CN1189200A - Wet retroreflective marking material - Google Patents

Abstract

Retroreflective pavement marking material (10) comprising on the top surface thereof an enclosed-lens retroreflective sheet (14) that comprises a monolayer of retroreflective elements wherein first portions of the monolayer are arranged in an upwardly contoured profile (18) and second portions of the monolayer are arranged in a lower, substantially planar position (20).

Description

Moist retroreflective marking material

The field of the invention

Have good reflex reflection brightness when the present invention relates to humidity and have the reflecting material of good reflex reflection brightness in high angle of incidence.

Background

Pavement marker, visible guiding is provided is very important as those drivers that are masked as on road axis and sideline.Pavement marking material can be used for the traffic control sign of various uses, short distance traffic lane line for example, stop rod and in pedestrian's pavement marker of intersection and the long-range lane markings on the road etc.A kind of form of pavement marking material commonly used is to be the adhesive tape of backing with the adhesive, and it is administered on the road surface of desired location and length; Have color on the road surface of adhesive tape and generally have retro-reflective properties through selecting.

At present, the pavement marker on many planes, its reflex reflection mechanism generally is based on exposed optics of lens system, this system be mass part be embedded in and contain such as titanium dioxide (TiO ₂) or plumbous chromate (PbCrO ₄) transparent beads in the adhesive phase of reflective pigments particle.In use, light enters these microballoons from front lamp of vehicle, is refracted on the reflective pigments.Part light roughly returns towards direction of traffic along initial incident route, and the driver can be seen.The refraction light quantity of these microballoons and gathering light quantity partly depend on the air interface that is keeping low-refraction on the exposed parts of microballoon.Sometimes When It Rains, microballoon is soaked with rain, and water can make its anaclasis ability drop, thereby reduces the reflex reflection performance greatly.

The same known closed lens retroreflective structure that on pavement marker, adopts.For example can be referring to United States Patent (USP) 5,277,513 (people such as Flanagan) and 5,340,231 (people such as Steere).The closed lens retroreflection sheet that will have flat coverlay (being also referred to as teleblem sometimes, top flat, emulsion sheet etc.) is as the means that effective reflex reflection is provided under wet condition.For example can and disclose the United States Patent (USP) 4,505,967 (Bailey) and 4,664,966 (people such as Bailey) of embedded lens Retroflective article referring to the United States Patent (USP) 4,025,159 (McGrath) that has disclosed encapsulated type lens Retroflective articles.

It is more needed narrower than sometimes that existing thin section pavement marker can provide the ranges of incidence angles of effective reflex reflection response at present.For example, based on the flat road surface sign that partly is embedded in the microballoon that contains in the diffuse reflection coat of colo(u)r as mentioned above, in about 80 meters and littler distance, be easy to see.Greater than this numerical value apart from the time, reflex reflection brightness meeting descends, and partly is because the angle of incidence of incident light is bigger, partly is because reflex reflection brightness itself is limited.Except retroreflective was hanged down under high angle of incidence situation usually, under the condition of raining, flat pavement marker was difficult to especially see that its reason as mentioned above.The pavement marker of protuberance generally has preferably wet reflectivity, and reason is that rain can flow down from bump, and they often use and have the reflection system of intrinsic reflex reflection when wetting.Yet on the road with protuberance pavement marker, snow removing is a problem normally, and this is to remove owing to snowplow can stumble the protrusion position of protuberance and will indicate from road surface.Similarly, the pavement marker of the protuberance of installing as point-like illuminating lamp (spot delineators), the road profile on daytime that it provides is relatively poor, so just needs usually to add brush continuous mark that get on or adhesive tape type.

In order to enlarge effective ranges of incidence angles of pavement marking material, proposed to adopt guiding device with closed lens inverse reflector.For example, United States Patent (USP) 4,145,112 (Crone) have disclosed a kind of goods that comprise reflex reflection bottom and optical waveguide layer, and described optical waveguide layer is made up of a series of short and transparent protrusion of longitudinal extension.United States Patent (USP) 4,236,788 (Wyckoff) have disclosed a kind of pavement marker bar relevant with said products on type, it is two sides regulating horizontal prism, with the refraction that obtains to enter the internal reflection down of substrate and enter space between the continuous prism of substrate from another side from a side.United States Patent (USP) 3,920,346 (Wyckoff) have disclosed a kind of zigzag designation strip that has bent limit projection and be embedded in the retroreflective elements of wherein upwards arranging.

United States Patent (USP) 4,072,403 (Eigenmann) have disclosed a kind of reflex reflection composite member used when especially needing reflex reflection under condition of raining.Composite member disclosed in it comprises a transparent spheroid, the microballoon of a single-layer and transparent and the reflecting layer that is positioned at the microballoon back on some position of spheroid.This reflex reflection composite member (being sometimes referred to as " spheroid/microballoon reflex reflection composite member ") is placed on the top surface of pavement marker, and they can provide effectively to the light reflex reflection in high angle of incidence.United States Patent (USP) 5,268,789 (Bradshaw) have disclosed a kind of such improved reflex reflection composite member and have made improving one's methods of this composite member.

European patent 385746 B1 people such as () Kobayashi have disclosed a kind of pavement marker that has the big glass microsphere of one deck to be embedded in embedded lens reflex reflection substrate top.It is said that this reflex reflection pavement marker is specially adapted to condition of raining, reason is to have bigger glass microsphere partly to be exposed in the air.

Be badly in need of now in addition also have high reflex reflection brightness in high angle of incidence, even if when wetting and the reflex reflection brightness that can also remain valid under the high angle of incidence situation and durable thin section Retroflective article.In addition, for vertical surface, as guard rail, the purposes of cattle pen (Jersey barriers) etc. also need still have the Retroflective article that effective reflex reflection responds in the angle of incidence of wide region.

General introduction of the present invention

The invention provides the material of novelty with wonderful effective reflex reflection performance.Material of the present invention all has wondrous good reflex reflection performance in very high angle of incidence (for example 88 ° or higher) and low angle of incidence under wet and dried condition, and can be applicable to vertical and horizontal surface well.The present invention also provides the method for making this material.Some used terms of the application converge lists in the last of this manual.Following many descriptions are specifically to make as the embodiment of pavement marking material with reference to the present invention.What should understand is that many aspects of these embodiments are also relevant with the embodiment of the sign that is used as vertical surface.

In brief, in some embodiments, pavement marking material of the present invention, a closed lens retroreflection sheet is arranged on its top surface, it comprises the individual layer of one deck covering layer and one deck retroreflective elements, the first of this individual layer is arranged in the section that profile is stretched out (promptly vertical with the whole or surface of sheet), and the second portion of individual layer is arranged in low being essentially sometimes on the position on plane.Typical material of the present invention comprises many this firsts and second portion on a whole serialgram.The material that an advantage of closed lens retroreflection sheet is a gained has intrinsic moist reflex reflection performance.In other words, when rain stops the back but goods when dry as yet, when dew accumulates on the material in the morning several hours, or under similar condition, material of the present invention still has the reflex reflection performance.

Pavement marking material of the present invention can provide good reflex reflection brightness under the condition of doing and wetting.They are pliable and tough, and can make required color.In addition, the present invention is low profile at the material that this provided, and can fit well with road surface.They can resist the detrimental effect of traffic, and stand and water, salt, oily contacting, and stand ultraviolet radiation, the sand grains abrasion, and action of high temperature, or the like, this advantage makes them be very suitable for using on road.They can be made with continuation method.When marking material of the present invention being applied on the road as the traffic control sign, the light that it reflected is easy to be seen by the driver, has so just improved safety.

Retroflective article of the present invention is specially adapted to the use occasion of light with greater than the high angle of incidence incident of about 85 ° (for example on the pavement marker geometric figures) time.These purposes comprise the purposes when pavement marker and incident light may in any direction be gone up incident, (for example alignment target).The example of this alignment target comprises that usually the legend on the road surface, parking lot and symbol have the parking area of obstacle and arrow on the road surface, intersection and lane markings with indication.

In addition, Retroflective article of the present invention also can be useful on the vertical surface well, and especially those have the vertical surface of high angle of incidence when observing, guard rail for example, and along the building walls of lane, cattle pen, bridge pier, pillar, cylindrical shape traffic mark etc.An advantage of Retroflective article of the present invention, except having in high angle of incidence the improved reflex reflection brightness, they for example can see in 30 ° of-40 ° of scopes of sign also have high reflex reflection brightness usually in lower angle of incidence.This makes goods of the present invention can be applicable to wall and fence along highway especially, and other application when vehicle needs effective reflex reflection brightness during by near building in wide angular range.For example, article one road is provided with a vertical barrier of placing with the one partial parallel basically, and other has second road and article one road crossing.If fence is equipped with goods of the present invention in its surface, then it will be for the vehicle near fence on any road provides effective reflex reflection, thereby has improved safety.Retroflective article of the present invention can use with the form of bending, for example be wrapped in taper and the cylindrical shape traffic is put on, guard rail in bending is first-class, and energy edge complete visible part substantially provides excellent reflex reflection brightness, and its reason is that goods have good unusually incident angle.

Brief description of drawings

The present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is the plan view of the pavement marking material part that exemplifies of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is the sectional drawing of material shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are the sectional drawings of other pavement marking material of exemplifying of the present invention.

These Utopian figure are not pro rata, and they are only used for for example, and the unrestriction effect.

Exemplify the detailed description of embodiment

A kind of marking material that exemplifies of the present invention is illustrated among Fig. 1 and 2.Material 10 has a closed lens retroreflection sheet 14 on its top surface 12, one individual layer retroreflective elements 16 is arranged in this sheet, wherein the first 18 of individual layer is arranged in the section that profile is stretched out, and the second portion 20 of individual layer is arranged in low being essentially sometimes on the position on plane.Marking material 10 maybe can also have a conformal layer 22 and adhesive phase 24.In the embodiment illustrated, these firsts 18 are subjected to the effect of configuration part 19, raise and stretch out on second portion 20.

Another marking material that exemplifies is illustrated among Fig. 3.For example by carrying out embossing, on the upper major surface of backing 32, form suitable ledge, then retroreflection sheet 30 is fitted with it by required pattern.If need, retroreflection sheet 30 can be pressed into required shape, fill up at the back side then, obtains the section that required profile is stretched out.Configuration part 34 and general available conformal layer 36 and adhesive phase 38 are arranged in the backing 32.As shown in Figure 3, configuration part 34 is directly connected on the retroreflection sheet 23.In some cases, it is useful between sheet 30 and backing 32 articulamentum (not shown) being arranged again.Articulamentum should be adhered the back side of sheet 30 and the surface of backing 32 well.For example, ethylene methacrylic acid can be adhered on aluminium lamination and the nitrile rubber layer.In another embodiment, conformal layer is directly connected on the bottom surface of retroreflection sheet, adds configuration part and adhesive phase.Retroreflection sheet and configuration layer can be common the extension basically, if need also not be common extension.

I. the general structure of goods of the present invention

Goods of the present invention generally comprise retroreflection sheet, configuration part or adoptable back lining materials and adhesive phase.Using the configuration part is in order to form the part that required profile is stretched out in the goods.

General in the situation of pavement marker purposes, also have conformal layer and/or coarse cloth layer in the back lining materials of goods.For example, in Fig. 2, conformal layer 22 is arranged in the backing.In Fig. 3, conformal layer 36, configuration part 34 and adhesive phase 38 are arranged in the backing 32.If need, also can there be one deck coarse cloth material to make it to have high resistance to tearing in the back lining materials, interim pavement marker can be removed.Conformal layer (for example aluminium) and coarse cloth layer are well-known in prior art.Suitable embodiment can easily be selected by the technology skilful person of this area.

Goods of the present invention also can have one deck to be adhered to adhesive phase on the back lining materials bottom surface, for example adhesive phase among Fig. 2 24.The effect of adhesive is that Retroflective article is bonded on certain surface (for example road surface).If need, also can with adhesive or priming paint paint should the surface on, then the Retroflective article lamination is got on.That selects that the standard of adhesive material and priming paint partly depends on retroreflection sheet for use wants person's character and required purposes; Suitable material can easily be selected it by the art technology practician.

In some cases, need embed on the ground, upper face top of retroreflection sheet some prevent the particle (being sometimes referred to as antiskid particles) that skids with increase car thereon by the time adhere to frictional force.Antiskid particles is well-known in prior art.Suitable embodiment can easily be selected it by the art technology practician.

Similarly, the good coating of wear-resisting and/or bearing dirty property that approaches can be applied on the top surface of Retroflective article, avoid the influence of traffic wear and foul accumulation to protect it.The suitable printing opacity of this coating, and the opposing that should not the reduce goods performance of skidding.

Generally pavement marking material of the present invention is twined rolling.In this case, need to apply one deck release liner or it is carried out peelable processing (for example using siloxanes) on the top surface of mark.

II. retroreflection sheet

The used retroreflection sheet of the present invention has good angle; In other words, for about 80 ° or bigger angle of incidence, the retroreflective of this sheet is still sizable.Under all types of weather conditions, in addition in the pavement marker purposes since road on the dealing vehicle on the sheet by the repeated stock and shear stress that cause under, all component layer of this retroreflection sheet can both be bonded together preferably.

Dissimilar closed lens retroreflection sheets all can be used for the present invention.The example that is applicable to closed lens of the present invention comprises encapsulated type lens and embedded lens sheet.

The encapsulated type lens that is exemplified comprises with the microballoon being the retroreflection sheet of base, a single-layer portions is arranged in this sheet is embedded in the transparent beads in the adhesive phase, and its reflecting layer is then in the back of adhesive phase (promptly on the part of Qian Ruing).Air interface is provided by the covering layer that is positioned at microballoon the place ahead.Perhaps, also can use a kind of like this retroreflection sheet of cube corner type, this sheet comprises the retroreflective elements of an individual layer cube--corner, and the air interface of these elements is all protected by a sealant.Also can use its retroreflective elements to have the cube corner type retroreflection sheet of metal coating.In the sheet of cube corner type, covering layer can constitute an integral body with cube--corner elements, also can be independent film.United States Patent (USP) 4,025,159 (McGrath) have disclosed some encapsulated-lens formula retroreflection sheets of microspheric and cube corner type as used herein.

The embedded lens sheet that is exemplified comprises with the microballoon being the retroreflection sheet of base, wherein contains (1) one single-layer and transparent microballoon, and its front surface and rear surface all are embedded in the residuite, (2) one reflecting layer, and it has one section distance through selecting apart from the rear surface of microballoon.Be meant any layer that is positioned at microballoon the place ahead at this used term covering layer.United States Patent (USP) 4,505,967 (Bailey) have disclosed a kind of embedded lens retroreflection sheet at this particularly suitable.The retroreflective elements that comprises an individual layer cube corner shape in the example of cube corner type embedded lens sheet, their front and rear surfaces all is embedded in the polymer substrate, and is coated with one deck reflecting layer with minute surface cladding process or metallization on the retroreflective elements surface of cube--corner.The metallization of cube corner type retroreflection sheet can improve the incident angle of sheet, and this is known in prior art.

When as pavement marker, the embedded lens retroreflection sheet is generally better than encapsulated type lens retroreflection sheet.It is believed that under transportation condition, the compact structure of embedded lens sheet is more durable, reason is that it does not resemble and contains internal voids the encapsulated type lens.The embedded lens retroreflection sheet can commodity form buy, it is quite durable and pliable and tough.They under the higher angle of incidence that can reach, provide than many encapsulated type lens systems effective retroreflective can embodiment in can be used.And the reflecting layer in many embedded lens sheets is an aluminium, and the aluminium conformal layer often uses in pavement marking material.Owing to used same material, the etching problem that can cause in the time of can farthest reducing as if the use different metal.

With the microballoon is that basic closed optics of lens system is utilized bending and the focusing effect of microballoon to light, and anaclasis to a reflecting element, is reflected and goes back towards the light source direction refraction then.The degree of anaclasis and the best placement location of the minute surface reflecting element of determining thus depend on covering layer, microballoon and microballoon above the microballoon and the relative index of refraction of the wall between the reflecting element (if the words that have).For example, when covering layer that uses refractive index about 1.5 and material spacer layer, refractive index is that 2.25 microballoon can focus light rays at thereafter identity distance it is about the place of 0.44 times of radius.The thickness of wall is suitable, and that's about the size of it, makes light can focus on the minute surface reflecting element.All will cause the loss of substrate retroreflective for any deviation of these precise optical relations.Like this, covering layer will keep secure bond preferably on the microballoon layer, and microballoon then will be stablized preferably and places polymer substrate, and all layers that light must reflex reflection passes through all should be transparent and and indeformable.In addition, then should to keep be continuously the indeformable layer that does not break or corrode to the minute surface reflecting element that is generally vapor deposition aluminium basically.The interface of wall and this specular layer should smoothly not have fold.Very little mistake all can cause the decline of substrate and any goods reflex reflection performance of using this substrate to make in these optical relations.Although extremely little not meeting may not can cause much luminance loss, variation slightly can have a strong impact on these accurate relations.Surprisingly, the retroreflection sheet that these precise optical relations of any use are made can both be stood the effect of vehicle repeated stock and shear stress, and also can stand as sunlight, rainfall, dust binder oil, the sandstone of paving the way, the synergy of road deicing salt and vehicle emission.

When light entered the embedded lens retroreflection sheet and passes through microballoon with high angle of incidence, it can focus on a side of microballoon, rather than focused on the rear portion of microballoon when light is injected with low angle of incidence in more vertical mode.Therefore, keeping correct between microballoon and reflecting layer is very important at interval.Known to the art technology practician, the thickness of space coat can partly be controlled with manufacture method.When wall is hemispherical, in other words, when the back side of wall and microballoon is concentric, just can obtain best spacing distance for various angle of incidence like this.United States Patent (USP) 4,505,967 (Bailey) have disclosed the embedded lens retroreflection sheet that is suitable at this, and have gone through the relation between the reflex reflection performance of the shape of wall and retroreflection sheet.3M SCOTCHLITE BrandReflective License Plate Sheeting No.3750 is an example of the commodity retroreflection sheet that can use in the present invention.

Covering layer is generally polymer, preferably answers printing opacity.It can be single or multiple lift, for example can comprise also that one is layered in the top film on the bottom.Aliphatic urethane is a top film material preferably, and reason is that they are transparent, bear dirty, pliability can be fitted with road surface well, can be bonding with inorganic antiskid particles, and when being subjected to the ultraviolet ray irradiation, generally can not fade.

In some cases, part marking material of the present invention, a part is selected exposed lens system for use, and other parts then are the closed lens with shape extension described herein.For example, this class pavement marker adhesive tape may comprise three longitudinal slices, and basic centre slice is closed lens system, and two lateral films are exposed.If need, exposed lens component can according to or the first of stretching out not according to shape and lower second portion construct.Under the condition of humidity, exposed lens reflex reflection system can not provide effective reflex reflection performance.Yet it is various required that an advantage of exposed lens system is that they can be made into, general more bright be shown color on true daytime.So that reach shown better contrast and during visibility on daytime, above-mentioned this situation is useful especially in the embodiment that is used for being applied on concrete or other lightweight road surface when the bright painted sign of needs.Although the used closed lens of the present invention can be made into many colors, they generally can demonstrate the tone of a grey under sunshine condition.And closed lens and exposed lens bind use altogether, just can reach the optimization of required each performance, thereby obtain required good on the whole performance.

If need, the reflecting layer of retroreflection sheet can be by silver, and pearlized paint material etc. are made, and so just can improve the integral color of sheet under sunshine condition.For example, with silver be the visibility that basic material generally can be applicable to the asphalt roads surface well.

III. the profile part of stretching out as mentioned above, having some in the retroreflection sheet is the cross section that profile is stretched out with respect to remainder.These profile extensions are because there is the more vertical surface of profile, so high retroreflective can be provided.At first, when goods being arranged in pavement marker or guard rail sign, the angle of incidence that enters the light of the first that profile stretches out is generally less than the angle of incidence that enters lower second portion.As a result, obtained effective reflex reflection.Secondly, the higher position of profile extension is convenient to allow the rainwater that the reflex reflection performance is reduced pour off.Once more, under the situation of pavement marker, the existence of observing the profile extension can improve the cohesive of retroreflection sheet and road surface.

The profile extension can obtain the means that the part of retroreflection sheet is raised with any.An example of this means is to use the configuration part.As shown in Figure 2, the profile extension can obtain by using the configuration part 19 that can raise retroreflection sheet 14 some parts.

The configuration part can be Any shape, as long as they can raise the some parts of retroreflection sheet.The conformality of configuration part and resulting product generally will be got well, be convenient to be applied to required base material such as road surface, guard rail surface etc. above.Being permitted various configuration parts all is the suitable configuration part of the present invention.

For example, on its one side, have a flat sheet that is generally of arranging (for example, cube, hemispherical, parallel ridged, crossing ridged etc.) ledge of suitable shape and be fit to do the configuration part.In some embodiments, the configuration part is the net weaved into of line or even is exactly several rows of disjunct line simply.When each component assembling of goods, the part that these lines just stretch out profile has played the shaping effect, and the perforate between online is then limiting lower second portion.The net that interconnective line constitutes is generally better, and reason is to handle than being easier to.

First and the lower second portion of selecting the configuration part that profile is stretched out have required shape.For example, the profile extension can be rectangle, rhombus, hexagon, shaped form, circle, shapes such as sinusoidal wave peak shape (for example be parallel to each other or mutually intersect).The shape of the first of stretching out according to profile can be spaced-apart substantially or crossing between each lower second portion.

The configuration part is generally polymer.The example of polymeric material comprises polyurethane and polyolefinic copolymer, and for example the copolymer of polyethylene and acid has the EMAA or the EAA of ethylene methacrylic acid copolymer (EMAA), ethylene acrylic acid co polymer (EAA), ionomer.

Can obtain the profile extension by any position that the configuration part is laminated to below the retroreflection sheet.Be preferably, the configuration part placed retroreflection sheet and material of the present invention is adhered between the adhesive phase on the required base material (for example highway) Anywhere.Adhesive phase should be flat basically because flat adhesive phase can for the sign and base material between contact more surface area is provided, thereby the sign and base material between bonding more durable.

Other parts of goods all should have enough conformalitys, so that obtain the cross section that the required profile of closed retroreflection sheet is stretched out.Preferably, used configuration part should be able to itself be adhered on the conformal layer (if existence), thinks just can obtain more durable final products like this.Except playing effect described herein, the configuration layer can also resemble United States Patent (USP) 4,146, and the coarse cloth that discloses among 635 (Eigenmann) and 4,299,874 people such as () Jones equally makes the mechanical performance of pavement marking material be improved.If need, the suitable material of individual layer just can not only play the configuration part but also play conformal layer.

In an embodiment that exemplifies, the connection of the various piece that profile is stretched out can make that lower second portion is a rectangular shape, for example when the configuration part is the form of rectangle net.In this embodiment, if during the direction that a pair of relative edge that marking material is lined up these rectangles is almost driven towards perpendicular to automobile as far as possible, then generally can obtain reflex reflection brightness preferably.And, then will obtain relatively poor reflex reflection brightness if when material lined up direction that automobile drives towards and be parallel to diagonal by the rectangle relative angle.If need, the profile extension can be curve shape, and for example Die Jia sinusoidal wave peak shape so just can provide reflex reflection effect uniformly in the direct of travel scope widely one.

In some embodiment, some part that profile is stretched out the zone is higher than remainder.For example, in above-mentioned rectangle embodiment, can swell perpendicular to the profile extension of main travel direction and to exceed the profile extension that is parallel to travel direction.Like this, higher profile extension provides effectively reflex reflection performance with regard to can be the vehicle that drives towards, and lower profile extension then can allow rainwater (if having) pour off.

No matter the shape of selected profile extension how, to consider the distance between these parts during the height of selection profile extension.For example, along drive towards profile on the vehicle direction of visual lines stretch out each several part should at a distance of enough far away, farthest to reduce shade.Distance between the profile extension (being the width of second portion) is at least 3 mm wides preferably.The top of the first of closed lens retroreflection sheet generally be raised to exceed closed lens retroreflection sheet second than at least 0.1 millimeter of lower part, about preferably 1-4 millimeter.The distance that profile is stretched out between the each several part can be nearer, and to reflex reflection brightness and do not make significant difference, but this can make required configuration number of packages amount more than its optimum amount.Equally, also can use profile far away to stretch out interval between the each several part, but this can cause the reduction of brightness in the nearer visual field.Yet, be impregnable in brightness than the long sight Yezhong.Be meant shorter, for example about 30 meters distance of distance between vehicle and the material of the present invention in this used " nearer visual field "." than the long sight open country " is meant longer, for example about 120 meters distance of distance between vehicle and the material of the present invention.Art technology practician can select and design the suitable profile of stretching out by the present invention.

In some cases, the section that stretches out of required profile can by will be flat basically but the high retroreflective marking material of conformality be applied on the road surface with abundant profile profile and obtain.Complete reflecting material is preferably closed lens reflex reflection system.With regard to known to regard to, closed lens retroreflection sheet did not before use by this way.This sign should have above-mentioned size, and has at least 0.1 millimeters of vertical difference in height preferably between first and second parts of reflecting material.If vertical height difference is too little, then the favourable reflex reflection result of the present invention can't reach gratifying degree.

In the embodiment of a pavement marker that typically the track work is indicated, the wide about 7.5-30 of material of the present invention centimetre (3-12 inch) grows to few 30 centimetres (12 inches).Usually, pavement marker is much longer.Marking material of the present invention is made generally in to meet the size of standard material.In the U.S., the pavement marker adhesive tape generally is about 4,6 or 8 inches wide.In Europe, the pavement marker adhesive tape generally is about 15 or 30 centimetres wide.

IV. manufacture method

A kind of method of the present invention comprises: (1) provides the closed lens retroreflection sheet that contains covering layer and individual layer retroreflective elements; (2) conformal layer is applied on the bottom surface of described retroreflection sheet; (3) be pressed onto on the described conformal layer configuration is stacked, the first of wherein said individual layer is being arranged in the section that profile is stretched out, and the second portion of described individual layer is arranged in the lower position that is essentially the plane.

In a typical manufacture method, conformal layer also can at first can be applied to the configuration part on the retroreflection sheet.For example, in one embodiment, (for example 3M SCOTCHLITE BrandRetroreflective License Plate Sheeting No.3750) is applied on the aluminium conformal layer with retroreflection sheet, subsequently configuration part (for example net) lamination got on, and obtains material of the present invention.Perhaps, earlier the configuration part is applied on the retroreflection sheet, laminates conformal layer subsequently.As shown in Figure 4, be that configuration part 19 is applied on the retroreflection sheet 14, apply conformal layer 22 and or adoptable adhesive phase 24 subsequently again.

In general, be maybe can adopt optional adhesive phase to be applied on the goods of the present invention, then be applied to again on the required base material (for example road).Like this, the configuration part can be arranged in any layer below the retroreflection sheet, as long as it can produce required shape.Because the purpose of configuration part is to make some part of retroreflection sheet have outwardly directed shape, thereby the position of its placement can become with manufacture process is convenient.

In another kind of manufacture method, this method comprises: (1) provides the closed lens retroreflection sheet that contains covering layer and individual layer retroreflective elements, the first of wherein said individual layer is arranged in the cross section that profile is stretched out, and the second portion of described individual layer is arranged in the lower position that is essentially the plane, and the part that stretch out profile with a kind of packing material (2) is carried out the back side and filled.Profile stretch out the cross section can many kinds of methods form.In one embodiment, retroreflection sheet is flocked together by several parts.In another embodiment, retroreflection sheet is sent into knurling rolls, form the cross section that profile is stretched out.With if closed lens be laminated on the preformed configuration layer compare, when forming the profile extension by this way, the defect in the reflex reflection composite member is generally less.This defect will cause the reflex reflection brightness of sheet or globality to reduce.

When forming the section of these shapes, can go up at the back side of retroreflection sheet (being unreflecting that surface) and form hole or depression.These holes should be filled to keep the stability on the size with certain material that can encase described shape.This back side packing material should be that conformality is good, and making the material of the present invention of gained is pliable and tough when keeping described shaped cross, and conformality is good.For example, can use polymer film; It can be heated and flow in these structural regions.

Goods of the present invention can use one deck protective coating to protect.This coating has can provide the advantage wear-resisting and/or performance that bears dirty.The example of protective coating includes but is not limited to ceramic coating (ceramer coatings) or crosslinked water-based polyurethane coating.

Be meant that at this used " ceramic coating " surface is dispersed in the dispersion liquid of the organic liquid formation of free redical polymerization through the colloidal silica particles of modification.The advantage of this coating comprises the effect that can stand outdoor environment, has excellent water-fast, fast light and heat-resisting performance; Abrasion resistance; Chemical attack and pigmentation that ability causes owing to automobile engine oil and carbon black (for example carbon black of tire); Required optical property is as the transparency; Has good cohesive with refracting element; And good pliability.In the first step, the ceramic precursor coating composition is applied on the surface of Retroflective article, comprise the top surface of refracting element preferably and be not refracted the substrate sections that element covers.Coating composition comprises the ethylenically unsaturated monomer of the about 80 weight % of about 20 weight %-; The cataloid of the acrylate functional of about 10 weight %-about 50%; The N of the about 40 weight % of about 5 weight %-, N-two substituted acrylamide monomers or N-replacement-N-vinyl-amide monomer; The percetage by weight that it is benchmark that wherein said percentage is in described coating gross weight.Then said composition is solidified make have abrasion resistance, the Retroflective article of light transparent ceramic coating.Ceramic composition can apply with any method that comprises spraying, roller coat, dip-coating or blade coating known in the prior art.The assignee does not authorize U.S. Patent application 08/444076 (in application on May 19 nineteen ninety-five, its full content is this for referencial use quoting) and has disclosed use pottery on pavement marker and retroreflection sheet.

Be applicable to an example of crosslinked water-based polyurethane protective coating of the present invention, be with trade mark be the crosslinked trade mark of crosslinking agent of CX100 be NEOREZ R-960 polyurethane resin (both is available from ICI Resins, Wilmington, Massachusetts).Known to the art technology practician, other aqueous based systems and crosslinking agent also can be used for making protective coating.

V. colorant

Many methods all can be used for colorant is added in some part of Retroflective article.In the application of pavement marker, the example of needed colorant comprises white, yellow, red and blue colorant.On demand, colorant can be printing opacity or lighttight.

In general, if colorant is positioned at optical path, then it is good with printing opacity, makes the reflex reflection performance not have undesirable decline.Yet what should understand is, in some cases, when needs provide some other effects (for example more bright color or outward appearance), can use lighttight colorant at certain position, and this can will reduce reflex reflection brightness.

The printing opacity colorant can improve the color of goods day and night of the present invention.In pavement marker application and other application, the difference that the driver can discern (for example between yellow and the white marker) between the painted sign is very important.A kind of method that obtains the color at night is that the printing opacity coloured material is placed in the optical path.

In one approach, use painted retroreflection sheet to obtain color.In Fig. 2, retroreflection sheet 14 can be made into has required color (for example yellow).In the cube corner matrix of encapsulated type lens, cube corner itself is painted.Another kind method is to use the painted teleblem of printing opacity.For example, goods of the present invention can be made into yellow, redness or the blue painted teleblem with printing opacity.Perhaps, can use conventional method that the dyed layer of printing opacity is applied on the retroreflection sheet, and then colourless teleblem is applied on this painted retroreflection sheet.This method is because be to cover dyed layer, so the good advantage of durability is arranged.Also can use the many layer color layers that constitute certain pattern, be used for forming required symbol or legend.

Opaque is mainly used in the color on daytime that improves goods of the present invention, and it is to be placed on outside the optical path preferably, or is used for the limited position that the path of light is selected at the most, in order to avoid that the reflex reflection performance reduces is too many.Like this, by adding opaque, can make owing to the aluminium reflecting layer causes originally becoming required color for the closed lens retroreflection sheet of grey.For example, a kind of manufacturing is the method for goods in vain, just need add the particle of White-opalescent in retroreflection sheet.Although these particles can not carry out retrodirective reflection to incident light, as long as a small amount of the use will be improved the whiteness of sheet.For example, the above-mentioned resin particle that is added with Chinese white can be applied to the top of closed lens, preferably only be applied to basically profile stretch out between the each several part than on the lower part, just can protect than the reflex reflection part that becomes clear.

If need, opaque coloured layer can be transferred on the some parts through selecting of goods of the present invention.For example, the method for making coloured Retroflective article may further comprise the steps: (1) provides the closed lens retroreflection sheet that comprises covering layer and individual layer retroreflective elements; (2) conformal layer is applied on the bottom site surface of retroreflection sheet; (3) the configuration part is laminated on the conformal layer, obtains the part that profile is stretched out section; (4) these profile extensions are gone the embossing operation, obtain more flat upper surface; (5) dyed layer is applied on the upper surface; (6) retroreflection sheet is carried out embossing again, make the profile extension occur from retroreflection sheet once more.

Be meant the operation opposite this used " going embossing ", even one has the surface of configuration to become more smooth with embossing.With originally from the upper face of retroreflection sheet be the profile extension that stretches out to pressing down, they are flushed to a certain extent with the surface of retroreflection sheet.A kind of method of going embossing is to have the Rectroreflective sheet of profile extension by a cover roller.For example, the surface that has the profile extension contacts with a steel rider, and basal surface is contacted with the rubber rollers that can be out of shape under pressure.Exert pressure, with part that profile is stretched out to pressing down.After going embossing like this, not necessarily need the upper face of sheet smooth fully.There are some configurations to allow on the surface.After going embossing, dyed layer is applied to the top part of retroreflection sheet with any method easily, comprise antiskid particles part (if the words that have) above.

The composition of dyed layer should be able to anti-solvent, vehicular traffic wearing and tearing and action of ultraviolet ray.The trade mark that an example of colourant solution comprises 78 weight % is that the water-based polyurethane resin of NEOREZ R960 is (from ZenecaResins, Wilmington, Massachusetts), the trade mark of 19 weight % is that the titanium oxide dispersion of WW3000 is (from Heucotech Ltd., Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania) and the CX100 crosslinking agent of 3 weight % (from Zeneca Resins, Wilmington, Massachusetts).Known to the art technology practician, also can use other dyed layer composition.

If need, the colorant combination of light tight and printing opacity can be got up use.Like this, goods just have effective day and night color.Like this, the combination of the coloring system of any above-mentioned light tight and printing opacity can be used.Can make a kind of like this sign, it comprises some first fragments that the profile with closed lens described herein is stretched out first and hanged down second portion, comprises it being some second fragments of conventional exposed lens material again.By the present invention, first fragment provides bright reflex reflection performance under the condition of doing and wetting.The prescription of second segment materials then is not difficult to provide bright color on daytime.For example, (second fragment of two exposed lens materials of routine outside to contain three vertical fragments, first fragment of a closed lens material is in inside) the adhesive tape marking material color that is effective contrast with the road surface can be provided by day, bright reflex reflection performance thereby the effect that has all improved safety and channel traffic in one day all time were provided at night.

VII. antiskid particles

Antiskid particles is the usual component of many pavement marking articles, is used to improve the cling property of pavement marker, and it is extensive use of in the art.Antiskid particles can be placed on the contacted product surface of vehicle tyre Anywhere.

In general, antiskid particles can be when taking advantage of covering layer and be soft state randomly on the covering layer of dispenser at retroreflection sheet.Have found that antiskid particles preferably is deposited on the top of approaching the profile extension.For example, containing the retroreflection sheet of profile extension can be with the coating that coincide of a kind of adhesive composition.Identical coating is meant a kind of painting method that composition only is coated on request the top of profile extension; It is to allow " coincide " top of profile extension of solution.This process is performed such, and controls the gap between two applicator rolls and maintains the retroreflection sheet of " being coincide ", makes and has only the top of its profile extension to contact with coating composition.When said composition is still humidity, with a large amount of antiskid particles dispensers on sheet.Because the remainder on the sheet is done, particle only is bonded on the wet area of sheet.Unnecessary antiskid particles then shakes from sheet and falls.Make sheet pass through a series of baking oven subsequently, make the adhesive composition dry solidification.As a result, antiskid particles just is fixed on the top area of the profile extension on the sheet, thereby non-skid property is provided.

VIII. use

Retroflective article of the present invention can obtain favourable application on many different purposes, especially with the state of humidity, and when only with high angle of incidence incident.These goods can be suitable for well and make pavement marker or alignment target.Because when high and low angle of incidence very high retroreflective is arranged all, these goods also can be applicable to vertical purposes well, for example use on cattle pen or guard rail; Be applicable to curved surface such as tubular, the traffic sign of tubular and taper; Be applicable to surface of vehicle; And be applicable to that other unusual effective incident angle of working as goods is in the advantageous use.For example, many embodiments of sheet of the present invention can provide effective retroreflective from 0 ° near all ranges of incidence angles of 90 °.As a result, when retroreflection sheet is wrapped in certain object (for example telephone pole or tube) when going up, in visual line of sight, it is that the product surface part of curved orientation all can provide effective reflex reflection performance that the whole surface of sheet comprises for the observer.This has just increased effective reflex reflection zone, provides observability better sign, thereby has improved safety.In addition, with a unique identification for example colored belt be contained in guard rail, on cattle pen or the wall, and they are to be parallel to article one road and during perpendicular to second road (described second road on one side of article one road relative with the second road with article one road intersect), this sign provides observable very bright and effectively reflex reflection response with regard to the vehicle driver who can be on article one and second road.

Another advantage of the present invention is that this Retroflective article all is visible in any direction, reason be no matter the observer near the direction of goods how, its reflectivity all is very high.This comprehensive feature makes the present invention be particularly well suited to vehicle may be from the approaching alignment target purposes of many angles, crossing sign etc.

This painted being very easy to also makes it be specially adapted to alignment target.The mode of transparent color layers with a kind of pattern can be applied on the sheet, make the design and color of reflex reflection light and daytime see much at one.If with printing ink be applied to teleblem below, make it be protected the wearing and tearing of avoiding on the road surface, this is just good especially.This feature is a particular importance, and reason is that the printing ink of using always is very thin, if let alone to be exposed on the road surface, can promptly be worn away by road traffic.

Material of the present invention can be through twining rolling.The part that its profile is stretched out can't be to being wound with influence.

IX. the following illustrative embodiment of embodiment will further be explained the present invention, but they are to the present invention and indefinite effect.The hygrometric state retroreflective

Utilize LTL 2000 (available from Delta Light﹠amp; Optics, Lyngly Dnmark), measures reflex reflection brightness with the view angle of 88.76 ° angle of incidence and 1.05 °, measures the hygrometric state retroreflective of reflector plate thus.The driver of such angle initialization and plain edition automobile during apart from 30 meters of reflectivity pavement markers the situation of experience similar.Earlier reflector plate is lain in a horizontal plane in the test section, wash with the polymer solution in water of 0.1wt%AJAX board laundry soap then.Appoint solution to flow to end the back and in 10 seconds, measure brightness.Adding soap in water is in order to improve the wettability on sheet surface.Soap simulated reflections pavement marker suffered influence after a period of time of drenching with rain on the road preferably, this moment, pavement marker improved wettability because of the friction of Exposure to Sunlight, sandstone and the accumulation of dust and dirt.

The mensuration of reflex reflection brightness

Measured the reflex reflection brightness of some samples according to ASTM D 4061-94.Use the geometrical arrangements of the original defined of ASTM E 808-94.Show that angle (presentation angle) is held constant at 0 degree; The angle of orientation remains-180 degree.

According to the driver of one one 1989 type Pontiac Bonneville automobile in angle of incidence and view angle corresponding to 4 kinds of different observed ranges, measured some samples with milli may/rice 2/ lux is the reflex reflection brightness of unit, i.e. the coefficients R L of reflex reflection brightness:

Apart from the angle of incidence view angle

30m?????88.5°??????????1.0°

50m?????89.3°??????????0.6°

80m?????89.6°??????????0.4°

120m????89.7°??????????0.25°

Colour measurement

CAPY is a kind of colorimetric measurement of retroreflection sheet whiteness.Use Hunter spectrophotometer (available from Hunter MiniScan XE) to measure CAP Y value according to ASTM E 97-77.

Skid resistance is measured

Skid resistance is tire tendentious the measuring of skidding on retroreflection sheet.Measure this skid resistance according to ASTM E 303.

Embodiment 1

Be prepared as follows the embedded lens Retroflective article.Use single multiple screw extruder and a sheeting die, under common extrusion process condition with thermoplastic aliphatic polyester polyurethane resin (MORTHANE board PN 3429-215, available from Morton International Inc.) extrusion molding on 60 microns (2.4 Mill) thick biaxial orientation PET (PET) slide glass, obtain 50 microns (2 Mill) thick polyurethane films.Then this film and the positive heat that scribbles the high angle retroreflection sheet 3M SCOTCHLITE board Reflective License PlateSheeting No.3750 (3750 retroreflection sheet) of primer are laminated, make it the thermometal roller of a rubber roller and 150 ℃ (300 °F) between pass through with the speed of 19 kgfs/centimetre wide pressure and 6.1 meters/minute (20 feet per minute clocks) this moment, and its back side has and covered the pressure-sensitive adhesive that can divest lining.With K.J.Quinn ﹠amp; Company, Inc. Q-THANE board QI4820 polyurethane solutions is diluted to intaglio printing viscosity, utilize the woodburytype primary coat on 3750, then with the speed of 9.1m/min (30 feet per minute clock) by carrying out drying in a series of baking ovens that are heated to 66 ℃ to 121 ℃ (150 to 250).

With the PET slide glass with can divest lining and remove.At room temperature go up exposed adhesive layer and 75 microns (3 Mill) aluminium foils (No.1145-0 monovolume aluminium foil is available from A.J.Oster Foils Inc.) with 3750 and laminate stacked casting die with pressure roll.

Speed with 3 meters/minute (10 feet per minute clocks), be 70 at Xiao A hardness, pressure is 2050 kilograms pressure rubber roller and 24 inches of diameters, is heated between the metal hot-rolling of 140 ℃ (280) and passes through, thus with a plastic wire (product E 1564, it is believed that it is ethylene methacrylic acid copolymer (EMAA), available from DuPontCanada) stack with the aluminium foil surface of above-mentioned composite sheet.The polyurethane surface that laminates part contacts with rubber rollers, and the PET lining then contacts with metallic roll, and net is positioned at the centre.This net is that heat-so rial is made, and has good cohesive with metal, and has diamond check, i.e. 10 millimeters square perforate, the about 0.7-0.8 millimeter of diameter of online line, the size of line junction are about the 1.05-1.1 millimeter.Under this processing conditions, composite sheet is embossed with and nets identical decorative pattern, at this moment the back side close adhesion of net and aluminium foil.After removing the PET lining from composite sheet, can observe net and aluminium foil and have smooth surface, this show net effectively backfill the embossing decorative pattern.

At last, be coated with the pressure-sensitive adhesive of one deck rubber-based at the back side of composite sheet (on aluminium foil/net surface), then the goods that form adhered on the aluminium sheet.

Embodiment 2

Utilize following condition to make Retroflective article.

A. extrusion molding top film

Polyurethane resin (MORTHANE board L425.91 particulate resin is available from Morton InternationalInc.) in dehumidifying heat pump in 54 ℃ of dryings 18 hours.Resin is extruded from 24: 1 single multiple screw extruders of 31.75 millimeters with the speed of 80RPM.Be specially and utilize general coating tech, this melt is lived die lip sheeting die squeezing and coating on 0.06 millimeter PET (PET) film by one.Regulate the speed of drawing of casting wheel, obtain thin film, this film is extremely wide 0.317 meter through deburring again, the coating of 0.1 millimeters thick of having an appointment on it.Roll this film stand-by.

B. the preparation of retroreflection sheet and conformal layer

(QC4820 is available from K.J.Quinn ﹠amp with aliphatic urethane solution; Co.) primary coat 3M SCOTCHLITE board Reflective License Plate Sheeting No.3750.50/50 mixed liquor with isopropyl alcohol and toluene is diluted to 200 centipoises (cps) viscosity with this QC4820 solution earlier.Use general intaglio printing art then, with 150 lines quadrangles intaglio printing post this weak solution is coated on 3750 the top surface, and be set in 5 baking ovens of 65 ℃/79 ℃/93 ℃/107 ℃/121 ℃ with 30.5 meters/minute speed respectively by each long 7.6 meters, temperature and carry out drying, roll stand-by then.

Laminating operation by heat stacks 3750 top film that partly prepare with B of primary coat.Concrete operations are that the top polyurethane layer film volume with PET lining launches, and are by (PCT lining and hot jacket socket joint touch) in surface temperature on the hot jacket tube of 0.61 meter of 149 ℃, diameter with it.Top polyurethane layer film with PET lining is that 1/4th the length of boundary of the pressure rubber roller of 0.2m is contacting on the hot jacket tube with the diameter, utilizes this pressure rubber roller then, stacks with 3750 film surfaces of 1300 kilograms pressure with polyurethane film and lining and primary coat.The Xiao A hardness of rubber rollers is 55.The width of hot jacket tube and pressure roll is 0.46 meter.3750 of primary coat are wide 0.311 meter, and top film is wide 0.317 meter.Roller rotates with 9.1 meters/minute face velocity.After laminating, order is equivalent to half the part that laminates of pressure roll girth and stops on the hot jacket tube, is transferred on the water cooled rolls then.In lamination process, divest the PET lining online.Roll the composite sheet that forms stand-by.

After this, launch this and laminate part and as described below and aluminium foil (the No1145-0 monovolume aluminium foil of A.J.Oster Fiols Inc.) 0.076 millimeter stack.Use identical hot jacket tube and pressure roll at this, different operating under the room temperature carried out.Order laminates part and the hot jacket socket joint touches.Specifically, top polyurethane layer film and hot jacket socket joint touch, and 3750 expose.The lining that divests on 3750 exposes adhesive layer.Aluminium foil and bonding adhesive are laminated.This operation obtains the composite sheet that is made of top film, retroreflection sheet and aluminium foil.

C. the adding of antiskid particles

Launch composite sheet, by above-mentioned 5 baking ovens.Oven temperature is 232/232/232/232/232 (be ℃).Web speed is set at 12.2 meters/minute.Behind first baking oven, sheet material enters the zone between first and second baking ovens, and at this, anti-skidding ceramic particle is with 16.7g/m ²Speed be sprinkling upon heat sheet material on.Because sheet material is hot, top film is again soft, and therefore antiskid particles slightly adheres with the surface.Sheet material enters baking oven after this at once then, continues to be heated, and this moment, antiskid particles combined with the top film of softening more firmly because of gravity and capillary force.Close the 5th baking oven, make sheet cools, roll preservation then.The product that forms is the sheet through anti-skidding coating.

D. configuration spare laminates

Launch the sheet through anti-skidding coating of joint C preparation, laminate, just this sheet has been carried out embossing thus and the back of the body is filled out, become to have the three-dimensional plate that profile is stretched out the cross section with EAA (ethylene acrylic acid co polymer) net.(Texas) (Tensar Polytechnologies Inc., Atlanta Georgia) make the EAA net with the EAA net for Dow Chemical, Freeport with the Primacor EAA resin of the copolymer that is considered to 6.5% acidity.Net is made rectangular opening, thick about 1.25 millimeters of horizontal line, thick about 0.35 millimeter of vertical line, the line junction is thick about 2 millimeters anyhow.The spacing of horizontal line is about 6.5 millimeters.About 20 millimeters of vertical line spacing.

What the use hot jacket tube laminating apparatus identical with the B joint netted laminates.The three-layer network material is launched, overlap together in the following gap between hot jacket tube and pressure roll: the PET protective film that (1) launches 0.025 millimeters thick, touch with the hot jacket socket joint; (2) launch that sheet through the antiskid particles coating contacts with pressure roll and its aluminium foil surface exposes; (3) launching the EAA net places between the above-mentioned two layers of material.Careful operation can not be heated before the sheet of antiskid particles coating and EAA net are entering interstitial area guaranteeing.If the EAA net is heated on pressure roll because of carelessness, it can melt when entering the gap and flatten; The result can't form the part that profile is stretched out on the sheet of antiskid particles coating.

In hot lamination process, have only the EAA net and the aluminium foil surface of the sheet that applies through antiskid particles to laminate, embossing goes out the cross section that profile is stretched out on sheet thus.The PET film plays a part diaphragm, prevents that promptly EAA net and hot jacket tube are bonding.In case after being laminated in the gap, the trilaminate material that is equivalent to hot jacket tube diameter 1/2nd remains on higher temperature.The hot jacket tube rotates with the face velocity of about 3.7m/min.Its surface temperature is 152 ℃.Pressure on the rubber rollers is 2050 kilograms.

After leaving the hot jacket tube, three stacked coarctate sheet materials contact with water cooled rolls, contact with roller with the one side of PET sheet material.After the cooling, remove PET earlier, then the Retroflective article of making is rolled preservation.

After this, with Retroflective article be usually used in laminating with the bonding rubber based adhesives of pitch and cement pavement.With this be that the goods at the back side are bonded on the road surface with the rubber based adhesives, find that they can both carry out reflex reflection well under dry and wet condition.

Embodiment 3

In conjunction with following modification, prepare coloured Retroflective article according to embodiment 2.In top film, add the yellow transparent dyestuff.Prepare coloured bead, when the extrusion molding top film, be used to make coloured top film then.

Use is mixed and made into coloured bead with the Bitruder that 450RPM corotation commentaries on classics mode operates.Specifically be by the extrusion molding wire vent of filate die head elder generation, in water, cool off.Dry up unnecessary water after silk taken out from water-bath.Silk is made bead in Conair 304 type marble forming machines.The prescription of bead is the L425.91 resin of 99.135 parts by weight, 0.85 parts by weight Amaplast GHS is (available from Colorchem International, AtalantaGeorgia) and 0.015 parts by weight Amaplast LB red (equally available from Colorchem International, Atalanta Georgia).The extrusion molding of coloured top film is identical with the A joint of embodiment 2.But because use is coloured bead, the top film of formation has reddish yellow, has the good transparency simultaneously.All the other steps are all identical with embodiment 2, and the yellow Retroflective article of formation demonstrates very dark yellow by day, and all have good reflex reflection color under the drying at night and wet condition.

Embodiment 4

According to the coloured Retroflective article of embodiment 2 preparations, different is the adhesive layer that does not laminate rubber-based on the aluminium foil conformal layer.According to following steps this centre Retroflective article is added colorant then.

After net being laminated up by the D joint, at room temperature remove the embossing of the first of goods with the hot jacket letter, become flat surface.The sheet that will have the profile extension is placed on the hot jacket tube, but contacts with sleeve with the surface through the antiskid particles coating of its profile extension, by pressure roll, removes embossing thus.In this mechanism, the antiskid particles of profile extension all is pressed into aluminium foil, and aluminium foil is because can deformation against the rubber rollers of softness.The speed of service is 6.1m/ minute.The pressure of pressure roll is 2310 kilograms.After removing embossing, sheet material is rolled preservation.

To roll up expansion again, with the gravure roll of 100 lines White-opalescent gravure printing ink stamp.The speed of sheet material is 12.2m/min.Dry in sheet material behind the wet seal is 65/79/93/107/121 in temperature 5 baking ovens of (be ℃).For sheet material is further gone embossing, and printing ink is coated in zone between surperficial first (recessed portion of Stereogram originally and evener branch) and the antiskid particles, uses to be higher than the used gap roll-in of intaglio printing commonly used.Pressure roll herein has about 70 Xiao A hardness, and pressure is about 740 kilograms (using 0.317 meter wide pressure roll).

Ink composite comprises 78wt%NEOREZ board R960 (available from Zeneca Resins, Wilmington, Mass.), 19wt%WW3000 white concentrates pigment (available from Heucotech Ltd., Fairless Hills is Pennsylvania) with 3wt%CX1000 crosslinking agent (equally available from Zeneca).After coating and the drying, again sheet material is rolled preservation.

To roll up expansion again, and use the technology identical with removing embossing to sheet material embossing again, different is that current aluminium surface with sheet material is attached on the hot jacket tube, and does not touch with the hot jacket socket joint through the surface of embossing/anti-skidding coating.When coiled material when the pressure roll, the aluminium surface is flattened again, and the embossing and presenting again of profile extension.According to observation, printing ink has applied the smooth zone of on-chip major part between the top of the top part, all slip-proof elements of all profile extensions and slip-proof element and the profile extension.But, the side of profile extension, printing ink is not coated (because they are pressed in the aluminium foil), has kept most reflex reflection effect in the whiteness in the daytime at the raising film thus.

Comparative Example A An

With commercially available 3M SCOTCHLANE board No.620 pavement marker (available from 3M Company, St.Paul, Minnesota) as a comparison.It is smooth, exposed lens, removable mark adhesive tape, and it comprises (1) and is added with TiO ₂The adhesive phase of pigment, microballoon and antiskid particles are embedded in wherein, and remove and the formation of pressure-sensitive adhesive layer of band coarse cloth from the road surface in order to be easy to (2) aluminium foil conformal layer and (3).

Comparative Examples B

With commercially available 3M STAMARK board No.380 pavement marker (available from 3M Company, St.Paul, Minnesota) as a comparison.It is the special-shaped serviceable indicia adhesive tape in surface, it comprises the rubber conformal layer of (1) acrylonitrile group, its surface has been embossed with the shape with many cone tables, and (2) have embedded refraction coefficient at the vertical component of cone table is 1.75 microballoon and (3) and the bonding formation of pressure-sensitive adhesive layer in road surface.

Table 1

Embodiment	Retroreflective, R L				Retroreflective, R L		Color	Skid resistance
									Numbering	According to ASTM D 4061-94				????LTL?2000		?Cap?Y
	30 meters	50 meters	80 meters	120 meters	Do	Wet
								????2	????1521	????1731	????1664	????901	????1489	????1110	????49	????60
????3	????1038	????1150	????894	????460	????1095	????870	????30										????57
								????4	????1113	????1049	????712	????222	????1160	????910	????38	????53
????A	????949	????976	????988	????582	????930	????60	????85										????58
								????B	????763	????902	????1020	????1042	????835	????110	????75	????45

Nomenclature

This paper has used to give a definition:

" reference axis " is for inciding the normal direction line of the point of Retroflective article by light.

" incident axle " is the axle that light path determined of the incident light of incidence point from light source (as the headlight of automobile) directive goods.

" angle of incidence " (also note is made β sometimes) is the angle between reference axis and the incident axle.

" observe axle " and be the axle that catoptrical light path determined of incidence point from goods to point of observation (as driver's eyes) reflection.

" view angle " (note is made α sometimes) is the angle between incident axle and the observation axle.

" plane of incidence " is the plane of being determined by reference axis and incident axle.

" viewing plane " is by observing the plane that axle and incident axle are determined.

" surround the lens retroreflection sheet " and comprise an individual layer retroreflective elements; has its positive top film of protection on it; the microballoon with reflecting layer of an individual layer and its back side optical correlation for example; every with a wall, also comprise the covering layer (element embeds or do not embed wherein) in one deck protection retroreflective elements front if having time.

" embedded lens retroreflection sheet " comprises the microballoon with wall and reflecting layer and one deck covering layer of an individual layer and its back side optical correlation, and the front of microballoon is embedded in this covering layer.The example of one cube of type embedded lens retroreflection sheet comprises the many parts that are cube--corner of an individual layer, being embedded in the polymer substrate of these parts with reverse side, also comprise one deck retroreflective layer, it is coated on the surface of these cube--corner parts with minute surface coating process or metallization.

" encapsulated type lens retroreflection sheet " comprises the retroreflective elements of an individual layer and its back side optical correlation, the microballoon of a single belt reflection unit for example, with at its positive one deck covering layer, the element that perhaps comprises one deck cube--corner, one covering layer involution is arranged on its rear surface, an air interface is provided, and has had one deck specular reflective metal layers on the element surface of cube corner shape.

" high angle of incidence light " refers to become between this light and the vertical line the above angle of 80 degree, and usually between 86 to 90 degree, for example automobile headlamp illuminates the light that road surface or the setting obstruction parallel with the road surface for example form during the Jersey obstruction.

For a person skilled in the art, under the prerequisite that does not deviate from the scope of the invention and spirit, many modifications and change are conspicuous.

Claims (33)

1. reflecting material, at its top surface a closed lens retroreflection sheet is arranged, this reflector plate contains the retroreflective elements of a covering layer and an individual layer, some firsts of described individual layer are arranged in the section that profile is stretched out, and some second portions of described individual layer are arranged on the lower position that is essentially the plane, and described material comprises many described firsts and described second portion.

2. material as claimed in claim 1, wherein said retroreflection sheet are at least a that is selected from embedded lens retroreflection sheet and the encapsulated type lens retroreflection sheet.

3. material as claimed in claim 1, when the angle of incidence that is higher than 85 °, the reflex reflection brightness of described material is higher than the reflex reflection brightness of the described material that does not contain described first.

4. material as claimed in claim 1, it also has antiskid particles on its front surface.

5. material as claimed in claim 1, wherein said retroreflection sheet is an embedded lens retroreflection sheet, this sheet comprises a single-layer and transparent microballoon, one deck covering layer and is positioned at the reflection unit of the associated of described microballoon back, and the front surface of described microballoon is embedded in the described covering layer.

6. material as claimed in claim 1, wherein said retroreflection sheet comprise an individual layer cube--corner elements.

7. material as claimed in claim 1, it also comprises an exposed lens retroreflection sheet.

8. material as claimed in claim 1, it also comprises colorant in one deck at least of a described covering layer and a layer above the described covering layer.

9. material as claimed in claim 1, it comprises that also one deck contains the discontinuity layer of colorant, this layer is covered with the top of at least some described firsts and some described second portions.

10. material as claimed in claim 1, it also comprises the configuration layer.

11. material as claimed in claim 10, wherein said closed lens retroreflection sheet and described configuration layer are common the extension basically.

12. material as claimed in claim 10, wherein said closed lens retroreflection sheet and described configuration layer are not common the extensions.

13. material as claimed in claim 1, the top of wherein said first exceeds at least 0.1 millimeter of described second portion.

14. material as claimed in claim 1, the top of wherein said first exceed the about 1-4 millimeter of described second portion.

15. material as claimed in claim 1, the width of wherein said second portion are at least 3 millimeters.

16. material as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first is the form of projection.

17. material as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first is the form of strip.

18. material as claimed in claim 17, wherein said is straight basically.

19. material as claimed in claim 17, wherein said the form with sine-wave superimposed arranged.

20. material as claimed in claim 17, wherein said the form with the interference networks shape arranged.

21. material as claimed in claim 1 also has the layer of adhesive layer on its basal surface.

22. material as claimed in claim 1, described material have the one deck at least in conformal layer and the coarse cloth layer below its described top main surfaces.

23. material as claimed in claim 1, wherein said closed lens retroreflection sheet has covered whole described top surfaces basically.

24. material as claimed in claim 1, the width of wherein said sign is about 7.5-15 centimetre, and length is greater than 30 centimetres.

25. a road surface, it indicates with the described material of claim 1.

26. road as claimed in claim 25, wherein the profile extension is limited by the surface of described road.

27. material as claimed in claim 1, for constant angle of incidence, described material be at least at the minimal reverse reflecting brightness of any angle of orientation this material what its orientation angle in office maximum reflex reflection brightness 50%.

28. material as claimed in claim 1, it can be applied to and be selected from guard rail, cattle pen, and building walls, hedge, multi-purpose bar is on the vertical surface of taper traffic sign and vehicular sideview.

29. a method of making reflecting material, it comprises:

(a) provide the closed lens retroreflection sheet that contains covering layer and individual layer retroreflective elements;

(b) conformal layer is applied on the basal surface of described retroreflection sheet;

(c) be pressed onto on the described conformal layer configuration is stacked, the first of wherein said individual layer is arranged in the section that profile is stretched out, and the second portion of described individual layer is arranged on the lower position that is essentially the plane.

30. method as claimed in claim 29, it also comprises antiskid particles is applied on some part of described top surface.

31. a method of making reflecting material, it comprises:

(a) provide the closed lens retroreflection sheet that contains covering layer and individual layer retroreflective elements, the first of wherein said individual layer is arranged in the section that profile is stretched out, and the second portion of described individual layer is arranged on the lower position that is essentially the plane;

(b) be filled on the part that described profile stretches out with a kind of packing material back side.

32. a method of making painted reflecting material, it comprises:

(a) provide the closed lens retroreflection sheet that contains covering layer and individual layer retroreflective elements;

(b) conformal layer is applied on the basal surface of described retroreflection sheet;

(c) be pressed onto on the described conformal layer configuration is stacked, the first of described individual layer is arranged in the section that profile is stretched out, and the second portion of described individual layer is arranged on the lower position that is essentially the plane;

(d) part that described profile is stretched out is gone embossing, obtains more flat top surface;

(e) dyed layer is applied on the described top surface;

(f) described retroreflection sheet is carried out embossing, the part that makes described profile stretch out reappears.

33. method as claimed in claim 32, it also comprises being selected from least a colorant is added described covering layer and at least a colorant is added above the described covering layer at least one step in the layer.

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