Retroreflective article having at least one valve and method of making same
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsPaul E. Marecki, James G. Mitchell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A retroreflective article having at least one valve is disclosed. Each valve may include a channel extending from a first major surface to a second major surface of the retroreflective material, and at least one movable member proximate the channel. The at least one movable member is movable between a closed position and an open position. When in the closed position, the at least one movable member obstructs at least a portion of the channel. A method of making a retroreflective article having at least one valve is also disclosed.
Claims45
A retroreflective article, comprising:
- retroreflective material comprising a first major surface and a second major surface;
- and
- at least one valve, comprising:
- a channel extending from the first major surface to the second major surface of the retroreflective material, the channel extending through the first major surface and the second major surface such that the first major surface and the second major surface are in fluid communication;
- and
- at least one movable member proximate the channel that is movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the at least one movable member obstructs at least a portion of the channel when in the closed position.
A retroreflective garment comprising a protective outer layer and at least one retroreflective article attached to the protective outer layer, wherein the at least one retroreflective article comprises:
- retroreflective material comprising a first major surface and a second major surface;
- and
- at least one valve, comprising:
- a channel extending from the first major surface to the second major surface of the retroreflective material, the channel extending through the first major surface and the second major surface such that the first major surface and the second major surface are in fluid communication;
- and
- at least one movable member proximate the channel that is movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the at least one movable member substantially obstructs the channel when in the closed position.
A method of making a vented retroreflective article, comprising:
- providing retroreflective material comprising a first major surface and a second major surface;
- forming at least one valve in the retroreflective material, wherein forming the at least one valve comprises forming at least a first slit in the retroreflective material such that the first slit forms
- a channel extending from the first major surface to the second major surface of the retroreflective material, the channel extending through the first major surface and the second major surface such that the first major surface and the second major surface are in fluid communication, and
- at least one movable member that is movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the at least one movable member substantially obstructs the channel when in the closed position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.