Synthetic resins or natural rubbers -- part of the class 520 ser – Synthetic resins – Processes of preparing a desired or intentional composition...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-21
2001-01-16
Cain, Edward J. (Department: 1714)
Synthetic resins or natural rubbers -- part of the class 520 ser
Synthetic resins
Processes of preparing a desired or intentional composition...
C106S031250, C106S031710
Reexamination Certificate
active
06174938
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of water-based coloring compositions for drawing and coloring purposes. Water-based coloring compositions are provided which produce vivid images on a wide variety of writing surfaces. In one particular aspect, the invention relates to formulations of coloring compositions for use in markers, which are especially suitable for use by children.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of opacifiers to enhance the appearance and visibility of coloring compositions is well known. When coloring compositions containing an opacifier are applied to opaque surfaces (e.g., paper, walls, whiteboards, etc.), the opacifier brightens and intensifies the images produced by the composition. When coloring compositions containing an opacifier are applied to transparent surfaces, the opacifier enhances the visibility of the writings through increased light scattering. Inorganic pigments, such as titanium dioxide, have commonly been used in paints as an opacifier.
Coloring compositions containing a conventional opacifier, however, suffer from a variety of well-known deficiencies that render them unsuitable for use in children's coloring markers. Conventional opacifiers settle-out over time causing writing instruments to clog and resulting in unacceptable variation in the writings. Although valve-type marker systems containing an agitator ball allow the user to redisperse the settled particles, such non-conventional markers are significantly more expensive and cumbersome than traditional capillary delivery systems. The inclusion of thickeners to counteract this settling produces compositions having an unsatisfactory viscosity that cannot be dispensed through capillary-type markers. Finally, opaque inks containing pigments and other resins sometimes render the compositions permanent which is not appropriate for a coloring product primarily used by children who often make stray marks on themselves and surrounding surfaces. As a result of these inadequacies, coloring markers containing conventional opacifiers have not been produced with great success.
Further, even when traditional marker inks containing dyes are stable when stored either tip up or tip down, they produce markings that are transparent when dry. Consequently, writings on transparent surfaces (e.g., windows) or colored paper are difficult to see upon drying.
It is therefore one general object of the invention to provide a water-based coloring composition suitable for use in markers which produces images exhibiting enhanced visibility and stability, suitable for writing on porous and non-porous surfaces.
A further object is to provide water-based coloring compositions which exhibit enhanced visibility and stability on transparent and colored writing surfaces.
A further object is to provide non-toxic coloring compositions which are suitable for use by young children who may make marks on themselves and their clothing.
A related object of the invention is to provide a dry erase coloring composition suitable for use on windows, writing boards, whiteboards and other non-porous surfaces.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention, as well as additional inventive features, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of the invention and the appended claims.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a water-based coloring composition suitable for use in markers and, in particular, children's markers. The water-based coloring composition comprises a carrier, submicron polymeric particles, and a neutral buoyancy additive. The carrier in the coloring composition of the present invention is water.
In another form, the invention is a water-based dry erase coloring composition comprising a carrier, submicron polymeric particles, a neutral buoyancy additive, and a release agent. The carrier in the dry erase coloring composition of the invention is water.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention advantageously incorporates submicron polymeric particles and a neutral buoyancy additive into a water-based coloring composition to produce writings having a unique opaque effect when dried. The coloring compositions of the present invention have a superior visual appeal which makes them suitable for use in a wide variety of applications.
The carrier component of the inventive coloring composition is water. Preferably, the water used in the present invention is deionized water. Advantageously, the use of water as a carrier yields compositions that have a very low toxicity and a negligible irritant smell. Minor amounts of other liquid components may be present in the carrier, but these components should not significantly impact the toxicity of the inventive coloring compositions. Other liquid components which may be present in the carrier include, for example, ammonia and alcohol. The carrier is present in an amount sufficient to form a suspension of the other components in the composition.
The maximum amount of water used is an amount which results in a stable composition and which is capable of forming a mark having the minimum acceptable visibility on a substrate. The minimum amount of water is that amount necessary to form a stable suspension of the components of the coloring composition and provide a composition which can be freely dispensed from the selected dispensing element. The remaining components must be dispersible in water. The proportion of carrier contemplated herein is from about 15% to about 97% by weight of the total coloring composition of the present invention. The carrier is preferably present in an amount of from about 20% to about 80% and, most preferably, in an amount of from about 40% to about 75%. Some or all of the carrier may be contributed by water found as a portion of one or more other components.
In addition to the carrier, the coloring compositions of the present invention include an opacifier. Opacifiers are used to modify and enhance the visual impact of a product and give such products a uniform opaque appearance. This visual appeal allows the inventive coloring compositions to be available in a wide variety of formulations for use in many different applications. Specifically, an opacifier is believed to function as a light-scattering agent to reduce the transparency of the coloring compositions. The extent of visibility of a particular opacifier depends upon the geometry and refractive index of the opacifier particles as compared to the refractive index of the medium light travels through (i.e., air). By incorporating an opacifier into a coloring composition, the images generated appear more visible because light reflects off the opacifier toward the viewer's eye rather than passing through the image.
The opacifiers used in the present coloring compositions are submicron polymeric particles. Suitable polymeric particles may have any shape including, but not limited to, spheres, rods, cylinders, cubes and other non-uniform shapes. In the contest of the present invention, spherical submicron particles are referred to as microspheres. Mixtures of submicron polymeric particles having different shapes may also be used. Further, the polymeric particles may be solid or hollow. Mixtures of solid and hollow particles can also be used. Hollow polymeric microspheres generally have an outer polymeric shell and an inner hollow region.
The submicron polymeric particles may be made of virtually any organic polymer and may be either thermoplastic or thermosetting. Useful thermoplastic resins for forming microspheres include cellulose derivatives, acrylic resins, polyolefins, polyamides, polycarbonates, polystyrene, copolymers of styrene and other vinyl monomers, vinyl polymers such as homo- or copolymers of vinyl acetate, vinyl alcohol, vinyl chloride, vinyl butyral, and homo- and copolymers of dienes. Particularly useful are copolymers of styrene and other vinyl monomers. Acrylic-styrene copolymers are most preferred. The polymeric particles may also comprise suitable thermosetti
Miller Richard E.
Santini Andree F.
Sutton, Sr. Terry L.
Binney & Smith Inc.
Cain Edward J.
Leydig , Voit & Mayer, Ltd.
Wyrozebski Katarzyna
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