Abstract: An optical film comprising a silicone elastomer having a support surface and an opposing liner surface; a releasable support contacting at least a portion of the support surface; and a releasable liner contacting at least a portion of the liner surface. The releasable support has a first release tension from the silicone elastomer and the releasable liner has a second release tension from the silicone elastomer, wherein the first release tension and the second release tension are different. In one embodiment, the first release tension is higher than the second release tension, with the first release tension being at least 20% higher than the second release tension. An image display device comprising the optical film is also provided. The optical film provides increase durability, reworkability and workability for improved assembly and manufacturing of image display devices.

Abstract: Temperature-sensitive films that undergo an irreversible change in appearance when the films are heated to a threshold temperature are provided. Also provided are methods for indicating that an object in thermal contact with a temperature-sensitive film has reached a threshold temperature.

Abstract: A label with top, bottom and edge surfaces is attached to a thermoplastic substrate by a method comprising the steps of: A. Placing the bottom surface of the label in contact with a surface of the substrate; B. Melting a portion of the substrate beneath the label or adjacent to an edge of the label; C. Drawing a portion of the melted substrate over an edge of and onto the top surface of the label such that the portion of the melted substrate on the top surface of the label is continuous with the substrate; and D. Solidifying the melted substrate. The attachment does not require adhesive or mechanical fasteners, and the label and thermoplastic substrate can be made of any material that will withstand the conditions of the environment to which they will be exposed.

Abstract: Acrylic-based pressure sensitive adhesives are modified with a telechelic hydrocarbon oligomer. The oligomer comprises a hydrocarbon polymer chain or backbone and a functional end group, e.g., an oligomer prepared from a mono hydroxyl polybutadiene polymer and toluene diisocyanate. The oligomer attaches to the acrylic backbone of the polymer as a pendant group and in a preferred embodiment, the oligomer is mixed with the PSA shortly before the PSA is coated.

Abstract: A heat-resistant, multi-layer label free of both glass frit and silicone resin is described. The label is suitable for use in high temperature applications, e.g., applications in which the label and object to which it is adhered are subjected to a temperature of 700 C. or more. The label before exposure to high temperature comprises: (A) an ink-receptive layer comprising an acrylic-based polymer and first and second planar surfaces (B) a base layer comprising first and second planar surfaces, the first planar surface of the base layer in intimate contact with the second planar surface of the ink-receptive layer, the base layer comprising inorganic powder and an organic binder and (C) a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) layer comprising an acrylic-based polymer and first and second planar surfaces, the first planar surface of the PSA layer in intimate contact with the second surface of the base layer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a nonmetallic, tamper-indicating, multi-layer label with a metallic appearance is described. The label comprises a pearlescent layer, a film layer, a patterned release layer, and a pigmented adhesive layer with the provisos that (i) the pigmented adhesive layer is an exterior layer of the label and is substantially free of pearlescent pigment, and (ii) the patterned release layer is an interior layer of the label. Each layer has first and second opposing planar surfaces, and each layer is in intimate contact with the layer or layers immediately adjacent to it. In another embodiment, two layers, one layer comprising a non-pearlescent pigment and the other layer comprising the adhesive, replace the pigmented adhesive layer.

Abstract: A RFID label suitable for use on a metal support surface. In one embodiment, the RFID label includes a substrate having a downwardly extending integral leg. RFID circuitry is disposed on the substrate adjacent to the leg which spaces the RFID circuitry from the support surface to reduce interference from the support surface.

Abstract: An all-polymer grating microstructure device that exhibits a zero-order reflection under white light comprises a first polymer having a first refractive index and configured as a microstructure embedded within a second polymer having a second refractive index, each of the polymers of the first and second polymers at least translucent to white light with the proviso that the refractive index of the first polymer is at least 0.

Abstract: A photoluminescent wall marker includes an elongated base having an upper edge and a lower edge. The lower edge of the base is integral with an upper edge of a photoluminescent panel. The upper edge of the photoluminescent panel is integral with the base lower edge and defined by a fold line extending longitudinally between the base and the photoluminescent panel. The base and photoluminescent panel are flexible in a transverse direction allowing the wall marker to be stored in roll form in an unassembled configuration.

Abstract: A cable lockout assembly includes a cable sizing mechanism coupled to a cable clamping mechanism. The cable sizing mechanism is coupled with the cable clamping mechanism for adjusting the cable clamping mechanism relative to a size of the cable.

Abstract: A cable lockout assembly includes a base and a cover. The cover is rotatably fixed relative to the base for rotation about a center axis between a lock position and an unlock position. A cable is wound around the center axis between the base and the cover. The cable has a first end and a second end. The first end is fixed relative to the lockout assembly, and the second end extends from the cable lockout assembly a predetermined length. In the unlock position, the second end is detachably fixable to the cable lockout assembly. In the lock position, when the second end is fixed to the cable lockout assembly, the second end is not detachable from the cable lockout assembly.

Abstract: A label wrapper assembly for wrapping a label on an elongated object. The assembly includes a support frame having a first wall spaced from a second wall. A wrapper frame is interposed between the first and second walls, and has a first end and a second end. The wrapper frame includes an opening for receiving the elongated object extending through the wrapper frame between the first and second ends, wherein the wrapper frame revolves around the elongated object to wrap a label thereon. In one embodiment, the first end is rotatably mounted to only one of the first and second walls, and the second end is adjacent to the other of the first and second walls. In another embodiment, a clamp mechanism is mounted to each of the walls, wherein each of the clamp mechanisms clamp onto the elongated object extending through the wrapper frame to hold the elongated object as the wrapper frame revolves around the elongated object.

Abstract: A time indicator assembly including a front part and a back part is disclosed that can easily pass through a printer. The time indicator assembly includes a base substrate forming at least part of the back part having a first surface and a second surface extending between edges. A migrating ink is applied over a portion of the first surface of the base substrate, and a release sheet overlies the migrating ink to prevent migration of the migrating ink toward the front part. In one embodiment, an adhesive is applied over the release sheet and onto the base substrate adjacent at least two of the base substrate edges. The adhesive joins a cover substrate forming at least part of the front part to the base substrate over at least a portion of the release sheet and along the at least two of the base substrate edges. Upon removal of the release sheet, the migrating ink migrates through the adhesive to form an image in the cover substrate.

Abstract: A lockout assembly suitable for use with a valve having a handle rotatable between an open position and a closed position includes a lock arm which supports a clamping mechanism. In one aspect of the invention, the lock arm includes a longitudinal slot having slot ends. The clamping mechanism is engagable with the handle for clamping thereto and includes a threaded stud extending through the slot. The threaded stud is slidable in the slot between the slot ends. In another aspect of the invention, the clamping mechanism includes a locking knife and body. The body is interposed between the lock arm and locking knife, and includes an opening for slidably receiving the threaded stud therethrough. The locking knife is axially fixed to an end of the threaded stud and is moveable relative to the body for clamping onto the handle interposed between the locking knife and body. The locking knife includes a lower jaw having a distal end and a proximal end.

Abstract: A printer cartridge suitable for use in a cartridge-based printer houses and dispenses a roll of label media, and includes a housing having a top wall and a bottom wall. A yoke pivotally mounted between the top and bottom walls for pivotable movement about a pivot axis includes a label media supply shaft for holding a roll of label media. The label media supply shaft has a longitudinal axis spaced from, and parallel to, the pivot axis. A label media drive roller is rotatably mounted between the top and bottom walls, and a biasing means biases the yoke toward the label media drive roller to maintain the roll of label media in contact with the label media drive roller. Ratchet teeth fixed relative to at least one of the housing and yoke engage structure of the other of the housing and the yoke to prevent the yoke from pivoting away from the label media drive roller.

Abstract: A label wrapper block assembly for mounting in a rotatably mounted wrapper frame in a label wrapper assembly includes a base having opposing ends joined by a top surface and a bottom surface. A channel extends between the ends in the top surface for receiving an object being wrapped by the label wrapper assembly. At least one biasing member is extendible into the channel for urging the label against the object received in the channel. In one embodiment, the at least one biasing member is a flexible material stretched across the base top surface.

Abstract: A long term rapid color changing time indicator includes a front part and a back part. The front part includes a transparent layer, an opaque layer, a colorant layer, and a neutralizing layer. The colorant layer includes a matrix and a colorant having a non-migratory form that does not migrate in the matrix and having a migratory form that migrates in the matrix. The back part has a reactant. When the front part and the back part are placed in contact, the reactant migrates into the neutralizing layer and a portion of the reactant is depleted by a coreactant. The unreacted reactant migrates into the colorant layer and reacts with the non-migratory form of the colorant converting the non-migratory form to the migratory form such that the migratory form of the colorant migrates through the opaque layer to cause a visual color indication in the transparent layer.

Abstract: A label for use as an in-mold label and including a radio frequency identification device (RFID) is disclosed. The label includes an RFID having opposed first and second surfaces; a first layer of heat-activated adhesive disposed on the first surface of the RFID; a second layer of heat-activated adhesive disposed on the second surface of the RFID; and a surface layer comprising a polymeric film disposed on a surface of the first layer of heat-activated adhesive opposite the first surface of the RFID. The label is placed in a mold with the surface layer contacting the mold. A polymer is molded in the mold such that the second layer of heat-activated adhesive (or a surface layer over the second layer of heat-activated adhesive) adheres to the polymer thereby producing a labeled article that can be identified using the radio frequency identification device in the label.

Abstract: A spool suitable for winding material thereon includes an axially extending body having a proximal end and a distal end joined by an outer surface. An extractor bar is mounted for slidable movement relative to the body for urging material wound onto the body toward the body distal end.

Abstract: A spool suitable for winding material thereon includes an axially extending body having a proximal end and a distal end joined by an outer surface. A cam is rotatably mounted adjacent to the body for rotatable movement between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the cam secures the material to the spool and a portion of the cam extends radially outwardly from the body to define a first effective diameter of the spool. In the open position, the cam is spaced from the body to release the material secured to the spool and the portion of the cam retracts toward the body to define a second effective diameter of the spool which is less than the first effective diameter.