Abstract: A display system includes a programmable display panel having a viewing side and a back side, and a backlight unit disposed on the back side of the display panel. The backlight unit includes a fluted plate having a front layer facing the display panel, a back layer and connecting members connecting the front and back layers. Flutes are formed between the front and back layers and the connecting members. One or more light sources are disposed within at least one of the flutes of the fluted plate.

Abstract: A display system includes a display panel and a backlight disposed behind the display panel. The backlight has a light guide and at least one light source that directs light into an edge of the light guide. The light guide comprises a front layer facing the display panel, a back layer facing away from the display panel, and a plurality of connecting members connecting the front and back layers. The spaces formed between the connecting members and the upper and the first and second layers are referred to as flutes. Light from the light source may propagate along the flutes.

Abstract: A display system has a light source, a display panel and an arrangement of light management layers disposed between the light source and the display panel. The light source illuminates the display panel through the arrangement of light management layers. The arrangement of light management layers includes a fluted plate that has a front layer facing the display panel, a back layer facing the light source, and a plurality of connecting members connecting the front and back layers. In some embodiments the fluted plate includes a first light management layer, a cross member substantially parallel to, and spaced apart from, the first light management layer, and an arrangement of first connecting members connecting the cross member and the first light management layer.

Abstract: An optical assembly includes a light diffusing layer attached to a reflective polarizing layer. An intermediate region between the light diffusing layer and the reflective polarizing layer includes an intermediate structure that defines voids between the light diffusing layer and the reflective polarizing layer.

Abstract: The disclosure describes an optical article having a reflective polarizer, a light diffusing layer, and an adhesive layer disposed between the reflective polarizer and the light diffusing layer. The adhesive layer bonds the reflective polarizer and the light diffusing layer together. The adhesive includes a (meth)acrylate monomer and a reinforcing monomer comprising an acid or base functionality.

Abstract: A foamed pressure sensitive adhesive article is disclosed. The article includes a polymeric mixture containing a styrenic block copolymer and a polyarylene oxide polymer. Voids are formed in the polymeric mixture by expanding polymeric microspheres. The resulting foamed article contains numerous voids having substantially non-adhesive interiors that are compressible without collapsing. The invention is also directed to methods of making foamed pressure sensitive adhesive articles.

Abstract: In a directly-illuminated liquid crystal display (LCD), for example an LCD monitor or an LCD-TV, a number of light management layers lie between the light source and the LCD panel to provide bright, uniform illumination. The light management layers, including, for example, a diffuser, a reflective polarizer and a brightness enhancing layer, are contained in a light management unit that is formed from two subassemblies. The two subassemblies each contain a substrate and are attached together so as to leave a gap between the two subassemblies. The diffuser is located in one of the subassemblies, and the other light management layers may be in either of the subassemblies, or may be disposed in the gap between the subassemblies.

Abstract: In a directly-illuminated liquid crystal display (LCD), for example an LCD monitor or an LCD-TV, a number of light management films, including a diffuser layer, lie between the light source and the LCD panel to provide bright, uniform illumination. The diffuser layer is attached to a substrate which is separate from the light source and the LCD panel, or may be attached to either the LCD panel or, when using a two dimensional light source, to the light source. The other light management layers may also be attached to the separate substrate or to the LCD panel or two-dimensional light source. High levels of illumination uniformity at the LCD may be achieved with a uniform (non-patterned) diffuser, even with relatively low levels of diffusion, when the diffuser is used with a brightness enhancing layer.

Abstract: In a liquid crystal display (LCD), for example an LCD monitor or an LCD-TV, a number of light management films, including a diffuser layer, lie between the light source and the LCD panel to provide bright, uniform illumination. In some embodiments, the diffuser layer is attached to the lower side of the LCD panel. Some, or all, of the light management layers may be attached together as a laminated stack of films. In some embodiments, the diffuser layer is formed with a recessed region on one side and another optical film positioned within the recessed region.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for producing a polypropylene foam by mixing a high melt strength polypropylene and a blowing agent to form a melt mixture, reducing the temperature of the melt mixture at the exit of the apparatus to an exit temperature that is no more than 30° C. above the melt temperature of the neat polypropylene while maintaining the melt mixture at a pressure sufficient to prevent foaming; passing the mixture through said exit shaping orifice and exposing the mixture to atmospheric pressure, whereby the blowing agent expands causing cell formation resulting in foam formation, and orienting said foam. The foam is useful as tape backings, thermal and acoustical insulation and as a diffuse reflector for use in optical applications such as computer displays.