Segmented sheeting and methods of making and using same

Abstract

The present invention provides a new sheeting article that may suitably include: a carrier having a first major surface and a second major surface; and a plurality of discrete segments of a sheeting (e.g., a retroreflective sheeting), wherein the sheeting has a first major viewing surface and a second major opposing surface, and the first major viewing surface of the sheeting is preferably removably attached to the second major surface of the carrier. Preferably, the first major surface of the carrier comprises a release surface, the second major opposing surface of the sheeting comprises an adhesive, the article is provided in the form of a roll, and the adhesive surface of the sheeting is adjacent the release surface of an adjacent layer of the roll. In a presently preferred embodiment the present invention provides novel easy-to-use truck conspicuity sheeting.

1 . A method of applying a retroreflective article comprising a plurality of discrete segments of retroreflective sheeting to a flexible substrate, comprising the steps of: 
 providing an elongate strip of an article having (i) a carrier with a first major surface and a second major surface and (ii) the plurality of discrete segments of retroreflective sheeting having a first major viewing surface and a second major opposing adhesive surface protected by a release surface, wherein the first major viewing surface of the discrete segments of retroreflective sheeting is attached to the second major surface of the carrier;    exposing the second major opposing adhesive surface of the sheeting; and    applying the adhesive surface of the plurality of discrete segments of retroreflective sheeting to the flexible substrate to thereby adhere the plurality of discrete segments of retroreflective sheeting to the substrate, the discrete segments of retroreflective sheeting being spaced apart from one another on the flexible substrate a distance sufficient to prevent contact between adjacent segments when the substrate is bent a predetermined distance.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein exposing the second major surface of the plurality of discrete segments of retroreflective sheeting comprises unrolling a roll containing the plurality of discrete segments of retroreflective sheeting.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the exposing the second major surface comprises removing a release liner prior to applying the retroreflective article.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the additional step of: removing the carrier from the applied article to thereby expose the first major viewing surface of the sheeting.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the carrier is extensible and permits the article to be positioned along an irregular surface of a substrate or along a curved path.