Abstract: Protective garments such as firefighters' coats and pants are described. The garments have an outer shell material made from substantially non-overlapping panels stitched together. Some panels are specially designed and reserved for carrying an enhanced visibility material on a majority of their exposed surface area. The enhanced visibility material can be a retroreflective material such as an exposed lens beaded construction, a fluorescent material, or a phosphorescent material. The enhanced visibility panel(s) are stitched to non-enhanced visibility panels so that if damaged, the stitch can be removed and the enhanced visibility panel replaced to repair the garment.

Abstract: A light source includes an LED that emits excitation light, a polymeric multilayer reflector that reflects the excitation light and transmits visible light, and a layer of phosphor material spaced apart from the LED. The phosphor material emits visible light when illuminated with the excitation light. The polymeric multilayer reflector reflects excitation light onto the phosphor material. The layer of phosphor material is disposed between the LED and the polymeric multilayer reflector.

Abstract: Direct-lit backlights and associated methods are disclosed in which an array of elongated light sources is placed in a cavity between a diffuser plate and a back reflector. The back reflector is a specular reflector that can have a divergence half-angle of about 10 degrees or less. The diffuser plate can be of the type that has uniform diffusing properties over its useful area. Appropriate placement of the diffuser plate, light sources, and back reflector can yield a backlight having exceptional thinness, brightness uniformity, and average brightness.

Abstract: A method of making a light source includes the steps of forming a first optical component having a phosphor material in fixed relation to a first multilayer interference reflector, providing a second optical component having an LED capable of emitting light that excites the phosphor material, and positioning the first optical component to receive emitted light from the second optical component.

Abstract: A LED package including an LED that emits excitation light at an excitation light wavelength and a layer of phosphor material positioned to receive the excitation light and having a first index of refraction at the excitation light wavelength. The phosphor material emits visible light at a visible light wavelength when illuminated with the excitation light. An interference reflector is positioned adjacent to the layer of phosphor material and a TIR promoting layer is in contact with the layer of phosphor material. The TIR promoting layer has a second index of refraction at the excitation light wavelength that is less than the first index of refraction at the excitation light wavelength.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a light source includes the steps of providing a first flexible sheet that includes a first multilayer interference reflector, providing a carrier film to carry the reflector, dividing the reflector into individual pieces carried by the carrier film, and positioning at least one of the individual pieces proximate an LED capable of emitting light that excites a phosphor material.

Abstract: A LED package includes an LED that emits excitation light and an optically transparent body. A layer of phosphor material is positioned to receive the excitation light and is disposed on or in the optically transparent body. The phosphor material emits visible light when illuminated with the excitation light. A reflective polarizer layer is disposed on or in the optically transparent body and is positioned to receive the emitted visible light.

Abstract: A light source includes an LED that emits excitation light, an optically transparent body, a phosphor material positioned to receive the excitation light and disposed on or in the optically transparent body, the phosphor material emitting visible light when illuminated with the excitation light, and a non-planar flexible multilayer reflector that reflects the excitation light and transmits visible light. The non-planar polymeric multilayer reflector is positioned to reflect LED light onto the phosphor material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for the manufacture of coextruded polymeric multilayer optical films. The multilayer optical films have an ordered arrangement of layers of two or more materials having particular layer thicknesses and a prescribed layer thickness gradient throughout the multilayer optical stack. The methods and apparatuses described allow improved control over individual layer thicknesses, layer thickness gradients, indices of refraction, interlayer adhesion, and surface characteristics of the optical films. The methods and apparatuses described are useful for making interference polarizers, mirrors, and colored films that are optically effective over diverse portions of the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared spectra.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for the manufacture of coextruded polymeric multilayer optical films. The multilayer optical films have an ordered arrangement of layers of two or more materials having particular layer thicknesses and a prescribed layer thickness gradient throughout the multilayer optical stack. The methods and apparatuses described allow improved control over individual layer thicknesses, layer thickness gradients, indices of refraction, interlayer adhesion, and surface characteristics of the optical films. The methods and apparatuses described are useful for making interference polarizers, mirrors, and colored films that are optically effective over diverse portions of the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared spectra.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for the manufacture of coextruded polymeric multilayer optical films. The multilayer optical films have an ordered arrangement of layers of two or more materials having particular layer thicknesses and a prescribed layer thickness gradient throughout the multilayer optical stack. The methods and apparatuses described allow improved control over individual layer thicknesses, layer thickness gradients, indices of refraction, interlayer adhesion, and surface characteristics of the optical films. The methods and apparatuses described are useful for making interference polarizers, mirrors, and colored films that are optically effective over diverse portions of the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared spectra.

Abstract: A light source comprises an electroluminescent panel and a reflective polarizer that is preferably polymeric, birefringent, or both. The reflective polarizer is positioned to receive light generated by the light generating layer. The reflective polarizer transmits light of a first polarization and reflects light of a second polarization back to the light generating layer. The light generating layer diffusely reflects and randomizes the polarization state of the reflected light and recirculates the reflected light back to the reflective polarizer.

Abstract: Multilayer polymeric films and other optical bodies are provided which is useful in making colored mirrors and polarizers. The films are characterized by a change in color as a function of viewing angle.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for the manufacture of coextruded polymeric multilayer optical films. The multilayer optical films have an ordered arrangement of layers of two or more materials having particular layer thicknesses and a prescribed layer thickness gradient throughout the multilayer optical stack. The methods and apparatuses described allow improved control over individual layer thicknesses, layer thickness gradients, indices of refraction, interlayer adhesion, and surface characteristics of the optical films. The methods and apparatuses described are useful for making interference polarizers, mirrors, and colored films that are optically effective over diverse portions of the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared spectra.

Abstract: A continuous process for imparting a striking glittering or sparkling appearance to a roll of initially non-glittering cube corner sheeting includes exposing the sheeting to a combination of heat and pressure. The process includes passing the sheeting through an extended heated zone and applying pressure to the sheeting after it has been heated. At least one belt is employed to support or carry the sheeting as the sheeting is passed through the heated zone and as the pressure is applied. In one embodiment the sheeting is sandwiched between a pair of endless belts that pass through the extended heated zone, the nip, and a cooling zone downweb of the nip. The process is particularly advantageous for converting rolls of non-glittering cube corner sheeting into rolls of glittering cube corner sheeting.

Abstract: An optical film is provided which comprises a disperse phase of polymeric particles disposed within a continuous birefringent matrix in combination with light directing materials to enable control of light emitted from a lighting fixture or display. The film is oriented, typically by stretching, in one or more directions. The size and shape of the disperse phase particles, the volume fraction of the disperse phase, the film thickness, and the amount of orientation are chosen to attain a desired degree of diffuse reflection and total transmission of electromagnetic radiation of a desired wavelength in the resulting film, and the light directing materials are chosen to control the direction of polarized light reflected from or transmitted by the optical film.

Abstract: A light-emitting apparatus includes a light source, such as a fluorescent lamp, and a multilayer mirror wrapped partially around the light source. The multilayer mirror includes alternating layers of at least a first layer type containing a first polymeric material and a second layer type containing a second polymeric material, the layers having refractive index properties the differences of which satisfy a predetermined relationship.

Abstract: Methods of applying a polymer coating to a substrate are disclosed. By disrupting a bank of polymer precursor, a smooth coating of fast setting polymer can be applied to a substrate. Apparatus for applying a polymer coating is also disclosed. In one embodiment, an oscillating dispenser is used to apply polymer precursor onto to a dispersive surface. The polymer precursor flows down the surface and is transferred to a moving web. Flowing solvent downwardly through the dispenser can provide efficient cleaning without the need for disassembly or production delays.

Abstract: An improved optical film having a continuous/disperse phase morphology and a method for making the same is provided. At least one of the continuous and disperse phases comprises a blend of homopolymers which are inter-reacted, as by transesterification. The resulting films exhibit a higher degree of birefringence for a given level of strain than analogous films in which the blend is replaced by a random copolymer.