Abstract: A retransfer intermediate sheet for receiving an image to be printed onto an article by thermal retrasfer comprises a substrate which is preferably heat-deformable; and an image-receiving coating on one side of the substrate, comprising an image-receiving layer for receiving an image by printing, preferably inkjet printing, of dye-containing ink, the image-receiving layer comprising amorphous porous silica, a first, non-dye absorbing polymeric binder and a second, flexible polymeric binder. The sheet is particularly useful for printing on three dimensional articles, e.g. being heated and vacuum formed to conform to an article. The invention also coven a method of printing and an article bearing a printed image.

Abstract: A system utilizing the flow cell of the present invention includes a reflectance mode spectrophotometer positioned with respect to the flow cell or a probe. Either the flow cell or the probe has a thin partition mounted in spaced relationship with respect to a transparent window. The partition has a predetermined index of refraction and has a thickness dimension that is less than that of the window. The spacing between the partition and the window is such that evanescent coupling of radiation reflected from the liquid into the material of the window is prevented. The spectrophotometer directs interrogating radiation toward a liquid flowing through the sample chamber and responds to interrogating radiation reflected from the liquid to produce an electrical signal representative of a color property thereof.

Abstract: A retransfer intermediate sheet for receiving an image to be printed onto an article by thermal retransfer comprises a substrate; and an image-receiving coating on one side of the substrate for receiving an image by printing of dye-containing ink, the coating comprising a fluid-absorbing layer and a superposed dye management layer comprising functionalised polyvinyl alcohol and/or an ionic polymer. The dye management layer functions to reduce back diffusion and to increase dye transfer efficiency, resulting in production of printed images of improved optical density. The sheet can be heat-deformable, and finds particular use in printing on 3D articles, e.g. being heated and vacuum formed to conform to an article. The invention also covers a method of printing and an article bearing a printed image.

Abstract: A flow cell for measuring the color properties of a liquid flowing therethrough using interrogating radiation at a predetermined wavelength has a thin partition mounted in spaced relationship between both a window and a base of the cell. The partition and the window define an air cavity therebetween. The spacing between the partition and the window is such that evanescent coupling of radiation reflected from the liquid into the material of the window is prevented. The cell has a pressurized fluid inflow channel and a pressurized fluid outflow channel formed therein. Each of the inflow and outflow channels communicates with the air cavity. The inflow and outflow channels are sized to pass a pressurized fluid, such as pressurized air, through the air cavity such that, in use, the spaced relationship between the partition and the window is maintained by pressurized fluid in the air cavity.

Abstract: A retransfer intermediate sheet for receiving an image to be printed onto an article by thermal retrasfer comprises a substrate which is preferably heat-deformable; and an image-receiving coating on one side of the substrate, comprising an image-receiving layer for receiving an image by printing, preferably inkjet printing, of dye-containing ink, the image-receiving layer comprising amorphous porous silica, a first, non-dye absorbing polymeric binder and a second, flexible polymeric binder. The sheet is particularly useful for printing on three dimensional articles, e.g. being heated and vacuum formed to conform to an article. The invention also coven a method of printing and an article bearing a printed image.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspection of fluids, particularly dispersions and tints, having a fluid analysis cell with a cavity enclosed by two light transmitting windows and having a spacer member fixedly positioned therebetween which provides a fluid analysis chamber of fixed pathlength where fluid flows by the windows and wherein the flow is laminar and at a uniform shear to provide accurate color measurements. The apparatus is particularly useful in the manufacture of dispersions and tints used in the manufacture of paints, so that the color of material being made can be accurately matched to a standard color in the wet state with confidence that the color will match in the dry state.

Abstract: An improved process for making pigment dispersions containing a single pigment that match the tinting strength of a standard dispersion. The process employs a faster and more accurate wet measurement technique for analyzing and matching the dispersions to a standard that utilizes the spectral transmittance of the wet dispersions over the visible spectrum.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspection of fluids having a fluid analysis cell with a cavity therein enclosed by two light transmitting windows and having a spacer member fixedly positioned therebetween which provides a fluid analysis chamber of fixed pathlength where fluid flows by the windows and preferably wherein the flow laminar and at a uniform shear to provide accurate color measurements. Light transmitting and receiving probes are positioned adjacent to the viewing windows and wherein the faces of each probe are contiguous and flush with the viewing windows but are separated from the flow by the viewing windows, so that transmission measurements can be taken orthogonal to the direction of flow. The apparatus is particularly useful in the manufacture of dispersions and tints used in the manufacture of paints, so that the color of material being made can be accurately matched to a standard color in the wet state with confidence that the color will match in the dry state.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspection of fluids, particularly dispersions and tints, having a fluid analysis cell with a cavity therein defining a fluid analysis chamber, fluid inlet and outlets extending from the cavity in opposite directions to enable fluid flow into and out of the analysis chamber, and a light transmitting probe and a light receiving probe extending within the cavity juxtaposed from each other across the flow path in spaced apart relation, with the probes being movable relative to each other, thus providing a fluid analysis chamber having an adjustable pathlength and allowing flow across and around the faces of the probes for pressure relief of the fluid, to provide accurate color measurements. The apparatus is particularly useful in the manufacture of dispersions and tints used in the manufacture of paints, so that the color of material being made can be accurately matched to a standard color in the wet state with confidence that the color will match in the dry state.

Abstract: A rapid process for making transparent tints that match the color and tinting strength of a standard tint. The process involves the use of a faster and more accurate shading technique that utilizes the light transmittance properties of the tints in the wet over the visible spectrum and calculates therefrom the amount of components required to bring the tint within an acceptable match to the standard.

Abstract: A rapid process for making transparent tints that match the color and tinting strength of a standard tint. The process involves the use of a faster and more accurate shading technique that utilizes the light transmittance properties of the tints in the wet over the visible spectrum and calculates therefrom the amount of components required to bring the tint within an acceptable match to the standard.

Abstract: An improved process for making pigment dispersions containing a single pigment that match the tinting strength of a standard dispersion. The process employs a faster and more accurate wet measurement technique for analyzing and matching the dispersions to a standard that utilizes the spectral transmittance of the wet dispersions over the visible spectrum.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspection of fluids, particularly dispersions and tints, having a fluid analysis cell with a cavity therein defining a fluid analysis chamber, fluid inlet and outlets extending from the cavity in opposite directions to enable fluid flow into and out of the analysis chamber, and a light transmitting probe and a light receiving probe extending within the cavity in juxtaposed from each other across the flow path in spaced apart relation, with the probes being movable relative to each other, thus providing a fluid analysis chamber having an adjustable pathlength and allowing flow across and around the faces of the probes for pressure relief of the fluid, to provide accurate color measurements. The apparatus is particularly useful in the manufacture of dispersions and tints used in the manufacture of paints, so that the color of material being made can be accurately matched to a standard color in the wet state with confidence that the color will match in the dry state.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspection of fluids having a fluid analysis cell with a cavity therein enclosed by two light transmitting windows and having a spacer member fixedly positioned therebetween which provides a fluid analysis chamber of fixed pathlength where fluid flows by the windows and preferably wherein the flow laminar and at a uniform shear to provide accurate color measurements. Light transmitting and receiving probes are positioned adjacent to the viewing windows and wherein the faces of each probe are contiguous and flush with the viewing windows but are separated from the flow by the viewing windows, so that transmission measurements can be taken orthogonal to the direction of flow. The apparatus is particularly useful in the manufacture of dispersions and tints used in the manufacture of paints, so that the color of material being made can be accurately matched to a standard color in the wet state with confidence that the color will match in the dry state.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspection of fluids, particularly dispersions and tints, having a fluid analysis cell with a cavity enclosed by two light transmitting windows and having a spacer member fixedly positioned therebetween which provides a fluid analysis chamber of fixed pathlength where fluid flows by the windows and wherein the flow is laminar and at a uniform shear to provide accurate color measurements. The apparatus is particularly useful in the manufacture of dispersions and tints used in the manufacture of paints, so that the color of material being made can be accurately matched to a standard color in the wet state with confidence that the color will match in the dry state.