Avery Dennison Corporation

Guang-Xue Wei

Drew J Buoni

Kimberly A Dockus

Michael E Hannington

Robert M Pricone

Dennis I Couzin

Feng Wu

Michael E Flader

Nipa Joshi

Provided herein is a retroreflective film comprising one or more layers (or coating layers) including a small quantity of fluorescent dye that shifts color readings (e.g., chromaticity coordinates) in specific regions located within a color space to comply with industry standards (e.g., United States, Europe, China and Brazil) while improving luminance factor and maintaining retroreflectivity. The one or more layers (or coating layers) of the retroreflective film includes a fluorescent dye from 0.0001 wt. % to 0.05 wt. %, based on the total weight of the layer, and exhibits a color reading that is situated in the color space defined by CIE chromaticity coordinates (0.305, 0.315), (0.335, 0.345), (0.325, 0.355) and (0.295, 0.325). The retroreflective film also achieves a good balance of high luminance and retroreflectivity.

Retroreflective films comprising fluorescent dyes

A fluorescent article includes an underlayer colored fluorescent film and an overlayer colored fluorescent film, which is provided over the underlayer colored fluorescent film. The underlayer colored fluorescent film includes a first fluorescent colorant in an underlayer acrylic matrix. The overlayer colored fluorescent film includes a second fluorescent in an overlayer acrylic matrix.

Durable fluorescent articles having multiple film layers

An infrared light transmission film includes a polymer matrix and at least one red colorant, blue colorant, and yellow colorant that are uniformly dispersed in the polymer matrix at amounts effective to allow transmission through the film of at least about 85% of light with wavelengths over about 800 nm while blocking transmission of at least about 90% of light with wavelengths less than about 750 nm.

Infrared light transmission film

A fluorescent article includes an underlayer colored fluorescent film and an overlayer colored fluorescent film, which is provided over the underlayer colored fluorescent film. The underlayer colored fluorescent film includes a first fluorescent colorant in an underlayer polymer matrix. The overlayer colored fluorescent film includes a second fluorescent colorant in an overlayer polymer matrix. The second fluorescent colorant in the overlayer film at least partially blocks light in a first wavelength range while allowing transmission of an amount of light in a second wavelength range effective to make the first fluorescent colorant fluoresce.

Fluorescent article having multiple layers

Articles are provided that have fluorescent properties and that are suitable for use in making retroreflective articles such as safety and informational signage. The articles have at least one fluorescent film layer that exhibits excellent overall color durability while also providing chromaticity properties dictated by industry standards for a particular coloration. In a particular application, the articles embody retroreflective properties and are fluorescent yellow-green signs.

Fluorescent polycarbonate articles

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.

Growing community of inventors

Deerfield, IL, United States of America

Guang-Xue Wei