In a method of bonding a mirror to a rigid backing by means of a solvent-based adhesive, the solvent vapour from the bond line is extracted by interposing a porous layer between the mirror and the backing and extracting the solvent vapour through the porous layer by suction. Apparatus for this purpose includes first and second work stations 2,4 for supporting a rigid sheet of material 8, and means 39,40,44,46,56 for advancing the sheet from one station to the other through a third station equipped with means 34 for dispensing liquid adhesive on the sheet as it passes through. The support surface 16 of the second station is gas-permeable 18 and this station also includes a flexible and substantially gas-impermeable lid 22 adapted to close over a sheet lying on the support surface and means 21 for sucking gas through the support surface from the space between the lid and the support surface whereby to evacuate the space. Also provided is a laminate of a mirror and a rigid backing with a porous layer of fibrous material between the mirror and the backing, and a method of bonding a mirror to a rigid backing by means of a foam-forming composition which expands and sets to form a solid foam which bonds the mirror to the backing.
A planar reflector is composed of a base and a flexible substrate having a high reflection layer formed thereon and overlayed on the base with an adhesive layer interposed between the high reflection layer and the base. The adhesion strength between the base and the substrate is at least 100 g/cm, and the thickness of the adhesive layer is not smaller than 0.5 .mu.m but not greater than 50 .mu.m. A curved reflector can be obtained by bending the planar reflector so that a curved surface having a radius of curvature not greater than 5 mm is formed presenting a concave surface on a side of the flexible substrate.
A portable mirror suitable for storage in a credit card pocket which includes a generally sheet like flexible shatter resistant body having a reflective surface on one side of said sheet to provide a mirrored surface. The opposite rear unreflective surface of the mirror contains discretionary visible indicia. The mirror is rectangular in shape and has rounded or beveled corners with said mirror being up to 3/32 inches in thickness and having the general size of a credit card. The mirror body is made of a plastic material having a flexibility and elasticity sufficient to allow for repeated bending without breaking or losing its original shape.
A flexible liquid dispenser which may be used to hold and discharge suntan lotion, sunscreen lotion, perfume, insect repellent, or other liquids. In one embodiment the liquid dispenser is relatively flat, about 0.5 inch thick, fits in the palm of a person's hand, and may be conveniently carried in a person's pocket or hung around a person's neck by a cord or tube attached to the dispenser. The dispenser body may be made out of molded plastic and has at least one flexible wall portion which allows the dispenser body to be compressed for the purpose of discharging the liquid from the dispenser. The liquid dispenser has a rotatable cap which may be turned to open a dispensing aperture in the cap. Liquid may then be discharged through the dispensing aperture by squeezing or compressing the dispenser body. The shape of the cap matches the outer contour of the dispenser body when the cap is unturned, providing a smooth outer surface for the dispenser that will not damage or rip a person's pocket, and will be comfortable to carry. The liquid dispenser has a mirror, or reflective surface, and advertising label attached to the outside of the dispenser. The cap may be removed for the purpose of refilling the dispenser.
A method and apparatus for fabrication of foam laminates suitable for use in the construction of furniture and case goods are provided. The panel has an upper surface formed from a thermoplastic sheet of material such as PVC. A cavity formed by the interior surfaces of the sheet have suspended therein attachment or mounting hardware which is subsequently encapsulated by an in situ structural foaming step. The resulting laminated panel is useful as a table top, shelving, and as a structural component in a variety of case goods and furniture.
