Abstract: A device for binding a stack of media sheets using imaging material as the binding agent. The binding device includes a tray for supporting the stack and a heated platen or some other type of imaging material activator near the tray. A press coupled to the activator is operative between a first position in which the activator is separated from the stack to a second position in which the activator contacts and compresses the stack at the binding region. A spring or other biasing mechanism operatively connected between the press and the activator biases the activator against the stack when the press is in the second position. The biasing mechanism allows pressure to be maintained on the stack to reactivate the imaging material without continuing to power the press down against the stack even as the stack shrinks under the reactivating pressure. Hence, power can be diverted if necessary or desirable from the press to activator to reduce the overall power consumption of the binding device.

Abstract: A method of producing individual personal-sized bars of soap with a water-resistant supporting medium being provided integral with each bar for enabling its suspension for air drying after each use. The preferred method incorporates an intermittent feeding technique whereby a portion of the medium protrudes beyond one end of a soap bar. An alternative method incorporates a feeding technique resulting in soap bars wherein the medium and the soap material of each bar are the same length. A hole is provided either through the medium alone in the preferred method, or through both the soap and the medium in the alternative method. The method may include the additional step of providing a soap-compatible adhesive to opposite sides of the supporting medium.

Abstract: A functional laminate film protects a color conversion filter and an organic electroluminescent element from mutual contamination during manufacture and use. The functional laminate film includes a transparent base film, a coupling layer and a hard coat layer. The coupling layer is bonded to the color conversion filter to present a flat surface with substantial reduction in optical defects. The hard coat layer is hard enough to withstand the formation of the organic electroluminescent element on its upper surface. The hard coat layer also acts as a barrier to prevent chemical species from the fluorescent materials within the color conversion filter from adversely affecting the organic electroluminescent element during manufacture and operation, and vice versa. The result is an improved polychromatic electroluminescent device composed of the organic electroluminescent element, the functional laminate film and the color conversion filter.