# US 4,400,215 A · Ink jet ink formulation for reduced start-up problems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,400,215 A - Document ID: US4400215A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 06/327,994 - Filed: 1981-12-07 - Granted: 1983-08-23 - Earliest claimed: 1981-12-07 - Assignees: Exxon Research & Engineering Co. - Inventors: Theodore M. Cooke; Robert A. Lin; Richard G. Whitfield; Allan G. Hock - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4400215A ## CPC - C09D 11/36: based on non-aqueous solvents - C09D: COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR (cosmetics A61K; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces, in general, B05D; staining wood B27K5/02; glazes or vitreous enamels C03C; natural resins, French polish, drying-oils, driers, turpentine, per se, C09F; polishing compositions other than French polish, ski waxes C09G; adhesives or use of materials as adhesives C09J; materials for sealing or packing joints or covers C09K3/10; materials for stopping leaks C09K3/12; processes for the electrolytic or electrophoretic production of coatings C25D) ## Abstract An ink jet ink formulated to substantially reduce or eliminate start-up problems when an ink jet apparatus is initially discharged. The ink comprises at least two fluid components. The components have been matched to provide an ink that substantially maintains its initial formulation despite evaporation of the components. ## Claims ### Claim 1 In an ink jet ink, the improvement comprising an ink formulated to substantially reduce or eliminate start-up problems when an ink jet apparatus is initially discharged, said ink comprising at least two fluid components, said components having been matched with respect to either their vapor pressures, boiling points, or evaporation rates to provide an ink that substantially maintains its initial formulation despite evaporation of said components. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The ink formulated with respect to claim 1, wherein said ink comprises at least one oil-based component. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The ink formulated with respect to claim 1, wherein at least one of said ink components is oleic acid. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The ink formulated with respect to claim 1, wherein at least one of said components is an ether. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The ink formulated with respect to claim 1, wherein at least one of said components is an alcohol. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The ink formulated with respect to claim 1, wherein at least one component is a pyrrolidone. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The ink formulated with respect to claim 1, further comprising a dye. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The ink formulated with respect to claim 1, wherein at least one of said ink components is benzyl ether. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The ink formulated with respect to claim 1, wherein said ink has a surface tension of at least approximately 35 dynes/cm. ### Claim 10 In an ink jet ink, the improvement comprising an ink having at least two fluid components that are formulated to provide either substantially similar vapor pressures, boiling points, or evaporation rates, wherein start-up problems are substantially reduced or eliminated when an ink jet utilizing said ink is initially discharged. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The ink formulated with respect to claim 10, wherein said ink comprises at least one oil-based component. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The ink formulated with respect to claim 10, wherein at least one of said ink components is oleic acid. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The ink formulated with respect to claim 10, wherein at least one of said components is an ether. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The ink formulated with respect to claim 10, wherein at least one of said components is an alcohol. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The ink formulated with respect to claim 10, wherein at least one component is a pyrrolidone. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The ink formulated with respect to claim 10, further comprising a dye. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The ink formulated with respect to claim 10, wherein at least one of said ink components is benzyl ether. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The ink formulated with respect to claim 10, wherein said ink has a surface tension of at least approximately 35 dynes/cm. ### Claim 19 In a method of substantially eliminating or at least reducing the tendency of an ink jet apparatus to improperly discharge during initial start-up, the improvement comprising the step of formulating an ink for said ink jet apparatus wherein at least two of its fluid components are matched with respect to either their vapor pressures, boiling points, or evaporation rates. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The ink formulated with respect to claim 19, wherein said ink comprises at least one oil-based component. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The ink formulated with respect to claim 19, wherein at least one of said ink components is oleic acid. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The ink formulated with respect to claim 19, wherein at least one of said components is an ether. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) The ink formulated with respect to claim 19, wherein at least one of said components is an alcohol. ### Claim 24 (depends on 19) The ink formulated with respect to claim 19, wherein at least one component is a pyrrolidone. ### Claim 25 (depends on 19) The ink formulated with respect to claim 19, further comprising a dye. ### Claim 26 (depends on 19) The ink formulated with respect to claim 19, wherein at least one of said ink components is benzyl ether. ### Claim 27 (depends on 19) The ink formulated with respect to claim 19, wherein said ink has a surface tension of at least approximately 35 dynes/cm. ### Claim 28 In a method of formulating an ink for an ink jet apparatus that can substantially reduce or eliminate improper or defective initial discharge of said apparatus, the improvement comprising the step of matching at least two fluid components of said ink such that each component has either substantially similar vapor pressures, boiling points, or evaporation rates. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The ink formulated with respect to claim 28, wherein said ink comprises at least one oil-based component. ### Claim 30 (depends on 28) The ink formulated with respect to claim 28, wherein at least one of said ink components is oleic acid. ### Claim 31 (depends on 28) The ink formulated with respect to claim 28, wherein at least one of said components is an ether. ### Claim 32 (depends on 28) The ink formulated with respect to claim 28, wherein at least one of said components is an alcohol. ### Claim 33 (depends on 28) The ink formulated with respect to claim 28, wherein at least one component is a pyrrolidone. ### Claim 34 (depends on 28) The ink formulated with respect to claim 28, further comprising a dye. ### Claim 35 (depends on 28) The ink formulated with respect to claim 28, wherein at least one of said ink components is benzyl ether. ### Claim 36 (depends on 28) The ink formulated with respect to claim 28, wherein said ink has a surface tension of at least approximately 35 dynes/cm.