Abstract: A method of forming an optical element which includes an electrochromic apodized aperture having variable light transmittance through a clear aperture area in response to an applied electrical current is disclosed. The apodized aperture includes a body including an area defining the clear aperture area wherein a fluid containment area substantially overlapping the clear aperture area, and includes at least one fill passage extending from the fluid containment area to at least one fill port outside of the clear aperture area; an electrochromic fluid within the fluid containment area substantially overlapping the clear aperture area and having variable light transmittance in response to an applied electrical current; a cover attached with the electrochromic fluid between the cover and body; electrical contacts electrically coupled to the electrochromic fluid for supplying electrical current thereto; and at least one passage seal in each said fill passage positioned outside of the clear aperture area.

Abstract: An optical mechanism for a camera having a camera aperture includes an indexing stage movable between at least two distinct positions. At least a first fixed diameter apodized aperture is mounted on the stage and configured to be aligned with the camera aperture in one of the distinct positions of the indexing stage, and wherein the first fixed diameter apodized aperture is not aligned with the camera aperture in the other of the distinct positions of the indexing stage. The stage can include multiple fixed diameter apodized apertures of distinct effective diameters each of which can be selectively aligned with the camera aperture. The mechanism includes an actuator for moving the stage between each of said distinct positions. Methods for mass producing the fixed diameter apodized aperture are disclosed using dye diffusion into optical elements via various methods, and various casting and molding formation techniques.

Abstract: An optical mechanism for a camera having a camera aperture includes an indexing stage movable between at least two distinct positions. At least a first fixed diameter apodized aperture is mounted on the stage and configured to be aligned with the camera aperture in one of the distinct positions of the indexing stage, and wherein the first fixed diameter apodized aperture is not aligned with the camera aperture in the other of the distinct positions of the indexing stage. The stage can include multiple fixed diameter apodized apertures of distinct effective diameters each of which can be selectively aligned with the camera aperture. The mechanism includes an actuator for moving the stage between each of said distinct positions. Methods for mass producing the fixed diameter apodized aperture are disclosed using dye diffusion into optical elements via various methods, and various casting and molding formation techniques.

Abstract: An optical element includes an electrochromic apodized aperture having variable light transmittance through a clear aperture area in response to an applied electrical current. The apodized aperture includes an aperture body including an area defining the clear aperture area, the body having a fluid containment area substantially overlapping the clear aperture area, and includes at least one fill passage extending from the fluid containment area to at least one fill port outside of the clear aperture area; an electrochromic fluid within the fluid containment area substantially overlapping the clear aperture area and having variable light transmittance in response to an applied electrical current; a cover attached with the electrochromic fluid between the cover and body; electrical contacts electrically coupled to the electrochromic fluid for supplying electrical current thereto; and at least one passage seal in each said fill passage positioned outside of the clear aperture area.

Abstract: A method of forming an optical element which includes an electrochromic apodized aperture having variable light transmittance through a clear aperture area in response to an applied electrical current is disclosed. The apodized aperture includes a body including an area defining the clear aperture area wherein a fluid containment area substantially overlapping the clear aperture area, and includes at least one fill passage extending from the fluid containment area to at least one fill port outside of the clear aperture area; an electrochromic fluid within the fluid containment area substantially overlapping the clear aperture area and having variable light transmittance in response to an applied electrical current; a cover attached with the electrochromic fluid between the cover and body; electrical contacts electrically coupled to the electrochromic fluid for supplying electrical current thereto; and at least one passage seal in each said fill passage positioned outside of the clear aperture area.

Abstract: Provided is an optical element with an electrochromic apodized aperture having variable light transmittance in response to the amplitude of an applied voltage. The apodized aperture includes (i) a first substrate having a planar inner surface and an outer surface, (ii) a second substrate having an outer surface and a non-planar inner surface opposing and spaced from the planar inner surface of the first substrate, wherein each of the planar inner surface of the first substrate and the non-planar inner surface of the second substrate has an at least partial layer of transparent conductive material thereover; and (iii) an electrochromic medium disposed between the planar inner surface of the first substrate and the non-planar inner surface of the second substrate.

Abstract: Provided is an optical element with an electrochromic apodized aperture having variable light transmittance in response to the amplitude of an applied voltage. The apodized aperture includes (i) a first substrate having a planar inner surface and an outer surface, (ii) a second substrate having an outer surface and a non-planar inner surface opposing and spaced from the planar inner surface of the first substrate, wherein each of the planar inner surface of the first substrate and the non-planar inner surface of the second substrate has an at least partial layer of transparent conductive material thereover; and (iii) an electrochromic medium disposed between the planar inner surface of the first substrate and the non-planar inner surface of the second substrate.

Abstract: A pigmented curable composition adapted for decorating ceramic substrates (e.g., glass bottles) comprises curable organic binder and solid spherical particles (glass or polymer) having diameters of 10 to 50 microns for facilitating overprinting of additional layers. The preferred embodiment comprises: (a) reactive organic resin component in which epoxy groups comprise the major reactive functionality; (b) amino-functional curing agent; (c) blocked polyisocyanate; and (d) 5 to 35 percent solid spherical particles having diameters of 10 to 50 microns.

Abstract: A pigmented curable composition adapted for decorating ceramic substrates (e.g., glass bottles) comprises curable organic binder and solid spherical particles (glass or polymer) having diameters of 10 to 50 microns for facilitating overprinting of additional layers. The preferred embodiment comprises: (a) reactive organic resin component in which epoxy groups comprise the major reactive functionality; (b) amino-functional curing agent; (c) blocked polyisocyanate; and (d) 5 to 35 percent solid spherical particles having diameters of 10 to 50 microns.

Abstract: A printing medium comprising a substrate having at least one surface and a coating on the surface wherein the coating comprises: (a) binder comprising: (1) organic polymer which is substantially free of ammonium groups, (2) first cationic addition polymer consisting essentially of quaternary ammonium-containing mer units derived from addition monomer and ammonium-free mer units derived from addition monomer, and (3) second cationic addition polymer consisting essentially of secondary, tertiary, or both secondary and tertiary ammonium-containing mer units derived from addition monomer and ammonium-free mer units derived from addition monomer, wherein the binder constitutes from 20 to 90 percent by weight of the coating; and (b) finely divided substantially water-insoluble filler particles which have a maximum dimension of less than 500 nanometers, are distributed throughout the binder, and constitute from 10 to 80 percent by weight of coating.

Abstract: A method comprising heating to elevated temperature a ceramic substrate having thereon a sequence of coatings of pigmented coating compositions wherein each of said pigmented coating compositions comprises: (a) reactive organic resin which is polyhydroxy-functional, polyepoxy-functional, or both epoxy-functional and hydroxy-functional; (b) reactive wax; (c) color-imparting pigment; and (d) blocked polyisocyanate; wherein: (e) the pigmented coating composition of at least one coating of the sequence is substantially free of amino-functional curing agent; and (f) the pigmented coating composition of at least one other coating of the sequence further comprises amino-functional curing agent; to crosslink all of the pigmented coating compositions of the coatings of the sequence and to adhere the sequence to the ceramic substrate. The preferred ceramic substrates are glass bottles.

Abstract: A printing medium comprising a substrate having at least one surface and a coating on the surface wherein the coating comprises: (a) binder comprising: (1) organic polymer which is substantially free of ammonium groups, (2) first cationic addition polymer consisting essentially of quaternary ammonium-containing mer units derived from addition monomer and ammonium-free mer units derived from addition monomer, and (3) second cationic addition polymer consisting essentially of secondary, tertiary, or both secondary and tertiary ammonium-containing mer units derived from addition monomer and ammonium-free mer units derived from addition monomer, wherein the binder constitutes from 20 to 90 percent by weight of the coating; and (b) finely divided substantially water-insoluble filler particles which have a maximum dimension of less than 500 nanometers, are distributed throughout the binder, and constitute from 10 to 80 percent by weight of coating.

Abstract: Describes a method of electrochemically converting .alpha.-halohydrins, e.g., 1-chloro-2-hydroxypropane and 1,3-dichloro-2-hydroxypropane, to epoxides, e.g., propylene oxide and epichlorohydrin. A three compartment electrolytic cell is provided having (1) a catholyte compartment containing a cathode assembly comprising a cathode and anion exchange membrane, (2) an anolyte compartment containing an anode assembly comprising an anode and a cation exchange membrane, and (3) an intermediate compartment partitioned from the catholyte and anolyte compartments by the anion and cation exchange membranes respectively. An aqueous solution of .alpha.-halohydrin is charged to the catholyte compartment, while hydrogen halide solutions are charged to the intermediate and anolyte compartments. Direct current is passed through the electrolytic cell and an aqueous solution comprising epoxide is removed from the catholyte compartment.

Abstract: Water-soluble or water-dispersible addition copolymer of ethylenically unsaturated monomers, wherein the ethylenically unsaturated monomers comprise N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone and ethylenically unsaturated polyether, is useful as a component of inkjet printable coatings. The copolymer serves to reduce later migration of inks printed on the coatings.

Abstract: Described is a method of electrochemically converting .alpha.-halohydrins, e.g., 1-chloro-2-hydroxypropane and 1,3-dichloro-2-hydroxypropane, to epoxides, e.g., propylene oxide and epichlorohydrin. A three compartment electrolytic cell is provided having (1) a catholyte compartment containing a cathode assembly comprising a cathode and an anion exchange membrane, (2) an anode compartment containing an anode assembly comprising either (a) a hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode and a current collecting electrode or (b) a hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode which is fixedly held between a hydraulic barrier and a current collecting electrode, and (3) an intermediate compartment separated from the catholyte and anode compartments by the anion exchange membrane and either (i) the hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode or (ii) the hydraulic barrier respectively. An aqueous solution of .alpha.

Abstract: Described is a method of electrochemically converting .alpha.-halohydrins, e.g., 1-chloro-2-hydroxypropane and 1,3-dichloro-2-hydroxypropane, to epoxides, e.g., propylene oxide and epichlorohydrin. An electrolytic cell is provided having (1) a catholyte compartment containing a cathode assembly comprising a cathode and a bipolar ion exchange membrane, (2) an anode compartment containing an anode assembly comprising either (a) a hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode and a current collecting electrode or (b) a hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode which is fixedly held between a hydraulic barrier and a current collecting electrode, and (3) at least one pair of intermediate compartments separating the catholyte and anode compartments and separated from each other by an anion exchange membrane. The following are introduced into the cell: a first aqueous conductive electrolyte solution into the catholyte compartment; hydrogen gas into the anode compartment; an aqueous solution of .alpha.

Abstract: Describes a method of electrochemically converting .alpha.-halohydrin, e.g., 1-chloro-2-hydroxypropane and 1,3-dichloro-2-hydroxypropane, to epoxide, e.g., propylene oxide and epichlorohydrin. An aqueous solution of .alpha.-halohydrin is charged to the catholyte compartment of an electrolytic cell, which contains a cathode, hydrogen gas is charged to the anode compartment of the cell, which contains an anode assembly comprising a hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode fixedly held between a current collecting electrode and an anion exchange membrane. The catholyte and anode compartments of the cell are separated by the anion exchange membrane. An aqueous solution containing epoxide is removed from the catholyte compartment.

Abstract: Describes a method of electrochemically converting amine hydrohalide, e.g., ethyleneamine hydrochloride, into free amine, e.g., free ethyleneamine. A three compartment electrolytic cell is provided having (1) a catholyte compartment containing a cathode assembly comprising a cathode and an anion exchange membrane, (2) an anode compartment containing an anode assembly comprising either (a) a hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode and a current collecting electrode or (b) a hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode which is fixedly held between a hydraulic barrier and a current collecting electrode, and (3) an intermediate compartment separated from the catholyte and anode compartments by the anion exchange membrane and either (i) the hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode or (ii) the hydraulic barrier respectively.

Abstract: Describes a method of electreochemically converting amine hydrohalide, e.g., amine hydrochloride, into free amine, e.g., free ethyleneamine. An electrolytic cell is provided having (1) a catholyte compartment containing a cathode assembly comprising a cathode and a bipolar ion exchange membrane, (2) an anode compartment containing an anode assembly comprising either (a) a hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode and a current collecting electrode or (b) a hydrogen consuming gas diffusion anode which is fixedly held between a hydraulic barrier and a current collecting electrode, and (3) at least one pair of intermediate compartments separating the catholyte and anode compartments and separated from each other by an anion exchange membrane.

Abstract: Describes a method of electrochemically converting amine hydrohalide, e.g., ethyleneamine hydrochloride, into free amine, e.g., free ethyleneamine. A three compartment electrolytic cell is provided having (1) a catholyte compartment containing a cathode assembly comprising a cathode and anion exchange membrane, (2) an anolyte compartment containing an anode assembly comprising an anode and a cation exchange membrane, and (3) an intermediate compartment separated from the catholyte and anolyte compartments by the anion and cation exchange membranes respectively. An aqueous solution of amine hydrohalide is charged to the catholyte compartment, while hydrogen halide solutions are charged to the intermediate and anolyte compartments. Direct current is passed through the electrolytic cell and an aqueous solution comprising free amine is removed from the catholyte compartment.