The invention relates to novel composite materials comprising (a) an inorganic or organic bulk material having attached to its surface at least one polyionic material that comprises covalently bound initiator moieties for radical polymerization; and (b) a hydrophilic surface coating obtainable by applying one or more different ethylenically unsaturated hydrophilic monomers or macromonomers to the bulk material surface provided with the initiator radicals and polymerizing said monomers or macromo...

Multilayer high transmittance, low emissivity coatings on transparent substrates feature a special antireflective base film of at least two parts on the substrate-near side of a metallic, reflective film. A first of the two parts is in contact with the metallic film. This first film-part has crystalline properties for causing the metallic film to deposit in a low resistivity configuration. The second of the two film-parts supports the first part and is preferably amorphous. Coated articles of th...

An absorbent article containing a composite mixture of absorbent macroporous particles and binder particles. Preferably, the absorbent macroporous particles are those having a macroporous structure which allow for the rapid flow of liquid therein, e.g., aerogels, xerogels, cryogels, or mixtures thereof. The absorbent articles produced thereby are preferably thin and lightweight, but maintain an ample rate of absorption allowing for a more rapid uptake of higher volumes of liquids.

Cigarette filter rod employs as filtration material moisture disintegrative paper. The moisture disintegration index of the paper does not exceed 20.

Magnetic tags or markers are disclosed, together with a variety of techniques by means of which such tags may be interrogated. In one aspect, the magnetic marker or tag which is characterised by carrying a plurality of discrete magnetically active regions in a linear array. In another aspect, the invention provides a method of interrogating a magnetic tag or marker within a predetermined interrogation zone, the tag comprising a high permeability magnetic material, for example to read data stored...

It is an object of the present invention to provide a plastic article having moist touch, which differs from the smooth touch peculiar to the conventional plastic articles. A plastic article is characterized in that the surface of the article is at least partially constituted from a styrenic thermoplastic elastomer, an olefinic thermoplastic elastomer, a blend of a styrenic thermoplastic elastomer and a polyolefin, or a blend of an olefinic thermoplastic elastomer and a polyolefin.

Illuminated items including a chemiluminescent article. The present invention is directed to various clothing, ornamental and useful items lighted by a chemiluminescent article, preferably a light stick that is activated. Clothing items illuminated by the chemiluminescent article include a hat, cap, shirt, pants, collar, cuff, sleeve, pocket, trim, scarf, boa, sandal and shoe. Ornamental and useful items illuminated by the chemiluminescent article include a holiday ornament, jewelry, greeting ca...

A method of casting metal articles includes providing an array of article molds. The article molds are filled with molten metal. The molten metal is solidified in the article molds. During solidification of the molten metal, a plurality of solidification control elements function as heat sinks and radiation baffles. The solidification control elements are disposed between the article molds as the molten metal solidifies.

An apparatus and method for the reorientation of articles. According to one aspect of the invention, a conveyor having a support surface for an article to be reoriented displaces the support surface in a conveying direction. The article being conveyed by displacement of the support surface contacts an abutment, adjacent to the support surface, having an elongate abutment surface extending at an angle to the conveying direction. Continued displacement of the support surface turns the article as i...

An absorbent article containing a composite mixture of absorbent macroporous particles and binder particles. Preferably, the absorbent macroporous particles are those having a macroporous structure which allow for the rapid flow of liquid therein, e.g., aerogels, xerogels, cryogels, or mixtures thereof. The absorbent articles produced thereby are preferably thin and lightweight, but maintain an ample rate of absorption allowing for a more rapid uptake of higher volumes of liquids.