Retroreflective sheeting and methods for making same
US4618518A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 20, 1985 |
| Grant date | Oct 21, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 20, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/2848
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A retroreflective relatively flexible laminate sheet construction has a thermoplastic web with a smooth light-receiving first side and a second side coextensive with said first side. A retroreflective pattern is formed on the second side. A slurry of granular material is deposited on the second side to cover selected portions of the formed pattern with remaining portions of the formed pattern devoid of the granular material, and said slurry is dried or cured to produce a well-defined pattern. A layer of backcoating material is deposited on the second side to overlay the granular material, the backcoating material contacting the thermoplastic web where no granular material has been deposited, thereby encapsulating the granular material between the second side and the backcoating layer. An added, outer layer provides additional weather protection for the thermoplastic web. Methods are detailed to manufacture the laminate, and compositions of backcoating mixtures also are disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.