Abstract: A novel hot melt ink jet ink is disclosed for use in an impulse ink jet apparatus. The disclosed ink comprises a dispersed solid pigment which is formulated in a wax, or high molecular weight fatty acid or alcohol vehicle to form a hot melt ink which is solid at room temperature. The provision of such a pigment containing ink provides a high quality ink which is stable for long periods of time at relatively high temperatures. In the preferred embodiments, a dispersed graphite in a non-evaporative oil carrier, such as mineral oil, is formulated with candelilla wax, stearic acid and/or behenic acid.

Abstract: A demand ink jet employs removable cartridges of hot melt ink. When the temperature of the ink within the cartridge is raised, the ink melts and drains from the cartridge into the supply system.

Abstract: A novel hot melt ink jet ink is disclosed for use in an impulse ink jet apparatus. The disclosed ink comprises a dispersed solid pigment which is formulated in a wax, or high molecular weight fatty acid or alcohol vehicle to form a hot melt ink which is solid at room temperature. The provision of such a pigment containing ink provides a high quality ink which is stable for long periods of time at relatively high temperatures. In the preferred embodiments, a dispersed graphite in a non-evaporative oil carrier, such as mineral oil, is formulated with candelilla wax, stearic acid and/or behenic acid.

Abstract: A demand or impulse ink jet ejects droplets of hot melt ink. The hot melt ink is heated from a solid state to a liquid state in the jet prior to the ejection of droplets on demand. The ink is then cooled on striking the target. The ink may contain a wax.

Abstract: Impulse-type ink jet ink compositions and processes for recording information therewith are provided. The ink compositions dry to the touch more rapidly than the impulse-type inks known in the art. The rapid-drying characteristics are believed to be attributable to their relatively low viscosities. The ink compositions preferably comprise from about 80 to about 99 percent by weight of a liquid vehicle which consists essentially of an organic solvent having a viscosity less than about 7.0 centipoise at 20.degree. C. and from about 1 to about 15 percent by weight of a colorant. The ink compositions are suitable for printing alphanumeric text or bar codes on highly calendared paper or other non-absorbent surfaces.

Abstract: Impulse-type ink jet ink compositions are provided along with processes for recording information therewith. The ink compositions preferably comprise from about 65 to about 80 percent by weight of a low molecular weight diol, from about 15 to about 25 percent by weight of a low molecular weight diol ether, and from about 1 to about 15 percent by weight of a colorant. The ink compositions are suitable for printing clear, well-defined alphanumeric text or bar codes on porous substrates such as kraft paper corrugated cardboard.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel ink jet ink which is semi-solid at room temperature. The subject ink combines the advantageous properties of thermal phase change inks and liquid inks. More particularly, the inks of the present invention comprise vehicles, such as glyceryl esters, polyoxyethylene esters, waxes, fatty acids, and mixtures thereof, which are semi-solid at temperatures between 20.degree. and 45.degree. C. *The ink is impulse jetted at an elevated temperature in the range of above 45.degree. C. to about 110.degree. C., at which temperature the ink has a viscosity of about 10-15 centipose. The subject inks exhibit controlled penetration and spreading, but do not remain on the surface of most substrates where they would be prone to burnishing, cracking or flaking. *These inks further comprise 0.1 to 30 wt. % of a colorant system.

Abstract: A method of making a color transparency with jetted color ink jet apparatus includes the steps of heating hot melt ink including an ink vehicle and a substantially translucent dye to a temperature above the melting point to attain the liquid state, ejecting small volumes of the hot melt ink from the ink jet apparatus toward a substantially transparent resinous support, cooling the small volumes of ink on the support so as to attain the solid state, and flattening the small volumes on the support to produce a substantially planar surface which minimizes refraction and scattering of light projected thereon or therethrough.

Abstract: A novel ink jet composition for use in drop on demand ink jet printers is disclosed comprising 85-99 weight percent of a vehicle consisting essentially of dibutyl sebacate and oleic acid. In the preferred embodiment, the dibutyl sebacate comprises between about 40 to 65, preferably about 60 weight percent of said ink. The subject ink, when utilizing an infrared readable colorant such as nigrosine base, is particularly suited for generating IR readable bar codes.

Abstract: An improved cartridge for containing a pellet of hot melt or phase change ink in an ink jet apparatus having at least one ink jet, a reservoir for containing and melting the hot melt or phase change ink from its solid state to a liquid state, and a receiver adapted to receive the cartridge, wherein the receiver includes an outlet at the base thereof for flowing liquified ink into the reservoir, and wherein the pellet is comprised of a size and shape so as to substantially fill the receiving means. The improvement consists of a hollow member of a predetermined geometry corresponding substantially to the geometry of the receiver, open at one end and deformable so as to permit the discharge of the pellet contained within the member through its open end, a retainer for the pellet, and a seal at the open end to protect against contamination of the ink.

Abstract: A stearic acid-containing ink jet ink for use in an ink jet apparatus which features good print quality. The ink jet ink is discharged from the ink jet ink apparatus at elevated temperatures above ambient.

Abstract: A novel hot melt impulse ink jet ink is disclosed which comprises a C.sub.20 -C.sub.24 acid or alcohol containing vehicle, preferably behenic acid, and a suitable coloring agent. The preferred ink has a melting point above about 65.degree. C., exhibits very good jettability, good heat stability at a reservoir temperature of 90.degree. C., good material compatability, and an improved print quality. The preferred ink comprises about 80% natural behenic acid, 15% of a ketone (such as stearone), 3% coloring agent, and 2% of a plasticizer intended to improve print quality. The subject inks are jetted at relatively high temperatures (80.degree.-90.degree. C.) using impulse ink jet devices. Upon impact with the target substrate the subject inks freeze to produce a high quality print having a smear resistance approximately equal to IBM copy, and cracking resistance better than such copy.

Abstract: A demand ink jet employs removable cartridges of hot melt ink. When the temperature of the ink within the cartridge is raised, the ink melts and drains from the cartridge into the supply system. Each of the cartridges may include ink of a different color so as to permit multi-color printing.

Abstract: An ink jet ink formulated to substantially reduce or eliminate start-up problems when an ink jet apparatus is initially discharged. The ink comprises at least two fluid components. The components have been matched to provide an ink that substantially maintains its initial formulation despite evaporation of the components.

Abstract: A natural wax-containing ink jet ink for use in an ink jet apparatus which features good print quality. The ink jet ink is discharged from the ink jet ink apparatus at elevated temperatures above ambient.

Abstract: An ink jet ink formulated to substantially reduce or eliminate start-up problems when an ink jet apparatus is initially discharged. The ink comprises at least two fluid components. The components have been matched to provide an ink that substantially maintains its initial formulation despite evaporation of the components.

Abstract: A natural wax-containing ink jet ink for use in an ink jet apparatus which features good print quality. The ink jet ink is discharged from the ink jet ink apparatus at elevated temperatures above ambient.

Abstract: An ink jet composition and method of applying same is featured providing exceptionally good print quality on a wide range of printing papers. The ink composition includes a mixture of oleic acid in an approximate weight of from 20 to 80 percent of the total mixture and a dye in a dye solvent. The mixture is jetted at a temperature of approximately 135.degree. F. The average dot circularity for a dot jetted upon the paper is approximately 0.7 or better.

Abstract: The invention features a process and composition for reducing or eliminating moisture in fluids suitable for use in ink jet systems without significantly changing the surface tension of these fluids. It has been discovered that mixing at least one borate ester derived from an aqueously miscible organic hydroxyl-containing compound, with a substantially non-aqueous printing medium will hygroscopically stabilize the printing medium, (maintain the printing medium substantially water-free) without significantly changing its surface tension.

Abstract: A low cost line printer character chain lubricating device that provides an accurate amount of lubricant between a line printer character chain and the hard, smooth support surface about which the chain rotates. The lubricating device is located in a depression in the hard, smooth support surface and includes a piece of flexible, abrasion-resistant, microporous nitrile rubber that is impregnated with lubricating oil. The nitrile rubber has a smooth convex arcuate surface for contacting the character chain. A bracket semipermanently mounts the nitrile rubber in the depression in the support surface such that the convex arcuate surface of the nitrile rubber contacts the side of the character chain that normally contacts the hard, smooth support surface as the chain rotates. Depressions in the nitrile rubber beside the arcuate surface serve as charging reservoirs for the lubricating oil.