Abstract: A non-foamed aqueous composition has a 5-50% solids and a zero shear viscosity of 100-1000 mPa-sec at 25° C. This composition has at least the four components: i) porous particles at 0.1-20 weight %, and optionally an opacifying colorant; ii) a film-forming binder material comprising at least a chlorinated polymer at 4-20 weight %; iii) a white inorganic particulate filler material having a refraction index (RI) greater than 2 and a median particle size of less than 1 ?m, at 2-15 weight %; and iv) a white low-density particulate hydrated alumina having a median particle size of less than or equal to 3 ?m, at 2-16 weight %. This non-foamed aqueous composition can be applied to fabric substrates to reduce outside light glare without changing inside light coloration and light-blocking properties.

Abstract: A non-foamed aqueous composition can be applied to fabric substrates to provide non-foamed light-attenuating coatings in resulting coated fabric substrates that produce reduced glare from incident outside light. The non-foamed aqueous composition used to make these coated fabric substrates has a 5-50% solids and a zero shear viscosity of 100-1000 mPa-sec at 25° C. This composition has components i) through iv): i) porous particles at 0.1-20 weight %, and optionally an opacifying colorant; ii) a film-forming binder material comprising at least a chlorinated polymer at 4-20 weight %; iii) a white inorganic particulate filler material having a refraction index (RI) greater than 2 and a median particle size of less than 1 ?m, at 5-16 weight %; and iv) a white low-density particulate hydrated alumina having a median particle size of less than or equal to 3 ?m, at 2-16 weight %.

Abstract: An opacifying article can be made using a (i) fabric having a face side and a back side and an (ii) opacifying element having a substrate that has first and second opposing surfaces; and a dry opacifying layer that has an inner surface and an outer surface. The dry opacifying layer is disposed with its inner surface in contact with the first opposing surface of the substrate. The dry opacifying layer has (a) 40-90 weight % of porous particles, each having a continuous polymeric phase and discrete pores dispersed within the continuous polymeric phase. The porous particles have a mode particle size of 2-50 ?m and a porosity of 20-70 volume %. The dry opacifying layer also contains (b) 10-60 weight % of a binder material. The (ii) opacifying element is laminated to the back side of the fabric to provide the opacifying article.

Abstract: A method is designed to prepare foamed, opacifying elements each having a target light blocking value (LBVT) of at least 3, using a textile fabric substrate with a light blocking value (LBVS). The LBVT-S difference is calculated; a foamable aqueous composition is chosen; a dry coating weight for the foamable aqueous composition (when foamed) is determined to form a single dry opacifying layer that is foamed, dried, and densified to provide a dry thickness at least 20% less than the original dry thickness. The single dry opacifying layer a has light blocking value that is equal to LBVT-S, ±15%. The desired foamable aqueous composition can be chosen from a set of similar compositions to achieve the desired LBVT with the noted textile fabric substrate using suitable mathematical formula relating dry coating weight to light blocking value and a suitable data processor.

Abstract: A coated yarn has a yarn core and a coating disposed coaxially on the yarn core. This coating contains: (i) porous particles present in an amount of at least 4 weight % and up to and including 20 weight %, each porous particle comprising a continuous polymeric phase and discrete pores dispersed within the continuous polymeric phase, having a mode particle size of 2-50 ?m and up to and including 50 ?m; (ii) a film-forming binder material having a Tg of less than or equal to 25° C., which is present in an amount of 40-90 weight %; and (iii) an inorganic filler material having a value of less than 5 on the MOHS scale of mineral hardness, which inorganic filler material is present in an amount of 4 weight % and up to and including 30 weight %.

Abstract: A light-blocking article is designed to be lightweight but effective to block most incident actinic radiation and can be designed into fabrics, curtains, and other materials. Such an article has an opacifying layer that is capable of blocking predetermined electromagnetic radiation. The article contains (a) porous particles comprising a continuous polymeric binder and pores within the continuous polymeric binder, the porous particles having a glass transition temperature of at least 25° C. and a mode particle size of at least 2 ?m and up to and including 50 ?m. The article also contains an opacifying colorant that absorbs the predetermined electromagnetic radiation (such as within 400 nm to 700 nm), in an amount of at least 0.001 weight % based on the total dry weight of the opacifying layer, and a matrix polymer in which the porous particles and opacifying colorant are dispersed.

Abstract: A foamed, opacifying element is prepared to have a light-blocking value (LBV) of at least 4. A method is carried out in a specific order with a unique series of steps including: providing a unique foamable aqueous composition; aerating that foamable aqueous composition to a foam density of at least 0.1-0.5 g/cm3; disposing the foamed aqueous composition onto a surface of a porous substrate; drying the foamed aqueous composition without substantial curing of the binder material therein, to provide a dry foamed composition on the surface, without substantial curing; densifying the dry foamed composition to provide a dry opacifying layer in a foamed, opacifying element; and curing the dry opacifying layer in the foamed, opacifying element.

Abstract: An opacifying article has a (i) fabric having a face side and a back side and an (ii) opacifying element having a substrate that has first and second opposing surfaces; and a dry opacifying layer that has an inner surface and an outer surface. The dry opacifying layer is disposed with its inner surface in contact with the first opposing surface of the substrate. The dry opacifying layer has (a) 40-90 weight % of porous particles, each having a continuous polymeric phase and discrete pores dispersed within the continuous polymeric phase. The porous particles have a mode particle size of 2-50 ?m and a porosity of 20-70 volume %. The dry opacifying layer also contains (b) 10-60 weight % of a binder material. The (ii) opacifying element is laminated to the back side of the fabric to provide the opacifying article.

Abstract: A fabric substrate is prepared from woven coated yarns. Each coated yarn has a yarn core and a coating disposed coaxially on the yarn core. This coating contains: (i) porous particles in an amount of 4-20 weight %, each porous particle comprising a continuous polymeric phase and discrete pores dispersed within the continuous polymeric phase, a mode particle size of 2-50 ?m; (ii) a film-forming binder material having a Tg of less than or equal to 25° C., in an amount of 40-90 weight %; and (iii) an inorganic filler material having a value of less than 5 on the MOHS scale of mineral hardness, which inorganic filler material is present in an amount of 4-30 weight %.

Abstract: An aqueous composition is used to clad yarn cores to provide unique coated yarns. This aqueous composition contains: (i) porous particles present in an amount of at least 2 weight % and up to and including 10 weight %, each porous particle comprising a continuous polymeric phase and discrete pores dispersed within the continuous polymeric phase, the porous particles having a mode particle size of 2-50 ?m; (ii) a film-forming binder material having a Tg of less than or equal to 25° C., that is present in an amount of 25-60 weight %; (iii) an inorganic filler material having a value of less than 5 on the MOHS scale of mineral hardness, in an amount of at least 2-15 weight %; and (iv) an aqueous medium in an amount of at least 35 weight % in which the film-forming binder material is soluble or dispersible.

Abstract: A foamed, opacifying element has a porous substrate composed of woven yarn strands composed of a thermoplastic polymer-coated multifilament core. It has a dry foamed composition on an opposing surface of the substrate, which includes: (a) 0.1-40 weight % of porous particles; (b) 10-80 weight %; (c) 0.2-50 weight % of one or more additives selected from the group consisting of dispersants, plasticizers, flame retardants, optical brighteners, thickeners, biocides, fungicides, tinting colorants, metal flakes, and inert inorganic or organic fillers; (d) less than 5 weight % of water; and (e) at least 0.002 weight % of an opacifying colorant different from all of the one or more additives of (c), which opacifying colorant absorbs electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of 380-800 nm. The elements have a light-blocking value (LBV) of at least 4 and can have a bending stiffness that is greater than 0.15 milliNewtons-meter.

Abstract: A coated yarn has a yarn core and a coating disposed coaxially on the yarn core. This coating contains: (i) porous particles present in an amount of at least 4 weight % and up to and including 20 weight %, each porous particle comprising a continuous polymeric phase and discrete pores dispersed within the continuous polymeric phase, having a mode particle size of 2-50 ?m and up to and including 50 ?m; (ii) a film-forming binder material having a Tg of less than or equal to 25° C., which is present in an amount of 40-90 weight %; and (iii) an inorganic filler material having a value of less than 5 on the MOHS scale of mineral hardness, which inorganic filler material is present in an amount of 4 weight % and up to and including 30 weight %.

Abstract: An aqueous composition is used to clad yarn cores to provide unique coated yarns. This aqueous composition contains: (i) porous particles present in an amount of at least 2 weight % and up to and including 10 weight %, each porous particle comprising a continuous polymeric phase and discrete pores dispersed within the continuous polymeric phase, the porous particles having a mode particle size of 2-50 ?m; (ii) a film-forming binder material having a Tg of less than or equal to 25° C., that is present in an amount of 25-60 weight %; (iii) an inorganic filler material having a value of less than 5 on the MOHS scale of mineral hardness, in an amount of at least 2-15 weight %; and (iv) an aqueous medium in an amount of at least 35 weight % in which the film-forming binder material is soluble or dispersible.

Abstract: A fabric substrate is prepared from woven coated yarns. Each coated yarn has a yarn core and a coating disposed coaxially on the yarn core. This coating contains: (i) porous particles in an amount of 4-20 weight %, each porous particle comprising a continuous polymeric phase and discrete pores dispersed within the continuous polymeric phase, a mode particle size of 2-50 ?m; (ii) a film-forming binder material having a Tg of less than or equal to 25° C., in an amount of 40-90 weight %; and (iii) an inorganic filler material having a value of less than 5 on the MOHS scale of mineral hardness, which inorganic filler material is present in an amount of 4-30 weight %.

Abstract: An opacifying article can be made using a (i) fabric having a face side and a back side and an (ii) opacifying element having a substrate that has first and second opposing surfaces; and a dry opacifying layer that has an inner surface and an outer surface. The dry opacifying layer is disposed with its inner surface in contact with the first opposing surface of the substrate. The dry opacifying layer has (a) 40-90 weight % of porous particles, each having a continuous polymeric phase and discrete pores dispersed within the continuous polymeric phase. The porous particles have a mode particle size of 2-50 ?m and a porosity of 20-70 volume %. The dry opacifying layer also contains (b) 10-60 weight % of a binder material. The (ii) opacifying element is laminated to the back side of the fabric to provide the opacifying article.

Abstract: An opacifying article has a (i) fabric having a face side and a back side and an (ii) opacifying element having a substrate that has first and second opposing surfaces; and a dry opacifying layer that has an inner surface and an outer surface. The dry opacifying layer is disposed with its inner surface in contact with the first opposing surface of the substrate. The dry opacifying layer has (a) 40-90 weight % of porous particles, each having a continuous polymeric phase and discrete pores dispersed within the continuous polymeric phase. The porous particles have a mode particle size of 2-50 ?m and a porosity of 20-70 volume %. The dry opacifying layer also contains (b) 10-60 weight % of a binder material. The (ii) opacifying element is laminated to the back side of the fabric to provide the opacifying article.

Abstract: A foamed, opacifying element is prepared to have a light-blocking value (LBV) of at least 4. A method is carried out in a specific order with a unique series of steps including: providing a unique foamable aqueous composition; aerating that foamable aqueous composition to a foam density of at least 0.1-0.5 g/cm3; disposing the foamed aqueous composition onto a surface of a porous substrate; drying the foamed aqueous composition without substantial curing of the binder material therein, to provide a dry foamed composition on the surface, without substantial curing; densifying the dry foamed composition to provide a dry opacifying layer in a foamed, opacifying element; and curing the dry opacifying layer in the foamed, opacifying element.

Abstract: A method is designed to prepare foamed, opacifying elements each having a target light blocking value (LBVT) of at least 3, using a textile fabric substrate with a light blocking value (LBVS). The LBVT-S difference is calculated; a foamable aqueous composition is chosen; a dry coating weight for the foamable aqueous composition (when foamed) is determined to form a single dry opacifying layer that is foamed, dried, and densified to provide a dry thickness at least 20% less than the original dry thickness. The single dry opacifying layer a has light blocking value that is equal to LBVT-S, ±15%. The desired foamable aqueous composition can be chosen from a set of similar compositions to achieve the desired LBVT with the noted textile fabric substrate using suitable mathematical formula relating dry coating weight to light blocking value and a suitable data processor.

Abstract: A foamable aqueous composition can be used to form foamed, opacifying elements. These compositions have: (a) 0.5 to 20 weight % of porous particles having a continuous polymeric phase and discrete pores dispersed therein. The porous particles have a mode particle size of 2 to 50 ?m; (b) at least 20 weight % of a binder material; (c) 0.1 to 30 weight % of additives including dispersants, plasticizers, inorganic or organic pigments and dyes, thickeners, flame retardants, biocides, fungicides, optical brighteners, tinting colorants, metal flakes, and inorganic or organic fillers; (d) water; and (e) at least 0.001 weight % of an opacifying colorant different from (c). The foamable aqueous composition is suitably aerated, disposed on a porous substrate, dried, and crushed on the porous substrate. The method can be used to provide such elements with one or more dry foamed layers.

Abstract: A foamable aqueous composition can be used to form foamed, opacifying elements with one or more dry foamed layers. These compositions generally contain: (a) 0.5 to 20 weight % of porous particles comprising a continuous polymeric phase and discrete pores dispersed within the continuous polymeric phase. The porous particles have a mode particle size of 2 to 50 ?m; (b) at least 20 weight % of a binder material; (c) 0.1 to 30 weight % of a combination of various additives including dispersants, plasticizers, inorganic or organic pigments and dyes, flame retardants, biocides, fungicides, optical brighteners, tinting colorants, metal flakes, and inorganic or organic fillers; (d) water; and (e) at least 0.001 weight % of an opacifying colorant different from (c). The foamable aqueous composition is suitably aerated, disposed on a porous substrate, dried, and crushed on the porous substrate to form a foamed, opacifying element.