Abstract: A document (10) is covered by a laminate (13) comprising a layer of microspheres (16) over an adhesive layer (14) covering a source image (12) such as a photograph, printed matter, or a bar code arranged on a substrate (11). Light impinging on the document (10) is split by the optical properties of the microspheres (16) and underlying specular reflectors. The remaining light passes through the microspheres (16), through the adhesive layer (14) and strikes the substrate (11) or source image (12) on the document (10), and is reflected (18) and scattered (20). Alternatively, the laminate (13) can comprise a plain or clear layer of polyester without microspheres over the adhesive layer (14). Light impinging on the laminate (13) passes through the polyester and laminate (14) to strike the substrate (11) or source image (12) where it is reflected and scattered. A first light source (24) directs light to the document (10).

Abstract: A stochastic halftone pattern has been invented which has a narrow band power spectrum due to the incorporation of a dot growth process. The narrow band power spectrum may be matched to the resolution characteristics of specific printers, resulting in smoother printed halftone textures. The spectrum of a halftone pattern may be made anisotropic (angularly dependent), helping to de-couple sets of patterns for color printing with reduced color noise or mottle.

Abstract: The invention provides curable ink compositions that are inkjet printable and that adhere to a variety of substrates, for example, glass and polymer. The ink compositions of the invention can be formulated so to provide cured inks that are very flexible or very rigid depending upon the desired application. The invention provides a cure-on-demand curable ink composition comprising a homogeneous mixture of at least one of: (a) a compound having 2 reactive silyl groups, and (b) a compound having at least 3 reactive silyl groups; acid generating catalyst; and pigment or pigment chip. The invention also provides methods of making and using the ink compositions and imaged articles.

Abstract: A vinyl graphic marking film or label coated with a pressure sensitive acrylic adhesive designed to achieve high or permanent adhesion to polymeric low energy surfaces is disclosed. In addition to good adhesion to low energy surfaces, the graphic marking film or label may have microperforated or micro-rough edges which initiate tearing when removal is attempted. The article maintains flexibility and film strength for easy fabrication in graphic marking film or label manufacture.

Abstract: Sheets to be coated with water-based coating material, for example a primer and a low adhesion backsize, are supplied from a feeder (1), in end-to-end overlapping relationship, to a dual coater (3) in which the sheets are coated individually on both sides. A sheet inserter (2) is provided, upstream of the dual coater, to insert sheets from a second supply into the sheets from the feeder (1). The dual coated sheets are dried as individual sheets or as a pseudo-web of overlapped sheets. The sheets are then overlapped, unless previously overlapped, and the direction of overlap changed, if necessary, to provide the trailing edge of each sheet on top of the leading edge of each succeeding sheet. The overlapped sheets are conveyed through an adhesive transfer station (7) where stripes (236) of at least partially dried adhesive are coated onto the dual coated sheets from a transfer belt (71).

Abstract: A homopolymer or copolymer useful for inhibiting the migration of pigmented inks in porous inkjet receptor media is disclosed. The copolymer is comprised of at least two different hydrophilic monomers, each of whose homopolymers are hydrophilic yet the resulting copolymer from the different hydrophilic monomers is sparingly soluble in water. Methods of making and using such copolymer are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for coating includes applying an adhesive to a surface, wherein the surface comprises an arrangement of structures thereon, wherein the structures extend upward from a plane of the surface and have at least one sidewall that makes an angle with respect to the plane of the surface of greater than 0° and less than 90° selected to reduce air bubble formation for a coating solution of a selected rheology.

Abstract: A polymer useful for a multi-stage inhibiting of the migration of pigmented inks in porous inkjet receptor media is disclosed. The polymer is quite soluble in water and has quaternary amine functional groups. Methods of making and using such polymer are also disclosed.

Abstract: A W-stacked pads of tape strips dispensable at a low peel angle, comprising a plurality of superimposed tape strips longitudinally reversed so as to align the first end of each tape strip with the second end of an immediately overlaying and an immediately underlying tape strip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying pressure sensitive adhesive to a substrate, in which the adhesive is deposited on a transfer surface, such as a circulating transfer belt, dried, and subsequently transferred to a plurality of overlapping sheets. The sheets are preferably coated with a primer or a low adhesion backsize, or both, prior to application of the adhesive.

Abstract: An adhesive blend is comprised of a hydrophilic pressure sensitive adhesive comprising the polymerization product of (a) about 15 to about 85 parts by weight of an (meth)acrylate ester monomer wherein the (meth)acrylate ester monomer, when polymerized, has a glass transition temperature (Tg) of less than about 10° C.; (b) about 85 to about 15 parts by weight of a hydrophilic acidic comonomer; and (c) at least about 10 parts based on 100 parts of the sum of components (a)+(b) of a non-reactive plasticizing agent and a hydrophobic pressure sensitive adhesive comprising an elastomer or thermoplastic elastomer including styrene block copolymers (e.g., linear, radial, tapered, star) consisting of copolymerized styrene and isoprene, butadiene or ethylene-butylene; polyisoprene; polybutadiene; polyisobutylene; butyl rubber; styrene-butadiepe rubber; natural rubber; and poly-&agr;-olefins (e.g., polyhexene, polyoctene and propylene-hexene).

Abstract: A plurality of releasably loaded elastomeric microspheres comprising a plurality of elastomeric microspheres loaded with at least one releasable agriculturally active agent within the optical boundaries of the elastomeric microspheres and post-polymerization addition and in-situ polymerization processes for preparing the releasably loaded elastomeric microspheres are also provided.

Abstract: A multilayer optical film comprising: (a) an optical stack comprising alternating layers of at least a first polymer and a second polymer; and (b) a holographic image.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a holding device which is attachable to a rigid surface comprising an exposed pressure-sensitive adhesive layer wherein the pressure sensitive adhesive is readily removable from the surface and is selected to exhibit a compliance of between 5×10−7 to 2×10−6 cm2/dyne, and a toughness of between 5×102 to 2×103 pounds/inch2 and to a corresponding pressure sensitive adhesive. The invention furthermore refers to a kit of parts comprising a holding means and a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape to be attached to said holding means said adhesive tape comprising at least one exposed pressure-sensitive adhesive layer according to claims of the inventions.

Abstract: Adhesive tape backings comprising isotactic polypropylene blended or mixed with at least a second polyolefin. The backing is biaxially stretched so as to provide a film having any one or a combination of the following preferred characteristics: A. Puncture energy up to 20 J/cm2 when 2.54 cm wide samples are tested by the method set herein, or up to 90 J/cm2 when 1.27 cm wide samples are tested by the method set out herein. B. Puncture elongation up to about 1.3 cm when 2.54 cm wide samples are tested by the method set out herein, or up to 2.0 cm when 1.27 cm wide samples are tested by the method set out herein. C. Tensile strength up to 140 MPa in the MD. In a preferred embodiment, the second component comprises polyethylene, polybutylene, or syndiotactic polypropylene.

Abstract: A contact printable adhesive composition comprises (a) swellable, elastomeric microspheres and (b) at least one polymerizable monomer or a mixture of polymerizable monomers capable of swelling the microspheres. As used in this application “contact printable adhesive composition” is a composition that can be used in a contact printing process and then cured. The cured contact printable adhesive composition will generally be referred to as “contact printed adhesive”.

Abstract: The present invention provides polydiorganosiloxane oligourea segmented copolymers. The copolymers contain soft polydiorganosiloxane units, hard segments that are diisocyanate residues, the polydiorganosiloxane units and diisocyanate residues being connected by urea linkages, and terminal groups that are non-reactive, reactive under free radical or moisture cure conditions, or amines. The invention also provides methods of preparing the copolymers.

Abstract: Adhesives useful in applying articles, such as tapes, labels, signs, decals, emblems, car moldings, protective or optical films, etc., to surfaces to which articles normally do not adhere well, such as surfaces containing fluorine and polycarbonate, for example. The adhesives include a copolymer of one or more monoethylenically unsaturated alkyl (meth)acrylate monomers, one or more monoethylenically unsaturated secondary or tertiary amide-functional monomers, and optionally one or more acidic monomers.

Abstract: Films having a microreplicated topography are prepared from contacting a microembossed pattern to a layer of film. When an adhesion interface is established between the layer of film and a supporting substrate, the topography of the film surface controls the performance of the adhesion interface. Articles having microreplicated film surfaces are also disclosed that have an advantage of providing microchannels for fluid egress for an effective period of time. Multiple microembossed patterns produce microreplicated film surfaces having both microchannels for fluid egress and pegs for improved film properties.