Abstract: The invention relates to the bonding of a phenolic resin impregnated core and a metal sheet into a high pressure laminate. A binding layer of a styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer is positioned between the core and the metal sheet to ensure bonding of the layers when a lay-up containing the desired layers is heated and pressed.

Abstract: A magnetically active laminate is disclosed. The magnetically active laminate is composed of a resin impregnated layer bonded to a distinct, magnetically active sheet. The laminate is especially well suited for use in the construction of erasable markerboards and cubicle panels, although many applications are possible within the scope of the present invention.

Abstract: Method for manufacturing trophies, medals, award plates, indicative plates, panels, and the like, starting from laminates produced on bases having planar, spherical, cylindrical, or other geometric form. The laminates are manufactured with thermosetting resins reinforced with fiberglass, and the laminate production process includes an optimized sequence of preferably manual steps. The fiberglass used can be, for instance, chopped strand mat, woven roving, or fabric. Decorative designs that can be in the form of a transparency, paper, cloth, plastic, wood, metal, leather, or other material, and that can contain characters, drawings, paintings, illustration, pictures, signatures, etc., are inserted into the laminates. The decorative designs can be generated by computer, hand made, or otherwise produced. The laminates constitute inviolable casings that maintain the decorative designs isolated inside thereof.

Abstract: An antireflection coating includes one or more inorganic antireflection layers (typically metal oxide or silica layers) and a polymer layer cured in situ, the polymer layer having a refractive index not greater than about 1.53 over the wavelength range of 400 to 700 nm and a thickness of from about 20 to about 200 nm. The polymer layer provides good scratch and fingerprint protection, and also enables the thicknesses of the inorganic antireflection layers to be reduced, thereby reducing the cost of the coating.

Abstract: A decorative laminate is provided which is comprised of a one or more cellulosic core sheets, one or more decor sheets and optional overlay sheets. In one embodiment, one or more of the overlay sheets and/or decor sheets are impregnated prior to lamination with a mixture of a transparent resin and a photoluminescent material. As a result, the entire upper surface of the laminate visibly luminesces in the presence of exciting radiation. In another embodiment, an image or pattern is printed on one or more of the decor sheets with a ink including an organic photoluminescent material to provide an visibly luminescent image or pattern therein. It is envisioned that the invention could be used to provide a unique and appealing appearance when used as the surfacing for a wide variety of applications, including bowling lanes, game tables, counter-tops, dance floors, and signs such as “exit” signs.

Abstract: Decorative paper with a wear resistant decorative layer is made by limiting the flow of melamine resin through the decorative paper. A partially cured melamine resin impregnated overlay is placed over non-impregnated decorative paper and cured at temperatures of about 230-310° F. (110-155° C.) and pressures of greater than about 300 psi (20 bar) and preferably about 750-1500 psi (51-102 bar) for causing melamine resin to flow from the overlay into the decorative paper and for substantially fully curing the melamine resin. Flow of the melamine resin is limited to about 10-20 and preferably about 12-17 percent by weight of the impregnated overlay. Flow of melamine resin in impregnated decorative paper is limited to about 1-3 and preferably about 1-2 percent by weight of the impregnated decorative paper.

Abstract: The present invention is method of making a fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) used to reinforce a wood composite member, in which the FRP may be consolidated and substantially cured at the same time as the wood-wood bond lines. The method of manufacturing partially cured FRP composites of the present invention includes drawing fiber reinforcements in tension, combining the reinforcements into a dry fiber reinforcement layer, wetting the dry fiber reinforcement layer with a wet resin to form a wetted fiber reinforcement layer, and partially curing the wetted fiber reinforcement layer to form a partially cured FRP composite for consolidation and substantially simultaneous curing an uncured wood composite.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive adhesive composition comprised of a substantially tacky polymer containing a number of prismatic or holographic platelets. When the composition is applied to a substrate, the platelets align themselves in a planar fashion parallel to the broad face of the surface on which the coating is applied. The resulting composition layer is transparent except for the platelets that refract and reflect the light striking the platelets back towards an observer. The color of the reflected light changes as the angle at which the platelets are viewed is changed. In this manner, the platelets in the coating provide an overall aesthetically pleasing appearance for the coated material that adds distinctiveness to decorative labeling, as well as to the objects on which the labeling is placed and other suitable types of laminations in which the adhesive coating may be used.