US5674314A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Waterfast ink composition for printers
Assignee: Pitney Bowes Inc
•
Filing: 1995-12-11
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Granted: 1997-10-07
•
Expires: 2015-12-11
Abstract
Abstract Liquid inks are disclosed that fulfill United States Postal Service requirements for automation compatibility, while being able to be used in an ink jet printer. The inks of this invention may be read by current United States Postal Service equipment. The inks are waterfast, having improved print quality. The formulations are based on water cosolvent solutions of soluble fluorescent or non fluorescent toners to which toning dyes and non ionic surfactants are added.
Inventors
- 👤 Judith D. Auslander
- 👤 Shunichi Higashiyama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 12:41
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09D; C09D11/00; C09D11/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
47 words
A postage metering system having a printing mechanism for printing postage, the improvement comprising: within the printing mechanism employing an aqueous water-fast ink containing water, water soluble organic solvents, soluble toners and a glycol ether that are inert to any plastic material contained in the printing mechanism.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
47 words
A postage metering system having a printing mechanism for printing postage, the improvement comprising: within the printing mechanism employing an aqueous water-fast ink containing water, water soluble organic solvents, soluble toners and a glycol ether that are inert to any plastic material contained in the printing mechanism.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
89 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the waterfast ink composition consists essentially of: a. 35-55 (Wt. %) water; b. 15-50 (Wt. %) water soluble organic solvents having a hydrogen bonding solubility parameter (δ h ) greater than 8.0, a polar solubility parameter (δ p ) greater than 5.0 and a dispersion parameter (δ.sub.δ) between 7-8.3; c. 3-15 (Wt. %) soluble toners with a molecular weight less than 6,000; d. trace-8.0 (Wt. %) direct, acid, basic or reactive water soluble toning dye; and e. 5-15 (Wt. %) of cosolvent penetrant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
90 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the waterfast ink composition consists essentially of: a. 35-55 (Wt. %) water; b. 15-47 (Wt. %) water soluble organic solvents having a hydrogen bonding solubility parameter (δ h ) greater than 5.0, a polar solubility parameter (δ p ) between 8.0-8.7 and a dispersion parameter (δ.sub.δ) between 8.4-10.0; c. 3-15 (Wt. %) soluble toners with a molecular weight between 200 and a 1,000; d. trace-8.0 (Wt. %) direct, acid, basic or reactive water soluble toning dye; and e. 5-15 (Wt. %) of cosolvent penetrant.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
127 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the waterfast ink composition consists essentially of: a. 35-55 (Wt. %) water; b. 5-25 (Wt. %) water soluble organic solvents having a hydrogen bonding solubility parameter (δ h ) greater than 8.0, a polar solubility parameter (δ p ) greater than 5.0 and a dispersion parameter (δ.sub.δ) between 7-8.3; c. 5-25 (Wt. %) water soluble organic solvents having a hydrogen bonding solubility parameter (δ h ) greater than 5.0, a polar solubility parameter (δ p ) between 8.0-8.7 and a dispersion parameter (δ.sub.δ) between 8.4-10.0; d. 3-15 (Wt. %) soluble toners with a molecular weight between 200 and a 1,000; e. trace-8.0 (Wt. %) direct, acid, basic or reactive water soluble toning dye; and f. 5-15 (Wt. %) of cosolvent penetrant.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
89 words
A aqueous water fast ink composition consisting essentially of: a. 35-55 (Wt. %) water; b. 15-50 (Wt. %) water soluble organic cosolvents having a hydrogen bonding solubility parameter (δ h ) greater than 8.0, a polar solubility parameter (δ p ) greater than 5.0 and a dispersion parameter (δ.sub.δ) between 7-8.3; c. 3-15 (Wt. %) soluble toners with a molecular weight less than 6,000; d. trace-8.0 (Wt. %) direct, acid, basic or reactive water soluble toning dye; and e. 5-15 (Wt. %) of glycol ether as a cosolvent penetrant.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
89 words
A aqueous water fast ink composition consisting essentially of: a. 35-55 (Wt. %) water; b. 15-50 (Wt. %) water soluble organic cosolvents having a hydrogen bonding solubility parameter (δ h ) greater than 8.0, a polar solubility parameter (δ p ) greater than 5.0 and a dispersion parameter (δ.sub.δ) between 7-8.3; c. 3-15 (Wt. %) soluble toners with a molecular weight less than 6,000; d. trace-8.0 (Wt. %) direct, acid, basic or reactive water soluble toning dye; and e. 5-15 (Wt. %) of glycol ether as a cosolvent penetrant.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The composition claimed in claim 5, wherein the soluble toners have a weight average molecular weight between 300 and 700.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The composition claimed in claim 6, wherein the, soluble toners contain non ionic surfactants to increase the solubility of the ink.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The composition claimed in claim 7, wherein the non ionic surfactant has an HLB between 8 and 15.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The composition claimed in claim 8, wherein the non ionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of: tridecyl alcohol ethoxylates and nonyl phenoxy poly (ethyleneoxy) ethoxylates.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composition claimed in claim 5, wherein the soluble toners are fluorescent toners.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The composition of claim 5, wherein the toning dye is selected from the group consisting of C.I. Direct Yellow 86, C.I. Acid Yellow 210, C.I. Basic Yellow, 40, C.I. Basic Yellow 51, C.I. Basic Yellow 2.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composition claimed in claim 5, wherein the soluble toners are clear toners.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The composition of claim 1, wherein the glycol ethers have a viscosity of less than 20 cps.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The composition of claim 5, wherein the soluble toner is selected from the group consisting of urea formaldehyde toluene sulfonamide, polyester-polyamide or dimethyl hydantoin formaldehyde.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The composition of claim 1, wherein the polyester polyamide soluble toner has an acid number greater than 50.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The composition of claim 5, wherein the water soluble organic solvents individually or in solution do not exceed a viscosity of 20 cps.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The composition of claim 16, wherein the water soluble organic solvents have a vapor pressure less than 0.1 mm/Hg at room temperature.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The composition claimed in claim 5, wherein the water soluble organic solvents are selected from the group consisting of: pyrrolidone, N-methyl pyrrolidone or triethylene glycol.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The composition of claim 7, wherein the toning dye is selected from the group consisting of: Basic Yellow 40, Basic Yellow 51, Basic Blue 7, Basic Blue 3 and C.I. Direct Yellow 142.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
89 words
A aqueous water fast ink composition consisting essentially a. 35-55 (Wt. %) water; b. 15-47 (Wt. %) water soluble organic solvents having a hydrogen bonding solubility parameter (δ h ) greater than 5.0, a polar solubility parameter (δ p ) between 8.0-8.7 and a dispersion parameter (δ.sub.δ) between 8.4-10.0; c. 3-15 (Wt. %) soluble toners with a molecular weight between 200 and a 1,000; d. trace-8.0 (Wt. %) direct, acid, basic or reactive water soluble toning dye; and e. 5-15 (Wt. %) of glycol ether as a cosolvent penetrant.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
89 words
A aqueous water fast ink composition consisting essentially a. 35-55 (Wt. %) water; b. 15-47 (Wt. %) water soluble organic solvents having a hydrogen bonding solubility parameter (δ h ) greater than 5.0, a polar solubility parameter (δ p ) between 8.0-8.7 and a dispersion parameter (δ.sub.δ) between 8.4-10.0; c. 3-15 (Wt. %) soluble toners with a molecular weight between 200 and a 1,000; d. trace-8.0 (Wt. %) direct, acid, basic or reactive water soluble toning dye; and e. 5-15 (Wt. %) of glycol ether as a cosolvent penetrant.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The composition claimed in claim 20, wherein the soluble toners contain non ionic surfactants to increase the solubility of the ink.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The composition claimed in claim 21, wherein the non ionic surfactant has an HLB between 8 and 15.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
27 words
The composition claimed in claim 22, wherein the non ionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of: tridecyl alcohol alkoxylates and nonyl phenoxy polyoxy ethylene alcohols.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
21 words
The composition claimed in claim 23, wherein the non ionic surfactant is used at concentrations from trace to 3 Wt. %.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composition claimed in claim 20, wherein the soluble toners are fluorescent toners.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composition claimed in claim 20, wherein the soluble toners are clear toners.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
The composition of claim 25, wherein the fluorescent toner is selected from the group consisting of urea formaldehyde toluene sulfonamide, polyester polyamide or dimethyl hydantoin formaldehyde.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
25 words
The composition of claim 20, wherein the water soluble organic solvents are selected from the group consisting of 2-Pyrrolidone, N-methyl pyrrolidone, sulfolane, and gamma butyrlactone.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
33 words
The composition of claim 16, wherein the toning dye is selected from the group consisting of: Basic Yellow 40, Basic Yellow 51, Basic Blue 7, Basic Blue 3 and C.I. Direct Yellow 142.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
127 words
A aqueous water fast ink composition consisting essentially of: a. 35-55 (Wt. %) water; b. 5-25 (Wt. %) water soluble organic solvents having a hydrogen bonding solubility parameter (δ h ) greater than 8.0, a polar solubility parameter (δ p ) greater than 5.0 and a dispersion parameter (δ.sub.δ) between 7-8.3; c. 5-25 (Wt. %) water soluble organic solvents having a hydrogen bonding solubility parameter (δ h ) greater than 5.0, a polar solubility parameter (δ p ) between 8.0-8.7 and a dispersion parameter (δ.sub.δ) between 8.4-10.0; d. 3-15 (Wt. %) soluble toners with a molecular weight between 200 and a 1,000; e. trace-8.0 (Wt. %) direct, acid, basic or reactive water soluble toning dye; and f. 5-15 (Wt. %) of glycol ether as a cosolvent penetrant.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
127 words
A aqueous water fast ink composition consisting essentially of: a. 35-55 (Wt. %) water; b. 5-25 (Wt. %) water soluble organic solvents having a hydrogen bonding solubility parameter (δ h ) greater than 8.0, a polar solubility parameter (δ p ) greater than 5.0 and a dispersion parameter (δ.sub.δ) between 7-8.3; c. 5-25 (Wt. %) water soluble organic solvents having a hydrogen bonding solubility parameter (δ h ) greater than 5.0, a polar solubility parameter (δ p ) between 8.0-8.7 and a dispersion parameter (δ.sub.δ) between 8.4-10.0; d. 3-15 (Wt. %) soluble toners with a molecular weight between 200 and a 1,000; e. trace-8.0 (Wt. %) direct, acid, basic or reactive water soluble toning dye; and f. 5-15 (Wt. %) of glycol ether as a cosolvent penetrant.
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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) | 2000-10-06 | 2001-04-07 | 2001-10-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-10-06 | 2005-04-07 | 2005-10-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-10-06 | 2009-04-07 | 2009-10-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |