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US5749952A
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Preparation of microemulsion and micellar color inks from modified water-soluble color chromaphores for thermal ink-jet printing
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing: 1996-10-31
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Granted: 1998-05-12
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Expires: 2016-10-31
Abstract
Abstract The ink of the invention comprises a vehicle and a colorant, with the vehicle comprising a microemulsion containing at least one substantially water-insoluble organic oil, at least one organic cosolvent, and water and, optionally, at least one amphiphile and at least one high molecular weight colloid. The colorant is a water-insoluble chromaphore that has been chemically modified to be water-soluble by addition of functional groups that impart water solubility. These functional groups are added to the surface of the chromaphore particles, resulting in water-soluble colorant particles. The inks described herein demonstrate high edge acuity, high optical density, fast drying times, reduced bleed, improved halo characteristics, high water fastness, and high smearfastness.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph W. Tsang
- 👤 John R. Moffatt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 19:22
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09D; C09D11/00; C09D11/30; C09D11/32; C09D11/322; B; B41; B41J; B41J2/00; B41J2/005; B41J2/01; C09D11/36; C09D11/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A thermal ink-jet ink for thermal ink-jet printing comprising: (a) a vehicle comprising (1) about 0.1 to 50 wt % of at least one substantially water-insoluble organic oil, (2) 0 to about 50 wt % of at least one organic cosolvent, (3) 0 to about 40 wt % of at least one amphiphile, and (4) 0 to about 3 wt % of at least one high molecular weight colloid; (b) about 0.5 to 20 wt % of at least one macromolecular chromophore comprising a chemically-modified, water-soluble pigment; and (c) the balance water, wherein said ink exists as a microemulsion of said components, said microemulsion comprising a swelled micellar phase and a bulk water-rich phase, and wherein said macromolecular chromophore is dissolved in said bulk water-rich phase.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A thermal ink-jet ink for thermal ink-jet printing comprising: (a) a vehicle comprising (1) about 0.1 to 50 wt % of at least one substantially water-insoluble organic oil, (2) 0 to about 50 wt % of at least one organic cosolvent, (3) 0 to about 40 wt % of at least one amphiphile, and (4) 0 to about 3 wt % of at least one high molecular weight colloid; (b) about 0.5 to 20 wt % of at least one macromolecular chromophore comprising a chemically-modified, water-soluble pigment; and (c) the balance water, wherein said ink exists as a microemulsion of said components, said microemulsion comprising a swelled micellar phase and a bulk water-rich phase, and wherein said macromolecular chromophore is dissolved in said bulk water-rich phase.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
69 words
The ink-jet ink of claim 1, wherein said organic oil comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of glycol ethers, phenyl ethers, poly(glycol) ethers, alkyl ethers, aryl ethers, alkylaryl ethers, alkyl esters, aryl esters, poly(glycol) esters, alkyl phenyl polyethylene oxides, alkyl polyethylene oxides, water-insoluble acetylenic polyethylene oxides, polyethylene oxide block copolymers, polyethylene oxide esters, polyethylene oxide diesters, polyethylene oxide amines, polyethylene oxide amides, and dimethicone copolyols.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The ink-jet ink of claim 2, wherein said organic oil is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol phenyl ether and propylene glycol phenyl ether.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The ink-jet ink of claim 1, wherein said organic cosolvent comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of aliphatic alcohols, aromatic alcohols, diols, glycol ethers, poly(glycol) ethers, caprolactams, formamides, acetamides, and long chain alcohols.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
114 words
The ink-jet ink of claim 4, wherein said organic cosolvent contains at least one compound selected from the group consisting of primary aliphatic alcohols of 30 carbons or less, primary aromatic alcohols of 30 carbons or less, secondary aliphatic alcohols of 30 carbons or less, secondary aromatic alcohols of 30 carbons or less, 1,2-alcohols of 30 carbons or less, 1,3-alcohols of 30 carbons or less, l,ω-alcohols of 30 carbons or less, ethylene glycol alkyl ethers, propylene glycol alkyl ethers, poly(ethylene glycol) alkyl ethers, higher homologs of poly(ethylene glycol) alkyl ethers, poly(propylene glycol) alkyl ethers, higher homologs of poly(propylene glycol) alkyl ethers, N-alkyl caprolactams, unsubstituted caprolactams, substituted formamides, unsubstituted formamides, substituted acetamides, and unsubstituted acetamides.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The ink-jet ink of claim 1, wherein said pigment is selected from the group consisting of black, cyan, yellow, and magenta pigments.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The ink-jet ink of claim 1, wherein said colorant is anionic and is associated with a counterion selected from the group consisting of alkali metal ions, alkaline earth metal ions, substituted ammonium ions, and unsubstituted ammonium ions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The ink-jet ink of claim 1, wherein said colorant is cationic and is associated with a counterion selected from the group consisting of halide, sulfate, nitrate, phosphate, sulfonate, carboxylate, carbonate, bicarbonate, borate, tetraborate, tetrafluoroborate, methane sulfonate, methyl benzene sulfonate, phosphite, phosphonate, hexaflurophosphonate, perchlorate, tungstate, molybdate, and silicate ions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The ink-jet ink of claim 1, wherein said amphiphile is selected from the group consisting of ionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, ionic amphiphiles, and non-ionic amphiphiles.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
53 words
The ink-jet ink of claim 9, wherein said amphiphile is selected from the group consisting of alkyl phenyl polyethylene oxides, acetylenic polyethylene oxide surfactants, polyethylene oxide block copolymers, alkyl polyethylene oxides, polyethylene oxide esters, polyethylene oxide diesters, polyethylene oxide amines, protonated polyethylene oxide amines, polyethylene oxide amides, dimethicone copolyols, and substituted amine oxides.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
65 words
The ink-jet ink of claim 1, wherein said high molecular weight colloid is selected from the group consisting of alginic acid salts and derivatives thereof, mannuronic acid and derivatives thereof, carageenan and derivatives thereof, guar gum and derivatives thereof, xanthan gum and derivatives thereof, dextran and derivatives thereof, chitin and derivatives thereof, chitosan and derivatives thereof, carboxymethylcellulose and derivatives thereof, and nitromethylcellulose and derivatives thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
134 words
The ink-jet ink of claim 1, wherein the concentration of said at least one substantially water-insoluble organic oil is less than about 5 wt %, said oil selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol phenyl ether and propylene glycol phenyl ether; wherein the concentration of said at least one organic cosolvent is about 10 to 15 wt %, said cosolvent consisting essentially of 2-pyrrolidone; the concentration of said at least one amphiphile is about 0.1 to 3 wt %, said amphiphile selected from the group consisting of alkyl polyethylene oxide or polyethylene oxide block copolymers; the concentration of said at least one colorant is about 3 to 10 wt % and said colorant is a macromolecular chromophore; and the balance is water, and wherein said ink exists as a microemulsion of said components.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
111 words
The ink-jet ink of claim 12, wherein the concentration of said at least one substantially water-insoluble organic oil is about 3 wt % and said oil is ethylene glycol phenyl ether; wherein the concentration of said at least one organic cosolvent is about 12 wt % and said cosolvent is 2-pyrrolidone; wherein the concentration of said at least one amphiphile is about 5 wt % and said amphiphile consists essentially of a polyethylene oxide; wherein the concentration of said at least one colorant is about 5 wt % and said colorant is a macromolecular chromophore; and the balance is water, and wherein said ink exists as a microemulsion of said components.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of ink-jet printing comprising printing on a medium with an ink-jet ink having the following composition: (a) a vehicle comprising (1) about 0.1 to 50 wt % of at least one substantially water-insoluble organic oil, (2) 0 to about 50 wt % of at least one organic cosolvent, (3) 0 to about 40 wt % of at least one amphiphile, and (4) 0 to about 3 wt % of at least one high molecular weight colloid; (b) about 0.5 to 20 wt % of at least one macromolecular chromophore comprising a chemically-modified, water-soluble pigment; and (c) the balance water, wherein said ink exists as a microemulsion of said components, said microemulsion comprising a swelled micellar phase and a bulk water-rich phase, and wherein said macromolecular chromophore is dissolved in said bulk water-rich phase.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of ink-jet printing comprising printing on a medium with an ink-jet ink having the following composition: (a) a vehicle comprising (1) about 0.1 to 50 wt % of at least one substantially water-insoluble organic oil, (2) 0 to about 50 wt % of at least one organic cosolvent, (3) 0 to about 40 wt % of at least one amphiphile, and (4) 0 to about 3 wt % of at least one high molecular weight colloid; (b) about 0.5 to 20 wt % of at least one macromolecular chromophore comprising a chemically-modified, water-soluble pigment; and (c) the balance water, wherein said ink exists as a microemulsion of said components, said microemulsion comprising a swelled micellar phase and a bulk water-rich phase, and wherein said macromolecular chromophore is dissolved in said bulk water-rich phase.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said organic oil comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of glycol ethers, phenyl ethers, poly(glycol) ethers, alkyl ethers, aryl ethers, alkylaryl ethers, alkyl esters, aryl esters, poly(glycol) esters, alkyl phenyl polyethylene oxides, alkyl polyethylene oxides, water-ilsoluble acetylenic polyethylene oxides, polyethylene oxide block copolymers, polyethylene oxide esters, polyethylene oxide diesters, polyethylene oxide amines, polyethylene oxide amides, and dimethicone copolyols.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said organic cosolvent comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of aliphatic alcohols, aromatic alcohols, diols, glycol ethers, poly(glycol) ethers, caprolactams, formamides, acetamides, and long chain alcohols.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said pigment is selected from the group consisting of black, cyan, yellow, and magenta pigments.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said amphiphile is selected from the group consisting of ionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, ionic amphiphiles, and non-ionic amphiphiles.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said high molecular weight colloid is selected from the group consisting of alginic acid salts and derivatives thereof, mannomuronic acid and derivatives thereof, carageenan and derivatives thereof, guar gum and derivatives thereof, xanthan gum and derivatives thereof, dextran and derivatives thereof, chitin and derivatives thereof, chitosan and derivatives thereof, carboxymethylcellulose and derivatives thereof, and nitromethylcellulose and derivatives thereof.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
133 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the concentration of said at least one substantially water-insoluble organic oil is less than about 5 wt %, said oil selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol phenyl ether and propylene glycol phenyl ether; wherein the concentration of said at least one organic cosolvent is about 10 to 15 wt %, said cosolvent consisting essentially of 2-pyrrolidone; the concentration of said at least one amphiphile is about 0.1 to 3 wt %, said amphiphile selected from the group consisting of alkyl polyethylene oxide or polyethylene oxide block copolymers; the concentration of said at least one colorant is about 3 to 10 wt % and said colorant is a macromolecular chromophore; and the balance is water, and wherein said ink exists as a microemulsion of said components.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for formulating microemulsion water-soluble inks for ink-jet printing comprising: (a) combining water, at least one amphiphile, an oil, a macromolecular chromophore comprising a chemically-modified water-soluble pigment and, optionally, at least one cosolvent and at least one high molecular weight colloid to form a stable solution; (b) mechanically stirring or sonicating said mixture to form said microemulsion ink, said microemulsion comprising a swelled micellar phase and a bulk water-rich phase, and wherein said macromolecular chromophore is dissolved in said bulk water-rich phase.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
83 words
A method for formulating microemulsion water-soluble inks for ink-jet printing comprising: (a) combining water, at least one amphiphile, an oil, a macromolecular chromophore comprising a chemically-modified water-soluble pigment and, optionally, at least one cosolvent and at least one high molecular weight colloid to form a stable solution; (b) mechanically stirring or sonicating said mixture to form said microemulsion ink, said microemulsion comprising a swelled micellar phase and a bulk water-rich phase, and wherein said macromolecular chromophore is dissolved in said bulk water-rich phase.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method of claim 21 wherein said emulsion ink is formulated to have the following composition: (a) about 0.1 to 50 wt % of said oil; (b) a maximum of about 40 wt % of said amphiphile; (c) 0 to about 50 wt % of said cosolvent; (d) 0.05 to 3 wt % of said high molecular weight colloid; (e) about 0.5 to 20 wt % of said pigment; and (f) the balance water.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
109 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said emulsion ink is formulated to have the following composition: (a) less than about 5 wt % of said oil, said oil selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol phenyl ether and propylene glycol phenyl ether; (b) about 0.1 to 3 wt % of said amphiphile, said amphiphile selected from the group consisting of a polyethylene oxide or a polyethylene oxide block copolymer; (c) about 10 to 15 wt % of said cosolvent, said cosolvent consisting essentially of 2-pyrrolidone; (d) about 3 to 10 wt % of said pigment, said pigment consisting essentially of a macromolecular chromophore; and (e) the balance water.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said emulsion ink is formulated to have the following composition: (a) about 3 wt % of said oil, said oil consisting essentially of ethylene glycol phenyl ether; (b) about 5 wt % of said amphiphile, said amphiphile consisting essentially of a polyethylene oxide; (c) about 12 wt % of said 2-pyrrolidone, (d) about 5 wt % of said macromolecular chromophore; and (e) the balance water.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-05-11 | 2001-11-10 | 2002-05-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-05-11 | 2005-11-10 | 2006-05-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-05-11 | 2009-11-10 | 2010-05-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |