Abstract: A system for identifying a prescribed inkjet ink includes a controlled substrate, a quantity of ink dispensed from a printhead of an ink cartridge onto the controlled substrate which supports the dispensed ink in a freestanding form, a light emitter configured and positioned to transmit light in a first preselected wavelength bandwidth onto the freestanding dispensed ink, a light sensor configured and positioned to detect light m a second preselected wavelength bandwidth different from the first preselected wavelength bandwidth by a fluorescent additive contained in the freestanding dispensed ink, and a signal analyzer electrically connected to the light sensor and operable to produce an electrical output signal corresponding to such light emissions such that an electrical output signal above a given level is indicative of the presence of the prescribed ink in the ink cartridge.

Abstract: A printhead auto-alignment detection system includes a UV LED configured and positioned to transmit light in ultraviolet wavelengths onto a printed printhead alignment pattern formed using an aqueous ink having a UV fluorescing material. A sensor is configured and positioned to detect light in visible wavelengths emitted by the fluorescing material. A controller is communicatively coupled to the UV LED and the sensor. The controller is configured to execute program instructions for controlling the output of the UV LED and for reading a signal output of the sensor during a printhead alignment operation.

Abstract: A system for identifying a prescribed inkjet ink includes a controlled substrate, a quantity of ink dispensed from a printhead of an ink cartridge onto the controlled substrate which supports the dispensed ink in a freestanding form, a light emitter configured and positioned to transmit light in a first preselected wavelength bandwidth onto the freestanding dispensed ink, a light sensor configured and positioned to detect light m a second preselected wavelength bandwidth different from the first preselected wavelength bandwidth by a fluorescent additive contained in the freestanding dispensed ink, and a signal analyzer electrically connected to the light sensor and operable to produce an electrical output signal corresponding to such light emissions such that an electrical output signal above a given level is indicative of the presence of the prescribed ink in the ink cartridge.

Abstract: A printhead auto-alignment detection system includes a UV LED configured and positioned to transmit light in ultraviolet wavelengths onto a printed printhead alignment pattern formed using an aqueous ink having a UV fluorescing material. A sensor is configured and positioned to detect light in visible wavelengths emitted by the fluorescing material. A controller is communicatively coupled to the UV LED and the sensor. The controller is configured to execute program instructions for controlling the output of the UV LED and for reading a signal output of the sensor during a printhead alignment operation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ink compositions. More particularly, the ink compositions contain the basic ingredients of pigment inks for inkjet applications. Those ingredients are pigment dispersions, humectants, surfactants/penetrants, biocide, and balance water. In addition to these ingredients, the ink compositions of the present invention contain from about 2.5% to about 7.5% of a latex binder emulsion. The latex binder emulsions include all types of polyacrylates such as polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, and styrene-acrylates or methacrylates wherein the glass transition temperature is greater than 50° C. and the particle size of the polymer emulsion is under 500 nm. Using of the high Tg latex polymer emulsions described herein allows a high pigment load, but without negatively influencing jetting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a print media product comprising a substrate having at least one ink receiving layer and a pigment-based inkjet composition. The ink receiving layer of the substrate is comprised of a first acrylic based polymer A. The pigment-based ink jet ink composition comprises a pigment and a second acrylic-based polymer B. The acrylic-based polymers A and B have a strong affinity for each other and act as a two part system to improve the smear resistance of the pigment-based ink composition when printed on the ink receiving layer of the substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ink compositions. More particularly, the present invention relates to ink compositions comprising a colorant and a polymeric binder having a below ambient glass transition temperature, an average particle diameter above about 200 nm and an acid component ranging from about 1% to about 10% by weight of the polymeric binder. Additionally, the present invention has the novel and useful feature of resistance to both wet-rub and dry smear as well as increased highlighter resistance and decreased occurrences of maintenance problems such as clogging and kogation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel humectant set for use in an ink having properties suited for use in all types of printers to meet the demanding requirements, said novel humectant set comprising (a) polyethylene glycol; and (b) a diol with adjacent —OH groups; in further embodiment, comprising at least two of the following: (a) polyethylene glycol; (b) a diol with adjacent —OH group; and (c) 2-pyrrolidone; and in further embodiment, comprising (a) polyethylene glycol; (b) an alkyl diol with adjacent —OH groups; and (c) 2-pyrrolidone. Ink compositions of the present invention comprise: the humectant set of the present invention, colorant and, optionally, a penetrant and/or a binder.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ink compositions. More particularly, the present invention relates to ink compositions comprising a colorant and a polymeric binder having a below ambient glass transition temperature, an average particle diameter above about 200 nm and an acid component ranging from about 1% to about 10% by weight of the polymeric binder. Additionally, the present invention has the novel and useful feature of resistance to both wet-rub and dry smear as well as increased highlighter resistance and decreased occurrences of maintenance problems such as clogging and kogation.

Abstract: A method for grinding colorant agglomerates with a grinding medium comprising a Group IIIB and/or a lanthanide element and a Group IVB oxide. The grinding medium has a grain size of less than about 1.35 microns, and results in the production of substantially pure colorant concentrates.

Abstract: Paper to receive inkjet printing has applied to it a mixture of a latex, glycerol, and hydrated aluminum chloride. The latex has predominantly hydrocarbon moieties and a positively charged acryloylammonium salt moiety. The printing realized from an inkjet printer has excellent color richness, black optical density, fast drying time and resistance to water.

Abstract: An ink composition comprises a colorant and an additive. The additive is selected from the group consisting of first dispersants synthesized from an aromatic mercaptan, a hydrophilic monomer, a hydrophobic polymeric reactant having a siloxyl substituent and a first stabilizing reactant; second dispersants synthesized from a non-aromatic mercaptan, a hydrophilic monomer, a hydrophobic polymeric reactant having a siloxyl substituent, and a second stabilizing reactant selected from the group consisting of nonylphenoxy (PEG)4-6 methacrylate, nonylphenoxy (PPG)4-6 methacrylate, nonylphenoxy (PEG)4 6 acrylate, nonylphenoxy (PPG)4-6 acrylate and mixtures thereof; humectant mixtures comprising a bis-hydroxy terminated thioether, a lactam, and a compound selected from the group consisting of polyalkylene glycols, polyol/alkylene oxide condensates and mixtures thereof; and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A paper or transparency receiving toner to be fixed by heat has an ionomeric resin on its outer surface. For universal application, the outer layer is a blend of non-ionomeric resin, such as styrene acrylate copolymer, and an ionomer, which permits the material of the toner to molecularly intermingle with the blend during heat fixing. Irradiation raises the melting point of the ionomeric resin to prevent delamination. The resulting printing is strongly bonded to the substrate and is of excellent quality.

Abstract: High performance ink compositions are described and the ink compositions comprise oxycarbons like glycols as well as bishydroxy terminated thioethers like 2,2'-thiodiethanol.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an ink cartridge for use in printing an ink on a print medium with an electronic printer. The ink cartridge includes an ink disposed therein having a viscosity of between approximately 1.5 and 10 centipoise. An ink cartridge has an unfelted foam therein. The foam carries the ink and has a plurality of pores disposed substantially in communication with each other. The pores have an effective porosity of between approximately 60 and 90 pores per inch. The ink cartridge further has a printhead assembly disposed in fluid communication with the foam. The foam has an effective porosity, dependent on the viscosity of the ink, wherein ink is allowed to flow from the foam to the printhead assembly during periods of operation, and is substantially prevented from flowing from the printhead assembly during periods of inoperation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aqueous ink composition for use in ink jet printers comprising an aqueous carrier; a pigment; and a copolymer comprising a hydrophilic segment having an acidic function group, and a hydrophobic segment having a hydrolytically stable siloxyl substituent.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of printing using an ink jet printer which jets a first color ink and a second color ink onto a print medium at locations defined by an image area having a plurality of pixels. The method inhibits intercolor bleeding between the first color ink and the second color ink. A first array of pixels in the image area is selected, with the first array being an M.times.N array wherein M and N are integers. A portion of the first array is defined as a second array of pixels, with the second array being an X.times.Y array wherein X and Y are integers. The integers X and Y are smaller than the integers M and N, respectively. The pixels within the second array are examined. The pixels within the first array are altered if the examined pixels within the second array substantially all correspond to the first color ink.

Abstract: A paper or transparency receiving toner to be fixed by heat has an ionomeric resin on its outer surface. For universal application, the outer layer is a blend of non-ionomeric resin, such as styrene acrylate copolymer, and an ionomer, which permits the material of the toner to molecularly intermingle with the blend during heat fixing. Irradiation raises the melting point of the ionomeric resin to prevent delamination. The resulting printing is strongly bonded to the substrate and is of excellent quality.