A protective film module includes a first film, a second film disposed on the first film, and a thin film layer disposed between the first film and the second film. The first film includes a first hook portion that does not overlap the thin film layer in a plan view, the second film includes a second hook portion that does not overlap the thin film layer in the plan view, and at least a portion of the first hook portion is disposed on the second hook portion.

A radiographic flat panel detector includes a layer configuration in the order given: a) a radiation transparent substrate; and b) a scintillator layer applied by vapor deposition on the radiation transparent substrate; and c) an imaging array between the scintillator layer and a second substrate, characterized in that the radiation transparent substrate has on a side a layer including magnetisable particles and a method for producing the radiographic flat panel detector.

A dental appliance for positioning a patient's teeth includes a removable orthodontic tooth positioning appliance having teeth receiving cavities shaped to directly receive at least some of the patient's teeth and apply a resilient positioning force to the patient's teeth. The appliance includes a hard polymer layer having a hard polymer layer elastic modulus disposed between a first soft polymer layer having a first soft polymer layer elastic modulus and a second soft polymer layer having a second soft polymer layer elastic modulus. The hard polymer layer elastic modulus is greater than each of the first soft polymer layer elastic modulus and the second soft polymer layer elastic modulus. At least one of the first soft polymer layer and the second soft polymer layer has a flexural modulus of greater than about 35,000 psi.

A dental appliance for positioning a patient's teeth includes a removable orthodontic tooth positioning appliance having teeth receiving cavities shaped to directly receive at least some of the patient's teeth and apply a resilient positioning force to the patient's teeth. The appliance includes a hard polymer layer having a hard polymer layer elastic modulus disposed between a first soft polymer layer having a first soft polymer layer elastic modulus and a second soft polymer layer having a second soft polymer layer elastic modulus. The hard polymer layer elastic modulus is greater than each of the first soft polymer layer elastic modulus and the second soft polymer layer elastic modulus. At least one of the first soft polymer layer and the second soft polymer layer has a flexural modulus of greater than about 35,000 psi.

Thermoplastic composite material structures comprise a multi-region thermoplastic surfacing film layer that further comprises first and second regions within the multi-region thermoplastic surfacing film layer having visually-detectable colors different from one another to facilitate surfacing film layer processing, and processing of the thermoplastic composite material stack.

Protective structures for use with laminates and laminates including the protective structure are provided that may be used in a variety of different applications, such as shatter resistant windows for vehicles and buildings. A protective structure comprises a first layer comprising polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), acrylic or a combination thereof. The first layer has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The structure further includes a hard coating on the first surface of the first layer and a second layer comprising a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) in contact with the second surface of the first layer. Forming a protective structure into a single film or layer reduces material handling and cost. In addition, this structure has fewer independent webs and can be manufactured with a reduced thickness, thereby further reducing manufacturing costs.

A dental appliance for positioning a patient's teeth includes a removable orthodontic tooth positioning appliance having teeth receiving cavities shaped to directly receive at least some of the patient's teeth and apply a resilient positioning force to the patient's teeth. The appliance includes a hard polymer layer having a hard polymer layer elastic modulus disposed between a first soft polymer layer having a first soft polymer layer elastic modulus and a second soft polymer layer having a second soft polymer layer elastic modulus. The hard polymer layer elastic modulus is greater than each of the first soft polymer layer elastic modulus and the second soft polymer layer elastic modulus. At least one of the first soft polymer layer and the second soft polymer layer has a flexural modulus of greater than about 35,000 psi.

A dental appliance for positioning a patient's teeth includes a removable orthodontic tooth positioning appliance having teeth receiving cavities shaped to directly receive at least some of the patient's teeth and apply a resilient positioning force to the patient's teeth. The appliance includes a hard polymer layer having a hard polymer layer elastic modulus disposed between a first soft polymer layer having a first soft polymer layer elastic modulus and a second soft polymer layer having a second soft polymer layer elastic modulus. The hard polymer layer elastic modulus is greater than each of the first soft polymer layer elastic modulus and the second soft polymer layer elastic modulus. At least one of the first soft polymer layer and the second soft polymer layer has a flexural modulus of greater than about 35,000 psi.

A multilayer laminate for use as a flame barrier in an aircraft comprising (i) a polymeric film layer capable of withstanding a temperature of at least 200 C for at least 10 min, (ii) an adhesive layer having an areal weight of from 2 to 40 gsm capable of activation at a temperature of from 75 to 200 degrees C., (iii) an inorganic refractory layer, and (iv) aramid paper comprising from 50 to 90 weight percent of aramid fibers and from 10 to 50 weight percent of meta-aramid binder wherein the inorganic refractory layer of (iii) comprises platelets in an amount of at least 85% by weight with a dry areal weight of 15 to 50 gsm and a residual moisture content of no greater than 10 percent by weight.

A method of coating an expandable item (10) such as a pressure vessel or process vessel used for instance in the off shore oil industry. A compressible flexible intermediate layer (14) is provided on the item (10), and a support member (18) is embedded in the intermediate layer (14). The support member (18) comprises an open framework base (20) and a plurality of projecting members upstanding therefrom and extending out of the intermediate layer (14) away from the item (10). A thermally insulating coating layer (12) is applied over the intermediate layer (14) such that the projecting members (22) extend into the coating layer (12), and are wholly located in the coating layer (12).