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:
Nov. 11, 2003
Filed:
Sep. 11, 2002
Paul J. Northey, Somerset, WI (US);
3M Innovative Properties Company, St. Paul, MN (US);
Abstract
A retroreflective sign includes a rigid sign board and a retroreflective sheeting having a structured surface. The structured surface has cube corner elements formed therein, and is bonded to a surface of the sign board to define a plurality of cells. The cells protect the cube corner elements from moisture and dirt, which could adversely impact the retroreflective performance of the film. By sealing the structured surface directly to the sign board, rather than to an intermediate seal film and then to the sign board, a simpler prefabricated sign construction is achieved. In some embodiments, interconnected raised sections are used to define the seal cells. The raised sections can be incorporated into the structured surface of the retroreflective sheeting or into the surface of the sign board. Methods for making the disclosed sign boards are also disclosed.