Abstract: Transparent solid, fused microspheres are provided. In one embodiment, the microspheres contain alumina, zirconia, and silica in a total content of at least about 70% by weight, based on the total weight of the solid, fused microspheres, wherein the total content of alumina and zirconia is greater than the content of silica, and further wherein the microspheres have an index of refraction of at least about 1.6 and are useful as lens elements.

Abstract: A novel form construction comprising a substrate (e,g., a form sheet or roll goods) having a digital printable surface portion and a release surface portion, on which release coating surface portion a signage with a pressure-sensitive adhesive can be releasably adhered. A digital printable release coating composition is also provided.

Abstract: An electroluminescent device having a transparent substrate extending in the lengthwise direction of the device, a transparent conductive layer placed on the back surface of the transparent substrate, a luminescent layer having a width smaller than the width of the transparent conductive layer and being placed on the back surface of the transparent conductive layer, a rear electrode placed on the back surface of the luminescent layer, and at least one buss which is placed on the part of the back surface of the transparent conductive layer having no luminescent layer, has a width smaller than the width of the transparent conductive layer, and is electrically in contact with neither the luminescent layer nor the rear electrode in which the transparent conductive layer, the luminescent layer, the rear electrode and the buss continuously extend in the lengthwise direction of the transparent substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transparent microspheres (i.e., beads) that impart yellow color to retroreflected light. The microsphere preferably comprise titania plus alumina, zirconia, and/or silica and iron oxide, manganese oxide, or mixtures thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to fused microspheres that impart yellow color to retroreflected light having both transparency and mechanical properties suitable, for example, for lens elements in retroreflective articles.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing adhesion between at least two surfaces, preferably of at least two different materials, using a powdered surface preparation composition.

Abstract: Oligomeric materials contain ultraviolet light absorbing compounds that are covalently bound to the oligomer backbone through an ester or amide linkage. These ultraviolet light absorbing oligomers may be combined with polymers such as polyolefins to provide protection against the harmful effects of ultraviolet light.

Abstract: Transparent solid microspheres that contain titania plus alumina, zirconia, and/or silica in a total content of at least about 75% by weight, based on the total weight of the solid microspheres, wherein the total content of alumina, zirconia, and titania is greater than the content of silica.

Abstract: A pavement marking composition, methods of applying, and pavement markings produced therefrom. The composition is a two-part coating composition having an amine component including one or more aspartic ester amines and optionally one or more amine-functional coreactants, an isocyanate component including one or more polyisocyanates, and material selected from the group of fillers, extenders, pigments, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides the EL device and apparatus each of which has a white appearance in the non-light-emitting state, and can emit white light with high luminance in the light-emitting state. When such an EL device or apparatus is used, the light-emitting surface provides a background with high whiteness both in the light-emitting and non-light-emitting state, and can highlight a light-transmitting printed layer formed on the light-emitting surface.

Abstract: An adhesive which is a reaction product of polymerizing, and curing or crosslinking a monomer component containing 80-85 wt % of an alkyl (meth)acrylate ester monomer with an alkyl group of 1-18 carbon atoms and 15-20 wt % of an unsaturated monomer with at least one polar functional group, and which has a gel percentage of 50-85% after curing or crosslinking.

Abstract: The pavement marking article comprises a substrate, a plurality of protrusions provided on the surface of the substrate, and first transparent microspheres having a refractive index of not less than 2.0 fixed at least on the surface of the substrate between adjacent protrusions.

Abstract: A novel form construction comprising a form sheet having a digital printable surface portion and a release surface portion, on which release coating surface portion a signage with a pressure-sensitive adhesive can be releasably adhered. A digital printable release coating composition is also provided.

Abstract: A durable colored article having fluorescent properties comprises a substantially solventless polyvinyl chloride matrix, a thioxanthene fluorescent dye, and a secondary or tertiary hindered amine light stabilizer having a molecular weight less than about 1000 grams/mole. The invention has the advantage in that it provides a flexible polyvinyl chloride film that exhibits durable fluorescent colors.

Abstract: An article is disclosed that has a patterned surface containing alternating hydrophobic and hydrophilic surface regions. The hydrophobic regions may be sufficiently narrow such that under dew conditions moisture accumulated on the hydrophobic region migrates to the hydrophilic region, thus preventing the accumulation of water droplets. In frost conditions, the hydrophobic region remains relatively frost-free, thus maintaining at least partial transparency of the surface. Inorganic oxide particles on the surfaces of the hydrophobic regions may provide abrasion resistance. A method for making the patterned surfaces is disclosed in which a treatment removes organic binder to expose inorganic oxide particles at the surface of the hydrophilic regions.

Abstract: Transparent solid, fused microspheres are provided. In one embodiment, the microspheres contain alumina, zirconia, and silica in a total content of at least about 70% by weight, based on the total weight of the solid, fused microspheres, wherein the total content of alumina and zirconia is greater than the content of silica, and further wherein the microspheres have an index of refraction of at least about 1.6 and are useful as lens elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making a substantially cylindrical tool from a substantially planar substrate, wherein the tooling has at least one patterned surface. The resulting tooling includes a patterned surface with a sufficiently strong weld that is capable of producing an article having a pattern surface that has a relatively narrow and preferably cosmetically pleasing seam line. Such articles include retroreflective sheeting, structured abrasive articles, adhesive articles suitable for use in personal care products, and the like.

Abstract: An ultraviolet light absorbing material that resists blooming and migration is made up of a polyurethane or polyurea polymer and an amide functional ultraviolet light absorbing compound, wherein the polymer and the amide functional ultraviolet light absorbing compound are hydrogen bonded to one another. Polymeric films that contain a polymeric matrix and the ultraviolet light absorbing material are useful as the top layer in multilayer constructions such as retroreflective sheetings and conformable marking sheets.

Abstract: An ultraviolet light absorbing material that resists blooming and migration is made up of a fluoropolymer and an amide functional ultraviolet light absorbing compound, wherein the polymer and the amide functional ultraviolet light absorbing compound are hydrogen bonded to one another. Polymeric films that contain a polymeric matrix and the ultraviolet light absorbing material are useful as the top layer in multilayer constructions such as retroreflective sheetings and conformable marking sheets.

Abstract: Transparent solid microspheres that contain titania plus alumina, zirconia, and/or silica in a total content of at least about 75% by weight, based on the total weight of the solid microspheres, wherein the total content of alumina, zirconia, and titania is greater than the content of silica.

Abstract: Radiation curable ink compositions and coating compositions contain an aliphatic (meth)acrylate functional macromonomer, a reactive acrylate monomer, and a photoinitiator. Ink compositions also contain an effective amount of a colorant or pigment. These inks, when cured by exposure to actinic radiation, have excellent durability, weatherability, and adhesion to acrylate substrates such as polymethylmethacrylate.