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Application of retroreflective tapes to garments

A technology of reflective film and reflective element, which is applied in the application field of reflective tape in clothing, and can solve the problems of unsatisfactory known methods

Inactive Publication Date: 2009-07-22
REFLEXITE
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0006] Thus, known methods for attaching reflective material to fabric are less than ideal because they involve inserting layers of thermoplastic adhesive that leave voids and / or require absorbent sheets to remove excess thermoplastic

Method used

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  • Application of retroreflective tapes to garments

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Embodiment Construction

[0011] The following is a description of preferred embodiments of the present invention.

[0012] Such as figure 1 As shown in , the present invention results in the application of an optical film comprising a light redirecting or reflective element 11 , such as a metal backed cube-cornea (tape) 10 , to a garment fabric 12 substrate using a thermosetting adhesive 14 . Generally, the thermoset adhesive 14 is applied to the metallization layer 16 on the back of the tape 10 at a temperature below the activation temperature and pressure of the thermoset adhesive but at or above its melting temperature and pressure. Subsequent application of the tape 10 to the garment 12 is performed at a temperature and pressure above the thermoset activation point. This permits the adhesive 14 to bond to both the underlying garment fabric 12 and the belt 10 at the same time. The process has been found to work especially well with Gortex-treated TM Treated fabrics and other stain-resistant coat...

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Abstract

The invention provides techniques for adhering metal backed cube corner Retroreflective tapes to a variety of fabric types, such as Gortex, by applying a thermoset adhesive to the back of the tape at temperatures below the activation temperature (e.g., at about the melt temperature), and then subsequently applying the tape to the garment at temperatures above the adhesive activation temperature. This permits adhesive bonding to both the fabric and the tape at the same time, which in turn provides improved performance through numerous wash and wear cycles.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation of Attorney Docket No. 1571.2140-001, filed July 26, 2007, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 834,089, filed July 28, 2006 rights and interests. The entire teachings of the aforementioned applications are incorporated herein by reference. Background technique [0002] Reflective materials are now commonly applied to clothing used by police officers, firefighters, ambulance personnel, and many others to provide nighttime visibility. Reflective tapes for these applications are either sewn to the garment or adhered to the garment using Heat Activated Adhesive (HAA). [0003] Reflective media used in HAA systems can be broadly classified into two main types, including glass beads and metal backed cube corner retroreflectives. Glass bead systems are ineffective in wet conditions, and the retroreflective elements are exposed to wet conditions during normal wash and wear cycles. Metal backed cube corner systems co...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(China)
IPC IPC(8): B29C65/02
Inventor 大卫·赫斯毛瑞斯·布莱迪伊恩·克利斯多福安卓鲁·沃华特
Owner REFLEXITE