Abstract: Overlaminated faceless PSA label constructions of this invention comprise a low material cost, thin prelaminate PSA construction having a layer of pressure-sensitive material disposed on a release surface of a removable substrate, and a nonblocking continuous film disposed over a surface of the layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive to render the pressure-sensitive adhesive tack free. An optically transparent overlaminate film layer is disposed over the nonblocking continuous film, and a printed indicia is interposed between the overlaminate film layer and nonblocking continuous film. The prelaminate PSA construction does not include a conventional facestock formed from paper, cardboard or plastic, and is highly conformable.

Abstract: An ink jet recording sheet having a high water resistance and capable of recording thereon clear ink images includes a substrate polymeric film or sheet; an undercoat layer formed on the substrate and including a polymeric binder having a glass transition temperature of 50° C. or less and optionally pigment particles having an oil absorption of 250 ml/100 g or less and/or an aspect ratio of 2.0 to 100.0; and an ink receiving layer including a pigment and a polymeric binder.

Abstract: A transparent multilayer structure is disclosed such as a flexible self-supporting container for a flowable food product such as fruit juice. The transparent multilayer structure possesses superior barrier properties to oxygen, water vapor and aromatic gases. The multilayer structure may include an exterior layer having a metal oxide deposition laminated to an interior layer through use of an adhesive. In one embodiment, the metal oxide is SiOx where x has a value between 1.5 and 2.2 thereby allowing for a transparent multilayer structure. The metal oxide may be deposited on the exterior layer through a number of various methods. An exemplary method is plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. The exterior layer may be composed of a polymer material integrated with a clay mineral between 0.1% and 10% weight of the polymer material. The polymer material may be selected from the group consisting of polyamide, polyethylene terephthalate, copolymers of polyethylene terephthalate and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An electromagnetie-wave shielding and light transmitting plate suitable for an electromagnetic-wave shielding filter for a PDP, which has good electromagnetic-wave sheilding efficiency and light transparency, can provide distinct pictures, and can yet be easily made, is provided. The electromagnetic-wave shielding and light transmitting plate is formed of two transparent base plates and an adhesive layer made of EVA in which conductive particles are dispersed and mixed. The base plates are integrally bonded together by the adhesive layer. Adjusting the particle size and the dispersed amount of the conductive particles enables the manufacture of plates having desired electromagnetic-wave shielding efficiency, in addition, good light transparency, without moire phenomenon. Using an adhesive sheet formed by mixing the conductive particles into the EVA facilitates the manufacture of the aforementioned plate.

Abstract: A see-through, one-way panel having a white opaque substrate with a dark pigmented adhesive on the rear side. The pigmented adhesive is covered with a release liner. The substrate, adhesive and liner are perforated and thereafter an imperforate barrier is laminated over the release liner. The front surface may be top coated to accept a dye based ink. The front surface is printed with an image by thermal or piezo ink jet printing technology. The resulting panel may then be adhesively applied to a surface.

Abstract: There is disclosed an ink-jet recording material which comprises a support and a layer containing at least one of a polymer latex and a resin emulsion in combination with solid fine particles, and at least one layer containing fumed silica formed on the above-mentioned layer.

Abstract: A high resolution thermal imaging medium including a support web having an image forming surface of a material which may be temporarily liquified by heat and upon which is deposited a particulate or porous layer of an image forming substance which is wettable by the material during its liquified state.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polyester film for a decorative sheet wherein said sheet comprises a picture-printed layer (B) and said polyester film (A) laminated on a substrate, said polyester film containing a color pigment in an amount of 0.1 to 30 weight % based on the weight of said polyester (A), and said polyester film having a color tone which satisfies the color difference &Dgr;E* between said polyester film (A) and the picture-printed layer (B), which is represented by the following formula (1), of not more than 50. &Dgr;E*={(L*A−L*B)2+(a*A−a*B)2+(b*A−b*B)2}½  (1) wherein L*A, a*A and b*A represent color tone values of the polyester film (A) in CIELAB color determination system; and L*B, a*B and b*B represent color tone values of the picture-printed layer (B) in CIELAB color determination system.

Abstract: A method of forming a display label for displaying predetermined information on a member on which display information is to be displayed which member is elastic or expandable/contractible, comprising the steps of laminating at least a protective layer which is made of an elastic material and an expandable/contractible material, a display layer for displaying display information which is formed by at least one of a picture pattern, a letter, a symbol, a photograph, a pattern and a bar code, and a base material layer which is made of an elastic material or an expandable/contractible material, in that order, applying, to a member on which display information is to be displayed, a display label which is formed by the laminating of the protective layer, the display layer and the base material layer, and in which a supporting member is laminated on a surface of the protective layer so as to be peelable off of the protective layer such that the base material layer faces a member on which display information is to be

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 label or transfer adapted to mark an elastomeric article includes a cured elastomeric sheet which is overcoated with a heat resistant polymer preferably a thermoset polyurethane. Indicia is then applied to this heat resistant polymer layer using a thermal transfer printer. The indicia is then overcoated with a second protective layer preferably a clear thermoset polyurethane. The backside of the cured elastomeric film is applied to a surface of the elastomeric article which is being marked. The elastomeric article is then subjected to a cure cycle bonding the elastomeric sheet to the surface of the elastomeric article and permanently marking the article with the indicia. In a preferred embodiment, the indicia is a bar code.

Abstract: A method includes a step of transferring an image formed on an image transfer sheet to an image-receiving member under the application of heat and pressure thereto, the image-receiving member having a transparent material layer for receiving the image thereon and a support member for supporting the transparent material layer. The support member of the image-receiving member comprises concave and convex portions on the surface thereof, and the transparent material layer is provided in such a manner that the concave portions of the support member are filled with the transparent material layer and that the transparent material layer has a flat surface.

Abstract: A security document which contains at least one layer and a transparent or translucent support and at least one image or pattern serving for identification purposes, characterized in that the document contains at least one light interference pigment distributed uniformly or patternwise in or on at least one layer of the document and/or contains the pigment in the support.

Abstract: A partially printed substrate with a print pattern comprising a first color deposited on the substrate and a second color deposited on the fist color, the second color being darker than the first color, whereby the first and second colors are perceived as a combined, substantially single color in the area defined by the first color.

Abstract: Permanent care label fabric is coated with a water-based acrylic or acrylic/urethane coating. The coating is dried and the coated fabric is fed into a standard laser printer. The permanent care instructions are laser printed on the coated fabric and the print meets the AATCC test methods 143-1992 and 61-1993.

Abstract: An ink-fouling preventing sheet which is attached to a feed or delivery cylinder that supports and moves a printed paper in an offset press. The sheet comprises a flexible sheet base; an adhesive layer formed on the base; many small balls partially buried in the adhesive layer; a primer layer applied over the exposed convex portions of the small balls in the adhesive layer; and a set resin layer made of a silicone-modified urethane resin and applied on the primer layer to take the convex shapes of the small balls.

Abstract: A method for forming a multi-layer metallic coating film, the method being a 3-coat system comprising the steps of applying the following coating compositions (A), (B) and (C) in this order to a metal substrate coated with a cationically electrodepositable coating composition; (A) an organic solvent-based thermosetting metallic first base coating composition which comprises a neutralized carboxyl-containing resin having an acid value of 5 to 100 mg KOH/g, an amino resin and a metallic pigment, the composition having a substrate-hiding power corresponding to up to 3% transmittance of light at a wavelength of 400 to 700 nm in a 15 .mu.m-thick cured coating film, (B) an aqueous thermosetting second base coating composition which has a transparency corresponding to 10 to 95% transmittance of light at a wavelength of 400 to 700 nm in a 15-.mu.m thick cured coating film, and (C) an organic solvent-based thermosetting clear coating composition.

Abstract: A method of making soft touch components such as a switch button in an automobile. The component part is molded out of optically clear thermoplastic elastomer. In the molding process, a thin decorative ink film is molded onto the surface the part. The decorative film may consist of multiple layers, incorporating colors, graphics and different textures. The backlighting will occur through the transparent optically clear thermoplastic elastomer.

Abstract: A laminate comprises:a first layer of thickness between 75 .mu.m and 150 .mu.m of a polyester material not being absorbent of xerographic toner and having an image deposited on a first surface thereof by an electrostatic deposition process,a second layer of optically transparent or translucent plastics material,a first surface of the first layer being bonded to the second layer by a layer of optically transparent adhesive material, in a lamination process involving heat and pressure to ensure that the relief of the deposited image is apparent in the laminate through the second layer,the arrangement being such that the image on the first layer can be viewed through the second layer and the layer of optically transparent adhesive material.

Abstract: A process for the production of extruded profiles and shaped sheets, variously decorated, especially from aluminium alloy to be used in the building field, for domestic appliances and the like, comprising the steps of preliminary preparation of the surfaces of the article (1), the application of preliminary painting cycles or other surface treatments, the wrapping of the article with a transfer support (2) carrying the decorations wished, the covering of the part so wrapped within a membrane (5) of rubber or the like and the creation of vacuum through holes (6) between the membrane and the piece covered by the same, on prior interposition of means (3) suitable to ensure the flow and the exhaust of the air so as to cause the adhesion of the support to the shape of the article, as well as the possible interposition of yielding means (4), suitable to equalize the pressure exercised by the membrane and lastly the heating for the transfer of the pattern and the polymerization of the colors.

Abstract: A method of transfer printing onto a receptor substrate (16), comprising at least partially covering a first transfer (13) with barrier means (15) located to come between the first transfer (13) and the receptor substrate (16) so that, where the barrier means (15) covers the first transfer (13), transfer material (6) is substantially prevented from being transferred from the first transfer (13) to the receptor substrate (16), and the barrier means (15) is sandwiched between the first transfer (13) and a second transfer (14).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laminated article and a method for making the article. An imageable film is printed on a first side with an image created in a computer. The image can be black and white or color. The imageable film can be transparent or white. The image containing film is then overlaid with a transparent laminate layer to protect the image from weather, abrasion and wear. A colored substrate may be applied on a second side of the imageable film to create a colored sign. The colored substrate may also be used to introduce special effects to the appearance of the finished laminated article.

Abstract: A single ply label for use as a battery label. The invention includes a polymeric film that has an ink layer or metallized outer surface that may include applied print graphics. A cured varnish is applied as the outermost layer adapted to form a continuous protective surface over the battery. The varnish on the label edges that shrink over the rims of the battery has a geometric pattern to accommodate the greater shrinkage of the film and still provide a substantially continuous surface of varnish protectant.

Abstract: An article is disclosed having both holographic and retroreflective features. The article includes a holographic layer that is perceptible under normal lighting conditions and substantially imperceptible to the unaided eye under retroreflective lighting conditions, a retroreflective layer perceptible under retroreflective lighting conditions, and means for bonding the two layers together.

Abstract: A security card comprising a backing, a cover film, and a security image, the security image being located between the backing and the cover film, the backing and the cover film being laminated together without an intermediate adhesive layer, wherein the backing comprises an amorphous copolyester or polyvinyl chloride, and the cover film comprises the other of polyvinyl chloride or an amorphous copolyester. Also, a method for making such security cards.

Abstract: A media for restricting the copying of a document utilizing one or more microdots that are embedded in said document for providing a non-visual, but machine detectable mark or marks. The detected means for detecting the presence of one or more microdots in said document inhibits a copy machine from copying the document.

Abstract: A decorative sheet formed by a transparent sheet body having a certain thickness and having front and rear surfaces, the transparent sheet being simply provided on its front surface and rear surfaces with parallel striped patterns with predetermined pitches, to thereby produce a decorative sheet excellent in decorativeness with color tone or colors changeable with the angle of observation.

Abstract: An image bearing composite optical material is formed as a laminated flexible sheet having an image bearing photographic quality film layer variously bonded between outer and inner translucent layers of paper, fabric, or synthetic materials. The composite optical material provides two sharply distinct appearances dependent upon being viewed under backlit or ambient illumination conditions. Full-colored and precisely detailed images are produced under backlighted conditions; a plain appearance is produced otherwise. Improved embodiments include a nonbilateral structure wherein a middle image bearing film layer is bonded over its entire adjacent surface with an outer translucent layer, and is bonded at widely separated points or along thin lines with an inner translucent layer to produce an air gap there between. The air gap embodiment negates image transmission under nonbacklit viewing conditions.

Abstract: An electromagnetic-wave shielding and light transmitting plate suitable for an electromagnetic-wave shielding filter for a PDP, which has good electromagnetic-wave shielding efficiency and light transparency, can provide distinct pictures, and can yet be easily made, is provided. The electromagnetic-wave shielding and light transmitting plate is formed of two transparent base plates and an adhesive layer made of EVA in which conductive particles are dispersed and mixed. The base plates are integrally bonded together by the adhesive layer. Adjusting the particle size and the dispersed amount of the conductive particles enables the manufacture of plates having desired electromagnetic-wave shielding efficiency, in addition, good light transparency, without moire phenomenon. Using an adhesive sheet formed by mixing the conductive particles into the EVA facilitates the manufacture of the aforementioned plate.

Abstract: Laminates having microfluidic structures disposed between sheets of the laminate are provided. The microfluidic structures are raised on a sheet of laminate, typically by printing the structure on the sheet. Printing methods include Serigraph, ink-jet, intaligo, offset printing and thermal laser printing.

Abstract: A multi-layer article comprises a fluoropolymer layer comprising interpolymerized units derived from vinylidene fluoride, and a melt-processable, substantially non-fluorinated polymer layer comprising a polyamide, polyimide, polyurethane, or a carboxyl, anhydride, or imide functionalized polyolefin. The non-fluorinated polymer layer further contains an aliphatic di-, or polyamine which provides increased adhesion between the fluoropolymer layer and the non-fluorinated polymer layer.

Abstract: Broadly, the present invention is directed to a method for making a metal tag bearing visible indicia thereon and which can be welded onto a workpiece. Such inventive method commences by providing a metal sheet having a top face, a bottom face, and a pair of ends. The top face bears a painted zone upon which is imprinted with visible indicia. At least one of the ends of the bottom face has exposed bare metal. Such bare metal end is folded so as to reveal the bottom face bare metal adjacent to the imprinted painted zone. The thickness of the folded ends is effective for the metal tag to be welded onto a metal workpiece at such folded tag end. Another aspect of the present invention is a metal tag bearing indicia thereon and which can be welded onto a metal workpiece. The tag includes a metal sheet having a top face, a bottom face, and a pair of ends. The top face bears a painted zone upon that is imprinted with visible indicia.

Abstract: A system for framing a canopy has a carrier sheet and a coating of adhesive deposited onto the carrier sheet. A transparent film is cast over the coating of adhesive, and the film defines a plurality of slits configured for forming frames or masks which conform to the shape of the canopy. Alternatively, in a method for framing a canopy having interior and exterior sides, a first coat of paint having a first color is applied onto a first side of a transparent film, and a second coat of paint having a second color is applied onto the first coat of paint. A second side of the film is then adhered to the exterior side of the canopy so that the first coat of paint is visible on the interior side of the canopy, and the second coat of paint is visible on the exterior side of the canopy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a superior light-storing printed article, which includes a light-storing printed layer comprising 50-80 wt % of light-storing pigment having D50=22-35 .mu.m and D90=58-80 .mu.m based on the total amount of the light-storing pigment and the binder, and the thickness of the printed layer being 50-150 .mu.m.

Abstract: A heat-transfer label including a novel acrylic adhesive layer. In a preferred embodiment, the label is used in decorating polyethylene-coated glass articles subjected to pasteurization conditions and includes (a) a support portion in the form of a sheet of paper overcoated with a release layer of polyethylene, (b) a skim coat of wax overcoated onto the polyethylene release layer and (c) a transfer portion, the transfer portion including a cross-linked phenoxy protective lacquer layer printed onto the skim coat, a polyester ink layer printed onto the protective lacquer layer, a first adhesive layer printed onto the ink layer, any exposed portions of the underlying protective lacquer layer and a surrounding area of the skim coat, and a second adhesive layer printed onto the first adhesive layer. The first adhesive layer is made by depositing an adhesive composition comprising a water-based all-acrylic elastomeric polymer emulsion.

Abstract: A decorative laminate for articles of elastomeric material in which a layer of pigments is sandwiched between an adhesive covering and a protective vering. The two coverings are produced from aqueous emulsions of at least one homopolymer or a copolymer having a base of at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic, methacrylic and vinyl esters, and having a glass transition temperature less than 0.degree. C.

Abstract: A retroreflective vision control panel which includes an opaque sheet material coated with retroreflective light reflecting particles and a dark opaque color on the reverse side thereof, and an image formed over top the retroreflective particles using colored light permeable translucent inks or films to form an image thereon. The opaque sheet and image have a plurality of perforations spaced therethrough. Translucent light-permeable sheet material is provided on the back side of the panel and overlaid on one or the other side with translucent inks to form a second image. An observer on the front side of the panel will observe one or the other of the images, depending upon the relative intensity of the light incident on the front and back sides of the panel.

Abstract: A laminate for can-making is disclosed, comprising a metal sheet and a thermoplastic resin layer provided on the surface of the metal sheet. The thermoplastic resin layer comprises a laminate film layer comprising a polyester-base resin intermediate layer (A) containing 10 wt % or more of coloring agent particles, a polyester-base resin outer surface layer (B) and a polyester-base resin backing layer (C). The outer surface layer (B) and the backing layer (C) each contains the coloring agent particles in an amount of 20 wt % or less and at the same time, in an amount less than that contained in the intermediate layer (A). Also disclosed is a process for making a can using the laminate.

Abstract: Writing instruments are provided with thermochromic liquid crystal coatings which may be covered by acrylic polymer coatings. The underlying coatings are protected by an outer protective barrier lacquer coating.

Abstract: An ink-oozing plate for a stamp includes a stamp ink-impregnated part, which is comprised of an elastic resin-made stamp material having stamp ink-impregnable open cells. The ink-oozing plate also includes a printing face having a stamp ink-oozing part formed on the surface of the stamp material and a stamp ink-non-oozing part. The stamp ink-non-oozing part has a heat transfer substance-transferred part which is transferred by heat generation and a stamp material-molten part. The stamp material is molten by the heat generation of the heat transfer substance.

Abstract: A backing film for incorporation as a backing layer in a resilient floor covering or a floor tile having at least two laminae and a method for making such a backing layer whereby wastage is reduced when the color of the upper lamina is changed. Where there are two backing films having two or three laminae making up the backing layer the intermediately colored film resulting from a change in the color of the upper lamina can be utilized without further processing on the second backing film where color is not essential. Where there are three laminae making up a backing film the desired color is introduced and established in the bottom lamina before the supply of the original color to the upper lamina is stopped. The film can then be turned over for use with the former bottom lamina becoming the upper lamina.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system for marking objects for their identification. The inventive system includes a laser that emits a select band of radiation and a coating system for application to an object or workpiece to be marked. The coating system is composed of two contrasting coats of paint, a topcoat and a basecoat, which have been coated sequentially on the workpiece. The topcoat, while still wet, can be ablated by the beam of said laser while the basecoat, while wet, dry or tacky, is refractory to the beam of said laser. The laser, thus, can generate alphanumeric and graphic characters (product identification indicia) on the workpiece by its beam being directed onto the coating system for ablating the topcoat to reveal the basecoat to generate the characters by dint of the visible contrast between the two coats of paint.

Abstract: An article and method for marking elastomeric articles, such as tires, floor mats, and the like, includes an elastomeric sheet which is marked with indicia using a solvent based ink which contrasts with the elastomeric sheet. The indicia is cured with a clear thermoset layer such as a polyurethane. This is then applied to an uncured elastomeric article and the elastomeric article is cured. The heat and the pressure of curing causes the elastomeric sheet to bond to the elastomeric article. The indicia remains discernible and is not easily marred or dulled. After curing, the transfer can be further marked by heat transferring indicia in the form of a sublimation dye through the clear polyurethane layer.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display and method of making. The display includes a layer of support material stabilizing a layer of liquid crystal material in dimensional thickness and uniformity. The invention is particularly well suit for making heat-sensitive display labels.

Abstract: A non-slip mat, pad or coaster which is considerably thinner than present known and available pads, the mat or pad being formed from a thin plastic sheet having a lower surface with a tacky characteristic to provide a non-slip coefficient of friction; the mat or pad being formed from a suitable plastic material, such as polyvinyl, polyproplylene, polycarbonate, polystyrene or polyester, etc., and the lower surface is formed by coating the surface with a suitable ink, such as an ultraviolet ink, water-based ink or solvent-based ink containing a tackiness agent in the form of an acrylated polymer. The ink may be applied as a very thin firm of the ink adhesively joined to the underside of the plastic, or the ink is coated onto the undersurface of the pad or mat by silk screening, or in a multimaterial coating operation.

Abstract: A printing sheet that is adapted for printing in an inkjet printer or the like. The sheet has a plurality of pits in the top surface. The pits accept the ink and hold the ink in place. The bottom surface of the sheet has a permanent electrostatic charge. The sheet may be constructed by etching an electreet compatible plastic sheet and then polling the sheet. Alternatively, the sheet may be constructed by bonding a porous sheet to an electreet sheet.

Abstract: A color electrophotographic recording medium is disclosed that contains a polymeric base film substrate having coated on a side thereof a toner-receptive coating. The coating contains at least one low molecular weight toner-compatible resin segment and at least one high molecular weight thermoplastic resin segment, with the toner-compatible resin segment having a number average molecular weight in the range of about 1,000 g/mole to about 10,000 g/mole, and the thermoplastic resin segment having a number average molecular weight in the range of about 10,000 g/mole to about 500,000 g/mole. Optionally, the toner-receptive coating layer can also contain a polymeric particulate, an anti-static agent, and a surfactant.

Abstract: A reinforced magnetic hot patch has an attached rigid backing. The hot patch expands and flows when heated to seal an opening in a structural member. A non-planar magnetic hot patch is also provided.

Abstract: A decorative film is provided which has a heat-activatable transfer layer for affixation to a substrate to be decorated. The film includes a carrier sheet and a transfer layer in contact with the carrier sheet. The transfer layer includes a decorative layer and a heat-activatable adhesive layer for affixing the film to a substrate, wherein the heat-activatable adhesive layer is a solidified layer of a molten adhesive formulation. In a method of making such a decorative film, a thermoplastic adhesive formulation is heated to a temperature in excess of the softening temperature of the thermoplastic in the formulation to form a molten adhesive formulation, which is then applied to a decorative layer on the carrier sheet thereby forming a transfer layer having a transfer surface. The second surface of the carrier sheet and the transfer surface are chilled.

Abstract: A panel which comprises a substrate of transparent or translucent material having applied to one or both sides a design superimposed on, or forming part of, an opaque pattern so that the design on one side of the panel cannot be seen from the other side. This is a Reissue of a Patent which was the subject of a Reexamination Certificate No. B1 4,673,609, dated Jul. 25, 1995, Request No. 90/003,201, Sep. 21, 1993.