Avery Dennison Corporation

Drew J Buoni

Guang-Xue Wei

Kimberly A Dockus

Robert M Pricone

Dennis I Couzin

Michael E Flader

Alan Kaufman

Alan R Kaufman

Articles are provided which have fluorescent properties and which are suitable for use in making retroreflective articles such as safety and informational signage. The articles have at least two film layers, each film layer including a colorant dye. The multiple film layer sheeting exhibits excellent resistance to weathering and overall color durability while also providing chromaticity properties dictated by industry standards for a particular coloration. A method of preparing the articles is provided. In a particular application, the articles embody retroreflective properties and are fluorescent yellow signs.

Fluorescent articles having multiple film layers

Articles are provided which have fluorescent properties and which are suitable for use in making retroreflective articles such as safety and informational signage. The articles have at least two film layers, each film layer including a colorant dye. The multiple film layer sheeting exhibits excellent resistance to weathering and overall color durability while also providing chromaticity properties dictated by industry standards for a particular coloration. A method of preparing the articles is provided. In a particular application, the articles embody retroreflective properties and are informational for safety signage articles such as pedestrian crossing and school safety fluorescent yellow green signs.

A fluorescent article is disclosed comprising a polymer matrix comprising a polymer having in its backbone repeating units of a U.V. light absorbing moiety, or a moiety capable of being transformed by photo-Fries rearrangement into a U.V. light absorbing moiety, the matrix further comprising a fluorescent dye. The matrix affords surprisingly improved fluorescence protection as compared to prior fluorescent articles having only U.V. light absorbing additives.

Fluorescent polymeric articles fabricated from U.V. light absorbing polymer

Fluorescent articles of glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate

A fluorescent yellow retroreflective sheeting article comprises a polymeric matrix, a fluorescent yellow-green dye selected from the group consisting of thioxanthene dyes and benzothiazene dyes, and a second dye selected from the group consisting of thioxanthene dye and thioxanthone dyes, wherein the resulting article has chromaticity coordinates within the area defined by CIE as fluorescent yellow.

Fluorescent yellow retroreflective sheeting

A fluorescent article is disclosed in which a U.V. light screening layer comprising a polymer having in its backbone repeating units of a U.V. light absorbing moiety, or a moiety capable of being transformed by Photo-Fries rearrangement into a U.V. light absorbing moiety, is disposed in operative screening relation to a layer containing a fluorescent colorant. The U.V. light screening layer affords surprisingly improved fluorescence protection as compared to prior U.V. light screening layers having only U.V. light absorbing additives.

Fluorescent polymeric articles having screening layer formed from U.V. light absorbing polymer

A pavement marker having improved daytime visibility comprises a transparent fluorescent top portion having a top surface and a front edge. Light received by the top surface of the top portion results in light being directed internally through the top portion and emitted from the front edge, thereby providing a daytime signal to drivers of oncoming vehicles. In an alternative embodiment, the top portion can comprise a polymer having in its backbone moieties that either absorb U.V. light or that are capable of undergoing rearrangement to moieties that absorb U.V. light, to provide greater fluorescent durability. The polymer can be present either within the fluorescent top portion or as a U.V. light screening layer on top of the top portion.

Pavement marker with improved daytime visibility and fluorescent durability

Polyvinyl chloride (&ldquo;PVC&rdquo;) compositions and articles are provided which are suitable for fabricating flexible, reflective roll-up roadway signs in which a fluorescent perylene imide dye is present in the PVC reflective layer. The compositions afford enhanced fluorescence durability of perylene imide fluorescent dyes in the articles through the combination of a polymeric hindered amine light stabilizing compound having molecular weight greater about 1500, and a benzophenone ultraviolet absorbing compound. The compositions and articles preferably further comprise a polymeric plasticizer having molecular weight in the range of about 2000 to about 8000 to provide enhanced retention of retroreflectivity in flexible PVC highway signs.

Light stable fluorescent vinyl suitable for use as a highway retroreflective roll-up sign

A method of continuously forming a multi-layer laminate of thermoplastic polymeric films wherein one surface thereof has a precision pattern of embossed elements thereon and wherein the thermoplastic polymeric films can be dissimilar. A generally cylindrical seamless metal embossing tool with an outer surface having the reverse of the pattern to be formed on the surface of the sheeting is used. The laminate is formed by continuously feeding onto a heated embossing tool a superimposed first resinous film and a first carrier film wherein the first resinous film is pressed against the embossing tool and is heated above its glass transition temperature thereby becoming embossed with the pattern, while the first carrier film remains at a temperature below its glass transition temperature. The first carrier film is then removed, and a second resinous film and second carrier film are superimposed on the unembossed surface of the first resinous film and are heated such that the two resinous films become bonded together. The resulting laminate is then cooled and is stripped from the embossing tool. If the laminate is to be used for retroreflective sheeting, then, because the second resinous film is applied after the embossing step is complete, a smooth interface can be formed between the two resinous films. This results in a sheeting of exceptional retroreflective capability, even if the first and second resinous films are dissimilar thermoplastic materials.

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Chicago, IL, United States of America

Drew J Buoni