m

Locking system for axially securing a rotor onto a rotatably mounted shaft

A locking system for axially securing a rotor onto a rotatably mounted shaft. The arrangement includes a plurality of locking levers which are each pivotably mounted about axes extending perpendicularly to the shaft between a locking position and an unlocking position in planes containing the axes. The locking levers can each be automatically transferred between an unlocking position and a locking position depending on rotational speed. The locking levers are mounted on the rotor and an annular groove is provided on the shaft and engages with the locking levers in the locking position, wherein the locking levers are prestressed in the unlocking position. Advantageously, the rotor can be both installed and removed without tools by merely placing the rotor onto or removing the rotor from the shaft, in each case depending on rotational speed.




m

Automated system and method for blood components separation and processing

A blood processing centrifuge comprising: a rotor having an axis of rotation and being controllably spun around the axis, a mechanism for processing whole blood within the rotor while spinning, a computer controlling blood processing operations, the computer being mounted to the rotor and spinning therewith.




m

Method for simply separating carbon nanotube

Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for separating metallic CNT and semiconducting CNT, comprising treating with a physical separation means of centrifugation, freezing-thawing-squeezing, diffusion, permeation or the like using a gel containing CNT as a dispersed and isolated state (CNT-containing gel), to thereby make semiconducting CNT exist in gel and make metallic CNT exist in solution.




m

Cleaning assembly for use in fluid filtration systems

Cleaning assemblies and particulate tolerant fluid bearings that are particularly well suited for use in centrifugal separation enhanced filtration devices are described. In one aspect of the invention, at least one bearing is arranged to carry a circulating cleaning assembly such that the cleaning assembly can rotate around a filter membrane during filtering operation of the filtration device. The bearing is preferably arranged to maintain the circulating cleaning assembly in a substantially coaxial alignment with the filter membrane and in a substantially stable longitudinal position relative to the filter membrane as the circulating cleaning assembly is rotated around the filter membrane. In another aspect of the invention a variety of particulate tolerant bearings are described.




m

Method for optimizing spin time in a centrifuge apparatus for biologic fluid

A method for controlling a centrifuge blood component separation system for separating components of a blood product, the separation system comprising a centrifuge and a separation bag and at least one transfer bag. The method comprises selecting a nominal hematocrit value such that an actual hematocrit value is expected to be less than said nominal hematocrit; centrifuging a separation bag containing a volume of composite liquid so as to cause the sedimentation of at least a first component and a second component; transferring some of the first component to a first transfer bag; detecting time of passage of a red blood cell interface at a pre-selected location in the separation bag; and adjusting a predicted processing time based on the time of passage of the red blood cell interface.




m

System for desalting fuel oil using a steam jet pump

A method and system for desalting a fuel having a salt therein is disclosed. A jet of superheated steam is provided at a selected pressure and fuel is drawn into the jet of superheated steam to form a mixture of the fuel and the superheated steam. The mixture is injected into a centrifuge to desalt the fuel.




m

Water purification system and method

A system for purifying non-potable water to make said water potable includes an intake pump for bringing the non-potable water into the system. At least one centrifugal separator separates the non-potable water into suspended solids, saline water and oil. At least one ozone contact chamber injects ozone into a water stream being injected into at least one of the at least one of the centrifugal separators. A series of progressive filtration components are used for progressively filtering the saline water from the at least one centrifugal separator. The salinization filters then desalinate the progressively filtered saline water.




m

Method of separating free oil from fat

A syringe piston used in fat transplantation is structured such that free oil is easily separated from suctioned fat by a syringe piston having a filter and naturally discharged through the rear side thereof. The syringe piston without a shaft, used in fat transplantation, disposed in a syringe-shaped cylindrical vessel, includes a piston body without the shaft, a packing coupled with an outer surface of the piston body to seal between the piston body and the syringe-shaped cylindrical vessel, a free oil discharging hole communicated with the front side and the rear side of the piston body, an opening and closing device for opening and closing the free oil discharging hole, and a filtering device disposed in a passage through which free oil is discharged to filter fat and pass the free oil.




m

Apparatus for processing biological material

A gripper unit for handling a vessel for receiving biological material is proposed, inter alia. The vessel has a lid which can assume an open position and a closed position. The gripper unit comprises a gripper for gripping and releasing the vessel, and a lid holder, for holding a lid in a defined position in relation to the vessel. The defined position is an open position of the lid.




m

Multiple laminar flow-based particle and cellular identification

The present invention provides a method and apparatus to identify at least one component from a plurality of components in a fluid mixture, the apparatus including a first input channel into which a first flow containing a plurality of components is introduced; a plurality of buffer input channels, into which additional flows of buffer solution are introduced, disposed on either side of the first input channel; wherein the first flow and the additional flows have a flow direction along a length of the apparatus; a detector apparatus which detects and identifies selected components of the plurality of components; a laser which emits a laser beam which damages or kills selected components of the plurality of components; and at least one channel disposed at the another end of the apparatus which is adapted to receive the first flow and the additional flows after operation of the laser on the selected components.




m

Device and method for delivering mechanically released cells from liposuction aspirates

A lipoaspirate collection device to aid in the collection and processing of human tissue and fluid obtained during liposuction for use in point-of-care cell therapy. The collection device includes a collection body and a collection cap. The collection cap may have a fluid port, a lipoaspirate port, a vacuum port, and a relief valve. Within the central cavity of the collection device, a cone shaped may be positioned such that the apex of the cone is positioned underneath the lipoaspirate inlet through which the lipoaspirate fluid and tissue are introduced.




m

Multi-unit blood processor with isolated valves for radio frequency sealing

An apparatus for separating at least two discrete volumes of a composite liquid into components, comprising a valve design that facilitates loading and unloading of sets of blood bags. The valves comprise a jaw mounted on a shaft, the jaw being adapted to apply radio frequency energy to seal a tube, a stepper motor section, and at least two position sensors. The valve sections are mounted on an upper plate, and the stepper motor sections are mounted on a lower plate. A main radio frequency coil is selectively electrically coupled to each of the valves through a multiplexing switch.




m

Methods and apparatus for isolating platelets from blood

A platelet collection device comprising a centrifugal spin-separator container with a cavity having a longitudinal inner surface. A float in the cavity has a base, a platelet collection surface above the base, an outer surface. The float density is below the density of erythrocytes and above the density of plasma. The platelet collection surface has a position on the float which places it below the level of platelets when the float is suspended in separated blood. During centrifugation, a layer of platelets or buffy coat collects closely adjacent the platelet collection surface. Movement of a float having a density greater than whole blood through the sedimenting erythrocytes releases entrapped platelets, increasing the platelet yield.




m

Centrifuge for separating of whole blood into blood components as well as fluidically communicating containers for insertion into the centrifuge, as well as a method for obtaining a highly enriched thrombocyte concentrate out of whole blood

The invention refers to a centrifuge for separating whole blood into its blood components and a method for extracting a highly enriched thrombocyte concentrate out of whole blood. For this purpose, the centrifuge comprises a closed loop and/or open-loop control unit as well as a drive unit coupled to the closed loop and/or open-loop control unit, a rotor (12) having at least two container receptacles (14a, 14b; 16a, 16) for removably holding containers (18, 20, 22, 24) being in fluid communication with each other, at least one sensor arranged between the container receptacles (14a, 14b; 16a, 16b) and coupled with the closed loop and/or open-loop control unit for detecting a separation layer. Herein, a motor/gear unit (30a, 30b, 32a, 32b) coupled to the closed loop and/or open-loop control unit is associated with each of the container receptacles (14a, 14b; 16a, 16b). Each of the motor/gear units is in operational contact through means (34) with each of the containers (18, 20, 22, 24) supported in the respective container receptacle (14a, 14b; 16a, 16b) such that a transfer and back-transfer of blood components between the containers (18, 20, 22, 24) is initiated.




m

Sound abating heat sink and motor housing

A centrifuge includes a rotor configured to receive sample containers; a drive shaft operatively coupled to the rotor; and a motor. The motor includes a housing; a plurality of substantially parallel fins integral with the housing, each fin having a free end spaced from the housing, wherein the free ends of the plurality of fins are disposed in a common cylindrical plane; and a plurality of substantially parallel grooves, each groove disposed between a pair of adjacent fins and having a groove depth defined by a distance between the common cylindrical plane and the housing. Wherein the plurality of grooves includes a first multitude of grooves having a common groove depth and a second multitude of grooves having a groove depth that is not the same as the common groove depth, wherein the first and second multitude of grooves are interleaved.




m

Method for removing particulates from a fluid

A method for removing particulates from a fluid, the method including the steps of: producing a laminar flow of the fluid through a single-flow passageway defined by an interior surface of an outer rotor of a centrifuge; and imparting centrifugal force on the fluid in a direction orthogonal to a direction of the flow of the fluid to capture the particulates from the fluid. The method may further comprise rotation of the centrifuge at a speed of 5,000 to 15,000 revolutions per minute. The method may also or alternatively comprise locating the interior surface between 3 and 5 inches from an axis of rotation of the centrifuge.




m

Method and apparatus for removal of tars or resins from a scrubber liquid using a centrifuge with a discharge chamber scraper

The invention is a method of processing tarry or resinous liquids. Tarry liquids include wet scrubber liquids containing tars and chars derived from gasification, pyrolysis or drying of biomass. Resinous liquids include those derived from processing coniferous biomass. Tarry or resinous liquid is processed by a horizontal axis centrifuge having a discharge chamber containing a scraper to prevent centrifuge clogging or fouling. The removed tar and char can be used as solid fuel or recycled to the gasification or pyrolysis process. Polymers, for instance cationic polymers, can be added to the tarry or resin containing liquid prior to centrifugation to assist in solids/liquids separation. Removed resin can be recycled for further use. Tar, char or resin depleted wet scrubber liquid can be recycled for further use or more easily treated prior to disposal.




m

Bladed drum for rotary separator system and method

A separator method and apparatus that includes a rotatable drum defining an annular passageway therein, a plurality of blades coupled to the rotatable drum and located in the annular passageway, each of the plurality of blades including a leading section, a trailing section, a concave surface, and a convex surface, the concave and convex surfaces extending from the leading section to the trailing section, each of the plurality of blades disposed circumferentially adjacent to at least another one of the plurality of blades so as to define blade flowpaths therebetween, and a housing at least partially surrounding the rotatable drum and defining a fluid collection chamber fluidly communicating with the annular passageway.




m

Centrifuge with compressor cooling

The present invention relates to a centrifuge and a method for cooling a centrifuge. The centrifuge according to the invention includes a cooling device which is improved in that its required installation space is reduced such that the centrifuge can be of a more compact design with the centrifugation capacity remaining unchanged, or the centrifugation capacity can be increased with the installation space remaining unchanged. Further, the number of components can be reduced and thus cost and assembly time can be saved.




m

Syringe centrifuge systems

A hand-cranked centrifuge is adapted for use in isolating autologous fat in injectible from. A number of syringes are hingeably coupled to a flywheel of the centrifuge. As the centrifuge turns, the syringe(s), which are supported at one end, move into a horizontal orientation and are centrifuged until the fats get separated from other liquids present in the syringes. A number of syringes, syringe holders and related devices are disclosed to accommodate centrifugation.




m

System for blood separation with side-tapped separation chamber

A disposable blood separation set and a centrifugal blood processing system comprising a blood processing chamber adapted to be mounted on a rotor of a centrifuge; a frustro-conical cell separation chamber in fluid communication with the processing chamber, the cell separation chamber having an inlet, and outlet and a side tap outlet adjacent the inlet. The inlet may protrude into the cell separation chamber forming a circumferential well surrounding the protruding inlet. The side tap outlet may connect to the well. The set and system comprise means for selectively drawing fluid from either the outlet or the side tap outlet.




m

Multiple laminar flow-based particle and cellular identification

An apparatus and method to identify at least one component from a plurality of components in a fluid mixture, includes a first input channel containing the fluid mixture of components; at least one buffer input channel, into which at least one additional flow of buffer solution is introduced; a plurality of regions disposed at the other end of the apparatus, which are adapted to receive outputs of at least one selected component of the plurality of components, the selected component which is selectively removed from the first flow to one of the regions; a waste channel through which unselected components are removed from the first flow; a plurality of pumps connected to at least one reservoir, to control flow rates of the first flow and the additional flow(s); and a computer which controls a selection of one of the plurality of components from the fluid mixture.




m

Method and apparatus for centrifugal separation

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to methods and apparatus for centrifugal separation. In one embodiment, a separator includes an outer tubular having ends sealed from the environment and an inner tubular. The inner tubular is disposed within the outer tubular, has ends in fluid communication with a bore of the outer tubular, and is attached to the outer tubular. The separator further includes an inlet. The inlet is disposed through a wall of the outer tubular, in fluid communication with a bore of the inner tubular, and tangentially attached to the inner tubular so that fluid flow from the inlet to the inner tubular is centrifugally accelerated. The separator further includes a gas outlet in fluid communication with the outer tubular bore; and a liquid outlet in fluid communication with the outer tubular bore.




m

Multi-unit blood processor with volume prediction

Method and Apparatus for predicting the volume of a component separated from a composite fluid by predicting the volume of the composite fluid from sensed pressure and predicting the volume of other separated components from sensed movement of the other components to collection bags.




m

Method and apparatus for concentrating platelets from platelet-rich plasma

An apparatus for use with a centrifugal cellular separation device that comprises a rotor rotatable about an axis of rotation is provided that comprises a fluid separation chamber having a first port, a second port spaced apart from the first port, and a third port located intermediate the first port and the second port. The fluid separation chamber has a cross sectional area generally transverse to a radius extending from the axis of rotation that varies between the first port and the second port. The fluid separation chamber is adapted to be mounted to the rotor so as to be rotatable therewith, with the first port located at a greater radial distance from the axis than the second port, and the third port located radially intermediate the first port and the second port.




m

Non-tacky wetness indicator composition for application on a polymeric substrate

The invention describes a color-developing composition that contains at least three major components: (1) a leuco dye or a combination of leuco dyes, (2) an color-developer or a combination of color-developers that can form colored complexes with the leuco dyes, and (3) a desensitizer to temporarily remove the effect of the developer so the leuco dye appears in its colorless form. An optional binder may be included so that the composition may be applied to a substrate as an ink. The ink composition may be applied to synthetic polymeric substrates and other substrates that are incorporated into absorbent articles or personal care products.




m

Thermal direct printing dissolving paper

A label has a water dissolvable or water dispersible paper with a coating of a type which can be printed with direct thermal printing. The label is produced by passing a length of such paper with a freshly applied coating of the above type through an oven for drying before the coating has an opportunity to deteriorate the surface of the paper.




m

Resin composition for protective layer transfer sheets

The present invention relates to a resin composition for protective layer transfer sheets which includes a polyester resin produced by polycondensing a polyhydric alcohol component containing a hydrogenated bisphenol A in an amount of 30 mol % or more and a polycarboxylic acid component containing a benzenedicarboxylic acid in an amount of 50 mol % or more.




m

Mechanochromic coating composition

A mechanochromic coating composition is disclosed comprising a polymeric network incorporating a plurality of ring-opening mechanophores each bound at two positions thereof within said polymeric network.




m

Color-changing marking implement and substrate

A color-changing marking system, including a color-changing marking medium and a substrate. The color-changing marking medium has a nominal color and includes a color developer activator and/or color former leuco dye. The substrate includes a treated portion on which a color former leuco dye and/or color developer activator has been applied. Application of the color-changing marking medium to an untreated portion of the substrate causes the color-changing marking medium to create marks of the nominal color. Application of the color-changing marking medium to the treated portion of the substrate causes the color-changing marking medium to create marks of a changed color in response to a chemical or mechanical reaction between the leuco dye and the activator. The marking medium may a crayon, colored pencil, marker ink or paint.




m

Method for activating colorant associated with an article

Methods and apparatuses for activating colorant in selected regions of an article in which the colorant is incorporated are described. The colorant activation can create various desired visual aspects.




m

Thermal transfer sheet

There is provided a thermal transfer sheet including a base sheet, and a dye receiving layer formed on the base sheet and containing a mixture of copolymer A including styrene and acrylonitrile as monomers and a copolymer B including 2-phenoxyethyl methacrylate and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate as monomers.




m

Image processing method and image processing apparatus

To provide an image processing method including at least one of recording an image onto a thermoreversible recording medium in which transparency or color tone reversibly changes depending upon temperature, by applying a laser beam with the use of a CO2 laser device so as to heat the thermoreversible recording medium, and erasing an image recorded on the thermoreversible recording medium, by heating the thermoreversible recording medium, wherein an intensity distribution of the laser beam applied in the image recording step satisfies the relationship represented by Expression 1 shown below, 1.59




m

pH-sensitive microparticles with matrix-dispersed active agent

Methods to produce pH-sensitive microparticles that have an active agent dispersed in a polymer matrix have certain advantages over microcapsules with an active agent encapsulated in an interior compartment/core inside of a polymer wall. The current invention relates to pH-sensitive microparticles that have a corrosion-detecting or corrosion-inhibiting active agent or active agents dispersed within a polymer matrix of the microparticles. The pH-sensitive microparticles can be used in various coating compositions on metal objects for corrosion detecting and/or inhibiting.




m

Heat-sensitive recording material having authenticity feature

A heat-sensitive recording material includes at least a paper substrate, a heat-sensitive recording layer arranged on the front side of the substrate and which has at least one dye precursor and at least one color acceptor, wherein dye precursor and color acceptor react with one another under the action of heat to form color, and an authenticating security feature. The authenticating security feature is a mark which is applied to the back side of the paper substrate and which is made of a tincture having at least one organic solvent. A barrier coating is arranged between the substrate and heat-sensitive recording layer and is suitable to protect the heat-sensitive recording layer against penetration of the tincture into the heat-sensitive recording layer from the back side.




m

Dye migration preventing decoration pieces made of thermoplastic synthetic resin

A decoration piece has: a design piece made of thermoplastic synthetic resin formed with a design and having an outer profile line; a lower layer; and a dye migration preventing layer arranged between the design piece and the lower layer, said dye migration preventing layer having an outer profile same as that of said design piece, said dye migration preventing layer capable of being adhered to both said design piece and the lower layer, said dye migration preventing layer capable of preventing any migrating of dye. The dye migration preventing layer includes a dye migration preventing film made of ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer or polyamide MXD6, or a dye migration preventing film made of polyvinylidene chloride.




m

Heat-sensitive coating compositions based on resorcinyl triazine derivatives

The present invention provides heat-sensitive coating compositions, which comprise a color developer of formula (1) or mixtures thereof wherein R1 can be hydrogen, C1-20-alkyl, C3-8-cycloalkyl, C2-10-alkenyl, aryl or SO3H, and R2 and R3 can be the same or different and can be hydrogen, halogen, C1-20-alkyl, C3-8-cyclo-alkyl, C2-10-alkenyl, aryl, OR6, NR7R8, SR9, SO3H or COOR10 and R4 and R5 can be the same or different, and can be hydrogen, halogen, C1-20-alkyl, C3-8-cyclo-alkyl, C2-10-alkenyl, aryl, OR6, NR7R8 or SR9, R6, R7, R8, R9 and R10 can be the same or different and can be hydrogen, C1-30-alkyl, C3-8-cycloalkyl, C2-10-alkenyl or aryl, wherein C1-20-alkyl can be unsubstituted or substituted with one or more C3-8-cycloalkyl, C2-10-alkenyl, phenyl, halogen, OR11, NR12R13, SR14, SO3H or COOR15, and aryl can be unsubstituted or substituted with one or more halogen, C1-10-alkyl, halogenated C1-10-alkyl, C3-8-cycloalkyl C2-10-alkenyl, phenyl, OR11, NR12R13, SR14, SO3H or COOR15, wherein R11, R12, R13, R14 and R15 can be the same or different and can be hydrogen, C1-10-alkyl, C3-8-cycloalkyl or C2-10-alkenyl, a process for the preparation of these compositions, a process of coating substrates with these compositions, substrates coated with these compositions, a process for preparing marked substrates using these compositions, marked substrates obtainable by the latter process, and certain color developers.




m

Irreversible color changing ink compositions

The disclosure is generally related to an irreversible thermochromic ink composition and, more particularly, to an irreversible thermochromic ink composition comprising a carrier and thermochromic capsules, the thermochromic capsules comprising a shell and a core, the core comprising an eradicable dye capable of becoming substantially colorless and/or of changing color from a first colored state to a second colored state when exposed to an eradicator.




m

Laser imageable polyolefin film

The presently disclosed subject matter is directed generally to a polymeric film that comprises at least one laser imageable marking layer. The marking layer comprises a polyolefin, a photochromatic pigment, and an additive. It has been surprisingly discovered that a polyolefin film comprising a marking layer formulated with a photochromatic pigment and an additive offers a substantial advantage over prior art methods of laser imaging polyolefin films.




m

Thermosensitive recording medium

A thermosensitive recording medium having excellent image quality and surface strength is provided. The thermosensitive recording medium having excellent image quality and surface strength is obtained by containing a saturated fatty acid amide in the substrate to lower the density of the substrate. The thermosensitive recording medium of the present invention has an adequate general printability and problems such as print through are avoided. Furthermore, the thermosensitive recording medium of the present invention can assure adequate image quality and general printability even when an undercoat layer is not installed.




m

Pharmaceutical combination for the treatment and/or chemosensibilization of refractory tumors to anticancer drugs

This invention is related to a pharmaceutical combination that contains a Casein kinase 2 (CK2) peptide inhibitor (termed P15) along with the standard chemotherapeutic drugs used in cancer treatment and which are administered together, separated or sequentially. The chemotherapeutic drugs include cisplatin, taxol, alkaloids from Vinca, 5-fluorouracil, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, etoposide, mitomicin C, imatinib, iressa and velcade (vortezomib). The synergism between the P15 peptide and the anticancer drugs achieves an efficient concentration of each cytostatic drug in the combination which is from 10- to 100-fold lower than that for each cytostatic drug alone. The pharmaceutical combination described in this invention exhibits lower toxicity compared to that reported by the anticancer therapeutics and therefore, it represents a crucial advantage for its use in cancer therapy. Furthermore, the sequential administration of this pharmaceutical combination through the pretreatment with the P15 peptide leads to the chemo sensibilization of refractory tumors to the anticancer therapeutics.




m

Direct thermal media and registration sensor system and method for use in a color thermal printer

Provided is a direct thermal media containing a regular repeating pattern of color-forming thermally-imageable stripes printed parallel to the print head element line and a system for using such direct thermal media in color direct thermal printers including an optical registration system optimized for use with this media and an image processing unit that monitors the position of the stripe pattern relative to the print head and synchronizes the start of the printing process. This direct thermal media together with the optical registration system and image processing unit comprise an operative system in that the design of the thermal media, the optical registration system and image processing unit used to control printing are optimized for use with each other. This system may be utilized, for example, in color thermal printers for documents, receipts, tags, tickets or labels.




m

Reversible thermosensitive recording medium and reversible thermosensitive recording member

A reversible thermosensitive recording medium including a support, a reversible thermosensitive recording layer provided on the support and an antistatic layer, wherein the antistatic layer is provided on at least one of the reversible thermosensitive recording layer and a surface of the support opposite to the surface thereof on which the reversible thermosensitive recording layer is provided, wherein the antistatic layer contains spherical fillers and a curable conductive polymer, and wherein the spherical fillers satisfy the following Expression (1): 4≦average particle diameter of the spherical fillers/thickness of the antistatic layer≦6 Expression (1).




m

Heat-sensitive color-developing composition and heat-sensitive recording material comprising the composition

A heat-sensitive color-developing composition containing a hydroxyquinoline compound having a methyl group and an acid anhydride compound represented by general formula (1): wherein ring A represents a substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon ring, and n represents an integer of 1 to 3, and a heat-sensitive recording material containing the composition in a recording layer.




m

Irreversible thermochromic ink compositions

An irreversible thermochromic ink composition can include thermochromic pigment capsules dispersed in a carrier. The irreversible thermochromic pigment capsules can include an inner core having a color changing dye, a color activator for activating the color changing dye, and a wax, an outer core surrounding the inner core and comprising a color destroying agent, and a shell surrounding the outer core. Alternatively, the irreversible thermochromic pigment capsules can include an inner core having a color destroying agent and a wax, an outer core surrounding the inner core and comprising a color changing dye and a color activator for activating the color changing dye, and a shell surrounding the outer core. Written marks made with the irreversible thermochromic inks can be rendered a different color or substantially colorless by application of a sufficient amount of heat to melt or substantially liquefy the wax in the irreversible thermochromic pigment capsules.




m

Thermal image receiver elements prepared using aqueous formulations

A thermal image receiver element dry image receiving layer has a Tg of at least 25° C. as the outermost layer. The dry image receiving layer has a dry thickness of at least 0.5 μm and up to and including 5 μm. It comprises a polymer binder matrix that consists essentially of: (1) a water-dispersible acrylic polymer comprising chemically reacted or chemically non-reacted hydroxyl, phospho, phosphonate, sulfo, sulfonate, carboxy, or carboxylate groups, and (2) a water-dispersible polyester that has a Tg of 30° C. or less. The water-dispersible acrylic polymer is present in an amount of at least 55 weight % of the total dry image receiving layer weight and at a dry ratio to the water-dispersible polyester of at least 1:1 to and including 20:1. The thermal image receiver element can be used to prepare thermal dye images after thermal transfer from a thermal donor element.




m

Colour laser marking of articles and security document precursors

A method of color laser marking an article having a polymeric foil with at least one colorless layer containing an infrared absorber, a polymeric binder and a color forming compound; including the steps of:—laser marking the colorless layer with an infrared laser using a first laser operation mode to generate a blue or cyan color; and—laser marking the same colorless layer with an infrared laser using a second laser operation mode to generate a black color, wherein the first laser operation mode applies less energy to the colorless layer than the second laser operation mode. Also disclosed is an article, such as a security document, including a polymeric foil and a colorless layer containing laser marked graphical data having a blue or cyan color and laser marked information having a black color.




m

Pressure-chromic tape and methods of making same

Masking tapes that changes color when the tape is rubbed down or dispensed onto an adherend and methods of making such tapes are disclosed herein. The tape includes a backing, a layer of adhesive on the bottom surface of the backing, and a release structure on the top surface of the backing that includes a pressure-chromic indicator and a release layer. The pressure-chromic indicator is characterized in that it is not activated by the pressure applied during the manufacturing process, but is activated by the pressure applied when the tape is rubbed or dispensed onto an adherend.




m

Thermal image receiver elements having release agents

A thermal image receiver element dry image receiving layer has a Tg of at least 25° C. and is the outermost layer. The dry image receiving layer has a dry thickness of at least 0.5 μm and up to and including 5 μm. It comprises a water-dispersible release agent and a polymer binder matrix that consists essentially of: (1) a water-dispersible acrylic polymer comprising chemically reacted or chemically non-reacted hydroxyl, phospho, phosphonate, sulfo, sulfonate, carboxy, or carboxylate groups, and (2) a water-dispersible polyester that has a Tg of 30° C. or less. The water-dispersible acrylic polymer is present in an amount of at least 55 weight % and at a dry ratio to the water-dispersible polyester of at least 1:1. The thermal image receiver element can be used to prepare thermal dye images after thermal transfer from a thermal donor element.




m

Thermally-responsive record material

The invention describes an improved thermally-responsive record material substantially free of aromatic isocyanate yielding an image of high intensity and useful for bar codes. The record material comprises a support having provided thereon a heat-sensitive composition comprising a substantially colorless color former comprising a fluoran; and a developer material selected from the group consisting of 4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone and 3,3'-diaminodiphenylsulfone, and an organic acid which upon being heated reacts with said color former to develop color, and including a binder material. Optionally, a modifier compound is included in the heat-sensitive composition. The compound can be selected from the group consisting of a fatty acid amide, such as stearmide. Optionally, magnesium state is included.