Abstract: This invention relates to a water-absorbent film construction, comprising: a water-absorbent film layer overlying a base layer, the water-absorbent film layer being comprised of at least about 40% by weight of at least one 2-oxazoline polymer.

Abstract: A method for patterning a multilayered conductor/substrate structure includes the steps of: providing a multilayered conductor/substrate structure which includes a plastic substrate and at least one conductive layer overlying the plastic substrate; and irradiating the multilayered conductor/substrate structure with ultraviolet radiation such that portions of the at least one conductive layer are ablated therefrom. In a preferred embodiment, a projection-type excimer laser system is employed to rapidly and precisely ablate a pattern from a mask into the at least one conductive layer. Preferably, the excimer laser is controlled in consideration of how well the at least one conductive layer absorbs radiation at particular wavelengths. Preferably, a fluence of the excimer laser is controlled in consideration of an ablation threshold level of at least one conductive layer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention relates to composite films having barrier properties, and more particularly, to composite films which comprise a silicon nitride based coating on a flexible plastic substrate wherein the silicon nitride based coating has a thickness of less than about 220 nm and is deposited on the plastic substrate by sputtering of a silicon target in an atmosphere comprising at least 75% by volume of nitrogen. The composite barrier film has a visible light transmittance of at least about 75%.

Abstract: Ink-receptive substrates comprise a base layer formed from a water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer, and an ink-receptive layer disposed over the base layer. The ink-receptive layer is formed from a melt-processable blend of a water-soluble polymer and a substantially water-insoluble polymer, and provides an inherently ink-receptive surface without further surface treatment. The ink-receptive blend comprises in the range of from 20 to 80 percent by weight water-soluble polymer, and in the range of from 20 to 80 percent by weight substantially water-insoluble polymer based on the total weight of the blend. The blend has a melting temperature in the range of from about 100 to 600° F. Preferred water-soluble polymers include polyvinyl alcohols and polyalkyl oxazolines. Preferred ink-receptive substrates of this invention comprise a base layer and ink-receptive layer that are formed simultaneously by coextrusion process.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a new dual-layered construction that provides advantageous oxygen barrier properties. Another aspect of the invention is a multilayer film that has advantageous oxygen and/or moisture barrier properties. The film may be fully-organic. The film may also be primarily water-based. At least some embodiments of the film can be produced using wide-web, roll-to-roll processing. Specific example applications for uses of the film include dried food, pharmaceuticals, liquids, lidstock, cheese, meat, health & beauty, and coffee packaging, among many others. Another aspect of the invention is a water-based, fast curing coating composition that provides a high barrier against oxygen and moisture permeation. In one embodiment, the coating comprises special PVDC copolymer compositions with good oxygen barrier (OTR<1 cc/m2 day) and high moisture barrier (MVTR<0.5 g/m2 day). As one example, the coating may be used to produce a flexible, high clarity, barrier film for packaging.

Abstract: Methods for roll-to-roll deposition of optically transparent and high conductivity metallic thin films are disclosed. In general, a method according to the present invention comprises: (1) providing a flexible plastic substrate; (2) depositing a multi-layered conductive metallic film on the flexible plastic substrate by a thin-film deposition technique to form a composite film; and (3) collecting the composite film in continuous rolls. Typically, the thin conductive metallic film is an InCeO—Ag—InCeO film. Typically, the thin-film deposition technique is DC magnetron sputtering. Another aspect of the invention is a composite film produced by a method according to the present invention.

Abstract: A multilayer film facestock for labels is described which comprises a base layer having an upper surface and a lower surface, and at least a first skin layer bonded to the upper surface of the base layer by a tie layer wherein the base layer comprises a propylene homopolymer or copolymer, or a blend of a propylene homopolymer and at least one propylene copolymer, and the first skin layer consists essentially of at least one polyethylene having a density of about 0.940 g/cm3 or less, wherein the multilayer facestock is not oriented. Adhesive containing multilayer labelstocks for use in adhesive labels also are described which comprise the multilayer film facestock described above and an adhesive layer adhesively joined to the lower surface of the base layer. Labels prepared from the facestock and the labelstock also are described.

Abstract: Ink receptive substrates comprise a base layer formed from a water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer, and an ink receptive layer disposed over the base layer. The ink receptive layer is formed from a melt processable blend of a water-soluble polymer and a substantially water-insoluble polymer, and provides an inherently ink receptive surface without further surface treatment. The ink receptive blend comprises in the range of from 20 to 80 percent by weight water-soluble polymer, and in the range of from 20 to 80 percent by weight substantially water-insoluble polymer based on the total weight of the blend. The blend has a melting temperature in the range of from about 100 to 600° F. Preferred water-soluble polymers include polyvinyl alcohols and polyalkyl oxazolines. Preferred ink receptive substrates of this invention comprise a base layer and ink receptive layer that are formed simultaneously by coextrusion process.

Abstract: This invention relates to a water-absorbent film construction, comprising: a water-absorbent film layer overlying a base layer, the water-absorbent film layer being comprised of at least about 40% by weight of at least one 2-oxazoline polymer.

Abstract: A card sheet including a top material having punched lines, the front side of the top material being printable. A carrier material of at least one polymer layer is directly applied as by extruding to the back side of the top material. The polymer has a stress-at-break in the range of 10 to 30 MPa and an elongation at break in the range of 10 to 120%. From the card sheet individual cards may be broken out to form high quality calling (business) cards, photograph cards, post cards or the like.

Abstract: A method for patterning a multilayered conductor/substrate structure includes the steps of: providing a multilayered conductor/substrate structure which includes a plastic substrate and at least one conductive layer overlying the plastic substrate; and irradiating the multilayered conductor/substrate structure with ultraviolet radiation such that portions of the at least one conductive layer are ablated therefrom. In a preferred embodiment, a projection-type excimer laser system is employed to rapidly and precisely ablate a pattern from a mask into the at least one conductive layer. Preferably, the excimer laser is controlled in consideration of how well the at least one conductive layer absorbs radiation at particular wavelengths. Preferably, a fluence of the excimer laser is controlled in consideration of an ablation threshold level of at least one conductive layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a die-cuttable, biaxially stretch-oriented monolayer film comprising a polyethylene having a density of about 0.940 g/cm3 or less, a propylene polymer or copolymer, or mixtures thereof, wherein the tensile modulus of the film in the machine direction is greater than the tensile modulus in the cross direction, the tensile modulus of the film in the cross direction is about 150,000 psi or less, and the film is free of copolymers of ethylene with an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or ester. Die-cuttable, stretch-oriented multilayer films also are described comprising the above films as a base layer, and a thermoplastic polymer skin layer bonded to the upper surface of the base layer. The biaxially oriented monolayer and multilayer films are useful in particular in preparing adhesive containing labelstock for use in adhesive labels.

Abstract: A method for patterning a multilayered conductor/substrate structure includes the steps of: providing a multilayered conductor/substrate structure which includes a plastic substrate and at least one conductive layer overlying the plastic substrate; and irradiating the multilayered conductor/substrate structure with ultraviolet radiation such that portions of the at least one conductive layer are ablated therefrom. In a preferred embodiment, a projection-type excimer laser system is employed to rapidly and precisely ablate a pattern from a mask into the at least one conductive layer. Preferably, the excimer laser is controlled in consideration of how well the at least one conductive layer absorbs radiation at particular wavelengths. Preferably, a fluence of the excimer laser is controlled in consideration of an ablation threshold level of at least one conductive layer.

Abstract: One embodiment of this invention is a die-cuttable, biaxially stretch-oriented monolayer film comprising a polyethylene having a density of about 0.940 g/cm3 or less, a propylene polymer or copolymer, or mixtures thereof, wherein the tensile modulus of the film in the machine direction is greater than the tensile modulus in the cross direction, the tensile modulus of the film in the cross direction is about 150,000 psi or less, and the film is free of copolymers of ethylene with an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or ester. In one embodiment, the biaxially oriented monolayer films have been biaxially stretch-oriented and heat set.

Abstract: A multilayer film facestock for labels is described which comprises a base layer having an upper surface and a lower surface, and at least a first skin layer bonded to the upper surface of the base layer by a tie layer wherein the base layer comprises a propylene homopolymer or copolymer, or a blend of a propylene homopolymer and at least one propylene copolymer, and the first skin layer consists essentially of at least one polyethylene having a density of about 0.940 g/cm3 or less, wherein the multilayer facestock is not oriented. Adhesive containing multilayer labelstocks for use in adhesive labels also are described which comprise the multilayer film facestock described above and an adhesive layer adhesively joined to the lower surface of the base layer. Labels prepared from the facestock and the labelstock also are described.

Abstract: A multilayer film facestock for labels is described which comprises a base layer having an upper surface and a lower surface, and at least a first skin layer bonded to the upper surface of the base layer by a tie layer wherein the base layer comprises a propylene homopolymer or copolymer, or a blend of a propylene homopolymer and at least one propylene copolymer, and the first skin layer consists essentially of at least one polyethylene having a density of about 0.940 g/cm3 or less. In one preferred embodiment, at least the base layer is machine direction oriented. In another embodiment, the base layer comprises a polyethylene having a density above 0.940 g/cm3 (high density) and the polyethylene is ultimately oriented in the machine direction. Adhesive containing multilayer labelstocks for use in adhesive labels also are described which comprise the multilayer film facestock described above and an adhesive layer adhesively joined to the lower surface of the base layer.

Abstract: A method for patterning a multilayered conductor/substrate structure includes the steps of: providing a multilayered conductor/substrate structure which includes a plastic substrate and at least one conductive layer overlying the plastic substrate; and irradiating the multilayered conductor/substrate structure with ultraviolet radiation such that portions of the at least one conductive layer are ablated therefrom. In a preferred embodiment, a projection-type excimer laser system is employed to rapidly and precisely ablate a pattern from a mask into the at least one conductive layer. Preferably, the excimer laser is controlled in consideration of how well the at least one conductive layer absorbs radiation at particular wavelengths. Preferably, a fluence of the excimer laser is controlled in consideration of an ablation threshold level of at least one conductive layer.

Abstract: Multilayered electrode/substrate structures and display devices incorporating the same include a plastic substrate and at least one conductive layer overlying the plastic substrate. The at least one conductive layer is laser-etched into discrete conductive elements. In a preferred embodiment, the multilayered electrode/substrate structure includes a flexible “glass replacement” structure or composite which incorporates one or more functional layers therein. One or more functional layers of the multilayered electrode/substrate structure serve to insulate, promote adhesion, protect layers underneath from laser irradiation, provide protection from environmental damage, and/or provide protection from structural damage.

Abstract: A polymeric film and method for overcoming the problem of "pinholes" created in filled pouches by the harmonic motion occurring during transport of the filled pouches. The polymeric film composed of from about 5% to about 95% by weight of a first polymeric material having an elongation at break of more than about 500% in the machine direction and more than about 600% in the transverse direction, and from 5% by weight to about 95% by weight of a second polymeric material having a density of at least about 0.915 g/cm.sup.3 and selected from the group consisting of polyethylene and ethylene copolymers. The first polymeric material includes a very low density linear ethylene interpolymerized from ethylene and at least one alpha-olefin in the range of C.sub.3 -C.sub.10. The film may be fabricated into pouches and the pouches stacked for transportation.

Abstract: A flexible container for a flowable material fabricated from a multi-layer film which may include an interior layer, an exterior layer and a core layer. The core layer is composed of a blend of approximately 40 to 60 parts of a polyethylene material having a density greater than 0.930, approximately 40 to 60 parts of a linear copolymer of ethylene and a C.sub.4 -C.sub.10 alpha-olefin having a density between 0.900 to 0.930 g/cm3 and a melt index of 0.20 to 2.0 dg/min, and approximately from 0 to 10 parts of an additive. The interior layer may be composed of a material selected from the group consisting of a linear copolymer of ethylene and a C.sub.4 -C.sub.10 alpha-olefin, ethylene vinyl acetate, a metallocene catalyzed linear low density polyethylene, and any mixture thereof. The exterior layer is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of surlyn, metallocene catalyzed linear low density polyethylene, a linear copolymer of ethylene and a C.sub.4 -C.sub.