The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 15, 1994
Filed:
Nov. 12, 1993
Richard Crystal, Los altos, CA (US);
Raymond Geffre, Fort Fairfield, ME (US);
Graphic Utilities, Incorporated, Waltham, MA (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides improved dye based ink solutions for use in ink jet printing. In one embodiment of the invention, an aqueous ink with improved water solubility and waterfastness is provided that includes a dye component and a hydroxyethylated polyethylene imine polymer, wherein the hydroxyethylated polyethylene imine polymer has incorporated therein approximately 10 to 55 percent hydroxyethyl groups by weight. Alternative embodiments of the invention include the use of hydroxypropylated polyethylene imine polymers or epichlorohydrin-modified polyethylene imine polymers. In addition, aprotic solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide and tetramethylene sulfone may be added to improve the solubility and stability of the dye solution, and humectants such as 2-pyrrolidone may be added. According to the methods of the invention, an ink with improved stability, jetting characteristics, solubility and waterfastness may be provided.