Abstract: Methods of bonding polyester substrates together, comprising externally delivering thermal energy onto the bonding surfaces of the substrates and bringing the bonding surfaces into proximity with each other and bonding the substrates to each other.

Abstract: A monolithic multilayer article includes a thermoformable cellular polyester core layer and an oriented polyester skin layer on at least one major side of the polyester core layer.

Abstract: Polymer fibers are formed with concentric alternating layers of different polymer materials. The layers pairs have cross-sectional thicknesses selected for reflecting light at a selected visible wavelength. A cross-sectional dimension of the core is at least ten times an average of the selected thicknesses of the alternating layers. Some articles formed by the fibers are formed by attaching one fiber to another: the color of the fibers at the point of attachment is different from the colors of the fibers elsewhere. The fibers may be deformed to change its color properties by elongating the cross-section of the polymer fiber along a first cross-sectional axis. In some embodiments, the fibers are polarization sensitive.

Abstract: An extrusion die (20) and method for co-extruding a first molten polymeric material and a second molten polymeric material. The die includes a first die portion (20), a second die portion and a shim separating the first die portion and the second die portion. The shim has a first side and a second side, the first side of the shim forming a boundary of the first die portion and defining a first die cavity (38), the second side of the shim forming a boundary of the second die portion and defining a second die cavity (40). A dispensing edge (36) is provided having a plurality of first and second extrusion openings, a plurality of first feed channels connecting the first die cavity to the first extrusion openings along the dispensing edge, and a plurality of second feed channels connecting the second die cavity to the second extrusion openings along the dispensing edge.

Abstract: Fresnel lenses are prepared from a transparent substrate and a structured polyurethane layer. The structured polyurethane layer includes a curable reaction mixture. The curable reaction mixture includes a polyol, a polyisocyanate, a catalyst, and at least one UV stabilizer. The Fresnel lenses may be used in panel arrays and in solar power generation devices.

Abstract: Solar energy collection assemblies comprising a surface structured polyurethane layer. The structured polyurethane layer includes a cross-linkable reaction mixture and at least one UV stabilizer. The cross-linkable reaction mixture includes a polyol, a polyisocyanate and optionally a catalyst.

Abstract: Articles including post-formed multilayer optical films with layers of at least one strain-induced birefringent material, methods of manufacturing such articles by post-forming multilayer optical films, and multilayer optical films that are particularly well-suited to post-forming operations are disclosed. The articles, methods and multilayer optical films of the present invention allow for post-forming of multilayer optical films including strain-induced index of refraction differentials while retaining the desired optical properties of the multilayer optical films.

Abstract: A method for forming a color shifting film on a support, the film comprising a reflective stack disposed adjacent to the support and an image is disclosed. The reflective stack comprises an at least partially transparent spacer layer comprising a substituted acrylamide polymer disposed between a partially reflective first layer and a reflective second layer. The acrylamide layer has a thickness sufficient to produce an interference color.

Abstract: A die (20) comprising two die cavities (38,40), with each supplying one polymeric material, a septum (26) separating the two die cavities (38,40), and a die opening (44) through which an extrudate is extruded. The septum (26) has a dispensing edge (36) and a plurality of extrusion channels. First extrusion channels connect one die cavity (38) and second extrusion channels connect the other die cavity (40) to the dispensing edge (36). The first and second extrusion channels are disposed in alternating positions along the dispensing edge such that one first channel is disposed between any two adjacent second channels. A method of extruding with such a die (20) and an extruded article made therefrom. The extruded article comprises a plurality of longitudinal first zones composed of a first polymeric material alternating with a plurality of longitudinal second zones composed of a second polymeric material such that one first zone is disposed between any two adjacent second zones.

Abstract: An ink receptive article including a substrate having on at least a portion of a major surface thereof an antistatic layer, and wherein the antistatic layer has on at least a portion of a major surface thereof an ink receptive layer, wherein the ink receptive layer includes a crosslinked polymer selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyethers, polyesters, polyacrlylics, polyureas, copolymers thereof, and blends thereof.

Abstract: An ink receptive article including a substrate having applied on at least a portion thereof a layer of an ink receptive coating, wherein the ink receptive coating layer includes a cross-linked polymer and an ink absorbing polymer, wherein the ink absorbing polymer has a solubility parameter of equal to or less than 9 (cal/cm3)1/2.

Abstract: Polymer fibers are formed with concentric alternating layers of different polymer materials. The layers pairs have cross-sectional thicknesses selected for reflecting light at a selected visible wavelength. A cross-sectional dimension of the core is at least ten times an average of the selected thicknesses of the alternating layers. Some articles formed by the fibers are formed by attaching one fiber to another: the color of the fibers at the point of attachment is different from the colors of the fibers elsewhere. The fibers may be deformed to change its color properties by elongating the cross-section of the polymer fiber along a first cross-sectional axis. In some embodiments, the fibers are polarization sensitive.

Abstract: Multilayer optical films having one or more reflection bands are provided. The films include alternating polymeric layers configured to selectively reflect and transmit visible light at a design angle of incidence, where the selective reflection includes first and second visible reflection bands. At least one of the first and second visible reflection bands is a first-order reflection.

Abstract: Tamper indicating articles that include a surface-feature image-generating layer and an adhesive layer are described. The surface-feature image-generating layer generates a visible, surface-feature-generated image upon exposure to light. The intensity of the surface-feature-generated image is reduced when taped-over. Single-image and dual-image tamper indicating articles are also described, including buried dual-image and adjacent dual-image tamper indicating articles.

Abstract: The present invention is directed an oriented, foamed article having an integral security element, and a method of making the article. The oriented foam article is particularly useful in the preparation of printed security documents such as currency, stock and bond certificates, birth and death certificates, land titles and abstracts and the like.

Abstract: Multilayer films are provided that exhibit a colored appearance when viewed at an oblique angle as a result of one or more reflection bands in the visible region of the spectrum. The films however provide no substantial reflection bands in either the visible or near infrared regions for light normally incident on the film. The films can be made to shift from clear at normal incidence to an arbitrary designed color at an oblique angle without necessarily becoming cyan.

Abstract: The present invention is directed an oriented, foamed article having an ink-receptive surface, and a method of making the article. The invention provides a printable substrate comprising at least one high melt-strength, oriented polypropylene foam layer having an ink-receptive surface. The high melt-strength polypropylene having a melt strength of 25 to 60 cN at 190° C. The ink-receptive surface may comprise and oxidizing treatment, such as corona or flame-treatment of the foam surface, or may comprise an ink-receptive coating, such as a primer coating, on the foam surface. The oriented foam article is particularly useful in the preparation of printed security documents such as currency, stock and bond certificates, birth and death certificates, land titles and abstracts and the like.

Abstract: Multilayer optical films having one or more reflection bands are provided. The films include alternating polymeric layers configured to selectively reflect and transmit visible light at a design angle of incidence, where the selective reflection includes first and second visible reflection bands. At least one of the first and second visible reflection bands is a first-order reflection.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an optical article having a top layer with a structured surface that collimates light, a core layer secured to the top layer opposite the structured surface, and a bottom layer secured to the core layer opposite the top layer. Either the top layer or the core layer includes a first extrudable polymer having a flexural modulus of greater than 2.5 GPa, and the other layer includes a second extrudable polymer having a flexural modulus of 2.5 GPa or less, an impact strength of greater than about 40 J/m, and tensile elongation at break of greater than about 5%. The bottom layer includes a third extrudable polymer. The bottom layer of the optical article may be structured to diffuse light. One or two optical articles may be secured to an optical film such as a polarizer film. Methods and display devices are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A sheeting includes a layer of a shape-memory polymer material having a surface of microlenses, wherein each of the microlenses is associated with one of a plurality of images within the sheeting. The layer of the shape-memory polymer material is responsive to an external stimulus; e.g., temperature, solvent, or moisture; by transitioning from a first state in which an optical property of the microlenses has a first value to a second state in which the optical property of the microlenses has a second value. The microlenses have refractive surfaces that transmit light to positions within the sheeting to produce a composite image from the images formed within the sheeting when the layer of the shape-memory polymer material is in one of the first state and the second state. At least one of the images is a partially complete image, and each of the images is associated with a different one of the microlenses.