Abstract: Plastic articles can be coated with polymerizable compositions containing a vinyl-functional crosslinkable film former, a large amount of benzotriazole and a copolymerizable monomer that solubilizes the benzotriazole. The cured compositions help protect the article from UV exposure and other weathering effects.

Abstract: This invention provides a water-based composition suitable for use on polyester-based substrates for increasing adhesion between the substrate and a topcoat or overcoat. The composition comprises: (1) a latex polymer formed from the polymerization of at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of bicyclic alkyl (meth)acrylates and aromatic (meth)acrylates and at least one monomer which imparts to the polymer the ability to be crosslinked; (2) a water soluble or water dispersible polymer selected from the group consisting of acrylate-based resins, sulfonated polyester-based resins and combinations thereof; and (3) a crosslinking agent.

Abstract: Articles including post-formed multilayer optical films with layers of at least one strain-induced birefringent material, methods of manufacturing such articles by post-forming multilayer optical films, and multilayer optical films that are particularly well-suited to post-forming operations are disclosed. The articles, methods and multilayer optical films of the present invention allow for post-forming of multilayer optical films including strain-induced index of refraction differentials while retaining the desired optical properties of the multilayer optical films.

Abstract: A blend comprising polyolefin and hydrocarbon resin, wherein the polyolefin is semicrystalline and has a suitable degree of crystallinity and molecular weight, or the polyolefin is amorphous and has sufficiently high molecular weight, and sufficient hydrocarbon resin is present in the blend, so that a film made from the blend is substantially vinyl-like and non-elastomeric. Some of the films are also conformable, drapable or affinely deformable by hand.

Abstract: A retroreflective article comprising a plurality of retroreflective elements and a film comprising a blend of polyolefin and hydrocarbon resin, wherein the polyolefin is semicrystalline and has a suitable degree of crystallinity and molecular weight, or the polyolefin is amorphous and has sufficiently high molecular weight, and sufficient hydrocarbon resin is present in the blend, so that the film is substantially vinyl-like. The articles can be used, for example, in reflective footwear, apparel, safety wear, sweatbands, piping and adornments.

Abstract: Skin treatments which do not interfere with the ability of pressure-sensitive adhesives to adhere to skin are disclosed. The treatment compositions include an acrylate polymer dissolved in an emollient oil. Use of the treatment provides a method of protecting mammalian skin without interfering with the application of medical adhesive dressings.

Abstract: A polymeric imaging medium comprising a receptor layer and a polyvinyl chloride backing layer particularly useful in electrophotographic printing processes with liquid toners comprising thermoplastic toner particles in a liquid carrier that is not a solvent for the particles at a first temperature and that is a solvent for the particles at a second temperature or with dry toner, methods of imaging such a medium, and such an imaged medium.

Abstract: Degradable multilayer melt blown microfibers are provided. The fibers comprise (a) at least one layer of polyolefin resin and at least one layer of polycaprolactone resin, at least one of the polyolefin or polycaprolactone resins containing a transition metal salt; or (b) at least one layer of polyolefin resin containing a transition metal salt and at least one layer of a degradable resin or transition metal salt-free polyolefin resin. Also provided is a degradable web comprising the multilayer melt blown microfibers.

Abstract: A heating element having an electrically heatable layer comprises a support tube (16) provided with an electrically resistive heating layer (14), and electrodes for applying a voltage to the resistive heating layer (14). At least one electrode is provided as an elastic electrode, having a contacting side for engaging the resistive heating layer (14) and being adapted for arrangement on the support tube (16), with the contacting side of the electrode abutting the resistive heating layer (14). The contacting side has free ends comprising a plurality of projections having abutment faces, abutment lines or abutment points for contacting the resistive heating layer (14).

Abstract: In the apparatus (10) and the method according to the invention, two temperature treatment devices (e.g., laminating rollers 14, 16) which are to be contacted with an element to be subjected to heat treatment (e.g., proof 50 with color particles 52), are temperature-controlled. One of the treatment devices (laminating roller 14) is provided with a heating means (22). For tempering the second treatment device (laminating roller 16), the second treatment device is brought into contact with the directly heated treatment device (laminating roller 14). This is carried out as soon as the temperature of the not directly heated treatment device (laminating roller 16) has dropped below a predetermined desired temperature or a predetermined desired temperature range.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light-sensitive silver halide photographic material comprising a support and silver halide emulsion layer or layers, wherein at least one of said silver halide emulsion layers comprises an alkylaminomercaptotetrazole antifoggant. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention said silver halide emulsion layer comprises tabular silver halide grains having an average aspect ratio higher than 3:1 and a thickness lower than 0.4 .mu.m.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing an image on plain paper from image data using a photoreceptor. An image-wise distribution of charges is produced on the photoreceptor corresponding to the image data. A liquid ink having solid charged pigmented particles, the liquid ink having an effective glass transition temperature of less than 25 degrees Celsius is applied to the photoreceptor forming an image-wise distribution of the pigmented particles on the photoreceptor to form the image. The liquid ink has greater than seventy-five percent by volume fraction of solids in the image. A film forming means is positioned against the photoreceptor immediately following the application means to dry the image of the liquid ink to film forming within 0.5 seconds. The image is dried on the photoreceptor. The image is then transferred to an elastomeric transfer roller which forms a first transfer nip under pressure with the photoreceptor.

Abstract: A detector plate for use in a radiation imaging system includes a first conductive layer, a dielectric layer, a photoconductive layer and a second conductive layer, arranged as a stack in that order. The first conductive layer and the dielectric layer are substantially transparent to radiation energy so as to allow the energy to pass therethrough to be received by the photoconductive layer. The first conductive layer has a periphery defined by a first edge and the dielectric layer has a periphery defined by a second edge, wherein the first edge is offset inward of the second edge defining a margin between the first and second edges. In use, this margin helps inhibit electrical arcing from the first conductive layer to the second conductive layer when a high voltage is applied between these two layers.

Abstract: A multi-module radiation detecting device, a radiation detecting module for incorporation in a multi-module radiation detecting device, and a method for assembling a multi-module radiation detecting device are provided. The radiation detecting module includes a carrier substrate and a radiation detecting tile mounted over the carrier substrate. The module includes interconnection structure for connecting radiation detecting elements in the radiation detecting tile to conductive contacts on a base substrate. The module facilitates attachment and detachment of the module relative to the base substrate and relative to a test fixture used in test and burn-in operations. The module is constructed to isolate the radiation detecting tile from thermal and/or mechanical stresses produced at the interconnection interface during attachment and detachment for test and burn-in, assembly, and rework operations.

Abstract: A medical imaging system for communicating image information between a plurality of different input imaging devices having different input protocols and a plurality of different output imaging devices having different output protocols takes advantage of a reusable software architecture having a plurality of functionally independent components. The individual components can be configured in a communication pipeline to communicate image information between an input imaging device and an output imaging device according to desired protocols. Each component can be interchanged with a differently configured component to facilitate communication of image information according to a different protocol, thereby reconfiguring the pipeline to achieve significant flexibility. Moreover, the software architecture is scalable to produce a plurality of communication pipelines, each of which can be configured according to desired protocols.

Abstract: A system and method for scheduling resource requests for a resource provider generate a first schedule, based on expected durations of each resource request, and a second schedule, based on longer, pessimistic durations of each resource request. A user interface simultaneously displays the first and second schedules to a system user. The first schedule provides the system user with a guide to good overall management of the resource performance. The second schedule provides the system user with a guide for making time commitments to customers with a greater degree of confidence. The system and method employ a variety of techniques including statistic probability calculations to determine expected and pessimistic durations for each resource request, and incorporate features for updating the first and second schedules in response to dynamic changes in the resource environment.

Abstract: An apparatus continuously smoothes a wet coating of magnetizable particles and binder on a moving flexible web. A first longitudinal end of a flexible film is held in contact with the wet coating on the substrate and is free to drag against the wet coating. The first longitudinal end is deflected toward the substrate along a line extending transversely between the first and second transverse ends. The amount of deflection is adjusted and varied during coating to adjust the radius of curvature of the deflection of the first longitudinal end. A smoothing bar or a cylindrical rod, with or without a sharp edge, can hold the flexible film in position. The deflection and adjustment can be performed by a screw. Alternatively, a cylindrical rod is used by itself.

Abstract: An image recording apparatus and method use an acoustooptic element as a shutter element and as a device to scan two different beams. The beams are diffracted by modulating the acoustooptic frequency of the acoustooptic element to form band-shaped spot rows on a moving image recording medium. The spot rows include a first beam row and a second beam row that are incident on the image recording medium at different times. The positions of the adjacent beam spots of the first beam row are adjusted relative to the positions of the adjacent beam spots of the second beam row.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing residual electrostatic potential and ghosting in a photoconductor alleviates the problems of low optical density and ghosting. A charge is applied to a surface of the photoconductor, and the photoconductor is exposed to conditioning radiation having wavelengths selected to release charge carriers from trap sites within the photoconductor. The applied charge establishes an electric field across the photoconductor. The released charge carriers are transported within the photoconductor under influence of the electric field to reduce residual electrostatic potential in the photoconductor. The resulting reduction in residual electrostatic potential increases optical density and eliminates ghosting problems. The system and method can be applied to existing electrophotography machines, and can be realized, at least in part, by adaptation of existing hardware present in such machines, thereby adding very little complexity, cost, size, or power consumption.

Abstract: A set of thinned halftone dot patterns useful in inkjet printing comprises a plurality of halftone cells corresponding to respective shade values. Each of the halftone cells includes a plurality of addressable points, with at least some of the points being turned "on" to define a halftone dot pattern, and at least some of the "on" points defining a core component of the halftone dot pattern being selectively turned "off", thereby producing a thinned halftone dot pattern. The thinned halftone dot patterns enable the use of higher addressability in an inkjet printing system to achieve a wider range of shade values while avoiding undesirable over-inking of printed halftone dot patterns due to excessive overlap between printed ink spots.