Abstract: An image transfer element that is capable of forming a multicolored image on a variety of substrates using a variety of imaging devices and its method of use are disclosed. The image transfer element comprises a releasable support, and an image-receiving layer over the support. The image-receiving layer comprises (1) a film-forming polymeric binder and (2) particles of a thermoplastic polymer, in which the particles have a particle size of about 1 to about 150 microns and the thermoplastic polymer has a Tm of about 50° C. to about 200° C.

Abstract: Provided is a UV-curable ink jet coating comprised of a copolymer or mixture of polyvinyl alcohol and polyethylene oxide, and a water-soluble polymer which can act as an electron and/or proton donor, preferably containing at least one carbonyl group. The entire mixture is UV cured once coated onto a substrate thereby creating a matrix due to crosslinking between the water soluble polymer and the polyvinyl alcohol/polyethylene oxide copolymer or mixture. The result is an ink receptive coating which will absorb many different ink jet inks very rapidly, while exhibiting high gloss. The ink jet medium thereby permits use with many different printers and inks.

Abstract: The present invention provide a composite structure comprising an image receiving layer having an image disposed thereon and a light emitting layer, wherein said light emitting layer comprises a phosphorescent or fluorescent material capable of illuminating said image.

Abstract: Provided is a support for an ink jet recording material. The support comprises a substrate and a UV cured resinous coating layer on the substrate, with said resinous coating layer being comprised of a tetrafunctional polyester acrylate, a difunctional acrylic ester, a UV photoinitiator and a polyether.

Abstract: Provided is an ink jet recording medium comprised of an ink jet receptive layer on a substrate. The ink receptive layer is comprised of a water soluble polymer and a radiation cured, water insoluble monomer and/or prepolymer. When both the water soluble polymer and the water insoluble monomer and/or prepolymer are cured, a coating is created which has a cage structure with the radiation cured, water insoluble monomer and/or prepolymer existing as a micelle within a water soluble polymer matrix. The resulting ink jet medium exhibits excellent water resistance and extremely high gloss.

Abstract: An electrographic imaging element useful for forming colored images is described. The element contains an imaging layer structure and a support structure. The support structure contains an electrically conductive polymeric release layer formed by polymerizing a mixture containing a polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated ammonium precursor; a polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated, organo-silicone precursor; a polymerizable precursor containing at least two polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated functional groups; optionally, a polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated acidic precursor containing at least one carboxylic acid group; and, optionally, a monofunctional precursor containing one polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated functional group. The element is particularly useful for forming large size images, such as are required for banners, billboards, and other out-of-doors advertisements.

Abstract: A novel two step process is disclosed for the manufacture of protected, distortion-free, full-color ink jet images for use on large format posters, billboards and the like. A novel ink receptive element, which is used in the process, comprises a temporary carrier layer; a protective layer; and an adhesive ink receptive layer. The novel imaging process comprises: A) depositing an ink image layer on the surface of the ink receptive element, so that the ink image layer is adhered to the surface of the adhesive, ink receptive layer; B) pressure laminating the receptor substrate to the ink image layer to form a laminated image element; and C) removing the temporary carrier layer from the protective layer of the laminated image element to form a protected imaged substrate. The protective layer then serves to protect the ink image from abrasion and environmental contaminants.

Abstract: Electrographic recording elements suitable use as wallcoverings as disclosed. The element contains, in order: (a) a backside conductive layer; (b) a base; (c) a frontside conductive layer; and (d) a dielectric layer. The element has a wet shrinkage of less than about 2% in the machine direction and less than about 2%, preferably less than about 1%, in the cross-machine direction. In one embodiment the frontside conductive layer is a radiation cured conductive layer. In another embodiment the backside conductive layer is adhesive. In another embodiment the element additionally comprises a filled layer between the base and the frontside conductive layer.

Abstract: An ink jet image receptor element having a protective coating is disclosed. The protective coating is a single protective layer that contains a fluoropolymer and an acrylic polymer. Because the protective coating is resistant to surface pitting, dirt, stains, and general degradation, images formed from the element can be used effectively on billboards, banners, posters, and other outdoor signs.

Abstract: Provided is a printing medium particularly useful for inkjet printing. The printing medium is comprised of a substrate and a coating layer. The coating layer comprises porous particles, a resin binder and colloidal particles, with the colloidal particle being of a size that is greater than the size of the pores of the porous particles, but smaller than the interstitial pores created by the porous particles. The printing medium allows one to realize high optical density and high image resolution, while also offering good mechanical properties, fast drying, good waterfastness and consistent performance in different environments.

Abstract: Provided is a transparent recording sheet useful in producing electrophotographic images for overhead projections. The recording sheet comprises a transparent polymeric base and an imaging layer. The imaging layer comprises at least one resin and at least one transparentizer in amounts sufficient to have the imaging layer exhibit a T.sub.g in the range of from about -15 to about 50.degree. C.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of ink jet receptor elements that contain receptor layers on difficult to coat substrates is disclosed. An element that contains, in order, a carrier sheet, a receptor layer, and an adhesive layer is laminated to the substrate and the carrier sheet removed. Difficult to coat substrates include deformable substrates and porous substrates.

Abstract: A ground and bond detection device for ensuring that a conductive material, such at a metal container, is properly grounded to prevent electrostatic charge buildup. The device indicates whether a ground connection between the conductive material and ground exists, and whether the ground connection has been interrupted. The device is battery-powered, portable, and can be used on conductive material which is coated with nonconductive material such as paint, dirt, or rust. The ground and bond detection device provides low-cost, reliable, portable, and safe monitoring of ground connections for, e.g., metal containers used to store flammable materials.

Abstract: An electrically conductive polymeric material useful in electrographic imaging elements is disclosed. The material comprises, in polymerized form: (1) a polymerizable, conductivity exalting comonomer selected from the group consisting of interpolymerizable acids with an acid number between 100 and 900, hydroxyalkyl esters of acrylic or methacrylic acid, cyanoalkyl esters of acrylic or methacrylic acid, and combinations thereof; (2) a polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated ammonium precursor; and, optionally, (3) other polymerizable precursors. A layer of the material has an apparent surface resistivity of 1.times.10.sup.4 to 1.times.10.sup.7 .OMEGA./.quadrature..

Abstract: An electrographic imaging element useful for forming colored images is described. The element contains an imaging layer structure and a support structure. The support structure contains an electrically conductive polymeric release layer formed by polymerizing a mixture containing a polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated ammonium precursor; a polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated, organo-silicone precursor; a polymerizable precursor containing at least two polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated functional groups; optionally, a polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated acidic precursor containing at least one carboxylic acid group; and, optionally, a monofunctional precursor containing one polymerizable, ethylenically unsaturated functional group. The element is particularly useful for forming large size images, such as are required for banners, billboards, and other out-of-doors advertisements.

Abstract: Provided is a receiving medium comprising a substrate and an ink receiving layer provided thereon, said ink receiving layer comprising a blend of an ethylene vinylacetate copolymer and a hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol. The ink receiving layer preferably further comprises a solid particulate such as silica or calcium silicate. Also provided is a process for providing a water resistant ink jet print by attaching droplets of a recording liquid on a recording medium, said recording medium comprising an ink receiving layer provided on a substrate with the ink receiving layer comprising a blend of an ethylene vinylacetate copolymer and a hydrolyzed polyvinylalcohol.

Abstract: Provided is a black ink jet ink which exhibits excellent non-fading properties. The ink jet ink is comprised of water, carbon black, cyan and magenta pigments, a water immiscible organic compound exhibiting a high boiling point, and a water miscible compound. The combination of the water immiscible compound and the water miscible compound provides for excellent anti-crusting properties.

Abstract: A novel two step process is disclosed for the manufacture of protected, distortion-free, full-color ink jet images for use on large format posters, billboards and the like. A novel ink receptive element, which is used in the process, comprises a temporary carrier layer; a protective layer; and an adhesive ink receptive layer. The novel imaging process comprises: A) depositing an ink image layer on the surface of the ink receptive element, so that the ink image layer is adhered to the surface of the adhesive, ink receptive layer; B) pressure laminating the receptor substrate to the ink image layer to form a laminated image element; and C) removing the temporary carrier layer from the protective layer of the laminated image element to form a protected imaged substrate. The protective layer then serves to protect the ink image from abrasion and environmental contaminants.

Abstract: A process and associated element for forming an image on an substrate using an electrographic element comprising a releasable dielectric image receptive layer supported on an electrically conductive carrier sheet by applying an adhesive coating on the substrate front surface, producing a toned image on the image receptive dielectric layer, contacting the image to the adhesive layer thereby adhering the electrographic element to the substrate, and separating and removing the carrier sheet from the image receptive layer, whereby the image receptive layer and the toned image remain on the substrate.

Abstract: A novel three step process is disclosed for the manufacture of protected, distortion-free, full-color ink jet images for use on large format posters, billboards and the like. An ink receptive element, which is used in the process, comprises a temporary carrier layer; a protective layer; and an ink receptive layer. The novel imaging process comprises: A) depositing an ink image layer on the surface of the ink receptive element, so that the ink image layer is adhered to the surface of the ink receptive layer; B) pressure laminating an adhesive coated receptor substrate to the ink image layer to form a laminated image element; and C) removing the temporary carrier layer from the protective layer of the laminated image element to form a protected imaged substrate. The protective layer then serves to protect the ink image from abrasion and environmental contaminants.