprising the steps of: combining a volatile constituent with a non-volatile matrix material to form a coupler compound, adding retroreflective microsphere beads to the coupler compound to form a retroreflective composition, and applying the retroreflective composition to a fabric using a rotary screen, printer.
- FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of the retroreflective composition manufactured according to the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the retroreflective composition containing pigment manufactured according to the present invention
- FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the fabric treated with the composition of the present invention
- FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the fabric treated with the composition of the present invention in which multiple layers of microsphere beads have been applied;
- FIG. 5 is a scanning electron microscope photograph of a fabric treated with the composition of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a graph depicting the volume percent of matrix material with the volume percent of retroreflective microsphere beads of the present invention.
- FIG. 7 is a graph depicting the percent increase in retroreflectivity and daytime unnoticeability resulting from multi-tiered microsphere beads.
- Daytime Unnoticeability refers to the reduced ability of a human eye to detect the retroreflective composition on a surface of a substrate and the increased ability to detect the appearance of the pigment particles during the period between sunrise and sunset, and while indoors under illuminated conditions.
- the reduced ability to detect the retroreflective composition during the daytime particularly references a light source of diffuse origin; even in the daytime a beam of focussed light will provide retroreflectivity.
- Lighttime refers to the period of time before sunrise and after sunset, or low illuminated indoor conditions.
- Radioreflectivity refers to the reflecting rays of light which are returned in directions close to the opposite of the direction of the incident rays (e.g. along their originating path) with this property being maintained over wide variations of the direction of incident rays.
- End Use Product refers to a substrate coated with the reflective composition of the present nvention for use on a consumer product.
- Garment refers to anything that is worn on the body of a human or animal.
- CrocX Standard refers to the standard American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) Crockmeter Method used in the industry to measure the amount of colorant which is transferred from the surface of a colored fabric to another surface, principally by rubbing.
- Crock Reflectivity Loss refers to the percentage of reflectivity lost when the AATCC Crockmeter Method is applied to the substrate.
- H. "Laundering Standard” refers to the standard AATCC standardization of Home Laundry Test Conditions used in the industry to measure the amount of colorant which is lost as a result of one to fifty wash/dry cycles. This test has been adapted to also measure the amount of reflectivity which is lost as a result of one to fifty wash/dry cycles.
- Hybrid refers to the standard AATCC subjective evaluation of fabric hand test method used in the industry to measure the tactile qualities of a fabric.
- the tactile qualities of a fabric include the softness, drape, flexibility, firmness, elasticity, fineness, resilience and other qualities perceived by touch.
- Microsphere beads are beads having a diameter of 20 to 200 microns.
- the beads are constructed of glass and have a diameter of approximately 50 microns.
- the microsphere beads have an index of refraction ranging from 1.7 to 2.5, subject to the desired use, and may be clear or colored.
- Retroreflective means refers to the metallic material, such as aluminum or, non-metallic material, such as organic compounds, which coats the microsphere bead to enable the microsphere bead to be retroreflective.
- L. "Hemispherical retroreflective means” refers to the retroreflective means which covers approximately one half of the microsphere bead's surface area.
- Retroreflective Microsphere Beads refers to the microsphere beads having Retroreflective Means applied thereo .
- Retroreflective microsphere beads When retroreflective microsphere beads are applied to a substrate, they randomly orient themselves with respect to the plane of its surface, providing for retroreflection at a wider range of angles.
- Substrate refers to the base material which is to be coated or printed.
- base material include, but are not limited to, textiles, fabric, paper, leather, plastic, glass, metals, wood, rubber, synthetic rubber, composites, and other materials.
- Microx Material is a transparent or translucent non-volatile film-forming emulsion.
- the matrix material serves to bind pigment particles and microsphere beads to a substrate.
- matrix materials include, but are not limited to acrylic, vinylidene chloride, butadiene, acrylonitrile or urethane polymers, or any of these combinations.
- matrix materials include. 10 but are not limited to oils, resins, solvents or any combination.
- Volatile Constituent refers to a liquid component of the present invention conducive to evaporation.
- Coupler Compound refers to the combination of the volatile constituent and the non-volatile matrix material. Additional ingredients, including but not limited to, dispersant, thickener, defoamer, fixer and ammonium hydroxide may be added to the coupler compound to facilitate application to a substrate.
- Porture Particle refers to a colored or non- colored particulate solid which is insoluble in, and essentially physically and chemically unaffected by, the vehicle in which they are incorporated.
- Microx Material Layer refers to the layer of matrix material which, upon treatment of a substrate, forms on a surface of the substrate upon the evaporation of the volatile constituent from the coupler compound. Upon application to a substrate, the matrix material layer has a thickness of less than one half of the diameter of a microsphere bead. In a particular embodiment, the matrix material forms a layer between the surface of the substrate and the microsphere bead having a thickness of less than one quarter of the diameter of a microsphere bead. This matrix material layer provides a vehicle in which the pigment particles are maintained, and provides both a layer into which the retroreflective microsphere beads are embedded and/or a surface by which the retroreflective microsphere beads may be covered.
- Achieving this matrix material layer is a result of both the ratio of matrix material to microsphere beads, or matrix material to microsphere beads plus pigment, and from properly controlling the application variables (e.g. viscosity of the coupler compound, application speed, application pressure, and the drying/curing process) .
- application variables e.g. viscosity of the coupler compound, application speed, application pressure, and the drying/curing process
- ⁇ emi-Saturated Microspheric Density refers to the number of retroreflective microsphere beads per unit of area required to be deposited on the substrate to yield daytime unnoticeability and nighttime retroreflectivity of the resulting substrate.
- the highest density of microsphere beads that can be attained in a given one dimensional space is 90.69%.
- the actual number of microsphere beads in a one dimensional space depends on the diameter of the microsphere beads.
- the optimum microsphere size to achieve the highest retroreflectivity and daytime unnoticeability, and for obtaining optimum coatability, dispersion and suspension in the matrix material is approximately 50 microns in diameter. A micron is a thousandth of a millimeter. At 50 microns, the maximum number of microspheres which may be deposited in a matrix material layer is approximately 46,000 microsphere beads per square centimeter.
- Multi-Tiered Microspheres refers to the structure of microsphere beads which results from the semi-saturated microspheric density of the present invention. Specifically, when approximately 2,000 to 20,000 microsphere beads are deposited onto a square centimeter of fabric, a portion of the microsphere beads will tend to gather on the upper surfaces of the lower lodged retroreflective microsphere beads and subsequently group together to form multiple layers of retroreflective microsphere beads, or multi-tiered microsphere beads.
- Detectability refers to the characteristic of an object that determines the likelihood that the object will be visible to an observer. For example, when a driver is approaching a sign, the sign will become detectable when the driver's eyes are first capable of seeing it. However, at this point the driver may not have noticed the sign and will not have registered that he is viewing it.
- Conspicuity refers to the characteristic of an object that determines the likelihood that the object will come to the attention of the observer. Since one's eyes continuously detect millions of objects, conspicuity implies that the mind has registered the importance of this object and begun to consider it.
- Recognizability refers to the characteristic of an object that determines the likelihood that the object will be recognized by an observer. Upon recognition of an object, the motorist can determine whether it is worthy of potential action by identifying whether the object is a sign, another automobile, a person, an animal, or something else.
- AA "Localizability” refers to the characteristic of an object that determines the likelihood an observer will be able to determine the object's location. Localizability enables a driver to judge the size and position of the object to determine whether the object appears capable of intersecting with the vehicle's path (by mentally judging the closing rate, necessary deceleration, and lateral offset) .
- “Candelas” is a unit of luminous intensity equal to one sixtieth of the luminous intensity of one square centimeter of a blackbody surface at the solidification temperature of platinum.
- the candela is used for the measurement of retroreflectivity, i.e., candelas per lux per square meter, or candelas per lux per end use product.
- R A Reflectivity per area ratio
- R__ Reflectivity per End Use Product
- a ratio that represents the retroreflectivity of a specific end use product. The measurement is an average of the retroreflectivity of the end use product measured at each orientation as the end use product is rotated in 15% increments. This test has been modified from the standard ASTM industry test. This ratio is calculated from the average of the ratios measured at a distance of both 70 meters and 230 meters between the observer and the end use product, and can be measured in units of average candelas per lux per end use product.
- a matrix material 12 upon application to a substrate 10, a matrix material 12 has a plurality of microsphere beads 14, coated with hemispherical retroreflective means 16, partially embedded therein.
- the microsphere beads have an average diameter within the range of 25 to 75 microns.
- the optimum size of the microsphere beads to achieve the highest retroreflectivity and daytime unnoticeability is 50 microns diameter. If the average bead size exceeds 100 microns, the flexibility, launderability, handling, daytime unnoticeability, and crock standards are impaired.
- the microsphere beads having hemispherical reflective means coated thereon have a refractive index of approximately 1.9 to provide efficient retroreflectivity and daytime unnoticeability.
- the 1.9 refractive index provides such retroreflectivity and daytime unnoticeability when the retroreflective microsphere beads are viewed under normal dry conditions.
- the optimum value for the refractive index of retroreflective microsphere beads is approximately 2.5 when the retroreflective microsphere beads are covered with water.
- the retroreflective means is applied to the microsphere beads by the following process: A carrier web is first coated with a layer of adhesive in which the microsphere beads are removably embedded in a position adjacent to the surface of the carrier web, the adhesive should be capable of being dissolved at a later stage.
- the adhesive binder may be applied to the carrier web by screen printer, blade, rod, roller, direct gravure, spray or any method that is suited to laying down a specific quantity of adhesive over a defined area.
- the adhesive binder should be deposited to leave a thickness of approximately 50% of the diameter of the microspheres when the adhesive is dried, and as such the deposit should allow for the evaporation of the solvent content of the adhesive when the drying process takes place.
- the adhesive is applied to the carrier web dried until it becomes sufficiently tacky, at which time the microsphere beads are deposited on the web.
- the microsphere beads should be applied over the maximum possible area and should be embedded to approximately half their diameter in the temporary binder.
- the spheres may be distributed over the surface area by cascading, sifter or hopper onto the wet adhesive binder.
- the carrier web may then be passed through pressure rollers to ensure that the microsphere beads are securely embedded in the adhesive and are located adjacent to the carrier web surface.
- the rollers also press any loose spheres into any spaces to ensure the maximum coverage, to achieve a monolayer of spheres over the total surface area of the carrier web. Excess microspheres may be removed by brushing or suction.
- the coated carrier web is then passed through an oven or drying facility to activate the adhesive binder and/or to further drive off the solvent content of the adhesive.
- the coated carrier web is then passed through a region of a high vacuum deposition chamber wherein a layer of retroreflective means is deposited over the exposed hemispheres of the microsphere beads.
- a layer of retroreflective means is deposited over the exposed hemispheres of the microsphere beads.
- High vacuum deposition procedures and application methods concerning this process are well known.
- An aluminum deposit of approximately 50 to 250 Angstroms is sufficient to provide an opaque deposit with good reflecting properties.
- the retroreflective composition of the present invention in order to achieve the required properties when coating a substrate with the retroreflective composition of the present invention, it is necessary to maintain a relationship of volume ratios of discrete insoluble particles within the composition.
- This critical volume ratio is independent of any volatile content in the composition, for it is only the non-volatile ingredients which remain in a substrate after evaporation of the volatile ingredients.
- the non-volatile ingredients only the matrix material, the retroreflective microsphere beads, and the pigment particles compose the retroreflective composition having the volume ratio identified above.
- Other volatile and non-volatile components of the composition relate solely to the printing ability and quality of the composition when applied to a substrate.
- the volume ratio described according to the present invention relates solely to the volume of matrix material, retroreflective microsphere beads and pigment particles.
- MBVC Matrix to Bead Volume Concentration
- the quantity of matrix material in the composition is insufficient to anchor the discrete retroreflective microsphere beads to the substrate. Further, with a MBVC ratio below 75%, there is insufficient matrix material to ensure that the substrate coated with such composition will satisfy industry standard crock, laundering, and crock reflectivity loss tests. With a MBVC ratio above 185%, the quantity of matrix material exceeds acceptable hand standards. In a specific embodiment, the MBVC ratio is maintained between 100% to 130%. This MBVC ratio provides for the optimal amount of matrix material to microsphere beads needed to practice the present invention.
- the volume ratio requirement of the present invention is referred to as the Matrix Material to Bead+Pigment Volume Concentration (hereinaf er referred to as "MBPVC") .
- MBPVC Matrix Material to Bead+Pigment Volume Concentration
- the present invention provides for a MBPVC between 50% and 185% to gain the nighttime reflectivity, daytime unnoticeability, hand comfort, breathability comfort and to pass the industry standards heretofore described.
- the disadvantages of a ratio below 50% and above 185% are analogous to that described above with regard to the MBVC ratio. It has been discovered that with approximately a 1:1.2 MBPVC ratio, the matrix material will achieve the following:
- a volatile constituent is added to the matrix material to form the coupler compound.
- other optional ingredients may be added to the coupler compound to facilitate application to a substrate.
- the volatile constituent comprises in the range of 50 to 90 volume-percent of the coupler compound.
- the volatile constituent is water and comprises approximately 65% volume percent of the coupler compound of the present invention.
- the retroreflective microsphere beads are added to the coupler compound to form the retroreflective composition of the present invention.
- the retroreflective composition is then applied to a substrate and cured.
- the matrix material forms a matrix material layer into which the retroreflective microsphere beads are embedded and may be covered. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, microsphere beads 28 are not covered with the matrix material layer.
- the matrix material layer has a thickness of less than one quarter of the diameter of a microsphere bead between the surface of the substrate and the microsphere bead.
- a variety of optional ingredients may be included in the coupler compound to achieve desired results.
- antifoaming agents may be included in the coupler compound to minimize foaming of the compound as it is being formulated or when it is applied to a substrate.
- adhesion promoters may be included in the coupler compound. Adhesion promoters include, but are not limited to, titanates, organofunctional silanes, zirconates, zircoaluminates, alkyl phosphate ester, and chartwell.
- silanes include, but are not limited to, gamma-Glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane, gamma-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane and gamma- Aminopropyltrimethoxysilane.
- softeners may be included in the coupler compound. Softeners improve the hand of the fabric by offsetting the harshness of the microsphere beads and the pigment particles. Examples of softeners include, but are not limited to, low, medium and high density polyethylene, polydimethylsiloxane mixture, and reactive and elastomeric silicone.
- dispersants may also be included in the coupler compound.
- dispersants include, but are not limited to, tymol dispersant, acrylic polymers, and naptholene sulphantes.
- Thickeners may be included in the coupler compound. Examples of thickeners include, but are not limited to, acrylic polymers, natural gums, alginates, and white spirit.
- Fixers may be included in the coupler compound. Examples of fixers include, but are not limited to, methylated melamine formaldehyde, and DMDHEU.
- an adhesion promoter is coated onto the individual retroreflective microsphere beads prior to the inclusion of the retroreflective beads into the coupler compound to form the reflective composition of the present invention.
- the adhesion promoter constitutes between approximately .05% and 1% of the bead weight, depending upon the surface area of the retroreflective microsphere bead.
- the relative amounts of the ingredients of the retroreflective composition of the present invention will, of course, vary depending upon the particular ingredients employed, the type of substrate, the substrates intended use, as well as such factors as the specific size and quantity of the retroreflective microsphere beads.
- both retroreflective microsphere beads 14 and pigment particles 18 are applied to the coupler compound to form the retroreflective composition of the present invention.
- the pigment particles 18 have a diameter of less than 2 microns. In some embodiments, the MBPVC is approximately 120%.
- the pigment particles may be numerous colors.
- the pigment particles are blue, and comprise copper phthalocyanine blue, indanthrone blue, or carbazole violet.
- the pigment particles are yellow, and comprise monoarylide yellow, (i.e. pigment yellow 1 (Hansa Yellow G) , pigment yellow 65, pigment yellow 73, pigment yellow 74) diarylide yellow, benzimidazolone yellow, or heterocyclic yellow.
- Transparent pigment particles as compared to opaque pigment particles, yield improved retroreflectivity under nighttime conditions.
- Pigments are well known in the art.
- synthetic pigments are commonly available in several grades or size ranges.
- the pigment particles have a diameter of less than 2 microns.
- a pigment particle has a diameter of less than 1 micron.
- Pigment particles less than 1 micron will uniformly coat the substrate in a continuous manner.
- the small size of the pigment particle enables the pigment to bond directly to the substrate.
- a pigment particle with a diameter of less than 2 microns, which is substantially smaller than the size of the microsphere beads of the present invention, does not deter retroreflection at nighttime and enhances daytime unnoticeability, while providing flexibility, and passing crock, launderability, and crock reflectivity loss industry standards.
- pigment particles 18 having a maximum dimension size of less than 2 microns enable the pigment particles 18 to flow evenly throughout the entire surface area of the matrix material 12.
- the pigment particles 18 are enabled to lodge on top of, adjacent to, and beneath retroreflective microsphere beads 14.
- the advantage of this pigment particle placement is that the daytime unnoticeability is enhanced by the uniformity which will necessarily occur upon the application of the retroreflective composition to a substrate.
- the pigment particles of the present invention attach to fibers in a continuous fashion.
- the volume of the matrix material is approximately equal to the volume of the pigment plus the retroreflective microsphere beads, the volume of the less than 2 micron diameter sized pigment particles is sufficiently small as to not interfere with the flexibility, wearability, breathability, and crock, launderability, crock reflectivity loss industry standards, while requiring a small volume of matrix material to adhere them to the substrate.
- the microsphere of 50 microns will not prevent any of the pigment particles from entering and adhering to the matrix material.
- the pigment particles will have sufficient space within which to lodge in between the microsphere beads, or gather below and/or on the top surface of the microsphere beads, to provide sufficient pigment throughout the substrate's surface. If the pigment particles were larger than 2 microns, there is a danger that the pigment particles would only remain in the matrix material provided there was sufficient room between microsphere beads to allow the pigment particles to pass through, or if the microsphere beads were sufficiently close to each other, to provide a support surface on which to deposit the pigment particles.
- a pigment particle having a size greater than 2 microns would interfere at nighttime with a light source from contacting the microsphere bead, and also prevent the return of the retroreflective rays. With pigment particles less than 2 microns, the pigment particles do not interfere with the retroreflective properties taught by this invention.
- the pigment particles 18 provide continuous coverage throughout the entire surface of a fabric 20, regardless of the indentations and ridges inherent in the fabric due to its construction.
- the retroreflective composition may be applied to a fabric over its entire surface or in a pattern form (not shown) . By applying the retroreflective composition to a continuous bolt of fabric, this fabric can then be cut and sewn into a garment.
- Articles of clothing which may be coated with the retroreflective composition of the present invention include, but are not limited to, socks, sneakers, shoes, shoelaces, boots, pants, shorts, shirts, coats, hats, belts, scarves, gloves.
- the fabric on which the retroreflective composition is applied includes, but is not limited to, nylon, cotton, polyester, lycra, leather, and synethics. Multi-Tiered Microspheres
- nighttime driving tests were undertaken. These nighttime tests were designed and conducted similar to those undertaken by The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Committee on High Visibility Materials For Individual Safety, with the goal of determining the reflectivity per garment necessary to enhance motorist awareness of a pedestrian.
- ASTM American Society for Testing and Materials
- Garments were assessed using four important criteria identified by the ASTM for enhanced visibility. These four criteria include: detectability, conspicuity, recognizability, and localizability. These criteria are based on the physiological visual responses that a driver requires to perceive and respond to a potential hazard. Thus, the process by which the eye, brain, and body react to a potentially hazardous situation can be characterized through the four previously mentioned criteria. It is important to recognize that unlike garments using traditional retroreflective strips, a garment that reflects a full sillhoutte provides additional conspicuity, recognizability, and localizability.
- Tests were conducted under two sets of road conditions representing lighted streets and dark streets, the results of which are shown below in Table 2. Fabrics treated with the retroreflective composition of the present invention were viewed at 70 meters and 230 meters using low beams of a standard automobile. The tests were conducted on a scale of l to 5. A “1" represents that the substrate could not be viewed. A “5" represents that the substrate was clearly luminous and recognizable. The results depict the average score obtained with 5 individuals performing the test.
- the retroreflectivity per area of the fabric used (hereinafter referred to as R a ) must be greater than 3.0 candelas per lux per square meter of treated surface.
- This level of reflectivity can be achieved by applying a minimum of 2,000 microspheric beads per square centimeter. Thus, a minimum amount of retroreflective microsphere beads required to enhance nighttime visibility was determined.
- the retroreflectivity of the substrate must not be increased to the extent that the retroreflective microsphere beads provide a silvery or colored appearance on the substrate during daytime viewing conditions.
- daytime appearance tests were performed. It was determined that a maximum of 20,000 microspheric beads per square centimeter applied to the matrix material provided the maximum degree of daytime unnoticeability of the substrate. This correlates to a retroreflectivity per area of 45 candelas per lux per square meter, and a retroreflectivity per end use product of less than 4.0 candelas per lux per garment.
- the density, or number of microsphere beads per square centimeter determines both the degree of retroreflectivity and the degree of daytime unnoticeability of the substrate.
- the optimal number of retroreflective microsphere beads per square centimeter of treated fabric, or the semi-saturated microspheric density of treated fabric is between 2,000 and 20,000.
- a semi-saturated microspheric density of between 2,000 and 20,000 results in a retroreflectivity per area of 3 to 45 candelas per lux per square meter, and in retroreflectivity per garment of 0.10 to 3.00 candelas per lux per jacket.
- fabric 20 does not provide a flat surface by which a light ray will be reflected, but rather has indentations 22 and ridges 24 due to its construction, i.e. weave or knit. Specifically, when approximately 2,000 to 20,000 microsphere beads are deposited onto a square centimeter of fabric, the majority of microsphere beads will lodge into the recesses of the fabric; the minority of microsphere beads will lodge on the uppermost portion of the fabric (where they are at higher risk of being rubbed off during normal wear/washing) .
- microsphere beads having a semi-saturated microspheric density will tend to gather on the upper surfaces of the lower lodged retroreflective microsphere beads and subsequently group together to form multiple layers of retroreflective microsphere beads, or multi-tiered microsphere beads.
- FIG. 5 is a scanning electron microscope photograph of a nylon fabric treated with the composition of the present invention.
- the advantages of multi-tiered microsphere beads as formed by the current invention are that they improve overall reflectivity of the substrate while maintaining desired levels of daytime unnoticeability. In some embodiments, 10% to 50% of the beaded substrate surface has formations of 2 to 3 layers of microspheres. Actual percentage varies with type of substrate used.
- FIG. 5 shows a portion of a nylon fabric 450 microns in height by 575 microns in width, with 163 retroreflective microsphere beads contained therein. The semi-saturated microspheric density of this fabric is approximately 6,300 retroreflective microspheric beads per square centimeter.
- the multi-tiered microspheres deposit in the recesses 26 of the fabric.
- the multi-tiered microsphere beads which are randomly oriented increase the likelihood that a beam of light will be reflected back to its source.
- the ability of the less than 2 micron diameter pigment particles to lodge themselves in the crevices and surface area of the matrix material assists in the daytime unnoticeability of the retroreflective composition.
- the retroreflective composition is applied to absorbent fabric to further increase adherence to the fibers.
- the small size of the retroreflective microsphere beads coupled with the multi-tiered microsphere beads assist in preventing the observer's eyes from resolving the silvery or colored retroreflective means coated on the microsphere beads under daytime viewing conditions. Rather, the observer sees the surface area of the matrix material interposed between the retroreflective microsphere beads. This surface area predominantly includes the pigment particles.
- the retroreflective composition achieves its daytime unnoticeability to enable an observer to see only the color of the pigment on the substrate. This effect is primarily achieved because the retroreflective microsphere beads having an index of refraction of approximately 1.9 is viewed by diffused light during the day.
- FIG. 6 is a graph showing the volume percent of matrix material with the volume percent of retroreflective microsphere beads.
- the area marked as F represents the range in which a retroreflective composition of the present invention can be applied to a substrate to achieve a semi- saturated microspheric density of between 2,000 and 20,000, as well as satisfy industry crock, crock reflective loss, laundering, and hand standards.
- Area A of FIG. 6 represents the region in which the total components of matrix material and retroreflective microspheres exceeds 100% of solid material, and therefore precludes the addition of any liquid component to produce a retroreflective composition with a volatile constituent.
- the volatile constituent is necessary to facilitate the application of the retroreflective composition to a substrate to achieve a semi- saturated microspheric density of between 2,000 and 20,000.
- Area B of FIG. 6 represents the region in which there in an insufficient quantity of matrix material to adhere the retroreflective microsphere beads and pigment particles to the substrate.
- Area C of FIG. 6 represents the region in which there is an excess quantity of matrix material as compared to the quantity of retroreflective microsphere beads resulting in a heavier deposit on the substrate causing the fabrics upon which the matrix material, retroreflective microsphere beads and pigment particles are applied to fail to satisfy industry hand standards.
- Area D of FIG. 6 represents the region in which there is greater than 20,000 retroreflective microsphere beads per centimeter (i.e. a semi-saturated microspheric density greater than 20,000).
- the fabrics upon which the matrix material, pigment particles and this abundance of retroreflective microsphere beads are applied exhibit primarily the appearance of the retroreflective coating on the microsphere beads as opposed to the pigment particles during the daytime.
- Area E of FIG. 6 represents the region in which there is less than 2,000 retroreflective microsphere beads per centimeter (i.e. a semi-saturated microspheric density less than 2,000).
- the fabrics upon which the matrix material, pigment particles and this scarce amount of retroreflective microsphere beads are applied does not exhibit sufficient retroreflective qualities to be visible under low beam conditions at nighttime.
- FIG. 7 is a graph which projects the percentage increase of retroreflectivity and percentage decrease in daytime unnoticeability obtained by treating a woven fabric. As shown in Fig. 7, both nighttime reflectivity as depicted by Line A and daytime unnoticeability as depicted by Line B exhibit diminishing returns when the retroreflective microsphere beads form more than 3 layers. The area C identified in FIG 7. shows that the highest levels of both retroreflectivity and daytime unnoticeability are achieved when the retroreflective microsphere beads are deposited in 2-3 tiers.
- the retroreflective microsphere beads In a nylon fabric, when retroreflective microsphere beads are deposited onto the fabric, the retroreflective microsphere beads form in tiers of 2-3 layers over approximately 30% of the fabric to achieve a semi-saturated microspheric density of between 5,000 and 12,000.
- microsphere beads in 2-3 layers increases the angularity of nighttime reflectivity. Specifically, because of the random orientation and multiple layering of the microsphere beads, there are more retroreflective microsphere beads located at higher elevations on the fabric and at different orientations that are available to reflect light which strikes the coated fabric, even at such angles as 135°. This is especially beneficial when children, pedestrians, or bicyclists approach the road perpendicular to the direction the automobile is traveling.
- a slurry was prepared from the following ingredients: Parts by Volume volatile non ⁇ volatile
- Acrylic Polymer (AlcoPrint PTF 55% solids from Hydrolabs) .63 .61
- the first seven of the above-identified ingredients were mixed together for 15 minutes with a high speed mixing blade.
- the pigment particles and retroreflective microsphere beads were added and mixed for 5 minutes until uniformly blended.
- the retroreflective composition is then applied as a single component onto a fabric using a rotary screen printer directly against the fabric resulting in a retroreflective fabric coated with between 2,000 to 20,000 randomly oriented microsphere beads per square centimeter fabric.
- the composition was dried by forced air heated between 100°F to 200°F for approximately 1-3 minutes and then cured at 350°F for 2 minutes.
- the volume ratio of the matrix material to the retroreflective microsphere beads plus pigment is approximately 110%.
- compositions of the present invention can be applied to fabric using conventional textile printing and finishing equipment.
- Typical methods include rotary screen printing, rotogravure cylinder, blade over roll, bathing, spraying, and flat bed printing.
- the typical commercial finishes such as softeners, waterproofing, and water repellency may be applied over the printed composition of the present invention without affecting the retroreflective composition's daytime unnoticeability or nighttime reflectivity.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (5)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP95943358A EP0795138B1 (en) | 1994-11-30 | 1995-11-30 | Retroreflective composition |
DE69528193T DE69528193T2 (en) | 1994-11-30 | 1995-11-30 | RETROREFLECTIVE COMPOSITION |
GB9711253A GB2310863B (en) | 1994-11-30 | 1995-11-30 | Retroreflective composition |
JP8519100A JPH10510930A (en) | 1994-11-30 | 1995-11-30 | Retroreflective structure |
AU44641/96A AU4464196A (en) | 1994-11-30 | 1995-11-30 | Retroreflective composition |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US08/346,887 US5650213A (en) | 1994-11-30 | 1994-11-30 | Retroreflective composition |
US08/346,887 | 1994-11-30 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1996017264A1 true WO1996017264A1 (en) | 1996-06-06 |
Family
ID=23361437
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1995/015652 WO1996017264A1 (en) | 1994-11-30 | 1995-11-30 | Retroreflective composition |
Country Status (9)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US5650213A (en) |
EP (1) | EP0795138B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH10510930A (en) |
KR (1) | KR980700582A (en) |
CN (1) | CN1168724A (en) |
AU (1) | AU4464196A (en) |
DE (1) | DE69528193T2 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2310863B (en) |
WO (1) | WO1996017264A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1999003007A1 (en) * | 1997-07-14 | 1999-01-21 | Reflective Technologies, Inc. | Retroreflective composition |
US7175901B1 (en) | 1999-01-14 | 2007-02-13 | Reflec Plc | Retroreflective inks |
US7593133B2 (en) | 2004-02-16 | 2009-09-22 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Inkjet printing device |
Families Citing this family (37)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7289602B1 (en) | 1995-06-23 | 2007-10-30 | Science Applications International Corporation | Portable, digital X-ray apparatus for producing, storing, and displaying electronic radioscopic images |
US6389105B1 (en) * | 1995-06-23 | 2002-05-14 | Science Applications International Corporation | Design and manufacturing approach to the implementation of a microlens-array based scintillation conversion screen |
US6242056B1 (en) | 1998-05-08 | 2001-06-05 | Innovative Concepts Unlimited, Llc | Process for applying light-emission-enhancement microbead paint compositions |
KR100429098B1 (en) * | 1998-12-09 | 2004-04-29 | 가부시키가이샤 도모에가와 세이시쇼 | Filler lens and its manufacturing method |
US6376045B1 (en) | 1999-05-24 | 2002-04-23 | Tyco Adhesives Lp | Hand tearable patterned retroreflective material |
WO2001016223A1 (en) * | 1999-09-02 | 2001-03-08 | Visibility Enhancement Technologies | Retroreflective inks and fabrics |
US6735789B2 (en) | 2000-07-31 | 2004-05-18 | Southern Mills, Inc. | Reflective printing on flame resistant fabrics |
US20060098286A1 (en) * | 2000-09-08 | 2006-05-11 | Brian Sagar | Retroreflective materials |
US6482519B1 (en) * | 2000-12-29 | 2002-11-19 | Innovative Concepts Unlimited | Coated microparticles, plastic compositions and methods |
US20030018118A1 (en) * | 2001-06-21 | 2003-01-23 | David Burnett | Microbead coating composition and methods |
US6789905B2 (en) * | 2001-08-17 | 2004-09-14 | Basf Corporation | Method of providing a retroreflective coating system through wet-on-wet application and a retroreflective coating system thereof |
US6926972B2 (en) * | 2002-01-10 | 2005-08-09 | Basf Corporation | Method of providing an electroluminescent coating system for a vehicle and an electroluminescent coating system thereof |
WO2004017104A2 (en) * | 2002-08-15 | 2004-02-26 | Light Bead Llc | Retroreflective aerosol coating composition and methods of making and using thereof |
US20040217337A1 (en) * | 2003-04-29 | 2004-11-04 | Andrews John W | Curable resinous compositions for forming soft, abrasion-resistant coating compositons for fabrics |
US20050048263A1 (en) * | 2003-08-26 | 2005-03-03 | Schlegel Corporation | Reflective surface for a vehicle weatherseal |
US20050245645A1 (en) * | 2004-05-03 | 2005-11-03 | General Electric Company | Special visual effect thermoplastic compositions, articles made therefrom, and method |
US7110496B1 (en) | 2004-07-21 | 2006-09-19 | Science Applications International Corporation | Portable system and method for non-intrusive radioscopic imaging |
US20060040575A1 (en) * | 2004-08-18 | 2006-02-23 | Kelleher Karen A | Reflective printing on flame resistant fabrics |
US20070032846A1 (en) * | 2005-08-05 | 2007-02-08 | Bran Ferren | Holographic tattoo |
JP5422206B2 (en) * | 2005-12-12 | 2014-02-19 | サザンミルズ インコーポレイテッド | Flame resistant fabrics having antibacterial agents and methods for producing them |
US9248470B2 (en) * | 2006-07-31 | 2016-02-02 | Safe Reflections, Inc. | Colorized retroreflective material and method |
WO2008016716A2 (en) * | 2006-08-01 | 2008-02-07 | Tao-Ming Tom King | A process of making retro-reflective material |
US20080044627A1 (en) * | 2006-08-17 | 2008-02-21 | Groseclose Rhea G | Reflective decorative surface coating and a decorative water-borne surface coating system having at least one basecoat |
US7820083B2 (en) * | 2008-02-11 | 2010-10-26 | Fortson-Peek Company, Inc. | Wet reflective pavement marking and method |
US20100024935A1 (en) * | 2008-08-04 | 2010-02-04 | Ecolab Inc. | Usage of micron or submicron size transparent or translucent beads to improve reflectance |
US8840956B2 (en) * | 2008-10-31 | 2014-09-23 | Potters Industries, Llc | Retroreflective coating and method for applying a retroreflective coating on a structure |
US20100272962A1 (en) * | 2009-04-22 | 2010-10-28 | Potters Industries Inc. | Reflective substrate surface system, reflective assembly, and methods of improving the visibility of a substrate surface |
JP5882900B2 (en) | 2009-10-16 | 2016-03-09 | スリーエム イノベイティブ プロパティズ カンパニー | Retroreflective sheet and license plate with reduced retroreflectance at high incident angles |
CA2730631C (en) * | 2010-02-09 | 2015-03-31 | Potters Industries, Inc. | Reflective substrate surface system, reflective assembly, and methods of improving the visibility of a substrate surface |
EP2601042B1 (en) | 2010-08-06 | 2022-03-23 | Immunolight, Llc. | Color enhancement utilizing up converters and down converters |
KR101417266B1 (en) * | 2012-04-26 | 2014-07-09 | 김태일 | Reflecting sheet printed using open type beads process |
CN103792604B (en) | 2012-10-26 | 2016-12-21 | 3M创新有限公司 | Retroreflecting goods and appligue |
CN103792603B (en) | 2012-10-26 | 2016-07-06 | 3M创新有限公司 | Retroreflecting material and goods |
CN103091745A (en) * | 2012-12-27 | 2013-05-08 | 天津海华科技发展有限公司 | Individuation ink-jet printing reflective film and manufacturing technology thereof |
JP2016028293A (en) * | 2015-09-28 | 2016-02-25 | スリーエム イノベイティブ プロパティズ カンパニー | Exposed lens type retroreflective article |
CN108699788A (en) * | 2015-11-06 | 2018-10-23 | 10X技术有限公司 | Retroreflective traffic signs and its manufacturing method and manufacturing equipment |
US11567246B1 (en) | 2021-09-10 | 2023-01-31 | 10X Technology Llc | Retroreflective traffic sign and process and apparatus for manufacturing same |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4263345A (en) * | 1979-11-16 | 1981-04-21 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Coating composition for forming retroreflective treatments on fabrics |
Family Cites Families (32)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2379741A (en) * | 1943-01-23 | 1945-07-03 | Minnesota Mining & Mfg | Reflex light reflector |
US2407680A (en) * | 1945-03-02 | 1946-09-17 | Minnesota Mining & Mfg | Reflex light reflector |
US2567233A (en) * | 1946-09-19 | 1951-09-11 | Minnesota Mining & Mfg | Reflex-reflective sheet material useful for protective garments and the like |
US2592882A (en) * | 1946-12-04 | 1952-04-15 | Minnesota Mining & Mfg | Reflex light reflector |
US2646364A (en) * | 1949-07-15 | 1953-07-21 | Meyercord Co | Method of producing reflecting films, decalcomanias, and signs |
US2963378A (en) * | 1955-04-25 | 1960-12-06 | Minnesota Mining & Mfg | Ass beads hemispherically reflectorled with metallic coating and compositions thereof |
US3025764A (en) * | 1956-10-04 | 1962-03-20 | Minnesota Mining & Mfg | Retroreflective elements and structures |
US3099637A (en) * | 1958-11-14 | 1963-07-30 | Minnesota Mining & Mfg | Reflex-reflectorizing composition |
US3251704A (en) * | 1961-04-17 | 1966-05-17 | Minnesota Mining & Mfg | Compositions and pigments |
US3228897A (en) * | 1961-10-26 | 1966-01-11 | Minnesota Mining & Mfg | Reflective coating compositions containing glass beads, metal flake pigment and binder |
US3377184A (en) * | 1962-09-26 | 1968-04-09 | Kukoff Milton | Decorative fabric |
US3337483A (en) * | 1963-10-23 | 1967-08-22 | Cataphote Corp | Traffic marking compositions containing thermoplastic rosinless resinous binder |
US3420597A (en) * | 1964-04-13 | 1969-01-07 | Minnesota Mining & Mfg | Retroreflective structure and method of making same |
US3527729A (en) * | 1964-06-22 | 1970-09-08 | Minnesota Mining & Mfg | Glare-free coating compositions of elastomeric particles in an elastomeric film-former |
US3535019A (en) * | 1967-10-25 | 1970-10-20 | Minnesota Mining & Mfg | Metallized glass reflex-reflecting elements |
US4312676A (en) * | 1970-03-26 | 1982-01-26 | Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company | Retro-reflective liquid coating composition |
US3649352A (en) * | 1970-07-09 | 1972-03-14 | Minnesota Mining & Mfg | Heat-sensitive retroreflecting materials |
US3758192A (en) * | 1970-08-20 | 1973-09-11 | Minnesota Mining & Mfg | Reflex-reflective structures including fabric and transfer foils |
US3989775A (en) * | 1971-03-01 | 1976-11-02 | Bakelite Xylonite Limited | Method of making a retro-reflective beaded material |
US3835087A (en) * | 1971-04-29 | 1974-09-10 | Ferro Corp | Reflex-reflecting compositions containing glass beads and non-metallic flake pigments |
USRE30892E (en) * | 1975-01-10 | 1982-03-30 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Area-retroreflectorization of fabrics |
SE7513915L (en) * | 1975-01-10 | 1976-07-12 | Minnesota Mining & Mfg | COVERING MATERIAL FOR MAKING SUBSTRATES RETURNING REFLECTIVE |
US4055377A (en) * | 1976-08-03 | 1977-10-25 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Magnetically orientable retroreflectorization particles |
US4187332A (en) * | 1978-10-19 | 1980-02-05 | M. Lowenstein & Sons, Inc. | Process for producing light-reflective fabrics |
JPS60128401A (en) * | 1983-12-15 | 1985-07-09 | Ide Kogyo Kk | Production of recurrent reflecting pattern substance |
US4533592A (en) * | 1984-08-02 | 1985-08-06 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Thermally stable flame retardant reflective and retroreflective trim |
AU605606B2 (en) * | 1987-08-25 | 1991-01-17 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Retroreflective coating and composition for forming same |
US4955690A (en) * | 1989-03-24 | 1990-09-11 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Thin caliper retroreflective transfer |
NO894703L (en) * | 1989-07-21 | 1991-01-22 | Fox Valley Systems Inc | AEROSOL MIXTURES AND PROCEDURE FOR AA INCREASING THE LIGHT REFLECTIVITY OF AN OBJECTS. |
US5128804A (en) * | 1991-02-06 | 1992-07-07 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Permeable retroreflective sheeting |
EP0583267B1 (en) * | 1991-05-08 | 1997-05-02 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Launderable retroreflective applique |
US5200262A (en) * | 1992-04-01 | 1993-04-06 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Launderable retroreflective applique with improved retention of retroreflective elements |
-
1994
- 1994-11-30 US US08/346,887 patent/US5650213A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1995
- 1995-11-30 JP JP8519100A patent/JPH10510930A/en active Pending
- 1995-11-30 WO PCT/US1995/015652 patent/WO1996017264A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1995-11-30 AU AU44641/96A patent/AU4464196A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1995-11-30 GB GB9711253A patent/GB2310863B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1995-11-30 DE DE69528193T patent/DE69528193T2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1995-11-30 KR KR1019970703644A patent/KR980700582A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1995-11-30 EP EP95943358A patent/EP0795138B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1995-11-30 CN CN95196553A patent/CN1168724A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4263345A (en) * | 1979-11-16 | 1981-04-21 | Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company | Coating composition for forming retroreflective treatments on fabrics |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See also references of EP0795138A4 * |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO1999003007A1 (en) * | 1997-07-14 | 1999-01-21 | Reflective Technologies, Inc. | Retroreflective composition |
US7175901B1 (en) | 1999-01-14 | 2007-02-13 | Reflec Plc | Retroreflective inks |
US7593133B2 (en) | 2004-02-16 | 2009-09-22 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Inkjet printing device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPH10510930A (en) | 1998-10-20 |
GB9711253D0 (en) | 1997-07-23 |
DE69528193D1 (en) | 2002-10-17 |
GB2310863A (en) | 1997-09-10 |
GB2310863B (en) | 1998-08-05 |
EP0795138A1 (en) | 1997-09-17 |
DE69528193T2 (en) | 2003-07-24 |
EP0795138B1 (en) | 2002-09-11 |
AU4464196A (en) | 1996-06-19 |
US5650213A (en) | 1997-07-22 |
KR980700582A (en) | 1998-03-30 |
CN1168724A (en) | 1997-12-24 |
EP0795138A4 (en) | 1998-06-10 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US5650213A (en) | Retroreflective composition | |
US4103060A (en) | Area-retroreflectorization of fabrics | |
KR840001523B1 (en) | Coating composition for forming retroreflective treatments on fabrics | |
USRE30892E (en) | Area-retroreflectorization of fabrics | |
CA1328699C (en) | Retroreflective coating and composition for forming same | |
KR100375893B1 (en) | Retroreflective article and its manufacturing method | |
EP1192485B1 (en) | Retroreflective article having a colored layer containing a dye covalently bonded to a polymer | |
KR100338991B1 (en) | Clothing with Retroreflective Appliques | |
US4187332A (en) | Process for producing light-reflective fabrics | |
US5207852A (en) | Method for making permeable retroreflective sheeting | |
AU643862B2 (en) | Permeable retroreflective sheeting and method for making same | |
JPS6338902A (en) | Reflective ability sheet | |
JP2001504908A (en) | Wet retroreflective pavement road marking products | |
EP0995136A1 (en) | Retroreflective composition | |
WO1994006869A2 (en) | An improved process for the production of reflective coatings and materials | |
EP1277569A1 (en) | Reflective material and method for producing the same | |
AU536031B2 (en) | Coating composition for forming retroreflective treatments onfabrics | |
KR100445514B1 (en) | A sheet for irregular reflection and method for manufacture of the same | |
JPH0351357Y2 (en) | ||
KR800000660B1 (en) | Area-retroreflectorization of fabrics | |
JPS59187686A (en) | Production of stripe pattern retroreflective tent cloth |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 95196553.0 Country of ref document: CN |
|
AK | Designated states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AM AT AU BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CZ DE DK EE ES FI GB GE HU IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LK LR LT LU LV MD MG MN MW MX NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK TJ TM TT UA UG UZ VN |
|
AL | Designated countries for regional patents |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): KE LS MW SD SZ UG AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN ML MR NE SN TD TG |
|
121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application | ||
DFPE | Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101) | ||
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 1019970703644 Country of ref document: KR |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 1995943358 Country of ref document: EP |
|
WWP | Wipo information: published in national office |
Ref document number: 1995943358 Country of ref document: EP |
|
REG | Reference to national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: 8642 |
|
WWP | Wipo information: published in national office |
Ref document number: 1019970703644 Country of ref document: KR |
|
NENP | Non-entry into the national phase |
Ref country code: CA |
|
WWG | Wipo information: grant in national office |
Ref document number: 1995943358 Country of ref document: EP |
|
WWR | Wipo information: refused in national office |
Ref document number: 1019970703644 Country of ref document: KR |