Improved ink compositions for ink jet printing

Abstract: Disclosed is an ink composition for ink jet printing which comprises an aqueous liquid vehicle, a colorant, and a polymer of the formula wherein m, n, x, and y are each integers representing the number of repeat monomer units, and wherein the ratio of x:y is from about 10:90 to about 90:10.

Description: The present invention is concerned with the field of ink jet printing technology. More specifically, the present invention is directed to an ink composition containing specific components for reducing stitch mottle, wet smear or edge raggedness in ink jet printing. Ink jet printing frequency is performed with a printhead which has a width less than that of the substrate to be printed. The printhead typically traverses across the substrate in a processing direction to print a swath, and the substrate is then advanced in a direction perpendicular or transverse to the processing direction, enabling the printhead to traverse the substrate again and print another swath adjacent to the already-printed swath. Stitch mottle is a phenomenon observed in ink jet printing when nonuniform unprinted areas (appearing, for example, white when printing on white paper) occur where the swaths meet during the printing process. During the printing process, the ink appears to "pull back" from the stitch/swath edges or lines before the ink dries, resulting in nonuniform images and image defects, especially in solid image areas, which appear as unprinted (white, for example, on white paper) lines running across the image in a direction parallel to the swath. The problem is particularly prominent when pigment colorants are employed in the ink. Another problem often encountered in ink jet printing processes is wet smear. Wet smear occurs when an image exhibits smearing when subjected to the action of a wet, dynamic, abrasive physical contact, such as a wetted thumb dragged across the image, a felt tipped marker dragged across the image, or the like. Yet another problem often encountered in ink jet printing processes is edge raggedness (mid frequency line edge noise, referred to as MFLEN) of the printed image on the substrate, especially when the substrate is plain paper. Accordingly, while known compositions and processes are suitable for their intended purposes, a need remains for improved ink compositions. In addition, a need remains for ink compositions which exhibit reduced stitch mottle when used in ink jet printing processes. Further, a need remains for ink compositions containing pigment colorants which exhibit reduced stitch mottle when used in ink jet printing processes. Additionally, a need remains for ink compositions which exhibit reduced wet smear when applied to a substrate to form an image. There is also a need for ink compositions which exhibit reduced wet smear when used in ink jet printing processes. In addition, there is a need for ink compositions containing pigment colorants which exhibit reduced smear when used in ink jet printing processes. Further, there is a need for ink compositions which exhibit reduced edge raggedness (MFLEN) when used in ink jet printing processes. The present invention is directed to an ink composition which comprises an aqueous liquid vehicle, a colorant, a polymer of the formula (1) wherein m, n, x, and y are each integers representing the number of repeat monomer units, wherein the ratio of x:y is from 10:90 to 90:10, and wherein the polymer is present in the ink composition in an amount of from 0.2 to 3 percent by weight of the ink composition, and a polymeric additive of the formula (2) wherein R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl groups with from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and alkoxy groups with from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, R 3 and R 4 are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups with from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and x and y are each independently a number of from 100 to 400. Preferred embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the subclaims. The inks of the present invention contain an aqueous liquid vehicle. The liquid vehicle can consist solely of water, or it can comprise a mixture of water and a water soluble or water miscible organic component, such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycols, glycerine, dipropylene glycols, polyethylene glycols, polypropylene glycols, amides, ethers, urea, substituted ureas, ethers, carboxylic acids and their salts, esters, alcohols, organosulfides, organosulfoxides, sulfones (such as sulfolane), alcohol derivatives, carbitol, butyl carbitol, cellusolve, tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether, ether derivatives, amino alcohols, ketones, N-methylpyrrolidinone, 2-pyrrolidinone, cyclohexylpyrrolidone, hydroxyethers, amides, sulfoxides, lactones, polyelectrolytes, methyl sulfonylethanol, imidazole, betaine, and other water soluble or water miscible materials, as well as mixtures thereof. The inks of the present invention also contain a colorant. The colorant can be either a dye or a pigment. Any suitable or desired dye can be employed in the ink, including anionic dyes, cationic dyes, nonionic dyes, zwitterionic dyes, and the like. The dye is present in the ink composition in any desired or effective amount, typically from 0.05 to 15 percent by weight of the ink, preferably from 0.1 to 10 percent by weight of the ink, and more preferably from 1 to 5 percent by weight of the ink, although the amount can be outside of these ranges. Examples of suitable pigments for the inks of the present invention include various carbon blacks such as channel black, furnace black, lamp black, and the like. Colored pigments include red, green, blue, brown, magenta, cyan, and yellow particles, as well as mixtures thereof. Preferably, the pigment particle size is as small as possible to enable a stable colloidal suspension of the particles in the liquid vehicle and to prevent clogging of the ink channels when the ink is used in a thermal ink jet printer. Preferred particle average diameters are generally from 0.001 to 5 µm (micron), and more preferably from 0.1 to 1 µm (micron), although the particle size can be outside these ranges. Within the ink compositions of the present invention, the pigment is present in any effective amount to achieve the desired degree of coloration. Typically, the pigment is present in an amount of from 0.1 to 8 percent by weight of the ink, and preferably from 2 to 7 percent by weight of the ink, although the amount can be outside these ranges. In one embodiment, the pigment particles are present in combination with a resin emulsion, wherein the resin emulsion acts as a binding agent for the pigment particles. The resin emulsion typically comprises resin particles and solubilized resin derived from the polymerization in water of an olefinic acid, such as acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, and an olefinic acrylate or methacrylate, such as methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, ethyl acrylate, ethyl methacrylate, propyl acrylate, propyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate, butyl methacrylate, pentyl acrylate, pentyl methacrylate, hexyl acrylate, hexyl methacrylate, heptyl acrylate, heptyl methacrylate, octyl acrylate, octyl methacrylate, nonyl acrylate, nonyl methacrylate, decyl acrylate, decyl methacrylate, lauryl acrylate, lauryl methacrylate, stearyl acrylate, stearyl methacrylate, dodecyl acrylate, dodecyl methacrylate, benzyl acrylate, benzyl methacrylate, polyethyleneglycol acrylate, polyethyleneglycol methacrylate, polyoxyalkylene acrylate, polyoxyalkylene methacrylate, or the like. Typical polyoxyalkylene acrylates and methacrylates include those of the general formula wherein R is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, typically with from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and n is a number representing the number of repeat monomer units, typically being from 2 to 100. The resin typically has a number average molecular weight of from 1,000 to 15,000 grams per mole and a weight average molecular weight of from 1,500 to 40,000, although the molecular weight values can be outside of these ranges. The resin particles typically have an average particle diameter of from 30 to 300 nanometers, although the average particle diameter can be outside of this range. The resin emulsion typically comprises from 60 to 99 percent by weight resin particles and from 1 to 40 percent by weight solubilized resin, and preferably comprises from 90 to 97 percent by weight resin particles and from 3 to 10 percent by weight solubilized resin, although the relative amounts can be outside of these ranges. Both the resin particles and the solubilized resin can be generated from a free radical type process in water, wherein one of the monomers is water soluble, such as an acrylic acid or a methacrylic acid, and the other monomer(s) exhibit low solubility in water (for example, from 0.05 to 2 percent by weight soluble in water), such as an alkyl acrylate or an alkyl methacrylate or a polyoxyalkylene(meth)acrylate. The free radical initiator is generally an emulsion type initiator, such as a persulfate, like potassium or ammonium persulfate. Chain transfer agents can be used to adjust the molecular weight of the resin and to adjust the resin particle to solubilized resin ratio. Suitable chain transfer agents include alkylthiols, such as dodecanethiol, halogenated hydrocarbons, such as carbon tetrabromide, or, preferably, a combination of an alkylthiol and a halogenated hydrocarbon. Surfactants can also be incorporated into the resin emulsion, including anionic, cationic, and nonionic surfactants. Examples of suitable surfactants include sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, polyethylene oxide, polyethylene oxide nonyl phenyl ether, tetraalkyl ammonium chloride, sodium naphthalene sulfonate, and the like, typically present in an amount of from 0.005 to 20 weight percent of the resin, and preferably from 0.1 to 5 percent by weight of the resin, although the amount can be outside of these ranges. Generally, the olefinic acidic monomer comprises from 5 to 20 parts by weight of the resins, the olefinic alkyl(meth)acrylate comprises from 40 to 60 parts by weight of the resins, and the polyethyleneglycol methacrylate, or, more generally, a low molecular weight polyethylene glycol capped with a methacrylate or acrylate, comprises from 0 to 20 parts by weight of the resins. Although both the resin particles and the solubilized resin are derived from the same monomers, the monomer content may be different in the resin particles as compared to the solubilized resin; more specifically, the solubilized resin may contain a higher content of acidic monomer than the resin particles. Further information regarding resin emulsions suitable for dispersing or binding pigment colorants is disclosed in, for example, U.S. Patent 5,766,818. The inks of the present invention also contain a polymer of the formula (1) wherein m, n, x, and y are each integers representing the number of repeat monomer units. The value of x typically ranges from 8 to 60, preferably from 10 to 50, and more preferably from 12 to 45, although the value of x can be outside of these ranges. The value of y typically ranges from 2 to 20, preferably from 3 to 18, and more preferably from 5 to 16, although the value of can be outside of these ranges. The ratio of x:y typically is from 10:90 to 90:10, preferably from 12:88 to 80:20, and more preferably from 14:86 to 75:25, although the ratio can be outside of these ranges. The value of n typically ranges from 3 to 60, preferably from 4 to 40, and more preferably from 5 to 30, although the value of n can be outside of these ranges. The value of m typically ranges from 10 to 98, preferably from 15 to 70, and more preferably from 20 to 50, although the value of m can be outside of these ranges. The ratio of n:m typically is from 2:98 to 10:90, preferably from 3:97 to 15:85, and more preferably from 5:95 to 20:80, although the ratio can be outside of these ranges. The values of x, y, n, and m are such that the polymer typically has a weight average molecular weight of from 1,200 to 60,000, preferably from 3,000 to 55,000, and more preferably from 6,000 to 50,000, although the molecular weight can be outside of these ranges. Polymers of the above formula are commercially available as, for example, TEGOPREN® 5883 and 5884, available from Goldschmidt Chemical Corp., Hopewell, VA, of the above formula wherein the ratio of ethylene oxide to propylene oxide repeat groups by weight is about 77:23, the ratio of n:m is about 1:6, and the weight average molecular weight is about 50,000, as well as other members of the TEGOPREN® family, such as 5851, 5863, 5852, 5857, and the like, as well as some members of the SILWET® family, available from Witco Corp., Greenwich, CT, such as L-7210, L-7220, L-7230, L-7002, L-7500, L-7001, L-7200, L-7280, L-7087, and the like. The polymer is present in the ink in an amount of from 0.2 to 3 percent by weight of the ink, preferably from 0.3 to 2 percent by weight of the ink, and more preferably from 0.5 to 1.5 percent by weight of the ink. While not being limited to any particular theory, it is believed that the presence of the siloxane copolymer may help maintain pigment aggregates onto the print substrate, so less mobility of the pigment occurs, thereby reducing stitch mottle. In addition, it is believed that the siloxane copolymer coats the print substrate and helps to provide a barrier which prevents further migration of the pigment in the printed image, thereby reducing stitch mottle. With respect to wet smear, it is believed that pigment colorants in inks exhibit wet smear as a result of insufficient binding of the pigment particles to each other and to the print substrate; the presence of the siloxane copolymer is believed to aid in holding the pigment particles to the print substrate, thereby reducing wet smear. With respect to edge raggedness and MFLEN, it is believed that the presence of the siloxane copolymer, by aiding in holding the pigment particles to the print substrate, reduce penetration of the ink and feathering of the image. The inks of the present invention further contain a polymeric additive of the formula (2) wherein R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl groups with from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, and the like, and alkoxy groups with from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, such as methoxy, ethoxy, butoxy, and the like, R 3 and R 4 are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups with from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and x and y are each independently a number of from 100 to 400, and preferably from 100 to 200. Generally, the molecular weight of the polyalkylene oxide polymer is from 14,000 to 22,000, and preferably from 15,000 to 20,000, although the molecular weight can be outside this range. Materials of this formula are commercially available; for example, Carbowax M20, a polyethylene oxide/bisphenol-A polymer of the above formula with a molecular weight of about 18,000, available from Union Carbide Corporation, Danbury, CT, is a suitable polymeric additive for the inks of the present invention. In addition, compounds of the above formula can be prepared by the methods disclosed in Polyethers , N. G. Gaylord, John Wiley & Sons, New York (1963) and "Laboratory Synthesis of Polyethylene Glycol Derivatives," J. M. Harris, J. Molecular Science - Rev. Macromol. Chem. Phys ., C25(3), 325-373 (1985). The polyalkylene oxide additive is generally present in the ink in an amount of at least 1 part per million by weight of the ink. Typically, the polyalkylene oxide additive is present in amounts of up to 1 percent by weight of the ink, and preferably in amounts of up to 0.5 percent by weight of the ink; larger amounts of the additive may increase the viscosity of the ink beyond the desired level, but larger amounts can be used in applications wherein increased ink viscosity is not a problem. Inks containing these additives are disclosed in U.S. Patent 5,207,825. Other optional additives to the inks include biocides such as DOWICIL® 150, 200, and 75, benzoate salts, sorbate salts, PROXEL® GXL and BD20, available from Zeneca, PARADYME®, available from Zeneca, and the like, present in an amount of from 0.0001 to 4 percent by weight of the ink, and preferably from 0.01 to 2.0 percent by weight of the ink, pH controlling agents such as acids or, bases, phosphate salts, carboxylates salts, sulfite salts, amine salts, and the like, present in an amount of from 0 to 1 percent by weight of the ink and preferably from 0.01 to 1 percent by weight of the ink, or the like. The ink compositions are generally of a viscosity suitable for use in thermal ink jet printing processes. At room temperature (i.e., about 25°C), typically, the ink viscosity is no more than 10 mPa·s (centipoise), and preferably is from 1 to 5 mPa·s (centipoise), more preferably from 1 to 4 mPa·s (centipoise), although the viscosity can be outside this range. Ink compositions of the present invention can be of any suitable or desired pH. For some embodiments, such as thermal ink jet printing processes, typical pH values are from 3 to 11, preferably from 5 to 10, and more preferably from 6 to 8, although the pH can be outside of these ranges. Ink compositions suitable for ink jet printing can be prepared by any suitable process. Typically, the inks are prepared by simple mixing of the ingredients. One process entails mixing all of the ink ingredients together and filtering the mixture to obtain an ink. Inks can be prepared by mixing the ingredients, heating if desired, and filtering, followed by adding any desired additional additives to the mixture and mixing at room temperature with moderate shaking until a homogeneous mixture is obtained, typically from 5 to 10 minutes. Alternatively, the optional ink additives can be mixed with the other ink ingredients during the ink preparation process, which takes place according to any desired procedure, such as by mixing all the ingredients, heating if desired, and filtering. The ink composition of the present invention may by used in a process which entails incorporating the ink into an ink jet printing apparatus and causing droplets of the ink to be ejected in an imagewise pattern onto a recording sheet. In one preferred embodiment, the printing apparatus employs a thermal ink jet process wherein the ink in the nozzles is selectively heated in an imagewise pattern, thereby causing droplets of the ink to be ejected in imagewise pattern. In another preferred embodiment, the printing apparatus employs an acoustic ink jet process, wherein droplets of the ink are caused to be ejected in imagewise pattern by acoustic beams. Any suitable substrate or recording sheet can be employed, including plain papers such as Xerox® 4024 papers, Xerox® Image Series papers, Courtland 4024 DP paper, ruled notebook paper, bond paper, silica coated papers such as Sharp Company silica coated paper, JuJo paper, and the like, transparency materials, fabrics, textile products, plastics, polymeric films, inorganic substrates such as metals and wood, and the like. In a preferred embodiment, the process entails printing onto a porous or ink absorbent substrate, such as plain paper. Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail. All parts and percentages in the examples are by weight unless otherwise indicated. COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE A A black colored ink jet ink composition was prepared by mixing 22 percent by weight of sulfolane (obtained from BASF), 6 percent by weight of 2-pyrrolidinone (obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co.), 0.05 percent by weight of a polyethylene oxide/bisphenol A polymer of the formula with a molecular weight of 18,500 (obtained from Polysciences), and water. The ingredients were stirred for 5 to 10 minutes to obtain a homogeneous mixture. An acrylic resin emulsion comprising resins was derived from 23.6 percent by weight of methacrylic acid, 55.4 percent by weight of benzyl methacrylate, 21 percent by weight of polyethyleneglycol methacrylate (M w =246), 3 percent by weight of dodecanethiol, and 1 percent by weight of carbon tetrabromide. A one liter kettle equipped with a mechanical stirrer was charged with 240 grams of water, 1.8 grams of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (obtained from Rhone-Poulenc as Rhodacal Ds-10), and 2 grams of Triton X-100 (alkylphenoxypolyethanol, obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co.), and the mixture was stirred for 2 hours at about 100 rpm. To this solution were then added 1.8 grams of ammonium persulfate, followed by the addition of a mixture containing 28.3 grams of methacrylic acid, 66.5 grams of benzyl methacrylate, 25.2 grams of polyethyleneglycol methacrylate (M w =246), 3.6 grams of dodecanethiol, and 1.2 grams of carbon tetrabromide. The mixture was heated to 80°C for 6 hours. Thereafter, the resin emulsion was cooled to room temperature, and a sample (about 10 grams) was freeze dried and analyzed by GPC. The resin had a number average molecular weight of about 20,580 and a weight average molecular weight of about 8,193, with a polydispersity of 2.5. To the liquid vehicle mixture was added dropwise a solution containing about 1.48 percent solids equivalent of the acrylic resin emulsion, and the mixture was stirred for about 5 minutes. The resultant mixture was added to a solution containing 2.5 percent by weight Cabojet 300 carbon black colorant (obtained from Cabot Corporation). The ink mixture was stirred for 5 to 10 minutes and then filtered through a 1 µm (micron) glass fiber filter. COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE B A black colored ink jet ink composition was prepared by mixing 29.95 percent by weight of sulfolane (obtained from BASF), 6 percent by weight of 2-pyrrolidinone (obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co.), 0.05 percent by weight of a polyethylene oxide/bisphenol A polymer of the formula with a molecular weight of 18,500 (obtained from Polysciences), and water. The ingredients were stirred for 5 to 10 minutes to obtain a homogeneous mixture. An acrylic resin emulsion, prepared as described in Comparative Example A, about 1.48 percent solids equivalent, was added dropwise to the liquid vehicle mixture and stirred for about 5 minutes. The resultant mixture was added to a solution containing 3.34 percent by weight Cabojet 300 carbon black colorant (obtained from Cabot Corporation). The ink mixture was stirred for 5 to 10 minutes and then filtered through a 1 µm (micron) glass fiber filter. EXAMPLE I A black colored ink jet ink composition was prepared by mixing 22 percent by weight of sulfolane (obtained from BASF), 6 percent by weight of 2-pyrrolidinone (obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co.), 0.05 weight percent of a polyethylene oxide/bisphenol A polymer with a molecular weight of 18,500 (obtained from Polysciences), and water. The ingredients were stirred to obtain a homogeneous mixture for 5 to 10 minutes. One percent by weight of the polysiloxane-polyether copolymer Tegopren 5884 (obtained from Goldschmidt) was added to the mixture and stirred for about 10 minutes to obtain a homogeneous mixture. An acrylic resin emulsion, prepared as described in Comparative Example A, about 1.48 percent selids equivalent, was added dropwise to the liquid vehicle mixture and stirred for about 5 minutes. The resultant mixture was added to a solution containing 2.5 percent by weight Cabojet 300 carbon black colorant (Cabot Corporation). The ink mixture was stirred for 5 to 10 minutes and then filtered through a 1 µm (micron) glass fiber filter. EXAMPLE II A black colored ink jet ink composition was prepared by mixing 22 percent by weight of sulfolane (obtained from BASF), 6 percent by weight of 2-pyrrolidinone (obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co.), 0.05 percent by weight of a polyethylene oxide/bisphenol A polymer with a molecular weight of 18,500 (obtained from Polysciences), and water. The ingredients were stirred for 5 to 10 minutes to obtain a homogeneous mixture. One percent by weight of the polysiloxane-polyether copolymer Tegopren 5884 (obtained from Goldschmidt) was added to the mixture and stirred for about 10 minutes to obtain a homogeneous mixture. The resultant mixture was added to a solution containing 2.5 percent by weight Cabojet 300 carbon black colorant (obtained from Cabot Corporation). The ink mixture was stirred for 5 to 10 minutes and then filtered through a 1 µm (micron) glass fiber filter. EXAMPLE III A black colored ink jet ink composition was prepared by mixing 22 percent by weight of sulfolane (obtained from BASF), 6 percent by weight of 2-pyrrolidinone (obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co.), 0.05 weight percent of a polyethylene oxide/bisphenol A polymer with a molecular weight of 18,500 (obtained from Polysciences), and water. The ingredients were stirred for 5 to 10 minutes to obtain a homogeneous mixture. Thereafter, 0.54 percent by weight of the polysiloxane-polyether copolymer Tegopren 5884 (obtained from Goldschmidt) was added to the mixture and stirred for about 10 minutes to obtain a homogeneous mixture. An acrylic resin emulsion, prepared as described in Comparative Example A, about 0.50 percent solids equivalent, was added dropwise to the liquid vehicle mixture and stirred for about 5 minutes. The resultant mixture was added to a solution containing 2.65 weight percent Cabojet 300 carbon black colorant (obtained from Cabot Corporation). The ink mixture was stirred for 5 to 10 minutes and then filtered through a 1 µm (micron) glass fiber filter. EXAMPLE IV A black colored ink jet ink composition was prepared by mixing 29.95 percent by weight of sulfolane (obtained from BASF), 6 percent by weight of 2-pyrrolidinone (obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co.), 0.05 percent by weight of a polyethylene oxide/bisphenol A polymer with a molecular weight of 18,500 (obtained from Polysciences), and water. The ingredients were stirred to obtain a homogeneous mixture for 5 to 10 minutes. One percent by weight of the polysiloxane-polyether copolymer Tegopren 5884 (obtained from Goldschmidt) was added to the mixture and stirred for about 10 minutes to obtain a homogeneous mixture. An acrylic resin emulsion, prepared as described in Comparative Example A, about 0.68 percent solids equivalent, was added dropwise to the liquid vehicle mixture and stirred for about 5 minutes. The resultant mixture was added to a solution containing 3.34 percent by weight Cabojet 300 carbon black colorant (obtained from Cabot Corporation). The ink mixture was stirred for 5 to 10 minutes and then filtered through a 1 µm (micron) glass fiber filter. EXAMPLE V A black colored ink jet ink composition was prepared by mixing 29.95 percent by weight of sulfolane (obtained from BASF), 6 percent by weight of 2-pyrrolidinone (obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co.), 0.05 weight percent of a polyethylene oxide/bisphenol A polymer with a molecular weight of 18,500 (obtained from Polysciences), and water. The ingredients were stirred for 5 to 10 minutes to obtain a homogeneous mixture. One percent by weight of the polysiloxane-polyether copolymer Tegopren 5884 (obtained from Goldschmidt) was added to the mixture and stirred for about 10 minutes to obtain a homogeneous mixture. The resultant mixture was added to a solution containing 3.34 percent by weight Cabojet 300 carbon black colorant (obtained from Cabot Corporation). The ink mixture was stirred for 5 to 10 minutes and then filtered through a 1 µm (micron) glass fiber filter. EXAMPLE VI A black colored ink jet ink composition was prepared by mixing 29.95 percent by weight of sulfolane (obtained from BASF), 6 percent by weight of 2-pyrrolidinone (obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co.), 0.05 percent by weight of a polyethylene oxide/bisphenol A polymer with a molecular weight of 18,500 (obtained from Polysciences), and water. The ingredients were stirred for 5 to 10 minutes to obtain a homogeneous mixture. One percent by weight of the polysiloxane-polyether copolymer Tegopren 5851 (obtained from Goldschmidt) was added to the mixture and stirred for about 10 minutes to obtain a homogeneous mixture. An acrylic resin emulsion, prepared as described in Comparative Example A, about 0.68 percent solids equivalent, was added dropwise to the liquid vehicle mixture and stirred for about 5 minutes. The resultant mixture was added to a solution containing 3.34 percent by weight Cabojet 300 carbon black colorant (obtained from Cabot Corporation). The ink mixture was stirred for 5 to 10 minutes and then filtered through a 1 µm (micron) glass fiber filter. EXAMPLE VII A black colored ink jet ink composition was prepared by mixing 29.95 percent by weight of sulfolane (obtained from BASF), 6 percent by weight of 2-pyrrolidinone (obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co.), 0.05 percent by weight of a polyethylene oxide/bisphenol A polymer with a molecular weight of 18,500 (obtained from Polysciences), and water. The ingredients were stirred for 5 to 10 minutes to obtain a homogeneous mixture. One percent by weight of the polysiloxane-polyether copolymer Tegopren 5863 (obtained from Goldschmidt) was added to the mixture and stirred for about 10 minutes to obtain a homogeneous mixture. An acrylic resin emulsion, prepared as described in Comparative Example A, about 0.68 percent solids equivalent, was added dropwise to the liquid vehicle mixture and stirred for about 5 minutes. The resultant mixture was added to a solution containing 3.34 percent by weight Cabojet 300 carbon black colorant (obtained from Cabot Corporation). The ink mixture was stirred for 5 to 10 minutes and then filtered through a 1 µm (micron) glass fiber filter. EXAMPLE VIII A black colored ink jet ink composition was prepared by mixing 29.95 percent by weight of sulfolane (obtained from BASF), 6 percent by weight of 2-pyrrolidinone (obtained from Aldrich Chemical Co.), 0.05 weight percent of a polyethylene oxide/bisphenol A polymer with a molecular weight of 18,500 (obtained from Polysciences), and water. The ingredients were stirred for 5 to 10 minutes to obtain a homogeneous mixture. One percent by weight of the polysiloxane-polyether copolymer Silwet L7230 (obtained from OSI Group, Witco Corporation) was added to the mixture and stirred for about 10 minutes to obtain a homogeneous mixture. An acrylic resin emulsion, prepared as described in Comparative Example A, about 0.68 percent solids equivalent, was added dropwise to the liquid vehicle mixture and stirred for about 5 minutes. The resultant mixture was added to a solution containing 3.34 percent by weight Cabojet 300 carbon black colorant (obtained from Cabot Corporation). The ink mixture was stirred for 5 to 10 minutes. EXAMPLE IX The properties of the ink compositions prepared in Comparative Examples A and B and Examples I through VIII were evaluated in the following manner: A) Physical Properties: The viscosity of the ink was measured at 25°C using a Brookfield Model DV-11 viscometer. The surface tension of the ink was measured at 25°C using a Kruss model K10T plate tensiometer. The pH was measured at 25°C using a Coming model 345 pH meter. B) Optical Density: Ink was filled in a cleaned Hewlett-Packard 51645A cartridge. An image was printed by a Hewlett-Packard 850C ink jet printer on Xerox Courtland 4024DP paper and Xerox Images Series LX paper. The optical density of the printed image was measured by an X-Rite densitometer. C) Wet Smear Resistance: One measure of image quality and permanence is the resistance of the printed image to wet smear. The wet smear evaluation was designed to measure the permanence of an image with regard to its susceptibility to being smeared by the action of a wet, dynamic, abrasive physical contact (such as a wetted thumb dragged across the image, "wet thumb test"). The test pattern used for the wet smear test was a set of 22 lines of a specific ink 50 millimeters in length and 1.2 millimeters in thickness, with the lines separated by a distance of 6 millimeters. Ink was filled in a cleaned HP51645A cartridge. An image containing a series of vertical lines was printed by a HP850C ink jet printer on Xerox Images Series LX paper. This pattern was printed and "aged" for a specified time (e.g., 1 day but no longer than 4 days) before wet smear testing. A felt wick [Dri Mark Products Market parts: Filler (part# 600F) and Wide Chisel Tip Nib (part # 600N)] was prewetted with distilled water and inserted into the pen of the wet smear testing apparatus. The assembly was then lowered until it contacted the surface of a white plastic strip with a 100 grams mass loading. The pen was then set in motion across the line pattern on a test document. The process was repeated with virgin felt pens across different segments of the test pattern. The paper was then removed and the optical density of the smeared areas (between the lines) was measured with a densitometer, X-Rite 428, or equivalent. Optical density was measured in at least four locations along the wet smear path (in the middle of the swath immediately following the 6th, 10th, 14th, and 18th bands on the document, for the first and second wet smear swaths). The average OD in the smear transfer area from the 8 measurements was recorded, and the background OD was subtracted to give the "smear OD", average smear (minus background). D) Stitch Mottle: Ink was filled in a cleaned cartridge. A solid patch image printed in a single pass mode was printed by a HP850C ink jet printer on Xerox Images Series LX paper. The printhead was aligned through standard printer procedures. The stitch mottle was observed at the interface of the first swath and second swath of the solid area patch. A grading system of 1-5 was given for each print, where 1 was poor, showing complete white spacing between swaths, 3 represented a gradation in the stitch region, showing a mottled or lighter density than the rest of the solid area, and 5 was excellent, showing complete coverage of the stitch line with minimal visible differences in the solid area. E) MFLEN: Ink was filled in a cleaned cartridge. An image with horizontal lines was printed by a HP855C ink jet printer on Xerox Images Series LX paper. The line edge raggedness was measured through a high-resolution camera, and software was used to measure the mid-frequency noise of the line. Low values indicated sharp lines and high values indicated feathering of the line. Physical Properties of the Inks: Ink Viscosity (mPa·s) (centipoise) Surface Tension (dynes/cm) pH Comp. A 2.00 42.7 6.56 Comp. B 2.41 42.3 6.92 I 2.11 34.7 6.48 II 1.94 32.8 8.77 III 2.05 32.5 7.09 IV 2.54 33.4 7.00 V 2.45 32.5 8.44 VI 2.45 29.4 6.98 VII 2.47 30.1 7.03 VIII 2.71 33.5 6.90 Performance Data: Stitch Mottle (SM), Wet Smear (WS), Line Edge Raggedness (ER), Optical Density (OD) Ink resin wt.% additive EO/PO wt% SM WS (LX paper) ER OD (LX paper) OD (4024 paper) I 1.48 5884 77/23 5 0.06 1 1.46 1.40 II 0.5 5884 77/23 5 0.08 1 1.52 III --- 5884 77/23 5 0.04 1 1.42 1.41 A 1.48 --- --- 2 0.17 1 1.40 1.48 IV 1 5884 77/23 5 0.11 2 1.61 1.60 V --- 5884 77/23 5 * 1 1.48 VI 0.68 5851 75/25 5 0.24 4 1.50 1.54 VII 0.68 5863 40/60 4.5 0.33 0.5 1.48 1.51 VIII 0.68 L7320 40/60 5 0.20 1 1.60 1.59 B 0.68 --- --- 2 0.25 1 1.30 1.54

Claims: An ink composition which comprises an aqueous liquid vehicle, a colorant, a polymer of the formula (1) wherein m, n, x, and y are each integers representing the number of repeat monomer units, wherein the ratio of x:y is from 10:90 to 90:10, and wherein the polymer is present in the ink composition in an amount of from 0.2 to 3 percent by weight of the ink composition, and a polymeric additive of the formula (2) wherein R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl groups with from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and alkoxy groups with from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, R 3 and R 4 are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups with from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and x and y are each independently a number of from 100 to 400. The ink composition of claim 1 wherein the aqueous liquid vehicle is water or a mixture of water and a water-soluble or water-miscible organic component. The ink composition of claim 1 or 2 wherein the colorant is a dye or a pigment. The ink composition of claim 3 wherein the colorant is a pigment and the ink composition further contains a resin emulsion comprising resin particles and solubilized resin. The ink composition of any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the polymer of formula (1) has a weight average molecular weight of from 1,200 to 60,000. The ink composition of any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the ratio of x:y in formula (1) is about 77:23, the ratio of n:m is about 1:6, and the weight average molecular weight of the polymer is about 50,000. A process for ink jet printing which comprises incorporating into an ink jet printing apparatus the ink composition of any of claims 1 to 6, and causing droplets of the ink to be ejected in an imagewise pattern onto a recording sheet. The process of claim 7 wherein the ink jet printing apparatus employs a thermal ink jet process wherein the ink in the nozzles is selectively heated in an imagewise pattern, thereby causing droplets of the ink to be ejected in imagewise pattern. The process of claim 7 wherein the ink jet printing apparatus employs an acoustic ink jet process, wherein droplets of the ink are caused to be ejected in imagewise pattern by acoustic beams. Use of the ink composition of any of claims 1 to 6 for reducing stitch mottle, wet smear or edge raggedness in ink jet printing.

Inventors: BAREMAN JAMES P, FAGUE GARY R, FU MIN-HONG, NICHOLS GARLAND J, TORRES FRANCISCO, BAREMAN, JAMES P., FAGUE, GARY R., FU, MIN-HONG, NICHOLS, GARLAND J., TORRES,FRANCISCO
Applicants: XEROX CORP, XEROX CORPORATION
Application year: 1999
Main classification: C09D11
IPC codes: C09D11, B41M5, B41J2