Thermotropic ink
US4155895A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 30, 1978 |
| Grant date | May 22, 1979 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 30, 1998 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S252/962
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An ink composition is provided which is suitable for use on bare metal, for example, tinplate or aluminum as well as on such metals having organic coatings applied to surfaces thereof. The compositions may also be used on plastic containers or retortable pouches comprising plastic or plastic-metal foil laminates. The inks are suitable for use in contact printers or in jet ink printing techniques. The ink compositions are thermotropic, i.e. they change color in the presence of steam at elevated temperature and are useful as sterilization indicators. The inks comprise essentially a binder resin component, an alcohol solvent and a colorant which reacts in the presence of steam at elevated temperature to produce a visible and permanent color change.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.