Compositions: coating or plastic – Coating or plastic compositions – Marking
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-20
2001-05-08
Klemanski, Helene (Department: 1755)
Compositions: coating or plastic
Coating or plastic compositions
Marking
C106S031750
Reexamination Certificate
active
06228157
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to colorant compositions, particularly to ink jet ink compositions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of pyrrolidone and glycols as suitable “solvents” in colorant compositions is well known in the art of ink jet printing. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,503 to Hindagolla et al., assigned to Hewlett-Packard Company, Palo Alto, Calif., discloses ink jet ink compositions containing one or more solvents in the form of pyrrolidones. Other ink compositions containing glycols as suitable solvents are disclosed in numerous patents including, but not limited to, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,705,043; 4,381,946; 4,421,559; 4,853,037; 4,957,533; 4,973,499; 5,196,057; 5,207,824; 5,431,724; 5,560,771; and 5,624,484.
The above-mentioned ink compositions, containing one or more pyrrolidone and/or glycols, result in a hazy or dull color when applied to a number of ink-receiving substrates. Further, the above-described ink compositions possess an undesirable degree of tackiness when applied to a number of ink-receiving substrates. While the above-described ink compositions have a number of desirable properties, such as minimal spreading, smear resistance and waterfastness, the ink compositions still possess many shortcomings.
What is needed in the art is an ink jet ink composition which may be applied to an ink-receiving substrate without resulting in a hazy appearance or a tacky feel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to compositions containing a colorant and at least one water-soluble compound having the following general formula:
wherein x is hydrogen or an alkyl having from approximately 1 to 6 carbons; y is an alkyl having from approximately 1 to 6 carbons; and z is an alkyl having from approximately 1 to 6 carbons. The presence of the water-soluble compound results in an improved composition with minimal haziness and tackiness. In one embodiment of the present invention, the composition comprises an ink jet ink composition. Other compatible components may be added to the mixture to produce a composition having desired properties, such as lightfastness, waterfastness, pH, etc.
The present invention is also directed to ink-receiving substrates having the above-described composition thereon. Suitable ink-receiving substrates include substrates such as paper, wood, fabrics and films. The present invention is further directed to a method of printing an ink composition onto an ink-receiving substrate.
The present invention is also directed to a method of making a composition comprising a colorant and at least one water-soluble compound as described above. At least one water-soluble compound is incorporated into a mixture containing a colorant. The present invention is also directed to an ink jet ink cartridge containing the above-described composition.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a review of the following detailed description of the disclosed embodiments and the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The compositions of the present invention contain a colorant and at least one water-soluble compound having the following general formula:
wherein x is hydrogen or an alkyl having from approximately 1 to 6 carbons; y is an alkyl having from approximately 1 to 6 carbons; and z is an alkyl having from approximately 1 to 6 carbons. The compositions possess waterfastness and smear resistance similar to or superior to colorant compositions of the prior art, but also have minimal haziness and tackiness regardless of the ink-receiving substrate. The present invention is also directed to ink-receiving substrates having the above-described composition thereon.
As used herein, the term “composition” and such variations as “colored composition” are used herein to mean a colorant and one or more water-soluble compounds described above. The composition may optionally include other compatible components.
As used herein, the term “colorant” is meant to include, without limitation, any material which typically will be an organic material, such as an organic colorant or dye. The term is meant to include a single material or a mixture of two or more materials.
The term “thereon” is used herein to mean thereon or therein. For example, the present invention includes a substrate having a colored composition thereon. According to the definition of “thereon” the colored composition may be present on the substrate or it may be in the substrate.
The water-soluble compounds used in the compositions of the present invention have the following general formula:
wherein x is hydrogen or an alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbons; y is an alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbons; and z is an alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbons. The substituents x, y and z are selected to result in a compound which is water soluble. In some desired embodiments, x is hydrogen; y is an alkyl having from 1 to 3 carbons; and z is an alkyl having from 1 to 3 carbons. In more desired embodiments, x is hydrogen; y is an alkyl having from 1 to 2 carbons; and z is an alkyl having from 1 to 2 carbons.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the water-soluble compound comprises
In a further embodiment, the water-soluble compound comprises
The water-soluble compound may be present in the composition in any amount as long as the composition is suitable for use. For example, when the composition is an ink jet ink composition, the amount of water-soluble compound may need to be less than for another type of coating. Desirably, the amount of water-soluble compound in the composition of the present invention is up to about 25 weight percent based on the total weight of the composition. In some desired embodiments of the present invention, the water-soluble compound is present in an amount of about 2 to 25 weight percent based on the total weight of the composition. In more desired embodiments of the present invention, the water-soluble compound is present in an amount of about 6 to 10 weight percent based on the total weight of the composition. The colorant may be present in the composition in any amount as long as the composition is suitable for use. Desirably, the amount of colorant in the composition of the present invention is from about 1 to about 10 weight percent colorant, and the balance water.
The compositions of the present invention may include any colorant known in the art. Suitable colorants include, bur are not limited to, dyes and pigments. Desirably, the colorant is an organic dye. Organic dye classes include, by way of illustration only, triarylmethyl dyes, such as Malachite Green Carbinol base {4-(dimethylamino)-a-[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]-a-phenyl-benzene-methanol}, Malachite Green Carbinol hydrochloride {N-4-[[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]phenyl-methylene]-2,5-cyclohexyldien-1-ylidene]-N-methyl-methanaminium chloride or bis[p-(dimethylamino)phenyl]phenylmethylium chloride}, and Malachite Green oxalate {N-4-[[4-(dimethylamino)-phenyl]-phenylmethylene]-2,5-cyclo-hexyldien-1-ylidene]-N-methyl-methanaminium chloride or bis[p-(dimethylamino)-phenyl]phenylmethylium oxalate}; monoazo dyes, such as Cyanine Black, Chrysoidine [Basic Orange 2; 4-(phenylazo)-1,3-benzenediamine monohydrochloride], Victoria Pure Blue BO, Victoria Pure Blue B, basic fuschin and &bgr;-Naphthol Orange; thiazine dyes, such as Methylene Green, zinc chloride double salt [3,7-bis(dimethylamino)-6-nitrophenothiazin-5-ium chloride, zinc chloride double salt]; oxazine dyes, such as Lumichrome (7,8-dimethylalloxazine); naphthalimide dyes, such as Lucifer Yellow CH{6-amino-2-[(hydrazinocarbonyl)amino]-2,3-dihydro-1,3-dioxo-1H-benz[de]isoquinoline-5,8-disulfonic acid dilithium salt}; azine dyes, such as Janus Green B {3-(diethylamino)-7-[[4-(dimethylamino)phenyl]azo]-5-phenylphenazinium chloride}; cyanine dyes, such as Indocyanine Green {Cardio-Green or Fox Green; 2-
MacDonald John G.
Nohr Ronald S.
Kilpatrick & Stockton LLP
Klemanski Helene
LandOfFree
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