# US 5,700,315 A · Anti-outgassing ink composition and method for using the same

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- Number: US 5,700,315 A
- Document ID: US5700315A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/608,922
- Filed: 1996-02-29
- Granted: 1997-12-23
- Earliest claimed: 1996-02-29
- Assignees: Hewlett-Packard Company
- Inventors: Donald E. Wenzel
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5700315A

## CPC

- C09D 11/38: characterised by non-macromolecular additives other than solvents, pigments or dyes
- B41J 2/19: for removing air bubbles
- 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)
- B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS

## Abstract

An anti-outgassing ink composition and method for using the same. The ink composition consists of an ink vehicle, a coloring agent, and an anti-outgassing additive. The additive prevents the outgassing of dissolved gases from the ink composition (e.g. in the form of gas bubbles) at temperatures generated within thermal printers (about 25.degree.-80.degree. C.). The additive accomplishes this goal by increasing the solubility of the gas in the ink composition. As a result, the continuous and uninterrupted flow of ink from the ink delivery system is achieved. A preferred additive consists of ethoxylated glycerol. The additive is used in an amount sufficient to control bubble formation. A typical ink composition will contain about 2-12% by weight additive. Use of the ink composition provides numerous benefits which are achieved without physical modifications to the printing hardware.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for preventing outgassing in an ink composition which is used in a thermal printing apparatus, said method comprising the steps of:
combining an ink vehicle with at least one coloring agent to form an ink composition, wherein said ink composition comprises at least one gas dissolved therein; and
adding to said ink composition an anti-outgassing additive which causes said gas to experience an increase in solubility within said ink composition in order to prevent said gas from outgassing and forming gas bubbles in said ink composition when said ink composition is heated to a temperature of about 25.degree.-80.degree. C. in said printing apparatus.