Abstract: An apparatus and method for metabolic cooling and insulation of a user in a cold environment. In its preferred embodiment the apparatus is a highly flexible composite material having a flexible matrix containing a phase change thermal storage material. The apparatus can be made to heat or cool the body or to act as a thermal buffer to protect the wearer from changing environmental conditions. The apparatus may also include an external thermal insulation layer and/or an internal thermal control layer to regulate the rate of heat exchange between the composite and the skin of the wearer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sensual pressure sensitive adhesive label comprising an image having at least one overcoat layer over said image wherein said overcoat layer comprises comprising at least one tactile or olfactory feature

Abstract: Tire components comprising a microencapsulated reactant and a reaction facilitator are provided. These components have the ability to resist crack propagation and to self-repair cracks that form within the tire component matrix.

Abstract: A plurality of closed metal cells is provided. Each cell encapulates a fluid or a fluid-like filler with a metal skin or cell wall. The closed cells are joined into an aggregate arrangement to form a composite material in which the bonded cell walls form a continuous metal matrix. The cell walls and the encapulated cell filler fluid or fluid-like filler provide controllable stiffness and strength as well as vibration-damping and shock-absorbing characteristics to the material. The resulting closed cell metal composite finds many advantages uses including use as a prosthetic device, a casting, or an automotive component. The component material is elastically compliant or stiff, depending on the design, as well as lightweight and resistant to buckling and crushing. The material provides desirable physical properties such as heat-capacity, thermal and electrical conductivity, vibration-damping capacity, and shock-absorbing characteristics.

Abstract: Diffuse reflective materials proximate to a structure formed by thermally induced phase separation of a thermoplastic polymer and a diluent providing enhanced flexibility and reflectivity especially in the visible wavelengths of 380-730 nanometers are described. Such materials find a wide variety of application among combinations with various light management films, including other reflective layers, turning films, brightness enhancement films, and polarizing films. The diffuse reflective articles are useful in backlight units of liquid crystal displays, lights, copy machines, projection system displays, facsimile apparatus, electronic blackboards, diffuse white standards, photographic lights and the like.

Abstract: Devices and methods using freshening agents, such as perfumes, synthetic fragrances, deodorizers, fragrance fixing agents or mixtures thereof, for freshening the air exhausting from a vacuum cleaner during operation. One embodiment includes a thin, flexible sheet capable of being vacuumed into a vacuum cleaner, wherein the sheet has the freshening agent bound thereto. Methods for utilizing such a device are also disclosed. A second embodiment includes a disposable vacuum cleaner bag wherein at least a portion of the vacuum cleaner bag has the freshening agent bound thereto. A third embodiment includes a tubular collar to be affixed to the inlet tube of a vacuum cleaner, wherein the collar has the freshening agent bound thereto. The applied fragrance shall have a higher or greater impact on the olfactory senses of the vacuum cleaner operator than does the malodorous exhaust.

Abstract: A first heat-sensitive microcapsule of the present invention comprises a shell wall and a liquid coloring composition, and has such a temperature-breaking characteristic that the shell wall is broken by heating to a temperature equal to or higher than a boiling point of the liquid coloring composition. The first heat-sensitive microcapsule is stable to light and easy to handle. A second heat-sensitive microcapsule of the present invention comprises a shell wall, a coloring composition and a heat decomposition-type gas-developing agent, and has such a temperature-breaking characteristic that the shell wall is broken by heating to a temperature equal to or higher than a decomposition temperature of the gas-developing agent. The second heat-sensitive microcapsule can be sensitively broken even by heating in a short time.

Abstract: Self-repairing, fiber reinforced matrix materials include a matrix material including inorganic as well as organic matrices. Disposed within the matrix are hollow fibers having a selectively releasable modifying agent contained therein. The hollow fibers may be inorganic or organic and of any desired length, wall thickness or cross-sectional configuration. The modifying agent is selected from materials capable of beneficially modifying the matrix fiber composite after curing. The modifying agents are selectively released into the surrounding matrix in use in response to a predetermined stimulus be it internal or externally applied. The hollow fibers may be closed off or even coated to provide a way to keep the modifying agent in the fibers until the appropriate time for selective release occurs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a powdered mix of a phase change material blend. The blend includes a polar phase change material bound substantially to at least one surface of a clay matrix having a surface charge, wherein the blend is present in a powdered form at temperatures above and below the phase change temperature of the polar phase change material. The present invention also relates to a method of making the powdered mix of a phase change material blend and a therapy pack including the powdered mix of a phase change material blend.

Abstract: Diffuse reflective materials proximate to a structure formed by thermally induced phase separation of a thermoplastic polymer and a diluent providing enhanced flexibility and reflectivity especially in the visible wavelengths of 380-730 nanometers are described. Such materials find a wide variety of application among combinations with other reflective layers. The diffuse reflective articles are useful in backlight units of liquid crystal displays, lights, copy machines, projection system displays, facsimile apparatus, electronic blackboards, diffuse white standards, photographic lights and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a colored, preferably natural porous material comprising in its pores an effectively coloring amount of an organic pigment which is obtained by fragmenting a meltable or solvent-soluble pigment precursor in the presence of a thermally activated acid precursor, and to a low to medium temperature process for its preparation.

Abstract: A novel adhesive formed in situ in a microcapsule and method for forming such a pressure sensitive or flowable adhesive in situ in a microcapsule is disclosed. The method for forming the novel adhesive comprises providing an aqueous mixture of wall material in water; adding a substantially water insoluble core material, free radical initiator, and a solvent for the pre-polymers to the aqueous mixture. The core material comprises a first addition polymerizable pre-polymer having a Tg of less than about 0° C., a flash point of at least 75° C., and a boiling point of at least 175° C. These are typically selected from acrylate or methacrylate type materials. Optionally included is a second addition polymerizable pre-polymer for providing cross-linking or interaction between polymer chains. High shear agitation is provided to the aqueous mixture to achieve a particle size of about 0.1 to 250 microns.

Abstract: The novel UV-protected electrochromic solution comprises at least one reducible and at least one oxidizable substance, OX2 and RED1 respectively, which are linked to one another by a bridge, and is outstandingly suitable for use in an electrochromic device.

Abstract: Novel adhesive materials and methods of using the same that are highly effective at securing flooring materials. The adhesive materials are used to secure flooring materials together. Additionally, the present invention is directed to methods of securing floor materials using the adhesive materials of the present invention. The present invention uses a adhesive material that is microencapsulated and then applied to the edge of the flooring material as part of dried medium. When the individual pieces of flooring material are placed into position, the microcapsules rupture, thereby releasing the adhesive. The adhesive then secures the edges of each individual piece to one another. Additionally, means may be used to aid in the rupture of the microcapsules to ensure the desired attachment of the flooring materials.

Abstract: In an image-forming medium, an image-formation layer, formed of white powder, such as calcium carbonate powder, titanium dioxide powder, silica powder, white clay powder or the like, is coated over a transparent synthetic resin film sheet. A microcapsule layer is coated over the image-formation layer, and contains at least one type of microcapsule filled with an ink. The one type of microcapsule exhibits a temperature/pressure characteristic such that each microcapsule is squashed under a predetermined pressure at a predetermined temperature, whereby the ink is discharged from the squashed microcapsule. The image-formation layer is constituted such that the discharged ink is developed in the image-formation layer.

Abstract: A fragrant potpourri gel mixture is disclosed for dispensing fragrance to the air from a container, with the mixture lacking free liquids and being pourable into or out of the container. The fragrant potpourri gel mixture is prepared by providing an aqueous-based liquid, adding a bittering agent, and combining a coloring agent to form an aqueous-based mixture. An oil-based compound having a volatile fragrance oil component is added to the aqueous-based liquid. An absorbent polymer is mixed in by agitation or stirring to absorb the aqueous-based liquid within a gel mixture and to emulsify the oil-based fragrance component throughout to form a heterogeneous gel mixture having a plurality of micro-droplets of oil fragrance components and air pockets suspended therein. The heterogeneous gel mixture is prepared at room temperatures without heating. The volatile fragrance components of the micro-droplets volatilize from the surfaces of the micro-droplets when exposed to the air.

Abstract: A contact printable adhesive composition comprises (a) swellable, elastomeric microspheres and (b) at least one polymerizable monomer or a mixture of polymerizable monomers capable of swelling the microspheres. As used in this application “contact printable adhesive composition” is a composition that can be used in a contact printing process and then cured. The cured contact printable adhesive composition will generally be referred to as “contact printed adhesive”.

Abstract: A coating for an article includes coating encapsulated micro-spheres which maintain the coating in a fluid state. The coating encapsulated micro-spheres are retained in the coating to form a matrix of hardened coating and coating encapsulated micro-spheres. Damage to the coating form a fissure which breaks open the coating encapsulated micro-spheres adjacent the fissure. The broken coating encapsulated micro-spheres release the fluid coating material contained therein. Because the coating encapsulated micro-spheres release the encapsulated coating material in the fluid state the coating material flows into the fissure to coat the exposed substrate. This provides a “self-healing” ability to the coating which protects the substrate even after the coating is damaged.

Abstract: A recording sheet includes a micro-capsule layer which includes a plurality types of micro-capsules colored with different colors, for example, primary or complimentary colors of a subtractive mixture. The micro-capsules are filled with core materials which are discharged when the micro-capsules are broken. Each type of micro-capsule is selectively broken by a selective temperature and pressure application. When a micro-capsule is broken, the core material blends out the color of the micro-capsule. Additionally, an image forming system includes a heating unit for selectively heating the micro-capsules by an output of a Joule heat or light irradiation. Different wavelengths of light are radiated by the light irradiation heating unit, which are absorbed depending upon an absorption band exhibited by the different colored micro-capsules.

Abstract: A rewritable indication device layer on which visible information is rewritably recorded and erased, is formed on a label base layer. A protection layer for protecting the rewritable indication device layer is formed on the rewritable indication device layer. The rewritable indication label for a recording medium having such structure, is adhered to a recording medium or a recording medium case.

Abstract: The invention concerns stable emulsions, a method for preparing said emulsions and the elastomer films containing them. Said stable emulsions of at least one chemical substance x in an elastomer solution, to be used for preparing an elastomer film, comprise (1) a phase A containing an elastomer dissolved in an organic apolar or slightly polar solvent a, wherein is dispersed (2) a phase B containing at least said chemical substance x, in solution or dispersed in a polar solvent b, non-miscible with phase A and (3) at least a dispersing agent selected from the group consisting of block or grafted polymers.

Abstract: A stabilized phase change composition comprises a phase change material and a stabilizing agent selected from the group consisting of antioxidants and thermal stabilizers. The stabilizing agent provides oxidative or thermal stabilization to the phase change material. The stabilized phase change composition may be used or incorporated in a variety of processes (e.g., melt spinning processes, extrusion processes, injection molding processes, and so forth) to form articles having enhanced reversible thermal properties. Exemplary articles that may be formed include, by way of example and not by limitation, synthetic fibers (e.g., nylon fibers, polyester fibers, polyethylene fibers, polypropylene fibers, and multi-component fibers), fabric materials, textiles, films, foams, sheets, pellets, granules, rods, and injection molded articles.

Abstract: A metal layer cleared by contact with a chemical clearing agent to reveal an underlying graphics layer is at least partially covered by a buffer material that delays contact with the clearing agent. The buffer material can be applied in a pattern that forms a temporary image in the metal layer prior to more completely revealing the underlying graphics layer.

Abstract: Display information is revealed from behind a metal film that can be cleared upon effective contact with a clearing agent. The metal film, while opaque, is generally less than 1000 Angstroms thick and can be cleared by exposure to innocuous agents including food or other household products.

Abstract: Self-repairing, fiber reinforced matrix materials include a matrix material including inorganic as well as organic matrices. Disposed within the matrix are hollow fibers having a selectively releasable modifying agent contained therein. The hollow fibers may be inorganic or organic and of any desired length, wall thickness or cross-sectional configuration. The modifying agent is selected from materials capable of beneficially modifying the matrix fiber composite after curing. The modifying agents are selectively released into the surrounding matrix in use in response to a predetermined stimulus be it internal or externally applied. The hollow fibers may be closed off or even coated to provide a way to keep the modifying agent in the fibers until the appropriate time for selective release occurs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an imaging system, which comprises a support having a front and rear surface, at least one transfer layer coated on the front surface of the support, and at least one thermal recording layer coated on top of the outermost transfer layer, wherein the thermal recording layer contains heat-responsive microcapsules capable of separating an inner phase within the microcapsules from an outer phase contained outside the microcapsules, wherein said inner phase is capable of reacting with said outer phase to create a color forming element, and wherein the transfer layer is capable of transferring and adhering an image from said front surface of said support upon the application of heat energy to the rear surface of the support, said transfer layer strips from said front surface of the support by liquefying and releasing from said support when heated, said liquefied transfer layer providing adherence to a receptor element by flowing onto said receptor element and solidifying thereon, sa

Abstract: Thermal transfer image-receiving sheet comprising paper as a substrate sheet and provided on the substrate sheet in the following order, and expanded layer and a receptive layer, and undercoat layer being provided between the substrate sheet and the expanded layer. Also disclosed is a thermal transfer image-receiving sheet including a substrate sheet of paper composed mainly of pulp and, provided on the substrate sheet in the following order, and expanded layer, an intermediate layer and a receptive layer, the intermediate layer having been formed by coated an aqueous coating solution.

Abstract: A process for homogeneously dispersing at least one reactant in a fluid matrix, characterized in that capsules of a first type containing the reactant(s) are prepared with a first encapsulation product and capsules of a second type containing the fluid matrix are prepared with a second encapsulation product which is compatible with the first, these two types of capsules bearing electric charges of opposite polarity, the capsules of the two types are combined by electric attraction and the first and second encapsulation products are removed so as to obtain a composite material consisting of the fluid matrix containing the reactant(s) in homogeneous dispersion form, and products obtained according to this process.

Abstract: A highly flexible composite material having a flexible matrix containing a phase change thermal storage material. The composite material can be made to heat or cool the body or to act as a thermal buffer to protect the wearer from changing environmental conditions. The composite may also include an external thermal insulation layer and/or an internal thermal control layer to regulate the rate of heat exchange between the composite and the skin of the wearer. Other embodiments of the PCM composite also provide 1) a path for evaporation or direct absorption of perspiration from the skin of the wearer for improved comfort and thermal control, 2) heat conductive pathways within the material for thermal equalization, 3) surface treatments for improved absorption or rejection of heat by the material, and 4) means for quickly regenerating the thermal storage capacity for reuse of the material.

Abstract: The present invention includes processes and resulting structures for producing a modified polymer having interconnecting channels. The interconnecting channels act as controlled transmission passages through the polymer. A hydrophilic agent is blended into the polymer so that it is distributed within the polymer. In one embodiment, an activation material is blended into the polymer so that the activation material is distributed within the product. The product is solidified so that the hydrophilic agent forms passages in the product through which a desired composition is communicable to the activation material that is entrained within the product. The solidified product may be used to form a desired shaped article such as plug type inserts and liners for closed containers, or it may be formed into a film, sheet, bead or pellet.