Abstract: A universal medium for ink jet printing comprises an ink receptor layer formed from a hydrophilic polymer and having a thin top coating of a cationic polymer. The medium can be used with pigment and dye based inks having either aqueous or glycol based solvents systems.

Abstract: The present invention features a method of applying images and text to surfaces that ordinarily cannot fit within an inkjet printing machine, such as license plate blanks. The method of the invention uses a specially designed transfer sheet to receive inkjet ink images and text. The carrier layer of the transfer sheet containing the inkjet image and text is removed or otherwise peeled from the transfer sheet backing and then adhered to the license plate blank. A computer is used to construct the inkjet image and text that are printed onto the carrier surface of the transfer sheet. A final resin/pigment layer is coated upon the upper surface of the carrier layer in order to receive the inkjet ink that has been fashioned into image and text by means of the computer.

Abstract: A medium for ink jet imaging includes a bottom layer of material having a very high absorption for the polar, solvent component of an ink jet imaging ink, together with a top layer of image receptor material disposed in fluid communication therewith. The bottom layer has a very high affinity for the solvent component of the ink and tends to draw the solvent from a body of ink thereby preventing image spread and producing a localized, highly saturated image.

Abstract: The present invention features a printing film medium for receiving ink jet inks, including a primary ink-absorption layer having photographic-type gelatin in admixture with an amide in low concentration, generally less than approximately 1% or 2% by weight. The preferred amide is dicyandiamide in approximately 0.6% by weight. The gelatin layer is overlaid upon an acrylic polymer layer, which is, in turn, layered upon a film base.

Abstract: Agricultural mulch sheeting which provides soil moisture retention and weed control during the growing season, yet is readily degradable when harrowed into the soil after harvest, comprises a creped natural kraft paper coated on both sides with a polyvinylidene chloride latex dispersion. The coating on one side of the sheet includes carbon black which provides the opacity to prevent weed growth while also yielding a reversible sheet which may be installed to absorb or reflect the sun's rays. The mulch may also include a sleeve of the same material sealed to the upper surface of the main sheet to form a conduit for irrigating water which seeps into the underlying soil through a row of puctures in the sheet.