The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 21, 1999
Filed:
Jan. 06, 1998
Irving Anders, Bethel, AK (US);
Bruce Anders, Bethel, AK (US);
Other;
Abstract
The present invention pertains to novel durable, tough, transparent, luminescent overlay compositions, useful for highlighting and/or illuminating and preserving surfaces and markings thereupon, such as roadways/highways, pedestrian passageways, airport runways, traffic control surface markings on travelways such as those listed above, traffic control devices/signs, structures, and articles. The clear compositions contain a moisture sensitive luminescent substance (for example, a phosphorescent substance having increased brightness and longer lasting afterglow) and an epoxy resin which imparts moisture stability to the luminescent substance, and durability and longer life to the underlying markings, surface area, structure or article. The clear transparent compositions can be applied as an overlay to existing surface area markings, or to unmarked surface areas themselves, or to structures or articles without obscuring the original appearance or color of the marking/surface/structure/article, to cover and/or protect the marking/surface/structure/article for an extended period of time, while providing indoor and outdoor luminescence on the marking/surface/structure/article in dark conditions for increased safety. The overlay compositions provide these benefits in an environmentally friendly manner because the compositions do not contaminate the surrounding environment with any organic hydrocarbon products via vaporization or runoffs, and in addition, may decrease the necessity to illuminate surface markings by energy-consuming overhead electrical fixtures.