3m Innovative Properties Company

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

Frank L Deyak

Robert Charles Fitzer

Charles J Fabbrini

David G Freier

Ellen O Aeling

Neal T Strand

Andrew John Ouderkirk

Michael F Weber

Sanford Cobb, Jr

Scott R Kaytor

Francis V Loncar, Jr

Diane L Regnier

Arthur A Wegwerth

A lighted sign housing is provided with a diffuse reflective film that is selected based on its reflectivity and luminance uniformity in order to reduce power consumption required for a given luminance while also increasing luminance uniformity. A method of using such film is also provided.

Signage having films to reduce power consumption and improve luminance uniformity and method for using same

A lighted sign housing is provided having a sign face with both light-transmissive portions and light-blocking portions; and a reflective film applied to at least a portion of the light-blocking portions toward the interior of the sign housing. A method of using the reflective film is also provided.

Sign faces having reflective films and methods of using same

An adhesively mountable image using a non-tacky reusable adhesive surface is provided. The image carrier is removable from the adhesive carrier, and a subsequent image carrier may be releasably bound to the same adhesive carrier. Kits for this system are also provided.

Image graphic adhesive system using a non-tacky adhesive

A low-loss, diffuser film is provided for translucent surface(s) of lighted signage. The film has little absorptivity and has partial transmissivity and partial reflectivity. Luminance efficiency and brightness are significantly improved over conventional films used in backlit signage. A luminance efficiency prediction equation is also provided to aid in selection of diffuser films and interior surfaces of the lighted sign cavity. A combination of effects of diffuser films and a diffuse reflective films lining the interior surfaces of the lighted sign cavity is unexpectedly greater than their sum of effects operating alone.

Low-loss face diffuser films for backlit signage and methods for using same

A process and composition are provided that provide for thermal transfer of ink compositions and eliminate the need to prepare articles such as sign faces, particularly flexible sign faces, by painting with ink compositions that contain solvents. The present process and composition permit thermal transfer from a carrier to a receptor at low temperatures with the use of vacuum pressure. The transferred ink adheres tenaciously to the receptor and is flexible.

Process of dry adhesive-free thermal transfer of indicia

Thermally transferable ink compositions

Transfer sheet bearing a thermally transferable ink composition and

Conformable films of abrasion resistant coating materials derived from epoxy-terminated silanes are formed by partially curing the epoxy-terminated silane reaction components to a specific degree. Latent catalyst may be included within the film or subsequently added thereto from an adjacent polymer layer containing additional catalyst.

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Stillwater, MN, United States of America

Frank L Deyak