Thermal ink jet ink compostion

• US 20120013684A1
• Filed: 09/23/2011
• Published: 01/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Videojet Technologies Incorporated (Veralto Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Videojet Technologies Incorporated (Veralto Corp.)
• Inventors: Robertson, Casey, Selmeczy, Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 8,235,515 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/56
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 11/328 characterised by dyes
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 11/36 based on non-aqueous solvents

Abstract

A solvent-based ink composition for a thermal inkjet printhead includes (a) 55-90 wt. % of an organic solvent including a ketone and a C₁ to C₄ alcohol; and (b) 0.01-10 wt. % of a colorant.

Claims

1. A solvent-based ink composition for a thermal inkjet printhead, the ink composition comprising:

(a) 55-90 wt. % of an organic solvent comprising a ketone and a C₁ to C₄ alcohol; and

(b) 0.01-10 wt. % of a colorant.

2. The ink composition of claim 1, wherein the ketone is methyl ethyl ketone.

3. The ink composition of claim 1, wherein the ketone is cyclohexanone.

4. The ink composition of claim 1, wherein the C₁ to C₄ alcohol is ethanol.

5. The ink composition of claim 1, wherein the colorant is a dye or a pigment.

6. The ink composition of claim 1, further comprising:

0.01-2 wt. % of a surfactant.

7. The ink composition of claim 6, wherein the surfactant is a nonionic surfactant.

8. The ink composition of claim 6, wherein the surfactant is non-polymeric.

9. The ink composition of claim 1, wherein the composition does not comprise any polymers.

10. The ink composition of claim 1, consisting essentially of the ketone, the C₁ to C₄ alcohol and the colorant.

11. The ink composition of claim 1, consisting only of the ketone, the C₁ to C₄ alcohol and the colorant.

12. The ink composition of claim 1, consisting only of the ketone, the C₁ to C₄ alcohol, the colorant and 0.01-2 wt. % of a surfactant.

13. An ink cartridge for a thermal inkjet printhead, the ink cartridge containing the solvent-based ink composition according to claim 1.

14. The ink cartridge of claim 13, wherein the ink cartridge comprises the thermal inkjet printhead integrated therewith.

15. A substrate having an ink composition according to claim 1 disposed thereon.

16. The substrate of claim 15, which is a semi-porous or non-porous substrate.

17. A method of ejecting ink from a thermal inkjet printhead, the method comprising the steps of:

(i) supplying an ink to at least one nozzle chamber of the printhead; and

(ii) actuating a heater element in the nozzle chamber and heating the ink to a temperature sufficient to form a bubble therein, thereby causing the ink to be ejected from a nozzle opening associated with the nozzle chamber,

wherein the ink is a solvent-based ink composition comprising;

(a) 55-90 wt. % of an organic solvent comprising a ketone and a C₁ to C₄ alcohol; and

(b) 0.01-10 wt. % of a colorant.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the ink is ejected onto a non-porous or a semi-porous substrate.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the ink adheres to the substrate.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the substrate is a plastics substrate.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the ketone is methylethylketone.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the ketone is cyclohexanone.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the C₁ to C₄ alcohol is ethanol.

24. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

001-2 wt. % of a surfactant.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein the ink composition does not comprise any polymers.

26. The method of claim 17, wherein the ink composition consists only of the ketone, the C₁ to C₄ alcohol and the colorant.

27. The method of claim 17, wherein the ink composition consists only of the ketone, the C₁ to C₄ alcohol, the colorant and 0.01-2 wt. % of a surfactant.

28. An inkjet printer comprising:

an ink reservoir containing a respective ink; and

a thermal inkjet printhead in fluid communication with the ink reservoir,

wherein the ink is a solvent-based ink composition comprising;

(a) 55-90 wt. % of an organic solvent comprising a ketone and a C₁ to C₄ alcohol; and

(b) 0.01-10 wt. % of a colorant.

29. The inkjet printer of claim 28, wherein the thermal inkjet printhead comprises a plurality of nozzles, each of the plurality of nozzles comprising:

a nozzle chamber containing the ink, the nozzle chamber having a nozzle opening for ejection of the ink; and

a heater element in contact with the ink, the heater element being configured for heating the ink to a temperature sufficient to form a bubble therein and thereby cause ejection of the ink from the nozzle opening.