Photoluminescent objects

• US 9,057,021 B2
• Filed: 10/23/2012
• Issued: 06/16/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Performance Indicator, LLC
• Original Assignee: Performance Indicator, LLC
• Inventors: Kingsley, Edward D., Agrawal, Satish
• Primary Examiner(s): Porta, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, MINDY D
• Application Number:
  US13/657,953
• Publication Number:
  US 20140065442A1
• Time in Patent Office: 966 Days
• Field of Search: 250/486.1, 250/458.1, 250/459.1, 252/301.36, 252/301.5, 252/301.4, 252/301.6
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 19/00 Layered products comprising a layer of natural mineral fibres or particles, e.g. asbestos, mica
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2264/105 Metal
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/4026 within the layer by addition of a colorant, e.g. pigments, dyes
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/422 Luminescent, fluorescent, phosphorescent
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2437/02 Gloves, shoes
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2471/00 Floor coverings B32B2419/04 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2607/02 Wall papers, wall coverings
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/20 using fillers, pigments, thixotroping agents
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/22 using plasticisers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/304 comprising vinyl halide (co)polymers, e.g. PVC, PVDC, PVF, PVDF
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/308 comprising acrylic (co)polymers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/32 comprising polyolefins comprising vinyl (co)polymers or acrylic (co)polymers B32B27/30
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/36 comprising polyesters
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/365 comprising polycarbonates
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/40 comprising polyurethanes
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 11/77 containing rare earth metals
• CPC Class Codes: G21K 4/00 Conversion screens for the conversion of the spatial distribution of X-rays or particle radiation into visible images, e.g. fluoroscopic screens photographic processes using X-ray intensifiers G03C5/17; discharge tubes comprising luminescent screens H01J1/62; cathode ray tubes for X-ray conversion with optical output H01J31/50
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 29/385 Photocathodes comprising a layer which modified the wave length of impinging radiation

Abstract

An object comprising a low rare earth mineral photoluminescent structure incorporated onto or into one or more portions of the object, the object being a photoluminescent object is disclosed. Further disclosed is a method for fabricating the object. An object comprising a low rare earth mineral photoluminescent composition incorporated onto or into one or more portions of the object, the object being a photoluminescent object is also disclosed, as well as, a method for fabricating the object.

Claims

1. An object comprising:

a low rare earth mineral photoluminescent structure incorporated onto or into one or more portions of said object, said object being a photoluminescent object, said low rare earth mineral photoluminescent structure comprising;

a phosphorescent layer that substantially converts at least a portion of incident electromagnetic radiation to a primary emission, said phosphorescent layer comprising one or more phosphorescent materials having substantially low rare earth mineral content of less than about 2.0 weight percent with an absorption spectrum that at least partially overlaps with incident electromagnetic radiation, and

one or more fluorescent layers that wholly or partially convert at least said primary emission to a secondary emission, said one or more fluorescent layers having an absorption spectrum that overlaps with at least a portion of said primary emission.

2. The object of claim 1, wherein said phosphorescent layer further comprises one or more other phosphorescent materials having an absorption spectrum that at least partially overlaps with at least one of incident electromagnetic radiation, the emission spectrum of said one or more phosphorescent materials, or said secondary emission.

3. The object of claim 2, wherein said one or more other phosphorescent materials having an emission spectrum that at least partially overlaps with the absorption spectrum of said one or more phosphorescent materials.

4. The object of claim 1, wherein said phosphorescent layer being disposed over said one or more fluorescent layers, such that a surface of said phosphorescent layer is exposed to incident electromagnetic radiation.

5. The object of claim 4, wherein another said one or more fluorescent layers being overlaid onto said phosphorescent layer, such that a surface of one of said another said one or more fluorescent layers is exposed to incident electromagnetic radiation.

6. The object of claim 4, wherein said phosphorescent layer additionally provides at least one of mechanical, chemical, or photolytic stability to said one or more fluorescent layers.

7. The object of claim 1, wherein said one or more fluorescent layers being disposed over said phosphorescent layer, such that a surface of one of said one or more fluorescent layers is exposed to incident electromagnetic radiation.

8. The object of claim 1, wherein said low rare earth mineral photoluminescent structure further comprises a substrate that provides base support for said low rare earth mineral photoluminescent structure.

9. The object of claim 1, wherein said low rare earth mineral photoluminescent structure further comprises a UV layer that substantially enhances stability of said one or more fluorescent layers through absorption of at least a portion of incident ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation.

10. The object of claim 1, wherein said phosphorescent layer further comprises one or more UV absorbers that substantially enhance stability of said one or more fluorescent layers through absorption of at least a portion of incident ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation.

11. The object of claim 1, wherein said low rare earth mineral photoluminescent structure further comprises a reflection layer that redirects at least a portion of radiation emitted in at least one of said phosphorescent layer or said one or more fluorescent layers.

12. The object of claim 11, wherein said reflection layer additionally functions as a substrate that provides base support for said low rare earth mineral photoluminescent structure.

13. The object of claim 1, wherein said low rare earth mineral photoluminescent structure further comprises a protective layer that provides at least one of mechanical, chemical, or photolytic durability to said low rare earth mineral photoluminescent structure.

14. The object of claim 1, wherein said object is a shoe.

15. The object of claim 1, wherein said object is a floor covering.

16. The object of claim 1, wherein said object is a wall covering.

17. A method for fabricating an object, said method comprising:

incorporating a low rare earth mineral photoluminescent structure into or onto one or more portions of said object, said object being a photoluminescent object, said low rare earth mineral photoluminescent structure comprising;

a phosphorescent layer that substantially converts at least a portion of incident electromagnetic radiation to a primary emission, said phosphorescent layer comprising one or more phosphorescent materials having substantially low rare earth mineral content of less than about 2.0 weight percent with an absorption spectrum that at least partially overlaps with incident electromagnetic radiation, and

one or more fluorescent layers that wholly or partially convert at least said primary emission to a secondary emission, said one or more fluorescent layers having an absorption spectrum that overlaps with at least a portion of said primary emission.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said phosphorescent layer further comprises one or more other phosphorescent materials having an absorption spectrum that at least partially overlaps with at least one of incident electromagnetic radiation, the emission spectrum of said one or more phosphorescent materials, or said secondary emission.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said one or more other phosphorescent materials having an emission spectrum that at least partially overlaps with the absorption spectrum of said one or more phosphorescent materials.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein said low rare earth mineral photoluminescent structure further comprises a substrate that provides base support for said low rare earth mineral photoluminescent structure.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein said phosphorescent layer further comprises one or more UV absorbers that substantially enhance stability of said one or more fluorescent layers through absorption of at least a portion of incident ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein said low rare earth mineral photoluminescent structure further comprises a UV layer that substantially enhances stability of said one or more fluorescent layers through absorption of at least a portion of incident ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein said low rare earth mineral photoluminescent structure further comprises a reflection layer that redirects at least a portion of radiation emitted in at least one of said phosphorescent layer or said one or more fluorescent layers.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein said low rare earth mineral photoluminescent structure further comprises a protective layer that provides at least one of mechanical, chemical, or photolytic durability to said low rare earth mineral photoluminescent structure.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein said object is a shoe.

26. The method of claim 17, wherein said object is a floor covering.

27. The method of claim 17, wherein said object is a wall covering.

28. An object comprising:

a low rare earth mineral photoluminescent composition incorporated into or onto one or more portions of said object, said object being a photoluminescent object, said low rare earth mineral photoluminescent composition comprising;

one or more phosphorescent materials that substantially convert at least a portion of incident electromagnetic radiation to a primary emission, said one or more phosphorescent materials having substantially low rare earth mineral content of less than about 2.0 weight percent with an absorption spectrum that at least partially overlaps with incident electromagnetic radiation, and

one or more fluorescent materials that wholly or partially convert at least said primary emission to a secondary emission, said one or more fluorescent materials having an absorption spectrum that overlaps with at least a portion of said primary emission.

29. The object of claim 28, wherein said low rare earth mineral photoluminescent composition further comprises one or more other phosphorescent materials having an absorption spectrum that at least partially overlaps with at least one of incident electromagnetic radiation, the emission spectrum of said one or more phosphorescent materials, or said secondary emission.

30. The object of claim 29, wherein said one or more other phosphorescent materials having an emission spectrum that at least partially overlaps with the absorption spectrum of said one or more phosphorescent materials.

31. The object of claim 28, further comprising a reflection layer that redirects at least a portion of radiation emitted in said low rare earth mineral photoluminescent composition.

32. The object of claim 31, wherein said reflection layer additionally functions as a substrate that provides base support for said low rare earth mineral photoluminescent composition.

33. The object of claim 28, wherein said low rare earth mineral photoluminescent composition further comprises one or more UV absorbers that further substantially enhance stability of said one or more fluorescent materials through absorption of at least a portion of incident ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation.

34. The object of claim 28, further comprising one or more fluorescent layers having one or more fluorescent materials with an absorption spectrum that at least partially overlaps with the emission spectrum of said one or more phosphorescent materials, such that a longer emissive wavelength is produced.

35. The object of claim 28, wherein said object is a shoe.

36. The object of claim 28, wherein said object is a floor covering.

37. The object of claim 28, wherein said object is a wall covering.

38. A method for fabricating an object, said method comprising:

incorporating a low rare earth mineral photoluminescent composition into or onto one or more portions of said object, said object being a photoluminescent object, said low rare earth mineral photoluminescent composition comprising;

one or more phosphorescent materials that substantially convert at least a portion of incident electromagnetic radiation to a primary emission, said one or more phosphorescent materials having substantially low rare earth mineral content of less than about 2.0 weight percent with an absorption spectrum that at least partially overlaps with incident electromagnetic radiation, and

one or more fluorescent materials that wholly or partially convert at least said primary emission to a secondary emission, said one or more fluorescent materials having an absorption spectrum that overlaps with at least a portion of said primary emission.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein said low rare earth mineral photoluminescent composition further comprises one or more other phosphorescent materials having an absorption spectrum that at least partially overlaps with at least one of incident electromagnetic radiation, the emission spectrum of said one or more phosphorescent materials, or said secondary emission.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein said one or more other phosphorescent materials having an emission spectrum that at least partially overlaps with the absorption spectrum of said one or more phosphorescent materials.

41. The method of claim 38, wherein said low rare earth mineral photoluminescent composition further comprises one or more UV absorbers that substantially enhance stability of said one or more fluorescent materials through absorption of at least a portion of incident ultraviolet electromagnetic radiation.

42. The method of claim 38, further comprising disposing a reflection layer into or onto one or more portions of said object, said reflection layer redirects at least a portion of radiation emitted in said low rare earth mineral photoluminescent composition.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein said reflection layer additionally functions as a substrate that provides base support for said low rare earth mineral photoluminescent composition.

44. The method of claim 38, further comprising disposing one or more fluorescent layers into or onto one or more portions of said object, said one or more fluorescent layers having one or more fluorescent materials with an absorption spectrum that at least partially overlaps with the emission spectrum of said one or more phosphorescent materials, such that a longer emissive wavelength is produced.

45. The method of claim 38, wherein said object is a shoe.

46. The method of claim 38, wherein said object is a floor covering.

47. The method of claim 38, wherein said object is a wall covering.