# US 9,752,287 B2 · Method and apparatus for forming and applying retroreflective pavement markings

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- Number: US 9,752,287 B2
- Document ID: US9752287B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/247,423
- Filed: 2014-04-08
- Published: 2014-08-07
- Granted: 2017-09-05
- Earliest claimed: 2011-06-09
- Assignees: New York State Thruway Authority
- Applicants: New York State Thruway Authority
- Inventors: Steven Velicky
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9752287B2

## CPC

- E01C 11/00: Details of pavings {(E01C1/005, E01C5/003, E01C5/005, E01C7/145, E01C7/185, E01C7/325 take precedence)}
- E01C 23/00: Auxiliary devices or arrangements for constructing, repairing, reconditioning, or taking-up road or like surfaces (apparatus for reconditioning of salvaged non-hydraulic compositions {for- in plant recycling of salvaged bituminous mixtures} E01C19/10)
- E01C 23/166: {Means for dispensing particulate material on to freshly applied markings or into the marking material after discharge thereof, e.g. reflective beads, grip-improving particles}
- E01C 23/22: by spraying {(E01C23/206 takes precedence)}
- E01F 9/506: characterised by the road surface marking material, e.g. comprising additives for improving friction or reflectivity; Methods of forming, installing or applying markings in, on or to road surfaces
- E01F 9/576: Traffic lines
- G02B 5/128: transparent spheres being embedded in matrix
- E01C 2301/00: Machine characteristics, parts or accessories not otherwise provided for
- E01C: CONSTRUCTION OF, OR SURFACES FOR, ROADS, SPORTS GROUNDS, OR THE LIKE; MACHINES OR AUXILIARY TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION OR REPAIR (forming roads or like surfaces by compacting or grading snow or ice E01H)
- E01F: ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
- G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS

## Abstract

A method for forming and applying retroreflective pavement markings comprising the steps of a) spraying the area with a hot epoxy binder, b) depositing particles of a microcrystalline ceramic element having a high refractive index onto the fresh epoxy binder, c) depositing relatively large spherical glass beads onto the fresh epoxy binder, and d) depositing relatively small spherical glass beads onto the fresh epoxy binder. The small beads provide high reflectivity in daytime and at night on dry pavement. The large beads provide superior reflectivity at night on damp pavement. The ceramic element particles provide high reflectivity when wet and during heavy rain. Where the pavement is subject to snowplowing, the marking may be inlaid in a recessed area in the pavement, the recess being about 100 mils deep, and the wet epoxy layer being about 20 mils thick.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A retroreflective area on a pavement, comprising: a) an epoxy binder adherent to said pavement; b) a plurality of high-reflectivity microcrystalline ceramic particles bonded to said epoxy binder; c) a plurality of coarse sieve-size glass beads bonded to said epoxy binder; and d) a plurality of fine sieve-size glass beads bonded to said epoxy binder, wherein said microcrystalline ceramic particles, said coarse sieve-size glass beads, and said fine sieve-size glass beads have been applied separately and sequentially to said epoxy binder at different times after deposition of said epoxy binder in liquid form on said pavement.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A retroreflective area in accordance with claim 1 wherein said area is in the form of a stripe.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A retroreflective area in accordance with claim 1 wherein said area is in the form of an indicium.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A retroreflective area in accordance with claim 1 wherein said area is disposed in a recessed region formed in said pavement.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A retroreflective area in accordance with claim 1 wherein said ceramic particles are present in a ratio of about 7 pounds of particles per gallon of said epoxy binder when still non-cured.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A retroreflective area in accordance with claim 1 wherein said coarse sieve-size glass beads are present in a ratio of about 7 pounds of beads per gallon of said epoxy binder when still non-cured.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A retroreflective area in accordance with claim 1 wherein said fine sieve-size glass beads are present in a ratio of about 10 pounds of beads per gallon of said epoxy binder when still non-cured.