Patent ID: 6641650
Filing Date: 2003-11-04
Classification: C09D

Abstract:
A stable viscous gelled printing ink composition for use in printing presses, ink jet printers, and bubble jet printers, comprising a mixture of:water; from about 0.01% to about 10% by weight of a cross-linked polyacrylic acid gelling agent to significantly lower the pH of the mixture; from about 0.001% to about 5% by weight of ethylene diaminetetraacetic acid as a chelating agent to bind excess ions in the mixture; from about 5.0% to about 50% by weight of a colorant selected from the group consisting of organic dyes and pigments, and inorganic dyes and pigments to produce a uniform color; at least one property enhancing additive evenly dispersed into the mixture in an amount sufficient to enhance the properties of the ink composition; and from about 0.002% to about 3% by weight of an alkaline electrolyte viscosity increasing agent selected from the group consisting of triethanolamine, a mixture of sodium hydroxide and water, and a dilute mixture of an amine component to raise the pH of the mixture and form the mixture into a smooth homogeneous stable gel printing ink with a viscosity level having the consistency of a custard or jelly; wherein said gelled printing ink composition does not require shaking stirring or mixing prior to use, is fast drying on paper, and does not dry in a printing press, in storage containers, or in ink jet or bubble jet injector nozzles.