Abstract: An optical construction that is static-dissipative and includes a static-dissipative layer buried within optical material.

Abstract: An optical construction that is static-dissipative and includes a static-dissipative layer buried within optical material.

Abstract: A method of making an optical construction that is static-dissipative and includes a static-dissipative layer buried within optical material.

Abstract: Curable pressure sensitive adhesive compositions comprising an acrylate copolymer, a mono-acrylate oligomer, a multi-acrylate oligomer having from 2 to 5 acrylate functional groups per molecule, and a photoinitiator, the adhesive exhibiting pressure sensitive adhesive characteristics and forms at least a semi-interpenetrating polymer network when cured; wherein the semi-IPN has an average molecular weight between crosslinks (Mc) greater than about 3000, and the cured adhesive has a peel strength greater than about 40 N/dm. Embodiments of the adhesive compositions, when cured, are optically clear and resistant to heat and moisture.

Abstract: An optical construction that is static-dissipative and includes a static-dissipative layer buried within optical material.

Abstract: A film receptive to a variety of different classes or kinds of inks, such as water based inks, solvent based inks and UV cured inks. The film includes a water based latex polymer, such as transparent film-forming core/shell latex polymers, a polar polymer, such as polymers having an ionic component to increase the receptivity of the coating to water-based inks, and a surfactant, such as an alkyaryl sulfonate, to prevent agglomeration of the latex polymer before it is formed into film. The preferred latex polymer is a core/shell latex polymer. The preferred polar polymer is chemically compatible with latex polymers and is sufficiently ionic or polar to improve the printability onto the film of water-based inks. The surfactant, which may be in the latex as manufactured or may be added separately, has a molecular structure that includes at least one hydrophobic moiety and at least one anionic group such as sulfates, sulfonates and the like.

Abstract: This invention provides a water-based composition suitable for use on polyester-based substrates for increasing adhesion between the substrate and a topcoat or overcoat. The composition comprises: (1) a latex polymer formed from the polymerization of at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of bicyclic alkyl (meth)acrylates and aromatic (meth)acrylates and at least one monomer which imparts to the polymer the ability to be crosslinked; (2) a water soluble or water dispersible polymer selected from the group consisting of acrylate-based resins, sulfonated polyester-based resins and combinations thereof; and (3) a crosslinking agent.

Abstract: Curable pressure sensitive adhesive compositions comprising an acrylate copolymer, a mono-acrylate oligomer, a multi-acrylate oligomer having from 2 to 5 acrylate functional groups per molecule, and a photoinitiator, the adhesive exhibiting pressure sensitive adhesive characteristics and forms at least a semi-interpenetrating polymer network when cured; wherein the semi-IPN has an average molecular weight between crosslinks (Mc) greater than about 3000, and the cured adhesive has a peel strength greater than about 40 N/dm. Embodiments of the adhesive compositions, when cured, are optically clear and resistant to heat and moisture.

Abstract: An optical construction that is static-dissipative and includes a static-dissipative layer buried within optical material.

Abstract: Curable pressure sensitive adhesive compositions comprising an acrylate copolymer, a mono-acrylate oligomer, a multi-acrylate oligomer having from 2 to 5 acrylate functional groups per molecule, and a photoinitiator, the adhesive exhibiting pressure sensitive adhesive characteristics and forms at least a semi-interpenetrating polymer network when cured; wherein the semi-IPN has an average molecular weight between crosslinks (Mc) greater than about 3000, and the cured adhesive has a peel strength greater than about 40 N/dm. Embodiments of the adhesive compositions, when cured, are optically clear and resistant to heat and moisture.

Abstract: This invention provides a water-based composition suitable for use on polyester-based substrates for increasing adhesion between the substrate and a topcoat or overcoat. The composition comprises: (1) a latex polymer formed from the polymerization of at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of bicyclic alkyl (meth)acrylates and aromatic (meth)acrylates and at least one monomer which imparts to the polymer the ability to be crosslinked; (2) a water soluble or water dispersible polymer selected from the group consisting of acrylate-based resins, sulfonated polyester-based resins and combinations thereof; and (3) a crosslinking agent.

Abstract: A dichroic polarizing film is made, for example, by, first combining polyvinyl alcohol and a second polymer, such as, polyvinyl pyrrolidone or a sulfonated polyester, in a solvent. The ratio of polyvinyl alcohol to second polymer is between about 5:1 to 100:1 by weight. The film is coated on a substrate, dried, and then stretched to orient at least a portion of the film. The film incorporates a dichroic dye material, such as iodine, to form a dichroic polarizer. This polarizer may be used in conjunction with a multilayer optical film, such as a reflective polarizer, to form an optical polarizer. The multilayer optical film may contain two or more sets of polyester films, where at least one of the sets is birefringent and orientable by stretching. The polyvinyl alcohol/second polymer film and the multilayer optical film may be simultaneously stretched to orient both polymer films.

Abstract: A film receptive to a variety of different classes or kinds of inks, such as water based inks, solvent based inks and UV cured inks. The film includes a water based latex polymer, such as transparent film-forming core/shell latex polymers, a polar polymer, such as polymers having an ionic component to increase the receptivity of the coating to water-based inks, and a surfactant, such as an alkyaryl sulfonate, to prevent agglomeration of the latex polymer before it is formed into film. The preferred latex polymer is a core/shell latex polymer. The preferred polar polymer is chemically compatible with latex polymers and is sufficiently ionic or polar to improve the printability onto the film of water-based inks. The surfactant, which may be in the latex as manufactured or may be added separately, has a molecular structure that includes at least one hydrophobic moiety and at least one anionic group such as sulfates, sulfonates and the like.

Abstract: A tie layer film, comprising an admixture of polyvinyl alcohol and a water dispersible polyester, for bonding a support film to a topcoat layer. The preferred tie layer comprises a sulfopolyester, preferably including terephthalate groups or isophthalate groups. Most preferred are sulfopolyesters produced from ingredients comprising monomers selected from the group consisting of dimethyl 5-sodiosulfoisophthalate, dimethyl terephthalate, dimethyl isophthalate, ethylene glycol, and polycaprolactone diol. Alternatively the support film may be a layered film. In a preferred embodiment, the topcoat layer is formed from the same PVA material as the tie layer and the support film includes at least a portion of the same sulfopolyester as the tie layer. The tie layer is capable of maintaining the bond between the support film and the topcoat layer when heat stretched to a stretch ratio in the range of 2 times to 10 times its original dimension.

Abstract: A dichroic polarizing film is made, for example, by, first combining polyvinyl alcohol and a second polymer, such as, polyvinyl pyrrolidone or a sulfonated polyester, in a solvent. The ratio of polyvinyl alcohol to second polymer is between about 5:1 to 100:1 by weight. The film is coated on a substrate, dried, and then stretched to orient at least a portion of the film. The film incorporates a dichroic dye material, such as iodine, to form a dichroic polarizer. This polarizer may be used in conjunction with a multilayer optical film, such as a reflective polarizer, to form an optical polarizer. The multilayer optical film may contain two or more sets of polyester films, where at least one of the sets is birefringent and orientable by stretching. The polyvinyl alcohol/second polymer film and the multilayer optical film may be simultaneously stretched to orient both polymer films.

Abstract: A dichroic polarizing film is made, for example, by, first combining polyvinyl alcohol and a second polymer, such as, polyvinyl pyrrolidone or a sulfonated polyester, in a solvent. The ratio of polyvinyl alcohol to second polymer is between about 5:1 to 100:1 by weight. The film is coated on a substrate, dried, and then stretched to orient at least a portion of the film. The film incorporates a dichroic dye material, such as iodine, to form a dichroic polarizer. This polarizer may be used in conjunction with a multilayer optical film, such as a reflective polarizer, to form an optical polarizer. The multilayer optical film may contain two or more sets of polyester films, where at least one of the sets is birefringent and orientable by stretching. The polyvinyl alcohol/second polymer film and the multilayer optical film may be simultaneously stretched to orient both polymer films.

Abstract: An optical device includes a dichroic polarizer and a multilayer optical film, such as a reflective polarizer or mirror. The multilayer optical film is made using polymers which may allow for the simultaneous orientation of the dichroic and reflective polarizers. The multilayer optical film often contains a set of birefringent first layers and a set of second layers, which may have an isotropic index of refraction. The dichroic polarizers is a polyvinyl alcohol film with a dichroic dye. The multilayer optical film and dichroic polarizer can be stretched at temperatures of 130° C. or less to orient the two films without substantial cracking of the dichroic polarizer. When an optional second polymer is combined with the polyvinyl alcohol, the multilayer optical film and dichroic polarizer can be stretched at temperatures of about 160° C. without substantial cracking of the dichroic polarizer.

Abstract: An optical film includes a reflective polarizing element and a particle-containing layer. The reflective polarizing element substantially reflects light having a first polarization state and substantially transmits a second polarization state. The particle-containing layer is disposed on the reflective polarizing element and in a same optical path as the reflective polarizing element. The particle-containing layer is configured and arranged to transmit light and includes a plurality of particles that roughen an exterior surface of the optical film. Preferably, using the optical film in an optical device does not substantially reduce the gain advantage of the optical device when compared with an optical device utilizing the same optical film without particles in the surface layer. Also described are optical devices using the optical film and methods of making and using the optical films.

Abstract: A dichroic polarizing film is made, for example, by, first combining polyvinyl alcohol and a second polymer, such as, polyvinyl pyrrolidone or a sulfonated polyester, in a solvent. The ratio of polyvinyl alcohol to second polymer is between about 5:1 to 100:1 by weight. The film is coated on a substrate, dried, and then stretched to orient at least a portion of the film. The film incorporates a dichroic dye material, such as iodine, to form a dichroic polarizer. This polarizer may be used in conjunction with a multilayer optical film, such as a reflective polarizer, to form an optical polarizer. The multilayer optical film may contain two or more sets of polyester films, where at least one of the sets is birefringent and orientable by stretching. The polyvinyl alcohol/second polymer film and the multilayer optical film may be simultaneously stretched to orient both polymer films.

Abstract: An optical device includes a dichroic polarizer and a multilayer optical film, such as a reflective polarizer or mirror. The multilayer optical film is made using polymers which may allow for the simultaneous orientation of the dichroic and reflective polarizers. The multilayer optical film often contains a set of birefringent first layers and a set of second layers, which may have an isotropic index of refraction. The dichroic polarizers is a polyvinyl alcohol film with a dichroic dye. The multilayer optical film and dichroic polarizer can be stretched at temperatures of 130.degree. C. or less to orient the two films without substantial cracking of the dichroic polarizer. When an optional second polymer is combined with the polyvinyl alcohol, the multilayer optical film and dichroic polarizer can be stretched at temperatures of about 160.degree. C. without substantial cracking of the dichroic polarizer.