Waterfast dyes for ink jet recording fluids

Abstract: An ink jet ink composition comprises a liquid vehicle, a dye, and an N-hydroxyalkyl branched polyethyleneimine polymer or an N-hydroxyalkyl diphenylguanidine substituted at about 80% of the available nitrogens. The dye in this ink jet composition decreases the solubility of the ink and, therefore, can be used to formulate waterfast inks for ink jet printers.

Description: The present invention relates to aqueous liquid inks which are waterfast when applied and, more particularly, to synthesis of waterfast dyes which can be used in formulating permanent ink jet recording liquids. In continuous ink jet printing, ink is supplied under pressure to a manifold region that distributes the ink to a plurality of orifices, typically arranged in a linear array(s): The ink discharges from the orifices in filaments which break into droplet streams. The approach for printing with these droplet streams is to selectively charge and deflect certain drops from their normal trajectories. Graphic reproduction is accomplished by selectively charging and deflecting drops from the drop streams and depositing at least some of the drops on a print receiving medium while other of the drops strike a drop catcher device. The continuous stream ink jet printing process is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,255,754; 4,698,123 and 4,751,517. In the ink jet printing art, water soluble dyes are desirable for runnability. However, waterfast inks are highly desirable for producing permanent images. Decreasing the solubility of the dye increases the waterfastness, and vice versa. One means for improving waterfastness is to use polymers and resins in inks to enhance adhesion of the dye to substrates. However, presence of resins in inks adversely affects machine runnability due to formation of deposits on orifice plates and charge plate buildup. Ink jet ink compositions are known and generally contain water soluble dyes. In U.S. Patent No. 5,017,644, ink jet ink compositions are disclosed which contain linear N-hydroxyethyl substituted polyethyleneimine polymers. Although the '644 patent disclosed some experiments using branched polymers, in addition to the experiments using linear polymers, the '644 patent actually teaches away from using branched polymers. In the '644 patent, the experiments using branched polymers gave results which were inferior to those using linear polymers. Unfortunately, linear polymers is not even commercially available, since the normal polymerization product of ethylenimine has random side branches which upon ethoxylation gives branched N-hydroxyethyl polyethyleneimine. In U.S. Patent No. 5,223,028, a hydroxyethylated polyethyleneimine (EPEI) is employed as one of four essential ingredients. Polyethyleneimines decrease the solubility of the dye. Polyethyleneimines degrade the dye, since they reduce the azo-linkage, which is the chemical group responsible for the color of the ink. The use of hydroxyethyl polymer increases the solubility of the dye, relative to the use of the unethoxylated polymer. This, unfortunately, decreases the waterfastness of the ink. Primary amines used in the inks can chemically interact, in an adverse manner, with the dye. Ethoxylation eliminates the presence of primary amino groups in the polymer, and the '028 patent requires ethoxylation of at least 95%. Unfortunately, when ethoxylation approaches 95%, the dye becomes more soluble, which can decrease the desired waterfastness of the ink. With the greater solubility, the '028 patent teaches lowering the pH by adding an ammonium salt. The salt is a required ingredient in the ink of the '028 patent. In addition, the invention of the '028 patent is no longer a pure compound. Reaching the required ethoxylation of at least 95% increases the potential of a side reaction between ethylene oxide and the hydroxyethyl chains of the polymer, forming polyglycol ether by-products. This would further increase the solubility of the dye, as previously mentioned. EP-A-0168694 discloses water-resistant ink compositions comprising a liquid vehicle, a derivative of a dye and 1,3-diphenylguanidine which is hydoxyalkylated with an alkylene-1-oxide. JP-A-63063766 discloses water fast inks containing water soluble dyes and hydroxyalkylated guanidines such as N, N-di-β-hydroxyethyl-diethylguanidine. It is seen then that there is a need for improved waterfast dye for use in ink jet recording equipment. This need is met by the waterfast ink composition according to the present invention, which is comprised of an aqueous ink jet ink composition comprising a liquid vehicle, an acid dye or direct dye, and an N-hydroxyalkyl imine characterised in that the N-hydroxyalkyl imine is diphenylguanidine modified by hydroxyalkylation with epichlorohydrin or ethylene oxide, whereby said diphenylguanidine is substituted by hydroxyalkyl groups at 80 to 82 % of the available hydrogens and whereby said dye forms a corresponding guanidinium salt. The invention also provides a method of forming the aqueous ink of the invention comprising modifying an diphenylguanidine imine to give an hydroxyalkylated product, characterised in that, the diphenylguanidine is modified with epichlorohydrin or ethylene oxide, whereby the diphenylguanidine is substituted by hydroxyalkyl groups at 80 to 82 % of the available hydrogens, reacting the hydrogenated product with an acid or direct dye to form a corresponing guanidinium salt and using the modified dye to form a waterfast ink jet ink. The dye in this ink jet composition has lower solubility than unmodified dye and, therefore, can be used to formulate waterfast inks for ink jet printers. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims. Detailed Description of the Invention The ink jet ink composition of the present invention comprises a liquid vehicle, an acid or direct dye dye, and an N-hydroxyalkyl imine substituted at about 80% of the available hydrogens. The N-hydroxyalkyl imine is preferably selected from diphenylguanidine. In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, the diphenylguanidine could be epicholorohydrin modified (1-chloro 2,3 epoxypropane) to form the corresponding N-hydroxyalkyl derivative. The N-hydroxyalkyl is preferably selected from the group consisting of N-hydroxyethyl and N-hydroxypropyl. In a preferred embodiment, the polymer has a molecular weight range of approximately 40,000 to 60,000, and a preferred molecular weight of approximately 50,000. The liquid vehicle in the ink jet ink composition of the present invention comprises an amine, preferably alkyl-and alkanol-substituted amines such as dimethylethanolamine, triethanolamine, diethylethanolamine. Other additives that are optionally included in the vehicle of the invention include a corrosion inhibitor in an amount from 0 to 0.2 wt. % such as an alkanolamine; and a wetting agent of from 0 to 1 wt. %, such as an ethoxylated glycol ether; and a lower aliphatic alcohol having one hydroxy group and up to five carbon atoms in a straight or branched chain in an amount of 0 to 10 wt. %; and a biocide from 0 to 0.5 wt. % such as dehydroacetic acid. The ink may also include an optional defoamer such as phosphate esters, silicone or non-silicone defoamer or acetylenic diol. The dye in the ink jet ink composition of the present invention is water soluble and preferably selected from the group consisting of Direct Dyes and Acid Dyes. In general, the concentration of the dye should be between about 2% and 4% by weight. An ink made in accordance with the present invention may be manufactured as follows: PREPARATION OF INK Example I* Component Weight % Direct Black 19 dye 3 Triethanolamine 1 80% Hydroxyethyl Polyethyleneimine M. wt. 50,000 3 Surfynol 104 E Wetting Agent 0.5 1,2-Benzisothiazoline-3-one biocide 0.1 Denatured alcohol 5 Deionized water Balance When the ink composition was formulated as above in accordance with the present invention, the ink was used in a continuous ink jet printer, such as the type manufactured by Scitex Digital Printing, Inc., in Dayton, Ohio, to test its waterfastness. The prints generated using the ink formulated in accordance herewith retained nearly 100% of optical density, with no bleed after soaking in water for one minute. Example II* Component Weight % Direct Black 19 dye 3 Triethanolamine 1 80% Hydroxyethyl Polyethyleneimine M. wt. 50,000 1 Surfynol 104 E Wetting Agent 0.5 1,2-Benzisothiazoline-3-one biocide 0.1 Denatured alcohol 5 Deionized water Balance Even when only 1 wt. % of the polyethyleneimine polymer was used, in place of the 3 wt. %, the resulting print retained about 85% of the original optical density with only slight bleed. Example III In Exemple III an ink is prepared in accordance with the present invention, the polyethyleneimine polymer of Example I is replaced with an ethoxylated diphenylguanidine: Component Weight % Direct Black 19 dye 3 Triethanolamine 1 82% 3,3-bis-hydroxyethyl-1,1-diphenylguanidine 3 Surfynol 104 E Wetting Agent 0.5 1,2-Benzisothiazoline-3-one biocide 0.1 Denatured alcohol 5 Deionized water Balance Prints generated using the ink formulated in accordance with Example III had ink retention varying between 80% and 90% of optical density. As will be obvious to anyone skilled in the art, the ingredients in all three examples above are commercially available, except for the specific ingredient of 3,3-bis-hydroxyethyl-1,1-diphenylguanidine, although unethoxylated diphenylguanidine is commercially available. It is also understood and known in the art that waterfastness is dye specific, resulting in variations in the amount of waterfastness achieved. The ink composition of the present invention is particularly adaptable for incorporation into an ink jet printing apparatus for forming images by causing the ink to be expelled in droplets onto a substrate, thereby generating an image on the substrate. In accordance with the present invention, when acid and direct dyes are interacted with the hydroxyalkyl product of diphenylguanidine, as illustrated in Example III above, the corresponding guanidinium salt of dyes is formed. A diphenylguanidine of 1,1-dipnenylguanidine or 1,3-diphenylguanidine may be used to provide the desired hydroxyalkylated product. Of course, the reaction will be the same if branched polyethyleneimine polymer is used, as in Examples I and II above, instead of diphenylguanidine. It should be noted that diphenylguanidine is being used for purposes of discussion only. The modified dyes are used to formulate waterfast inks, in accordance with the present invention, particularly for use in ink-jet printers. According to the invention, acid and direct dyes which carry -COOH or SO 3 H groups are modified with hydroxyalkylated diphenylguanidine to form the guanidinium salt of the dyes. In addition to lowering the solubility of the modified dyes in water, the hydroxyethyl groups enhance the affinity of the dye to paper. The modified dyes will also have some solubility in alcohol which can allow addition of a small percentage of alcohol to aqueous inks to help improve drying time. In formulating the dye of the present invention, diphenylguanidine reacts with two molecules of ethylene oxide to give the corresponding dihydroxyethyl derivative, or with two molecules of epicholorohydrin (1-chloro 2,3 epoxypropane) to give the corresponding dihydroxypropyl guanidine. These compounds react with a dye which has sulfonic and/or carboxylic groups to form the corresponding guanidinium salt. The guanidinium salt dye, then, is used to formulate waterfast ink jet ink. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the modified dyes are formulated for use in ink jet printers. Acid and direct dyes are interacted with a hydroxyalkyl product of diphenylguanidine to produce hydroxyalkylated diphenylguanidine modified dyes. The acid and direct dyes may carry -COOH groups or SO 3 H groups. A corresponding guanidinium salt of dyes is formed from the interaction. The modified dyes are then used to formulate waterfast inks for ink-jet printers. The hydroxyalkyl diphenylguanidinium compounds lower the solubility of the modified dyes in water and the hydroxyalkyl groups enhance the affinity of dye to paper, making the modified dyes adaptable for use in ink jet printers. Since the modified dyes may have some solubility in alcohol, a small percentage of alcohol can be added to aqueous inks to improve drying time. In accordance with the present invention, an ink jet ink composition comprises a liquid vehicle, a dye, and a branched N-hydroxyalkyl polyethyleneimine polymer or N-hydroxyalkyl diphenylguanidine substituted at about 80% of the available nitrogens. The dye in this ink jet composition decreases the solubility of the ink and, therefore, can be used to formulate waterfast inks for ink jet printers. Industrial Applicability and Advantages The present invention is useful in the field of ink jet printing, and has the advantage of formulating a modified dye for use in ink jet printing ink which has decreased solubility and increased waterfastness.

Claims: An aqueous ink jet ink composition comprising a liquid vehicle, an acid dye or direct dye, and an N-hydroxyalkyl imine characterised in that the N-hydroxyalkyl imine is diphenylguanidine modified by hydroxyalkylation with epichlorohydrin or ethylene oxide, whereby said diphenylguanidine is substituted by hydroxyalkyl groups at 80 to 82 % of the available hydrogens and whereby said dye forms a corresponding guanidinium salt. An ink jet ink composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the N-hydroxyalkyl imine consists of 3,3-bis-hydroxyethyl-1,1-diphenylguanidine, substituted at 82% of the available hydrogens. An ink jet ink composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the N-hydroxyalkyl imine is present in an amount of from 1 to 3 percent by weight. An ink jet ink composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the dye is water soluble. An ink jet composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the liquid vehicle is selected from the group consisting of a wetting agent, a biocide, denatured alcohol, deionized water, a corrosion inhibitor, and mixtures thereof. An ink jet composition as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a defoamer. A method of formulating an aqueous ink jet ink composition as claimed in claim 1 comprising, modifying an diphenylguanidine imine to give an hydroxyalkylated product, characterised in that , the diphenylguanidine is modified with epichlorohydrin or ethylene oxide, whereby the diphenylguanidine is substituted by hydroxyalkyl groups at 80 to 82 % of the available hydrogens, reacting the hydroxyalkylated product with an acid dye or direct dye, and using the modified dye to form a waterfast ink jet ink. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein one molecule of diphenylgtianidine reacts with two molecules of epichlorohydrin to form a corresponding dihydroxypropyl guanidine derivative. A method as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the dye comprises direct dyes and the acid and direct dyes carry -COOH groups. A method as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the dye comprises direct dyes and the acid and direct dyes carry -SO 3 H groups. A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein one molecule of diphenylguanidine reacts with two molecules of ethylene oxide to form a corresponding dihydroxyethyl derivative. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said dihydroxyethyl derivative reacts with said dye which has sulfonic or carboxylic groups so as to form a corresponding salt. A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the diphenylguanidine reacts with said dye which has sulfonic or [and] carboxylic groups to form a corresponding guanidinium salt. A method as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 13, wherein the diphenylguanidine comprises 1,1-diphenylguanidine or 1,3-diphenylguanidine. Use of a hydroxyalkylated N-hydroxyalkyl imine in an aqueous ink jet ink composition as claimed in claim 1.

Inventors: BOTROS RAOUF, CHAVAN SUNITA P, BOTROS, RAOUF, CHAVAN, SUNITA P., BOTROS, RAOUF C/O SCITEX DIGITAL PRINTING, INC, CHAVAN, SUNITA P., C/O SCITEX DIGITAL PRINTING,INC
Applicants: SCITEX DIGITAL PRINTING INC, SCITEX DIGITAL PRINTING, INC.
Application year: 1995
Main classification: C09D11
IPC codes: B41M5, C09D11, B41J2, C09B69