Abstract: A thermochromic coating that comprises a thermo chromic compound and a polyurea resin. The thermo chromic compound and polyurea resin form a thermochromic layer. The coating optionally has a protective layer containing a resin and a UV-blocking material arranged on top of the thermochromic layer. A reflective layer containing a reflective material is optionally arranged between the thermo chromic layer and the substrate. A thermochromic coating is formed by applying successive reflective, thermochromic, and protective layers on a substrate.

Abstract: A thermochromic coating which comprises a thermochromic compound and a polyurea resin. The thermochromic compound and polyurea resin form a thermochromic layer. The coating optionally has a protective layer containing a resin and a UV-blocking material arranged on top of the thermochromic layer. A reflective layer containing a reflective material is optionally arranged between the thermochromic layer and the substrate. A thermochromic coating is formed by applying successive reflective, thermochromic, and protective layers on a substrate.

Abstract: An aliphatic hybrid polyurethane/polyurea protective coating intended for use on concrete, steel, wood and other surfaces is provided, which coating exhibits excellent properties of durability and flexibility. The protective coating uses chemical components from urethane/urea systems in a unique way to generate beneficial systems.

Abstract: A thermochromic coating which comprises a thermochromic compound and a polyurea resin. The thermochromic compound and polyurea resin form a thermochromic layer. The coating optionally has a protective layer containing a resin and a UV-blocking material arranged on top of the thermochromic layer. A reflective layer containing a reflective material is optionally arranged between the thermochromic layer and the substrate. A thermochromic coating is formed by applying successive reflective, thermochromic, and protective layers on a substrate.

Abstract: Provided is a system and method for protecting and restoring a surface by applying thereto a preformed polymer based film and securing the film to the surface. Particular application is found where the surface is a deck surface.

Abstract: Provided are polyurea/polyurethane based films and coatings which are imaged by a dye sublimation technique, and the method for imaging same.

Abstract: The present invention provide a composite structure comprising an image receiving layer having an image disposed thereon and a light emitting layer, wherein said light emitting layer comprises a phosphorescent or fluorescent material capable of illuminating said image.

Abstract: Provided is a printing medium particularly useful for inkjet printing. The printing medium is comprised of a substrate and a coating layer. The coating layer comprises porous particles, a resin binder and colloidal particles, with the colloidal particle being of a size that is greater than the size of the pores of the porous particles, but smaller than the interstitial pores created by the porous particles. The printing medium allows one to realize high optical density and high image resolution, while also offering good mechanical properties, fast drying, good waterfastness and consistent performance in different environments.

Abstract: Provided is a black ink jet ink which exhibits excellent non-fading properties. The ink jet ink is comprised of water, carbon black, cyan and magenta pigments, a water immiscible organic compound exhibiting a high boiling point, and a water miscible compound. The combination of the water immiscible compound and the water miscible compound provides for excellent anti-crusting properties.

Abstract: Provided is an ink jet ink comprised of water, pigment, a water immiscible organic compound exhibiting a high boiling point, and a water miscible compound. The combination of the water immiscible compound and the water miscible compound provides for excellent anti-crusting properties, and provides an ink which upon printing makes a round dot, and which printed images exhibit excellent waterfastness, lightfastness and wet rub resistance.

Abstract: Provided is an ink jet ink comprised of water, a pigment, a polymeric electrolyte, preferably a sodium, potassium or lithium salt of a polymeric carboxylic acid, a polyhydric alcohol and a stearate, preferably aluminum stearate. The presence of the stearate, particularly in combination with the polymeric electrolyte, provides one with an ink jet ink which upon printing makes a perfectly round dot located only on the surface of the paper. The image also dries very quickly, is of high density and is waterfast. Printing problems are also avoided, such as plugging.The process for preparing the foregoing ink jet ink comprises comminuting a formulation containing the components followed by a separation step. The separation step is important to provide a stable dispersion of the ink formulation.

Abstract: Novel electrographically produced products are disclosed which include large format posters, billboards and the like produced by a process employing a novel electrographic element which includes a base, a release layer and a combined transparent dielectric and adhesive layer which is substantially tack-free, at ambient pressure and temperature. The new product is made by an imaging process involving:A) producing a toned image layer on the surface of the electrographic element and B) pressure laminating a receptor substrate at an elevated temperature to the toned image layer to form the completed electrographic image. The base and release layer may be stripped from the dielectric/adhesive layer which then serves to protect the transferred, toned, electrographically generated image from abrasion and environmental contaminants.

Abstract: A novel process is disclosed for the manufacture of protected, distortion-free, full-color electrographic images for use on large format posters, billboards and the like. A novel electrographic element is also disclosed, which includes a base, a release layer and a combined transparent dielectric and adhesive layer which is substantially tack-free, at ambient pressure and temperature. The novel electrographic imaging process includes the steps of: A) producing a toned image layer on the surface of the electrographic element and B) pressure laminating the receptor substrate, optionally at an elevated temperature to the toned image layer to form the completed electrographic image. The base and release layer may be stripped from the dielectric/adhesive layer which then serves to protect the transferred, toned, electrographically generated image from abrasion and environmental contaminants.

Abstract: A novel two step process is disclosed for the manufacture of protected, distortion-free, full-color electrographic images for use on large format posters, billboards and the like. A novel electrographic element, which is used in the process, comprises a carrier layer; optionally, a protective layer; a conductive layer; a dielectric layer; and a substantially tack-free, adhesive layer which is activated at a pressure and a temperature which is above ambient pressure and temperature of the electrographic element. The novel electrographic imaging process comprises: A) producing a toned image layer on the surface of the electrographic element, so that the toned image layer is adhered to the surface of the adhesive layer; and B) pressure laminating the receptor substrate at an elevated temperature to the toned image layer to form the completed electrographic image.

Abstract: A novel two step process is disclosed for the manufacture of protected, distortion-free, full-color electrographic images for use on large format posters, billboards and the like. A novel electrographic element, which is used in the process, comprises a carrier layer; optionally, a protective layer; a conductive layer; a dielectric layer; and a substantially tack-free, adhesive layer which is activated at a pressure and a temperature which is above ambient pressure and temperature of the electrographic element. The novel electrographic imaging process comprises: A) producing a toned image layer on the surface of the electrographic element, so that the toned image layer is adhered to the surface of the adhesive layer; and B) pressure laminating the receptor substrate at an elevated temperature to the toned image layer to form the completed electrographic image.

Abstract: An electrographic imaging element having the following structure:a) a carrier layer,b) a conductive layer,c) a dielectric layer, andd) a substantially tack-free, adhesive layer which is activated at a pressure and a temperature which is above ambient pressure and temperature of the electrographic element and wherein a toned electrographically image generated on the element is produced on the surface of the adhesive layer.

Abstract: Provided is a composite material comprising a carrier, a conductive layer formed on the carrier, and a dielectric layer containing spacer particles formed on the conductive layer. The dielectric layer has an abrasion factor less than about 0.3 determined by a brass shim abrasion method, and a substantially uniform distribution of spacer particles substantially free of flat spots greater than about 100 microns in the x-y direction and 1500 square microns in area on any part of the surface. The spacer particles of the dielectric layer of the composite material preferably are amorphous silica. The composite material is useful in electrostatic imaging technology and provides images substantially free of defects, including artifacts or flares, dropouts and nib writing.Also provided is a process which permits the creation of very stable dispersions of solid particles in a dispersing medium useful for both the dielectric and conductive layers of the composite material of the invention.

Abstract: A novel transfer element for protecting, graphic arts images is disclosed. The transfer element consists essentially of, a temporary carrier layer, a substantially silane-free protective layer, and an adhesive layer permanently adhered to the protective layer. In particular, the temporary carrier layer is a polymeric sheet material, a foraminous sheet material, or composites thereof; and the protective layer comprises a cross-linked cellulose ester. When the transfer element of this invention is used, the temporary carrier layer is removed, as the final step, from the protective layer which remains substantially intact. The transfer element is useful in manufacturing protected images of all sizes and is particularly suited to protecting large format images such as billboards.

Abstract: A novel process for forming protected, electrographic image on a substrate is disclosed. An electrographic element used in the process comprises a supporting layer, a conductive layer, and a dielectric layer. A protective element used in the process comprises a temporary support layer, a protective layer, and an adhesive layer. The novel electrographic imaging process comprises the steps of producing a toned electrographic image on the surface of the electrographic element; applying and adhering the adhesive layer of the protective element to the toned electrographic image to form an imaged composite; removing the supporting layer from the composite to uncover the conductive layer; pressure laminating the final substrate to the conductive layer; and then removing the temporary support layer from the protective layer to form the protected, electrographic image on the substrate of choice.

Abstract: A novel two step process is disclosed for the manufacture of protected, distortion-free, full-color electrographic images for use on large format posters, billboards and the like. A novel electrographic element, which is used in the process, comprises a carrier layer; optionally, a protective layer; a conductive layer; a dielectric layer; and a substantially tack-free, adhesive layer which is activated at a pressure and a temperature which is above ambient pressure and temperature of the electrographic element. The novel electrographic imaging process comprises: A) producing a toned image layer on the surface of the electrographic element, so that the toned image layer is adhered to the surface of the adhesive layer; and B) pressure laminating the receptor substrate at an elevated temperature to the toned image layer to form the completed electrographic image.