Abstract: A system and method for a web-based services architecture providing integrated modular building blocks for creating and maintaining a web site and related transaction processing to support electronic commerce and the sales of products and services using the web site. The transaction processing may include the handling of transactions and communications related to product and service sales and fulfillment involving customers, merchants and the web site owner. The services architecture may combine software front-end, back-end, and marketing tools to assist business owners to create or expand an Internet-based business. The services architecture also may provide a warehouse of predefined products that may be integrated into a merchant's existing online inventory.

Abstract: A liquid crystal electro-optic device. The liquid crystal electro-optic device comprises at least one liquid crystal cell comprising: a pair of substrates having a gap therebetween; a pair of electrodes, the pair of electrodes positioned on one of the substrates or one electrode positioned on each substrate; and a ferroelectric, oligosiloxane liquid crystal material disposed in the gap between the pair of substrates, the ferroelectric, oligosiloxane liquid crystal material exhibiting an I-? SmC* phase sequence wherein the liquid crystal electro-optic device is bistable in operation. The invention also involves a method for making a liquid crystal electro-optic device.

Abstract: Linear polysiloxanes and more particularly to linear polysiloxanes containing N-carbazolylalkyl groups and (diarylamino)phenyl groups. The present invention also relates to a silicone composition containing a linear polysiloxane and an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) containing a linear polysiloxane or a cured polysiloxane.

Abstract: The invention provides an ink receiving medium comprising a macroporous substrate having a fluid management system and having a pigment management system in contact with surfaces of macropores of the substrate therein. In one embodiment, the pigment management system comprises water-soluble multivalent metal salt and the fluid management system comprises surfactant.

Abstract: Image transfer media and methods of transferring images are provided. The image transfer media comprise a sheet having a nonporous micro-embossed surface topography comprising cavities on one major surface of the sheet and an ink release coating on the embossed surface, wherein said major surface has a surface energy of about 43 dyne/centimeter or less. A method of transferring an image to a substrate comprises the steps of (a) printing a selected image onto an imaging surface of an image transfer medium of the invention; (b) contacting the imaged micro-embossed surface with the substrate using pressure; and (c) removing the micro-embossed surface of the image transfer medium from the substrate.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides ink receptor compositions capable of receiving and fixing a water resistant image on a substrate without bleeding, feathering, or smudging. The ink receptor compositions comprise colloidal alumina; multivalent metal ion; hydrophilic binder; hydrophobic latex; surfactant; and optionally an image transfer aid. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of imaging substrates, ink receptor media, and ink receptor kits.

Abstract: The invention provides an ink receiving medium comprising a macroporous substrate having a fluid management system and having a pigment management system in contact with surfaces of macropores of the substrate therein. In one embodiment, the pigment management system comprises water-soluble multivalent metal salt and the fluid management system comprises surfactant.

Abstract: The invention provides an ink receiving medium comprising a macroporous substrate having a fluid management system and having a pigment management system in contact with surfaces of macropores of the substrate therein. In one embodiment, the pigment management system comprises water-soluble multivalent metal salt and the fluid management system comprises surfactant.

Abstract: Organometallic salts useful for inkjet receptor media are disclosed. The organometallic salt can be a multivalent metal derivative of an aromatic carboxylic, sulfocarboxylic, sulfophenolic, or combination thereof. The aromatic moiety can be a simple aromatic, a condensed aromatic, a heterocyclic aromatic or a combination thereof. The multivalent metal ion can be derived from the group IIA to VIA and Group IB to VIIIB of elements in the Periodic Table. The organometallic salt simultaneously releases the multivalent metal cation and the organic acid anion for both pigment management and ink-drying.

Abstract: Inkjet receptor media are disclosed that have both a fluid management system and a pigment management system for use with pigmented inkjet inks that produce vibrant, durable images. The fluid management system is provided by microporous media with the presence of surfactants, if needed. The pigment management system is provided by either fluorinated silica particles or multivalent metal salts impregnated into pores of the microporous media. Methods of making and using are also disclosed.

Abstract: Image transfer media and methods of transferring images are provided. The image transfer media comprise a sheet having a nonporous micro-embossed surface topography comprising cavities on one major surface of the sheet and an ink release coating on the embossed surface, wherein said major surface has a surface energy of about 43 dyne/centimeter or less. A method of transferring an image to a substrate comprises the steps of (a) printing a selected image onto an imaging surface of an image transfer medium of the invention; (b) contacting the imaged micro-embossed surface with the substrate using pressure; and (c) removing the micro-embossed surface of the image transfer medium from the substrate.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides ink receptor compositions capable of receiving and fixing a water resistant image on a substrate without bleeding, feathering, or smudging. The ink receptor compositions comprise colloidal alumina; multivalent metal ion; hydrophilic binder; hydrophobic latex; surfactant; and optionally an image transfer aid. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of imaging substrates, ink receptor media, and ink receptor kits.

Abstract: A homopolymer or copolymer useful for inhibiting the migration of pigmented inks in porous inkjet receptor media is disclosed. The copolymer is comprised of at least two different hydrophilic monomers, each of whose homopolymers are hydrophilic yet the resulting copolymer from the different hydrophilic monomers is sparingly soluble in water. Methods of making and using such copolymer are also disclosed.

Abstract: A drying agent for inkjet receptor media is disclosed. The drying agent can be an aromatic or aliphatic acid having sulfonic, carboxylic, phenolic or mixed functionalities thereof, which in combination with a multivalent salt is capable of drying the film in a manner to obtain a smudge-free rapidly dried image onto and in the medium when the image is printed. Methods of using the drying agent in a coating solution, on and in an inkjet receptor media, and in interaction with inkjet inks are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides ink receptor compositions capable of receiving and fixing a water resistant image on a substrate without bleeding, feathering, or smudging. The ink receptor compositions comprise colloidal alumina; multivalent metal ion; hydrophilic binder; hydrophobic latex; surfactant; and optionally an image transfer aid. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of imaging substrates, ink receptor media, and ink receptor kits.

Abstract: Image transfer media and methods of transferring images are provided. The image transfer media comprise a sheet having a nonporous micro-embossed surface topography comprising cavities on one major surface of the sheet and an ink release coating on the embossed surface, wherein said major surface has a surface energy of about 43 dyne/centimeter or less. A method of transferring an image to a substrate comprises the steps of (a) printing a selected image onto an imaging surface of an image transfer medium of the invention; (b) contacting the imaged micro-embossed surface with the substrate using pressure; and (c) removing the micro-embossed surface of the image transfer medium from the substrate.

Abstract: Novel mordants based upon a poly(alkylene oxide) backbone and either pendant phosphonium or quaternized-nitrogen compounds are disclosed. The mordants find use in stopping or controlling ink-bleeding in ink-jet receptors and photographic films.

Abstract: Microporous fluorinated silica agglomerates are disclosed and their method of preparation from a reaction of colloidal silica of small particle sizes with an alkylamine (or a hindered amine) and hydrofluoric acid or with alkylammonium fluoride, under convenient laboratory conditions at an atmospheric pressure. The agglomerate is useful to interact with dispersants surrounding inkjet ink pigment particles.

Abstract: Ink-receptive compositions of the invention containa) at least one nonionic silicone surfactant having the formulas: ##STR1## or the formula(CH.sub.3 Si).sub.y-2 ?(OSi(CH.sub.3).sub.2).sub.x/y O-PEwherein x is an integer from about 40 to about 200, and y is an integer from about 3 to about 15, and PE represents the formula--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.m (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n Zm being an integer of from 1 to about 40, n having a value of from 0 to about 40 minus m, and Z is hydrogen or an alkyl radical having from about 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, andb) at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of hydroxycellulose and substituted hydroxycellulose polymers,such composition being crosslinkable when coated onto a substrate and subjected to temperatures of at least about 90.degree. C.

Abstract: An improved ink-receptive sheet comprising a substrate bearing on at least one major surface thereof an ink-receptive layer which comprises at least one ink receptive polymer and an effective amount of polymeric mordant having the general structure: ##STR1## wherein A is selected from the group consisting of a COO-alkylene group having from 1 to about 5 carbon atoms, a CONH-alkylene group having from 1 to about 5 carbon atoms, --COO--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O)n--CH.sub.2, --CONH--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O)n--CH.sub.2 -- and .paren open-st.CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 NH.sub.2 Cl.paren close-st.n, wherein n is from 1 to about 5;E and D are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl group having from 1 to about 5 carbon atoms;or A, E, D and N are combined to form a heterocyclic compound selected from the group consisting of ##STR2## R.sub.1 and R.sub.