Appeal No. 2002-0639 Page 2
Application No. 09/372,602
THE CLAIMED INVENTION
Appellants’ invention relates to visual-tactile signage (Title). According to Appellants,
the invention affords continued visibility following illumination with visible light, as well as
improved visibility under variously illuminated or low-light conditions due to the incorporation
of reflective, retroreflective and luminescent materials (specification at 9, l. 14 to 10, l. 2).
Claims 10 and 39 are illustrative:
10. A visually enhanced article comprising a particulate-containing matrix, wherein:
said particulate-containing matrix includes a resinous matrix material, a plurality of
retroreflective spheres, a plurality of photoreflective pigments and a plurality of
photoluminescent pigments;
said resinous matrix material contains said retroreflective spheres, said photoreflective
pigments and said photoluminescent pigments;
said resinous matrix material has a matrix surface portion which is exposable to light
from an exterior source;
said retroreflective spheres generally are disposed protrudingly at said matrix surface
portion;
said photoreflective pigments and said photoluminescent pigments generally are disposed
beneath said matrix surface portion;
said particulate-containing matrix includes a plurality of matrix sections;
each said matrix section as a corresponding surface area of said matrix surface portion;
at least two said matrix sections differ in at least one characteristic pertaining to at least
one of said retroreflective spheres, said reflective pigments and said luminescent pigments;
said at least one characteristic is selected from the group of characteristics consisting of
color and concentration; and
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