Exposed-Lens Retroreflective Article Comprising Localized Color Layers
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsKui Chen-Ho, Anne C. Gold, Silvia G. B. Guttmann, Michael A. McCoy, Shri Niwas, Matthew S. Stay, Ying Xia
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Abstract
An exposed-lens retroreflective article including a binder layer and a plurality of retroreflective elements. Each retroreflective element includes a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer. At least some of the retroreflective elements comprise a reflective layer disposed between the transparent microsphere and the binder layer and at least one localized color layer that is embedded between the transparent microsphere and the reflective layer.
Claims21
An exposed-lens retroreflective article comprising:
- a binder layer;
- and,
- a plurality of retroreflective elements spaced over a length and breadth of a front side of the binder layer, each retroreflective element comprising a transparent microsphere partially embedded in the binder layer;
- wherein at least some of the retroreflective elements comprise a reflective layer disposed between the transparent microsphere and the binder layer and at least one localized color layer that is embedded between the transparent microsphere and the reflective layer.
A method of making a retroreflective article comprising a plurality of retroreflective elements at least some of which each comprise a localized color layer, the method comprising:
- physically transferring at least one color layer precursor onto at least portions of protruding areas of transparent microspheres that are borne by a carrier layer and that are partially embedded therein;
- solidifying the color layer precursor into localized color layers,
- disposing a reflective layer on at least some of the localized color layers,
- disposing a binder precursor on the carrier layer and on the protruding areas of the transparent microspheres bearing the localized color layers and the reflective layers thereon,
- and,
- solidifying the binder precursor to form a binder layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.