Abstract: A method of making an image transfer film article and a method of protecting graphic substrates are disclosed. One method of making an image transfer film article includes printing an image onto a transparent thermoplastic protective layer, where the image is formed by an ink-jet printer and an organic solvent-based ink including an organic solvent, a thermoplastic material, and a pigment; and then drying off at least a portion of the organic solvent to form the image transfer film article.

Abstract: Methods of protecting graphic substrates are disclosed. One method includes coating a hardcoat composition onto a substrate to form a hardcoat layer, curing the hardcoat layer to form a cured hardcoat layer, disposing a thermoplastic layer onto the cured hardcoat layer to form a transparent hardcoat composite film, and laminating the transparent hardcoat composite film onto a graphic substrate with heat and pressure. The thermoplastic layer softens and adheres to the graphic substrate to form a protected graphic substrate. Stain and scratch resistant cured hardcoat composite films are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an imaged article including a substrate having a primed surface layer. The primed surface layer is included of a base polymer having a solubility parameter, molecular weight (Mw) and glass transition temperature within a specified range. The presence of the primer improves the overall image quality by improving at least one property including ink uptake, dot gain, color density and/or ink adhesion. Preferred primer compositions are soluble at least in part in the ink composition resulting in an increase in ink layer thickness that further improves the durability and/or day/night color balance. A variety of substrates may be primed including various sheeting for traffic control signage and commercial graphic films for advertising and promotional displays.

Abstract: The invention relates to articles comprising a substrate comprising an ink receptive layer and an ink-jet printed image as well as methods of ink jet printing. The ink receptive layer comprises certain urethane-containing polymers and blends.

Abstract: Films are closely conformed to substrates by reducing the air pressure to a subatmospheric level in at least one airflow pathway that is present in the film or the substrate. The reduced air pressure enables the film to tightly contact the substrate in locations where protrusions or depressions on the substrate are present. The method is particularly useful for conforming film containing graphics to a variety of substrates such as the sides of semi-trailers or concrete block walls, even in instances where the semi-trailer sides include rivets and/or grooves and where the concrete block wall is relatively rough.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides an imaged article that includes A) an image receptive layer bonded to a core layer and B) an image on the image receptive layer, the image including a UV-curable or UV-cured ink and methods of using the imaged article.

Abstract: A receptor medium with an oriented film having at least one microfibrillated surface is described. The receptor medium can receive jettable materials, which include inks, adhesives, particulate dispersions, electrically, thermally or magnetically modifiable materials, biological fluids, chemical reagents and combinations thereof. The microfibrillated surface provides good ink receptive properties particularly for solvent based inks.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides an image receptor medium which comprises an extruded image receptive layer that is receptive to solvent-based inkjet ink. Image receptive layers of the invention comprise a blend of an ink absorptive resin and a carrier resin. The ink absorptive resin is compatible with the carrier resin and had a Hildebrand Solubility Parameter within about 3.1 (MPa)1/2 of that of the solvent of the ink. In another aspect, the invention provides an image receptor medium which comprises a coextruded or extrusion coated image receptive layer and a core layer bonded together. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of printing images and methods of making an extrusion coated or coextruded image receptor medium.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides an image receptor medium which comprises an extruded image receptive layer that is receptive to solvent-based inkjet ink. Image receptive layers of the invention comprise a blend of an ink absorptive resin and a carrier resin. The ink absorptive resin is compatible with the carrier resin and had a Hildebrand Solubility Parameter within about 3.1 (MPa)1/2 of that of the solvent of the ink. In another aspect, the invention provides an image receptor medium which comprises a coextruded or extrusion coated image receptive layer and a core layer bonded together. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of printing images and methods of making an extrusion coated or coextruded image receptor medium.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides an imaged article that comprises A) an image receptive layer bonded to a core layer and B) an image on the image receptive layer, the image comprising a UV-curable or UV-cured ink and methods of using the imaged article.

Abstract: Films are closely conformed to substrates by reducing the air pressure to a subatmospheric level in at least one airflow pathway that is present in the film or the substrate. The reduced air pressure enables the film to tightly contact the substrate in locations where protrusions or depressions on the substrate are present. The method is particularly useful for conforming film containing graphics to a variety of substrates such as the sides of semi-trailers or concrete block walls, even in instances where the semi-trailer sides include rivets and/or grooves and where the concrete block wall is relatively rough.

Abstract: The invention relates to articles comprising a substrate comprising an ink receptive layer and an ink-jet printed image as well as methods of ink jet printing. The ink receptive layer comprises certain urethane-containing polymers and blends.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides an image receptor medium which comprises an extruded image receptive layer that is receptive to solvent-based inkjet ink. Image receptive layers of the invention comprise a blend of an ink absorptive resin and a carrier resin. The ink absorptive resin is compatible with the carrier resin and had a Hildebrand Solubility Parameter within about 3.1 (MPa)1/2 of that of the solvent of the ink. In another aspect, the invention provides an image receptor medium which comprises a coextruded or extrusion coated image receptive layer and a core layer bonded together. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of printing images and methods of making an extrusion coated or coextruded image receptor medium.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides an image receptor medium which comprises an extruded image receptive layer that is receptive to solvent-based inkjet ink. Image receptive layers of the invention comprise a blend of an ink absorptive resin and a carrier resin. The ink absorptive resin is compatible with the carrier resin and had a Hildebrand Solubility Parameter within about 3.1 (MPa)1/2 of that of the solvent of the ink. In another aspect, the invention provides an image receptor medium which comprises a coextruded or extrusion coated image receptive layer and a core layer bonded together. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of printing images and methods of making an extrusion coated or coextruded image receptor medium.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides an image receptor medium which comprises an extruded image receptive layer that is receptive to solvent-based inkjet ink. Image receptive layers of the invention comprise a blend of an ink absorptive resin and a carrier resin. The ink absorptive resin is compatible with the carrier resin and had a Hildebrand Solubility Parameter within about 3.1 (MPa)1/2 of that of the solvent of the ink. In another aspect, the invention provides an image receptor medium which comprises a coextruded or extrusion coated image receptive layer and a core layer bonded together. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of printing images and methods of making an extrusion coated or coextruded image receptor medium.

Abstract: An image receptor medium including an image reception layer having two major opposing surfaces.

Abstract: An image receptor medium including an image reception layer having two major opposing surfaces. The image reception layer comprises a polymer comprising at least two monoethylenically unsaturated monomeric units, wherein one monomeric unit comprises a substituted alkene where each branch comprises from 0 to about 8 carbon atoms and wherein one other monomeric unit comprises a (meth)acrylic acid ester of a nontertiary alkyl alcohol in which the alkyl group contains from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms and can include heteroatoms in the alkyl chain and in which the alcohol can be linear, branched, or cyclic in nature and an efficacious amount of a free-radical scavenger. Alternatively, the image receptor medium includes a substrate layer comprising a polymer substrate layer having two major opposing surfaces and an image reception layer on a first major surface of the substrate layer. The image reception layer has an outer surface for receiving images, and comprises a polymer identified above.

Abstract: A web of material has a plurality of stems extending from at least one side of the web. The web includes a first layer of material having a first side and a second side and a second layer of material. The second layer of material has a first side which faces the first side of the first layer and a second side from which the plurality of stems extend. The first and second layers of material are joined together while they are both molten, before either layer has cooled. The first and second layers of material can be formed of thermoplastic material or melt processable polymeric material. A method of making a web of material includes selecting a first material for a first layer of material and selecting a second material for a second layer of material. The first and second layers of material are melt formed. Then, the first and second layers of material are joined while the layers are in the molten state to form a multiple layer sheet.

Abstract: An image receptor medium including an image reception layer having two major opposing surfaces. The image reception layer comprises an acid- or acid/acrylate-modified ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) resin. Alternatively, the image receptor medium includes a substrate layer comprising a polymer substrate layer having two major opposing surfaces and an image reception layer on a first major surface of the substrate layer. The image reception layer has an outer surface for receiving images, and comprises an acid- or acid/acrylate-modified ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) resin. Either embodiment of the image receptor medium may further include an optional prime layer, an optional adhesive layer, and an optional inkjet layer.

Abstract: Microwave absorbing composite comprising at least two zones of material capable of absorbing microwave energy, each set of said two zones being separated by one zone of material transparent to or transmissive of microwave energy. The microwave energy absorbing zones are selected such that the composite is incapable of arcing in a microwave oven whereof the maximum power output does not exceed 2000 watts at a frequency of 2.45 GHz.The composite of this invention can be used for such purposes as crisping, browning, or otherwise heating food products, as a material for packaging, or as a package venting material.