Abstract: The invention is directed to a new packaging method in which several optical films are bundled together before insertion into the display frame. This bundling makes handling of the films easier, reduces the number of steps required for assembly of the display device, reduces the chance of damaging the films and increases yields. At least two of the films in the stack are bonded together using a zero-gap bond. The zero-gap bond lies outside the viewing area of the film.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a method of making a thermal interface material comprising the steps of: (a) providing a polymeric hot melt pressure sensitive adhesive having a number average molecular weight of greater than 25,000; (b) melt-blending the polymer with at least 25 weight percent of a thermally conductive filler to form a mixture; and (c) forming the mixture of hot melt pressure sensitive adhesive and thermally conductive filler as a film. In another aspect, the invention may further comprise the steps of: providing a fire retardant and/or microfiber forming material; and/or irradiating the film with gamma or electron beam (E-beam) radiation or a combination of both to form a thermal interface material.

Abstract: Backlighting systems are disclosed, which include a lightguide with at least one light source optically connected to an edge of the lightguide for supplying light into its interior and a reflective cavity with at least one light source optically connected to the reflective cavity for supplying light into its interior. The reflective cavity may include a first reflector and a second reflector and at least one source may be disposed at an edge of the reflective cavity. Alternatively, the reflective cavity may include a back reflector portion and light sources may be disposed at the back reflector portion.

Abstract: A connector assembly for creating a plastic tube joint in a length of plastic tubing having a distal end, a proximal end and a hollow lumen includes forming a flare in the tube proximate the proximal end thereof by means of a flared ferrule disposed in the lumen and defining a void between the flare and the proximal end of the tubing, the void being defined between the ferrule and a collet, the tubing contracting into the void, and forming a neck between the ferrule and the collet proximate the ferrule flare, the neck substantially permanently capturing the tubing contracted into the void; and substantially permanently bonding the collet to a connector body. A connector assembly for simultaneously forming a plastic tube joint in a pair of plastic tubes is further included as is a method for simultaneously forming a plastic tube joint in a pair of plastic tubes.

Abstract: Improved macroporous ink receptor media are disclosed. An inkjet receptive media in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention comprises a web comprising a plurality of fibers and a coating overlaying at least a portion of a plurality of the fibers. In a preferred embodiment, the coating comprises a plurality of organic particles. In a preferred embodiment, the fibers define a plurality of pores. In a preferred embodiment, the web defines a plurality of macropores. The fibers of the web may be woven or non-woven. In a preferred embodiment, the web comprises a nonwoven macroporous material.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides an imaged article that includes A) an image receptive layer bonded to a core layer and B) an image on the image receptive layer, the image including a UV-curable or UV-cured ink and methods of using the imaged article.

Abstract: Initiator systems of the present invention include both a complexed initiator and a carboxylic acid decomplexer. For example, dicarboxylic acid decomplexer, carboxylic acid ester decomplexers, and monocarboxylic acid decomplexers (preferably those comprising an alkyl group having at least nine carbon atoms for low odor compositions) are useful in the present invention.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides glass beads and optical devices comprising the glass beads. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of making said glass beads and rapid glass screening methods that use glass beads. Glass beads of the invention comprise greater than 80 weight percent silica, active rare earth dopant, and modifying dopant. In another embodiment the glass beads comprise greater than 80 weight percent silica and at least 5 weight percent germania. In another embodiment, glass beads comprise and from about 20 to about 90 anion mole percent of non-oxide anion.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a curable composition comprising a mixture of epoxy resin, catalyst and an epoxy reactive thioether-containing compound and the resulting adhesives. The resulting adhesives are water and/or solvent resistant and bond to plastics such as ABS, polycarbonate, and PMMA; polyimide; noble metals such as gold and palladium; and silicon-containing materials such as silicon wafer die and silicon dioxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to indicators of surface preparation and methods of making such indicators.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides an image receptor medium which comprises an extruded image receptive layer that is receptive to solvent-based inkjet ink. Image receptive layers of the invention comprise a blend of an ink absorptive resin and a carrier resin. The ink absorptive resin is compatible with the carrier resin and had a Hildebrand Solubility Parameter within about 3.1 (MPa)1/2 of that of the solvent of the ink. In another aspect, the invention provides an image receptor medium which comprises a coextruded or extrusion coated image receptive layer and a core layer bonded together. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of printing images and methods of making an extrusion coated or coextruded image receptor medium.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides an image receptor medium which comprises an extruded image receptive layer that is receptive to solvent-based inkjet ink. Image receptive layers of the invention comprise a blend of an ink absorptive resin and a carrier resin. The ink absorptive resin is compatible with the carrier resin and had a Hildebrand Solubility Parameter within about 3.1 (MPa)1/2 of that of the solvent of the ink. In another aspect, the invention provides an image receptor medium which comprises a coextruded or extrusion coated image receptive layer and a core layer bonded together. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of printing images and methods of making an extrusion coated or coextruded image receptor medium.

Abstract: The invention provides an ink receiving medium comprising a macroporous substrate having a fluid management system and having a pigment management system in contact with surfaces of macropores of the substrate therein. In one embodiment, the pigment management system comprises water-soluble multivalent metal salt and the fluid management system comprises surfactant.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions useful for bonding fluoropolymer to substantially non-fluorinated polymer. The compositions of the invention comprise a substantially non-fluorinated polymer or a mixture of said polymers, a base, and a crown ether catalyst. Another aspect of the invention is an article comprising the above composition adhered to a fluoropolymer and methods of making said article.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for providing improved image quality and water resistance of dye based ink images on substrates using aqueous dispersed mordants and dispersed hydrophobic materials.

Abstract: Initiator systems of the invention comprise a complexed initiator comprising a complex of an amidine complexing agent and an initiator; and a decomplexer. The initiator systems are useful for initiating polymerization of at least one monomer to form polymerized compositions. Kits of the invention useful for forming the polymerized compositions comprise a polymerizable composition and an initiator component, wherein the initiator component comprises a complexed amidine initiator. Bonding compositions can be prepared by mixing the polymerizable composition of the kit with the respective initiator component.

Abstract: The present invention involves the use of powder coating methods to form coated abrasives. In one embodiment, the powder is in the form of a multiplicity of binder precursor particles comprising a radiation curable component. In other embodiments, the powder comprises at least one metal salt of a fatty acid and optionally an organic component that may be a thermoplastic macromolecule, a radiation curable component, and/or a thermally curable macromolecule. In either embodiment, the powder exists as a solid under the desired dry coating conditions, but is easily melted at relatively low temperatures and then solidified also at reasonably low processing temperatures. The principles of the present invention can be applied to form make coats, size coats, and/or supersize coats, as desired.

Abstract: The present invention provides thermally activated adhesive compositions comprising polymer and polyester wherein the adhesive polymer comprises a polymer having hydroxyl and phenyl groups and adhesive films made from the adhesive compositions.

Abstract: Initiator systems of the invention comprise a complexed initiator comprising a complex of an amidine complexing agent and an initiator; and a decomplexer. The initiator systems are useful for initiating polymerization of at least one monomer to form polymerized compositions. Kits of the invention useful for forming the polymerized compositions comprise a polymerizable composition and an initiator component, wherein the initiator component comprises a complexed amidine initiator. Bonding compositions can be prepared by mixing the polymerizable composition of the kit with the respective initiator component.

Abstract: The invention provides bonding compositions and reactive two-part bonding compositions that are useful, for example, in bonding low surface energy substrates (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene and polytetrafluoroethylene). Bonding compositions of the invention include an organoborane, a polymerizable monomer, and a metal salt which modifies the cure kinetics of the bonding composition to provide a favorable balance of long bonding composition worklife and fast rate of strength build.