US5026427A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for making pigmented ink jet inks
Assignee: EIDP Inc
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Filing: 1988-10-12
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Granted: 1991-06-25
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Expires: 2008-10-12
Abstract
Abstract In accordance with this invention there is provided a process for the preparation of pigmented ink jet inks comprising: (a) mixing at least one pigment and at least one pigment dispersant in a dispersant medium to form a pigmented ink mixture wherein pigment is present in an amount up to 60% by weight based on the total weight of the mixture; (b) deflocculating the pigmented ink mixture by passing the pigmented ink mixture through at least a plurality of nozzles within a liquid jet interaction chamber at a liquid pressure of at least 1,000 psi to produce a substantially uniform dispersion of pigment particles in the dispersant medium.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert D. Mitchell
- 👤 Torence J. Trout
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 09:19
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09D; C09D11/00; C09D11/30; C09D11/32; C09D11/324; C09D11/326; C09D11/322; B; B01; B01F; B01F23/00; B01F23/50; B01F23/51; B01F33/00; B01F33/80; B01F33/82; B01F33/821; C09D11/38; B01F2101/00; B01F2101/35; B01F23/56; B01F25/00; B01F25/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A process for the preparation of pigmented ink jet inks comprising: (a) mixing at least one pigment and at least one water soluble pigment dispersant in a carrier liquid selected from the group consisting of water or a mixture of water and at least one water-soluble organic solvent to form a pigmented ink mixture wherein pigment is present in an amount from about 0.1% to about 30% by weight based on the total weight of the mixture; and (b) deflocculating the pigmented ink mixture by passing the pigmented ink mixture through at least a plurality of nozzles within a liquid jet interaction chamber at a liquid pressure of at least 1,000 psi to produce a substantially uniform dispersion of pigment in the carrier liquid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
A process for the preparation of pigmented ink jet inks comprising: (a) mixing at least one pigment and at least one water soluble pigment dispersant in a carrier liquid selected from the group consisting of water or a mixture of water and at least one water-soluble organic solvent to form a pigmented ink mixture wherein pigment is present in an amount from about 0.1% to about 30% by weight based on the total weight of the mixture; and (b) deflocculating the pigmented ink mixture by passing the pigmented ink mixture through at least a plurality of nozzles within a liquid jet interaction chamber at a liquid pressure of at least 1,000 psi to produce a substantially uniform dispersion of pigment in the carrier liquid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the pigmented ink is diluted with at least one liquid which is compatible with the carrier liquid to form an ink containing pigment in the range of 0.1% to 10% by weight based on the total weight of the mixture when the mixture of step (a) has pigment present in an amount exceeding 10%, said dilution being made either before or after the deflocculation of step (b).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the dispersant is selected from the group consisting of surfactants and polymeric pigment dispersants.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
156 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the the liquid jet interaction chamber comprises, in combination, (a) a plurality of submerged nozzles providing elongated orifices arranged to eject under pressure a plurality of thin sheets of the pigmented ink jet mixture, the nozzles being arranged to effect turbulent jet action of the sheets along a common liquid jet interaction front and the sheets being ejected by the nozzles into a low pressure zone filled with the liquid futher creating turbulent jet interaction along a common boundary essentially defined and formed by the mixture in the low pressure zone and by the sheets ejected into the low pressure zone; (b) jet interaction chamber-defining means arranged to provide the low pressure to the nozzles; and (c) inlet channel means to deliver the mixture under pressure to the nozzles; and (d) means to withdraw the pigmented ink mixture in the form of a dispersion from the low pressure zone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A process according to claim 2 wherein the pigmented ink is diluted with the dispersant medium.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the mixing in step (a) is conducted in liquid jet interaction chamber at a liquid pressure of at least 1000 psi.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
155 words
A process according to claim 6 wherein the liquid jet interaction chamber comprises, in combination, (a) a plurality of submerged nozzles providing elongated orifices arranged to eject under pressure a plurality of thin sheets of the pigmented ink jet mixture, the nozzles being arranged to effect turbulent jet action of the sheets along a common liquid jet interaction front and the sheets being ejected by the nozzles into a low pressure zone filled with the liquid futher creating turbulent jet interaction along a common boundary essentially defined and formed by the mixture in the low pressure zone and by the sheets ejected into the low pressure zone; (b) jet interaction chamber-defining means arranged to provide the low pressure to the nozzles; and (c) inlet channel means to deliver the mixture under pressure to the nozzles; and (d) means to withdraw the pigmented ink mixture in the form of a dispersion from the low pressure zone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the surface tension of the ink is in the range of about 20 dyne/cm to about 70 dyne/cm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the viscosity of the ink is in the range of about 1.0 cP to about 5.0 cP.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the ink mixture contains at least one additive selected from the group consisting of biocides, humectants, chelating agents, and viscosity modifiers.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-06-24 | 1994-12-24 | 1995-06-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-06-24 | 1998-12-24 | 1999-06-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-06-24 | 2002-12-24 | 2003-06-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |