Abstract: Thermoplastic, non-water soluble, fluorescent pigments having improved lightfastness are provided which are suitable for coloring a variety of materials including plastics, particularly polyolefins, as well as paints, inks and textiles. The pigments of the present invention referred to herein as the "light fast pigments" demonstrate good color, migration resistance, heat stability, water insolubility, friability and resistance to plateout. The light fast pigments of the present invention have several embodiments, the polyamide embodiment, polyamide ester embodiment and the polyester embodiment. The pigments of the present invention comprises a polymer which comprises polymerized units of fluorescent dye and polymerized monomers such as for example dicarboxylicacids, polycarboxylicacids, diamines, polyamines, alkanolamines, carboxyalcohols, carboxyamines and difunctional alcohols, and/or polyhydric alcohols.

Abstract: Methods of farming, which are particularly useful at nighttime, include a method of using apparatus to enable an equipment operator to determine and maintain a course along a field. The methods enable a user to determine spray patterns in target areas that have been sprayed with agricultural products. The methods employ fluorescent pigments and a source of illumination which causes the fluorescent pigments to fluoresce.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel, non-formaldehyde thermoset fluorescent pigment which is useful to color plastics, particularly flexible vinyl, which is solvent resistant, particularly to acetone. Moreover, the pigment does not bleed in plastics. The pigment comprises a polymer matrix and a fluorescent dye. The polymer matrix has a molecular weight of greater than about 330, preferably greater than about 1000. Embodiments which lack the water insoluble resin, have a molecular weight greater than about 330, preferably greater than about 500. The polymer matrix contains: from about 15 to 50 mole percent, preferably 30 to 40 mole percent, of a carboxylate functional oligomer; 30 to 80 mole percent, preferably 50 to 60 mole percent, of a metal ion; and 0 to 40 mole percent, preferably about 1 to 40 mole percent, more preferably from 1 to 30 mole percent, most preferably from about 3 to 10 mole percent of a water insoluble resin.

Abstract: A fluorescent pigment includes a fluorescent dye and a resin carrier which is the polyamide reaction product of a diamine and a diacid. The fluorescent pigments are especially useful to color plastics and have improved resistance to plateout during molding. The pigments may be melt-blended with plastic to provide a color concentrate. The polyamide resins have a molecular weight in the range of 3,000 to 50,000 and may be readily ground to micron sized particles.