IP Library › Patent Application 11364095
Patent Application
App. No. 11/364,095

Water-immersion indicator indicia and articles bearing such indicia

Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
11/364,095
Abstract

There are described articles bearing indicia applied with an ink composition which comprises two or more color-changing or color-forming components which combine, or become diluted, upon exposure to water for a sufficient period of time to cause a change in the appearance of the indicia. Also described are printing ink compositions for forming such indicia and methods for forming such articles.

Claims (18)

1 . An indicia-bearing article, said indicia comprising an ink composition comprising two or more color-forming components which cause a change in the appearance of the indicia upon exposure to water for a sufficient period of time, wherein one of said color-forming components is an acid-sensitive leuco dye and the other of said components is an acid developer, and wherein said indicia are initially colored.

2 . The article according to claim 1 which is a golf ball.

3 . (canceled)

4 . The article according to claim 2 wherein said indicia change to another color upon exposure to water for a sufficient period of time.

5 . (canceled)

6 . The article as defined in claim 2 wherein said indicia become colorless or substantially colorless upon exposure to water for a sufficient period of time.

7 . (canceled)

8 . (canceled)

9 . (canceled)

10 . (canceled)

11 . A method for forming an indicia-bearing article comprising imprinting on an article indicia comprising an ink composition comprising two or more color-forming components which cause a change in the appearance of the indicia upon exposure to water for a sufficient period of time, wherein one of said color-forming components is an acid-sensitive leuco dye and the other of said components is an acid developer, and wherein said indicia are initially colored.

12 . The method as defined in claim 11 wherein said ink composition comprises said two or more components in an organic solvent.

13 . The method as defined in claim 12 wherein said ink composition further includes a binder material.

14 . The method as defined in claim 11 wherein said article is a golf ball.

15 . (canceled)

16 . The method as defined in claim 14 wherein said indicia change to another color upon exposure to water for a sufficient period of time.

17 . The method as defined in claim 14 wherein said indicia become substantially colorless or colorless upon exposure to water for a sufficient period of time.

18 - 28 . (canceled)