Abstract: Illumination devices comprising a light source and a light fiber are reported. The light fiber is optically coupled to the light source such that at least a portion of the light emitted from the light source impinges on the input end of the light fiber. The light fiber comprises an elongate polymeric core having an input end for receiving light from a light source, an output end for emitting light transmitted through the core, and a lateral surface extending along a longitudinal axis of the core between the input end and the output end. The light fiber includes a light-emitting region including at least one optical element that directs light traveling though the light fiber out of at least a portion the lateral surface of the light fiber in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis. A continuous outer cladding layer comprising a polymeric material having a lower index of refraction than the core extends over the lateral surface of the core and the optical elements.

Abstract: Illumination devices comprising a light source and a light fiber are reported. The light fiber is optically coupled to the light source such that at least a portion of the light emitted from the light source impinges on the input end of the light fiber. The light fiber comprises an elongate polymeric core having an input end for receiving light from a light source, an output end for emitting light transmitted through the core, and a lateral surface extending along a longitudinal axis of the core between the input end and the output end. The light fiber includes a light-emitting region including at least one optical element that directs light traveling though the light fiber out of at least a portion the lateral surface of the light fiber in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis. A continuous outer cladding layer comprising a polymeric material having a lower index of refraction than the core extends over the lateral surface of the core and the optical elements.

Abstract: Light fibers comprising: (a) an elongate polymeric core having an input end for receiving light from a light source, an output end for emitting light transmitted through the core, and a lateral surface extending along a longitudinal axis of the core between the input end and the output end; (b) a light-emitting region directing light traveling though the light fiber out of at least a portion the lateral surface of the light fiber in a direction generally transverse to the longitudinal axis, the light-emitting region comprising at least one optical element; and (c) a continuous outer cladding layer comprising a polymeric material having a lower index of refraction than the core extending over the lateral surface of the core and the optical elements. Methods of making the light fibers using an embossing process are also reported.

Abstract: A process for making an adhesive comprising allowing a carrier web coated with a thermal free-radically polymerizable mixture to remain in a heat exchange medium for a time sufficient to subdue the reaction exotherm and maintain a reaction temperature by thermal contact of the polymerizable mixture with the heat exchange medium and to affect conversion of the coating to an adhesive layer, preferably to a pressure sensitive adhesive layer, wherein the coating is a substantially solvent-free thermally initiated polymerizable mixture comprised of at least one free radical monomer, at least one thermal initiator, optionally, at least one cross-linker and optionally, at least one co-monomer.

Abstract: A process for making an adhesive comprising allowing a carrier web coated with a thermal free-radically polymerizable mixture to remain in a heat exchange medium for a time sufficient to subdue the reaction exotherm and maintain a reaction temperature by thermal contact of the polymerizable mixture with the heat exchange medium and to affect conversion of the coating to an adhesive layer, preferably to a pressure sensitive adhesive layer, wherein the coating is a substantially solvent-free thermally initiated polymerizable mixture comprised of at least one free radical monomer, at least one thermal initiator, optionally, at least one cross-linker and optionally, at least one co-monomer.

Abstract: A process for polymerizing a free-radically polymerizable composition comprising the steps:(a) coating a coatable free-radically polymerizable mixture onto at least one major surface of a web;(b) deoxygenating a liquid inerting medium;(c) immersing the coated web into the deoxygenated liquid inerting medium; and(d) irradiating the immersed coated web with actinic radiation sufficient to effect polymerization of the free-radically polymerizable mixture, while maintaining the liquid inerting medium in an essentially oxygen-free state.