3m Innovative Properties Company

Gary B Hanson

Andrew John Ouderkirk

Michael F Weber

James M Jonza

John Allen Wheatley

Timothy J Nevitt

William Ward Merrill

Olester Benson, Jr

Yaoqi Joe Liu

Mark B O'Neill

Terence D Neavin

John A Wheatley

Jeffrey A Boettcher

Kelly M Roscoe

Multilayer polymeric films and other optical bodies are provided which is useful in making colored mirrors and polarizers. The films are characterized by a change in color as a function of viewing angle.

Color shifting film articles

Hand-holdable toy light tube comprising a handle, a light source and a tube of color shifting film. The light source is preferably disposed within an end of the handle. The tube of color shifting film extends from the end of the handle. During use, light from the light source interacts with the tube of color shifting film, producing a brilliant colored effect. Movement of the handle and thus of the tube of color shifting film produces multiple colors.

Hand-holdable toy light tube

Multilayer polymeric films and other optical bodies are provided which is useful in making colored mirrors and polarizers. The films are characterized by a highly uniform change in color as a function of viewing angle.

Color shifting film

Hand-holdable toy light tube with color changing film

A reflective article has a multilayer film covering a patterned retroreflective layer. In one embodiment the patterned retroreflective layer includes a separate indicia layer covering a retroreflective substrate. The indicia are substantially hidden under normal viewing conditions but easily detectable under retroreflective lighting conditions. Various types of retroreflective layers are disclosed. The article can also include microstructured relief patterns which produce holographic images under ambient lighting but which disappear under retroreflective conditions. The multilayer film includes alternating layers of at least a first and second polymer, and has a relatively high reflectivity for normally incident light within a first spectral range which is approximately coextensive with the visible spectrum, and a relatively low reflectance for normally incident light within a second spectral range. The second spectral range can include a transmission window of 15% or less fractional bandwidth located at least partially in the visible spectrum. Film constructions are disclosed which achieve sharper spectral transitions than previously attainable. Film constructions are also disclosed which preserve such sharp transitions even at high entrance (tilt) angles.

Reflective article with concealed retroreflective pattern

Growing community of inventors

Hudson, WI, United States of America

Gary B Hanson