Abstract: Prior research into methane storage as a solute gas dissolved in special blended hydrocarbon liquids, and recent developments in use of supercritical fluids as solvent replacements, disposed the inventor to create a novel form of hydrogen packaging by dissolution in a specially blended solvent maintained at specified temperature and pressure conditions at which intermolecular attractions and related critical region phenomena permit storing nine times as much dissolved hydrogen in a given volume than pure hydrogen at the same conditions. The solvent constituents selected are ethane and hexane respectively in a nine-to-one parts by weight ratio, and the solution is prepared and intended to be maintained in its packaged state at room temperature and from twenty to fifty atmospheres of pressure. The solution may be combusted in toto as a fuel, or, if desired, known means for separation of hydrogen may be applied so as to deliver pure hydrogen to a fuel cell. There are three figures of drawing and four claims.

Abstract: A process for filling a powder includes the steps of charging a powder into a cavity of a container and, after the charging step, vibrating a swinging body on the powder which is held in the cavity, thereby filling the powder with a high density. Since the swinging body swings in the cavity, it is possible to fill the powder in the container with a high apparent density being improved much more than conventional processes for filling powders. The process is applicable to an apparatus for filling a powder and a process for producing a composite material.

Abstract: A weight-based, multiple filler filling machine has a simplified wiring arrangement. The filling machine fills a plurality of bottles with a predetermined amount in weight of an article through associated ones of a plurality of valves. The weight of the article placed in each of the bottles is measured by a load cell. An arithmetic unit is mounted on the surface of or inside each load cell for determining the weight level of the article as measured by that load cell and controlling the associated valve in accordance with the determined weight level.

Abstract: An apparatus utilizes an object holding technique for holding a tray or discrete object while supplying a dough product onto the tray or discrete object. Preferably, a conveyor transports the tray or discrete object for receiving dough products. A subframe preferably moves the tray or object, by way of deflecting the conveyor, to a position with respect to a dough supplying device such that dough products may be placed on the tray or object. In an embodiment, a cutoff blade may be utilized to portion the dough products. Preferably, the operation of the conveyor, subframe, supply device, and cutoff blade are controlled by a control system. The present invention is also directed to methods of portioning and placing dough products on a tray or discrete object by way of such an apparatus.

Abstract: A tube-filling machine has a supply device for transporting a tube through different processing stations. The processing stations include a filling station in which a filling pipe is introduced from above into the substantially vertical tube. A filling medium is introduced through the filling pipe into the tube using a dosing device. To introduce the filling medium into the tube with high reliability and to prevent soiling of the tube-filling machine due to defective filling, a sensor device for detecting the relative position between the tube and the inserted filling pipe is disposed in the filling station and a control device is provided which receives a position signal from the sensor device in dependence on which the dosing means can be controlled by the control device.

Abstract: A log processing machine and associate method employs one or more log guides to make joinery cuts in a processed log which has at opposed edges of the processed log the raw log's natural external contour. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each log guide includes a straight edge and is attached to the processed log to create an artificial straight edge for guiding the processed log through the joinery machine. Prior to attachment, centerlines are marked on the log guide and the processed log, and the centerlines are aligned when the log guide is attached to the processed log. The processed log, with the log guide attached, is then moved through the machine with the aid of computer control while the straight edge of the log guide follows a fence. In this manner, the position of the processed log and its centerline are always known so that the computer can make the programmed joinery cuts with high precision. An alternate embodiment of the invention employs one or more fence extensions as log guides.

Abstract: A method for preparing a coated R-T-B magnet wherein a R-T-B magnet having a R2T14B intermetallic compound, wherein R represents al least one of the rare earth elements including Y, T represents Fe or Fe and Co, as a primary phase is subjected to a chemical treatment, characterized in that the R-T-B magnet is treated with a chemical treating solution which has a molar ratio of Mo to P, Mo/P, of 12 to 60, contains a molybdophosphiate ion as a primary component and is adjusted to have a pH of 4.2 to 6. The resultant chemical coating comprises an oxide of Mo and a hydroxide of R. The oxide of Mo consists essentially of amorphous MoO2.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-segmented fabricated gear rim and gear formed therefrom. Each gear rim segment in the gear is formed from a single unsegmented steel plate. The steel plate has an upper surface from which gear teeth are cut and a lower surface on which the gear sub-structure is welded. Relative to each other, the upper surface of the steel plate possesses high hardenability and poor weldability and the lower surface possesses low hardenability and good weldability. The steel plate is preferably formed using a decarburization process.

Abstract: Ti alloy is heated in an atmosphere of CO2 in a heating furnace. O and C atoms are introduced into the Ti alloy to harden it without forming Ti oxide, thereby increasing hardness by Ti—O and Ti—C solid solutions thus formed.

Abstract: Method for localized aluminide coating applied for the first time or as repair includes creating a contained space by disposing coating material comprising an aluminum source and a halide activator at least partially over and in an out-of-contact relation with a target surface of a metal substrate. Heating the substrate to a temperature to cause the aluminum source to react with the halide activator and the substrate results in diffusion aluminide coating of the targeted surface. An article comprising a target surface of a metal substrate, said surface bounding a contained space, and a coating tape comprising an aluminum source and a halide activator and disposed in an out-of-contact relation at least partially over the contained space whereby, when the substrate is heated to a temperature to cause the halide activator to react with the aluminum source, a diffusion aluminide coating is formed on the target surface.

Abstract: A process for treating a chromium coating and/or the surface of a chromium alloy to increase hardness, and/or to decrease coefficient of friction; chromium alloys and/or chromium coatings with surfaces having increased hardness and/or decreased coefficient of friction; and, components comprising chromium alloys and/or chromium coatings with surfaces having increased hardness and/or decreased coefficient of friction.

Abstract: An Al-Mg-Si based aluminum alloy extrusion having large strength, absorbable impact energy and resistance against compressing cracking, wherein the average size of Mg2Si precipitation in the [1 0 0] and [0 1 0] directions of the (1 0 0) plane inside grains is 20 nm or more, the distribution density of the Mg2Si precipitation in the [0 0 1] direction of the (1 0 0 ) plane is 100 or more per &mgr;m2, and the size of precipitations on grain boundaries is 1000 nm or less. Alternatively, in the Al-Mg-Si based aluminum alloy extrusion, a tensile strength obtained from a tensile test performed at a strain rate of 1000 per second is from 150 to 400 N/mm2 (both inclusive).

Abstract: An article having a protective coating is fabricated by providing an article substrate having a substrate surface; and thereafter producing a flattened protective coating on the substrate surface. The step of producing the flattened protective coating includes the steps of depositing a protective coating on the substrate surface, the protective coating having a protective-coating surface, and processing the protective coating to achieve the flattened protective-coating surface. The protective coating is thereafter optionally controllably oxidized. The article substrate and protective coating have an average sulfur content of less than about 10 parts per million by weight at depths measured from the protective-coating surface to a depth of about 50 micrometers below the protective-coating surface.

Abstract: An article protected by a protective coating system is fabricated by providing an article substrate having a substrate surface; and thereafter producing a protective coating having a flattened, pre-oxidized protective-coating surface on the substrate surface by depositing a protective coating on the substrate surface, the protective coating having a protective-coating surface, processing the protective coating to achieve a flattened protective-coating surface, and controllably oxidizing the protective-coating surface. A thermal barrier coating may be deposited overlying the flattened, pre-oxidized protective coating.

Abstract: An article protected by a thermal barrier coating system is fabricated by providing an article substrate having a substrate surface, and thereafter producing on the substrate surface a protective coating having a polished, pre-oxidized protective coating surface. The protective coating is produced by depositing the protective coating on the substrate surface, the protective coating having a protective coating surface, thereafter polishing the protective-coating surface, and thereafter controllably oxidizing the protective-coating surface. The protective-coating surface may optionally be controllably roughened by grit blasting after polishing and before controllably oxidizing. A thermal barrier coating may be deposited overlying the polished, pre-oxidized protective-coating surface.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are disclosed for preventing the oxidative corrosion of metal surfaces by exposing a metal surface to an anti-corrosion agent characterized as 2,4-trans, trans-hexadienoic acid (2,4-HDA), its alkali salt identified as potassium sorbate (KHDA), or other derivatives that conserve or embody the 2,4-trans, trans-hexadiene-type moiety present in their molecular structures as an active anti-corrosion agent (ACA), in combination with a material capable of forming a moisture retentive barrier over the metal surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved single crystal nickel base superalloy and a process for making same. The single crystal nickel base superalloy has a composition comprising 3 to 12 wt % chromium, up to 3 wt % molybdenum, 3 to 10 wt % tungsten, up to 5 wt % rhenium, 6 to 12 wt % tantalum, 4 to 7 wt % aluminum, up to 15 wt % cobalt, up to 0.05 wt % carbon, up to 0.02 wt % boron, up to 0.1 wt % zirconium, up to 0.8 wt % hafnium, up to 2.0 wt % niobium, up to 1.0 wt % vanadium, up to 0.7 wt % titanium, up to 10 wt % of at least one element selected from the group consisting of ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, platinum, and mixtures thereof, and the balance essentially nickel. The single crystal nickel base superalloy has a microstructure which is pore-free and eutectic &ggr;-&ggr;′ free and which has a gamma prime morphology with a bimodal &ggr;′ distribution.

Abstract: An amorphous alloy ribbon free from embrittlement and crystallization and having excellent surface conditions and shape in edge portions is produced by (a) preparing an alloy melt having a composition comprising 13 atomic % or less of B and 15 atomic % or less of at least one selected from the group consisting of transition elements of Groups 4A, 5A and 6A, the balance being substantially Fe; (b) ejecting the alloy melt at a temperature from the melting point of the alloy +50° C. to the melting point of the alloy +250° C. through a nozzle onto the cooling roll rotating at a peripheral speed of 35 m/second or less, a distance between a tip end of the nozzle and the cooling roll being 200 &mgr;m or less; (c) starting to supply a gas based on CO2 to the alloy melt after the surface temperature of the cooling roll has become substantially constant; and (d) grinding the cooling roll while supplying the gas based on CO2.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high tensile strength hot-rolled steel sheet having superior strain aging hardenability, which has high formability and stable quality characteristics, and in which satisfactory strength is obtained when the steel sheet is formed into automotive components, thus enabling the reduction in weight of automobile bodies. Specifically, a method for producing a high tensile strength hot-rolled steel sheet having superior strain aging hardenability with a BH of 80 MPa or more, a &Dgr;TS of 40 MPa or more, and a tensile strength of 440 MPa or more includes the steps of heating a steel slab to 1,000° C. or more, the steel slab containing, in percent by mass, 0.15% or less of C, 2.0% or less of Si, 3.0% or less of Mn, 0.08% or less of P, 0.02% or less of S, 0.02% or less of Al, 0.0050% to 0.0250% of N, and optionally 0.1% or less in total of at least one of more than 0.02% to 0.1% of Nb and more than 0.02% to 0.1% of V, the ratio N (mass %)/Al (mass %) being 0.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for making a multiphase hot-rolled steel strip comprising an ultra-fast cooling operations, which consists in carrying out said ultra-fast cooling operation after controlled slow cooling of the strip on a conventional slow cooling table of the rolling mill. The controlled cooling constitutes a first slow cooling, at the output of the finishing mill, from an end-of-roll temperature to an intermediate temperature of about 750° C. to 500° C.; said first cooling determines the fraction of the first phase (ferrite) in the steel. The ultra-fast cooling (>150° C./s), which solidifies the resulting structure, lowers the temperature of the strip down to a coiling temperature, ranging between about 600° C. and room temperature, at which a second slow cooling is performed which results if the formation of the second phase (bainite or martensite).

Abstract: The heat treatment of an age-hardenable aluminium alloy, having alloying elements in solid solution includes the stages of holding the alloy for a relatively short time at an elevated temperature TA appropriate for ageing the alloy; cooling the alloy from the temperature TA at a sufficiently rapid rate and to a lower temperature so that primary precipitation of solute elements is substantially arrested; holding the alloy at a temperature TB for a time sufficient to achieve a suitable level of secondary nucleation or continuing precipitation of solute elements; and heating the alloy to a temperature which is at, sufficiently close to, or higher than temperature TA and holding for a further sufficient period of time at temperature TC for achieving substantially maximum strength.

Abstract: Compositions of matter for use as propellants, methods of making these compositions, and devices incorporating the compositions, are described. One composition of the invention includes ammonium perchlorate, iron oxide, finely divided silica and a crosslinkable binder. Another general composition of the invention includes ammonium perchlorate, iron oxide, finely divided silica and a crosslinked binder.

Abstract: Method of synthesis of dinitro-diaza-alkanes and intermediate products thereto from alkylamines and esters, whereby a dialkyl ester of a dicarboxylic acid is reacted with an alkylamine in an aqueous medium to form the corresponding dialkyldiamide of the dicarboxylic acid;

Abstract: A luggage handle cover having a body portion with a first end, a second end, an inner side, and an outer side. The body portion has a length and width sufficient to substantially cover a luggage handle. The luggage handle cover also has a fastening mechanism coupled to the body portion to fasten the first end and the second end and an identification display disposed on the inner side of the body portion when the body portion is arranged to substantially cover a luggage handle.

Abstract: A covering system for use in connection with an appliance mount having a at least one self-closing tubular sleeve and a plurality of retaining rings. The retaining rings are adapted to engage a support structure. The sleeve wraps around the support structure and creates an inwardly directed clamping action which secures the sleeve to the rings.

Abstract: A pneumatic tire has an aggressive tread pattern for use on both on-road and off-road vehicles having at least a pair of intermediate ribs and a pair of shoulder ribs providing the ground engaging tread lugs. A plurality of circumferentially extending lug groups are formed on and extend outwardly from and along the sidewalls of the tire. Each lug group preferably includes three separate lugs, each lug having a substantially flat outer surface lying in a different plane than the outer surfaces of the other two lugs. Two of the lugs are radially aligned with each other along the sidewall of the tire with the third lug lying intermediate spaced pairs of these aligned lugs. The lugs are formed with sharp corners offset from each other which extend outwardly from the sidewall to different levels.

Abstract: An anti-skid device for motor vehicles with pneumatic tires comprises:

Abstract: An inner tire used in a dual-chambered tire is provided by an inner tire in which an exterior sidewall of tire provides for two annular rows of overlapping raised facets that extend above the exterior surface of the tire. Each facet defines a right angle with respect to the adjacent sidewall of the tire and provides for an elevated surface having a substantially uniform height with respect to the underlying tire exterior surface. The facets further define a plurality of gaps and passageways that have a constant height and through which pressurized air may flow during the inflation of the outer tire. The air gaps and air passageways defined by the facets have a sufficient depth that the resulting passageways do not collapse when the pressurized inner tire is in engagement with the pressurized outer tire.

Abstract: A tire noise damper to be disposed in an annular tire hollow formed between a wheel rim an a pneumatic tire mounted thereon, the damper made of a flexible material and comprising a base to be secured to the wheel rim and at least one flap extending from the base to be risen radially outwards from the wheel rim by centrifugal force during running to block the annular tire hollow. For example, the damper comprises at least one annular elastic band to be put around the wheel rim, the annular band provided with at least one U-cut for forming a flap, and the base is formed by the remaining annular portion of the band. In another example, the damper is made of a strip of the fixable material having a certain length, the base is formed by one end portion of the strip, and the flap is formed by the remaining portion of the strip.

Abstract: A pneumatic radial ply tire 100 for use on aircraft has a radial reinforced carcass 20 having at least one axially inner ply 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D of textile cords 21 wound around a pair of bead cores 33. The improved bead structure 30 has a flipper 50 having an axially inner leg LI and axially outer leg LE. The ends LI, LE of the flippers 50 are above the bead core height Bh and below the apex A of an elastomeric strip 40 satisfying the relation Bh<LE<0.7D and Bh<LI<0.7D. Additionally, the tire carcass 20 has at least one axially outer ply 2E, 2F of textile cords 21 extending from bead 30 to bead 30 along the turn-ups 20A, 20B, 20C and 20D of the axially inner plies 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D. The plies 21 are closely spaced along the natural ply path.

Abstract: A method for constructing model vegetation utilizing natural foliage and the products resulting therefrom are described. The method includes the steps of providing a segment of natural foliage, immersing the natural foliage into a liquid colorant, and applying leaf simulating material to the natural foliage. For larger model vegetation or for model vegetation requiring a base, a tree armature is utilized with additional steps including removing the branches from the natural foliage and affixing those branches to the tree armature.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved method of installing wall-to-wall carpet. The method comprises installing a wall-to-wall carpet on a substrate bounded at least partially by opposed walls or vertical structures by applying to the substrate an intermediate member having a top surface, applying to the top surface of the intermediate member the bottom surface of the carpet, the top surface of the intermediate member and the bottom surface of the carpet being constructed such that the surfaces resist relative movement between the intermediate member and the carpet; and cutting the carpet to conform to a desired shape at least partially bounded on two sides by the opposed walls or vertical structures. An improved carpet is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of balancing a wheel assembly is achieved by providing a wheel assembly which includes a tire in a range substantially between 13″ and 24.5″ size, providing pulverulent polymeric/copolymeric synthetic plastic material in a range substantially between 8-12 screen size and 40-200 screen size, and placing a selected screen size range of the pulverulent material in free movable relationship to the tire in a weight range substantially between ½ ounce to 24 ounces for the tire size ranges of substantially between 13″ to 24.5″ size.

Abstract: A method to control the post sinter distortion of free sintered multilayer ceramic substrates by placing a discrete non-densifying structure in the green ceramic laminate prior to sintering. One or several discrete non-densifying structures are placed on one or more ceramic greensheets which are then stacked and laminated to form a green ceramic laminate. The laminate is then sintered and the discrete non-densifying structure will locally control the dimensions of the free sintered multilayer ceramic substrate. The method can be used to control post sinter dimensions in MLC substrates manufactured as either single or multi-up substrates by placing the discrete non-densifying structure in the active area or in the kerf area between the individual product ups prior to sintering.

Abstract: A method is provided for securing a three-dimensional woven preform to a first composite laminate component, the preform having a base and at least one leg extending from the base. The preform may be used to attach a second component or may be used alone to stiffen the first component. The preform and the first component are uncured, whereas the second component is cured prior to assembly. The preform is positioned on the first component, adhesive optionally being located between the preform and the first component. Z-pins are driven through the base of the preform and into the first component, the pins extending into the base and the first component. The second component is attached to the leg of the preform. A vacuum bag and tooling are used while curing the first component and the preform and the preform to the first component. The second component may be bonded or fastened to the preform.

Abstract: A method of arranging cyclic patterns in a tire tread is disclosed, wherein design cycles in each cyclic pattern are repeated in a pitch sequence; with respect to each of the design cycles, an averaged pitch of the pitch lengths of a predetermined number of subsequent design cycles is obtained; combinations of the sequences of the averaged pitches are defined by changing phase between the sequences; with respect to the averaged pitches of the combined sequences, crossover averages are obtained; from the crossover averages in each combination, a difference between a maximum and a minimum is obtained; from the differences of the combinations, a combination having a smaller difference is found; the cyclic patterns are arranged in accordance with the phase shift of the combination having the smaller difference.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing endless reinforced belts is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of laying up on a flat build table at least one sheet of curable material and at least one sheet of reinforcement material forming a carcass, curing a central portion of the carcass, and then splicing and curing the uncured ends of the carcass to form the endless lugged track. The manufacturing system has three cells: a building cell, a flat cure press cell, and a splice cure press cell. Each cell is operated in series.

Abstract: An electronic dartboard block fabrication method includes the step of material preparation to prepare pieces of hem blocks, the step of shape molding to mold hem blocks into shaped blocks, the step of container preparation to prepare containers, the step of container setting to press-fit shaped blocks into the prepared containers, the step of grinding to grind the surface of the shaped block in each container, and the step of finishing to color the surface of the shaped block in each container.

Abstract: Thermoplastic film, microporous film, and laminates thereof, are made at high speeds on the order of about 500 fpm to about 1200 fpm. Bond strengths of film and nonwoven laminates are effectively controlled by air cooling devices which cause the air to flow substantially parallel to the extruded web during drawdown and provide a plurality of cooling air vortices to effectively cool the web. Film gauge control is also achieved by the method.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a thermally bonded nonwoven web and a process for producing such a web wherein there is provided a patterned embossing roll mounted for contacting the nonwoven web. The patterned embossing roll has an outer surface including a multiplicity of individual raised calender lands which are spaced apart from one another by intervening depressions, the raised calender lands being present at a concentration of 40 to 500 lands per square inch and forming from 4 to 40 percent of the surface area of the embossing roll, and the roll having a hard tie coating adhered to the surface of said roll core and overlying at least said depressions, and a fluoropolymer surface coating adhered to said tie coat.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a bonded optical disc includes the steps of coating a solution on a substrate, heating the coated solution and the substrate to thereby form a recording layer on the substrate, and adhering a dummy substrate to the recording layer, wherein the dummy substrate is also heated.

Abstract: A trim component includes a foam backing layer and a foam pad insert laminated between a cover material and a substrate. The foam pad insert provides an area of enhanced cushioning, and has smoothly tapered edges to ensure a smooth surface contour without a visible edge transition on the cover material. The foam pad insert has a lower melting temperature than the foam backing layer, both of which are thermoplastics. A foam pad insert is positioned and fixed on the back surface of the foam backing layer. A substrate material is heated and then laminated and molded with the foam and the cover material. The heat from the substrate partially softens and melts the foam backing layer and the foam pad insert. The partially melted foam pad insert is viscously deformed to form the tapered edges, as dictated by the smoothly varying mold gap spacing of the forming tools.

Abstract: The present invention relates to hot gas welding of thermoplastic and hot melt spraying, and in particular, to producing anti-skid surfaces on plastic products such as pallets and top frames used for material handling.

Abstract: Improvements are disclosed for an apparatus for continuously molding small fastener elements integral with a base web from a flowable resin. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical mold roll rotatable about an axis and defining small fastener element-shaped mold cavities in the surface thereof, and pressure-applying means to apply operating pressure to force the resin into the cavities at a pressure zone. The pressure-applying means and mold roll define a mold gap therebetween for forming the base web. The advantageous use of relatively long mold rolls, to produce a correspondingly wide web, and the use of higher molding pressures, e.g. to form very small fastener elements, is enabled by various improvements, including means to maintain the mold gap at a desired thickness profile across the length of the molding region of the mold roll under operating pressure. In some cases the pressure-applying means includes a pressure roll, in other cases it includes a resin nozzle assembly or pressure head.

Abstract: Method for laminating a pre-press proof (200), whereby an imaged receiver sheet (140) with a representative image (290) having been written with an incorrect orientation can be salvaged, which comprises the steps of: laminating a pre-laminate sheet (240) to a sheet of receiver stock and removing the first support layer (150). Laminating an imaged receiver sheet (140) consisting of a representative image (290) that has been formed with an incorrect orientation on a second thermoplastic layer (304) and a second support layer (170) to an imageless receiver sheet (160) consisting of a third thermoplastic layer (306) and a third support layer (180). Thereby encapsulating the representative image (290) between the second thermoplastic layer (304) and third thermoplastic layer (306) and removing the second support layer (170) forming a laminated imaged receiver sheet (190).

Abstract: A pattern for cut glass and the like. The pattern is a substrate having a line at the peripheral edge of the substrate and a releasable adhesive on the bottom surface of the substrate. The pattern is formed by placing an adhesively backed substrate sheet on a sheet of release paper, drawing a closed line on the substrate sheet and cutting along the outside of the line. The pattern is used by removing it from the release paper, adhering the pattern on a sheet of glass, cutting the glass along the outside of the pattern, polishing the cut edge of the glass piece, and removing the pattern from the glass piece.

Abstract: An electronic-component handling apparatus includes a) an electronic-component retainer provided with an adhesive layer for retaining multiple electronic components by an adhesion force at the bottom surface thereof and b) a blade which is used for removing the electronic components from the adhesive layer. A driving mechanism moves the blade relative to the adhesive layer along the surface of the adhesive layer while forming a dent in the bottom surface of the adhesive layer by a tip of the blade.

Abstract: A laminate from which decorative films can be precisely applied to a substrate. The laminate includes a polymeric cover sheet having opposite outer and inner major surfaces. A layer of structured pressure sensitive adhesive is adhered to the inner major surface of the cover sheet. The structured pressure sensitive adhesive has a plurality of spaced passageways extending to at least one edge of the layer of structured pressure sensitive adhesive. A decorative film is adhered to the structured pressure sensitive adhesive. A second layer of pressure sensitive adhesive is adhered to the major surfaces of the decorative film opposite the layer of structured pressure sensitive adhesive. A release liner extends substantially across the second layer of pressure sensitive adhesive and a portion of the structured pressure sensitive adhesive.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing three-dimensionally shaped polymeric sheets and laminates with color-matched digitally printed full color ink jet images. A flexible thermoformable polymeric baseweb is placed in an ink jet printer and a solvent-based (non-aqueous) digital printing ink is applied directly to the baseweb, in the absence of an ink receptive layer on the baseweb, to form a decorative pattern in multiple colors in a single pass through the printer. The finished product can be thermoformed or injection molded to a three-dimensional shape. A protective topcoat can be laminated to the digitally printed sheet prior to the thermoforming and/or injection molding step. A process for making color-matched products comprises producing a software-driven image of a pattern on a screen representing a standard color print pattern; evaluating and adjusting the standard displayed on the screen using software-driven image related adjustments for hue, contrast, lightness/darkness, etc.

Abstract: A reactivatable adhesive that may be used on high speed case and carton sealing lines contains an energy absorbing ingredient that is capable of absorbing and reflecting radiant energy.