Wide angle image-displaying sheet and system

• US 6,048,069 A
• Filed: 03/09/1999
• Issued: 04/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Nakajima, Toshitaka, Nagaoka, Yoshiyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, James
• Application Number:
  US09/265,747
• Time in Patent Office: 399 Days
• Field of Search: 359/515, 359/529-542, 359/546-553, 359/834, 359/837, 116/63 R, 116/63 P, 116/63 C, 404/9, 404/10, 404/16
• US Class Current: 359/529
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/124 plural reflecting elements forming part of a unitary plate or sheet
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/16 Signs formed of or incorporating reflecting elements or surfaces, e.g. warning signs having triangular or other geometrical shape

Abstract

An imaging element is disposed on a front surface of a retroreflective sheeting to form an image-displaying sheeting. The imaging element includes a light-transmitting prismatic sheeting that has a surface provided with a plurality of parallel prisms. The imaging element also includes an adhesive layer that adheres the prismatic sheeting to the front surface of the retroreflective sheeting. At least a portion of the imaging element is shaped in the form of indicia. In some cases the prismatic sheeting itself is shaped in the form of indicia. In other cases the imaging element includes a light-transmitting colored layer disposed on the front surface of the retroreflective sheeting and shaped in the form of indicia. In the latter case, the prismatic sheeting can be shaped as before to match the indicia-shaped colored layer, or it can extend continuously across the entire retroreflective sheeting. A stationary light source can be added and suitably positioned to enhance visibility of the image in a viewing plane.

Claims

1. An image-displaying sheeting comprising a retroreflective sheeting and an imaging element disposed on a front surface of the retroreflective sheeting, the imaging element comprising:

a light-transmitting prismatic sheeting having a surface provided with a plurality of parallel prisms; and

an adhesive layer that adheres the prismatic sheeting to the front surface of the retroreflective sheeting;

wherein at least a portion of the imaging element is shaped in the form of indicia.

2. The sheeting of claim 1, wherein the prismatic sheeting is shaped in the form of indicia.

3. The sheeting of claim 2, wherein the adhesive layer is discontinuous and contacts the surface provided with the plurality of parallel prisms.

4. The sheeting of claim 2, wherein the prismatic sheeting has a substantially flat surface opposite the surface provided with the plurality of parallel prisms.

5. The sheeting of claim 4, wherein the adhesive layer contacts the flat surface of the prismatic sheeting.

6. The sheeting of claim 1, wherein the front surface of the retroreflective sheeting is substantially flat.

7. The sheeting of claim 1, wherein the imaging element comprises a light-transmitting colored layer.

8. The sheeting of claim 7, wherein the light-transmitting colored layer is shaped in the form of indicia.

9. The sheeting of claim 8, wherein the colored layer contacts the front surface of the retroreflective sheeting, and the adhesive layer adheres the prismatic sheeting to the colored layer.

10. The sheeting of claim 9, wherein the prismatic sheeting is also shaped in the form of indicia.

11. The sheeting of claim 10, wherein the prismatic sheeting is in registration with the colored layer.

12. The sheeting of claim 1, wherein a plurality of indicia are arranged parallel to a first axis, and each of the prisms extend parallel to a second axis different from the first axis.

13. The sheeting of claim 12, wherein the second axis is substantially perpendicular to the first axis.

14. An image-displaying system comprising the sheeting of claim 1 and a stationary light source positioned to illuminate the sheeting.

15. The image-displaying system of claim 14, wherein the parallel prisms extend parallel to a prism axis, and wherein the light source is disposed proximate to a viewing plane oriented perpendicular to the prism axis.

16. The image-displaying system of claim 14, wherein the surface of the prismatic sheeting faces away from the front surface of the retroreflective sheeting, and wherein the light source is disposed relative to the image-displaying sheeting at an entrance angle from about 20 to about 80 degrees.

17. The image-displaying system of claim 14, wherein the surface of the prismatic sheeting faces towards the front surface of the retroreflective sheeting, and wherein the light source is disposed relative to the image-displaying sheeting at an entrance angle from about 60 to about 90 degrees.