Abstract: A package for dispensing sheet material from a stack includes a novel biasing device for urging the stack of sheet material toward an opening in one side of the package. The biasing device is comprised of a flat sheet of material sized and shaped to be located within the package beneath the stack of sheet material. An elastomeric element having an unstressed length that is less than a diameter of the flat sheet of material is stressed and positioned between opposite edges of the flat sheet of material. As stress is relieved from the elastomeric element, the elastomeric element draws the opposite edges together and elevates a central portion of the sheet of material in the form of an arch to urge the stack toward the opening as the stack of sheet material is depleted.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of forming a cholesteric liquid crystal layer that include forming a cholesteric liquid crystal composition, depositing the cholesteric liquid crystal composition onto a substrate, and initially drying the cholesteric liquid crystal composition at a temperature at or below about 90° C. so that the cholesteric liquid crystal composition has at least 80% solids remaining. The invention also provides methods of forming a cholesteric liquid crystal layer that include forming a cholesteric liquid crystal composition, depositing the cholesteric liquid crystal composition onto a substrate, and initially drying the cholesteric liquid crystal composition at a temperature at or below about 90° C., wherein the drying is accomplished using a technique that provides little or no airflow. The invention further provides a cholesteric liquid crystal composition that includes at least one cholesteric liquid crystal precursor and 1,3-dioxolane.

Abstract: A water- and oil-repellent, antistatic composition comprises (a) at least one nonpolymeric ionic salt consisting of (i) at least one cation selected from the group consisting of monovalent metal cations, divalent metal cations, and organic onium cations, and (ii) at least one weakly coordinating anion, the conjugate acid of the anion having an acidity greater than or equal to that of a hydrocarbon sulfonic acid, and with the proviso that the anion is organic or fluoroorganic when the cation is a metal; (b) at least one fluorochemical repellency-imparting additive or repellent; and (c) at least one insulating material.

Abstract: Imidazoquinoline and tetrahydroimidazoquinoline compounds that contain urea, thiourea, acylurea, or sulfonylurea functionality at the 1-position are useful as immune response modifiers. The compounds and compositions of the invention can induce the biosynthesis of various cytokines and are useful in the treatment of a variety of conditions including viral diseases and neoplastic diseases.

Abstract: A method for forming a unitary polymeric projection or fastener comprising a base layer, and a multiplicity of spaced projections or hook members projecting from the upper surface of the unitary base layer the method generally including extruding of forming a thermoplastic resin through a die plate or mold. A die plate, if used, is shaped to form a base layer and spaced ridges, projecting above a surface of the base layer. When the die forms the spaced ridges or ribs the cross sectional shape of the projections are formed by the die plate. The ridges are then cut at spaced locations along their lengths to form discrete cut portions of the ridges. The cut portions are then heat treated resulting in shrinkage of at least a portion of at least the cut portion thickness by from 5 to 90 percent, preferably 30 to 90 percent thereby forming discrete upstanding projections.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for producing a substrate for PDP, which can easily reduce ununiformity of a dielectric layer and defects of ribs.

Abstract: The method of making an optical body includes coating a mixture that includes a plurality of cholesteric liquid crystal compositions, and a solvent on a substrate. Each cholesteric liquid crystal composition is different. A plurality of layers is formed on the substrate. Each layer includes a majority of one of the cholesteric liquid crystal compositions.

Abstract: Aqueous microemulsions obtained from a perfluorinated alkane sulphonic or carboxylic acid or salt thereof, a liquid fluorinated monomer comprising a cure-site and optionally an inert liquid and highly fluorinated hydrocarbon compound. The aqueous microemulsion may be formed by mixing together water, a perfluorinated alkane sulphonic or carboxylic acid or salt thereof, optionally an inert liquid and highly fluorinated hydrocarbon compound and a liquid fluorinated monomer having a cure-site.

Abstract: The invention provides a cholesteric liquid crystal composition that includes at least one cholesteric liquid crystal precursor, and at least one non-liquid crystalline additive that is a non-liquid crystalline compound of formula I 1

Abstract: High purity fluoropolymers are obtained by the emulsion polymerization process, removing essentially all ions and coagulating the polymer essentially without adding ions. These polymers are useful in the field of electronic devices.

Abstract: An article includes a polymer coating extending over a region of an exterior surface of the article and a laser engraved identification mark formed within the coating. The polymer coating has a color that contrasts with the color of the exterior surface, resulting in an identification that is distinct and easy to read. Optionally, the laser engraved identification mark represents species data pertaining to the article while the polymer coating can be used to create a second identification mark that represents genus data pertaining to the article, consequently facilitating visual differentiation of various articles by the consumer while also reducing manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A touch screen panel including an insulative substrate; a resistive layer disposed on the insulative substrate; and a plurality of spaced conductive segments on the resistive layer along the border thereof. The conductive segments are disposed in rows, and every row has at least two segments which face at least a portion of three segments in the next inner row for optimizing the linearity of the touch screen panel and at the same time reducing the space occupied on the touch screen panel by the conductive segments.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for lamination are provided, which are advantageously used in intermittent lamination and fixed-gap lamination, the apparatus comprising first and second laminating rollers defining a laminating gap therebetween and at least one gapping block positioned between the first and second rollers such that the gapping block determines and maintains a minimum gap width. The gapping block comprises a rigid gapping block body, which may be adjustable in width, and four or more load wheels rotatably attached to the gapping block body which ride on a portion of the first and second rollers.

Abstract: Diffuse reflective materials proximate to a structure formed by thermally induced phase separation of a thermoplastic polymer and a diluent providing enhanced flexibility and reflectivity especially in the visible wavelengths of 380-730 nanometers are described. Such materials find a wide variety of application among combinations with other reflective layers. The diffuse reflective articles are useful in backlight units of liquid crystal displays, lights, copy machines, projection system displays, facsimile apparatus, electronic blackboards, diffuse white standards, photographic lights and the like.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for generating pollution credits while processing molten magnesium, aluminum, lithium, and alloys of such metals by contacting the molten metal or alloy with a gaseous mixture comprising a fluorocarbon selected from the group consisting of perfluoroketones, hydrofluoroketones, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A method for screening the quality of an optical component including the step of simulating the performance of the optical component. The step of simulating includes the step of measuring the optical phase &phgr; of the optical component, wherein the step of measuring comprises indirectly measuring the optical phase &phgr; of the optical component using a scanning laser having a scanning step size &Dgr;&ohgr; and a modulation frequency &ohgr;m such that &Dgr;&ohgr;/&ohgr;m≦2. The light throughput R of the optical component is then measured. A transfer function H as a function of optical frequency &ohgr; is constructed where H(&ohgr;)=R(&ohgr;)exp[j&phgr;(&ohgr;)], and the performance is simulated using the measured value of the optical phase and the light throughput into the transfer function.

Abstract: Imidazoquinoline and tetrahydroimidazoquinoline compounds that contain urea, thiourea, acylurea, or sulfonylurea functionality at the 1-position are useful as immune response modifiers. The compounds and compositions of the invention can induce the biosynthesis of various cytokines and are useful in the treatment of a variety of conditions including viral diseases and neoplastic diseases.

Abstract: A monomer useful in the formulation of a radiation curable coatable composition comprises (a) polyfunctional isocyanurate having at least three terminal reactive groups reacted with (b) hydroxyalkyl acrylate and (c) tertiary amine alcohol in a molar ratio of a:b:c of about 1:1-2.5:0.5-2, wherein b+c is at least 3 and no greater than the total number of terminal reactive groups of (a). The monomer is included in a radiation curable coatable composition suitable for use as a floor finish and in a floor finishing system comprising the foregoing coatable composition with a primer. A method for the treatment of a substrate using the floor finish and the floor finishing system is also described.

Abstract: A melt processable polymer composition that comprises a thermoplastic non-aliphatic host polymer and a minor but effective amount of a fluoropolymer processing aid, and a method of improving the melt processability of the host polymer are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of modifying the surface of a polymeric substrate, e.g., to improve the wettability of the polymer film surface and/or alter the metal adhesion properties of the surface of the substrate by exposing the substrate to a flame. The flame is supported by an oxidizer and fuel mixture that includes an effective amount, for modifying the polymeric substrate, of at least one sulfur-containing compound that functions as a fuel substitute. In addition, substrates are provided that have increased wettability or increased metal adhesion performance.