Abstract: Apparatus and method for characterizing perceived visual quality of holographic materials, such as diffraction gratings. A white light source directs a collimated beam onto an embossed material. The first order diffracted light strikes a white background directly in view of a digital camera, which records an image. The image is analyzed to calculate total color intensity of the diffracted light and an estimate of the color distinctness. The data is compared to other samples to determine relative visual quality.

Abstract: A high barrier composition to a gas or organic liquid usable as a coating or layer on an article. The composition includes a blend of polyetheramine resin and at least one additive being a highly hydrolyzed organic compound, preferably of a low molecular weight, either with our without boric acid. Articles employing the gas barrier composition also constitute a part of this invention.

Abstract: A multilayer film includes a core layer and opposed skin layers. The core layer comprises reclaimed material from the group consisting of a stream of post converted plastic product including inks, with or without an adhesive therein, and a stream of multi-colored plastic bottle caps including multiple polymers therein. at least one of said opposed skin layers being sufficiently opaque to mask any undesired coloration created by the reclaimed material. Laminations employing the above multilayer film also form part of this invention. A method of this invention for making a multilayer film including a core layer with recycled plastic therein includes the steps of: separating a plastic film or label from a package of commercial product; pelletizing the plastic film or label into pellets for introduction into an extruder of a film forming device and introducing the pelletized plastic film or label into said extruder for introducing the recycled plastic film or label pellets into a core layer of a multilayer film.

Abstract: An adhesive composition preferably contains: (1) an oligomer of at least 10,000 Da and an average functionality from 1-2; (2) a monomer; (3) an initiator; and optionally (4) a tackifier. The composition preferably has: (a) tack sufficient to pull labels from a magazine at 350 ft/min linear speed and/or at 750 labels/min without dropping more than 0.5% of all labels in a five-minute test; (b) a viscosity of 1,000-2,500 cps in an uncured state; (c) a peel strength greater than 1200 gm/3 inches when cured to 90% of monomer as measured with a glass bottle at a temperature of 75° F. (23.9° C.); (d) curing efficiency sufficient to cure to 90% of monomer within 1 sec of being radiated with 12 mJ/cm2 of UVC light; and (e) an ability to cure to provide a substantially bubble-free surface. The composition is particularly adapted for use as a radiation-curable adhesive for labeling containers.

Abstract: Methods for evaluating an optically variable device (“OVD”) or optically variable media (“OVM”) are disclosed. The methods include the steps of applying light of a single wavelength from a calibrated light source to the OVD or OVM; measuring the light diffracted by the OVD or OVM with an integrating sphere; measuring the total incident light on the OVD or OVM; and calculating a diffraction efficiency for the OVD or OVM at the single wavelength based on the measurement of light diffracted and the measurement of total incident light.

Abstract: A multilayer film includes a core layer having recycled, commercially used plastic therein and opposed skin layers, at least one of said opposed skin layers including a whitening agent or other pigmenting agent therein to mask any undesired coloration created by the recycled plastic. Laminations employing the above multilayer film also form part of this invention. A method of this invention for making a multilayer film including a core layer with recycled plastic therein includes the steps of: separating a plastic film or label from a package of commercial product; pelletizing the plastic film or label into pellets for introduction into an extruder of a film forming device and introducing the pelletized plastic film or label into said extruder for introducing the recycled plastic film or label pellets into a core layer of a multilayer film.