Ink compositions having superior smearfastness and reduced smudging and blot dry time

Claim 2

The ink composition of Claim 1 wherein the ink comprises from about 0.05 wt % to about 10 wt % of 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol and from about 0.05 wt % to about 3 wt % of the methyl pentanediol.

Claim 3

The ink composition of Claim 1 wherein the methyl pentanediol is 2- methyl-2,4-pentanediol.

Claim 4

The ink composition of Claim 1 wherein the colorant is a self-dispersing pigment.

Claim 5

The ink composition of Claim 4 wherein the ink composition further comprises an ink vehicle.

Claim 6

The ink composition of Claim 5 wherein said vehicle comprises at least one latex polymer.

Claim 7

The ink composition of Claim 6 wherein said latex polymer is selected from the group consisting of [(A) m (B) n (C) p (D) q (E) r ] x wherein A, B, C, D, and E are moieties as follows: A = at least one hydrophobic component contributing to improved durable, film-forming properties selected from moieties which, when homopolymerized to a solid state, have a glass transition temperature (T g ) in the range between -150° and +25°C; B = at least one hydrophobic and solvent barrier moiety used to adjust the T g of the hydrophobic component of said polymer (I) which, when homopolymerized to a solid state, has a T g greater than +25°C; C = at least, one hydrophilic component comprising a water-soluble monomer; D = at least one UV absorber; E = at least one moiety having at least one highly polar functional group; m = 5 to 95 wt%; n = 5 to 95 wt%; p = 0 to 60 wt%; q = 0 to 50 wt%; r = 0 to 40 wt%; m + n + p + q + r = 100 wt%; and x = 1 to 100,000; [(A) m (B) n (C) p (E) r ] x wherein A, B, C, and E are moieties as described above, and where m, n, p, and r of formula (II) are as follows: m = 0 to 90 wt%; n = 0 to 90 wt%; p = 0 to 90 wt%; r = 0,01 to 100 wt%; m + n + p + r = 100 wt%; and x = 1 to 100,000; and mixtures thereof.

Claim 8

An improved ink-jet ink for ink-jet printing, said ink-jet ink comprising at least one self dispersing pigment, an ink vehicle, and water, characterized in that said ink-jet ink further contains 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol and a methyl pentanediol.

Claim 9

The ink composition of Claim 8 wherein the methyl pentanediol is 2- methyl-2,4-pentanediol.

Claim 10

The ink composition of Claim 9 further comprising at least one latex polymer.

Claim 11

The ink composition of Claim 10 wherein said latex polymer is selected from the group consisting of: [(A) m (B) n (C) p (D) q (E) r ] x wherein A, B, C, D, and E are moieties as follows: A = at least one hydrophobic component contributing to improved durable, film-forming properties selected from moieties which, when homopolymerized to a solid state, have a glass transition temperature (T g ) in the range between -150° and +25°C; B = at least one hydrophobic and solvent barrier moiety used to adjust the T g of the hydrophobic component of said polymer (I) which, when homopolymerized to a solid state, has a T g greater than +25°C; C = at least one hydrophilic component comprising a water-soluble monomer; D = at least one UV absorber; E = at least one moiety having at least one highly polar functional group; m = 5 to 95 wt%; n = 5 to 95 wt%; p = 0 to 60 wt%; q = 0 to 50 wt%; r = 0 to 40 wt%; m + n + p + q + r = 100 wt%; and x = 1 to 100,000; [(A) m (B) n (C) p (E) r ] x wherein A, B, C, and E are moieties as described above, and where m, n, p, and r of formula (II) are as follows: m = 0 to 90 wt%; n = 0 to 90 wt%; p = 0 to 90 wt%; r = 0.01 to 100 wt%; m + n + p + r = 100 wt%; and x = 1 to 100,000; and mixtures thereof.

Claim 13

The method of Claim 12 wherein the methyl pentanediol is 2- methyl-2,4-pentanediol.

Claim 14

The method Claim 12 wherein the ink comprises from about 0.05 wt % to about 10 wt % of 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol and from about 0.05 wt % to about 3 wt % of the methyl pentanediol.

Claim 15

The method Claim 14 wherein the ink comprises from about 2 wt % to about 7 wt % of 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol and from about 0.5 wt % to about 2 wt % of the methyl pentanediol.