Compositions: coating or plastic – Coating or plastic compositions – Marking
Reexamination Certificate
2001-07-03
2003-12-16
Bell, Mark L. (Department: 1755)
Compositions: coating or plastic
Coating or plastic compositions
Marking
C106S031860, C106S031640, C106S031650, C106S031750, C106S031700
Reexamination Certificate
active
06663704
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to pearlescent inks, writing instrume nts, and methods and, more particularly, to pearlescent inks that are shear-thinning and/or erasable, and can be used in writing instruments.
2. Description of Related Technology
Inks that are used in writing instruments, such as, for example, pens and markers, generally include one or more solvents, such as, water and/or one or more organic solvent(s), and a colorant, typically a dye or pigment. In some inks not used in writing instruments, such as, printing inks for gravure or offset printing, the pigment is a nacreous or pearlescent pigment that imparts an iridescent or “pearlescent” sheen to a marking formed with the ink. Such pearlescent pigments are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,087,828, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention provides shear-thinning and/or erasable pearlescent inks that can be used in writing instruments.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a pearlescent ink for use in a writing instrument comprises a shear-thinning additive and pearlescent pigment particles dispersed in a solvent.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an erasable pearlescent ink comprises a dispersion of a pearlescent pigment in a solvent. The ink exhibits an erasability of at least about 80%.
In accordance with an additional aspect of the invention, a shear-thinning pearlescent ink comprises a pearlescent pigment, a solvent, and, a shear-thinning additive, wherein said pigment is dispersed in said solvent. The ink has a shear thinning index of between about 0.01 and about 0.8.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a method of forming a marking on a substrate comprises making a marking on the substrate with a writing instrument containing a pearlescent ink. The pearlescent ink comprises a shear-thinning additive and pearlescent pigment particles dispersed in a solvent.
In accordance with an additional aspect of the invention, a method of forming a marking on a substrate comprises making a marking on the substrate with a writing instrument containing a pearlescent ink. The pearlescent ink comprises a dispersion of a pearlescent pigment in a solvent. The ink exhibits an erasability of at least about 80%.
In accordance with another aspect according to the invention, a method of forming a marking on a substrate comprises making a marking on the substrate with a writing instrument containing a pearlescent ink. The pearlescent ink comprises a solvent, a shear-thinning additive, and a pearlescent pigment. The pigment has an average particle diameter between about 2 microns and about 15 microns and is dispersed in the solvent.
In accordance with another aspect according to the invention, a method of forming a marking on a substrate comprises making a marking on the substrate with a writing instrument containing a pearlescent ink. The pearlescent ink comprises a pearlescent pigment, a solvent, and, a shear-thinning additive. The pigment is dispersed in the solvent and the ink has a shear thinning index of between about 0.01 and about 0.8.
In accordance with another aspect according to the invention, a writing instrument comprises a reservoir containing a pearlescent ink. The pearlescent ink comprises a shear-thinning additive and pearlescent pigment particles dispersed in a solvent.
In accordance with another aspect according to the invention, a writing instrument comprises a reservoir containing a pearlescent ink. The pearlescent ink comprises a dispersion of a pearlescent pigment in a solvent, and the ink exhibits an erasability of at least about 80%.
In accordance with another aspect according to the invention, a writing instrument comprises a reservoir containing a pearlescent ink. The pearlescent ink comprises a solvent, a shear-thinning additive, and a pearlescent pigment, and the pigment has an average particle diameter between about 2 microns and about 15 microns and is dispersed in the solvent.
In accordance with another aspect according to the invention, a writing instrument comprises a reservoir containing a pearlescent ink comprising a pearlescent pigment, a solvent, and, a shear-thinning additive. The pigment is dispersed in the solvent and the ink has a shear thinning index of between about 0.01 and about 0.8.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will become better understood with regard to the following description and appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In accordance with the invention, pearlescent inks are disclosed for use in instruments intended for writing on a substrate, such as, for example, pens and markers. The inks of the invention provide good writing properties and an attractive, pearlescent appearance. The pearlescence of the writing composition or ink tends to give markings formed with the ink an appearance of depth.
In one aspect, the invention features a pearlescent ink for use in a writing instrument, including a dispersion of a pearlescent pigment in a solvent.
Implementations of this aspect of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The solvent includes an aqueous solvent system. The ink is shear-thinning. The ink has a shear thinning index of between about 0.01 and about 0.8. The ink has a viscosity greater than 200 mPa·sec at a shear rate of about 1.0 sec
−1
, and a viscosity less than 1000 mPa·sec at shear rates greater than about 100 sec
−1
. The ink is erasable. The ink has an erasability of at least about 90%. The pearlescent pigment has a flake-like morphology. The pearlescent pigment has a radius of gyration of at least about 0.5 micron. The ink is substantially free of dye. The ink further includes a second pearlescent pigment having a color effect that is different from that of the pearlescent pigment. The ink further includes a non-pearlescent pigment. The pearlescent pigment includes a dichromatic pigment. The ink further includes a shear-thinning additive.
In another aspect, the invention features an erasable pearlescent ink including a dispersion of a pearlescent pigment in a solvent, the ink exhibiting an erasability of at least about 80%.
Implementations of this aspect of the invention may include one or more of the following features. The pearlescent pigment consists essentially of particles having a radius of gyration of at least about 0.5 micron. The solvent includes an aqueous solvent system. The ink is shear-thinning. The ink has a shear thinning index of between about 0.01 and about 0.8. The ink exhibits an erasability of at least about 90%. The ink is substantially free of dye. The ink further includes a second pearlescent pigment having a color effect that is the same or different from that of the pearlescent pigment. The ink further includes a non-pearlescent pigment. The pearlescent pigment includes a dichromatic pigment.
In a further aspect, the invention features a shear-thinning pearlescent ink including a dispersion of a pearlescent pigment in a solvent, the ink having a shear thinning index of between about 0.01 and about 0.8.
In yet another aspect, the invention features a pearlescent ink comprising a dispersion of a dichromatic pearlescent pigment in a solvent.
The invention also features methods of marking on substrates using writing instruments containing inks of the invention.
When used in a writing instrument, preferred pearlescent inks exhibit even laydown, good line intensity, good line uniformity, and good writing performance.
As used herein, the term “laydown” refers to the amount of ink that is deposited on a substrate when making a marking of a particular length. Typical laydown for the preferred pearlescent inks is between about 0.1 mg/m and about 15.0 mg/m; preferably, between about 1.0 mg/m and about 12.0 mg/m; and most preferably, between about 5.0 mg/m and about 10.0 mg/m.
As used herein, the term “even laydown” refers to the morphology of the ink when it is applied to a substrate to crea
Czubarow Pawel
Kim Yoojeong
Spencer Jean L.
Bell Mark L.
Berol Corporation
Faison Veronica F.
Marshall & Gerstein & Borun LLP
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