Fast-drying, solvent-based inkjet composition and a method and system for printing such ink

• US 8,087,766 B2
• Filed: 10/06/2008
• Issued: 01/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Barreto, Marcos A., Ruiz, Orlando
• Primary Examiner(s): JACKSON, JUANITA DIONNE
• Application Number:
  US13/122,334
• Publication Number:
  US 20110181666A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,184 Days
• Field of Search: 347/20, 347 40- 43, 347/56, 347 95- 96, 347/100, 347/101, 106/31.6, 106/31.13, 106/31.27, 523/160, 523/161
• US Class Current: 347/95
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 11/328 characterised by dyes
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 11/36 based on non-aqueous solvents

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a fast drying solvent-based inkjet ink composition for thermal inkjet printing. The ink composition includes at least 40 weight percent base solvent, a solvent-compatible colorant, not more than 25 weight percent propellant, a decap-controlling additive, from 0.5 weight % to 3.5 weight % of a binder resin and not more than 5 weight % water. The application also relates to the method and system for inkjet printing with the above-described ink.

Claims

1. A fast drying solvent-based inkjet ink composition for inkjet printing, the ink composition comprising at least 40 weight percent base solvent, a solvent-compatible colorant, propellant, a decap-controlling additive, from 0.5 weight % to 3.5 weight % of a binder resin and not more than 5 weight percent water;

wherein the propellant is compatible with inkjet printhead materials in a concentration at most 25 weight % of the ink composition.

2. The ink composition of claim 1, wherein the ink composition is for thermal inkjet printing.

3. The ink composition of claim 1, wherein the binder resin is selected from the group consisting of styrene/acrylic acid, styrene/maleic anhydride copolymers, and combinations thereof.

4. The ink composition of claim 1, wherein the base solvent and propellant have a heat of vaporization from 30 to 52 kJoules/mole.

5. The ink composition of claim 1, wherein the base solvent is selected from the group consisting of ethanol, n-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, and combinations thereof.

6. The ink composition of claim 1, wherein the propellant is selected from the group consisting of acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate and combinations thereof, and wherein the propellant is from 15% to 25% by weight of the ink composition.

7. The ink composition of claim 1, wherein the decap-controlling additive has a vapor pressure from 1 to 5 mm Hg at 25°

C. and has a boiling point greater than the base solvent.

8. The ink composition of claim 1, wherein the decap-controlling additive is selected from the group consisting of 1-methoxy-2-propanol, ethyl lactate, tert-butanol, tert-butyl acetate, 1-butanol and combinations thereof.

9. The ink composition of claim 1, wherein the ink composition further comprises a surfactant compatible with organic systems.

10. The ink composition of claim 9, wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of silicones and fluorosurfactants.

11. The ink composition of claim 1, wherein the colorants are solvent dyes.

12. A method of printing a fast-drying solvent-based inkjet ink with the ink composition including at least 40 weight percent base solvent, a solvent-compatible colorant, at most 25 weight percent propellant, a decap-controlling additive, from 0.5 weight % to 3.5 weight % of a binder resin and not more than 5 weight percent water;

the method comprising the step of activating an inkjet printhead to eject the inkjet ink.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising establishing fluid communication between the inkjet printhead and an ink supply container through a fluid conduit.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising an ink reservoir integrally formed in an inkjet cartridge, the ink reservoir in fluid communication with the inkjet printhead.

15. A system for inkjet printing and fast drying an image on non-absorbent media, the system comprising:

at least one drop on demand inkjet printhead having a fluid ejector configured for dropwise ejecting ink drops onto a non-absorbent media, the printhead fluidically coupled with an ink source, wherein the ink source includes;

an ink composition comprising at least 40 weight percent base solvent, a solvent-compatible colorant, at most 25 weight percent propellant, a decap additive, from 0.5 weight % to 3.5 weight % of a binder resin, and at most 5 weight % water; and

a drying system attached to the system for inkjet printing.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the base solvent and propellant have a heat of vaporization from 30 to 52 kJoules/mole.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the base solvent is selected from the group consisting of ethanol, n-propanol, 2-propanol, 1-butanol, acetone and combinations thereof;

the propellant is selected from the group consisting of methyl ethyl ketone, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate and combinations thereof; and

the binder resin is selected from the group consisting of styrene/acrylic acid, styrene/maleic anhydride copolymer and combinations thereof.