Preparation of microemulsion and micellar color inks from modified water-soluble color chromaphores for thermal ink-jet printing

• Main Authors: JOHN R. MOFFATT, JOSEPH W. TSANG
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 13.05.1998
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: ADHESIVES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; CHEMISTRY; COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES ORLACQUERS; COLOUR PRINTING; CORRECTING FLUIDS; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS; DYES; FILLING PASTES; i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; INKS; LINING MACHINES; METALLURGY; MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS; MISCELLANEOUS COMPOSITIONS; NATURAL RESINS; PAINTS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; POLISHES; PRINTING; PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS; STAMPS; TRANSPORTING; TYPEWRITERS; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR; WOODSTAINS

The ink of the invention comprises a vehicle and a colorant, with the vehicle comprising a microemulsion containing at least one substantially water-insoluble organic oil, at least one organic cosolvent, and water and, optionally, at least one amphiphile and at least one high molecular weight colloid. The colorant is a water-insoluble chromaphore that has been chemically modified to be water-soluble by addition of functional groups that impart water solubility. These functional groups are added to the surface of the chromaphore particles, resulting in water-soluble colorant particles. The inks described herein demonstrate high edge acuity, high optical density, fast drying times, reduced bleed, improved halo characteristics, high water fastness, and high smearfastness.