Abstract: The invention discloses a flexible container sleeve structure, which includes an elongated sleeve defining in series containers and having front and back panels joined to each other along their elongated sides; a first gusset formation provided between the front and back panels forming a base; a second gusset formation provided between the front and back panels forming a top; and a curvature provided in the sides of the front and back panels. The containers being defined by the front and back panels and the gusset formations. The front panel may be imprinted with a graphic of a wine barrel or beer keg. The curvature is convexly curved from the top to the base, thereby adapted to assist in creating the impression of a barrel or keg.

Abstract: The invention discloses a flexible container sleeve structure, which includes an elongated sleeve defining in series containers and having front and back panels joined to each other along their elongated sides; a first gusset formation provided between the front and back panels forming a base; a second gusset formation provided between the front and back panels forming a top; and a curvature provided in the sides of the front and back panels. The containers being defined by the front and back panels and the gusset formations. The front panel may be imprinted with a graphic of a wine barrel or beer keg. The curvature is convexly curved from the top to the base, thereby adapted to assist in creating the impression of a barrel or keg.

Abstract: An interferometry method for determining information about a test object includes directing test light to the test object positioned at a plane, wherein one or more properties of the test light vary over a range of incidence angles at the plane, the properties of the test light being selected from the group consisting of the spectral content, intensity, and polarization state; subsequently combining the test light with reference light to form an interference pattern on a multi-element detector so that different regions of the detector correspond to different angles of the test light emerging from the test object, wherein the test and reference light are derived from a common source; monitoring the interference pattern using the multi-element detector while varying an optical path difference between the test light and the reference light; determining the information about the test object based on the monitored interference pattern.

Abstract: A method includes fitting a function to a subset of reflectivity data comprising values for the reflectivity of a test object for different wavelengths, different scattering angles, and/or different polarization states; determining values for the function at certain wavelengths and scattering angles and/or polarization states; and determining information about the test object based on the determined values.

Abstract: Optical gratings that perform a number of functions at various wavelengths are formed by various methods that preserve spectral information within a wavelength band, the functions including: coupling radiation from one waveguide to another, controllable gratings that operate on different wavelengths in response to external control signals.

Abstract: An optical component including at least one optical supergrating is provided. The optical supergrating includes a quantized refractive index profile adapted to exhibit a finite plurality of refractive indexes; which in turn are adapted to generate a reflectance spectrum in at least one spectral band corresponding to a Fourier transformed analog refractive index profile.

Abstract: An optical waveguide has a surface. An array of separately actuated bodies is disposed proximal to the exposed surface, and an actuator separately actuates at least some of the bodies to change a spectral characteristic of a wave propagating through the waveguide. Preferably, the bodies are metal striplines, an electro-optical material is disposed between the striplines and the exposed surface, and the actuator is a CMOS chip that imposes a voltage to some or all of the lines. The voltage changes the refractive index at the interface with the surface, changing an index of refraction profile of the waveguide and effectively imposing a grating. Alternatively, the bodies are micro-beams and the actuator, also controlled by a CMOS chip, separately moves each micro-beam into and out of proximity to the surface. The grating is programmable via the CMOS chip.

Abstract: Optical gratings that perform a number of functions at various wavelengths are formed by various methods that preserve spectral information within a wavelength band, the functions including: coupling radiation from one waveguide to another, controllable gratings that operate on different wavelengths in response to external control signals.

Abstract: Optical gratings that perform a number of functions at various wavelengths are formed by various methods that preserve spectral information within a wavelength band, the functions including: coupling radiation from one waveguide to another, controllable gratings that operate on different wavelengths in response to external control signals.

Abstract: An optical waveguide has a surface. An array of separately actuated bodies is disposed proximal to the exposed surface, and an actuator separately actuates at least some of the bodies to change a spectral characteristic of a wave propagating through the waveguide. Preferably, the bodies are metal striplines, an electro-optical material is disposed between the striplines and the exposed surface, and the actuator is a CMOS chip that imposes a voltage to some or all of the lines. The voltage changes the refractive index at the interface with the surface, changing an index of refraction profile of the waveguide and effectively imposing a grating. Alternatively, the bodies are micro-beams and the actuator, also controlled by a CMOS chip, separately moves each micro-beam into and out of proximity to the surface. The grating is programmable via the CMOS chip.

Abstract: In a first embodiment a polyoxetane-polyester polymer comprising a hydroxyl terminated polyoxetane prepolymer containing repeat units derived from polymerized oxetane monomers having one or two pendant —CH2—O— (CH2)n-Rf groups wherein Rf is partially or fully fluorinated, where the polyoxetane prepolymer is esterified with polyester forming reactants to form the polyoxetane-polyester polymer, and said polymer is mixed with a reactive lower alkyl etherified melamine formaldehyde to form a thermoformable coating composition. In a second embodiment, the coating composition is based on a polyester mixed with the lower alkyl etherified melamine formaldehyde and is substantially free of the polyoxetane. The coating composition is partially cured in a first stage heating at less than about 180° F. to provide a thermoformable partially cured, tack-free, non-blocking, coating layer, followed by application to generally a contoured substrate and thermoformed to conform thereto.

Abstract: A polyoxetane-polyester polymer comprising a hydroxyl terminated polyoxetane prepolymer containing repeat units derived from polymerized oxetane monomers having one or two pendant —CH2—O—(CH2)n—Rf groups wherein Rf is partially or fully fluorinated, where the polyoxetane prepolymer is esterified with polyester forming reactants to form the polyoxetane-polyester polymer, and said polymer is mixed with a reactive lower alkyl etherified melamine-formaldehyde to form a thermoformable coating composition. The coating composition is partially cured in a first stage heating at less than about 180° F. to provide a thermoformable partially cured, tack-free, non-blocking, coating layer, followed by application to generally a contoured substrate and thermoformed to conform thereto. The contoured partially cured coating layer is then heat cured at temperatures above at least 180° F. for time sufficient to form a cured coating.