3M Innovative Properties Company

Norbert L Johnson

Bruce D Orensteen

Theodore J Szczech

A reflective article has a structured surface which includes geometric structures each having at least three specularly reflecting faces which converge at an apex or other extremity. The article is marked with a plurality of spots located between the extremities, the spots having different reflectivity characteristics than the specularly reflecting faces. The geometric structures can comprise cube corner elements. The spots can be diffusely reflecting and distributed uniformly on the structured surface or distributed to define a particular pattern. The article can have a plurality of first active areas at a first illumination geometry, and the spots can be sized and positioned such that they avoid the first active areas. The article can have first inactive areas adjacent the first active areas, and each spot can cover a majority of one inactive area. Alternatively, at least some of the spots can be decentered within their respective inactive areas such that they are visible in retroreflected light only at selected illumination geometries, thereby forming a directional image.

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Minneapolis, MN, United States of America

Norbert L Johnson