U.S. patent application number 10/436177 was filed with the patent office on 2004-11-18 for phase change inks with improved image permanence.
This patent application is currently assigned to Xerox Corporation. Invention is credited to Bedford, Christine E., Breton, Marcel P., Goodbrand, H. Bruce.
Application Number | 20040226476 10/436177 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33299564 |
Filed Date | 2004-11-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040226476 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bedford, Christine E. ; et
al. |
November 18, 2004 |
PHASE CHANGE INKS WITH IMPROVED IMAGE PERMANENCE
Abstract
Phase change inks comprising colorant, a phase change ink
carrier, and an antioxidant or UV stabilizer of the formula 1
wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6,
R.sub.7, R.sub.8, and R.sub.9 each, independently of the others, is
hydrogen, hydroxy, amino, alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, 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
R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7,
R.sub.8, and R.sub.9 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.
Inventors: |
Bedford, Christine E.;
(Burlington, CA) ; Breton, Marcel P.;
(Mississauga, CA) ; Goodbrand, H. Bruce;
(Hamilton, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PATENT DOCUMENTATION CENTER
XEROX CORPORATION
100 CLINTON AVE., SOUTH, XEROX SQUARE, 20TH FLOOR
ROCHESTER
NY
14644
US
|
Assignee: |
Xerox Corporation
|
Family ID: |
33299564 |
Appl. No.: |
10/436177 |
Filed: |
May 12, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
106/31.29 ;
106/31.3; 106/31.43; 106/31.58; 106/31.61; 106/31.62; 106/31.75;
106/31.86; 347/100 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C09D 11/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
106/031.29 ;
106/031.61; 106/031.43; 106/031.75; 106/031.58; 106/031.86;
106/031.3; 106/031.62; 347/100 |
International
Class: |
C09D 011/00; G01D
011/00; C09D 011/02 |
Claims
1. A phase change ink composition comprising (a) a colorant, (b) a
phase change ink carrier, and (c) an antioxidant or UV stabilizer
molecule of the formula 10wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3,
R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7, R.sub.8, and R.sub.9 each,
independently of the others, is (i) a hydrogen atom, (ii) a hydroxy
group, (iii) an amino group, (iv) an alkyl group, (v) an aryl
group, (vi) an arylalkyl group, (vii) an alkylaryl group, (viii) an
alkoxy group, (ix) an aryloxy group, (x) an arylalkyloxy group,
(xi) an alkylaryloxy group, (xii) a halogen atom, (xiii) a cyano
group, (xiv) an aldehyde group, (xv) a ketone group, (xvi) an ester
group, (xvii) an amide group, (xviii) a sulfide group, (xix) a
sulfoxide group, (xx) a nitrile group, (xxi) a sulfone group,
(xxii) an acyl group, or (xxiii) a carboxylic acid group, provided
that at least one of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5,
R.sub.6, R.sub.7, R.sub.8, and R.sub.9 is an alkyl group having at
least about 8 carbon atoms, an aryl group having at least about 6
carbon atoms, an aryloxy group having at least about 6 carbon
atoms, an arylalkyl group having at least about 7 carbon atoms, an
arylalkyloxy group having at least about 7 carbon atoms, an
alkylaryl group having at least about 7 carbon atoms, or an
alkylaryloxy group having at least about 7 carbon atoms.
2. A phase change ink composition according to claim 1 wherein the
phase change ink carrier comprises a monoamide, a tetra-amide, or a
mixture thereof.
3. An ink composition according to claim 1 wherein the phase change
ink carrier comprises (a) stearyl stearamide, (b) a dimer acid
based tetra-amide that is the reaction product of dimer acid,
ethylene diamine, and stearic acid, or (c) mixtures thereof.
4. An ink composition according to claim 1 wherein the phase change
ink carrier comprises (a) stearyl stearamide, (b) a dimer acid
based tetra-amide that is the reaction product of dimer acid,
ethylene diamine, and a carboxylic acid having at least about 36
carbon atoms, or (c) mixtures thereof.
5. An ink composition according to claim 4 wherein the carboxylic
acid has at least about 40 carbon atoms, and wherein the carboxylic
acid has no more than about 200 carbon atoms.
6. An ink composition according to claim 1 wherein the phase change
ink carrier comprises an isocyanate-derived material.
7. An ink composition according to claim 1 wherein the phase change
ink carrier comprises a urethane isocyanate-derived material, a
urea isocyanate-derived material, a urethane/urea
isocyanate-derived material, or mixtures thereof.
8. An ink composition according to claim 1 wherein the phase change
ink carrier comprises a mixture of one or more amides and one or
more isocyanate-derived materials.
9. An ink composition according to claim 1 wherein the phase change
ink carrier comprises one or more materials selected from
paraffins, microcrystalline waxes, polyethylene waxes, ester waxes,
amide waxes, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, fatty amides, sulfonamide
materials, tall oil rosins, rosin esters, ethylene/vinyl acetate
copolymers, ethylene/acrylic acid copolymers, ethylene/vinyl
acetate/acrylic acid copolymers, copolymers of acrylic acid with
polyamides, ionomers, and mixtures thereof.
10. An ink composition according to claim 1 wherein the ink carrier
comprises (a) a polyethylene wax, (b) a stearyl stearamide wax, (c)
a dimer acid based tetra-amide that is the reaction product of
dimer acid, ethylene diamine, and a carboxylic acid having at least
about 36 carbon atoms, (d) a urethane resin derived from the
reaction of two equivalents of hydroabietyl alcohol and one
equivalent of isophorone diisocyanate, (e) a urethane resin that is
the adduct of three equivalents of stearyl isocyanate and a
glycerol-based alcohol, and (f) an antioxidant.
11. An ink composition according to claim 1 wherein the ink carrier
comprises (a) a polyethylene wax in an amount of at least about 25
percent by weight of the ink and in an amount of no more than about
60 percent by weight of the ink, (b) a stearyl stearamide wax in an
amount of at least about 8 percent by weight of the ink and in an
amount of no more than about 32 percent by weight of the ink, (c) a
dimer acid based tetra-amide that is the reaction product of dimer
acid, ethylene diamine, and a carboxylic acid having at least about
36 carbon atoms in an amount of at least about 10 percent by weight
of the ink and in an amount of no more than about 32 percent by
weight of the ink, (d) a urethane resin derived from the reaction
of two equivalents of hydroabietyl alcohol and one equivalent of
isophorone diisocyanate in an amount of at least about 6 percent by
weight of the ink and in an amount of no more than about 16 percent
by weight of the ink, (e) a urethane resin that is the adduct of
three equivalents of stearyl isocyanate and a glycerol-based
alcohol in an amount of at least about 2 percent by weight of the
ink and in an amount of no more than about 13 percent by weight of
the ink, and (f) an antioxidant in on amount of at least about 0.01
percent by weight of the ink and in an amount of no more than about
1 percent by weight of the ink.
12. An ink composition according to claim 1 wherein at least one of
R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7,
R.sub.8, and R.sub.9 is an alkyl group having at least about 8
carbon atoms.
13. An ink composition according to claim 1 wherein at least one of
R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7,
R.sub.8, and R.sub.9 is an aryl group having at least about 6
carbon atoms or an aryloxy group having at least about 6 carbon
atoms.
14. An ink composition according to claim 1 wherein at least one of
R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7,
R.sub.8, and R.sub.9 is an arylalkyl group having at least about 7
carbon atoms, an arylalkyloxy group having at least about 7 carbon
atoms, an alkylaryl group having at least about 7 carbon atoms, or
an alkylaryloxy group having at least about 7 carbon atoms.
15. (Cancelled)
16. A phase change ink composition comprising (a) a colorant, (b) a
phase change ink carrier, and (c) an antioxidant or UV stabilizer
molecule, wherein the antioxidant or UV stabilizer molecule is
2-hydroxy-4-n-stearyloxybenzophenone.
17. An ink composition according to claim 1 wherein the antioxidant
or UV stabilizer molecule is present in the ink in an amount of at
least about 0.1 percent by weight of the ink.
18. An ink composition according to claim 1 wherein the antioxidant
or UV stabilizer molecule is present in the ink in an amount of no
more than about 15 percent by weight of the ink.
19. A process which comprises (1) incorporating into an ink jet
printing apparatus a phase change ink composition comprising (a) a
colorant, (b) a phase change ink carrier, and (c) an antioxidant or
UV stabilizer molecule of the formula 11wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2,
R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7, R.sub.8, and R.sub.9
each, independently of the others, is (i) a hydrogen atom, (ii) a
hydroxy group, (iii) an amino group, (iv) an alkyl group, (v) an
aryl group, (vi) an arylalkyl group, (vii) an alkylaryl group,
(viii) an alkoxy group, (ix) an aryloxy group, (x) an arylalkyloxy
group, (xi) an alkylaryloxy group, (xii) a halogen atom, (xiii) a
cyano group, (xiv) an aldehyde group, (xv) a ketone group, (xvi) an
ester group, (xvii) an amide group, (xviii) a sulfide group, (xix)
a sulfoxide group, (xx) a nitrile group, (xxi) a sulfone group,
(xxii) an acyl group, or (xxiii) a carboxylic acid group, provided
that at least one of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5,
R.sub.6, R.sub.7, R.sub.8, and R.sub.9 is an alkyl group having at
least about 8 carbon atoms, an aryl group having at least about 6
carbon atoms, an aryloxy group having at least about 6 carbon
atoms, an arylalkyl group having at least about 7 carbon atoms, an
arylalkyloxy group having at least about 7 carbon atoms, an
alkylaryl group having at least about 7 carbon atoms, or an
alkylaryloxy group having at least about 7 carbon atoms; (2)
melting the ink; and (3) causing droplets of the melted ink to be
ejected in an imagewise pattern onto a substrate.
20. A process according to claim 19 wherein the substrate is a
final recording sheet and droplets of the melted ink are ejected in
an imagewise pattern directly onto the final recording sheet.
21. A process according to claim 19 wherein the substrate is an
intermediate transfer member and droplets of the melted ink are
ejected in an imagewise pattern onto the intermediate transfer
member followed by transfer of the imagewise pattern from the
intermediate transfer member to a final recording sheet.
22. A process according to claim 21 wherein the intermediate
transfer member is heated to a temperature above that of the final
recording sheet and below that of the melted ink in the printing
apparatus.
23. A process according to claim 19 wherein the printing apparatus
employs a piezoelectric ink jet process, wherein droplets of the
ink are caused to be ejected in imagewise pattern by oscillations
of piezoelectric vibrating elements.
Description
CROSSREFERENCES TO COPENDING APPLICATIONS
[0001] Copending application Ser. No. 10/369,981, filed Feb. 20,
2003, entitled "Phase Change Inks With Isocyanate-Derived
Antioxidants and UV Stabilizers," with the named inventors Jeffery
H. Banning, Donald R. Titterington, and Mary Ryan-Hotchkiss, the
disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference,
discloses a phase change ink composition comprising (a) a colorant
and (b) the reaction product of (i) an isocyanate and (ii) an
antioxidant or UV stabilizer molecule having thereon (A) at least
one isocyanate-reactive hydroxyl group and/or (B) at least one
isocyanate-reactive primary or secondary amino group. In Example
IX, this Example discloses as a comparative material a phase change
ink containing 2-hydroxy-4-n-octoxybenzophenone.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is directed to hot melt or phase
change inks. More specifically, the present invention is directed
to phase change inks particularly suitable for use in phase change
ink jet printers. One embodiment of the present invention is
directed to a phase change ink composition comprising (a) a
colorant, (b) a phase change ink carrier, and (c) an antioxidant or
UV stabilizer molecule of the formula 2
[0003] wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5,
R.sub.6, R.sub.7, R.sub.8, and R.sub.9 each, independently of the
others, is (i) a hydrogen atom, (ii) a hydroxy group, (iii) an
amino group, (iv) an alkyl group, (v) an aryl group, (vi) an
arylalkyl group, (vii) an alkylaryl group, (viii) an alkoxy group,
(ix) an aryloxy group, (x) an arylalkyloxy group, (xi) an
alkylaryloxy group, (xii) a halogen atom, (xiii) a cyano group,
(xiv) an aldehyde group, (xv) a ketone group, (xvi) an ester group,
(xvii) an amide group, (xviii) a sulfide group, (xix) a sulfoxide
group, (xx) a nitrile group, (xxi) a sulfone group, (xxii) an acyl
group, or (xxiii) a carboxylic acid group, provided that at least
one of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6,
R.sub.7, R.sub.8, and R.sub.9 is an alkyl group having at least
about 8 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having at least about 8
carbon atoms, an aryl group having at least about 6 carbon atoms,
an aryloxy group having at least about 6 carbon atoms, an arylalkyl
group having at least about 7 carbon atoms, an arylalkyloxy group
having at least about 7 carbon atoms, an alkylaryl group having at
least about 7 carbon atoms, or an alkylaryloxy group having at
least about 7 carbon atoms.
[0004] In general, phase change inks (sometimes referred to as "hot
melt inks") are in the solid phase at ambient temperature, but
exist in the liquid phase at the elevated operating temperature of
an ink jet printing device. At the jet operating temperature,
droplets of liquid ink are ejected from the printing device and,
when the ink droplets contact the surface of the recording
substrate, either directly or via an intermediate heated transfer
belt or drum, they quickly solidify to form a predetermined pattern
of solidified ink drops. Phase change inks have also been used in
other printing technologies, such as gravure printing, as disclosed
in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,879 and German Patent
Publications DE 4205636AL and DE 4205713AL, the disclosures of each
of which are totally incorporated herein by reference.
[0005] Phase change inks for color printing typically comprise a
phase change ink carrier composition which is combined with a phase
change ink compatible colorant. In a specific embodiment, a series
of colored phase change inks can be formed by combining ink carrier
compositions with compatible subtractive primary colorants. The
subtractive primary colored phase change inks can comprise four
component dyes, namely, cyan, magenta, yellow and black, although
the inks are not limited to these four colors. These subtractive
primary colored inks can be formed by using a single dye or a
mixture of dyes. For example, magenta can be obtained by using a
mixture of Solvent Red Dyes or a composite black can be obtained by
mixing several dyes. U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,560, U.S. Pat. No.
4,889,761, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,852, the disclosures of each of
which are totally incorporated herein by reference, teach that the
subtractive primary colorants employed can comprise dyes from the
classes of Color Index (C.I.) Solvent Dyes, Disperse Dyes, modified
Acid and Direct Dyes, and Basic Dyes. The colorants can also
include pigments, as disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No.
5,221,335, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein
by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 5,621,022, the disclosure of which is
totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses the use of a
specific class of polymeric dyes in phase change ink
compositions.
[0006] Phase change inks have also been used for applications such
as postal marking, industrial marking, and labelling.
[0007] Phase change inks are desirable for ink jet printers because
they remain in a solid phase at room temperature during shipping,
long term storage, and the like. In addition, the problems
associated with nozzle clogging as a result of ink evaporation with
liquid ink jet inks are largely eliminated, thereby improving the
reliability of the ink jet printing. Further, in phase change ink
jet printers wherein the ink droplets are applied directly onto the
final recording substrate (for example, paper, transparency
material, and the like), the droplets solidify immediately upon
contact with the substrate, so that migration of ink along the
printing medium is prevented and dot quality is improved.
[0008] Compositions suitable for use as phase change ink carrier
compositions are known. Some representative examples of references
disclosing such materials include U.S. Pat. No. 3,653,932, U.S.
Pat. No. 4,390,369, U.S. Pat. No. 4,484,948, U.S. Pat. No.
4,684,956, U.S. Pat. No. 4,851,045, U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,560, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,006,170, U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,120, U.S. Pat. No.
5,372,852, U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,879, European Patent Publication
0187352, European Patent Publication 0206286, German Patent
Publication DE 4205636AL, German Patent Publication DE 4205713AL,
and PCT Patent Application WO 94/04619, the disclosures of each of
which are totally incorporated herein by reference. Suitable
carrier materials can include paraffins, microcrystalline waxes,
polyethylene waxes, ester waxes, fatty acids and other waxy
materials, fatty amide containing materials, sulfonamide materials,
resinous materials made from different natural sources (tall oil
rosins and rosin esters, for example), and many synthetic resins,
oligomers, polymers, and copolymers.
[0009] Japanese Patent Publication JP 09255696-A2, the disclosure
of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses a
benzophenone derivative having an oxyalkylene group thereon which
exhibits UV light-absorbing effects and water solubility, said
derivative being of the formula 3
[0010] wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each hydrogen atoms,
hydroxyl groups, or alkoxy groups with 1 to 4 carbon atoms,
R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, and R.sub.6 are each hydrogen or an
alkyl group with 1 to 2 carbon atoms, wherein one or more of
R.sub.3 to R.sub.6 is alkyl, A is a saccharide group not having a
protecting group, and n is 1 or 2. The derivative is prepared by,
for example, reacting 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenon- e with propylene
oxide in the presence of sodium bicarbonate in ion-exchanged water
at reflux temperature. Also disclosed are preparations containing
the derivative and used for external application to skin.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 4,256,493 (Yokoyama et al.), the disclosure of
which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses a jet
ink composition which comprises an aqueous jet ink containing a
water-soluble dye, a wetting agent and water as main components
and, incorporated therein, a water-soluble ultraviolet absorbing
agent as well as a metal salt, when necessary.
[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 5,643,356 (Nohr et al.), the disclosure of
which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses an
improved ink suitable for ink jet printing comprising a mixture of
a colorant, an arylketoalkene stabilizing compound or a
photoreactor, and a liquid vehicle, wherein the colorant is
light-stable. When the photoreactor is combined with a
wavelength-selective sensitizer to form a radiation transorber, the
colorant is mutable upon exposure of the radiation transorber to
specific, narrow bandwidth radiation. The colored composition may
also contain a molecular includant having a chemical structure
which defines at least one cavity wherein each of the colorant and
photoreactor or radiation transorber is associated with the
molecular includant. The invention also includes ink jet print
cartridges containing the improved ink, ink jet printers containing
the improved ink and methods of printing using the improved
ink.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,655 (Nohr et al.), the disclosure of
which is totally incorporated herein by reference, discloses an ink
set of inks which have substantially identical light fastness
properties. The ink set includes ink compositions containing a
colorant and at least one colorant stabilizer. The colorant
stabilizer imparts light-stability to the colorant so that the
colorant does not fade when exposed to electromagnetic radiation
such as sunlight or artificial light. The ink set provides a range
of colored inks having similar light-stability.
[0014] PCT Patent Publication WO 97/20000 (Nohr et al.), the
disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference,
discloses colorant stabilizers and a colorant composition which
includes a colorant and a colorant stabilizer. The colorant
stabilizer imparts light-stability to the colorant so that the
colorant does not fade when exposed to electromagnetic radiation
such as sunlight or artificial light.
[0015] While known compositions and processes are suitable for
their intended purposes, a need remains for improved phase change
ink compositions. In addition, a need remains for phase change ink
compositions with improved lightfastness. Further, a need remains
for phase change ink compositions suitable for use in the
production of digital photographs. Additionally, a need remains for
phase change ink compositions suitable for generating prints with
good archival qualities. There is also a need for phase change ink
compositions with the above advantages which can be, if desired, of
relatively simple composition. In addition, there is a need for
phase change inks containing antioxidants and/or UV stabilizers
that are soluble within the ink carrier. Further, there is a need
for phase change inks with the above advantages that exhibit
desirable jetting characteristics.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The present invention is directed to a phase change ink
composition comprising (a) a colorant, (b) a phase change ink
carrier, and (c) an antioxidant or UV stabilizer molecule of the
formula 4
[0017] wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5,
R.sub.6, R.sub.7, R.sub.8, and R.sub.9 each, independently of the
others, is (i) a hydrogen atom, (ii) a hydroxy group, (iii) an
amino group, (iv) an alkyl group, (v) an aryl group, (vi) an
arylalkyl group, (vii) an alkylaryl group, (viii) an alkoxy group,
(ix) an aryloxy group, (x) an arylalkyloxy group, (xi) an
alkylaryloxy group, (xii) a halogen atom, (xiii) a cyano group,
(xiv) an aldehyde group, (xv) a ketone group, (xvi) an ester group,
(xvii) an amide group, (xviii) a sulfide group, (xix) a sulfoxide
group, (xx) a nitrile group, (xxi) a sulfone group, (xxii) an acyl
group, or (xxiii) a carboxylic acid group, provided that at least
one of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6,
R.sub.7, R.sub.8, and R.sub.9 is an alkyl group having at least
about 8 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having at least about 8
carbon atoms, an aryl group having at least about 6 carbon atoms,
an aryloxy group having at least about 6 carbon atoms, an arylalkyl
group having at least about 7 carbon atoms, an arylalkyloxy group
having at least about 7 carbon atoms, an alkylaryl group having at
least about 7 carbon atoms, or an alkylaryloxy group having at
least about 7 carbon atoms.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Phase change inks of the present invention contain a phase
change carrier system or composition. Any desired or effective
carrier composition can be used. Examples of suitable ink carrier
materials include fatty amides, such as monoamides, tetra-amides,
mixtures thereof, and the like. Specific examples of suitable fatty
amide ink carrier materials include stearyl stearamide, a dimer
acid based tetra-amide that is the reaction product of dimer acid,
ethylene diamine, and stearic acid, a dimer acid based tetra-amide
that is the reaction product of dimer acid, ethylene diamine, and a
carboxylic acid having at least about 36 carbon atoms, and the
like, as well as mixtures thereof. When the fatty amide ink carrier
is a dimer acid based tetra-amide that is the reaction product of
dimer acid, ethylene diamine, and a carboxylic acid having at least
about 36 carbon atoms, the carboxylic acid is of the general
formula 5
[0019] wherein R is an alkyl group, including linear, branched,
saturated, unsaturated, and cyclic alkyl groups, said alkyl group
in one embodiment having at least about 36 carbon atoms, in another
embodiment having at least about 40 carbon atoms, said alkyl group
in one embodiment having no more than about 200 carbon atoms, in
another embodiment having no more than about 150 carbon atoms, and
in yet another embodiment having no more than about 100 carbon
atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of these
ranges. Carboxylic acids of this formula are commercially available
from, for example, Baker Petrolite, Tulsa, Okla., and can also be
prepared as described in Example 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,174,937, the
disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference.
Further information on fatty amide carrier materials is disclosed
in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,560, U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,761,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,194,638, U.S. Pat. No. 4,830,671, U.S. Pat. No.
6,174,937, U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,852, U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,856, U.S.
Pat. No. 6,174,937, and British Patent GB 2 238 792, the
disclosures of each of which are totally incorporated herein by
reference.
[0020] Also suitable as phase change ink carrier materials are
isocyanate-derived resins and waxes, such as urethane
isocyanate-derived materials urea isocyanate-derived materials,
urethane/urea isocyanate-derived materials, mixtures thereof, and
the like. Further information on isocyanate-derived carrier
materials is disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,750,604,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,780,528, U.S. Pat. No. 5,782,966, U.S. Pat. No.
5,783,658, U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,918, U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,942, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,919,839, U.S. Pat. No. 6,255,432, U.S. Pat. No.
6,309,453, British Patent GB 2 294 939, British Patent GB 2 305
928, British Patent GB 2 305 670, British Patent GB 2 290 793, PCT
Publication WO 94/14902, PCT Publication WO 97/12003, PCT
Publication WO 97/13816, PCT Publication WO 96/14364, PCT
Publication WO 97/33943, and PCT Publication WO 95/04760, the
disclosures of each of which are totally incorporated herein by
reference.
[0021] Mixtures of fatty amide materials and isocyanate-derived
materials can also be employed as the ink carrier composition for
inks of the present invention.
[0022] Additional suitable phase change ink carrier materials for
the present invention include paraffins, microcrystalline waxes,
polyethylene waxes, ester waxes, amide waxes, fatty acids, fatty
alcohols, fatty amides and other waxy materials, sulfonamide
materials, resinous materials made from different natural sources
(such as, for example, tall oil rosins and rosin esters), and many
synthetic resins, oligomers, polymers and copolymers, such as
ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene/acrylic acid
copolymers, ethylene/vinyl acetate/acrylic acid copolymers,
copolymers of acrylic acid with polyamides, and the like, ionomers,
and the like, as well as mixtures thereof. One or more of these
materials can also be employed in a mixture with a fatty amide
material and/or an isocyanate-derived material.
[0023] In one specific embodiment, the phase change ink carrier
comprises (a) a polyethylene wax, present in the ink in an amount
in one embodiment of at least about 25 percent by weight of the
ink, in another embodiment of at least about 30 percent by weight
of the ink, and in yet another embodiment of at least about 37
percent by weight of the ink, and in one embodiment of no more than
about 60 percent by weight of the ink, in another embodiment of no
more than about 53 percent by weight of the ink, and in yet another
embodiment of no more than about 48 percent by weight of the ink,
although the amount can be outside of these ranges; (b) a stearyl
stearamide wax, present in the ink in an amount in one embodiment
of at least about 8 percent by weight of the ink, in another
embodiment of at least about 10 percent by weight of the ink, and
in yet another embodiment of at least about 12 percent by weight of
the ink, and in one embodiment of no more than about 32 percent by
weight of the ink, in another embodiment of no more than about 28
percent by weight of the ink, and in yet another embodiment of no
more than about 25 percent by weight of the ink, although the
amount can be outside of these ranges; (c) a dimer acid based
tetra-amide that is the reaction product of dimer acid, ethylene
diamine, and a long chain hydrocarbon having greater than thirty
six carbon atoms and having a terminal carboxylic acid group,
present in the ink in an amount in one embodiment of at least about
10 percent by weight of the ink, in another embodiment of at least
about 13 percent by weight of the ink, and in yet another
embodiment of at least about 16 percent by weight of the ink, and
in one embodiment of no more than about 32 percent by weight of the
ink, in another embodiment of no more than about 27 percent by
weight of the ink, and in yet another embodiment of no more than
about 22 percent by weight of the ink, although the amount can be
outside of these ranges; (d) a urethane resin derived from the
reaction of two equivalents of hydroabietyl alcohol and one
equivalent of isophorone diisocyanate, present in the ink in an
amount in one embodiment of at least about 6 percent by weight of
the ink, in another embodiment of at least about 8 percent by
weight of the ink, and in yet another embodiment of at least about
10 percent by weight of the ink, and in one embodiment of no more
than about 16 percent by weight of the ink, in another embodiment
of no more than about 14 percent by weight of the ink, and in yet
another embodiment of no more than about 12 percent by weight of
the ink, although the amount can be outside of these ranges; (e) a
urethane resin that is the adduct of three equivalents of stearyl
isocyanate and a glycerol-based alcohol, present in the ink in an
amount in one embodiment of at least about 2 percent by weight of
the ink, in another embodiment of at least about 3 percent by
weight of the ink, and in yet another embodiment of at least about
4.5 percent by weight of the ink, and in one embodiment of no more
than about 13 percent by weight of the ink, in another embodiment
of no more than about 10 percent by weight of the ink, and in yet
another embodiment of no more than about 7.5 percent by weight of
the ink, although the amount can be outside of these ranges; and
(f) an antioxidant, present in the ink in an amount in one
embodiment of at least about 0.01 percent by weight of the ink, in
another embodiment of at least about 0.05 percent by weight of the
ink, and in yet another embodiment of at least about 0.1 percent by
weight of the ink, and in one embodiment of no more than about 1
percent by weight of the ink, in another embodiment of no more than
about 0.5 percent by weight of the ink, and in yet another
embodiment of no more than about 0.3 percent by weight of the ink,
although the amount can be outside of these ranges.
[0024] The ink carrier is present in the phase change ink of the
present invention in any desired or effective amount, in one
embodiment of at least about 0.1 percent by weight of the ink, in
another embodiment of at least about 50 percent by weight of the
ink, and in yet another embodiment of at least about 90 percent by
weight of the ink, and in one embodiment of no more than about 99
percent by weight of the ink, in another embodiment of no more than
about 98 percent by weight of the ink, and in yet another
embodiment of no more than about 95 percent by weight of the ink,
although the amount can be outside of these ranges.
[0025] The phase change ink compositions of the present invention
also contain a colorant. Any desired or effective colorant can be
employed in the inks of the present invention, including dyes,
pigments, mixtures thereof, and the like, provided that the
colorant can be dissolved or dispersed in the ink vehicle. The
phase change carrier compositions of the current invention can be
used in combination with conventional phase change ink colorant
materials, such as Color Index (C.I.) Solvent Dyes, Disperse Dyes,
modified Acid and Direct Dyes, Basic Dyes, Sulphur Dyes, Vat Dyes,
and the like. Examples of suitable dyes include Neozapon Red 492
(BASF); Orasol Red G (Ciba-Geigy); Direct Brilliant Pink B
(Crompton & Knowles); Aizen Spilon Red C-BH (Hodogaya
Chemical); Kayanol Red 3BL (Nippon Kayaku); Levanol Brilliant Red
3BW (Mobay Chemical); Levaderm Lemon Yellow (Mobay Chemical);
Spirit Fast Yellow 3G; Aizen Spilon Yellow C-GNH (Hodogaya
Chemical); Sirius Supra Yellow GD 167; Cartasol Brilliant Yellow
4GF (Sandoz); Pergasol Yellow CGP (Ciba-Geigy); Orasol Black RLP
(Ciba-Geigy); Savinyl Black RLS (Sandoz); Dermacarbon 2GT (Sandoz);
Pyrazol Black BG (ICI); Morfast Black Conc. A (Morton-Thiokol);
Diaazol Black RN Quad (ICI); Orasol Blue GN (Ciba-Geigy); Savinyl
Blue GLS (Sandoz); Luxol Blue MBSN (Morton-Thiokol); Sevron Blue
5GMF (ICI); Basacid Blue 750 (BASF), Neozapon Black X51 [C.I.
Solvent Black, C.I. 12195] (BASF), Sudan Blue 670 [C.I. 61554]
(BASF), Sudan Yellow 146 [C.I. 12700] (BASF), Sudan Red 462 [C.I.
26050] (BASF), Intratherm Yellow 346 from Crompton and Knowles,
C.I. Disperse Yellow 238, Neptune Red Base NB543 (BASF, C.I.
Solvent Red 49), Neopen Blue FF-4012 from BASF, Lampronol Black BR
from ICI (C.I. Solvent Black 35), Morton Morplas Magenta 36 (C.I.
Solvent Red 172), metal phthalocyanine colorants such as those
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,221,137, the disclosure of which is
totally incorporated herein by reference, and the like. Polymeric
dyes can also be used, such as those disclosed in, for example,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,621,022 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,135, the
disclosures of each of which are totally incorporated herein by
reference, and commercially available from, for example, Milliken
& Company as Milliken Ink Yellow 869, Milliken Ink Blue 92,
Milliken Ink Red 357, Milliken Ink Yellow 1800, Milliken Ink Black
8915-67, uncut Reactant Orange X-38, uncut Reactant Blue X-17,
Solvent Yellow 162, Acid Red 52, Solvent Blue 44, and uncut
Reactant Violet X-80.
[0026] Pigments are also suitable colorants for the phase change
inks of the present invention. Examples of suitable pigments
include Violet Toner VT-8015 (Paul Uhlich); Paliogen Violet 5100
(BASF); Paliogen Violet 5890 (BASF); Permanent Violet VT 2645 (Paul
Uhlich); Heliogen Green L8730 (BASF); Argyle Green XP-111-S (Paul
Uhlich); Brilliant Green Toner GR 0991 (Paul Uhlich); Lithol
Scarlet D3700 (BASF); Toluidine Red (Aldrich); Scarlet for
Thermoplast NSD PS PA (Ugine Kuhlmann of Canada); E.D. Toluidine
Red (Aldrich); Lithol Rubine Toner (Paul Uhlich); Lithol Scarlet
4440 (BASF); Bon Red C (Dominion Color Company); Royal Brilliant
Red RD-8192 (Paul Uhlich); Oracet Pink RF (Ciba-Geigy); Paliogen
Red 3871K (BASF); Paliogen Red 3340 (BASF); Lithol Fast Scarlet
L4300 (BASF); Heliogen Blue L6900, L7020 (BASF); Heliogen Blue
K6902, K6910 (BASF); Heliogen Blue D6840, D7080 (BASF); Sudan Blue
OS (BASF); Neopen Blue FF4012 (BASF); PV Fast Blue B2G01 (American
Hoechst); Irgalite Blue BCA (Ciba-Geigy); Paliogen Blue 6470
(BASF); Sudan III (Red Orange) (Matheson, Colemen Bell); Sudan II
(Orange) (Matheson, Colemen Bell); Sudan Orange G (Aldrich), Sudan
Orange 220 (BASF); Paliogen Orange 3040 (BASF); Ortho Orange OR
2673 (Paul Uhlich); Paliogen Yellow 152, 1560 (BASF); Lithol Fast
Yellow 0991K (BASF); Paliotol Yellow 1840 (BASF); Novoperm Yellow
FGL (Hoechst); Permanent Yellow YE 0305 (Paul Uhlich); Lumogen
Yellow D0790 (BASF); Suco-Yellow L1250 (BASF); Suco-Yellow D1355
(BASF); Suco Fast Yellow D1355, D1351 (BASF); Hostaperm Pink E
(American Hoechst); Fanal Pink D4830 (BASF); Cinquasia Magenta (Du
Pont); Paliogen Black L0084 (BASF); Pigment Black K801 (BASF); and
carbon blacks such as REGAL 330.RTM. (Cabot), Carbon Black 5250,
Carbon Black 5750 (Columbia Chemical), and the like.
[0027] Also suitable are the colorants disclosed in Copending
Application U.S. Ser. No. 10/072,241, filed Feb. 8, 2002, entitled
"Phthalocyanine Compositions," Copending Application U.S. Ser. No.
10/072,210, Feb. 8, 2002, entitled "Ink Compositions Containing
Phthalocyanines," Copending Application U.S. Ser. No. 10/072,237,
filed Feb. 8, 2002, entitled "Methods For Preparing Phthalocyanine
Compositions," Copending Application U.S. Ser. No. 10/185,261,
filed Jun. 27, 2002, entitled "Processes for Preparing
Dianthranilate Compounds and Diazopyridone Colorants," Copending
Application U.S. Ser. No. 10/185,994, filed Jun. 27, 2002, entitled
"Dimeric Azo Pyridone Colorants," Copending Application U.S. Ser.
No. 10/184,269, filed Jun. 27, 2002, entitled "Phase Change Inks
Containing Dimeric Azo Pyridone Colorants," Copending Application
U.S. Ser. No. 10/185,264, filed Jun. 27, 2002, entitled "Phase
Change Inks Containing Azo Pyridone Colorants," Copending
Application U.S. Ser. No. 10/186,024, filed Jun. 27, 2002, entitled
"Azo Pyridone Colorants," Copending Application U.S. Ser. No.
10/185,597, filed Jun. 27, 2002, entitled "Process for Preparing
Substituted Pyridone Compounds," Copending Application U.S. Ser.
No. 10/185,828, filed Jun. 27, 2002, entitled "Method for Making
Dimeric Azo Pyridone Colorants," Copending Application U.S. Ser.
No. 10/186,023, filed Jun. 27, 2002, entitled "Dimeric Azo Pyridone
Colorants," Copending Application U.S. Ser. No. 10/184,266, filed
Jun. 27, 2002, entitled "Phase Change Inks Containing Dimeric Azo
Pyridone Colorants," Copending Application U.S. Ser. No. (not yet
assigned; Attorney Docket No. D/A2341), filed Sep. 27, 2002,
entitled "Colorant Compounds," with the named inventors Jeffery H.
Banning and C. Wayne Jaeger, and Copending Application U.S. Ser.
No. (not yet assigned; Attorney Docket No. D/A2341Q1), filed Sep.
27, 2002, entitled "Methods for Making Colorant Compounds," with
the named inventors C. Wayne Jaeger and Jeffery H. Banning, the
disclosures of each of which are totally incorporated herein by
reference.
[0028] Other ink colors besides the subtractive primary colors can
be desirable for applications such as postal marking or industrial
marking and labelling using phase change printing, and the present
invention is applicable to these needs. Further, infrared (IR) or
ultraviolet (UV) absorbing dyes can also be incorporated into the
inks of the present invention for use in applications such as
"invisible" coding or marking of products. Examples of such
infrared and ultraviolet absorbing dyes are disclosed in, for
example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,574, U.S. Pat. 5,146,087, U.S. Pat.
No. 5,145,518, U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,177, U.S. Pat. No. 5,225,900,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,301,044, U.S. Pat. No. 5,286,286, U.S. Pat. No.
5,275,647, U.S. Pat. No. 5,208,630, U.S. Pat. No. 5,202,265, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,271,764, U.S. Pat. No. 5,256,193, U.S. Pat. No.
5,385,803, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,554,480, the disclosures of each of
which are totally incorporated herein by reference.
[0029] In a specific embodiment, the colorant is an
isocyanate-derived colored resin as disclosed in, for example, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,780,528 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,919,839, the disclosures of
each of which are totally incorporated herein by reference. In this
embodiment, the colorant is the reaction product of a
hydroxyl-substituted or primary or secondary amino-substituted
chromophore with an isocyanate. Examples of suitable isocyanates
include monoisocyanates, diisocyanates, triisocyanates, copolymers
of a diisocyanate, copolymers of a triisocyanate, polyisocyanates
(having more than three isocyanate functional groups), and the
like, as well as mixtures thereof. Specific examples of suitable
isocyanates include those listed hereinabove as being suitable for
reaction with the hydroxyl-substituted or amino-substituted
antioxidant. Examples of suitable hydroxyl-substituted and primary
or secondary amino-substituted chromophores include those disclosed
in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,157,633, U.S. Pat. No. 3,927,044,
U.S. Pat. No. 3,994,835, U.S. Pat. No. 4,102,644, U.S. Pat. No.
4,113,721, U.S. Pat. No. 4,132,840, U.S. Pat. No. 4,137,243, U.S.
Pat. No. 4,170,564, U.S. Pat. No. 4,284,729, U.S. Pat. No.
4,507,407, U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,690, U.S. Pat. No. 4,732,570, U.S.
Pat. No. 4,751,254, U.S. Pat. No. 4,751,254, U.S. Pat. No.
4,761,502, U.S. Pat. No. 4,775,748, U.S. Pat. No. 4,812,141, U.S.
Pat. No. 4,846,846, U.S. Pat. No. 4,871,371, U.S. Pat. No.
4,912,203, U.S. Pat. No. 4,978,362, U.S. Pat. No. 5,043,013, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,059,244, U.S. Pat. No. 5,149,800, U.S. Pat. No.
5,177,200, U.S. Pat. No. 5,270,363, U.S. Pat. No. 5,290,921, and
U.S. Pat. No. 5,731,398, the disclosures of each of which are
totally incorporated herein by reference. Hydroxyl-containing and
primary or secondary amino-containing colorants from the classes of
Color Index (C.I.) Solvent Dyes, Disperse Dyes, modified Acid and
Direct Dyes, Basic Dyes, Sulphur Dyes, Vat Dyes, and the like can
also be used.
[0030] The colorant is present in the phase change ink of the
present invention in any desired or effective amount to obtain the
desired color or hue, typically at least about 0.1 percent by
weight of the ink, preferably at least about 0.2 percent by weight
of the ink, and more preferably at least about 0.5 percent by
weight of the ink, and typically no more than about 50 percent by
weight of the ink, preferably no more than about 20 percent by
weight of the ink, and more preferably no more than about 10
percent by weight of the ink, although the amount can be outside of
these ranges.
[0031] The inks of the present invention also contain an
antioxidant or UV stabilizer of the formula 6
[0032] wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5,
R.sub.6, R.sub.7, R.sub.8, and R.sub.9 each, independently of the
others, is (i) a hydrogen atom, (ii) a hydroxy group, (iii) an
amino group of the formula --NR.sub.10R.sub.11, wherein R.sub.10
and R.sub.11 each, independently of the others, is a hydrogen atom,
an alkyl group as defined for R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4,
R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7, R.sub.8, and R.sub.9, an aryl group as
defined for R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6,
R.sub.7, R.sub.8, and R.sub.9, an arylalkyl group as defined for
R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7,
R.sub.8, and R.sub.9, or an alkylaryl group as defined for R.sub.1,
R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7, R.sub.8, and
R.sub.9, (iv) an alkyl group (including linear, branched,
saturated, unsaturated, cyclic, substituted, and unsubstituted
alkyl groups, and wherein hetero atoms, such as oxygen, nitrogen,
sulfur, silicon, phosphorus, and the like either may or may not be
present in the alkyl group), in one embodiment with at least 1
carbon atom, in another embodiment with at least about 2 carbon
atoms in yet another embodiment with at least about 4 carbon atoms,
and in still another embodiment with at least about 8 carbon atoms,
and in one embodiment with no more than about 50 carbon atoms, and
in another embodiment with no more than about 48 carbon atoms,
although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of these ranges,
(v) an aryl group (including unsubstituted and substituted aryl
groups, and wherein hetero atoms, such as oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur,
silicon, phosphorus, and the like either may or may not be present
in the aryl group), in one embodiment with at least about 5 carbon
atoms, and in another embodiment with at least about 6 carbon
atoms, and in one embodiment with no more than about 14 carbon
atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of these
ranges, (vi) an arylalkyl group (including unsubstituted and
substituted arylalkyl groups, wherein the alkyl portion of the
arylalkyl group can be linear, branched, saturated, unsaturated,
and/or cyclic, and wherein hetero atoms, such as oxygen, nitrogen,
sulfur, silicon, phosphorus, and the like either may or may not be
present in either or both of the alkyl portion and the aryl portion
of the arylalkyl group), in one embodiment with at least about 6
carbon atoms, in another embodiment with at least about 7 carbon
atoms, and in yet another embodiment with at least about 12 carbon
atoms, and in one embodiment with no more than about 50 carbon
atoms, and in another embodiment with no more than about 24 carbon
atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of these
ranges, such as benzyl or the like, (vii) an alkylaryl group
(including unsubstituted and substituted alkylaryl groups, wherein
the alkyl portion of the alkylaryl group can be linear, branched,
saturated, unsaturated, and/or cyclic, and wherein hetero atoms,
such as oxygen nitrogen, sulfur, silicon, phosphorus, and the like
either may or may not be present in either or both of the alkyl
portion and the aryl portion of the alkylaryl group), in one
embodiment with at least about 6 carbon atoms, in another
embodiment with at least about 7 carbon atoms, and in yet another
embodiment with at least about 12 carbon atoms, and in one
embodiment with no more than about 50 carbon atoms, and in another
embodiment with no more than about 24 carbon atoms, although the
number of carbon atoms can be outside of these ranges, such as
tolyl or the like, (viii) an alkoxy group (including linear,
branched, saturated, unsaturated, cyclic, substituted, and
unsubstituted alkoxy groups, and wherein hetero atoms, such as
oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, silicon, phosphorus, and the like either
may or may not be present in the alkoxy group), in one embodiment
with at least 1 carbon atom, in another embodiment with at least
about 2 carbon atoms, in yet another embodiment with at least about
4 carbon atoms, and in still another embodiment with at least about
8 carbon atoms, and in one embodiment with no more than about 50
carbon atoms, and in another embodiment with no more than about 48
carbon atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of
these ranges, (ix) an aryloxy group (including unsubstituted and
substituted aryloxy groups, and wherein hetero atoms, such as
oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, silicon, phosphorus, and the like either
may or may not be present in the aryloxy group), in one embodiment
with at least about 5 carbon atoms, and in another embodiment with
at least about 6 carbon atoms, and in one embodiment with no more
than about 14 carbon atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can
be outside of these ranges, (x) an arylalkyloxy group (including
unsubstituted and substituted arylalkyloxy groups, wherein the
alkyl portion of the arylalkyl group can be linear, branched,
saturated, unsaturated, and/or cyclic, and wherein hetero atoms,
such as oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, silicon, phosphorus, and the like
either may or may not be present in either or both of the alkyl
portion and the aryl portion of the arylalkyloxy group), in one
embodiment with at least about 6 carbon atoms, in another
embodiment with at least about 7 carbon atoms, and in yet another
embodiment with at least about 12 carbon atoms, and in one
embodiment with no more than about 50 carbon atoms, and in another
embodiment with no more than about 24 carbon atoms, although the
number of carbon atoms can be outside of these ranges, such as
benzyloxy or the like, (xi) an alkylaryloxy group (including
unsubstituted and substituted alkylaryloxy groups, wherein the
alkyl portion of the alkylaryloxy group can be linear, branched,
saturated, unsaturated, and/or cyclic, and wherein hetero atoms,
such as oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, silicon, phosphorus, and the like
either may or may not be present in either or both of the alkyl
portion and the aryl portion of the alkylaryloxy group), in one
embodiment with at least about 6 carbon atoms, in another
embodiment with at least about 7 carbon atoms, and in yet another
embodiment with at least about 12 carbon atoms, and in one
embodiment with no more than about 50 carbon atoms, and in another
embodiment with no more than about 24 carbon atoms, although the
number of carbon atoms can be outside of these ranges, such as
tolyloxy or the like, (xii) a halogen atom, such as fluorine,
chlorine, bromine, iodine, or the like, (xiii) a cyano group, (xiv)
an aldehyde group, (xv) a ketone group, (xvi) an ester group,
(xvii) an amide group, (xviii) a sulfide group, (xix) a sulfoxide
group, (xx) a nitrile group, (xxi) a sulfone group, (xxii) an acyl
group, or (xxiii) a carboxylic acid group, provided that at least
one of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6,
R.sub.7, R.sub.8, and R.sub.9 is (a) an alkyl group (including
linear, branched, saturated, unsaturated, cyclic, substituted, and
unsubstituted alkyl groups, and wherein hetero atoms, such as
oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, silicon, phosphorus, and the like either
may or may not be present in the alkyl group) having in one
embodiment at least about 8 carbon atoms, in another embodiment at
least about 10 carbon atoms, in yet another embodiment at least
about 12 carbon atoms, in still another embodiment at least about
14 carbon atoms, in another embodiment at least about 16 carbon
atoms, and in yet another embodiment at least about 18 carbon
atoms, and in one embodiment with no more than about 48 carbon
atoms, in another embodiment no more than about 30 carbon atoms,
and in yet another embodiment no more than about 20 carbon atoms,
although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of these ranges,
(b) an alkoxy group (including linear, branched, saturated,
unsaturated, cyclic, substituted, and unsubstituted alkoxy groups,
and wherein hetero atoms, such as oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur,
silicon, phosphorus, and the like either may or may not be present
in the alkyl portion of the alkoxy group) having in one embodiment
at least about 8 carbon atoms, in another embodiment at least about
10 carbon atoms, in yet another embodiment at least about 12 carbon
atoms, in still another embodiment at least about 14 carbon atoms,
in another embodiment at least about 16 carbon atoms, and in yet
another embodiment at least about 18 carbon atoms, and in one
embodiment with no more than about 48 carbon atoms, in another
embodiment no more than about 30 carbon atoms, and in yet another
embodiment no more than about 20 carbon atoms, although the number
of carbon atoms can be outside of these ranges, (c) an aryl group
(including unsubstituted and substituted aryl groups, and wherein
hetero atoms, such as oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, silicon,
phosphorus, and the like either may or may not be present in the
aryl group), in one embodiment with at least about 6 carbon atoms,
and in another embodiment with at least about 10 carbon atoms, and
in one embodiment with no more than about 14 carbon atoms, although
the number of carbon atoms can be outside of these ranges, (d) an
aryloxy group (including unsubstituted and substituted aryloxy
groups, and wherein hetero atoms, such as oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur,
silicon, phosphorus, and the like either may or may not be present
in the aryl portion of the aryloxy group), in one embodiment with
at least about 6 carbon atoms, and in another embodiment with at
least about 10 carbon atoms, and in one embodiment with no more
than about 14 carbon atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can
be outside of these ranges, (e) an arylalkyl group (including
unsubstituted and substituted arylalkyl groups, wherein the alkyl
portion of the arylalkyl group can be linear, branched, saturated,
unsaturated, and/or cyclic, and wherein hetero atoms, such as
oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, silicon, phosphorus, and the like either
may or may not be present in either or both of the alkyl portion
and the aryl portion of the arylalkyl group), in one embodiment
with at least about 7 carbon atoms, and in another embodiment with
at least about 12 carbon atoms, and in one embodiment with no more
than about 50 carbon atoms, and in another embodiment with no more
than about 24 carbon atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can
be outside of these ranges, such as benzyl or the like, (f) an
arylalkyloxy group (including unsubstituted and substituted
arylalkyloxy groups, wherein the alkyl portion of the arylalkyloxy
group can be linear, branched, saturated, unsaturated, and/or
cyclic, and wherein hetero atoms, such as oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur,
silicon, phosphorus, and the like either may or may not be present
in either or both of the alkyl portion and the aryl portion of the
arylalkyloxy group), in one embodiment with at least about 7 carbon
atoms, and in another embodiment with at least about 12 carbon
atoms, and in one embodiment with no more than about 50 carbon
atoms, and in another embodiment with no more than about 24 carbon
atoms, although the number of carbon atoms can be outside of these
ranges, such as benzyloxy or the like, (g) an alkylaryl group
(including unsubstituted and substituted alkylaryl groups, wherein
the alkyl portion of the alkylaryl group can be linear, branched,
saturated, unsaturated, and/or cyclic, and wherein hetero atoms,
such as oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, silicon, phosphorus, and the like
either may or may not be present in either or both of the alkyl
portion and the aryl portion of the alkylaryl group), in one
embodiment with at least about 7 carbon atoms, and in another
embodiment with at least about 12 carbon atoms, and in one
embodiment with no more than about 50 carbon atoms, and in another
embodiment with no more than about 24 carbon atoms, although the
number of carbon atoms can be outside of these ranges, such as
tolyl or the like, or (h) an alkylaryloxy group (including
unsubstituted and substituted alkylaryloxy groups, wherein the
alkyl portion of the alkylaryloxy group can be linear, branched,
saturated, unsaturated, and/or cyclic, and wherein hetero atoms,
such as oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, silicon, phosphorus, and the like
either may or may not be present in either or both of the alkyl
portion and the aryl portion of the alkylaryloxy group), in one
embodiment with at least about 7 carbon atoms, and in another
embodiment with at least about 12 carbon atoms, and in one
embodiment with no more than about 50 carbon atoms, and in another
embodiment with no more than about 24 carbon atoms, although the
number of carbon atoms can be outside of these ranges, such as
tolyloxy or the like, wherein the substituents on the substituted
alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl, alkylaryl, alkoxy, aryloxy, arylalkyloxy,
and alkylaryloxy groups can be (but are not limited to) hydroxy
groups, halogen atoms, amine groups, imine groups, cyano groups,
pyridine groups, ether groups, aldehyde groups, ketone groups,
ester groups, amide groups, carbonyl groups, sulfonate groups,
sulfide groups, sulfoxide groups, phosphine groups, nitrile groups,
nitroso groups, sulfone groups, acyl groups, acid anhydride groups,
cyanato groups, thiocyanato groups, carboxylic acid groups,
mixtures thereof, and the like, wherein two or more substituents
can be joined together to form a ring.
[0033] Specific examples of suitable substituted
hydroxybenzophenones include 2-hydroxy-4-n-octoxybenzophenone
("HOOB", available as MARK 1413 from the Argus Division of Witco
Corp.) and from Aldrich Chemical Co., Milwaukee, Wis. (41,315-1),
of the formula 7
[0034] 2-hydroxy-4-methylbenzophenone, commercially available from
Interchim Intermediates, 2-hydroxy-4-methylbenzophenone,
commercially available from Aldrich Chemical Co., Milwaukee, Wis.
(H3,860-8), and the like.
[0035] In addition, suitable materials having alkoxy, aryloxy,
arylalkyloxy, or alkylaryloxy groups thereon can be prepared by
reaction of the corresponding phenol with an alkylating material,
such as the p-toluenesulfonate ester of the corresponding alcohol,
halogen derivatives of the corresponding alcohol, or the like.
Approximately equimolar amounts of the two reactants can be admixed
with at least about 1 equivalent of a suitable base, such as
K.sub.2CO.sub.3, KOH, NaOH, NaOC.sub.2H.sub.4, NaNH.sub.2, or the
like, in a dipolar aprotic solvent, such as dimethyl formamide,
N-methyl pyrrolidinone, acetonitrile, or the like, and heated to
reflux temperatures, typically (although not necessarily) from
about 100 to about 150.degree. C., until the reaction is complete.
These reactions are also suitable for phase transfer catalyzed
reaction conditions. For example, 2-hydroxy-4-n-stearyloxybenzo-
phenone can be prepared by the reaction of
2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone with the p-toluenesulfonate ester of
stearyl alcohol and 2 equivalents of potassium carbonate in
dimethyl formamide at 125.degree. C. for about 5 hours as follows:
8
[0036] Further, suitable materials having alkyl, aryl, arylalkyl,
or alkylaryl groups thereon can be prepared by methods such as
those disclosed in, for example, H. Shargi and B. Kaboudin, Journal
of Chemical Research, Synopsis, (1998) (10) 628-629 2678-2695; and
Jpn Kokai Tokkyo Koho (1983) JP 81-138045 Chem Abstracts 99:38201;
the disclosures of each of which are totally incorporated herein by
reference.
[0037] The antioxidant or UV stabilizer is present in the phase
change inks of the present invention in any desired or effective
amount, in one embodiment at least about 0.1 percent by weight, in
another embodiment at least about 1 percent by weight, and in yet
another embodiment at least about 2 percent by weight, and in one
embodiment no more than about 15 percent by weight, in another
embodiment no more than about 10 percent by weight, and in yet
another embodiment no more than about 5 percent by weight, although
the amount can be outside of these ranges.
[0038] The inks of the present invention can also optionally
contain a viscosity modifier. Examples of suitable viscosity
modifiers include aliphatic ketones, such as stearone, and the
like. When present, the optional viscosity modifier is present in
the ink in any desired or effective amount, in one embodiment of at
least about 0.1 percent by weight of the ink, in another embodiment
of at least about 1 percent by weight of the ink, and in yet
another embodiment of at least about 10 percent by weight of the
ink, and in one embodiment of no more than about 99 percent by
weight of the ink, in another embodiment of no more than about 30
percent by weight of the ink, and in yet another embodiment of no
more than about 15 percent by weight of the ink, although the
amount can be outside of these ranges.
[0039] Other optional additives to the inks include clarifiers,
such as UNION CAMP.RTM. X37-523-235 (commercially available from
Union Camp), in an amount in one embodiment of at least about 0.01
percent by weight of the ink, in another embodiment of at least
about 0.1 percent by weight of the ink, and in yet another
embodiment of at least about 5 percent by weight of the ink, and in
one embodiment of no more than about 98 percent by weight of the
ink, in another embodiment of no more than about 50 percent by
weight of the ink, and in yet another embodiment of no more than
about 10 percent by weight of the ink, although the amount can be
outside of these ranges, tackifiers, such as FORAL.RTM. 85, a
glycerol ester of hydrogenated abietic (rosin) acid (commercially
available from Hercules), FORAL.RTM. 105, a pentaerythritol ester
of hydroabietic (rosin) acid (commercially available from
Hercules), CELLOLYN.RTM. 21, a hydroabietic (rosin) alcohol ester
of phthalic acid (commercially available from Hercules), ARAKAWA
KE-311 Resin, a triglyceride of hydrogenated abietic (rosin) acid
(commercially available from Arakawa Chemical Industries, Ltd.),
synthetic polyterpene resins such as NEVTAC.RTM. 2300, NEVTAC.RTM.
100, and NEVTAC.RTM. 80 (commercially available from Neville
Chemical Company), WINGTACK.RTM. 86, a modified synthetic
polyterpene resin (commercially available from Goodyear), and the
like, in an amount in one embodiment of at least about 0.1 percent
by weight of the ink, in another embodiment of at least about 5
percent by weight of the ink, and in yet another embodiment of at
least about 10 percent by weight of the ink, and in one embodiment
of no more than about 98 percent by weight of the ink, in another
embodiment of no more than about 75 percent by weight of the ink,
and in yet another embodiment of no more than about 50 percent by
weight of the ink, although the amount can be outside of these
range, adhesives, such as VERSAMID.RTM. 757, 759, or 744
(commercially available from Henkel), in an amount in one
embodiment of at least about 0.1 percent by weight of the ink, in
another embodiment of at least about 1 percent by weight of the
ink, and in yet another embodiment of at least about 5 percent by
weight of the ink, and in one embodiment of no more than about 98
percent by weight of the ink, in another embodiment of no more than
about 50 percent by weight of the ink, and in yet another
embodiment of no more than about 10 percent by weight of the ink,
although the amount can be outside of these ranges, plasticizers,
such as UNIPLEX.RTM. 250 (commercially available from Uniplex), the
phthalate ester plasticizers commercially available from Monsanto
under the trade name SANTICIZER.RTM., such as dioctyl phthalate,
diundecyl phthalate, alkylbenzyl phthalate (SANTICIZER.RTM. 278),
triphenyl phosphate (commercially available from Monsanto),
KP-140.RTM., a tributoxyethyl phosphate (commercially available
from FMC Corporation), MORFLEX.RTM. 150, a dicyclohexyl phthalate
(commercially available from Morflex Chemical Company Inc.),
trioctyl trimellitate (commercially available from Eastman Kodak
Co.), and the like, in an amount in one embodiment of at least
about 0.1 percent by weight of the ink, in another embodiment of at
least about 1 percent by weight of the ink, and in yet another
embodiment of at least about 2 percent by weight of the ink, and in
one embodiment of no more than about 50 percent by weight of the
ink, in another embodiment of no more than about 30 percent by
weight of the ink, and in yet another embodiment of no more than
about 10 percent by weight of the ink, although the amount can be
outside of these ranges, and the like.
[0040] In the direct printing mode, the phase change carrier
composition in specific embodiments contains one or more materials
that enable the phase change ink (1) to be applied in a thin film
of uniform thickness on the final recording substrate (such as
paper, transparency material, or the like) when cooled to ambient
temperature after printing directly to the recording substrate, (2)
to be ductile while retaining sufficient flexibility so that the
applied image on the substrate will not fracture upon bending, and
(3) to possess a high degree of lightness, chroma, transparency,
and thermal stability.
[0041] In an offset printing transfer or indirect printing mode,
the phase change carrier composition in specific embodiments
exhibits not only the characteristics desirable for direct printing
mode inks, but also certain fluidic and mechanical properties
desirable for use in such a system, as described in, for example,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,958 the disclosure of which is totally
incorporated herein by reference.
[0042] The ink compositions of the present invention typically have
melting points no lower than about 50.degree. C., preferably no
lower than about 70.degree. C., and more preferably no lower than
about 80.degree. C., and typically have melting points no higher
than about 160.degree. C., preferably no higher than about
140.degree. C., and more preferably no higher than about
100.degree. C., although the melting point can be outside of these
ranges.
[0043] The ink compositions of the present invention generally have
melt viscosities at the jetting temperature (typically no lower
than about 75.degree. C., preferably no lower than about
100.degree. C., and more preferably no lower than about 120.degree.
C., and typically no higher than about 180.degree. C., preferably
no higher than about 150.degree. C., and more preferably no higher
than about 130.degree. C., although the jetting temperature can be
outside of these ranges) typically of no more than about 30
centipoise, preferably no more than about 20 centipoise, and even
more preferably no more than about 15 centipoise, and typically of
no less than about 2 centipoise, preferably no less than about 5
centipoise, and even more preferably no less than about 7
centipoise, although the melt viscosity can be outside of these
ranges. Since image hardness tend to drop with lower viscosities,
it is preferred that the viscosity be as low as possible while
still retaining the desired degree of image hardness.
[0044] The ink compositions of the present invention can be
prepared by any desired or suitable method. For example, the ink
ingredients can be mixed together, followed by heating, typically
to a temperature of from about 100 to about 140.degree. C.,
although the temperature can be outside of this range, and stirring
until a homogeneous ink composition is obtained, followed by
cooling the ink to ambient temperature (typically from about 20 to
about 25.degree. C.). The inks of the present invention are solid
at ambient temperature.
[0045] The inks of the present invention can be employed in
apparatus for direct printing ink jet processes and in indirect
(offset) printing ink jet applications. Another embodiment of the
present invention is directed to a process which comprises
incorporating an ink of the present invention into an ink jet
printing apparatus, melting the ink, and causing droplets of the
melted ink to be ejected in an imagewise pattern onto a recording
substrate. A direct printing process is also disclosed in, for
example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,195,430, the disclosure of which is
totally incorporated herein by reference. Yet another embodiment of
the present invention is directed to a process which comprises
incorporating an ink of the present invention into an ink jet
printing apparatus, melting the ink, causing droplets of the melted
ink to be ejected in an imagewise pattern onto an intermediate
transfer member, and transferring the ink in the imagewise pattern
from the intermediate transfer member to a final recording
substrate. An offset or indirect printing process is also disclosed
in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,958, the disclosure of which
is totally incorporated herein by reference. In one specific
embodiment, the printing apparatus employs a piezoelectric printing
process wherein droplets of the ink are caused to be ejected in
imagewise pattern by oscillations of piezoelectric vibrating
elements. Inks of the present invention can also be employed in
other hot melt printing processes, such as hot melt acoustic ink
jet printing, hot melt thermal ink jet printing, hot melt
continuous stream or deflection ink jet printing, or the like.
Phase change inks of the present invention can also be used in
printing processes other than hot melt ink jet printing processes,
such as hot melt gravure printing, hot melt medical imaging
printing, or the like.
[0046] Any suitable substrate or recording sheet can be employed,
including plain papers such as XEROX.RTM. 4024 papers, XEROX.RTM.
Image Series papers, Courtland 4024 DP paper, ruled notebook paper,
bond paper, silica coated papers such as Sharp Company silica
coated paper, JuJo paper, and the like, transparency materials,
fabrics, textile products, plastics, polymeric films, inorganic
substrates such as metals and wood, and the like.
[0047] Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described
in detail. These examples are intended to be illustrative, and the
invention is not limited to the materials, conditions, or process
parameters set forth in these embodiments. All parts and
percentages are by weight unless otherwise indicated.
EXAMPLE I
[0048] In a 500 milliliter round bottom flask equipped with
mechanical stirrer, reflux condenser, and nitrogen purge is added
225 milliliters of dimethyl formamide, 21.4 grams (0.1 mole) of
2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone, 42.4 grams (0.1 mole) of stearyl
p-toluenesulfonate, and 13.8 grams (0.1 mole) of potassium
carbonate. The mixture is heated rapidly to reflux and held there
for two hours. After cooling to room temperature, 500 milliliters
of toluene is added and the mixture is filtered to remove solids,
extracted two times with deionized water, and washed with brine.
After further drying with sodium sulfate, the mixture is filtered
and the solvent is removed on a rotary evaporator to afford an
off-white solid whose NMR spectra confirm the anticipated
structure: 9
EXAMPLE II
[0049] Ink compositions were prepared containing stearyl stearamide
wax (KEMAMIDE.RTM. S-180, obtained from Crompton Corporation,
Greenwich, Conn.), polyethylene wax (POLYWAX.RTM. 850, obtained
from Baker Petrolite, Tulsa, Okla.), a first resin ("Resin 1",
prepared as described in Example 2 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,783,658, the
disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference), a
second resin ("Resin 2", prepared as described in Example 5 of U.S.
Pat. No. 5,783,658), Solvent Red 127 dye (INTERPLAST PINK 5GLB,
obtained from Crompton and Knowles Co., Reading, Pa.), Solvent Red
49 dye (NEPTUNE RED BASE NB 543 LD, obtained from BASF Co.,
Rensselaer, N.Y.), dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid ("DDBSA", BioSoft
S-101, obtained from Stepan Company, Northfield, Ill.), and
NAUGUARD.RTM. 445 antioxidant (obtained from Uniroyal Chemical Co.,
Middlebury, Conn.). Ink 1 was a control (comparative) ink
containing no antioxidant, and Ink 2 was an ink containing an
antioxidant according to the present invention ("HOOB",
2-hydroxy-4-n-octoxybenzophenone, obtained as MARK 1413 from the
Argus Division of Witco Corp.). The inks contained the ingredients
in the following relative amounts (expressed in parts by
weight):
1 Ingredient Ink 1 Ink 2 S-180 45.30 43.94 POLYWAX 850 5.00 4.85
Resin 1 23.35 22.65 Resin 2 23.35 22.65 SR 127 0.30 0.29 SR 49 2.00
1.94 DDBSA 0.50 0.49 NAUGUARD 445 0.20 0.19 HOOB -- 3.0 Example II
resin -- --
[0050] These ingredients were combined in the proportions listed to
make three inks in amounts of about 500 grams each. The inks were
prepared as follows: The uncolored ingredients were weighed out and
combined in 1 liter stainless steel beakers. The beakers were then
placed in an oven at about 130.degree. C. for several hours until
the materials were fully melted. Thereafter, the beakers were
placed in heating mantles at 130.degree. C. and mechanically
stirred for about 0.5 hour to mix thoroughly the ink base. The dyes
and UV stabilizing materials were then added and the ink was
stirred for an additional 1 hour. At that point, the finished
formulations were filtered through a Mott apparatus using #3
Whatman filter paper. The finished inks were then poured into
sticks and placed in a TEKTRONIX.RTM. PHASER.RTM. 340 printer.
Solid fill magenta prints were made of each ink and the prints were
evaluated for color loss after exposure to a 2500-W xenon arc lamp
in an Atlas Fade-Ometer (Atlas Electric Devices Co., Chicago, Ill.)
per ASTM G-26. The .DELTA.E values were measured on an ACS.RTM.
colorimeter (from Applied Color Systems Inc.) in accordance with
the measuring methods stipulated in ASTM 1E805 (Standard Practice
of Instrumental Methods of Color or Color Difference Measurements
of Materials) using the appropriate calibration standards supplied
by the instrument manufacturer. For purposes of verifying and
quantifying the overall colorimetric performance of the inks,
measurement data were reduced, via tristimulus integration,
following ASTM E308 (Standard Method for Computing the Colors of
Objects using the CIE System) in order to calculate the 1976 CIE L*
(Lightness), a* (redness-greenness), and b* (yellowness-blueness)
CIELAB values for each phase change ink sample. Color differences
were determined following ASTM D2244-89 (Standard Test Method for
Calculation of Color Differences From instrumentally Measured Color
Coordinates) .DELTA.E=[(L*.sub.1-L*.sub.2).-
sup.2+(a*.sub.1-a*.sub.2).sup.2+(b*.sub.1-b*.sup.2).sup.2].sup.1/2.
The table below shows the values of .DELTA.E indicating the change
in color values:
2 Ink 1 Ink 2 .DELTA.E 38 22
[0051] As the data indicate, the ink containing the antioxidant
according to the present invention exhibited substantially improved
lightfastness compared to the ink containing no UV absorber.
EXAMPLE III
[0052] The process of Example II is repeated except that
2-hydroxy-4-n-stearyloxybenzophenone prepared as described in
Example I is substituted for the 2-hydroxy-4-n-octoxybenzophenone.
It is believed that similar results will be observed.
EXAMPLE IV
[0053] A phase change ink according to the present invention is
prepared as follows. A solid ink carrier composition is prepared as
described in Example 13 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,780,528, the disclosure
of which is totally incorporated herein by reference. To this
composition is added about 3.5 weight percent of Solvent Red 49 dye
(a rhodamine dye obtained from BASF, Germany) along with about 3
weight percent of 2-hydroxy-4-n-octoxybenzoph- enone ("HOOB",
available as MARK 1413 from the Argus Division of Witco Corp.) and
0.75 weight percent of dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid (BioSoft
S-101, obtained from Stepan Company, Northfield, Ill.). After
stirring for about 3 additional hours, the magenta ink thus formed
is filtered through a heated MOTT.RTM. apparatus (obtained from
Mott Metallurgical) using #3 Whatman filter paper and a pressure of
about 15 pounds per square inch. The filtered phase change ink is
poured into molds and is allowed to solidify to form ink
sticks.
EXAMPLE V
[0054] The process of Example IV is repeated except that
2-hydroxy-4-n-stearyloxybenzophenone prepared as described in
Example I is substituted for the 2-hydroxy-4-n-octoxybenzophenone.
It is believed that similar results will be observed.
[0055] Other embodiments and modifications of the present invention
may occur to those of ordinary skill in the art subsequent to a
review of the information presented herein; these embodiments and
modifications, as well as equivalents thereof, are also included
within the scope of this invention.
[0056] The recited order of processing elements or sequences, or
the use of numbers, letters, or other designations therefor, is not
intended to limit a claimed process to any order except as
specified in the claim itself.
* * * * *