Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

3m Innovative Properties Company

Terry R Bailey

Howard R Tolliver

Roger R Kult

Dale H Haunschild

Gregory F Jacobs

Larry K Stump

Louis C Belisle

James E Lasch

Arthur D Dickson

David C May

Chester A Bacon, Jr

John W Frank

Louis C Belisle, Deceased

T Ian Bradshaw

Stephen A Johnson

Kanta Kumar

Bruce Brandon Wilson

Paul J Wang

Wallace K Bingham

Jeffrey D Janovec

Robert F Watkins

Raymond L Lucking

Scott A Boyd

Thomas V Kusilek

Jaime R Ojeda

Daniel J McGurran

Robert A Haenggi

David L Bergeson

Joey L Reule

Dennis J Chirhart

Michael D Currens

Michael P Daniels

Jack E Cook

Naoki Nakayama

David G Schueler

Michael A Essien

Douglas C Degler

Thanh-Huong Thi Nguyen

Michele H Kelley

Randall L Erickson

Dave G Schueler

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

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

Retroreflective articles having multilayer films are useful for commercial graphics and retroreflective products, such as roll-up signs for highway transportation safety. The articles comprise multilayer films having at least one layer of polyurethane and at least one layer of a copolymer of alkylene and at least one non-acidic, polar co-monomer. Articles having the new multilayer films provide the same or improved performance, are less expensive, and offer improved methods for manufacturing, when compared to prior articles.

Retroreflective articles having multilayer films and methods of manufacturing same

The invention provides, generally, light stable article containing at least one single or multiple layer polyester film and an effective amount of a light absorbing composition comprising one or more of an ultraviolet light absorbing compound, a hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS) composition, and a phosphonate stabilizing compound. Generally, the weight ratio of the light absorbing compound to the HALS composition is at least about 2:1. Various composite articles and constructions made utilizing the above light stable articles are also provided.

Light stable articles

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

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

Thermoplastic based pavement marking sheets are disclosed. The marking sheets employ a conformant composite material including: polyolefin and a nonreinforcing mineral particulate; and/or a thermoplastic upper surface. Preferably, the sheet's thermoplastic upper surface is embedded with reflective elements and/or skid-resistant particles. A solventless process of embedding particles in thermoplastic pavement marking sheets is disclosed. Processes for preparing marking sheets are also disclosed. Conformant pavement marking sheets which may be applied in cooler conditions are also disclosed.

Thermoplastic marking sheet

A truck trailer cover 40 includes a multi-layered article 10 that is dimensioned and adapted to be fitted over and secured to a truck trailer 42. The multi-layered article, 10 includes a fabric 12 having a polymeric sheet 14, 16 secured to each side of the fabric 12. Each polymeric sheet 14, 16 secured to the fabric 12 has two non-chlorinated polymeric layers. The first non-chlorinated polymeric layer A, A' is disposed on the inner side of each sheet and contains an ethylene copolymer that has a Shore A hardness less than 85. The second non-chlorinated polymeric layer B, B' is disposed on the outer side of each sheet and contains a polymer having a Shore A hardness greater than 85. The multi-layered article 10 demonstrates good flex-crack resistance to make it suitable for use in a roll-up sign 30 or a truck trailer cover 40.

Truck trailer cover having a high strength non-chlorinated multi-layered

A multi-layered article 10 includes a fabric 12 having a polymeric sheet 14, 16 secured to each side of the fabric 12. Each polymeric sheet 14, 16 secured to the fabric 12 has two non-chlorinated polymeric layers. The first non-chlorinated polymeric layer A, A' is disposed on the inner side of each sheet and contains an ethylene copolymer that has a Shore A hardness less than 85. The second non-chlorinated polymeric layer B, B' is disposed on the outer side of each sheet and contains a polymer having a Shore A hardness greater than 85. The multi-layered article 10 demonstrates good flex-crack resistance to make it suitable for use in a roll-up sign 30 or a truck trailer cover 40.

High strength non-chlorinated multi-layered polymeric article

Process for making conformable thermoplastic marking sheet

A retroreflective sheeting comprising a substantially transparent face member, an encapsulating member having a front and a back side, the front side of the encapsulating member being sealed by a network of interconnecting bonds to the face member, and retroreflective elements disposed between the face member and the encapsulating member in substantially a monolayer with an air-interface. The encapsulating member comprises a plasticizer-resistant barrier layer which prevents migration of plasticizer therethrough, thereby protecting the aforementioned elements of the sheeting therefrom.

Flexible, substrate-insular retroreflective sheeting

Cellular, encapsulated-lens retroreflective sheeting comprising: (1) a base sheet of a monolayer of retroreflective elements partially embedded in a binder layer which typically is white or comprises a whitening agent; (2) a cover sheet disposed in spaced relation from the layer of retroreflective elements; and (3) a network of narrow intersecting bonds or seal legs that extend between the cover sheet and the base sheet and comprise binder material thermoformed at the point of contact between the base sheet and cover sheet so as to adhere the base sheet and the cover sheet together and form a plurality of cells within which retroreflective elements are hermetically sealed; wherein the cover sheet comprises an inner layer and at least a structural layer, the structural layer being adhered to the outside surface of the inner layer. The inner layer of the cover sheet has a higher Vicat Softening Point and/or lower adhesion to the microlenses than at least the structural layer of the cover sheet so that when the cover sheet and base sheet are sealed together and the binder material is thermoformed into contact with the cover sheet to form the seal legs, the binder material is better able to flow around and flood the front surfaces of the retroreflective lenses, thereby hiding same and imparting greater whiteness to the resultant sheeting.

Cellular encapsulated-lens high whiteness retroreflective sheeting with

In encapsulated-lens reflective sheeting of the prior art, a monolayer of glass microspheres is embedded in a binder layer, a specularly reflective layer underlies the microspheres, and a cover film encapsulates the microspheres, within a plurality of hermetically sealed cells. In the invention, a HMW thermoplastic binder film, affords improved structural intregity, greater toughness, and better conformability to irregular surfaces without cracking. The cover film preferably is of the same polymer family as said binder film.

Encapsulated-lens retroreflective sheeting and method of making

Growing community of inventors

Woodbury, MN, United States of America

Terry R Bailey