Abstract: A thin film deposition system includes a web guide system having a plurality of web guides defining a web transport path for the web of substrate. The web guide system includes a moveable portion including first and second moveable-position web guides. A web transport control system advances the web of substrate along the web transport path at a web advance velocity. A deposition head is located along the web transport path between the first and second moveable-position web guides. A motion actuator system synchronously moves a position of the first and second moveable-position web guides such that they move forward and backward according to a defined oscillating motion pattern while maintaining a constant distance between the first and second moveable-position web guides, thereby causing a portion of the web of media adjacent to the deposition head to move forward and backward in an in-track direction.

Abstract: A piezoelectric capacitor includes A) a composite article that has 1) a dry piezoelectric layer (dry PL); 2) a first dry electrode comprising a dry electrically-conductive layer arranged contiguously with a first opposing surface of the dry PL; and 3) a second dry electrode arranged contiguously with a second opposing surface of the dry PL. The dry electrically-conductive layer has essentially (a) an electrically-conductive material; and (b) particles having a Young's modulus that is different from the Young's modulus of the (a) electrically-conductive material by at least 10%. The capacitor also has B) electrical communication means attached to both electrodes for electrical communication of the composite article with an external electrical circuit.

Abstract: A method is designed to prepare foamed, opacifying elements each having a target light blocking value (LBVT) of at least 3, using a textile fabric substrate with a light blocking value (LBVS). The LBVT-S difference is calculated; a foamable aqueous composition is chosen; a dry coating weight for the foamable aqueous composition (when foamed) is determined to form a single dry opacifying layer that is foamed, dried, and densified to provide a dry thickness at least 20% less than the original dry thickness. The single dry opacifying layer a has light blocking value that is equal to LBVT-S, ±15%. The desired foamable aqueous composition can be chosen from a set of similar compositions to achieve the desired LBVT with the noted textile fabric substrate using suitable mathematical formula relating dry coating weight to light blocking value and a suitable data processor.

Abstract: Laminated light-blocking decorative articles are prepared by applying an aqueous foamed opacifying composition to a decorative fabric, drying, laminating a non-woven fabric to the resulting dry foamed opacifying layer, and densifying that layer to have a thickness that is at least 20% less than before densifying. This operation can be carried out so that non-woven fabric, decorative fabric, and aqueous foamed opacifying composition are supplied in a single-pass, in-line operation to make any quantity of laminated light-blocking decorative article. The applied aqueous foamed opacifying composition has 35%-70% solids and a foam density of 0.1-0.5 g/cm3. It is composed of (a) porous particles, (b) a binder material, (c) two or more additives comprising at least one foaming surfactant and at least one foam stabilizer, (d) an aqueous medium, and (e) at least 0.0001 weight % of an opacifying colorant that absorbs electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of 380-800 nm.

Abstract: A method for printing a three-dimensional part includes receiving a sequence of part layer patterns together with first and second complementary mask patterns. For each part layer pattern in the sequence of part layer patterns, a mask pattern is selected according to the layer number of the part layer pattern, wherein the first mask pattern is selected for odd layer numbers and the second mask pattern is selected for even layer numbers. A masked part layer is formed by applying the selected mask pattern to the part layer pattern. A developed part layer is formed using an electrophotography engine, and the developed part layer is transfused together to previously-printed part layers to form a printed part layer of the three-dimensional part.

Abstract: Inkjet printing is carried out to provide monochrome or polychrome inkjet-printed images. An ink-receptive medium is provided with a substrate with an aqueous-based ink-receptive layer disposed thereon. The aqueous-based ink-receptive layer has: (a) one or more water-soluble salts of a multivalent metal cation in an amount of 0.6-49 weight %; (b) one or both of a polyvinyl alcohol and a polyvinyl amine (or a copolymer of a vinyl alcohol and vinyl amine) in a total amount of 0.5-30 weight %; and optionally, (c) a crosslinking agent and (d) silica particles. One or more aqueous pigment-based inks are inkjet printed onto this aqueous-based ink-receptive layer, each ink comprising: a) one or more anionically-stabilized pigment colorants; b) one or more water-miscible humectants that are present in a total amount of 1-20 weight % and each having a carbon atom to oxygen atom ratio of at least 1.0:1.0 and only two hydroxy groups.

Abstract: A process for depositing a thin film material on a substrate is disclosed, comprising simultaneously directing a series of gas flows from the output face of a delivery head of a thin film deposition system toward the surface of a substrate, and wherein the series of gas flows comprises at least a first reactive gaseous material, an inert purge gas, and a second reactive gaseous material, wherein the first reactive gaseous material is capable of reacting with a substrate surface treated with the second reactive gaseous material, wherein one or more of the gas flows provides a pressure that at least contributes to the separation of the surface of the substrate from the face of the delivery head. A system capable of carrying out such a process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A digital printing system having a linear printhead includes corrections for in-track position errors. A data processing system implements a method for determining an in-track position function which includes printing a test target including a plurality of alignment marks, automatically analyzing a captured image of the printed test target to determine a measured in-track position for each of the alignment marks, comparing the measured in-track positions for the alignment marks to reference in-track positions to determine measured in-track position errors, and determining an in-track position correction function responsive to the measured in-track position errors. The in-track position correction function specifies in-track position corrections to be applied as a function of cross-track position. A corrected digital image is determined by resampling an input digital image responsive to the in-track position correction function.

Abstract: An inking system for use in transferring ink to a flexographic printing plate in a flexographic printing system includes an anilox member having an ink transfer zone located between first and second recessed bearing contact zones. A radius of the recessed bearing contact zones is less than a radius of the ink transfer zone by at least 0.100 inches. An ink tray includes a floor and first and second end walls. Bearings are mounted outside of the end walls which engage with the first and second bearing contact zones, respectively, thereby positioning the ink tray assembly in a specified position relative to the anilox member. Upper edges of the end walls extend into the recessed bearing contact zones.

Abstract: A digital printing system having a linear printhead includes corrections for cross-track position errors. A data processing system implements a method for determining a cross-track position function which includes printing a test target including a plurality of alignment marks, automatically analyzing a captured image of the printed test target to determine a measured position for each of the alignment marks, comparing the measured positions for the alignment marks to reference positions to determine measured cross-track position errors, and determining a cross-track position correction function responsive to the measured position errors. The cross-track position correction function specifies cross-track position corrections to be applied as a function of cross-track position. A corrected digital image is determined by resampling the image lines of a digital image responsive to the cross-track position correction function.

Abstract: Lithographic printing plate precursors are prepared with a unique aluminum-containing substrate and one or more radiation-sensitive imageable layers. The aluminum-containing substrate is prepared by three separate and sequential anodizing processes to provide an inner aluminum oxide layer having an average dry thickness (Ti) of 500-1,500 nm and a multiplicity of inner pores having an average inner pore diameter (Di) larger than 0 and <15 nm. A formed middle aluminum oxide layer has a dry thickness (Tm) of 60-300 nm and a multiplicity of middle pores of average middle pore diameter (Dm) of 15-60 nm, arranged over the inner aluminum oxide layer. A formed outer aluminum oxide layer comprises a multiplicity of outer pores having an average outer pore diameter (Do) of 5-35 nm and an average dry thickness (To) of 30-150 nm, arranged over the middle aluminum oxide layer. Dm is larger than Do that is larger than Di.

Abstract: A low-specular-reflectance surface, includes a coating on a surface, wherein the coating includes a plurality of substantially spherical particles having a multimodal particle size distribution, wherein the particles protrude from a top surface of the coating to provide substantially spherical caps. The multimodal particle size distribution has two or more modes, each mode having a peak defining an associated mode particle size, wherein the distribution function includes a first mode having a first peak corresponding to a first particle size and a second mode having a second peak corresponding to a second particle size. A ratio of the second particle size to the first particle size is between 1.7-4.0. A smallest of the mode particle sizes is greater than or equal to 1.0 microns, and a largest of the mode particle sizes is greater than or equal to 3.0 microns.

Abstract: An electrode film includes a first electrode pattern having a first set of parallel conductive electrodes and a second electrode pattern having a second set of parallel conductive electrodes disposed on a first surface of a transparent film, wherein elements of the first electrode pattern do not cross over elements of the second electrode pattern. A third electrode pattern having a third set of parallel conductive electrodes is disposed on a second surface of the transparent film, wherein the first, second and third sets of parallel conductive electrodes are arranged in an interlaced pattern. The electrode patterns are configured to be connected to respective power sources of electrical power supplying respective waveforms to generate a time-varying electric field pattern above a surface of the electrode film.

Abstract: A method for correcting in-track position errors in a digital printing system having a linear printhead includes printing a test target including a plurality of alignment marks. A data processing system is used to automatically analyze a captured image of the printed test target to determine a measured in-track position for each of the alignment marks. The measured in-track positions for the alignment marks are compared to reference positions to determine measured in-track position errors. An in-track position correction function is determined responsive to the measured in-track position errors, wherein the in-track position correction function specifies in-track position corrections to be applied as a function of cross-track position. A corrected digital image is determined by resampling an input digital image responsive to the in-track position correction function.

Abstract: A coated yarn has a yarn core and a coating disposed coaxially on the yarn core. This coating contains: (i) porous particles present in an amount of at least 4 weight % and up to and including 20 weight %, each porous particle comprising a continuous polymeric phase and discrete pores dispersed within the continuous polymeric phase, having a mode particle size of 2-50 ?m and up to and including 50 ?m; (ii) a film-forming binder material having a Tg of less than or equal to 25° C., which is present in an amount of 40-90 weight %; and (iii) an inorganic filler material having a value of less than 5 on the MOHS scale of mineral hardness, which inorganic filler material is present in an amount of 4 weight % and up to and including 30 weight %.

Abstract: A light-blocking article is designed to be lightweight but effective to block most incident actinic radiation and can be designed into fabrics, curtains, and other materials. Such an article has an opacifying layer that is capable of blocking predetermined electromagnetic radiation. The article contains (a) porous particles comprising a continuous polymeric binder and pores within the continuous polymeric binder, the porous particles having a glass transition temperature of at least 25° C. and a mode particle size of at least 2 ?m and up to and including 50 ?m. The article also contains an opacifying colorant that absorbs the predetermined electromagnetic radiation (such as within 400 nm to 700 nm), in an amount of at least 0.001 weight % based on the total dry weight of the opacifying layer, and a matrix polymer in which the porous particles and opacifying colorant are dispersed.

Abstract: An inking system for use in transferring ink to a gravure printing surface in a gravure printing system includes a gravure cylinder r having a printing zone located between first and second recessed bearing contact zones. A radius of the recessed bearing contact zones is less than a radius of the printing zone by at least 0.100 inches. An ink tray includes a floor and first and second end walls. Bearings are mounted outside of the end walls which engage with the first and second bearing contact zones, respectively, thereby positioning the ink tray assembly in a specified position relative to the gravure cylinder. Upper edges of the end walls extend into the recessed bearing contact zones.

Abstract: A photosensitive reducible silver ion-containing composition can be used to provide electrically-conductive silver metal in thin films or patterns. This composition comprises: a) a non-hydroxylic-solvent soluble silver complex represented by the following formula (I): (Ag+)a(L)b(P)c??(I) wherein L represents an ?-oxy carboxylate; P represents an oxime compound; a is 1 or 2; b is 1 or 2; and c is 1, 2, 3, or 4, provided that when a is 1, b is 1, and when a is 2, b is 2; b) a photosensitizer that can either reduce the reducible silver ion or oxidize the ?-oxy carboxylate; and c) a solvent medium comprising at least one non-hydroxylic solvent. Electrically-conductive silver can be provided by photochemical conversion of the reducible silver ions in the complex.

Abstract: A product article is prepared from a precursor article that has a substrate and a photosensitive thin film or a photosensitive thin film pattern on a supporting side. The product article have an electrically-conductive silver metal-containing film or thin film patterns, each of which contains electrically-conductive metallicsilver obtained by reduction of silver ions in the precursor article, an ?-oxy carboxylate, an oxime compound, and a photosensitizer that can either reduce reducible silver ions or oxidize the ?-oxy carboxylate.

Abstract: A negative-working infrared radiation-sensitive lithographic printing plate precursor can be imaged and developed on-press to provide a lithographic printing plate. Such precursor has an initiator composition that contains compound A of Structure (I) and one or more compounds collectively as compound B of Structure (II) or Structure (III): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are independently alkyl groups each having 3 to 6 carbon atoms; at least one of R3 and R4 is different from R1 or R2; the difference of total number of carbon atoms in R1 and R2 and the total number of carbon atoms in R3 and R4 is 0, 1, or 2; the difference of total number of carbon atoms in R1 and R2 and the total number of carbon atoms in R5 and R6 is 0, 1, or 2; and X1, X2 and X3 are the same or different anions.