3m Innovative Properties Company

Joseph D Engebretson

Matthew H Frey

Kenton D Budd

Eugene H Carlson

Stephen L Lieder

Matthew D Wilding

Jimmie Rae Baran, Jr

James E Garbe

Ryan A Bachman

Milt D Mathis

Billy J Frederick

The disclosed retroreflective element includes a polymeric core that is loaded with a plurality of first beads and second beads distributed at the perimeter of the core. The first beads are different than the second beads. Because of the beads in the core, the retroreflective element remains useful for returning light even after portions of the core begins to wear away. Further, when the retroreflective elements get wet, water will settle to the bottom of the perimeter of the core. Therefore, using the second beads with a refractive index suited for wet conditions, while the first beads have a refractive index suited for dry conditions allows the retroreflective element to be useful in both wet and dry conditions even while the retroreflective element wears during use.

Durable retroreflective elements with a blend of beads

The present disclosure generally relates to retroreflective elements including a core and a plurality of glass or glass-ceramic beads adjacent to the core. The retroreflective elements further include a plurality of particles having a diameter that is less than the diameter of the glass or glass ceramic beads in the retroreflective elements. The present disclosure also generally relates to articles (including, for example, retroreflective roadway liquid pavement markings) including these retroreflective elements and methods of making and using these retroreflective elements.

Retroreflective elements including particles

Growing community of inventors

St. Croix Falls, WI, United States of America

Joseph D Engebretson