US5580373A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Aqueous ink compositions containing amide anti-curl agent
Assignee: EIDP Inc
•
Filing: 1995-12-19
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Granted: 1996-12-03
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Expires: 2015-12-19
Abstract
Abstract Aqueous ink compositions containing anti-curl agents substantially reduce or eliminate paper curl in plain-paper printed elements without adversely effecting storage stability, decap properties or print quality, and thus eliminate the need for expensive and bulky mechanical curl-arresting devices or special curl-resistant substrates. Printing the inks on plain-paper substrates is the sole step in a process for reducing paper curl in plain-paper printed elements.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregg A. Lane
- 👤 Keshava A. Prasad
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:27
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09D; C09D11/00; C09D11/30; C09D11/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
A process for reducing paper curl in plain-paper printed elements, consisting essentially of applying an ink jet composition to a plain-paper substrate, wherein the ink composition comprises an aqueous carrier medium, a colorant, and at least one anti-curl agent in an amount effective to substantially eliminate curl in said plain paper substrate, wherein the anti-curl agent has a solubility in water of at least 4.5% at 25° C. and is selected from the group consisting of: (a) a compound having the formula: ##STR11## wherein R is a linear or branched aliphatic compound having 1, 2, 4 or 5 carbon atoms; (b) a compound having the formula: ##STR12## wherein R 1 R 2 and R 3 are independently H, CH 3 or CH 2 CH 3 ; (c) a compound having the formula: ##STR13## wherein R 1 and R 2 are independently H, CH 3 or CH 2 CH 3 ; and (d) a compound having the formula: ##STR14## wherein R' and R" independently are H, CH 3 , --CH 2 CH 3 , --CH 2 CH 2 CH 3 , or ##STR15## with the proviso that R' and R" together have up to 6 carbon atoms.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
A process for reducing paper curl in plain-paper printed elements, consisting essentially of applying an ink jet composition to a plain-paper substrate, wherein the ink composition comprises an aqueous carrier medium, a colorant, and at least one anti-curl agent in an amount effective to substantially eliminate curl in said plain paper substrate, wherein the anti-curl agent has a solubility in water of at least 4.5% at 25° C. and is selected from the group consisting of: (a) a compound having the formula: ##STR11## wherein R is a linear or branched aliphatic compound having 1, 2, 4 or 5 carbon atoms; (b) a compound having the formula: ##STR12## wherein R 1 R 2 and R 3 are independently H, CH 3 or CH 2 CH 3 ; (c) a compound having the formula: ##STR13## wherein R 1 and R 2 are independently H, CH 3 or CH 2 CH 3 ; and (d) a compound having the formula: ##STR14## wherein R' and R" independently are H, CH 3 , --CH 2 CH 3 , --CH 2 CH 2 CH 3 , or ##STR15## with the proviso that R' and R" together have up to 6 carbon atoms.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the colorant is a pigment dispersion comprising a pigment and a polymeric dispersant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the colorant is a dye.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the anti-curl agent is a compound having structure (a).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 4 wherein the anti-curl agent is selected from the group consisting of acetamide, propionamide, isobutyramide and hexanamide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the anti-curl agent is a compound having structure (b).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The process of claim 6 wherein the anti-curl agent is selected from the group consisting of tetrahydro-2-pyrimidone; 3-methyl-tetrahydro-2-pyrimidone; 4-methyl-tetrahydro-2-pyrimidone; 3-ethyl-tetrahydro-2-pyrimidone; and 4-ethyl-tetrahydro-2-pyrimidone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the anti-curl agent is a compound having structure (c).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 8, wherein the anti-curl agent is selected from the group consisting of 2-imidazolidinone; dimethylimidazolidinone; and diethylimidazolidinone.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the anti-curl agent is a compound having structure (d) .
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 10 wherein the anti-curl agent is selected from the group consisting of butyl urea; 1,3-dimethyl urea; ethyl urea; propyl urea; isopropyl urea; 1,3-diethyl urea.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
The process of claim 3 wherein said polymeric dispersant is a block copolymer and wherein the ink composition comprises approximately 0.1 to 8% pigment, 0.1 to 8% block copolymer, and 84 to 99.8% aqueous carrier medium and anti-curl agent, based upon the total weight of the ink composition.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process of claim 4 comprising approximately 0.01 to 20% dye, and 80 to 99.99% aqueous carrier medium and anti-curl agent, based on the total weight of the ink composition.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 4 further containing a polymer selected from the group consisting of AB block polymers, BAB block polymers, ABC block polymers and random polymers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the anti-curl agent is present in the amount of 10 to 75% by weight, based on the total weight of ink.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said ink composition is an ink jet ink having a surface tension of approximately 18 to 70 dyne/cm and a viscosity of no greater than 20 cP at 20° C.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
9 words
The process of claim 1 further containing a surfactant.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
196 words
An aqueous ink particularly adapted for printing a plain paper substrate in an ink jet printer, said ink comprising an aqueous carrier medium, a colorant, and an effective amount of at least one anticurl agent to substantially eliminate curl in the paper substrate; wherein said anti-curl agent comprises 10 to 75% of said ink by weight, has a solubility in water of at least 4.5% at 25° C., and is selected from the group consisting of: (a) a compound having the formula: ##STR16## wherein R is a linear or branched aliphatic compound having 1, 2, 4 or 5 carbon atoms; (b) a compound having the formula: ##STR17## wherein R 1 R 2 and R 3 are independently H, CH 3 or CH 2 CH 3 ; (c) a compound having the formula: ##STR18## wherein R 1 and R 2 are independently H, CH 3 or CH 2 CH 3 ; and (d) a compound having the formula: ##STR19## wherein R' and R" independently are H, CH 3 , --CH 2 CH 3 , --CH 2 CH 2 CH 3 , or ##STR20## with the proviso that R' and R" together have up to 6 carbon atoms.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
196 words
An aqueous ink particularly adapted for printing a plain paper substrate in an ink jet printer, said ink comprising an aqueous carrier medium, a colorant, and an effective amount of at least one anticurl agent to substantially eliminate curl in the paper substrate; wherein said anti-curl agent comprises 10 to 75% of said ink by weight, has a solubility in water of at least 4.5% at 25° C., and is selected from the group consisting of: (a) a compound having the formula: ##STR16## wherein R is a linear or branched aliphatic compound having 1, 2, 4 or 5 carbon atoms; (b) a compound having the formula: ##STR17## wherein R 1 R 2 and R 3 are independently H, CH 3 or CH 2 CH 3 ; (c) a compound having the formula: ##STR18## wherein R 1 and R 2 are independently H, CH 3 or CH 2 CH 3 ; and (d) a compound having the formula: ##STR19## wherein R' and R" independently are H, CH 3 , --CH 2 CH 3 , --CH 2 CH 2 CH 3 , or ##STR20## with the proviso that R' and R" together have up to 6 carbon atoms.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The ink of claim 18 wherein the colorant is a pigment dispersion comprising a pigment and a polymeric dispersant.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The ink of claim 19 wherein said anti-curl agent comprises 12 to 55% of said ink by weight.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
11 words
The ink of claim 18 wherein the colorant is a dye.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The ink of claim 21 wherein said anti-curl agent comprises 12 to 55% of said ink by weight.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The ink of claim 18 wherein the anti-curl agent is a compound having structure (a).
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The ink of claim 23 wherein the anti-curl agent is selected from the group consisting of acetamide, propionamide, isobutyramide and hexanamide.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
15 words
The ink of claim 18 wherein the anti-curl agent is a compound having structure (b).
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
22 words
The ink of claim 25 wherein the anti-curl agent is selected from the group consisting of tetrahydro-2-pyrimidone; 3-methyl-tetrahydro-2-pyrimidone; 4-methyl-tetrahydro-2-pyrimidone; 3-ethyl-tetrahydro-2-pyrimidone; and 4-ethyl-tetrahydro-2-pyrimidone.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
15 words
The ink of claim 18 wherein the anti-curl agent is a compound having structure (c).
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
The ink of claim 27, wherein the anti-curl agent is selected from the group consisting of 2-imidazolidinone; dimethylimidazolidinone; and diethylimidazolidinone.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
The ink of claim 18 wherein the anti-curl agent is a compound having structure (d).
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
28 words
The ink of claim 29 wherein the anti-curl agent is selected from the group consisting of butyl urea; 1,3-dimethyl urea; ethyl urea; propyl urea; isopropyl urea; 1,3-diethyl urea.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
The ink of claim 18 wherein said ink contains 0.1 to 8% pigment colorant, 0.1 to 8% polymeric dispersant, and 12 to 55% anti-curl agent, by weight.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
28 words
The ink of claim 31 wherein said polymeric dispersant is selected from the group consisting of AB block polymers, BAB block polymers, ABC block polymers, and random polymers.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
The ink of claim 32 wherein said ink contains a block polymer and 15 to 30% by weight of at least one anti-curl agent.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The ink of claim 18 wherein said ink contains a dye colorant and 15 to 30% by weight of at least one anti-curl agent.
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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) | 1999-12-03 | 2000-06-03 | 2000-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-12-03 | 2004-06-03 | 2004-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-12-03 | 2008-06-03 | 2008-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |