| Segmented sheeting and methods of making and using same -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Segmented sheeting and methods of making and using sameUSPTO Application #: 20060011287Title: Segmented sheeting and methods of making and using same Abstract: The present invention provides a new sheeting article that may suitably include: a carrier having a first major surface and a second major surface; and a plurality of discrete segments of a sheeting (e.g., a retroreflective sheeting), wherein the sheeting has a first major viewing surface and a second major opposing surface, and the first major viewing surface of the sheeting is preferably removably attached to the second major surface of the carrier. Preferably, the first major surface of the carrier comprises a release surface, the second major opposing surface of the sheeting comprises an adhesive, the article is provided in the form of a roll, and the adhesive surface of the sheeting is adjacent the release surface of an adjacent layer of the roll. In a presently preferred embodiment the present invention provides novel easy-to-use truck conspicuity sheeting. (end of abstract) Agent: 3m Innovative Properties Company - St. Paul, MN, US Inventors: Eugene H. Carlson, James C. Coderre, Christopher L. Harvey, James E. Lasch, David W. Meitz, Colleen C. Nagel USPTO Applicaton #: 20060011287 - Class: 156230000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Adhesive Bonding And Miscellaneous Chemical Manufacture, Methods, Surface Bonding And/or Assembly Therefor, Direct Contact Transfer Of Adhered Lamina From Carrier To Base The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060011287. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/606,911, filed Jun. 26, 2003 which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/740,215, filed Dec. 18, 2000, now allowed and published as 02-0012761-A1, which claims priority from Provisional Patent Application No. 60/173,953, filed Dec. 30, 1999. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to segmented sheeting, including segmented retroreflective-type sheeting suitable for use on a wide variety of substrates, including rigid or flexible substrates. BACKGROUND [0003] Retroreflective sheeting has long been used to improve the night time visibility (or "conspicuity") of articles and vehicles. This sheeting, which was first developed by Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minn. ("3M"), has greatly improved the night time visibility of trucks and has helped prevent countless dangerous accidents. [0004] In certain parts of the world this life-saving sheeting is now mandated by local or national governmental bodies. Often the local governmental body will pass regulations that specify, for example, precisely how much of a truck length should be delineated with the sheeting, as well as other requirements. For example, in the United States a regulation specifies sheeting shape, mounting requirements and even provides a spacing allowance between retroreflective segments. Other jurisdictions have different regulations. Unfortunately, however, the applier may not correctly apply the sheeting, for example by miscalculating the spacing requirements for their particular jurisdiction. In such cases the delineation will have to be corrected, often at considerable cost. generally more common and less costly "rigid-type" of retroreflective sheeting could be used. Unfortunately, however, the flexible nature of the canvas siding does not work well with the more rigid-types of sheeting and the user is left to use a more costly "flexible-type" of sheeting. [0005] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that what is needed in the art is improved sheeting for article and vehicle conspicuity programs. Such sheeting and methods for preparing and using the same are disclosed and claimed herein. SUMMARY [0006] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a new sheeting article that comprises a carrier having a first major surface and a second major surface; and a plurality of discrete segments of a sheeting (e.g., a retroreflective sheeting), wherein the sheeting has a first major viewing surface and a second major opposing surface, and the first major viewing surface of the sheeting is attached, preferably "removably" attached, to the second major surface of the carrier. [0007] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a new sheeting article that comprises a carrier having a first major surface and a second major surface; a plurality of discrete segments of a first retroreflective sheeting; and a plurality of discrete segments of a second retroreflective sheeting, wherein the sheeting has a first major viewing surface and a second major opposing surface, and the first major viewing surface of the sheeting is attached to the second major surface of the carrier. In a preferred embodiment, the first retroreflective sheeting segments are spaced along a major length of the article and at least a portion of the second retroreflective sheeting segments are interspersed therebetween. [0008] In yet another embodiment, the present invention provides a new sheeting article that comprises a carrier having a first major surface and a second major adhesive surface; and a plurality of discrete segments of sheeting (e.g., a retroreflective sheeting), wherein the sheeting has a first major viewing surface, a second major opposing surface, and a periphery, the first major viewing surface of the sheeting is attached to the second major adhesive surface of the carrier, and the carrier extends beyond the periphery of the discrete segments of retroreflective sheeting. [0009] In a presently preferred embodiment the present invention provides novel, easy-to-use truck conspicuity sheeting. [0010] The present invention also provides novel methods of making and using the above articles. [0011] One such preferred method includes the steps of providing an elongate strip of a carrier having a first major surface and a second major surface; providing an elongate strip of a retroreflective sheeting, wherein the sheeting has a first major viewing surface and a second major opposing surface (preferably an adhesive surface); cutting the elongate strip of retroreflective sheeting into smaller discrete segments; and attaching, preferably "removably" attaching, the first major viewing surface of the sheeting to the second major surface of the carrier. [0012] Another method includes the steps of providing an elongate strip of a retroreflective sheeting on a release liner, wherein the sheeting has a first major viewing surface and a second major opposing adhesive surface protected by the liner; cutting the elongate strip of retroreflective sheeting into smaller discrete segments on the liner; stretching the liner in at least one direction to separate segments; and attaching, preferably "removably" attaching, the first major viewing surface of the sheeting to a second major surface of an elongate strip of a carrier having a first major surface and a second major surface. [0013] Another method includes the steps of providing an elongate strip of a retroreflective sheeting on a release liner, wherein the sheeting has a first major viewing surface and a second major opposing adhesive surface protected by the liner; cutting the elongate strip of retroreflective sheeting into smaller discrete segments on the liner; removing selected portions of the sheeting to separate the remaining segments; and attaching the first major viewing surface of the sheeting to the second major surface of an elongate strip of a carrier having a first major surface and a second major surface. [0014] One method of using the above articles includes the steps of providing an elongate strip of a conspicuity article having (i) a carrier with a first major surface and a second major surface and (ii) a plurality of discrete segments of a retroreflective sheeting having a first major viewing surface and a second major opposing adhesive surface protected by a release surface, wherein the first major viewing surface of the sheeting is attached, preferably "removably" attached, to the second major surface of the carrier; exposing the second major opposing adhesive surface of the sheeting; and applying the adhesive surface of the sheeting to a surface of a vehicle to thereby adhere the sheeting to the vehicle. In a preferred embodiment the method includes an additional step of removing the carrier from the applied article to thereby expose the first major viewing surface of the sheeting BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] The present invention will be further explained with reference to the appended Figures, wherein like structure is referred to by like numerals throughout the several views. [0016] FIG. 1a shows a top view of one embodiment of the segmented sheeting of the present invention; FIG. 1b is a cross-sectional view of the segmented sheeting of FIG. 1a, taken along line 1b-1b. [0017] FIGS. 2a and 2b show alternative cross-sectional views of the segmented sheeting of the present invention and further illustrate alternative liners for use therewith. [0018] FIGS. 3a-3g show top views of alternative segmented sheeting of the present invention, wherein the sheeting portion comprises an exemplary variety of shapes, patterns and/or spacing therebetween. [0019] FIG. 4 shows a top view of an alternative embodiment of the segmented sheeting of the present invention having two carrier strips rather than a single carrier. Continue reading... Full patent description for Segmented sheeting and methods of making and using same Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Segmented sheeting and methods of making and using same patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Segmented sheeting and methods of making and using same or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Device and method for adhering tire component member Next Patent Application: Laminating system, ic sheet, roll of ic sheet, and method for manufacturing ic chip Industry Class: Adhesive bonding and miscellaneous chemical manufacture ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Segmented sheeting and methods of making and using same patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 3.03276 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Canon USA , Celera Genomics , Cephalon, Inc. , Cingular Wireless , Clorox , Colgate-Palmolive , Corning , Cymer , |
||
