Patent US1292241A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5679143A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5679143A
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Bleed alleviation in ink jet inks using acids containing a basic functional group
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing: 1996-10-30
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Granted: 1997-10-21
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Expires: 2016-10-30
Abstract
Abstract A pH adjusting organic compound having both at least one acid functional group and at least one basic functional group is employed along with an organic acid having no basic functional groups in a first ink-jet ink composition to reduce the pH differential required to render insoluble the pH-sensitive colorant of a second encroaching ink-jet ink composition. By inducing the precipitation of the pH-sensitive colorant, migration of the colorant is inhibited, thereby substantially reducing bleed between the pH-sensitive ink and the ink containing the organic acid (the "target" ink). By employing an organic acid in the practice of the invention, a pH differential on the order of only 3 to 5 units may be required. Aside from increasing the pH of the ink to desirable levels, the pH adjusting organic compound enhances bleed control by increasing the concentration of acid functional groups beyond the amount provided by the organic acid component. The organic acid component is employed at a concentration ranging from about 0.1 to 20 wt % and may be represented by such acids as polyacrylic, acetic, glycolic, malonic, malic, maleic, ascorbic, succinic, glutaric, fumaric, citric, tartaric, lactic, sulfonic, and ortho-phosphoric acid and derivatives thereof. The pH adjusting organic compound is employed in sufficient amount (about 0.1 to 20 wt %) to achieve the desired pH differential and typically comprises an amino acid.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven D. Looman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 14:41
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; B41J2/17; C; C09; C09D; C09D11/00; C09D11/30; C09D11/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
221 words
A first ink-jet ink composition for thermal ink-jet priming, said first ink-jet ink composition having a pH such that a pH differential exists between said first ink-jet ink composition and a second ink-jet ink composition, said second ink-jet ink composition having a pH-sensitive colorant, said pH differential being sufficient to effect precipitation of said pH-sensitive colorant upon contact of said second ink-jet ink composition with said first ink-jet ink composition, such that bleed of said second ink-jet ink composition into said first ink-jet ink composition is substantially reduced in the event said first and second ink-jet ink compositions are adjacently printed on a print medium, said first ink-jet ink composition including 0.1 to 20 wt % of at least one organic acid having no basic functional group and 0.1 to 20 wt % of at least one pH-adjusting compound containing both at least one acidic functional group and at least one basic functional group, said at least one pH-adjusting organic compound present in sufficient amount in said first ink-jet ink composition to effectuate said pH, wherein the pH differential required to effect a reduction in bleed of said second ink-jet ink composition into said first ink-jet ink composition is reduced by the presence of said at least one organic acid and said acidic functional group in said first ink-jet ink composition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
221 words
A first ink-jet ink composition for thermal ink-jet priming, said first ink-jet ink composition having a pH such that a pH differential exists between said first ink-jet ink composition and a second ink-jet ink composition, said second ink-jet ink composition having a pH-sensitive colorant, said pH differential being sufficient to effect precipitation of said pH-sensitive colorant upon contact of said second ink-jet ink composition with said first ink-jet ink composition, such that bleed of said second ink-jet ink composition into said first ink-jet ink composition is substantially reduced in the event said first and second ink-jet ink compositions are adjacently printed on a print medium, said first ink-jet ink composition including 0.1 to 20 wt % of at least one organic acid having no basic functional group and 0.1 to 20 wt % of at least one pH-adjusting compound containing both at least one acidic functional group and at least one basic functional group, said at least one pH-adjusting organic compound present in sufficient amount in said first ink-jet ink composition to effectuate said pH, wherein the pH differential required to effect a reduction in bleed of said second ink-jet ink composition into said first ink-jet ink composition is reduced by the presence of said at least one organic acid and said acidic functional group in said first ink-jet ink composition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The first ink-jet ink composition of claim 1 wherein said at least one organic acid is present in said first ink-jet ink composition at a concentration ranging from about 0.5 to 5 wt %.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The first ink-jet ink composition of claim 1 wherein said at least one organic acid is selected from the group consisting of monofunctional organic acids, difunctional organic acids, and polyfunctional organic acids.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
The first ink-jet ink composition of claim 3 wherein said at least one organic acid is selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acid, acetic acid, glycolic acid, malonic acid, malic acid, maleic acid, ascorbic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, fumaric acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, sulfonic acid, and ortho-phosphoric acid and derivatives thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The first ink-jet ink composition of claim 1 wherein said pH differential ranges from about 3 to 5 units.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The first ink-jet ink composition of claim 5 wherein said pH differential is about 4 units.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The first ink-jet ink composition of claim 1 wherein said acid functional group consists essentially of a carboxyl group.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The first ink-jet ink composition of claim 1 wherein said basic functional group is an amine group, given by --NRR', where R and R' are independently selected from the group consisting of H, unsubstituted and substituted C 1 to C 6 alkyl, and unsubstituted and substituted aryl.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The first ink-jet ink composition of claim 1 wherein said pH adjusting organic compound is an amino acid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The first ink-jet ink composition of claim 9 wherein said amino add is selected from the group consisting of β-alanine, 4-aminobutyric acid, DL-alanine, glycine, threonine, and sarcosine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The first ink-jet ink composition of claim 1 wherein said pH adjusting organic compound is present in said first ink-jet ink composition at a concentration ranging from about 0.5 to 5 wt %.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The first ink-jet ink composition of claim 6 wherein said pH of said first ink-jet ink composition is at least about 4 and wherein said pH is lower than the pH of said second ink-jet ink composition.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
The first ink-jet ink composition of claim 1 wherein said pH-sensitive colorant comprises a colorant selected from the group consisting of carboxylated azo dyes, carboxylated copper phthalocyanine dyes, carboxylated xanthene dyes, dyes whose solubilities decrease as pH is lowered, and pigments dispersed with a dispersant having a pH-sensitive functionality.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
120 words
The first ink-jet ink composition of claim 1 wherein said second ink-jet ink composition comprises a pH-sensitive colorant and a vehicle and wherein said first ink-jet ink composition comprises (a) about 0.1 to 4 wt % of at least one dye, (b) about 3 to 20 wt % of at least one diol, (c) about 3 to 9 wt % 2-pyrrolidone, (d) up to about 4 wt % surfactant, (e) about 0.1 to 20 wt % of at least one organic acid, (f) about 0.1 to 20 wt % of at least one pH adjusting organic compound having at least one acidic functional group and at least one basic functional group to achieve said pH, and (g) the balance water.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
202 words
A method of reducing the bleed in printing at least two different color inks onto a print medium from an ink-jet pen, said at least two different color inks comprising a first ink-jet ink composition and a second ink-jet ink composition having a pH-sensitive colorant and a measurable pH, said method comprising the steps of: (a) formulating said first ink-jet ink composition to include at least one organic acid; and (b) formulating said first ink-jet ink composition to include at least one pH-adjusting organic compound containing both at least one acidic functional group and at least one basic functional group, said at least one pH-adjusting compound present in sufficient amount in said first ink-jet ink composition to effectuate a pH such that a sufficient pH differential exists between said first ink-jet ink composition and said second ink-jet ink composition such that said pH-sensitive colorant precipitates in the event it is contacted by said first ink-jet ink composition, wherein the pH differential required to effect a substantial reduction in bleed of said second ink-jet ink composition into said first ink-jet ink composition is reduced by the presence of said organic acid and said pH adjusting organic compound in said first ink-jet ink composition.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
202 words
A method of reducing the bleed in printing at least two different color inks onto a print medium from an ink-jet pen, said at least two different color inks comprising a first ink-jet ink composition and a second ink-jet ink composition having a pH-sensitive colorant and a measurable pH, said method comprising the steps of: (a) formulating said first ink-jet ink composition to include at least one organic acid; and (b) formulating said first ink-jet ink composition to include at least one pH-adjusting organic compound containing both at least one acidic functional group and at least one basic functional group, said at least one pH-adjusting compound present in sufficient amount in said first ink-jet ink composition to effectuate a pH such that a sufficient pH differential exists between said first ink-jet ink composition and said second ink-jet ink composition such that said pH-sensitive colorant precipitates in the event it is contacted by said first ink-jet ink composition, wherein the pH differential required to effect a substantial reduction in bleed of said second ink-jet ink composition into said first ink-jet ink composition is reduced by the presence of said organic acid and said pH adjusting organic compound in said first ink-jet ink composition.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said at least one organic acid is present in said first ink-jet ink composition at a concentration ranging from about 0.5 to 20 wt %.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said at least one organic acid is selected from the group consisting of monofunctional organic acids, difunctional organic acids, and polyfunctional organic acids.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 17 wherein said at least one organic acid is selected from the group consisting of polyacrylic acid, acetic acid, glycolic acid, malonic acid, malic acid, maleic acid, ascorbic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, fumaric acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, sulfonic acid, and ortho-phosphoric acid and derivatives thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said pH differential ranges from about 3 to 5 units.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said acid functional group consists essentially of a carboxyl group.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said basic functional group is an amine group, given by --NRR', where R and R' are independently selected from the group consisting of H, unsubstituted and substituted C 1 to C 6 alkyl, and unsubstituted and substituted aryl.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said pH adjusting organic compound is an amino acid.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said amino acid is selected from the group consisting of β-alanine, 4-aminobutyric acid, DL-alanine, glycine, threonine, and sarcosine.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said pH adjusting compound is present in said first ink-jet ink composition at a concentration ranging from about 0.1 to 20 wt %.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said pH of said first ink-jet ink composition is at least about 4 and wherein said pH is lower than the pH of said second ink-jet ink composition.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said pH-sensitive colorant comprises a colorant selected from the group consisting of carboxylated azo dyes, carboxylated copper phthalocyanine dyes, carboxylated xanthene dyes, dyes whose solubilities decrease as pH is lowered, and pigments dispersed with a dispersant having a pH-sensitive functionality.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
101 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said second ink-jet ink composition comprises a pH-sensitive colorant and a vehicle and wherein said first ink-jet ink composition comprises (a) about 0.1 to 4 wt % of at least one dye, (b) about 3 to 20 wt % of at least one diol, (c) about 3 to 9 wt % 2-pyrrolidone, (d) up to about 4 wt % surfactant, (e) about 0.1 to 20 wt % of at least one organic acid, (f) 0.1 to 20 wt % of said pH adjusting organic compound to achieve said predetermined pH, and (g) the balance water.
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