Modulating retroreflective article

A retroreflective article comprising:

• a front surface comprising a plurality of first areas and a plurality of second areas, wherein the plurality of first areas transmit light with one or more different properties from the light transmitted by the plurality of second areas, and further wherein the first and second areas on the front surface are arranged in alternating columns generally aligned with a first axis, and still further wherein, for light incident on the front surface at a first angle, the plurality of first areas are substantially transmissive and each of the plurality of second areas exhibits one or more optical properties selected from the group of:
• substantially absorptive, partially absorptive, diffusely transmissive, partially transmissive, diffusely reflective, specularly reflective, and retroreflective;
• a back surface opposite the front surface, the back surface comprising a plurality of retroreflective areas and a plurality of separation areas, wherein the retroreflective areas and the separation areas are arranged in alternating columns on the back surface, the columns being generally aligned with the first axis and having a width generally transverse to the first axis, and further wherein, for light transmitted through the front surface, each of the plurality of separation areas on the back surface exhibit one or more optical properties selected from the group of absorption, transmission, and retroreflection wherein at least one optical characteristic of light retroreflected from the separation areas is different than light retroreflected from the retroreflective areas on the back surface of the article;
• and
• wherein the first and second areas on the front surface are arranged relative to the retroreflective areas and the separation areas on the back surface such that a substantial portion of light incident on the first areas of the front surface at a first angle is transmitted through the first areas of the front surface to the retroreflective areas on the back surface where it is retroreflected back through the front surface, and further wherein a substantial portion of light incident on the first areas of the front surface at a second angle is transmitted through the first areas on the front surface to the separation areas.

A method of manufacturing a retroreflective article comprising steps of:

• providing a front surface comprising a plurality of first areas and a plurality of second areas, wherein the plurality of first areas transmit light with one or more different properties from the light transmitted by the plurality of second areas;
• providing a back surface opposite the front surface, the back surface being separated from the front surface by an optically transmissive medium;
• providing a light curable binder solution on the back surface;
• providing a plurality of retroreflective elements proximate the back surface, each of the plurality of retroreflective elements at least partially immersed in the binder solution;
• forming retroreflective areas on the back surface by directing light energy through the front surface to cure selected areas of the binder solution on the back surface, wherein the binder solution in the selected areas is sufficiently cured to retain a substantial portion of the retroreflective elements;
• and
• removing the retroreflective elements from the uncured binder solution on the back surface to form separation areas between the retroreflective areas;
• wherein the first and second areas on the front surface are arranged relative to the retroreflective areas and the separation areas on the back surface such that a substantial portion of light incident on the first areas of the front surface at a first angle is transmitted through the first areas of the front surface to the retroreflective areas on the back surface where it is retroreflected back through the front surface, and further wherein a substantial portion of light incident on the first areas of the front surface at a second angle is transmitted through the first areas on the front surface to the separation areas.