Retroreflective polymer coated flexible fabric material and method of manufacture
AssigneeMinnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
InventorsSusan K. Nestegard, Tzu Li Huang, James C. Coderre, James E. Lasch, Jeffrey D. Janovec, Michael Ruehlemann
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Abstract
A process and article for a retroreflective polymeric coated flexible fabric material having a retroreflective layer and a polymeric compatibilizing layer welded to a polymeric coated outer surface of a flexible fabric material. The compatibilizing layer provides an intermediate layer between the retroreflective layer and the flexible fabric material creating suitable bond strength between dissimilar polymers.
Claims22
A flexible laminate retroreflective material suitable for application to a flexible fabric material having a polymer coated outer surface, the retroreflective material comprising:
- a retroreflective layer having a plurality of polymeric prismatic elements on one surface, the retroreflective layer having a high coefficient of retroreflectivity;
- and
- a compatibilizing layer consisting essentially of a film made from a first polymer, the compatibilizing layer attached to the prismatic element surface of the retroreflective layer and to the polymer coated outer surface of a flexible fabric material, the outer surface of the flexible fabric material comprising a second polymer.
A method for making a retroreflective flexible fabric material, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a flexible fabric material having a polymer coated outer surface;
- providing a retroreflective sheeting with a high coefficient of retroreflectivity, the sheeting having:
- a retroreflective layer comprising a first polymeric material and having a plurality of polymeric prismatic elements on one surface;
- and
- a compatibilizing layer consisting essentially of a film of a second polymer, the compatibilizing layer attached to the prismatic element surface;
- positioning the retroreflective sheeting so that the compatibilizing layer is contacting the outer surface of the flexible fabric material;
- and
- welding the retroreflective sheeting directly to the outer surface of the flexible fabric material.
A method for making a flexible retroreflective fabric material, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a flexible fabric material having a polymer coated outer surface;
- providing a retroreflective layer having a plurality of polymeric prismatic elements on one surface;
- providing a compatibilizing layer consisting essentially of a polymeric film;
- positioning the compatibilizing layer between the outer surface of the flexible fabric material and the prismatic element side of the retroreflective sheeting;
- and
- simultaneously welding the retroreflective layer to the compatibilizing layer and the outer surface of the flexible fabric material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.