Abstract: Disclosed is an optical element comprising substrate with a surface feature having a roughness average (Ra) of from 1 to 200 micrometers containing a dispersion of minute layered particulates in a polymer binder.

Abstract: Algae-resistant roofing granules consisting of one or two coats of a fired semi-ceramic composition having a metallic copper powder which does not significantly affect the color tint strength of the pigment contained in the coatings.

Abstract: The present invention provides a surface-treated substrate for a magnetic recording medium, and a magnetic recording medium comprising a recording layer, wherein the surface-treated substrate can contain thick film which has adhesion strong enough to withstand leveling process such as polishing in the formation of film on the Si substrate. More specifically, the present invention provides a surface-treated substrate for a magnetic recording medium, comprising a Si substrate and a primer plating layer on the Si substrate, wherein the primer plating layer is film which comprises a metal and a Si oxide. Furthermore, the present invention provides a surface-treated substrate for a magnetic recording medium, comprising a Si substrate and a primer plating layer on the Si substrate, wherein at least 5 and at most 50 protrusions of a height of at least 100 nm per 100 &mgr;m2 are present on a surface of the primer plating layer.

Abstract: A film for a liquid crystal display. The film is a cellulose ester film with a thickness between 20 and 65 &mgr;m and containing fine particles. The average diameter of fine particles is 0.05 to 3.0 &mgr;m. The number of fine particles per 1,000 &mgr;m2 is 5 to 500 in the cross-section perpendicular to the cellulose ester film in a region of a depth of not more than 10 &mgr;m.

Abstract: An infill layer for use in an artificial turf system is provided. The artificial turf system may include a pile fabric having a turf backing and a plurality of turf fibers extending upwardly from the turf backing. The infill layer may include particulate material disposed upon an upper surface of the turf backing and between the turf fibers. The infill layer may advantageously comprise ceramic support material in one or more courses. The ceramic support material may also be combined with other hard particles and/or with resilient particles in the infill layer. Alternatively, recycled support material or support material having a substantially consistent size and shape may be used instead of ceramic support material.

Abstract: A self-cleaning surface which has an artificial, at least partially hydrophobic, surface structure made from elevations and depressions, where the elevations and depressions are formed by particles secured to the surface, wherein the particles have a fissured structure with elevations and/or depressions in the nanometer range; a process for making such a surface; and particles having a fissured structure with elevations and/or depressions in the nanometer range.

Abstract: A self-adhering surface covering is disclosed having a substrate, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer which is disposed on the substrate and has an adhesive surface distal from the substrate, and a barrier layer disposed on the adhesive layer. In one aspect, the surface covering has substantially no tack at about 10 psi at 140° F. but has tack at about 20 psi at 75° F. In another aspect, an adhesive which is substantially non-stringing is employed in the adhesive layer. The barrier layer includes substantially non-adhesive particles which have a crash resistance of at least about 10 psi while disposed on the adhesive layer. A method of making the self-adhering surface covering includes applying an adhesive to a substrate to form an adhesive layer having an adhesive surface, and applying a barrier layer comprising substantially non-adhesive particles to the adhesive surface to form the surface covering.

Abstract: A synthetic turf comprises a backing with a plurality of pile filaments secured to the backing and extending upwardly therefrom and filled with particulate fill material. The fill material comprises a lower ballast layer of gravel residing on the backing and an upper layer of resilient particles above the lower layer. The lower layer of gravel provides weight and stability to hold down the synthetic turf without migrating to the surface. The upper layer provides cushioning and uniform resilience for the synthetic turf while the pile filaments create a grass-like appearance for the playing surface.

Abstract: In one embodiment the present invention provides a coated substrate comprising a substrate, a radiation-cured coating or a thermally-cured on at least a portion of the substrate, wherein the coating comprises an inherent macroscopic texture. In another embodiment, the present invention provides a pre-cured coating mixture comprising a radiation-curable resin and an initiator, or a thermally-curable resin and thermal initiator, wherein the radiation- or thermally-curable resin and the respective initiator form a pre-cured coating mixture capable of forming a macroscopic texture upon application of the mixture on a substrate. In another embodiment the present invention provides a pre-cured coating mixture comprising a radiation- or thermally-curable resin, an initiator, and texture-producing particles having an effective size to provide a macroscopic texture upon application of the mixture on a substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus is used to apply glass elements with a non-mirrored rear side to, in particular, a textile substrate. The predominant proportion of the glass elements is in the form of balls (1). At least 5% of the glass elements comprise flat boundary surfaces, and the glass elements are applied to the front side (3) of a foil (5) to form a surface. At least a portion of the glass elements comprises balls (1) provided with facets (2).

Abstract: A lithographic sheet product having a substrate with a roll textured surface covered by a pretreatment layer. The pretreatment layer enhances adhesion of a printing composition to the sheet product and is composed of a polymer selected from the group consisting of polymers of acrylic acid, polymers of methacrylic acid, an organophosphorous polymer and copolymers of an organophosphorous compound and acrylic acid or methacrylic acid. Dopant particles of alumina, silica, titanium dioxide or a black dye or pigment may be added to the pretreatment layer to reduce the gloss and reflectance of the pretreatment layer in a printing process. Etching of the substrate also reduces gloss and reflectance.

Abstract: A substrate is placed on a charging surface, to which a first voltage is applied. Etch-resistant dry particles are placed in a cup in a nozzle to which a second voltage, less than the first voltage, is applied. A carrier gas is directed through the nozzle, which projects the dry particles out of the nozzle toward the substrate. The particles pick up a charge from the potential applied to the nozzle and are electrostatically attracted to the substrate. The particles adhere to the substrate, where they form an etch mask. The substrate is etched and the particles are removed. Emitter tips for a field emission display may be formed in the substrate.

Abstract: The compositions comprise one or more fluorochemical urethane compounds and one or more silsesquioxane compounds. This fluorochemical urethane compound(s) comprises the reaction product of (a) one or more polyfunctional isocyanate compounds; (b) one or more fluorochemical monofunctional compounds; and optionally (c) one or more hydrophilic polyoxyalkylene compounds; and/or (d) one or more silane compounds.

Abstract: Glass microspheres and rear projection screens containing glass microspheres, which combine a desirable index of refraction (preferably, no greater than about 1.70) and low levels of defects (e.g., bubbles, visible haziness, frostiness, or opacity, substantially nonspherical shapes) upon formation are provided. Also provided is a coating method of placing microspheres on a film for use in a rear projection screen.

Abstract: A decorative abrasion resistant flooring laminate having a distinct surface decor and a process for the production thereof.

Abstract: A self-adhering surface covering is disclosed having a substrate, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer which is disposed on the substrate and has an adhesive surface distal from the substrate, and a barrier layer disposed on the adhesive layer. In one aspect, the surface covering has substantially no tack at about 10 psi at 140° F. but has tack at about 20 psi at 75° F. In another aspect, an adhesive which is substantially non-stringing is employed in the adhesive layer. The barrier layer includes substantially non-adhesive particles which have a crush resistance of at least about 10 psi while disposed on the adhesive layer. A method of making the self-adhering surface covering includes applying an adhesive to a substrate to form an adhesive layer having an adhesive surface, and applying a barrier layer comprising substantially non-adhesive particles to the adhesive surface to form the surface covering.

Abstract: A synthetic grass assembly for installation on a supporting soil substrate includes a pile fabric with a flexible sheet backing and rows of upstanding synthetic ribbons representing grass blades, extending upwardly from an upper surface of the backing. An infill layer of two distinct graded courses of particulate material is disposed interstitially between the upstanding ribbons upon the upper surface of the backing and of a depth less than the length of the ribbons. A bottom course of intermixed hard sand and resilient rubber granules with substantially identical particle size distribution characteristics is installed upon the backing and a top course exclusively of resilient rubber granules is placed upon the bottom course.

Abstract: An edge sharpening device has a metal body and at least one honing surface coated with ceramic created in an electrolytic bath. Profiles of the device can be triangular, planar, or V-shaped as well as curved. The ceramic can be deposited by passing a modified shaped wave alternating current through the incipient sharpening device in the presence of a passivating agent and an electrolytic agent.

Abstract: A coated fiber mat of improved tear strength upon dividing pieces of the coated mat and the coating is provided. The coated mat is a cured, non-woven mat including a mixture of fibers having different fiber lengths. The fibers contain a polysiloxane compound and are fixedly distributed in a binder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible abrasive article containing minimal releaseable amounts of physical and chemical contaminants that may be used to clean surfaces. The abrasive article is made of a foraminous substrate, at least one binder and abrasive particles. Methods of making such abrasive articles are also provided.

Abstract: A hydrophilic material comprises a substrate and a hydrophilic layer provided as the outermost layer on the substrate. The hydrophilic layer comprises hydrophilic metal oxide particles and a hydrophilic inorganic amorphous material. The hydrophilic layer has profile peaks on its surface. The hydrophilic layer has roughness properties such that, when a segment is set in only a portion not containing the profile peaks, the ten-point mean roughness (Rz) and the mean distance between concaves and convexes (Sm) obtained from a profile curve in the segment are 10 nm≦Rz≦40 nm and 10 nm≦Sm≦300 nm, respectively, while, when a segment is set so as to pass through the profile peaks, the ten-point mean roughness (Rz) and the mean distance between concaves and convexes (Sm) obtained from a profile curve in the segment are 40 nm≦Rz≦200 nm and 300 nm≦Sm≦500 nm, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention provides heat-curable or UV-curable transparent hard coating materials suitable for forming a low refractive antireflection coating on a substrate such as a film or sheet to reduce reflection of external light or increase light transmittance. A UV-curable or heat-curable transparent hard coating material comprising a UV-curable resin having one or more (meth)acryloyl groups in one molecule or a heat-curable resin and silica-magnesium fluoride hydrate composite colloidal particles such that the transparent film obtained by curing said transparent hard coating material has a refractive index of 1.48 or less.

Abstract: A process for the production of a manufactured article for coatings, for components of sanitary ware, kitchen fittings, etc., in polymerized transparent resin in which marble and other stones are embedded. The surface of the product is worked by brushing with abrasives, so as to obtain depressions corresponding to the resin, and slight projections with substantially uniform distribution corresponding to the inserts; advantageously, the inserts are “decapitated” to give smoothed surfaces.

Abstract: Polypropylene multi-layer sealant films for retort packaging, each including a multi-layer film composed mainly of at least one polypropylene polymer and to be laminated on one surface of a heat-resisting film, the multi-layer film having a first surface facing the heat-resisting film when laminated therewith and further having a second surface on the other side, the first surface having a surface roughness as defined below in (1), and the second surface having a surface roughness as defined below in (2): (1) (i) center-line mean roughness (Ra): 0.020 to 0.250 &mgr;m; (ii) maximum height (Rmax): 0.3 to 2.9 &mgr;m; and (iii) ten-point mean roughness (Rz): 0.2 to 2.4 &mgr;m; (2) (i) center-line mean roughness (Ra): 0.050 to 0.300 &mgr;m; (ii) maximum height (Rmax): 3.0 to 13.0 &mgr;m; and (iii) ten-point mean roughness (Rz): 2.5 to 11.5 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A glass article which has a water-sheeting coating and a method of applying coatings to opposed sides of a substrate are described. In one embodiment, a water-sheeting coating 20 comprising silica is sputtered directly onto an exterior surface of the glass. The exterior face of this water-sheeting coating is substantially non-porous but has an irregular surface. This water-sheeting coating causes water applied to the coated surface to sheet, making the glass article easier to clean and helping the glass stay clean longer. In one method of the invention, interior and exterior surfaces of a glass sheet are cleaned. Thereafter, the interior surface of the sheet of glass is coated with a reflective coating by sputtering, in sequence, at least one dielectric layer, at least one metal layer, and at least one dielectric layer. The exterior surface of the glass is coated with a water-sheeting coating by sputtering silica directly onto the exterior surface of the sheet of glass.

Abstract: A coating composition for forming abrasion-resistant, high clarity coatings is described. It has been found that a macrocrystalline or single crystal mineral abrasive can be added at high levels, about 5 to about 80 percent by weight, to art-recognized film-forming resin compositions for producing coatings exhibiting exceptional abrasion resistance and clarity. Such a coating composition is useful for application to surfaces including wood, vinyl, tile, rubber modified cement, marble, metal, plastic, and laminated surfaces.

Abstract: The invention provides coated abrasive products having as a backing material a barrier-coated tear-resistant laminate of fabric and paper overcoated on the barrier coating with an abrasive coating. The coated abrasive product is made by laminating at least one fabric sheet and at least one paper sheet with adhesive to provide a laminate having at least one major surface provided by the fabric sheet, coating the surface of the fabric with a barrier coating and coating the barrier coated surface with an abrasive layer.

Abstract: A cutting line intended to trim and cut vegetation which can be used in rotary-head implements such as brush cutters and edge trimmers. The cutting line consists of a core of the monofilament type, which is coated with a granular coating, especially in the form of inorganic particles. The line thus has an uneven and/or rough surface appearance. The composite cutting line of this kind has a lower operating noise, a better cutting effect, and eliminates the problems of sticking and breaking at the eyelet in the rotary head.

Abstract: The following artificial stone having a deep color tone and a glaze and having a luminousness is provided at low costs. An artificial mixture in which a fine powder component of an inorganic material having a size of from 5 to 70 mesh is used, the sum of this fine powder component and a finely divided component of an inorganic material of 100 mesh-under is 89% by weight or more of the product and a resin component is 11% or less is struck and integrated into a cured slab which has been cured.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for controlling the orientation of secondary structures (A1, A2) with at least a crystalline part during the transfer of secondary structures from a primary structure (A) on which the secondary structures have an initial crystalline orientation identical to the orientation of the primary structure, onto at least one support structure (B), the process comprising:

Abstract: A thermoplastic laminate plank is described wherein the thermoplastic laminate plank comprises a core, a print layer, and optionally an overlay. The core comprises at least one thermoplastic material and has a top surface and bottom surface wherein a print layer is affixed to, the top surface of the core and an overlay layer is affixed to the top surface of the print layer. Optionally, an underlay layer can be located and affixed between the bottom surface of the print layer and the top surface of the core. In addition, a method of making the thermoplastic laminate plank is further described which involves extruding at least one thermoplastic material into the shape of the core and affixing a laminate on the core, wherein the laminate comprises an overlay affixed to the top surface of the print layer and optionally an underlay layer affixed to the bottom surface of the print layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a roofing or siding membrane comprising a non-woven mat coated with an asphaltic composition containing, in addition to 35-75 wt. % bitumen, a mixture of isotactic and amorphous propylene polymers and between about 0.08 and about 15 wt. % of a functionalized, olefin polymer to provide a non-staining membrane of high tensile strength, low polyolefin content with respect to asphalt, improved compatibility between asphalt and non-functionalized polymers and reduced light end asphalt and polymer exudates. The invention also relates to a method for preparing the membrane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coating composition for substrates. The coating composition of the present invention generally includes a silicate binder and a plurality of photocatalytic particles. The silicate binder functions as a bonding agent to establish the coating on the substrate. A plurality of photocatalyst particles are dispersed throughout the silicate binder. The particles are included in an amount that provides sufficient distribution of the particles in the resulting coating. The incorporation of the present invention onto substrates prevents algal growth on building materials utilizing the coated substrates.

Abstract: A films composite useful for various printing methods, and particularly UV ray flexographic printing, includes a top layer formed on a substrate film made from a synthetic polymer, particularly polypropylene, containing a binder resin and having an arithmetical mean roughness Ra of 0.2 to 3.5 determined in accordance with JIS B 0601 and, optionally, an anchor layer formed between the substrate film and the top layer and containing an adhesive resin and an adhesive undercoat layer formed between the substrate film and the anchor layer and containing an adhesive resin.

Abstract: A synthetic grass assembly for installation on a supporting soil substrate includes a pile fabric with a flexible sheet backing and rows of upstanding synthetic ribbons representing grass blades, extending upwardly from an upper surface of the backing. An infill layer of two distinct graded courses of particulate material is disposed interstitially between the upstanding ribbons upon the upper surface of the backing and of a depth less than the length of the ribbons. A bottom course of intermixed hard sand and resilient rubber granules with substantially identical particle size distribution characteristics is installed upon the backing and a top course exclusively of resilient rubber granules is placed upon the bottom course.

Abstract: Colored roofing granules and methods for their preparations, having decorative metallic appearance and enhanced stability against discoloration of color containing a silica-encapsulated metallic flake or colored lamellar effect pigment distributed in an insolubilized alkali silicate coating.

Abstract: A disposable retroreflective tape is described that has a pressure-sensitive adhesive that can be comfortable adhered to human skin. The tape includes a foam or non-woven backing. Retroreflective beads are melted into a first side of the backing using a laminator. A second side of the backing is coated with the pressure-sensitive adhesive material. The retroreflective beads melted into the first side of the backing to provide the disposable tape with a retroreflective surface without the use of an additional adhesive or resin.

Abstract: A roof covering has a back surface and a plurality of glass particles applied as a backdust on the back surface. A method of manufacturing a roof covering includes coating a substrate with an organic-based coating material, and applying a plurality of glass particles as a backdust on the back surface of the coated substrate.

Abstract: Metal surfaces are protected against corrosion by a coating of molecular sieve, notably a zeolite or a phosphate-containing molecular sieve, rendered substantially non-porous by the retention (or addition) of a pore-filling member inside the voids of the molecular sieve crystal structure. Pore-filling agents convenient for use include species typically used as structure-directing agents in the synthesis of zeolites and other molecular sieves. A further aspect of the invention is a method of protecting a metal surface from corrosion by crystallizing a molecular sieve in situ on the metal surface.

Abstract: A dry formulation for an integrated marking material for concrete and asphalt application comprises a cementitious mixture including a hydraulic or cementitious binder, a redispersible polymeric cement modifier, a retroreflective agent filler, and optionally, a reflective agent filler. The formulation preferably includes a pigment, aggregate, a dispersant, a plasticizer, and/or a water reducer. The formulation optionally includes at least one admixture selected from an accelerator, an air entrainer, a defoamer, fibers, an inert filler, a natural clay, a pozzolanic filler, a retarder, a rheology modifier, a shrinkage compensating agent, a synthetic clay, a suspending agent, and a thickening agent. The marking material, when applied, has broadcast onto and embedded into its surface, additional retroreflective agents.

Abstract: A magnetic recording medium comprises: a non-magnetic base film; a magnetic recording layer formed on one surface of the non-magnetic base film, comprising a binder resin and magnetic particles; and a back coat layer formed on a surface opposite of the non-magnetic base film to the surface on which the magnetic recording layer is formed, comprising a binder resin and plate-shaped non-magnetic composite particles having an average plate surface diameter of 0.1 to 5.0 &mgr;m, an average thickness of 0.001 to 0.

Abstract: Oligomeric materials contain ultraviolet light absorbing compounds that are covalently bound to the oligomer backbone through an ester or amide linkage. These ultraviolet light absorbing oligomers may be combined with polymers such as polyolefins to provide protection against the harmful effects of ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A canvas abrasive material has a coating of resin and abrasive grains on a woven fabric layer, wherein the crossing places of the yarns form grinding places and free places that are distributed in a grid form over the surface of the abrasive material. A VELCRO-type clinging layer on the abrasive material facilitates manipulation.

Abstract: The articles of the present invention comprise pavement marking articles which are retroreflective under dry and/or wet conditions. The articles comprise a monolayer of exposed-lens optical elements, a spacing layer, and a reflective layer. The present invention also provides a method of making said pavement marking articles.

Abstract: Magnetic, conformable articles for use with traffic bearing surfaces are disclosed which comprise an organic binder having magnetic particles distributed therein. The articles may be employed in intelligent vehicle guidance systems, and in systems to guide other mobile objects such as farm animals, pets, or visually impaired pedestrians. Methods of making the articles and methods of using the systems to control and/or guide a mobile object using the magnetic field generated from the articles are also described.

Abstract: Seamless backings and seamless coated abrasive articles are provided. The seamless backings and seamless coated abrasive articles have a backing binder formed from a backing binder precursor comprising an aromatic polyisocyanate prepolymer, a polyol curative, an acrylated urethane, and at least one polymerization agent. Also provided is a method for preparing seamless backings and seamless coated abrasive articles.

Abstract: The articles of the present invention comprise pavement marking articles which are retroreflective under dry and/or wet conditions. The articles comprise a monolayer of exposed-lens optical elements, a spacing layer, and a reflective layer. The present invention also provides a method of making said pavement marking articles.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a closure tape (10) for an absorbent article, particularly for a disposable diaper (1), for fastening of the article on the body of a person, the closure tape being attachable to the outside surface (3) of the diaper (1) through one of its end portions (17) and comprising a backing (11) bearing a continuous or discontinuous adhesive layer (12), a fastening means (15) and a stretchable elastic sheet (13), the backing (11) being essentially non-elastic and/or essentially non-extensible, the support sheet comprising the backing (11) and the continuous or discontinuous adhesive layer exhibiting one or more incisions (14) in the area of the elastic sheet with at least one of the incisions extending in machine direction over the full width of the backing (11) and the end portion (17) being separated from the incision (14) closest to the end portion (7), by a sufficiently large distance (22) to prevent the incisions (14) essentially from opening when attaching the end portion (17) to

Abstract: A retroreflective article that exhibits suitable retroreflective luminance under dry and dynamic wet conditions. The article includes an enclosed-lens retroreflective sheeting that, under dry conditions, exhibits a coefficient of retroreflective luminance of about 40 (millicandela/m2)/lux as measured by ASTM D 4061-94 and, under dynamic wet conditions the sheeting increases in coefficient of retroreflective luminance. The article further includes a plurality of retroreflective elements partially embedded in a light transmissible bonding layer on the front, reflective surface of the retroreflective sheeting.

Abstract: Glass microspheres and rear projection screens containing glass microspheres, which combine a desirable index of refraction (preferably, no greater than about 1.70) and low levels of defects (e.g., bubbles, visible haziness, frostiness, or opacity, substantially nonspherical shapes) upon formation are provided. Also provided is a coating method of placing microspheres on a film for use in a rear projection screen.