Compositions: coating or plastic – Coating or plastic compositions – Marking
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-01
2001-04-03
Klemanski, Helene (Department: 1755)
Compositions: coating or plastic
Coating or plastic compositions
Marking
C106S031110, C106S031610
Reexamination Certificate
active
06210471
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains generally to marking or coloring materials. In particular, the present invention relates to marking compositions and methods, as might be particularly useful for marking colored substrates, especially dark substrates.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known in the art that solid marking compositions can be formulated from mixtures of waxes, fatty acids, colorants, and color extenders. These solid marking compositions can be used to fabricate crayons (e.g., by low pressure injection molding or gravity pour molding), which can be used to draw, write, or color on porous and non-porous substrates. Crayons are most often used on various types of paper, such as notebook paper, art paper, and posterboard. Furthermore, crayons are available in a wide selection of colors, ranging from primary colors to fluorescent colors.
A variety of crayons and marking compositions have been disclosed in the patent literature. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,409,574; 3,933,708; 4,212,676; 4,990,013; and 5,383,954. However, these and other conventional approaches for providing crayons and marking compositions have been ill-suited for marking on colored substrates, especially dark substrates. In this respect, upon application to colored substrates, especially dark substrates, crayons and marking compositions of the prior art generate marks that are dull and that are not bright or vivid enough to be readily seen against such dark backgrounds.
Accordingly, it will be appreciated that there exists a need for a marking composition and method that permits the formation of bright and vivid marks on dark substrates. Particularly, there exists a need for a marking composition and method that not only produces bright and vivid marks on dark substrates, but which is also non-toxic, simple to make and use, chemically stable, and capable of generating various colors. It is an object of the present invention to provide a marking composition and method that satisfies these needs. These and other objects and advantages of the present invention, as well as additional inventive features, will be apparent from the description of the invention provided herein.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a marking composition suitable for marking on colored substrates (such as dark substrates) that comprises a wax, a fatty acid, a reflecting filler (i.e., opacifier), which is desirably present in a concentration of at least about 5% by weight of said composition, and a colorant selected from oil soluble dyes, oil dispersable dyes, or oil dispersable pigments. Preferably, the colorant is an oil soluble or dispersable dye. More preferably, the colorant is a polymer-bound oil soluble or dispersable dye, such as, for example, a polyoxyalkylene substituted chromophore. The inventive marking composition is suitable for use in writing instruments. In particular, the composition is especially suitable for use in crayons.
Advantageously, upon application to dark substrates, the marking composition of the present invention forms much brighter and more vivid and intense marks than conventional marking compositions. In addition, the inventive marking composition is non-toxic, simple to make and use, chemically stable, and capable of generating various colors.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention is predicated, at least in part, on combining an oil soluble or dispersable dye, or oil dispersable pigment, with a reflecting filler in a marking composition, and especially, a solid marking composition. Particularly, the reflecting filler desirably is present in a concentration of at least about 5% by weight of said composition. The colorant is preferably a polymer-bound oil soluble or dispersable dye. In addition, the marking composition comprises a wax and a fatty acid, and, optionally, a non-reflecting filler and a defoamer. By way of example, the marking composition can be in the form of a writing instrument, such as, but not limited to, a crayon or a colored pencil.
In particular, the marking composition of the present invention has particular utility with respect to marking colored substrates, and especially, dark substrates. In this respect, the inventive marking composition can be applied to any suitable substrate (dark or otherwise). Strictly by way of example, and not limitation, the colored and/or dark substrate can be in the form of notebook paper, art paper, posterboard, cardboard, construction paper, toys, paper bags (e.g., kraft paper bags), and the like.
In accordance with the present invention, the marking composition comprises a reflective filler (i.e., an opacifier), which is desirably provided in a concentration of at least about 5% by weight of the composition, and more preferably, about 8% to about 10% by weight of the composition. Significantly, the reflective filler enhances the opacity and, hence, brightness of the inventive marking composition. In this respect, the enhanced opacity provided in the form of the reflective filler causes more light to be reflected off of marks produced by the inventive composition, such that the marks will appear brighter and more vivid when applied to a dark substrate. Any suitable reflective filler can be utilized. However, an especially preferred reflective filler for inclusion in the marking composition of the present invention is titanium dioxide (TiO
2
) because it is very compatible with wax-fatty acid systems (as used herein), such as paraffin-stearic systems, and it has high opacity and whiteness. For example, TiO
2
is more desirable than zinc oxide because zinc oxide is not compatible with the rest of the formulation. For example, zinc oxide reacts with stearic acid undesirably to form zinc stearate.
The dye utilized in the inventive marking composition is either soluble in oil or dispersable (e.g., in the form of an emulsion) in oil as is desirable for the present wax-fatty acid system. The oil soluble or dispersable dye can be provided in any suitable amount. For example, the oil soluble or dispersable dye can be present in an amount ranging from about 1% to about 7% by weight of the inventive composition, more preferably about 5% by weight of said composition. Any oil soluble or dispersable dye can be utilized. The oil soluble or dispersable dye is preferably in liquid form, although dyes in dry (e.g., powder) form can also be incorporated into the inventive composition. The marking composition of the present invention avoids the need for including an emollient, especially where liquid dyes are utilized.
Preferably, the oil soluble or dispersable dye comprises a polymer-bound oil soluble or dispersable dye, such as a polyoxyalkylene substituted chromophore, and the dye can be encapsulated, if desired. Polymer-bound oil soluble or dispersable dyes are especially desirable because of their enhanced transparency and lightfastness. In this respect, such dyes that exhibit enhanced transparency are desirable, in accordance with the present invention, because the color of the dye is readily observed, but the relative transparency of the dye optimizes the reflective effect of the reflective filler so that the marking composition can produce bright and vivid marks on a dark substrate. Accordingly, oil soluble or dispersable dyes are strongly preferred over pigments because pigments are generally not as transparent for use in the present invention, and, in some embodiments, the pigment may even reduce the desired brightness and intensity effect desired pursuant to the present invention.
For example, various POLYTINT™ dyes (commercially available from Milliken Chemical Company of Spartanburg, S.C.) are polymer-bound oil soluble or dispersable dyes that are particularly useful dyes in the context of the marking composition of the present invention. Examples of suitable POLYTINT™ dyes include, for example, POLYTINT™ yellow X15, POLYTINT™ red X64, POLYTINT™ orange X96, POLYTINT™ blue X3LV, POLYTINT™ black X41LV, POLYTINT™ violet X80LT, and combinations thereof. The POLYTINT™ dyes can be ble
Augustyn John M.
Binney & Smith Inc.
Faison Veronica F.
Klemanski Helene
Leydig , Voit & Mayer, Ltd.
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