Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of the formula 1

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds of the formula The compounds are useful as colorants, particularly in applications such as phase change inks.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a compound having the formula: wherein at least one Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 is a halogen atom and any of Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 which is not a halogen atom is a hydrogen atom; and wherein R comprises at least two carbon atoms. The invention further encompasses inclusion of such compound into phase change ink carrier compositions, as well as printing methods utilizing such compound.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a compound having the formula: wherein at least one Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 is a halogen atom and any of Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 which is not a halogen atom is a hydrogen atom; and wherein R comprises at least two carbon atoms. The invention further encompasses inclusion of such compound into phase change ink carrier compositions, as well as printing methods utilizing such compound.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a compound having the formula: 1

Abstract: A phase change ink composition comprising a phase change ink carrier system in combination with a compatible colorant system, the colorant system comprising a combination of (1) a black colorant having an absorbance in the 475 nanometer region which is less than 80 percent of the absorbance at the 580 nanometer region and (2) a sufficient amount of at least one other colorant having an absorbance in the 475 nanometer region whereby the colorant has a ratio of absorbance in the 475 nanometer region to the 580 nanometer region from about 0.92:1.0 to about 1.01:1.0.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for recording a gradient image on transparent media. The apparatus has at least one solid phase change ink and a solid null image element. A printing head melts the solid phase change ink to form a molten phase change ink and melts the solid null image element to form a molten null image element. The molten phase change ink and the molten null image element are deposited, in an imagewise pattern, onto a transfer surface. A cooling mechanism cools the molten phase change ink and the molten null image element in the imagewise pattern to form a malleable phase change ink and a malleable null image element in the imagewise pattern on the transfer surface. The malleable phase change ink and the malleable null image element are transfered to a media from the transfer surface in the imagewise pattern.

Abstract: The invention encompasses a phase change ink comprising a material of the formula wherein X1, X2, X3 and X4 are segments comprising atoms selected from groups V and VI of the periodic table; wherein at least one R1. and R5 comprises at least 37 carbon units; and wherein R2, R3 and R4 each comprise at least one carbon unit. The invention further encompasses a composition of matter, as well as methods of reducing coefficients of friction of phase change ink formulations.

Abstract: A phase change ink composition comprising a phase change ink carrier system in combination with a compatible colorant system, the colorant system comprising a combination of (1) a black colorant having an absorbance in the 475 nanometer region which is less than 80 percent of the absorbance at the 580 nanometer region and (2) a sufficient amount of at least one other colorant having an absorbance in the 475 nanometer region whereby the colorant has a ratio of absorbance in the 475 nanometer region to the 580 nanometer region from about 0.92:1.0 to about 1.01:1.

Abstract: A gray scale ink jet printing method and apparatus which produce a high quality images having varying color intensities are disclosed. This is achieved by using a clear phase change ink base and a plurality of colored phase change inks with varying amounts of black dye, thereby producing multiple gray scale levels of black in images with substantial contrast between the imaged and non-imaged areas that are used in medical diagnostic imaging applications.

Abstract: Phase change ink additives are disclosed which comprise quaternary ammonium salts that are extremely useful in producing phase change inks with increased specific conductance. Suitable and adjustable specific conductance is necessary for reliable functioning of electronic type ink level sensing systems used in phase change ink jet printers. Phase change inks may also be encoded for type by virtue of their specific conductance.

Abstract: Phase change ink additives are disclosed which comprise quaternary ammonium salts that are extremely useful in producing phase change inks with increased specific conductance. Higher specific conductance is necessary for reliable functioning of electronic type ink level sensing systems used in phase change ink jet printers. Phase change inks may also be encoded for type by virtue of their specific conductance.

Abstract: A method of printing with phase change ink on an ink jet printer that contains multiple levels of black gray scale ink and a clear or slightly tinted wax ink base and which is applied to the roughened surface of an adhesion promoting coating applied to a transparent substrate is disclosed. The adhesion promoting coating has a surface roughness of greater than about 0.5 micrometers and contains a binder and an inorganic particulate material.

Abstract: Reactive ink compositions of the present invention utilize at least two reactive components, a base ink component and a curing component, that are applied to a receiving substrate separately. The base ink component includes an ink carrier, a compatible colorant, and a cross-linkable constituent, and the curing component is a cross-linking agent. Upon exposure of the base ink component to the curing component, at least a portion of the ink is cross-linked to provide a printed image that is durable and abrasion-resistant.

Abstract: A phase change ink composition is disclosed wherein the ink composition utilizes colorant in combination with a selected phase change ink carrier composition containing at least one hydroxy-functional fatty amide compound.

Abstract: A method of printing with phase change ink on an ink jet printer that contains ink dots in an imaged area by placing clear or the lightest level of color ink drops in non-imaged areas adjacent the ink drops in the imaged area is disclosed. The method reduces dot gain in phase change ink drops when the image is fused. The method is especially useful for grey scale printing applications in direct or offset printing.

Abstract: Gray scale ink jet printing method and apparatus produce a high quality image having varying color intensities. This is achieved by mixing a colored phase change ink with varying amounts of a clear phase change ink base, thereby producing multiple gray scale levels of each color. The mixing either can be performed prior to placement of the phase change ink in the printer, or can be performed within the printer to produce different levels of color intensity during the printing process.

Abstract: Reactive ink compositions of the present invention utilize at least two reactive components, a base ink component and a curing component, that are applied to a receiving substrate separately. The base ink component includes an ink carrier, a compatible colorant, and a cross-linkable constituent, and the curing component is a cross-linking agent. Upon exposure of the base ink component to the curing component, at least a portion of the ink is cross-linked to provide a printed image that is durable and abrasion-resistant.

Abstract: A phase change ink composition is disclosed wherein the ink composition utilizes polymeric dyes in combination with a selected phase change ink carrier composition.

Abstract: The present invention preferably employs a phase change ink composition that includes a combination of different dye types such as an anthraquinone dye and a xanthene dye, which is most preferably a rhodamine dye. While each dye type is insufficiently soluble with respect to favored carrier compositions to preserve color saturation in reduced ink quantity prints, the dye type combination permits increased dye loading and maintains print quality. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a favored carrier composition is adjusted to promote the colored form of a preferred rhodamine dye (C.I. Solvent Red 49) and mixed with a preferred anthraquinone dye (C.I. Solvent Red 172) whose concentration is kept below a critical level to prevent post printed blooming. The resulting preferred phase change ink compositions provide a magenta phase change ink with enhanced light fastness and color saturation, as well as good compatibility with preferred existing subtractive primary color phase change inks.