Abstract: The present invention provides an ink composition for use in ink jet printing on food items, candy, particularly dark candy, such as chocolate, and to a method of forming printed images on such food items by use of the ink compositions. The compositions of the present invention comprise a pigment, a binder, and an aqueous carrier.

Abstract: The present invention provides a jet ink composition suitable for printing on substrates such as plastics messages having abrasion resistance, the composition comprising an organic solvent, a colorant, a cellulose nitrate resin, and a rosin resin. For example, the messages printed on untreated low density polyethylene and polypropylene substrates have improved rub resistance and scratch resistance. The present invention further provides a method for printing abrasion resistant messages on a surface comprising projecting a stream of droplets of the jet ink composition to the surface, controlling the direction of the stream so that the droplets are caused to form the desired printed messages, and allowing the messages to dry.

Abstract: Disclosed are jet ink compositions suitable for producing marks on objects that are invisible to the unaided eye and are visible only when excited by an exciting radiation comprising a solvent, a fluorescent colorant, a binder resin, and a plasticizer having a vapor pressure of about 15 mm Hg or less at 240.degree. C. Examples of suitable binder resins include an acrylic resin, a toluenesulfonamide resin, and a sulfonamide-formaldehyde resin. An example of a suitable plasticizer is o-butyl benzyl phthalate. The marks are blush resistant when exposed to water at 150.degree. F. and above for 5 minutes. Also disclosed is an improved method of identifying objects, the improvement comprising providing a blush resistant identifying mark using the inventive jet ink compositions. A system for identifying objects with a blush resistant identification mark is also disclosed.

Abstract: A latent image printing process by applying to a substrate a latent image ink composition containing zinc bromide with an ink jet printer. Subsequently, the latent image is activated to render it visible, by application of an activator.

Abstract: The present invention provides jet ink compositions that are free or substantially free of sedimentation, have good image adhesion and rub resistance, and that are suitable for printing messages on food items such as fruits, vegetables, chocolate, candies, confectioneries and pharmaceuticals such as tablets, and other edible or ingestible materials. The jet ink compositions comprise a surface modified or coated colorant. The surface modified or coated food grade colorant comprises a food grade colorant of particle size in the range of from about 0.01 micron to about 25 microns, a colorant carrier, and a surface modifying or coating agent. The surface modifying or coating agent comprises at least one binder resin, and preferably two or more binder resins.

Abstract: An ink composition suitable for ink jet printing operations, comprising a colorant, water, and surfactant, said composition having a surface tension of less than about 30 dynes/cm.