3m Innovative Properties Company

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

Larry K Stump

Gregory F Jacobs

Dale H Haunschild

Terry R Bailey

Chester A Bacon, Jr

Thomas V Kusilek

Louis C Belisle

Louis C Belisle, Deceased

T Ian Bradshaw

Thomas P Hedblom

David C May

Bruce Brandon Wilson

John W Frank

James E Lasch

Mark D Zender

Kathleen A Hachey

John L Ethen

James H Harper

Robert A Haenggi

Naoki Nakayama

David G Schueler

Thanh-Huong Thi Nguyen

Michele H Kelley

Warren J Johnson

Terrence W Miller

Dave G Schueler

Terrance L Beseup

Neil A Hodson

Roberta M Collins Harper

Retroreflective pavement marking material comprising on the top surface thereof an enclosed-lens retroreflective sheet that comprises a monolayer of retroreflective elements wherein first portions of the monolayer are arranged in an upwardly contoured profile and second portions of the monolayer are arranged a lower, substantially planar position.

Wet retroreflective marking material

A retroreflective article that exhibits suitable retroreflective luminance under dry and dynamic wet conditions. The article includes an enclosed-lens retroreflective sheeting that, under dry conditions, exhibits a coefficient of retroreflective luminance of about 40 (millicandela/m )/lux as measured by ASTM D 4061-94 and, under dynamic wet conditions the sheeting increases in coefficient of retroreflective luminance. The article further includes a plurality of retroreflective elements partially embedded in a light transmissible bonding layer on the front, reflective surface of the retroreflective sheeting.

Retroreflective article

Retroreflective article (,), e.g., in the form of a pavement marking, having raised, nonintegral protuberances (,) that exhibit good dry retroreflectivity and recover retroreflectivity quickly after exposure to water. The protuberance comprise a thermoplastic polymer body. Partially embedded in the protuberance are optical elements (,) which are in optical association with a light scattering agent. The protuberance is disposed on top of a conformable base sheet (,).

Method of making pavement markings having raised protuberances

A method of making a retroreflective article comprising on the top surface thereof a retroreflective sheet that comprises a monolayer of retroreflective elements wherein first portions of the monolayer are arranged in a contoured profile and second portions of the monolayer are arranged a substantially planar position.

Method of making profiled retroreflective marking material

A method of making a retroreflective marking material is provided, the method has the steps of: (a) providing an enclosed-lens retroreflective sheet having a top surface and a bottom surface and comprising a cover layer and a monolayer of retroreflective elements; (b) applying a conformance layer to the bottom surface of the retroreflective sheet; and (c) laminating a configuration member to the conformance layer thereby creating first portions and second portions in the sheet, the first portions being arranged in an upwardly contoured profile and the second portions being arranged in a lower, substantially planar position. A retroreflective article made by the method is also provided.

Method of making wet retroreflective marking material

A pavement marking tape having a scrim, wherein the scrim is extensible to enable the tape to conform to irregularities in a road surface, and thereby bond more securely to that surface.

Pavement marking tape

Retroreflective article (10), e.g., in the form of a pavement marking, having raised, nonintegral protuberances (16) that exhibit good dry retroreflectivity and recover retroreflectivity quickly after exposure to water. The protuberances may comprise a thermoplastic polymer body and have at least two different portions. Partially embedded in the protuberances are different sets of optical elements (14) which are in optical association with a light scattering agent. The protuberances are disposed on top of a conformable base sheet (12).

Direction-indicating pavement marking having raised protuberances and

Retroreflective article that provides effective retroreflective brightness at very high entrance angles as well as low entrance angles.

High entrance angle retroreflective article and method of making

A retroreflective element that exhibits exceptional wet retroreflectivity, and a method of manufacturing the same. The retroreflective element includes an assembly having a multi-sided retroreflector and a clear thermoplastic. In one embodiment, the clear thermoplastic is at least partially thermally deformed to create a convex retroreflective dome for capturing high incident angle light rays. The retroreflective elements may be used in a pavement marking system, such as attached to pavement marking tape or deposited in pavement marking paint.

Encased retroreflective elements and method for making

A process and retroreflective elements are provided. The process of preparing a retroreflective element includes the steps of (a) combining a bed of optical elements and one or more core elements comprising a thermoplastic material; and (b) agitating the combination of optical elements and core elements for a sufficient period of time and at a sufficient temperature to coat the optical elements onto the core elements to form retroreflective elements.

Retroreflective elements

A pavement marking that has yellow-tinted, retroreflective beads partially embedded in a bead-carrier medium. The bead-carrier medium contains 0.5 to 15 volume percent of a light-scattering agent that scatters white light. The pavement marking is able to retroreflect a distinct yellow color at nighttime without using yellow pigments that contain the potentially-toxic metals, cadmium, chromium, and lead.

Growing community of inventors

Hudson, WI, United States of America

Larry K Stump