Granted Patent B2

US 9,279,061 · App. 13/611,264 · Granted Mar 8, 2016

Abstract

Claims (34)

1. A phase change ink comprising:

(a) an ink carrier comprising a compostable paraffin or polymethylene wax; and

(b) a colorant, wherein the colorant is a pigment; and

wherein the ink exhibits a Z-average particle size of no more than about 250 nm.

2. An ink according to claim 1 wherein the compostable wax is a paraffin wax.

3. An ink according to claim 1 wherein the compostable wax is a polymethylene wax.

4. An ink according to claim 1 wherein the compostable wax has a median number of carbon atoms of from about 20 to about 38.

5. An ink according to claim 1 wherein the compostable wax has a peak melting point of from about 46 to about 72° C.

6. An ink according to claim 1 wherein the compostable wax decomposes in no more than about 12 weeks under the composting conditions of ASTM D6400-04.

7. An ink according to claim 1 wherein the compostable wax is present in the ink in an amount of from about 20 to about 80% by weight of the ink.

8. An ink according to claim 1 wherein the ink carrier further comprises an amide.

9. An ink according to claim 1 wherein the ink carrier further comprises a urethane resin.

10. An ink according to claim 1 wherein the ink exhibits a change in Z-average particle size of no more than about 2% per day when subjected to a temperature of about 120° C. for a period of about 7 days.

11. An ink according to claim 1 wherein the colorant is a dye.

12. An ink according to claim 1 having a viscosity of from about 7 to about 20 cP at about 110° C.

13. A phase change ink comprising:

(a) an ink carrier comprising:

(i) a compostable paraffin or polymethylene wax;

(ii) an amide which is a tetra-amide or a branched triamide;

(iii) a monoamide; and

(iv) a urethane resin; and

(b) a colorant;

wherein the compostable wax has median number of carbon atoms of from about 24 to about 36.

14. An ink according to claim 13 wherein the colorant is a pigment and wherein the ink exhibits a change in Z-average particle size of no more than about 2% per day when subjected to a temperature of about 120° C. for a period of about 7 days.

15. A phase change ink comprising:

(a) an ink carrier comprising:

(i) a compostable paraffin or polymethylene wax;

(ii) an amide which is a tetra-amide or a branched triamide;

(iii) a monoamide; and

(iv) a urethane resin; and

(b) a colorant;

wherein the compostable wax decomposes in no more than about 13 weeks under the composting conditions of ASTM D6400-04.

16. An ink according to claim 15 :

wherein the ink exhibits a change in Z-average particle size of no more than about 2% per day when subjected to a temperature of about 120° C. for a period of about 7 days.

Assignments (10)