Abstract: The present invention provides an article comprising a curable resin and a filler associated with the resin. The incorporation of fillers into the casting materials of the present invention adds substantially to the strength of the cured casting material as well as to the handling properties of the uncured casting tape or bandage. The incorporation of fillers into the casting materials of the present invention also imparts air and vapor porosity to the cured casting materials. If desired articles of the present invention may also incorporate fibers (either individually, bundled, or in the form of a light-weight scrim) to provide increased cohesiveness to the uncured article. Extremely moldable casting tapes are also provided which comprise a highly-filled composite material coated on a light-weight scrim. The casting tapes of this embodiment handle like traditional plaster of Paris casts yet cure to a weight-bearing cast in less than one hour.

Abstract: The present invention provides an orthopedic casting article comprising an apertured, extruded sheet. The present invention also provides a method of enclosing a body member, comprising the steps of: heating an apertured, extruded sheet comprising a low temperature thermoplastic polymer having a softening or melting temperature less than about 90.degree. C.; wrapping the article about the body member; and molding the wrapped article about the body member such that the article is used as an orthopedic casting material and has a sufficient number of apertures after application to the patient to allow moisture vapors produced by the skin to freely escape through the cast or splint.

Abstract: The present invention provides a block assembly for mounting an optical lens blank onto a lens processing machine, comprising a compliant lens block with a relatively thin double-sided adhesive tape having differential adhesion. This assembly affords a very cost efficient system for attaching a lens blank to a lens processing machine. In contrast to traditional thick adhesive pads, the tapes of the present invention do not suffer from shear displacements which may cause processing errors or inaccuracies. In addition, the double-sided adhesive tapes of the present invention achieve greater adhesion to the lens block than to the lens. This feature promotes and ensures a "clean" removal of the tape from the lens when the block is deblocked. The present invention also provides a method for mounting an optical lens blank onto a lens processing machine.

Abstract: The present invention provides an article comprising a curable resin and a filler associated with the resin. The incorporation of fillers into the casting materials of the present invention adds substantially to the strength of the cured casting material as well as to the handling properties of the uncured casting tape or bandage. The incorporation of fillers into the casting materials of the present invention also imparts air and vapor porosity to the cured casting materials. If desired articles of the present invention may also incorporate fibers (either individually, bundled, or in the form of a light-weight scrim) to provide increased cohesiveness to the uncured article. Extremely moldable casting tapes are also provided which comprise a highly-filled composite material coated on a light-weight scrim. The casting tapes of this embodiment handle like traditional plaster of Paris casts yet cure to a weight-bearing cast in less than one hour.

Abstract: A retroreflective sheet comprises a film having a substantially flat surface and a large number of pyramidal projections having retroreflectivity on the opposite surface, and a colored layer and an adhesive layer disposed on the surface of the film having the projections. The adhesive layer comprises a heat-sensitive adhesive containing an acrylic polymer and a phenolic resin, and exhibits an elastic modulus (by dynamic viscoelasticity measurement, compression mode) at 30.degree. C. ranging from about 1.times.10.sup.6 to 1.times.10.sup.8 dyn/cm.sup.2.

Abstract: New secondary amines are described which are prepared from inexpensive, commercially available raw materials, are stable at room temperature, and are reactive toward electrophiles. The secondary amines are prepared by the addition of one or more primary amines with one or more male (amide/ester) and fumar (amide/ester) Michael receptors. The above amines can be used as coreactants with aliphatic polyisocyanates for polyurea coatings. The novel secondary amines are also described as particularly useful as part of a two-part liquid pavement marking composition for pavement markings.

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: 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: 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.

Abstract: The present invention provides an article comprising a curable resin and a filler associated with the resin. The incorporation of fillers into the casting materials of the present invention adds substantially to the strength of the cured casting material as well as to the handling properties of the uncured casting tape or bandage. The incorporation of fillers into the casting materials of the present invention also imparts air and vapor porosity to the cured casting materials. If desired articles of the present invention may also incorporate fibers (either individually, bundled, or in the form of a light-weight scrim) to provide increased cohesiveness to the uncured article. Extremely moldable casting tapes are also provided which comprise a highly-filled composite material coated on a light-weight scrim. The casting tapes of this embodiment handle like traditional plaster of Paris casts yet cure to a weight-bearing cast in less than one hour.

Abstract: A fluorescent ionophoric compound is disclosed that includes a complexing moiety, such as a cryptand or crown-ether portion, and a fluorescing moiety such as a coumarin portion. The coumarin portion may be substituted at the 3-position with an electron withdrawing or polarizable group such as a substituted aromatic group or a substituted heterocyclic group having a heteroatom in at least one of its alpha positions. The compound, which exhibits good photostability, can be incorporated into cation-sensing composite structures by means of convenient points of covalent attachment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conformable tape for bonding a lens block comprising a thermoplastic lens blocking composition to an ophthalmic lens blank. Preferred tapes have a pressure sensitive adhesive layer and a polymer backing that comprises a polar moiety and a non-polar moiety. Preferred thermoplastic lens blocking compositions comprise a homopolymer or copolymer of epsilon-caprolactone, have a number average molecular weight between 3,000 and 100,000, and a polydispersity less than 10. The composition may also comprise one or more modifiers, fillers or heat absorbing materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel preformed base blocks that may be used with thermoplastic ophthalmic lens blocking compositions. The preformed base block has a rear portion that is sized and adapted to fit the chuck of a lens processing machine and a front portion that has a negatively tapered peripheral edge. The front portion is adapted to mechanically retain the thermoplastic blocking composition to form a lens block against a lens blank.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reinforceable orthopedic casting article comprising a backing and a curable resin having an activator capable of assisting in the initiation of the cure of an addition polymerizable reinforcement compound. Reinforced casts are made by providing a curable casting tape comprising a backing and a curable resin containing an activator capable of assisting in the initiation of the cure of an addition polymerizable reinforcement compound; initiating the cure of the casting tape; wrapping the casting tape into the form of a cast; applying a hardenable reinforcement compound to at least a portion of the casting tape; and allowing the casting tape to cure and the reinforcement compound to harden to form a reinforced orthopedic cast.

Abstract: A low profile, two-piece ostomy appliance is disclosed that has a contact responsive non-tacky fastener system comprising a fastener that is attached to the ostomy appliance and a landing zone component that is attached to the peristomal area of the user. The fastening layer of the fastener system is preferably multiply releasable and refastenable against the non-tacky target, and preferably has a 90.degree. peel strength of less than about 3 kN/m and a dynamic shear strength of greater than 2 kN/m.sup.2 when in contact with the target surface.