Abstract: A thermoplastic polymeric composition including a xanthene or xanthenes-based compound as a plasticizer, a method to modify the thermoplastic polymeric materials to increase their relative plasticity, and various articles of manufacture that can be made using the polymer composition are described.

Abstract: A clinical testing assay device that can differentiate bacterial from viral infections is described. The assay device has a sample contact zone with an absorbent pad on which a test sample is deposited and a detection zone with a colorant indicator that is sensitive to bacteria cells. The colorant indicator changes color when exposed to a bacteria sample. The color change signal can manifest relatively quickly, usually within a few minutes, and with an intensity correlative to the concentration of bacteria in a test sample. A method of use is also provided.

Abstract: A thermoplastic polymeric composition including a xanthene or xanthenes-based compound as a plasticizer, a method to modify the thermoplastic polymeric materials to increase their relative plasticity, and various articles of manufacture that can be made using the polymer composition are described.

Abstract: A composition of matter for increasing the relative flexibility and plasticity of crystalline or semi-crystalline resins and polymers is described. In particular, the compositions include xanthene or anthene-based molecular structures that can increase the plastic properties of curable resins or thermosetting polymers when incorporated into the polymer material. Certain uses for such a polymeric composition are also provided.

Abstract: An odor control composition that includes a silicon oxide compound and a transition metal in an amount of from about 0.2 wt. % to about 10 wt. % of the odor control composition is provided. The silicon oxide compound is formed from a silicon source and a template (e.g., cyclodextrin template).

Abstract: A clinical testing assay device that can differentiate bacterial from viral infections is described. The assay device has a sample contact zone with an absorbent pad on which a test sample is deposited and a detection zone with a colorant indicator that is sensitive to bacteria cells. The colorant indicator changes color when exposed to a bacteria sample. The color change signal can manifest relatively quickly, usually within a few minutes, and with an intensity correlative to the concentration of bacteria in a test sample. A method of use is also provided.

Abstract: An odor control composition that includes a silicon oxide compound and a transition metal in an amount of from about 0.2 wt. % to about 10 wt. % of the odor control composition is provided. The silicon oxide compound is formed from a silicon source and a template (e.g., cyclodextrin template).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a coating composition for print media. The present invention is further directed to improved printed substrates having the coating composition thereon and methods of making the improved print substrates. The improved print substrates substantially enhance the brightness and brilliance of colorants applied to the coating composition, especially compared to colorants applied to conventional coated or uncoated print media.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a family of new porphine compounds for use as colorants and/or colorant stabilizers. The new porphine compounds may be used alone or may be used in combination with one or more colorants to provide light stability to colorants. The present invention further relates to inks containing the new porphine compounds and a method for making the new compounds. The present invention also relates to improved methods of making porphines. The improved processes allow the production of porphines at lower cost and higher yields compared to conventional methods of making porphines.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to energy-efficient, photoinitiators having the general formula: wherein Z each independently represent wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8 are as defined in claim 1, and wherein R9 represents (R10)2O or (R10)3N; wherein R10 represents H or an alkyl group having from one to eight carbon atoms; and wherein R11 represents H, an alkyl group having from one to eight carbon atoms, a benzyl group or an aralkyl group. The present invention is also directed to a method of generating a reactive species, methods of polymerizing polymerizable materials, methods of curing an unsaturated oligomer/monomer mixture, and methods of laminating using the photoinitiators of the present invention. In addition, the present invention is directed to ink compositions, adhesive compositions and resins, and methods of printing using the above-described photoinitiators.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to new, energy-efficient, photoinitiators having the general formula: 1

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of making subphthalocyanine compounds. The methods of the present invention may be used to produce known subphthalocyanine compounds, as well as, a new family of subphthalocyanine compounds. The methods of the present invention may employ environmentally-friendly solvents, which donate a hydrogen atom for use in the reaction mechanism. The methods of the present invention produce subphthalocyanine compounds at a yield of greater than about 50%, and even greater than about 94%. The present invention is further directed to subphthalocyanine compounds having improved lightfastness. The subphthalocyanine compounds may have a Subphth-Lightfastness Test Value of less than 15%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel printing apparatus and methods for using the same. The present invention further relates to a method of curing photocurable inks, as used in ink jet printers and other printing apparatus, by exposing the photocurable ink to a radiation source, particularly a flat excimer lamp.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a family of new porphine compounds for use as colorants and/or colorant stabilizers. The new porphine compounds may be used alone or may be used in combination with one or more colorants to provide light stability to colorants. The present invention further relates to inks containing the new porphine compounds and a method for making the new compounds. The present invention also relates to improved methods of making porphines. The improved processes allow the production of porphines at lower cost and higher yields compared to conventional methods of making porphines.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to compositions containing a colorant and at least one water-soluble solvent, wherein the water-soluble solvent is a compound having the following general formula: wherein x is hydrogen or an alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbons; y is an alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbons; and z is an alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbons.

Abstract: A polymeric fabric having enhanced wettability, a method for producing such wettable polymeric fabric, and a composition for use in the method. The polymeric fabric is preferably a nonwoven. In one embodiment, the fabric includes a succinate surfactant substantially uniformly distributed on the surface of the fabric. The succinate surfactant is applied with a co-wetting aid which reduces the surface tension of the surfactant composition. In another embodiment, the polymeric fabric comprises multiple surfactants on the surface of the polymeric fabric. The first surfactant has a cloud point less than 50.degree. C. and a low solubility in water and is dispersible in water. The second surfactant comprises a succinate surfactant. The first and second surfactants are applied to the fabric in an aqueous solution preferably with a co-wetting aid such as a primary or secondary alcohol.

Abstract: A polymeric fabric treated with a composition for increasing the resistance to removal by an aqueous liquid of surfactants from the fabric. The fabric is made of fibers having a plurality of fiber-fiber interstices at junctions of two or more fibers. The composition includes water, a first surfactant, and a second surfactant which is structurally dissimilar to and less soluble in water than the first surfactant. One of the first and second surfactants has a solubility in water at 20.degree. C. no greater than about 5 percent by weight, based on the weight of the water. The first and second surfactants are adapted to preferentially locate in the fiber-fiber interstices and resist removal therefrom by aqueous liquid. The preferential location of the surfactants in the fiber-fiber interstices of the fabric is accomplished by working the fabric after application of the composition to the fabric.

Abstract: A solid colored composition which includes a colorant and an ultraviolet radiation transorber. The colorant, in the presence of the ultraviolet radiation transorber, is adapted, upon exposure of the transorber to ultraviolet radiation, to be mutable. The ultraviolet radiation transorber is adapted to absorb ultravioiet radiation and interact with the colorant to effect the irreversible mutation of the colorant. By way of example, the solid colored composition can be a toner adapted to be utilized in an electrophotographic process. The toner includes the colorant and ultraviolet radiation transorber as just described, and a carrier. The carrier can be a polymer, and the toner may contain a charge carrier. The ultraviolet radiation in general will have wavelengths of from about 100 to about 375 nanometers. Especially useful incoherent pulsed ultraviolet radiation is produced by a dielectric barrier discharge excimer lamp.

Abstract: A corona-assisted electrostatic filtration apparatus which includes a cathode, an anode filter element, and a means of establishing a nonalternating potential difference between the cathode and the anode which is sufficient to maintain a corona field of ionized gas between the cathode and the anode filter element. The anode filter element includes a porous fibrous sheet material having pores in a range of from about 0.1 to about 100 micrometers, with at least a portion of the fibers thereof being uniformly coated with a metal. Also provided is a method of utilizing such apparatus to remove particulate matter from a gaseous medium.

Abstract: A method of preparing a laminate having increased peel strength and solvent resistance which involves (A) applying an adhesive composition to a surface of a first sheet; (B) exposing the adhesive composition on the surface of the first sheet to incoherent, pulsed ultraviolet radiation from a dielectric barrier discharge excimer lamp; (C) bringing a surface of a second sheet in contact with the adhesive composition-bearing surface of the first article; and (D) allowing the adhesive composition to cure. The incoherent, pulsed ultraviolet radiation has a single narrow wavelength band within the range of from about 260 to about 360 nanometers. The adhesive composition includes from about 94 to about 60 percent by weight of a cycloaliphatic diepoxide, from about 1 to about 10 percent by weight of a cationic photoinitiator, and from about 5 to about 30 percent by weight of a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate-vinyl alcohol terpolymer, all based on the weight of adhesive composition.