Abstract: Polymer foam articles having a substantially smooth surface prepared by melt-mixing a polymer composition and a plurality of microspheres, at least one of which is an expandable polymeric microsphere, under process conditions, including temperature and shear rate, selected to form an expandable extrudable composition; and extruding the composition through a die.

Abstract: A paint film assembly which includes a thermoformable paint film having a high gloss and DOI and a thermoformable masking film which is removably bonded to the paint film so as to better protect the paint film during shipping and handling, and during subsequent forming and processing (e.g., thermoforming and/or insert molding) of the paint film onto an article or part, while substantially retaining the surface finish of the paint film, particularly the gloss and DOI. The masking film comprises a urethane layer that is laminated or otherwise bonded to the paint film to form a masked paint film. The masking film is thermoformable and/or moldable with the paint film so as to form a thermoformable and/or moldable masked paint film. After the masked paint film is thermoformed and/or molded, the masking film is still readily removable from the paint film.

Abstract: A metallized film comprises an opaque, continuous layer of metal on an aliphatic polyurethane substrate. The polyurethane substrate displays a glass transition temperature of about 25.degree. to 110.degree. C. and a melting temperature greater than or equal to 200.degree. C. Decorative articles can be made with the metallized film.

Abstract: A tool for molding the surface of a resin sealant deposited within a generally U-shaped groove formed by two overlapping pieces that includes an elongated member shaped and dimensioned to fit within the groove and contact the surface of the sealant.

Abstract: The invention provides a multilayer intumescent mat or sheet that is useful as a mounting for a pollution control device or as a firestop. In one aspect, the multilayer intumescent sheet of the invention includes a non-moldable flexible non-intumescent layer and a non-moldable flexible intumescent layer including an intumescent material wherein the layers form a single sheet without the use of auxiliary bonding means. In another aspect, the multilayer intumescent sheet of the invention includes a first non-moldable intumescent layer including a first intumescent material and a second non-moldable intumescent layer comprising a second intumescent material, the first and second intumescent materials being different, wherein the layers form a single sheet without the use of auxiliary bonding means. The invention also provides a pollution control device including a multilayer sheet of the invention disposed between a monolith and a housing.

Abstract: A compactor wheel that is mountable on an axle of a compaction machine and that automatically adjusts for compacting low density and high density refuse. The compacting surface of the compactor wheel is effectively wide when compacting low density material and narrower when compacting higher density material. The compactor wheel includes a hub, a rim and a plurality of cleats. The rim is mounted around the outer circumference of the hub and has a face with at least one smaller diameter section and at least one larger diameter section. The cleats are mounted to the larger diameter section(s) of the face. The one or more larger diameter sections of the face enable the compactor wheel to concentrate the weight of the compaction machine while the compaction machine is compacting relatively high density material.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for imparting topographical or protective features to a substrate by contacting a sheet material comprising a thermosettable layer with a substrate and heating the sheet material to an elevated temperature.

Abstract: A paint film assembly which includes a thermoformable paint film having a high gloss and DOI and a thermoformable masking film which is removably bonded to the paint film so as to better protect the paint film during shipping and handling, and during subsequent forming and processing (e.g., thermoforming and/or insert molding) of the paint film onto an article or part, while substantially retaining the surface finish of the paint film, particularly the gloss and DOI. The masking film comprises a urethane layer that is laminated or otherwise bonded to the paint film to form a masked paint film. The masking film is thermoformable and/or moldable with the paint film so as to form a thermoformable and/or moldable masked paint film. After the masked paint film is thermoformed and/or molded, the masking film is still readily removable from the paint film.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method for sealing a discontinuity in the surface of a substrate comprises the steps of: (a) placing over the discontinuity an article comprising (i) a melt-flowable composition characterized by a first width, and (ii) a shaped, polymeric cap having a pre-selected, cross-sectional profile characterized by a second width and a shape in which the thickness of the cup across its width, the width of the cap, or both the width and thickness of the cap vary; (b) heating the article to cause the melt-flowable composition to flow and seal the discontinuity, where the cap controls the melt-flow behavior of the melt-flowable composition to substantially confine the melt-flowable composition to the area underneath the cap; and (c) allowing the article to cool while substantially retaining the pre-selected cross-sectional profile of the cap. The present invention also includes various articles for use in the method.

Abstract: Encapsulated electroluminescent phosphor particles and a method of making same. Each phosphor particle is encapsulated by a substantially transparent aluminum oxide-based multiple oxide coating. The encapsulated phosphors exhibit high initial luminescent brightness and high resistance to humidity-accelerated decay of luminescent brightness. The aluminum oxide-based coating provides reduced sensitivity to chemical degradation caused by exposure to condensed moisture or otherwise liquid water. The coating comprises the aluminum oxide and at least one other metal oxide.

Abstract: An on-line paintable insert useful for being mounted into a depression having a lateral, a longitudinal and a vertical extension, said insert comprising an optionally shaped body having a paintable surface and being attachable to the depression by an adhesive layer. The lateral extension of a bottom area of the body is essentially equal to or exceeds the minimum lateral extension of the depression over the longitudinal extension of the depression, and the body is deformable at least in the outer parts of the bottom area to allow for essentially self-centering and friction-fitting mounting of the insert into the depression. The lateral extension of an upper area of the body is less than the lateral extension of the depression at the vertical position of the upper area of the body when mounted into the depression, over the longitudinal extension of the depression which results in a gap between the upper area including the paintable surface, and the depression.

Abstract: Encapsulated electroluminescent phosphor particles and method for making same. The phosphor particles are encapsulated in a very thin oxide layer to protect them from aging due to moisture intrusion. The particles are encapsulated via a vapor phase hydrolysis reaction of oxide precursor materials at a temperature of between about 25.degree. C. and about 170.degree. C., preferably between about 100.degree. C. and about 150.degree. C. The resultant encapsulated particles exhibit a surprising combination of high initial luminescent brightness and high resistance to humidity-accelerated brightness decay.

Abstract: Solute polymers in solvent monomers form a coatable syrup that can be cured to a viscoelastomeric material when radiation-sensitive .alpha.-cleaving groups in either the polymer or one of the monomers are exposed to ultraviolet radiation. The solute polymers can be formed from the solvent monomers in situ or be added thereto to form the syrup.

Abstract: A pollution control device has a metal housing, a solid pollution control device disposed within the metal housing, and a mounting mat disposed between the pollution control element and the housing for positioning the pollution control element and for absorbing mechanical and thermal shock. The mounting mat includes a layer of intumescent material having at least one insert formed of a resilient, flexible, fibrous non-intumescent material. The insert is positioned along at least a portion of at least one lateral edge of the mounting mat to prevent erosion of the intumescent material and to provide a seal between the pollution control element and the housing.

Abstract: The invention provides an intumescent sheet material comprising 20 to 80 dry weight percent of at least one unexpanded intumescent material, 10 to 40 dry weight percent of at least one processed vermiculite selected from ground expanded vermiculite and delaminated vermiculite, greater than 0 to 5 dry weight percent of inorganic fibers having diameters greater than 5 microns, and greater than 0 to 10 dry weight percent of organic fibers; wherein said sheet material comprises substantially no ceramic fibers of less than 5 microns.

Abstract: A composite for mounting a catalytic converter or diesel particulate filter. The composite comprises a flexible mat and a layer of an intumescent paste comprising an intumescent material. A catalytic converter element and diesel particulate filter comprising such a composite are also described.

Abstract: A regenerable gas filter cartridge for filtering particles from an exhaust gas includes a hollow tube having a perforated portion and an open end portion. The perforated portion has a diameter larger than the diameter of the open end portion. A filtering element is disposed on the hollow tube, and the filtering element extends over the larger diameter of the perforated portion and the smaller diameter of the open end portion.

Abstract: A tape that includes an electronically conductive flexible substrate, a release layer, and an adhesive comprising an ion-intercalating material, and electrochromic devices and glazing units prepared using this tape.

Abstract: An anti-reflective film construction contains an optically transparent polymeric film having a textured surface and an optically transparent adhesive, the film construction configured to exhibit light transmission of greater than about 70 percent and 60.degree. gloss measurement of between about 15 and 100. Methods of producing such film constructions and methods of reducing reflection from a surface are also described.

Abstract: Solute polymers in solvent monomers form a coatable syrup that can be cured to a viscoelastomeric material when radiation-sensitive hydrogen abstracting groups in either the polymer or one of the monomers are exposed to ultraviolet radiation. The solute polymers can be formed from the solvent monomers.