Abstract: A fluorescent image-printed article including a substrate, and an image formed on the substrate, wherein the image is formed from a fluorescent ink containing a binder, and a fluorescent substance which is dispersed in the binder, is capable of emitting fluorescence when irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and is substantially transparent to visible light, the fluorescent substance being formed of a rare earth complex containing, as a ligand, a compound represented by the following formula (1):

Abstract: The diffusion beads according to the present invention have a core-shell structure of multi-layered beads consisting of organic and inorganic materials. The diffusion beads are used for improving functions of conventional organic and inorganic polymer diffusion beads. The structure according to the present invention no only enhances light scattering characteristics of the diffusion beads, but also strengthens the thermal stability and geometric stability thereof.

Abstract: A novel information recording medium is provided which records information upon the application of thermal energy, reads the recorded information by detecting the value of photoelectric current generated by light applied to the information recorded portion, and can realize multi-valued information recording or analog information recording. The information recording medium comprises: a pair of electrodes; and a liquid crystal material filled into a gap between the electrodes, the liquid crystal material having a property such that the charge-transport properties are varied according to the phase transfer between a plurality of stable liquid crystal phases of the liquid crystal and/or the history of the phase transfer.

Abstract: Polymerizable compositions comprising nanopartilces particularly useful for brightness enhancing films.

Abstract: The invention relates to a laminate comprising a first web of fibers and a first film that together form a first ply and a second web of fibers and a second film that together form a second ply, wherein an adhesive layer is disposed between the plies and serves as a grease barrier. A laminate according to the invention serves as a grease barrier without the need for fluorochemical treatment. The invention also relates to a method of making a laminate comprising forming a first ply and a second ply and applying an adhesive layer between the plies. The invention also relates to an article comprising a laminate and a charge of oil and popcorn.

Abstract: This invention pertains to particulate thermally reflective phase change material that includes an encapsulated phase change material coated with a thermally reflective layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fabric display using the action of electrostatic charges to manipulate visual displays. The fabric display comprises areas of furry fabrics (16) that can serve as visual effects or display of information and can be usable in a wearable garment, furniture, or other suitable locations where it can be incorporated to close a circuit. Through activation by the user, the surface of furry fabrics (16) is electrostatically charged causing the furs to repel from the surface and each other in a substantially vertical orientation with portions of the furs extending cut of the surface, thus revealing the color of the fabric surface.

Abstract: Methods for filtering particles from a fluid are disclosed, wherein an array of microstructures defining respective microchannels having respective minimum widths are used to separate the fluid from particles to be filtered. The fluid flows through the minimum widths into the microchannels defined between adjacent microstructures. The particles to be filtered are prevented from passing through the respective minimum widths, resulting in filtration of those particles from the fluid. The microchannels can be provided with gradient characteristics to separate particles in the fluid according to size.

Abstract: A high-durability photocatalyst film that is a laminated film comprising a substrate film and a photocatalytically active material layer formed thereon via a protective layer, wherein the substrate film is a film having specific performances in a weather resistance test with a sunshine weatherometer, the protective layer is an organic-inorganic composite graded film and the above laminated film exhibits specific performances in an accelerated weather resistance test with a sunshine weatherometer, and a structure having photocatalytic functions on a surface formed of the above photocatalyst film.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive adhesive material contains a substrate and a heat-sensitive adhesive layer that contains a thermoplastic resin and a solid plasticizer, and the heat-sensitive adhesive material is so configured as to be heated and applied to an adherend, wherein the heat-sensitive adhesive material exhibits such an adhesive strength to the adherend as to increase with time from immediately after applying the heat-sensitive adhesive material to the adherend.

Abstract: An insulating label stock or sleeve formed from such label stock includes a thermal insulating layer, which may a fiberfill batt. The batt is laminated to at least one layer of heat shrinkable material, such as a film. The insulated packaging material may be coated with a coating material to enhance printing capabilities. The insulating label stock or sleeve is installed around a container, and after being activated by heating, conforms to the contours of the container. The insulating label stock retains its hot and cold insulative properties after being heat-shrunk.

Abstract: A multi-layer structure whose volume changes when a temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold value, a microscopic structure drawing method that involves emitting a laser beam onto the multi-layer structure to create a temperature distribution within a beam spot and performing microscopic recording on a portion of the beam spot having a temperature higher than the threshold value, an optical disc master, and a mastering method using the same, where the multi-layer structure includes a substrate and a transformation layer formed on the substrate, wherein a volume of a portion of the transformation layer irradiated by a laser beam changes when the temperature of the portion exceeds a predetermined temperature. The microscopic structure drawing method includes emitting the laser beam onto a predetermined region of the transformation layer and heating the region of the transformation layer irradiated by the laser beam beyond a predetermined temperature so that the heated region can undergo a volume change.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a light-controlling element comprising a polymer gel composition layer containing: a holding member; liquid held by the holding member; and a stimulus-responsive polymer gel which is held by the holding member and which changes in volume by absorbing or discharging the liquid due to an external stimulus, wherein the stimulus-responsive polymer gel is arranged in a single layer in the holding member, and also relates to a method for manufacturing the element. The polymer gel composition layer can be provided with a substrate on one side or both sides thereof, and further can be provided with a stimulus providing member.

Abstract: A package including a container and closure, and a method of authenticating same. In the package or a portion thereof, a marker material is dispersed into a base material and can be detected in the aftermarket by absorption spectroscopy to establish the authenticity of a product contained in the package.

Abstract: A tape-like label forming device is capable of forming a label tape that is made up of a printing tape and a double-sided tape. A temperature-indicating material that changes color in response to changes in ambient temperature is applied to the surface of the printing tape. With this construction, since the color of the temperature-indicating material conceals the colors of the double-sided tape and characters such as letters and symbols printed on the underside of the printing tape, the colors of the characters and the double-sided tape can be freely selected and combined.

Abstract: Presently described are microstructured articles such as a brightness enhancing film or optical turning film. The microstructured articles comprise a brightness enhancing polymerized structure comprising the reaction product of a composition comprising an organic component having at least one oligomeric urethane (meth)acrylate and surface modified silica nanoparticles.

Abstract: A laminate film for protecting a printed image formed on a recording medium by an ink-jet recording system, comprising a surface layer, an intermediate layer and a penetrative layer formed on a heat-resistant substrate in that order. The surface layer and the intermediate layer have a thermally softening property, the intermediate layer has a glass transition temperature lower than that of the surface layer, and the penetrative layer has a thermally melting property.

Abstract: The invention relates to an infrared-reflective material which comprises a transparent sheet material which comprises, on a part-area, an interference pigment which has higher transmission in the visible region of global radiation than in the NIR region, to a method for screening an enclosed area against infrared light, and to the use of the infrared-reflective material for buildings, vehicles and greenhouses while simultaneously maintaining the ability of the human eye to see through the material.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an absorbent structure comprising a solid, typically particulate, water-swellable material that comprises coated water-swellable, preferably hydrogel-forming polymers, which are coated with a coating agent, which is such that it does not rupture when the polymers swell in a liquid, e.g., water or saline water. Hereto, the coating agent is extensible in wet state and comprises thereto a wet-extensible material that has a wet-elongation of at least 400% or even at least 500%, and preferably a tensile stress at break in the wet state of at least 1 MPa. Typically, the coating agent comprises thereto an elastomeric polymeric material.

Abstract: Substrate films, thermal mass transfer donor elements, and methods of making and using the same are provided. In some embodiments, such substrate films and donor elements include at least two dyads, wherein each dyad includes an absorbing first layer and an essentially non-absorbing second layer. Also provided are methods of making a donor element that includes an essentially non-absorbing substrate, an absorbing first layer, and a non-absorbing second layer, wherein the composition of the essentially non-absorbing substrate is essentially the same as the composition of the essentially non-absorbing second layer.

Abstract: A coating system for defouling a substrate, such as a ship hull, immersed in water or seawater for long periods of time comprises a conductive layer, an antifouling layer and a means for providing an energy pulse to said conductive layer. The conductive layer comprises polymers, such as carbon filled polyethylene, which are electrically conductive. The antifouling layer comprises polymers, such as polydimethylsiloxane, which have a low surface free energy. The layers are designed such that when the conductive layer is exposed to a pulse of electrical, acoustic or microwave energy or combinations thereof, said conductive layer separates from said antifouling layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition comprising a hydrophobic polymer phase and a water-swollen superabsorbent polymer phase. Also disclosed is a two component system for preparing a composition comprising a hydrophobic polymer phase and a water-swollen superabsorbent polymer phase. The first component is an emulsion of the hydrophobic polymer; the second component comprises the superabsorbent polymer; and the first and second components form the composition when mixed.

Abstract: Methods for filtering particles from a fluid are disclosed, wherein an array of microstructures defining respective microchannels having respective minimum widths are used to separate the fluid from particles to be filtered. The fluid flows through the minimum widths into the microchannels defined between adjacent microstructures. The particles to be filtered are prevented from passing through the respective minimum widths, resulting in filtration of those particles from the fluid. The microchannels can be provided with gradient characteristics to separate particles in the fluid according to size.

Abstract: A protective film (1) includes a substrate (10), an upper hardened layer (20), a lower hardened layer (22), a mirror-effect layer (30), and a DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) film (40). The substrate is made of transparent plastic material, and has an upper surface (100) and a lower surface (102). The upper hardened layer is formed on the upper surface of the substrate, and the lower hardened layer is formed on the lower surface of the substrate. The mirror-effect layer is formed on a surface of the lower hardened layer. The DLC film is formed on a surface of the upper hardened layer. A method for making the protective film is also provided.

Abstract: A donor film for a flat panel display and a method of fabricating an Organic Light Emitting Device using the same. The donor film for the flat panel display has a base film, a Light-To-Heat Conversion layer disposed on the base film, a transfer layer disposed on the Light-To-Heat Conversion layer, and a buffer layer interposed between the Light-To-Heat Conversion layer and the transfer layer, wherein the buffer layer includes a material whose glass transition temperature (Tg) is lower than 25° C. The donor film for the flat panel display interposes the buffer layer between the Light-To-Heat Conversion layer of the donor substrate and the transfer layer, thereby improving the adhesion between the transfer layer and the donor substrate. Therefore, the organic layer pattern formed on an acceptor substrate by transferring the transfer layer using the donor film does not include any defect.

Abstract: This invention provides security articles comprising fibers, threads and fiber sections (“dots”) possessing multiple verification characteristics. The fibers possess unique and difficulty duplicated combinations of complex cross-sections, components, and multiple luminescent responses. The many verifiable characteristics of the security fibers, threads and dots provide high levels of protection against fraudulent duplication of articles in which they are incorporated. The manifold security features provide means of tailoring specific identity characteristics for specific use and users.

Abstract: A photochromic material comprising a styrene-based oligomer having a weight average molecular weight of from 200 to 6000 and a photochromic compound selected from the group consisting of spirooxazine derivatives and spiropyran derivatives.

Abstract: An information recording medium includes an insulating member, first and second electrodes formed in one plane of the insulating member, and a conductive layer having an electrochromic material providing continuity with the first and second electrodes. A gap between the first and second electrodes is insulated.

Abstract: A vacuum deposition method for fabricating high-strength nitinol films by sputter depositing nickel and titanium from a heated sputtering target, and controlling the sputter deposition process parameters in order to create high-strength nitinol films that exhibit shape memory and/or superelastic properties without the need for precipitation annealing to attenuate the transition conditions of the deposited material. A vacuum deposited nitinol film having high-strength properties equal to or better than wrought nitinol films and which are characterized by having non-columnar crystal grain structures.

Abstract: An energy efficient method and apparatus for manufacturing a biodegradable, compostable, liquid-impermeable lined paper bag for containing wet (i.e. food) wastes by which all adhesives used in the process are cold glues applied without using heat and are applied through an extrusion and/or metering application means. Cellulose film is advantageously used for the paper liner and a dot matrix configuration of adhesive is applied between the cellulose and paper layers to laminate them together. The matrix-defined size of spacings between the points of application of adhesive on the cellulose film is such that both loss of the permeability of the cellulose film to water vapour and oxygen and creation of stress points on the cellulose film are minimized.

Abstract: A thermal donor element having a dye layer on an extruded substrate, wherein the extruded substrate includes a polyester-containing material and a slip agent, but does not contain silica particles, is disclosed.

Abstract: The apparel is constructed from various combinations of layers of materials with moisture transfer properties. A first liner of moisture transfer fabrics abuts a second layer of structural material such as a foam. The second layer can abut a breathable membrane and/or an insulating material. Finally, carefully selected outer fabrics complete the combination to provide apparel with improved performance characteristics. The outer fabrics are treated in various ways to enhance performance.

Abstract: Described are photochromic articles that include a substrate, a temperature dependent reducing amount of at least one organic photochromic material (b) that changes from more absorbing to less absorbing of radiation in its activating spectral absorbance as the temperature increases from 10° C. to 35° C. and at least one other photochromic material (c) that is different from photochromic material (b). In the article, photochromic material (b) is interposed between photochromic material (c) and a source of activating radiation. The photochromic article demonstrates a more consistent photochromic response, for example, an optical density response loss of 50 percent or less over a temperature range of from 10° C. to 35° C. as measured in the Photochromic Temperature Dependence Test. Methods for producing the aforedescribed articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for forming an elevated temperature durable coating on a surface of a substrate includes applying an aqueous slurry comprising lithium silicate, sodium silicate, potassium silicate, zirconia powder, a fibrous agent, and a magnetic powder to a surface of a substrate in one or more layers of substantially uniform thickness to form a coating. A substantially controlled humidity environment is maintained during application of the aqueous slurry and the coating is ambient dried for a period. A drying agent is applied to the coating and formation of a dry crust is prevented on the coating during ambient drying. After the period, the coating is heat cured.

Abstract: A thermal interface material is described for thermal coupling of an electronic component to a thermally conductive member. The thermal interface material includes a viscoelastic polymer matrix material, fusible solder particles in the matrix material, and filler particles in the matrix material. The solder particles have a melting temperature below a selected temperature (e.g. 157° C. for indium) and the filler particles have a melting temperature substantially above the selected temperature (e.g. 961° C. for silver). The filler particles keep the thermal interface material intact under adverse thermal and stress conditions.

Abstract: A durable optical film or element includes a polymerized structure having a microstructured surface and a plurality of surface modified colloidal nanoparticles of silica, zirconia, or mixtures thereof. Display devices including the durable microstructured film are also described.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a heat-shrinkable polyester film having a good light blocking property even when the label is not auxiliary processed by printing. The present invention provides a heat-shrinkable polyester film mainly made of a polyester resin, wherein the film has a total luminous transmittance of not more than 40%, a haze of not less than 90%, a sample film has a heat shrinkage percentage of not less than 50% in the maximum shrinkage direction and a heat shrinkage percentage of not more than 10% in a direction orthogonal to the maximum shrinkage direction, the sample film being in a size of 10 cm×10 cm cut off from the film and obtained by immerse in hot water at 95° C. for 10 seconds, subsequently in water at 25° C. for 10 seconds, and withdrawing.

Abstract: This invention provides facing materials for cementitious boards such as those including Portland cement or gypsum cores. The preferred facing material includes, in a first embodiment, a facing layer having an areal weight of about 300 grams/M2, and an air permeability rating of no greater than about 300 CFM/ft2 (FG 436-910 test method). The facing layer reduces the penetration of a slurry of cementitious material during the manufacture of a cementitious board, while permitting the water vapor from the slurry to pass therethrough. The facing materials of this invention can be designed to substantially eliminate the fouling of rolls used in continuous processing of such boards without the use, or with greatly reduced use, of costly viscosity control agents in the slurry.

Abstract: This invention provides facing materials for cementitious boards such as those including Portland cement or gypsum cores. The preferred facing material includes, in a first embodiment, a facing layer having an areal weight of about 300 grams/M2, and an air permeability rating of no greater than about 300 CFM/ft2 (FG 436-910 test method). The facing layer reduces the penetration of a slurry of cementitious material during the manufacture of a cementitious board, while permitting the water vapor from the slurry to pass therethrough. The facing materials of this invention can be designed to substantially eliminate the fouling of rolls used in continuous processing of such boards without the use, or with greatly reduced use, of costly viscosity control agents in the slurry.

Abstract: Disclosed is a fibrous web which includes a microencapsulated material, such as a microencapsulated phase change material, adhered to the web. Preferably, the web is prepared in a melt-blowing or spun-bonding process. In the melt-blowing process, cooling water containing the microcapsules is used to cool melt blown fibers prior to collection on a collector. In the spun-bonding process, microcapsules are applied in liquid suspension or in dry form to a heated web, for instance, after the web has been calendared. The fibrous webs thus prepared have numerous uses, and are particularly suited to the manufacture of clothing.

Abstract: An antireflection structure (10) comprises a base (1), and a finely roughened antireflection part (2) formed in a surface of the base (1). The finely roughened antireflection part (2) includes a plurality of projections and depressions defined by the projections. The projections are distributed such that PMAX??MIN, where PMAX is the biggest one of distances between tips (2t) of the adjacent projections and ?MIN is the shortest one of wavelengths of visible light rays in a vacuum. The sectional area of each projection in a plane parallel to the surface of the base (1) increases continuously from the tip (2t) toward the bottom (2b) of the depression adjacent to the projection. The shape (2Mt) of a tip part (Mt) of each projection in a plane perpendicular to the surface of the base (1) is sharper than the shape (2Mb) of a bottom part (Mb) of each depression in the same plane vertical to the surface of the base (1).

Abstract: The present invention provides an ink composition containing a pigment dispersed uniformly in a solvent and a block polymer having an ionic functional group, an image-forming method and an image-forming apparatus employing the ink composition. The composition comprises a pigment, a solvent and a polymer having an ionic functional group, an acid residue, or a base residue at the terminal. The polymer having an ionic functional group, an acid residue, or a base residue at the terminal is a block polymer of ABX type having A, B, and X segments, wherein A and B are respectively a block segment having a vinyl ether structure as the repeating unit, and X is a terminal segment having an ionic functional group, an acid residue, or an base residue.

Abstract: A gas barrier substrate includes a compound gradient layer. The compound gradient layer includes an inorganic material and a resin material. A content of the inorganic material in the resin material varies in a thickness direction. The gas barrier substrate also includes a gas barrier layer. The gas barrier layer is made of an inorganic material and is bonded to the compound gradient layer. The compound gradient layer has a high content of inorganic material in an area near a bonding surface between the compound gradient layer and the gas barrier layer. The compound gradient layer may be bonded to a resin layer and may have a low content of inorganic material in an area near a surface bonded to the resin layer.

Abstract: Polymerizable compositions comprising nanopartilces particularly useful for brightness enhancing films.

Abstract: Selection criteria for dyes that predicts efficiency and performance for plastics welding. A first stage quantitative calculation screens dyes that possess an absorption band that can be matched to a laser that is suitable for plastic welding. It also identifies absorption troughs in the visible spectrum and establishes relationships between the relative optical densities of the absorption band and trough. A second stage quantitative calculation screens dyes for their contribution to the transparency of the substrate. By combining these two stages, the usefulness of a candidate dye can be quickly, easily and inexpensively determined.

Abstract: An optical diffusing layer includes a resin coated layer having a surface fine concavo-convex structure. An average of peak-to-peak distance (Sm), an average of center line surface roughness (Ra), and an average of ten-point surface roughness (Rz) on the surface with fine concavo-convex structure satisfy specified equations, and the optical diffusing layer is capable of maintaining antiglare property and screen glare simultaneously controlled, when applied to an LCD in which high definition is required.

Abstract: A fabric is formed of yarns having soiling-hiding and soiling-prone characteristics which are visually distinct one from the other in the surface of the fabric once the fabric has been soiled. The soiling-prone yarns comprise yarns formed of multi-lobal fibers or filaments where the soiling particles collect in the cavities of the lobed surfaces. Preferably, the soiling-hiding yarns are formed of hollowfil synthetic fibers or filaments. By embedding one or more yarns of the soiling-prone type in the fabric, e.g., carpet, the yarns become differentially visually distinctive relative to one another upon soiling of the fabric.

Abstract: The present invention provides an anti-glare film having rough surface of which R (0) and R (30 or more)/R (0) are 1% or less and 0.001 or less, respectively, wherein R (0) is if the regular reflectance along the regular reflection direction against incidence light at any angle from 5 to 30° from the normal line of said anti-glare film and R (30 or more) is the reflectance against said incidence light, along a direction inclined by 30° or more toward said anti-glare film side from said normal reflection direction. And the present invention also provides the method of producing the above-mentioned anti-glare film.

Abstract: Improved vacuum actuated display ornaments which adhere to surfaces by self-suction are improved by a wall thickness at the center of mass thicker than their peripheral wall thickness.

Abstract: The present invention provides an optical disk 9 with a duplication preventing function, reproducing system 47 for the optical disk 9, optical disk reproducing method, method of fabricating an optical disk original record, and illegal program operation stopping method. An area in which a CP signal 24 is recorded is made after a signal having a constant pattern in the optical disk, the CP signal 24 being produced such that the center of an eye pattern is shifted from the center of the amplitude. In the reproducing system, CP signal arrangement information 25 or a CP preceding signal 26 is detected, before an offset voltage is applied to a threshold value to be used in demodulating an RF signal into a digital signal so that the threshold value varies, thus normally reproducing the signal in which center of the eye patter is shifted from the center of the amplitude. The reproducing system has a function whereby the reproduction is stopped when a predetermined offset signal is not reproduced.