Abstract: The present invention recites a method comprising reacting in a solvent in the presence of a base a) at least one diacidic monomer comprising about 1 to 100 mole % of at least one light-absorbing monomer having a light absorption maximum between about 300 nm and about 1200 nm and 99-0 mole % of a non-light absorbing monomer which does not absorb significant light at wavelengths above 300 nm or has a light absorption maximum below 300 nm, with b) an organic compound of Formula II X—B—X1  wherein B is a divalent organic radical to form a light absorbing composition comprising a mixture of a polymer having the formula  and a cyclic compound having the general formula  wherein B is as defined above; n is at least 2, m is 1, 2, 3 or 4 and A comprises the residue of a diacidic monomer comprising about 1 to 100 mole % of at least one light-absorbing monomer having a light absorption maximum between about 300 nm and about 1000 nm and wherein the remai

Abstract: A method for marking or tagging individual microparticles using a near infrared fluorophore for identification is provided. The near infrared fluorophore is included with one or more layers comprising the microparticle. Desirably, the coating layers contain colorants such as dyes and/or pigments which increases the total possible combinations that may be used to identify the marked material. There is further provided a method for marking a material using these microparticles containing a near infrared fluorophore.

Abstract: Fibers having at least one near-infrared fluorescing compound associated therewith are prepared by contacting the fibers with the fluorescing compound(s) dissolved in an organic solvent. Suitable organic solvents include ketones and alcohols. The fibers may subsequently be air-dried to remove any remaining volatiles. Fibers coated with the marker solution desirably have less than 1 weight percent of the marker coated thereon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a container preform comprising: a polymer suitable for the production of a stretch blow molded bottle and at least one organic or metallated organic near infrared absorbing compound which absorbs at least twice as much light between about 700 nm and about 1200 nm as between about 400 mn and about 700 nm wherein said near infrared absorbing compound is present in an amount sufficient to improve reheat rate of said preform. Suitable near infrared absorbing compounds include phthalocyanines, 2,3-napthalocyanines, squaraines (squaric acid derivatives), croconic acid derivatives, substituted indanthrones and certain highly substituted anthraquinones. A process for improving the reheat rate of a container preform is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention recites a method comprising reacting in a solvent in the presence of a base a) at least one diacidic monomer comprising about 1 to 100 mole % of at least one light-absorbing monomer having a light absorption maximum between about 300 nm and about 1200 nm and 99-0 mole % of a non-light absorbing monomer which does not absorb significant light at wavelengths above 300 nm or has a light absorption maximum below 300 nm, with b) an organic compound of Formula II X—B—X1 wherein B is a divalent organic radical to form a light absorbing composition comprising a mixture of a polymer having the formula and a cyclic compound having the general formula wherein B is as defined above; n is at least 2, m is 1, 2, 3 or 4 and A comprises the residue of a diacidic monomer comprising about 1 to 100 mole % of at least one light-absorbing monomer having a light absorption maximum between about 300 nm and about 1000 nm and wherein the remaining portion of A

Abstract: The present invention relates to thermal transfer ribbons comprising a ribbon backing element and at least one printing media layer comprising at least one near infrared fluorescent compound in a concentration which provides detectable fluorescence without imparting color to a mark made from said printing media layer. Methods for printing marks containing said at least one near infrared fluorescent compounds via thermal transfer and methods for reading said marks are also disclosed.

Abstract: An invisible indicia or encoded information is imprinted on a substrate using a compound which produces a fluorescence at a wavelength greater than about 650 nm when exposed to near infrared radiation. The information covered by a layer of material that reflects or absorbs a substantial amount of the visible and UV radiation illuminating its surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to anthraquinone polysulfonamide colorants derived from colored disulfonyl chlorides containing anthraquinone chromophores by reacting with various diamines. The anthraquinone polysulfonamide colorants are useful for coloring a wide variety of products such as plastics, fibers, films, cosmetics, skin creams or lotions, polishes, waxes, hair colorations, coatings, paints, inks, etc. and are particularly useful in end uses where sublimation, migration, extraction and exudation of presently used colorants are problems.

Abstract: A digital recording medium, such as a compact disc, having a substrate, a reflective layer and a protective layer includes a near infrared fluorophore in one of the layers. The near infrared fluorophore can be incorporated into the CD by coating, admixing, blending or copolymerization and in an amount to impart a detectable fluorescence from the fluorophore when exposed to electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength ranging from about 670 nanometers (nm) to about 1100 nm. A method of marking a CD with an invisible marking and an apparatus for detecting the fluorophore is further provided.

Abstract: A cellulosic ester has associated with the ester at least one near infrared fluorophore. A method for incorporating the near infred fluorophore into the cellulosic ester is also provided. In the method, the near infrared fluorophore is dissolved in a strong acid and precipitated to form an acid paste. The paste is then added to an activated cellulose, such as a hydrolyzed cellulose acetate, in the presence of at least one acid and acid anhydride. Advantageously, such marked cellulosic materials can be solvent spun into staple fibers which may be further utilized in known materials, webs and articles.

Abstract: An organic solvent based polyester ink formulation having a fluorescing compound therein is suitable for ink jet printing applications. The ink is useful for producing invisible printing/markings on the surface of a variety of materials for identification, authentication, sorting, etc. Suitable printing substrates include porous and non-porous materials such as plastic, film, sheeting, fabric, paper, high gloss paper; metal, foils, plates; rubber; glass; cellophane; wood; and the like. The ink formulation contains at least one organic soluble polyester, having at least one near infrared fluorophore copolymerized therein, dissolved in an organic solvent. Suitable organic solvents include a C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 carbon ketone, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 carbon organic ester, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 carbon alcohol, or a combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the polyester containing the copolymerized near infrared fluorophore is dissolved in a solvent comprising a C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 carbon ketone and a C.sub.1 -C.sub.

Abstract: A colored polyester copolymer comprising the reaction product of at least one linear thermoplastic polyester precursor and at least ten parts per million by weight of a residue of at least one 1,4-bis (2,6-dialkylanilino)-9,10-anthraquinone colorant. A composition may be formed comprising the copolymer in admixture with at least one thermoplastic polymer. The copolymer may be formed by reacting at least one thermoplastic polyester precursor with a 1,4-bis (2,6-dialkylanilino)-9,10-anthraquinone colorant which has a polyester reactive group.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an invisible, near infrared fluorescing mark disposed on a background comprises: includes an excitation source for exciting the mark, having sufficient power to excite the mark and provide a fluorescent signal the mark from a; a signal detector for detecting the fluorescent signal from the mark; a and power modulator means for varying the power if the excitation source between zero and the maximum power level to produce a decodable fluorescent signal from the mark disposed on the background. A process for decoding an invisible mark having a near infrared fluorescing material includes the steps of: providing at least one invisible, near infrared fluorescing mark disposed on at least one portion of a background; exciting the mark with a laser having a maximum power level sufficient to provide a fluorescent signal from the mark; detecting the fluorescent signal and concurrently varying the power of the laser between zero and its maximum power, to obtain a decodable fluorescent signal.

Abstract: This invention relates to new blue anthraquinone colorants having Formula I ##STR1## wherein R and R1 are the same or different and are selected from hydrogen and unsubstituted or substituted C1-C6 alkyl, C3-C7 cycloalkyl 2-furyl, 2-thienyl, or phenyl; R2 is aryl; X is a group selected from hydroxy, C1-C6 alkanolyloxy, carboxy, C1-C6 carbalkoxy and carbamoyloxy.The colorants are useful for copolymerizing into polymers such as polyesters and polyurethanes. In particular, they are advantageous for preparing colored sulfopolyesters which are useful for coloring human hair.

Abstract: This invention relates to an aqueous nail coating composition and method for coloring nails comprising the use of a water-dispersible, colored sulfopolyester wherein the colorant moiety is incorporated into or onto a carbonyloxy and/or carbonylamide backbone of the sulfopolyester. The sulfopolyesters are uniquely designed to offer cosmetically desirable color coatings on nails.

Abstract: This invention relates to an aqueous lip gloss and cosmetic composition and method for coloring lips and skin comprising the use of a water-dispersible, colored sulfopolyester wherein the colorant moiety is incorporated into or onto a carbonyloxy and/or carbonylamide backbone of the sulfopolyester. The sulfopolyesters are uniquely designed to offer cosmetically desirable color coatings on lips and skin.

Abstract: The present invention provides inks which contain a near infrared fluorophoric compound incorporated into a water-dissipatible polyester backbone. The inks of the present invention are preferably colorless or "invisible" but could be made slightly colored if desirable. Specifically, the inks of the present invention comprise:A. between about 1 and 10 weight percent of at least one water-dissipatable polyester having from about 0.1 ppm by weight to about 10% by weight of a thermally stable near infrared fluorophoric compound copolymerized therein;B. between about 5 and 75 weight percent of at least aliphatic humectant;C. between about 0 and 15 weight percent of at least one lower aliphatic alcohol of no more than 3 carbon atoms;D. water and optionally up to about 2 weight percent of one or more additives;wherein the weight percentages of components A-D equal 100%.