Thick/very thin multilayer reflective polymeric body
First Claim
1. A reflective polymeric body of 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 30% of light incident on said body is reflected, where the intensity of the reflected light is governed by the equation R=(kr)/1+(k-1)r×
- 100, where R is the amount of reflected light (%), k is the number of thick and very thin film layers, and r=((N1 -N2)/(N1 +N2))2, and N1 and N2 are the refractive indices of said polymeric materials at each layer interface, a substantial majority of the individual layers of said body having an optical thickness of not more than 0.09 micrometers or not less than 0.45 micrometers, with at least one of said individual layers having an optical thickness of not more than 0.09 micrometers, and wherein said first and second polymeric materials differ from each other in refractive index by at least about 0.03.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A multilayered reflective body which is thermoformable and capable of being fabricated into films, sheets, and a variety of parts while maintaining a uniform reflective appearance is provided. The reflective polymeric body includes at least first and second diverse polymeric materials of a sufficient number of alternating layers of the first and second polymeric materials such that at least 30% of the light incident on the body is reflected. A substantial majority of the individual layers of the body have an optical thickness of not more than 0.09 micrometers or not less than 0.45 micrometers, with at least one of the individual layers having an optical thickness of not more than 0.09 micrometers, and adjacent layers of the first and second polymeric materials differ from each other in refractive index by at least about 0.03.
-
Citations
33 Claims
-
1. A reflective polymeric body of 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 30% of light incident on said body is reflected, where the intensity of the reflected light is governed by the equation R=(kr)/1+(k-1)r×
- 100, where R is the amount of reflected light (%), k is the number of thick and very thin film layers, and r=((N1 -N2)/(N1 +N2))2, and N1 and N2 are the refractive indices of said polymeric materials at each layer interface, a substantial majority of the individual layers of said body having an optical thickness of not more than 0.09 micrometers or not less than 0.45 micrometers, with at least one of said individual layers having an optical thickness of not more than 0.09 micrometers, and wherein said first and second polymeric materials differ from each other in refractive index by at least about 0.03.
- 2. A reflective polymeric body of 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 30% of light incident on said body is reflected, but such that essentially no visibly perceived iridescence is reflected, a substantial majority of the individual layers of said body having an optical thickness of not more than 0.09 micrometers or not less than 0.45 micrometers, with at least one of said individual layers having an optical thickness of not more than 0.09 micrometers, and wherein said first and second polymeric materials differ from each other in refractive index by at least about 0.03.
-
29. A reflective polymeric film of at least first and second diverse polymeric materials, the film comprising a sufficient number of alternating layers of said first and second polymeric materials such that at least 30% of light incident on said film is reflected, where the intensity of the reflected light is governed by the equation R=(kr)/(1+(k-1)r)×
- 100, where R is the amount of reflected light (%), k is the number of thick and very thin film layers, and, r=((N1 -N2)/(N1 +N2))2, and N1 and N2 are the refractive indices of said polymeric materials at each layer interface, a substantial majority of the individual layers of said film having an optical thickness of not more than 0.09 micrometers or not less than 0.45 micrometers, with at least one of said individual layers having an optical thickness of not more than 0.09 micrometers, and wherein said first and second polymeric materials differ from each other in refractive index by at least about 0.03.
-
30. A mirror like polymeric article having at least first and second major surfaces, said article comprising a sufficient number of alternating layers of first and second polymeric materials such that at least 30% of light incident on said body is reflected, a substantial majority of the individual layers of said body having an optical thickness of not more than 0.09 micrometers or not less than 0.45 micrometers, with at least one of said individual layers having an optical thickness of not more than 0.09 micrometers, wherein said first and second polymeric materials differ from each other in refractive index by at least about 0.03, and wherein one of said major surfaces includes a light absorbent layer.
-
31. A mirror like polymeric article having at least first and second major surfaces, said article comprising a sufficient number of alternating layers of first and second polymeric materials such that at least 30% of light incident on said body is reflected, and at least one interior light absorbing layer, a substantial majority of the individual layers of said body having an optical thickness of not more than 0.09 micrometers or not less than 0.45 micrometers, with at least one of said individual layers having an optical thickness of not more than 0.09 micrometers, and wherein said first and second polymeric materials differ from each other in refractive index by at least about 0.03.
- 32. A birefringent light polarizer which reflects light anisotropically, comprising multiple layers of at least first and second diverse polymeric materials, a substantial majority of the individual layers of said polarizer having an optical thickness of not more than 0.09 micrometers or not less than 0.45 micrometers, with at least one of said individual layers having an optical thickness of not more than 0.09 micrometers, and wherein said first and second polymeric materials differ from each other in refractive index by at least about 0.03 in one plane of the polarizer.
Specification