Abstract: Described are articles, laminates, sheets, coatings, retroreflective articles, pigments containing thioxanthone compounds that are fluorescent colorants.

Abstract: A self-venting movable seal and plunger assembly for use in dispensing materials from cylindrical bodies is disclosed. The assembly includes a self-venting movable seal and a plunger tip that seats within a plunger tip pocket in the movable seal, occluding a vent in the movable seal. Methods of using the assembly to dispense materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: A tooling system for handling optical micro-mechanical devices. A tooling fixture is attached to the MEMS die, preferably before the optical micro-mechanical devices are released. The tooling fixture does not interfere with removal of the sacrificial material, facilitates handling of the MEMS die and ultimately becomes an integral part of the packaged optical micro-mechanical device. The tooling fixture can be a heat sink, a compliant thermally conductive material and/or a tooling post.

Abstract: A continuous method for making foams having uniform and/or small cell sizes and articles made with these foams are described. The method allows for adjusting or controlling cell size and cell size distribution by controlling temperature and/or blowing agent concentration. The foams feature small and/or uniform cell sizes and may be comprised of amorphous thermoplastic polymers, pressure sensitive adhesive compositions, and immiscible thermoplastic polymer compositions. A method for coextruding the foams is also described.

Abstract: The present invention is a light directing construction for use in a display apparatus. The light directing construction includes a light directing film that has a prismatic structure having two sides, where one side includes saw tooth formations having tilted surfaces, and a metal coating on the side of the prismatic substrate having the saw-tooth formations. A corrosion-resistant feature is provided on the light directing construction to minimize the effects of corrosion experienced in salt atmospheres. In a first embodiment of the invention, the light directing construction includes an intermediate layer positioned between the light directing film and the metal coating. In a second embodiment of the invention, a peripheral polymeric coating is provided on the light directing constriction. This peripheral coating can be formed with a laser.

Abstract: A display system is disclosed. The display system may include a display panel for display of information. The display system may also include a touch screen coupled to the display panel. The touch screen may include a base layer physically coupled to a cover layer. The touch screen may also include a semi-rigid conductor for electrically coupling the base layer to the cover layer. The conductor may be generally dispensable at about room temperature. A touch screen including a semi-rigid conductor for electrically coupling a base to a cover is also disclosed. A touch screen having a first and second means for providing an electrically conductive material is also disclosed. A connector may electrically couple the first means to the second means and may be generally dispensable at about room temperature. A method of manufacturing a touch screen is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pressure sensitive spacer coating for a touch screen may include a silicone adhesive material dissolved in a solvent. A touch screen may also include a first layer including a first conductive coating, a second layer including a second conductive coating, and a silicone pressure sensitive adhesive disposed between the first layer and the second layer. A method of manufacturing a touch screen may include providing a first layer having a first translucent conductive surface. The method may also include providing a second layer having a second translucent conductive surface. The method may also include applying an adhesive solution including silicone on at least one of the first conductive surface and the second conductive surface. The touch screen can be an analog or a matrix resistive touch screen. The adhesive can be applied by screen printing. The adhesive can be mixed with a slow evaporating solvent before screen printing.

Abstract: Polyurethane-based pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) of the invention comprise the reaction product of: a polyol component comprising at least one diol having a weight average molecular weight of at least about 2,000, wherein the at least one diol comprises less than about 8 weight % monols; an isocyanate-functional component; an optional reactive emulsifying compound; and an optional chain extending agent. The PSAs can be prepared from 100% solids, waterborne or solventborne systems.

Abstract: A packaged good article including an article, a packaging material and a tearable tape system. The packaging material is formed about the article. The tearable tape system is secured to the packaging material and includes at least a first section and a second section. The tearable tape system can assume a number of forms. Regardless, the first section is tearable relative to the second section. With this configuration, the tearable tape system is configured to be tearable from an initial, unopened state and an opened state. In the initial, unopened state, an area of the packaging material otherwise contacting the tearable tape system is intact. Conversely, in the opened state, the tearable tape system tears an opening through the packaging material, with the second section remaining secured to the packaging material. The second section, in combination with the packaging material, provides a handle for carrying the packaged good article in the opened state.

Abstract: A fluid applicator capable of both high resolution and high throughput fluid deposition includes a fluid dispensing system for dispensing fluid material, a substrate handling system for positioning a substrate with respect to the fluid dispensing system and a control system for controlling the dispensing and positioning functions. The fluid dispensing system includes a plurality of fluid dispensing mechanisms that dispense fluid material at a plurality of resolutions and a plurality of throughputs while using different fluid dispensing technologies. The fluid dispensing mechanisms preferably include an ink jet print head, a stream jet and/or a spray jet, each capable of different resolutions and throughputs, such that the ink jet lays down a precise border pattern with the stream jet and spray jet providing faster surface area coverage and higher volume deposition within the border. The fluid materials being deposited preferably include jettable adhesives, along with other jettable materials.

Abstract: An ionomeric particulate composition made by suspension polymerization is provided. The composition comprises at least one vinyl monomer; an acid monomer; a metal oxide; at least two surfactants, one of which is a monomer surfactant; and polyacrylamide. The particulates' size can be controlled by use of the polyacrylainide and various surfactants, and not through the conventional means of homogenization. Particle size in the range of less than 10 micrometers can be made. The ionomeric particulate is made in the absence of a chain transfer agent and thus can have high molecular weight.

Abstract: A scratch resistant display includes a substrate; an active portion on one surface of said substrate including at least a conductive layer; and a homeotropic organosilane layer deposited on the said active portion for reducing energy dissipation of an object contacting the display.

Abstract: An angularity enhancement layer in a liquid crystal display, which display comprises a liquid crystal cell, wherein the angularity enhancement layer includes a negative birefringent polyimide layer comprising a plurality of structural units having pendant fluorene groups, said angularity enhancement layer being disposed on at least one surface of said liquid crystal cell. A liquid crystal display can comprise an angularity enhancement construction of the invention which comprises a polyimide layer.

Abstract: A composition comprises organoborane amine complex and 1,4-dioxo-2-butene-functional material. The composition can form a part of a polymerization initiator system that also includes a compound that is reactive with the amine portion of the complex. The system can be used to initiate polymerization of acrylic monomer and to form an acrylic adhesive that has exceptionally good adhesion to low surface energy polymers.

Abstract: An illumination device and a method for making the same are provided. The illumination device comprises a light guide having a non-circular cross-sectional shape which is defined by a first region, and a light extracting material or element having a cross-sectional shape which is defined by a second region. The first and second region are contiguous and define a third region which may, for example, be circular.

Abstract: An electrode composition that includes an electrode material consisting essentially of a plurality of electrochemically active metal elements in which the electrode material has a microstructure comprising these elements in the form of a mixture that is essentially free of domains measuring greater than about 1000 angstroms.

Abstract: A composition of matter suitable for use in a reversible thermometer is disclosed which comprises a thermally responsive material capable of being supercooled at least for several minutes, and subject to a change in state from a solid to a liquid substantially at a predetermined temperature; means for visually observing the change in state; and a matrix forming material comprising an amorphous organic compound, the matrix forming material being insoluble in the thermally responsive material; whereby the thermally responsive material is dispersed within the matrix forming material, the composition of matter being reversibly responsive to changes in temperature, and remaining in the liquid state for a time sufficient to permit a user of the composition to observe the change in state. The preferred matrix forming material is polyisobutylene, and the preferred thermally responsive material is a solid solution of ortho-chloronitrobenzene and ortho-bromonitrobenzene.

Abstract: A terminal block for terminating one or more exchange wires to one or more service wires has a housing including a plurality of separate chambers each of which are accessible to a service wire through a wire access port. The terminal block includes an access jack including a service wire junction contact provided within a service wire junction contact slot, an exchange wire junction contact provided within an exchange wire junction contact slot and an earth junction contact retained within an earth junction contact slot. Exchange wires are terminated to respective exchange wire junction contacts in the terminal block and the corresponding stub cable is permanently secured thereto. One or more service wires are terminated and conductively connected to a service wire junction contact. A linking module is provided which, when inserted into the access jack, forms a conductive connection between the service wire junction contact and the exchange wire junction contact.

Abstract: The present invention provides an adhesive article including a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition which exhibits ultraviolet radiation resistance and has a midblock Tg of about −5° C. to about −30° C. at a frequency of about 1.0 Hz. An adhesive article according to the invention is suitable for use in window insulation kits because of its improved stability over a wide temperature range and upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UV) as well as its adhesion to low energy surfaces, such as a surface of films made from polyolefins.