Abstract: The present invention is directed an oriented, foamed article having an ink-receptive surface, and a method of making the article. The invention provides a printable substrate comprising at least one high melt-strength, oriented polypropylene foam layer having an ink-receptive surface. The high melt-strength polypropylene having a melt strength of of 25 to 60 cN at 190° C. The ink-receptive surface may comprise and oxidizing treatment, such as corona or flame-treatment of the foam surface, or may comprise an ink-receptive coating, such as a primer coating, on the foam surface. The oriented foam article is particularly useful in the preparation of printed security documents such as currency, stock and bond certificates, birth and death certificates, land titles and abstracts and the like.

Abstract: A method of defining a pattern of coating fluid on a surface includes introducing coating fluid into a nip defined between a surface of a first roll and a surface of second roll. The roll surfaces are urged together at the nip under a nip pressure and move in opposite directions toward the coating fluid in the nip. The amount of coating fluid metered onto the second roll surface after the nip is a function the topography of the first roll surface and the nip pressure. The first roll surface is conformable and the first and second roll surfaces are urged together. Selected portions of the second roll surface are engaged with a doctor blade to remove coating fluid therefrom, wherein a pattern of coating fluid remains on the second roll surface which is defined by at least one stripe of coating fluid. The pattern of coating fluid is transferred from the second roll surface to a moving web by a reverse kiss coating.

Abstract: A method of defining a pattern of coating fluid on a surface includes introducing coating fluid containing microspheres onto a surface of an applicator roll, wherein the topography of the applicator roll surface comprises at least one longitudinally extending circumferential, helical groove portion which is sized to at least partially receive the microspheres of the coating fluid therein, and at least one circumferential, longitudinally extending smooth surface portion. The method further includes engaging the applicator roll surface with a doctor blade to remove coating fluid from the smooth surface portions thereof and to limit the amount of microspheres advanced past the doctor blade by the helical groove portion of the applicator roll surface. Thus, a pattern of coating fluid containing microspheres remains on the applicator roll surface which is defined by the helical groove portion thereon and is formed to define at least one stripe of coating fluid containing microspheres.

Abstract: The present invention is directed an oriented, foamed article having an ink-receptive surface, and a method of making the article. The invention provides a printable substrate comprising at least one high melt-strength, oriented polypropylene foam layer having an ink-receptive surface. The high melt-strength polypropylene having a melt strength of of 25 to 60 cN at 190° C. The ink-receptive surface may comprise and oxidizing treatment, such as corona or flame-treatment of the foam surface, or may comprise an ink-receptive coating, such as a primer coating, on the foam surface. The oriented foam article is particularly useful in the preparation of printed security documents such as currency, stock and bond certificates, birth and death certificates, land titles and abstracts and the like.