Abstract: A repositionable mouse pad (20) for a computer having an input device (30) operatively connected to the computer. The mouse pad includes a tracking surface (22) having upper and lower surfaces (26) and (28). The upper surface being textured for precise tracking of the pointing device. The mouse pad also includes an attachment member (24) bonded on the lower surface of the tracking surface and includes an adhesive (34). The attachment member is bonded to the lower surface of the tracking surface such that the adhesive side faces outwardly away from the tracking surface. The adhesive side is renewable to restore its adhesive strength by cleaning the adhesive side.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conformable tape for bonding a lens block comprising a thermoplastic lens blocking composition to an ophthalmic lens blank. Preferred tapes have a pressure sensitive adhesive layer and a polymer backing that comprises a polar moiety and a non-polar moiety. Preferred thermoplastic lens blocking compositions comprise a homopolymer or copolymer of epsilon-caprolactone, have a number average molecular weight between 3,000 and 100,000, and a polydispersity less than 10. The composition may also comprise one or more modifiers, fillers or heat absorbing materials.

Abstract: A container and a method for making the same. The container has a body made of a first thermoplastic material, with a non-developable external surface provided with at least one decorative label formed of at least one layer made of a second thermoplastic material, and having an air evacuation structure. The second material has a fusion temperature higher than the fusion temperature of the first material. This method permits labeling without the formation of creases or air bubbles, in particular on a container having a non-developable surface.

Abstract: An improved gasket particularly suitable for use in sensitive environments is disclosed. The preferred gasket of the present invention comprises at least one layer of a composite material of porous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) polymer and resilient expandable microspheres. The composite material provides a number of significant advantages over existing PTFE and similar clean gaskets, including better seal under less compressive pressure, sufficient resilience to permit reuse, and retained porosity--allowing pressure equalization in the equipment to occur through the gasket itself.

Abstract: We have discovered a low trauma wound dressing including a moisture-vapor permeable backing and a contiguous particulate adhesive layer comprised of tacky, substantially solvent-insoluble, solvent-dispersible, acrylate-based, elastomeric, pressure-sensitive adhesive microspheres.

Abstract: A heat-transfer label that is well-suited for use on untreated polyethylene. In one embodiment, the label includes a support portion, the support portion comprising a paper carrier web. The label also includes a wax release layer overcoating the paper carrier web. The label further comprises a transfer portion printed on top of the wax release layer, the transfer portion including a protective lacquer layer, an ink layer and an adhesive layer. The protective lacquer layer is printed onto the wax release layer and comprises a polyester resin, castor oil and a chlorinated polypropylene capable of immobilizing the ink layer relative to the protective lacquer. The ink layer, which comprises an acrylic ink, is printed onto the protective lacquer layer. The adhesive layer is printed over the ink layer and comprises a polyamide resin, ethyl vinyl acetate, erucamide and a chlorinated polyethylene resin.

Abstract: A multi-cycle refastenable contact responsive non-tacky fastener system and method of use with a field of a contact responsive fastening layer having essentially no surface tack. The fastening layer is multiply releasable and refastenable against a non-tacky target surface, and has substantially constant 90.degree. peel strength of less than about 5 kN/m when in contact with the target surface. A mounting layer comprises a field of a pressure sensitive adhesive onto which the field of the contact responsive layer is directly attached.

Abstract: A method for preparing an uncured supported elastomer material includes the steps of: providing a fibrous reinforcement material; providing a layer of uncured elastomer material substantially adjacent to the fibrous reinforcement material; exposing the layer and the fibrous reinforcement to a temperature below a curing temperature and above a flow point of the uncured elastomer material, and a pressure sufficient that the uncured elastomer material flows into the fibrous reinforcement material, so as to provide an uncured supported elastomer material.

Abstract: A barrier fabric composite is provided which comprises:i) a textile fabric comprising a front surface, a back surface, interstices within said fabric, and a determinable interstitial volume;ii) a liquid barrier enhancing thermoplastic within said interstices and on said back surface, filling at least 50% of said interstitial volume; andiii) a liquid barrier enhancing plastic coating, on the back surface of said thermoplastic, having a higher melting point or glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) than said thermoplastic, and capable of withstanding temperatures of at least 350.degree. F.

Abstract: Method for stretching and mounting films. An apparatus for stretching films over a flat surface utilizing a vacuum applied to the film surface near the periphery of the film to be stretched is described. Fragile films may be stretched by the present apparatus by attaching such films near their outer edges to a film which is stretched by the apparatus.

Abstract: A fabric possessing both cleanability and fluid resistant properties is provided which can, if desired, be transfer printed. The fabric includes a textile substrate treated with a fluorochemical stain resist agent. The treated textile substrate is covered substantially on the back with a layer of extrusion coated thermoplastic polymer which is pressed at least partially into the fabric substrate. A process for forming the fluid shield fabric according to the present invention is also provided.

Abstract: Self-adhesive protective film, especially for cars, characterized in that a self-adhesive composition of polyethylene vinyl acetate with a loss angle tan .delta. of from 0.6 to 1.0, measured at a temperature of 60.degree. C. and a frequency of 10.sup.-2 Hz, and from 0.4 to 0.7, measured at a temperature of 60.degree. C. and a frequency of 10 Hz, is applied to a film backing.

Abstract: In the manufacture of integrated labels it is desirable to apply pressure sensitive adhesive in a continuous manner, yet it is undesirable for active adhesive to be on one or more edges of the form since active adhesive can interfere with nip rollers upon entering a laser or other non-impact printer, or can otherwise interfere with proper operation of the printer. By using an adhesive--that is de-tackified by direct exposure to a sufficient type and dosage of electromagnetic radiation (such as a hot melt adhesive de-tackified by applying about 3000 mJ/cm.sup.2 total dosage of ultraviolet radiation)--that problem may be avoided. Apparatus for producing integrated labels with the adhesive at one or more edges being de-tackified may include a first conveyor for conveying sheets (either in stacked or single sheet form) in a first direction, and at least one ultraviolet radiation source mounted adjacent a side of the conveyor parallel to the first direction.

Abstract: Fiber cement felts of the present invention include: a top fabric layer that includes fine machine direction yarns and fine cross machine direction yarns interwoven with the fine machine direction yarns; a bottom fabric layer underlying the top fabric layer that includes coarse machine direction yarns and coarse cross machine direction yarns interwoven with the coarse machine direction yarns; and a batt layer attached to and overlying the top fabric layer. Preferably, the top fabric layer is heat bonded to the bottom fabric layer. It is also preferred that the fiber cement felt of the present invention include a second batt layer that underlies the bottom fabric layer. In this multiple layer structure, the felt can have higher tenacity, improved resistance to blinding and compaction, and a reduced tendency to mark a fiber cement sheet during its formation.

Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping a joint of pipe with a web of reinforced concrete includes an improved applicator that wraps the joint of pipe with a web of concrete that is reinforced with a steel mesh and which is also layered with a web of poly film. The improved applicator has a motor drive and a gear box that interfaces the motor drive with one of the belt pulleys that drives the applicator belt. The primary applicator belt can be disengaged from the pipe, thereby transferring both pulleys to idler pulleys after pipe wrapping is initiated. This allows the large motor drives that actually rotate the pipe to control the speed at which the web of concrete is applied to the pipe. The motor drive for the applicator belt is initially engaged for a few seconds to overcome initial friction associated with start up of the applicator. A timer can be used to regulate the number of seconds that the applicator motor operates until it is disengaged using the clutch.

Abstract: Composite grid/frame structures are constructed from grid elements 36 arranged in a grid pattern and bonded together by a vacuum infiltration technique or, alternatively, a filament winding technique. Grid elements 36 are sliced cross-sections of pultruded or filament-wound tubing typically made from glass or graphite fiber and epoxy resin. Common cross-sectional shapes are square, rectangular, triangular, and circular. Finished two-dimensional grids 46 may be combined with longitudinal rods 48 to form three-dimensional frames for concrete reinforcement, engine containment, and many other applications.

Abstract: A temperature-responsive adhesive article comprises (a) a temperature-responsive carrier capable of changing its shape at a first transition temperature; and (b) a thermomorphic pressure-sensitive adhesive on at least a portion of at least one surface of the carrier, the thermomorphic pressure-sensitive adhesive being capable of changing its shape at a second transition temperature. By varying the initial shapes or topographies of carrier and adhesive and the relationship between the transition temperatures, the article of the invention can be designed to provide a wide variety of bonding and de-bonding properties.

Abstract: A radiation-curable coating composition is described which comprises: (A) from about 60% to about 99% by weight of at least one polyfunctional acrylate monomer containing at least one internal flexible unit; (B) from about 1% to about 30% by weight of at least one other reactive vinyl or unsaturated monomer provided the reactive monomer is not the same as the monomer of (A) or (C); (C) from 0.01% to about 10% by weight of at least one organopolysiloxane containing one or more groups which are reactive toward free radical polymerization; and (D) from about 0% to about 10% by weight of at least one photoinitiator.In a preferred embodiment, the reactive vinyl monomer (B) is selected from the group consisting of vinyl ethers, mono- or polyfunctional acrylate monomers or oligomers, and mixtures thereof. A method of coating a substrate utilizing the radiation-curable release coating compositions of the present invention, and a substrate coated in accordance with the method of the invention are also described.

Abstract: A latex antistatic adhesive comprising an emulsion of polymerized microdrops dispersed in an aqueous medium, having an average diameter less than about 0.1 .mu.m, and a glass transition temperature (Tg) of from about -120.degree. C. to about 25.degree. C., wherein the polymerized microdrops are derived from emulsion microdrops of reactive monomers, said adhesive including at least one (meth)acrylic monomer, at least one polar monomer, at least one reactive oligomer and at least 1% of a lithium salt.

Abstract: The present invention provides a release coated film, an adhesive tape comprising a release coated film, and processes for preparing the same. The fluoropolymer release layer comprises a graft copolymer of (i) a base polymer containing polymerized units derived from monomers having terminal olefinic double bonds, and (ii) a moiety comprising a fluoroaliphatic group. The film may be coextruded and may subsequently be oriented in at least one direction. Alternately, the release coating can be extrusion coated onto a backing and may be subsequently oriented if the backing is orientable. Adhesives may be coated onto the release coated films either before or after orientation, or they may be coextruded along with the release coating and/or backing.