Cube corner cavity based retroreflectors with transparent fill material
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsKenneth L. Smith, Gerald M. Benson, James C. Coderre, Cheryl M. Frey, Bruce B. Wilson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Retroreflective sheeting includes a body layer having a structured surface with recessed faces forming cube corner cavities. A reflective film is disposed at least on the recessed faces, and a fill material fills the cube corner cavities. The fill material comprises radiation-curable materials, adhesives, or both, and preferably transparent radiation-curable pressure-sensitive adhesives. The fill material preferably forms a continuous layer covering both the recessed faces and upper portions of the structured surface. A transparent cover layer preferably contacts the fill material layer.
Claims13
A retroreflective article, comprising:
- a body layer having a front structured surface comprising recessed faces that define cube corner cavities and a rear surface opposite the structured surface;
- a reflective film disposed at least on the recessed faces of the cube corner cavities;
- and
- a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer that fills the cube corner cavities and that is transparent and is radiation-curable or UV-curable.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.