Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a colored toner having a textured surface, the process includes forming a polymer composition of at least one polymer and a colorant, where the at least one polymer has a softening temperature from about 60° C. to about 160° C.; forming an aqueous mineral suspension of at least one multivalent metal phosphate; forming a dispersion by combining the polymer composition and the aqueous mineral suspension under agitation to form a solid portion comprising dispersed particles of the polymer composition; heating the dispersion to a temperature above a glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polymer composition and increasing the pH to above 7.0; cooling the dispersion including the dispersed particles of the polymer composition to a temperature of from about 1° C. to about 89° C.; and recovering the particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a colored toner having a textured surface, the process includes forming a polymer composition of at least one polymer and a colorant, where the at least one polymer has a softening temperature from about 60° C. to about 160° C.; forming an aqueous mineral suspension of at least one multivalent metal phosphate; forming a dispersion by combining the polymer composition and the aqueous mineral suspension under agitation to form a solid portion comprising dispersed particles of the polymer composition; heating the dispersion to a temperature above a glass transition temperature (Tg) of the polymer composition and increasing the pH to above 7.0; cooling the dispersion including the dispersed particles of the polymer composition to a temperature of from about 1° C. to about 89° C.; and recovering the particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a colored toner comprising the steps of: providing a polymer composition comprising at least one polymer wherein the at least one polymer has a softening temperature from about 30° C. to about 160° C.; and a colorant; forming an aqueous mineral suspension of at least one multivalent metal phosphate by contacting a water-soluble salt of the multivalent metal with an aqueous solution comprising: a water-soluble phosphate salt; and at least one crystal growth inhibitor which controls the growth of the at least one multivalent metal phosphate, wherein the pH of the aqueous mineral suspension is from 5.5 to 14; and forming a dispersion of the polymer composition by adding the polymer composition to the aqueous mineral suspension under agitation to form a solid portion comprising dispersed particles of the polymer composition, wherein the temperature of the aqueous mineral suspension during the dispersing step is at least about 70° C.

Abstract: Uploading digital assets from a source media directory into a web-based digital asset management system includes representing a structure of the source media directory, and the digital assets, as a XML object, and storing the XML object in a database. Based on the XML object, the source media directory structure and the digital assets can be displayed through a web-enabled user interface.

Abstract: Implementing a digital contact sheet generator includes receiving input parameters from a remotely located user to create a table. The table includes one or more table cells, each of which comprises a text cell and an image cell. The input parameters define an appearance of the contact sheet and the table. Each table cell is formatted by selecting an image from a set of source media and calculating a size of the image cell associated with the particular table cell. A location of the image cell within the particular table cell is then determined and the image is resized. The image cell is repositioned and the resized image is drawn in the image cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing a colored toner comprising the steps of: providing a polymer composition comprising at least one polymer wherein the at least one polymer has a softening temperature from about 30° C. to about 160° C.; and a colorant; forming an aqueous mineral suspension of at least one multivalent metal phosphate by contacting a water-soluble salt of the multivalent metal with an aqueous solution comprising: a water-soluble phosphate salt; and at least one crystal growth inhibitor which controls the growth of the at least one multivalent metal phosphate, wherein the pH of the aqueous mineral suspension is from 5.5 to 14; and forming a dispersion of the polymer composition by adding the polymer composition to the aqueous mineral suspension under agitation to form a solid portion comprising dispersed particles of the polymer composition, wherein the temperature of the aqueous mineral suspension during the dispersing step is at least about 70° C.

Abstract: A grout selector composed of a flat substrate, a coating on the substrate for simulating the color and/or finish of one of a plurality of grouts and fold lines for enabling the substrate to be folded and placed between adjacent bricks, tiles or other coverings to simulate the presence of grout.

Abstract: A method of producing a modified pigment by sulfonating a pigment and subsequently oxidizing the pigment. The modified pigment may have sulfonic acid and carboxyl surface modifying groups attached to the surface of the pigment. Charge balancing counterions such as alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and NR1R2R3H+, where R1, R2 and R3 are independently H or C1-C5 alkyl groups, may be associated with the surface modifying groups. The modified pigment is combined with water to produce a dispersion that can be used in such applications as coatings, paints, papers, adhesives, latexes, toners, textiles, fibers, plastics and inks.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the advanced batching of liquid colorant for dispensing into loads of wet concrete are described. A color station makes the batches of liquid colorant at the direction of a central authority. The color station includes numerous different liquid colorants that are combined to form a specific color of liquid colorant. The color station is in contact with the central authority and receives and transmits information and data to and from the central authority. Proximity detection is used to initiate the processing of the batches of liquid colorant.

Abstract: A grout selector composed of a flat substrate, a coating on the substrate for simulating the color and/or finish of one of a plurality of grouts and fold lines for enabling the substrate to be folded and placed between adjacent bricks, tiles or other coverings to simulate the presence of grout.

Abstract: Implementing a digital contact sheet generator includes receiving input parameters from a remotely located user to create a table. The table includes one or more table cells, each of which comprises a text cell and an image cell. The input parameters define an appearance of the contact sheet and the table. Each table cell is formatted by selecting an image from a set of source media and calculating a size of the image cell associated with the particular table cell. A location of the image cell within the particular table cell is then determined and the image is resized. The image cell is repositioned and the resized image is drawn in the image cell.

Abstract: The invention is generally directed toward display and presentment technology for activatable point of sale cards. The cards can be mounted on a display sheet for use in display or shipment applications. In addition security benefits are provided by orienting a data field on the card such that removal of the card from the sheet is required for card activation.

Abstract: A system for transferring coloring agents for concrete to a ready mix truck or the like, includes a tank for receiving coloring agents. The tank includes lines for supplying it with water and a pump for transferring the coloring agents to the ready mix truck through a discharge line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thickened aqueous solution, or gel solution, for use in providing fiber to a cement composition. Additionally, the present invention relates to a method for adding fibers to cement.

Abstract: The invention is generally directed toward display and presentment technology for activatable point of sale cards. The cards can be mounted on a display sheet for use in display or shipment applications. In addition security benefits are provided by orienting a data field on the card such that removal of the card from the sheet is required for card activation.

Abstract: Activatable point of sale cards in which multiple cards can be mounted on a display sheet for use in display or shipment applications. Several cards can be included in the package, with each card being associated with a unique account. The card accounts may be conveniently activated by orienting a data field on the display sheet that is associated with the accounts which can be used to activate all of the accounts in one transaction.

Abstract: Printing apparatus includes print heads which are covered by a cover mechanism when the print heads are not in use. The cover mechanism is adapted to create a moist environment around the print heads saturated with vapors of an associated solvent. The printing apparatus also includes a purging system for the print heads. The purging system is adapted to cause the print heads to discharge a high-velocity stream of ink therethrough in response to selective manual actuation.

Abstract: An image processing method for patching pixels of a digital image representation shown on a screen of a computer, the method comprising the steps of reading a predetermined area to be patched on a digital image representation selected by a patch object and values of gray scale of pixels within the predetermined area; sorting the values of gray scale of the read pixels in a descending order; and selecting a value of gray scale of an intermediate index for replacing the value of gray scale of each of the pixels corresponding to the predetermined area to be patched.

Abstract: A hang tag having a bifolding body, one part of which has a long tail, and one of the parts having a recess adapted to receive an electronic article surveillance (EAS) device. The EAS device is placed or secured in the recess, the tail is wrapped around a piece of merchandise, and the other end of the tail is affixed to one of the bifolding bodies, and then the bifold is snapped shut permanently. The tag is made out of a tough, minimal stretch plastic such as nylon or another polyamide, enabling the tag to be assembled onto the merchandise simply by looping and snapping, without any riveting or other joining required. Using a tough polymer, the snap fit can be designed to create a permanent attachment so that the tag would have to be cut off or destroyed to remove it.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the point-of-sale packaging of a card are disclosed. A package in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises a pocket for receiving the card and a passageway communicating with a pocket. The package preferably also includes at least one locking tab for selectively obstructing the passageway. A method in accordance with present invention may include the steps of inserting the card into the pocket so that the card overlays the at least one locking tab, urging the package to assume a generally bent shape, and allowing the package to assume a generally planar shape in which the at least one locking tab overlays the card.