Abstract: A microwave heating material is formed of a micromesh conductive coating on a substrate. The micromesh includes a plurality of closely spaced, fine lines of a conductive material such as aluminum. The conductive material may have a resistivity of about 1-50 &OHgr;/□. The microwave heating material may include electrically and physically discontinuous islands of micromesh, each of which may optionally be connected to another only by a susceptor fuse region. The microwave heating material is laminated to a supporting material which may be incorporated into wraps, bags, boxes, trays, and other food containers.

Abstract: A laminate structure of a retroreflective film includes one layer of a prismatic plastic film laminated to a heat sealable, white polyester film having a pattern of aluminum deposited such that the resulting laminate is very cost effective to produce and has superior whiteness properties when compared to conventional films.

Abstract: Materials from which metal film capacitors with plastic or other dielectric films are formed include a plurality of regions or segments defining plates of a capacitor, the regions electrically interconnected by fuse regions which separate a region containing a short circuit fault from the capacitor. The plurality of regions or segments are circular. The fuse regions may be circular or may alternatively be high resistivity regions filling spaces between the plurality of regions or segments. A capacitor having a higher energy storage density and safer construction is wound from these materials using conventional techniques.

Abstract: A security device includes two plastic layers and a metal layer. The plastic layers may be embossed or surface cast with contrasting surface relief diffraction patterns. A second metal layer may be provided including a pattern of voids through which the first metal layer may be seen by a human observer.

Abstract: Security devices which are difficult to reproduce include a grid screen metallization pattern. The grid screen metallization pattern may be laid down over a hologram or diffraction grating formed as a surface relief pattern on a substrate, to form a visually identifiable, semi-transparent security device. Additionally, the metallization pattern may include resonant structures in which information about the security device is encoded. In some embodiments of these security devices, the metallization pattern is disposed in accurate registration with the underlying hologram or diffraction grating. These security devices are made by methods which include printing an oil pattern on the substrate. Areas on which oil is deposited do not receive metal during a metallization step. Since these methods do not use caustics, metallization patterns including features which would otherwise trap and hold caustics are possible.

Abstract: Security devices which are difficult to reproduce include a grid screen metallization pattern. The grid screen metallization pattern may be laid down over a hologram or diffraction grating formed as a surface relief pattern on a substrate, to form a visually identifiable, semi-transparent security device. Additionally, the metallization pattern may include resonant structures in which information about the security device is encoded. In some embodiments of these security devices, the metallization pattern is disposed in accurate registration with the underlying hologram or diffraction grating. These security devices are made by methods which include printing an oil pattern on the substrate. Areas on which oil is deposited do not receive metal during a metallization step. Since these methods do not use caustics, metallization patterns including features which would otherwise trap and hold caustics are possible.

Abstract: A security device includes a holographic image observable in ambient light and through which a covert image is observable in a focussed beam of bright light, such as a flash light. The holographic image is coated with a metal layer of low optical density, while the covert image is produced by a metal layer of high optical density disposed away from an observer relative to the holographic image. The covert image may itself be amplified by positioning the high optical density layer on a layer of micro prisms.

Abstract: Microwave interactive susceptors in end product condition or form are produced by a continuous in-line production method wherein, under continuous vacuum, a paper or board substrate is first coated with a thin film of monomer which is cured to a polymer, a metal or other microwave interactive susceptor material is vapor or sputter deposited onto the polymer film, either in an overall layer or preselected pattern, and a thin film monomer is deposited over the susceptor layer and cured or polymerized resulting in an end product ready for use without the previously required polyester substrate and without requiring lamination of a metallized film to a paper or board backing. Production of plural layers susceptors is also disclosed.

Abstract: A conductive structure for use in microwave food packaging which adapts itself to heat food articles in a safer, more uniform manner is disclosed. The structure includes a conductive layer disposed on a non-conductive substrate. Provision in the structure's conductive layer of fuse links and base areas causes microwave induced currents to be channeled through the fuse links, resulting in a controlled heating. When over-exposed to microwave energy, fuses break more readily than the conductive base areas resulting in less absorption of microwave energy in the area of fuse breaks than in other regions where fuses do not break. The arrangement and dimensions of fuse links compensate for known uneven stresses in the substrate, giving uniform fuse performance. In addition, by varying the dimensions of the fuse links and base areas it is possible to design and fabricate different fused microwave conductive structures having a wide range of heating characteristics.

Abstract: A solar control film having low visible light transmittance and low visible light reflectance is comprised of two or more transparent substrates each bearing a thin, transparent, discontinuous, incoherent film of metal having low visible light reflectance and a degree of visible light blocking capacity, the substrates being so assembled and laminated into a composite that the visible light blocking capacities of the metal films are effectively combined to provide a composite having low visible light transmittance. Performance characteristics are enhanced by providing on one or more of the substrates a transparent coating of high refractive index underlying the metal film. The material of high refractive index is preferably a synthetic high oxygen content oxide of bismuth, which facilitates efficient and economical production of the solar control film.

Abstract: Magnetron cathode reactive sputtering of oxides and nitrides of bismuth, tin, gallium, and their alloys is significantly enhanced by melting the metal and reactively sputtering the molten metal, continuously removing from the sputtering surface of the molten metal oxides or nitrides formed on the sputtering surface, and moving the oxides or nitrides to an area or place outside of or removed from the sputtering plasma zone. The metal sputtering surface is thereby maintained in a clean condition to reduce the potential for arcing and to substantially increase the rate of sputtering of the metal. Sputter deposition rates and the speed of production of compound coated substrates are thereby increased several fold.

Abstract: A bag for heating food products in a microwave oven and a blank for forming the bag are disclosed. The bag is formed of a dielectric substrate having a laminated layer including at least one microwave interactive patch. The microwave interactive patches are positioned to avoid overheating at creases and seams formed in the bag. At least one of the microwave interactive patches includes a heat sensitive fuse.

Abstract: The optically variable image in optically variable imaging devices, such as holograms, kinegrams, pixelgrams and interference gratings, is enhanced by coating the image relief or interference pattern with a thin film of a synthesized high oxygen content oxide of bismuth wherein the atomic ratio of oxygen to bismuth is 1.7 or greater, i.e., BiO.sub.x (x=>1.7).A process for applying a thin film of the synthesized high oxygen content BiO.sub.x to the relief or interference pattern comprises reactive deposition of bismuth in an oxygen partial pressure atmosphere wherein the oxygen partial pressure and the dynamic deposition rate are correlated to achieve the desired degree of oxidation of the bismuth.The process also lends itself to dynamic deposition of other image enhancing materials, as well as protective coatings for the image enhancing materials.

Abstract: A conductive structure for use in microwave food packaging which adapts itself to heat food articles in a safer, more uniform manner is disclosed. The structure includes a conductive layer disposed on a non-conductive substrate. Provision in the structure's conductive layer of fuse links and base areas causes microwave induced currents to be channeled through the fuse links, resulting in a controlled heating. When over-exposed to microwave energy, fuses break more readily than the conductive base areas resulting in less absorption of microwave energy in the area of fuse breaks than in other regions where fuses do not break. In this way the fused microwave conductive structure compensates for the uneven microwave field within a microwave oven and at the same time provides a safer conductive structure less likely to overheat.

Abstract: Microwave diffuser films are describe that provide a modified microwave energy field on one side of the diffuser film and on the other side. The films include an insulative substrate having a first side upon which is deposited a metallic coating capable of selectively reflecting a portion of incoming microwave energy. A coating is formed in a plurality of discrete areas having a predetermined reflectivity. The shape and spacing of the areas may be varied so that energy emission from noncoated surfaces of the substrate is spatially distributed in one or more ways; i.e. the energy emission more uniform than the energy impinging on the coated surface, the energy emission is focused on one or more particular location and/or the energy emission is shielded. A food packaging system for microwave cooking, which includes the microwave diffuser film of this invention, is also described.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a radiant energy reflector comprising a laminated article mounted on a contoured support. The article includes a specularly reflective layer of silver protected on one side thereof from deterioration-inducing agents by a transparent cover sheet of polymeric material, and on the opposite side thereof by a non-polymeric protective layer of substantially inert and corrosion-resistant material. Also disclosed is a method for producing the article which yields an intimate and tenacious bond between the cover sheet, reflective layer and protective layer, thus reducing the likelihood of delamination.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is means adapted for use in combination with magnetically-enhanced sputtering devices whereby said devices are rendered more useful for sputter-coating substrates susceptible to heat-induced deterioration. Said means comprises a screen-like mesh or grid member disposed intermediate the target of said device and the substrate to be coated, and in such a position that said means is also disposed across the magnetic field formed by said device. Said screen-like mesh or grid member is formed of material which is magnetizable in response to the disposition thereof across said magnetic field. Said screen-like mesh or grid member has the desirable effect of suppressing the expansion of heated plasma whereby said plasma is confined to a region proximate said target and generally away from said substrate. Also disclosed is improved anodic means for collecting fast electrons emitted from said target.

Abstract: A sputtered thin film coating characterized by a stepwise and/or variable refractive index as a function of film depth. By means of an in-line assembly of planar magnetrons, each magnetron essentially isolated from the others but for a region of sputtering overlap, select materials and combinations of said materials with reactive gases can be continuously deposited upon a dynamic substrate whereby to obtain pre-determined refractive index gradients. Substrates coated with an inhomogeneous thin film exhibit superior non-spectral reflective characteristics particularly desirable for architectural designs and applications.