Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a media sheet for ink-jet printing and can comprise a media substrate and a coating composition applied to the media substrate to form an ink-receiving layer. The ink-receiving layer can include semi-metal oxide or metal oxide particulates, at least 5 wt % of a water soluble coating formulation additive, and a binder. The media sheet can also have a wash conductivity less than about 80 microsiemens/cm, said wash conductivity determined by measuring the conductivity of a 50 mL bath of deionized water after placing a 100 cm2 sample of the media sheet in the deionized water for 45 seconds at room temperature under agitation.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a method of preparing a porous media substrate, comprising preparing a coating composition including metal or semi-metal oxide particulates, a polymeric binder, and at least one water soluble coating formulation additive; applying the coating composition to a media substrate to form an ink-receiving layer having a porous surface, wherein at least a portion of the water soluble coating formulation additive remains unreacted at the ink-receiving layer; and removing at least a portion of the water soluble coating formulation additive from the ink-receiving layer.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a method of preparing a porous media substrate, comprising combining metal or semi-metal oxide particulates with a polymeric binder, wherein the metal or semi-metal oxide particulates are associated with at least one water soluble coating formulation additive. At least a portion of the water soluble coating formulation additive i) is in the form of unreacted additive, or ii) generates undesired electrolytes. Additional steps include removing at least a portion of the unreacted additive or undesired electrolytes, either before or after combining the metal or semi-metal oxide particulates with the polymeric binder, thereby forming a refined coating composition; and applying the refined coating composition to a media substrate to form an ink-receiving layer having a porous surface.

Abstract: A photo medium composition includes a porous ink receiving layer having an alumina based pigment and at least one binder composition. The photo medium composition also includes a swellable imaging layer disposed on the porous ink receiving layer. The swellable imaging layer includes modified polyvinyl alcohols, polyurethanes, and at least one dye mordant.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a method of treating silica in an aqueous environment. The method can comprise steps of dispersing silica particulates in an aqueous environment to form an aqueous dispersion; reversing the net charge of a surface of the silica particulates from negative to positive using a surface activating agent, thereby forming surface-activated silica particulates dispersed in the water; and contacting the surface-activated silica particulates with organosilane reagents to form reagent-modified and surface-activated silica particulates.

Abstract: An ink jet recording sheet is provided that delivers a photoparity image when printed with ink jet printer. The recording sheet comprises a two-layer coating. The bottom layer comprises amorphous silica and the top layer comprises spherical colloidal silica. Both silicas are rendered cationic. The recording sheet provides fast dry time, excellent image quality and superior water resistance and handle ability.

Abstract: An inkjet receiver layer is constructed of an alumina-containing layer also containing a binder with an essentially binder-free, colloidal, cationic silica top-coat. The colloidal cationic silica topcoat provides improved image quality (color gamut and gloss) and increased resistance to scratching, while maintaining a high absorption of ink.

Abstract: Ink-receiving media print media products having multi-functional capabilities including (A) minimal drying time; (B) improved gloss-control which allows the production of high-gloss or semi-gloss products as desired; and (C) the ability to generate high-definition and light-fast images. A first embodiment (high-gloss) employs a substrate (e.g. polyethylene-coated paper) having a porous medial layer thereon containing a pigment (e.g. silica) and a binder (e.g. polyvinyl alcohol). A non-porous top layer is placed on the medial layer which optimally consists entirely of one or more binders (excluding pigments, etc.) A second embodiment (semi-gloss) employs a comparable substrate and medial layer with a top layer similar to that described above, although at least one pigment (e.g. silica) is employed therein at a level not exceeding about 10% by weight. Both products provide the foregoing benefits and others.

Abstract: Ink-receiving print media products having multiple capabilities including (A) minimal drying time; (B) improved smear-fastness; (C) the ability to generate high-definition images with desirable gloss characteristics and gloss-uniformity; and (D) excellent compatibility between the ink materials being delivered and the media products along with other related benefits including the control of ink-coalescence. The print media products of interest have at least one ink-receiving layer on a substrate (e.g. polyethylene-coated paper), with the ink-receiving layer including a poly(vinyl alcohol-ethylene oxide) copolymer as a special multi-functional ingredient designed to produce the foregoing benefits. The copolymer may be employed alone or combined with one or more other ingredients in the ink-receiving layer including pigment(s), supplemental binder(s), and the like in order to fabricate an effective media product ideally suited for inkjet image generation using a wide variety of inks.

Abstract: Ink-receiving print media products having multiple capabilities including (A) minimal drying time; (B) improved smear-fastness; (C) the ability to generate high-definition images with desirable gloss characteristics and gloss-uniformity; and (D) excellent compatibility between the ink materials being delivered and the media products along with other related benefits including the control of ink-coalescence. The print media products of interest have at least one ink-receiving layer on a substrate (e.g. polyethylene-coated paper), with the ink-receiving layer including a poly(vinyl alcohol-ethylene oxide) copolymer as a special multi-functional ingredient designed to produce the foregoing benefits. The copolymer may be employed alone or combined with one or more other ingredients in the ink-receiving layer including pigment(s), supplemental binder(s), and the like in order to fabricate an effective media product ideally suited for inkjet image generation using a wide variety of inks.

Abstract: A process is provided that allows the production of multi-layer coatings in which one or more topcoats can be applied to a porous basecoat to produce a uniform and defect-free coating layer. Specifically, a process is provided in which a liquid is applied to the basecoat prior to topcoating such that the air in the basecoat is removed prior to topcoating. This process can occur in-line with a simple apparatus described herein. An added benefit of this method is that it also allows the possibility of adding functionality or performing chemistry to a basecoat after the basecoat is dried and before the topcoat is applied in a single process. For example, the wetting fluid may contain, but is not limited to, surfactants, pH modifiers, polymers, crosslinkers, pigments, and/or dye stabilizers.

Abstract: A process is provided that allows the production of multi-layer coatings in which one or more topcoats can be applied to a porous basecoat to produce a uniform and defect-free coating layer. Specifically, a process is provided in which a liquid is applied to the basecoat prior to topcoating such that the air in the basecoat is removed prior to topcoating. This process can occur in-line with a simple apparatus described herein. An added benefit of this method is that it also allows the possibility of adding functionality or performing chemistry to a basecoat after the basecoat is dried and before the topcoat is applied in a single process. For example, the wetting fluid may contain, but is not limited to, surfactants, pH modifiers, polymers, crosslinkers, pigments, and/or dye stabilizers.

Abstract: Ink-receiving print media products having multiple capabilities including (A) minimal drying time; (B) improved smear-fastness; (C) the ability to generate high-definition images with desirable gloss characteristics and gloss-uniformity; and (D) excellent compatibility between the ink materials being delivered and the media products along with other related benefits including the control of ink-coalescence. The print media products of interest have at least one ink-receiving layer on a substrate (e.g. polyethylene-coated paper), with the ink-receiving layer including a poly(vinyl alcohol-ethylene oxide) copolymer as a special multi-functional ingredient designed to produce the foregoing benefits. The copolymer may be employed alone or combined with one or more other ingredients in the ink-receiving layer including pigment(s), supplemental binder(s), and the like in order to fabricate an effective media product ideally suited for inkjet image generation using a wide variety of inks.

Abstract: At least one of the following compounds is included on a surface layer of a print medium and in an inkjet ink formulation to be printed thereon: potassium iodide, sodium iodide, sodium thiosulfate, potassium thiosulfate, and sodium thiocyanate. The addition of at least one of these compounds to both the print medium and the inkjet ink can improve light fastness on the order of eight to thirteen times or more on porous glossy media. These additives are particularly effective with water-soluble dyes, including such dyes as Reactive Black 31 (Pacified) (RB31), Direct Blue 199 (DB199), Magenta 377 (M377), and Direct Yellow 132 (DY132).

Abstract: At least one of the following compounds is applied as a re-wet solution to media: potassium iodide, sodium iodide, sodium thiosulfate, potassium thiosulfate, and sodium thiocyanate. The addition of at least one of these compounds to the re-wet solution can improve light fastness on the order of eight to thirteen times or more on porous glossy media. These additives are particularly effective with water-soluble dyes, including dyes such as Reactive Black 31 (Pacified) (RB31), Direct Blue 199 (DB199), Magenta 377 (M377), and Direct Yellow 132 (DY132).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel class of compounds which absorb light at wavelengths greater than 350 nm and are useful as fluorescers or as photoinitiators. The present invention provides compounds of the formulas (I) and (II) and their equivalents (the nomenclature of the compounds used herein is based on the numbering of positions as shown in formula (I)): ##STR1## where: when W is .dbd.O, W.sup.1 is hydrogen or --OR.sup.9 and when W is .dbd.NR.sup.+.sub.2, W is hydrogen or --NR.sub.2, A is hydrogen, alkenyl, alkyl or an election withdrawing group, and the remaining groups are as defined in the disclosure.