Garment with a retroreflective and electroluminescent article
A garment ( 30 ) with a retroreflective and electroluminescent article ( 35 ) includes one or more electroluminescent structures ( 36 ), which may in some embodiments be discontinuous from each other. In some embodiments, the electroluminescent structures can be electrically connected with conductors ( 34 ) including conductive adhesive. The article further includes one or more retroreflective structures ( 39 ) disposed at least partially in the light path capable of being emitted by one or more of the electroluminescent structures. The article can be disposed on a support ( 33 ), such as a garment shell. The present disclosure also includes methods for making such garments.
1. A garment comprising:
a support and an electroluminescent and retroreflective article disposed on the support
wherein the article comprises
an electroluminescent structure comprising an electrode layer, a phosphor layer disposed over the electrode layer and a transparent electrode layer disposed over the phosphor layer;
a retroreflective structure disposed over the electroluminescent structure and at least partially in a path of light capable of being emitted by the electroluminescent structure, the retroreflective structure including a plurality of beads and a reflective agent disposed under the beads, the retroreflective structure comprising a plurality of discontinuous retroreflective segments;
wherein a light-emitting side of the electroluminescent structure faces toward the retroreflective structure, and a reflective side of the retroreflective structure faces away from the electroluminescent structure;
wherein at least a portion of the electroluminescent structure is discontinuous, such that at least a portion of the retroreflective structure is disposed over discontinuous segments of the electroluminescent structure;
the article having a head-on initial brightness of at least 330 candela per lux per square meter.
2. The garment of claim 1 , wherein a surface of the support is exposed in a gap between at least two discontinuous segments of the electroluminescent structure.
3. The garment of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the electroluminescent article has a unitary construction.
4. The garment of claim 1 , the plurality of discontinuous retroreflective segments are disposed in a linear array.
5. The garment of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of discontinuous retroreflective segments is disposed in a two-dimensional array.
6. The article of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of discontinuous retroreflective segments includes a first pair of generally parallel sides and a second pair of generally parallel sides.
7. The garment of claim 1 , wherein the electroluminescent and retroreflective article is stretchable.
8. The garment of claim 1 , wherein the electroluminescent and retroreflective article is flexible.
9. The garment of claim 1 , wherein the electroluminescent structure comprises an elastomeric material.
10. The garment of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of beads is at least partially embedded in a binder layer.
11. The garment of claim 1 , further comprising a power source connected to the electroluminescent structure.
12. The garment of claim 1 , wherein the support comprises a pocket configured to retain a power source.
13. The garment of claim 1 , wherein the electroluminescent and retroreflective article comprises conductive adhesive.
14. The garment of claim 1 , wherein the electroluminescent structure and the retroreflective structure form a laminate.
15. The garment of claim 1 , wherein the discontinuous segments of the electroluminescent structure are electrically connected in series.
16. The garment of claim 1 , further comprising at least one connector that electrically connects at least two of the discontinuous segments of the electroluminescent structure.
17. The garment of claim 1 , wherein the retroreflective structure is disposed over the electroluminescent structure and is positioned to block light emitted by the electroluminescent structure.
18. The garment of claim 1 , wherein the electroluminescent and retroreflective article has a percent elongation of at least 50%.
19. A garment comprising:
a support and
an electroluminescent and retroreflective article disposed on the support
wherein the article comprises
a plurality of discontinuous electroluminescent structures, each structure comprising an electrode layer, a phosphor layer disposed over the electrode layer and a transparent electrode layer disposed over the phosphor layer;
a retroreflective structure having at least a portion disposed over the plurality of discontinuous electroluminescent structures and at least partially in a path of light capable of being emitted by the plurality of discontinuous electroluminescent structures, the retroreflective structure including a plurality of beads and a reflective agent disposed under the beads, the retroreflective structure comprising a plurality of discontinuous retroreflective segments;
at least one connector, comprising conductive adhesive, wherein the connector electrically connects at least two of the discontinuous electroluminescent structures;
wherein a light-emitting side of the plurality of discontinuous electroluminescent structures faces toward the retroreflective structure, and a reflective side of the retroreflective structure faces away from the plurality of discontinuous electroluminescent structures;
the article having a head-on initial brightness of at least 330 candela per lux per square meter.
20. A method for making a garment comprising:
providing a garment support;
providing a laminate electroluminescent and retroreflective article, the article comprising:
an electroluminescent structure, the electroluminescent structure comprising an electrode layer, a phosphor layer disposed over the electrode layer and a transparent electrode layer disposed over the phosphor layer,
a retroreflective structure disposed over the transparent electrode layer, the retroreflective structure including a plurality of beads and a reflective agent disposed under the beads, the retroreflective structure comprising a plurality of discontinuous retroreflective segments, wherein a light-emitting side of the electroluminescent structure faces toward the retroreflective structure and a reflective side of the retroreflective structure faces away from the electroluminescent structure, wherein at least a portion of the electroluminescent structure is discontinuous, such that at least a portion of the retroreflective structure is disposed over discontinuous segments of the electroluminescent structure,
and a removable carrier film disposed over the retroreflective structure;
disposing the electroluminescent and retroreflective article on the support such that the removable carrier film faces away from the support; and
removing the carrier film from the article, the article having a head-on initial brightness of at least 330 candela per lux per square meter.
21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the article further comprises a heat activatable adhesive disposed on a side of the article opposite to the removable carrier film, and the step of disposing comprises heating the article.
22. The method of claim 20 , further comprising connecting a power source to the electroluminescent structure.