Abstract: A composition includes an alkenyl succinic anhydride sizing agent or an alkyl ketene dimer sizing agent. The alkenyl succinic anhydride sizing agent is present in an amount ranging from about 1.0 pounds per ton to about 4.0 pounds per ton. The alkyl ketene dimer sizing agent is present in an amount ranging from about 2.0 pounds per ton to about 10.0 pounds per ton. A metallic salt is also incorporated in the composition.

Abstract: This invention is directed to an recording sheet having improved image dry time for use in printing comprising a substrate having in contact with at least one surface thereof one or more water soluble divalent metal salts, preferably admixed with one or more starches, to process of forming such recording sheet, to a method of generating one or more image(s) on said recording sheet in an printing process and to a recording sheet having one or more images on a surface thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a media sheets, including paper media sheets, which are effective for use in improving water fastness of inks, such as ink-jet inks. The media sheet can comprise a paper substrate, and a polydicyandiamide and a multivalent salt associated with the paper substrate. The polydicyandiamide and the multivalent salt are associated with the paper substrate prior to the ink-jet application.

Abstract: Inkjet-printed images (characters or graphics) have an image-quality asymmetry, correlated with the direction of pen scanning. The invention exploits this asymmetry to improve apparent overall quality by forcing the less-perfect side of each image element to become, and be hidden in, the element interior. To achieve this effect, part of each element is printed during pen scanning in one direction and part during scanning in an opposite direction. Neither scan prints the trailing edge--that is, the edge the pen reaches last, when moving in a given direction. Instead each scan prints only the leading edge--plus the interior or part of the interior, if the image is wide enough that its interior forms an analytically separate portion.

Abstract: A pressure make/break interconnect for two sets of coplanar, parallel traces (30 and 46) includes contact pads (50 and 52) on the ends of the one or both sets of traces (30 and 46), the pads (50 and 52) being wider than the spaces between the traces (30 and 46) but staggered so that there is room for the pads (50 and 52) to fit between the traces (30 and 46). One of each facing pair of the traces (30 and 46) or pads (50 and 52) has on its facing surface a bump (66), which serves as the actual contact point and aids in increasing the contacting pressure. An interconnect support (70) behind one of the pads (50 or 52) is configured to aid in intensifying the pressure applied through the bump (66), ensuring good contact.