Abstract: A pigment dispersion including a pigment, a dispersant, and a dispersion medium including water, wherein the dispersant includes a compound having the following formula (1): wherein R1 represents an alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a phenyl group, a substituted phenyl group or a naphthyl group; k is 0 or an integer of from 1 to 7; A1 and A2 independently represent an oxyethylene unit, an oxypropylene unit or a combination of an oxyethylene unit and an oxypropylene unit; and h and j are independently 0 or a positive integer, wherein the total number of h and j is from 31 to 100.

Abstract: An ink composition is provided which is suitable for use in an ink jet printer and comprises solvent, colourant and binder, wherein the solvent comprises methyl acetate. The composition is particularly suitable for printing on polymeric substrates, eg polypropylenes and polyethylenes.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ink composition suitable for ink jet printing comprising a luminescent compound, a solvent, and an energy active compound, and optionally a non-luminescent colorant. The energy active compound, when exposed to energy, generates one or more active species that can react with the luminescent compound to alter one or more of the characteristics of the luminescent compound. The luminescent compound can be colored or colorless. Also disclosed is a method for marking substrates comprising providing a mark comprising a luminescent compound and an energy active compound. Further disclosed is a jet ink composition suitable for printing on substrates authentication or security marks which can be rendered unreadable. The luminescence of the mark is quenched and the visible color is changed when irradiated with a light.

Abstract: A gray ink for ink-jet printing, comprising an ink vehicle; and at least one black dye selected from the group consisting of pacified Reactive Black 31, Formula I, and Direct Blue 199 TMA; and at least one yellow dye selected from the group consisting of AY23, Y104 and Y1189. Magenta and cyan dyes can also be used with the black and yellow dyes in the gray ink.

Abstract: Phase change inks comprising colorant, a phase change ink carrier, and an antioxidant or UV stabilizer of the formula wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, and R9 each, independently of the others, is hydrogen, hydroxy, amino, alkyl, aryl, arylaikyl, alkylaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, arylalkyloxy, alkylaryloxy, halogen, cyano, aldehyde, ketone, ester, amide, sulfide, sulfoxide, nitrile, sulfone, acyl, or carboxylic acid, provided that at least one of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, and R9 is alkyl having at least about 8 carbon atoms, alkoxy having at least about 8 carbon atoms, aryl having at least about 6 carbon atoms, aryloxy having at least about 6 carbon atoms, arylalkyl having at least about 7 carbon atoms, arylalkyloxy having at least about 7 carbon atoms, alkylaryl having at least about 7 carbon atoms, or alkylaryloxy having at least about 7 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions, methods of making the compositions, and methods of using the compositions for coating applications. The coatings are suitable as inks, varnishes, paints, and the like. In one aspect the coatings are fast drying, relative to existing technologies, and offer other advantages (e.g., print quality, color fastness, reduced or no VOC components, reduced or no toxic metal-containing components) useful in print and coatings applications.

Abstract: The inks provide excellent ink-jet prints having excellent imaging onto glossy inkjet media with increased dot size leading to improved dot visibility and banding robustness of the image. The aqueous inks each comprise from about 0.1 to about 20 wt % of at least one colorant (CMYK) with the black ink comprising from about 0.5 to about 20 wt % of at least one colorant; from about 7 to about 20 wt % of at least one 1,2-diol, from about 0.5% to about 2 wt % of a mono- or di-hydric alcohol; 0 to about 1.5 wt % of at least one component independently selected from the group consisting of buffers, biocides, and metal chelators; and the balance water. The formulations are substantially free of surfactants and other solvents.

Abstract: An ink composition is disclosed which contains at least one novel dye (CU)n(SAU)m that is capable of self-assembling under appropriate conditions to form supramolecular structures. More than one novel dye (CU)n(SAU)m and/or at least one non-colored self-assembling compound (SAU′)p(X)q may be incorporated in these supramolecular structures. Also disclosed is an ink-jet printing process using these novel dyes, and an ink-jet printing apparatus provided with an ink cartridge containing such a dye.

Abstract: This application relates to a stabilized ink composition comprising an IR-absorbing metal-dithiolene dye and a singlet oxygen quencher.

Abstract: The invention relates to aqueous colorant preparations containing A) between 0.1 and 50 wt. % of at least one organic and/or inorganic pigment and/or at least one organic colorant. B) between 0.01 and 80 wt. % of at least one naphthol-oxyalkylate sulfopropyl ether, one alkanol-oxyalkylate sulfopropyl ether or one alkylphenol-oxyalkylate sulfopropyl ether. C) between 0 and 30 wt. % of at least one organic solvent. D) between 0 and 20 wt. % of other standard derivatives and E) between 10 and 90 wt % of water, respectively in relation to the total weight (100%) of the colorant preparation. The colorant preparation is used, for example, in printing inks, especially ink jet printing inks.

Abstract: An ink-jet ink which comprises a dye dispersed product, an oil-soluble dye being dissolved in a high boiling point organic solvent which has a boiling point of 150° C. or more and has a specific inductive capacity at 25° C. of 3 to 12, the oil-soluble dye is emulsified and dispersed in a water-based medium, and the dye dispersed product is formed. Further, a method of manufacturing an ink-jet ink, in which an oil-soluble dye is dissolved in a high boiling point organic solvent which has a boiling point of 150° C. or more and has a specific inductive capacity at 25° C. of 3 to 12, and the oil soluble dye is emulsified and dispersed at a pressure of 50 MPa or more using a high-pressure emulsifying and dispersing device.

Abstract: An ink set comprising: at least two kinds of inks, each of the at least two kinds of inks having a common hue and different densities, and containing an aqueous medium and a dye, wherein each of the at least two kinds of inks has a corresponding discoloration velocity constant (k) for an image printed with each one of the at least two kinds of inks, and a ratio defined by a minimum value (kmin) selected from among said corresponding constants divided by a maximum value (kmax) selected from among the corresponding constants, is within a range of 0.7 to 1.0.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to an ink-jet ink, comprising an aqueous ink vehicle including effective amounts 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol and derivatized 2-pyrrolidinone, and a dye solubilized in the ink-vehicle. A method of ink-jetting ink with acceptable decap, recovery, and color attributes is also provided that can comprise jetting an ink-jet ink from an ink-jet pen, wherein the ink-jet ink includes an ink vehicle including effective amounts 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol and derivatized 2-pyrrolidinone, and a dye solubilized in the ink-vehicle.

Abstract: A lightfast colorant and a lightfast ink composition include a lightfast colorant that is derived by covalently binding a benzophenone derivative and a conventional colorant and that imparts effective lightfastness and long-term storage stability to an ink composition that is prepared with the same.

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: A water base ink for ink-jet recording contains a dispersible coloring agent, a propylene glycol ether, and a surfactant composed of a random copolymer represented by the following general formula (1):

Abstract: There is provided a water-based ink that gives good coloration and little blurring on regular paper, gives adequate coloration on specialist paper, and has good fixability, and further gives excellent discharge stability with ink jet recording, and moreover exhibits the effect of a chelating agent even in a small amount, and is not harmful due to evaporating, subliming or the like.

Abstract: Ink compositions described are suitable for ink jet printing (ink jet inks) and are highly effective for simultaneously imparting visible and fluorescent images. In the preferred forms, both a dark, visible image and a complementary fluorescent image will be visually discernable as well as machine readable to enable efficient hand and automated processing or handling of the objects printed. These results are achieved by ink formulations that moderate the typically occurring phenomenon of quenching while possessing the physical properties necessary for an ink jet ink.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to ink-jet ink compositions, methods, and systems for reducing satellite spotting around a printed image. Specifically, an aqueous ink-jet ink composition exhibiting a reduction in aerosol formation during printing, comprises an effective amount of an ink vehicle; an effective amount of at least one ink colorant; and from 5 to 200 ppm of a high molecular weight polysaccharide.

Abstract: An ink for use in the ink-jet recording comprising a dye and/or a pigment and water as the indispensable components and a water-insoluble solid content of 1% or more of the whole quantity, the ink further comprising: a nonionic surfactant having polyethylene oxide groups and polypropylene oxide groups, which is a substance having the structure shown by the following structural formula 1; and a number x of the added polyethylene oxide groups and a number y of the added polypropylene oxide groups satisfy the relation that 0<x≦10, and the relation that x/2−1<y<x/3+2, where q and r are respectively the numbers of the methylene groups, and satisfy the relation that 9≦q+r≦11.

Abstract: An ink set for ink-jet recording comprises a yellow ink, a magenta ink, and a cyan ink. Changes of colors &Dgr;EY, &Dgr;EM, &Dgr;EC of the yellow ink, the magenta ink, and the cyan ink satisfy the following relationship when the yellow ink, the magenta ink, and the cyan ink are deposited on regular paper, followed by being irradiated with light having a wavelength of 300 nm to 400 nm and an illuminance of 100 W/m2 for 30 hours by using a xenon lamp: |&Dgr;EY−&Dgr;EM|≦5, |&Dgr;EM−&Dgr;EC|≦5, |&Dgr;EC−&Dgr;EY|≦5. The ink set is excellent in color balance after the fading.

Abstract: A ballpoint pen oil-based ink composition, comprising an ink having therein a mixture of at least one phosphoric acid ester having an acid number of 90 to 600 and at least one weakly cationic component selected from the group consisting of: a) imidazoline-type activator, b) polyoxyethylene alkylamine, c) polyoxyethylene alkylamide, and d) alkylalkanolamide.

Abstract: Colorant preparations contain the following ingredients:

Abstract: An ink jet ink for thermal ink jet point-of-sale printers is provided, comprising: (a) a vehicle comprising (i) 5 to 10 wt % of a drying agent selected from the group consisting of 1,2-hexanediol and 1,2-pentanediol, (ii) 15 to 32 wt % 2-pyrrolidone, (iii) 15 to 37 wt % of at least one humectant, and (iv) the balance water; (b) 0.5 to 10 wt % of a water-soluble dye; and (c) 0 to 3 wt % comprising buffers, corrosion inhibitors, surfactants, biocides, polymers, pigments, and binders, with the proviso that the total amount of surfactants is 0.1 wt % or less, based on the total ink composition. In particular, the ink jet ink is employed in combination with a printhead having a nickel orifice plate through which droplets of the ink are expelled onto a print medium. The ink jet ink composition is environmentally friendly, reliable, and fast drying, on the order of 300 msec and less. Further, the ink composition exhibits minimal puddling on the nickel orifice plate, leading to improved print quality.

Abstract: Provided is a water based ink composition for a writing instrument comprising at least one of nonionic surfactants comprising polyhydric alcohol fatty acid esters, ethylene oxide adducts of polyhydric alcohol fatty acid esters, ethylene oxide adducts of higher alcohols and alkylphenols, ethylene oxide and propylene oxide adducts of higher alcohols, ethylene oxide adducts of castor oil or hardened castor oil, ethylene oxide adducts of hardened castor oil fatty acid esters and ethylene oxide adducts of higher alkylamines and fatty acid amides and further comprising a colorant, a perfume and water. It is less liable to cause feathering of the lines and has durability of fragrance, in which a perfume is dispersed and retained in an aqueous medium in a stable state.

Abstract: The present invention provides ink-jet inks for ink-jet printing, comprising from 0.1% to 5% by weight of at least one dye; from 8% to 20% by weight of a diol selected from the group consisting of 1,2-pentanediol, 1,2-hexanediol, and combinations thereof; from 0.1% to 5% by weight of an aliphatic alcohol or aliphatic alcohol mixture; and from 0.1% to 1.5% by weight of at least one component independently selected from the group consisting of buffers, biocides, and metal chelators, with the proviso that no surfactant is present in the inkjet ink composition. The ink-jet inks formulated according to the present invention provide good dot size, color-to-color bleed alleviation, improved coalescence, less chia, and improved print head materials compatibility.

Abstract: Disclosed are jet ink compositions suitable for printing on substrates such as plastics and oil contaminated metals messages having excellent adhesion, for example, scratch resistance. The jet ink composition comprises one or more organic solvents, a rosin resin, and a colorant, and optionally a co-binder resin, e.g., a vinyl resin. Preferably, the jet ink composition is free or substantially free of a cellulose nitrate resin and/or a slow evaporating solvent. The present invention further provides a method for printing scratch resistant messages on a low surface energy substrate comprising projecting a stream of droplets of the jet ink composition to the substrate, 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: A water base erasable ink composition for use in marking pens which comprises 0.05-20% by weight of a colorant and 1-20% by weight of an oily material which is nonvolatile at normal temperatures (25° C.) and is dispersed in water, wherein the oily material has a viscosity of 5-40 mPa·s at 20° C. and is dispersed in water in the form of emulsion, and wherein the colorant is dispersed in the water with the aid of a polyvinyl alcohol resin as a dispersing agent which has a saponification degree of 70-85 mol % and of which aqueous solution of 4% concentration has a viscosity of 2-30 mPa·s at 20° C. in a weight ratio of the resin to the colorant of 0.5 to 5 and in an amount of 1 to 10% by weight based on the ink composition.

Abstract: A 2-methoxyphenol derivative may be used as an ultraviolet (UV) light absorbing dispersant and, an ink composition may include the 2-methoxyphenol derivative as a light-resistant dispersant. The 2-methoxyphenol derivative absorbs UV light and thus provides light resistance to outputs. The 2-methooxyphenol derivative also improves dispersibility. When the 2-methoxyphenol derivative is used to prepare an ink composition, the ink composition has improved dispersibility and light resistance, and there is no need to add a light-resistant additive.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ink composition including water, a solvent, a solvent-soluble dye, and a surfactant, where the ink exhibits a stable liquid microemulsion phase at a first temperature and a second temperature higher than the first temperature and has a conductivity of at most about 200 &mgr;S/cm and a dielectric constant of at least about 60, and methods of making such ink compositions. The present invention also relates to a method of making an ink composition for use in a microelectromechanical system-based fluid ejector. The method involves providing a solution or dispersion including a dye or a pigment and adding to the solution or dispersion an additive which includes a material that enhances dielectric permittivity and/or reduces conductivity under conditions effective to produce an ink composition having a conductivity of at most about 200 &mgr;S/cm and a dielectric constant of at least about 60.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aqueous ink composition including a hydrophilic organic solvent, a surfactant, and a colored fine particle dispersion which contains an oil-soluble dye, and exhibiting a dynamic surface tension of 25 to 35 mN/m, as well as an ink-jet recording method including a step of carrying out recording using the aqueous ink composition.

Abstract: The ink composition of the present invention contains a coloring agent, water, a water-soluble organic solvent which is a liquid at least at temperatures of 40° C. or less, and which has a solubility of 1 wt % or greater with respect to water at a temperature of 20° C., and a saturation vapor pressure of 1.7 Pa or less at a temperature of 20° C. (with said organic solvent being contained in the ink composition at the rate of 10 to 35 wt %), and one or more amidine type compounds. As a result, the present invention provides an ink composition, a recording medium, recorded matter and an ink jet recording method that make it possible to obtain images with a high image quality which are superior in terms of the gas resistance of the recorded matter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a phase change ink composition comprising a phase change ink carrier and a colorant compound of the formula

Abstract: Ink compositions having increased stability and increased jettability with the addition of specific surfactants, including alkyl ether sulfates and ethoxylated mercaptans, are provided. The remainder of the ink composition comprises a suitable carrier vehicle, which typically contains water, alcohols, surfactants, humectants and optionally a resin component.

Abstract: Disclosed are a color fading/discoloration preventive agent containing as its active ingredient a coumarin analog represented by general formula (1) below, a glycoside of that analog, or a plant extract containing the coumarin analog or its glycoside: (wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group or a methoxy group, R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group, and R1 and R2 are not both hydrogen atoms); and a color fading/discoloration preventive agent containing as its active ingredient a coumarin analog mixture obtained from the rind of citrus fruit, and particularly a coumarin analog mixture obtained from citrus cold press oil.

Abstract: An aqueous ink composition comprising at least: a colorant; water; 0.005 to 10 wt. %, based on the whole weight of the ink composition, of at least one acetylene alcohol compound represented by the following formula (1): wherein R1, R2 and R3 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group which may be branched, or an alkylphenyl group; and a surface active substance capable of causing the acetylene alcohol compound of formula (1) to dissolve in water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an antibacterial colorant and a composition that includes the antibacterial colorant. The antibacterial colorant has at least one functional group and at least one antibacterial moiety bound thereto by an ester bond or an amide bond.

Abstract: A 2-methoxyphenol derivative and an ink composition containing the 2-methoxyphenol derivative, an aqueous medium, and a colorant enhance light resistance by absorbing ultraviolet (UV) light, provide wettability and stabilize a colorant. The ink composition prepared using the 2-methoxyphenol derivative also has improved light resistance, wettability and stabilizes a colorant and does not require an additional light-resistant agent.

Abstract: A printing ink composition is provided comprising water, a coloring agent and at least two types of polyalkylene glycol alkyl ethers each having at least one oxyalkylene in its polyoxyalkylene group, wherein at least one of the polyalkylene glycol alkyl ethers is polypropylene glycol n-butyl ether having three or more oxypropylenes in its molecule. This printing ink composition can inhibit color bleeding not only on a printing medium specifically designed for ink-jet printing but also on plain paper.

Abstract: An ink composition is manufactured to contain a surfactant having difference d1 (&sgr;10−&ggr;) which is difference between dynamic surface tension (&sgr;10) of the solution obtained by making 0.1 wt % solution dissolved in purified water to be measured by using a maximum bubble pressure method at the bubble frequency of 10 Hz at a temperature from 24° C. to 26° C. and static surface tension (&ggr;) to be measured at a temperature from 24° C. to 26° C. and which satisfies 0 mN/m≦d1≦15 mN/m. An image is recorded by applying a voltage to partitions made of a piezoelectric material thereby applying a pressure to the ink composition supplied from an ink tank to an ink chamber of an ink head to discharge a liquid droplet of the ink composition, and depositing the liquid droplet onto a recording material.

Abstract: An oil based ink composition for ink jet recording containing, as an organic solvent, a mixture of a diethylene glycol compound that is liquid at ordinary temperature under atmospheric pressure and a dipropylene glycol compound that is liquid at ordinary temperature under atmospheric pressure at a diethylene glycol compound to dipropylene glycol compound weight ratio of 20:80 to 80:20, and an ink jet recording method using the oil based ink composition are disclosed. The oil based ink composition for ink jet recording provides high quality images with high gloss, excellent abrasion resistance and water resistance, and freedom from blur or bleeding.

Abstract: Radiation curable inks with moderate amounts of solvent with low surface tension provide unique processability characteristics that allow ink jetted features to be formed and cured with excellent flow, adhesion, dot gain, compatibility, weatherability, and curing characteristics. In a representative printing method, an ink jettable ink composition is provided that includes one or more oligo/resins, a radiation curable, reactive diluent having a surface tension and 1 to 15 weight percent of a solvent component comprising a solvent having a surface tension. The solvent surface tension is no more than about, and preferably at least 2 dynes/cm less than, the surface tension of the reactive diluent. The ink composition is ink jetted onto the substrate to form an ink jetted feature.

Abstract: An ink composition including a colorant; and a solvent, wherein a zeta potential 2 between the colorant and a material selected from the group consisting of silicon, glass, silicon oxide, titanium oxide, chromium oxide, titanium nitride, silicon nitride, zirconium and polyimide is from 0 to −50 mV at a pH of from 6.5 to 11.5. A corrosion inhibitor is preferably added to the ink composition to adjust the zeta potential 2. An ink cartridge containing the ink which optionally includes a recording head discharging the ink to form an image on a recording material, wherein the zeta potential 2 between the colorant in the ink and a material of the recording head contacting the ink is from 0 to −50 mV at a pH of from 6.5 to 11.5. An inkjet recording apparatus including the ink cartridge and a carriage carrying the ink cartridge.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to ink-jet ink compositions, systems, and methods for black and color printing with substantially reduced black to color bleed. Specifically, by utilizing black dyes together with at least one long chain diol in a glycol ether, black ink-jet inks can be printed in contact with color ink-jet inks with substantially reduced black to color bleed.

Abstract: A method for degassing ink, and resulting degassed ink includes the addition of at least two enzymes to ink containing a donor substrate specific to each enzyme, wherein one of the enzymes catalyzes a chemical reaction to produce hydrogen peroxide upon exposure to a gaseous acceptor substrate, and another enzyme subsequently catalyzes a reaction to convert the hydrogen peroxide into water.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ink jet ink composition suitable for use in continuous ink jet printing comprising a liquid vehicle, a binder resin, a colorant, and optionally a surfactant. The liquid vehicle includes an organic solvent or blend of solvents having an evaporation rate less than about 1.2, relative to n-butyl acetate standard which has an evaporation rate of 1.0. The present invention further provides a method for eliminating or reducing make-up consumption in continuous ink jet printing. The present invention further provides a process of continuous ink jet printing which is free or substantially free of make-up consumption.

Abstract: Ink additives that reduce the deceleration of inks containing a polymer, such as acrylate binders, are disclosed. In accordance with the invention, an ink-jet liquid, an ink-jet liquid set, and the method for using the same are provided, wherein the one of the liquids comprises an aqueous vehicle, and a deceleration-alleviating component. The present formulations are used to formulate ink-jet liquids, and more particularly, to provide enhanced drop ejection performance in inks containing a polymer, such as deceleration (rapid drop velocity degradation during continuous operation of the firing resistor), when the liquid contains a deceleration-alleviating agent, such as, an aromatic glycol ether, a polar solvent and a long alkyl chain surfactant.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an ink comprising

Abstract: An ink composition is prepared in such a manner that a difference between a dynamic surface tension (mN/m) measured by a maximum bubble pressure method at a temperature of 24 to 26° C. and a static surface tension (mN/m) is within a range from 0 to 7 (mN/m). The ink composition is stored in an ink tank of an ink head, and is supplied from the ink tank to an ink chamber having a discharge port, and a voltage is applied to partitions formed by a piezoelectric material to apply a pressure by the partitions to the ink composition stored in the ink chamber, whereby a liquid droplet of the ink composition is discharged from the discharge port and the liquid droplet is deposited on a recording material to record an image.

Abstract: Disclosed is a phase change ink composition comprising an ink vehicle, a colorant, and a nonpolymeric organic gelator selected from the group consisting of anthracene-based compounds, steroid compounds, partially fluorinated high molecular weight alkanes, high molecular weight alkanes with exactly one hetero atom, chiral tartrate compounds, chiral butenolide-based compounds, bis-urea compounds, guanines, barbiturates, oxamide compounds, ureidopyrimidone compounds, and mixtures thereof, said organic gelator being present in the ink in an amount of no more than about 20 percent by weight of the ink, said ink having a melting point at or below which the ink is a solid, said ink having a gel point at or above which the ink is a liquid, and said ink exhibiting a gel state between the melting point and the gel point, said ink exhibiting reversible transitions between the solid state and the gel state upon heating and cooling, said ink exhibiting reversible transitions between the gel state and the liquid state upon