Abstract: An aqueous marking composition is described which upon application to a polymeric surface and laser irradiation, produces one or more marks or other indicia having high contrast in the polymeric surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-return valve that can be configured for use anywhere along a molding material flow path in a molding system. The non-return valve of the present invention includes an improved means to restrict the backflow of melt therethrough during injection. In particular, a spigot-seal is configurable, during injection, between overlapping, closely-spaced, and mutually parallel complementary male and female spigot portions that are configured between complementary valve members. The spigot-seal advantageously maintains an effective backflow restriction even in the eventuality of transient movement between the spigot portions during injection. Preferably, the non-return valve of the present invention is also configured to include a means for mutually aligning and/or guiding the complementary valve components that ensures a proper alignment between the complementary spigot portions, and may also serve to improve the function and longevity of a face-seal, when present.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of forming and detecting non-visible marks and articles marked in accordance with the methods. In accordance with the methods of the invention, a marking material is applied to a substrate to form a mark that is contrastable from the substrate in one or more regions of the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. The mark is covered with a film, which can be a bonded coating or a non-bonded covering sheet, that comprises an amount of one or more inorganic pigments such that the film appears opaque in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum but is sufficiently transmissive in one or more regions of the infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum to facilitate the detection of the mark covered by the film. The non-visible marks can be applied to articles such as automobile parts, aircraft parts and other articles of manufacture to deter counterfeiting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-return valve that can be configured for use anywhere along a molding material flow path in a molding system. The non-return valve of the present invention includes an improved means to restrict the backflow of melt therethrough during injection. In particular, a spigot-seal is configurable, during injection, between overlapping, closely-spaced, and mutually parallel complementary male and female spigot portions that are configured between complementary valve members. The spigot-seal advantageously maintains an effective backflow restriction even in the eventuality of transient movement between the spigot portions during injection. Preferably, the non-return valve of the present invention is also configured to include a means for mutually aligning and/or guiding the complementary valve components that ensures a proper alignment between the complementary spigot portions, and may also serve to improve the function and longevity of a face-seal, when present.