Marketing strip with viscoelastic lightguide

• US 9,904,001 B2
• Filed: 03/17/2015
• Issued: 02/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Sherman, Audrey A., Meis, Michael A., Schaffer, Kevin R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Shin
• Application Number:
  US15/121,457
• Publication Number:
  US 20160377796A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,078 Days
• Field of Search: 362601-615, 425212, 425343, 4066103
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0021 for housing at least a part of the light source, e.g. by forming holes or recesses
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0036 2-D arrangement of prisms, protrusions, indentations or roughened surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0038 Linear indentations or grooves, e.g. arc-shaped grooves or meandering grooves, extending over the full length or width of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0065 Manufacturing aspects; Material aspects
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0088 of the light guide or other optical sheets in the package
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/04 Signs, boards or panels, illuminated from behind the insignia
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/0422 Reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/14 Arrangements of reflectors therein

Abstract

Marketing strips having a light source and a flexible viscoelastic lightguide for displaying products or product related information, or illuminating a graphic on the marketing strip and products adjacent it. Light from the light source enters the viscoelastic lightguide and is transported within the lightguide by total internal reflection until the light exits from surfaces of the lightguide and through the graphic. The viscoelastic lightguide can include a pressure-sensitive adhesive, which adheres the lightguide to the marketing strip and enhances structural support for it. The light from the lightguide can illuminate products and labels on the marketing strip. The lightguide can also include a bevelled edge with light exiting the edge downward and backward from the marketing strip to illuminate products it.

Claims

1. A marketing strip with a flexible lightguide, comprising:

a first elongated section having an edge portion;

a second elongated section arranged non-parallel with the first elongated section at a side opposite the edge portion, wherein the second elongated section comprises a transparent or translucent material, the second elongated section includes a first ridge and a second ridge opposite the first ridge, and the first and second ridges are configured to secure a label; and

the flexible lightguide located on the first elongated section and secured between the edge portion and the second elongated section, the flexible lightguide comprising;

first and second flexible substrates;

a viscoelastic layer disposed between the first and second substrates; and

a light source in the viscoelastic layer, wherein light emitted by the light source enters the viscoelastic layer and is transported within the lightguide by total internal reflection,

wherein the light from the lightguide emits in an upward direction to illuminate a product when placed on the lightguide.

2. The marketing strip of claim 1, wherein the first and second substrates are transparent or translucent.

3. The marketing strip of claim 1, wherein the first and second substrates each comprise a structured film.

4. The marketing strip of claim 1, wherein light from the light source is emitted from the first and second substrates and from an edge of the viscoelastic layer opposite the light source.

5. The marketing strip of claim 1, wherein the light from the lightguide emits in a backward direction toward the edge portion.

6. The marketing strip of claim 1, wherein the edge portion is configured to secure the marketing strip to a shelf.

7. The marketing strip of claim 1, wherein the second elongated section is arranged perpendicular to the first elongated section.

8. The marketing strip of claim 1, wherein the viscoelastic layer has exposed adhesive for securing the lightguide to the edge portion and the second elongated section.

9. A marketing strip with a flexible lightguide, comprising:

a front elongated section having a first top edge and comprising a transparent or translucent material;

a back elongated section having a second top edge, wherein the back elongated section is at least partially co-extensive with the front elongated section, and the first and second top edges form an opening between the front and back elongated sections;

a first securing section located on and extending from a side of the back elongated section opposite the front elongated section;

a second securing section located on and extending from the side of the back elongated section opposite the front elongated section, wherein the second securing section is at least partially co-extensive with the first securing section, and the first and second securing sections are configured to removably secure the marketing strip to a shelf; and

the flexible lightguide located between the front and back elongated sections, the flexible lightguide comprising;

a flexible substrate;

a reflector;

a viscoelastic layer disposed between the substrate and the reflector;

a graphic on a side of the flexible substrate opposite the viscoelastic layer; and

a light source in the viscoelastic layer, wherein light emitted by the light source enters the viscoelastic layer and is transported within the lightguide by total internal reflection,

wherein the flexible lightguide has a bevelled edge on a side of the flexible lightguide opposite the light source, the flexible lightguide is positioned with the graphic adjacent the front elongated section and the light source adjacent the opening, the light is emitted from the lightguide through the graphic and from the bevelled edge, and the light from the bevelled edge exits downward and backward from the marketing strip.

10. The marketing strip of claim 9, wherein the substrate is transparent or translucent.

11. The marketing strip of claim 9, wherein the substrate comprises a structured film.

12. The marketing strip of claim 9, wherein the light is emitted from an edge of the lightguide opposite the bevelled edge.

13. The marketing strip of claim 9, wherein the back elongated section comprises a transparent or translucent material.

14. The marketing strip of claim 9, wherein the back elongated section comprises an opaque material.

15. The marketing strip of claim 9, wherein the first securing section and the second securing section are each at a non-90°

angle to the back elongated section.