Abstract: The present invention relates to an imaging member comprising an imaging layer and at least one stiffening layer comprising a blend of polyolefin polymer and amorphous hydrocarbon resin. The invention further describes a method for making the imaging member, comprising extruding a foam polymer sheet, orienting the foam polymer sheet, bringing a stiffening layer comprising a blend of polyolefin polymer and amorphous hydrocarbon resin into contact with the oriented foam polymer sheet, and applying an imaging layer above the stiffening layer. A second method of forming an imaging member comprises extruding a foam polymer sheet, bringing at least one stiffening layer comprising a blend of polyolefin polymer and amorphous hydrocarbon resin into contact with the foam polymer sheet, orienting said foam polymer sheet and said stiffening layer and applying an imaging layer above said stiffening layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to an optical light transmitting component including a network of cells containing filler material, the cells being walled on the sides and unwalled on the top and bottom portion of each cell, the walled sides comprising a polymer having a first refractive index, and the cells comprising a filler material having a second refractive index greater than the first refractive index, whereby light may be transmitted through the filler material and the unwalled top and bottom portion of the cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for placing indicia on a support for an imaging element comprising providing a support wherein the support comprises a closed cell foam core layer and adhered thereto at least one flange layer, wherein the closed cell foam core layer comprises a polymer that has been expanded through the use of a blowing agent, and placing indicia on the support, wherein the imaging element comprises the support and at least one imaging layer. The invention also relates to a method for placing indicia on a support for an imaging element comprising providing a support wherein the support comprises a closed cell foam core layer and adhered thereto at least one flange layer, wherein the closed cell foam core layer comprises a polymer that has been expanded through the use of a blowing agent, and placing indicia on the closed cell foam core layer.

Abstract: This invention provides method for placing indicia on a support for an imaging element comprising embossing indicia, such as a logo, on a roller; providing a support wherein said support comprises a closed cell foam core and adhered thereto at least one flange layer, wherein said closed cell foam core comprises a polymer that has been expanded through the use of a blowing agent; and pressing said support against said embossed roller.

Abstract: Disclosed is a waveguide having a light inlet surface and a viewing surface comprising stacked core layers separated by clad layers to form channels and bearing a smoothing layer on at least one of the light inlet surface or the viewing surface thereof.

Abstract: This patent relates to an imaging member comprising a vacuous polymer base having adhered thereto an image formed on a transparent polymer sheet, wherein said vacuous polymer base has a density of less than 0.7 grams/cc and a modulus to density ratio of between 1500 and 4000 and wherein said image is in contact with said vacuous polymer base.

Abstract: The invention provides a photographic element comprising a transparent polymer sheet, at least one layer containing negative working photosensitive silver halide and at least one upper protective shield to protect the surface of said transparent polymer.

Abstract: An optical element comprising an elongated channel for light travel comprising a light transmitting polymeric central core and further comprising multilayer particles, wherein a majority of the particles have both a longest dimension less than 1 micrometer and an aspect ratio of longest to smallest dimension of from 1000:1, to 10:1, wherein the particles are arranged in a concentration differential in at least a portion of a plane normal to the length of the channel so as to create a refractive index gradient in that plane.

Abstract: An optical element comprising an elongated channel for light travel comprising a light transmitting polymeric central core and further comprising multilayer particles, wherein a majority of the particles have both a longest dimension less than 1 micrometer and an aspect ratio of longest to smallest dimension of from 1000:1, to 10:1, wherein the particles are arranged in a concentration differential in at least a portion of a plane normal to the length of the channel so as to create a refractive index gradient in that plane.

Abstract: An optical element comprising an elongated channel for light travel comprising a light transmitting polymeric central core and further comprising multilayer particles, wherein a majority of the particles have both a longest dimension less than 1 micrometer and an aspect ratio of longest to smallest dimension of from 1000:1, to 10:1, wherein the particles are arranged in a concentration differential in at least a portion of a plane normal to the length of the channel so as to create a refractive index gradient in that plane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nacreous polymer sheet comprising voided polyester polymer wherein said sheet has voids of a length to height ratio of greater than 9:1, voids of a length of between 10 and 100 micrometer and a number of voids in the vertical direction is greater than 6.

Abstract: The invention relates to an imaging member comprising an image layer and a base material wherein said base material comprises at least one oriented sheet laminated to a core sheet comprising a vacuous composite of polyolefin and polyester having a density of less than 0.7 g/cc.

Abstract: This patent relates to an imaging member comprising a vacuous polymer base having adhered thereto an image formed on a transparent polymer sheet, wherein said vacuous polymer base has a density of less than 0.7 grams/cc and a modulus to density ratio of between 1500 and 4000 and wherein said image is in contact with said vacuous polymer base.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for placing process survivable indicia on a support for an imaging element comprising providing a support wherein the support comprises a closed cell foam core and adhered thereto at least one flange layer, wherein the closed cell foam core layer comprises a polymer that has been expanded through the use of a blowing agent, and placing process survivable ink on at least one flange layer, wherein the process survivable ink forms process survivable indicia. The invention also relates to a method for placing process survivable indicia on a support comprising a closed cell foam core and adhered thereto an upper flange layer and a lower flange layer. The invention also includes a method for placing process survivable indicia on a support by placing process survivable indicia on said closed cell foam core.

Abstract: This invention relates to an imaging member comprising an image layer and a paper base comprising a mixture of vegetable fibers and wood fibers wherein said vegetable fibers comprise between 5 and 25 percent by weight of said paper base.

Abstract: The invention relates to a waveguide comprising a transparent polymeric central core clad externally with one or more polymeric layers, at least one of the core or clad layer containing layered particles disposed in a polymeric binder, wherein a majority of the particles have a lateral dimension less than 1 micrometer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a photographic element comprising at least one silver halide containing imaging layer and a cushioning layer below said at least one imaging layer having a compression percentage of between 5 and 25%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an imaging member comprising an imaging layer and a base wherein said base comprises a polymer sheet having at least one oriented polymer core and adhered thereto at least one unoriented polymer layer. Another embodiment relates to an imaging element comprising an imaging layer and a base, wherein said base comprises an integral polymer sheet having at least one oriented polymer core and at least one unoriented polymer layer. The invention further relates to a process of manufacturing a base for an imaging element comprising the steps of extruding a voided core polymer sheet; orienting said extruded voided core polymer sheet; and extrusion coating said oriented extruded voided core polymer sheet with at least one unoriented polymer layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an imaging member comprising an imaging layer and at least one stiffening layer comprising a blend of polyolefin polymer and amorphous hydrocarbon resin. The invention further describes a method for making the imaging member, comprising extruding a foam polymer sheet, orienting the foam polymer sheet, bringing a stiffening layer comprising a blend of polyolefin polymer and amorphous hydrocarbon resin into contact with the oriented foam polymer sheet, and applying an imaging layer above the stiffening layer. A second method of forming an imaging member comprises extruding a foam polymer sheet, bringing at least one stiffening layer comprising a blend of polyolefin polymer and amorphous hydrocarbon resin into contact with the foam polymer sheet, orienting said foam polymer sheet and said stiffening layer and applying an imaging layer above said stiffening layer.

Abstract: A radiographic phosphor panel exhibits provides increased photospeed and image sharpness in exposed radiographic films. This panel includes a phosphor layer that transmits actinic radiation in a range that is reflected by a transparent, polymeric multi-layer reflector used as part of a support. This polymeric multi-layer reflector exhibits a different level of reflectance of light depending upon the angle of light incidence that is greater than 0 and up to and including 90 degrees. On the opposing surface of the reflector is a light absorbing substrate.