Eastman-kodak Company

The Procter Gamble Company

Other

Wayne Cook

Allan Francis Sowinski

Douglas E Bugner

Michael Joseph Piatt

James Alan Katerberg

Terry Anthony Wozniak

Clarissa Maldonado

Hwei-Ling Yau

Barbara Boland Lussier

Alexandra DiLauro Bermel

James D McCann

Mihaela L Madaras

Jeremiah D Allen

Joel D Coomer

Wayne Gerhardt

Absorbent articles having components bearing graphics printed using particular inkjet ink compositions and fluid sets are disclosed. The aqueous inkjet ink compositions may include a composition consisting of one or more compounds represented by the following Structure I:HO&#x2014;CH2-CH2-R&#x2003;&#x2003; (I)wherein R may be a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted phenoxy group. Printed regions of components of the articles may bear deposits of dried ink including constituents of the disclosed compositions, that include the one or more Structure I compound(s). The presence of the Structure I compounds in the printed regions may have an effect of inhibiting bacterial growth thereon.

Absorbent article with graphics printed in preservative-free ink, and methods of manufacture thereof

Aqueous particle-free fluids can be used in inkjet printing methods including continuous inkjet printing processes. Each of these fluids has a dynamic viscosity of less than or equal to 5 centipoise (5 mPa-sec) at 25&#xb0; C., and each consists essentially of: a composition consisting of one or more compounds represented by the following Structure (I):HO&#x2014;CH&#x2014;CH&#x2014;R&#x2003;&#x2003; (I)wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted phenoxy group, in a total amount of at least 0.5 weight % and up to and including 2 weight %, based on the total weight of the aqueous inkjet ink composition. Such aqueous particle-free fluids can be used as replenishment or printhead maintenance fluids. Two or more of such aqueous particle-free fluids can be packaged, sold, and use as part of fluid sets.

Aqueous fluid sets for inkjet printing methods

Aqueous inkjet ink compositions are useful in inkjet printing processes and can be used individually or as part of an inkjet ink set. Each aqueous inkjet ink composition has a dynamic viscosity of 5 centipoise (5 mPa-sec) or less at 25&#xb0; C., and consists essentially of: (a) a polymer-dispersed pigment colorant at 0.9-6 weight %; (b) a composition consisting of compounds represented by the following Structure (I):HO&#x2014;CH&#x2014;CH&#x2014;R&#x2003;&#x2003; (I)wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted phenoxy group, at 0.5-2 weight %; (c) a water-soluble humectant, co-solvent, or both, at than or equal to 20 weight %. Each polymer-dispersed pigment colorant has a 50percentile particle diameter of less than 70 nm and a 95percentile particle diameter of less than 150 nm, as measured using a dynamic light scattering particle size analyzer.

Aqueous inkjet ink and ink sets

Absorbent articles having components bearing graphics printed using particular inkjet ink compositions and fluid sets are disclosed. The aqueous inkjet ink compositions may have a dynamic viscosity &#x2264;5 centipoise (5 mPa-sec) at 25&#xb0; C., and include: (a) a polymer-dispersed pigment colorant at 0.9-6 weight %; (b) a composition consisting of one or more compounds represented by the following Structure (I):HO&#x2014;CH&#x2014;CH&#x2014;R&#x2003;&#x2003;(I)wherein R may be a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted phenoxy group, at 0.5-2 weight %; and (c) a water-soluble humectant, co-solvents, or both, at 20 weight %. Each colorant may have a 50th percentile particle diameter &#x2264;70 nm and a 95th percentile particle diameter &#x2264;150 nm. Replenishment or maintenance fluids containing a Structure (I) compound may also be used. Methods for printing using the aqueous inkjet ink compositions and the fluid sets are also disclosed.

Aqueous particle-free fluids can be used in inkjet printing methods including continuous inkjet printing processes. Each of these fluids has a dynamic viscosity of less than or equal to 5 centipoise (5 mPa-sec) at 25&#xb0; C., and each consists essentially of: a composition consisting of one or more compounds represented by the following Structure (I):HO&#x2014;CH&#x2014;CH&#x2014;R&#x2003;&#x2003; (I)wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted phenoxy group, in a total amount of at least 0.5 weight % and up to and including 2 weight %, based on the total weight of the aqueous inkjet ink composition. Such aqueous particle-free fluids can be used as replenishment or printhead maintenance fluids.

Substrates can be inkjet printed using an aqueous inkjet ink composition having a dynamic viscosity of 5 centipoise (5 mPa-sec) or less at 25&#xb0; C., and consisting essentially of: (a) a polymer-dispersed pigment colorant at 0.9-6 weight %; (b) a composition consisting of one or more compounds represented by the following Structure (I):HO&#x2014;CH&#x2014;CH&#x2014;R&#x2003;&#x2003;(I)wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted phenoxy group, at 0.5-2 weight %; and (c) a water-soluble humectant, co-solvents, or both, at 20 weight %. Each polymer-dispersed pigment colorant has a 50percentile particle diameter of less than 70 nm and a 95percentile particle diameter of less than 150 nm, measured using a dynamic light scattering particle size analyzer. Replenishment or maintenance fluids containing a Structure (I) compound can also be used during the inkjet printing process.

Methods of inkjet printing

An aqueous particle-free inkjet ink composition has a pH of 7 to 9, and consists essentially of: (A) water-soluble dye colorants present in a total amount of 2-10 weight %, (B) a water-soluble polymer present in an amount of 1-4 weight %, and an aqueous medium consisting essentially of water. The water-soluble polymer has an acid number &#x2265;130 and a molecular weight of 5,000 to 20,000. It comprises: (a) 55-80 mol % of recurring units derived from ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable monomers selected from substituted or unsubstituted styrenes, (meth)acrylates, and combinations thereof, each (meth)acrylate comprising either a pendant phenyl group or an alkyl ester group having 12 to 20 carbon atoms; and (b) 20-35 mol % of recurring units comprising (meth)acrylic acid, all based on total water-soluble polymer recurring units. The one or more water-soluble dye colorants are chosen singly or collectively to provide a hue other than black.

Aqueous particle-free color inkjet ink composition

An aqueous particle-free inkjet ink composition has a pH of 7 to 9, and consists essentially of: (A) a water-soluble dye colorant present in an amount of 2-10 weight %, (B) a water-soluble polymer present in an amount of 1-4 weight %, and an aqueous medium consisting essentially of water. The water-soluble polymer has an acid number or at least 130 and a molecular weight of 5,000 to 20,000. It comprises: (a) 55-80 mol % of recurring units derived from one or more ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable monomers selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted styrenes, (meth)acrylates, and combinations thereof, each (meth)acrylate comprising either a pendant phenyl group or an alkyl ester group having 12 to 20 carbon atoms; and (b) 20-35 mol % of recurring units comprising (meth)acrylic acid, all based on total water-soluble polymer recurring units.

Aqueous particle-free inkjet ink composition

A method is useful for providing an ink jetted image with improved print optical density. The method includes use of an aqueous particle-free inkjet ink composition that consists essentially of: aqueous particle-free inkjet ink composition has a pH of 7 to 9, and consists essentially of: (A) a water-soluble dye colorant at 2-10 weight %, (B) a water-soluble polymer at 1-4 weight %, and an aqueous medium consisting essentially of water. The water-soluble polymer has an acid number or at least 130 and a molecular weight of 5,000-20,000. It comprises: (a) 55-80 mol % of recurring units derived from one or more ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable monomers selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted styrenes, (meth)acrylates, and combinations thereof, each (meth)acrylate comprising either a pendant phenyl group or an alkyl ester group having 12-20 carbon atoms; and (b) 20-35 mol % of recurring units comprising (meth)acrylic acid.

Method of aqueous inkjet ink printing

A method for printing an image with authentication features, including: printing a media treatment material onto a print medium in accordance with a pattern of predefined authentication features, and printing one or more visible printing materials onto the print medium in accordance with an image pattern, thereby providing a printed visible image. The media treatment material alters an interaction between the visible printing materials and the print medium so that characteristics of the interaction, such as printing material penetration characteristics, are different in image regions where the media treatment material was printed than in image regions where the media treatment material was not printed. The difference in the characteristics of the interaction between the one or more visible printing materials and the print medium causes the pattern of authentication features to be detectable.

Image authentication using material penetration characteristics

A method for printing an image with authentication features, including: printing a media treatment material onto a print medium in accordance with a pattern of predefined authentication features, and printing one or more visible printing materials onto the print medium in accordance with an image pattern, thereby providing a printed visible image. The media treatment material alters lateral spreading characteristics of the visible printing materials within the print medium, so that the lateral spreading characteristics are different in image regions where the media treatment material was printed than in image regions where the media treatment material was not printed. The difference in the lateral spreading characteristics causes the pattern of authentication features to be detectable.

Image authentication using lateral spreading characteristics

A method of continuous inkjet printing by using a printing fluid comprising water, a soluble or dispersed polymeric component, and less than a total of 10 wt % of low-volatile water soluble humectant having a boiling point of greater than 170C; ejecting spaced droplets from a printhead and controlling the spaced droplets to mark a substrate; stopping delivery of the printing fluid to the printhead; and then delivering the maintenance fluid from the maintenance fluid supply to the printhead to purge the printing fluid from the printhead, with the maintenance fluid comprising water and at least 5 wt % low-volatile water soluble humectant having a boiling point of greater than 170C, wherein the concentration of low-volatile water soluble humectant in the maintenance fluid is greater than that in the printing fluid to purge the printing fluid from the printhead.

Printing fluids including a humectant

A continuous ink jet printer aqueous ink composition including pigment particles dispersed with a dispersant or self dispersing pigment particles without the need for a dispersant, and a polymer additive distinct from any dispersant used to disperse the pigment particles, wherein the polymer additive comprises a styrene-acrylic copolymer that does not substantially displace any dispersant used to disperse the pigment, present in an amount effective to stabilize the ink composition against shear induced agglomeration caused by pumping the ink composition through a continuous ink jet printing fluid system. A method of continuous ink jet printing includes A) providing a main fluid supply of a continuous inkjet printer with an aqueous ink composition of the invention; B) pumping the ink composition from the main fluid supply to a print head and ejecting a continuous stream of the ink composition from the print head which continuous stream is broken into spaced droplets; and C) in response to electrical signals received from a control mechanism, controlling the spaced droplets to select between printing droplets for marking a substrate and nonprinting droplets that are collected and returned to the main fluid supply.

Continuous inkjet printer aquous ink composition

The invention relates to continuous ink jet printing of an aqueous pigmented ink composition recycled from a main ink supply reservoir, employing a printer with a fluid delivery system capable of measuring the ink electrical resistivity, and providing needed quantities of either vehicle replenisher fluid or fresh ink to maintain the desired recycled ink concentration. The electrical resistivity of the pigmented ink can be modified advantageously for stable ink recycling by the addition of the organic amine salt of an acid, and the pH stability of the ink can be simultaneously improved by the additional inclusion of the neutral form of the organic amine in similar molar proportions to the amine salt. The pigmented ink jet ink compositions provide for particularly stable and invariant fluid properties during periods of extended printer operation and ink recirculation.

Growing community of inventors

Xenia, OH, United States of America

Wayne Cook