Abstract: A gravure method for applying a discrete patch (12) of uniform coating to a moving web (14) includes defining a nip area (20) between a gravure roller (16) and a backing roller (22), moving the gravure roller to the nip to a precise lengthwise location on the web, and moving the gravure roller from the nip. The method is improved by controlling the speed of movement of the gravure roller to the nip, and controlling the speed of movement of the gravure roller from the nip thereby producing a discrete patch.

Abstract: A metal oxide coating and a method of forming the metal oxide coating are disclosed, wherein the metal oxide coating composition includes a metal oxide precursor of the metal oxide, the metal oxide, or a combination thereof, and a solvent of secondary or tertiary C4-C8 alcohol.

Abstract: Disclosed is a protective transparent overcoat comprising a protective polymer and a surfactant compound having multiple non-end-group hydrogen bonding groups directly or indirectly bonded to the backbone chain of the surfactant compound. The coating enables simplified manufacturing of a thermal sublimation dye transfer donor of high quality.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for gravure coating a liquid reactive with the atmosphere onto a web. The gravure apparatus comprises an engraved gravure cylinder, an impression roller backing the web and pressing it onto the gravure cylinder to form a nip, a curtain or jet formation means to wet the surface of the gravure cylinder, and a doctor blade means for wiping excess coating liquid from the surface of the gravure cylinder prior to the nip. A shroud encompassing the gravure cylinder and the curtain or jet formation means creates a first zone between the nip and a partitioning baffle extending from the shroud, a second zone between the partitioning baffle and the doctor blade means, and a third zone between the doctor blade means and the nip. A gas non-reactive with the coating liquid is supplied to each zone by a gas distribution means such that the reaction rate of the coating liquid with the atmosphere is greatly reduced and the curtain or jet is not disrupted.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for imaging a media for receiving jetted ink, comprising a support bearing a predetermined array of three dimensional cells composed of hydrophobic cell walls and having a hydrophilic base, the cell walls being composed of a material that fused subsequent to printing to provide an overcoat layer.