Abstract: A leather-like sheet is provided having a substrate layer and a surface skin layer in which the surface skin layer is composed of a cross-linked product of a polyurethane hot-melt composition containing 100 parts by mass of a urethane prepolymer, 5 parts by mass to 40 parts by mass of a coloring agent containing a polyol, 5 parts by mass to 50 parts by mass of multi-functional (meth)acrylate, and 0.5 parts by mass to 5 parts by mass of a photopolymerization initiator, wherein the urethane prepolymer can be obtained by reacting 5% to 50% of the number of isocyanate groups in a urethane prepolymer containing isocyanate groups that is obtained by reacting a polyol containing 40% by mass or more of polytetramethylene glycol and a polyisocyanate with a (meth)acrylate containing a hydroxyl group. This leather-like sheet has an excellent surface grade while maintaining excellent suppleness and bending resistance.

Abstract: A leather-like sheet is provided having a substrate layer and a surface skin layer in which the surface skin layer is composed of a cross-linked product of a polyurethane hot-melt composition containing 100 parts by mass of a urethane prepolymer, 5 parts by mass to 40 parts by mass of a coloring agent containing a polyol, 5 parts by mass to 50 parts by mass of multi-functional (meth)acrylate, and 0.5 parts by mass to 5 parts by mass of a photopolymerization initiator, wherein the urethane prepolymer can be obtained by reacting 5% to 50% of the number of isocyanate groups in a urethane prepolymer containing isocyanate groups that is obtained by reacting a polyol containing 40% by mass or more of polytetramethylene glycol and a polyisocyanate with a (meth)acrylate containing a hydroxyl group. This leather-like sheet has an excellent surface grade while maintaining excellent suppleness and bending resistance.

Abstract: A method of producing a polyurethane foam sheet, and a laminated sheet that uses such a foam sheet, that can be applied to artificial leather, synthetic leather, and cushioning materials used in all manner of applications. A polyurethane foam sheet is produced by applying a liquid mixture, obtained by mixing together a heated and melted hot melt urethane prepolymer (A) containing isocyanate groups at molecular terminals, and a compound (B) containing at least 2 active hydrogen atom-containing groups, onto a substrate in a sheet-like manner, and then water foaming the liquid mixture by bringing the sheet-like liquid mixture into contact with water vapor or moisture (water). A laminated sheet is produced by bonding a third substrate to the polyurethane foam sheet.

Abstract: There are provided a moisture-curable polyurethane hot melt adhesive containing a urethane prepolymer obtained by reacting a polyol (A) with a polyisocyanate (B), wherein the polyol (A) contains 40 to 80 mass % of a polycarbonate polyol (a1), 5 to 40 mass % of polytetramethylene glycol (a2), and 5 to 40 mass % of a polyester polyol (a3) obtained by reacting a polycarboxylic acid containing an aliphatic polycarboxylic acid and an aromatic polycarboxylic acid with a polyether polyol obtained by adding an alkylene oxide to bisphenol A, based on the total amount of the polyol (A), and a multilayer sheet using this adhesive. This adhesive can maintain excellent adhesion strength even after washing is repeatedly performed under stringent washing conditions without impairing soft texture of a multilayer sheet.

Abstract: A moisture-curable polyurethane hot-melt adhesive, which includes a urethane prepolymer obtained by a reaction between polyisocyanate and polyols, wherein the polyols contain: long-chain aliphatic polyester polyol (A) represented by a general formula (I); aliphatic polyether polyol (B) having a number average molecular weight of 3,000 to 15,000; and aromatic polyester polyol (CI) which has a number average molecular weight of 1,000 to 5,000 and has a glass-transition temperature of 40° C. or more; (in the general formula (I), R1 and R2 each independently represent a straight chain alkylene group wherein the number of carbon atoms in the group is an even number, the sum of the number of carbon atoms in R1 and R2 is 12 or more, and n represents a number of 3 to 40).

Abstract: There are provided a moisture-curable polyurethane hot melt adhesive containing a urethane prepolymer obtained by reacting a polyol (A) with a polyisocyanate (B), wherein the polyol (A) contains 40 to 80 mass % of a polycarbonate polyol (a1), 5 to 40 mass % of polytetramethylene glycol (a2), and 5 to 40 mass % of a polyester polyol (a3) obtained by reacting a polycarboxylic acid containing an aliphatic polycarboxylic acid and an aromatic polycarboxylic acid with a polyether polyol obtained by adding an alkylene oxide to bisphenol A, based on the total amount of the polyol (A), and a multilayer sheet using this adhesive. This adhesive can maintain excellent adhesion strength even after washing is repeatedly performed under stringent washing conditions without impairing soft texture of a multilayer sheet.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an imaging optical system, an image sensor, an image signal processing section and a light-amount characteristic giving section. The imaging optical system has a distortion in such a way as to form an image whose center part is stretched, and whose peripheral part is squeezed. The image sensor has a light reception surface at which a subject image is formed through the imaging optical system, and converts the formed subject image into image signals. The image signal processing section performs an image processing for correcting the image signals with respect to the distortion. The light-amount characteristic giving section gives the subject image a characteristic in which the amount of light at a center part of the subject image formed at the light-reception surface of the image sensor is larger than that at a peripheral part of the subject image.

Abstract: A process for producing a leather-like sheet, wherein a skin-like layer composed of a resin composition (C) is formed on top of a fibrous substrate (E), comprising; heating and melting a moisture-curable polyurethane hot-melt resin composition (C) which contains a hot-melt urethane prepolymer (A) having isocyanate groups at molecular terminal ends and a colorant (B), and applying said heated and melted resin composition (C) to either [1] a releasable substrate (D) and then bonding the coated surface to a fibrous substrate (E), or [2] a fibrous substrate (E) and then bonding the coated surface to a releasable substrate (D); wherein the colorant (B) contains a polyol with a number average molecular weight within a range from 1,000 to 20,000 as a vehicle (B-1), and a pigment (B-2).

Abstract: A moisture-curable polyurethane hot-melt adhesive, which includes a urethane prepolymer obtained by a reaction between polyisocyanate and polyols, wherein the polyols contain: long-chain aliphatic polyester polyol (A) represented by a general formula (I); aliphatic polyether polyol (B) having a number average molecular weight of 3,000 to 15,000; and aromatic polyester polyol (CI) which has a number average molecular weight of 1,000 to 5,000 and has a glass-transition temperature of 40° C. or more; (in the general formula (I), R1 and R2 each independently represent a straight chain alkylene group wherein the number of carbon atoms in the group is an even number, the sum of the number of carbon atoms in R1 and R2 is 12 or more, and n represents a number of 3 to 40).

Abstract: A process for producing a leather-like sheet, wherein a skin-like layer composed of a resin composition (C) is formed on top of a fibrous substrate (E), comprising; heating and melting a moisture-curable polyurethane hot-melt resin composition (C) which contains a hot-melt urethane prepolymer (A) having isocyanate groups at molecular terminal ends and a colorant (B), and applying said heated and melted resin composition (C) to either [1] a releasable substrate (D) and then bonding the coated surface to a fibrous substrate (E), or [2] a fibrous substrate (E) and then bonding the coated surface to a releasable substrate (D); wherein the colorant (B) contains a polyol with a number average molecular weight within a range from 1,000 to 20,000 as a vehicle (B-1), and a pigment (B-2).

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an imaging optical system, an image sensor, an image signal processing section and a light-amount characteristic giving section. The imaging optical system has a distortion in such a way as to form an image whose center part is stretched, and whose peripheral part is squeezed. The image sensor has a light reception surface at which a subject image is formed through the imaging optical system, and converts the formed subject image into image signals. The image signal processing section performs an image processing for correcting the image signals with respect to the distortion. The light-amount characteristic giving section gives the subject image a characteristic in which the amount of light at a center part of the subject image formed at the light-reception surface of the image sensor is larger than that at a peripheral part of the subject image.

Abstract: A method of producing a polyurethane foam sheet, and a laminated sheet that uses such a foam sheet, that can be applied to artificial leather, synthetic leather, and cushioning materials used in all manner of applications. A polyurethane foam sheet is produced by applying a liquid mixture, obtained by mixing together a heated and melted hot melt urethane prepolymer (A) containing isocyanate groups at molecular terminals, and a compound (B) containing at least 2 active hydrogen atom-containing groups, onto a substrate in a sheet-like manner, and then water foaming the liquid mixture by bringing the sheet-like liquid mixture into contact with water vapor or moisture (water). A laminated sheet is produced by bonding a third substrate to the polyurethane foam sheet.

Abstract: A process for producing a modified propylene polymer comprising the steps of premixing a propylene polymer with a vinyl monomer and polymerizing the vinyl monomer by kneading the premix at a temperature of a melting point thereof or higher is described, wherein the propylene polymer is a particulate propylene polymer having a specific surface area of 0.1 m.sup.2 /g or more. A modified propylene polymer composition is also described, obtained by mixing (a) a particulate propylene polymer having a specific surface area of 0.1 m.sup.2 /g or more, (b) 5% by weight or more of a vinyl monomer mainly comprising an aromatic vinyl monomer based on the total weight of the vinyl monomer and the propylene polymer, and (c) a radical polymerization initiator, substantially impregnating the vinyl monomer and the radical polymerization initiator into the propylene polymer, and then polymerizing the vinyl monomer by melt-kneading.

Abstract: A polyethylene composition which is useful in insulations and joints of extra-high voltage power cables, and in which a cross-linking agent, comprising an organic peroxide subjected to purification processing, and an antioxidant, are blended, wherein the cross-linked composition has a dielectric loss tangent (tan.delta.) of less than or equal to 0.07% at a temperature of 90.degree. C. and under an electric field stress of 20 kV/mm. This polyethylene composition exhibits little dielectric loss, even at high temperatures or high electric field stresses, and is optimally employed in insulations and joints for extra-high voltage power cables of 275 kV or more.

Abstract: A process for modifying addition polymerization plastics is disclosed. According to the process, an organic peroxide is adsorbed on a zeolite, mixed with an addition polymerization plastic and heat-treated. The process produces an addition polymerization plastic having an increased melt flow index.

Abstract: A monoazo dyestuff of the formula: ##STR1## wherein D represents substituted or unsubstituted phenyl, imidazolyl, pyridyl, thiazolyl, thiadiazolyl, thienyl, benzoisothiazolyl, pyridinoisothiazolyl, thienoisothiazolyl, thienothiazolyl or benzothiazolyl, R.sup.1 represents substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, cyclohexyl, alkenyl, aralkyl or aryl, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 each represents hydrogen, alkyl optionally substituted by cyano, hydroxy, alkoxy or alkoxyalkoxy, alkenyl, cyclohexyl, aryl or aralkyl, or together represent a 5- or 6-membered nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring formed by combining R.sup.2 and R.sup.3, A represents ##STR2## X represents fluorine or chlorine, and Y.sup.1 represents hydrogen, chlorine, methyl or acylamino. The monoazo dyestuff is especially useful in the dyeing of cellulose-containing fibers and exhibits good fastness properties including good wet color fastness and good light fastness.

Abstract: A dye transfer sheet for heat-sensitive transfer recording which has an ink layer containing a sublimable dye formed on a base film, said sublimable dye being of the formula: ##STR1## wherein --B represents ##STR2## --Z.sup.1 and --Z.sup.2 each represents hydrogen, alkyl optionally substituted by fluorine, alkoxy, halogen or --NHB, K represents ##STR3## --R.sup.1, --R.sup.2, --R.sup.6 and --R.sup.7 each represents hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted vinyl, allyl or aryl, --R.sup.3, --R.sup.4 and --R.sup.5 each represents hydrogen or methyl, --X represents hydrogen, alkyl optionally substituted by fluorine, alkoxy, formylamino, alkylcarbonylamino optionally substituted by fluorine, arylcarbonylamino or halogen, and --Y represents hydrogen, alkyl optionally substituted by fluorine, alkoxy or halogen.

Abstract: Disazo dyes for dyeing cellulose-containing fibers represented by the following general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a nitro group, a cyano group, a thiocyanato group, a trifluoromethyl group, a formyl group, a lower alkoxycarbonyl group, a lower alkylsulfonyl group, a sulfamoyl group, an N-lower alkylsulfamoyl group or an N,N-di-lower alkylsulfamoyl group, R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, a chlorine atom, a lower alkoxy group or an acylamino group, R.sup.4 represents a hydrogen atom, a methyl group, a chlorine atom or a lower alkoxy group, R.sup.5 represents a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group or a halogen atom, --X-- represents ##STR2## --SO.sub.2 -- or --CH.sub.2 --, and n represents 0 or 1. These dyes are capable of dyeing cellulose-containing fibers, particularly fiber blends composed of cellulose fibers and polyester fibers, blue to bluish green with good fastness properties.

Abstract: The dye transfer type thermal printing sheet and method for printing of this invention are a printing sheet comprising a transfer sheet in which a smooth heat-resistant layer composed of fine particles, a liquid lubricating material and a polymer is formed on one side of a substrate, and on the other side is formed a coloring material layer containing at least one sublimable dye, non-sublimable particles and a binder, a part of said non-sublimable particles jutting out from the reference surface of the sublimable dye layer; and an image-receiving sheet having, on a substrate for image-receiving sheet, a development layer composed of, at least, inorganic fine particles; a binder having dye-affinity and another binder immiscible with said binder; and a dye transfer type thermal method for printing which comprises placing the aforesaid coloring material layer and development layer of the above-mentioned printing sheet face to face with each other, heating the printing sheet selectively from the smooth heat-resis

Abstract: A dye transfer sheet for heat-sensitive transfer recording which has an ink layer containing a sublimable dye formed on a base film, said sublimable dye being of the formula: ##STR1## wherein --B represents ##STR2## --Z.sup.1 and --Z.sup.2 each represents hydrogen, alkyl optionally substituted by fluorine, alkoxy, halogen or --NHB, K represents ##STR3## --R.sup.1, --R.sup.2, --R.sup.6 and --R.sup.7 each represents hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted vinyl, allyl or aryl, --R.sup.3, --R.sup.4 and --R.sup.5 each represents hydrogen or methyl, --X represents hydrogen, alkyl optionally substituted by fluorine, alkoxy, formylamino, alkylcarbonylamino optionally substituted by fluorine, arylcarbonylamino or halogen, and --Y represents hydrogen, alkyl optionally substituted by fluorine, alkoxy or halogen.