Abstract: A layered intermediate used in inkjet printing contains a release coat formed on a transfer medium in an area where an image has not been printed. The release coat is formed of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) or a PVP copolymer and at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of glycol solvents and diol solvents. A viscous coating of PVP or the PVP copolymer is formed on the transfer medium in an area where an image has been printed. A release layer formed from components in the release coat and components in the ink is formed on the viscous coating. A first ink layer is formed on the release layer of flocculated ink. A second ink layer is formed on the first ink layer, of ink that is substantially not flocculated.

Abstract: The invention relates to dispersants and inks for ink jet applications. Specifically, this invention relates to hydroxyacid free dispersants and inks made from hydroxyacid free dispersants as well as methods for removing hydroxyacids from dispersants. The removal of hydroxyacids from dispersants prior to ink formulation eliminates print head filter clogs associated with flocculation and hydroxyacid containing deposits on the filter, thereby increasing the useful life of the print head and improving print quality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ink compositions. More particularly, the present invention relates to ink compositions comprising a colorant and a polymeric binder having a below ambient glass transition temperature, an average particle diameter above about 200 nm and an acid component ranging from about 1% to about 10% by weight of the polymeric binder. Additionally, the present invention has the novel and useful feature of resistance to both wet-rub and dry smear as well as increased highlighter resistance and decreased occurrences of maintenance problems such as clogging and kogation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ink compositions. More particularly, the present invention relates to ink compositions comprising a colorant and a polymeric binder having a below ambient glass transition temperature, an average particle diameter above about 200 nm and an acid component ranging from about 1% to about 10% by weight of the polymeric binder. Additionally, the present invention has the novel and useful feature of resistance to both wet-rub and dry smear as well as increased highlighter resistance and decreased occurrences of maintenance problems such as clogging and kogation.

Abstract: Provided are novel black azo dyes which are useful in ink compositions, especially ink jet ink compositions. The dyes and ink compositions of the present invention exhibit a good balance of optical density, print reliability, water fastness and light fastness.

Abstract: Provided are novel black azo dyes which are useful in ink compositions, especially ink jet ink compositions. The dyes and ink compositions of the present invention exhibit a good balance of optical density, print reliability, water fastness and light fastness.

Abstract: A method of printing uses a liquid applicator to apply a coating solution ontaining polyvinyl pyrrolidone or a polyvinyl pyrrolidone copolymer to an intermediate transfer medium. An image is printed onto the intermediate transfer medium using an ink jet printing device. The coating solution contains an organic solvent, which is preferably a glycol solvent or a diol solvent. Suitable solvents include trimethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, di propylene glycol, tri propylene glycol, 1,2 butane diol, 2 pyrrolidone, gamma butyrolactone and glycerol. The coating solution is applied in an amount of 0.01 to 10 mg/cm2. The coating solution may contain 0.01 to 20 wt. % of polyvinyl pyrrolidone or a polyvinyl pyrrolidone copolymer, 5-95 wt. % of an organic solvent and 5-95 wt. % water. More preferably, the coating solution contains 0.01 to 15 wt. % of polyvinyl pyrrolidone or a polyvinyl pyrrolidone copolymer, 5-95 wt. % of an organic solvent and 5-95 wt. % water.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ink jet printer nozzle plate containing nozzle holes and having a durable non-wettable layer on at least one surface thereof. The nozzle plate includes a polyimide material and the non-wettable layer contains a derivative of an amine-terminated silane compound, the amine-terminated silane compound derivative being covalently bound to the polyimide material of the nozzle plate. The layer also contains a derivative of a polydialkylsiloxane compound having a number average molecular weight ranging from about 400 to about 150,000 and an end group reactive with the amine-terminated silane compound derivative. The polydialkylsiloxane compound derivative is bound to the amine-terminated silane compound derivative by a condensation reaction to provide the durable non-wettable layer on the surface of the nozzle plate.

Abstract: Provided are novel black azo dyes which are useful in ink compositions, especially ink jet ink compositions. The dyes and ink compositions of the present invention exhibit a good balance of optical density, print reliability, water fastness and light fastness.

Abstract: An ink composition comprises a colorant and an additive. The additive is selected from the group consisting of first dispersants synthesized from an aromatic mercaptan, a hydrophilic monomer, a hydrophobic polymeric reactant having a siloxyl substituent and a first stabilizing reactant; second dispersants synthesized from a non-aromatic mercaptan, a hydrophilic monomer, a hydrophobic polymeric reactant having a siloxyl substituent, and a second stabilizing reactant selected from the group consisting of nonylphenoxy (PEG)4-6 methacrylate, nonylphenoxy (PPG)4-6 methacrylate, nonylphenoxy (PEG)4 6 acrylate, nonylphenoxy (PPG)4-6 acrylate and mixtures thereof; humectant mixtures comprising a bis-hydroxy terminated thioether, a lactam, and a compound selected from the group consisting of polyalkylene glycols, polyol/alkylene oxide condensates and mixtures thereof; and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An ink jet printer is provided comprising a housing, an ink jet printing apparatus and a coating apparatus. The ink jet printing apparatus is located within the housing and includes an ink jet printing device capable of ejecting ink droplets onto a first side of a printing substrate which moves through the housing along a printing substrate feed path. The coating apparatus is positioned along the printing substrate feed path and spaced from the printing device. The coating apparatus applies a substantially uniform layer of coating material onto at least a portion of the first side of the printing substrate.

Abstract: The specification describes a method and composition for treating selected areas of the surface of a polyimide material used to make a nozzle plate for an ink jet printer in order to decrease the surface energy of the polyimide material so ink repellency of the material is increased in the selected areas. The method includes applying a polydialkylsiloxane having reactive end groups to the selected areas of the polyimide material and curing the polydialkylsiloxane on the surface to provide a surface having decreased surface energy. A particularly preferred polydialkylsiloxane is an amine terminated polydialkylsiloxane having a molecular weight ranging from about 500 to about 40,000 number average molecular weight.

Abstract: An electrophotographic developer roller with a highly resistive layer over a conductive core is made by mixing polyurethane and ferric chloride. After curing, the roller is soaked in hydrogen peroxide to oxidize the outer surface. The oxidized surface layer is electrically resistive. An excellent developer roller is achieved at low production cost.

Abstract: A printhead is provided comprising a plate having a plurality of orifices through which ink droplets are ejected and a heater chip coupled to the plate. The heater chip includes a plurality of heating elements and first and second conductors for providing energy to the heating elements. The first and second conductors are arranged in spaced-apart planes and/or in a matrix.

Abstract: A release agent composition for use in an electrophotographic process is disclosed. This composition includes a specifically-defined heat-stable silicone oil-silicone wax random copolymer. The copolymer has a melting point such that it is liquid on the hot fuser roll, but solidifies at room temperature on the printed page. A random silicone copolymer, in the form of a paste or pliable caulk, which is useful for sealing leaks in toner cartridges is also disclosed. Finally, the method for preparing these copolymers is disclosed.

Abstract: An electrophotographic developer roller is made by casting urethane prepolymer mixed with a polybutadiene, a trifunctional curative, ferric chloride powder, and an antioxidant. After curing, the roller is baked, which oxidizes the outer surface. The oxidized surface layer is electrically resistive, which is desirable in a developer roller. An excellent developer roller is achieved at low production cost. The antioxidant provides stable electrical characteristics over extended time periods.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aqueous ink composition for use in ink jet printers comprising an aqueous carrier; a pigment; and a copolymer comprising a hydrophilic segment having an acidic function group, and a hydrophobic segment having a hydrolytically stable siloxyl substituent.

Abstract: Micromachining a microelectromechanical structure requires one or more heavily doped silicon layers. Intricately patterned structures are created in a heavily doped surface layer on a relatively undoped substrate. The substrate is subsequently dissolved in a selective etch. The doping prevents the patterned structures from dissolving. In this invention, a doped layer is grown epitaxially onto the first substrate rather than by diffusing a dopant into the substrate. This produces additional planarity, thickness control, and dopant profile control. The structure may then be placed into a larger device, such as an infrared sensor, an accelerometer, or an angular rate sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymeric dispersants used in formulating aqueous ink compositions, as well as inks containing those dispersants. The dispersants are graft copolymers comprising a hydrophilic polymeric segment, a hydrophobic polymeric segment incorporating a hydrolytically-stable siloxyl substituent, and a stabilizing segment, such as a reactive surfactant macromer, a protective colloid macromer, or a non-siloxyl hydrophobic monomer. The inks made with these dispersants show excellent stability, print characteristics, water-fastness, light-fastness, optical density, and in-use maintenance characteristics.