Printing – Processes
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-28
2001-11-20
Eickholt, Eugene (Department: 2854)
Printing
Processes
C347S098000, C347S102000, C106S031130, C106S031140, C106S031010
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318265
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to inking systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to ink, paper and an inkjet printer.
Widespread use of e-mail and the World Wide Web, many had hoped, would usher in a “paperless society.” It hasn't. Many people still prefer to print out and read e-mail messages and web page content rather than read from computer monitors. What has been ushered in instead is a market for inexpensive ink jet printers. These inexpensive printers might not offer great print quality, but they do offer an inexpensive and convenient way of reading e-mail messages and web page content.
Unfortunately, much paper is wasted. Typically, a person will print out an e-mail message or web page content on one or more sheets of paper, read or show the message or content to someone else, and then throw away the paper.
If only the e-mail message or web page content could be erased from the paper after being read. A single sheet of paper could then be reused a countless number of times for printing out and reading e-mail messages and web page content. Paper could be conserved, and money could be saved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention, a special ink is printed on a reusable paper. The special ink consists of water and a humectant. The reusable paper includes a surface darkened by a water-insoluble material and a coating covering the darkened surface. The coating is made of a material that scatters light when dry and that becomes at least translucent and at most transparent when wetted by water.
If the special ink is printed onto the reusable paper, it will be visible for a limited period of time (e.g., half an hour). By the end of that time period, however, the special ink will have completely disappeared from the reusable paper.
The special ink may be applied to the reusable paper by an inkjet printer. An inkjet cartridge for such a printer includes a casing filled with the special ink. Such a printer may be used to print out e-mail messages and web page content. After the e-mail messages and web page content have been read and have disappeared from the reusable paper, the reusable paper may be inserted back into the printer and reused.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3846141 (1974-11-01), Ostergren et al.
patent: 4259675 (1981-03-01), Mansukhanl
patent: 5929135 (1999-07-01), Wasal et al.
patent: 6086955 (2000-07-01), Mistry et al.
patent: 6090749 (2000-07-01), Kowaiski
patent: 6106110 (2000-08-01), Gundjian et al.
patent: 6142618 (2000-11-01), Smith et al.
Lin An-Chung R
Sobel Irwin
Eickholt Eugene
Hewlett--Packard Company
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