Abstract: Sheet material useful, among other ways, as a low-density space-filling strata in layered structures such as glass-fiber-reinforced molded polymeric articles, comprising a flexible carrier web and a monolayer of uniformly sized discrete low-density filler bodies adhered to the carrier web.

Abstract: A new thermally insulating sheet material in which a thin drapeable specularly reflective sheet is supported in spaced relation from a thermally radiating surface by an array of resiliently flexible and compressible polymeric foam segments that cover only a portion of the area of the sheet.

Abstract: Mixtures of microfibers and crimped bulking fibers produce a lofty resilient web having properties that are unique for microfiber-based webs. Included in these properties are a combination of high thermal resistance per unit of thickness and moderate weight, as well as other properties which give the web a distinctive utility as thermal insulation.

Abstract: Pavement-marking sheet material made from deformable, reduced-elasticity polymeric materials are made retroreflective by adhering to the sheet material a thin support film having retroreflective elements partially embedded in it.

Abstract: Novel hollow spheres are made by tumbling solidifiable liquid globules of binder material in a mass of minute solid discrete free-flowing particles. The particles serve as a parting agent during the tumbling action, keeping the globules separate from one another, and become at least partially absorbed into the globules. As the tumbling proceeds, the globules are first converted to a hollow, generally spherical condition by the action of a volatile void-forming agent in the binder material, and then solidify. The new hollow spheres made by this process have a solidified seamless exterior wall that carries at least on its exterior surface partially embedded, partially protruding parting agent particles, and usually is filled throughout at least a major portion of its thickness by parting agent particles.

Abstract: Oil sorbing mat comprising a plurality of sections of expanded fibrillated film assembled into an integral structure in which the sections are juxtaposed, with openings in the juxtaposed sections overlapped to establish a network of interstices into which oil can be received and stored.

Abstract: A paint composition for application at elevated temperatures to form markings on roadways that bear traffic rapidly. The composition includes a paint vehicle and a modifying material dispersed in subdivided form in the paint vehicle. The modifying material is solid and substantially insoluble in the paint vehicle at normal ambient temperatures, and forms an at least substantially dissolved sprayable liquid blend with the paint vehicle at elevated temperatures. As an example, a substantially neutral polyamide reaction product of a polymerized fatty acid and polyamine is dispersed in subdivided form in a paint vehicle that comprises resin-modified drying oils dissolved in a volatile liquid.

Abstract: Method of making structural members from pliant, porous, solvent-free prepreg sheet comprising fusible resin microfibers and heat-resistant reinforcing fibers, which microfibers provide a lofty, clinging surface quality and fuse under heat and pressure to provide an essentially void-free matrix for the reinforcing fibers. Pieces of the novel prepreg sheet are conveniently molded under heat and pressure to provide laminated structural members.

Abstract: A porous lubricant-impregnated bearing comprising a matrix of closely packed, discrete particles, such as glass microspheres, bonded together with a bonding material that is different from the particles, such as a cured organic bonding material, and that only partially fills the interstices between the particles; and a migratable lubricant dispersed in the unfilled interstices.

Abstract: Retroreflective-treated fabrics, and products and methods for forming the treatments are taught. As an example, a free-flowing mass of minute retroreflectorization particles that each comprise hemispherically reflectorized transparent microspheres supported in a softenable binder material are cascaded onto a fabric. The binder material is softened during application to provide adhesion of the particles to the fabric. A very sparse retroreflective treatment can be provided, which leaves the fabric with nearly its full original appearance as well as hand, feel, and breathability. Yet the treatment will greatly increase the safety of a pedestrian by making him visible at night.

Abstract: Retroreflective images are formed on garments and other substrates with a transfer sheet material that comprises a support sheet, a dense continuous monolayer of transparent microspheres partially embedded in the support sheet, and a thick transfer layer printed over a limited portion of the continuous layer of microspheres in an imagewise pattern. In use the transfer sheet material is laid against a substrate, the transfer layer adhered to the substrate, and the support sheet stripped away. The transfer layer remains in place and pulls the microspheres from the support sheet, leaving a sharply defined design that is retroreflective over the full area of the design.

Abstract: A novel blown microfiber web having a network of compacted high-density regions and pillowed low-density regions exhibits a unique combination of low density and good tensile strength and integrity. Such a web may be collected on a perforated screen so that microfibers deposited on the land area of the screen form the compacted high-density regions, and microfibers deposited over the openings of the screen form the pillowed low-density regions.

Abstract: Helmets and other articles are made reflective through the use of coatings which include retroreflective platelet particles cut from a larger retroreflective sheeting.

Abstract: A new sheet material carries specially viewable reflective legends provided by a dielectric mirror. The mirror is patterned so that the reflectivity from the mirror carries a pattern of contrasting colors. In some embodiments the mirror is incorporated into retroreflective sheet materials, and in other embodiments in specularly reflective sheet materials.

Abstract: Sheet material useful to form a coded retroreflective mark comprises a retroreflective base sheet and a cover film adhered over the base sheet and precut to form a plurality of removable sections. The cut sections are arranged in a predetermined pattern such that removal of different sections to expose the retroreflective sheeting under the sections provides different codes that may be read and distinguished by photoscanning equipment.

Abstract: Retroreflective sheeting is taught which incorporates markings that are distinctly visible when the sheeting is viewed at an angle under retroreflective viewing conditions, thereby allowing a viewer to determine the identity of the sheeting. The sheeting comprises a monolayer of microsphere-lenses; a spacing layer coated on the microsphere-lenses and contoured so as to generally follow the curved back surfaces of the microsphere-lenses; a specularly reflective layer coated over the spacing layer; and a transparent image layer disposed in an imagewise pattern between the spacing layer and specularly reflective layer, with the thickness of the image layer being greater in the valleys of the spacing layer between the microsphere-lenses than on the curved surfaces directly in back of the microsphere-lenses.

Abstract: Louvered echelon lenses are provided that comprise an optically clear layer having at least one of its large-area surfaces configured as a set of echelon lens elements, and physically attached in optical connection with said layer, an internally louvered layer that comprises an optically clear polymeric matrix and a set of thin optically limiting louvers supported within the matrix in a spaced side-by-side relation.

Abstract: A heating device is taught which includes a subdivided electrochemical cell comprising subdivided metal pieces which serve as the anode and conductive cathode layers coated on the anode pieces. When such coated pieces are enveloped in a liquid electrolyte, heat is generated by electrochemical-cell reactions; and the reactions and accompanying production of heat are accelerated by the direct electrical contact between the anode pieces and cathode layers. The cathode layers can be coated on the anode pieces either prior to assembly of the heating device, or in situ after the device has been activated. In the latter case, plating is accomplished through the presence in the liquid electrolyte of a plating salt that reacts with the metal anode pieces and produces an electroless deposition on the pieces.

Abstract: Retroreflective sheeting having improved resistance to delamination is prepared by imparting a grid pattern to a monolayer of glass spheres having a light reflecting layer thereon, applying a sphere binder layer over the grid pattern imposed on the monolayer of glass spheres so as to adhere to the reflective layer on the monolayer of glass spheres, and pressure consolidating the resulting composite against a clear, protective overlay film, wherein the overlay film bonds to the sphere binder layer in the grooves formed by the grid pattern.

Abstract: Protective helmets that give a distinctive retroreflective signal under wet or dry conditions at night or in other darkened environments are provided by disposing a retroreflective layer covered by a transparent layer over at least a major portion of the outer surface of the helmet.