# US 8,783,879 B2 · Retroreflective sheeting

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- Number: US 8,783,879 B2
- Document ID: US8783879B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/125,610
- Filed: 2009-10-22
- Published: 2011-10-20
- Granted: 2014-07-22
- Earliest claimed: 2008-10-22
- Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company
- Applicants: Kenneth L. Smith; James R. Imbertson; John C. Kelliher; John A. Worrell; Sidney A. Ellingstad
- Inventors: Kenneth L. Smith; James R. Imbertson; John C. Kelliher; John A. Worrell; Sidney A. Ellingstad
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8783879B2

## CPC

- B29D 11/00605: {Production of reflex reflectors}
- C25D 7/00: Electroplating characterised by the article coated
- C25D 7/08: Mirrors; Reflectors
- G02B 5/124: plural reflecting elements forming part of a unitary plate or sheet
- B29D: PRODUCING PARTICULAR ARTICLES FROM PLASTICS OR FROM SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE (making granules B29B9/00; making preforms B29B11/00)
- C25D: PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTION OF COATINGS; ELECTROFORMING; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS

## Abstract

The present application relates generally to retroreflective sheeting and the tools and methods used to make retroreflective sheeting. Microreplication tools and sheeting include controlled surface structure or haze. The surface structure or haze can be introduced, for example, by chemical etching of the tool surface and/or electroplating.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An article comprising at least one truncated cube corner element that is texturized; wherein the at least one truncated cube corner element has an average surface roughness between about 0.0005 microns and about 0.0060 microns.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The article of claim 1, in which the article comprises a tool.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

Positive and negative replicas of the tool of claim 2.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The replica of claim 3, in which the replication is retroreflective sheeting comprising an array of cube corner elements.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The replica of claim 3, in which the replication is retroreflective sheeting comprising an array of cube corner cavities.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The article of claim 1, in which the article comprises retroreflective sheeting.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The article of claim 6, in which the retroreflective sheeting includes cube corner elements.

### Claim 8 (depends on 6)

The article of claim 6, in which the retroreflective sheeting includes cube corner cavities.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The article of claim 1, wherein the average surface roughness is between about 0.0010 microns and about 0.0030 microns.