Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring retroreflective properties of a surface are disclosed. The apparatus and methods are characterized in that the measured angle of divergence is varied while the angle of incidence is simultaneously varied.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming a line of weakness in the protective backing of an adhesive laminate is disclosed. The process is performed by generating a laser beam of sufficient energy to vaporize at least a portion of the protective backing of an adhesive laminate. The laser beam is focused in a focal line extending across the protective backing for a time sufficient for vaporizing at least a portion of the protective backing. At least a portion of the protective backing is vaporized with the laser beam to a depth sufficient for forming a line of weakness in the protective backing along the focal line.

Abstract: A new moisture resistant polarizing lamination is disclosed which utilizes polypropylene as the protective layers. A polarizing film of polyvinyl alcohol which has been stretched and treated with iodine is protected against moisture and structurally supported by at least one layer of polypropylene. The polypropylene is bonded to the polyvinyl alcohol by adhesives which do not interfere with the polarizing effects of the lamination. The polypropylene may have a bonding layer already attached thereto which is covered by a protective film. The protective film is prevented from becoming secured to the bonding layer by a release agent placed between the protective film and bonding layer. The protective film is removed just prior to bonding of the polypropylene to the polyvinyl alcohol. Use of polypropylene films that are 0.002 inch thick is disclosed. Polypropylene films of this thickness do not adversely affect the polarizing qualities of the lamination.

Abstract: A reinforced adhesive stock comprising a release liner on a carrier web and an adhesive layer in contact with the release liner. The adhesive layer comprises a mixture of an adhesive such as an anaerobic pressure-sensitive adhesive and a photopolymerizable compound. The photopolymerizable compound is capable of curing upon irradiating with actinic radiation. The adhesive layer contains strips of cured photopolymerizable compound which is cured by selectively irradiating with actinic radiation selective areas in strips within the adhesive layer. The resulting form strips of cured polymers provide a reinforcement to the adhesive layer inhibiting flow of the adhesive from the release liner. Additionally, the cured polymer strips provide added cohesive strength to the adhesive layer. A method of forming such adhesive stock is also disclosed.

Abstract: A baggage identification tag has printed indicia indicating passenger identification data to be provided in write-in spaces on the tag with first and second margins being left on opposite sides of the printed indicia. A double adhesive strip is secured to one of the margins for providing an adhesive layer facing away from the tag, and a fold line is formed across and printed indicia. Passenger indentification data provided in the printed area of the tag can be sealed inside the tag by folding the tag along the fold line and adhesively securing one margin of the tag to the adhesive layer on the other margin. A string extending through an eyelet-reinforced opening in one of the margins can be used to releasably fasten the tag, with the sealed passenger identification information, to an article such as a piece of luggage. A slit in the margin of the tag adjacent the printed area prevents delamination of the tag in the printed area when the tag is unsealed.

Abstract: Adhesive products such as label stock, labels, tapes, and the like having a facestock, an adhesive layer and a removable, fibrous backing are described. The backing is provided with integral embrittled zones which crack when the adhesive product is flexed and offer gripping points for removal of the backing. The embrittled zones contain brittle, film-forming organic polymer suffused among the fibers. The presence of the polymer in the embrittled zone helps to enhance the brittleness of the zones and to reduce the transfer of residual chemical embrittling agent from embrittled zones of the backing to portions of the facestock brought into contact therewith when the adhesive product is stacked or rolled. Embrittled zones are preferably formed by applying a thickened acidic solution comprising a polymer emulsion to the backing of the adhesive product and then curing and drying the solution by heating.

Abstract: A painted surface is applied to a piece of hardboard simultaneously while the board is being formed in a press. A heat-resistant paint layer is coated onto a carrier, and the painted carrier is placed over a loose layer of exploded wood fibers in a heated press. The press applies pressure in excess of 400 psi and heat above 400.degree. F. to compact the wood fibers into an integral hardboard piece while the heat from the press simultaneously transfers the paint layer from the carrier and bonds it to a surface of the board. In one embodiment of the invention, the paint layer is a thermosetting resinous paint system, and the paint coat is sufficiently heat-resistant to remain in a hardened condition at or above the temperature at which the board is formed, thus forming a separate hardened paint layer on the surface of the board. The carrier can include an adherence coat which is heat-activated in the press to crosslink and bond the paint layer to the wood fibers.

Abstract: A label construction comprises a temporary carrier web having a release surface and a label releasably adhered to the release surface. The label comprises a radiation cured face film in contact with the release surface of the carrier web and a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive on the side of the label opposite the carrier web, and may comprise indicia between the face film and the layer of adhesive. A protective backing covers the adhesive and has a second release surface in contact with the adhesive. Adhesion between the release surface of the protective backing and the layer of adhesive is weaker than adhesion between the release surface of the temporary carrier backing and the face film. The protective web can be removed from the label to expose the adhesive while leaving the label releasably adhered to the carrier web. The exposed adhesive is applied to a substrate and the temporary carrier web is removed, leaving the label adhered to the substrate.

Abstract: A series of labels remain supported on a liner after a matrix of waste label material has been stripped from the liner. The adhesion of the matrix to the liner is weakened prior to stripping of the matrix by mechanically disturbing without severing, as by embossing, areas of the construction where the matrix overlies the liner. Areas where the leading ends of labels overlie the liner may also be similarly disturbed to make eventual peeling of the liner from the labels easier. In another aspect, the construction may be precrushed with a blunt die prior to die-cutting of the labels to eliminate "halo" effect upon stripping of the matrix.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for forming a retroreflective sheeting having a plurality of retroreflective cube-corner prisms distributed over one of its surfaces such that the prisms are disposed in a planar array having a plurality of zones of prisms having differing angular orientations such that the zones have differing retroreflective brightness when illuminated by a light beam at a high angle of incidence.

Abstract: Self-adhesive labels mounted on a backing strip are formed into fan-folded sets or stacks and are loaded directly from the fan-folding machine into an open four-sided cassette. The cassettes are made of cardboard, and after they are loaded with fan-folded labels, they are enclosed either by the addition of a fifth side or by wrapping. The cassette packages are then transported to the location where labels are to be applied to products moving along a conveyor. The fan-folded labels are supported in an open L-shaped rack which is tilted and which is of sufficient length to hold at least two sets or cassettes of fan-folded labels side by side. The labels are fed directly into a standard type of label dispenser which applies the labels to products as they are moving along a conveyor line.

Abstract: This invention relates to die-cutting roll presses and, more particularly, to a means for adjusting the spacing between the axes of the anvil roll and the die roll of a press.

Abstract: A label construction comprises a temporary carrier web having a release surface and a label releasably adhered to the release surface. The label comprises a radiation cured face film in contact with the release surface of the carrier web and a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive on the side of the label opposite the carrier web, and may comprise indicia between the face film and the layer of adhesive. A protective backing covers the adhesive and has a second release surface in contact with the adhesive. Adhesion between the release surface of the protective backing and the layer of adhesive is weaker than adhesion between the release surface of the temporary carrier web and the face film. The protective backing can be removed from the label to expose the adhesive while leaving the label releasably adhered to the carrier web. The exposed adhesive is applied to a substrate and the temporary carrier web is removed, leaving the label adhered to the substrate.

Abstract: Retroreflective sheeting having a plurality of retroreflective cube corner prisms distributed over one of its surfaces is described. The prisms are disposed in a planar array having a plurality of zones of prisms having differing angular orientations such that the zones have differing retroreflective brightness when illuminated by a light beam at a high angle of incidence. The zones are small enough to be substantially unresolvable by the unaided human eye at the expected viewing distances, so that the sheeting appears to have uniform retroreflective brightness when viewed at a high angle of incidence.

Abstract: A universal labeling system is provided to perform all of the basic package labeling functions, including applying labels (1) to the side of packages or bottles, (2) to the top, (3) to three sides of a rectangular or similar product, (4) to two opposite sides of a product, and (5) wrapping the labels completely around a round product, such as a bottle. The machine accommodates bottles and packages of many different sizes. Structurally, the universal labeling apparatus includes standardized mechanical power supply arrangements and a heavy duty standardized base having a cross-sectional configuration corresponding to an inverted "T", with the central raised portion carrying a conveyor belt and the two lower side portions of the base carrying longitudinally and laterally adjustable mounts for one or more label applicator heads.

Abstract: Emulsion pressure-sensitive adhesives including a carboxylated styrene-butadiene polymer emulsion and an emulsified tackifying resin are described.

Abstract: A diaper tab stock of only two substrates provides diaper tabs that are linerless, that are refastenable, and that are of the relatively strong Y-configuration type. When tabs made from the stock are closed and reopened in the normal manner of use, part of one adhesive layer is "extractively transferred" from between the two substrate layers to another part of the diaper to thereby present a "fresh" adhesive face for subsequent refastening, such transfer occurring in the absence of any transfer of a substrate. The two-substrate construction may be formed by folding an appropriately coated originally single layer of substrate material.

Abstract: Diaper tab stock comprises a unitary substrate extending, transversely to machine direction, along first and second endward length portions separated by a third intermediate length portion, with adhesive on its topside at the first endward length portion, on its bottom side at the second endward length portion, and on neither side at the third intermediate length portion which separates the other two. A release coating on the bottom side of the first length portion extends partly onto the intermediate third length portion but stops short of the second length portion.In a preferred method of manufacture and use, a release coating on the top side of the second length portion serves as a releasing support both for the adhesive which ends up on the bottom side of the second length portion and then for the adhesive on the first length portion when the first length portion is folded onto the second length portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying labels across the pages of a magazine as it is being conveyed with the binding of the magazine first, includes a label dispenser for applying a label to the trailing edge of the magazine with only a portion of the label being secured to the cover of the magazine. A high speed brush is then actuated to brush the rearwardly extending portion of the label down across the open pages of the magazine. A jet of air then swings the label forward over the other cover of the magazine, and the final operation utilizes an additional brush to secure the end of the label in place over the edge of the other cover of the magazine, so that the label extends from one cover across the open pages and onto the other cover of the magazine.

Abstract: A series of labels remain supported on a liner after a matrix of waste label material has been stripped from the liner. The adhesion of the matrix to the liner is weakened prior to stripping of the matrix by mechanically disturbing without severing, as by embossing, areas of the construction where the matrix overlies the liner. Areas where the leading ends of labels overlie the liner may also be similarly disturbed to make eventual peeling of the liner from the labels easier. In another aspect, the construction may be precrushed with a blunt die prior to die-cutting of the labels to eliminate "halo" effect upon stripping of the matrix.