Abstract: Disclosed herein are irreversible thermochromic ink compositions including a volatile color activator and a color change dye capable of becoming substantially colorless upon evaporation of the volatile color activator. The volatile color activator and the color change dye can be, optionally, encapsulated. Written marks made with the thermochromic ink compositions can be subjected to a force directing component, which can include generating heat and/or friction, to evaporate the volatile color activator, thereby causing the color change dye to become substantially colorless.

Abstract: An irreversible thermochromic ink composition can include thermochromic pigment capsules dispersed in a carrier. The irreversible thermochromic pigment capsules can include an inner core having a color changing dye, a color activator for activating the color changing dye, and a wax, an outer core surrounding the inner core and comprising a color destroying agent, and a shell surrounding the outer core. Alternatively, the irreversible thermochromic pigment capsules can include an inner core having a color destroying agent and a wax, an outer core surrounding the inner core and comprising a color changing dye and a color activator for activating the color changing dye, and a shell surrounding the outer core. Written marks made with the irreversible thermochromic inks can be rendered a different color or substantially colorless by application of a sufficient amount of heat to melt or substantially liquefy the wax in the irreversible thermochromic pigment capsules.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are irreversible thermochromic ink compositions including a solvent and a sublimable dye dissolved in the solvent. The solvent and the sublimable dye can be, optionally, encapsulated. Written marks made with the thermochromic ink compositions can be subjected to a force directing component and/or a heat source, to promote sublimation of the sublimable dye, thereby causing the written mark to change color or become substantially colorless.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are irreversible thermochromic ink compositions including a volatile color activator and a color change dye capable of becoming substantially colorless upon evaporation of the volatile color activator. The volatile color activator and the color change dye can be, optionally, encapsulated. Written marks made with the thermochromic ink compositions can be subjected to a force directing component, which can include generating heat and/or friction, to evaporate the volatile color activator, thereby causing the color change dye to become substantially colorless.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are irreversible thermochromic ink compositions including a solvent and a sublimable dye dissolved in the solvent. The solvent and the sublimable dye can be, optionally, encapsulated. Written marks made with the thermochromic ink compositions can be subjected to a force directing component and/or a heat source, to promote sublimation of the sublimable dye, thereby causing the written mark to change color or become substantially colorless.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally related to writing instruments capable of making markings containing large diameter glitter pigment particles, and glitter ink compositions for the same. In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a capillary-action marker comprising a glitter ink composition, a low density ink reservoir for storing the glitter ink composition, and a porous nib in fluid communication with the low density ink reservoir, wherein the glitter ink composition comprises glitter pigment particles having a particle size greater than about 12.1 microns in at least one dimension.

Abstract: A highlighting (or marking) composition, such as an ink, including a non-eradicable colorant, an eradicable colorant; a kit including a first marking instrument comprising the highlighting mixture and a second marking instrument comprising an eradicator fluid; a colorant complex including a colorless or substantially colorless eradicable dye, a non-eradicable dye, and an eradicator; and methods of applying an eradicator to at least a portion of a marking made with a highlighting composition, are described herein.

Abstract: A fluid control system for writing instruments, correction fluid dispensers and self contained paint brush and paint reservoirs is disclosed. The fluid control system includes two filters or reservoirs, including a hydrophobic filter/reservoir and a hydrophilic filter/reservoir. The hydrophobic and hydrophilic elements may be spaced adjacent to and in abutting engagement with each other or a gap or space may be disposed therebetween. The hydrophobic element is disposed adjacent to the fluid reservoir (i.e., ink, correction fluid, paint reservoir or other water based fluid) and the hydrophilic element is disposed adjacent to the applicator tip or brush.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally related to a decoder system and, more particularly, to a decoder system comprising a coding composition, a decoding composition and optionally, an erasing composition. The disclosure also provides decoder writing instrument systems comprising a coding writing point in fluid communication with a coding composition, a decoding writing point in fluid communication with a decoding composition and optionally, an erasing writing point in fluid communication with an erasing composition.

Abstract: An improved color changing correction fluid is provided which includes either a volatile base or a volatile acid in combination with a color changing pH indicator, all in a water based fluid or system. As the fluid dries, the volatile base or acid evaporates along with the water and the pH color changing indicator changes from a colored state to a clear state. For white paper, a white pigment is utilized and therefore the fluid changes from a colored state to a white finished state as the solvent water and acid or base evaporates. Different color pigments can be utilized to match the color of the particular paper or substrate.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally related to writing instruments capable of making markings containing large diameter glitter pigment particles, and glitter ink compositions for the same. In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a capillary-action marker comprising a glitter ink composition comprising glitter pigment particles having a particle size greater than about 12.1 microns in at least one dimension and at least one solvent, a low density ink reservoir for storing the glitter ink composition, and a porous nib in fluid communication with the low density ink reservoir.

Abstract: Improved combination eradicable ball-pen and re-write inks are disclosed. The combination eradicable and re-write ball-pen inks disclosed include water, glycerol, one or more acids and an eradicable dye. Glycerol is present in an amount greater than the water content, which is relatively low and the eradicable dye is provided in substantial amounts so that the glycerol and eradicable dye provide the requisite viscosity for a ball-pen ink. The combination of the high dye content and acid content also enables the eradicable ball-pen ink to be used as the re-write ink.

Abstract: A shear-thinning eradicable ink including water, a dye selected from the group consisting of diarylmethane derivatives, triarylmethane derivatives, methine dyes, and a solvent, wherein the ink has a shear-thinning index in the range of about 0.35 to about 1.0; a kit including the ink and an eradicator solution; an ink complex including a colorless or substantially colorless dye selected from the group consisting of oxidized diarylmethane derivatives, oxidized triarylmethane derivatives, and oxidized methine dyes, and at least one or a gelling agent and thickener; and methods of using the ink as part of an eradicable ink system, are disclosed herein.

Abstract: The disclosure is generally related to a multi-color writing ink and, more particularly, to a multi-color writing instrument comprising a mixture of a first ink composition and a second ink composition, wherein the first and second ink compositions are immiscible with each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transparent or colorless coating comprising a heat responsive material that increases in opacity when exposed to heat. An example of a heat responsive material is an inorganic compound or an organic resin. The present invention further provides a coating composition comprising a carrier and a heat responsive material. The coating can further include additives such as an adhesion promoter, a defoamer, a crosslinking agent, a plasticizer, a humectant, a pH adjuster, a biocide, a co-solvent, a surface tension modifier, and/or a combination thereof. The present invention further provides a method for creating a mark on a substrate comprising providing to the substrate the transparent coating to obtain a coated substrate and exposing a selected area of the coated substrate to heat, e.g., a laser, to create the mark. The present invention further provides substrates suitable for laser marking.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transparent or colorless coating comprising a heat responsive material that increases in opacity when exposed to heat. An example of a heat responsive material is a silicate or a titanate. The present invention further provides a coating composition comprising a carrier and a heat responsive material. The coating can further include additives such as adhesion promoters, surface tension modifying agents, crosslinking agents, or plasticizers. The present invention further provides a method for creating a mark on a substrate comprising providing to the substrate the transparent coating to obtain a coated substrate and exposing a selected area of the coated substrate to heat, e.g., a laser, to create the mark. The present invention further provides substrates suitable for laser marking.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making a non-polar suspension of chargeable pigment particles. A suspension of pigment particles is formed in a non-polar solvent, wherein the pigment particles are inherently ionic or are chargeable, and possess surface anchoring groups on the surface of the pigment particles. The pigment particles are contacted with a polymeric resin comprising a hydrophobic region that is soluble or solvatable in the non-polar solvent and a reactive group that reacts with the surface-anchoring groups on the surface of the pigment particle. The resultant coated pigment particles are stable in non-polar suspensions. In certain embodiments of the present invention, a covalent bond is formed between the pigment and the surface modifying polymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transparent coating comprising a resin and a heat responsive material that increases in opacity when exposed to heat. Preferably, the transparent coating is free or substantially free of a pigment or dye. An example of a heat responsive material is a carbohydrate. The present invention further provides a coating composition comprising a solvent, a resin, and a heat responsive material that increases in opacity when exposed to heat. The present invention further provides a method for creating a mark on a substrate comprising providing to the substrate the transparent coating to obtain a coated substrate and exposing a selected area of the coated substrate to heat to create the mark. The substrates can be marked with a laser.

Abstract: A process of using silicate and alkylphenol to surface-modify black iron oxide. The modified pigment shows superior heat stability. The process may be applied on a native slurry, hence providing a simple, economical and non-invasive method to modify black iron oxide on an industrial scale. The resultant black iron oxide may be used in lieu of mixed metal oxide in the majority of thermal applications.

Abstract: Modified iron-containing pigment particles modified with an encapsulant comprising an alkylphenol and lecithin having an HLB value from about 10 to about 15. The modified iron oxide pigments made using the encapsulant exhibit enhanced dispersibility in solvents over a wide range of polarity.