Semi-solid ink jet and method of using same
First Claim
1. A method of ink jet printing comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing an ink consisting essentially of(i) 70 to 99.9 wt. % of a vehicle which is semi-solid at a temperature between 20° and
45°
C., said vehicle being selected from the group consisting of glyceryl esters, polyoxyethylene esters, mixtures thereof, and mixtures of one or more glyceryl esters and a minor proportion of wax;
(ii) 0.1 to 30 wt. % of a colorant system, said ink being a semi-solid at a temperature between 20° and
45°
C.;
(b) elevating the temperature of said ink to a temperature in the range of about 45°
C. to about 110°
C.; and
(c) jetting said ink onto a substrate whereupon said ink migrates into and into and is absorbed into said substrate.
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Abstract
The present invention provides a novel ink jet ink which is semi-solid at room temperature. The subject ink combines the advantageous properties of thermal phase change inks and liquid inks. More particularly, the inks of the present invention comprise vehicles, such as glyceryl esters, polyoxyethylene esters, waxes, fatty acids, and mixtures thereof, which are semi-solid at temperatures between 20° and 45° C. *The ink is impulse jetted at an elevated temperature in the range of above 45° C. to about 110° C., at which temperature the ink has a viscosity of about 10-15 centipose. The subject inks exhibit controlled penetration and spreading, but do not remain on the surface of most substrates where they would be prone to burnishing, cracking or flaking. *These inks further comprise 0.1 to 30 wt. % of a colorant system.
131 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of ink jet printing comprising the steps of:
-
(a) providing an ink consisting essentially of (i) 70 to 99.9 wt. % of a vehicle which is semi-solid at a temperature between 20° and
45°
C., said vehicle being selected from the group consisting of glyceryl esters, polyoxyethylene esters, mixtures thereof, and mixtures of one or more glyceryl esters and a minor proportion of wax;(ii) 0.1 to 30 wt. % of a colorant system, said ink being a semi-solid at a temperature between 20° and
45°
C.;(b) elevating the temperature of said ink to a temperature in the range of about 45°
C. to about 110°
C.; and(c) jetting said ink onto a substrate whereupon said ink migrates into and into and is absorbed into said substrate. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of ink jet printing comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing an ink consisting essentially of (i) 70 to 99.9 wt. % of a vehicle which is semi-solid at a temperature between 20° and
45°
C., said vehicle being selected from the group consisting of glyceryl esters, polyoxyethylene esters, lauric acid, mixtures thereof, and mixtures of glyceryl esters with minor proportions of wax;(ii) 0.1 to 30 wt. % of a colorant system, said ink being a semi-solid at a temperature between 20° and
45°
C.;(b) elevating the temperatures of said ink to a temperature in the range of above 45°
C. to about 110°
C.; and(c) jetting said ink onto a substrate whereupon said ink migrates into and is absorbed into said substrate.
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Specification