3m Innovative Properties Company

Robert F Watkins

Bimal V Thakkar

Kenneth L Smith

Brant Ulrick Kolb

William Blake Kolb

Michael Benton Free

Encai Hao

William D Coggio

Michael L Steiner

Kui Chen-Ho

Scott Melvyn Tapio

Todd D Jones

Paul Edward Humpal

Peiwang Zhu

John S Huizinga

Joseph D Rule

Charlie C Ho

Jay M Jennen

Ryan M Braun

Scott A Boyd

Robert D Hamann

Stephen A Johnson

Duane Douglas Fansler

Mark J Pellerite

Caroline M Ylitalo

James M Jonza

Joseph Clark Carls

Terry R Bailey

Jonathan E Janoski

Christopher K Haas

Anthony F Schultz

Eugene H Carlson

Carla S Thomas

Tien Yi T H Whiting

Joey L Reule

Reema Chatterjee

David C Lueneburg

Tien YH Whiting

The disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethane composition is well suited for use in thin, flexible light directing articles to impart flexibility, toughness, or protection to the light directing articles that contain optically active elements. The disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethanes have improved thermostability at higher temperatures. Specifically, the disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethanes have a cross-over temperature greater than 110&#xb0; C. In one embodiment, the cross-over temperature is greater than 130&#xb0; C. In one embodiment, the cross-over temperature is less than 170&#xb0; C. and a Tg greater than 35&#xb0; C. and less than 70&#xb0; C.

Polyurethane layer for a light directing article

A light directing article comprises an acrylic polyvinyl acetal film to protect the optical elements of the light directing article. The acrylic polyvinyl acetal film has a Tg of at least 30&#xb0; C. and comprises a (meth)acrylic polymer and polyvinyl acetal polymer. The acrylic polyvinyl acetal film is flexible and durable to mechanical deformation.

Acrylic polyvinyl acetal film for a light directing article

The disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethane composition is well suited for use in thin, flexible light directing articles to impart flexibility, toughness, or protection to the light directing articles that contain optically active elements. The disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethanes have improved thermostability at higher temperatures. Specifically, the disclosed aliphatic thermoplastic polyurethanes have a cross-over temperature greater than 110&#xb0; C. In one embodiment, the cross-over temperature is greater than 130&#xb0; C. In one embodiment, the cross-over temperature is less than 170&#xb0; C. and a Tg greater than 35 C and less than 70 C.

The present application generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making retroreflective articles. The retroreflective articles include a substantially amorphous polymeric layer between the body layer and the discrete truncated cube corner elements. The substantially amorphous polymeric layer absorbs, dissipates, and/or accommodates at least some of the stress forces placed on the retroreflective article during processing. As a result, discrete truncated cube corner elements with increased fidelity can be formed. Consequently, retroreflective sheeting including a substantially amorphous polymeric layer has increased brightness compared to similarly made and composed sheeting lacking the substantially amorphous polymeric layer.

Retroreflective sheeting including a substantially amorphous polymeric layer

Retroreflecting optical constructions are disclosed. A disclosed retroreflecting optical construction includes a retroreflecting layer that has a retroreflecting structured major surface, and an optical film that is disposed on the retroreflecting structured major surface of the retroreflecting layer. The optical film has an optical haze that is not less than about 30%. Substantial portions of each two neighboring major surfaces in the retroreflecting optical construction are in physical contact with each other.

Retroreflecting optical construction

An ink receptive article including a substrate having on at least a portion of a major surface thereof an antistatic layer, and wherein the antistatic layer has on at least a portion of a major surface thereof an ink receptive layer, wherein the ink receptive layer includes a crosslinked polymer selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyethers, polyesters, polyacrlylics, polyureas, copolymers thereof, and blends thereof.

Ink receptive article

The invention relates to retroreflective articles such as retroreflective sheeting that comprises a core sheet comprising retroreflective elements and a topcoat wherein the topcoat comprises certain water-borne acrylic polymer(s).

Retroreflective article comprising water-borne acrylic topcoats

Growing community of inventors

White Bear Lake, MN, United States of America

Robert F Watkins