Environmentally friendly, reliable, fast drying ink for point-of-sale thermal ink jet application
US6783580B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 15, 2002 |
| Grant date | Aug 31, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 13, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC09D11/38
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An ink jet ink for thermal ink jet point-of-sale printers is provided, comprising: (a) a vehicle comprising (i) 5 to 10 wt % of a drying agent selected from the group consisting of 1,2-hexanediol and 1,2-pentanediol, (ii) 15 to 32 wt % 2-pyrrolidone, (iii) 15 to 37 wt % of at least one humectant, and (iv) the balance water; (b) 0.5 to 10 wt % of a water-soluble dye; and (c) 0 to 3 wt % comprising buffers, corrosion inhibitors, surfactants, biocides, polymers, pigments, and binders, with the proviso that the total amount of surfactants is 0.1 wt % or less, based on the total ink composition. In particular, the ink jet ink is employed in combination with a printhead having a nickel orifice plate through which droplets of the ink are expelled onto a print medium. The ink jet ink composition is environmentally friendly, reliable, and fast drying, on the order of 300 msec and less. Further, the ink composition exhibits minimal puddling on the nickel orifice plate, leading to improved print quality.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.