Inks containing block copolymer micelles
First Claim
1. An ink composition which comprises an aqueous liquid vehicle and particles of an average diameter of 100 nanometers or less which comprise micelles of block copolymers of the formula ABA, wherein A represents a hydrophilic segment and B represents a hydrophobic segment, and wherein dye molecules are convalently attached to the micelles, said dye molecules being detectable when exposed to radiation outside the visible wavelength range, wherein the A segments exhibit a solubility in water of at least about 0.2 gram per milliliter and the B segment exhibits a solubility in water of no more than about 0.01 gram per milliliter.
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Abstract
Disclosed is an ink composition which comprises an aqeuous liquid vehicle and particles of an average diameter of 100 nanometers or less which comprise micelles of block copolymers of the formula ABA, wherein A represents a hydrophilic segment and B represents a hydrophobic segment, and wherein dye molecules are covalently attached to the micelles, said dye molecules being detectable when exposed to radiation outside the visible wavelength range. Optionally, silica is precipitated within the micelles. In a specific embodiment, the dye molecules are substantially colorless. In another specific embodiment, the ink also contains a colorant detectable in the visible wavelength range.
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Citations
56 Claims
- 1. An ink composition which comprises an aqueous liquid vehicle and particles of an average diameter of 100 nanometers or less which comprise micelles of block copolymers of the formula ABA, wherein A represents a hydrophilic segment and B represents a hydrophobic segment, and wherein dye molecules are convalently attached to the micelles, said dye molecules being detectable when exposed to radiation outside the visible wavelength range, wherein the A segments exhibit a solubility in water of at least about 0.2 gram per milliliter and the B segment exhibits a solubility in water of no more than about 0.01 gram per milliliter.
- 15. An ink composition which comprises an aqueous liquid vehicle and particles of an average diameter of 100 nanometers or less which comprise micelles of block copolymers of the formula ABA having silica precipitated therein, wherein A represents a hydrophilic segment and B represents a hydrophobic segment, and dye molecules covalently attached to the micelles, said dye molecules being detectable when exposed to radiation outside the visible wavelength range, wherein the A segments exhibit a solubility in water of at least about 0.2 gram per milliliter and the B segment exhibits a solubility in water of no more than about 0.01 gram per milliliter.
- 23. In a printing process which comprises (1) incorporating into an ink jet printing apparatus an ink composition and (2) causing droplets of the ink to be ejected in an imagewise pattern onto a substrate, thereby generating images on the substrate, the improvement which comprises incorporating into the ink jet printing apparatus and jetting droplets onto the substrate an ink composition which comprises a liquid vehicle and particles of an average diameter of 100 nanometers or less which comprise micelles of block copolymers of the formula ABA, wherein A represents a hydrophilic segment and B represents a hydrophobic segment, and wherein dye molecules are covalently attached to the micelles, said dye molecules being detectable when exposed to radiation outside the visible wavelength range, wherein the A segments exhibit a solubility in water of at least about 0.2 gram per milliliter and the B segment exhibits a solubility in water of no more than about 0.01 gram per milliliter.
- 31. An ink composition which comprises an aqueous liquid vehicle and colored particles of an average diameter of 100 nanometers or less which comprise micelles of block copolymers of the formula ABA, wherein A represents a hydrophilic segment and B represents a hydrophobic segment, and wherein dye molecules are covalently attached to the micelles, wherein the A segments exhibit a solubility in water of at least about 0.2 gram per milliliter and the B segment exhibits a solubility in water of no more than about 0.01 gram per milliliter.
- 39. An ink composition which comprises an aqueous liquid vehicle and colored particles of an average diameter of 100 nanometers or less which comprise micelles of block copolymers of the formula ABA having silica precipitated therein, wherein A represents a hydrophilic segment and B represents a hydrophobic segment, and dye molecules covalently attached to the micelles, wherein the A segments exhibit a solubility in water of at least about 0.2 gram per milliliter and the B segment exhibits a solubility in water of no more than about 0.01 gram per milliliter.
- 41. In a printing process which comprises (1) incorporating into an ink jet printing apparatus an ink composition and (2) causing droplets of the ink to be ejected in an imagewise pattern onto a substrate, thereby generating images on the substrate, the improvement which comprises incorporating into the ink jet printing apparatus and jetting droplets onto the substrate an ink composition which comprises a liquid vehicle and colored particles of an average diameter of 100 nanometers or less which comprise micelles of block copolymers of the formula ABA, wherein A represents a hydrophilic segment and B represents a hydrophobic segment, and wherein dye molecules are covalently attached to the micelles, wherein the A segments exhibit a solubility in water of at least about 0.2 gram per milliliter and the B segment exhibits a solubility in water of no more than about 0.01 gram per milliliter.
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45. An ink preparation process which comprises, in the order stated (1) adding to water a block copolymer of the formula ABA, wherein A represents a hydrophilic segment and B represents a hydrophobic segment, wherein the A segments exhibit a solubility in water of at least about 0.2 gram per milliliter and the B segment exhibits a solubility in water of no more than about 0.01 gram per milliliter, thereby forming a dispersion of micelles of the block copolymer;
- (2) adding a water-soluble base to the dispersion, thereby bringing the pH of the dispersion to at least 8;
(3) adding to the dispersion a solution comprising water and a reactive dye capable of reacting with the block copolymer, thereby forming colored polymeric micelles; and
(4) admixing the colored micelles with an aqueous liquid vehicle to form an ink composition. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
- (2) adding a water-soluble base to the dispersion, thereby bringing the pH of the dispersion to at least 8;
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53. An ink preparation process which comprises, in the order stated (1) adding to water a block copolymer of the formula ABA, wherein A represents a hydrophilic segment and B represents a hydrophobic segment, wherein the A segments exhibit a solubility in water of at least about 0.2 gram per milliliter and the B segment exhibits a solubility in water of no more than about 0.01 gram per milliliter, thereby forming a dispersion of micelles of the block copolymer;
- (2) admixing a tetraalkoxysilane with the dispersion;
(3) adding a water-soluble base to the dispersion, thereby bringing the pH of the dispersion to at least 8, thereby precipitating silica within the micelles;
(4) adding to the dispersion a solution comprising water and a reactive dye capable of reacting with the block copolymer, thereby forming colored polymeric micelles with silica precipitated therein; and
(5) admixing the colored micelles with a liquid vehicle to form an ink composition. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55, 56)
- (2) admixing a tetraalkoxysilane with the dispersion;
Specification