Abstract: A basecoat including a pigment blend of a coarse ground calcium carbonate and a hyperplaty clay having an average aspect ratio of at least about 40:1.

Abstract: An ink comprises metal thin film fragments having an average thickness of 0.01 to 0.1 ?m and an average particle diameter of 5 to 25 ?m, and a binder resin having at least one selected from the group consisting of a carboxyl group, a phosphoric acid group, a sulfonic acid group, metal salts thereof and an amino group. A laminated sheet comprises multilaminated at least two synthetic resin films for molding, and a decorative layer having mirror-like metallic luster formed at any laminate interface of the synthetic resin films, the decorative layer being an ink film made of the ink, the ink film having a thickness of 0.05 to 2.0 ?m.

Abstract: Coating compositions are disclosed that include a film-forming resin, a radiation cure initiator, a colorant, and a diluent. These compositions are substantially free of radiation curable material. Also disclosed are substrates at least partially coated with such compositions, substrates at least partially coated with a multi-layer composite coating comprising at least one coating layer deposited from such compositions, and methods for improving the adhesion of a multi-layer composite coating system to a porous substrate.

Abstract: Building panels with a homogenous decorative surface having a wear layer comprising fibres, binders and wear resistant particles.

Abstract: A billboard having a self-supporting, non-combustible panel (1) which has a base layer for printing inks that cure under ultraviolet light. In order to obtain non-combustible billboards, it is proposed that the panel (1) be produced from fibre cement and provided with a directly applied acrylate coating (2), optionally containing colour pigments, as base layer for acrylic-based printing inks.

Abstract: An indicator composition for determining a thermal or chronological history during shipping or storage of a product. The composition includes a plurality of nanoparticles dispersed throughout a matrix. The nanoparticles turn color while dispersed in the matrix as a function at least one of time and temperature.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards speckled tire treads for tires. Specifically, the speckled tire tread includes a primary tread compound that serves as a matrix in which is distributed discrete particles of one or more secondary tread compounds, at least one of the compounds is a different color than the other tread compound(s) so as to be visually distinguishable. For example, the primary tread compound may include carbon black pigment and be black in color while the secondary tread compound can include one or more pigments to provide the particles with non-black color. Thus, the colored particles have a visually distinguishable color from that of the primary tread composition. Additionally, at least a portion of the particles may be situated for viewing on a running surface of the tire tread so that a subject can visually distinguish between the compounds, and such observed compounds may provide a different tire performance characteristic(s).

Abstract: Surface covering components that include a topcoat layer with different gloss levels in various regions on the top coat layer, and methods of manufacturing such surface covering components, are disclosed. The surface covering components include a coating layer that includes regions that have a relatively higher gloss, and regions with a relatively lower gloss. The differential gloss is provided by coating a substrate with a UV-curable coating composition, subjecting a first region of the surface coating to polymerization under a first set of conditions, and subjecting a second region of the surface coating to polymerization under a second set of conditions. The UV-curable coating compositions include UV-curable components and one or more flatting agents. The different polymerization conditions involve applying various photoinitiators, thermal initiators and/or cure altering agents to some regions of the coated substrate, and not applying these components to other regions of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for hiding and later revealing a hidden layer. The system includes a substrate and applicator. As the user moves the applicator around the substrate, a coating is rendered transparent to reveal a hidden layer under the pattern of the user's movement of the applicator. The system comprises a substrate at least partially coated with a generally opaque coating that reacts with an eradicator fluid. A preferred coating as applied to the substrate comprises 20-80 wt % water, 0-3 wt % defoamer, 0-3 wt % surfactant, 0-5 wt % wetting agent, 1-25 wt % colorant, 1-60 wt % resin, and 0-4 wt % preservatives. A preferred reducing fluid in such case comprises 30-95 wt % water, 1-5 wt % pH adjuster, 5-15 wt % reducing agent, 0-5 wt % surfactant, and 2-10 wt % buffer.

Abstract: A packaging laminate for a retortable packaging container or carton, comprising a core layer (11) and outer, liquid-tight coatings (12 and 13) on both sides of the core layer (11). The one (12) of the two outer coatings carries decorative artwork (14) of printing ink which is both mechanically and thermally protected by a layer (18) of lacquer applied on the coating (12) to make possible heat treatment at high humidity and temperature conditions of a packaging container produced from the packaging laminate (10), without the printing ink decorative artwork of the packaging container deteriorating in quality.

Abstract: Polymer composite roofing materials are provided which contain resin, and about 20-75 wt. % fillers and additives, in which the fillers contain at least one bulk filler for reducing the amount of resin needed to make the roofing material, and at least one aesthetically functional filler for providing the roofing material with an aesthetic appearance. The bulk filler and the aesthetically functional filler of this embodiment are non-toxic, resistant to microbial attack, and have a Mohs hardness of less than about 5.

Abstract: The present invention discloses methods and systems for printing by superposing a metallic ink and transparent inks. These methods and systems are useful for color separating images into superpositions of a metallic ink and transparent inks both for design purposes and for the creation and authentication of security documents, such as banknotes, checks, diploma, corporate documents, passports, identity cards, credit cards, product labels, optical disks, CDs, DVDs, packages of medical drugs, cosmetics, and alcoholic drink bottles. By combining a metallic ink and transparent inks, one may create printed images behaving dynamically: an image viewed under specular reflection may be considerably different from the same image viewed under non-specular reflection. Patterns which are either dark or hidden become highlighted under specular reflection, yielding interesting visual effects. Metallic inks allow therefore to create visually appealing dynamically changing color images.

Abstract: Patterned platelets are platelets made with specified shapes and sizes. The various sizes and shapes of the platelets are used to code articles and substances to which they are applied. The patterned platelets can be in inks or paints applied to articles. The platelets can be further coded by markings thereon or by spectral or polarization codes rather than just the distribution of sizes and shapes. The patterned platelets can be made from any materials buy subtractive or additive processes. A patterned platelet can also be made by an actinic polymer being applied to a substrate and a mask applied to allow only the desired size and shape to be exposed to radiation curing the unmasked portion of the polymer on the substrate. The polymer can be cholesteric liquid crystals with the properties of reflecting polarized light of selected wavelengths to code the crystals in addition to the size and shape codes.

Abstract: A personal authentication medium includes a substrate, and a pearl pigment ink image layer formed on the substrate by using heat transfer fusion inks containing pearl pigments. The distance between the centers of dots or lines forming the pearl pigment ink image layer is 0.5 to 100 times the largest one of the average grain sizes of the pearl pigments used. Each heat transfer fusion ink contains a pearl pigment having an interference light color corresponding to one of the three additive primary colors or one of the three subtractive primary colors.

Abstract: The invention relates to an abrasion-resistant decorative sheet (1), in particular an overlay for the production of a laminate floor or of an abrasion-resistant furniture surface, comprising a paper layer (3) provided on one side with a print layer (2), comprising an impregnation (3a) formed from a first plastic mixture and comprising a layer (4) which is formed from a second plastic mixture and contains particulate abrasion-reducing material. In order to provide such a decorative sheet (1) which meets the high requirements in line with standards with regard to its abrasion resistance and permits a high-quality and clear printed image and has an appealing optical impression or an optical special effect, such as a metallic or nacreous appearance, it is proposed to apply the layer (4) formed from the second plastic mixture and containing particulate abrasion-reducing material to that side of the paper layer (3) which is opposite the print layer (2).

Abstract: Disclosed is a metallic ink, a method of forming electrodes using the metallic ink, and a substrate using the metallic ink. The metallic ink comprises at least one oxide selected from metal oxide nanoparticles and partially polycondensated metal oxides having a size of 100 nm or less, and metal nanoparticles having a size of 100 nm or less. The oxides and the metal nanoparticles are dispersed as isolated ultrafine particles in solvent. The method comprises patterning the ink using an inkjet printer to form a conductive wire. The substrate is produced through the method. It is thereby possible to conduct patterning using an inkjet printer, and adhesive power to substrates is improved. The metallic ink is useful to produce electrodes of various panels, such as PDPs.

Abstract: The use of a pearl pigment as a decorative material for the interior of automobile parts is known to weaken the weather resistance of these parts. Improved weather resistance is achieved by providing a decorative sheet 10, wherein a pearl ink layer 2 comprising a pearl pigment is provided on a base material sheet 1, and the pearl ink layer comprises: at least a vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer as a binder resin; and the pearl pigment obtained by coating mica with a titanium dioxide, and further, coating the surface thereof with a metal oxide and/or a metal oxide hydrate of metals other than a titanium such as a zirconium, a silicon and the like. The titanium dioxide is preferably of a rutile type. Moreover, the base material sheet is preferably a resin sheet of an acrylic resin. A decorative material 20 can be obtained by laminating the above mentioned decorative sheet on a surface of a base material 5, which is a resin molded body.

Abstract: Discloses is a rewritable thin image display sheet, an image display apparatus and an image display system. In the image display system, a low-melting-point wax 18 with a magnetic powder 16 dispersed therein is held between a heat-generation layer 12 and a transparent layer 14 which are disposed spaced apart from one another, and a zone of the low-melting-point wax 18 corresponding to a pixel for image display is selectively heated and molted by the heat-generation layer 12. Then, the magnetic powder 16 in the molten zone is displaced toward the transparent layer 14 so as to display a given image on the transparent layer. The rewritable thin image display sheet, the image display apparatus and the image display system can reliably display an image in a rewritable state while achieving a significantly simplified structure.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to materials treatable by electron beam (EB) processing, such as materials for flexible packaging. The material comprises a substrate; an ink formulation on at least a portion of the substrate, the ink formulation comprising ink and at least one monomer selected from acrylate esters, vinyl ethers, cycloaliphatic diepoxides, and polyols; and a lacquer on at least a portion of the ink formulation, the lacquer comprising at least one monomer selected from acrylate esters, vinyl ethers, cycloaliphatic diepoxides, and polyols. The processing apparatus for EB treating the material operates at a low voltage, such as 125 kVolts or less.

Abstract: A printed matter including a base and a printed pattern layer disposed on the base is provided. The printed pattern layer includes printing ink and photocatalytic powders. The printing ink is disposed on the base. The photocatalytic powders are dispersed in the printing ink. A fabrication method of a printed matter including following steps is also provided. First, a base is provided. Next, a printed pattern layer is printed on the base. The printed pattern layer has printing ink disposed on the base and photocatalytic powders dispersed in the printing ink.

Abstract: According to the invention there is provided a pigment coated paper base that comprises a paper base, which paper base comprises one or more wet strength agents, and a pigment coating on at least the topside of said paper base, which pigment coating comprises one or more insolubilizers. This pigment coated paper base may be provided with a polymer resin coating at the backside and is suitable for use in a wide range of inkjet printing application. Further this invention is directed to a pigment coated paper base provided with a polymer resin coating on the top-side and optionally on the backside that is suitable for use as support in a wide range of recording media.

Abstract: A net, in particular a ball net for catching balls, such as a volleyball net, football net, tennis net or ball-catching net, or a net-like fence, has a net body formed from net threads connected to one another in mesh form. The net is distinguished in that the net. threads of the net body are thickened, in one region, over a plurality of meshes by an applied thickening material, in such a way that the region can be recognized by the observer outwardly, with high visual contrast, as a character, in particular as a letter character or logo.

Abstract: The invention relates to an infrared-reflective material which comprises a transparent sheet material which comprises, on a part-area, an interference pigment which has higher transmission in the visible region of global radiation than in the NIR region, to a method for screening an enclosed area against infrared light, and to the use of the infrared-reflective material for buildings, vehicles and greenhouses while simultaneously maintaining the ability of the human eye to see through the material.

Abstract: A fluorescent red-orange retroreflective article includes a polymeric matrix and at least one fluorescent dye added in an amount that provides the article with a red-orange color under daytime lighting conditions. The article also includes cube corner elements disposed at a back side of the polymeric matrix. The article can exhibit a retroreflectivity of at least 350 or 500 cd/(lux·m2), and a brightness Y of at least 20, 30, or 35. The article can exhibit a color within a preferred red-orange color space bounded by CIE chromaticity coordinates (0.560, 0.380), (0.580, 0.355), (0.633, 0.366) and (0.610, 0.390).

Abstract: Transfer paper suitable for inkjet printing, provided, at least on the side to be printed, with a release or barrier layer, the layer having a porosity of at most 100 ml/min, and a method for manufacturing a transfer paper and a method for printing transfer paper with an inkjet printer with an aqueous dispersion of a sublimable ink.

Abstract: A colorized retroreflective materials for use on clothing are colorized by including a substantially transparent colorizing overlayer composition applied to a retroreflective layer, the overlayer further comprising an amount of a suitable pigmented ink; an amount of at least one species of polyurethane material; and an amount of a silane material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to colored reflective features, e.g., reflective security features or reflective decorative features, that optionally exhibit color shifting and to inks and processes for making such features. The features, as well as the inks optionally used to form the features, comprise nanoparticles and a colorant that preferably modifies a spectrum of light that is reflected by a reflective layer formed from the nanoparticles. The processes involve forming the features from one or more inks using a direct write printing process.

Abstract: The hue variable retroreflective sheet of the present invention includes: a surface layer (1) composed of at least one layer; and a plurality of retroreflective elements (3, 4, 5) that are positioned beneath the surface layer, wherein the retroreflective elements (3, 4, 5) retroreflect incident light toward a light source direction, at least one layer of the surface layer (1) is an optical coherent layer that changes in color depending on a point of view, and in which an optical coherent coloring material with a core material having a surface that is covered with one or more substantially transparent coating layer is dispersed, and mirror-reflects the incident light toward a direction opposite to the light source side, at least one layer of the retroreflective sheet is a colored layer containing a coloring material that colors retroreflected light, and the retroreflected light and the mirror-reflected light provide different hues.

Abstract: The present invention provides an image supporting material for fixably supporting a color toner image, the material including a base material, a light scattering layer provided on the base material and containing a white pigment and a thermoplastic resin, and a color toner receptive layer provided on the light scattering layer and containing at least a thermoplastic resin, wherein the thermoplastic resin in the light scattering layer is constituted of a polyolefin or a polyolefinic copolymer having a temperature, at which viscosity becomes 5×103 Pa·s, of 100° C. or higher, and the thermoplastic resin in the color toner receptive layer is constituted of a resin obtained by melt mixing of a crystalline polyester resin and an amorphous resin and having a temperature, at which viscosity becomes 103 Pa·s, equal to or higher than 65° C. but lower than 80° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a receiver sheet for electrophotography comprising a base material having thereon at least one toner receiver layer comprising a mixture of polyolefin and at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyolefin copolymers, amide containing polymers, and ester containing polymers, wherein a measured Tg of said at least one receiver layer comprises a Tg of less than 5° C.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a security laminate comprising a retroreflective layer comprising a plurality of retroreflective microbeads partially embedded in and protruding from a beadbond layer and having image receptive material disposed around the protruding microspheres. In another embodiment, the security laminate further comprises indicia patterns viewable in retroreflective light. In another embodiment, the security laminate is imaged on the image receptive material.

Abstract: An ink-printed substrate web exhibiting ink rub-off resistance is disclosed. The substrate web is printed with an ink composition to form an ink film on the substrate web. The ink-printed substrate web being coated with a coating composition to form a coating film on the ink film. At least one of the ink composition and the coating composition forms a cross-linked structure within the film thereof and forms a cross-linked structure with the other composition between the ink film and the coating film. A disposable absorbent article using the ink-printed substrate web is also disclosed.

Abstract: A transfer capable of applying one- or multi-colored patterns to textiles under heat and pressure comprises a carrier sheet (1) having a non-binding surface which carries (a) a one- or multi-colored pattern (5) printed on the carrier sheet using a digitally controlled color printer; (b) a transparent (6) or white-pigmented (7) elastomer layer of a polymer having a high plasticizing point printed configuratively on the pattern (5); and (c) a heat-activatable thermoplastic polymeric glue layer (8) printed configuratively on the transparent (6) or white-pigmented (7) elastomer layer or a heat-activatable hot melt granulate sprinkled on the elastomer layer while said layer was still wet. An even better encapsulation of the colored pattern is obtained when the carrier sheet has printed thereon a first transparent elastomer layer of a polymer having a high plasticizing point, and the pattern is printed on this elastomer layer using a digitally controlled color printer.

Abstract: Surface covering components that include a topcoat layer with different gloss levels in various regions on the top coat layer, and methods of manufacturing such surface covering components, are disclosed. The surface covering components include a coating layer that includes regions that have a relatively higher gloss, and regions with a relatively lower gloss. The differential gloss is provided by coating a substrate with a UV-curable coating composition, subjecting a first region of the surface coating to polymerization under a first set of conditions, and subjecting a second region of the surface coating to polymerization under a second set of conditions. The UV-curable coating compositions include UV-curable components and one or more flatting agents. The different polymerization conditions involve applying various photoinitiators, thermal initiators and/or cure altering agents to some regions of the coated substrate, and not applying these components to other regions of the substrate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a radiation flood source by printing a radioactive solution, and a radioactive printing solution used in this method. The present invention also relates to a flood source for quality testing and assurance of radiation detecting devices obtained by said process.

Abstract: A non-powered composite luminous panel including two plates of light transmissive material and the interlayer of a luminescent material provided between the two plates. The luminescent material includes a light transmissive resinous material and contains a suspension of luminescent particles, preferably of the long acting emitting type.

Abstract: In a substrate having a graphic and a method for applying the graphic thereto, a non-phosphorescent material is applied to the substrate to define a non-phosphorescent region of the graphic and a phosphorescent material is applied to the substrate to define a phosphorescent region of the graphic. At least a portion of the non-phosphorescent region and at least a portion of the phosphorescent region are in overlapping relationship with each other so as to define an overlapping region of the graphic. When the overlapping region is exposed to light sufficient to cause phosphorescence of the phosphorescent region the at least a portion of the phosphorescent region phosphoresces to render the overlapping region visible in the absence of light. In another embodiment, the graphic has a non-photoluminescent region in overlapping relationship with a photoluminescent region.

Abstract: A security element (2) comprising a reflective, optically variable surface pattern (3) which is embedded in a layer composite of plastic material and which can be visually recognized from predetermined observation directions is formed from a mosaic of optically active surface elements (13). In the mosaic of the surface pattern (3) at least two of the mosaic surfaces (11; 12) of the surface pattern (3) are arranged substantially adjacent and have microscopically fine light-diffractive relief structures (4). The spatial frequencies of the relief structures in the mosaic surfaces (11; 12) are of values from predetermined spatial frequency ranges in such a way that, in the case of illumination beams which are incident obliquely relative to a normal onto the plane of the layer composite, the relief structures of the mosaic surfaces (11; 12) deflect visible monochromatic light parallel to the normal (32).

Abstract: An optically embossed sheet (10) for a laminate (107) for decorative boards includes a base layer (12) having a print surface (14) and an opposed resin application surface (16), wherein the print surface (14) defines a decorative area (18). A small particle ink (20) overlies the decorative area (18), and a large particle ink (22) overlies the small particle ink (20) within a low-gloss region (24) defined within the decorative area (18). A thermosetting resin is applied only to the resin application surface so that more than fifty percent of the particles of the small particle ink (20) at the print surface (14) are coalesced by the thermosetting resin (26) into agglomerations (27), and less than about thirty percent of the particles of the large particle ink (22) are coalesced into agglomerations (27) giving rise to a substantial gloss differential at the print surface (14).

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of laminated glass panels comprising multiple layers of polymer sheets with patterned light transmission qualities and methods of producing and using the same. More specifically, the present invention is in the field of laminated glass panels featuring novel patterns formed by two printed patterns supported on one or more layers of polymeric sheet material, such as polyethylene terephthalate.

Abstract: In a composite pane having a film laminate which adhesively connects two rigid panes to one another to form a pane assembly and comprises at least one colored adhesive film and at least one uncolored adhesive film which can be fused on during production of the pane assembly, according to the invention, at least one intermediate layer is provided between the two differently colored fused-on adhesive films and results in a uniform flattening of the mutually facing surfaces of the two adhesive films while being fused on. This results in the finished product being homogeneously colored when being looked through.

Abstract: The present invention provides a printing process and a printed product in which a coating is combined with an additive that lowers the surface tension of the dried coating. The coating pattern is printed on a substrate, and is cured using electron beam (“EB”) processing. An ink is printed on top of the dried coating pattern. The ink flows away from the coating due to the difference in surface tension, forming a pattern of raised ink between the pattern and the coating.

Abstract: Disclosed is a film, and process for making the same, that can be used as a label and which provides an etched appearance by the application of the combination of at least two layers of coarse-grained inks. A more specific form of the invention is to prepare a heat-shrink over-wrap film label as disclosed and then apply it to a regular glass bottle so as to create the appearance of an all-over etched treatment or a look of etched treatment to specific areas only. According to another more specific version of the invention, a heat-shrinkable overwrap sleeve may be printed as described above with a portion of the finish gradated from a full strength coating on the main body section of the container to a lesser degree in a continuous gradation over to a narrower neck part of the bottle to be covered.

Abstract: Process for the production of variously decorated artefacts, comprising the steps of: preliminary preparation of the surfaces of the artefact, possible application of preliminary painting cycles or other surface treatments; covering or tight-wrapping up of the artefact with a transfer support bearing the decorations desired, realized from gas-tight thermoformable plastic material such as polyvinyl alcohol; creation of a vacuum between said transfer support and the artefact covered by the same, so that the support adheres to the shape of the artefact; and heating for the transfer of the decoration and the polymerization of the colors.

Abstract: A balanced dimensionally stable laminate uses a web carrier which is removably attached to a layer of the laminate during lamination and processing. The web carrier maintains dimensional stability of the layers of the laminate during lamination and processing and after removal of the web carrier. The web carrier is removed if at all only after the laminate is formed and processed. The bonding force of the web carrier with at least one of the polymers layer resists forces which would otherwise dimensionally distort the layers of the laminate or design features thereof during lamination, particularly in thermal roll-forming lamination. The layers of the laminate, which may include print and texture design features, remain dimensionally stable after removal of the web carrier. The web carrier can be removed at any time prior to or after final application of the laminate to a substrate.

Abstract: Self measuring roll goods includes a pliable substrate, a front surface, and a rear surface. The rear surface includes fiducial markings to facilitate the quick and easy measurement of the roll goods. The fiducial markings include an array of symbols, and at least a portion of the peripheral edges of the symbols are spaced apart from the peripheral edges of adjacent symbols. The pitch of the array defines a gross measurement scale. In a particular embodiment, the peripheral edges of the symbols intersect tangentially. In another particular embodiment, the symbols are completely spaced apart. Examples of the symbols include closed curves, polygons, and linear symbols. Optionally, marks on the perimeters of the symbols and/or the vertices of the symbols provide a fine measurement scale.

Abstract: An identifiable code pattern, a method of providing a carrier material with an identifiable code pattern, and a method for detecting an identifiable code pattern are based on applying water-soluble nanocrystals to carrier materials in a spatially arranged format that can be detected by exposing the identifiable code pattern to an excitation light source in exciting the water-soluble nanocrystals, and detecting any fluorescence peaks emitted from the excited water-soluble nanocrystals using a detection system.

Abstract: A protective strap for spirally winding around a handle includes a main body and a distinctive strap. The main body is an elongated strap member having two lateral edges, two end edges, a top side and a bottom side. The two lateral edges of the main body are respectively longer in length than the two end edges of the main body. The distinctive strap is disposed on the top side of the main body, having two lateral fringes and two end fringes shorter in length than the two lateral fringes. The distinctive strap is parallel to one of the lateral edges of the main body and has a width between the two lateral fringes thereof smaller than that between two lateral edges of the main body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to color-matching articles used to color-match paint formulations to target substrates.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-layer paper suitable as a material for preparing heat-sensitive stencil printing masters. The multi-layer paper is produced by combining a plurality of thin paper layers by paper making. The multi-layer paper has a peel strength of 10 N/m or less and may be delaminated into at least two tissue sheets.