3m Innovative Properties Company

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

Other

Lee A Pavelka

David M Burns

David B Olson

William D Joseph

James C Coderre

Vera L Lightle

Roberta E Harelstad

Kenneth M White

Denise A Barrera

David L Bergeson

Neeraj Sharma

Suman K Patel

Bimal V Thakkar

Bruce A Sventek

Tadesse G Nigatu

David W Meitz

Jaime R Ojeda

Deana A Klein

R Ellen Harelstad

Susan T Chrysler

Raymond Patrick Johnston

Bruce D Orensteen

John F Dreyer

Eugene H Carlson

Thomas I Bradshaw

Thomas V Kusilek

Craig A Schmidt

Mark W Leverty

Joseph A Richie

Edward S Shinbach

Barbara A Mielke

Raymond E Grunzinger

Birmal V Thakkar

Techniques are described in which articles (e.g., security documents, traffic signage and personal protective equipment) are formed to include an infrared absorptive material. In some instances, the infrared absorptive material includes a reduced tungsten oxide, such as cesium tungsten oxide, calcium tungsten oxide, potassium tungsten oxide, or the like, and exposed to radiation such that one or more regions of the security document has a modified appearance, thereby providing a visual marking or information on the article. Example articles include at least one layer including a polymer and an infrared absorptive material including a reduced tungsten oxide. The layer includes a radiation-treated region that exhibits a first appearance under visible light and at least one non-radiation-treated region that exhibits a second, different appearance under visible light. The at least one radiation-treated region may be formed by exposing the at least one radiation-treated region to infrared light to change at least one property of the reduced tungsten oxide in the radiation-treated region compared to the reduced tungsten oxide in the non-radiation-treated region. The first appearance may be whiter than the second appearance.

Articles including infrared absorptive material and comprising radiation-treated and non-radiation-treated regions

The present application generally relates to EAA films including at least one triazine-based ultraviolet absorber. The present application also generally relates to retroreflective sheeting including an EAA film including a triazine-based ultraviolet absorber. One embodiments of the present application relates to a film, comprising poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid) and a triazine-based UVA. Another embodiment of the present application relates to retroreflective sheeting, comprising: a plurality of cube corner elements; and a body layer adjacent to the cube corner elements, the body layer including poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid) and a triazine-based UVA.

Films including triazine-based ultraviolet absorbers

A prismatic retroreflective sheeting includes a structured layer that includes a plurality of cube corner elements including a reduced tungsten oxide, a radiation-treated region, and a non-radiation-treated region. The prismatic retroreflective sheeting includes also includes an information-containing layer above the structured layer. The information-containing layer includes at least one indicia defining an edge. The radiation-treated region of the structured layer is adjacent and below at least part of the edge of the at least one indicia.

Prismatic retroreflective sheeting including infrared absorbing material

The present application generally relates to EAA films including at least one triazine-based ultraviolet absorber. The present application also generally related to retroreflective sheeting including an EAA film including a triazine-based ultraviolet absorber. One embodiments of the present application relates to a film, comprising poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid) and a triazine-based UVA. Another embodiment of the present application relates to retroreflective sheeting, comprising: a plurality of cube corner elements; and a body layer adjacent to the cube corner elements, the body layer including poly(ethylene-co-acrylic acid) and a triazine-based UVA.

A durable colored article having fluorescent properties comprises a substantially solventless polyvinyl chloride matrix, a thioxanthene fluorescent dye, and a secondary or tertiary hindered amine light stabilizer having a molecular weight less than about 1000 grams/mole. The invention has the advantage in that it provides a flexible polyvinyl chloride film that exhibits durable fluorescent colors.

Stabilization of fluorescent dyes in vinyl articles using hindered amine light stabilizers

Described are articles, laminates, sheets, coatings, retroreflective articles, pigments containing thioxanthone compounds that are fluorescent colorants.

Articles containing thioxanthone dyes

A novel release liner is provided which has a release surface comprising a syndiotactic polymer. The release liners of the present invention offer superior release to a wide variety of materials without the application of release agents, have relatively high heat distortion temperatures, and are unaffected by radiation sources used to cure most polymeric compositions. The release liners of the present invention can be microreplicated with a pattern which can be transferred to coatings and other impressionable materials to impart unique physical or optical properties. Thus, a method of producing a patterned article is also provided, as is a method of producing a solid object from a curable composition.

Method for making a microreplicated article using a substrate comprising a syndiotactic vinyl aromatic polymer

A fluorescent red composition providing a coating having chromaticity coordinates (x, y) within the area defined by (0.648, 0.351), (0.735, 0.265), (0.629, 0.281) and (0.565, 0.346) in terms of the CIE 1931 Standard Colorimetric System and measured using 0/45 geometry and evaluated with CIE Standard Illuminant D65 and a fluorescence luminance factor of at least about 8; articles comprising the composition or coating, and methods of making.

Fluorescent red composition and articles made therefrom

Daylight fluorescent articles are disclosed that utilize durable fluorescent pigment particles resulting from a fluorescent dye incorporated within a matrix polymer selected from polycarbonate, polyester and mixtures thereof and where the particles are of various desired shapes and sizes. Embodiments of such fluorescent pigment particles may also be retroreflective and are especially useful for pavement marking surfaces and retroreflective products for highway transportation safety.

Durable fluorescent organic pigments and methods of making

Stabilization of fluorescent dyes in vinyl chloride articles using hindered amine light stabilizers

An interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) or semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) comprises a first phase which is continuous and comprises a flexible polymer and a second phase which is a fluorescent or nonfluorescent durable dispersed or continuous phase and comprises a dye and a polymer, wherein the polymer enhances durability of the dye. Such networks are particularly useful in fluorescent traffic signs or safety devices or in pavement marking tape or paint.

Enhanced dye durability through controlled dye environment

Release liner incorporating syndiotactic vinyl aromatic polymer

Growing community of inventors

Cottage Grove, MN, United States of America

Lee A Pavelka