Abstract: A process to mark a multilayered article having a release layer and an adhesive layer, using a laser to produce markings within more than one layer of the article. The process includes providing a multilayered article including a laser-markable release liner having a release layer, and a laser-markable adhesive film; and marking the laser-markable release liner and the laser-markable adhesive film by directing laser radiation from at least a first source of laser radiation into the multilayered article through at least the first release layer to induce an interaction between a first light-sensitive pigment and a first organic polymer in the laser-markable release liner, and a second light-sensitive pigment and a second organic polymer in the laser-markable adhesive film, to form at least one visually perceptible marking in each of the laser-markable release liner and the laser-markable adhesive film. The release layer is substantially transparent to the laser radiation.

Abstract: Described herein is a release material comprising: a blend comprising: releasing agent comprising a urethane polymer derived from a polyvinyl polymer containing active hydroxyl groups and an aliphatic isocyanate; and a carrier polymer, wherein more than 50% by weight of the carrier polymer is non-olefinic, and articles thereof.

Abstract: The present application generally relates to multi-layer sealing films, methods of making such films, materials for inclusion in such films, retroreflective sheeting and articles including such films, and methods of making retroreflective sheeting and articles including such films. The multi-layer sealing film may include two or more layers. One exemplary embodiment of a two-layer film includes a first layer including a thermoplastic polymeric material including reaction products of alkylene and reaction products of at least one non-acidic comonomer and a second layer including one of a polyolefin, a polyester, a polymethyl methacrylate, a polyamide, a polycarbonate, an ethylene-methacrylic acid, and a polyurethane. In some embodiments, at least one of the layers of the multi-layer sealing film has an elastic modulus of at least 3.5×105 kPa and the flexural rigidity of the retroreflective article is less than about 4.0×10?8 N·m2.

Abstract: Composite layer having a length and width and comprising a first plurality of repeating, three-dimensional structures having peaks and valleys, comprising a first polymeric material and a second plurality of repeating, three-dimensional structures having peaks and valleys that is adjacent to, and the inverse of, the first plurality of repeating, three-dimensional structures, and comprising a second polymeric material. There is a distance between adjacent peaks comprising the first polymeric material. There is an average of said distances between adjacent peaks comprising the first polymeric material. Any of said distances between adjacent peaks comprising the first polymeric material is within 20 percent of said average distance between adjacent peaks comprising the first polymeric material.

Abstract: Microstructured articles, such as a retroreflective articles, having a plurality of (e.g. cube-corner) microstructured elements and a seal film layer adhered to portions of the cube-corner elements and/or portions of a (e.g., flexible) body layer. The seal film is a thermoplastic polymeric material comprising reaction products of alkylene in an amount of at least about 50% and reaction products of at least one non-acidic polar monomer.

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: A process to mark a multilayered article with a laser (20). The multilayered article (10) includes a laser-markable layer (14) having at least one organic polymer and at least one light-sensitive pigment therein, and including at least one release agent associated with the laser-markable layer. Laser-marking of the laser-markable layer is accomplished by directing laser radiation (22) into the multilayered article through the release agent (12) to induce an interaction between the light-sensitive pigment and the organic polymer. As a result of the interaction, a visually perceptible marking (16) is formed in the article. The laser-marked article includes a laser-markable layer and a first release agent associated with a surface of the laser-markable layer. The marking(s) in the laser-markable layer is visible through the layer of release agent, and the marking is a result of the laser-induced interaction between the light-sensitive pigment and the organic polymer.

Abstract: An adhesive tape that is stretch releasable, articles that contain the adhesive tape, and uses of the adhesive tape are disclosed. The adhesive tape includes a backing layer that is adjacent to at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. The backing layer includes a poly(alkylene)copolymer. Each pressure-sensitive adhesive layer includes a polyisobutylene material. The adhesive tapes can be optically clear.

Abstract: The present application is directed to substrates comprising light shielding areas and light transmitting areas. In one embodiment, the present application is directed to a substrate comprising a film comprising a light shielding additive. The film comprises a structured surface resulting in thick light shielding areas and relatively thin light transmitting areas. In another embodiment, the present application is directed to a substrate comprising a film comprising a first major surface that is structured with a series of microstructure features and he substrate has light shielding layer is on the first major surface in the light shielding areas. In another embodiment, the light transmitting areas are series of holes through the film having at least two lateral dimensions less than 1.4 mm.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a method of manufacturing an adhesive article. The method comprises providing a first extrudable feedstock comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive and providing a second extrudable feedstock comprising a polyolefin polymer having a density of no greater than 0.91 g/cc. The first extrudable feedstock and the second extrudable feedstock are coextruded in contact with each other to form a coextruded film. The method also comprises cooling the coextruded film.

Abstract: Methods for preparing silicone-containing polymers by essentially adiabatic polymerization methods are disclosed. The polymerization system includes free radically polymerizable monomers. The monomers include ethylenically unsaturated cone-containing monomers and/or mercapto-functional silicones as well as additional free radically polymerizable monomers. The silicone-containing polymers are useful as adhesives or release materials.

Abstract: Adhesive tapes, articles containing the adhesive tapes, methods of making the adhesive tapes, and uses of the adhesive tapes are described. The adhesive tape is stretch releasable and can be used to couple two substrates together. The adhesive tape can be removed easily to separate the two substrates for any reason. The adhesive tape includes a backing layer and at least one pressure sensitive adhesive layer adjacent to the backing layer. The backing layer contains a poly(alkylene) copolymer. Each pressure sensitive adhesive layer contains an acrylic copolymer that is crosslinked plus inorganic particles that are dispersed or suspended in the acrylic copolymer.

Abstract: The present application is directed to an adhesive article comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive layer and a release layer in contact with the pressure sensitive adhesive layer. The release layer comprises a polyolefin block copolymer. Generally, the polyolefin block copolymer has a density of no greater than 0.9 g/cc.

Abstract: Microstructured articles, such as a retroreflective articles, having a plurality of (e.g. cube-corner) microstructured elements and a seal film layer adhered to portions of the cube-corner elements and/or portions of a (e.g., flexible) body layer. The seal film is a thermoplastic polymeric material comprising reaction products of alkylene in an amount of at least about 50% and reaction products of at least one non-acidic polar monomer.

Abstract: Microstructured articles, such as a retroreflective articles, having a plurality of (e.g. cube-corner) microstructured elements and a seal film layer adhered to portions of the cube-corner elements and/or portions of a (e.g. flexible) body layer. The seal film is a thermoplastic polymeric material comprising reaction products of alkylene in an amount of at least about 50% and reaction products of at least one non-acidic polar monomer.

Abstract: The present application is related to substrates having light transmitting areas and light shielding areas. The application discloses methods of manufacturing the substrates, including modifying a light shielding layer be contact to a structured surface.

Abstract: A stretch releasable adhesive article includes first and second opposed major surfaces and a pull tab, and at least a portion of at least one of the first and second major surfaces is adhesive. The adhesive article has a cross-sectional area—as measured normal to the axis defined by a stretch release force applied to the pull tab during the stretch release process—that has a defined width to thickness ratio, and the adhesive article may have a visible light transmission of at least about 90%, and a haze of no greater than 5%.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a method of creating a dual appearance comprising providing a substrate. The dual appearance is further created by providing an illumination source proximate to the second major surface of the substrate. A reflective image is provided on the first major surface of the substrate opposite the illumination source. A transmitted image is provided on the second major surface of the substrate between the substrate and the illumination source. Generally, the reflective image is visible with the illumination source off and the transmitted image is visible with the illumination source on.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a substrate comprising a first major surface comprising light transmitting areas and light shielding areas. An image reception layer exists on the light shielding areas of the first major surface of the substrate. The substrate is substantially continuous. In some embodiments, the image reception layer is on the second major surface of the substrate. In some embodiments, the light transmitting areas are substantially free of the image reception layer. In certain embodiments, a light shielding coating exists on the light shielding areas between the image reception layer and the substrate.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a substrate comprising a first major surface comprising light transmitting areas and light shielding areas. A reflective image exists on the light shielding areas of the first major surface of the substrate. A transmitted image exists on the first major surface through the light transmitting areas of the first major surface of the substrate. The substrate is substantially continuous and not specularly transmissive.