Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for applying coatings on a baggy web are provided. A Mayer rod and a back-up roll engage with each other to form a nip. The back-up roll has a deformable inner layer with a surface thereof covered by a deformable outer layer. The Mayer rod and the flexible web at a contacting area are impressed into the back-up roll with a machine-direction nip width W and a nip engagement depth D, which enables formation of a coating having a substantially uniform thickness.

Abstract: Described herein is an article having a microsphere layer comprising a monolayer of microspheres, the monolayer of microspheres comprising a first area substantially free of microspheres and a second area comprising a plurality of randomly-distributed microspheres, wherein the monolayer of microspheres comprises a predetermined pattern, the predetermined pattern comprises at least one of (i) a plurality of the first areas, (ii) a plurality of the second areas, and (iii) combinations thereof; and (b) a bead bonding layer disposed on the microsphere layer, wherein the plurality of microspheres are partially embedded in a first major surface of the bead bonding layer, wherein the article has a retroreflectivity (Ra) of less than 5.0 candelas/lux/square meter. Also disclosed herein are transfer carriers and methods of making the articles and transfer carriers.

Abstract: Surface-modified adhesives may be prepared by contacting an adhesive layer to an at least partially discontinuous layer on a releasing substrate and removing the adhesive layer such that at least a portion of the at least partially discontinuous layer adheres to the adhesive surface. The modified adhesive surface remains an adhesive surface. The modified adhesive layer can be used to prepare adhesive articles, including articles containing multiple surface-modified adhesive layers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for applying liquid coatings are provided. A first roll (14), a second roll (16), and a nip (146) formed between the first and second rolls are provided. A coating liquid (22) is supplied to the nip. The coating liquid is smoothed, via the nip, into a substantially uniform layer (22a) of liquid coating which is transferred to a substrate (12). The second roll (16) includes a thin metal shell (40) and a resilient layer (30), the thin metal shell encases the resilient layer therebeneath, and the thin metal shell is capable of deflecting in unison with the resilient layer such that the thin metal shell is elastically deformable at the nip when in contact with the first roll (14).

Abstract: A process for applying a coating material onto a substrate as a non-uniform discontinuous pattern of coating material, the method including the present disclosure describes a method of applying a coating material onto a substrate, including providing a first distribution manifold having a cavity and a multiplicity of first dispensing outlets in fluid communication with the cavity, creating relative motion between a substrate and the dispensing outlets in a first direction; dispensing a first coating material from the dispensing outlets while maintaining the relative motion and translating the multiplicity of dispensing outlets in a second direction non-parallel to the first direction, and varying a rate of dispensing of the first coating material in a predetermined fashion to form a discontinuous pattern of the first coating material on a major surface of the substrate. Useful non-uniformly patterned coated articles can be prepared using the process.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to prismatic retroreflective articles that includes a security mark and to methods of making such articles.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to transfer tapes, segmented and non-segmented which include at least one graphics layer. The transfer tapes include a removable template layer, a transfer layer which includes a backfill layer, having at least one first graphics layer, and an adhesive layer. Segmented transfer tapes further at least one transferable segment, at least one non-transferable segment in the segmented transfer tape and include at least one kerf. The present disclosure also provides optical assemblies, e.g. micro-optical assemblies, which may be fabricated from the transfer tapes which include at least one graphics layer. The present disclosure also provides methods of forming the transfer tapes and methods of making the micro optical assemblies.

Abstract: A stretchable conductor includes a substrate with a first major surface and an elongate wire, wherein the substrate is an elastomeric material, the elongate wire is on the first major surface of the substrate, the wire includes a first end and a second end, and further includes at least one arcuate region between the first end and the second end. At least one portion of the arcuate region of the wire in the region has a first surface area portion embedded in the surface of the substrate and a second surface area portion unembedded on the substrate and exposed in an amount sufficient to render at least an area of the substrate in the region electrically conductive. The unembedded second surface portion of the arcuate region may lie above or below a plane of the substrate. Additionally, different methods of preparing said stretchable conductor are disclosed. Composite articles including said stretchable conductor in durable electrical contact with a conductive fabric are also disclosed.

Abstract: Electronic devices including a layer of polymeric material and solid semiconductor dies partially embedded in the layer are provided. The dies have first ends projecting away from the first major surface of the layer. The electronic devices can be formed by sinking the first ends of the dies into a major surface of a liner. A flowable polymeric material is filled into the space between the dies and solidified to form the layer of polymeric material. The first ends of the dies are exposed by delaminating the liner from the first ends of the dies. Electrical conductors are provided on the layer to connect the first ends of the dies.

Abstract: A method of forming a fibrin hydrogel composition including providing one or more unitary masses of a fibrin hydrogel, dividing at least one of the unitary masses of the fibrin hydrogel into a multiplicity of smaller pieces of the fibrin hydrogel, and recombining at least a portion of the smaller pieces into a cohesive mass. Dividing at least one of the unitary masses of fibrin hydrogel into a multiplicity of smaller pieces may include shearing or cutting the unitary masses to form an aqueous dispersion of the fibrin hydrogel in an aqueous medium. The aqueous dispersion of fibrin hydrogel may be applied to a substrate on a roller or an endless belt, and is optionally overlaid by a scrim. The cohesive mass of fibrin hydrogel, which may be formed by removing at least a portion of the aqueous medium from the aqueous dispersion of the smaller pieces of the fibrin hydrogel, finds uses in wound dressing articles.

Abstract: Electrically conductive patterns formed on a substrate are provided with a reduced visibility. A region of a major surface of the substrate is selectively roughened to form a roughened pattern on the major surface of the substrate. Electrically conductive traces are directly formed on the roughened region and are conformal with the roughened pattern on the major surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A composite article having a conductive layer on at least a portion of a flexible substrate. Electrical connectivity between various portions of the substrate can be obtained through this conductive layer. The conductive layer comprises a conductive surface, and there is a patterned layer on at least a portion of a first region of the conductive surface. The patterned layer comprises a conductive material having a surface roughness, and is in electrical contact with the conductive surface. An overcoat layer is present on at least a portion of the first region, such that the overcoat layer has a thickness less than the surface roughness, such that the conductive layer within the first region is covered by the overcoat layer, and such that at least a portion of the patterned layer substantially protrudes above the overcoat layer.

Abstract: A composite article includes a conductive layer on at least a portion of a flexible substrate, wherein the conductive layer has a conductive surface. A patterned layer of a low surface energy material is on a first region of the conductive surface. An overcoat layer free of conductive particulates is on a first portion of a second region of the conductive surface unoccupied by the patterned layer. A via is in a second portion of the second region of the conductive surface between an edge of the patterned layer of the low surface energy material and the overcoat layer. A conductive material is in the via to provide an electrical connection to the conductive surface.

Abstract: Methods of passivating an adhesive via printing an ink onto a release liner, and adhesive articles or products made by the same are provided. An ink pattern is printed onto a release liner to form a pattern of features. The features are at least partially embedded in an adhesive layer such that when the release liner is peeled from the adhesive layer, the passivation features remain with the layer of adhesive to form selected areas having adjusted adhesive functionality. Articles including the passivated adhesive on a release liner are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to segmented transfer tapes useful in the transfer of only a portion of the segments of the transfer tapes and methods of making thereof. The segmented transfer tapes include a removable template layer having a structured surface; a transfer layer comprising a backfill layer, wherein the backfill layer has a structured first major surface, and an adhesive layer; at least one transferable segment formed in the transfer layer; at least one non-transferable segment formed in the transfer layer, the at least one non-transferable segment includes an adhesive surface, wherein a passivating layer is disposed on at least a portion of the adhesive surface of the at least one non-transferrable segment; and at least one kerf extending from the first major surface of the adhesive layer and into at least a portion of the removable template layer. The present disclosure also provides micro-optical assemblies and methods of making micro-optical assemblies from the segmented transfer tapes.

Abstract: A process for applying a coating material onto a substrate as a non-uniform patterned layer of coating material, the method including providing a first distribution manifold having a cavity and a first multiplicity of dispensing outlets in fluid communication with the cavity, providing a second distribution manifold having a cavity and a second multiplicity of dispensing outlets in fluid communication with the cavity, creating relative motion between a substrate and the dispensing outlets in a first direction, dispensing a first coating material from the first dispensing outlets while maintaining the relative motion and simultaneously translating the plurality of dispensing outlets in a second direction non-parallel to the first direction, and dispensing a second coating material from the second dispensing outlets while maintaining the relative motion and simultaneously translating the plurality of dispensing outlets in a second direction non-parallel to the first direction.

Abstract: Processes for automatic registration between a solid circuit die and electrically conductive interconnects, and articles or devices made by the same are provided. The solid circuit die is disposed on a substrate with contact pads aligned with channels on the substrate. Electrically conductive traces are formed by flowing a conductive liquid in the channels toward the contact pads to obtain the automatic registration.

Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to retroreflective articles and methods of making such articles.

Abstract: A method for making an electronic assembly includes applying a protective layer including an organosulfur compound to at least a portion of a patterned conductive interconnect circuit, wherein the conductive interconnect circuit overlies at least a portion of a conductive layer on a substrate, and wherein the conductive layer includes nanowires; and engaging an electrical contact of an electronic component with the protective layer to electrically connect the electronic component and the patterned conductive layer.

Abstract: A process for applying a coating material onto a substrate as a non-uniform patterned layer of coating material, the method including providing a first distribution manifold having a cavity and a first multiplicity of dispensing outlets in fluid communication with the cavity, providing a second distribution manifold having a cavity and a second multiplicity of dispensing outlets in fluid communication with the cavity, creating relative motion between a substrate and the dispensing outlets in a first direction, dispensing a first coating material from the first dispensing outlets while maintaining the relative motion and simultaneously translating the plurality of dispensing outlets in a second direction non-parallel to the first direction, and dispensing a second coating material from the second dispensing outlets while maintaining the relative motion and simultaneously translating the plurality of dispensing outlets in a second direction non-parallel to the first direction.