A retroreflective traffic stripe comprising an exposed top surface containing a widely spaced repeating pattern of linear light-turning prisms over a bottom surface containing two different types of cube corner retroreflective prisms. The light-turning prisms are configured to use refraction and reflection to redirect light from distant headlights into a downward direction onto the bottom surface of the traffic stripe. Cube corner retroreflective prisms of the first type on the bottom surface have optical axes which are substantially perpendicular to the surfaces of the traffic stripe and are located substantially beneath such light-turning prisms. Cube corner retroreflective prisms of the second type on the bottom surface have optical axes tilted toward the distant headlights by at least 25 degrees and are located substantially between such light-turning prisms. Under dry road conditions, the light-turning prisms and first type of cube corner prisms provide unprecedented levels of retroreflectivity. Under wet road conditions, the second type of cube corner prisms provide high levels of retroreflectivity.

Road markings made of special materials with reflective additives (micro-glass beads) that increase the retroreflection factor of the road marking independent of the color (whiteness, brightness) of the road marking material (thermoplastic, cold plastic, paint). Light sources, such as car headlights, emit radiation, including in the form of visible light. A major portion of the light beams directly incident onto a pavement (6) is absorbed. According to the first embodiment, a portion of all incident light beams is partially reflected directly from a road marking layer (4) and returned in the opposite direction. In both embodiments, a portion of the light beams is incident upon an extending portion (1). Since no additional layer (8) is present on the surface of the extending portion (1), the light beam is partially reflected and, upon refraction, passes inside a micro-glass bead (2). Having passed through the micro-glass bead (2), the light beams are almost completely reflected from the interface between the glass and additional layer (8), which is present along the entire surface of the micro-glass bead (2), except for the extending portion (1). Most of these reflected light beams is returned to the light source.

Road markings made of special materials with reflective additives (micro-glass beads) that increase the retroreflection factor of the road marking independent of the color (whiteness, brightness) of the road marking material (thermoplastic, cold plastic, paint). Light sources, such as car headlights, emit radiation, including in the form of visible light. A major portion of the light beams directly incident onto a pavement (6) is absorbed. According to the first embodiment, a portion of all incident light beams is partially reflected directly from a road marking layer (4) and returned in the opposite direction. In both embodiments, a portion of the light beams is incident upon an extending portion (1). Since no additional layer (8) is present on the surface of the extending portion (1), the light beam is partially reflected and, upon refraction, passes inside a micro-glass bead (2). Having passed through the micro-glass bead (2), the light beams are almost completely reflected from the interface between the glass and additional layer (8), which is present along the entire surface of the micro-glass bead (2), except for the extending portion (1). Most of these reflected light beams is returned to the light source.

A surface marking devices for heating and applying thermoplastic material. The surface marking device is comprised of laterally disposed oil-jacketed melting kettles having a rotatable auger extending from a first end to a second end; the first end having an open inlet for receipt of particulate thermoplastic marking material in a non-molten state. The second end coupled to a thermo pump for transfer of the thermoplastic marking material in a molten state to a sprayer, extrusion die, or an auxiliary vehicle for subsequent application. Retro-reflective glass beads can be added to the molten state during the spraying step.

A surface marking devices for heating and applying thermoplastic material. The surface marking device is comprised of laterally disposed oil-jacketed melting kettles having a rotatable auger extending from a first end to a second end; the first end having an open inlet for receipt of particulate thermoplastic marking material in a non-molten state. The second end coupled to a thermo pump for transfer of the thermoplastic marking material in a molten state to a sprayer, extrusion die, or an auxiliary vehicle for subsequent application. Retro-reflective glass beads can be added to the molten state during the spraying step.

The disclosed retroreflective element includes a polymeric core that is loaded with a plurality of first beads and second beads distributed at the perimeter of the core. The first beads are different than the second beads. Because of the beads in the core, the retroreflective element remains useful for returning light even after portions of the core begins to wear away. Further, when the retroreflective elements get wet, water will settle to the bottom of the perimeter of the core. Therefore, using the second beads with a refractive index suited for wet conditions, while the first beads have a refractive index suited for dry conditions allows the retroreflective element to be useful in both wet and dry conditions even while the retroreflective element wears during use.

The disclosed retroreflective element includes a polymeric core that is loaded with a plurality of first beads and second beads distributed at the perimeter of the core. The first beads are different than the second beads. Because of the beads in the core, the retroreflective element remains useful for returning light even after portions of the core begins to wear away. Further, when the retroreflective elements get wet, water will settle to the bottom of the perimeter of the core. Therefore, using the second beads with a refractive index suited for wet conditions, while the first beads have a refractive index suited for dry conditions allows the retroreflective element to be useful in both wet and dry conditions even while the retroreflective element wears during use.

Reflective luminescent markings on a road or sign surface are formed by applying onto the surface a base material which is liquid in an initial state for application and sets or cures to form a solid layer after application where the base material contains a fine/medium filler material of glass ground from recycled materials in a rotary mill. Coarse material from the grinder is separated out and supplied as a separate material to be applied onto the surface of the layer of base material and fine ground glass. The base material is connected or impregnated with a luminescent material such as photo luminescent 2 4 6 trichlorophenyl in a binder such as polyurea.

Reflective luminescent markings on a road or sign surface are formed by applying onto the surface a base material which is liquid in an initial state for application and sets or cures to form a solid layer after application where the base material contains a fine/medium filler material of glass ground from recycled materials in a rotary mill. Coarse material from the grinder is separated out and supplied as a separate material to be applied onto the surface of the layer of base material and fine ground glass. The base material is connected or impregnated with a luminescent material such as photo luminescent 2 4 6 trichlorophenyl in a binder such as polyurea.

Plurality of nanocrystalline percent by volume crystalline ceramic oxide beads, wherein the nanocrystalline ceramic oxide beads have an average crystallite size up to 250 nm, wherein each bead collectively comprises, on a theoretical oxides basis, at least one of Al.sub.2O.sub.3, SiO.sub.2, TiO.sub.2, or ZrO.sub.2 at least 40 weight percent, and at least 1 weight percent of at least one of a transition metal oxide or at least one Bi.sub.2O.sub.3 or CeO.sub.2, based on the total weight of the nanocrystalline ceramic oxide beads, and are visibly dark and infrared transmissive. The beads are useful, for example, in pavement markings.