A tire comprising an outer tread layer, intermediate sidewall and carcass layers and an innermost air permeation prevention layer: (i) the air permeation prevention (APP) layer having an upper and a lower surface, the layer having a polymer composition exhibiting an air permeation coefficient (APC) of about 2510.sup.12 cc cm/cm.sup.2 sec cmHg (at 30 C.) or less and a Young's modulus of about 1 MPa to about 500 MPa, the polymer composition comprising: (A) at least 10 wt % of at least one thermoplastic resin component having an APC of about 2510.sup.12 cc cm/cm.sup.2 sec cmHg (at 30 C.) or less and a Young's modulus of more than 500 MPa, which is preferably a polyamide resin or mixture, and (B) at least 10 wt % of at least one elastomer component having an APC of more than about 2510.sup.12 cc cm/cm.sup.2 sec cmHg (at 30 C.) and a Young's modulus of not more than 500 MPa, which elastomer component is preferably a halogen-containing rubber or mixture, the total amount (A)+(B) being not less than about 30 wt %, and the elastomer component is a dispersed vulcanized, discontinuous phase in the thermoplastic resin matrix; and (ii) at least one thermoplastic laminate layer bonded to at least said lower surface of the APP layer, the thermoplastic layer comprising a film-forming, semi-crystalline, substantially hydrophobic carbon chain polymer having a glass transition temperature, Tg, of less than about 20 C.

Disclosed is an inner liner for a pneumatic tire, the inner liner including no less than 8 resin-layers, the resin-layer having a layer A constituted with a resin composition containing a gas barrier resin, and a layer B constituted with a resin composition containing an elastomer, at least one of the resin compositions included in the layer A and the layer B that are adjacent with each other containing a metal salt, the content of the metal salt being no less than 1 ppm and no greater than 10,000 ppm in terms of metal element equivalent, and an interlayer adhesive force between the layer A and the layer B being no less than 500 g/15 mm. The layer A and the layer B are preferably alternately laminated.

A multilayer laminate, which is usable as a reinforcing element for a finished article or for a semifinished product made of rubber, such as a tire, includes at least one polymer film having, in any tensile direction in the film's plane, a Young's modulus that is greater than 500 MPa. The film is positioned between and in contact with two layers formed of a rubber composition, such as natural rubber. Each layer formed of the rubber composition exhibits, in a crosslinked state, a secant modulus that, in extension at 10% elongation, is greater than 30 MPa, with between 30 and 150 MPa being preferable for the secant modulus.

A method for producing a primary laminate including a tabstock by feeding a seal laminate comprising bottom food contact layers including a foil layer and a top polyester layer to a laminating station wherein either the foil layer of the underside of the polyester layer has been printed; simultaneously feeding a tabstock, which is narrower than the seal laminate, to the laminating station such that the bottom of the tabstock and the top polyester layer of the seal laminate come into contact to form a primary substrate, simultaneously feeding a plastic film stock; and continuously extruding a polymeric adhesive between the top face of the primary substrate and bottom surface of the plastic film stock.

A mold includes a forming insert that includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion includes a sidewall segment and a heel segment extending from a bottom of the sidewall segment. The sidewall segment has a sidewall radius, and the heel segment has a heel radius that is less than the sidewall radius. The lower portion extends axially downward from the upper portion to define a base cavity. A forming base is positionable within the base cavity. The rim has a rim radius that is less than the heel radius and the step has a step radius that is less than the rim radius.

A polymer film comprises a polymer composition containing (A) a cyclic olefin polymer and (B) a chlorine-containing polymer. The chlorine-containing polymer (B) may comprise a vinylidene chloride-series polymer. The cyclic olefin polymer (A) may comprise a cyclic olefin copolymer. The ratio of the chlorine-containing polymer (B) relative to 100 parts by weight of the cyclic olefin polymer (A) may be 0.5 to 60 parts by weight. The film has a moderate releasability from an electrolyte membrane and an electrode membrane of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell and a moderate adhesion to the electrolyte membrane and the electrode membrane and can adhere to a commonly-used substrate film without interposition of an adhesive layer such as an easily adhesive layer. The film is thus suitable as a release film for producing a membrane electrode assembly of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell.

A multilayer plastic film comprising polyethylene outer layers with inner layers of additional polyethylene adjacent to tie layers of adhesive bonded to a blended polyamide and polyvinyl alcohol core. This structure results in excellent oxygen and water barrier properties. The film can be coextruded in a blown film process that results in a durable barrier film without the sacrifice of optical properties. Film applications include, but are not limited to, food packaging such as bags, liners, pouches, shrink bags, and chubs. In certain embodiments, the film can also be used for food packaging, including packaging of meat, cheese, milk, condiments, salad dressings, or any other oxygen sensitive products.

Broadband reflectors include a UV-reflective multilayer optical film and a VIS/IR-reflective layer. In various embodiments, the VIS/IR reflective layer may be a reflective metal layer or a multilayer optical film. Concentrated solar power systems and methods of harnessing solar energy using the broadband reflectors and optionally comprising a celestial tracking mechanism are also disclosed.

The invention describes novel coating agents that include a polymer, one or more latent reactive groups and one or more noncovalent linking groups, the noncovalent linking groups selected to interact with a substrate to which the coating agent is applied. The coating agents are useful for providing a coating that can be further functionalized (for example, by application of additional coating layers), or for providing desirable properties to a surface.

The invention describes novel coating agents that include a polymer, one or more latent reactive groups and one or more noncovalent linking groups, the noncovalent linking groups selected to interact with a substrate to which the coating agent is applied.