BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION These has been a need for many years to provide a competent and effective marking composition for things such as left and right side of road and centre of road marking which will retain high visibility and long wearability.

Current compositions seem to be able to provide a high wearability by providing a durable composition but which is not necessarily highly visible.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides in one aspect:- a marking composition comprising a binder component and a reflective component comprising thin sheets or pieces of material which are essentially reflective.

The present invention provides in another aspect:- a marking composition comprising a background colour together with a foreground composition comprising small flakes of a foil material comprising thin sheets or pieces of material which are essentially reflective.

In a further aspect the present invention provides a method of marking comprising applying to an article to be marked a composition in accordance with this invention.

In a still further aspect of this invention there is provided a method of marking an article comprising applying to the article a composition in accordance with this invention and wherein the article is one selected from a road, a kerb, tarmac, runway, taxiway, landing strip, road marker, factory or store floor, parking areas, and a rail.

PREFERRED ASPECTS OF THE INVENTION Preferably the reflective material is a holographic material. In the context of this specification the terms holographic and holography are to be given their ordinarily understood meanings. As an example the World Book Dictionary (World Book Inc Chicago) defines holography as: a method of photography without the use of lenses in which a three-dimensional image is recorded on a photographic plate or film by means of laser light. The laser light is split into two beams that interfere with each other to form a pattern which depends on the shape of the photographed object. When the pattern on the plate or film is then exposed to visible light, a three-dimensional image of the object is formed. Much work has also been done on grid patterns which show excellent reflectivity.

Preferably the reflective material is a thin sheet of foil material having thereon an anodised surface providing reflectivity.

Preferably the reflective material has a thickness of substantially less than lmm.

Preferably the reflective material has a surface area of not less than lmm x lmm.

More preferably the reflective material has a surface area of about 2.5mm x 2.5mm.

Still more preferably the reflective material has a surface area of about 6mm x 6mm.

Preferably the reflective material is able to reflect in a plurality of directions.

In one instance the reflective material is combined with a

base material able to lay down a colour on a surface.

In another instance the binder is substantially clear and no colour material is included. However, a clear colour material may be included.

Preferably that surface will be a road surface but may alternatively be a road marking post, a rail, signs, or in places such as in airports where there is a need to clearly delineate pathways that need to be noted.

In a compositional form, it is highly desirable that the composition should dry rapidly by which is meant within one hour at 18"C.

It is also desirable that the composition be resistant to W lighting and other forms of weathering.

It is highly desirable that the composition is strong in adhesion to bitumen, concrete, steel and wood.

It is highly desirable that the composition be slip resistant when dry or when wet due to rainfall. In this respect, it is preferred that the composition includes quartz and/or bentonite or mica to provide a rough surface as an aid to slip resistance.

The presence of quartz, bentonite or mica in the composition and the resultant increase in the unevenness of the surface of the composition may also serve the purpose of changing the angles of incidence of light striking the surface and so add to the diffusion of the reflective material embedded in the composition.

It is highly desirable that the composition should be resistant to the effect of rubber tyres and to provide rubber tyres with the requisite adhesive capacity.

It is highly desirable that the composition have a clarity of maintenance of colour and reflection to demonstrate a reflective life of at least 5 years.

It is highly desirable that the composition should not exhibit toxicity in the environment in which it is used.

The present invention will now be illustrated by several specific examples which are to be considered as non limiting but exhibitory of the effect of the invention.

A composition according to the invention may be provided as a single phase or dual phase product.

EXAMPLE 1 Developed as a single phase coating product for direct application or as an overcoat for existing lines and markings.

Composition Parts by wt in proportion to total wt Methylacrylate 94 Ethelacrylate = 5 Butylacrylate = 5 Methacrylic Acid = 3 Titanium and pigmented fillers = 55 Holographic alloy particle flake = 3 up to 2500 microns Coloured or plain material Quartz particles 500 to 1000 microns = 10 Water = 60 Vinyltrimethoxysilane (A-171) = 1 Ingredients produce a very flexible durable fast drying cross linked resin film.

Peel strength P.L.I Bitumen Typical properties Roadway

Wet = 6+ Dry = 9+ Gal Steel = 7+ 1-Dry Wood = 6+ 1-Dry Concrete = 9+ 1-Dry Total solids % WT 64-66 pH 9 Viscosity CP 600 Weight per litre at 250C 1.5kg Freeze - thaw stability Protect from freezing Heat - age stability. Pass 1 week at 450C. T.G. deg C.

(midpoint) 200cumin 8 EXAMPLE 2 DescriPtion: An integrated coating system designed to coat road and highway line markings, posts, safety rails, signs and road safety control aids.

PurPose: To provide a reflected holographic effect visible when light is beamed upon it from any angle. The result is a powerful optical display creating greater visibility at short or long distances, throughout both night or day or wet conditions.

Ultimately to provide a safer environment for highway and road users, through better visibility.

comPosition: A dual phase integrated system comprising a methacrylate base upon which holographic chip is combined with silica quartz and mica particles applied and bound into a highly reflective matrix using a special weather resistant clear

polymer overcoat.

The Result: A super tough optically focal anti-slip surface, boasting a low rate of oxidation. Its reflective properties will last at least 5 years of average weather exposure applicable to all Australian territory weather patterns.

It can be rejuvenated at any interval to create a new surface.

Environmentally Safe: Non toxic and completely safe to all persons and animal life who or which may come in contact with it.

Application: Applied by special stencil spray equipment. It is fast to apply, dries quickly and is competitively priced compared with other road and safety marking paint or objects.

EXAMPLE 3 Type: A two phase system Phase 1. A methacrylate binder in emulsion with titanium dioxide and a coloured pigment, a hydrophobic reactive agent to increase viscosity to a level of sustained suspension to incorporate mica and quartz or bentonite particles 500 - 1000 microns thick.

Phase 2. A holographic effect is created using an anodic coating process incorporating D & L amino acids and phenalaninine when bound these molecules are polarised into holistic form causing an isomer which results in the optical molecule reflecting light from different angles due to the fact of L & D amino acids rotating in opposite

directions. The result is from the carbon atoms; these are laser bound to aluminium foil or chip.

The final finished product is now to be subjected to weatherometer testing to determine oxidation rate and reflective maintenance.

The basis of formulation involves the use of acrylic polymer emulsion, with polyacrylate thickness and coalescing solvent.

In Phase 1 - The base coat emulsion is combined with titanium dioxide, bentonite and silica quartz and mica and pigments.

Phase 2 - comprises the emulsion with polyacrylate being added until the viscosity is thick enough so as to keep the holographic chip in balanced suspension. This coating dries clear and assists in creating the reflective properties of the coating. The combination highlights excellent flexibility abrasive resistance and W stability.

It is highly resistant to hydrocarbons and water with outdoor durability being paramount.

Properties are: Binder. Aqueous acrylic polymer. Dispersion appearance, milky white emulsion with quartz mica and bentonite.

Resin solids 44% Viscosity before thickness: 1300 cp @ 25"C Specific gravity: 1.06 pH: 8.9 (controlled by addition of ammonia).

Drv Film Phase 1 Appearance: White or colour tinted

Nature: A tough flexible thick binder of mica, titanium, dioxide, bentonite and silica quartz.

Resistant to weathering - excellent T.G.

Phase 2 Clear colourless binder showing only the holographic chip particles which is overcoated on phase 1 causing the holographic chip particles to be bound in variable angles of incidence providing considerable light refraction.

The result is: A highly reflective coating which refracts light from one particle to another based on the theory of isomeric refraction its UV stability should allow this reaction to continue without deleterious effect for at least 5 years when subjected to outdoor exposure.

Application: May be applied by brush, roller, spray equipment with stencils, the process is non toxic and environmentally friendly. Special road marking machines may be used where applicable.

EXAMPLE 4 The procedure of Example 1 was repeated to form a composition excepting that the titanium, quartz, mica, bentonite and coloured material particles were omitted.

A satisfactory clear composition resulted which showed good reflectivity.

EXAMPLE 5

The procedure of Example 2 was repeated to form a composition excepting that the silica quartz was omitted.

A satisfactory clear composition resulted which showed good reflectivity.

EXAMPLE 6 The procedure of Example 3 was repeated to form two phases which were later combined excepting that the titanium dioxide, coloured pigment, bentonite and silica quartz were omitted.

A satisfactory clear composition resulted which showed good reflectivity.

The claims, illustrations, photographs and drawings, if any, form part of the disclosure of this specification as does the description, claims, illustrations, photographs and drawings of any associated provisional or parent specification or of any priority document, if any, all of which are imported hereinto as part of the record hereof.

Finally it is to be understood that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements or parts without departing from the spirit and ambit of the invention.