Reboundable optical structure

Abstract

A reboundable optical structure includes a base layer; and an optical element layer formed with a reboundable polymeric material and attached to the base layer. The optical structure can include a diffuser, fresnel lens, linear prism film, collimating film, lenticular elements, and retroreflective structures. A method for forming a reboundable optical structure includes providing a base layer; and attaching an optical element layer formed with a reboundable polymeric material and attached to the base layer, thereby forming an optical structure.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A reboundable optical structure comprising: 
 a) a base layer; and    b) an optical element layer formed with a reboundable polymeric material and attached to the base layer.    
     
     
         2 . The reboundable optical structure of  claim 1  wherein said optical structure is selected from a group consisting of a diffuser, fresnel lens, linear prism film, retroreflective elements, lenticular elements, and collimating film.  
     
     
         3 . The reboundable optical structure of  claim 1  wherein said base layer includes a polymer selected from a polyester, polycarbonate, polyacrylate and polyolefin or combination thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The reboundable optical structure of  claim 1  wherein said reboundable polymeric material includes polyurethane.  
     
     
         5 . The reboundable optical structure of  claim 4  wherein said polyurethane is formed from a multi-functional terminally unsaturated urethane oligomer.  
     
     
         6 . The reboundable optical structure of  claim 4  wherein the polyurethane is formed from a terminally unsaturated isocyanate containing polyurethane oligomer with an alkoxylated polyhydric alcohol.  
     
     
         7 . The reboundable optical structure of  claim 1  wherein said reboundable polymeric material includes a multi-functional terminally unsaturated urethane oligomer from the reaction product of a terminally unsaturated isocyanate-containing polyurethane oligomer with an alkoxylated polyhydric alcohol.  
     
     
         8 . The reboundable optical structure of  claim 1  wherein said reboundable polymeric material includes a diluent.  
     
     
         9 . The reboundable optical structure of  claim 8  wherein said reboundable polymeric material includes a diluent selected from a group consisting of monomers that include tetrahydrofurfuryl (meth)acrylate; 2-phenoxyethyl (meth)acrylate; isobomyl (meth)acrylate; 1,6-hexanediol di(meth)acrylate and or their alkoxylated analogs.  
     
     
         10 . The reboundable optical structure of  claim 1  wherein said reboundable polymeric material includes acrylates and methacylates.  
     
     
         11 . The reboundable optical structure of  claim 1  wherein said reboundable polymeric material includes a photoinitiator.  
     
     
         12 . The reboundable optical structure of  claim 1  wherein said reboundable polymeric material includes a hindered amine light stabilizer  
     
     
         13 . The reboundable optical structure of  claim 1  wherein said reboundable polymeric material includes an ultraviolet absorber.  
     
     
         14 . The reboundable optical structure of  claim 1  wherein said reboundable polymeric material includes a thickness in the range of between about 0.15 and about 150 micrometers.  
     
     
         15 . A reboundable optical structure comprising: 
 a) a base layer; and    b) an optical element layer formed with a reboundable polyurethane attached to the base layer, wherein said optical structure is selected from a group consisting of a diffuser, fresnel lens, linear prism film, retroreflective elements, lenticular elements, and collimating film.    
     
     
         16 . A method for forming a reboundable optical structure comprising: 
 a) providing a base layer; and    b) attaching an optical element layer formed with a reboundable polymeric material and attached to the base layer, thereby forming an optical structure.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the reboundable polymeric material is cured by actinic radiation.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the reboundable polymeric material is cured by exposure to one of a group consisting of ultraviolet light, x-rays, alpha particles, electron beam, and gamma rays.