Abstract: Inkjet printing apparatus for use with radiation curable ink includes a sensor for sensing the amount of radiation emitted by a source of radiation. A controller is connected to the sensor and is operable to vary the amount of radiation emitted by the radiation source in accordance with a signal received from the sensor. A drive mechanism moves the source of radiation to a location laterally offset from the substrate where the sensor is positioned.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for the manufacture of coextruded polymeric multilayer optical films. The multilayer optical films have an ordered arrangement of layers of two or more materials having particular layer thicknesses and a prescribed layer thickness gradient throughout the multilayer optical stack. The methods and apparatuses described allow improved control over individual layer thicknesses, layer thickness gradients, indices of refraction, interlayer adhesion, and surface characteristics of the optical films. The methods and apparatuses described are useful for making interference polarizers, mirrors, and colored films that are optically effective over diverse portions of the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared spectra.

Abstract: Described is a method of indirect printing on a thermoplastic film having texture, wherein said method comprises: a) providing a heated thermoplastic melt; b) providing a tool having a molding portion that comprises a texture having a surface and a plurality of cavities in said surface, and that comprises a material having a surface energy sufficient to release ink; c) applying ink to said texture; d) substantially drying or curing said ink; e) contacting said thermoplastic melt with said molding portion having ink applied to it; f) forming a texture in said thermoplastic melt, wherein said texture comprises a plurality of protrusions and an area between said protrusions, that is the inverse of the texture of said molding surface; g) transferring said ink from said molding portion to said thermoplastic melt; h) quenching said thermoplastic melt to form a thermoplastic film; and i) removing said thermoplastic film from said molding portion.

Abstract: Described is a method of indirect printing on a thermoplastic film having texture, wherein said method comprises: a) providing a heated thermoplastic melt; b) providing a tool having a molding portion that comprises a texture having a surface and a plurality of cavities in said surface, and that comprises a material having a surface energy sufficient to release ink; c) applying ink to said texture; d) substantially drying or curing said ink; e) contacting said thermoplastic melt with said molding portion having ink applied to it; f) forming a texture in said thermoplastic melt, wherein said texture comprises a plurality of protrusions and an area between said protrusions, that is the inverse of the texture of said molding surface; g) transferring said ink from said molding portion to said thermoplastic melt; h) quenching said thermoplastic melt to form a thermoplastic film; and i) removing said thermoplastic film from said molding portion.

Abstract: A multilayered polymer film is formed with a stack of one or more first optical layers, one or more second optical layers, and one or more non-optical layers. These optical and non-optical layers are typically made using polymer materials, such as polyesters. In one embodiment, the non-optical layers are made from a polyester having a composition which corresponds to the average molar composition of the combination of all of the first and second optical layers. Using this formulation, scrap material from the manufacture of multilayered polymer films may be used to generate the non-optical layers in subsequent films. Alternatively, the non-optical layers of a multilayered polymer film are made using scrap material from prior-manufactured multilayered polymer films with the optional addition of other polymer material which may be either new or recycled.

Abstract: Inkjet printing apparatus includes a drum, a print head for directing radiation curable ink toward a substrate on the drum, and a curing device for directing radiation toward the ink that is received on the substrate. The curing device is selectively operable to direct radiation toward a certain portion of the ink received on the substrate only after that certain portion has moved with the substrate and the drum through an arc that is at least 360 degrees. In this manner, the ink on the substrate has sufficient time to spread and level and the resultant image is of high quality.

Abstract: Inkjet printing apparatus includes a drum, a print head for directing radiation curable ink toward a substrate on the drum, and a curing device for directing radiation toward the ink that is received on the substrate. The curing device is selectively operable to direct radiation toward a certain portion of the ink received on the substrate only after that certain portion has moved with the substrate and the drum through an arc that is at least 360 degrees. In this manner, the ink on the substrate has sufficient time to spread and level and the resultant image is of high quality.

Abstract: Compositions that incorporate relates to compositions that incorporate surface modified, nanometer sized, inorganic oxide particles into energy curable fluids. The surface modification aspect allows the compatibility between the particles and fluid to be controllably adjusted to achieve a wide range of rheological characteristics. For printing, preferred compositions have favorable dot gain and thickness build up. When the composition is cured, the presence of the particles also helps improve physical properties such as hardness, modulus, abrasion resistance, refractive index, and the like. The compositions are particularly well-suited for forming printed, radiation cured features on substrates such as paper, signs, walkways, roadways, motor vehicles, boats, aircraft, furniture, equipment, and the like.

Abstract: Compositions that incorporate relates to compositions that incorporate surface modified, nanometer sized, inorganic oxide particles into energy curable fluids. The surface modification aspect allows the compatibility between the particles and fluid to be controllably adjusted to achieve a wide range of rheological characteristics. For printing, preferred compositions have favorable dot gain and thickness build up. When the composition is cured, the presence of the particles also helps improve physical properties such as hardness, modulus, abrasion resistance, refractive index, and the like. The compositions are particularly well-suited for forming printed, radiation cured features on substrates such as paper, signs, walkways, roadways, motor vehicles, boats, aircraft, furniture, equipment, and the like.

Abstract: Low viscosity, radiation curable fluid formulations that can be used advantageously as radiation curable, inks. The formulations are easily prepared for use in ink jet systems. The viscosity of the compositions is low enough so that conventional solvent is not required in order to satisfy the requisite low ink jet viscosity specifications. After curing, the compositions form durable, weatherable, abrasion resistant, printed images on a wide variety of porous and nonporous substrates. The formulations are very suitable for outdoor printing applications, especially for printing outdoor graphics onto a variety of surfaces, including vinyl or other polymer films commonly used for signage, retroreflective signage or other retroreflective items.

Abstract: A multilayered polymer film is formed with a stack of one or more first optical layers, one or more second optical layers, and one or more non-optical layers. These optical and non-optical layers are typically made using polymer materials, such as polyesters. In one embodiment, the non-optical layers are made from a polyester having a composition which corresponds to the average molar composition of the combination of all of the first and second optical layers. Using this formulation, scrap material from the manufacture of multilayered polymer films may be used to generate the non-optical layers in subsequent films. Alternatively, the non-optical layers of a multilayered polymer film are made using scrap material from prior-manufactured multilayered polymer films with the optional addition of other polymer material which may be either new or recycled.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for the manufacture of coextruded polymeric multilayer optical films. The multilayer optical films have an ordered arrangement of layers of two or more materials having particular layer thicknesses and a prescribed layer thickness gradient throughout the multilayer optical stack. The methods and apparatuses described allow improved control over individual layer thicknesses, layer thickness gradients, indices of refraction, interlayer adhesion, and surface characteristics of the optical films. The methods and apparatuses described are useful for making interference polarizers, mirrors, and colored films that are optically effective over diverse portions of the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared spectra.

Abstract: In a multilayer dielectric reflector, treating the surface of the reflector selectively increases the amount of light transmitted through the reflector. Various surface treatments can be used to permit light to transmit through the reflector that would otherwise be reflected by the reflector. In one such reflector, different portions of the surface have different coupling efficiencies for coupling light having a high propagation angle into the multilayer reflector. Those portions having higher coupling efficiencies on each side of the reflector have a higher degree of transmission.

Abstract: An optically responsive film that includes liquid crystal dispersed in a crosslinked polymer matrix that includes the reaction product of an isotropic polymerizable mixture that includes at least one vinyl ether.

Abstract: An optically responsive film that includes liquid crystal dispersed in a polymer matrix that includes the reaction product of (1) one or more polymerizable matrix reactants other than an acid reactant and (2) at least one copolymerizable acid reactant.

Abstract: In one aspect, an optically responsive film in which liquid crystal is dispersed in a matrix that includes siloxane linkages. The film has a transmissivity at -20.degree. C. that is substantially the same as the transmissivity at 20.degree. C. and a V.sub.90 at -20.degree. C. that is less than twice the value at 20.degree. C.In another aspect, an optically responsive film in which liquid crystal is dispersed in a matrix that includes the polymerization product of at least one mercapto-functional siloxane.In another aspect, an optically responsive film in which liquid crystal is dispersed in a matrix that includes the polymerization product of at least one multi-functional ene and at least one multi-functional silicon hydride.In another aspect, an optically responsive film in which liquid crystal is dispersed in a matrix that includes the reaction product of at least one multi-functional vinyl silane and at least one multi-functional thiol.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis membrane process or hybrid membrane - complementary separator process for producing enriched product or waste streams from concentrated and dilute feed streams for both solvent/solvent and solute/solvent systems is described.

Abstract: Electrodes (18) are positioned in intimate contact with an outer surface of a thin electrically-insulating protecting layer (16) of architectural reflective glass (20). Application of a voltage of sufficient magnitude substantially destroys the insulating layer (16) located beneath the electrodes (18). A subsequent application of voltage results in a passage of current through the underlying thin, light-reflective metal or metal oxide layer (14) and in concomitant output of heat.