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US 6,641,880 B1Granted
Signage having films to reduce power consumption and improve luminance uniformity and method for using same
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsFrank L. Deyak, Neal T. Strand, Ellen O. Aeling, Andrew J. Ouderkirk, Michael F. Weber, David G. Freier
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A lighted sign housing is provided with a diffuse reflective film that is selected based on its reflectivity and luminance uniformity in order to reduce power consumption required for a given luminance while also increasing luminance uniformity. A method of using such film is also provided.
Claims18
A lighted sign housing comprising:
- (a) a front translucent surface panel provided as a complex shape
- (b) interior surfaces that together with the front translucent surface panel define a sign housing;
- (c) a film applied to at least a portion of the interior surface wherein the film is selected from
- i) a specular reflective film having a diffuse reflective film laminated or coated thereto, and
- ii) a diffuse reflective film;
- said film having a reflectivity of at least 90% as measured using ASTM E1164-94 ;
- and
- (d) a light source for providing light within the sign housing;
- wherein substantially all of the front translucent surface panel is substantially uniformly illuminated when the sign is illuminated the light source, and the complex shape of the front translucent surface panel conveys an intended message.
6 more elements
A lighted sign housing comprising:
- (a) a front translucent surface panel provided as a complex shape;
- (b) interior surfaces that together with the front translucent surface panel define a sign housing;
- (c) a film applied to at least a portion of the interior surfaces, wherein the film comprises a diffuse reflective film having a reflectivity of at least 90%as measured using ASTM E1164-94 and selected from the group consisting of polyolefin films filled with white particles, blends of incompatible polymers, polyolefin multilayer films;
- microvoided polyolefin and polyester films;
- fluorinated polyolefin films;
- vinyl chloride polymeric films filled with white particles;
- acrylic films filled with white particles;
- polyolefin films co-extruded with ethylene-vinyl acetate films;
- and combinations thereof;
- and
- (d) a light source for providing light within the sign housing;
- wherein substantially all of the front translucent surface panel is substantially uniformly illuminated when the sign is illuminated by the light source, and the complex shape of the front translucent surface panel conveys an intended message.
9 more elements
A method of using a film for signage, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a sign housing having i) a front translucent surface panel provided as a complex shape ii) interior surfaces that together with the front translucent surface panel define a sign housing and iii) a light source for providing light within the sign housing;
- and
- (b) applying a film to at least a portion of the interior surfaces wherein the film is selected from
- i) a specular reflective film having a diffuse reflective film laminated or coated thereto, and
- ii) a diffuse reflective film said film having a reflectivity of at least 90% as measured using ASTM E1164-94;
- wherein substantially all of the front translucent surface panel is substantially uniformly illuminated when the sign is illuminated by the light source, and the complex shape of the front translucent surface panel conveys an intended message.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.