Textured retroreflective prism structures and molds for forming same
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of forming retroreflective sheeting comprising:
- a) forming a mold by;
(i) forming three sets of parallel grooves in a body of mold material;
the grooves intersecting at an angle to form a plurality of prisms each prism having a base and three intersecting lateral faces which meet at an apex;
(ii) removing a portion of at least one face of a prism to form a shorter size prism adjacent a taller size prism and a cut surface therebetween;
b) texturing some, but not all, of the surfaces of the faces and cut surface;
c) forming a replica of the mold;
d) forming the sheeting in the replica; and
e) removing the sheeting from the mold.
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Abstract
Retroreflective prism sheeting is formed in a mold with textured facets and/or windows thereon. Smaller prisms are formed adjacent larger prisms. Optionally, the optical axis of the prisms may be tilted with respect to one another, preferably in a negative direction. The textured facets or windows provide more uniform retroreflected light intensity distribution and whiteness of the sheeting.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of forming retroreflective sheeting comprising:
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a) forming a mold by;
(i) forming three sets of parallel grooves in a body of mold material;
the grooves intersecting at an angle to form a plurality of prisms each prism having a base and three intersecting lateral faces which meet at an apex;
(ii) removing a portion of at least one face of a prism to form a shorter size prism adjacent a taller size prism and a cut surface therebetween;
b) texturing some, but not all, of the surfaces of the faces and cut surface;
c) forming a replica of the mold;
d) forming the sheeting in the replica; and
e) removing the sheeting from the mold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of forming retroreflective sheeting comprising:
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a) forming a mold by forming three sets of parallel grooves in a body of mold material;
the grooves intersecting at an angle to form a plurality of prisms, each prism having a base and three intersecting lateral faces which meet at an apex;
b) texturing at least a portion, but not all portions, of the surfaces of the faces;
c) forming a replica of the mold;
d) forming the sheeting in the replica; and
e) removing the sheeting from the replica. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of forming a mold for use in forming retroreflective sheeting comprising:
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a) forming the mold by forming three sets of parallel grooves in a body of mold material, the grooves intersecting at an angle to form a plurality of prisms, each prism having a base and three intersecting lateral fences which meet at an apex;
b) coating at least a portion of the lateal faces with photoresist;
c) exposing the photoresist to a substantially random speckle pattern;
d) developing the exposed photoresist and selectively removing the developed photoresist;
e) etching the mold in the areas of the speckle pattern; and
f) removing a portion of at least one face of a prism to form a shorter prism adjacent a taller size prism and a cut surface therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification