Abstract: A method of making a polymer coating on a microstructured substrate. The method may be performed by vaporizing a liquid monomer or other pre-polymer composition and condensing the vaporized material onto a microstructured substrate, followed by curing. The resulting article may possess a coating that preserves the underlying microstructural feature profile. Such a profile-preserving polymer coating can be used to change or enhance the surface properties of the microstructured substrate while maintaining the function of the structure.

Abstract: A method of making a polymer coating on a microstructured substrate. The method may be performed by vaporizing a liquid monomer or other pre-polymer composition and condensing the vaporized material onto a microstructured substrate, followed by curing. The resulting article may possess a coating that preserves the underlying microstructural feature profile. Such a profile-preserving polymer coating can be used to change or enhance the surface properties of the microstructured substrate while maintaining the function of the structure.

Abstract: A method of making a polymer coating on a microstructured substrate. The method may be performed by vaporizing a liquid monomer or other pre-polymer composition and condensing the vaporized material onto a microstructured substrate, followed by curing. The resulting article may possess a coating that preserves the underlying microstructural feature profile. Such a profile-preserving polymer coating can be used to change or enhance the surface properties of the microstructured substrate while maintaining the function of the structure.

Abstract: Color shifting retroreflective articles can provide features such as decorative effects, evidence of tampering, security authentication or positional information. In some embodiments, the color shifting retroreflective article includes a layer of microspheres, and a reflective coating that is disposed in optical association with the layer of microspheres. The reflective coating includes a spacer layer disposed between a semitransparent first reflective layer and a second reflective layer. The first reflective layer includes a reflective layer disposed adjacent the layer of microspheres. At least one layer of the reflective coating includes a non-uniform thickness associated with each of a plurality of microspheres such that light incident on the article from a first direction is retroreflected at a first color and light incident on the article from a second direction is retroreflected at a second color visibly different from the first color.

Abstract: A method of making a polymer coating on a microstructured substrate. The method may be performed by vaporizing a liquid monomer or other pre-polymer composition and condensing the vaporized material onto a microstructured substrate, followed by curing. The resulting article may possess a coating that preserves the underlying microstructural feature profile. Such a profile-preserving polymer coating can be used to change or enhance the surface properties of the microstructured substrate while maintaining the function of the structure.

Abstract: Adhesive articles and methods of applying and activating adhesive articles to bond to substrates using a fluid application aid. Preferably, the substrates are traffic devices such as traffic cones and the adhesive articles are retroreflective cone collars or sleeves.

Abstract: A method of making a polymer coating on a microstructured substrate. The method may be performed by vaporizing a liquid monomer or other pre-polymer composition and condensing the vaporized material onto a microstructured substrate, followed by curing. The resulting article may possess a coating that preserves the underlying microstructural feature profile. Such a profile-preserving polymer coating can be used to change or enhance the surface properties of the microstructured substrate while maintaining the function of the structure.

Abstract: A method of making a polymer coating on a microstructured substrate. The method may be performed by vaporizing a liquid monomer or other pre-polymer composition and condensing the vaporized material onto a microstructured substrate, followed by curing. The resulting article may possess a coating that preserves the underlying microstructural feature profile. Such a profile-preserving polymer coating can be used to change or enhance the surface properties of the microstructured substrate while maintaining the function of the structure.

Abstract: The articles of the present invention comprise pavement marking articles which are retroreflective under dry and/or wet conditions. The articles comprise a monolayer of exposed-lens optical elements, a spacing layer, and a reflective layer. The present invention also provides a method of making said pavement marking articles.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing adhesion between at least two surfaces, preferably of at least two different materials, using a powdered surface preparation composition.

Abstract: The articles of the present invention comprise pavement marking articles which are retroreflective under dry and/or wet conditions. The articles comprise a monolayer of exposed-lens optical elements, a spacing layer, and a reflective layer. The present invention also provides a method of making said pavement marking articles.

Abstract: A ball throwing practice system for improving a ball player's skills that includes a collapsible support frame having a first pair of legs and a second pair of legs, with the second pair of legs being pivotally coupled to one of the first pair of legs to permit pivoting of the second pair of legs with respect to the first pair of legs. The system also includes a target assembly secured to the support frame for defining a passage therethrough for representing a zone for an accurately thrown ball to pass through. Preferably, the target assembly comprises a pair of substantially horizontally oriented plate members disposed in a spaced relationship, with a lower one of the plate members being located below an upper one of the plate members. The lower plate member may be suspended below the upper plate member by a plurality of cords.

Abstract: The articles of the present invention comprise pavement marking articles which are retroreflective under dry and/or wet conditions. The articles comprise a monolayer of exposed-lens optical elements, a spacing layer, and a reflective layer. The present invention also provides a method of making said pavement marking articles.

Abstract: A retroreflective article that has a layer of optical elements and a multilayer reflective coating disposed on the optical elements. The reflective coating reflects light back into the optical elements so that it can be returned toward the light source. The multilayer reflective coating has multiple polymer layers and has layers that possess different refractive indices.

Abstract: A portable stress monitor is provided for monitoring conditions under which physiological activity is occurring. The conditions monitored may be environmental, such as ambient temperature and humidity, or physiological, such as heart rate or body temperature. The monitor includes a main body portion and a hinged cover. The hinged cover includes a removable sensor module. One or more sensors are attached to the sensor module, each sensor may be pivotally mounted on a mast, such that the sensors extend outwardly from the hinged cover when the sensor module is in the deployed position and may be pivoted to sit substantially flush with the hinged cover when the sensor module is in the storage position. A central processing unit is contained within the main body, and is operable to process data acquired by the sensors according to a heat strain algorithm. A display is attached to the outer surface of the main body for providing read out information, and an input device is provided for user input.

Abstract: Microspheres comprise a polymer including one or more of 1) a plurality of C3 or larger alpha-olefin units wherein the C3 or larger alpha-olefin units are incorporated into the polymer so as to give an average number of less than one branch point per C3 or larger alpha-olefin unit, 2) a plurality of C2 alpha-olefin units wherein the C2 alpha-olefin units are incorporated so as to give an average number of branch points greater than 0.01 per C2 alpha-olefin unit, and 3) cyclopentene or substituted cyclopentene, the microspheres having an average diameter in the range of 1 to 300 micrometers. Optionally, the polymer of the microspheres can be crosslinked. The microspheres can be prepared by suspension or dispersion polymerization processes using aqueous or organic reaction media. Powder coatings can be prepared from the microspheres.

Abstract: A retroreflective article that has a layer of optical elements and a multilayer reflective coating disposed on the optical elements. The reflective coating reflects light back into the optical elements so that it can be returned toward the light source. The multilayer reflective coating has multiple polymer layers and has layers that possess different refractive indices.

Abstract: A method for making retroreflective articles that have a layer of optical elements and a multilayer reflective coating disposed on the optical elements. The reflective coating reflects light back into the optical elements so that it can be returned toward the light source. The multilayer reflective coating has at least one polymer layer made by condensing a curing a pre-polymer vapor.

Abstract: A retroreflective article that has a layer of optical elements and a multilayer reflective coating disposed on the optical elements. The reflective coating reflects light back into the optical elements so that it can be returned toward the light source. The multilayer reflective coating has multiple polymer layers and has layers that possess different refractive indices.

Abstract: A new baseball and softball practice device for improving a ball player's skills in pitching, throwing, and hitting. The inventive device includes a length of protective nylon netting. A support frame is provided that is comprised of a pair of opposed folding legs. The support fame includes a top panel and a pair of lower support panels. The support frame is positionable in front of the protective nylon netting. A target is secured between the pair of opposed folding legs of the support frame.