Retrochromic articles

• US 7,036,944 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2002
• Issued: 05/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Frey, Matthew H., Budd, Kenton D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dunn, Drew A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pritchett, Joshua L
• Application Number:
  US10/122,520
• Publication Number:
  US 20030193718A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,482 Days
• Field of Search: 359/515, 359534-545, 359/599, 359/581, 602/526, 602/575, 602/223
• US Class Current: 359/536
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/585 incorporation of light reflecting filler, e.g. lamellae to obtain pearlescent effet partially embedding reflective elements into the surface of or support B29D11/00615
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 11/00605 Production of reflex reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/128 transparent spheres being embedded in matrix

Abstract

Retrochromic articles have a retrochromic pattern comprising first and second viewable retroreflective regions, wherein at least one viewable retroreflective region comprises a plurality of intrinsically retrochromic beads. Methods for making such articles are also provided. Articles according to the present invention have covert security features, and may be used, for example, to authenticate security articles.

Claims

1. An article having a retrochromic pattern, the pattern comprising first and second viewable retroreflective regions having substantially different retroreflective colors if viewed using the same illumination source, wherein at least one of the viewable retroreflective regions comprises at least 10 intrinsically retrochromic beads and is retrochromic, and wherein the intrinsically retrochromic beads are selected from the group consisting of:

i) intrinsically retrochromic beads having a spherical core, wherein the spherical core has a uniform and complete concentric optical interference layer thereon, and wherein the spherical core has a refractive index of at least 1.8, and

ii) intrinsically retrochromic beads having microcrystalline regions therein, wherein the microcystalline regions have a size of from 50 to 250 nanometers, and

iii) combinations thereof.

2. An article according to claim 1, wherein each of said intrinsically retrochromic beads has microcrystalline regions therein, and wherein the microcrystalline regions have a size of from 50 to 250 nanometers.

3. An article according to claim 1, wherein each of said intrinsically retrochromic beads comprises a spherical core having a uniform and complete concentric optical interference layer thereon, and wherein the spherical core has a refractive index of at least 1.8.

4. An article according to claim 3, wherein the index of refraction of the concentric optical interference layer on each said core is less than the index of refraction of the core.

5. An article according to claim 3, wherein the index of refraction of the concentric optical interference layer on each said core is greater than the index of refraction of the core.

6. An article according to claim 1, wherein said at least 10 beads comprises at least one intrinsically retrochromic bead having a first retroreflective color and at least one intrinsically retrochromic bead having a second retroreflective color, and wherein the first and second retroreflective colors are different.

7. An article according to claim 1, wherein the article comprises at least one intrinsically retrochromic bead comprising a spherical core having a uniform and complete concentric optical interference layer thereon, and at least one intrinsically retrochromic bead having microcrystalline regions therein, wherein the microcrystalline regions have a size of from 50 to 250 nanometers.

8. An article according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second viewable retroreflective regions comprises a plurality of intrinsically retrochromic beads.

9. An article according to claim 1, wherein the first viewable retroreflective region comprises a first plurality of intrinsically retrochromic beads, is retrochromic, and has a first retroreflective color;

wherein the second viewable retroreflective region comprises a second plurality of intrinsically retrochromic beads, is retrochromic, and has a second retroreflective color;

further wherein the first and second retroreflective colors are different.

10. An article according to claim 1, wherein the retrochromic pattern comprises an identifying mark.

11. An article according to claim 10, wherein the identifying mark comprises a trademark or manufacturer'"'"'s name.

12. An article according to claim 1, wherein the retrochromic pattern is covert.

13. An article according to claim 1, wherein the article comprises a substrate having a first major surface having a retroreflective layer affixed thereto, further wherein the retroreflective layer comprises a plurality of intrinsically retrochromic beads.

14. An article according to claim 13, wherein each bead of said plurality of intrinsically retrochromic beads has microcrystalline regions therein, and wherein the microcrystalline regions have a size of from 50 to 250 nanometers.

15. An article according to claim 13, wherein each bead of said plurality of intrinsically retrochromic beads comprises a spherical core having a concentric optical interference layer thereon, and wherein the spherical core has a refractive index of at least 1.8.

16. An article according to claim 13, wherein the article comprises at least one intrinsically retrochromic bead comprising a spherical core having a uniform and complete concentric optical interference layer thereon, and at least one intrinsically retrochromic bead having microcrystalline regions therein, wherein the microcrystalline regions have a size of from 50 to 250 nanometers.

17. An article according to claim 13, wherein the first and second viewable retroreflective regions each comprise a plurality of intrinsically retrochromic beads.

18. An article according to claim 13, wherein the first viewable retroreflective region comprises a first plurality of intrinsically retrochromic beads, is retrochromic, and has a first retroreflective color;

wherein the second viewable retroreflective region comprises a second plurality of intrinsically retrochromic beads, is retrochromic, and has a second retroreflective color;

further wherein the first and second retroreflective colors are different.

19. An article according to claim 13, wherein the pattern comprises an identifying mark.

20. An article according to claim 19, wherein the identifying mark comprises a trademark or manufacturer'"'"'s name.

21. An article according to claim 13, wherein the retrochromic pattern is covert.

22. An article according to claim 13, wherein at least a portion of the substrate is transparent.

23. An article according to claim 13, wherein the substrate is transparent in its entirety.

24. An article according to claim 13, wherein the substrate comprises at least one of thermoplastic film, metal foil, or paper.

25. An article according to claim 13, wherein the substrate further comprises a second major surface opposed to the first major surface.

26. An article according to claim 25, wherein an adhesive layer is affixed to the second major surface.

27. An article according to claim 26, wherein the adhesive layer further contacts a release liner.

28. An article according to claim 26, wherein adhesive comprises pressure-sensitive adhesive.

29. An article according to claim 26, wherein the adhesive layer further is affixed to a security article.

30. An article according to claim 29, wherein the substrate comprises polyurethane film.

31. An article according to claim 29, wherein the security article comprises at least one of a certificate, a financial instrument, a ticket, an identity card, a passport, or a license.

32. An article according to claim 13, wherein at least one viewable region comprises a layer having a substantially uniform thickness.

33. An article according to claim 13, wherein the retroreflective layer further comprises binder.

34. An article according to claim 33, wherein a plurality of intrinsically retrochromic beads are partially embedded within binder.

35. An article according to claim 1, wherein the article comprises a substrate having a first major surface having at least one topographical feature.

36. An article according to claim 35, wherein each of said intrinsically retrochromic beads has microcrystalline regions therein, and wherein the microcrystalline regions have a size of from 50 to 250 nanometers.

37. An article according to claim 35, wherein each of said intrinsically retrochromic beads comprise a spherical core having a uniform and complete concentric optical interference layer thereon, and wherein the spherical core has a refractive index of at least 1.8.

38. An article according to claim 37, wherein the index of refraction of the concentric optical interference layer on each said core is less than the index of refraction of the core.

39. An article according to claim 35, wherein the article comprises intrinsically retrochromic beads having a spherical core having a uniform and complete concentric optical interference layer thereon, and intrinsically retrochromic beads having microcrystalline regions therein, and wherein the microcrystalline regions have a size of from 50 to 250 nanometers.

40. An article according to claim 35, wherein the first and second viewable retroreflective regions each comprise a plurality of intrinsically retrochromic beads.

41. An article according to claim 35, wherein the first viewable retroreflective region comprises a first plurality of intrinsically retrochromic beads, is retrochromic, and has a first retroreflective color;

wherein the second viewable retroreflective region comprises a second plurality of intrinsically retrochromic beads, is retrochromic, and has a second retroreflective color;

further wherein the first and second retroreflective colors are different.

42. An article according to claim 35, wherein the pattern comprises an identifying mark.

43. An article according to claim 42, wherein the identifying mark comprises a trademark or manufacturers name.

44. An article according to claim 35, wherein the retrochromic pattern is covert.

45. An article according to claim 35, wherein at least a portion of the substrate is transparent.

46. An article according to claim 35, wherein the substrate is transparent in its entirety.

47. An article according to claim 35, wherein the substrate comprises at least one of thermoplastic film, metal foil, or paper.

48. An article according to claim 35, wherein the substrate further comprises a second major surface opposed to the first major surface.

49. An article according to claim 48, wherein an adhesive layer is affixed to the second major surface.

50. An article according to claim 49, wherein the adhesive layer further contacts a release liner.

51. An article according to claim 49, wherein adhesive comprises pressure-sensitive adhesive.

52. An article according to claim 49, wherein the adhesive layer further is affixed to a security article.

53. An article according to claim 52, wherein the substrate comprises polyurethane film.

54. An article according to claim 52, wherein the security article comprises at least one of a certificate, a financial instrument, a ticket, an identity card, a passport, or a license.

55. An article according to claim 35, wherein the topographical feature is selected from a channel, a groove, or a well.

56. An article according to claim 35, wherein the first major surface comprises a plurality of wells.

57. An article according to claim 56, wherein at least one intrinsically retrochromic bead is contained within at least one well.

58. An article according to claim 56, wherein a transparent cover is affixed to the first major surface to form at least one enclosed cavity containing at least one intrinsically retrochromic bead.

59. An article according to claim 58, wherein the intrinsically retrochromic bead comprises a spherical core having a uniform and complete concentric optical interference layer thereon, wherein the index of refraction of the optical interference layer is less than the index of refraction of the core.

60. The retrochromic article of claim 58, wherein at least one enclosed cavity contains a liquid.

61. An article according to claim 1, wherein the article comprises a substrate having at least one viewable interior region containing at least one intrinsically retrochromic bead.

62. An article according to claim 61, wherein each of said intrinsically retrochromic beads has microcrystalline regions therein, and wherein the microcrystalline regions have a size of from 50 to 250 nanometers.

63. An article according to claim 61, wherein each of said intrinsically retrochromic bead comprises a spherical core having a uniform and complete concentric optical interference layer thereon, and wherein the spherical core has a refractive index of at least 1.8.

64. An article according to claim 63, wherein the index of refraction of the concentric optical interference layer on each said core is less than the index of refraction of the core.

65. An article according to claim 61, wherein the first and second viewable retroreflective regions each comprise a plurality of intrinsically retrochromic beads.

66. An article according to claim 61, wherein the first viewable retroreflective region comprises a first plurality of intrinsically retrochromic beads, is retrochromic, and has a first retroreflective color;

wherein the second viewable retroreflective region comprises a second plurality of intrinsically retrochromic beads, is retrochromic, and has a second retroreflective color;

further wherein the first and second retroreflective colors are different.

67. An article according to claim 61, wherein the pattern comprises an identifying mark.

68. An article according to claim 67, wherein the identifying mark comprises a trademark or manufacturer'"'"'s name.

69. An article according to claim 61, wherein the retrochromic pattern is covert.

70. A method of making an article having a retrochromic pattern comprising:

providing a substrate;

affixing a first retroreflective material to the substrate to form a first viewable retroreflective region; and

affixing a second retroreflective material to the substrate to form a second viewable retroreflective region;

wherein the first and second retroreflective materials form a retrochromic pattern, the pattern comprising first and second viewable retroreflective regions having substantially different retroreflective colors if viewed using the same illumination source, wherein at least one of the viewable retrorefleclive regions comprises at least 10 intrinsically retrochromic beads and is retrochromic, and wherein the intrinsically retrochromic beads are selected from the group consisting of;

i) intrinsically retrochromic beads having a spherical core, wherein the spherical core has a uniform and complete concentric optical interference layer thereon, and wherein the spherical core has a refractive index of at least 1.8, and

ii) intrinsically retrochromic beads having microcrystalline regions therein, wherein the microcystalline regions have a size of from 50 to 250 nanometers, and

iii) combinations thereof.

71. An article according to claim 70, wherein each of said intrinsically retrochromic beads has microcrystalline regions therein, and wherein the microcrystalline regions have a size from 50 to 250 nanometers.

72. A method according to claim 71, wherein each of said intrinsically retrochromic beads comprises a spherical core having a uniform and complete concentric optical interference layer thereon, and wherein the spherical core has a refractive index of at least 1.8.

73. A method according to claim 72, wherein the index of refraction of the concentric optical interference layer on each said core is less than the index of refraction of the core.

74. A method according to claim 72, wherein the index of refraction of the concentric optical interference layer on each said core is greater than the index of refraction of the core.

75. A method according to claim 70, wherein said at least 10 beads comprises at least one intrinsically retrochromic bead having a first retroreflective color and at least one intrinsically retrochromic bead having a second retroreflective color, and wherein the first and second retroreflective colors are different.

76. A method according to claim 70, wherein at least one of the first and second retroreflective materials comprises binder.

77. A method according to claim 70, wherein the substrate contains at least one interior region, wherein the interior region contains at least one of the first and second retroreflective materials.

78. A method according to claim 70, wherein the substrate comprises a surface, further wherein the surface comprises at least one topographical feature.

79. A method according to claim 70, wherein affixing means partially embedding, printing, adhesively bonding, or a combination thereof.

80. A method according to claim 70, wherein affixing means printing.

81. A method according to claim 70, wherein affixing means adhesively bonding.

82. A method according to claim 70, wherein the first viewable retroreflective region comprises a first plurality of intrinsically retrochromic beads, is retrochromic, and has a first retroreflective color;

wherein the second viewable retroreflective region comprises a second plurality of intrinsically retrochromic beads, is retrochromic, and has a second retroreflective color;

further wherein the first and second retroreflective colors are different.

83. A method according to claim 82, wherein the substrate has first and second opposed major surfaces.

84. A method according to claim 83, further comprising heat laminating the substrate to a security article.

85. A method according to claim 84, wherein the security article comprises at least one of a certificate of tide, a stock certificate, a financial instrument, a ticket, a check, a financial card, an identity card, currency, a passport, a tamper-indicating seal, or a license.

86. A method according to claim 85, wherein at least a portion of the substrate is transparent.

87. A method according to claim 83, wherein the first major surface has at least one topographical feature.

88. A method according to claim 87, further comprising the step of affixing a cover layer to the first major surface to form at least one cavity, wherein the at least one cavity contains at least one of the first and second retroreflective materials.

89. A method according to claim 87, wherein at least one topographical feature is selected from at least one of a channel, a groove, or a well, or is a combination thereof.

90. A method according to claim 87, wherein the first major surface comprises a plurality of wells.

91. A method according to claim 83, wherein the substrate is transparent.

92. A method according to claim 83, wherein each of said intrinsically retrochromic beads has microcrystalline regions therein, and wherein the microcrystalline regions have a size of from 50 to 250 nanometers.

93. A method according to claim 83, wherein each of said intrinsically retrochromic beads comprises a spherical core having a uniform and complete concentric optical interference layer thereon, and wherein the spherical core has a refractive index of at least 1.8.

94. A method according to claim 93, wherein the index of refraction of the concentric optical interference layer on each said core is less than the index of refraction of the core.

95. A method according to claim 93, wherein the index of refraction of the concentric optical interference layer on each said core is greater than the index of refraction of the core.

96. A method according to claim 83, further comprising affixing adhesive to the second major surface of the substrate.

97. A method according to claim 96, further comprising affixing the adhesive layer to a security article.

98. A method according to claim 97, wherein the security article comprises at least one of a certificate of title, a stock certificate, a financial instrument, a ticket, a check, a financial card, an identity card, currency, a passport, a tamper-indicating seal, or a license.

99. A method according to claim 98, wherein at least a portion of the substrate is transparent.

100. An article having a retrochromic pattern, the pattern comprising first and second viewable retroreflective regions having substantially different retroreflective colors if viewed using the same illumination source, wherein at least one of the viewable retroreflective regions comprises intrinsically retrochromic beads which are non-randomly positioned with respect to adjacent beads, and wherein the intrinsically retrochromic beads are selected from the group consisting of:

i) intrinsically retrochromic beads having a spherical core, wherein the spherical core has a uniform and complete concentric optical interference layer thereon, and wherein the spherical core has a refractive index of at least 1.8, and

ii) intrinsically retrochromic beads having microcrystalline regions therein, wherein the microcrystalline regions have a size of from 50 to 250 nanometers, and

iii) combinations thereof.

101. An article according to claim 100, wherein the article comprises a substrate having a first major surface having a retroreflective layer affixed thereto, further wherein the retroreflective layer comprises a plurality of intrinsically retrochromic beads.

102. An article according to claim 100, wherein the article comprises a substrate having a first major surface having at least one topographical feature.

103. An article according to claim 100, wherein the article comprises a substrate having at least one viewable interior region containing at least one intrinsically retrochromic bead.