Decurling compositions

Disclosed is a curl preventing/minimizing fluid composition containing a hydrophilic solvent, a polymeric binder, a water soluble/dispersible paper desizing agent, a water soluble/dispersible paper anticurl agent, a defoamer, a biocide, an antistatic agent, a lightfastness promoting agent, and a filler.

 

What is claimed is:

1. A composition comprised of a hydrophilic solvent, a polymeric binder, a water soluble/dispersible paper desizing agent, a water soluble/dispersible paper anticurl agent, a defoamer, a biocide, an antistatic agent, a lightfastness promoting agent, and a filler.

2. A composition in accordance with claim 1 and which composition minimizes paper curl, wherein the water soluble/dispersible paper desizing agent is present in an amount of from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 20 percent by weight, the water soluble/dispersible paper anticurl agent is present in an amount of from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 20 percent by weight, the defoamer is present in an amount of from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 10 percent by weight, the biocide is present in an amount of from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 5 percent by weight, the antistatic agent is present in an amount of from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 15 percent by weight, the lightfastness promoting agent is present in an amount of from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 10 percent by weight, the filler is present in an amount of from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 4 percent by weight, the polymeric binder is present in an amount of from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 15 percent by weight, and water is present in an amount of from about 99.2 percent by weight to about 1 percent by weight.

3. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein the composition is applied to an imaged paper in a thickness of from about 0.5 micron to about 20 microns, and wherein paper curling is minimized.

4. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein said paper desizing component is present in an amount of from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 20 percent by weight, and is selected from the group consisting of (1) hydrophilic poly(dialkylsiloxanes); (2) poly(alkylene glycol); (3) poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) copolymers; (4) fatty ester modified compounds of phosphate, sorbitan, glycerol, poly(ethylene glycol), sulfosuccinic acid, sulfonic acid, and alkyl amine; (5) poly(oxyalkylene) modified compounds of sorbitan esters, fatty amines, alkanol amides, castor oil, fatty acid, fatty alcohol; (6) quaternary alkosulfate compounds; and (7) fatty imidazolines.

5. A composition in accordance with claim 4 wherein the hydrophilic poly(dialkyl siloxanes) are present in an amount of from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 20 percent by weight, and are selected from the group consisting of (1) carbinol terminated poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(dimethyl siloxane) diblock copolymers; (2) poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(dimethyl siloxane)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) triblock copolymers carbinol-terminated; (3) poly(dimethyl siloxane)-b-poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(propylene oxide) triblock copolymers; (4) poly(dimethyl siloxane)-b-(methyl siloxane alkylene oxide) diblock copolymers wherein alkylene is ethylene, propylene or ethylene-propylene; and (5) polyquaternary poly(dimethyl siloxane).

6. A composition in accordance with claim 4 wherein the poly(alkylene glycol) is present in an amount of from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 20 percent by weight and which poly(alkylene glycol) is selected from the group consisting of (1) poly(propylene glycol), (2) poly(propylene glycol dimethacrylate), (3) poly(ethylene glycol diacrylate), (4) poly(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate), (5)poly(ethylene glycol monomethylether), (6) poly(ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether), and (7) poly(ethylene glycol dimethyl ether).

7. A composition in accordance with claim 4 wherein the fatty ester modified compounds are present in an amount of from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 20 percent by weight, and are selected from the group consisting of (1) mono and diesters of phosphates; (2) sorbitan mono laurate, (3) sorbitan mono oleate, (4) sorbitan trioleate, (5) glyceryl mono oleate, (6) glyceryl dioleate, (7) glyceryl trioleate, (8) poly(ethylene glycol) mono oleate, (9) poly(ethylene glycol) mono laurate, (10) poly(ethylene glycol) di-oleate, (11) poly(ethylene glycol)di-laurate, (12) poly(ethylene glycol)di-tallow; (13) sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate, (14) ethoxylated alcohol sulfosuccinate, (15) sodium sulfosuccinate ester of lauric diethanolamide, (16) sodium lauryl sulfosuccinate, (17) isopropylamine dodecyl benzene sulfonate, (18) calcium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, (19) coco diethanol amide, (20) lauric diethanol amide, (21) coco monoethanol amide, (22) lauric monoethanol amide, (23) lauric mono isopropyl amide, or (24) soya diethanol amide.

8. A composition in accordance with claim 4 wherein the poly(oxyalkylene) modified compounds are present in an amount of from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 20 percent by weight, and which compounds are selected from the group consisting of (1) poly(oxyethylene) sorbitan mono-laurate, (2) poly(oxyethylene)sorbitan mono-oleate, (3) poly(oxyethylene) sorbitan trioleate, (4) tallow amine ethoxylates, (5) soya amine ethoxylates, (6) castor oil ethoxylates, (7) cocoalkanolamide ethoxylates, (8) oleic acid ethoxy lates, (9) lauric acid ethoxylates, (10) palmitic acid ethoxylates, (11) lauryl alcohol ethoxylates, (12) oleyl alcohol ethoxylates, (13) tallow alcohol ethoxylates, (14) nonyl phenol ethoxylates, or (15) octyl phenol ethoxylates.

9. A composition in accordance with claim 4 wherein the quaternary alkosulfate compounds are present in an amount of from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 20 percent by weight, and which compounds are selected from the group consisting of (1) nonpolymeric quaternary ammonium ethosulfate, (2) quaternary dialkyl dimethyl methosulfate, (3) alkoxylated di-tallow methosulfate quaternary, (4) quaternized tallow imidazoline methosulfate, or (5) quaternized oleic imidazoline methosulfate.

10. A composition according to claim 4 wherein the fatty imidazolines are present in an amount of from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 20 percent by weight, and which imidazolines are selected from the group consisting of (1) coco hydroxyethyl imidazoline, (2) oleic hydroxyethyl imidazoline, (3) tail oil amino ethyl imidazoline, or (4) sodium carboxylic coco imidazoline.

11. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein said paper anticurl agent is present in an amount of from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 20 percent by weight, and which agent is selected from the group consisting of (1) trimethylolpropane, (2) trimethylolpropane ethoxylate, (3) trimethylolpropane triacrylate, (4) trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate, (5) trimethylolpropane ethoxylate triacrylate, (6) trimethylol propane propoxylate triacrylate, (7) trimethylolpropane ethoxylate methylether diacrylate, (8) trimethylolpropane tris(2-methyl-1-aziridine propionate), (9) neopentyl glycol ethoxylate, (10) neopentyl glycol propoxylate, (11) glycerol propoxylate, (12) glycerol propoxylate-b-ethoxylatetriol, (13) glycerol ethoxylate-b-propoxylatetriol, (14) pentaerythritol ethoxylate, (15) pentaerythritol propoxylate, (16) pentaerythritol propoxylate/ethoxylate, (17) triethanolamine ethoxylate, (18) N-methyldiethanolamine, (19) N-ethyldiethanolamine, (20) N-butyl diethanol amine, (21) N-phenyl diethanolamine, (22) triethanol amine, (23) trioctylamine, (24) 4-xylylene diamine, (25) 1,4-bis(2-hydroxyethoxy)-2-butyne, (26) pantothenol, (27) 1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol, (28) 3-methoxy-1,2-propanediol, (29) 3-allyloxy-1,2propanediol (30) 3-ethoxy-1,2-propanediol, (31) 3-phenoxy-1,2-propanediol, (32) 3-octa-decyloxy-1,2-propanediol, (33) 3-(4-methoxyphenoxy)-1,2-propanediol, (34) ›3-(2-methylphenoxy)-1,2-propanediol!, (35) 3-amino-1,2-propanediol, (36) 3-(diethylamino)-1,2-propanediol, (37) 2-phenyl-1,2-propanediol, (38) 3-(diisopropyl amino)-1,2-propanediol, (39) 3-(N-benzyl-N-methylamino)-1,2-propanediol, (40) 3-pyrrolidino-1,2-propanediol, (41) 3-piperidino-1,2-propanediol, (42) 3-morpholino-1,2-propanediol, (43) 2,2dimethyl-1-phenyl-1,3-propane diol, (44) 2-benzyloxy-1, 3-propanediol, (45) 4-8-bis(hydroxymethyl)tricyclo›5.2.1.02.!decane, (46) 1-›N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) isopropanolamine, (47) N,N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)ethanolamine, (48) 1-›2-(2-hydroxyethoxy) ethyl!-piperazine, (49) 1-4-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine, (50) homovanillyl alcohol, (51) phenethyl alcohol, (52) 3,6-dimethyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol, (53) 2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol, (54) 2-butyl-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol, (55) 2-piperidine methanol, (56) 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol, (57) Vitamin E, (58) Vitamin E acetate, (59) Vitamin K, (60) tri(ethyleneglycol)dimethylacrylate, (61) triethylcitrate, and (62) 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol.

12. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein the deformer is (1) polydimethyl siloxane, (2) silicone/polyalkylene glycol, (3) oleamide, (4) stearamide, (5) stearylerucamide, (6) oleylpalmitamide, (7) erucylstearamide, (8) ethylenedioleamide, (9) ethylenedistearamide, (10) methyl oleate, (10) propyloleate, (11) glyceryloleate, (12) glycerylricinoleate, (13) sorbitan oleate, (14) polyethyleneglycol-12-stearate, (15) polyethyleneglycol-20-glycerol stearate, (16) polyethylene oxide/polypropyleneoxide block copolymers, (17) stearyl alcohol, (18) isostearylalcohol, (19) cetearylalcohol, (20) polyethyleneglycol-2-oleammonium chloride, (21) polyethyleneglycol-15-oleammonium chloride, (22) polyethylene glycol-2-stearmonium chloride, (23) polyethylene glycol-15-stearmonium chloride, (24) polyethylene glycol-2-cocomonium chloride, (25) polyethyleneglycol-15-coco monium chloride, (26) octadecyl diethanol methyl ammonium chloride, (27) dicoco-dimoniumchloride, (28) ethylhydroxy ethyloleyloxazoline, (29) tributyl phosphate, (30) sulfonated oleic acid sodium salt, (31) phenol ethoxylate phosphate ester acid, or (32) imino propionate sodium salt.

13. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein the biocide is selected from the group comprised of (1) 2-hydroxy propylmethane thiosulfonate, (2) 2-(thiocyanomethyl thio)benzothiazole, (3) methylenebis(thiocyanate), (4) 2-bromo-4'-hydroxyacetophenone, (5) 1,2-dibromo-2,4-dicyano-butane, (6) 2,2-dibromo-3-nitropropionamide, (7) N-.alpha.-(1nitroethyl-benzyl ethylene diamine), (8) dichlorophene, (9) 3,5-dimethyl tetrahydro-2H-1,3,5-thiadiazine-2-thione, (10) a blend of bis(trichloromethyl) sulfone and methylene bisthiocyanate, (11) a nonionic blend of methylene bisthiocyanate and bromonitrostyrene, (12) a nonionic blend of 2-(thiocyanomethylthio) benzothiazole (about 53.2 percent by weight) and 2-hydroxypropyl methanethiosulfonate (about 46. 8 percent by weight), (13) a nonionic blend of methylene bis(thiocyanate), about 50 percent by weight, and 2-(thiocyanomethylthio) benzothiazole, about 50 percent by weight, (14) a nonionic blend of 2-bromo-4'-hydroxyacetophenone (about 70 percent by weight) and 2-(thiocyanomethylthio) benzothiazole (about 30 percent by weight), (15) a nonionic blend of 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazoline-3-one (about 75 percent by weight) and 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (about 25 percent by weight), (16) anionic potassium N-hydroxy methyl-N-methyl-dithiocarbamate, (17) an anionic blend of N-hydroxymethyl-N-methyl dithiocarbamate (80 percent by weight) and sodium 2-mercapto benzothiazole (20 percent by weight), (18) an anionic blend of sodium dimethyl dithiocarbamate, about 50 percent by weight, and (disodium ethylenebis-dithiocarbamate), about 50 percent by weight, (19) an anionic blend of N-methyldithio carbamate about 60 percent by weight and disodium cyanodithioimido carbonate about 40 percent by weight, (20) an anionic blend of methylene bis-thiocyanate (33 percent by weight), sodium dimethyl-dithiocarbamate (about 33 percent by weight), and sodium ethylene bisdithiocarbamate (about 33 percent by weight), (21) cationic poly(oxyethylene(dimethylamino)-ethylene(dimethylamino)ethylene dichloride), (22) a cationic blend of methylene bisthiocyanate and dodecyl guanidine hydrochloride, (23) a cationic blend of bis(trichloromethyl) sulfone and quaternary ammonium chloride, and (24) a cationic blend about 50:50 of methylene bisthiocyanate, and chlorinated phenols.

14. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein the lightfastness agent is selected from the group consisting of (1) 2-(4-benzoyl-3-hydroxyphenoxy)ethylacrylate, (2) 1,2-hydroxy-4-(octyloxy)benzo-phenone, (3) poly›2-(4-benzoyl-3-hydroxyphenoxy)thylacrylate!, (4) hexadecyl-3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-benzoate (5) poly›N,N-bis(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl)-1,6-hexanediamine-co-2,4-d ichloro-6-morpholino-1,3,5-triazine, (6) 2-dodecyl-N-(2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl)succinimide, (7) 2-dodecyl-N-(1,2,2,6,6-pentamethyl-4-piperidinyl)succinimide, (8) N-(1-acetyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-piperidinyl)-2-dodecylsuccinimide, (9) 1-›N-›poly(3-allyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl)-2-aminoethyl!-2-imidazolidinone, (10) 2,2'-methylenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-methyl phenol), (11) 2,2'-methylenebis(6-tert-butyl-4-ethylphenol), (12) tris(4-tert-butyl-3-hydroxy-2,6-dimethylbenzyl)isocyanurate, (13) didodecyl-3,3'-thiodipropionate, (14) ditridecyl-3,3'-thiodipropionate, (15) ditetradecyl-3,3'-thiodipropionate, (16) dioctadecyl-3,3'-thiodipropionate, (17) 1,3,5-trimethyl-2,4,6-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy benzyl)benzene, and (18) 2,6-ditert-butyl-4-(dimethylaminomethyl)phenol.

15. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein the antistatic agent is selected from the group consisting of (1) monoester sulfosuccinates, (2) diester sulfosuccinates, (3) sulfosuccinamates, (4) ammonium quaternary salts, (5) phosphonium quaternary salts, (6) sulfonium quaternary salts, (7) thiazolium quaternary salt, and (8) benzothiazolium quaternary salts.

16. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein the filler is selected from the group consisting of (1) zirconium oxide, (2) colloidal silicas, (3) titanium dioxide, (4) hydrated alumina, (5) barium sulfate, (6) calcium carbonate, (7) high brightness clays, (8) calcium silicate, (9) cellulosics, (10) blend of calcium fluoride and silica, (11) zinc oxide, and (12) blends of zinc sulfide with barium sulfate.

17. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein the binder is selected from the group consisting of (1) polyester latex, (2) vinyl chloride latex (3) ethylene-vinyl chloride copolymer emulsions, (4) ethylene-vinylacetate copolymer emulsions, (5) acrylic-vinylacetate copolymer emulsions, (6) styrene-butadiene latexes, (7) butadiene-acrylonitrile-styrene terpolymer latex, (8) starch, (9) gelatin, (10) hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, (11) sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, (12) hydroxyethyl cellulose, (13) sodium carboxymethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, (14) hydroxypropyl cellulose, (15) water soluble ethylhydroxyethyl cellulose, (16) methyl cellulose, (17) poly(acrylamide), (18) acrylamide-acrylic acid copolymer, (19) poly(vinyl alcohol), (20) poly(vinyl, pyrrolidone), (21) poly(ethylene oxide), (22) cellulose sulfate, (23) quaternary ammonium copolymers, (24) hydroxyethylmethyl cellulose, (25) cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose, and mixtures thereof.

18. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein said defoamer is comprised of a mixture of tetramethyl decanediol and amorphous silica.

19. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein said lightfastness promoting agent is 1,1-(1,2-ethane-diyl)bis(3,3,5,5-tetramethyl piperazinone).

PENDING APPLICATIONS

Illustrated in copending applications U.S. Ser. No. 08/852,553; U.S. Ser. No. 08/852,550; U.S. Ser. No. 08/852,555; and U.S. Ser. No. (not yet assigned-D/97024), the disclosures of which are totally incorporated herein by reference, are coated substrates and methods, recording sheets, coated xerographic photographic papers, and coated photographic papers, respectively.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to paper decurling fluid compositions that can be applied to imaged papers to prevent them from curling, or to minimize curling, and more specifically, the present invention is directed to the addition of curl preventing fluid compositions to imaged plain copy papers, recycled papers, coated papers, and papers selected for xerographic imaging, ink jet printing processes, gravure printing systems, and thermal transfer printing processes. In embodiments, the present invention relates to fluid compositions comprised of a water soluble/dispersible paper desizing agent, a water soluble/dispersible paper anticurl/decurling agent, a defoamer, a biocide, an antistatic agent, a lightfastness promoting agent, a filler, and a heat shrinkable polymeric binder that can be applied to at least one surface of an imaged paper, and more specifically, to two surfaces. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to adding fluid compositions comprised of a water soluble/dispersible a defoamer, a biocide, an antistatic agent, a lightfastness promoting agent, a filler, and an optional polymeric binder to at least one surface of a xerographically imaged paper immediately after it exits from the hot fuser thereby preventing, or minimizing curling. In embodiments, the fluid compositions are comprised of a mixture of (1) a polymeric binder, preferably a heat shrinkable polymeric binder, such as a polyamide, polypropylene, polyethylene or other similar component, (2) a paper desizing agent including hydrophilic poly(dimethylsiloxanes); poly(alkylene glycol), the derivatives thereof, such as poly(propylene glycol dimethacrylate), poly(ethylene glycol diacrylate), poly(propyleneoxide)-poly(ethyleneoxide) copolymers; quaternary alkosulfate compounds; fatty imidazolines, and the like, (3) a paper anticurl/decurling agent including hydrophilic trimethylolpropane, (Aldrich #23,974-7), trimethylol propane ethoxylate, (Aldrich #41,617-7), trimethylol propane triacrylate, (Aldrich #24,680-8), trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate, or (Aldrich #24,684-0), trimethylolpropane tris(2-methyl-1-aziridine propionate), or (Aldrich #40,544-2), neopentyl glycol ethoxylate, (Aldrich #41,027-6), (4) an antistatic agent such as quaternary acrylic copolymer latexes, such as HX-42-1, HX-42-3 available from Interpolymer Corporation; (5) a biocide such as 2-hydroxy propylmethane thiosulfonate (Busan 1005 available from Buckman Laboratories Inc.); methylene bis(thiocyanate) (Metasol T-10 available from Calgon Corporation); (6) a lightfastness inducing agent such as UV absorbing compounds including glycerol 4-amino benzoate, available as Escalol 106 from Van Dyk Corporation; hexadecyl-3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-benzoate, available as Cyasorb UV-2908, #41,320-8, from Aldrich Chemical Company; (7) a filler such as hydrated alumina (Hydrad TMC-HBF, Hydrad TM-HBC, available from J. M. Huber Corporation), or barium sulfate (K. C. Blanc Fix HD80 available from Kali Chemie Corporation), and (8) a defoamer alcohol compound such as behenyl alcohol, Aldol-60, stearyl alcohol, Aldol-61, and the like obtainable from Sherex Chemical Company.

PRIOR ART

In the process of xerography, a light image of an original to be copied is typically recorded in the form of a latent electrostatic image upon a photosensitive member with subsequent rendering of the latent image visible by the application of electroscopic marking particles, commonly referred to as toner. The visual toner image can be either fixed directly upon the photosensitive member or transferred from the member to another support, such as a sheet of plain paper, with subsequent affixing of the image thereto in one of various ways, for example as by heat and pressure. In order to affix or fuse electroscopic toner material onto a support member by heat and pressure, it is usually necessary to apply pressure and elevate the temperature of the toner to a point at which the constituents of the toner material become tacky and coalesce. This causes the toner to flow to some extent into the fibers or pores of the support members or otherwise upon the surface thereof. Thereafter, as the toner cools, solidification of the toner occurs causing the toner material to be bonded firmly to the support member such as paper.

One approach to heat and pressure fusing of electroscopic toner images onto a support has been to pass the support with the toner images thereon between a pair of opposed roller members, at least one of which is internally heated. During operation of a fusing system of this type, the support member to which the toner images are electrostatically adhered is moved through the nip formed between the rolls with the toner image contacting the fuser roll to effect heating of the toner images within the nip. A large quantity of heat is applied to the toner and the sheet bearing the toner image. This heat vaporizes the moisture contained in the sheet. Since the heat quantity applied to the front side of the sheet is not equal to that applied to the backside thereof, the amounts of water evaporated from the two sides of the sheet are not equal. This results in sheet curling. High toner mass area (TMA) copies, especially colored ones where large solids in excess of 2 milligrams/cm.sup.2 are not uncommon, acquire a degree of curl that is usually unacceptable. With known decurling systems, decurling that is suitable in an area having a high TMA would result in too much decurling in an area where there is less toner coverage. This problem is generally recognized as continued expansion of paper as it equilibrates with the moisture in the environment after the toner image is set in its dimensions.

The type of paper, for example, whether the paper is coated, recycled, plain paper, highly calendered paper, and the like, used in the imaging process is very critical in obtaining the desired quality of images. Thus, it is important to understand as to how paper is made. A typical plain paper is generally comprised of blends of hard wood, such as hardwood kraft, and softwood, such as softwood kraft fibers which blends contain from about 10 percent to 90 percent by weight of soft wood, and from about 90 to about 10 percent by weight of hardwood. Examples of hardwood include Seagull W dry bleached hardwood kraft preferably present, for example, in some cases in an amount of 70 percent by weight. Examples of softwood include La Tuque dry bleached softwood kraft present, for example, in some cases in an amount of 30 percent by weight. In forming paper, the wood fibers are dispersed in a dilute aqueous slurry which is wet laid as a mat or web onto the screen of a conventional Fourdrinier-type machine. After the web has been dewatered, it is dried to a predetermined moisture level upstream of the size press. These plain papers may also contain fillers and pigments in effective amounts of from about 1 to about 60 percent by weight, such as clay (available from Georgia Kaolin Company, Astro-fil 90 clay, Engelhard Ansilex clay), titanium dioxide (available from Tioxide Company as Anatase grade AHR), calcium silicate CH-427-97-8, XP-974 (J. M. Huber Corporation), and the like. Also, the plain paper may contain various effective amounts of sizing chemicals (for example from about 0.25 percent to about 25 percent by weight of pulp), such as Mon size (available from Monsanto Company), Hercon-76 (available from Hercules Company), Alum available from Allied Chemicals as Iron free alum), and retention aids, like those available from Allied Colloids as Percol 292.

Paper is often sized with sizing components for the purpose of retarding or preventing penetration of liquids into the structure. This is commonly done by introducing the material into the pulp during the paper making operation. The acid sizing chemicals, such as Mon size available from Monsanto Chemical Company, or alkaline sizing chemicals, such as Hercon-76 available from Hercules Company, are precipitated onto the fibers primarily for the purpose of controlling penetration of liquids into the final dry paper. This process is known as internal sizing. Surface sizing involves the application of dispersions of film-forming substances such as converted starches, gums and modified polymers to previously formed paper. Surface sizing imparts strength to the paper and thus high quality printing papers are often surface sized as well. The sizing values of common plain papers, including the commercial papers that can be selected for the present invention in embodiments thereof, vary between about 0.4 second to about 4,685 seconds, however, papers in the sizing range of 50 seconds to 300 seconds are preferred, primarily to decrease costs. The porosity values of the substrates, which are preferably porous, varies from about 100 to about 1,260 mil/minute and preferably from about 100 to about 600 mil/minute to permit, for example, the use of these papers in various printing technologies such as thermal transfer, liquid toner development, xerography, ink jet processes, and the like. These internally and surface sized papers, when used in creating images or prints using nonphotographic imaging, such as xerography and/or ink jet printing and/or copying, produce curl.

Examples of curl prevention or decurling are illustrated, for example, in the following patents. U.S. Pat. No. 4,652,110 discloses an image forming or recording apparatus provided with an image fixing device of a heating type, which may cause curl of the recording material when the recording material is discharged from the fixing means. A device is provided which can effectively correct or remove the curl of the recording material, which includes a passage for applying post water vapor treatment to the recording material, immediately after it is discharged from the fixing device.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,218,411 discloses a sheet conveying device with curl reduction unit for a copier or a printer. The sheet conveying device includes a conveying path which guides the sheet on which the image has been fixed. The path has at least one curved portion. A changeable cooling device selectively cools the sheet guided along the conveying path. The fixing unit comprises a pair of rotating members for grasping and conveying the sheet. The conveying path comprises guiding members for guiding the sheet. The cooling unit comprises an openable and closable member which selectively opens and closes a passage for introducing air within the conveying path. The electrographic copier/printer discharges sheet of recording material with minimal curling.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,434,029 discloses a curl preventing apparatus and a post treatment method of preventing the curling of a substrate having toner images electrostatically adhered thereto which substrate has been subjected to heat for the purpose of fixing the toner images to the substrate. Simultaneously, constraint of the copy substrate and the application of moisture thereto is effected by passing the substrate through the nip formed by two pressure engaged rollers, one which is utilized for applying the water to the back side of the substrate as the substrate passes through the aforementioned nip.

According to some of the prior art, paper curl may be reduced somewhat by post treating the imaged plain papers with water and guiding these papers mechanically through pressure rolls prior to their exit from the copier. However, after formation of the hydrophobic toner image the amount of moisture uptake on plain papers by a combination of water and mechanical means is generally not sufficient. The continued expansion of the imaged paper, as it equilibrates with the moisture in the environment, demands more water to stay flat. This requires that in addition to the existing mechanical means of decurling papers the fluids used to rewet papers be supplemented with additives that can enhance the water absorption/retention in plain papers even after the hydrophobic toner has cast its mark.

Although the architecture of the xerographic machine and post treatment methods thereof for curl prevention or decurling as described in the above mentioned patents may be adequate, there remains a need for more efficient curl preventing fluid compositions. There remains a need for fluid compositions containing desizing/anticurl agents that reduce and eliminate paper curl due to the heat involved in the image fusion step. In addition, there remains a need for treated imaged papers wherein the fibers thereof are coated with block copolymers thereover enabling, for example, papers with images developed thereon have acceptable curl, high optical density values, and minimum showthrough. Also, there remains a need for treated imaged papers that permit the images with excellent toner adhesion, such as more than 95 percent, longer shelf life, scratch resistant images of high optical density. Additionally, there is a need for curl preventing fluid treatments which are compatible with the imaged plain copy papers, recycled papers, imaged filled papers, sized papers, and coated papers, which treatments will enable the aforementioned materials to generate low curl, high optical density images with electrophotographic processes utilizing, for example, liquid toners comprised of a toner resin, such as Elvax II, dispersed in a solvent, such as ISOPAR, and a charge director.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide fluid compositions for imaged papers with many of the advantages illustrated herein.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of fluid compositions containing desizing and anticurl/decurling agents that reduce, minimize, or eliminate paper curl primarily caused by the heat involved in the image fusion step.

Also, in another object of the present invention there are provided treated imaged papers wherein the fibers thereof are coated with block copolymers thereover enabling, for example, papers with images developed thereon having acceptable curl, high optical density values, and minimum showthrough.

Another object of the present invention resides in treated imaged papers that permit images with excellent toner adhesion, such as more than 95 percent, longer shelf life, scratch resistant images of high optical density.

Furthermore, in another object of the present invention there are provided treated electrophotographic papers that do not undergo any bleeding of colors due to the fluid treatment.

Another object of the present invention relates to the application of the fluid compositions to ink jet papers which enables acceptable curl, and excellent water and lightfastness of the ink jet images.

In yet another object of the present invention there are provided compositions that are compatible with the imaged plain copy papers, recycled papers, imaged filled papers, sized papers, and coated papers, which compositions will enable low curl, high optical density images with electrophotographic processes utilizing, for example, liquid toners comprised of a toner resin, such as Elvax II, dispersed in a solvent, such as ISOPAR, and a charge director.

In yet another object of the present invention there are provided anticurl fluid compositions which are compatible with imaged plain copy papers, recycled papers, coated papers, filled papers and sized papers, and which compositions permit low or no paper curl, high optical density images with ink jet ink printing processes utilizing, for example, liquid inks comprised of an aqueous microwaveable liquid vehicle, a low surface tension penetrant solvent, a colorant dye and/or a pigment.

Embodiments of the present invention include, for example, a composition comprised of a hydrophilic solvent, a polymeric binder, a water soluble/dispersible paper desizing agent, a water soluble/dispersible paper anticurl agent, a defoamer, a biocide, an antistatic agent, a lightfastness promoting agent, and a filler; a fluid composition, which composition minimizes paper curl, wherein the water soluble/dispersible paper desizing agent is present in an amount of from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 20 percent by weight, the water soluble/dispersible paper anticurl agent is present in an amount of from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 20 percent by weight, the defoamer is present in an amount of from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 10 percent by weight, the biocide is present in an amount of from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 5 percent by weight, the antistatic agent is present in an amount of from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 15 percent by weight, the lightfastness promoting agent is present in an amount of from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 10 percent by weight, the filler is present in an amount of from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 4 percent by weight, the polymeric binder is present in an amount of from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 15 percent by weight, and water is present in an amount of from about 99.2 percent by weight to about 1 percent by weight; an anticurl composition applied to an imaged paper in a thickness of from about 0.5 micron to about 20 microns and wherein paper curling is minimized; and a process for minimizing curl which comprises applying to a substrate, such as paper, a composition for preventing or minimizing curl, and which composition is comprised of a hydrophilic solvent, a polymeric binder, a substantially water soluble paper desizing component, a substantially water soluble paper anticurl component, a defoamer, a biocide, an antistatic component, a lightfastness component, and a filler. The components, thickness, amounts of components, and the like are not limited to what is recited herein, and other components, thicknesses, amounts of components, and the like can be selected, it is believed.

In embodiments of the present invention, there are provided treated imaged papers, that is for example substrates, such as papers that contain developed images thereon, and wherein paper curl can be reduced by the invention fluid compositions comprised, for example, of a water soluble/dispersible, that is for example either soluble in water, or dispersible as a latex paper desizing agent, a water soluble/dispersible paper anticurl/decurling agent, a defoamer, a biocide, an antistatic agent, a lightfastness promoting agent, a filler, and an optional polymeric binder, that can be applied to at least one surface of a toner imaged paper after their image fusing process. The desizing component, or agent of the fluid composition, such as alkylene oxide-b-dimethyl siloxane copolymer, quaternary alkosulfate compounds, and the like, penetrate into the paper, lift the internal sizing from the fibers and rearrange the sizing material in the bulk of the paper thereby counterbalancing the changes in the mechanical properties of paper, such as paper stiffness caused by the loss of moisture in the heat induced fusing step. The anticurl agents of the fluid composition, which, for example, remoisturizes the paper almost instantaneously, coats the fibers of paper thereby rendering them substantially insensitive to moisture imbalance from the back and front side. The polymeric binder of the fluid composition can be heat shrinkable and this assists in reducing curl during the heating step. The rewetted paper when passed through hot pressure rollers has now reduced curl as determined, for example, holding the imaged paper with the thumb and forefinger in the middle of one of the long edges of the sheet (for example, in the middle of one of the 11 inch edges in an 8.5 by 11 inch sheet), and the arc formed by the sheet is matched against a pre-drawn standard template curve, for example template curves showing from about 5 millimeters to about 200 millimeters of curl. The post treatments of the imaged papers with the anticurl fluid compositions from aqueous/alcoholic solutions, followed by their passage through hot pressure rolls is also effective in reducing curl on imaged coated papers, recycled papers, and highly calendered liquid toner papers.

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to fluid compositions comprised of a water soluble/dispersible paper desizing agent, a water soluble/dispersible paper anticurl/decurling agent, a defoamer, a biocide, an antistatic agent, a lightfastness promoting agent, a filler, and an optional polymeric binder that can be applied to at least one surface of a liquid ink imaged paper. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to fluid compositions comprised of a water soluble/dispersible paper desizing agent, a water soluble/dispersible paper anticurl/decurling agent, a defoamer, a biocide, an antistatic agent, a lightfastness promoting agent, a filler, and an optional polymeric binder that can be applied to at least one surface of a xerographically imaged paper immediately after it exits from the hot fuser thereby preventing its curling. In embodiments, the fluid compositions of the present application are comprised of a mixture of (1) a polymeric binder, such as a polyester latex, styrene-alkyl acrylate latex, starch or other similar component, such as gelatin, (2) paper desizing agents, or components including hydrophilic poly(dimethyl siloxanes); poly(alkylene glycol), the derivatives thereof, poly(propylene oxide), poly(ethylene oxide) copolymers; fatty ester modified compounds of phosphate, sorbitan, glycerol, poly(ethylene glycol), sulfosuccinic acid, sulfonic acid, alkyl amine; poly(oxyalkylene) modified compounds of sorbitan esters, fatty amines, castor oil, fatty acid, fatty alcohol; quaternary alkosulfate compounds; fatty imidazolines, (3) a paper anticurl/decurling agent including hydrophilic trimethylolpropane (Aldrich #23974-7), trimethylolpropane ethoxylate (Aldrich #40,977-4; Aldrich #40,978-2; Aldrich #41,616-9; Aldrich #41,617-7), trimethylolpropane triacrylate (Aldrich #24,680-8), trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (Aldrich #24 684-0), trimethylolpropane ethoxylate triacrylate (Aldrich #41,217-1; #41,219-8), trimethylolpropane propoxylate triacrylate (Aldrich #40,756-9; #40,757-7), trimethylolpropane ethoxylate methylether diacrylate (Aldrich #40,587-1), trimethylolpropane tris(2-methyl-1-aziridine propionate) (Aldrich #40,544-2), neopentyl glycol ethoxylate (Aldrich #41,027-6), (4) an antistatic agent, such as quaternary acrylic copolymer latexes such as HX-42-1, HX-42-3, available from Interpolymer Corporation; ammonium quaternary salts as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,902; (5) a biocide such as 2-hydroxypropylmethane thiosulfonate (Busan 1005 available from Buckman Laboratories Inc.); 2-(thio cyanomethyl thio) benzothiazole (Busan 30WB, 72WB, available from Buckman Laboratories Inc.); methylene bis(thiocyanate) (Metasol T-10 available from Calgon Corporation; (6) a lightfastness inducing agent, such as UV absorbing compounds including glycerol 4-amino benzoate, available as Escalol 106 from Van Dyk Corporation; resorcinol mono benzoate, available as RBM from Eastman Chemicals; octyl dimethyl amino benzoate, available as Escalol 507 from Van Dyk Corporation; hexadecyl-3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoate, available as Cyasorb UV-2908, #41,320-8, from Aldrich Chemical Company; (7) a filler such as hydrated alumina (Hydrad TMC-HBF, Hydrad TM-HBC, available from J. M. Huber Corporation), barium sulfate (K.C. Blanc Fix HD80 available from Kali Chemie Corporation), calcium carbonate (Microwhite Sylacauga Calcium Products), high brightness clays (such as Engelhard Paper Clays), calcium silicate (available from J. M. Huber Corporation), and (8) a defoamer such as alcohol compounds, such as behenyl alcohol, Aldol-60, stearyl alcohol, Aldol-61, isostearyl alcohol, Aldol-66, oleyl alcohol, Aldol-85, cetearyl alcohol, Aldol-640, from Sherex Chemical Company, dimethyl octynediol, Surfynol-82, dimethyl octynediol on silica, Surfynol-82S, tetramethyl decynediol, Surfynol-104, tetramethyl decynediol and 2-ethylhexanol, Surfynol-104A, tetramethyl decynediol and 2-butoxy ethanol, Surfynol-104BC, tetramethyl decynediol and 2-ethylene glycol, Surfynol-104E, tetramethyl decynediol and amorphous silica, Surfynol-104S, tetramethyl decynediol ethoxylated, Surfynol-440, acetylenic glycol, Surfynol-PC, acetylenic diol, or Surfynol-SE, all being available from Air Products Company.

The curl preventing fluid compositions can be applied to paper in a manner similar to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,434,029, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference. A pair of rollers similar to a fuser, operating at significantly lower load and temperature are utilized for curl prevention. The roll that contacts the back side of the copy has a fluid composition applicator sump used in a manner similar to a donor roll RAM (Release Agent Management) system in roll fusers such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,254,732, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference. A metering blade controls the amount of fluid composition applied to the back side of the copy. The amount of this fluid composition varies for example, from about 200 to about 250 milligrams to compensate for about the 150 milligram water loss encountered by a typical copy paper during the toner fusing process. In addition to application of fluid composition to the back side of the copy substrate, the fluid applying roll cooperates with the other roller to constrain the substrate while it is absorbing the fluid composition. Thus, the fluid composition can be applied to the substrate by the pressure of the pair of rollers.

Illustrative examples of commercially available, internally and externally (surface) sized imaged substrates that may be treated with the curl preventing fluid composition dispersed in an optional binder with a thickness of, for example, from about 50 microns to about 200 microns and preferably of a thickness of from about 100 microns to about 125 microns include Diazo papers, offset papers such as Great Lakes offset, recycled papers such as Conservatree, office papers such as Automimeo, Eddy liquid toner paper and copy papers from companies such as Nekoosa, Champion, Wiggins Teape, Kymmene, Modo, Domtar, and Veitsiluoto.

Specific examples of decurling agents that can be selected for the curl preventing fluid composition treatment or coating on a single side, or both sides thereof of papers include paper desizing agents (1) hydrophilic poly(dimethyl siloxanes), such as (a) poly(dimethyl siloxane) monocarbinol terminated (PS558, Petrarch Systems Inc.) and dicarbinol terminated (PS555, PS556, Petrarch Systems Inc.); (b) poly(dimethyl siloxane)-b-poly(methyl siloxane alkylene oxide) copolymers (PS073, PS072, PS071, Petrarch Systems Inc.), Alkasil HEP 182-280, Alkasil HEP 148-330, Alkaril Chemicals, nonhydrolyzable copolymers containing S1-C linkages; (c) poly(dimethyl siloxane)-b-poly(propylene oxide)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) copolymers (Alkasil NEP 73-70, Alkaril Chemicals), hydrolyzable copolymer containing S1--O--C linkages; (d) polyquaternary poly(dimethyl siloxane) copolymers (which can be obtained by the addition reaction of .alpha.,.omega.-hydrogen polysiloxane with epoxides containing olefinic bonds and then reacting the product with a diamine); (2) poly(alkylene glycol) and its derivatives (a) poly(propylene glycol) (Alkapol PPG-425, Alkapol PPG-4000, Alkaril Chemicals); (b) poly(propylene glycol dimethacrylate), poly(ethylene glycol diacrylate), poly(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate), poly(ethylene glycol monomethyl ether), poly(ethylene glycol dimethyl ether), poly(ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether) (all from Polysciences); (c) poly(1,4-oxybutylene glycol) (Scientific Polymer Products); (3) copolymers of liophilic poly(propylene oxide) with hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide); (a) methanol soluble as Tetronic 150R1, Pluronic L-101, Tetronic 902, Tetronic 25R2 (BASF Corporation), Alkatronic EGE-1 (Alkaril Chemicals); (b) water soluble as Tetronic 908, 50R8, 25R8, 904, 90R4, Pluronic F-77 all from BASF Corporation, and Alkatronic EGE 25-2 and PGP 33-8 from Alkaril Chemicals; (4) fatty ester modifications of (a) phosphates (Alkaphos B6-56A, Alkaril Chemicals); (b) sorbitan (Alkamuls STO ›sorbitan trioleate!, Alkamuls SML ›sorbitan mono laurate!, Alkamuls SMO ›sorbitan monooleate!, Alkaril Chemicals); (c) glycerols (Alkamuls GMO-45LG ›glyceryl mono oleate!, Alkamuls GDO ›glyceryl dioleate!, Alkamuls GTO ›glyceryl trioleate!); (d) poly(ethylene glycols) (Alkamuls 600 DO ›di oleate!, Alkamuls 400-ML ›mono laurate!, Alkamuls 600 MO ›mono oleate!, Alkamuls 600 DL ›dilaurate!, Alkamuls 600 DT ›ditallow!, Alkaril Chemicals; (e) sulfosuccinic acid (Alkasurf SS-O-75 ›sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate!, Alkasurf SS-DA4-HE ›ethoxylated alcohol sulfosuccinate!, Alkasurf SS-L7DE ›sodium sulfosuccinate ester of lauric diethanol amide!, Alkasurf SS-L-HE (sodium lauryl sulfosuccinate!, Alkaril Chemicals); (f) sulfonic acid (Alkasurf CA, ›calcium dodecyl benzene sulfonate!, Alkasurf 1 PAM ›isopropylamine dodecyl benzene sulfonate!, Alkaril Chemicals); (g) alkyl amines (Alkamide SDO ›soya diethanol amide!, Alkamide CDE ›coco diethanol amide!, Alkamide CME ›coco monoethanol amide!, Alkamide L9DE ›lauric diethanol amide!, Alkamide L7Me ›lauric monoethanol amide!, Alkamide L1PA ›lauric monoisopropylamide!, Alkaril Chemicals); (5) poly(oxyalkylene) modifications of (a) sorbitan esters (Alkamuls PSML-4 ›poly(oxyethylene) sorbitan monolaurate!, Alkamuls PSTO-20 ›poly(oxyethylene) sorbitan monooleate!, Alkamuls PSTO-20 ›poly(oxyethylene) sorbitan trioleate!, Alkaril Chemicals); (b) fatty amines (Alkaminox T-2, T-5 ›tallow amine ethoxylate!, Alkaminox SO-5 ›soya amine ethoxylate!, Alkaril Chemicals), (Icomeen T-2, Icomeen T-15, ICI Chemicals); (c) castor oil (Alkasurf CO-10 ›caster oil ethoxylates!, Alkaril Chemicals); (d) alkanol amide (Alkamide C-2, C-5 ›coconut oil alkanolamide ethoxylates!, Alkaril Chemicals); (e) fatty acid (Alkasurf 075-9, Alkasurf 0-10 ›oleic acid ethoxylates!, Alkasurf L-14 ›lauric acid ethoxylate!, Alkasurf P-7 ›palmitic acid ethoxylate!); (f) fatty alcohol (Alkasurf LAN-1, LAN-3 Alkasurf TDA-6, Alkasurf SA-2, ›linear alcohol ethoxylates!, Alkasurf NP-1, NP-11 ›nonyl phenol ethoxylates!, Alkasurf OP-1, OP-12 ›octyl phenol ethoxylates!, Alkasurf LAEP-15, Alkasurf LAEP-25, Alkasurf LAEP-65 ›linear alcohol alkoxylates!); (6) quaternary compounds (a) nonpolymeric quaternary ammonium ethosulfate (Finquat CT, Cordex AT-172, Finetex Corporation); (b) quaternary dialkyl dimethyl methosulfate (Alkaquat DHTS ›hydrogenated tallow!); (c) alkoxylated difatty metho sulfate quaternary (Alkasurf DAET ›tallow derivative!); (d) fatty imidazoline methosulfate quaternary (Alkaquat T ›tallow derivatives!, Alkaril Chemicals); (7) fatty imidazolines and their derivatives (a) Alkazine-O ›oleic derivative!; (b) Alkazine TO ›tail oil derivatives!; (c) Alkateric 2CIB (dicarboxylic cocoimidazoline sodium salt), Alkaril Chemicals; (d) Arzoline-4, (e) Arzoline-215, Baker Chemicals; and the like.

Specific examples of anticurl/decurling agents that can be selected for the curl preventing fluid composition treatment or coating on a single side, or both sides thereof of papers include paper anticurl agents, such as trimethylolpropane, (Aldrich #23,974-7), trimethylolpropane ethoxylate, (Aldrich #40,977-4; Aldrich #40,978-2; Aldrich #41,616-9; Aldrich #41,617-7), trimethylol propanetriacrylate, (Aldrich #24,680-8), trimethylolpropane-trimethacrylate (Aldrich #24,684-0), trimethylol propane ethoxylate triacrylate (Aldrich #41,217-1; #41,219-8) trimethylol propane propoxylate triacrylate (Aldrich #40,756-9; #40,757-7), trimethylolpropane ethoxylate methylether diacrylate (Aldrich #40,587-1), trimethylolpropane tris(2-methyl-1-aziridinepropionate) (Aldrich #40,544-2), neopentyl glycol ethoxylate (Aldrich #41,027-6), neopentyl glycol propoxylate (Aldrich #40,987-1; Aldrich #41,214-7), glycerol propoxylate (Aldrich #37,389-3; Aldrich #37,390-7; Aldrich #37,391-5; Aldrich #37,392-3; Aldrich #37,396-6; Aldrich #41,028-4), block copolymers of glycerol propoxylate with glycerol ethoxylate represented by glycerol propoxylate-b-glycerol ethoxylate, such as glycerol propoxylate-b-glycerol ethoxylate triol (Aldrich #37,386-9; Aldrich #37,387-7; Aldrich #37,388-5), glycerol ethoxylate-b-glycerol propoxylate triol (Aldrich #40,918-9), pentaerythritol ethoxylate (Aldrich #41,615-0; #41,873-0), pentaerythritol propoxylate (Aldrich #41,874-9; #41,875-7), pentaerythritol propoxylate/ethoxylate (Aldrich #42,502-8), triethanol amine ethoxylate (Aldrich #41,658-4), N-methyl diethanolamine (Aldrich #M4,220-3), N-ethyl diethanolamine (Aldrich #11,206-2), N-butyl diethanolamine (Aldrich #12,425-7), N-phenyl diethanolamine (Aldrich #P2,240-0), triethanol amine (Aldrich #T5,830-0), trioctylamine (Aldrich #T8,100-0), 4-xylylene diamine (Aldrich #27,963-3), 1,4-bis(2-hydroxyethoxy)-2-butyne (Aldrich #B4,470-8), pantothenol (Aldrich #29,578-7), 1-phenyl-1, 2-ethanediol (Aldrich #30,215-5; #P2,405-5), 3-methoxy-1,2-propanediol (Aldrich #26,040-1), 3-allyloxy-1,2-propanediol (Aldrich #25,173-9), 3-ethoxy-1,2-propanediol (Aldrich #26,042-8), 3-phenoxy-1,2-propanediol (Aldrich #25,781-8), 3-octadecyloxy-1,2-propanediol (Aldrich #B40-2), 3-(4-methoxy phenoxy)-1,2-propanediol (Aldrich #21,024-2), mephensin›3-(2-methyl phenoxy)-1,2-propanediol! (Aldrich #28,656-7), 3-(diethylamino)-1,2-propanediol (Aldrich #21,849-9), 2-phenyl-1,2-propanediol (Aldrich #21,376-4), 3-amino-1,2-propanediol (Aldrich #A7,600-1), 3-(diisopropylamino)-1,2-propanediol (Aldrich #25,766-4), 3-(N-benzyl-N-methylamino)-1,2-propanediol (Aldrich #21,850-2), 3pyrrolidino-1,2-propanediol (Aldrich #21,851-0), 3-piperidino-1,2-propanediol (Aldrich #21,849-9), 3-morpholino-1,2-propanediol (Aldrich #21,848-0), 2,2-dimethyl-1-phenyl-1,3-propanediol (Aldrich #40,873-5), 2-benzyloxy-1,3-propanediol (Aldrich #36,744-3), 4-8bis(hydroxymethyl) tricyclo›5.2.1.02.6!decane (Aldrich #B4,590-9), 1-›N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)isopropanol amine (Aldrich #23,375-7), N,N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)ethanolamine (Karl Industries), 1-›2-(2-hydroxyethoxy) ethyl!-piperazine (Aldrich #33,126-0), 1-4-bis(2-hydroxy ethyl)piperazine (Aldrich #B4,540-2), homovanillyl alcohol (Aldrich #14,883-0), phenethyl alcohol (Aldrich #P1,360-6), 3,6-dimethyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol (Aldrich #27,840-8), 2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol (Aldrich #39,365-7), 2-butyl-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol (Aldrich #14,247-6), 2-piperidine methanol (Aldrich #15,522-5), 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol (Aldrich #32,722-0), Vitamin E (Aldrich #25,802-4), Vitamin E acetate (Aldrich #24,817-7), Vitamin K (Aldrich #28,740-7), tri(ethylene glycol)dimethylacrylate (Aldrich #26,154-8), triethyl citrate (Aldrich #10,929-0) 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol (Aldrich #27,838-6); and mixtures thereof.

Some of these paper anticurl/decurling agents and paper desizing agents can also act as antifoaming agents for the curl preventing fluid compositions.

Specific examples of antifoaming agents that can be selected for the curl preventing fluid composition treatment or coating on a single side, or both sides thereof of papers include (A) nonionic compounds, such as (a) silicone containing compounds such as silicone fluids available as Cru Fluid 350, Cru release 900 series from Crucible Chemical Company; silicone emulsions Kilofoam from Arol, Nalco 2300, Nalco Chemical Company, Mazu DF 100S, Mazu DF 200S, PPG-Mazer, Nilofoam 60, Nilofoam M, Nilofoam XC, Sandoz Chemical Company, Foam Master FLD, Henkel Corporation, Foam Burst, Ross Chemical Company, Dow Corning 1500, 1520, Y-30, H-10, Dow Corning, Foamex AD 50 from Lyndal, Defoamer S-10, S-100, Hart Products Corporation, Colloid 1010, Rhone-Poulenc Surfactant and Speciality Chemicals, Polymekon, Goldschmidt AG, Ridafoam-S-103-N, from PPG-Mazer, Sag Silicone Antifoam-10, -30 from Union Carbide; organo-silicone emulsions, such as Foamkill-30C, -30HP from Crucible Chemical Company, Sag Silicone antifoam-5300, -5310 from Union Carbide Chemical Company; polydimethyl siloxane, Akrochem SWS-201 from Akrochem Chemicals, L-45 series from Union Carbide Chemical Company, Antifoam SWS-201 from Wacker Silicones Corporation; silica filled polydimethyl siloxane, Sag Silicone Antifoam-100 from Union Carbide Chemical Company; hydrophobic silica, Rexfoam-150A from Graden; dimethicone, Viscasil from General Electric Company; silicone/polyalkylene glycol, Sag Silicone Antifoam-100 from Union Carbide Chemical Company; silicone glycol, Masil-2132, -2133, -2134, from PPG-Mazer; (b) amide containing compounds, such as behenamide, Kenamide-B; erucamide, Kenamide-E; oleamide, Kenamide-O; stearamide, Kenamide-S; erucylerucamide, Kenamide-E-221; stearylerucamide, Kenamide-E-180; oleylpalmitamide, Kenamide-P-181; erucylstearamide, Kenamide-S-221; ethylenedioleamide, Kenamide-W-20; ethylenedistearamide, Kenamide-W-39; all available from Witco/Humko; acetylated-polyamide, Nalco-70, Nalco Chemical Company; hydrogenated tallow amide, Armid HT, Akzo Chemical Incorporated; (c) ester compounds, such as methyl oleate, Emerest 2301, Henkel and Emery; propyl oleate, Emerest 2302, Henkel and Emery; glyceryl oleate, Mazol 300, Mazol GMO, PPG-Mazer Chemical Company; glyceryl ricinoleate, Flexricin 13, Cas Chem; sorbitan oleate, Crill 4, sorbitan laurate, Crill 1, sorbitan palmitate, Crill 2, all available from Croda Chemicals; Lipo diglycol laurate, diethylene glycol mono stearate, Lipo DGS-SE, ethylene glycol stearate, Lipo EGMS, propylene glycol stearate, Lipo PGMS, ethylene glycol distearate, Lipo EGDS, all available from Lipo Chemicals; diethylene glycol mono laurate, Alkamuls DEG-ML, diethylene glycol dioleate, Alkamuls DEG-DO, Alkaril Chemicals, polyethylene glycol-4-oleate, Ethylan-A2, polyethylene glycol-6-oleate, Ethylan-A3, polyethylene glycol-8-oleate, Ethylan-A4, all available from Harcross, U.K; polyglyceryl-3-oleate, Caprol-3-GO, Capital City Product Company; polyethylene glycol-4-dioleate, Alkamuls 200-DO, Alkaril Chemicals, polyethylene glycol-8-dioleate, Lonzest PEG-4DO, Lonza Chemicals; polyethylene glycol-2-laurate SE, Lipo DGLS, available from Lipo Chemicals, polyethylene glycol-4-laurate, Emerest 2620, polyethylene glycol-8-laurate, Emerest 2650, available from Henkel and Emery, polyethylene glycol-12-laurate, Alkamuls-600-ML, Alkaril Chemicals; polyethyleneglycol-4-dilaurate, Alkamuls 200-DL, Alkaril Chemicals; polyethylene glycol-12-stearate, Alkamuls 600-MS, Alkaril Chemicals; polyethylene glycol-20-glycerol stearate, Aldo-MS-20-FG, Lonza Chemicals, esters of vegetable oil fatty acids, Kessco 3283, from Stepan; (d) ether compounds such as polyethyleneoxide/polypropyleneoxide block copolymers, Dow Corning 63N10, Dow Corning 63N20, from Dow Corning Company, ethylene oxide/propyleneoxide diamine compound, Lutensol ED-140, ED-310, ED-370, ED-610, from BASF A.G, Alkatronic EDP8-4, Alkaril Chemicals, linear alcohol ethoxylates such as nonoxynol-1, nonoxynol-4, nonoxynol-13, from DeSoto, polypropylene glycol, Alkapol PPG-1200, Alkapol PPG-2000, Alkapol PPG-4000, from Alkaril Chemicals, polyethylene glycol ethers, PEG-Castor oil, such as Alkasurf-CO-5, Alkasurf-CO-10, Alkasurf-CO-15, PEG-Laurate, such as Alkasurf-L-9, Alkasurf-L-14, PEG-nonyl oxynol, Alkasurf-NP-1, PEG-octo oxynol, Alkasurf-OP-12, Ikasurf-OP-16, all being available from Alkaril Chemicals, alcohol compounds, such as behenyl alcohol, Aldol-60, stearyl alcohol, Aldol-61, isostearyl alcohol, Aldol-66, oleyl alcohol, Aldol-85, cetearyl alcohol, Aldol-640, from Sherex Chemical Company, dimethyl octynediol, Surfynol-82, dimethyl octynediol on silica, Surfynol-82S, tetramethyl decynediol, Surfynol-104, tetramethyl decynediol and 2-ethylhexanol, Surfynol-104A, tetramethyl decynediol and 2-butoxy ethanol, Surfynol-104BC, tetramethyl decynediol and 2-ethylene glycol, Surfynol-104E, tetramethyl decynediol and amorphous silica, Surfynol-104S, tetramethyl decynediol ethoxylated, Surfynol-440, acetylenic glycol, Surfynol-PC, acetylenic diol, Surfynol-SE, all being available from Air Products Company; (B) cationic compounds, such as polyethylene glycol-2-oleammonium chloride, Ethoquad O/12, polyethylene glycol-15-oleammonium chloride, Ethoquad O/25, polyethylene glycol-2-stearmonium chloride and isopropanol, Ethoquad 18/12, polyethylene glycol-15-stearmonium chloride and isopropanol, Ethoquad 18/25, polyethylene glycol-2-cocomonium chloride, Ethoquad C/12, polyethyleneglycol-15-cocomonium chloride, Ethoquad C/25, all being available from Akzo Chemical Company, octadecyl diethanol methyl ammonium chloride, M-Quat-32, dicoco-dimoniumchloride and isopropanol, M-Quat-2475, PPG-Mazer, ethylhydroxyethyloleyloxazoline, Alkaterge, Angus Chemical Company, (C) anionic compounds, such as tributyl phosphate, TBP, from FMC Corporation, Pliabrac-TBP, Merrand, sulfonated oleic acid sodium salt, Sulfonate OA-5, Tennesse, linear alkyl aryl sodium sulfonate, Sulframin 40, Witco Chemicals, alcohol-ethoxylate-phosphate-ester acid form, Emphos P-415M, phenol ethoxylate phosphate ester acid form, Emphos TS-230, Witco Chemicals, iminopropionate partial sodium salt, Amphoteric 400, Exxon; and mixtures thereof.

Specific examples of binders polymers present in an amount of from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 15 percent by weight, and preferably from about 2 to about 10 percent by weight of the curl preventing fluid compositions within which the decurling agent can be dispersed or admixed, preferably hydrophilic film forming components, include (A) latex polymers (polymers capable of forming a latex is, for the purposes of the present invention, a polymer that forms in water or in an organic solvent a stable colloidal system in which the disperse phase is polymeric). Examples of suitable latex-forming polymers include polyamide latex such as PIOMIDE, available from Pioneer Plastics, polyalkylene waxes, such as paraffin wax emulsions Paracol 404C, 404G, 804A, available from Hercules Incorporated, rubber latex, such as neoprene available from Serva Biochemicals, polyester latex, such as Eastman AQ 29D available from Eastman Chemical Company, vinyl chloride latex, such as Geon 352 from B. F. Goodrich Chemical Group, ethylene-vinyl chloride copolymer emulsions, such as Airflex ethylene-vinyl chloride from Air Products and Chemicals, polyvinyl acetate homopolymer emulsions, such as Vinac from Air Products and Chemicals, carboxylated vinyl acetate emulsion resins, such as Synthemul synthetic resin emulsions 40-502, 40-503, and 97-664 from Reichhold Chemicals Inc., and Polyco 2149, 2150, and 2171 from Rohm and Haas Company, vinyl acetate copolymer latex, such as 76 RES 7800 from Union Oil Chemicals Divisions and Resyn 25-1103, Resyn 25-1109, Resyn 25-1119, and Resyn 25-1189 from National Starch and Chemical Corporation, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer emulsions, such as Airflex ethylene-vinylacetate from Air Products and Chemicals Inc., acrylic-vinyl acetate copolymer emulsions, such as Rhoplex AR-74 from Rohm and Haas Company, Synthemul 97-726 from Reichhold Chemicals Inc., Resyn 25-1140, 25-1141, 25-1142, and Resyn-6820 from National Starch and Chemical Corporation, vinyl acrylic terpolymer latex, such as 76 RES 3103 from Union Oil Chemical Division and Resyn 25-1110 from National Starch and Chemical Corporation, acrylic emulsion latex, such as Rhoplex B-15J, Rhoplex P-376, Rhoplex TR-407, Rhoplex E-940, Rhoplex TR-934, Rhoplex TR-520, Rhoplex HA-24, and Rhoplex NW-1825 from Rohm and Haas Company and Hycar 2600 X322, Hycar 2671, Hycar 2679, Hycar 26120, and Hycar 2600 X347 from B. F. Goodrich Chemical Group, polystyrene latex, such as DL6622A, DL6688A, and DL6687A from Dow Chemical Company, styrene-butadiene latexes, such as 76 RES 4100 and 76 RES 8100 available from Union Oil Chemicals Division, Tylac resin emulsion 68-412, Tylac resin emulsion 68-067, 68-319, 68-413, 68-500, 68-501, available from Reichhold Chemical Inc., and DL6672A, DL6663A, DL6638A, DL6626A, DL6620A, DL615A, DL617A, DL620A, DL640A, DL650A from Dow Chemical Company, butadiene-acrylonitrile latex, such as Hycar 1561 and Hycar 1562 from B F. Goodrich Chemical Group and Tylac Synthetic Rubber Latex 68-302 from Reichhold Chemicals Inc., butadiene-acrylonitrile-styrene terpolymer latex, such as Tylac synthetic rubber latex 68-513 from Reichhold Chemicals Inc., and the like, as well as mixtures thereof;

(B) water soluble polymers such as (1) starch (Starch SLS-280, St. Lawrence Starch); (2) cationic starch (Cato-72, National Starch); (3) gelatin (calfskin gelatin, Polymer Sciences); (4) hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (Methocel K35LV available from Dow Chemical Company); (5) sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC Type 7HOF, 7H3SX, Hercules Chemical Company); (6) hydroxyethyl cellulose (Natrosol 250LR, Hercules Chemical Company); (7) sodium carboxymethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose (CMHEC 43H, 37L, Hercules Chemical Company; CMHEC 43H is a high molecular weight polymer with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)/hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) ratio of 4:3; CMHEC is low molecular weight polymer with CMC/HEC ratio of 3:7); (8) hydroxypropyl cellulose (Klucel Type E, Hercules); (9) water soluble ethylhydroxyethyl cellulose (Bermocoll, Berol Kem, AB. Sweden); (10) methyl cellulose (Methocel AM4, Dow Chemical Company); (11) poly(acrylamide) (Scientific Polymer Products); (12) acrylamide-acrylic acid copolymer (Scientific Polymer Products); (13) poly(vinyl alcohol) (Elvanol, DuPont Company); (14) poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (GAF Corporation); (15) poly(ethylene imine) epichlorohydrin (Scientific Polymer Products); (16) poly(2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid) (Scientific Polymer Products); (17) poly(ethylene oxide) (Poly OX WSRN-3000, Union Carbide); (18) cellulose sulfate (Scientific Polymer Products); (19) quaternary ammonium copolymers (Mirapol WT, Mirapol AD-1, Mirapol AZ-1, Mirapol A-15, Mirapol-9, Merquat-100, Merquat-550, Miranol Incorporated); (20) hydroxy butylmethyl cellulose (HBMC, Dow Chemical Company); (21) vinylmethylether/maleic acid copolymer (Gantrez S-95, GAF Corporation); (22) poly(imidazoline) quaternized (Scientific Polymer Products); (23) hydroxyethylmethyl cellulose (HEM, British Celanese Ltd., Tylose MH, MHK, Kalle A.G.); and (24) cationic hydroxyethyl cellulose (Polymer JR-125, polyquaternium-10, Amerchol; cationic Cellosize, Union Carbide).

In addition, the curl preventing fluid composition contains lightfastness inducing agents present, for example, in an amount of from about 0.1 percent by weight to about 10 percent by weight, and preferably from about 1 percent by weight to about 5 percent by weight including UV absorbing compounds including glycerol 4-amino benzoate, available as Escalol 106, from Van Dyk Corporation; resorcinol mono benzoate, available as RBM from Eastman Chemicals; octyl dimethyl amino benzoate, available as Escalol 507 from Van Dyk Corporation; hexadecyl 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxy-benzoate, available as Cyasorb UV-2908, #41,320-8, from Aldrich Chemical Company; octyl salicylate, available as Escalol 106 from Van Dyk Corporation; octyl methoxy cinnamate, available as Parasol MCX from Givaudan Corporation; 4-allyloxy-2-hydroxybenzophenone, available as Uvinul 600, #41,583-9, from Aldrich Chemical Company; 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzophenone, available as Anti UVA, from Acto Corporation; 2,2'-dihydroxy-4,4'-dimethoxy benzophenone, available as Uvinul D49, #D11,100-7, from Aldrich Chemical Company; 2-hydroxy-4-(octyloxy) benzophenone, available as Cyasorb UV-531, #41,315-1, from Aldrich Chemical Company; 2-hydroxy-4-dodecyloxy benzophenone, available as DOBP from Eastman Chemicals; 2-(2'-hydroxy-5'-methylphenyl)benzotriazole, available as Tinuvin 900 from Ciba Geigy Corporation; 2-›2'-hydroxy-3,5-di-(1,1-dimethyl be