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A process for manufacturing an ink, or pigment formulation (e.g. a concentrate) for use in inks, comprising filtration of a composition comprising a particulate pigment and a liquid medium through an inorganic filter having pores of a uniform size below 10 microns. The process accurately removes oversized particles that could cause problems in inkjet printers without wasting non-problematic under-sized pigment. High flow rates are achieved even with low trans-filter pressure differences. In one embodiment, high flow rates are maintained by selection of pH and/or ionic strength. The filters are more robust than conventional polymeric filters and withstand cleaning with aggressive cleaning agents.
1. A process for manufacturing an ink jet printing ink, or for making a pigment formulation for use in the manufacture of an ink jet printing ink, the process comprising filtration of a composition comprising a particulate pigment and a liquid medium through an inorganic filter having pores of a uniform size below 10 microns, said composition as filtered being maintained at a pH of 8.5 to 13.5.
2. A process according to
3. A process according to
4. A process according to
5. A process according to
6. A process according to
7. A process according to
8. A process according to
(i) 0.1 to 10wt% of the filtered particulate pigment;
(ii) 3 to 50wt% of organic solvent; and
(iii) 49.9 to 96.9wt% water.
9. An ink jet printer cartridge comprising a chamber and an ink wherein the ink is present in the chamber and is as defined in
10. In a process for manufacturing an ink, or for making a pigment formulation for use in the manufacture of an ink wherein a composition comprising a particulate pigment and a liquid medium is filtered, the improvement which comprises filtering said composition through an inorganic cross-flow filter having pores of a uniform size below 8 microns, the filter is periodically back-flushed to reduce the likelihood of clogging and the pH of the composition during filtering is maintained at 8.5 to 13.5.
11. The process of
12. The process of
This invention relates to processes for manufacturing inks and pigment formulations, to inks and pigment formulations (e.g. concentrates) made by the processes and to their uses in ink jet printing.
Ink jet printing is a printing method in which droplets of an ink are ejected through a fine nozzle and deposited on recording media, such as paper, to perform printing. In recent years ink jet printers have become commonplace in the home and in small offices as a quick and efficient way of printing text, images and the like.
Ink jet printers used in the home and in small offices generally use inks comprising water as the predominant ingredient, a colorant and a wetting agent, such as glycerine, for preventing the clogging of the fine nozzles. A large number of water-soluble dyes have been proposed for use as the ink colorant because of their high chroma, the wide variety of colours and shades available and their good water solubility.
In recent years pigments have become increasingly popular as the colorants for ink jet printing inks. While pigment-based inks may not have the chroma, colour variety or solubility of dyes and are more prone to suffer from storage stability problems due to precipitation, some printer manufacturers prefer them for certain uses because of the high light-fastness and the high water-fastness properties of resultant prints. As conventional pigments are generally insoluble in water, they need to be dispersed in the ink vehicle by, for example, being intimately mixed with a dispersant. Inks are often prepared from pigment formulations containing pigment, dispersant, water and optionally further ingredients. In order to stably disperse a pigment in an aqueous liquid, it is necessary to study the type and particle diameter of pigments, the type of dispersants used, dispersing means and the like. Many dispersion methods and production processes for pigment inks for ink jet printing have been proposed in the art.
Inks for ink jet printers may be filtered to remove coarse particles and unnecessary materials that could reduce the print quality or otherwise block the fine nozzles used in ink jet printers. Typically these nozzles are half the diameter of a human hair and they can easily become blocked.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,562,117 describes the preparation of pigment-based ink jet printing inks by a process comprising crossflow membrane filtration using what appear to be conventional, organic membranes of non-uniform pore size. In these conventional membranes the quoted pore size is an average value and there is in fact great variation in the actual sizes of the pores. Filtration using conventional membranes such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,562,117 can often be slow and time consuming. Also they let some over-sized pigment through.
US patent application No. 2001/0050017 describes an ink jet printing apparatus for oil-based, non-aqueous electrostatic inks. The printing apparatus includes a series of filters to remove dust and other particles from ink prior to contact with the fine nozzles in the printhead. According to
The filtration system included in the printing apparatus of US2001/0050017 has the disadvantage of increasing the cost of the printer in what is becoming an increasingly price sensitive market. Furthermore, over time the filters in such printers will eventually become clogged, forcing the user to either buy a replacement printer or go to the trouble and expense of cleaning or replacing the filters. Such cleaning can be messy due to the highly coloured nature of inks.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a process for manufacturing an ink, or for making a pigment formulation for use in the manufacture of an ink, the process comprising filtration of a composition comprising a particulate pigment and a liquid medium through an inorganic filter having pores of a uniform size below 10 microns.
The process of the present invention has the advantage of providing inks in a time efficient and cost effective manner, often using lower pressures for filtration than would be required relative to the use of conventional filters having non-uniform pore sizes. The inks can be used in printers without the need for the special array of filters described in US2001/0050017, thus making printers cheaper in this increasingly cost conscious market. The resultant inks may be retrofitted into existing printers which have the filter arrays described in US2001/0050017 because they will be less likely to cause the filters to clog than conventional inks. Furthermore, the inorganic filters are particularly resistant to the organic solvents used in ink manufacture which could otherwise dissolve or damage an organic filter and they allow filtration at higher temperatures. Still further, if the inorganic filters used in the present process do become blocked it is possible to use more aggressive cleaning means than would be the case for conventional membranes. Conventional filters can also swell in the presence of solvent, thus making filtration more slow.
The process of the present invention has advantages over the use of conventional filters (e.g. depth filters) in that the accurate pore sizes do not let over-sized particles through. With conventional filters it can prove necessary to use a much smaller pore size than the size of the ultimate printhead nozzle for which the pigment ink is intended. This is to ensure over-sized particles all removed and while this can be effective it suffers from the disadvantage that flow rate is reduced (because the pores in the filter are smaller) and also many small particles are excluded which would not actually cause a problem in ink jet printers, leading to significant waste of pigment.
Preferably the inorganic filter is a cross-flow filter. �Crossflow� refers to an operation such that, during filtration, the liquid to be filtered is allowed to flow along the surface of the filter and the desired, filtered liquid which permeates through the filter is collected from the opposite side of the filter.
Preferably the inorganic filter has pores of a uniform size below 8 microns, more preferably below 6 microns, especially 5 microns or less, more especially below 4.5 microns. In one embodiment the inorganic filter has a pore size of 0.1 to 4.2 microns, especially 0.3 to 3 microns.
In a preferred embodiment of the process the filter is periodically back-flushed thereby reducing the likelihood of the filter becoming clogged. Thus while normal filtration involves the composition passing from the retentate side of the filter to the permeate side of the filter, a back flush involves the return of filtered composition from the permeate side of the filter to the retentate side of the filter thereby dislodging any particulate or other matter blocking any of the filter pores. A suitable device for causing back-flushing is described in Dutch patent application NL 1024292.
A preferred embodiment of the process comprises the additional step of reducing a decline in the flow rate of the composition through the inorganic filter by adjusting the pH and/or ionic strength of the composition. The pH and/or ionic strength of the composition may be adjusted by the addition of acid, base or salt as required, preferably to achieve the preferred pH indicated below. The pH and/or ionic strength may be adjusted before, during or after filtration.
If desired the process may also comprise the further step of removing any particulate matter having a particle size below a desired value, for example using a filter having a pore size corresponding to the desired value.
The use of pH and/or ionic strength adjustment to enhance the flow rate of a pigment composition through a filter forms a further feature of the present invention, the filter preferably being an inorganic filter having pores of a uniform size below 10 microns with further preferences being as herein described in relation to the first aspect of the invention). The pigment composition is preferably an aqueous pigment composition.
Preferably the process comprises the further step of passing the ink or pigment formulation to a vessel such that the vessel contains at least 1 litre of the ink or pigment formulation in fluid form, more preferably at least 10 litres of ink or pigment formulation in fluid form.
Preferably the inorganic filter comprises an inorganic macroporous support and an inorganic sieve layer having pores of a uniform size below 10 microns (preferably at or below 5 microns) connected rigidly to a surface of the macroporous support. The inorganic sieve may be deposited on the inorganic macroporous support by a deposition method. Preferably the macroporous support has pores which are at least twice the size of the pores in the inorganic sieve, typically of a mean pore size in the range of 0.25 microns to 25 microns. Generally the pores of the sieve layer comprising perforations at right angles to the sieve layer, and being formed with a diameter in the range of 0.5 to 5 or 0.5 to 10 microns. The pores may be any shape but preferably they are round, rectangular or rectangular with rounded edges. The pore size refers to the maximum internal dimension of the pore. For example with circular pores the pore size is the diameter and in rectangular pores the pore size is the diagonal distance across the rectangle.
Preferably the pores in the sieve layer have been formed by etching.
Preferably the sieve layer has a thickness of at most ten times the diameter of the pores therein.
Preferably the surface roughness of the filter is considerably less than the pore size.
In one embodiment the support and/or the sieve layer is composed of a ceramic substance.
Preferably the sieve layer comprises a substance selected from the group consisting of silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, silicon carbide, alumina, zirconium oxide, titanium oxide, titanium nitride, gold, silver, chromium, cobalt, nickel, aluminium, titanium, chromium alloys, carbon and silicon.
Preferably the support comprises a substance selected from the group consisting of silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, silicon carbide, alumina, titanium nitride, titanium, carbon and silicon.
A number of inorganic filters which may be used in the present process are commercially available from Fluxxion B.V. and have hitherto been used in biological applications such as the separation of different types of cells and in the filtration of Bavarian beer.
Typically the inorganic filters used in the present process may be obtained by a process comprising:
The preparation of suitable filters for use in the present process is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,046, column 2, line 20 to column 6, line 38 and FIGS. 1 to 16 thereof, which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. Further techniques for making filters for use in the present process are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,753,014.
Preferably the inorganic filter has a thickness of from 20 to 2000 microns.
The inorganic filter may be any suitable shape, for example it may be substantially flat, cylindrical or conical.
Preferably at least 95%, more preferably at least 99% of the pores in the sieve layer have a pore size within 5% of the average pore size for the pores of the sieve layer.
We have found that filtration of pigments using inorganic filters as described in the present process is often much quicker than using conventional filters of non-uniform pore size (e.g. depth filters). While not wishing to be limited to any particular theory this may be because in an inorganic filter of uniform pore size there are no or few under-sized pores restricting the permeate flow.
Furthermore, the absence of or significant reduction in the number of over-sized pores in the inorganic filters of the present invention means particles above the average pore size simply cannot pass through the sieve (in contrast to conventional filters having a relatively broad range of pore sizes around an average value).
A wide variety of pigments may be used in the process of the present invention, including inorganic pigments and organic pigments. Suitable inorganic pigments include, in addition to titanium oxide and iron oxide, carbon blacks produced by conventional processes, such as contact, furnace, and thermal processes. Suitable organic pigments include azo pigments (for example azo lake, insoluble azo pigments, condensed azo pigments and chelate azo pigments), polycyclic pigments (for example, phthalocyanine, perylene, perinone, anthraquinone, quinacridone, dioxazine, thioindigo, isoindolinone and quinophthalone pigments), dye-type chelate pigments (for example, basic dye-type chelate pigments and acid dye-type chelate pigments), nitro pigments, nitroso pigments and aniline black pigments.
Suitable carbon black pigments include: carbon blacks manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, for example, No. 2300, No. 900, MCF 88, No. 33, No. 40, No. 45, No. 52, MA 7, MA 8, MA 100 and No. 2200 B; carbon blacks manufactured by Columbian Carbon Co., Ltd., for example, Raven� 5750, Raven� 5250, Raven� 5000, Raven� 3500, Raven� 1255 and Raven� 700; carbon blacks manufactured by Cabot Corporation, for example, Regal� 400 R, Regal� 330 R, Regal� 660 R, MogulL�, Monarch� 700, Monarch� 800, Monarch� 880, Monarch� 900, Monarch� 1000, Monarch� 1100, Monarch� 1300 and Monarch� 1400; and carbon blacks manufactured by Degussa, for example, Color Black FW 1, Color Black FW 2, Color Black FW 2 V, Color Black FW 18, Color Black FW 200, Color Black S 150, Color Black S 160, Color Black S 170, Printex� 35, Printex� U, Printex� V, Printex� 140 U, Special Black 6, Special Black 5, Special Black 4 A and Special Black 4.
Suitable yellow pigments include C.I. Pigment Yellow 1, C.I. Pigment Yellow 2, C.I. Pigment Yellow 3, C.I. Pigment Yellow 12, C.I. Pigment Yellow 13, C.I. Pigment Yellow 14 C, C.I. Pigment Yellow 16, C.I. Pigment Yellow 17, C.I. Pigment Yellow 73, C.I. Pigment Yellow 74, C.I. Pigment Yellow 75, C.I. Pigment Yellow 83, C.I. Pigment Yellow 93, C.I. Pigment Yellow 95, C.I. Pigment Yellow 97, C.I. Pigment Yellow 98, C.I. Pigment Yellow 109, C.I. Pigment Yellow 110, C.I. Pigment Yellow 114, C.I. Pigment Yellow 128, C.I. Pigment Yellow 129, C.I. Pigment Yellow 138, C.I. Pigment Yellow 150, C.I. Pigment Yellow 151, C.I. Pigment Yellow 154, C.I. Pigment Yellow 155, C.I. Pigment Yellow 180, C.I. Pigment Yellow 185 and C.I. Pigment Yellow 213.
Suitable magenta pigments include C.I. Pigment Red 5, C.I. Pigment Red 7, C.I. Pigment Red 12, C.I. Pigment Red 48 (Ca), C.I. Pigment Red 48 (Mn), C.I. Pigment Red 57 (Ca), C.I. Pigment Red 57:1, C.I. Pigment Red 112, C.I. Pigment Red 122, C.I. Pigment Red 123, C.I. Pigment Red 168, C.I. Pigment Red 184 and C.I. Pigment Red 202.
Suitable cyan pigments include C.I. Pigment Blue 1, C.I. Pigment Blue 2, C.I. Pigment Blue 3, C.I. Pigment Blue 15:3, C.I. Pigment Blue 15:34, C.I. Pigment Blue 16, C.I. Pigment Blue 22, C.I. Pigment Blue 60, C.I. Vat Blue 4 and C.I. Vat Blue 60.
The pigment may be a conventional pigment, as in the above examples, or it may be a surface treated pigment, for example a pigment treated to attach water solubilising or dispersing groups to its surface. Such surface treated pigments are available from a number of sources, including the pigments sold under the Cab-o-Jet� trade mark by Cabot Corporation.
In our experiments we found the flow rates through the filters can sometimes be slower at acidic pH than at alkaline pH. Bearing this in mind, the pH of the composition is preferably 7 to 14, more preferably 8.5 to 13.5, especially 10 to 13.
The composition preferably has an ionic strength of at least 0.1 mmol per litre, more preferably 0.4 to 1000 mmol per liter, more preferably 1 to 100 mmol per litre, especially 5 to 50 mmol per litre. We have found that use of such ionic strengths leads in many cases to improved flow rates through the filters. It is preferable that the ions present include one or more of those cations of Group 1 and 2 metals of the Periodic Table. Especially preferred examples of such cations include Na+, K+ and Li+ Ionic strength (I) in mol per litre can be calculated by the formula:
ci is the concentration of i'th ion in mol per litre and zi is its charge; and
the summation is done for all ions in the composition.
For example, a 2 molar solution of MgCl2 would have an ionic strength of 0.5Σ{(2�(2)2)+(4�(−1)2}=0.5�12=6 mol per liter.
We have also found that the temperature at which the filtration is performed can affect the flow rate. In our experiments we found that filtration temperatures of 0 to 50� C., especially 20 to 30� C. are preferred.
Preferably the process is performed at trans-filter pressure drop of up to 20,000 Pascal, more preferably up to 15,000 Pascal. The process of the present invention has a significant advantage over depth filters having non-uniform pore size in that they require much higher trans-filter pressures to achieve a given flow rate than when the filters of the present invention are used.
The liquid medium preferably comprises water and optionally one or more organic solvents. Examples of suitable organic solvents are described in more detail below in relation to potential ink components. Typically the liquid medium will further comprise a dispersant and/or surfactant.
Preferably the process is performed such that the flow rate of the composition through the inorganic filter is at least 5,000 litres/m2/hour, more preferably at least 10,000 liters/m2/hour, especially 20,000 to 60,000 liters/m2/hour.
Preferred pigment formulations are pigment concentrates. Whether it is an ink or pigment concentrate arising from the process depends to a large extent on the wishes of the person performing the process and the concentration of pigment in the resultant liquid. Typically inks will have a lower concentration of pigment than a pigment concentrate, e.g. the former may typically comprise 0.1 to 10 wt % of pigment while the latter may typically comprise 5 to 50 wt % of pigment (preferably 10.1% to 30 wt %). In this specification the term �wt %� refers to the weight of the relevant component expressed as a percentage relative to the total weight of the relevant composition (e.g. the ink).
The pH of the ink is preferably 4 to 11. The ink preferably has a viscosity at 25� C. of less than 50 cP, more preferably less than 25 cP, especially less than 15 cP and especially less than 5 cP. The viscosity for pigment formulations may be much higher than for inks because such formulations are further processed (e.g. by dilution with water and/or organic solvents and/or by addition of further dispersants, surfactants etc.).
Preferably the ink and the pigment formulations are aqueous, for example typically they comprise 50 to 97 wt % water. The amount of organic solvent in the inks is typically 2.9 to 40 wt % and in the pigment formulations the amount of organic solvent may be, for example, 0 to 50 wt %.
The organic solvent may be any of the solvents used in ink jet printing inks.
The ink preferably comprises a particulate pigment obtained by the process of the present invention and a liquid medium comprising water and an organic solvent.
When the liquid medium of the ink comprises a mixture of water and an organic solvent, the weight ratio of water to organic solvent is preferably from 99:1 to 1:99, more preferably from 99:1 to 50:50 and especially from 95:5 to 80:20.
It is preferred that the organic solvent present in the mixture of water and organic solvent is a water-miscible organic solvent or a mixture of such solvents. Preferred water-miscible organic solvents include C1-6-alkanols, preferably methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, n-butanol, sec-butanol, tert-butanol, n-pentanol, cyclopentanol and cyclohexanol; linear amides, preferably dimethylformamide or dimethylacetamide; ketones and ketone-alcohols, preferably acetone, methyl ether ketone, cyclohexanone and diacetone alcohol; water-miscible ethers, preferably tetrahydrofuran and dioxane; diols, preferably diols having from 2 to 12 carbon atoms, for example pentane-1,5-diol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, pentylene glycol, hexylene glycol and thiodiglycol and oligo- and poly-alkyleneglycols, preferably diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol; triols, preferably glycerol and 1,2,6-hexanetriol; mono-C1-4-alkyl ethers of diols, preferably mono-C1-4-alkyl ethers of diols having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, especially 2-methoxyethanol, 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethanol, 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)-ethanol, 2-[2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethanol, 2-[2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)-ethoxy]-ethanol and ethyleneglycol monoallylether; cyclic amides, preferably 2-pyrrolidone, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone, caprolactam and 1,3-dimethylimidazolidone; cyclic esters, preferably caprolactone; sulphoxides, preferably dimethyl sulphoxide and sulpholane. Preferably the liquid medium comprises water and 2 or more, especially from 2 to 8, water-miscible organic solvents.
Ink media comprising an organic solvent free from water are particularly useful where fast drying times are required and particularly when printing onto hydrophobic and non-absorbent substrates, for example plastics, metal and glass.
An especially preferred ink comprises:
The ink may of course contain customary ink additives, for example high-boiling organic solvents, surfactants, dispersants, binders, saccharides and saccharide derivatives, alkali hydroxides, buffers, humectants, preservatives, antimolds, glycols, anti-paper curl agents and anti-kogation agents.
The process of the present invention can be used to prepare inks and the pigment formulations having an accusizer number of less than 107 particles per cm3 greater than 1 micron (more preferably less than 108 particles per cm3, especially less than 5�105 particles per cm3 and more especially less than 104 particles per cm3 greater than 1 micron) when measured at 15 wt % pigment content.
With respect to the accusizer number, this number is a measurement of the number of particles per cm3 of ink or pigment formulation having a certain size or greater in a liquid at a certain wt % of pigment content.
Accusizer Tests may be performed as follows:
Sample preparation: 0.3 cm3 of ink or pigment formulation is diluted in 100 cm3 DI water. Then 0.2 cm3 of the diluted sample is injected into accusizer vessel. The total number of particles per cm3 greater than 1 micron were recorded and adjusted to reflect the concentration of particles per cm3 of the initial ink or pigment formulation corrected to the appropriate solids level.
Examples of preferred high-boiling organic solvents include: polyhydric alcohols, such as ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, propylene glycol, butylene glycol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, thioglycol, hexylene glycol, glycerin, trimethylolethane and trimethylolpropane; alkyl ethers of polyhydric alcohols, such as ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, triethylene glycol monoethyl ether and triethylene glycol monobutyl ether; 2-pyrrolidone and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone; 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone; and triethanolamine.
Among them, the use of water-soluble organic solvents having a boiling point of 180� C. or above is preferred. The use of water-soluble organic solvents having a boiling point of 180� C. or above can impart water retention and wetting properties to the ink composition. As a result, excellent storage stability can be realized. Further, an ink composition can be realized which, even when allowed to stand in an open state, that is, when allowed to stand in contact with air at room temperature, can maintain the fluidity and the redispersibility for a long period of time and, in addition, when used in ink jet printing, does not cause clogging of nozzles during printing or at the time of restarting after interruption of printing, thus offering high ejection stability.
Examples of water-soluble organic solvents having a boiling point of 180� C. or above include ethylene glycol (b.p.: 197� C.; the boiling point being hereinafter described within parentheses), propylene glycol (187� C.), diethylene glycol (245� C.), pentamethylene glycol (242� C.), trimethylene glycol (214� C.), 2-butene-1,4-diol (235� C.), 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol (243� C.), 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol (197� C.), N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (202� C.), 1,3-dimethyl-2-imidazolidinone (257-26� C.), 2-pyrrolidone (245� C.), glycerin (290� C.), tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether (243� C.) dipropylene glycol monoethyl glycol (198� C.), dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether (190� C.), dipropylene glycol (232� C.), triethylene glycol monomethyl ether (249� C.), tetraethylene glycol (327� C.), triethylene glycol (288� C.), diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (230� C.), diethylene glycol monoethyl ether (202� C.) and diethylene glycol monomethyl ether (194� C.). Among these water-soluble organic solvents, those having a boiling point of 200� C. or above are preferred. These water-soluble organic solvents may be used alone or as a mixture of two or more of the same.
The content of the high-boiling organic solvent is preferably about 0.01 to 10 wt %, more preferably about 0.1 to 5 wt %.
Water-soluble organic solvents usable herein include tertiary amines. The addition of tertiary amines can impart wetting properties to the ink. Specific examples of tertiary amines include trimethylamine, triethylamine, triethanolamine, dimethylethanolamine, diethylethanolamine, triisopropanolamine and butyldiethanolamine. They may be used alone or as a mixture of two or more. The amount of the tertiary amine added to the ink is preferably about 0.1 to 10 wt %, more preferably about 0.5 to 5 wt %.
Examples of preferred dispersants include synthetic polymers and examples thereof include: polyvinyl alcohols; polyvinyl pyrrolidones; acrylic resins, such as polyacrylic acid, acrylic acid/acrylonitrile copolymer, potassium acrylate/acrylonitrile copolymer, vinyl acetate/acrylic ester copolymer and acrylic acid/acrylic ester copolymer; styrene/acryl resins, such as styrene/acrylic acid copolymer, styrene/methacrylic acid copolymer, styrene/methacrylic acid/acrylic ester copolymer, styrene/.alpha.-methylstyrene/acrylic acid copolymer and styrene/.alpha.-methylstyrene/acrylic acid/acrylic ester copolymer; styrene/maleic acid copolymer; styrene/maleic anhydride copolymer; vinylnaphthalene/acrylic acid copolymer; vinylnaphthalene/maleic acid copolymer; vinyl acetate copolymers, such as vinyl acetate/ethylene copolymer, vinyl acetate/fatty acid vinylethylene copolymer, vinyl acetate/maleic ester copolymer, vinyl acetate/crotonic acid copolymer and vinyl acetate/acrylic acid copolymer; and salts of the above polymers. Among them, a copolymer of a monomer having a hydrophobic group in its molecular structure with a monomer having a hydrophilic group in its molecular structure and a polymer of a monomer having both a hydrophobic group and a hydrophilic group in its molecular structure are particularly preferred.
Specific examples of surfactants include: anionic surfactants, such as acetylene glycols, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, sodium laurylate and ammonium salt of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulphates; nonionic surfactants, such as polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkyl esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ethers, polyoxyethylenealkylamines and polyoxyethylenealkylamides; and amphoteriic surfactants, such as N,N-dimethyl-N-alkyl-N-carboxymethylammonium betaine, N,N-dialkylaminoalkylenecarboxylates, N,N,N-trialkyl-N-sulfoalkyleneammonium betaine, N,N-dialkyl-N,N-bispolyoxyethyleneammoniumsulfonic ester betaine and 2-alkyl-1-carboxymethyl-1-hydroxyethylimidazoliniumbetaine. They may be used alone or in combination of two or more of the same.
In the present invention, preferably, an acetylene glycol surfactant is preferably incorporated in the ink and/or pigment formulation. Specific examples of preferred acetylene glycol surfactants usable in the present invention include 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol, 3,6-dimethyl-4-octyne-3,6-diol and 3,5-dimethyl-1-hexyn-3-ol. Commercially available products may also be used as the acetylene glycol surfactants represented by formula (I). Specific examples thereof include Surfynol� 104, Surfynol� 82, Surfynol� 465, Surfynol� 485 and Surfynol� TG (available from Air Products and Chemicals Inc.) and OLFINE� STG and OLFINE� E 1010 (manufactured by Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.).
The pigment formulations (e.g. concentrates) preferably comprise a filtered particulate pigment obtained by the process of the present invention and a liquid medium comprising water and optionally an organic solvent. Thus the pigment formulations are much as described above for the inks except that the organic solvent is optional and generally the pigment content is higher than in an ink. Pigment concentrates are useful because they may be kept as a stock material for later manufacture of inks and they are relatively compact and cheaper to transport due to the lower content of liquid medium. To convert a pigment concentrate into an ink one simply needs to add water and/or organic solvent and any desired ink additives.
The ink composition is preferably for use in ink jet printer, more preferably a thermal or piezo ink jet printer.
Specific examples of ink additives include alkali hydroxides and examples thereof include potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide and lithium hydroxide. The amount of the alkali hydroxide added is preferably about 0.01 to 5 wt %, more preferably about 0.05 to 3 wt %.
The amount of the surfactant included in the ink is preferably 0.01 to 10 wt %, preferably 0.1 to 5 wt %
The ink preferably contains a glycol ether, for example ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-iso-propyl ether, diethylene glycol mono-iso-propyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-t-butyl ether, diethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, triethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol mono-t-butyl ether, 1-methyl-1-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol mono-t-butyl ether, propylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether, propylene glycol mono-iso-propyl ether, propylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monoethyl ether, dipropylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether and dipropylene glycol mono-iso-propyl ether. They may be used alone or as a mixture of two or more organic solvents.
A further useful class of ink additives are saccharides and saccharide derivatives because these can imparts water retention properties to the ink composition. In particular, the use of the saccharide or the saccharide derivative in combination with a salt or a derivative of hyaluronic acid can impart significant water retention properties to the ink.
Examples of saccharides include monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides (including trisaccharides and tetrasaccharides) and polysaccharides and preferred examples thereof include glucose, mannose, fructose, ribose, xylose, arabinose, galactose, aldonic acid, glucitol, sorbit, maltose, cellobiose, lactose, sucrose, trehalose and maltotriose. The polysaccharides refer to saccharides in a wide sense and embrace materials which widely exist in the natural world, such as alginic acid, .alpha.-cyclodextrin and cellulose. Derivatives of these saccharides include reducing sugars of the above saccharides (for example, sugar alcohols represented by the general formula HOCH2 (CHOH)nCH2 OH wherein n is an integer of 2 to 5), oxidized sugars (for example, aldonic acid and uronic acid), amino acid and thiosugars. Sugar alcohols are particularly preferred and specific examples thereof include maltitol and sorbitol. The content of the saccharide or the saccharide derivative is preferably about 0.1 to 40 wt %, more preferably about 2.5 to 20 wt %.
A still further ink additive is glycerine because in many inks it can reduce the likelihood of the ink drying at the front face of nozzles in a recording head and thus can help prevent nozzle clogging. The amount of glycerine added is about 5 to 40 wt %, preferably about 10 to 20 wt %.
Examples of preservatives or anti-moulds include sodium benzoate, pentachlorophenol sodium, 2-pyridinethiol-1-oxide sodium, sodium sorbate, sodium dehydroacetate and 1,2-dibenzothiazolin-3-one (Proxel� CRL, Proxel� BDN, Proxel� GXL, Proxel� XL-2 and Proxel� TN, manufactured by Arch Chemicals).
A further feature of the present invention provides an ink or a pigment formulation obtained by a process according to the first aspect of the present invention.
A further feature of the present invention provides an ink jet printer cartridge comprising a chamber and an ink wherein the ink is present in the chamber and has been obtained by a process according to the first aspect of the present invention.
The invention also provides an ink jet printer comprising such cartridge and a printing mechanism and a process for printing a substrate comprising applying thereto by means of an ink jet printer an ink obtained by a process according to the first aspect of the present invention or an ink as hereinbefore described.
The present invention will now be illustrated by the following non-limiting examples wherein all parts are by weight unless otherwise stated.
The examples described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,562,117 may be repeated except that in place of the sieves used therein there are used the fluXXbox, fluXXlab or fluXXpilot filtration products from Fluxxion B.V. of the Netherlands containing 5.0, 3.5, 2.0 or 1.2 micron filters.
Step 1�Preparation of a Composition Comprising a Particulate Pigment
BYK 190� (60 g, obtained from BYK Chemie) and deionised water (790 g) were added to a stainless steel beaker and stirred for 1 minute, using a Greaves Laboratory Mixer 135 (Model A High Shear Mixer), at low speed to produce a homogeneous mixture of polymer and deionised water without causing foam. To this mixture, Pigment Red 122 (150 g, available from e.g. Ciba, Clariant, Sun Chemicals etc.) was added slowly and mixed into the liquid using the Greaves Mixer. When all the pigment was wetted into the liquid, the Greaves mixer was run at 5000 rpm for approximately 15 minutes to produce a homogeneous pigment dispersion.
The pigment dispersion produced above was transferred to a Netzsch Mini-Zeta Laboratory Bead mill (available from Netzsch �Feinmahltechnik). The bead mill had previously been loaded with 200 ml of 0.5 mm yttrium stabilised ceramic grinding media (available from Netzsch - Feinmahltechnik). The pigment dispersion was milled for 5 hours at 3000 rpm in the bead mill and then discharged to a container.
The above milled dispersion was diluted with deionised water to form a pigment dispersion of 2% concentration, hereinafter referred to as the Unfiltered Dispersion. The Unfiltered Dispersion was transferred to 5 litre pressure vessel connected to a Pall Segment filter Model SAH0101G04J. This filter was fitted with a 0.3 micron depth filter cartridge Ref.AB01Y00318J. The pressure vessel was pressurised to 150,000 Pascal absolute and the pigment dispersion was filtered. The purpose of this filtration was to remove any grossly oversized particulate matter which might interfere with the subsequent particle size analysis (in routine practice of the invention it would not be necessary to measure particle sizes so there would be there would be no need to perform this depth filtration).
The resultant pigment dispersion (�Dispersion 1�) had a pH of 6.
A portion of Dispersion 1 was adjusted to pH 12 using sodium hydroxide solution (45% strength) to give Dispersion 2.
Step 2�Spiking with 4.0 Micron Polystyrene Micro Spheres
Dispersion 2 was spiked with 4.0 micron polystyrene micro spheres at a level of 5 ml of micro spheres per 1 litre of dispersion. These micro spheres were the type used for particle size standards e.g. �Micro Particles size standard based on polystyrene, monodisperse 4.0 micron, Product-No: 81494� available from Fluka Sigma-Aldrich. The resultant dispersion was called Spiked Dispersion 2.
Step 3A�Filtration with Filters of Uniform Pore Size
Filters having a uniform pore size of 3.5 microns or 5 microns were obtained from fluXXion B.V. of Eindhoven, The Netherlands (fluXXlab� cross-flow filtration systems). Each filter was activated (rendered hydrophilic) in accordance with the manufacturers instructions.
Spiked Dispersion 2 was filtered using the fluXXlab� cross-flow filtration systems containing filters having pores having a uniform pore size of 3.5 microns or 5 microns. The system settings were as follows:
The dispersions resulting from the uniform pore size 3.5 micron filter is referred to as Spiked Dispersion 3.
The dispersions resulting from the uniform pore size 5 micron filter is referred to as Spiked Dispersion 4.
Step 3B�Comparative�Filtration of Spiked Dispersion with a Depth Filter
Spiked Dispersion 2 was filtered through a 5 micron depth filter. The resultant dispersion is referred to as Spiked Dispersion 5.
Step 4�Measuring Particle Size Distribution
The four dispersions arising from Step 2, Step 3A and 3B (i.e. Spiked Dispersions 2, 3, 4 and 5) were analysed using a Nicomp Accusizer APS 780 particle size analyser. This device counts only particles above a set threshold size. By ignoring the vast majority of the particles below the threshold it is thus able to clearly distinguish changes in the absolute numbers of particles above that threshold and to display a size profile for those larger particles.
Step 1�Preparation of Dispersions 6 and 7
Dispersion 6 having a pH of 6 was prepared by the method described in Example 1 for Dispersion 1 except that the milling was conducted for 3 hours instead of 5 hours.
Dispersion 7 was prepared by adjusting the pH of Dispersion 6 to 12 using sodium hydroxide solution.
Step 2�Filtration with Filters of Uniform Pore Size
Dispersions 6 and 7 were filtered through Filters having a uniform pore size of 3.5 microns by the method of Example 1, Step 3A, and the permeate flow-rate was recorded against time. For dispersion 7 (pH12) the flow rate did not change noticeably even after 30 minutes of filtration. However for Dispersion 6 (pH 6) the flow rate dropped by 50% after 7 minutes.
Dispersions 6 and 7 were similarly filtered through Filters having a uniform pore size of 2 microns. For dispersion 7 (pH12) the flow rate did not change noticeably even after 30 minutes of filtration. However for Dispersion 6 (pH6) the flow rate dropped by 50% after only a few minutes.
Dispersion 8 was prepared by the method described in Example 1 for the Unfiltered Dispersion, except that milling was conducted for 1 hour instead of 5 hours and the pH was adjusted to 12 using sodium hydroxide solution.
Dispersion 9 was prepared by filtering a portion of Dispersion 8 through a 5 micron depth filter using the general method outlined in Example 1, Step 1.
Dispersion 10 was prepared by filtering a portion of Dispersion 8 through a filter having a uniform pore size of 5 microns using the general method outlined in Example 1, Step 3A.
The particle size distribution of Dispersions 8, 9 and 10 were measured using an Malvern Mastersizer 2000 laser diffraction particle size analyser. The results are shown on
An ink may be prepared as follows. Dispersion 2 is concentrated to 15% solids content using a 1000 Dalton ultrafiltration membrane, also removing dissolved salts in the process. The resultant pigment concentrate (33 parts) is mixed with glycerin (10 parts), triethylene glycol monobutyl ether (8 parts), Sufynol� 465 (1 part, from Nissin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) and water (48 parts), wherein all parts are by weight, to give an ink. The resultant ink may be printed onto paper using the piezo ink jet printer EM-900C manufactured by Seiko Epson.
Example 4 may be repeated except that in place of Dispersion 2 there is used the filtered Dispersion 7 arising from Example 2, Step 2.
Further inks may be prepared using Dispersion 2 and filtered Dispersion 7 concentrates (15% solids content) as shown in Table 1 below, wherein the numbers represent the number of parts of the relevant ingredients by weight:
Patent Citations
Non-Patent Citations
Referenced by
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text:
Bloating Upper Ab after taking Maca Root
Anyone else take this stuff? It has helped my anxiety a lot, I have ZERO anxiety (which I have generalized anxiety disorder) but since taking it I have been bloated in my Upper Abdomen. I also went to my regular Dr on the 14th of this month, BEFORE the bloat started. I gained probably 5 pds since Sept.
Anyone else have bloating in the Upper abdomen and weight gain? Oh and Im on day 40 of my cycle....last month period hit on day 18 of my cycle and now its a waiting game. I pray this bloat goes away WHEN my cycle hits. I DO have an appt with my Gyne Feb 12 and will go back on the mini pill, and ask for a transvaginal sonogram to check on my ovaries to make sure nothing sinister is happening.
I take Maca Powder daily..not sure of the dosage since it is a powder, but probably about 1000- 1500-mg. I put it in smoothies. Have not noticed any bloating/
The powder works better than some pills I tried. My flashes are sporadic and short now, as opposed to frequent and long lasting. My night sweats got bad in the last month, but I altered my bedding and sweat a lot less now.
I don't take Maca on Sundays...giving the body a break.
I think it is working for me and do recommend it - but you can't have thyroid issues. Maca should not be used if you have thyroid issues.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Philippine Rabbit
|This article needs additional citations for verification. (September 2010)
|"Our Reliability Rolls On"
|1946 by Brother named Florencio Buan and Bienvenido Buan. Florencio the older brother as the driver and Bienvenido as the conductor.
|Tarlac City, Philippines
|Service area
|Manila-Northern Luzon, Philippines
|Service type
|Provincial Operation
|Tarlac City, Angeles City, Pampanga, Baguio City, Benguet, Camiling, Tarlac, Alaminos, Pangasinan, Bangued, Abra
|100+ Buses (Nissan, Hino, Hyundai, KIA, Daewoo, Isuzu, Sunlong, Higer)
|Philippine Rabbit Bus Lines, Inc.
Philippine Rabbit Bus Lines, Inc. (PRBL) is considered one of the pioneering bus companies in the Philippines. It was founded in 1946.
The company's area of coverage extends from Metro Manila to northern provinces of Pampanga, Bataan, Zambales, Tarlac, Pangasinan, La Union, Benguet, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, and Abra. Its main terminal in Metro Manila is in Avenida Sta. Cruz, Manila.
According to Bong Barrameda (through Inquirer Trivia), and to urban legend, the name Philippine Rabbit was coined by accident, when the first of its buses were mistakenly painted Philippine Rabbit instead of the intended Philippine Rapid.
However, Mr. Ricardo L. Paras, the company's general manager, explains that the Company was named Philippine Rabbit in reference to the actual animal because of its speed and agility, not to mention how fast they pro-create. Secondly, the first acquisition of buses by the company then showed that the main body feature of the bus was shaped like the Rabbit. The Company was known then as PHILIPPINE RABBIT BUS COMPANY in 1948 until it was incorporated in August 1958 as the PHILIPPINE RABBIT BUS LINES, INCORPORATED or simply PRBL.
Owned and operated by the clans of Paras and Nisce, natives of Tarlac City, Philippine Rabbit operates to and from the Metro Manila and northern provinces along strategic routes.
They started with front-engined International Harvester buses to run the Manila-Ilocos route, taking over the franchise formerly owned by Halili Transit; with its northernmost terminal in Bangui, Ilocos Norte. They went on to the familiar rear-engined Isuzu buses with red livery with a yellowish-brown stripe with blue trim, illuminated destination indicator and illuminated company logo on the bus' front, bus numbers prominently displayed on strategic areas (including the roof), the words PHILIPPINE RABBIT on the side edges of the roof, and route codes on its bumpers—the iconic hallmarks of a Philippine Rabbit bus. Some of the units then featured panoramic windows and are painted white with red stripe in the middle and red lettering (dubbed as the "White Rabbits," which served as tourist buses for Rabbitours) -- an upgrade of their earlier buses. Their rivet-studded bodies, built exclusively for the company by BuPar Motors (also owned by the owners of Philippine Rabbit), were maintained to exact specifications by their skilled mechanics. In 1963 they also once operated Manila Motor Works-bodied Hino luxury buses with red-and-yellowish-brown livery and panoramic windows as their "First Class" buses; as well as operating Fuso units with aluminum bodies built by BLTBCo's bodybuilding department.
During the early 90's, the company supplanted their fleet with the latest-model white air conditioned UD Nissan Diesel, Hino and Mitsubishi Fuso buses, which, at the time, were the most modern in the country. The company then has employed a new livery for its recently acquired bus units, but colors from the old red buses were still used in these buses.
The company was on its darkest times in the late 90's and the first part of the following decade. Its workforce led a strike, which resulted to temporary suspension of the company's operations.
In order to regain losses after the strike, the company had to sell many of its assets, including bus units, franchises, and real properties. Its area of coverage was narrowed, since the company had to give up in favor of other players some of its routes.
Philippine Rabbit may have managed to survive from its crises, but is presently in its efforts to recover and regain its former status in the past. It continues to strive to be at par with leading bus companies in terms of number of buses and providing quality and reliable transport service to its patrons.
Philippine Rabbit is one of the bus companies who popularized the Philippine Euro Bus, which was a joint project of the defunct Nissan Diesel Philippines Corp. and VDL Jonckheere. Some of these buses are still running nowadays.
As of today, Philippine Rabbit is utilizing buses powered by engines built by Nissan, Hino, Isuzu, Hyundai, KIA and Daewoo.
Buses in their fleet are mostly built by Del Monte Motors Corporation, while a number are from Santarosa Philippines and Pilipinas Hino. Aside from these, the company has recently acquired imported surplus units from Korea: Hyundai, Daewoo, and Kia buses.
As of 2014, PRBL acquired new buses and it is Sunlong.
- Metro Manila
- Avenida, Manila
- Balintawak, Quezon City (defunct)
- Caloocan City (defunct)
- Cubao, Quezon City (defunct)
- Provincial Destinations
- Alaminos City, Pangasinan
- Angeles City, Pampanga
- Baguio City, Benguet
- Bangued, Abra (either from Manila or Baguio City)
- Camiling, Tarlac
- Tarlac City, Tarlac
Inter-Provincial Destinations[edit]
- Baguio City, Bangued
- Baguio City, Laoag
Former Destinations
- Aparri, Cagayan
- Balanga City, Bataan
- Bolinao, Pangasinan
- Concepcion, Tarlac
- Dagupan City, Pangasinan
- Guagua, Pampanga
- Laoag City, Ilocos Norte (from Quezon City/Caloocan)
- Malolos City, Bulacan
- Mariveles, Bataan
- Moncada, Tarlac
- Nueva Ecija
- San Fernando City, La Union
- Santa Cruz, Zambales (via Western Pangasinan)
- City of San Fernando, Pampanga
- Victoria, Tarlac
- Vigan City, Ilocos Sur
Former Inter-Provincial Destination[edit]
- Baguio City, Dagupan


text:
Puerta del Sol Rooms
Puerto del Sol square
The Puerta del Sol Rooms are located right on top of the square of the same name, the lively center of Madrid's nightlife scene. The hotel's central location is handy both for daytime sightseeing and night-time entertainment.
Museums steps away
Madrid is certainly known for its after-hours activities, but you can also take in some world-class art during the day without breaking a sweat. A 10-minute walk away are the Prado, the Thyssen, and the Reina Sofia museums, as well as the sprawling, genteel Retiro Park.
Free breakfast awaits
The first meal of the day is one you won't worry about - a continental breakfast is offered free at Puerta del Sol Rooms. You can ask the hotel's knowledgeable staff to help plan your day.
Vibrant colors
No doubt inspired by Madrid's vibrancy, rooms are colorfully painted and decorated. All rooms include air-conditioning, a television, and free WiFi, so you can stay connected with friends and upload photos for free.
This hostel is in a great location. It is steps from the metro and has lots of shops and…
Staff are friendly and accommodating.Very safe.If you are taking the Metrorail system…
Enter dates to check prices
Hotel Info: 866-539-8117from $59
- Single Room, 1 Single Bed, Shared Bathroom
- Triple Room, Private Bathroom
- Family Suite
- Double Room, Private Bathroom, City View (Puerta del sol Square)
- Single Room, 1 Single Bed, Private Bathroom
- Standard Double Room, Private Bathroom
- Standard Double Room, Shared Bathroom
- Triple Room, Shared Bathroom
Recommended hotels
At a glance
Key facts
Hotel size
- This hotel has 17 rooms
- This hotel is arranged over 1 floor
- Check-in time 12:30 PM-4 AM
- Check-out time is Noon
- Express check-in/out
Required at check in
- Credit card or cash deposit required
- Government-issued photo ID required
- Minimum check-in age is 18
Travelling with others
- No cribs (infant beds)
- No pets or service animals allowed
- Free WiFi in public areas
- Free WiFi in rooms
- No parking
Other information
- Smoke-free property
- Resort fee included
In the hotel
- Free continental breakfast daily
- Computer station
- 24-hour front desk
- Tours/ticket assistance
- Number of buildings/towers - 1
- Year Built 1860
- Elevator/lift
- Safe-deposit box at front desk
In the room
- Air conditioning
- Turndown service
- 19-inch TV
- Free WiFi
- Daily housekeeping
Puerta del Sol Rooms's small print
Also known as
- Puerta del Sol Rooms
- Puerta del Sol Rooms Madrid
Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed EUR 2500, due to national regulations. For further details, please contact the property using information in the booking confirmation.
Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms.
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation.
Mandatory fees
The charges below are included in the total price displayed:
- Resort fee
We have included all charges provided to us by this hotel. However, charges can vary, for example, based on length of stay or the room you book.


text: Nearly everyone fishes for a living on Laos' Don Sadam Island, near the site of the controversial Don Sahang dam. Locals and environmentalists alike are worried about the dam's effects on fish migration. Michael Sullivan/NPR hide caption itoggle caption Michael Sullivan/NPR Parallels Damming The Mekong River: Economic Boon Or Environmental Mistake? July 4, 2014 Laos' government says it needs the money the two dams will generate. But environmentalists and downstream neighbors say the dams are a major threat to fish migration and agriculture. Listen Loading… 5:39 Download Playlist


text:
Posts filtered on Category
Funny thing, I'm not concerned about Wallace and CJ, but . . .
Bookmark the Blog and come back often. Six weeks ago, all eyes were on Jason Castro and Brett Wallace. The Astros had a Plan B for Wallace that could shift Carlos Lee to first and Humberto Quintero was locked in as Castro's safety net. Now, just days before the season begins, the eyes have shifted […] [Read More]
Towles' back still a problem as season approaches
CLEARWATER, Fla. – J.R. Towles stayed back in Kissimmee this morning and took 25 swings in the batting cage as a bout with back spasms at one of the worst possible times has entered Day 3. Manager Brad Mills said it was still too soon to know whether the presumed second catcher on the roster […] [Read More]
Lunchtime links: He'll eat just about anything, especially for a price
Strange but true stories about a bullpen catcher, Carlos Silva burns all bridges leading in and out of Chicago, three Rays players have a break-in at their spring training rental house, the Mike Scioscia coaching tree, and the heavy load that Ryan Howard must carry. [Read More]
Postcard from Florida: The heat is already on
I always rooted for fights in sports, whether a batter charging the mound, two fourth-line wingers throwing punches or NBA players doing whatever that nonsense is that they allege to be fighting. [Read More]
Rodriguez aiming to leave spring struggles behind him
Wandy Rodriguez's final tuneup in Sunday's 8-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers completed his second consecutive poor spring in poor fashion. [Read More]
Astros notes: New infielder Inglett brings lefthanded bat
In search of a lefthanded bat off the bench, the Astros added a candidate into the equation, acquiring infielder Joe Inglett from the Rays for a player to be named or cash. [Read More]
Wandy, Wandy, please settle the debate!
A year ago, Wandy Rodriguez surprised everyone when he announced he wasn't ready to start the season. After five starts this spring, he probably doesn't need to make a similar announcement about 2011. [Read More]
Astros delaying roster moves until last minute
The injury to Clint Barmes has put enough of a hitch into the Astros' decision making that they will no longer be able to finalize a roster before leaving Florida. [Read More]
Postcard from Florida: He's out, then he's in
It's been quite the 48 hours for Tommy Manzella, who was asked to pack his things for minor league camp Thursday and then summoned back to major league camp Saturday because of the injury to Clint Barmes.
Talk about awkward. Or it could have been, but … [Read More]
Talk about awkward. Or it could have been, but … [Read More]
Astros notes: Mills likely settled on catchers
Barring anything significant coming of J.R. Towles' back spasms, he is in line to share catching duties with Humberto Quintero, manager Brad Mills hinted Saturday. [Read More]
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text:
#870 of 959
flower greeting cards, water flower greeting cards, texture greeting cards, water lilly greeting cards, macro greeting cards, nature greeting cards, colorful greeting cards, louisiana greeting cards, south louisiana greeting cards, new orleans. bayou greeting cards, wetlands greeting cards
This is an image of a water lilly with a texture laid on top. It can be printed in numerous ways and works well as a square image. This flower opens during the morning hours and closes in the evenings. Feel free to email with questions/comments. Thank you for looking.
I�ve loved making photographs since I got my first camera as a young boy. My hope is that my work evokes feeling and a sense of place and that someone will feel drawn to a print as I was first drawn to it when attempting to capture that moment. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter @SPellegrinPhoto. Thank you for looking.
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If you're not happy with a purchase that you made on FineArtAmerica.com, for any reason, you can return it to us within 30 days of the order date. As soon as it arrives, we'll issue a full refund for the entire purchase price. Please note - Fine Art America does not reimburse the outgoing or return shipping charges unless the return is due to a defect in quality.
Fine Art America sells thousands of pieces of artwork each month - all with a 100% money-back guarantee.
If you've hesitated to purchase artwork online in the past, why not give us a try? You have nothing to lose!
We take great pride in the fact that artists have chosen Fine Art America to fulfill their orders, and we look forward to helping you select your next piece!
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A Brief History Of The Crayfish
Boko Haram Kills 39, Legislator, Disrupting Nigeria Election
A Beginner's Guide To Navy-Strength Rum
Andrew Wiggins Pulls The Smoothest Spin Move Ever
The Picassos Of Serial Killers
I Interrupted Anime Twitter Cybersex Roleplay As Jon Taffer From 'Bar Rescue'
UConn Women's Hoops Is Like Godzilla With Rocket Launchers Strapped To Its Arms
USDA Banning Public Appearances Of Those Two Almost-Escaped Llamas
Tom Brady Jumps Off A Cliff
Should You Tip On Takeout?
A Firefighter's Account Of The New York City Blast
Suze Orman, One Of TV's Greatest Gay Icons, Is Going Off The Air
Philly Fan Hits Half-Court Shot To Win Free Season Tickets
The World's Fair That Raised San Francisco From The Ashes
The Real Precedent In The Ellen Pao Case Happened Out Of Court
H-Bomb Headaches
Race Car Flips Into Crowd At The Nürburgring, Killing One Spectator
Footage Of Fatal Nürburgring Crash
Italian Court Throws Out Knox Conviction Once And For All
Will Forte Sings An Ode To His Beard On 'Fallon'
40 Greatest Sketch-Comedy TV Shows of All Time
Germanwings Co-Pilot Andreas Lubitz 'Wanted To Make Everyone Remember Him'
Be Your Guest? How About I Just Pay And Leave?
Astronauts Board Space Station For 1-Year Mission
Inside The Deep Web Drug Lab
Jay Z's Spending Habits
The The second-in-command of the Fresno Police Department and four others were arrested Thursday on federal drug charges, authorities said.
Angie's List canceling $40 Million Headquarter and employee expansion in Indiana following passage of RFRA
OSHA fines Dollar General $83,000 for 'serious' violations
Frog Enzyme Clears Genital Warts
Apple's Tim Cook and Other Tech CEOs Blast Indiana "Religious Freedom" Law
A United States court has delivered another legal setback to Kim Dotcom with the US Government winning a civil forfeiture case against the mogul: he has lost an estimated $67 million worth of assets including millions in cash, property, luxury cars, jet skis, large screen televisions and art.
Federal study finds alarming use of antipsychotics among nation's poor children, foster kids
Domino's policy changes on deliveries angers residents: There will be no more Domino's deliveries in the Lower 9th Ward after dark. It is one of the changes the pizza company is making after another one of its drivers was murdered in the Lower 9th Ward while on the job.
Hillary Clinton deleted all email from personal server
19 States that have 'Religious Freedom' laws that no one is boycotting.
Police officer who slammed Indian grandfather to the ground (partially paralyzing him) indicted for civil rights violation
Patrick Moore, Man Who Refused to Drink Roundup, is Not a Monsanto Lobbyist
Future Shop's are closing across Canada, sudden decision made this morning
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Sunday's National Newspaper Front Pages
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Crash pilot was psychiatric patient, planned big gesture: paper
U.S., allies target Islamic State in Tikrit, other Iraqi cities
Islamist groups seize Syrian city Idlib for first time
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Millions vote in Nigeria elections hit by Islamist attacks and technology issues
Don't stigmatise depression after Germanwings crash, says top doctor
Blow for Assad as Islamist militants take strategically important city of Idlib
US and coalition launch 18 air strikes against Isis in Iraq amid fight for Tikrit
Are we ready for the next volcanic catastrophe?
Bird flu kills 22,000 Minnesota turkeys and infects tens of thousands more
Search Efforts Continue for 2 Missing in NYC Blast
Crash Victim's Dad to Airlines: Look After Pilots' Welfare
Spring Break Horror: 7 People Shot at Florida House Party
Captain of Doomed Germanwings Plane Identified
Russians and NASA Discuss Building a New Space Station
Train Crashes Into Two Cars in Los Angeles, Injuring 21
Deal Timing Unclear as Iran Nuclear Deadline Looms
Cyberbullying's Got a New Target: Big Companies
Nigerian Elections: Gunmen Kill 15 as Polls Open
Gas-Line Tampering Eyed as Possible Cause in NYC Blast
Mom: Boy With Special Needs Told to Remove Varsity Jacket
Germanwings Pilot May Have Had Vision Problems: Report
Delaying Nigeria's Vote Didn't Stem Boko Haram Violence, Data Shows
Lonely No More: Iris the Chimp Finds Love at Sanctuary
Victim's Mom in Amanda Knox Case 'Shocked' by Ruling
Airline Pledges $54,450 Per Victim For Families
Boston Police Officer in Critical Condition After Shooting
Giant Gator Is Back on Golf Course ... With Breakfast
Immune Therapy Offers Rare Hope for Ovarian Cancer
Teenage girl rushed for HIV and hepatitis tests after she sat on a NEEDLE on a bus
Former bodybuilder with liver cancer is given just three weeks to live - but says he'll beat the disease with healthy eating
Fashion at Dubai World Cup
'We will lock David Cameron out of No.10': Nicola Sturgeon promises to 'force Labour's hand' in coalition during Glasgow speech met with six-minute standing ovation
Aristocrats 'feel entitled to abuse people' says son of the 10th Earl of Sandwich who was raped by his father as a child
Dinner time! Stunning photographs show sharks, dolphins, birds and a whale feasting on around NINE MILLION sardines
Four-year-old puts on her purple raincoat, sneaks out of the house and hops on the bus alone to get a slushie ... at 3AM!
Pilot Andreas Lubitz's ex-girlfriend says he shared chilling prophecy before Alps crash
'You keep saying the same thing': Hilarious video shows father shouting at his husky for stealing a bag of potato skins - and the dog answers back
United Nations and international diplomats withdraw from Yemen as Iranian-backed fighters march on Aden amid bombing campaign
'We put our children's lives in their hands - this should never happen again': British father of Germanwings victim makes emotional appeal for airlines to take greater care of their pilots' mental health
Spectator dies at Nurburgring after British racing driver Jann Mardenborough's car flips into air and crashes into crowd
Woman filmed hurling 'racist' abuse at two men on the Tube
MP Simon Danczuk spotted 'favouriting' hard-core pornography
Lena Dunham in anti-Semitism row over 'Dog or Jewish Boyfriend?' article
Germanwings Co-Pilot Andreas Lubitz Examined for Vision Problems - Wall Street Journal
As deadline looms, Iran nuke talks take on frantic tone - Fox News
Panama City Beach shooting wounds 3 Alabama A&M students - AL.com
Hillary Clinton wiped personal server clean of all e-mails - TMJ4
In one Nigerian town, tensions boil over after waiting 12 hours to vote - The Globe and Mail
Boston cop shot in face honored last year for aiding wounded comrade - CNN
Thousands march in Indiana to protest law seen targeting gays - Reuters
Schumer Moves Fast to Succeed Reid After Decade Waiting in Wings - Bloomberg
Arab Coalition Presses Air Campaign Against Shi'ites in Yemen - Voice of America
Clinton wipes server after handing over e-mails
Co-pilot 'obsessed' with Alps; flew crash area as a boy
Weekly news quiz: Test your headline knowledge
Co-pilot vowed to 'do something,' ex tells German media
2 remain missing after deadly NYC blast
Iran nuke talks enter critical phase this weekend
Millions of Nigerians turn out to vote in presidential poll
Aid workers racing to defeat Ebola before the rains come
Official: Al-Shabab siege at Somali hotel ends, 24 dead
Seven people shot at Florida spring break party
Thousands protest 'religious freedom' law in Indiana
Dancing in the dawn draws booze-free revelers
South L.A.'s MLK hospital will reopen with a new healthcare outlook
LAPD is more diverse, but distrust in the community remains
In store for visitors to Yosemite: a drier, browner park
Buddhist monk, under cloud of suspicion, dies in apparent suicide
Measure seeks to regulate programs for gay teens
Voter turnout disparity was key in razor-thin O.C. supervisor race
Preserve and Tejon Ranch look for common ground for wildlife, public
Clinton Emails Deleted Late Last Year
Indiana Religion Law Sparks Fury
Silicon Valley Venture Firm Prevails in Sex-Bias Suit
Amanda Knox Murder Conviction Overturned
One-Year Space-Station Mission Begins
U.S. Raises Pressure on Israel Over Palestinians
GOP-Controlled Senate Clears Budget
Machete attack leaves man in critical condition
Winning numbers for March 27, 2015
3 firefighters injured in apartment blaze
Reports: Plane makes emergency landing at IAH
3 firefighters injured in apartment blaze
Marijuana bust leads to millions in cash and plants, a whole lot of smiley mugshot photos
Convicted commissioner seeks presidential pardon
Bluejack National comes to JDR sales meeting
M.D. Anderson docs in PBS cancer documentary airing Monday
The best Astros infield: Who were they?
'Shoot, Don't Shoot' training shows what police go through on the beat
NASA astronaut Scott Kelly takes off on mission to break space record
Mutilated dog found on Houston streets will survive
Machete attack leaves man in critical condition
Winning numbers for March 27, 2015
3 firefighters injured in apartment blaze
Reports: Plane makes emergency landing at IAH
3 firefighters injured in apartment blaze
Briton's father in plea to airlines
Cameron promises 'seven-day NHS'
SNP will make change 'for all UK'
Knox and Sollecito cleared of murder
Apple boss 'to donate $800m fortune'
Israel 0-3 Wales
Jihadists in Syria 'capture Idlib'
Nigeria voting extended to Sunday
Policeman charged with wife's murder
Iran nuclear talks 'enter endgame'
Corden hails US chat show reaction
Yemen leader accuses 'Iran stooges'
The challenges of election polling
VIDEO: Can we design for better living?
VIDEO: Nigeria elections: Key points
What is the point of the Large Hadron Collider?
Graphene light bulb set for shops
VIDEO: Chocolatier creates giant Easter egg
Hamilton says Rosberg did not block
What Is A 'Stay Bonus,' And How Can I Get One?
Just How Important Are Mobile Shoppers? Come April 21, We Will Find Out
Intel's Rumored Acquisition Of Altera Could Help Protect Its Massive Monopoly In Servers
'Not Everyone Is Cut Out For Entrepreneurism:' Another Business Lie
Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge
Galaxy S6 And Galaxy S6 Edge Hide Samsung's Broken Promise
Most Job-Seekers Aren't Ready For Prime Time - Are You?
Buying Government With Lobbying Money
The 10 Best Freelance Careers
Who Will Tap This Giant Fin-Tech Opportunity In The Uber Economy?
School Of Tech: First-Time PC Building Budget, Best AMD And Nvidia Graphics Card Brand?
CVC 'Don't Need And Don't Want' To Sell F1 Says Ecclestone
15 Interviewing Tips That Convert to Job Offers
'Vikings' Season 3, Episode 6 Review: Born Again
Court overturns part of S.F. workers' pension cuts
San Francisco's wildest scandals
1 dead in Pescadero truck fire
Pedestrian killed by vehicle in Martinez
Deputy in inmate fights faced 2006 complaints
Torture ruling offers hope to Bay Area immigrant
Interfaith ring of solidarity supports Muslims
Inside the cult of San Francisco
Stanford lets more students in tuition-free
Chiu wants Muni buses to keep their enforcement cameras on
Owners of Chinatown SRO reverse course, won't seek evictions
Ed Lee bans city travel to Indiana to protest law allowing bias
Funeral services Thursday for slain San Jose officer
Former United Commercial Bank exec convicted of securities fraud
AC Transit chief resigns as board was considering his performance
Court overturns part of S.F. workers' pension cuts
Al Qaeda-led fighters in Syria take control of Idlib city
Yemen's disintegration may herald region-wide conflagration
Co-pilot in Germanwings crash vowed to do something memorable, ex-girlfriend tells media
'No data' supports notion that Toronto has raccoon problem
Yemeni president calls for bombings until rebel surrender
Elderly pedestrian in life threatening condition after collision
French, German foreign ministers join Iran talks amid signs of discord
Stephen Harper's anti-niqab rhetoric helps terrorist recruiters, Charles Taylor says
At least 2 still missing after New York buildings collapse
Germanwings pilot sought treatment for vision problems before crash, authorities say
Future Shop dead; half of stores survive as Best Buys
Nigeria extends voting to Sunday in presidential election
Montreal police use tear gas, sound grenades to shut down protest
At least 24 dead, dozens injured following hotel attack in Somalia
Amanda Knox 'so grateful to have my life back'
David Cameron: 'I want to win disaffected Tory voters back'
David Cameron: New pensions freedoms are a 'big change'
Fifth Isil runaway held on take-off
David Cameron: My plan to win back disgruntled Tories
Lights out as Earth Hour kicks off, in pictures
First baby born from IVF technique which eliminates inherited disease
How Yemen's US-backed ex-dictator is tearing his country apart
Deadlocked Iran talks enter 'endgame'
Japan searches for Second World War soldiers' remains in sealed caves of Palau
Andreas Lubitz's father 'devastated... a man whose life has broken down'
Czech women kidnapped in Pakistan freed after 2 years
Al-Qaeda affiliate claims capture of Syrian city of Idlib
George Osborne: Life would be hell under Ed Miliband
Andreas Lubitz had eyesight problem which 'threatened his career as a pilot'
Nicola Sturgeon offers Labour pact to make Ed Miliband PM
FRANCE: Germanwings A320 crash pilot hid sick-leave notes for crash day
FRANCE: German police take evidence from A320 crash copilot's home
FRANCE, GERMANY, SPAIN : Germanwings A320 crashed deliberately, investigators
FRANCE: Germanwings A320 crash: pilot locked out of cockpit
FRANCE: Indian Prime Minister Modi to visit France mid-April
FRANCE: Hollande, Merkel, Rajoy visit Germanwings A320 crash site
FRANCE: Germanwings A320 crash probe 'not focusing on terrorism'
FRANCE - SPAIN: Spain's Felipe cuts short French visit after fatal plane crash
FRANCE - SPAIN - GERMANY: Survivors from GermanWings crash in French Alps 'unlikely'.
FRANCE - SPAIN: ETA Basque separatist arrested in France
WORLD MUSIC MATTERS: Jimmy Somerville sparkles in his disco ball album
FRANCE/EUROPE: Three French citizens held for kidnapping girl in Serbia
FRANCE - BRAZIL - ITALY: Italian far-left writer Battisti faces possible deportation from Brazil to France
MALI - FRANCE - BELGIUM: Mali attack suspect shot resisting arrest, police
FRANCE: France blocks Belgian euro coin marking Battle of Waterloo
Baird win policy over populism: Morrison
Australia to sign up to 'China Bank'
Funerals take Abbott off Pollie Pedal
Pedestrian killed in Melbourne's east
Glassing in Sydney's southwest
Golden boy Baird claims NSW victory
Voters chose 'hope over fear': Baird
Labor claims renewal in election defeat
Vic parade remembers 'Princess Marci'
Murder charge laid after Qld toddler dies
Reject party of Obeid in NSW: Turnbull
Voting closes in NSW election
IS reminder of WWI sacrifice: PM
Disunity hurt Vic Libs election: Kemp
Vic Libs disorganised: election review
Public input needed on emissions: Hunt
ACT motorcyclist busted after bus crash
Baird warns NSW voters on complacency
Vic thief steals TV, hails taxi


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31 March - 2 April 2015
Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore
The city of Singapore welcomes you to Metal Bulletin Events' 16th Asian Ferro-alloys conference, being held from 31 March – 2 April 2015....
6 - 8 October 2015
Le Meridien
Vienna, Austria
Metal Bulletin Events and SMR's 14th International Stainless and Special Steel Summit will be held in the beautiful city of Vienna. Over three days delegates...
12 - 14 September 2012
Stockholm, Sweden
Stainless & Special Steel - International Stainless & Special Steel Summit: Covering Flat Stainless Products, Stainless Raw Materials, Stainless Long Products. This conference is one...
12 - 13 September 2012
Istanbul, Turkey
Metal Bulletin Events' 2nd Steel Scrap Conference – the key forum for debate involving all segments of the scrap market.
This conference is one of...
5 - 7 September 2012
Johannesburg, South Africa
South African Ferro-alloy Conference 2012 - Infrastructure and supply: Understand these vital market factors at the industry forum for the South African Ferro-alloys industry....
5 - 6 July 2012
Returning for its 3rd year, the Chromite Conference will follow previous successes by offering emphasis on the ever changing story in chrome in both non-metallurgical...
(c) American Metal Market Events, part of Euromoney Trading Limited


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We asked an array of people — hiring editors, recent graduates, professors, technologists, deans — to evaluate the job j-schools are doing and to offer ideas for how they might improve. Over the coming days, we'll be sharing their thoughts with you. Here's Steve Buttry, digital transformation editor for Digital First Media.
Students live digital-first lives. Student media need to become digital-first. They should consider and experiment with new approaches even more vigorously and daringly than professional media. But student journalists working for campus newspapers quickly mimic their elders' fondness for working for a print product. The rush of seeing your byline in print crosses generational divides.
At two recent workshops, I showed student journalists in Texas why their student media are becoming digital-first. On a whiteboard in one workshop and a flip-chart sheet in the other, I drew four columns: print, broadcast, computer, and mobile.
I asked the students to tell me what media bring them their information about the world beyond friends, family, and faculty, placing each student's percentages for each type of media in the four columns. Student journalists from the University of Texas-Arlington and Texas Christian University filled them in about the same: One would say 60 percent computer, 20 percent mobile, and 10 percent each print and broadcast; the next would say 60 percent mobile, 30 percent computer, 10 percent broadcast, 0 percentprint. The columns filled up with large numbers in the digital columns, small ones in the legacy columns.
The only TCU student who put 0 in the mobile column felt obliged to explain that she had a crappy old phone. No one felt a need to explain zeros in print or broadcast.
These were numbers for students who were considering careers in print and broadcast media, I noted to them. The numbers would be even more skewed toward digital for their peers who had never labored to put out a newspaper, never clipped out a story bearing their byline.
On an April consulting visit to TCU, I wandered one evening to a few campus buildings and saw stacks of that morning's Daily Skiff unclaimed in several distribution racks. Earlier in the semester, when Fort Worth police arrested 16 students in a drug bust, coverage by TCU360.com brought 100,000 pageviews.
This year, I have consulted or trained with student media at UTA, TCU, and the University of Oregon on their conversion to digital-first operations. I'll be training this fall at the University of Colorado, where student media are digital-only. I presume that other student media are making similar moves, but too many remain focused on publishing a daily newspaper and/or planning a daily broadcast, with the website in a secondary position. In that way, they are like too many professional media.
I have worked in professional print and broadcast operations where the tasks and culture of legacy media thwarted efforts at digital innovation. That's unfortunate and damaging in professional news operations, where the audience and revenue streams from the legacy media provide some cover for resistance to change. But student media can find a prosperous future themselves as they show professional media how to make this difficult transition.
Student media are structured in different ways. Some are completely independent from the journalism school or university. Others have varying degrees of subsidy or governance from their university. Whatever the structure, student media have advantages that professional media don't in experimenting in their pursuit of digital-first prosperity:
I'm not sure which is the right digital-first approach for student media, but I like that we're going to see a variety of experiments in the coming school year:
I'm sure (and I hope) that other student newsrooms are experimenting this year with digital-first approaches.
On campuses everywhere, students have made the news-consumption transition swiftly, learning about their world on smartphones, tablets and laptop computers. The choice for student media is simple: Slide into irrelevancy even faster than professional media that fail to adapt, or race into the digital future and help show them the way.
Image from Matt Hintsa used under a Creative Commons license.
|Millennials say keeping up with the news is important to them — but good luck getting them to pay for it
The new report from the Media Insight Project looks at millennials' habits and attitudes toward news consumption: "I really wouldn't pay for any type of news because as a citizen it's my right to know the news."
|The next stage in the battle for our attention: Our wrists
News companies have moved from print dollars to digital dimes to mobile pennies. Now, with the highly anticipated launch of the Apple Watch, the screens are getting even smaller. How are smart publishers thinking about the right way to serve users and maintain their attention on smartwatches?
|A wave of distributed content is coming — will publishers sink or swim?
Instead of just publishing to their own websites, news organizations are being asked to publish directly to platforms they don't control. Is the hunt for readers enough to justify losing some independence?


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Canadian users: any good knife blocks on sale?
Im looking for a set for my parents for christmas, and i have looked at many home stores but havent really seen anything good.
Now, homesense right now has a bunch of henckle professional "s" series knives (2nd grade), individually. Prices are pretty cheap, for comparison, an 8" chef knife was 25 bucks compared to i think around 100 at kitchen stuff plus (which is supposedly 25% off henckle stuff)
would i be best off buying a seperate block and all the knives seperatly?
As well, another store which i cant think of off the top of my head has many knife block sets, several of them forged for good prices
the knives though, upon holding them in my hand are not too nice.
do i have to spend upwards of 200+ for a good set of forged knives?
on a side note, those calphalon japanese katana knives are the nicest piece of kitchenware i have ever seen


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The new Collection Series VI International Custom 24, and the new Private Stock Paul's Guitar, are advertised as having a "Chaltecoco Pernambuco" neck. Is there a difference between Pernambuco and Chaltecoco Pernambuco?
The new Collection Series VI International Custom 24, and the new Private Stock Paul's Guitar, are advertised as having a "Chaltecoco Pernambuco" neck. Is there a difference between Pernambuco and Chaltecoco Pernambuco?
Great question Bryan....will follow this thread to see what the company has to say.
I emailed Customer Services a little while ago asking the same question! If I get a response before you do, I'll post it here.
Here's an article on Pernambuco that might be of interest:
Interesting thing....These is a point that should be elucidated in order not to create another "sinkergate" (LOL).
It seems that both are part of the the same genus Caesalpinia. Caesalpinia echinata is Pernambuco wood, also known here in Brazil as "Pau-Brasil" (because its color that resembles a flamed charcoal, in Portuguese - Brasa). Brasil, the country was named after this wood, 5 centuries ago. Chaltecoco seems to be a different species Caesalpinia velutina which growths in Guatemala.
Even if they have same appearance and sonic properties it would be an analog situation of comparing two other "cousins" Brazilian Rosewood (Dalbergia nigra) to Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia).
Is there no official word from PRS on this? I didn't get a reply to my email to Customer Services, and nothing's been added here.
The key concern is that (at least on another forum anyway) it has been disclosed that Pernambuco is the choice hi-premuim wood...used in "$25,000 violin bows" while the Chaltecoco has been described as a wood that is (and I quote) "appropriate for fence posts and fire wood".
So...there appears to be a great discrepancy between the quality of the two sub-species with regard to their sonic properties and value. Further information from the "horse's mouth" would be invaluable in preventing another "stinker-gate".
The ME2s were specced as 'Select Dalbergia Neck & Fretboard': "We've found a new kind of black rosewood that we're using for the necks and fretboards," said Paul
Getting back to the pernambuco question, I can only assume that a change of name in the specs means that it is no longer the same pernambuco we've seen before.
My question is whether it's a close cousin within the genus, maybe as per Brazilian Rosewood versus Indian Rosewood, or are they more disparate like a lion and a leopard?
Twinfan.....My error...as posted elsewhere, the correct spec for ME-2's was "Select Dalbergia" so it was NOT BRW but a substitute. Sorry for the incorrect attribution. Still concerned, as "select Dalbergia" certainly was inferior to the BRW we had grown accustomed to in the former run of ME's. So...to maintain the correlation...is the "new pernambuco" just as inferior to the original pernambuco that came so highly priced and higly acclaimed??
This is the question isn't it Doc!
I'd certainly like to know what this new stuff is
So yes...I am very interested in what the quality of the "PB Prime....the "coco-PB" consists of. Especially having paid for the "premium wood" already.
Yep, I paid the preium for my Collection V and my PS SC245. On the SC245, it was a ~£900 upcharge.
I don't think I could have justified that to myself for a "fence post"
As an owner of several Pernambuco Guitars, I agree that PRS needs to provide an explanation/statement. However, I seems like we could show a little patience in waiting for a response. I would think we will hear something by the end of the day. I am certainly sitting in the front row & have some concerns about this. I just don't think it's fair to have a trial without a response from PRS..............
Fanboy of the Jester (AKA) James (Previously known as 11top)
Hang on guys, I'm awaiting word from the experts
I have no problem with the pernambuco guitars I own, they're superb. Part of my personal justification for paying their upcharge was that I was getting something rare, and so the upcharge was somewhat validated.
I'm curious to know if this new stuff is the same as the old stuff or not. If it's different, then I need to know what's different about it before I pay the large premium in the future for another Collection model or similar. If the new stuff is plentiful and can be obtained very easily in large quantities, then my own evaluation of its "worth" would change significantly.


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STARmeterSEE RANK
Down 9,364 this week
Damian Christian-Howard
Born in Paris, France to British parents. Raised in Europe and North Africa. Won high acclaim for his debut performance, aged 17, as Jokannan in Oscar Wilde's 'Salome', whose production team included Claudio Bravo (set design), Yves St Laurent (costume) and Paul Bowles (composer). Trained professionally for 3 years in London before going on to perform... See full bio »
Born:Damian. A. Christian-Howard
in Paris, France
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Colony 29 Resort- 6 Bedroom Guest Houses Grouping
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- 6 bedrooms
- 6 bathrooms
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Type: HouseColony 29 Resort- 6 Bedroom Guest Houses Grouping
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Welcome to Colony 29 - The ultimate luxury retreat in Palm Springs!
Surrounded by approximately 6 acres of botanical gardens with a backdrop of the beautiful foothills of the San Jacinto Mountains and the Indian Canyons, Colony 29 offers panoramic valley views from the property easterly to the Chocolate Mountains, and southerly to the Santa Rosa Mountain Range.
Colony 29 has been described by Palm Springs Life as the "Last Best Place in Palm Springs". Imbibe in the tranquility of this beautifully restored historical architectural jewel and experience the meandering paths that feature thousands of botanical specimens that are in perfect ...Read more
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hybrid tea cuttings
I'm not finding too much information about rooting HT cuttings. It seems that temps are a more critical factor with these roses... what is the ideal temp for them? Are there any other factors to consider for successful rooting of HTs?
I have about 60 going in my basement right now I got as cuttings from UCal Davis. While they are trying toroot, I keep them on a thermostatically controlled heat mat at 74 degrees. Once they have rooted, and I have re-potted, I just keep them under Fluorescent lights for 17 hours a day.This must be working because some of the roses I started on 11/4/05 are rooted and flowering (El Capitan, El Cid, Virgo, Pacifica are blooming right now). I took the instructions provided by George Mander, and tried different experiments to see what would work best for me.
Two of the changes I made were the rooting medium (I swear by coconut coir) and the pots I use for rooting. The pots I use are 2.25 square x 3 1/4 deep, and clear, which means I can see the roots as they are forming. I find great satisfaction when checking cuttings and seeing the roots actually growing.
Let me know if you have any questions. To check out some photo's frm my gardens, you can click on the link here.
Here is a link that might be useful: Gleason's Michigan Rose Garden


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Campion's spellbinding 'Bright Star" a thing of beauty
It begins like a Jane Austen comedy of manners, with genteel country folk in top hats and high-waisted frocks visiting each other's parlors, trading repartee. But filmmaker Jane Campion has something far more rapturous, mysterious, and absorbing in mind for her new film, Bright Star. Working from a real-life romance in the life of Romantic-era English poet John Keats, Campion creates an achingly lovely ode to youthful passion, and the wellspring of art.


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Dell Latitude Broadwell i5 Dual 16" Laptop
$549 free shippingShop Now
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Dell Small Business offers the 4.9-lb. Dell Latitude 15 3550 3000 Series Intel Broadwell Core i5 2.2GHz 15.6" Laptop for $679. Coupon code "QLSKB?XG61RJB5" cuts the price to $549. With free shipping, that's $30 below last month's mention and the lowest total price we've seen. (It's a current low by $50.) Features include an Intel Core i5-5200U 2.2GHz Broadwell dual-core processor, 15.6" 1366x768 LED-backlit LCD, 4GB RAM, 500GB 7200 rpm hard drive, Bluetooth 4.0, 802.11n wireless, 3-cell battery, and Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (with a Windows 8.1 Pro license). Deal ends March 27.


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No other ice cream place was opened. Large variety of flavors offers ice cream and sorbet. Person very friendly.
Great tasting ice cream! I had the Banana Cream Pie Glacier....a malt with bananas and pie crust...?out of this world and toed with whipped cream.
The wife had Pistacchio ice cream which was loaded with pistachios. Five Spoons!!!
Got a chocolate dipped vanilla come. Was very good! Small town had good amount of people here on a Saturday night for ice cream.
We have used this ice cream place 4 times and never been disappointed. We do only get a medium or large chocolate dipped ice cream cones but they are always GREAT. Highly recommend this as an after dinner dessert stop. $ 2.50 for medium dipped cone and well worth it.
I came to this place when stopping in Benson for gas and was amazed that they had so many flavors! Muchbetter than DQ! The girl who was behind the counter wasn't at all bothered by how many questions I had to ask (as they have a huge menu and most of it sounds delicious). I decided on the Prickly Pear...
Soft serve ice cream that melts immediately or blue belle hard scoop. Not worth the calories. Filthy outdoor seating.
This is a quaint little DQ type place in downtown Benson. Basically the same as DQ but with many many more flavors of soft serve (something like 60) and 6-8 flavors of Blue Bell ice cream. They also have lattes but I haven't tried those. Definitely a must stop if you want an ice cream fix.
They have 60 flavors of soft serve and 8 flavors of hard ice cream. In the heat of the desert this place is a must stop. There are shaded areas for sitting outside.
essentially the same offerings as a dairy queen (which is was for years as our kids grew up) but the ambience of small town ice cream shop makes it feel even better
I spotted this place as I drove through Benson a while back, and on a return trip for a weekend reprieve from the Tucson heat, this place was top of my list to visit. While not much in Benson has survived the decline in the economy, this little place seems to do just fine. It's akin of old Dairy Queens...
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