Perforated film constructions for backlit signs

Abstract

The present invention provides perforated film constructions, sign faces including the film constructions, and signs including the sign faces, all of which are capable of having one appearance under light ambient lighting conditions, and another appearance when backlit under dark ambient lighting conditions. The construction is generally planar and includes perforations that occupy, e.g., about 10-35% of the major surfaces of the construction. The perforations are separated by an opaque land area. The back surface of the film construction in the land area (i.e., the surface that is adapted to face the interior of the sign) reflects, e.g., at least about 50% of normal light incident thereon.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A generally planar film construction comprising 
 a front surface and a back surface, the construction comprising a thickness between the front surface and the back surface;    a plurality of perforations distributed over the construction, wherein each perforation of the plurality of perforations transmits light through the construction, and further wherein each perforation of the plurality of perforations comprises a uniform cross-sectional area throughout the thickness of the construction;    opaque land area separating the plurality of perforations; and    a layer of clear adhesive proximate the back surface of the construction;    wherein the plurality of perforations occupy about 10% to about 35% of the front and back surfaces of the construction.    
     
     
         2 . The construction of  claim 1 , wherein at least about 50% of normal incident light directed at the land area on the back surface of the construction is reflected.  
     
     
         3 . The construction of  claim 1 , wherein at least about 80% of normal incident light directed at the land area on the back surface of the construction is reflected.  
     
     
         4 . The construction of  claim 1 , wherein each perforation of the plurality of perforations comprises a uniform size and shape.  
     
     
         5 . The construction of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of perforations are distributed in a selected pattern over the construction.  
     
     
         6 . The construction of  claim 1 , wherein the opaque land area comprises an absorptive material that provides opacity by absorption of light incident thereon.  
     
     
         7 . The construction of  claim 1 , wherein the construction comprises a color layer attached to a white intermediate layer, wherein the color layer forms the front surface of the construction and the white intermediate layer forms the back surface of the construction.  
     
     
         8 . The construction of  claim 7 , wherein the color layer comprises a black polymeric film attached to the white intermediate layer.  
     
     
         9 . A sign face capable of having one appearance under light ambient lighting conditions, and another appearance when back lit and under dark ambient lighting conditions, the sign face comprising: 
 a substrate comprising a first surface and a second surface;    a film construction attached to the first surface of the substrate, the construction comprising: 
 a front surface and a back surface, the construction comprising a thickness between the front surface and the back surface, wherein a color layer forms the front surface of the construction and a white intermediate layer forms the back surface of the construction;  
 a plurality of perforations distributed over the construction, wherein each perforation of the plurality of perforations transmits light through the construction, and further wherein each perforation of the plurality of perforations comprises a uniform cross-sectional area throughout the thickness of the construction; and  
   opaque land area separating the plurality of perforations; wherein the plurality of perforations occupy about 10% to about 35% of the front and back surfaces of the construction.    
     
     
         10 . The sign face of  claim 9 , further comprising a diffuser attached to the second surface of the substrate.  
     
     
         11 . The sign face of  claim 9 , wherein the substrate diffuses light transmitted therethrough.  
     
     
         12 . The sign face of  claim 9 , wherein at least about 50% of normal incident light directed at the land area on the back surface of the construction is reflected.  
     
     
         13 . The sign face of  claim 9 , wherein at least about 80% of normal incident light directed at the land area on the back surface of the construction is reflected.  
     
     
         14 . The sign face of  claim 9 , wherein the film construction is adhesively attached to the substrate.  
     
     
         15 . The sign face of  claim 9 , wherein the opaque land area comprises an absorptive material that provides opacity by absorption of light incident thereon.  
     
     
         16 . The sign face of  claim 9  further comprising a layer of clear adhesive proximate the back surface of the construction.  
     
     
         17 . The sign face of  claim 9 , wherein the color layer comprises a black film attached to the white intermediate layer.  
     
     
         18 . A backlit sign comprising: 
 an enclosure;    a sign face capable of having one appearance under light ambient lighting conditions, and another appearance when backlit and under dark ambient lighting conditions, the sign face comprising: 
 a substrate comprising a first surface and a second surface facing the enclosure;  
   a film construction attached to the first surface of the substrate, the construction comprising: 
 a front surface and a back surface, the construction comprising a thickness between the front surface and the back surface, wherein a color layer forms the front surface of the construction and a white intermediate layer forms the back surface of the construction;  
 a plurality of perforations distributed over the construction, wherein each perforation of the plurality of perforations transmits light through the construction, and further wherein each perforation of the plurality of perforations comprises a uniform cross-sectional area throughout the thickness of the construction; and  
 opaque land area separating the plurality of perforations;  
 wherein the plurality of perforations occupy about 10% to about 35% of the front and back surfaces of the construction, and wherein at least about 50% of normal incident light directed at the land area of the back surface of the construction is reflected.  
   
     
     
         19 . The sign of  claim 18 , further comprising a diffuser attached to the second surface of the substrate.  
     
     
         20 . The sign of  claim 18 , wherein the substrate diffuses light transmitted therethrough.  
     
     
         21 . The sign of  claim 18 , wherein at least about 80% of normal incident light directed at the land area on the back surface of the construction is reflected.  
     
     
         22 . The sign of  claim 18 , wherein the film construction is adhesively attached to the substrate.  
     
     
         23 . The sign of  claim 22  wherein the film is attached with a clear adhesive.  
     
     
         24 . The sign of  claim 18 , wherein the opaque land area comprises an absorptive material that provides opacity by absorption of light incident thereon.  
     
     
         25 . The sign of  claim 24 , wherein the color layer comprises a black film attached to the white intermediate layer.