Retroreflective structure
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A retroreflective structure comprising:
- an array of solid transparent free-standing prisms having a facet side and a base side and wherein the base side of said prisms is temporarily adhered to a first substrate by a release coating, and the facet side is adhered to a second substrate by a patterned heat activated adhesive forming an air pocket between the second substrate and the facet side of the prisms of the array not in contact with the heat activated adhesive.
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Abstract
A retroreflective structure is described in which an array of transparent prisms is formed on a release coating of a sheet. The facet side of the prisms is made reflective and the prisms are either released to form a plurality of individual retroreflective structures or the array is adhered to a supporting substrate and then released from the base sheet. In the latter case, the array can be applied to a pre-existing structure formed of compatible fabrics, such as tarpaulins.
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Citations
5 Claims
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1. A retroreflective structure comprising:
an array of solid transparent free-standing prisms having a facet side and a base side and wherein the base side of said prisms is temporarily adhered to a first substrate by a release coating, and the facet side is adhered to a second substrate by a patterned heat activated adhesive forming an air pocket between the second substrate and the facet side of the prisms of the array not in contact with the heat activated adhesive.
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2. A method for forming a retroreflective structure, comprising the steps of:
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a) molding an array of solid optically transparent prisms each having a facet side and a base side; b) temporarily adhering the base side of said prisms to a temporary substrate; c) forming a light reflective surface on the facet side of said prisms; d) forming a closed pattern of heat activated adhesive on the facet side of the array; e) applying a permanent substrate to the adhesive pattern, thereby sealing the closed pattern leaving an air pocket between the permanent substrate and the facet side of the array; f) thermally activating the adhesive; and g) removing the temporary substrate exposing the base side of the array to form free-standing prisms. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5)
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Specification