IP Library Granted Patent US 7,175,293
Granted Patent B2
US 7,175,293 · App. 10/492,662 · Granted Feb 13, 2007

Decorative article and vehicular lamp

Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,175,293
App. No.
10/492,662
Granted
Feb 13, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A decorative article ( 10 ) capable of being used in combination with an article having a light source ( 21 ) and of remarkably improving the decorative effect together with the light source. The decorative article ( 10 ) is attached to an article having a light source ( 21 ), and comprises, at least, an appearance-providing layer ( 15 ) defining an appearance of the decorative article, and a light-storage layer ( 16 ) which is disposed under the appearance-providing layer ( 15 ) and is able to store the light from the light source ( 21 ) and generate afterglow.

Claims (15)

1. A vehicular lamp comprising:

a light source of visible light, a housing accommodating said light source and defining a lamp room, a light-emitting opening provided at the front of said housing, and a light-transmittive lamp cover attached to the light-emitting opening;

wherein said lamp cover comprises a first area that substantially allows the emission of visible light from said light source and a second area that does not allow the emission of visible light directly from said light source; and

wherein only the second area of said lamp cover is provided with a decorative article comprising, at least, an appearance-providing layer defining an appearance of the decorative article, and a light-storage layer which is disposed under the appearance-providing layer and is able to store visible light from said light source and generate afterglow into said lamp room.

2. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1 , wherein said appearance-providing layer of said decorative article is a printed layer, a coated layer, a colored resin layer, a metal-plated layer, a metal-evaporated layer, a metal foil layer, or a colored layer or colored member.

3. The vehicular lamp according to claim 2 , wherein said light-storage layer of said decorative article is a layer or member containing visible light-storing pigment.

4. The vehicular lamp according to claim 2 , wherein said decorative article is a multilayered film comprising at least said appearance-providing layer and said light-storage layer.

5. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1 , wherein said light-storage layer of said decorative article is a layer or member containing visible light-storing pigment.

6. The vehicular lamp according to claim 5 , wherein said decorative article is a multilayered film comprising at least said appearance-providing layer and said light-storage layer.

7. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1 , wherein said decorative article is a multilayered film comprising at least said appearance-providing layer and said light-storage layer.

8. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1 , wherein said decorative article further comprises an adhesive layer consisting of a pressure-sensitive adhesive or a heat-sensitive adhesive.

9. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1 , wherein said decorative article further comprises a clear layer as an outermost layer when said decorative article is attached to the outer surface of said lamp cover.

10. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1 , wherein said decorative article is a lamp garnish or a finisher.

11. The vehicular lamp according to claim 1 , wherein said lamp cover includes an area having a lighting function and an area having a decorative function.

12. The lamp according to claim 11 , wherein the area having a lighting function is the first area of said lamp cover and wherein the area having a decorative function is the second area of said lamp cover.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 8, 2004
From: EGASHIRA, KEN; MURAOKA, MOTOAKI; NITTA, HIROFUMI
To: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
Reel/Frame 015347/0653 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2001-337899 · Nov 2, 2001 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20050068783A1 · Mar 31, 2005