Merck Patent Gmbh

Polymer Group, Inc.

Keith Wilbourn

David Coates

Owain Llyr Parri

Jeremy Ward

John Scott

David Joicey

Colum Dickson

Ralph A Moody, Iii

Kuo-Shu Edward Chang

Michael J Putnam

Douglas Stowers

Homeotropically oriented layers and films of liquid crystals especially on polymeric substrates. The layers and films, which also can be multi-layered films comprising a homeotropically aligned anisotropic film, are preparable by application of an orientation layer to the substrate. The orientation layer can be either an organic surfactant which is fixed in a matrix of a polymeric material or an inorganic thin layer such as aluminum or AlO.

Homeotropically aligned liquid crystal layer and process for the homeotropic alignment of liquid crystals on plastic substrates

Homeotropically oriented layers and films of liquid crystals especially on polymeric substrates. The layers and films, which also can be multi-layered films comprising a homeotropically aligned anisotropic film, are preparable by application of an orientation layer to the substrate. The orientation layer can be either an organic surfactant which is fixed in a matrix of a polymeric material or an inorganic thin layer such as aluminum or Al O .

The present invention is directed to a method of forming a nonwoven fabric, which exhibits a pronounced three-dimensional image that is durable to both converting and end-use application. In particular, the present invention contemplates that a fabric is formed from a precursor web comprising at least one support layer or scrim, which when subjected to hydroentanglement on a moveable imaging surface of a three-dimensional image transfer device, an enhanced product is achieved. By formation in this fashion, hydroentanglement of the precursor web results in a more pronounced three-dimensional image; an image that is durable to abrasion and distortion due to elongation.

Nonwoven fabrics having a durable three-dimensional image

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Matthews, NC, United States of America

Keith Wilbourn