Abstract: The present invention relates to disposable thermal packs comprising a unified structure having at least one continuous layer of a semirigid material which softens when heated. The thermal packs also comprise a plurality of individual heat cells, which typically comprise an exothermic composition, spaced apart and fixedly attached across the unified structure. The material of the continuous layer or layers provide sufficient rigidity to maintain structural support of the heat cells, to prevent unacceptable stretching of structures of the continuous layer or layers during processing or use of the thermal packs, and to ensure child resistance, while also providing good overall drape characteristics when heated. The thermal packs, when incorporated into body wraps, pads, and the like, provide uniform heat coverage by having excellent conformity with various body forms.

Abstract: An optical disk with improved performance including a transparent substrate; and a recording layer over the substrate and a reflective layer formed of Au over the recording layer and having its property changed by heat treatment for a sufficient time and at a temperature in a range of about 50.degree.-120.degree. C. so as to significantly improve window margin, reflectivity, jitter.

Abstract: An improved substrate and stamper holder and method of forming substrates are disclosed. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a substrate for a DVD has a moat with a capillary barrier shape. Under one embodiment, the moat has a region with an abrupt outer diameter transition. One embodiment has the outer diameter transition at approximately at a right angle relative to a registering surface of the substrate. Another embodiment of the invention provides a wider moats. The improvements reduce the likelihood of resin wicking past the moats.

Abstract: A phthalocyanine dye of specific structure represented by the following general formula (1) or (2): ##STR1## where Y is O or S attached to the phthalocyanine ring, Z is the group of atoms required to complete a carbon or heterocyclic ring together with C, A.sub.1 is a monovalent substituent bulkier than a hydrogen atom, and each of X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 is H or a monovalent substituent or, in the alternative, X.sub.1 and X.sub.2, taken together, form a single bond, ##STR2## where Y and Z.sub.1 have the same meanings as defined for Y and Z in formula (1). A.sub.11 is a monovalent substituent having a branched alkyl group, which is attached to the ring completed by Z.sub.1, and s1 is the number of A.sub.11, is used for the recording layer of an optical recording layer. This phthalocyanine dye is unlikely to attack a substrate material such as PC, can be handled with ease, and has a high solubility in a coating solvent advantageous for film formation, for instance, an alcoholic solvent, e.g.

Abstract: A display device is provided comprising one or more masking discs being printed on a surface and a transparent area for viewing printed matter on a substrate disc such as a compact disc. A masking disc or a protective layer includes a bushing extending through a central hole of the compact disc so that each masking disc and substrate disc are rotatably mounted relative to each other. The bushing cooperates with a securing disc to maintain the masking discs and substrate disc together. A magnetic layer secured to the substrate disc comprises means for mounting the display device on a substrate independent of the display device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lipstick blotter having sheet-like main body of generally circular shape and a thickness of from about one to about three millimeters, the periphery of said body having a plurality of generally arced cutouts spaced about the periphery to allow the user to position lips around the cutouts to blot freshly applied lipstick, the blotter having at least one handle member extending from said main body, the blotter being of a soft absorbent polyether polyurethane material.

Abstract: An optical disc having an aluminum reflective film is disclosed, wherein an oxide of Al in the stable oxidized state is introduced into the Al reflective film to eliminate changes with lapse of time to improve durability of the optical disc. A method for producing a reflective film on an optical disc is also disclosed, wherein a trace amount of oxygen is introduced into atmosphere in the course of formation of the reflective film.

Abstract: An optical recording medium comprising one or more recording layers. At least one of the recording layers comprising an optical phase-change memory material, the optical phase-change memory material comprising: an optical phase-change alloy; and at least one modifier element, added to the optical phase-change alloy, that increases the erasability of the optical recording medium by at least 3 dB.

Abstract: An optical disk with improved stability and performance including a transparent substrate; and a recording layer over the substrate and a reflective layer formed of Ag over the recording layer and having its property changed by heat treatment for a time and temperature in a range of about 50.degree.-120.degree. C. so as to significantly improve window margin, reflectivity, jitter, and stability.

Abstract: Various configurations of a directed energy assisted micro embossing machine/station in a vacuum chamber utilized in a continuous manufacturing process and the web structure products made by that process (optical disks, cards, tapes, holographic reflectors, diffusers, binary optical elements, etc.) are disclosed. The configurations can include a single machine roll to roll system for embossing optical features on the surface of a single substrate and applying appropriate metallic, dielectric, semiconductor, polymer and other coatings all in a vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A copper-based or silver-based alloy thin film is provided for the highly reflective or semi-reflective layer of optical discs. Alloy additions to silver include gold, palladium, copper, rhodium, ruthenium, osmium, iridium, and platinum. Alloy additions to copper include silver, cadmium, gold, magnesium, aluminum, and nickel. These alloys have moderate to high reflectivity and reasonable corrosion resistance in the ambient environment.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium for recording, retrieving and erasing mark length-modulated amorphous marks, which comprises a substrate, and a lower protective layer, a phase-change recording layer, an upper protective layer and a reflective layer having a thickness of from 40 to 300 nm and a volume resistivity of from 20 to 150 n.OMEGA..multidot.m, formed in this sequence on the substrate.

Abstract: A transparent simulation disk for measuring flying height of a magnetic head (i.e., distance between a magnetic head and a magnetic disk such as a hard disk of a computer) in place of a magnetic disk is made of a SiO.sub.2 --R.sub.2 O (where R is Li, Na or K) glass or glass-ceramic having electric resistivity of 10.sup.8 -10.sup.14 .OMEGA.cm and abrasion of 90 or below.

Abstract: Provided is an optical recording medium comprising at least a recording layer, a metal reflective layer, a protective layer and a printing layer laminated on a transparent substrate, wherein the printing layer is obtained by curing a UV-curing ink composition and said ink composition contains a compound which has a solubility parameter falling in the range of 7 to 10 and which takes no part in UV curing and does not react with other components contained therein.

Abstract: A first pattern of bumps and a second pattern of bumps are formed on a substrate (10) with bumps (14,15). During a transfer process, only the bumps (14) of the first pattern of bumps are transferred to pad extensions (20) of a device (17). The bumps (15) of the second pattern of bumps are not affected by this process and can be later transferred to a second device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making optical discs (e.g., for use in digital versatile discs ("DVDs") are provided. An optical disc made in accordance with this invention includes at least one roughened surface portion to mask any manufacturing irregularities and thereby improve the appearance of the disc and, if the disc is used in a DVD, then also the DVD. The method includes roughening a section of a mold in contact with molten plastic, molding an optical disc with that mold so that at least one side of the optical disc has a roughened surface portion, and if the disc is used in a DVD, securing the disc to another disc with adhesive to form a DVD.

Abstract: A substrate for an information recording medium is prepared from a glass substance having a Young's modulus not smaller than 100 GPa and a liquidus temperature not higher than 1350.degree. C.

Abstract: An apparatus for resisting adhesion by materials on a movable assembly, the apparatus having a body member adapted to be mounted on the movable assembly at a position susceptible to the adhesion and which is so constructed as to be capable of incurring contact from the materials substantially without the adhesion resulting from such contact.

Abstract: A phase change optical recording medium includes a phase change optical recording layer which transits between two states of the crystalline state and the amorphous state when irradiated with light, and a heat adjustment layer which is formed adjacent to the phase change optical recording layer and abruptly increases or decreases thermal conductivity with increasing temperature upon irradiation of recording light. This phase change optical recording medium can decrease the size of the recording mark and makes high-density recording possible.

Abstract: A phthalocyanine compound of a structural formula of phthalocyanine represented by the general formula (1): ##STR1## wherein 1 to 8 of a total 16 positions are substituted with a phenoxy group, the phenoxy group at either of the ortho positions is substituted with an aryl group which may be substituted, all the atoms in the aryl group and the substituents at the residual ortho positions excluding the hydrogen atoms assume a total atomic radius of not less than 6.0 .ANG., and a central atom group M contains a metal atom of not less than trivalence, a bromine-substituent of the compound, a phthalocyanine composition comprising the phthalocyanine compound and the bromine atom-containing phthalocyanine compound, and an optical recording medium containing it in a recording layer.

Abstract: A dual layer pre-recorded optical disc includes a transparent substrate, a partially reflective layer, a transparent spacer layer, and a highly reflective layer. One pattern of data pits is provided on the substrate, adjacent the partially reflective layer, and another pattern of data pits is provided on the spacer layer, adjacent the highly reflective layer. The transparent spacer layer comprises at least two sublayers. The partially reflective layer may be made of silicon carbide. A substrate-incident beam can be used to read data encoded in either data pit pattern depending on which layer the laser is focused upon. The dual layer disc has twice the data storage capacity of conventional single layer discs.

Abstract: An insulating roller cover is now disclosed that provides a highly desirable combination of features. The cover is free from asbestos and is therefore of more desirable construction for handling and use. For the roller cover, at least substantially ceramic fiber is highly compressed, providing a dense and refractory, elevated temperature resistant insulating cover. The cover may itself serve as a load bearing surface; or may provide a foundation or protective media for annular discs or 10 sleeve members made of various, load bearing materials. These load bearing materials may be unable to resist direct contact with the shaft due to thermal shock or the differences in their respective expansion and contraction rates. Where impregnant is utilized with the highly compressed fiber, such will often comprise a colloidal substituent.

Abstract: A highly reliable multi-layer ceramic electronic part in which is compact, in which cracks tend not to occur in the ceramic element even in cases where it is handled in bulk by a chip mounting device. A plurality of electrodes (internal electrodes) are disposed within a ceramic element whose length L.ltoreq.1.0 mm, height H.ltoreq.0.5 mm and width W.ltoreq.0.5 mm. The thickness t.sub.1 of a ceramic outer layer portion of the multi-layer ceramic electronic part, is 0.15 mm or less. The thickness of the ceramic outer layer portion t.sub.1 and the thickness t.sub.2 of the portion where the internal electrodes are disposed have the relationship 1/4 t.sub.2 .ltoreq.t.sub.1.ltoreq.1/3 t.sub.2.

Abstract: An optical information recording disc of DVD (Digital Video Disc) type having an information recordable layer(s) between a pair of substrates (i.e., sandwich structure) shows an improved mechanical strength and an improved storage stability when the substrate has an exposed area on its outer peripheral edge and the exposed area is placed in contact with a resin layer, or the substrate has an enlarged surface area (preferably it is exposed) on its outer peripheral edge and the enlarged surface area is placed in contact with a resin layer. An apparatus for preparing an optical information recording disc of DVD type having an improved mechanical strength and an improved storage stability is further disclosed.

Abstract: A multilayer optical disk having an information storage layer which can as well as be reproduced by a general purpose reproducing apparatus, for example, a compact disk player, and from which information can be read from other information storage layers by using an exclusive reproducing apparatus. The multilayer disk has a first substrate on which is formed a first information storage layer which is relatively highly reflective with respect to a light beam having a wavelength of 770-830 nm; and a second substrate on which is formed a second information layer which is relatively transparent with respect to a light beam having a first substrate on which is formed a wavelength of 770 mn to 830 nm but which is sufficiently reflective with respect to a light beam having a wavelength of 615-655 nm.

Abstract: There are provided liquid crystalline polyesters comprising 4'-hydroxy-4-stilbenecarboxylic acid type units, dicarboxylic acid units acting as a mesogen such as 4,4'-stilbenecarboxylic acid and catechol units as essential ingredients, and a liquid crystalline polyester composition comprising said polyesters and optically active liquid crystalline polyesters consisting essentially of 4,4'-stilbenedicarboxylic acid type units and aliphatic diol units having asymmetric carbons.

Abstract: A method for forming a protective barrier layer between the active dye layer and the disc substrate during production of an optical memory disc is provided wherein a pre-treatment/pre-coat solution is applied to the disc substrate. This pre-treatment/pre-coat solution includes a surface modifier having an index of refraction approximately equal to that of the disc substrate. Surface modifiers utilized in this pre-treatment/pre-coat solution include poly vinyl alcohol, poly alpha methyl styrene, cellulose acetate, poly vinyl butyral and nitrocellulose.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium, which is not deteriorated after repeated reading out and writing in operations, is provided by forming a glass thin film, which varies the intensity or the intensity distribution of light, on a substrate, and providing a recording film, a protective film, and a reflecting film thereon.

Abstract: A method of laminating disc-shaped substrates which is capable of automatically bonding an adhesive agent to the disc-shaped substrates very effectively and continuously. The method of laminating disc-shaped substrates includes the steps of preparing an adhesive sheet body comprising a plurality of adhesive agents each covered with a release paper and bonded to the adhesive sheet body, peeling off the release paper from the adhesive agent, positioning each adhesive agent over a lower disc-shaped substrate, pressing the adhesive sheet body to bond the adhesive agent to the lower disc-shaped substrate, peeling off the adhesive sheet body from the lower disc-shaped substrate, placing an upper disc-shaped substrate on the lower disc-shaped substrate, and pressing the upper disc-shaped substrate against the lower disc-shaped substrate to integrally laminate the disc-shaped substrates.

Abstract: An optical recording medium of phase change type with an increased number of overwritable operations and method for preparing such an optical recording medium is provided. In the optical recording medium of phase change type whose rate determining stage in the production has been the initialization of the recording layer, the time required for the production is reduced, and stable recording/reproducing properties are realized from the first overwriting operation. The optical recording medium comprises a transparent substrate and a recording layer on the transparent substrate.

Abstract: The surfaces of silicon protrusions from hypereutectic alloy bearing surfaces are converted to a highly stable metal silicides which are more effectively lubricated by conventional polar lubricant additives.

Abstract: An optical disk can provide a sufficiently wide power margin for a recording power even when the optical disk has a high-recording density. The optical disk has a transparent substrate on which a recording layer in which information can be rewritten by at least irradiation of laser beam, a dielectric layer and a thermal conduction control layer are sequentially deposited. The thermal conduction control layer comprises a first low thermal conductivity layer, a first high thermal conductivity layer, a second low thermal conductivity layer and a second high thermal conductivity layer sequentially deposited thereon.

Abstract: An antireflection film is provided which is insoluble, wear-resistant, and weatherable, and simultaneously having non-fogging property. A non-fogging optical member employing the non-fogging antireflection film, and a process for producing the film are also provided. The non-fogging antireflection film is formed from a composition derived by polycondensation of a hydrolyzate of an inorganic alkoxide conducted in the presence of a polyacrylic acid compound.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an optical recording medium comprising a homeotropically oriented liquid crystalline polymer film having a T.sub.g between 75-100.degree. C. and a T.sub.c between 110-140.degree. C. and comprising at least one dichroic dye. This homeotropic orientation along with the presence of dichroic dye makes it possible to employ a different technique for writing out and reading data. For, in this case contrast is obtained by the dichroic dye contained in the film being aligned in the same direction as the mesogenic groups of the liquid crystalline polymer. In a virgin film the mesogenic groups, and hence the dichroic dye molecules, are oriented perpendicular to the film's surface, and there is only low absorption of the incident light by these molecules. By local heating or irradiation of the film (e.g., with a laser) the homeotropic orientation is converted to an isotropic one.

Abstract: An optical information recording medium provided on a substrate with a recording layer including a dye layer; wherein the dye layer contains a cyanine dye; and the recording layer enables a recording and reproducing to be effected with a laser beam having a wavelength falling within a range of 620 nm to 690 nm; a refractive index "n" of the recording layer being in a range of 1.6 to 4.0 and an extinction coefficient "k" of the a recording layer being in a range of 0.01 to 0.45 when the laser beam having the wavelength is applied thereto; and the recording layer exhibiting a maximum absorption peak wavelength and a second largest absorption peak wavelength falling within a range of 500 nm to 655 nm as measured by means of a visible ultraviolet spectrometer. The dye may be a trimethine-base cyanine dye.

Abstract: In the optical recording medium including a substrate having pregrooves, and a metal recording layer, a buffering layer, a reflecting layer and a protecting layer which are sequentially stacked on the substrate, an angle (.theta.) of the slanted side of the pregrooves is 30.about.90.degree. and the buffering layer has 10.about.50,00O Pa.S melt-viscosity at 140.degree. C. Therefore, the optical recording medium can be compatible with a CD and playable by a DVDP, and manufactured at low costs without using a dye, while providing a high reflectivity at longer wavelength than 600 nm.

Abstract: An optical recording medium is provided which achieves a higher recording capacity. This optical recording medium includes a base formed of thermoplastic resin which has a thickness ranging from between approximately 0.3 to 1.2 nm, a guide groove formed on the base, at least a reflective film and a phase-change recording layer successively formed on the guide groove, arid a light transmissive layer having a thickness ranging from between approximately 3 to 177 .mu.m. In this optical recording medium, the unevenness .DELTA.t of the thickness of the light transmission layer is set within the range of:.DELTA.t.ltoreq..+-.5.26(.lambda./N.A..sup.4)(.mu.m)wherein N.A. represents a numerical aperture of an optical head device of the optical disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus and .lambda. represents the wavelength of laser light utilized by the optical disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus.

Abstract: A recordable element includes a substrate, an optical recording layer deposited on the substrate, a light reflecting layer deposited over the recording layer and an interfacial layer having a thickness in a range of 3 to 30 nm and interposed between the recording layer and the reflective layer, the optical recording layer containing Te.sub.a Ge.sub.b C.sub.c H.sub.d O.sub.e where a, b, c, d, and e are the atomic percents such that a+b+c+d+e=100, and wherein 10<a<40, 10<b<60, 5<c<35, 10<d<35, e.gtoreq.0; and the interfacial layer containing Ge.sub.w C.sub.x H.sub.y O.sub.z where w, x, y, and z are atomic percents such that w+x+y+z=100, and wherein 15<w<65, 5<x<35, 15<y<40, z.gtoreq.0. The recording element has its properties changed by heat treatment for a time and temperature selected so as to improve and stabilize its performance.

Abstract: An optical recording medium capable of recording and erasing information, includes a first dielectric layer, a recording layer, a second dielectric layer, a light reflection and heat dissipation layer, and an overcoat layer which are successively overlaid on a substrate, the recording layer including a phase-change recording material which includes as constituent elements Ag, In, Sb, Te, and N and/or O with the respective atomic % thereof being .alpha., .beta., .gamma., .delta. and .epsilon. (the total atomic % of N and/or O), which are in the relationship of: 0<.alpha..ltoreq.6, 3.ltoreq..beta..ltoreq.15, 50.ltoreq..gamma..ltoreq.65, 20.ltoreq..delta..ltoreq.35, 0.ltoreq..epsilon..ltoreq.5, provided that .alpha.+.beta.+.gamma.+.delta.+.epsilon.=100, and (2) having a recrystallization upper-limit linear speed in a range of 2.5 to 5.0 m/s. A recording method and a reproduction method, using this optical recording medium, are proposed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a printable optical recording medium comprising: a transparent substrate; and at least a recording layer, a reflective layer and a protective layer, a reflective layer or a protective layer and an ink-receiving layer, which layers are in order superposed on said transparent substrate;said protective layer or said ink-receiving layer:(a) containing a hydrophilic and water-insoluble filler having a Mohs hardness of not more than 3;(b) having an arithmetic mean surface roughness Ra on the surface thereof of 0.3 to 2.0 .mu.m; and(c) having a "b" value of the surface thereof of +5 to -5 in Lab color space as a chromaticity.Such printable optical recording medium has a good surface printability and a high whiteness on a printing surface thereof, and is a high chroma of images printed thereon.

Abstract: An optical data storage medium transmissive to a laser beam and formed of a light transmissive substrate that provides mechanical support, and a light transmissive data substrate formed on the substrate. The data substrate is patterned to form block regions that block the laser beam from passing through, and pass regions that allow the laser beam to pass through, such that the blockage or passage of light through the optical storage medium reflects the type of data bits to be stored on the optical medium. In another embodiment a magneto-optical data storage medium which is also transmissive (or partly transmissive) to a laser beam includes a data magneto-optical data substrate formed on a substrate. The data substrate is recordable by patterning a magnetic domain with magnetic fields of opposite directions, such that each magnetic direction reflects the type of data bits to be stored on the optical medium.

Abstract: An optical recording medium has a phase-change recording layer embedded in a stack of thin layers arranged on a substrate. At least one of the dielectric layers adjacent to the recording layer comprises a carbide. The carbide layer is separated from the substrate and/or from a reflecting layer in the stack by a dielectric layer not containing a carbide. The thickness of the carbide layer either lies in a range from 2 to 8 nm or is substantially equal to the thickness of the adjacent dielectric layer.

Abstract: A method for bonding silicon-containing compositions to metal surfaces is disclosed wherein a coarse silicon-containing surface is arc-sprayed with a first adhesive layer, a second solderable layer, and a third solder layer, and the arc-sprayed surface is then soldered to the metal surface. The method is particularly useful for producing silicon-containing targets for cathode sputtering.

Abstract: An information carrier has at least two solid material interfaces at which information is, or may be applied and where the information is stored by local modulation of at least one characteristic of the solid material. Reflection of electromagnetic radiation at the interface depends on this characteristic. The information carrier further includes at least one intermediate layer between the two solid material interfaces. The intermediate layer transmits the radiation and is at least predominantly made of either Si.sub.x C.sub.y or Si.sub.v N.sub.w, or both.

Abstract: An optical recording medium comprising a first substrate with a center mounting hole and having top and bottom surfaces. At least one surface of the substrate is a prerecorded area wherein user data is provided and adapted to be read in an optical recording medium reader device. Over at least a portion of the substrate that can be read by the device is a photosensitive layer comprising a photosensitive material. When the photosensitive material is exposed to a predefined wavelength of light over a predetermined period of time the optical property of at least a portion of the material permanently changes. This change occurs after each copy of the prerecorded area is made. Thereby, the optical recording medium limits the authorized copies of the prerecorded area to a predetermined number.

Abstract: In a rewritable optical information recording medium, a transparent interference layer, a translucent interference layer, a lower protection layer, a recording layer, an upper protection layer, and a reflection layer are formed on a substrate in that order. The transparent interference layer has a reflectance which changes in accordance with a wavelength of a beam incident on the substrate, and the translucent interference layer has a light transmittance smaller than that of the transparent interference layer. In this constitution, by determining appropriate thicknesses of the above-mentioned layers, a reflectance of a non-recorded portion of the recording medium with respect to a reproducing beam can be increased. Further, reflectances of the non-recorded and recorded portions with respect to a recording and erasing beam can be decreased, so that it becomes easy to record and erase information in the recording medium.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for storing and retrieving information. More specifically, the present invention is a method for forming predetermined patterns, or data structures, using materials which exhibit enhanced absorption of light at certain wavelengths or, when interrogated with a light having a first wavelength, provide a luminescent response at a second wavelength. These materials may exhibit this response to light inherently, or may be made to exhibit this response by treating the materials with ionizing radiation.

Abstract: Artwork is imparted to plastic discs such as CDs, CD ROMs, and DVDs (digital video discs) by exposing a layer of photoresist material on a substrate to light from an original image of the artwork. The material of the photoresist layer is exposed to different depths by different intensity light from different image regions. Where the image is dark, the exposure is to relatively shallow, random depths. Where the image is light, the full thickness of the photoresist layer is exposed. Development of the photoresist layer removes the exposed photoresist material. The surface features of the developed photoresist layer and any uncovered substrate are transferred to a member used in forming a surface of the plastic disc, thereby visibly embossing the image in the disc.

Abstract: In the optical recording medium including a substrate having pregrooves, and a metal recording layer, a buffering layer, a reflecting layer and a protecting layer which are sequentially stacked on the substrate, wherein the buffering layer is formed of an organic material having a low light absorption with respect to a laser beam of 600.about.800 nm, such that light absorption (k) is less than or equal to 1.0 at 650 nm and the light absorption (k) is less than or equal to 0.1 at 780 nm. Therefore, the optical recording medium can be compatible with a compact disc (CD) and have a high reflectivity at longer wavelength than 600 nm.

Abstract: A dye composition for use in optical recording media, comprising at least one cyanine dye having an anion selected from the group consisting of thiocyanate, lactate, hypophosphite, tetracyanonickelate, selenocyanate, trifluromethanesulfonate, ferricyanide, 4-hydroxybutyrate, nitrite, 2-(3',5'-dimethyl-2'-hydroxyphenyl)-2H-benztriazole-4-sulfonate, 1,2-napthoquinone-2-diazide-5-sulfonate and picrate and preferably dissolved in ethyl lactate.