Retroreflective marking system

Abstract

Embodiments relate to a retroreflective marking system. A retroreflective marking system comprises a colorless binder, colored glass elements, and colored retroreflective elements, wherein the colored glass elements and colored retroreflective elements are positioned on top of the colorless binder such that color and retroreflectivity comes from the top of the system. This system also leads to improved skid resistance.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of applying markings comprising:
 applying a binder to a surface, wherein the binder is colorless,   dropping glass elements onto the binder, wherein the glass elements are colored, and   dropping retroreflective elements onto the binder, wherein the retroreflective element are colored.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the glass elements and the retroreflective elements are positioned on top of the binder. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the glass elements and the retroreflective elements are the same color. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of dropping glass elements onto the binder is performed before the step of dropping retroreflective elements onto the binder. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of dropping retroreflective elements onto the binder is performed before the step of dropping glass elements onto the binder. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of dropping glass elements onto the binder is performed at the same time as the step of dropping retroreflective elements onto the binder. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the glass elements may have an average size of 8-70 US Mesh. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the average size of the glass elements is smaller than the average size of the retroreflective elements. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the markings have a skid resistance of up to 75 BPN. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the markings have a skid resistance of up to 82 BPN. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising heating the glass elements before the step of dropping glass elements onto the binder. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising heating the retroreflective elements before the step of dropping retroreflective elements onto the binder. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the glass elements are manufactured from recycled glass. 
     
     
         14 . A skid-resistant roadway marking comprising:
 a binder applied to a surface, wherein the binder is colorless,   glass elements positioned on top of the binder, wherein the glass elements are colored, and   retroreflective elements positioned on top of the binder, wherein the retroreflective element are colored.   
     
     
         15 . The roadway marking of  claim 14 , wherein the glass elements may have an average size of 8-70 US Mesh. 
     
     
         16 . The roadway marking of  claim 14 , wherein the average size of the glass elements is smaller than the average size of the retroreflective elements. 
     
     
         17 . The roadway marking of  claim 14 , wherein the marking has a skid resistance of up to 75 BPN. 
     
     
         18 . The roadway marking of  claim 14 , wherein the marking has a skid resistance of up to 82 BPN. 
     
     
         19 . The roadway marking of  claim 14 , wherein the glass elements are manufactured from recycled glass. 
     
     
         20 . The roadway marking of  claim 14 , wherein the binder consists of resin and fillers.