Abstract: An apparatus and method for embossing a substrate are disclosed. For example, the apparatus includes an embossing platform, a printhead to dispense ink on the embossing platform in a desired raised pattern on the embossing platform, a press to apply a load against a substrate placed on the desired raised pattern and the embossing platform to emboss the desired raised pattern onto the substrate, and an ink removal device to remove the ink that is dispensed on the embossing platform in the desired raised pattern.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for manufacturing a calcium carbonate product including the steps of (i) contacting calcium carbonate with of one or more zirconium compounds in an aqueous suspension and/or of an aqueous emulsion and/or of an aqueous solution to obtain a calcium carbonate-containing slurry, and (ii) dispersing the calcium carbonate-containing slurry to obtain a calcium carbonate product.

Abstract: A roll coater with a recirculation loop is disclosed. Waste coating material form the roll coater is treated in an agitator unit containing, for example, one or more ultrasonic transducers, and optionally a filtration unit and/or temperature control unit to produce reconditioned coating solution, such as a reconditioned sol-gel precursor solution. Also disclosed is preventative maintenance module comprising a cleaning unit that is designed to engage and clean the applicator and/or metering rolls in a roll coater.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a cast-coated paper having good sheet gloss, printability and productivity and a process for preparing it. Herein disclosed is a cast-coated paper obtained by applying a cast coating layer comprising a pigment and an adhesive on a base paper, and pressing and drying the cast coating layer in the wet state against a heated mirror finishing surface to finish it, characterized in that the cast coating layer contains 50 parts by weight or more of a kaolin having a particle size distribution containing 65% by volume or more of particles in the range of 0.4-4.2 ?m per 100 parts by weight of inorganic pigments and further contains a plastic pigment; as well as a process for preparing it.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the composition and use of substantially water-soluble amphoteric (co)polymers as co-binders for paper and paperboard coating applications.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an inkjet recording cast-coated paper wherein a coating solution containing a pigment and a binder resin is supplied to a base paper, a treatment solution having the function of solidifying the binder resin is supplied to the coating layer while it is still wet in order to solidify the coating layer, and the wet, solidified coating layer is brought into pressure contact with the mirror surface of a heated drum and dried to obtain a cast-coated layer. According to this invention, the treatment solution is supplied by the double pond method wherein the roll is enclosed by the base paper so as to bring the wet coating layer into contact, and ponds of treatment solution are formed both before and after the coating layer comes into contact with the roll.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a composition for cast-coating on ink-jet media. The composition includes a liquid vehicle, silica particulates, and an internal release agent. The composition is substantially free of polymeric binder and can improve the glossiness of a porous particulate-coated ink-receiving media by at least 2 gloss units at 20 degrees. The silica particulates can be suspended in the liquid vehicle at about 1-35 wt %, and can have a particle size of less than about 150 nm. The internal release agent can be present at about 0.5-10 wt %.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for making a graphically-printed component for an absorbent disposable article. The method comprises providing a molten polymer by feeding polymer chips into an extruder and melting the polymer chips. The molten polymer is extruded in the form of a thermoplastic polymer film onto a provided nonwoven fabric in an in-line process, in which the film has a basis weight of about 10 gsm, to provide a backsheet comprising the film and the nonwoven fabric. The backsheet on the film is graphically printed with printing means to provide a graphically printed backsheet. The graphically printed back sheet is wound into a roll good, or an absorbent core is positioned between it and a liquid permeable topsheet to provide an absorbent disposable article.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing an ink jet recording material, comprising sequentially forming an ink-receptive layer and a glossy layer on a low air-permeable or air-impermeable support or a solvent-absorptive layer superimposed on the support, characterized in that the glossy layer is formed by applying a coating liquid for a glossy layer, the coating liquid comprising a cationic fine pigment and a cationic emulsion type adhesive, followed by pressing using a glossy roll and a press roll while making a surface of a resultant coating liquid layer contact with the glossy roll.

Abstract: To provide hard coat films having high hardness, and uniform durability against scratching and high flatness even with a small thickness and a large width, and to provide a method producing the same. The hard coat films are provided with an actinic ray curable resin on a cellulose ester film thereof, the cellulose ester film containing a UV absorber and 2 or more plasticizers. One of the plasticizers is a polyalcohol ester type and the other one is a non-phosphate ester type. The cellulose ester film is produced by biaxially stretching of a cellulose ester film with a total acyl substitution degree ranging from 2.6 to 2.9, a number average molecular weight ranging from 80,000 to 200,000, and a ratio of a weight-average molecular weight to a number average molecular weight ranging from 1.4 to 3.0.

Abstract: A paper coating slip containing a mineral pigment and an aqueous polymer dispersion as a binder, wherein the polymer dispersion is obtainable by emulsion polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated compounds (monomers) and the paper coating slip gels at above 35° C., i.e. the viscosity of the paper coating slip at from 35 to 60° C. is at least twice the viscosity at 30° C.

Abstract: Structured polyolefin coated substrates and processes for making the same are disclosed. A chill roll is used to impart a plurality of peaks which protrude outwardly from the polyolefin coating of the structured substrate. In addition, the chill roll surface is treated to impart a matte finish and thus to transfer a matte finish to the area surrounding the peaks of the polyolefin coating.

Abstract: A cast coated printing sheet providing high paper gloss and smoothness, desirable printing performance characteristics, and enhanced printed product attributes. The cast coated sheet comprises a substrate and a brushed coating layer comprising (a) a pigment, (b) a functionally effective amount of latex such that a dried unbrushed layer of the coating will not adhere sufficiently to the casting surface to allow the unbrushed layer to be cast, and (c) a functionally effective amount of brushing agent such that damage to the coating layer surface during brushing is minimized. The invention further provides methods for manufacturing such cast coated printing sheets.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyimide platy object includes (a) providing a solution containing a solvent and a solute (i.e., a polyimide precursor or polyimide); (b) pouring the solution onto a supporting member; (c) removing a portion of the solvent from the solution at a first temperature lower than boiling point of the solvent, thereby forming a precursory platy object thereon, the precursory platy object having a self-supporting property and a first surface in contact with the supporting member and a second surface away therefrom and a first content of the solvent at the first surface and a second content (less than the first content by 2-10 wt %) of the solvent at the second surface; and (d) detaching the precursory platy object therefrom; and (e) heating the precursory platy object at a second temperature higher than boiling point of the solvent and is lower than decomposition temperature of the polyimide.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for coating a web by applying a coating layer comprising pigment particles to the surface of the web. According to the invention, the coating layer is contacted at a preselected stage with a smooth surface, the coating layer is at least partially dried while being contacted with said surface to provide a smooth outer surface of the layer with densely packed particles, and the coating layer is separated from the smooth surface. The smooth surface of the web provided by the invention is ideal for printing or for secondary coating with polymers. Paper and board products according to the invention are easily reclaimed and can be treated in a normal pulper, because they do not contain any metal foils or polymer films.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyimide platy object includes (a) providing a solution containing a solvent and a solute (i.e., a polyimide precursor or polyimide); (b) pouring the solution onto a supporting member; (c) removing a portion of the solvent from the solution at a first temperature lower than boiling point of the solvent, thereby forming a precursory platy object thereon, the precursory platy object having a self-supporting property and a first surface in contact with the supporting member and a second surface away therefrom and a first content of the solvent at the first surface and a second content (less than the first content by 2-10 wt %) of the solvent at the second surface; and (d) detaching the precursory platy object therefrom; and (e) heating the precursory platy object at a second temperature higher than boiling point of the solvent and is lower than decomposition temperature of the polyimide.

Abstract: A recording material for the ink-jet printing method comprises a raw base paper, an extrudable polyvinyl alcohol containing layer which is extruded on the raw base paper, and an ink-receiving layer which is applied as an aqueous dispersion or solution.

Abstract: A polyimide for optical communications, which is expressed by the formula (1), a method of preparing the same, and a method of forming multiple polyimide films using the polyimide, wherein the formula (1) is given by X1, X2, X3, A1, A2, B1, B2, B3, D1, D2, E1, E2, Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4, Y5, Y6, Y7, and Y8, are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atom, halogen atom, alkyl group, halogenated alkyl group, aryl group and halogenated aryl group; Z is a simple chemical bond or selected from the group consisting of —O—, —CO—, —SO3—, —S—, —(T)m—, —(OT)m— and —(OTO)m—, wherein T is alkylene or arylene group substituted by at least one of halogen atom and halogenated alkyl group and m is an integer from 1 to 10; and n is an integer from 1 to 39.

Abstract: An ink jet recording sheet having a high gloss and ink absorbing property and capable of recording clear ink images having a high and uniform color density, includes a cast-coated ink-receiving layer formed on a substrate sheet and containing fine silica particles with an average primary particle size of 3 to 40 nm and an average secondary particle size of 10 to 400 nm and a binder.

Abstract: A resist coating method for forming a resist film on a substrate by supplying a resist solution to substantially a center of a substrate surface while the substrate is rotated, rotating the substrate at a low speed by decelerating the rotation of the substrate after the supply of the resist solution is terminated, and rotating the substrate at a high speed by accelerating the rotation of the substrate after the substrate is rotated at the low speed for a predetermined time-period.

Abstract: Provided is a cast-coated paper which comprises a raw paper having on at least one side thereof a layer of a coating composition comprising a pigment and a water based binder, with the layer having a surface treated with a coagulating solution containing one or more of an ammonium salt as a coagulant and smoothened by pressing the treated surface to a hot specular surface of metal while the layer is in a wet condition; and a method of producing the aforesaid cast-coated paper.

Abstract: A recording medium particularly suitable for electrophotographic copying is characterized by coated paper that for a given basis weight has proportionally less coating and proportionally more fiber than conventional coated paper made for electrophotographic processes. The base sheet of the coated paper is preferably formed square on a paper machine wet end and has on the order of 40-50% less filler than conventional sheet paper made for electrophotographic processes. After being formed and dried, the base sheet is provided with a top coat weight that is approximately 60% less than the typical coat weight used for conventional paper. The coating is formulated to have sufficient viscosity to stay more on the surface of the base sheet. The coated sheet is calendered to a medium gloss on the order of a 75.degree. TAPPI gloss of about 45, both to preserve a degree of surface roughness to enhance runnability of the paper through an electrophotographic copier and to provide a pleasant and easily readable surface.

Abstract: A cast coated paper for ink jet recording is constituted to include, in lamination: a base paper, an undercoating layer comprising a pigment and an adhesive, and a cast-coating layer comprising a polymer having a glass transition point of at least 40.degree. C. formed by polymerization of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer. The cast coated paper is preferably controlled to have an air permeability of at most 300 sec/100 cc. The undercoating preferably contains a cationic resin, particularly preferably a copolymer of a polyalkylenepolyamine and dicyandiamide. The cast coated paper thus produced with an excellent ink absorptivity suitable for ink jet recording while retaining a high surface gloss.

Abstract: A lining material for forming a tight barrier coating on a base material. The lining includes a thermoplastic polymer that does not cross-link in an aqueous dispersion. The thermoplastic polymer is 65%-85% of lining by dry matter weight. The lining also includes an additive including at least one particulate material having barrier-forming properties and in an aqueous dispersion. The additive is 15%-35% of the lining by dry matter weight. At least 95% of the particles of at least one particulate material fulfill the condition that the ratio between the largest and the smallest dimension of a particle of the particulate material is greater than 5:1.

Abstract: Casting paper of a desired surface texture or finish for use in the manufacture of artificial leather is produced by heating the polymer coating 1 of a polymer-coated paper 2 to a temperature sufficient to melt the polymer and then cooling the polymer coating from its molten state to a solid state as it passes through a nip between an embossing roll 3 having a surface configuration corresponding to said desired surface texture or finish and a backing roll 4, thereby to impart the surface configuration of the embossing roll to the polymer-coated paper. The polymer is preferably polyolefinic, for example poly (4-methyl-1-pentene) or a polypropylene/polyethylene blend. An anti-curl back-coat, for example of polyvinyl alcohol, can be applied after the embossing operation.

Abstract: Provided are a cast-coated paper suitable for ink jet recording and a production method thereof, with the cast-coated paper having an irreversible shrinkage factor in the crossing direction within the range of 0.00% to 0.20% when it is put under an environment that the relative humidity thereof is changed from 35% to 95% and further changed to 35%.

Abstract: A method of producing activated carbon supported on a substrate involves impregnating a substrate with a crosslinking resin curing catalyst, followed by impregnating the substrate with a crosslinking thermosetting resin, curing the resin, carbonizing the resin, and activating the carbon.

Abstract: A latex comprises a colloidal suspension in water of essentially non-crystalline particles of a polymer or copolymer or .beta.-hydroxyalkanoates, for example .beta.-hydroxybutyrate and .beta.-hydroxyvalerate; the latex may be employed to produce self-supporting filfms or papers which are biodegradable and also readily recyclable.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and an apparatus for efficiently and economically producing printed matter having a high degree of gloss, rub-resistance, water-resistance and resistance to contamination. In this method and apparatus, a web-fed printed matter or a web-fed printing paper is coated with a coating agent for roll press working and subjected to hot roll press working while in the state of a web.

Abstract: Heat sealable paper can be prepared by applying to a surface-sized paper web a coating of a dispersion comprising a microcrystalline wax and a copolymer of ethylene and acrylic acid or methacrylic acid. The coating can be applied by means of a size press between dryer sections in a paper machine. The coating neither adheres to nor leaves a residue on the heated drums in the dryer section following the size press.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a cast coated paper including the steps of providing a pigment coating layer for casting on a base paper, plasticizing the coating layer by means of a rewet liquid, and drying the coating layer by pressing the coating layer against a heated metal drum having a highly polished surface such that the dried coating layer has a high gloss. The rewet liquid is an aqueous dispersion having a complex resin. The complex resin includes a copolymer resin and a colloidal silica, the copolymer resin being obtained by copolymerizing a styrene monomer and an unsaturated carboxylic ester monomer, and the colloidal silica having a mean particle diameter ranging from 0.005 .mu.m to 0.01 .mu.m.

Abstract: Embossed, coated paper is prepared by a process in which a polymeric film is laminated to a paper web, utilizing an extrusion coated resin interlayer therebetween, and a pattern from an engraved chill roll is simultaneously embossed onto the exposed surface of the polymeric film.

Abstract: A release carrier includes a dimensionally stable release paper of the prior art, but also includes a crystallizable polymer which has spherulite formations on its exposed surface. The preferred crystallizable polymer is polypropylene. The release carriers can be reconditioned to remove surface defects, change the level of gloss and form patterned areas of differential gloss by heating the polyolefin layer above its melting point and quenching the layer under controlled conditions. By quenching the crystallizable polymer by contacting the surface of the release carrier opposite the crystallizable polymer with a chill roll, the transfer of defects in the chill roll or planishing roll to the release carrier surface is avoided.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device and method for limiting of the width of coating in coating of paper or board. The coating agent is spread onto a moving base to be coated by means of a coating device provided with a grooved coating bar. The coating agent is spread substantially only over the width of the web and any coating agent extending substantially beyond the web width is scraped off the base to be coated with the aid of smooth end areas fitted at both ends of the coating bar. The invention is also related to a device for carrying out the method.

Abstract: Embossed, coated paper is prepared by a process in which a polymer film is laminated to a paper web, utilizing an extrusion coated resin interlayer therebetween, and a pattern from an engraved chill roll is simultaneously embossed onto the exposed surface of the polymer film.

Abstract: Cast-coated papers having high surface gloss, smoothness and high surface strength are produced by applying an aqueous pigment coating onto the surface of a base paper, drying the applied pigment coating to form a cast-coated layer, rewetting the pigment coating layer with a rewetting solution, pressing the rewetted pigment coating layer into contact with a heated, highly polished drum to impart a high gloss surface, the rewetting solution containing a dispersant and/or a release agent as its main components and having its pH adjusted to be between 2 and 4 by incorporation of at least one carboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of formic acid, acetic acid, tartatic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, succinic acid, malic acid and benzoic acid.

Abstract: An improved process of cast coating and the coating composition used therein produces a paper coating which has exceptional brightness, gloss, smoothness, flexibility, resistance to drum adhesions and pick resistance. The paper coating is especially effective in cast coating where extremely high smoothness and gloss is essential. The paper coating composition utilizes soy protein binder which has been modified by copolymerization to add a synthetic component to modify the properties of the soy protein.

Abstract: A method of making decorative cast-coated paper including particulate matter (such as flock, fiber or metal flake) in the coating, in which the particulate matter is added to the coating prior to the application of the coating to the paper, and cast on a casting drum.

Abstract: A process of producing high quality extrusion coated paper for high quality printing by extruding polyethylene on a highly smoothed base sheet of paper and passing the coated base sheet through the nip of two cooperating rollers, at least one of which rollers is a low-friction gloss chill roller having a surface finish with a degree of roughness between that of a high gloss roller and a matte finished roller.

Abstract: In a method of producing cast coated paper in which a wet coating layer containing as its main components, pigment and adhesive, is heated to permit a gel state to be formed in the layer, or is dried and then rewetted, and then is pressed against a highly polished finishing surface of a heated drum so as to be provided with a glazed finish.The present invention provides an improvement wherein an apparatus for emitting near-infrared radiations into the wet coating layer is employed as a means for permitting a gel state to be formed in the layer or as a means for drying the wet coating layer. The apparatus emits near-infrared radiations having wave lengths of 0.75 to 2.0 .mu.m at the peak wave length of their range which are directed into the wet coating layer.

Abstract: An ink jet recording medium having at least one ink receptive layer containing synthetic silica of fine particle form as a main pigment, having a recording surface dried by pressing said recording surface against a heated mirror surface, and having ink receptive layer having an absorption capacity of at least 10 g/m.sup.2 is disclosed.That is, the present invention provides an ink jet recording medium which has a gloss without requiring any post-treatment for imparting the gloss, has a high ink absorbability and gives a high color reproducibility and a high color density in printing with a water-base ink, particularly a recording medium for full color ink jet recording having a gloss.

Abstract: A method of producing cast coated paper in which a rewetted or gelled coating layer is pressed at a linear pressure of above 120 kg/cm against the highly polished finishing surface of a cast coating drum having a surface temperature of above 90.degree. C. Improved cast coating operations are secured by including in the coating composition and/or in the rewetting liquid or the gelling liquid, a releasing agent selected from the group consisting of a phosphate having a fatty hydrocarbon radical with 6 to 22 carbon atoms, an amine-salt thereof and lecithin.

Abstract: Described is a photographic support material for black-and-white and color photographic emulsions, which support material is coated at least on one side with a layer containing a white pigment ad a binder component that predominantly includes unsaturated organic compounds and that is hardened by means of high energy radiation, while the white pigment, which is preferably a titanium oxide or titanium mixed oxide, carries an inorganic surface deposit which consists of oxides or hydrated oxides that make up at least about 2% by weight of the total pigment. The oxides and hydrated oxides include those of aluminum, silicon, zinc, magnesium, tin, zirconium, antimony or alkaline-earth metals.

Abstract: A multilayer, waterproof photographic paper support includes a paper which is coated with a layer of radiation hardened varnish or varnish color and a barrier layer is positioned between the paper and varnish layer. The barrier layer comprises a polymer, film-forming material, produced either by extrusion coating, a coating of an aqueous solution or dispersion.

Abstract: A method of producing cast coated papers having a more uniform gloss, where the coated papers are produced by the rewet casting process, by using as the adhesive in the coating composition a copolymer latex containing as one of the copolymerized components an unsaturated carboxylic acid, and by adding to the coating, as an auxiliary agent, a metallic salt from a certain group.

Abstract: A process for producing a support for photographic paper is described, having a layer hardened by irradiation with electron beams on at least one surface of the paper support, comprising coating a mixture of an organic compound capable of being hardened by irradiation with electron beams and a white pigment on a shaping face, hardening the layer by irradiation with electron beams in that state, adhering the resulting coated layer to a base paper by an adhesive, and then peeling off the base paper having the coated hardened layer from the shaping face.A support for photographic paper is produced by the process. The support has superior properties with respect to the surface configuration and good whiteness.

Abstract: A method of producing cast coated paper by a rewet or gel-casting method, which comprises wetting the back surface of the paper with water in an amount of 1 to 30 g/m.sup.2 at or before a pressing nip for pressing said coated layer against the highly polished finishing surface of a drum, thereby effectively preventing the cast coated paper from forming a CD curl (cross direction curl).

Abstract: Metallized paper whose metal layer has been deposited by evaporation in vacuo onto a cast-coated paper. The cast coating contains mineral pigments, latex binders and conventional additives, and at least 5 parts by weight of the pigment are a synthetic polymer pigment. The coating material has a pH value >7 and during the process of fabricating the metallized paper it is deposited in such an amount that, after the drying, 10-30 g/m.sup.2 of cast coating are present. The coating material deposited onto a paper web is dried until its moisture content is 5-15% and the web is then pressed with the coated paper surface against a drum with a highly polished surface at a temperature of 100.degree.-160.degree. C. by means of a roll with a nip >1000 N/cm.

Abstract: A recording medium particularly suitable for electrophotographic copying is characterized by coated paper that for a given basis weight has proportionally less coating and proportionally more fiber than conventional coated paper made for electrophotographic processes. The base sheet of the coated paper is preferably formed square on a paper machine wet end and has on the order of 40-50% less filler than conventional sheet paper made for electrophotographic processes. After being formed and dried, the base sheet is provided with a top coat weight that is approximately 60% less than the typical coat weight used for conventional paper. The coating is formulated to have sufficient viscosity to stay more on the surface of the base sheet. The coated sheet is calendered to a medium gloss on the order of a 75° TAPPI gloss of about 45, both to preserve a degree of surface roughness to enhance runnability of the paper through an electrophotographic copier and to provide a pleasant and easily readable surface.

Abstract: A process is provided which produces a waterproof membrane and applies this waterproof membrane directly to a fixed substrate. The process includes the steps of providing a polymeric material; melting the polymeric material; forcing the melted polymeric material through a movable die, the movable die shaping the polymeric material melt into a film; moving the movable die across the fixed substrate; and applying the film directly to the fixed substrate forming a waterproof membrane. The polymeric material is one of those known in the art to be useful as roofing material. In a preferred embodiment, this process produces a sealing membrane which is applied to a roof of a structure forming a membrane effective to protect the structure from intrusion of water. In another aspect, an apparatus is provided which is capable of performing the process of this invention.