Microsphere articles and transfer articles

Abstract

There is provided an article comprising at least a first surface having: (a) a first binder layer; (b) a plurality of transparent microspheres at least partially embedded in the first binder layer; wherein the transparent microspheres have refractive indices that are less than a refractive index of the first binder layer, wherein the plurality of transparent microspheres have an average diameter of at least 5 μm. There is also provided a transfer article comprising: (a) a transfer carrier, the transfer carrier comprising: (i) a support layer; and (ii) a thermoplastic release layer bonded to the support layer; (b) a layer of a plurality of transparent microspheres, formed on a side of the thermoplastic transparent microsphere release layer opposite the support layer, wherein the plurality of transparent microspheres have refractive indices of below about 1.490.

1 . An article comprising at least a first surface having:
 (a) a first binder layer;   (b) a plurality of transparent microspheres at least partially embedded in the first binder layer;   wherein the transparent microspheres have refractive indices that are less than a refractive index of the first binder layer,   wherein the plurality of transparent microspheres have an average diameter of at least 5 μm.   
     
     
         2 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of transparent microspheres have a refractive index of less than 1.49. 
     
     
         3 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of transparent microspheres are selected from at least one of glass, polymers, glass ceramics and ceramics. 
     
     
         4 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the first binder layer is selected from at least one of polyurethanes, polyesters, acrylic and methacrylic acid ester polymers and copolymers, epoxies, polyvinyl chloride polymers and copolymers, polyvinyl acetate polymers and copolymers, polyamide polymers and copolymers, fluorine containing polymers and copolymers, silicones, silicone containing copolymers, elastomers, such as neoprene, acrylonitrile butadiene copolymers, metals, glass, ceramics, polymer matrix composites, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The article of  claim 1  where in the first binder layer is an adhesive. 
     
     
         6 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of transparent microspheres have an average diameter of no greater than 200 μm. 
     
     
         7 . The article of  claim 1  wherein up to about 91% of the surface of the article is covered with the plurality of transparent microspheres. 
     
     
         8 . The article of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the article or the binder layer comprises a pigment. 
     
     
         9 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of transparent microspheres are partially embedded in the first binder layer such that about 20% to about 70% of the average diameter of the transparent microspheres is exposed. 
     
     
         10 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of transparent microspheres have a multi-modal size distribution. 
     
     
         11 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the article is at least one of a decorative film, a protective film, a transfer article. 
     
     
         12 . The article of  claim 1  which further comprises one or more layers selected from the group consisting of substrate layers, adhesive layers, colored polymeric layers, and release layers bonded to the article on a side of the first binder layer opposite the plurality of transparent microspheres, wherein any of said layers can optionally have a graphic design therein. 
     
     
         13 . The article of  claim 12  wherein the substrate layer from at least one of fabrics, polymer coated fabrics, leather, metal, paint coated metal, elastomers, paper, polymer matrix composites, and polymeric materials. 
     
     
         14 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the transparent microspheres are treated with an adhesion promoter. 
     
     
         15 . The article of  claim 1  wherein the first binder layer is transparent. 
     
     
         16 . A transfer article comprising:
 (a) a transfer carrier, the transfer carrier comprising:
 (i) a support layer; and 
 (ii) a thermoplastic release layer bonded to the support layer; 
   (b) a layer of a plurality of transparent microspheres, formed on a side of the thermoplastic transparent microsphere release layer opposite the support layer, wherein the plurality of transparent microspheres have refractive indices of below about 1.49.   
     
     
         17 . The transfer article of  claim 16  further comprising (c) a binder layer on a side of the plurality of transparent microspheres that is opposite the thermoplastic release layer. 
     
     
         18 .- 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The transfer article of  claim 17  where in the first binder layer is an adhesive. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The transfer article of  claim 16  wherein up to about 91% of the surface of the article is covered with the plurality of transparent microspheres. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The transfer article of  claim 17  wherein the plurality of transparent microspheres are partially embedded in the first binder layer such that about 20% to about 70% of the average diameter of the transparent microspheres is exposed. 
     
     
         25 .- 29 . (canceled)