Abstract: The cover of a binder or album is provided with a coating which is receptive to inks which are water based, solvent based or gel based, and which is substantially water-fast after the ink has dried. A coated transparent or translucent sheet may be provided on the front cover of the binder to form a pocket so that visual material inserted in the pocket may be traced, and so that the cover may be personalized. The coating may include finely divided porous particulates and a binder which includes as a component a water soluble polymer. The coating may be applied to backpacks, zippered binders, and pencil pouches, and to the transparent sheet material overlying photographs mounted in a photo album. Personalized writing or designs may be written or drawn onto the coated products using ink pens of virtually any type.

Abstract: A microchamber structure (100) comprising a base layer (120), a lid layer (130), and at least one microchamber (140) having a cross-sectional shape with a depth (d) of less than 1000 microns and a width (w) of less than 1000 microns. The base layer (120) includes a depression (122) and the lid layer (104) includes a projection (132) positioned within the depression (122) to together define the cross-sectional shape of the microchamber (140).

Abstract: This invention relates to a water-absorbent film construction, comprising: a water-absorbent film layer overlying a base layer, the water-absorbent film layer being comprised of at least about 40% by weight of at least one 2-oxazoline polymer.

Abstract: Improved binders, ink-receptive compositions, and coated substrates are provided. The ink-receptive compositions contain a binder, a particulate filler, and a mordant. A preferred binder comprises one or more acrylic copolymers made with at least one wet abrasion resistance-enhancing monomer. Papers, films, labels and similar products, coated with an ink-receptive composition, are also provided.

Abstract: A photo album is provided having an ink-receptive coating on a surface of the photo album. A user may write text or draw pictures on the surface with an ink pen, such as with a gel-based ink pen. The ink-receptive coating protects the ink from smudging or smearing after the ink has dried. Consequently, the text and/or picture is durable. The writable or drawable surface may be the front or back exterior surface, and/or an interior surface.

Abstract: A composition for making glossy, ink-receptive coatings for recording media contains a water soluble, nonionic polymer, a water soluble, amphoteric copolymer, and a polyalkylene glycol or silicone surfactant. Ink-receptive constructions made with the composition also are provided.