Abstract: A new self-mating mechanical fastener is disclosed, which comprises a base sheet and a multiplicity of parallel, narrowly spaced, elastically deformable ribs projecting from the base sheet. The ribs comprise a stem portion attached to and substantially upright from the base sheet and at least one flange attached to each side of the stem portion and spaced from the base sheet. At least the outer portions of the flanges desirably project toward the base sheet. The cross-sectional profile formed by the ribs is substantially uniform over the length of the ribs, but in the direction transverse to the ribs has a regularly repeated deviation from the profile that would be formed by a full population of equally spaced, identical, undivided, symmetric ribs.

Abstract: Radiation-crosslinkable elastomeric compositions containing: (a) an elastomeric polymer containing abstractable hydrogen atoms in an amount sufficient to enable the elastomeric polymer to undergo crosslinking in the presence of a suitable radiation-activatable crosslinking agent; and (b) a radiation-activatable crosslinking agent of the formula: wherein: X represents CH3—; phenyl; or substituted-phenyl; or substituted-phenyl with the proviso that any substituents on the substituted-phenyl do not interfere with the light-absorbing capacity of the radiation-activatable crosslinking agent and do not promote intramolecular hydrogen abstraction of the radiation activatable crosslinking agent; W represents —O—, —NH—, or —S—; Z represents an organic spacer selected from the group consisting of aliphatic, aromatic, aralkyl, heteroaromatic, and cycloaliphatic groups free of esters, amides, ketones, urethanes, and also free of ethers, thiols, allylic grou

Abstract: Microspheres comprise a polymer or copolymer including one or more of 1) a plurality of C3 or larger alpha-olefin units wherein the polymer has an average number of branch points less than one per monomer unit, and 2) a plurality of C2 alpha-olefin units wherein the polymer has an average number of branch points greater than 0.01 per monomer unit, the microspheres having an average diameter in the range of 1 to 300 micrometers. Optionally, the polymer of the microspheres can be crosslinked. The microspheres can be prepared by suspension or dispersion polymerization processes using aqueous or organic reaction media.

Abstract: A method of providing a fire barrier that includes coating an opening in a structure with a composition that includes an elastomer. The composition is substantially free of volatile organic compounds and, when dry, exhibits a tensile strength of from about 300 psi to about 1500 psi, at least about 600% elongation, a modulus of from about 200 psi to about 600 psi, and a tensile toughness of greater than 10 in-lb.

Abstract: A non-halogenated composition having a high index of refraction, preferably greater than 1.55, comprising a vinyl monomer, such as methyl styrene. The cured composition is particularly suited for having a metal layer, such as silver, applied thereto. In one embodiment, the composition can be used to form a microreplicated prismatic structure. Preferably, the structure has two sides, where one side is substantially smooth and the other includes saw-tooth formations having tilted surfaces. A metal layer may be present on one or more sides of the prismatic substrate having the saw-tooth formations.

Abstract: A system for applying a fluid coating onto a substrate includes forming a fluid wetting line by introducing a stream of fluid onto a first side of the substrate along a laterally disposed fluid-web contact area. An electrical force is created on the fluid from an effective electrical field originating from a location on the second side of the substrate and at a location substantially at and downstream of the fluid contact area. The electrical field can be generated in a highly effective manner relative to the coating fluid by a sharply defined electrode on the second side of the substrate. Ultrasonics combined with electrostatic fields further enhances coating process conditions and coating uniformity.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes a printed circuit board having signal traces and at least one ground trace. The ground trace includes a ground contact pad positioned adjacent an edge of the printed circuit board. A surface mount pin header is connected to the signal traces of the printed circuit board. The connector for receiving the contact pins of the pin header includes a contact beam for contacting the ground trace adjacent the edge of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A head suspension for use with a flexible hood is disclosed. The hood is used with supplied air sources in situations when a full face or half face respirator is inconvenient. The head suspension includes a headband that is preferably adjustable in circumference and a lens mount attached to the headband at the ends of the lens mount and with at least two braces. The braces are positioned to be non-parallel to each other. The lens of the hood is mounted from the lens mount. The brace provides added stability to the lens and hood.

Abstract: A multilayer polymer film has an optical stack including a plurality of alternating polymer layers with skin layers having mechanical, optical, or chemical properties differing from those of the layers in the optical stack, wherein the refractive indices in the in-plane direction nx and ny, and the refractive index in the thickness direction nz for each layer are all selected to obtain optical effects such as reflection, transmission, and/or polarization.

Abstract: A method for making metal (8-quinolinolate) complexes from air and moisture stable reagents is described. For example, the making of aluminum tris(quinolinolates), such as tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato), from aluminum (III) carboxylates, such as aluminum lactate and aluminum stearate, is described. Examples of bis and tris metal (8-quinolinolates) as well as single and mixed ligand complexes are given.

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: A method for molding and aligning microstructures on a patterned substrate using a microstructured mold. A slurry containing a mixture of a ceramic powder and a curable fugitive binder is placed between the microstructure of a stretchable mold and a patterned substrate. The mold can be stretched to align the microstructure of the mold with a predetermined portion of the patterned substrate. The slurry is hardened between the mold and the substrate. The mold is then removed to leave microstructures adhered to the substrate and aligned with the pattern of the substrate. The microstructures can be thermally heated to remove the binder and optimally fired to sinter the ceramic powder.

Abstract: A bite opener for use during orthodontic treatment has a base for mounting on a lingual side of a tooth, as well as at least one occlusal portion for contact with an opposing tooth so that other teeth (such as molar teeth) can be extruded. In one embodiment, the bite opener has a channel extending between a mesial section and a distal section, so that the sections can be squeezed together when desired to debond the bite opener from the patient's tooth. In other embodiments, the bite opener includes a bite plate connected to the body, and the bite plate is made of a material softer than the body to enhance patient comfort when the jaws are closed. Optionally, the bite plate is detachably connected to the body so that the bite plate can be removed before debonding the body from the tooth.

Abstract: The articles of the present invention comprise pavement marking articles which are retroreflective under dry and/or wet conditions. The articles comprise a monolayer of exposed-lens optical elements, a spacing layer, and a reflective layer. The present invention also provides a method of making said pavement marking articles.

Abstract: A release liner providing more roll stability (i.e., the coils forming the roll are less likely to fall apart when the roll is held suspended along its outer circumferential edge) when used with double-sided tape having a heat activated adhesive (“HAA”) side and a pressure sensitive adhesive (“PSA”) side. The release liner includes a front liner side comprising a release layer in contact with, bonded to and readily removable from the PSA side and a back liner side comprising a roll stability layer. The roll stability layer comprises an ethylene vinyl acetate and contacts the HAA side when the adhesive tape assembly is formed into a roll.

Abstract: There is provided a mechanical fastener tape tab laminate comprising a tape tab backing having at least a first distal end portion, an inner tab portion and second distal end portion, the second distal end portion provided with a mechanical fastener material. The first distal end portion is provided with an adhesive layer for attachment to a disposable absorbent article. The tape tab backing further has a folded tape portion comprising a backing having an adhesive layer on an outer face and having at least an inner leg portion and an outer leg portion. The outer leg portion has an exposed adhesive provided for attachment to the disposable absorbent article. The inner and outer leg portions are separated by at least one fold. The folded tape portion backing has a line of weakness along the at least one fold. The line of weakness is provided on a portion of the tape tab backing spaced from the first distal end portion.

Abstract: A microbead having a matrix core comprising a hydrophilic matrix and droplets of active material entrained therein, and a secondary layer adjacent to the outer surface of the matrix core. The secondary layer may be ionically complexed or hydrogen bonded to the matrix core surface. Compositions comprising the microbeads suspended in solution may be sprayable. The microbeads of the invention may be controllable by exposing the microbeads to high or low humidity or moisture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light-illuminating rod, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to handle the light-illuminating rod while the rod is being deflected or install it while it is being bent. A light-illuminating rod comprising (a) a flexible rod member and (b) a light diffusible reflective film which is fixedly bonded to part of the outer periphery of the rod member along the longitudinal direction thereof and which comprises (i) a light-transmittable polymer and (ii) light diffusible reflective particles dispersed in the polymer, the light-transmittable polymer of the light diffusible reflective film having a storage modulus of 1.0×104 to 1.0×108 dyne/cm2.

Abstract: The invention provides a multilayer intumescent mat or sheet that is useful as a mounting for a pollution control device or as a firestop. In one aspect, the multilayer intumescent sheet of the invention comprises a non-moldable flexible non-intumescent layer and a non-moldable flexible intumescent layer comprising an intumescent material wherein the layers form a single sheet without the use of auxiliary bonding means. In another aspect, the multilayer intumescent sheet of the invention comprises a first non-moldable intumescent layer comprising a first intumescent material and a second non-moldable intumescent layer comprising a second intumescent material, the first and second intumescent materials being different, wherein the layers form a single sheet without the use of auxiliary bonding means. The invention also provides a pollution control device comprising a multilayer sheet of the invention disposed between a monolith and a housing.

Abstract: An abrasive article including (i) an embossed isolation layer defining inversely contoured first and second surfaces with a plurality of peaks on the first surface producing a plurality of pockets on the second surface, (ii) grinding aid-containing protrusions positioned within the pockets, and (iii) a coating of abrasive particles adhered to the contoured first surface of the isolation layer.