Tunable directional color transition compositions and methods of making and using the same

• US 8,569,208 B1
• Filed: 12/21/2009
• Issued: 10/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Segan Industries Inc.
• Original Assignee: Segan Industries Inc.
• Inventors: Ribi, Hans O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hess, Bruce H
• Application Number:
  US12/643,887
• Time in Patent Office: 1,408 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 503/216
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 2205/04 Direct thermal recording [DTR]
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/282 using thermochromic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/287 using microcapsules or microspheres only
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/305 with reversible electron-donor electron-acceptor compositions
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/323 Organic colour formers, e.g. leuco dyes
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/3331 Macromolecular compounds
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 5/3333 Non-macromolecular compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C09D 11/50 Sympathetic, colour changing or similar inks
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 21/78 producing a change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 31/222 for investigating moisture content
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 31/229 for investigating time/temperature history

Abstract

Color change compositions that transition from a first to second color state upon application of an applied stimulus are provided. Also provided are substrates having the compositions on a surface thereof, as well as methods of making and using the compositions.

Claims

1. A color change composition comprising a color former and color developer that transitions from a first color state to a second color state upon application of an applied stimulus, wherein the color former changes color in response to a phase transition of the color developer and wherein the color developer comprises a glycerol monostearate derivative or a polydiacetylene.

2. The color change composition according to claim 1, wherein the applied stimulus is a temperature stimulus.

3. The color change composition according to claim 1, wherein the applied stimulus is solvation.

4. The color change composition according to claim 1, wherein the applied stimulus is hydration.

5. The color change composition according to claim 1, wherein the transition is reversible.

6. The color change composition according to claim 1, wherein the transition is irreversible.

7. The color change composition according to claim 1, wherein the transition is uniform.

8. The color change composition according to claim 1, wherein the transition exhibits hysteresis.

9. The color change composition according to claim 1, wherein the color former is a thermochromic dye.

10. The color change composition according to claim 1, wherein the color developer comprises a glycerol monostearate derivative.

11. The color-change composition according to claim 1, wherein the color-change composition comprises an adhesive.

12. The color change composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition comprises two or more distinct leuco dyes.

13. The color change composition according to claim 1, wherein the one or more of the components of the color change composition is micro-encapsulated.

14. The color change composition according to claim 1, wherein the color change composition changes color in a time dependent manner.

15. The color change composition according to claim 1, wherein the color change composition changes color in a time and temperature dependent manner.

16. A substrate comprising a color change composition according to claim 1 present on a least one surface thereof.

17. The substrate according to claim 16, wherein the color change composition is present on the at least one surface in the form of a pre-determined pattern.

18. The substrate according to claim 17, wherein the pre-determined pattern has a machine readable format.

19. A method comprising applying a quantity of a color change composition according to claim 1 to a surface of a substrate.

20. The color change composition according to claim 1, wherein the color developer comprises a polydiacetylene.

21. The color change composition according to claim 1, wherein the color developer consists of a single component.

22. The color change composition according to claim 21, wherein the color developer consists of a glycerol monostearate derivative.

23. A color change composition comprising a color former and color developer that transitions from a first color state to a second color state upon application of an applied stimulus, wherein the composition comprises two or more distinct leuco dyes which exhibit opposing color transition characteristics in response to the same applied stimulus.

24. The color change composition according to claim 23, wherein the color change composition transitions from a red color state to a green color state upon application of the applied stimulus.