Abstract: The present invention provides an energy polymerizable composition comprising at least one epoxy monomer or at least one vinyl ether monomer and an initiation system therefor, the initiation system comprising at least one organometallic complex salt and at least one stabilizing additive. The cured composition provides useful articles or coated articles.

Abstract: An interengaging fastener member having a base with a flexibility for conforming to the curved objective surface, without damaging a function for supporting headed stems. A fastener member 10 is provided with a base 12 and a plurality of headed stems 14 arranged on the base 12. The headed stem 14 has a stem 16 projecting substantially upright from the base 12, and a head 18 connected to the end of the stem 16. The base 12 includes a plate layer 26 having a first major surface 20, and a fabric layer 30 bonded to a surface opposite to the first major surface 20. The plate layer 26 is connected to proximal ends 22 of the stems 16 of the headed stems 14 by integral molding process. The plate layer 26 and the fabric layer 30 are bonded together in an injection molding process for the plate layer 26.

Abstract: A refillable sheet dispenser of the type having walls defining a cavity adapted to receive a stack of sheets including first and second end walls at opposite ends of a side wall with the first end wall having an elongate outlet opening through which individual sheets from the stack in the cavity may be manually withdrawn, while the stack of sheets is biased toward the first end wall. The biasing is provided by a strip of non metallic material bent to provide the biasing force and to provide space within it in which refill stacks of sheets or other items may be stored.

Abstract: Encapsulated retroreflective element comprising a retroreflective assembly made up of a transparent optical body and a reflective member and essentially completely encapsulated within a dense, substantially transparent oxide coating. Also a method for making such retroreflective elements and articles and compositions comprising such retroreflective elements.

Abstract: Foamed thermoplastic articles, both filled and unfilled foamed articles have a foamed density of greater than 0.03 grams per cubic centimeters (g/cm.sup.3), cell sizes in the range of 10 to 300 micrometers (.mu.m) with cell wall thicknesses of greater than 0.1 .mu.m but less than 2 .mu.m and a process for making the same.

Abstract: A barrier fabric laminate for use as a coating for a gel filled article is provided. The barrier fabric laminate comprises a fluid impermeable film and a polyurethane nonwoven web which has a friction value of less than 200 g and a fabric hand of less than 200 g. The polyurethane web is formed of fibers of less than about 50 .mu.m on average and preferably is formed with a fluorochemical melt additive by sequentially melt blowing the polyurethane web on a heated collecting drum and laminated by a nip formed by a heated nip roller and the collecting drum.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shaped permeable polymeric material including a hydrophobic portion and a hydrophilic portion, wherein the material is crosslinked. This material is prepared by a method including the steps preparing a crosslinkable composition having a hydrophobic portion and a hydrophilic portion; placing the crosslinkable composition in a mold; gelling the crosslinkable composition to form a shaped gelled polymeric composition comprising a hydrophobic portion, a hydrophilic portion, and a liquid portion; and exchanging the liquid portion with an exchange liquid to form the permeable polymeric material. Preferably this material is used in a blood gas sensor.

Abstract: Diblock (B-A) and triblock (B-A-B) polydiorganosiloxane-polyurea block copolymers comprise non-functional polydiorganosiloxane endblock B and polyurea block A. When used to provide release coatings, the block copolymers allow for easier release compared to traditional block copolymers of the (AB).sub.n type having comparable amounts of polydiorganosiloxane. Articles incorporating the copolymers as a release material are also disclosed.

Abstract: A retroreflective article comprising a transparent base sheet having first and second broad faces, the second face being substantially planar and the first face having an array of substantially hemi-spheroidal microlenses thereon, the microlenses being wider and shorter than portions of true spheres, the shape of the microlenses and thickness of the base sheet being such that collimated light substantially orthogonally incident to the array is focused approximately at the second face, wherein the second face has a coating of a nacreous pigment composition thereon. The article can include an optional layer of adhesive over the reflective layer to permit the article to be adhered to a document as a tamper-indicating, authenticating, and protective overlay. Special images can be formed within the article to enhance the security provided thereby. Also, a method for making such base sheets, and a method for making a forming master.

Abstract: A core for a cold-shrink tubing assembly is produced from a ribbon helically wound on itself to form a cylindrical tube. The edges of the ribbon are formed to interlock with each other and are contoured to facilitate ultrasonic welding of the edges.

Abstract: Acrylate-only and epoxy-acrylate thermoset resins exhibit high temperature damping behavior. These materials are suitable for damping vibrations in structures and component parts of devices where high temperature performance is required, such as in automobiles, aircraft, industrial equipment and appliances.

Abstract: Fluoroaluminosilicate dental cement glasses are treated with an aqueous silanol treating solution and optionally with an additional organic compound. The treated glasses form cements with improved strength. The silanol can be ethylenically-unsaturated and can contain acidic groups, and, if so, is novel in its own right.

Abstract: A mechanically compacted composite article comprising a PTFE fibril matrix that entraps particles retains more of its longitudinal dimension, when subjected to mechanical and/or thermal stress, than a similar but non-mechanically compacted article. A method of making a particulate loaded PTFE fibril web is disclosed, the method including biaxial calendaring to form a sheet or sheet laminate, and machanically compacting the sheet or sheet laminate.

Abstract: A polymerized microemulsion pressure sensitive adhesive composition is described. The composition has peel adhesion of at least 3 Newtons/ 100 mm as measured according to a PSTC-1 Test. The composition preferably has a bicontinuous structure of a continuous phase of a hydrophobic pressure sensitive adhesive polymer and a continuous phase of a hydrophilic polymer. The bulk properties of both polymers are retained in the bicontinuous structure. The composition is prepared from a microemulsion comprising a free-radically ethylenically unsaturated polar amphiphilic or hydrophilic monomer or oligomer in the aqueous phase, a free-radically ethylenically unsaturated hydrophobic monomer, having a glass transition temperature suitable for forming a pressure sensitive adhesive, in the oil phase, water, and surfactant.

Abstract: A portable system and method for printing variable information indicia on a reflective sign comprises providing a first polymeric sign component having a surface suitable for receiving a printed image. A definition of an image to be printed on the first sign component is provided to a portable computer. Indicia in the form of images is then rapidly transferred to the surface of the first sign component.

Abstract: An energy polymerizable composition comprising at least one cationically curable 5 or 6 membered 1,3 oxazyl heterocyclic compounds, including 1,3-oxazoline and 1,3-oxazine monomers or compound and a catalytically effective amount of an initiator comprising an organometallic compound, wherein such oxazoline homopolymers and copolymers exhibit increased rates of reaction, improved thermal stability, and higher glass transition temperatures. The resultant adhesive compositions are particularly useful in electronic applications, such as bonding to polyimide sheets or film, flexible circuits or fiber optic connectors.

Abstract: An abrasive article comprising a substrate having a first major surface and an adhesive layer having abrasive particles embedded therein coated on the first major surface of the substrate, the adhesive layer comprising a hot melt adhesive comprising a polymer cross-linked via hydrolyzed or condensed silyl groups; and a method of preparing an abrasive article, the method comprising (a) providing a substrate having a first major surface, (b) applying an adhesive layer comprising a moisture-curable hot melt adhesive comprising a polymer having hydrolysable or condensable silyl groups to the first major surface of the substrate, the hot-melt adhesive being in a molten or semi-molten state, (c) depositing abrasive particles on the adhesive layer, and (d) curing the hot-melt adhesive.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coated abrasive article, wherein the backing includes a tough, heat resistant, thermoplastic binder material, and an effective amount of a fibrous reinforcing material distributed throughout the thermoplastic binder material. The abrasive grain adhered to the backing comprise rare earth oxide-modified alpha alumina-based abrasive grain, which exhibit a surprising improvement in grinding performance in conjunction with the backing.

Abstract: An actuator for use in inhalation therapy comprising a nozzle .block having an orifice and at least one bleed hole, a deagglomeration chamber, and an exit chamber, together configured as a means for increasing the respirable fraction of an aerosol formulation. This invention also provides an actuator as described above in combination with an aerosol canister comprising a pharmaceutical formulation, and a method of administering a pharmaceutical formulation via inhalation therapy. The actuator finds particular use in improving the respirable fraction of drug in aerosol formulations. The actuator also retains non-respirable particles, thus reducing the amount of drug that is inadvertently administered orally.

Abstract: An improved pavement marking sheet material, and a method for making such pavement marking sheet material. The pavement marking sheet material comprises a selected configuration of upright retroreflectors. The upright retroreflectors are arranged in a selected configuration so as to maximize reflectivity as measured at actual observation geometries by allowing light to be incident to effective portions of the retroreflective elements on the upright retroreflectors.