Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel method of producing graphics employing image-enhancing particles electrostatically. The invention also relates to novel electrostatically printable image-enhancing particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the polymerization of free-radically polymerizable vinyl monomers in a batch reactor under essential adiabatic conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides a radiation curable release coating composition comprising:(a) about 1 to about 50 percent by weight of a cationically reactive polydiorganosiloxane liquid rubber having the following formula: ##STR1## wherein R are monovalent moieties which can be the same or different selected from the group consisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, and substituted aryl wherein at least about 50% of the total number of silicon atoms have two methyl groups bonded thereto;E is an organic monovalent functional group comprising from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms having at least one cationically co-reactive functional group;a and b both represent integers, wherein the sum of a plus b is an integer of about 10 to about 1200;b has a value ranging from about 0 to about 0.

Abstract: A photocurable composition comrpising: (a) a photopolymerizable silane or siloxane containing epoxycylohexyl group(s), (b) a photoinitiator, and (c) a photosensitizer, wherein the photosensitizer comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of sulfolene, sulfolene derivatives, isatin and isatin derivatives.

Abstract: The present invention provides a constrained layer damper having slits and/or cutout(s) therein, which provides improved vibration damping performance. The constrained layer damper of the invention is useful, for example, for damping rotatable spacer articles and also rotatable storage media such as compact disks.

Abstract: A reactive hot melt adhesive and/or sealing composition having a heat of crystallization in joules/gram of -2 or lower, comprising a curable heat-flowable adhesive material and a particulate filler, wherein said composition has a thermal conductivity of less than 0.30 W/m..degree.C. The invention also relates to a method of using the adhesive/sealer composition described herein to fill a cavity or recess in a substrate and the filled substrates formed thereby.

Abstract: The invention relates to a swellable, solvent-insoluble, tack-free, elastomeric, acrylate microsphere having a shear storage modulus of at least 6.0.times.10.sup.6 Pascals at 23.degree. C. and 1 Hz and a Tg of less than about 0.degree. C., wherein the microsphere comprises the polymerization product of:(a) about 40 to 99.7 equivalent weight % of free radically polymerizable monomer selected from the group consisting of alkyl acrylate esters of non-tertiary alkyl alcohols, the alkyl groups of the alcohols which comprise from about 4 to about 18 carbon atoms, alkyl methacrylate esters of non-tertiary alkyl alcohols, the alkyl groups of the alcohols which comprise from about 4 to about 18 carbon atoms, and mixtures thereof;(b) optionally, about 45 to about 1 equivalent weight % polar monomer copolymerizable with the monomer of element (a); and(c) about 10 to about 0.3 equivalent weight % of a multifunctional crosslinking agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel method for preparing a novel curing agent composition suitable for curing epoxy resin compositions. The present invention also provides the novel curing agent compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel copolymer and coating prepared therefrom. The coating which is capable of being written on effectively with both solvent-based and water-based inks is also bleedthrough resistant. A repositionable pressure sensitive adhesive note is capable of effectively adhering to the coating. The invention also provides substrates coated with the coatings and articles such as pads formed from the coated substrates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing a laminated product in which the deformation of a base element and the squeeze-out of a viscoelastic element from the periphery of the base element can be eliminated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vibration damped laminate articles having improved force (torque and/or pressure and/or stress) retention, a method of making one article type and novel tools used to make the one article type. The first laminate comprises at least one layer of damping material between at least two substrate layers. At least one deformation area is present in the laminate wherein the substrate(s) are plastically deformed such that they are closer than non-deformed areas of the substrate and wherein the damping material has less mass than in a non-deformed area of the article; the deformation areas providing the areas of good force retention, for an attachment device attached thereto. The second laminate, which is not deformed, contains an additive of sufficient modulus, diameter and loading, in a vibration damping layer to provide improved force retention.

Abstract: A method of using a material as an acoustical barrier in an ambient medium. The material comprises microbubbles having average outer diameters of 5 to 150 microns, bound together at their contact points. The material is characterized by either a porosity of 20 to 60 percent, or by voids between the microbubbles which have characteristic diameter within an order of magnitude of the viscous skin depth of the ambient medium, as calculated at 1 kHz; an air flow resistivity of 0.5.times.10.sup.4 to 4.times.10.sup.7 mks rayls/meter, and an attenuation of sound comparable to mass law performance. The microbubbles can be sintered into direct contact with each other, or one of many types of binder material can be used to support the microbubbles within a composite material.

Abstract: The invention provides pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) coated articles, including tapes and transfer coatings, having microstructured surfaces and methods of making pressure-sensitive adhesive articles bearing such microstructured surfaces. The performance properties of the pressure-sensitive adhesive articles can be tailored by independently varying the microstructure and the rheological properties of the pressure-sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: This invention relates to glass microsphere (bead) coated articles having an upper surface comprising a layer of low refractive index transparent glass microspheres such as those made from recycled ordinary glass. The articles of the invention have an extremely smooth tactile feel and a low friction surface even though they can be prepared from glass microspheres intermixed with abrasive irregularly shaped glass particles. The invention also relates to the method making the bead coated articles of the invention and transfer articles that can be used to make the bead coated articles of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition and tape prepared therefrom which has excellent ability to adhere to acidic surfaces such as acid-rain resistant automotive paints. The adhesive comprises a crosslinked copolymer comprising certain (meth)acrylate esters, certain nitrogen containing basic monomers copolymerizable therewith, optional copolymerizable acidic monomer, and crosslinker.

Abstract: The present invention provides pressure-sensitive adhesive beads that comprise a tacky pressure-sensitive adhesive core and a non-tacky shell material that surrounds the area wherein the beads are capable of being positioned via magnetic means. The present invention also provides method(s) of preparing adhesive coated substrates using pressure-sensitive adhesive bead(s) that are magnetically responsive, electrostatically responsive or both by using magnetic forces, electrostatic forces or both.

Abstract: The invention provides a radiation curable release coating composition comprising:(a) about 1 to about 50 percent by weight of a cationically reactive polydiorganosiloxane liquid rubber having the following formula: ##STR1## wherein R are monovalent moieties which can be the same or different selected from the group consisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, and substituted aryl wherein at least about 50% of the total number of silicon atoms have two methyl groups bonded thereto;E is an organic monovalent functional group comprising from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms having at least one cationically co-reactive functional group;a and b both represent integers, wherein the sum of a plus b is an integer of about 10 to about 1200;b has a value ranging from about 0 to about 0.

Abstract: An apparatus for damping dynamic response in a primary structure, includes a secondary mass, and a spring and a viscoelastic element, the spring and viscoelastic element interposed between the primary structure and the secondary mass. The apparatus may include a housing for the secondary mass, the spring and the viscoelastic element, should the spring, viscoelastic element, or both the spring and viscoelastic element, be interposed between the secondary mass and the housing. A method for damping dynamic response in a primary structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for the production of poly(vinyl trifluoroacetate) and copolymers thereof with vinyl esters is described. Poly(vinyl trifluoroacetate) (PVTFA) is obtained in relatively high yield under mild conditions by using carbon dioxide under supercritical conditions as a solvent. Synthesis of syndiotactic PVTFA on a commercial scale without the use of environmentally-harmful solvents is made possible by the invention, which provides a convenient route to syndiotactic polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: An apparatus for damping dynamic response in a primary structure in one, two, or three dimensions, includes a secondary mass, and a spring and a viscoelastic element, the spring and viscoelastic element interposed between the primary structure and the secondary mass. The apparatus may include a housing for the secondary mass, the spring and the viscoelastic element, should the spring, viscoelastic element, or both the spring and viscoelastic element, be interposed between the secondary mass and the housing. A method for damping dynamic response in a primary structure in one, two, or three dimensions is also disclosed.