Abstract: In a method of manufacturing an ultrasonic transducer array a plurality of discrete transducer elements are formed on an initially flat flexible substrate together with electrically conductive tracks, through which the transducer elements will be energized in use, the flexible substrate with the discrete transducer elements and conductive tracks mounted thereon then being formed into a cylinder and mounted on the end of a catheter tube, the substrate being radially outwardly of the transducer elements so that it is in a position to act also as an acoustic matching layer between the material of the transducer elements and the human tissues or blood when in use.

Abstract: A cast coated paper for ink jet recording is prepared by a process including the steps of: forming on a base paper an undercoating layer containing alumina having a bulk density of at most 0.2 g/cm.sup.3 and an adhesive, applying onto the undercoating layer an overcoating liquid containing a resin to form a wet overcoating layer, and pressing the wet overcoating layer against a heated drum having a mirror-finished surface to dry the overcoating layer, thereby forming a cast-coating layer. The resultant cast coated paper shows not only good gloss and ink jet recording performances (inclusive of ink absorptivity and recorded image density), but also good weather-fastness of recorded images.

Abstract: An image bearing composite optical material is formed as a laminated flexible sheet having an image bearing photographic quality film layer variously bonded between outer and inner translucent layers of paper, fabric, or synthetic materials. The composite optical material provides two sharply distinct appearances dependent upon being viewed under backlit or ambient illumination conditions. Full-colored and precisely detailed images are produced under backlighted conditions; a plain appearance is produced otherwise. Improved embodiments include a nonbilateral structure wherein a middle image bearing film layer is bonded over its entire adjacent surface with an outer translucent layer, and is bonded at widely separated points or along thin lines with an inner translucent layer to produce an air gap there between. The air gap embodiment negates image transmission under nonbacklit viewing conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides a mounting method for a semiconductor chip, wherein after disposing the anisotropic conductive adhesive on a circuit board, the circuit board is preheated to a temperature lower than the hardening temperature of the anisotropic conductive adhesive, the semiconductor chip is disposed on the circuit board thereafter, and the anisotropic conductive adhesive is hardened by thermally press-bonding the semiconductor chip onto the circuit board by applying pressure as well as heat so that generation of air bubbles is minimized ensuring good adhesion therebetween. It is also possible to prevent occurrence of thermal strain by heating simultaneously the under surface of the circuit board at a temperature lower than a heating temperature for the semiconductor chip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a photographic element comprising a paper base, at least one photosensitive silver halide layer, and a layer of microvoided biaxially oriented polyolefin sheet between said paper base and said silver halide layer.

Abstract: A self-adhesive label comprising a multilaminar label portion, a self-adhesive laminar material extending over, and adhered by its self-adhesive surface to, the multilaminar label portion thereby to form two self-adhesive edge portions thereof on opposed sides of the multilaminar label portion, a backing of release material to which one of the edge portions is releasably adhered and an unadhesive portion which is located on the rear surface of the said one edge portion.

Abstract: Color swatch charts are formed by feeding sheets eighteen inches or longer in length with this long dimension of the sheet disposed transversely to the sheet travel direction. Ribbons in a row of eighteen inches or longer are simultaneously severed with the first and last swatch in each row of identical size and with the swatches having four square corners to form a rectangular shape. This orientation of the long axis of the sheet reduces the number of stations and the length of travel of the sheets, thereby increasing production. The sheets are fed through an adhesive applying station where spots of adhesive are applied in rows to the sheet. The sheet travels through a series of swatch forming and applying stations. At each such station, a plurality of swatch ribbons are fed forwardly and severed to form the individual swatches in a row; and a row of swatches is then transferred to and adhered by the adhesive spots on the sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aligning fine pitch electrical components and for solder paste stenciling includes a template for aligning an electrical component and for aligning a solder stencil. The template has a window with shelves on opposite sides. Tape is adhered to the shelves across the window and is used to secure the template to the desired location on the printed circuit board. The template also includes upright tabs that engage notches in the edges of the stencil for aligning the stencil. A two headed vacuum lifting device is used to lift an aligned component and an aligned stencil from the template. With the template removed from the printed circuit board, the stencil is replaced in the aligned position for solder application. The stencil is removed and the electrical component is placed for soldering.

Abstract: A label for displaying information regarding a container and suspending the container from a support, and methods for forming the same. The label includes a base label having a base adhesive on the lower surface thereof. A connector strip is secured to the upper surface of the base label along a longitudinal edge by at least one adhesive patch. A hanger is secured by the legs thereof to the connector strip. The hanger is foldable between a stored position wherein the hanger lies adjacent the upper surface of the base web and a hanging position wherein the hanger is folded away from the base label for receiving the support through the opening. A remaining portion of the upper surface of the base label is not covered by either of the connector strip and the hanger when the hanger is in the stored position. The label may further include at least one removable self adhesive secondary label forming a part thereof.

Abstract: A laminate which contains the following layers:(I) a stretched microporous resin film base layer having an opacity of at least 80%;(Ia) a heat sealable adhesive resin layer on the back side of the base layer;(II) a gas barrier resin film layer on the surface side of the base layer; and(III) an inorganic oxide thin film layer on the surface side of the gas barrier resin film layer,wherein the laminate:(i) has a water vapor permeability of at most 5 g/m.sup.2 .multidot.24 hr, and(ii) has an oxygen permeability of at most 5 cc/m.sup.2 .multidot.24 hr.multidot.atm.The laminate is useful, for example, for packaging a variety of articles, e.g., edible products, in which taste and freshness are desirably preserved during transportation and storage thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching adhesive tape to a leadframe. The apparatus includes: a support frame; an adhesive tape on a reel mounted to the frame; a stationary cutter base mounted to the frame with an opening therethrough having a peripheral outline where the opening receives a leading terminal end of the tape and a portion of the tape following the leading terminal end, a channel in the base to guide the tape into the opening, and a block to hold the tape in the channel and in the opening; and a cutter which moves through the opening to cut a decal from the tape within the opening and to apply the decal to a leadframe. The cutter and the decal having an outline substantially matching the peripheral outline of the opening such that wasted tape is eliminated.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a multi-layer laminated shingle, wherein each shingle layer comprises granule and bituminous coated web, with the layers laminated together and with the butt zone of the base layer disposed against a bottom surface of the tab zone of the secondary layer and with the tab zone of the base layer disposed against the bottom surface of the butt zone of the secondary layer. The shingle lends itself to having tabs spaced by voids. Because the tabs in the base layer are inverted, the base layer's butt zone is visible through voids in the tabs of the secondary layer. The method of making the shingle lends itself to complementally cutting out the tabs of two side-by-side shingles from a given line. Enhanced nailing area is provided, and stacking of shingles for packaging is facilitated.

Abstract: A method by which to easily and inexpensively make a matched set of male and female embossing dies so that articles can be embossed in an arts and crafts environment. Upper and lower sheets of adhesive are applied to opposite faces of a substrate, and each adhesive layer is covered with a paper backing to form a sandwich with the substrate secured between the upper and lower sheets. A design to be embossed is then cut through the sandwich. A portion of the backing covering the upper adhesive sheet is removed to expose an area of the adhesive, and a first die plate is bonded to the upper sheet. A different portion of the backing covering the lower adhesive sheet is removed to expose an area of the adhesive, and a second die plate is bonded to the lower sheet.

Abstract: A method of producing sub-images for use in forming a larger image from a series of the sub-images. The method includes printing each of the sub-images of the series of sub-images and a portion of the larger image surrounding the sub-image on a separate sheet of material. Each sub-image is printed on the same location on the respective sheet. Then the sheets are cut to the size and shape of the sub-images. When the sub-images are positioned to form the larger image, the sub-images are in a non-overlapping and contiguous relationship.

Abstract: A method for the temporary fixing of an electronic component (10) having elevated contact metallizations (11) to a substrate (17) provided with terminal surfaces (16) for a subsequent thermal connection of the contact metallizations to the terminal surfaces, wherein a bonding agent is applied to the component and/or the substrate and wherein the bonding agent used is an alcoholic liquid medium containing an alcohol (13) whose surface tension is used to form bonding forces between the contact metallizations and the terminal surfaces and whose boiling point is below the melting temperature of the contact metallizations (11).

Abstract: A repositionable, adhesively mounted, blank signage sheet including (i) a sheet having imprintable first and second major surfaces which are essentially void of communicative indicia, (ii) repositionable adhesive strips disposed on the first major surface of the sheet along each of the margins, with each adhesive strip offset from the edge of the sheet so as to define adhesive-free tabs along the first and second edges of the sheet, and (iii) release liners covering the marginal adhesive strips.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adhesion of a semiconductor substrate on a support block in a condition that there are no minute concave or convex portions on the semiconductor substrate are proposed and have features that not only is the semiconductor substrate supported at its periphery in a squeezing condition but a back pressure is also applied on the semiconductor substrate with an air bag in such a manner that a region of the air bag corresponding to the central region of the semiconductor substrate is most swelled out, so that the semiconductor substrate is curved and the central region of the semiconductor substrate is pressed to the support block and thereafter, the squeezing condition of the semiconductor substrate is released to make the semiconductor substrate adhered to the support block.

Abstract: A method of fabrication with the formation of a receiving panel which defines a plurality of spaced-apart parallel plows extending longitudinally. The panel has an open surface along which the plows are exposed and an opposing surface from which the plows are not accessible. The plows may be formed by adhering substrates to a separate veneer layer to define the plows between the substrates. It is preferable that the veneer layer be formed of wood, but the substrates can be formed of a less expensive material, such as composite material. Once the receiving panel has been fabricated, it is bowed to form an arc about an axis parallel to the plows. This can be done by passing the panel, carried by a belt, between two rollers that are configured to define between them a profile corresponding to the arc of the panel. While the panel is in this bowed condition, strips, made of wood, are inserted in the plows. The strips can be formed by opposing laminations that are not adhered to each other.

Abstract: A process for the application of tear resistant side and edge strip materials to a rubber base sheet of a launderable dust control mat is provided. The process involves the in-line mating of first and second strips of carboxylated rubber to the longitudinal borders of a rubber sheet and the in-line mating of third and fourth strips of carboxylated rubber to the leading and tailing edges of a rubber sheet, respectively, all by means of a series of pressure rolls. The process permits separate rubber sheet and side strip materials to be joined in a continuous or semicontinuous operation immediately prior to assembly of a mat thereby enhancing material handling efficiencies. Dust mats produced thereby are also provided.

Abstract: A method is presented for forming a bumped substrate and for forming an electrical circuit which includes the bumped substrate. The method of forming the bumped substrate includes forming at least one electrically conductive polymer bump on each of a first set of bond pads of the substrate. At least one electrically conductive polymer bump is then formed on each of a second set of the bond pads of the substrate. The circuit is formed by selectively forming an organic protective layer around the bond pads of a second substrate by laser ablation of an organic protective coating polymer bumps on the first and second portions of the bond pads of the first substrate are then contacted with the bond pads of the second substrate, thereby forming the electrical circuit.

Abstract: A composite of thermally non-adherent fluoropolymeric and non-fluoropolymeric components is created through the agency of a non-woven, fibrous binder interposed between and portionally embedded into both components. The fibers of the non-woven binder have a substantial portion of their length extending into both components and cross the interface at an angle that is substantially normal to the plane of embedment. The composite possesses good peel strengths of greater than 5 pounds/linear inch between the otherwise thermally non-adherent components.

Abstract: A method for making paper labels having a protective covering where a paper sheet, adhesively supported on a first release backing sheet, is first die cut to form an array of labels. A second release backing sheet is provided having adhesively attached thereto, by an adhesive, an array of transparent cover strips. The second release backing sheet is divided into first and second portions. The second release backing sheet is then placed on the die cut paper sheet where the second release backing sheet is between the cover strips and the labels. The first portion of the second release backing sheet is then removed from the cover strips to expose a portion of the cover strips, and the exposed portion of the cover strips are then adhered to corresponding portions of the labels using the adhesive.

Abstract: A method for making a core plate (42) having multiple friction material segments (54) on the surface where the method includes the use of a die (24). Friction material (34) is first trimmed to conform to die (24) and is then fed into die (24). Die (24) then cuts friction material (34) to form a leading edge (57) where fibers in friction material (34) at leading edge (57) are positioned in a direction toward core plate (42). Friction material (34) is then fed through die (24) which cuts a trailing edge (55) in friction material (34) where fibers in friction material (34) at trailing edge (55) are positioned in a direction toward core plate (42). Cutting of trailing edge (55) is a common cut along trailing edge (55) of a leading segment (54) and leading edge (57) of an immediately following segment (54) such that formation of segments (54) is substantially scrapless with respect to friction material (34).

Abstract: An industry standard width composite paper web includes one layer comprising a plurality of narrow web portions derived from trim rolls of paper which are laminated to a second carrier web of the selected standard width. In an alternate embodiment, the carrier web itself may comprise a plurality of narrow trim roll web portions. The web portions comprising each layer may be spaced from one another slightly, and the gaps between web portions in both layers must offset laterally with respect to one another to maintain composite web integrity.

Abstract: A method for joint reinforcement of dissimilar materials and products made by such method. The method includes the steps of spray coating a contact adhesive on the contact area between a substrate and covering material sheets, providing a reinforcement interleave of fibrous glass between the joint area of covering material sheets and the substrate, and applying a second adhesive on the reinforcement interleave such that the second adhesive is extruded through the seam when the covering material sheets are applied to the substrate.

Abstract: SBR and natural rubber articles which can be marked with indicia are formed by curing the SBR or natural rubber under heat and pressure in contact with a fabric material. The curing conditions force the fabric into the cured rubber article. The fabric can then be marked with a heat-activated, indicia-bearing transfer. This provides for unique decoration of articles such as mud flaps and the like, and also permits providing identification for other rubber articles such as tires and the like.

Abstract: A process for the application of tear resistant edge strip material to a rubber base sheet of a launderable dust control mat is provided. The process involves the in-line mating of first and second strips of carboxilated rubber to the longitudinal borders of a rubber sheet by means of a series of pressure rolls. The process permits separate rubber sheet and side strip materials to be joined in a continuous or semi-continuous operation immediately prior to assembly of a mat thereby enhancing material handling efficiencies. An apparatus for carrying out the invention is also provided.

Abstract: A method for making substrate-supported slatted panels which consists of first cutting each slat to the appropriate size required to form the panel. The slats are placed face down on a flat support and are assembled according to the design of the intended panel using a frame to keep the slats together, if necessary. Multiple uniform layers of contact adhesive are then progressively applied to the back of the slat panel so formed, thereby producing a flexible continuous sheet of adhesive backing the panel. At least one uniform layer of adhesive is also applied to a rigid substrate of dimensions appropriate to support the panel. When the adhesive is dry and ready for contact, the substrate is lifted and placed over the intended location on the slat panel using a series of spacers to prevent contact. Finally, the spacers are sequentially removed permitting contact and the formation of a rigid slatted panel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a glass composite transparency having a desired color, intensity and a high performance ratio. In particular, the transparency includes at least one rigid transparent ply, e.g. a colored glass or plastic substrate, and a member secured to a major surface of the substrate, e.g. a flexible plastic layer or a coating. The member has a color that generally complements the color of the glass substrate to reduce the overall color intensity of the composite transparency. The resulting composite transparency is gray in color and has a LTA to TSET ratio of at least 1.4, preferably with LTA.gtoreq.70%.

Abstract: A method of making a decorative veneer panel having the appearance of antique, solid, planked, hand-planed wood wherein one-eight inch veneer sheets are adhesively applied to opposite sides of a fiberboard panel, one of the veneer sheets being of high quality wood and preferably including a decorative veneer strip, cutting spaced, parallel, flat bottomed grooves in the sheet of high quality veneer to give the appearance of a plurality of separate boards, and hand planing the raised faces of the veneer sheet and the bottom surfaces of the grooves to achieve a wavy, textured look; and the product resulting from that method.

Abstract: A plywood layup system for assembling veneer plies includes a carousel feeder that supplies core veneer plies to an accumulator gate system. The accumulator gate system accumulates one or several plies into a predetermined ply assembly pattern before releasing the accumulated plies. A glue application system is controlled to apply glue to either or both sides of a core veneer ply to allow many different assemblies to be made. The accumulated plies can be dropped aligned with and synchronized with a ply or assembly of plies, to form a complex assembly. The accumulator gate system can be arranged above a conveyor carrying passing plies or partial assemblies from other veneer supplying devices. Two carousels and accumulator gate systems can be arranged in tandem to provide more complex patterns of assembly.

Abstract: A coated abrasive article comprises a backing, a first binder on the backing, and a plurality of abrasive particles in the first binder. The first binder is a hot melt pressure sensitive adhesive that is energy cured to provide a crosslinked coating. The invention also relates to a method of producing such articles.

Abstract: In a simple and low cost method for making a sign, such as a vehicle registration sign, indicia are formed by toner material applied by an electronically controllable printer to a portion of a film web or to one of a row of separate film portions, the surface of which web portion is preferably one reflecting light from vehicle headlamps. The printer is an ionographic one wherein the toner material is fixed on the surface of the web portion with pressure and in a cold state. The printed web portion is then combined with other parts including a transparent front plate adhesively bonded to the web portion and an injection moulded plastic frame to protect the web portion from mechanical damage and to seal it against injury from dirt and moisture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that utilizes a plurality of corrugated cardboard panels from shipping containers or other sources of used corrugated to make a laminated web is disclosed. The process begins with opening or flattening the used cardboard and then removing any end flaps or manufacturer's seams to form a plurality of panels. These panels may then be cut to specific shapes or uniform widths as necessary for different embodiments. A plurality of panels are then assembled end to end and face to face, using an overlapping arrangement and a suitable adhesive, to make a multiple thickness corrugated web. The panels may be overlapped or angled to improve the strength of the web. This multiple layer web can be wrapped with layers of paper or other suitable material to add strength, moisture resistance or other desired qualities.

Abstract: The reinforced wood piece of the present invention includes a wood body having a first wood panel adhered to a second wood panel. The wood body has a bottom and a top so that the first wood panel is disposed at the top of the laminated wood body. A laminated stock piece is adhered to the wood body. A second laminated stock piece may be adhered to the top of the wood body if the first laminated stock piece is adhered to the bottom of the laminated wood body. Each laminated stock piece includes a plurality of wood members and a fiber reinforced composite sheet material that are intermittently glued to one another. The stock piece is glued to the wood body so that the fiber reinforced polymer composite sheet material is perpendicular to a neutral plane disposed between a compression zone and a tension zone of the wood body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simultaneously placing two spaced rows of labels upon packaging film is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first labeling station at a first roller, a second labeling station at a second roller, belts for transporting two rows of labels across the film for placement at the first and second labeling stations, and a third roller movably positioned with respect to the first and second rollers. The film travels over the first roller, downwardly around the third roller, and then back up over the second roller. The adjacent rows of labels on a single backing are delivered by the belts to the film, where the labels are placed in rows spaced a distance apart greater than their spacing on the backing. Changing the position of the third roller allows a user to vary the spacing between the two rows of labels which are placed on the film at the first and second labeling stations during each film stop.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-adhesive label comprising a multi-laminar folded label which comprises first and second portions which are adhered to a backing of release material or to a self-adhesive support piece carried on a backing of release material by a first region of resealable adhesive respectively; and a method of producing a succession of self-adhesive labels carried on a backing of release material, the method comprising the steps of applying to a backing of release material or to a self-adhesive support piece carried on a backing of release material a succession of first regions of permanent adhesive and a succession of second regions of resealable adhesive and disposing a succession of multi-laminar folded labels to the adhesive regions whereby each multi-laminar folded label is adhered to the backing of release material or to the self-adhesive support piece by one of the first regions of adhesive and one of the second regions of adhesive.

Abstract: A composite structure and related fabrication method is provided which has a plurality of composite material layers and at least one embedded shape memory alloy component for providing controlled structural deformation. The shape memory alloy component includes a shape memory alloy tendon having a relaxed shape at temperatures below a predetermined transition temperature and a contracted shape at temperatures above the predetermined transition temperature. The shape memory alloy component also comprises a pair of electrically insulating opposing face sheets adhered to opposite sides of the shape memory alloy tendon to electrically isolate the shape memory alloy tendon from the surrounding composite material layers.

Abstract: A panel display includes a common substrate on which a plurality of small display tiles are mounted in an array and electrically interconnected to replicate a large area panel. Each tile includes a plurality of contact pads which are aligned with corresponding contact pads on the substrate. Solder joints between corresponding contact pads mechanically align and secure the tiles on the substrate, and provide electrical connections therebetween. Selected substrate contact pads are electrically interconnected to provide electrical connections between adjacent tiles.

Abstract: A self-adhesive label comprising a multilaminar label portion, a self-adhesive laminar material extending over, and adhered by its self-adhesive surface to, the multilaminar label portion thereby to form two self-adhesive edge portions thereof on opposed sides of the multilaminar label portion, a backing of release material to which one of the edge portions is releasably adhered and an unadhesive portion which is located on the rear surface of the said one edge portion.

Abstract: A package design and a method of assembling an array of CCD image devices on a substrate to provide an assembly with an optically flat surface. A tolerance of approximately between 2 and 3 microns is achieved by a process requiring less finishing of the substrates used by conventional processes. The assembly package can be used to bond an array of image sensors on a substrate having less than optimum flatness while still maintaining the optical surfaces of the image sensors within a single focal plane.

Abstract: A packaging laminate comprising a rigid, but foldable paper or paperboard layer which has, at least on its one side, an outer film or coating of a water-insoluble polysaccharide compound which imparts to the packaging laminate tightness properties against liquid and water vapor and good sealing properties. Preferably, the other side of the core layer also has an outer film or coating of said polysaccharide compound. The polysaccharide compound in the two outer films or coatings contains a first water-soluble polysaccharide of polyanionic character and a second water-soluble polysaccharide of polycationic character, these being chemically or otherwise bonded to one another to form the water-insoluble polysaccharide compound. One preferred such polysaccharide compound may, for example, consist of a chemical compound or a chemical complex of chitosan and agar.

Abstract: A method and structure for affixing a component to a structure in an aligned position facilitates fabrication of diminutive assemblies, such as integrated circuits. The component is placed upon a support structure. The component has an alignment marking. The support structure has a viewing aperture and an alignment pattern. The support structure and component are arranged so that the alignment marking and the alignment pattern are visible through the viewing aperture. The alignment marking and the alignment pattern are simultaneously viewed through the viewing aperture and the component is aligned upon the support structure so that the alignment marking of the component is aligned with respect to the alignment pattern of the support structure. The aligned component is bonded to a structural member.

Abstract: The method of adhering studs to the cloth includes the step of providing a plurality of flat, aluminum studs having predetermined shapes. The backside surface of each stud is covered with a low temperature, heat sensitive adhesive. Also, a predetermined stud pattern is provided. The method includes laying the stud pattern atop the cloth. The stud pattern is then replicated on the cloth by marking the cloth. A corresponding stud is placed on each respective cloth mark. Thereafter, compressive force and heat, in the range of 130.degree.-150.degree. F., is applied to the studs and the cloth for a predetermined period of time. The heat activates the adhesive and adheres the studs to the cloth. The kit includes a plurality of studs with the heat sensitive adhesive on the backs thereof. Also, a plurality of stud patterns are included in the kit. A studed article of clothing made in accordance with the method of manufacture, is also part of this invention.

Abstract: There is disclosed an efficient, cost effective production method to bond layers of electronic devices into an integral stack, or for joining electronic devices to other devices or substrates with use of an adhesive material, preferably an appropriate polyimide, to provide, in effect, a two-stage bonding process. In the first stage, the electronic device is coated, preferably at the wafer level, with a liquid solution of the adhesive material, the coated device is heated to remove solvent, forming a dry adhesive coating of sufficient thickness to fill all spaces between metal traces on the electronic device. Coated wafers can be stacked and bonded, or preferably diced to yield individual chips, which are cut and stacked in a suitable fixture, and heat and pressure are applied in a second stage, to cause viscous flow of the adhesive, filling all voids, and to cure the adhesive, creating an integral, adhesively bonded stack.

Abstract: Cloth transfers such as twill numbers and letters include a cloth layer coated with a plastic layer which is, in turn, coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive layer. The intermediate plastic layer permits the cloth transfer to be temporarily bonded to a cloth substrate by a very thin film of pressure sensitive adhesive as it is sewn onto the substrate. The intermediate plastic layer prevents the sewing needle from being gummed up with the pressure sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: A labelling system (10) dispenses a web (36) of label material having a coating (43) of non-tacky activatable adhesive, subsequently activates the adhesive, cuts the web (36) preferrably using a pair of laser beams (52a, 52b) to produce labels (80) therefrom, and then applies the labels to respective packages (18). In another embodiment (90), a carrier sheet (104) is separated from an adhered web (102) whereupon the web (102) is then cut using a laser beam (52) to form labels (112) and a waste matrix (114). The labels (112) are then rejoined to the carrier sheet (104).

Abstract: An improved method for securing and removing an optical element to and from a blocking tool without causing deformation of the optical element. A lens tissue is placed on the top surface of the blocking tool. Dots of UV cement are applied to the lens tissue without any of the dots contacting each other. An optical element is placed on top of the blocking tool with the lens tissue sandwiched therebetween. The UV cement is then cured. After subsequent fabrication steps, the bonded blocking tool, lens tissue, and optical element are placed in a debonding solution to soften the UV cement. The optical element is then removed from the blocking tool.

Abstract: A method is presented for forming a bumped substrate and for forming an electrical circuit which includes the bumped substrate. The method of forming the bumped substrate includes forming at least one electrically conductive polymer bump on each of a first set of bond pads of the substrate. At least one electrically conductive polymer bump is then formed on each of a second set of the bond pads of the substrate. The circuit is formed by selectively forming an organic protective layer around the bond pads of a second substrate by laser ablation of an organic protective coating polymer bumps on the first and second portions of the bond pads of the first substrate are then contacted with the bond pads of the second substrate, thereby forming the electrical circuit.

Abstract: A self-adhesive label comprising a self-adhesive base portion which is adhered by its self-adhesive surface to a backing of release material, a folded leaflet portion which is disposed over the base portion and a self-adhesive overlaminate portion which is adhered by its self-adhesive surface to a part of the top surface of the folded leaflet portion and to exposed parts of the top surface of the base portion on opposed sides of the folded leaflet portion so as to retain the leaflet portion in a folded configuration, the overlaminate portion exposing an end part of the folded leaflet portion whereby the end part can be pulled by user thereby to open the label. The invention also provides a method of producing such labels.