Abstract: A tape dispenser comprising a hub unit and a housing that can be removed from the hub unit to dispense tape. The hub unit comprises a hub for holding a roll of tape, and two flanges, one on each of the opposite ends of the hub. One of the flanges optionally has a cutting edge along a portion of its outer periphery for severing tape pulled over the cutting edge. A plurality of tabs are provided generally adjacent the periphery of at least one of the flanges. The tabs tend to prevent accidental unwinding of tape from the tape dispenser unit. The housing covers the periphery of the flanges (including the cutting edge if provided).

Abstract: To produce a conductive epoxy resin composition with improvement in the characteristics of rapid-curability, heat resistance and moisture resistance, adhesion reliability, storage properties and low-temperature curability that can be used effectively for production of conductive adhesive films. The conductive epoxy resin composition comprises an alicyclic epoxy resin, optional diols, a styrenic thermoplastic elastomer with an epoxy group in the molecule, an ultraviolet activated cationic polymerization catalyst, an optional tackifier having an aromatic ring in the molecule, and conductive particles.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a cold seal package that includes constructions wherein two substrates, or two portions of one substrate, are sealingly engaged to one another using a substantially natural latex rubber-free contact adhesive. The two substrates can be easily peeled apart without substantial damage to the substrates. Furthermore, the substrates cannot typically be resealed, or refastened, once peeled apart. That is, the cold seal formed by the adhesive between the substrates is substantially non-refastenable. Advantageously, a cold seal package of the present invention is particularly well suited for aseptic delivery of packaged goods, such as bandages, dressings, and the like.

Abstract: A retroreflective article comprising a substrate and a cured ceramer coating provided on at least a portion of a surface of the substrate. The coated portion of the surface is retroreflective and can be dew-resistant. The ceramer is derived from a free-radically-curable binder, colloidal inorganic oxide and fluoro/silane component comprising a hydrolyzable silane moiety and a fluorinated moiety.

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: A method for cutting and edge sealing cells of cellular retroreflective sheeting is disclosed using a specially designed apparatus and tool. Sheeting having a thickness T is heated to a thermoforming temperature to form a heated sheeting. Pressing the unheated tool, the heated sheeting, and a substrate together results in cutting and edge sealing of the heated sheeting. The tool has a radiused ridge for cutting and edge sealing with the shape of the ridge similar to the shape desired for the edge seal. A height H of the ridge is defined relative to the thickness of the sheeting. The fraction of the ridge height to the thickness of the sheeting is less than one and more than 0.2. The tools may be mounted on a perimeter of a wheel for continuously slitting and edge sealing strips of cellular sheeting. The retroreflectivity of the sheeting is maximized by (1) minimizing the width of the sealed edges while (2) maximizing the number of closed cells along the sealed edges that can withstand a water holdout test.

Abstract: To provide a retroreflective sheet which is suitable for co-molding by injection molding or the like, wherein the retroreflective sheet can be laid within a mold and molded with a resin to form a molded product, and, after molding, the sheet retains a significant portion of its reflection luminance and appearance as compared with the reflection luminance value before molding. A retroreflective sheet used for a co-molding, comprising a metallic reflective layer, a microspherical lens layer disposed as a single layer, and a transparent focal resin layer disposed between the reflective layer and the microspherical lens layer, in which the focal resin layer comprises a mixture of cellulose ester and polyvinyl butyral resin.

Abstract: Thermal transfer articles of the invention comprising a carrier, optionally a release layer, a color layer releasably adhered thereto, and optionally an adherence layer on the bottom side of the color layer. Also graphic imaging compositions and methods for thermal transfer using such articles and compositions and graphic articles made by such methods. The transfer articles 1) exhibit thermoplastic, low cohesive properties during transfer such that good image resolution and transfer is achieved and 2) are radiation crosslinked after transfer such that a durable image is formed.

Abstract: Coatable thermal mass transfer precursor compositions, suitable for producing thermal mass transfer donor elements, are described, the coatable compositions comprising a polyalkylene binder precursor; an acrylic binder precursor; an effective amount of a pigment to provide the desired color to a thermal mass transfer composition using the coatable composition; and d) a diluent (preferably water) in which the polyalkylene binder precursor, acrylic binder precursor, and pigment are all dispersed therein. Signage articles produced using the donor elements are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self light-emitting retroreflective sheet including a light-transmitting retroreflective element including a plurality of prismatic projections, a lining film, and an electroluminescence device. The lining film includes a light-transmitting film which has sealing projections on one of its surfaces so that the prismatic projections are confined within a plurality of sealed cells formed by the sealing projections. In the sealed cells, a surface of the prismatic projections interface with air so as to increase light-emitting luminance and improve its uniformity.

Abstract: Retroreflective sheeting articles 10 that have a retroreflective bead bond layer 15 that contains a polymer that contains linear crystalline segments and that is incorporated into a crosslinked polymeric network.

Abstract: Thermal transfer articles of the invention comprising a carrier, optionally a release layer, a color layer releaseably adhered thereto, and optionally an adherence layer on the bottom side of the color layer. Also methods for thermal transfer using such articles and signage made by such methods. The transfer articles of the invention 1) exhibit thermoplastic, low cohesive properties during transfer such that good image resolution and transfer is achieved and 2) are thermally crosslinked such that a durable image is formed.

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

Abstract: Electroluminescent retroreflective article comprising: (a) a retroreflective member comprising (1) a cube corner member having a front surface and a back surface, the back surface having a plurality of cube corner elements protruding therefrom and (2) a seal film bonded to the back surface having a first surface oriented toward the cube corner elements and a second surface oriented away from the cube corner elements; and (b) an electroluminescent element bonded to the second surface of the seal film such that the electroluminescent element emits light incident to the seal film.

Abstract: A retroreflective article comprising a substrate and a cured ceramer coating provided on at least a portion of a surface of the substrate. The coated portion of the surface is retroreflective. The coating comprises a cured ceramer composite derived from ingredients comprising a free radically curable binder precursor and a plurality of surface treated, colloidal inorganic oxide components. The colloidal inorganic oxide components are surface treated with a surface treatment agent comprising a fluoro/silane component comprising a hydrolyzable silane moiety and a fluorinated moiety, and a crosslinkable silane component comprising a hydrolyzable silane moiety and a free radically crosslinkable moiety. The weight ratio of the crosslinkable silane component to the fluoro/silane component is from about 4:1 to 20:1, and the weight ratio of the free radically curable binder precursor to the colloidal inorganic oxide components is from about 1:10 to 8:10.

Abstract: Powder coating compositions are described containing a blend of ionomers and polyethylene copolymers which fuse at temperatures of about 150.degree. C. or below and are durable, weatherable, solvent-resistant, and thereby provide transparent protective coatings on substrates such as signs, particularly traffic signs and license plates.

Abstract: Pressure sensitive adhesives and heat activatable adhesives that are the reaction product of an acrylic acid ester of a monohydric alcohol whose homopolymer has a T.sub.g less than 0.degree. C.; a non-polar ethylenically unsaturated monomer whose homopolymer has a solubility parameter of no greater than 10.50 and a T.sub.g greater than 15.degree. C.; 0-5 parts by weight of a polar ethylenically unsaturated monomer whose homopolymer has a solubility parameter of greater than 10.50 and a T.sub.g greater than 15.degree. C.; and an electrically conductive agent.

Abstract: An adhesive article comprises a backing having opposed top and bottom surfaces and a layer of a pressure sensitive adhesive on the bottom surface. The pressure sensitive adhesive comprises selected poly-.alpha.-olefin polymers and a cold flow restricting agent. The adhesive articles are especially useful for protecting motor vehicles from damage during manufacture, transport and storage.

Abstract: A solvent-free hot melt process, for preparing a non-thermosettable, pressure-sensitive adhesive from a tackified non-thermoplastic hydrocarbon elastomer. The process employs a continuous compounding device that has a sequence of alternating conveying and processing zones. The processing zones masticate and mix materials in them. Non-thermoplastic elastomers having high molecular weight may be readily compounded into adhesives in the process.