Flexible sleeve

Abstract

The invention relates to a flexible sleeve for application to a support such as a cone and a method of making a flexible sleeve.

1 . A method of refurbishing traffic devices comprising providing a retroreflective sleeve on a traffic device wherein the traffic device no longer meets a color standard or reflectivity standard, the sleeve comprising a flexible substrate having a viewing surface and a non-viewing surface and at least one retroreflective band bonded to a flexible substrate wherein a portion of the flexible substrate is exposed on the viewing surface.  
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the flexible substrate is non-retroreflective.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the retroreflective band is at least as flexible as the flexible substrate.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the band has an elongation at break of at least 100% using test method ASTM D 882 with a crosshead speed of 20 inches per minute.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the band has an elongation at break of at least 200% using test method ASTM D 882 with a crosshead speed of 20 inches per minute.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the band has an elongation at break of at least 300% using test method ASTM D 882 with a crosshead speed of 20 inches per minute.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the retroreflective band consists essentially of microspheres at least partially embedded in a binder layer and specular or diffuse reflecting material.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the retroreflective band is substantially free of backing prior to being bonded to the flexible substrate.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the retroreflective band is bonded with an adhesive.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the adhesive is heat activated.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the sleeve has a conical shape or cylindrical shape.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the traffic device is selected from the group consisting of cones, drums, tubes, stakes, posts, coils, sign supports, and traffic signs.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the traffic device has a viewing surface and the sleeve covers a portion of the viewing surface of the traffic device.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the traffic device has a viewing surface and the sleeve covers substantially the entire viewing surface of the traffic device.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the support is a color and the flexible substrate is the same color as the support.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the flexible substrate is a conspicuous color.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the substrate is a fluorescent color.