Jet printing ink composition

Claim 2

An ink composition suitable for use in jet printing operations comprising a solution of the following components: a. between about 1 and 25 weight percent of shellac, b. between about 0.5 and 5 weight percent of a basic dye, c. between 0 and about 30 weight percent of a solvent modifier chosen from the group consisting of ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether and propylene glycol monoethyl ether, d. the remainder of said ink consisting of a blend of water and a lower aliphatic monohydric alcohol of no more than three carbon atoms, in a water-to-alcohol ratio of between 1 to 1.5 and 1 to 10, the proportions of said water and alcohol within such limits being such that said ink has a surface tension at 68° F. of between about 22 and 40 dyne cm., a viscosity at 68° F. of between about 1.75 and 5 cps., said ink having a pH of between 8.0 and 9.5 and a specific resistivity of less than 1000 ohm cm.

Claim 3

An ink composition suitable for use in jet printing operations consisting essentially of a solution of the following components: a. between about 1 and 17 weight percent of shellac,

Claim 4

An ink composition suitable for use in jet printing operations consisting essentially of a solution of the following components: a. between about 1 and 17 weight percent of shellac,

Claim 5

b. between about 0.5 and 5 weight percent of a basic dye, c. between 0 and about 30 weight percent of a solvent modifier chosen from the group consisting of ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether and propylene glycol monoethyl ether, d. the remainder of said ink consisting of a blend of water and a lower aliphatic monohydric alcohol of no more than three carbon atoms in a water-to-alcohol ratio of between 1 to 1.5 and 1 to 10, the proportions of said water and alcohol within such limits being such that said ink has a surface tension at 68° F. of between about 22 and 40 dyne cm., a viscosity at 68° F. of between about 1.75 and 5 cps., said ink having a pH of between 8.0 and 9.5 and a specific resistivity of between about 500 and 1000 ohm cm.

Claim 6

b. between about 0.5 and 5 weight percent of a basic dye, c. between 0 and about 30 weight percent of a solvent modifier chosen from the group consisting of ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether and propylene glycol monoethyl ether, d. the remainder of said ink consisting of a blend of water and a lower aliphatic monohydric alcohol of no more than three carbon atoms in a water-to-alcohol ratio of between 1 to 1.5 and 1 to 10, the proportions of said water and alcohol within such limits being such that said ink has a surface tension at 68° F. of between about 22 and 40 dyne cm., a viscosity at 68° F. of between about 1.75 and 5 cps., said ink having a pH of between 8.0 and 9.5 and a specific resistivity of between about 500 and 1000 ohm cm.

Claim 7

An ink composition suitable for use in jet printing operations consisting essentially of a solution of the following components: a. between about 1 and 12 weight percent of shellac, b. between about 0.5 and 5 weight percent of a basic dye, c. between 0 and about 30 weight percent of a solvent modifier chosen from the group consisting of ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether and propylene glycol monoethyl ether, d. the remainder of said ink consisting of a blend of water and a lower aliphatic monohydric alcohol of no more than three carbon atoms in a water-to-alcohol ratio of between 1 to 1.5 and 1 to 10, the proportions of said water and alcohol within such limits being such that said ink has a surface tension at 68° F. of between about 22 and 40 dyne cm., a viscosity at 68° F. of between about 1.75 and 3 cps., said ink having a pH of between 8.0 and 9.5 and a specific resistivity of less than 1000 ohm cm.

Claim 8

An ink composition suitable for use in jet printing operations consisting essentially of a solution of the following components: a. between about 1 and 12 weight percent of shellac, b. between about 0.5 and 5 weight percent of a basic dye, c. between 0 and about 30 weight percent of a solvent modifier chosen from the group consisting of ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether and propylene glycol monoethyl ether, d. the remainder of said ink consisting of a blend of water and a lower aliphatic monohydric alcohol of no more than three carbon atoms in a water-to-alcohol ratio of between 1 to 1.5 and 1 to 10, the proportions of said water and alcohol within such limits being such that said ink has a surface tension at 68° F. of between about 22 and 40 dyne cm., a viscosity at 68° F. of between about 1.75 and 3 cps., said ink having a pH of between 8.0 and 9.5 and a specific resistivity of less than 1000 ohm cm.

Claim 9

An ink composition according to claim 1, wherein said alcoholic component is a blend of ethyl alcohol and a propyl alcohol and said viscosity is between 3 cps. and about 5 cps. at 68° F.

Claim 10

An ink composition in accordance with claim 3, wherein said alcoholic component is a blend of methyl and ethyl alcohols and said viscosity is between 1.90 and 3 cps. at 68° F.

Claim 11

An ink composition according to claim 1 containing between about 1 and 17 weight percent of the shellac.

Claim 12

An ink composition according to claim 1 containing between about 1 and 12 weight percent of the shellac.

Claim 13

An ink composition in accordance with the ink composition of claim 1, as a composition consisting essentially of the specified components excepting, in addition thereto and in combination therewith, to also contain as an added ingredient therein: e. an electrolyte in an amount, below about 2 weight percent, effective to significantly affect the specific resistivity of said ink composition.

Claim 14

An ink in accordance with claim 8, wherein the amount of shellac is between about 1 and about 17 weight percent and the ink has a viscosity at 68° F. of between about 1.75 and 5 cps.

Claim 15

An ink in accordance with claim 9, wherein the amount of shellac is between about 1 and about 12 weight percent and the ink has a viscosity between about 1.75 and 3 cps. at 68° F. and a specific resistivity below about 200 ohm cm.

Claim 16

An ink in accordance with claim 10, wherein the ink contains an electrolyte chosen from the group consisting of dimethylamine hydrochloride and lithium chloride.

Claim 17

An ink in accordance with claim 8, wherein the ink contains an electrolyte chosen from the group consisting of dimethylamine hydrochloride and lithium chloride.

Claim 18

An ink composition suitable for use in a jet printing operation consisting essentially of a solution of the following components: a. between about 1 and 12 weight percent of shellac; b. an electrolyte in an amount below about 2 weight percent, effective to significantly affect the specific resistivity of said ink composition; c. between about 0.5 and 5 weight percent of a basic dye; d. between about 0 and 30 weight percent of ethylene glycol monomethyl ether; and e. the remainder of said ink consisting of a blend of water and a lower aliphatic monohydric alcohol in a water-to-alcohol ratio of between 1 to 1.5 and 1 to 10, the proportions of said components within said limits being such that said ink has a surface tension at 68° F. of between about 22 and 40 dyne cm., a viscosity at 68° F. of between about 1.75 and 3.0 cps., a resistivity of less than about 200 ohm cm. and a pH of between 8.0 and 9.5.

Claim 19

An ink composition suitable for use in a jet printing operation consisting essentially of a solution of the following components: a. between about 1 and 12 weight percent of shellac; b. an electrolyte in an amount below about 2 weight percent, effective to significantly affect the specific resistivity of said ink composition; c. between about 0.5 and 5 weight percent of a basic dye; d. between about 0 and 30 weight percent of ethylene glycol monomethyl ether; and e. the remainder of said ink consisting of a blend of water and a lower aliphatic monohydric alcohol in a water-to-alcohol ratio of between 1 to 1.5 and 1 to 10, the proportions of said components within said limits being such that said ink has a surface tension at 68° F. of between about 22 and 40 dyne cm., a viscosity at 68° F. of between about 1.75 and 3.0 cps., a resistivity of less than about 200 ohm cm. and a pH of between 8.0 and 9.5.

Claim 20

An ink in accordance with claim 13, wherein said electrolyte is chosen from the group consisting of dimethylamine hydrochloride and lithium chloride, said lower aliphatic alcohol is chosen from the group consisting of methanol and a blend of methanol and ethanol, and said water-to-alcohol ratio is between 1 to 1.5 and 1 to 5.

Claim 21

An ink in accordance with claim 14, wherein said coloring component is a Victoria blue dye.

Claim 22

An ink in accordance with claim 15, wherein said Victoria blue dye is present in an amount between 0.5 and 2.5 weight percent, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether is present in an amount between 10 and 30 weight percent, and said water-to-alcohol ratio is about 1 to 3.0.

Claim 23

An ink in accordance with claim 14, wherein said coloring component is rhodamine dye in an amount between about 2 and 3 weight percent and said water-to-alcohol ratio is about 1 to 3.7.

Claim 24

An ink composition suitable for use in an ink jet printing apparatus and having a surface tension at 68° F. of between about 22 and 40 dyne cm., a pH adjusted to between 8.0 and 9.5 by ammonium hydroxide, a resistivity of less than about 500 ohm cm., and a viscosity at 68° F. of between about 1.75 and 3 cps., said ink consisting essentially of shellac in an amount between about 1% and 12% by weight of the ink, an electrolyte chosen from the group consisting of dimethylamine hydrochloride and lithium chloride in an amount between about 0.25% and 2% by weight of the ink, a colorant selected from the group consisting of basic dyes in an amount between 0.5% and 5% by weight of the ink, and the remainder of said ink consisting essentially of a blend of water and lower aliphatic alcohols in a water-to-alcohol ratio between 1 to 1.5 and 1 to 10.

Claim 25

An ink composition suitable for use in an ink jet printing apparatus and having a surface tension at 68° F. of between about 22 and 40 dyne cm., a pH adjusted to between 8.0 and 9.5 by ammonium hydroxide, a resistivity of less than about 500 ohm cm., and a viscosity at 68° F. of between about 1.75 and 3 cps., said ink consisting essentially of shellac in an amount between about 1% and 12% by weight of the ink, an electrolyte chosen from the group consisting of dimethylamine hydrochloride and lithium chloride in an amount between about 0.25% and 2% by weight of the ink, a colorant selected from the group consisting of basic dyes in an amount between 0.5% and 5% by weight of the ink, and the remainder of said ink consisting essentially of a blend of water and lower aliphatic alcohols in a water-to-alcohol ratio between 1 to 1.5 and 1 to 10.

Claim 26

An ink composition suitable for ink jet printing operations consisting essentailly of a solution of about: 14 parts by weight of Victoria blue dye; 580 parts by weight of methanol; 220 parts by weight of water; 10 parts by weight of 26° Baume ammonium hydroxide; 16 parts by weight of lithium chloride; 48 parts by weight of shellac; 112 parts by weight of ethanol; and 220 parts of weight of ethylene glycol monomethyl ether.

Claim 27

An ink composition suitable for ink jet printing operations consisting essentailly of a solution of about: 14 parts by weight of Victoria blue dye; 580 parts by weight of methanol; 220 parts by weight of water; 10 parts by weight of 26° Baume ammonium hydroxide; 16 parts by weight of lithium chloride; 48 parts by weight of shellac; 112 parts by weight of ethanol; and 220 parts of weight of ethylene glycol monomethyl ether.

Claim 28

An ink composition suitable for use in jet printing operations comprising a solution of the following components: a. between about 1 and 25 weight percent of an alcohol soluble resin component which is adhesive to various surfaces including metal; b. between about 0.5 and 5 weight percent of a basic dye; c. between 0 and about 30 weight percent of a solvent modifier chosen from the group consisting of ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether and propylene glycol monoethyl ether; and d. the remainder of said ink consisting of a blend of water and a lower aliphatic monohydric alcohol of no more than three carbon atoms, in a water-to-alcohol ratio of between 1 to 1.5 and 1 to 10, the proportions of said water and alcohol within such limits being such that said ink has a surface tension at 68° F. of between about 22 and 40 dyne cm., a viscosity at 68° F. of between about 1.75 and 5 cps., said ink having a pH of between 8.0 and 9.5 and a specific resistivity of less than about 1000 ohm cm.

Claim 29

An ink composition suitable for use in jet printing operations comprising a solution of the following components: a. between about 1 and 25 weight percent of an alcohol soluble resin component which is adhesive to various surfaces including metal; b. between about 0.5 and 5 weight percent of a basic dye; c. between 0 and about 30 weight percent of a solvent modifier chosen from the group consisting of ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether and propylene glycol monoethyl ether; and d. the remainder of said ink consisting of a blend of water and a lower aliphatic monohydric alcohol of no more than three carbon atoms, in a water-to-alcohol ratio of between 1 to 1.5 and 1 to 10, the proportions of said water and alcohol within such limits being such that said ink has a surface tension at 68° F. of between about 22 and 40 dyne cm., a viscosity at 68° F. of between about 1.75 and 5 cps., said ink having a pH of between 8.0 and 9.5 and a specific resistivity of less than about 1000 ohm cm.

Claim 30

An ink composition according to claim 20, wherein said alcoholic component is a blend of ethyl alcohol and a propyl alcohol and said viscosity is between 3 cps. and about 5 cps. at 68° F.

Claim 31

An ink composition according to claim 20 containing between about 1 and 17 weight percent of the resin.

Claim 32

An ink composition according to claim 20 containing between 1 and 2 weight percent of the resin.

Claim 33

An ink composition in accordance with the ink composition of claim 20, as a composition consisting essentially of the specified components excepting, in addition thereto and in combination therewith, to also contain as an added ingredient therein: e. an electrolyte in an amount, below about 2 weight percent, effective to significantly affect the specific resistivity of said ink composition.

Claim 34

An ink in accordance with claim 24, wherein the amount of resin is between about 1 and 17 weight percent and the ink has a viscosity at 68° F. between about 1.75 and 5 cps.

Claim 35

An ink in accordance with claim 25, wherein the amount of resin is between about 1 and about 12 weight percent and the ink has a viscosity between about 1.75 and 3 cps. at 68° F. and a specific resistivity below about 200 ohm cm.

Claim 36

An ink in accordance with claim 26, wherein the ink contains an electrolyte chosen fron the group consisting of dimethylamine hydrochloride and lithium chloride.

Claim 37

An ink in accordance with claim 24, wherein the ink contains an electrolyte chosen from the group consisting of dimethylamine hydrochloride and lithium chloride.