Prismatic retroreflective article with cross-linked image layer and method of making same
First Claim
1. A prismatic retroreflective article comprising:
- a transparent polymeric body portion having an elastic modulus less than 13×
108 Pa (1.3 GPa);
an optical layer comprising internally reflecting cube-corner optical elements, the optical layer having an elastic modulus greater than 14×
108 Pa (1.4 GPa) and being coupled to the body portion; and
an image layer coupled to the body portion opposite the optical layer, the image layer defining an image having imaged portions and non-imaged portions, wherein the image layer forms an exterior layer of the prismatic retroreflective article in the imaged portions, the image layer including cross-links formed between a polymer resin having hydroxyl functional groups and a cross-linking agent having isocyanate functional groups, the polymer resin comprising at least one of a polyester and a vinyl copolymer.
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Abstract
A prismatic retroreflective article and a method for making same. The retroreflective article can include a transparent polymeric body portion, an optical layer coupled to the body portion, and an image layer coupled to the body portion opposite the optical layer. The image layer can define imaged portions and non-imaged portions of the prismatic retroreflective article. The image layer can include cross-links formed between a polymer resin having hydroxyl functional groups and a cross-linking agent having isocyanate functional groups. The image layer can have a percent elongation of at least 80 percent and less than 200 percent. The method can include printing or coating an image layer onto to the body portion of the retroreflective sheeting opposite the optical layer, and cross-linking the image layer to form cross-links between the hydroxyl functional groups of the polymer resin and the isocyanate functional groups of the cross-linking agent.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A prismatic retroreflective article comprising:
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a transparent polymeric body portion having an elastic modulus less than 13×
108 Pa (1.3 GPa);an optical layer comprising internally reflecting cube-corner optical elements, the optical layer having an elastic modulus greater than 14×
108 Pa (1.4 GPa) and being coupled to the body portion; andan image layer coupled to the body portion opposite the optical layer, the image layer defining an image having imaged portions and non-imaged portions, wherein the image layer forms an exterior layer of the prismatic retroreflective article in the imaged portions, the image layer including cross-links formed between a polymer resin having hydroxyl functional groups and a cross-linking agent having isocyanate functional groups, the polymer resin comprising at least one of a polyester and a vinyl copolymer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of making a prismatic retroreflective article, the method comprising:
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providing retroreflective sheeting, the retroreflective sheeting including a body portion having an elastic modulus of less than 13×
108 Pa, andan optical layer comprising internally reflecting cube-corner optical elements, the optical layer having an elastic modulus of greater than 14×
108 Pa and being coupled to the body portion;printing or coating an image layer onto to the body portion of the retroreflective sheeting opposite the optical layer, the image layer comprising a polymer resin comprising at least one of a polyester and a vinyl copolymer, the polymer resin having hydroxyl functional groups, and a cross-linking agent having isocyanate functional groups; and cross-linking the image layer to form cross-links between the hydroxyl functional groups of the polymer resin and the isocyanate functional groups of the cross-linking agent. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A prismatic retroreflective article comprising:
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a transparent polymeric body portion having an elastic modulus less than 13×
108 Pa (1.3 GPa);an optical layer comprising internally reflecting cube-corner optical elements, the optical layer having an elastic modulus greater than 14×
108 Pa (1.4 GPa) and being coupled to the body portion; andan image layer coupled to the body portion opposite the optical layer, the image layer having a percent elongation of at least 80 percent and less than 200 percent, the image layer including cross-links formed between a polymer resin having hydroxyl functional groups and a cross-linking agent having isocyanate functional groups, the polymer resin comprising at least one of a polyester and a vinyl copolymer.
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Specification