Two-in-one translucent and colored film

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9632218-B2
Application number	US-201514806838-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 23, 2015
Priority date	Jul 25, 2014
Publication date	Apr 25, 2017
Grant date	Apr 25, 2017

Abstract

A two-in-one colored and translucent film structure suitable for use in backlit displays having a multi-point illumination source. The film structure utilizes a colored layer and a light-diffusing layer that reduces variations in the amount of light transmitted through different areas of a backlit sign. The light-diffusing layer includes light-diffusing particles dispersed in a transparent matrix material, and scatters light transmitted therethrough. The light-diffusing particles have an index of refraction that is different than an index of refraction of the matrix material.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A translucent colored film structure comprising
a colored layer including pigment particles dispersed in a material, an adhesive layer including an adhesive composition, and light-diffusing particles, wherein at least one of the following is satisfied:
a) light-diffusing particles are dispersed in a matrix that defines a light-diffusing layer that is free of an intentionally added adhesive component and that is separate and distinct from both the colored layer and the adhesive layer, the light-diffusing particles dispersed in the matrix of the light-diffusing layer having a refractive index that is different from the matrix;
b) light-diffusing particles are dispersed in the colored layer, the light-diffusing particles dispersed in the colored layer having a refractive index that is lower than the material;
c) light-diffusing particles are dispersed in the adhesive layer, the light-diffusing particles dispersed in the adhesive layer having a refractive index that is higher than the adhesive composition.

2. The film structure of claim 1 , wherein a) is satisfied and the light-diffusing particles dispersed in the matrix of the light-diffusing layer have a refractive index of from about 1.0 to about 1.5.

3. The film structure of claim 1 , wherein a) is satisfied and the light-diffusing particles dispersed in the matrix of the light-diffusing layer have a refractive index of from about 1.6 to about 2.8.

4. The film structure of claim 1 , wherein a) is satisfied and the light-diffusing particles dispersed in the matrix of the light-diffusing layer include a first group of light-diffusing particles and a second group of light diffusing particles, the first group of light-diffusing particles having a refractive index of from about 1.0 to about 1.5 and the second group of light-diffusing particles having a refractive index of from about 1.6 to about 2.8.

5. The film structure of claim 1 , wherein b) is satisfied and the light-diffusing particles dispersed in the colored layer have a refractive index of from about 1.0 to about 1.5.

6. The film structure of claim 1 , wherein c) is satisfied and the light-diffusing particles dispersed in the adhesive layer have a refractive index of from about 1.6 to about 2.8.

7. The film structure of claim 2 , wherein the light-diffusing particles having an index of refraction from about 1.0 to about 1.5 comprise particles selected from the group consisting of silicone-containing particles, polytetrafluoroethylene-containing particles, hollow particles, or combinations thereof.

8. The film structure of claim 3 , wherein the light-diffusing particles having an index of refraction from about 1.6 to about 2.8 comprise one selected from the group consisting of TiO 2 , SiO 2 , CaCO 3 , BaSO 4 , and combinations thereof.

9. The film structure of claim 1 , wherein only a) is satisfied.

10. The film structure of claim 1 , wherein the film structure includes a light-diffusing layer disposed between the colored layer and the adhesive layer.

11. The film structure of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive layer is configured for adhering the film structure to a substrate.

12. The film structure of claim 1 , further including a release liner removably covering the adhesive layer.

13. The film structure of claim 1 , wherein the matrix of the light-diffusing layer comprises PVC.

14. The film structure of claim 1 , wherein the material of the colored layer comprises PVC.

15. The film structure of claim 1 , wherein a difference between the refractive index of the light-diffusing particles dispersed in the matrix and the refractive index of the matrix is at least 0.5.

16. The film structure of claim 1 , wherein the light-diffusing particles have a median largest dimension of from about 0.1 μm to about 3 μm.

17. The film structure of claim 1 , wherein the pigment particles have a median largest dimension of from about 0.1 μm to about 3 μm.

18. The film structure of claim 1 , wherein the light-diffusing particles comprise particles that are white, black, optically clear, a shade between white and black, or combinations thereof.

19. A sign face comprising:
a transparent or translucent substrate, and
a film structure adhered to the substrate, the film structure including a colored layer comprising pigment particles dispersed in a substantially transparent material, an adhesive layer including a substantially transparent adhesive composition, the adhesive layer bonding the film structure to the substrate, and light-diffusing particles, wherein at least one of the following is satisfied:
a) light-diffusing particles are included in a matrix that defines a light-diffusing layer that is free of an intentionally added adhesive component and is separate and distinct from both the colored layer and the adhesive layer, the light-diffusing particles dispersed in the matrix of the light-diffusing layer having a refractive index that is different from the matrix;
b) light-diffusing particles are dispersed in the colored layer, the light-diffusing particles dispersed in the colored layer having a refractive index that is lower than the material;
c) light-diffusing particles are dispersed in the adhesive layer, the light-diffusing particles dispersed in the adhesive layer having a refractive index that is higher than the adhesive composition.

20. The sign face of claim 19 , wherein a) is satisfied and the light-diffusing particles dispersed in the matrix of the light-diffusing layer have a refractive index of from about 1.0 to about 1.5.

21. The sign face of claim 19 , wherein a) is satisfied and the light-diffusing particles dispersed in the matrix of the light-diffusing layer have a refractive index of from about 1.6 to about 2.8.

22. The sign face of claim 19 , wherein a) is satisfied and the light-diffusing particles dispersed in the matrix of the light-diffusing layer include a first group of light-diffusing particles and a second group of light diffusing particles, the first group of light-diffusing particles having a refractive index of from about 1.0 to about 1.5 and the second group of light-diffusing particles having a refractive index of from about 1.6 to about 2.8.

23. The sign face of claim 19 , wherein b) is satisfied and the light-diffusing particles dispersed in the colored layer have a refractive index of from about 1.0 to about 1.5.

24. The sign face of claim 19 , wherein c) is satisfied and the light-diffusing particles dispersed in the adhesive layer have a refractive index of from about 1.6 to about 2.8.

25. The sign face of claim 20 , wherein the light-diffusing particles having an index of refraction from about 1.0 to about 1.5 comprise particles selected from the group consisting of silicone-containing particles, polytetrafluoroethylene-containing particles, hollow particles, or combinations thereof.

26. The sign face of claim 21 , wherein the light-diffusing particles having an index of refraction from about 1.6 to about 2.8 comprise one selected from the group consisting of TiO 2 , SiO 2 , CaCO 3 , BaSO 4 , and combinations thereof.

27. The sign face of claim 19 , wherein only a) is satisfied.

28. The sign face of claim 19 , wherein the film structure includes a light-diffusing layer disposed between the colored layer and the adhesive layer.

29. The sign face of claim 19 , wherein the matrix of the light-di

Assignees

• Avery Dennison Corp

Inventors

• Liu Xiang
• Ramsay Michael
• Reekmans Steven

Classifications

• B32B5/22

  characterised by the presence of two or more layers which {are next to each other and are fibrous, filamentary, formed of particles or foamed (layer formed of natural mineral fibres or particles next to a foam layer B32B19/047, next to a layer made of particles B32B19/048, or next to a fibrous or filamentary layer B32B19/06; paper layer or cardboard layer next to a paper layer or cardboard layer B32B29/005, next to a foam layer B32B29/007, next to a fibrous or filamentary layer B32B29/02, or next to a particulate layer B32B29/04)} · CPC title

• B32B5/16

  characterised by features of a layer formed of particles, e.g. chips, powder {or granules (layer formed of natural mineral particles B32B19/00; layer being formed of wood fibres, chips or particles B32B21/02)} · CPC title

• B32B2255/10

  on synthetic resin layer or on natural or synthetic rubber layer · CPC title

• B32B2264/104

  Oxysalt, e.g. carbonate, sulfate, phosphate or nitrate particles · CPC title

• B32B2309/10

  linear, e.g. length, distance, width · CPC title