Retroreflecting optical construction

• US 9,291,752 B2
• Filed: 08/19/2013
• Issued: 03/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Coggio, William D., Huizinga, John S, Steiner, Michael L., Watkins, Robert F., Hao, Encai, Zhu, Peiwang, Free, Michael Benton, Kolb, Brant U., Chen-Ho, Kui, Humpal, Paul E., Tapio, Scott M., Smith, Kenneth L., Kolb, William B.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHERRY, EUNCHA P
• Application Number:
  US13/970,260
• Publication Number:
  US 20150049384A1
• Time in Patent Office: 946 Days
• Field of Search: 359529-542, 428/156, 428/163, 428/167, 428/172
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0236 the diffusion taking place within the volume of the element
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0242 by means of dispersed particles
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0247 by means of voids or pores
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/124 plural reflecting elements forming part of a unitary plate or sheet

Abstract

Retroreflecting optical constructions are disclosed. A disclosed retroreflecting optical construction includes a retroreflecting layer that has a retroreflecting structured major surface, and an optical film that is disposed on the retroreflecting structured major surface of the retroreflecting layer. The optical film has an optical haze that is not less than about 30%. Substantial portions of each two neighboring major surfaces in the retroreflecting optical construction are in physical contact with each other.

Claims

1. A retroreflecting optical construction, comprising:

a retroreflecting layer having a retroreflecting structured major surface;

an optical film disposed on the retroreflecting structured major surface and having an effective index of refraction that is not greater than about 1.3.

2. The retroreflecting optical construction of claim 1, wherein the retroreflecting structured major surface includes a plurality of pyramidal structures.

3. The retroreflecting optical construction of claim 2, wherein the plurality of pyramidal structures comprises a plurality of cube corners.

4. The retroreflecting optical construction of claim 1, wherein the optical film has an effective index of refraction that is not greater than about 1.25.

5. The retroreflecting optical construction of claim 1, wherein at least 50% of each two neighboring major surfaces in the retroreflecting optical construction are in physical contact with each other.

6. The retroreflecting optical construction of claim 1, wherein the optical film substantially planarizes the retroreflecting layer.

7. The retroreflecting optical construction of claim 1 further comprising an optical adhesive layer disposed between the optical film and the optically diffusive layer.

8. The retroreflecting optical construction of claim 1 further comprising a substrate disposed on the optically diffusive layer.

9. The retroreflecting optical construction of claim 8, wherein the substrate comprises a metal plate.

10. The retroreflecting optical construction of claim 1 further comprising a graphics layer disposed on the retroreflecting layer opposite the optical film.

11. The retroreflecting optical construction of claim 10, wherein the graphics layer is optically transmissive.

12. The retroreflecting optical construction of claim 1, wherein the optical film comprises a binder, a plurality of particles and a plurality of interconnected voids, wherein a volume fraction of the plurality of interconnected voids in the optical film is not less than about 20%, and wherein a weight ratio of the binder to the plurality of the particles is not less than about 1:

1.

13. The retroreflecting optical construction of claim 12, wherein the volume fraction of the plurality of interconnected voids in the optical film is not less than about 50%.

14. The retroreflecting optical construction of claim 12, wherein the weight ratio of the binder to the plurality of the particles is not less than about 2:

1.

15. The retroreflecting optical construction of claim 12, wherein the plurality of particles comprises elongated particles.

16. The retroreflecting optical construction of claim 12, wherein the plurality of particles includes fumed silica particles and the weight ratio of the binder to the fumed silica particles is less than about 1:

1.

17. The retroreflecting optical construction of claim 12, wherein the plurality of particles includes fumed silica particles and the weight ratio of the binder to the fumed silica particles is between about 1:

2 and about 1;

6.

18. The retroreflecting optical construction of claim 1, further including an optically diffusive layer disposed on the optical film.

19. The retroreflecting optical construction of claim 1, wherein the optically diffusive layer is an optical adhesive.