Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B44—DECORATIVE ARTS
  • B44F—SPECIAL DESIGNS OR PICTURES
  • B44F1/00—Designs or pictures characterised by special or unusual light effects
  • B44F1/08—Designs or pictures characterised by special or unusual light effects characterised by colour effects
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
  • B32B27/06—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material
  • B32B27/08—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material of synthetic resin
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
  • B32B27/18—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin characterised by the use of special additives
  • B32B27/20—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin characterised by the use of special additives using fillers, pigments, thixotroping agents
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
  • B32B27/30—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising vinyl (co)polymers; comprising acrylic (co)polymers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B27/00—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin
  • B32B27/30—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising vinyl (co)polymers; comprising acrylic (co)polymers
  • B32B27/304—Layered products comprising a layer of synthetic resin comprising vinyl (co)polymers; comprising acrylic (co)polymers comprising vinyl halide (co)polymers, e.g. PVC, PVDC, PVF, PVDF
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B3/00—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shape; Layered products comprising a layer having particular features of form
  • B32B3/26—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shape; Layered products comprising a layer having particular features of form characterised by a particular shape of the outline of the cross-section of a continuous layer; characterised by a layer with cavities or internal voids ; characterised by an apertured layer
  • B32B3/30—Layered products comprising a layer with external or internal discontinuities or unevennesses, or a layer of non-planar shape; Layered products comprising a layer having particular features of form characterised by a particular shape of the outline of the cross-section of a continuous layer; characterised by a layer with cavities or internal voids ; characterised by an apertured layer characterised by a layer formed with recesses or projections, e.g. hollows, grooves, protuberances, ribs
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B44—DECORATIVE ARTS
  • B44F—SPECIAL DESIGNS OR PICTURES
  • B44F1/00—Designs or pictures characterised by special or unusual light effects
  • B44F1/02—Designs or pictures characterised by special or unusual light effects produced by reflected light, e.g. matt surfaces, lustrous surfaces
  • B44F1/04—Designs or pictures characterised by special or unusual light effects produced by reflected light, e.g. matt surfaces, lustrous surfaces after passage through surface layers, e.g. pictures with mirrors on the back
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08K—Use of inorganic or non-macromolecular organic substances as compounding ingredients
  • C08K5/00—Use of organic ingredients
  • C08K5/0008—Organic ingredients according to more than one of the "one dot" groups of C08K5/01 - C08K5/59
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • C09B—ORGANIC DYES OR CLOSELY-RELATED COMPOUNDS FOR PRODUCING DYES, e.g. PIGMENTS; MORDANTS; LAKES
  • C09B57/00—Other synthetic dyes of known constitution
  • C09B57/14—Benzoxanthene dyes; Benzothioxanthene dyes
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • C09B—ORGANIC DYES OR CLOSELY-RELATED COMPOUNDS FOR PRODUCING DYES, e.g. PIGMENTS; MORDANTS; LAKES
  • C09B67/00—Influencing the physical, e.g. the dyeing or printing properties of dyestuffs without chemical reactions, e.g. by treating with solvents grinding or grinding assistants, coating of pigments or dyes; Process features in the making of dyestuff preparations; Dyestuff preparations of a special physical nature, e.g. tablets, films
  • C09B67/0001—Post-treatment of organic pigments or dyes
  • C09B67/002—Influencing the physical properties by treatment with an amine
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • C09B—ORGANIC DYES OR CLOSELY-RELATED COMPOUNDS FOR PRODUCING DYES, e.g. PIGMENTS; MORDANTS; LAKES
  • C09B67/00—Influencing the physical, e.g. the dyeing or printing properties of dyestuffs without chemical reactions, e.g. by treating with solvents grinding or grinding assistants, coating of pigments or dyes; Process features in the making of dyestuff preparations; Dyestuff preparations of a special physical nature, e.g. tablets, films
  • C09B67/0097—Dye preparations of special physical nature; Tablets, films, extrusion, microcapsules, sheets, pads, bags with dyes
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B5/00—Optical elements other than lenses
  • G02B5/12—Reflex reflectors
  • G02B5/122—Reflex reflectors cube corner, trihedral or triple reflector type
  • G02B5/124—Reflex reflectors cube corner, trihedral or triple reflector type plural reflecting elements forming part of a unitary plate or sheet
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B5/00—Optical elements other than lenses
  • G02B5/12—Reflex reflectors
  • G02B5/126—Reflex reflectors including curved refracting surface
  • G02B5/128—Reflex reflectors including curved refracting surface transparent spheres being embedded in matrix
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2250/00—Layers arrangement
  • B32B2250/02—2 layers
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2250/00—Layers arrangement
  • B32B2250/24—All layers being polymeric
  • B32B2250/246—All polymers belonging to those covered by groups B32B27/32 and B32B27/30
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
  • B32B2307/40—Properties of the layers or laminate having particular optical properties
  • B32B2307/402—Coloured
  • B32B2307/4026—Coloured within the layer by addition of a colorant, e.g. pigments, dyes
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
  • B32B2307/40—Properties of the layers or laminate having particular optical properties
  • B32B2307/416—Reflective
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
  • B32B2307/40—Properties of the layers or laminate having particular optical properties
  • B32B2307/42—Polarizing, birefringent, filtering
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2307/00—Properties of the layers or laminate
  • B32B2307/40—Properties of the layers or laminate having particular optical properties
  • B32B2307/422—Luminescent, fluorescent, phosphorescent
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B32—LAYERED PRODUCTS
  • B32B—LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
  • B32B2590/00—Signboards, advertising panels, road signs
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
  • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
  • Y10T428/2419—Fold at edge
  • Y10T428/24198—Channel-shaped edge component [e.g., binding, etc.]
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
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  • Y10T428/24—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.]
  • Y10T428/24479—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including variation in thickness
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
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  • Y10T428/24479—Structurally defined web or sheet [e.g., overall dimension, etc.] including variation in thickness
  • Y10T428/24612—Composite web or sheet
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T428/00—Stock material or miscellaneous articles
  • Y10T428/25—Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component and including a second component containing structurally defined particles
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
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  • Y10T428/25—Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component and including a second component containing structurally defined particles
  • Y10T428/252—Glass or ceramic [i.e., fired or glazed clay, cement, etc.] [porcelain, quartz, etc.]
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
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  • Y10T428/29—Coated or structually defined flake, particle, cell, strand, strand portion, rod, filament, macroscopic fiber or mass thereof
  • Y10T428/2982—Particulate matter [e.g., sphere, flake, etc.]
  • Y10T428/2991—Coated
  • Y10T428/2993—Silicic or refractory material containing [e.g., tungsten oxide, glass, cement, etc.]
  • Y10T428/2996—Glass particles or spheres
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
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  • Y10T428/31678—Of metal
  • Y10T428/31692—Next to addition polymer from unsaturated monomers
  • Y10T428/31699—Ester, halide or nitrile of addition polymer
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
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  • Y10T428/31909—Next to second addition polymer from unsaturated monomers
  • Y10T428/31913—Monoolefin polymer
  • Y10T428/3192—Next to vinyl or vinylidene chloride polymer
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
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  • Y10T428/31855—Of addition polymer from unsaturated monomers
  • Y10T428/31909—Next to second addition polymer from unsaturated monomers
  • Y10T428/31928—Ester, halide or nitrile of addition polymer
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
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  • Y10T428/31504—Composite [nonstructural laminate]
  • Y10T428/31855—Of addition polymer from unsaturated monomers
  • Y10T428/31935—Ester, halide or nitrile of addition polymer
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
  • Y10T442/00—Fabric [woven, knitted, or nonwoven textile or cloth, etc.]
  • Y10T442/60—Nonwoven fabric [i.e., nonwoven strand or fiber material]
  • Y10T442/674—Nonwoven fabric with a preformed polymeric film or sheet
  • Y10T442/676—Vinyl polymer or copolymer sheet or film [e.g., polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl acetate, etc.]

Definitions

• the present invention pertains to polyvinyl chloride articles that exhibit durable fluorescent colors through the use of selected hindered amine light stabilizers.
• Burns et al. in U.S. Patent No. 5,605,761 teach the use of a hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS) to maintain the durability of articles containing fluorescent dyes in a polycarbonate polymeric matrix.
• the fluorescent dye may be thioxanthene, perylene imide, or thioindigoid dyes
• the HALS may be compounds from the 2,2,6,6-tetraalkyl piperidine class of compounds. While these articles are extremely useful in maintaining fluorescent color stability, they are not very flexible due to the polycarbonate matrix's inherent rigidity.
• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) films are useful in many applications because of their flexibility and commercial availability UV absorbing stabilizers have been commonly used in polyvinyl chloride articles to light stabilize the polymer matrix See, e g , Marice McMurrer, Update: UV Stabilizers, PLASTICS COMPOUNDING 40 (Jan/Feb 1985) UV stabilizers, however, are not effective in stabilizing fluorescent dyes in the matrix
• PVC films containing fluorescent dyes are widely available today, they tend to have very poor color retention Factors contributing to color fading include lack of dye solubility in the PVC host matrix, dye migration, and minimal protection offered by the resin against photodegradation
• HALS with its amine group in the molecular structure, may not be compatible with PVC
• T Hjertberg and E M Sorvik stated in Thermal Degradation of PVC, in DEGRADATION AND STABILISATION OF PVC, E D Owen (editor) 21, 69 (1984) that amines "induce dehydrochlorination of PVC at high temperatures" leading to degradation of the PVC matrix
• HALS based on secondary or tertiary piperidinyl amines are very basic compounds
• 2,2,6,6-tertamethyl piperidine has a pfa of 2 9 as compared to 4 7 for ammonia when measured in water.
• HALS in the presence of a volatile acid, such as hydrochloric acid (HCl), forms a salt.
• Hydrochloric acid is produced by degradation and oxidation reactions resulting from "light induced aging of PVC films.”
• Martinez et al. Prediction of Photoageing Stability of Plasticized PVC Films Containing UV-Stabilisers, Volume 54 of POLYMER DEGRADATION AND STABILITY 49, 49 (1996).
• the presence of a basic HALS in combination with a readily available source of HCl gives rise to acid-base reactions that can degrade the PVC matrix.
• the present invention provides, for the first time, colored articles exhibiting durable fluorescent properties in a solventless PVC host matrix by incorporating a particular class of HALS to stabilize a class of fluorescent dyes. Contrary to known teachings that HALS may not be compatible with PVC, this invention includes the discovery that new combinations of HALS and fluorescent dyes in a PVC host matrix will exhibit superior stabilization of colored, fluorescent articles. Because the PVC host matrix has good mechanical and thermal properties, the inventive article will be useful in many applications, including, but not limited to, uses in clothing, traffic control signs and devices (for example, roll-up signs), backpacks, and water flotation safety devices.
• the inventive article exhibits durable color and fluorescent properties and comprises (a) a polymeric matrix that contains substantially solventless polyvinyl chloride resin; (b) a thioxanthene fluorescent dye; and (c) a hindered amine light stabilizer comprising at least one secondary or tertiary amine groups and having a molecular weight of less than about 1000 grams/mole.
• the inventive articles can be made by combining these components into a mixture and forming an article from the mixture. Because processing of a substantially solventless polyvinylchloride resin subjects the resin to high temperatures, it was not predicted that a durable fluorescent-colored article would result.
• amines can induce dehydrochlorination of the polyvinyl chloride at high temperatures, which can lead to degradation of the polyvinyl chloride matrix.
• inventive article is surprisingly durable.
• the combination of using substantially solventless polyvinyl chloride and HALS provides benefits unsuggested in the art for forming durable fluorescent-colored, PVC articles.
• the present invention has the advantage in that it exhibits durable color properties and fluorescence without the need to use protective overlays. If desired, however, a protective overlay may be used to further increase the durability of the inventive article.
• the inventive articles retain their color and are able to fluoresce for a longer time period than is normally expected even when they are exposed to direct sunlight. Articles of the invention therefore are good candidates for use with retroreflective elements.
• Another advantage of the invention is that the polymers, dyes, and HALS may be processed in a solventless system, which not only essentially eliminates solvent emissions into the atmosphere but also reduces the article's manufacturing cost by totally eliminating solvent use.
• Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a retroreflective article 10 in accordance with the invention.
• Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of retroreflective article 20 in accordance with the invention.
• Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of retroreflective article 30 in accordance with the invention.
• Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of retroreflective article 50 in accordance with the invention.
• Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of retroreflective article 70 in accordance with the invention.
• colorant means pigments or dyes or other substances used to impart hue and chroma to an article
• conventional colorant means colorants that do not significantly fluoresce when exposed to visible light and/or ultraviolet light and do not exhibit fluorescent properties to the unaided eye;
• cube film means a single retroreflective film having cube corner elements projecting from one surface thereof;
• cube corner sheeting means a multilayer retroreflective sheeting that contains cube corner elements, “durable” refers to an enhanced retention of color or fluorescence upon exposure to weathering;
• embedded lens retroreflective base sheet comprises (a) a monolayer of microspheres having a space layer and (b) a reflective layer in optical association with the rear surface of the microspheres and a binder layer in which the front surfaces of the microspheres are embedded,
• encapsulated lens retroreflective base sheet comprises (a) a monolayer of microspheres having a reflective layer in association with the rear surface of the microspheres and (b) a cover layer disposed over the front surface of the microspheres forming cells;
• exposed lens retroreflective base sheet comprises a monolayer of microspheres having a reflective layer in association with the rear surface of microspheres that are embedded in a binder layer;
• hindered amine light stabilizer means an additive used to light stabilize fluorescent dyes, the stabilizer having at least one secondary or tertiary amine group;
• polymeric matrix means the principal polymeric material in which the fluorescent dye and hindered amine light stabilizer reside;
• second amine group means a group that contains nitrogen (N) and has one hydrogen (H) atom bonded to the nitrogen atom
• tertiary amine group means a group that contains nitrogen (N) and does not have a hydrogen (H) atom bonded to the nitrogen atom
• substantially solventless polyvinyl chloride resin means a polymeric polyvinyl chloride resin capable of being processed, whether through extrusion or calendering, without the use of a solvent;
• thioxanthene fluorescent dye means a fluorescent dye having a thioxanthene unit as part of its molecular structure;
• weathering means exposing an article to either natural or artificial environments including, for example, heat, light, moisture, and ultraviolet radiation.
• the present invention combines a substantially solventless polyvinyl chloride host matrix with fluorescent dyes, and hindered amine light stabilizers to yield durable, colored fluorescent articles.
• Figure 1 shows a cube corner based retroreflective article 10 of the invention.
• Article 10 (commonly referred to as "cube film”) comprises a multitude of cube corner elements 12 and a land layer 14 Not shown in the figure are fluorescent dyes and hindered amine light stabilizers.
• Light enters the cube film 10 through the front or first major surface 15. The light then passes through the land layer 14 and strikes the planar faces 11 of the cube corner elements 12 and returns in the direction from which it came as shown by arrow 18.
• Figure 2 shows a cube corner based retroreflective article 20 of the invention.
• Article 20 comprises a body layer 26 disposed on a front or first major surface 25 of a cube film 21.
• the cube film 21 comprises a multitude of cube corner elements 22 and can optionally include a land layer 24.
• the body layer 26 comprises a substantially solventless polyvinyl chloride matrix, fluorescent dyes, and hindered amine light stabilizers (all not shown) and is the outermost layer of article 20.
• the land layer 24 is distinguished from the body layer 26 by being a layer disposed immediately adjacent to the base of the cube corner elements. If desired, the land layer 24, if present, and/or the cube corner elements 22 can comprise a substantially solventless polyvinyl chloride matrix, fluorescent dyes and hindered amine light stabilizers.
• Figure 3 shows a microsphere based retroreflective article 30 of the invention.
• Article 30 comprises a body layer 36 disposed on the front or first major surface 35 of an embedded lens retroreflective base sheet 31.
• Base sheet 31 comprises a monolayer of microspheres 32 embedded in a binder layer 33 with space layer 34, specular reflective layer 38 and optional adhesive layer 40.
• the retroreflective base sheet can also be exposed lens or encapsulated lens -- see U.S. Patent Nos. 5,316,838 (Crandall) and 4,025,159 (McGrath) respectively for examples of such sheeting.
• the body layer 36 comprises a substantially solventless polyvinyl chloride matrix, fluorescent dyes, and hindered amine light stabilizers.
• articles of the invention may optionally include a protective overlay that may or may not include ultraviolet absorbing agents.
• the overlay is preferably substantially transparent to visible light and includes a means to screen substantial portions of incident ultraviolet radiation.
• Figure 4 illustrates a retroreflective embodiment 50 having a cube film 51.
• Body layer 56 is disposed on the front or first major surface 55 of cube film 51.
• an overlay 58 Disposed on a first side 57 of body layer 56 is an overlay 58.
• body layer 56 comprises a substantially solventless polyvinyl chloride matrix, fluorescent dyes, and hindered amine light stabilizers.
• Overlay 58 is preferably coextensive with body layer 56 so as to provide the most protection.
• the polymeric matrix used in the present invention contains substantially solventless polyvinyl chloride as the host matrix.
• the polymeric matrix does not need to possess other polymers (e.g., acrylic polymers) to impart good durability and thus may consist essentially of solventless polyvinyl chloride.
• Plasticizers may be incorporated into the matrix to impart desirable physical properties, such as flexibility.
• Illustrative examples of useful plasticizers include di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, commercially available as DOP from Aristech Chemical Corp., and diisononyl phthalate, commercially available as JAYFLEX DINP, from Exxon Corp.
• UV absorbers such as hydroxybenzophenones can be added to stabilize the PVC from ultraviolet light degradation.
• Other additives that may be added as processing aids include fillers, heat stabilizers, and lubricants.
• Plasticized PVC is advantageous in that it has excellent flexibility so as to be conformable to a variety of diverse substrates ranging from fabrics to substrates with compound curves, such as a traffic barrel.
• Articles of the invention have sufficient flexibility to be wound at room temperature about a mandrel, having a diameter of 3 millimeter without cracking.
• Plasticized PVC can also be attached easily to a substrate, through adhesive means or mechanical means.
• An illustrative mechanical means involves sewing the inventive product onto a fabric substrate.
• the substantially solventless PVC films may be made by extruding or calendering PVC resins combined with fluorescent dyes and HALS into a film or cube film having a nominal thickness of about 0.025 millimeters (mm) (0.001 inch ) to about 3.2 mm (0.125 inch), preferably about 0.076 mm (0.003 inch) to about 0.5 mm (0.02 inch). The latter range is preferable in that it is more useful for retroreflective sheetings. Film thickness may vary with the particular application. For example, if the application requires high durability, typically a thicker film, on the order of about 0.75 mm (0.030 inch) may be more useful. The thickness of the PVC film or cube film has an affect on the quantity of fluorescent dyes and hindered amine light stabilizers that can be loaded into the film.
• the fluorescent dyes useful for this invention are dyes from the thioxanthene classes of compounds. A single dye or a combination of dyes may be used.
• Illustrative commercially available thioxanthene fluorescent dyes useful in the present invention include HOSTASOL ® RED GG, HOSTASOL * YELLOW 3G,
• a useful fluorescent orange dye is 14H-anthra[2,l,9-mna]thioxanthene-14- one, commercially available as C.I. Solvent Orange 63 (HOSTASOL ® RED GG) from Hoescht Celanese, and having the following chemical structure:
• a useful yellow fluorescent dye is N-octadecyl-benzo[k,l]thioxanthene-3,4- dicarboximide, commercially available as C.I. Solvent Yellow 98 (HOSTASOL ® YELLOW 3G) from Hoescht Celanese, and having the following chemical structure:
• DAY-GLO ® D-304 is a thioxanthene compound, available from Day-Glo Color Corp., Cleveland, Ohio.
• Another useful orange fluorescent dye is DAY-GLO ® D-315, also a thioxanthene compound available from Day-Glo Color Corp.
• up to 2 weight percent and preferably about 0 01 weight percent to about 1.0 weight percent of the dye is present in the inventive film.
• the weight percent is based on the total weight of the inventive film.
• Dye loadings outside this range may be used in accordance with the invention to achieve the desired color. For example, if the dye is added to a thicker film, a lower dye loading can give the same visual effect. Articles having higher dye loadings generally exhibit brighter fluorescence and deeper color than articles with lower dye loadings of the same dye. Articles having a high dye loading, however, may exhibit a self-quenching phenomenon that occurs when molecules of the dye absorb the energy emitted by neighboring dye molecules. This self-quenching can cause an undesirable decrease in fluorescent brightness.
• HALS hindered amine light stabilizer
• the combination of selected HALS, the substantially solventless polyvinyl chloride host matrix, and selected fluorescent dyes in the present invention prevents an as yet undefined degradation and/or reaction between the dye and the polyvinyl chloride which could otherwise occur.
• the advantages of the present invention are attained through the combination of the substantially solventless polyvinyl chloride matrix, the thioxanthene fluorescent dye, and the hindered amine light stabilizers described herein.
• the inventive article typically, up to about 2 weight percent, and preferably about 0.05 to about 1.0 weight percent of the HALS is contained in the inventive article.
• the weight percent of HALS used is based on the total weight of the inventive film.
• Illustrative commercially available HALS useful in the present invention include TINUVTN ® 770, TINUVTN ® 144, and SANDUVOR ® PR-31.
• a HALS having the chemical formula of Bis-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4- piperidinyl) sebacate and a molecular weight of about 480 grams/mole, contains secondary amines, is commercially available as TINUVIN ® 770 from Ciba-Geigy Corp., and has the following chemical structure:
• This HALS possesses two secondary amine groups, where the nitrogen atom is bonded to two carbon atoms and a hydrogen atom.
• a HALS having the chemical formula of Bis-(l,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4- piperidinyl)-2- «-butyl-2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)malonate and a molecular weight of about 685 grams/mole, contains tertiary amines, is commercially available as TINUVIN ® 144 from Ciba-Geigy Corp., and has the following chemical structure.
• a HALS having a chemical formula of propanedioic acid,[(4-methoxyphenyl)-methylene]-bis-(l, 2,2,6, 6-pentamethyl-4-piperidinyl)ester, and a molecular weight of about 529 grams/mole, contains tertiary amines, is commercially available as SANDUVOR ® PR-31 from Clariant Corp., and has the following chemical structure:
• TINUVIN ® 144 and SANDUVOR ® PR-31 each possesses two tertiary amine groups, where the nitrogen atom is bonded to three carbon atoms.
• the inventive film can be made using an extrusion or a calendering method.
• Extrusion involves processing a viscous melt under pressure to force it through a shaping die in a continuous stream to form a film Calendering takes a mass of fused, viscous material and feeds it between successive pairs of co- rotating, parallel rolls to form a film
• Extrusion has the advantage in that if a cube film is desired, the feed stock leaving the extruder can be nipped directly into a mold having cube corner recesses Calendering, on the other hand, has the advantage in that flexible PVC films can be economically produced using this process.
• a method of making an article exhibiting durable color and fluorescent properties can comprise (a) combining substantially solventless polyvinyl chloride resin, a thioxanthene fluorescent dye, and a hindered amine light stabilizer comprising at least one secondary or tertiary amine groups having a molecular weight less than 1000 grams/mole into a mixture, and (b) forming the article from the mixture
• the polymeric resin/dyeHALS mixture is first tumble mixed together
• the polymeric resin is typically in the form of small granules
• the mixture is fed into an extruder where, with the presence of heat and rotational action of the screw, the mixture is mixed and changes into a viscous melt
• an extruder with multiple zones of heating is used
• the extrusion temperature should be chosen to melt the components but not be so high so as to degrade them Suitable extrusion temperatures, when using the fluorescent dyes and HALS described above, range from about 175 °C to about 205 °C Typically, the melt leaving the
• the cube corner elements may optionally be vapor coated with a metallic layer, such as vapor deposited aluminum or silver, to increase retroreflective performance. Vapor coating the cube corner elements, however, may cause the fluorescent cube film to have a gray appearance, which may be undesirable for some applications.
• the polyvinyl chloride resin typically in powder form
• the fluorescent dye and the hindered amine light stabilizer are added to mixing unit for intensive mixing.
• Other additives such as plasticizers, UV absorbers, heat stabilizers, fillers, and lubricants may be added for desired physical properties and/or as processing aids.
• the mixing unit has a ribbon type blade and can be jacketed for heating and cooling.
• the PVC powder absorbs the additives, including the dye and HALS, to form a powder mix.
• the powder is typically cooled and fed through a screen to remove metals because the metal particles, if present, can damage the calender roll surface.
• the screened powder mixture is typically fed into a fluxing unit for continuous mixing causing the mixture to become a fused, viscous mass that is feed stock to be delivered to the calender rolls.
• the calender rolls typically in a four roll setup, can be heated. In making the inventive article, the calender rolls are heated so that their surface temperature ranges from about 170 °C to about 180 °C (340 to 355 °F).
• Configuration of the rolls can also be an important factor.
• the viscous, fused feedstock is fed to the calender where the film or sheet is formed with the film thickness controlled by the gap between the final rolls.
• This sequence is typical for a calendering process, many variations are possible depending on the end product desired. Calendering is a preferred method for making the inventive film because of economic efficiencies.
• Substantially flat films can be laminated to a preexisting retroreflective base sheet, such as cube corner based or microsphere based sheets.
• the film is laminated to the front or first major surface of retroreflective base sheets to produce a new retroreflective article in accordance with the present invention
• the body layer 26 typically a substantially flat film
• the body layer 36 is laminated to a front or first major surface 35 of microsphere based retroreflective base sheet 31 to produce a retroreflective article 30 of the invention
• the inventive films are used as a carrier for radiation cured cube corner elements
• These cube corner elements comprise reactive resins capable of being crosslinked by a free radical polymerization mechanism by exposure to actinic radiation, for example, electron beam, ultraviolet light, or visible light
• actinic radiation for example, electron beam, ultraviolet light, or visible light
• the reactive resin is preferably cured in situ on the inventive film
• Figure 5 shows a cube corner based retroreflective article 70 of the invention manufactured in accordance with the principles of the invention disclosed in International Publication No.
• retroreflective article 70 comprises a multitude of substantially independent cube corner elements 72 and a body layer 76 having two major surfaces 71 and 73, the cube corner elements projecting from the first major surface 73 and have zero to minimal land
• this embodiment has essentially no land layer and the front surface 75 of the cube corner elements is juxtaposed against surface 73
• body layer 76 comprises substantially solventless polyvinyl chloride matrix, fluorescent dyes and hindered amine light stabilizers (all not shown) and is the outermost layer of article 70 EXAMPLES
• Accelerated Weathering To simulate outdoor exposure to sunlight on an accelerated basis, some samples were exposed to accelerated weathering in accordance with a cycle defined by ASTM G-26 Type B, Method A.
• the light source was a 6500-watt, water- cooled xenon arc device that has borosilicate inner and outer filters. The light source exhibits an irradiance of about 0.55 watts/meter 2 .
• the weathering cycle consisted of 102 minutes of light at a Black Panel temperature (as defined in the test method) of about 63 °C, followed by 18 minutes of exposure while subjecting the sample to deionized water spray.
• UV-Vis Ultraviolet-Visible Absorption Spectroscopy
• the amount of fluorescent dye retained in a sample was determined by measuring the major dye absorption band (456 nanometers (nm)) using UV-Vis spectroscopy before and after the sample was subjected to weathering.
• An illustrative UV-Vis spectrophotometer used was a Shimadzu model UV2101-PC.
• a decrease in absorbance is related to a reduction in dye concentration.
• a “percent dye retention” value was calculated as the ratio of the peak absorbance in the weathered sample to the peak absorbance of the original unweathered sample.
• Bis-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl) sebacate Molecular weight of about 480 grams/mole Available from Ciba-Geigy Corp., Hawthorne, NY.
• Propanedioic acid [(4-methoxyphenyl)-methylene]-bis- ( 1 ,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidinyl)ester Molecular weight of about 529 grams/mole Available from Clariant Corp., Charlotte, NC.
• M n Molecular weight approximately greater than 2,500 grams/mole Available from Ciba-Geigy Corp.
• a polyvinyl chloride film having a thickness of about 0.089 mm (0.0035 inch) to about 0.11 mm (0.0045 inch) was made as follows.
• PVC resin formulation S00354 containing UV absorbers from Alpha Chemical and Plastics Corp.
• the resin/dye/HALS mixture was tumbled mixed. It was then extruded into a substantially flat film using a single screw extruder with 5 heating zones set at about 175, 205, 205, 175 and 175 °C and the film die set at about 180 °C.
• the extruder was a three-quarters ( 3 ⁇ ) inch single screw Brabender extruder with polished chrome rolls.
• Example 1 The sample was subjected to 100 hours of weathering, and the data are reported in Tables 1 and 2.
• Examples 2 and 3, and Comparative Examples A to E are all made according to Example 1 with different HALS used or no HALS used as described in Table 1.
• the samples were subjected to 100 hours of accelerated weathering, and the data are reported in Table 1.
• Examples 4 to 6 were made according to Example 1 except that different fluorescent dyes were used as shown in Table 2. Unless otherwise specified, the samples were subjected to 100 hours of accelerated weathering, and the data are reported in Table 2.
• Comparative Examples E to N were made according to Example 1 but different fluorescent dyes were used with and without HALS as shown in Table 2. Unless otherwise specified, the samples were subjected to 100 hours of accelerated weathering, and the data are reported in Table 2.
• a Sample was subjected to 200 hours of accelerated weathering.
• b Sample was subjected to 50 hours of accelerated weathering.
• a polyvinyl chloride film was made using a pilot scale calendering process as follows.
• a powder of PVC was mixed with about 0.2% SY98 fluorescent dye and about 0.5% T-770 HALS.
• Other additives for example UV absorbers, heat stabilizers, plasticizers, lubricants, and fillers were added either for processing aid or to help make a flexible PVC film.
• the mixture was fed through a strainer to remove metal, if present.
• the mixture was continuously mixed to form a fused mass, milled, and fed through rolls, all heated at about 177 °C (350 °F), to form the inventive film about 0.13 mm to about 0.15 mm (0.005 to 0.006 inch) thick.
• the sample was subjected to 400 hours of accelerated weathering and the data are reported in Table 3 below.
• a calendered PVC film was made according to Example 7 except that no HALS was added to the PVC powder.
• the sample was subjected to 400 hours of accelerated weathering, and the data are reported in Table 3.
• calendered PVC film of the invention containing a fluorescent dye and a HALS clearly outperformed a sample that did not contain a HALS.
• extruded PVC film of the invention containing a fluorescent dye and a HALS outperformed a sample that did not contain a HALS.

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