Abstract: An improved apparatus for recording a gradient image on transparent media. The apparatus has at least one solid phase change ink and a solid null image element. A printing head melts the solid phase change ink to form a molten phase change ink and melts the solid null image element to form a molten null image element. The molten phase change ink and the molten null image element are deposited, in an imagewise pattern, onto a transfer surface. A cooling mechanism cools the molten phase change ink and the molten null image element in the imagewise pattern to form a malleable phase change ink and a malleable null image element in the imagewise pattern on the transfer surface. The malleable phase change ink and the malleable null image element are transfered to a media from the transfer surface in the imagewise pattern.

Abstract: A recording media for phase change ink recording comprising: a support; 30-200 mg/dm2 of a receptive layer coated on the support wherein the receptive layer comprises: a binder comprising: a water soluble polymer; and a water insoluble polymer; wherein the combined weight of the water soluble polymer and the water insoluble polymer comprises at least 50%, by weight, and no more than 95%, by weight, water insoluble binder; and an optional inorganic particulate material. The media has an island size of no more than 15 &mgr;m and an asperity of 5.0 to 6.2 &mgr;m which is formed by controlling the drying rate.

Abstract: Described is a recording medium which is specifically advantageous for use with phase change ink recording. The media comprises a support with a receptive layer coated thereon. The receptive layer comprises 2.5-48.5%, by weight, a water soluble polymer; 0.15-25%, by weight, gelatin; and 50-95%, by weight, a water insoluble polymer. The media offers improved resistance to scratching while still maintaining adhesion properties.

Abstract: Provided is an improved sensitization method for photographic element. The photographic element comprises a support with at least one hydrophilic colloid layer coated thereon. The hydrophilic colloid layer comprises silver halide grains which are chemically sensitized with at least one compound represented by Formula 1:(OCH).sub.2 R.sup.1 (LHSO.sub.3).sub.2 Formula 1and at least one selenium compound.In formula 1, R.sup.1 represents an alkyl of 1-8 carbons; and L represents and alkali metal. The selenium compound is chosen from a group consisting of R.sup.2 SeCN, (R.sup.3).sub.3 PSe and ((R.sup.4).sub.2 NCO).sub.2 Se wherein R.sup.2 represents an alkyl of 1 to 8 carbons, or an alkali metal atom; R.sup.3 independently represents an aryl of 6 to 10 carbons or an alkyl of 1 to 8 carbons; and R.sup.4 independently represents an aryl of 6 to 10 carbons or an alkyl of 1 to 8 carbons.

Abstract: Described and claimed is a safety device for determining and reporting an amount of water in a reservoir of a potted plant. The safety device comprises a probe in the reservoir. The probe comprises a low water detector capable of providing a first electrical signal when the reservoir has a water level below the low water detector and a high water detector capable of providing a second electrical signal when the reservoir has a water level above the high water detector. The safety device further comprises an ornament comprising a low water indicator capable of receiving the first electrical signal and illuminating and a high water indicator capable of receiving the second electrical signal and illuminating.

Abstract: An improved transparent media for ink printing is described. The media is a phase change ink recording media comprising: a polyethylene terephthalate support; a 1-15 mg/dm.sup.2 lower receptor layer coated on the support wherein the lower receptor layer comprises: silica with a particle size of no more than 0.3 .mu.m and a polymer; wherein the total weight of the polymer and the silica is 82-97%, by weight, silica and 3-18%, by weight, polymer. The media also comprises an optional upper receptive layer comprising a matrix polymer, an inorganic particulate material and a soft polymer matrix.

Abstract: A folding bench for supporting objects is described. The folding bench comprises a platform with two legs attached to the platform. Each leg comprises a cross member comprising a locating pin and a pin receiver. A first support is attached to the cross member and a second support is attached to the cross member opposite to the first support. The first support and the second support diverge. A bracket attaches each leg to the platform. The bracket comprises a cap wherein the cross member is contained between the cap and the platform. The cap further comprises a locating slot positioned to receive the locating pin wherein the locating pin and the locating slot work in concert to prohibit the legs from moving sideways. A locking mechanism is secured to the cap and reversibly engagable with the pin receiver to prohibit the legs from rotation.

Abstract: A device for lifting and positioning building materials at different heights and angles. For example, positioning a sheet of drywall or plywood to be fastened to a ceiling or wall, or subsequently a container of materials such as drywall joint compound for finishing the fastened sheets. The lifting and positioning device comprises a platform assembly upon which to place material to be lifted and positioned. The platform assembly can be pivoted and fixed at any desired angle between horizontal and vertical (0 to 90 degrees) by an indexing arrangement. The platform assembly is pivotally connected to lift arm links. The lift arm links are pivotally connected to a lift arm assembly. The lift arm assembly is pivotally connected to a mast support assembly. The lift arm links, lift arm assembly and mast support assembly form a parallelogram. The platform assembly is raised and lowered by a floor jack placed upon a jack support platform.

Abstract: The present invention describes an improved pressing roller for a tire building machine. The roller comprises a cylindrical sleeve with each end attached to a housing. Inside the sleeve, and between the housings is a spring biased to separate the housings. A multiplicity of ring shaped inner bearings circumferentially surrounding the sleeve in a parallel arrangement and a multiplicity of ring shaped outer bearings circumferentially surrounding the inner bearings in parallel arrangement. The outer bearings are rotatable relative to the inner bearings. As the roller is moved into operating proximity of the tire the spring is displaced away from the rotating axis of the roller causing the outer bearings to press on the tire and provide the pressure necessary for a stitching operation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel near-infrared absorbing dye of formula: ##STR1## wherein X.sup.1, X.sup.2 independently represents --CR.sup.8 R.sup.9 --, --S--, --Se--, --NR.sup.10 --, --CH.dbd.CH-- or --O--;n is an integer of 2 or 3;R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently represent alkyl of 1 to 10 carbons or substituted alkyl of 1 to 10 carbons;R.sup.3 represents a ring chosen from a set consisting of aryl, substituted aryl, and a heterocyclic ring of a type present in photographic emulsions;R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 independently represent hydrogen, alkyl of 1-10 carbons, substituted alkyl of 1-10 carbons, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 taken together or R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 taken together can represent atoms necessary to form a 5 or 6-membered aliphatic ring, an aromatic six-membered ring, an aromatic 10-membered ring, a substituted aromatic six-member ring or a substituted aromatic 10-member ring;R.sup.8, R.sup.

Abstract: The present invention discribes a rotatable print drum apparatus for supporting thereon a printable medium having leading and trailing edges. The print drum comprises a relieved support surface for supporting the print medium wherein the relieved surface is formed with a recessed surface and a plurality of ribs protruding from the recessed surface in order to minimize contact of the print medium with the support surface of the drum.

Abstract: An improved method for increaseing the hardening in a photographic element is described. The hardener is an imidazolium compound of formula: ##STR1## and the imidazolium is used in conjunction with a hardening accelerator defined by: ##STR2## the substituents are listed in the specification.

Abstract: An improved dental post is provided in an apparatus for forming a pattern of an apical canal comprising:an elongated apical shaft;a transfer head axially attached to one end of the apical shaft; anda thermoplastic encasing the apical shaft.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel near-infrared absorbing dye of formula: ##STR1## wherein X.sup.1, x.sup.2 independently represents --CR.sup.8 R.sup.9 --, --S--, --Se--, --NR.sup.10 --, --CH.dbd.CH-- or --O--;n is an integer of 2 or 3;R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently represent alkyl of 1 to 10 carbons or substituted alkyl of 1 to 10 carbons;R.sup.3 represents a ring chosen from a set consisting of aryl, substituted aryl, and a heterocyclic ring of a type present in photographic emulsions;R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 independently represent hydrogen, alkyl of 1-10 carbons, substituted alkyl of 1-10 carbons, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 taken together or R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 taken together can represent atoms necessary to form a 5 or 6-membered aliphatic ring, an aromatic six-membered ring, an aromatic 10-membered ring, a substituted aromatic six-member ring or a substituted aromatic 10-member ring;R.sup.8, R.sup.

Abstract: An improved transparent media for ink printing is described. The media is a phase change ink recording media comprising: a polyethylene terephthalate support; a 1-15 mg/dm.sup.2 receptor layer coated on the support wherein the receptor layer comprises: silica with a particle size of no more than 0.3 .mu.m and a polymer; wherein the total weight of the polymer and the silica is 82-97%, by weight, silica and 3-18%, by weight, polymer.

Abstract: A recording media for phase change ink recording comprising: a support; 1-30 mg/dm.sup.2 of a receptive layer coated on the support wherein the receptive layer comprises: a binder comprising: a water soluble polymer; and a water insoluble polymer; wherein the combined weight of the water soluble polymer and the water insoluble polymer comprises at least 15%, by weight, and no more than 90%, by weight, water insoluble binder; and an inorganic particulate material with a hydrodynamic diameter in water of no more than 0.3 .mu.m wherein the inorganic particulate material represents at least 50%, by weight, and no more than 95%, by weight, of the combined coating weight of the water soluble polymer, the water insoluble polymer and the inorganic particulate material.