Abstract: Super-miscible blends of nylon copolymers are provided as well as multilayered film structures made therefrom. A nylon composition is a substantially uniform blend of at least one semi-crystalline copolymer I and at least one semi-crystalline copolymer II, wherein the proportion by weight of each of copolymer I and copolymer II. The nylon compositions are extremely uniform, and have only a single melting point rather than individual melting points of the component nylon copolymer parts. Coextruded films of a layer of this nylon composition with an olefin containing polymer are suitable for use as barrier films, such as aroma barrier films, which have reduced curl.

Abstract: An optical profilometer and a stylus probe measuring device used in the same instrument have the advantage that these two sensors can be quickly switched between each other. This can be an advantage when used to measure samples, since the optical profilometer can be used until a sample is found to be outside of the desired tolerances. Afterwards, the stylus probe measuring device can be used to accurately determine the profile data. This is an advantage because an optical profilometer is relatively quick, and the stylus probe measuring device is relatively accurate. Additionally, since the optical profilometer and stylus probe device are in the same instrument, the X and Y positions of these devices can be interrelated accurately. This allows images to be produced where the positions on the images can be easily correlated. For example, measurement cursors in sensor data displays can correlated by the positional offset information.

Abstract: A novel apparatus and method for the quick and accurate determination of surface profile and depth reading within little or no mechanical motion is presented comprising a polychromatic light source; a means for focusing the light onto a point of sample target, said means having a known amount of longitudinal chromatic aberration; and a means for detecting the wavelengths of light reflected from the sample target. The light projected onto the sample target is focused according to wavelength due to the longitudinal chromatic aberration. While light from across the spectrum will be reflected, the light returning from the sample target will be most strongly reflected in a wavelength that is focused on a reflective point in the sample. The means for detecting the light in the present invention passes through a substantially pinhole aperture before the light is detected according to wavelength. The purpose of the pinhole aperture is resolution.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for mapping the surface of an object, in particular, a transparent object such as anterior and posterior surfaces of a patient's cornea, in a clinically useful time using a single optical system. In a preferred embodiment, a pattern generator projects a pattern of light and dark areas onto a patient's cornea, and a light detector receives patterns reflected from the anterior and posterior surfaces of the cornea. A mapping means generates a three-dimensional map of the anterior and posterior corneal surfaces from information regarding the projected and detected light patterns. The invention can be used to map other transparent objects such as a contact lens or an intraocular device, e.g., an intrastromal ring. The invention can also be used to map the surface of an opaque object.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for mapping the surface of an object, in particular, a transparent object such as anterior and posterior surfaces of a patient's cornea, in a clinically useful time using a single optical system. In a preferred embodiment, a pattern generator projects a pattern of light and dark areas onto a patient's cornea, and a light detector receives patterns reflected from the anterior and posterior surfaces of the cornea. A mapping means generates a three-dimensional map of the anterior and posterior corneal surfaces from information regarding the projected and detected light patterns. The invention can be used to map other transparent objects such as a contact lens or an intraocular device, e.g., an intrastromal ring. The invention can also be used to map the surface of an opaque object.