Cube corner cavity based retroeflectors with transparent fill material

• US 6,280,822 B1
• Filed: 01/11/1999
• Issued: 08/28/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Daniels, Michael P., Luehrs, Roger E., Frey, Cheryl M., Smith, Kenneth L., Benson, Gerald M., Wilson, Bruce B., Coderre, James C., Craton, Michele A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Loney, Donald J.
• Application Number:
  US09/228,367
• Time in Patent Office: 960 Days
• Field of Search: 428/192, 428/172, 428/141, 428/148, 428/161, 428/164, 428/913, 428/41.7, 428/41.8, 428/42.1, 428/343, 359/529, 359/530
• US Class Current: 428/161
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 11/00605 Production of reflex reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/124 plural reflecting elements forming part of a unitary plate or sheet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 428/913 Material designed to be responsive to temperature, light, moisture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/14 Layer or component removable to expose adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1471 Protective layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1476 Release layer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24521 with component conforming to contour of nonplanar surface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24545 Containing metal or metal compound
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24612 Composite web or sheet

Abstract

Retroreflective sheeting includes a body layer having a structured surface with recessed faces forming cube corner cavities. A reflective film is disposed at least on the recessed faces, and a fill material fills the cube corner cavities. The fill material comprises radiation-curable materials, adhesives, or both, and preferably transparent radiation-curable pressure-sensitive adhesives. The fill material preferably forms a continuous layer covering both the recessed faces and upper portions of the structured surface. A transparent cover layer preferably contacts the fill material layer.

Claims

1. A retroreflective article, comprising:

a body layer having a structured surface comprising recessed faces that define cube corner cavities, and a top surface having a width between the recessed faces;

a reflective film disposed at least on the recessed faces; and

a transparent adhesive layer that fills the cube corner cavities.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer comprises a transparent pressure-sensitive adhesive.

3. The article of claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer comprises a transparent heat-activated adhesive.

4. The article of claim 2, wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive comprises a crosslinked polymer.

5. The article of claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer is substantially coextensive with the structured surface.

6. The article of claim 5, further comprising:

a release liner that contacts the adhesive layer.

7. The article of claim 5, further comprising:

a transparent cover layer that contacts and bonds to the adhesive layer.

8. The article of claim 7, wherein the transparent cover layer comprises a thermoplastic polymer.

9. The article of claim 7, wherein the body layer comprises a thermoplastic polymer.

10. The article of claim 7, wherein the adhesive layer has a lower elastic modulus than that of the body layer.

11. The article of claim 10, wherein the elastic modulus of the adhesive layer is less than about 345 MPa and the elastic modulus of the body layer is greater than about 690 MPa.

12. The article of claim 5, wherein the adhesive layer is substantially continuous such that it covers both the cube corner cavities and upper portions of the structured surface.

13. The article of claim 1, wherein the reflective film is discontinuous.

14. The article of claim 1, wherein the body layer also has a rear surface opposite the structured surface, the article further comprising:

a second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer disposed at the rear surface.

15. A retroreflective article, comprising:

a body layer having a structured surface comprising recessed faces that define cube corner cavities, and a top surface having a width between the recessed faces;

a reflective film disposed at least on the recessed faces; and

a layer of flowable radiation-curable composition that fills the cube corner cavities.

16. The article of claim 15, wherein the composition layer is substantially coextensive with the structured surface.

17. The article of claim 16, wherein the composition layer covers substantially all of the structured surface.

18. The article of claim 15, wherein the composition is substantially polymeric.

19. The article of claim 15, wherein the composition is suitable for forming a transparent pressure-sensitive adhesive.

20. The article of claim 15, wherein the composition has a sufficiently low shrinkage such that upon curing it maintains intimate contact with the recessed faces.

21. The article of claim 15, wherein the reflective film is discontinuous, and the composition is suitable for forming a covalent bond with exposed portions of the body layer.