The Dow Chemical Company

John C Evans

Richard D McLachlan

Gary L Jewett

Edwin L Wittbrodt

A method and apparatus for the on-line determination of the bonding strength of a plural layer laminate having at least one outer layer transparent to electromagnetic radiation, said method comprising: directing a collimated beam of electromagnetic radiation onto the substantially flat surface of said laminate at an incident angle substantially greater than a normal to the surface of said laminate; measuring the reflected intensity of said electromagnetic radiation at two substantially different diffuse reflectance angles; converting said reflected intensity to an intensity ratio by dividing the greater intensity value by the lesser intensity value to obtain a value which is proportional to the adhesion of the laminate based upon a pre-determined relationship of the bonding strength of said laminate and the value of said intensity ratio.

Method and apparatus for on-line monitoring of laminate bond strength

The surface texture of a moving transparent film is determined by applying a beam of collimated electromagnetic radiation at an angle of incidence sufficient to produce detectable backscattered radiation; collecting the backscattered electromagnetic radiation while avoiding specularly reflected radiation; and evaluating the intensity of the collected radiation for two components, a first component corresponding to the haze percent of the film and arising from the scattering of the collimated electromagnetic radiation by microscopic and submicroscopic features of the film surfaces, and a second component produced by the scattering of the collimated electromagnetic radiation by macroscopic surface blemishes, gouges and gel-like particles on each surface of the transparent film.

Method for monitoring surface texture and quality for moving transparent

A fiber-optic probe, useful for light scattering and luminescence measurements, which comprises at least one optical fiber for transmitting light into a sample and at least two optical fibers for collecting light from the sample. The probe may further comprise a shield surrounding the fibers and having an optical window at one end to protect the fibers from hostile environments. When used in conjunction with a laser as a light source, the probe is particularly suited for Raman spectroscopy.

Fiber-optic probe for sensitive Raman analysis

The distribution of a coating composition, e.g., a binder composition, on a carpet structure is determined by illuminating the coated carpet surface with light and measuring the intensity of the light returned therefrom. The intensity of the returned light relates to the distribution, i.e., (1) the amount of the illuminated surface which is coated and (2) the depth of said coating, of the coating on the carpet structure.

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Midland, MI, United States of America

John C Evans