Retroreflective articles and devices having viscoelastic lightguide
Disclosed herein is an optical device having a light source, a viscoelastic lightguide and a retroreflective film suitable for retroreflecting light. Light from the light source enters the viscoelastic lightguide and is transported within the lightguide by total internal reflection. The transported light is extracted from the lightguide and retroreflected at a structured surface of the retroreflective film. The optical device may have a “front lit” or a “back lit” configuration depending on the relative positioning of the lightguide and the retroreflective film. The retroreflective film may include prismatic retroreflective sheeting, holographic film or film structured with diffraction gratings. The optical device may be used, for example, as a sign or marking, a license plate assembly, a tail light assembly for vehicles, a security laminate for protection of documents against tampering, or an illumination device.
3M Innovative Properties Company
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B44F G02B G02B B42D G02B G09F B42D G02B B42D B42D G02B F21V
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Marie A. Ellen O. Soemantri Kevin R. Thu-Van T. Michael A. Audrey A.
Boulos Aeling Widagdo Schaffer Tran Meis Sherman