Abstract: An nozzle for storage and application of liquid dental material, such as primer or adhesive, to a preparation site at a patient's teeth, gums or mouth. The nozzle includes a hollow nozzle for containing the liquid dental material. The hollow nozzle can include a flocked, open tip through which the liquid dental material is dispensed. The nozzle also includes a storage block having a plurality of cavities formed therein. A plurality of hollow nozzles can be inserted into the cavities to form substantially air-tight seals between the open tips of the hollow nozzles and the exterior of the cavities. An end of the hollow nozzles opposite from the open tip and exposed above the block includes a breakable seal. Accordingly, the hollow nozzles can be stored in the block for an extended period of time. To apply the liquid dental material to a preparation site, an applicator can be attached to the end of the hollow nozzle exposed above the block.

Abstract: A photocurable composition is provided which includes al having bottom and side walls which define a chamber a photocurable material disposed in-the chamber. The wall circulmacribe the bottom wall and includes a rant so that the side wall will substantially attenuate nic radiation while minimally attenuating visible light ng an approximating spectral wavelength greater than nanometers. By that arrangement, the level of the ocurable material may be visualized through the side while still providing sufficient attenuation of nic radiation to provide for long term storage of the ocurable material without substantial curing thereof.

Abstract: A printing apparatus for producing an image on an ink receiver in response to an input image includes at least one ink reservoir for providing ink for printing the image; a print head means coupled to an ink receiver and at least one ink reservoir, for disposing ink spots on the ink receiver; a fluid reservoir for providing a hardening fluid for treating the ink spots disposed on the receiver; and a spray bar coupled to the ink receiver and the fluid reservoir, for depositing the hardening fluid on the ink spots disposed on the ink receiver thereby improving the stability, durability, and quality of the image.

Abstract: A method of improving the durability of an ink jet ink image comprising the steps of: a) providing an ink jet ink receiving layer containing acetoacetylated poly(vinylalcohol); b) depositing pigment-based ink jet ink to form an image on the gelatin-containing ink receiving layer; and c) applying to the image formed in step b) a solution comprising a hardener.

Abstract: An ink jet ink comprising a carrier medium, a colorant, and thermoplastic polymeric particles; wherein said polymeric particles have a glass transition temperature between 30.degree. and 200.degree. C., and an average diameter between 10 and 1000 nm.

Abstract: A dispensing cartridge for use with a hand-held applicator has a chamber with a first section and a second section. The second section has a smaller cross-sectional area than the first section such that the chamber has a stepped configuration. A piston is slidably received in the chamber and has a head portion that is received in the second section and a tail portion that is received in the first section. As a force is applied to the tail portion, the head portion advances to expel material through an outlet opening. The cartridge is especially useful for dispensing compositions having a relatively high viscosity such as dental pastes and the like.

Abstract: A dispensing cartridge especially suitable for use with a hand-held applicator for dispensing liquids having a relatively low viscosity has a chamber and at least one compressible, porous material received in the chamber. Each of the porous materials receives a quantity of a liquid composition. As a piston is advanced in the chamber, each porous material is compressed to cause the composition or compositions to be discharged through an outlet opening.

Abstract: A method of improving the durability of an ink jet ink image comprising the steps of: a) providing an ink jet ink receiving layer containing gelatin; b) depositing pigment-based ink jet ink to form an image on the gelatin-containing ink receiving layer; and c) applying to the image formed in step b) a solution comprising a hardener.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a liquid ink jet ink comprising a carrier, a pigment and a compound having an active olefinic functional group.

Abstract: An ink jet ink composition comprising from about 30 to about 90% by weight of water, from about 0.5 to about 30% by weight of a pigment, from about 0.1 to about 10% by weight of a swelling clay, and from about 10 to about 50% by weight of a humectant comprising a polyhydric alcohol or a nitrogen-containing cyclic compound.

Abstract: An ink jet printing method, comprising the steps of:A) providing an ink jet printer that is responsive to digital data signals;B) loading the printer with ink-receptive substrates;C) loading the printer with an ink jet ink composition comprising a carrier, from about 0.5% to about 30% by weight of a pigment and from about 0.1 to about 10% by weight of a swelling clay; andD) printing on an ink-receptive substrate using the ink jet ink in response to the digital data signals.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a liquid ink jet ink for acetoacetylated poly(vinylalcohol) receivers comprising a carrier, a pigment and a hardener. A method of using the ink is also disclosed.

Abstract: A photocurable composition is provided which includes a vial having bottom and side walls which define a chamber and a photocurable material disposed in the chamber. The side wall circumscribes the bottom wall and includes a colorant so that the side wall will substantially attenuate actinic radiation while minimally attenuating visible light having an approximating spectral wavelength greater than 500 nanometers. By that arrangement, the level of the photocurable material may be visualized through the side wall, while still providing sufficient attenuation of actinic radiation to provide for long term storage of the photocurable material without substantial curing thereof.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed an ink jet printing method. An ink jet printer that is responsive to digital data signals is loaded with ink receptive substrates having a gloss of at least 60 when measured at 60.degree. using a BYK Gloss meter. The printer is also loaded with a liquid inkjet ink comprising a carrier, a pigment and a surfactant selected from the group consisting of a potassium salt of a phosphated ester of a C.sub.8 to C.sub.18 alcohol, a phosphated ester of isooctanol and a phosphated coester of a C.sub.8 to C.sub.18 alcohol and an oxygen substituted aliphatic ethoxlate. Printing is carried on the ink receptive substrates in response to the digital data signals.

Abstract: A pigmented ink jet ink comprising an aqueous carrier medium, a pigment, and aluminum stabilized colloidal silica particles of average particle size from 0.005 .mu.m to 0.050 .mu.m.

Abstract: Herein is disclosed a liquid ink jet ink comprising a carrier, a pigment and a compound having an aldehyde functional group.

Abstract: A packaged composition includes a vial having wall portions defining a chamber and a photocurable material in the chamber. The wall portions transmit less than about 1.0% of actinic radiation, and at least one of the wall portions transmits light having wavelengths in at least part of the visible spectrum. In certain embodiments of the invention, the wall portions are flexible and the photocurable material is dispensed from the chamber through an outlet when the wall portions are squeezed together. In other embodiments of the invention, an element is floating in the photocurable material in the chamber to facilitate determination of the amount of photocurable material remaining in the chamber.

Abstract: An applicator has a ratchet mechanism for dispensing material from a single or multiple barrel container. The ratchet mechanism includes a clutch that substantially prevents movement of a plunger of the applicator whenever a resistance to plunger movement is greater than a certain value. As a consequence, bursting of the container, or damage to components of the applicator, is substantially avoided. A resilient, integral pawl hinders unintentional rearward movement of the plunger and provides for a compact construction especially suitable for use in dispensing dental material.

Abstract: A dispensing applicator includes a body with a handle, a pivotable lever and a front holder with a receptacle that is adapted to removably receive a dual chamber cartridge. In certain embodiments, the majority of the cartridge contents are expelled during a single stroke of the lever, an advantage when used for single patient use in dental or medical fields. In other embodiments, the holder is rotatably connected to the body so that the holder and the cartridge can be moved as needed in an arc in order to vary the orientation of the cartridge relative to the applicator handle. The rotatable connection enables the cartridge to be moved to any one of a number of different orientations as may be desired to provide optimum maneuverability of the applicator in use and to enhance the operator's vision of the application site.

Abstract: A dispensing system for dental material made of two components has a dual chamber cartridge that releasably connects to an applicator. The chambers of the cartridge are located in an over-under orientation relative to the user's grip on the applicator, enabling the system to be especially useful for placing dental material in regions of the patient's oral cavity that are difficult to access. Certain embodiments of the invention include a static mixing assembly having a swivelable cannula, and an exit conduit of the mixing assembly is optionally curved along its length. Other aspects of the invention relate to a reusable hygienic sheath useful for covering a dual chamber cartridge as well as a single chamber cartridge.