Multicomponent, multilayer polymeric reflective bodies
First Claim
1. A reflective polymer body of at least first, second, and third diverse polymeric materials, the body comprising a sufficient number of alternating layers of said polymeric material such that a portion of the light incident on said body is reflected but such that essentially no visibly perceived iridescence is reflected, a sufficient number of the individual layers of said body (1) 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, or (2) having an optical thickness of not less than 045 micrometers, and wherein said polymeric materials having the highest and lowest refractive indices differ from each other by at least about 0.03.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multicomponent, multilayered, highly reflective polymeric 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, second, and third diverse polymeric materials having a sufficient number of alternating layers of the polymeric materials such that a portion of the light incident on the body is reflected. A sufficient number of the individual layers of the body have optical thicknesses of not more than 0.09 micrometers or not less than 0.45 micrometers, such that there is an absence of visibly perceived color in the body. The polymeric materials having the highest and lowest refractive indices differ from each other in refractive index by at least about 0.03. The reflective body may be fabricated into mirrors, noncorroding metallic appearing articles and parts, reflectors, reflective lenses, and the like.
117 Citations
24 Claims
- 1. A reflective polymer body of at least first, second, and third diverse polymeric materials, the body comprising a sufficient number of alternating layers of said polymeric material such that a portion of the light incident on said body is reflected but such that essentially no visibly perceived iridescence is reflected, a sufficient number of the individual layers of said body (1) 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, or (2) having an optical thickness of not less than 045 micrometers, and wherein said polymeric materials having the highest and lowest refractive indices differ from each other by at least about 0.03.
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22. A mirror like polymeric article having at least first and second major surfaces, said article comprising a sufficient number of alternating layers of at least first, second, and third polymeric materials such that at least 30% of light incident on said article is reflected, but such that essentially no visibly perceived iridescence is reflected, a sufficient number of the individual layers of said mirror like article (1) 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, or (2) having an optical thickness of not less than 0.45 micrometers, and wherein said polymeric materials having the highest and lowest refractive indices differ from each other by at least about 0.03, and wherein a light absorbent layer in included as one of said major surfaces or as an interior layer.
- 23. A birefringent light polarizer which reflects light anisotropically, comprising multiple layers of at least first, second, and third diverse polymeric materials, a sufficient number of the individual layers of said polarizer having (1) 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, or (2) having an optical thickness of not less than 0.45 micrometers, and wherein at least two of said polymeric materials differ from each other in refractive index by at least about 0.03 in one plane of the polarizer.
Specification