Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a polymeric relief structure by a) coating a substrate with a first coating composition comprising one or more radiation-sensitive ingredients, d) locally treating the coated substrate with electromagnetic radiation having a periodic or random radiation-intensity pattern, forming a latent image, e) polymerizing and/or crosslinking the resulting coated substrate to a first coating. This process is improved by applying a second coating composition on top of the first coating composition, said second coating composition comprising either an organic compound (Co) of a monomeric nature and wherein Co is also polymerized during the process, or wherein said second coating comprises a dissolved polymer (Cp). As a result a polymeric relief structure is obtained, where a substrate is coated with a functional, stacked, bi-layer, in which each layer exhibits a specific, and from each other differing function.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a polymeric relief structure by a) coating a substrate with a first coating composition comprising one or more radiation-sensitive ingredients, d) locally treating the coated substrate with electromagnetic radiation having a periodic or random radiation-intensity pattern, forming a latent image, e) polymerizing and/or crosslinking the resulting coated substrate to a first coating. This process is improved by applying a second coating composition on top of the first coating composition, said second coating composition comprising either an organic compound (Co) of a monomeric nature and wherein Co is also polymerized during the process, or wherein said second coating comprises a dissolved polymer (Cp). As a result a polymeric relief structure is obtained, where a substrate is coated with a functional, stacked, bi-layer, in which each layer exhibits a specific, and from each other differing function.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an alignment layer capable of aligning liquid crystal material, the alignment layer comprising: a first sublayer having regions capable of aligning the liquid crystal material in a first alignment, a second sublayer having regions capable of aligning the liquid crystal material in a second alignment, the first and the second alignment being different, the second sublayer overlaying the first sublayer and covering in accordance with a pre-determined pattern the first sublayer to provide, at desired locations, second sublayer regions capable of aligning the liquid crystal material and, at desired locations, regions of the underlying first sublayer that are not covered by the second sublayer, and to a method of making this alignment layer. The invention further relates to an optical or electro-optical device comprising said alignment layer.

Abstract: A weatherproof safety case for a plug and receptacle connection of electrical power cords. The case includes a molded plastic housing divided into first and second parts having mating edges. An integrally molded hinge of thin plastic material joins the first and second parts along one side of the mating edges. A clasp-like member extends alongside one of the mating edges. The resilient gasket is formed with an enlarged pad adjacent to each end of the hinge for providing a seal between the hinge and the mating edges when the case is shut. The case also includes labyrinth seals, each labyrinth seal being divided into two portions by the mating edges of the first and second parts of the housing Each portion is coupled to either the first or second part of the housing, and is formed with at least two spaced apart flexible partitions having semicircular edge cutouts. One of the edge cutouts is of a larger diameter than the other.