Abstract: A durable radio frequency identification tag. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a durable radio frequency identification tag comprising: a flexible substrate including a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface; a radio frequency identification antenna attached to the first major surface of the substrate; an integrated circuit attached to the antenna; and a thermoplastic guard attached to the flexible substrate adjacent the integrated circuit. The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing a durable radio frequency identification tag.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a sales plan using information gathered from an item monitoring system. In one embodiment of the a method of adjusting a sales plan, the method comprises the steps of: providing a sales plan related to items; providing an item monitoring system, comprising: at least one sensor, wherein the sensor senses a plurality of items in a first amount of space associated with the sensor, wherein the sensor is capable of sensing both items containing metal and items containing no metal; a communications network; and a computer, wherein the computer receives information from the sensor through the communications network; gathering information from the item monitoring system during a first instance; processing the information to determine the quantity of items within the first amount of space at the first instance; and adjusting the sales plan related to items based on the information processed.

Abstract: An environmentally friendly radio frequency identification (RFID) label. One embodiment of the invention provides an environmentally friendly radio frequency identification (RFID) label, comprising: a substrate including a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface; an RFID antenna attached to the first major surface of the substrate, where the RFID antenna is consisting essentially of tin, aluminum, palladium, gold, or combinations thereof; an integrated circuit attached to the antenna; and a first layer of repulpable adhesive attached to the substrate. The present invention also provides methods using environmentally friendly radio frequency identification (RFID) labels.

Abstract: An item monitoring system and method of using an item monitoring system. The present invention relates more particularly to an item monitoring system including a sensor, that senses a plurality of items in a first amount of space associated with the sensor and that senses both items containing metal and items containing no metal, a communications network, and a computer that receives information from the sensor through the communications network. The present invention also relates more particularly to a method of monitoring items to determine the number of items within a first amount of space associated with the sensor.

Abstract: An item monitoring system and method of using an item monitoring system. The present invention relates more particularly to an item monitoring system including a sensor, that senses a plurality of items in a first amount of space associated with the sensor and that senses both items containing metal and items containing no metal, a communications network, and a computer that receives information from the sensor through the communications network. The present invention also relates more particularly to a method of monitoring items to determine the number of items within a first amount of space associated with the sensor.

Abstract: A durable radio frequency identification tag. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a durable radio frequency identification tag comprising: a flexible substrate including a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface; a radio frequency identification antenna attached to the first major surface of the substrate; an integrated circuit attached to the antenna; and a thermoplastic guard attached to the flexible substrate adjacent the integrated circuit. The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing a durable radio frequency identification tag.

Abstract: A composite article includes a paper substrate, at least a portion of which is saturated with either a polymerizable ring-strained olefin monomer or the polymerization product of such a monomer. The polymerization of such monomers are catalyzed by transition metal-containing species. These paper saturated articles are useful as, inter alia, packaging materials, release liners, and backings.

Abstract: Folded radio frequency identification tag devices and methods for high-volume, low-cost production are disclosed. The folded construction of the devices and methods of the present invention can reduce the complexity of the RFID tags by providing a one-sided circuit design. The resonant frequency of the circuits formed on the devices may be tuned by severing selected connections to one or more tuning capacitor plates that form a part of the capacitor structure. Severing connections to the tuning capacitor plates changes the capacitance of the circuit which, in turn, changes the resonant frequency of the circuit.

Abstract: Microspheres comprise a polymer or copolymer including one or more of 1) a plurality of C3 or larger alpha-olefin units wherein the polymer has an average number of branch points less than one per monomer unit, and 2) a plurality of C2 alpha-olefin units wherein the polymer has an average number of branch points greater than 0.01 per monomer unit, 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.

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 polymerizable composition comprises an alpha-olefin hydrocarbon monomer, an effective amount of an organometallic catalyst of a Group VIII metal, preferably Ni or Pd, and at least one of water and air. Novel catalysts for polymerizing alpha-olefin hydrocarbon monomers provide improved processes and products. Methods of the invention include polymerizing the composition in open air and in the presence of water to provide novel polymers.

Abstract: A polymerizable composition comprises an alpha-olefin hydrocarbon monomer, an effective amount of an organometallic catalyst of a Group VIII metal, preferably Ni or Pd, and at least one of water and air. Novel catalysts for polymerizing alpha-olefin hydrocarbon monomers provide improved processes and products. Methods of the invention include polymerizing the composition in open air and in the presence of water to provide novel polymers.

Abstract: A process that involves the packaged polymerization of olefinic monomer(s) and catalyst systems comprising a transition metal species that mediates the polymerization of the monomer(s) is disclosed. This process provides a way to use the resultant polymer without extensive further processing.

Abstract: A process that involves the in-line polymerization of olefinic monomer(s) and catalyst systems comprising a transition metal species that mediates the polymerization of the monomer(s) is disclosed. This process provides the immediate use of the resultant polymer without extensive further processing.

Abstract: A polymerizable composition comprises at least one ring-strained non-conjugated cyclic olefin, a two-part transition metal-containing catalyst wherein said transition metal is selected from the group consisting of Periodic Groups 6 to 10, said catalyst being air and moisture stable and comprises a transition metal-containing catalyst, provided that the oxidation state of the transition metal is in the range of +3 to 0, and as cocatalyst an organosilane comprising at least one group selected from the group consisting of ##STR1## groups.

Abstract: Materials, particularly wood materials and calcium carbonate-containing materials such as concrete and marble, can be protected from the growth of algae by being treated with a compound containing tin covalently bonded to a silylating group such that cleavage of the covalent bonds due to hydrolysis or photolysis is minimized, thus making the treatment ecologically safe. One such compound is (n-Bu).sub.3 SnCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Si(OEt).sub.3. The tin compound can either be incorporated into raw materials from which materials are to be made, or it can be applied to the finished materials. When the tin compound is applied to a material that is algae streaked, the streaking should disappear.

Abstract: Energy polymerizable compositions comprising at least one cyanate monomer and as curing agent an organometallic compound are disclosed. The compositions are useful in applications requiring high performance, such as high temperature performance; in composites, particularly structural composities; structural adhesives; tooling for structural composities; electronic applications such as printed wiring boards and semiconductor encapsulants; graphic arts; injection molding and prepregs; and high performance binders.

Abstract: An energy polymerizable composition comprises at least one ethylenically-unsaturated monomer, one of polyurethane precursors, and at least one epoxy monomer, and a curing agent comprising an organometallic compound, and an onium salt.

Abstract: An energy polymerizable composition comprises at least one ethylenically-unsaturated monomer, one of polyurethane precursors, and at least one epoxy monomer, and a curing agent comprising an organometallic compound, and an onium salt.

Abstract: Building materials such as concrete can be protected from the growth of algae by being treated with a compound containing tin covalently bonded to a silylating group such that cleavage of the covalent bonds due to hydrolysis or photolysis is minimized, thus making the treatment ecologically safe. One such compound is (n-Bu).sub.3 SnCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Si(OEt).sub.3. The tin compound can either be incorporated into raw materials from which building materials are to be made, or it can be applied to the finished building materials. When the tin compound is applied to a building material that is algae streaked, the streaking should disappear.