Abstract: Electronic articles, antennae, and processes of producing electronic articles are disclosed. The electronic article includes a rigid substrate having a non-planar region and a sintered conductive ink positioned on the non-planar region. The antenna is a specific type of electronic article covered by the disclosure. Additionally or alternatively, the antenna has a light transmission of at least 85%. The process includes positioning a substrate having a non-planar region, applying a conductive ink to the non-planar region, and sintering the conductive ink on the non-planar region thereby producing the sintered conductive ink on the electronic article and/or producing an antenna having a light transmission of at least 80%.

Abstract: A primer layer comprising a polyvinyl butyral resin enhances adhesion of silver nanoparticle inks onto plastic substrates. The primer layer comprises a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) resin having a polyvinyl alcohol content between about 18 wt. % to about 21 wt. %. The PVB resin may also have a glass transition temperature greater than about 70° C. Optionally, the PVB primer layer may further be enhanced by cross-linking using a melamine-formaldehyde resin. Conductive traces formed on plastic substrates having the PVB primer layer exhibit an acceptable cross-hatch adhesion rating with little to no degradation of adhesion being observed after exposure to 4-days salt mist aging or 1-day high humidity aging.

Abstract: An alkoxysilane comprising a functional group is used as an additive in the silver nanoparticle ink, and as an adhesion promoter (or primer layer) on the surface of the substrate in order to enhance the adhesion of silver nanoparticle inks on temperature-sensitive plastic substrates. The combination of the functionalized alkoxysilane both in the ink and on the substrate's surface provides enhanced adhesion after annealing the ink at a low temperature. The adhesion of the annealed films improves from a 0B-3B level to 4B-5B when tested according to ASTM D3359. No degradation of adhesion and no change of color are observed after aging the annealed films in a humidity chamber.

Abstract: Electronic articles, antennae, and processes of producing electronic articles are disclosed. The electronic article includes a rigid substrate having a non-planar region and a sintered conductive ink positioned on the non-planar region. The antenna is a specific type of electronic article covered by the disclosure. Additionally or alternatively, the antenna has a light transmission of at least 85%. The process includes positioning a substrate having a non-planar region, applying a conductive ink to the non-planar region, and sintering the conductive ink on the non-planar region thereby producing the sintered conductive ink on the electronic article and/or producing an antenna having a light transmission of at least 80%.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment is directed to a system for freeing obstructions formed in a hollow surgical suction implement having first and second open ends. The system includes a fluid container having at least one opening for receiving the first open end of the hollow surgical suction implement. A plurality of bristles are formed in the fluid container. The bristles are tapered to facilitate insertion in the hollow surgical suction implement and provide greater stability. Level identifying indicia is formed on the fluid container to identify the amount of fluid therein. A vacuum suction system is adapted to be operably connected to the second open end of the hollow surgical suction implement to direct fluid in the fluid container through the surgical suction implement at a predetermined time after the first end of the surgical suction implement is inserted in the fluid container. The vacuum suction system directs fluid passing therethrough into a reservoir.

Abstract: A holding device (50) for securing two electrical articles (22,94) together includes a U-shaped leading end (52) having a pair of leg portions (54). The U-shaped end (52) and adjacent leg portions (60) define a spring means, adapted to be received in an aperture (96) of the second article (94). The legs (54) extend to free ends (70) and define a retaining section (73) adapted to be received into a recess (32) within a housing (24). The recess (32) includes a central wall portion (42) having leading engagement sites (44), which cooperate with inner leg edges (58) to secure the device (50) within the housing (24).

Abstract: A preferred embodiment is directed to a system for freeing obstructions formed in a hollow surgical suction implement having first and second open ends. The system includes a fluid container having at least one opening for receiving the first open end of the hollow surgical suction implement. A plurality of bristles are formed in the fluid container. The bristles are tapered to facilitate insertion in the hollow surgical suction implement and provide greater stability. Level identifying indicia is formed on the fluid container to identify the amount of fluid therein. A vacuum suction system is adapted to be operably connected to the second open end of the hollow surgical suction implement to direct fluid in the fluid container through the surgical suction implement at a predetermined time after the first end of the surgical suction implement is inserted in the fluid container. The vacuum suction system directs fluid passing therethrough into a reservoir.

Abstract: A circuit board edge connector for mounting on a circuit board and electrically connecting conductive traces thereon to contact elements in a connecting mating member into which the edge connector may be inserted. More particularly, the edge connector includes contact elements positioned in a housing with elongated fingers on the contact elements extending onto a blade extending outwardly from the housing and pins on the contact elements extending outwardly from the housing for electrical engagement with conductive traces on the circuit board on which the edge connector is mounted. Upon inserting the blade into a slot in the connecting mating member, the fingers electrically engage the contact elements therein to complete the electrical path from the conductive traces on the board.

Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to a device for stacking printed circuit boards one on top of another. More particularly, the device includes a section for mounting the device in a hole in the board, an upper section extending above the board and having an upwardly open hole and a lower section extending below the board for insertion into an upwardly open hole in a device carried by the underlying board.