3M Innovative Properties Company

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

Ronald K Thery

Caroline M Ylitalo

James G Carlson

Jennifer L Lee

Dong Wu

Verna J LeMire

Christopher A Haak

Timothy J Nevitt

Raghunath Padiyath

Neeraj Sharma

Manoj Nirmal

Richard L Severance

William J Hunt

Gregory F King

Bruce A Nerad

James D Carlson

Richard Yufeng Liu

Kevin M Hamer

Peggy S Willett

John F Reed

Erik A Aho

Ronald R Adkins

Bert T Chien

Christopher P Gerlach

Jeffrey T Anderson

Gary L Holmes

Karl F Roenigk

Rebecca C Lee

Shannon S Le Blanc

Shawn P Crosby

Robert W Vorwerk

William C Pettit, Iii

Robert M Vorwerk

George G Gentes

Timothy W Thornton

A Dale Otteson

Verna J Lemire

Infrared reflectors are described. In particular, infrared reflectors with reduced off-axis color are described. Such infrared reflectors may be useful in laminated glass constructions, particularly for applications where the glass may be exposed to water.

High efficiency infrared reflector having reduced color

The present disclosure relates in general to methods for tracking web-based articles and methods of authenticating the origin of web-based articles. Other aspects of the present disclosure relate to a tracking system for web-based articles and to web-based articles having identifying marks that allow tracking and authentication of its origin.

Tracking system for web-based articles

Articles and laminates include a substrate with a first polyester surface and a second polyester surface, a crosslinked polyurethane-based primer coated on at least the first polyester surface, and an optically clear heat activated adhesive adjacent to the crosslinked polyurethane-based primer. The articles and laminates are prepared by applying a polyurethane-based dispersion and a crosslinker on at least one polyester surface, drying the applied coating, heating while stretching the substrate and the coating to form a crosslinked primer layer on the stretched polyester surface, and applying an optically clear heat activated adhesive onto the crosslinked primer layer.

Primer compositions for optical films

Low viscosity, radiation curable fluid formulations that can be used advantageously as radiation curable, inks. The formulations are easily prepared for use in ink jet systems. The viscosity of the compositions is low enough so that conventional solvent is not required in order to satisfy the requisite low ink jet viscosity specifications. After curing, the compositions form durable, weatherable, abrasion resistant, printed images on a wide variety of porous and nonporous substrates. The formulations are very suitable for outdoor printing applications, especially for printing outdoor graphics onto a variety of surfaces, including vinyl or other polymer films commonly used for signage, retroreflective signage or other retroreflective items.

Weather resistant, ink jettable, radiation curable, fluid compositions particularly suitable for outdoor applications

Radiation curable inks with moderate amounts of solvent with low surface tension provide unique processability characteristics that allow ink jetted features to be formed and cured with excellent flow, adhesion, dot gain, compatibility, weatherability, and curing characteristics. In a representative printing method, an ink jettable ink composition is provided that includes one or more oligo/resins, a radiation curable, reactive diluent having a surface tension and 1 to 15 weight percent of a solvent component comprising a solvent having a surface tension. The solvent surface tension is no more than about, and preferably at least 2 dynes/cm less than, the surface tension of the reactive diluent. The ink composition is ink jetted onto the substrate to form an ink jetted feature. While at least a portion of the solvent is still present in the ink jetted feature, the ink jetted feature is exposed to an amount of curing energy under conditions effective to at least substantially cure the radiation curable component of the printed feature and to at least substantially dry the ink jetted feature.

Inks and other compositions incorporating limited quantities of solvent advantageously used in ink jetting applications

Inkjet printing apparatus includes a print head for directing radiation curable ink onto a substrate and a curing device for directing radiation along a path toward ink received on the substrate. The apparatus includes a shield and a mechanism for selectively moving the shield into and out of the path of radiation. Control of movement of the shield enables the intensity of radiation received on the substrate to be varied to ensure that the substrate does not overheat during a curing operation.

Method and apparatus for radiation curing of ink used in inkjet printing

Low viscosity, radiation curable urethane oligomer, preferably a radiation curable polyester urethane oligomer, that can be incorporated into radiation curable ink compositions. Preferred embodiments are suitable for ink jetting applications. The ink jettable embodiments are particularly well-suited for use in piezo ink jet printers. The viscosity characteristics of the compositions are such that conventional solvent is not required in order to satisfy the requisite low ink jet viscosity specifications. The oligomer generally is a reaction product of ingredients comprising an aliphatic polyisocyanate; and a radiation curable, polyester alcohol comprising one or more radiation curable moieties, one or more hydroxyl moieties, and one or more ester moieties.

Inks and other compositions incorporating low viscosity, radiation curable, polyester urethane oligomer

An organic solvent-based piezo ink is disclosed having (a) a particulate material; (b) a binder; (c) a plasticizer; (d) an organic solvent; (e) a fluorochemical surfactant; and (f) an antifoaming agent including an oil. Preferably, the particulate material is provided by an antifoaming silicone oil. Optionally, light and heat stabilizers are also included. Methods of making and using this ink are also disclosed.

Piezo inkjet inks and methods for making and using same

An organic solvent-based piezo ink is disclosed having (a) pigment particles; (b) binder; (c) plasticizer; (d) organic solvent; (e) a fluorochemical surfactant; and (f) an antifoaming agent comprising silica and silicone oil. Optionally light and heat stabilizers are also included. Method of making and using this ink are also disclosed.

Thermal transfer dyesheets are disclosed containing highly efficient back-side antistick coatings. These are particularly useful in thermal dye transfer printing materials where relatively high temperatures are used in the thermal head and where dye offset from the front of one sheet to the back of an adjacent sheet is often a problem. These coatings comprise at least one polyfluorinated resin having an acrylate functionality, and at least one more resin having an acrylate functionality to provide a crosslinked matrix.

Dye thermal transfer sheet with anti-stick coating

Growing community of inventors

New Brighton, MN, United States of America

Ronald K Thery