Color shifting retroreflector and method of making same

Details Color shifting retroreflector and method of making same Color shifting retroreflector and method of making same

2006-11-28

2006-11-28

Cherry, Euncha P. (Department: 2872)

Optical: systems and elements

Signal reflector

Including a curved refracting surface

C359S534000, C359S535000, C359S537000, C428S156000, C428S168000, C427S256000, C427S258000

Reexamination Certificate

active

07140741

ABSTRACT:
Color shifting retroreflective articles can provide features such as decorative effects, evidence of tampering, security authentication or positional information. In some embodiments, the color shifting retroreflective article includes a layer of microspheres, and a reflective coating that is disposed in optical association with the layer of microspheres. The reflective coating includes a spacer layer disposed between a semitransparent first reflective layer and a second reflective layer. The first reflective layer includes a reflective layer disposed adjacent the layer of microspheres. At least one layer of the reflective coating includes a non-uniform thickness associated with each of a plurality of microspheres such that light incident on the article from a first direction is retroreflected at a first color and light incident on the article from a second direction is retroreflected at a second color visibly different from the first color.

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