Avery Dennison Corporation

Robert K Rega

George H Wise

Richard J Katona

Nailesh M Sangani

Susan L Pohto

Carolyn Eberly

Markieta Valvoda

Aliphatic polyurethane film forming mixtures, image bearing aliphatic polyurethane films, and image bearing retroreflective sheeting having such image bearing films are described. The image-bearing aliphatic polyurethane films of the invention comprise an aliphatic polyurethane film derived from a film-forming mixture comprising (A) an aliphatic polyurethane, and (B) at least one hydroxy-containing imidazoline surfactant represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein R is an aliphatic group containing from about 10 to about 22 carbon atoms and R.sup.1 is an alkylene group containing from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms, said film having printed thereon either a monocolor image and a clear overcoat or a multicolor image with or without a clear overcoat wherein the monocolor image is derived from at least one UV radiation curable ink which is cured prior to application of the clear overcoat, and the multicolor image is derived from at least two UV radiation curable inks applied sequentially with curing after each ink application and before application of any clear overcoat. The retroreflective sheetings described herein and having the image bearing aliphatic urethane cover sheets or films may be enclosed lens or encapsulated lens retroreflective sheetings. The images may be single color images or multicolor images derived from UV radiation curable inks and, the images optionally coated with a UV cured clear overcoat.

Film forming mixtures, image bearing films and image bearing

A composite construction is described which comprises (A) a layer of plasticized polymer film having a face side and a back side; (B) a release-coated liner having one surface in contact with the back side of the layer of plasticized polymer film; and either (C) a plasticizer-resistant polymer backcoating on the other surface of the release-coated liner (B) which is essentially impervious to the plasticizer in (A); or (D) a removable plasticizer-resistant polymer film in contact with the face side of the layer of plasticized polymer film (A). Such composite constructions are capable of being wound upon themselves in roll form and may be readily unwound for use. When unwound, the presence of mottling on the surface of the vinyl film is observed to be minimized or eliminated. The invention also relates to a method of preventing the formation of mottling when composites comprising at least a layer of plasticized polymer film and a release-coated liner are either wound upon themselves to form a roll or stacked upon each other. The method comprises applying a plasticizer-resistant polymer backcoating on the surface of the release-coated liner which is not in contact with the plasticized polymer film, or contacting the surface of the plasticized polymer film opposite the release-coated liner with a removable plasticizer-resistant polymer film.

Mottle prevention film or coating

Retroreflective sheeting having an aliphatic polyurethane topcoat is described. The aliphatic polyurethane topcoat is obtainable from a mixture comprising (A) an aliphatic polyurethane derived from an aliphatic polyisocyanate and a polyester polyol prepared from a mixture comprising (A-1) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising isophthalic acid as the major dicarboxylic acid; and (A-2) a polyol component; and (B) cellulose acetate butyrate. The mixture also may contain (C) at least one non-reactive solvent, and optionally, (D) one or more surfactants including, for example, hydroxy-containing non-silicone surfactants.

Growing community of inventors

Mentor, OH, United States of America

Robert K Rega