Abstract: A method of fabricating a polymeric film includes adsorbing an ammonium salt surfactant over a plurality of polymer beads. The method also includes adding the polymer beads to a polymer solution, wherein the ammonium salt surfactant substantially prevents flocculation of the polymer beads. Additionally, a polymeric film includes a plurality of polymer beads each having an outer surface. The polymeric film also includes an ammonium salt surfactant disposed over each of the outer surfaces, wherein the ammonium salt surfactant substantially prevents flocculation of the polymer beads.

Abstract: A multilayer compensator includes one or more polymeric first layers and one or more polymeric second layers. The first layers comprise a polymer having an out-of-plane (?nth) birefringence not more negative than ?0.01 and not more positive than +0.01. The second layers comprise an amorphous polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence more negative than ?0.01 or more positive than +0.01. An overall in-plane retardation (Rin) of the multilayer compensator is greater than 20 nm and the out-of-plane retardation (Rth) of the multilayer compensator is more negative than ?20 nm or more positive than +20 nm. The in-plane retardation (Rin) of the one or more first layers is 30% or less of the overall in-plane retardation (Rin) of the multilayer compensator.

Abstract: A multilayer compensator includes one or more polymeric first layers and one or more polymeric second layers. The first layers comprise a polymer having an out-of-plane (?nth) birefringence not more negative than ?0.01 or not more positive than +0.01. The second layers comprise an amorphous polymer having an out-of-plane birefringence more negative than ?0.01 or more positive than +0.01. An overall in-plane retardation (Rin) of the multilayer compensator is greater than 20 nm and the out-of-plane retardation (Rth) of the multilayer compensator is more negative than ?20 nm or more positive than +20 nm. The in-plane retardation (Rin) of the one or more first layers is 30% or less of the overall in-plane retardation (Rin) of the multilayer compensator.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integral film comprising a transparent polymeric substrate having a surface bearing polymeric beads, wherein the swell ratio, the size, and the laydown of the beads are selected so as to provide both a one sided static friction coefficient of not more than 0.68 and an internal haze value of not more than 0.1. The film provides an improved combination of slip and optical properties.

Abstract: Disclosed is a coextruded film comprising a transparent polymeric inner core layer of thickness less than 250 &mgr;m and two peelable outer polymeric layers wherein the inner layer constitutes a low enough proportion, less than 40%, of the total film thickness and exhibits a low enough melt flow index value to achieve a birefringence of not more than 1×10−4 nm/nm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a coextruded film comprising a transparent polymeric inner core layer of thickness less than 250 &mgr;m and two peelable outer polymeric layers wherein the inner layer constitutes a low enough proportion, less than 40%, of the total film thickness and exhibits a low enough melt flow index value to achieve a birefringence of not more than 1×10−4 nm/nm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a triacetyl cellulose film comprising (a) an unsubstituted triphenyl phosphate compound and (b) a lower alkyl-substituted triphenyl phosphate ester compound. Such a film exhibits a reduced rate of water vapor transmission.

Abstract: Disclosed is a triacetyl cellulose film comprising (a) a triphenyl monophosphate compound and (b) an aromatic polyol-bridged polyphosphate compound. Such a film exhibits a reduced rate of water vapor transmission.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integral film comprising a transparent polymeric substrate having a surface bearing polymeric beads, wherein the swell ratio, the size, and the laydown of the beads are selected so as to provide both a one sided static friction coefficient of not more than 0.68 and an internal haze value of not more than 0.1. The film provides an improved combination of slip and optical properties.

Abstract: Disclosed is a triacetyl cellulose film comprising (a) a triphenyl monophosphate compound and (b) an aromatic polyol-bridged polyphosphate compound. Such a film exhibits a reduced rate of water vapor transmission.

Abstract: Disclosed is a triacetyl cellulose film comprising (a) an unsubstituted triphenyl phosphate compound and (b) a lower alkyl-substituted triphenyl phosphate ester compound. Such a film exhibits a reduced rate of water vapor transmission.

Abstract: A powdered, uniformly mixed photographic processing composition is prepared with intense mixing of dry photoprocessing chemical components, and by forming uniformly sized agglomerates of the mixed powder. During agglomeration, a solution of a binder material is applied in a controlled manner to enable the mixed powder particles to stick together but without leaving much residue in the final composition. With this process, the mixed powder and agglomerates each have desired uniformity in size and chemical composition. The resulting dry uniformly mixed composition is highly stable, dissolvable and substantially free of dust.

Abstract: A powdered, uniformly mixed photographic developing composition is prepared with intense mixing of dry photoprocessing chemical components, one of which is a photographic developing agent, and by forming uniformly sized agglomerates of the mixed powder. During agglomeration, a solution of a binder material is applied in a controlled manner to enable the mixed powder particles to stick together but without leaving much residue in the final composition. With this process, the mixed powder and agglomerates each have desired uniformity in size and chemical composition. The resulting dry uniformly mixed developer composition is highly stable, dissolvable and substantially free of dust. An antioxidant is also applied to the dry uniform mixture during agglomeration to reduce the loss of developing agent activity.

Abstract: A powdered, uniformly-mixed photographic processing composition is prepared with intense mixing of dry photoprocessing chemical components, and by forming uniformly sized agglomerates of the mixed powder. During agglomeration, a hot melt binder polymer is applied in a controlled manner to enable the uniformly-mixed powder particles to stick together with little residue in the final composition. With this process, the mixed powder and agglomerates each have the desired uniformity in size and chemical composition. The resulting dry composition is highly stable, dissolvable and substantially free of dust.

Abstract: A powdered, uniformly mixed photographic developing composition is prepared with intense mixing of dry photoprocessing chemical components, one of which is a photographic developing agent, and by forming uniformly sized agglomerates of the mixed powder. During agglomeration, a solution of a binder material is applied in a controlled manner to enable the mixed powder particles to stick together but without leaving much residue in the final composition. With this process, the mixed powder and agglomerates each have desired uniformity in size and chemical composition. The resulting dry uniformly mixed developer composition is highly stable, dissolvable and substantially free of dust. An antioxidant is also applied to the dry uniform mixture during agglomeration to reduce the loss of developing agent activity.

Abstract: A powdered, uniformly mixed photographic processing composition is prepared with intense mixing of dry photoprocessing chemical components, and by forming uniformly sized agglomerates of the mixed powder. During agglomeration, a solution of a binder material is applied in a controlled manner to enable the mixed powder particles to stick together but without leaving much residue in the final composition. With this process, the mixed powder and agglomerates each have desired uniformity in size and chemical composition. The resulting dry uniformly mixed composition is highly stable, dissolvable and substantially free of dust.

Abstract: A powdered, uniformly-mixed photographic processing composition is prepared with intense mixing of dry photoprocessing chemical components, and by forming uniformly sized agglomerates of the mixed powder. During agglomeration, a hot melt binder polymer is applied in a controlled manner to enable the uniformly-mixed powder particles to stick together with little residue in the final composition. With this process, the mixed powder and agglomerates each have the desired uniformity in size and chemical composition. The resulting dry composition is highly stable, dissolvable and substantially free of dust.

Abstract: A method of removing dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) from a vapor stream. The vapor stream includes dimethyl terephthalate (DMT), methylhydroxyethyl terephthalate (MHET), glycols and methanol. A distillation column is held under an elevated pressure of 100 to 500 kPag and at a temperature of at least 85.degree. C. It has (i) a plurality of distillation trays; (ii) methanol liquid sprays between the trays; (iii) a main spray zone below the trays and (iv) a liquid pool of methanol in the bottom of the column. The vapor stream is directed into the distillation column, above the liquid pool and below the main spray zone, thereby forming a stream of liquid and vapor. The stream of liquid is directed away from the distillation column walls and into the liquid pool at the bottom of the column.

Abstract: There is described a process for the depolymerization of polyethylene terephthalate into component monomers using a reactor in which the polyethylene terephthalate is a discontinuous phase which contacts a continuous phase of superheated methanol vapor.

Abstract: There is described a process and optimal conditions for depolymerizing polyester into its components and separating the components using apparatus comprising:a dissolver for receiving polyester,a reactor for depolymerizing polyester into components, anda rectifier for separating polyester components; the process comprising the steps of:a) adding polyester to the dissolver and combining it with melt from the reactor and liquid from the rectifier to reduce the chain length of the polyester,b) transferring reduced chain length polyester from the dissolver to the reactor,c) passing super-heated methanol through the reactor to depolymerize polyester into its constituent monomers;d) transferring depolymerization products from the reactor to the rectifier; ande) separating the depolymerization products in the rectifier into a vapor phase containing component monomers and a liquid phase containing higher molecular weight materials.