Abstract: The present invention provides decorative sheets and laminate articles prepared therefrom, and processes for producing same. The decorative laminates provided herein offer penetration resistance comparable to some safety glass laminates.

Abstract: Provided is a composition comprising a nonmicellar twisted nematic liquid crystal having cholesteric near infrared-reflecting properties and at least one near infrared absorptive material. This composition reduces the transmission of near infrared radiation. The composition can be used as a layer, optionally in conjunction with polymeric films, polymeric sheets, rigid sheets, and the like, to form multilayer laminates. In some embodiments these multilayer laminates are useful as solar control windows or window films to reduce energy consumption necessary to cool the interior of a structure such as an automobile or building.

Abstract: The present invention provides for certain multilayer polymeric laminates and high strength laminates produced therefrom. The multilayer polymeric laminates provide improved acoustic barrier properties of the high strength laminates of the present invention.

Abstract: Provided are multilayer laminates having one or more layers comprising twisted nematic liquid crystals and one or more layers of a polymeric sheet comprising a polymer with a modulus of 20,000 psi (138 MPa) or less. The twisted nematic liquid crystal layers reflect infrared radiation. Thus, the multilayer laminates are useful to reduce the transmission of infrared energy. For example, in some embodiments the multilayer laminates are useful as windows to reduce energy consumption necessary to cool the interior of a structure such as an automobile or building. Preferably, the multilayer laminates retain the beneficial properties of safety glass. The multilayer laminates may include additional layers such as infrared absorbing layers, half wave plates, and the like, to minimize the transmission of infrared energy. The multilayer laminates may also include further additional layers such as polymeric films, polymeric sheets, rigid sheets, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention is an infra red (IR)-blocking coating and a process for applying the IR-blocking coating onto the surface of a polymer. The process comprises the steps of dispersing an IR-blocking material in a mixture of solvent comprising a dissolved polymer and using standard printing processes to coat at least a portion of the surface of a bulk polymer, preferably a sheet or film. The present invention also provides safety glass laminates whose polymer interlayers have improved adhesion to glass in addition to light blocking properties.

Abstract: A system for delivering blood, cardioplegia solution, and other medications or fluids in a pulsatile flow pattern to a patient during cardiopulmonary bypass is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a pumping apparatus having at least one chamber is utilized in which a pumping action is achieved by compressing one of the chambers with a piston mechanism, while allowing the other chamber to fill with fluid via retracting its respective piston. The instantaneous flow rate of either of the chambers is determined by the speed of the piston. In a preferred embodiment, a pulsatile flow of fluid is achieved by cyclically alternating the velocity of the piston between two different speeds. A desired average flow rate and/or delivery pressure and/or constant pulse pressure is maintained by adjusting the alternating velocities at the desired frequency and duty cycle. The calculations necessary to obtain a desired average flow rate are performed by a microprocessor, which also controls the movement of the pistons.

Abstract: The present invention is a polymeric resin composition having improved toughness, suitable for use in transparent glazing, comprising an at least partially neutralized ethylene acid copolymer metal carboxylate resin, wherein the metal carboxylate consists essentially of zinc metal counter-ions.

Abstract: Provided are multilayer laminates having one or more layers comprising twisted nematic liquid crystals and one or more layers of a polymeric sheet comprising a polymer with a modulus between 20,000 psi (138 MPa) and 100,000 psi (690 MPa). The twisted nematic liquid crystal layers reflect infrared radiation. Thus, the multilayer laminates are useful to reduce the transmission of infrared energy. For example, in some embodiments the multilayer laminates are useful as windows to reduce energy consumption necessary to cool the interior of a structure such as an automobile or building. Preferably, the multilayer laminates retain the beneficial properties of safety glass. The multilayer laminates may include additional layers such as infrared absorbing layers, half wave plates, and the like, to minimize the transmission of infrared energy. The multilayer laminates may also include further additional layers such as polymeric films, polymeric sheets, rigid sheets, and the like.

Abstract: A multilayer packaging film or sheet is disclosed. The film comprises at least one layer comprising or produced from an olefin copolymer, a composition, or combinations thereof in which the composition comprises the olefin copolymer and a polyamide, a barrier resin, a polyolefin, a vinyl ester copolymer, a carboxylate ester copolymer, or combinations of two or more thereof and the olefin copolymer is a magnesium-neutralized ionomer and comprises repeat units derived from an ?-olefin and a comonomer including one or more ?-, ?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids. Further disclosed is a shaped article comprising or produced from the packaging film or sheet and packaged food.

Abstract: The invention describes a polymeric sheet that has at least one layer that comprises an ionomer or ionomer blend that incorporates a partially neutralized alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid component and is useful in glass laminate applications. The ionomer or ionomer blend contains one or more monovalent metal ions in an amount ranging from about 1 to about 60%, preferably about 10 to about 55%, and more preferably about 15 to about 50%, and one or more polyvalent metal ions in an amount ranging from about 40 to about 99%, preferably about 45 to about 90%, and more preferably about 50 to about 85%. This ratio range of monovalent and polyvalent metal neutralization ions provides synergistically greater adhesion to glass than found for either the monovalent or the polyvalent metal neutralization ions alone.

Abstract: Provided are solar control laminates comprising a solar control film and a polymeric sheet. The solar control film comprises a polymeric film coated with a coating comprising inorganic infrared absorbing nanoparticles. Preferably, inorganic infrared absorbing nanoparticles comprise nanoparticles of antimony tin oxide (ATO), indium tin oxide (ITO), lanthanum hexaboride (LaB6) or mixtures thereof. Optionally, the solar control laminate also comprises a rigid sheet, such as a glass sheet.

Abstract: A composition comprising a carbon black-containing polyetherester is disclosed. The carbon black-containing polyetherester comprises or consists essentially of ?about 3.5 weight % of carbon black if the carbon black has a DBP of >about 420 cc/100 g, or ?about 15 weight % of carbon black if the carbon black has a DBP between about 220 cc/100 g and about 420 cc/100 g or between about 150 cc/100 g and about 210 cc/100 g wherein the carbon black has a nitrogen adsorption surface area measure by ASTM D 3037-81>700 m2/g. Also disclosed are a process for producing the composition and a shaped article made from the composition.

Abstract: Continuous webs of self supporting adhesive sheet incorporating at least one layer of a polymeric composition such as polyvinyl butyral and comprising at least one area of a non-uniform thickness profile are provided. These webs are useful in the production of barrier windshields for heads-up display systems. The windshields may also optionally have acoustic barrier properties.

Abstract: Provided are compositions comprising infrared absorptive inorganic nanoparticles and a matrix material and methods to produce the compositions. The infrared absorptive inorganic nanoparticles preferably include antimony tin oxide (ATO), indium tin oxide (ITO), or mixtures thereof. Also provided are polymer blends, polymeric films and sheets, solar control laminates, and processes to produce the polymer blends, polymeric films and sheets and solar control laminates.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for reducing the permeability of gases through polyester containers and films by incorporating into the polymer from which the container or film is formed an effective amount of exfoliated sepiolite-type clay.

Abstract: This invention provides polyester compositions containing pumice fillers, and shaped articles formed from the polyester compositions. Also provided are polyester compositions containing perlite fillers, and shaped articles formed from the compositions. The polyester compositions can also contain one or more other fillers, and can also optionally contain a heavy metal-containing or heavy metal-free catalyst. The invention further provides processes for producing the polyester compositions, and shaped articles formed therefrom.

Abstract: A reflector for a fluorescent lamp formed in an integral molded unit is presented. The reflector has arcuate side portions which present a receptacle area for receiving a fluorescent light tube. The side portions are joined together by a plurality of u-shaped cross braces which extend between the side portions at spaced locations along their length. Each of the cross braces is formed by two intersecting planar surfaces which extend at acute angles relative to a common plane a the point of intersection. The result is less light loss through diffusion, improved reflectivity.

Abstract: The present invention provides monofilaments coated with certain adhesive layers and methods to produce the coated filaments. Also provided are fabrics formed from the monofilaments. The coated monofilaments and fabrics provide improved adhesion with additional coating top layers.

Abstract: A pump is formed by a housing (10) having an inlet (11) for connection to a source of fluid and an outlet (12) for pumped fluid. A rotor (15) is rotatable within the housing and the inlet (11) and the outlet (12) are spaced apart around the path of the rotor (15) in the housing. The rotor (15) has surfaces (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) that form, with the housing (10), closed chambers (18a, 18b, 18c, 18d) which travel around the housing (10) to convey fluid from the inlet (11) to the outlet (12). The housing (10) carries a seal (14) that is located between the inlet (11) and the outlet (12) in the direction of travel of the rotor (15). The seal (14) co-operates with the rotor surfaces (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) as the surfaces (16a, 16b, 16c, 16d) pass between the outlet (12) and the inlet (11) to prevent the formation of a chamber during said passage and so prevent fluid flow from the outlet (12) to the inlet (11). Such a pump is easily and cheaply produced and is particularly useful in medical applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a polyester from a polyester composition comprising at least about 1 wt. % wollastonite, based on the total weight of the polyester composition, wherein the wollastonite is added at a temperature of about 240° C. or less. The present invention further provides a process for producing a polyester from a polyester composition comprising at least about 1 wt. % wollastonite, based on the total weight of the polyester composition, and about 0.01 wt. % other filler, based on total weight of the polyester composition, wherein the wollastonite is added at a temperature of about 240° C. or less. The invention is further directed to polyester products produced by said process and the shaped articles formed therefrom.