Abstract: A pixel for use in a visual matrix display including a frame having front and rear surfaces and defining an aperture; a light source oriented in the aperture; a first retroreflective surface borne by the frame and positioned adjacent to the aperture; a flap borne by the front surface and moveable along a given path of travel between a first position wherein the pixel is nonoperational, and the flap is disposed in covering relation relative to the light source, and a second operational position, wherein the flap has a second retroreflective surface which is exposed when the flap is in the second position; an assembly borne by the frame for moving the flap along the given path of travel; and an assembly for energizing the light source when the flap is in one of the given positions along the path of travel.

Abstract: A composition that includes a fluoropolymer comprising interpolymerized units derived from a cure site monomer comprising a nitrile group; and (b) a catalyst composition comprising a compound having the formula R1C(OR2)═NH, and salts thereof, where R1 and R2, independently, are a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or alkenyl group, as well as a method for curing this composition and cured articles prepared from this composition.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing retroreflective signs includes: coextruding a rigid substrate layer and an adhesive layer, the rigid substrate layer being suitable for use as a sign board; providing a cube corner sheeting having a structured surface including a plurality of cube corner elements, the cube corner elements having a specularly reflective material thereon; and applying the retroreflective sheeting to the adhesive layer. The method is useable with metalized cube corner sheeting in which the structured surface is formed in a back surface of the sheeting, wherein the cube corner element faces form pyramidal projections in such back surface. The method is also useable with metalized cube corner sheeting in which the structured surface is formed in a front surface of the sheeting, wherein the cube corner element faces form a cavity in such front surface.

Abstract: Retroreflective sheeting includes a body layer having a structured surface with recessed faces and top surfaces, the recessed faces forming cube corner cavities. The recessed faces have a high specular reflectivity, while the top surfaces have a low specular reflectivity. In some embodiments a substantially continuous film of reflective material covers the structured surface, and a masking substance is provided over the reflective material at the top surfaces. Alternatively, the top surfaces are given a non-smooth surface finish so that the film of reflective material on those portions has a diffuse reflectivity. In other embodiments the film of reflective material is discontinuous, disposed selectively on the recessed faces and not on the top surfaces. A cover layer is also provided, and can bond at least to the top surfaces. Keeping the top surfaces substantially free of reflective material inhibits corrosion and can enhance the bond integrity.

Abstract: A retroreflective sign includes a rigid sign board and a retroreflective sheeting having a structured surface. The structured surface has cube corner elements formed therein, and is bonded to a surface of the sign board to define a plurality of cells. The cells protect the cube corner elements from moisture and dirt, which could adversely impact the retroreflective performance of the film. By sealing the structured surface directly to the sign board, rather than to an intermediate seal film and then to the sign board, a simpler prefabricated sign construction is achieved. In some embodiments, interconnected raised sections are used to define the seal cells. The raised sections can be incorporated into the structured surface of the retroreflective sheeting or into the surface of the sign board. Methods for making the disclosed sign boards are also disclosed.

Abstract: Fluorinated emulsifiers, in particular, perfluorooctanoic acid are bound to anionic exchange resins for the purification of aqueous effluent from the production of fluoropolymers. Said emulsifiers may be quantitatively eluted from the exchanger with a water-miscible organic solvent, containing a small amount of ammonia. It is of advantage to distil off the ammonia containing solvent, recycle the emulsifier to a further polymerization and recycle the ammoniacal solvent for elution. Addition of alkalis improves the elution efficiency.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive adhesive comprising a blend of at least two components, wherein the first component is at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive and second component is at least one thermoplastic material, wherein the components form a blended composition having more than one domain and, wherein one domain is substantially continuous (generally, the pressure-sensitive adhesive) and the other domain is substantially fibrillous to schistose (generally, the thermoplastic material). The second component can be (a) at least one thermoplastic elastomer, (b) at least one elastomer with a tackifying resin or (c) at least one elastomer.

Abstract: A multi-layer structure includes a fluoropolymer bonded to a substrate. The structure is prepared by exposing a bonding composition to actinic radiation, such as ultraviolet radiation, to form the bond. The bonding composition includes a light-absorbing compound and an electron donor. The bonding composition includes non-adhesive materials.

Abstract: A tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene copolymer with high drawability is provided. Also provided is a process employing the polymer and an article coated with the polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a curable fluoroelastomer composition comprising: (a) a fluoroelastomer comprising a cure site component having a halogen capable of participation in a peroxide cure reaction; (b) an organic peroxide; and (c) a siloxane or silazane comprising one or more —SiH groups. The curable fluoroelastomer compositions generally show improved processing and the resulting cured fluoroelastomers generally have improved mechanical and physical properties.

Abstract: Fluorinated emulsifier acids can be isolated from wastewater by firstly removing fine solids and/or material which can be converted into fine solids from the wastewater, preferably by precipitation, subsequently bringing the wastewater into contact with an anion-exchange resin and eluting the adsorbed emulsifier acids from the latter.

Abstract: A fluoropolymer composition is provided. The polymer comprises interpolymerized units derived from (i) tetrafluoroethylene, (ii) vinylidene fluoride, (iii) at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer of the formula CF2═CFRf where Rf is a perfluoroalkyl or a perfluoroalkoxy of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and (iv) a perfluorovinyl ether of the formula CF2═CF—(OCF2CF(Rf))aORf where Rf is as described in (iii), Rf is a perfluoroaliphatic, preferably a perfluoroalkyl or a perfluoroalkoxy, of 1 to 8, preferably 1 to 3, carbon atoms, and a has a value of 0 to 3.

Abstract: Curable fluoroelastomer compositions having improved compression set after curing are provided, as well as compositions that are of relatively high purity. These compositions include a hydrogen-containing fluoroelastomer having interpolymerized units derived from a cure-site monomer, a curative (optionally with a co-agent), and an organo-onium. When the fluoroelastomer contains units derived from vinylidene fluoride, the composition is essentially free from an inorganic acid acceptor. Methods of improving the compression of cured fluoroelastomer and cured fluoroelastomers having improved compression set are also provided.

Abstract: Aqueous dispersions of fluoropolymers obtained by emulsion polymerization and containing at least one fluoropolymer A) with an average particle size (number-average) of at least 200 nm and at least one fluoropolymer B) with an average particle size (number-average) of not more than 100 nm, one of components A) and B) being a thermoplastic and the other component not being processable from the melt, and the entire dispersion having a non-monomodal number distribution of particle diameter, are suitable for saturating, impregnating surfaces, for example of fibers or sheet-like articles made from fibers or porous materials, in particular for coating glass-fiber fabrics as well as for formulating metal-coating systems.

Abstract: A detection system determines the position of an object moving along a first direction. The system includes a magnetic field source generating a magnetic field signal and a magnetic field detection system coupled to the object. The detection system includes a source interface module with magnetic field sensors positioned a known distance apart along a second direction different from the first direction. Each sensor detects the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field source and generates a magnetic field signal. A processing module processes the magnetic field intensity signal produced by the source interface module. The processing module generates data for each sensor in the source interface module, which is made up of points representing peak magnetic field and sensor location along the second direction. The points are compared to determine the distance of the object from the magnetic field source along the second direction.

Abstract: A variable image-display having an opaque substrate having a front surface which is observed by an observer, and a back surface opposing the front surface, and a plurality of pixel elements which are arranged on the front surface of the substrate in rows and columns. Each pixel element comprises a fixed part having the first fixed face which is fixed to the front surface of the substrate, the second fixed face adjacent to the first fixed surface, and a border line between the first fixed face and the second fixed face. An opaque shutter which is rotatable around an axis is in parallel with the border line between the fixed faces such that in a first static state, the second fixed face of the fixed part and the second observable face of the shutter are juxtaposed to form a first visible pixel, in a second static state, the first fixed surface of the fixed part and the first observable face of the shutter are juxtaposed to form a second visible pixel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to improved raised pavement markers having a totally-internal-reflective lens. The disclosure also relates to methods of manufacturing the raised pavement marker. The raised pavement markers described below include a housing connected to a totally-internal-reflective lens. The totally-internal-reflective lens includes a retroreflective element having a smooth surface generally opposite a plurality of cube corner elements. A film is attached to the retroreflective element at the apexes of the cube corner elements to form spaces, i.e., an air gap, between the film and the cubes. The film and retroreflective element cooperate to form the totally-internal-reflective lens. Light entering the retroreflective element through the smooth surface is retroreflected at the cube/air interface. Methods of manufacturing include, for example, forming a shell with the retroreflective element and attaching the film to the apexes of the cube corner elements.

Abstract: A process for making molds for retroreflective sheeting and like articles includes making a substrate having a structured surface of geometric structures such as cube corner elements. The structured surface is in one embodiment partially replicated from a previous generation structured surface, and partially machined in the substrate. At least one of the faces of the structured surface is a compound face that has one machined portion and one non-machined portion, such as a replicated portion. The process can be used to manufacture substrates with desirable geometry cube corner elements, such as cube corner elements having a hexagonal outline in plan view, without requiring the use of pin bundling techniques or laminae. The process can also be used to manufacture articles having cube corner elements in which at least one face of the cube corner element has two constituent faces disposed on opposed sides of a transition line that is nonparallel to a nondihedral edge of such cube corner element.

Abstract: A tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene copolymer with high drawability is provided. Also provided is a process employing the polymer and an article coated with the polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of foaming a polymer comprising the steps of providing a composition comprising said polymer and a zeolite in an amount of 0.3% or more based on the weight of said polymer and extruding said composition. The invention further relates to foamed articles and to the use of zeolites as foaming agents in the foaming of polymers.