# US 9,744,789 B2 · Thermochromic ink composition > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,744,789 B2 - Document ID: US9744789B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/890,801 - Filed: 2014-05-12 - Published: 2016-03-31 - Granted: 2017-08-29 - Earliest claimed: 2013-05-13 - Assignees: Fasver - Applicants: Fasver - Inventors: Eric Philippe; Laurence Bes - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9744789B2 ## CPC - B41M 5/3375: {Non-macromolecular compounds} - B41M 3/142: {using chemical colour-formers or chemical reactions, e.g. leuco-dye/acid, photochromes} - B41M 5/323: Organic colour formers, e.g. leuco dyes - B41M 5/3372: {Macromolecular compounds} - B42D 25/351: Translucent or partly translucent parts, e.g. windows - B42D 25/36: comprising special materials - B42D 25/378: Special inks - B42D 25/45: Associating two or more layers - C09D 11/037: characterised by the pigment - C09D 11/50: Sympathetic, colour changing or similar inks - B41M 2205/04: Direct thermal recording [DTR] - B42D 2033/04 - B42D 2035/34 - D21H 21/44: Latent security elements, i.e. detectable or becoming apparent only by use of special verification or tampering devices or methods - D21H 21/48: Elements suited for physical verification, e.g. by irradiation - B41M: PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING, (correction of typographical errors B41J; processes for applying transfer pictures or the like B44C1/16; fluid media for correction of typographical errors by coating C09D10/00; printing textiles D06P) - B42D: BOOKS; BOOK COVERS; LOOSE LEAVES; PRINTED MATTER CHARACTERISED BY IDENTIFICATION OR SECURITY FEATURES; PRINTED MATTER OF SPECIAL FORMAT OR STYLE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; DEVICES FOR USE THEREWITH AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; MOVABLE-STRIP WRITING OR READING APPARATUS - 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) - D21H: PULP COMPOSITIONS; PREPARATION THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES D21C OR D21D; IMPREGNATING OR COATING OF PAPER; TREATMENT OF FINISHED PAPER NOT COVERED BY CLASS B31 OR SUBCLASS D21G; PAPER NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A thermochromic ink composition includes, in a liquid medium, known as solvent, a dispersion of thermochromic microcapsules incorporating at least one leuco-dye and a thermoplastic binder selected from the group containing polyacrylic polyesters, polyurethanes and copolymers thereof. The composition is characterized in that the solvent is aprotic. A a method for producing a card and such a card incorporating at least one thermochromic pattern produced with a thermochromic ink composition are also described. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A thermochromic ink composition comprising in a liquid solvent: a dispersion of thermochromic microcapsules incorporating at least one leuco dye, and a thermoplastic binder chosen from the group formed of polyacrylic polyesters, polyurethanes, and copolymers thereof, wherein said solvent is aprotic and comprises at least one compound chosen from the group formed of n-alkyl propanoates, propylene glycols, 1-methoxy-2-propyl acetate, 1-propoxy-2-propanol, 1-propoxy-2-propyl acetate, 1-butoxy-2-propanol, 1-(2-methoxy-1-methylethoxy)-2-propanol, 1-(2-methoxy-1-methylethoxy)-2-propyl acetate, 1-(2-propoxy-1-methylethoxy)-2-propanol and [2-(2-methoxymethyl-ethoxy)methylethoxy]-2-propanol. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said solvent is chosen from the group of aprotic solvents having a dipole moment of from 0 to 1.9 C·m. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The composition as claimed in claim 2, wherein said solvent is chosen from the group of polar aprotic solvents. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The composition as claimed in claim 2, comprising thermochromic microcapsules of melamine formaldehyde. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The composition as claimed in claim 2, comprising as binder a thermoplastic resin chosen from the group formed of alkyl poly(meth)acrylates and copolymers thereof. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The composition as claimed in claim 2, further comprising at least one anti-UV additive chosen from the group formed of ultraviolet absorbers and light stabilizers. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said solvent is chosen from the group of aprotic solvents having a dielectric constant of from 1.5 to 11. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The composition as claimed in claim 7, wherein said solvent is chosen from the group of polar aprotic solvents. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The composition as claimed in claim 7, comprising thermochromic microcapsules of melamine formaldehyde. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The composition as claimed in claim 7, further comprising at least one anti-UV additive chosen from the group formed of ultraviolet absorbers and light stabilizers. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said solvent is chosen from the group of polar aprotic solvents. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The composition as claimed in claim 1, comprising thermochromic microcapsules of melamine formaldehyde. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The composition as claimed in claim 1, comprising as binder a thermoplastic resin chosen from the group formed of alkyl poly(meth)acrylates and copolymers thereof. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The composition as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one anti-UV additive chosen from the group formed of ultraviolet absorbers and light stabilizers. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The composition as claimed in claim 1, comprising from 1 wt. % to 10 wt. % of an anti-UV additive. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The composition as claimed in claim 1, comprising in said solvent from 5 to 35 wt. % thermochromic microcapsules, from 30 to 45 wt. % thermoplastic binder, from 1 to 10 wt. % of at least one anti-UV additive. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said solvent is chosen from the group of aprotic solvents having a dielectric constant of from 1.5 to 11. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the n-alkyl propanoates are chosen from the group consisting of n-propyl propanoate, n-butyl propanoate, n-pentyl propanoate and ethyl 3-ethoxypropanoate. ### Claim 19 A method for producing a card of thermoplastic material comprising at least one step of hot lamination under pressure of a plurality of layers of thermoplastic material, wherein, before the at least one step of hot lamination under pressure, at least one thermochromic motif is printed on at least one layer of thermoplastic material using a thermochromic ink composition comprising in a liquid solvent said solvent being aprotic: a dispersion of thermochromic microcapsules incorporating at least one leuco dye, and a thermoplastic binder chosen from the group formed of polyacrylic polyesters, polyurethanes, and copolymers thereof. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the at least one thermochromic motif is printed so as to be interposed between a surface layer of the card and a layer immediately underlying said surface layer. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein the at least one thermochromic motif is printed on at least one layer of polycarbonate. ### Claim 22 A card comprising a plurality of superposed layers of at least one thermoplastic material comprising at least one thermochromic motif formed by printing an ink composition comprising in a liquid solvent said solvent being aprotic: a dispersion of thermochromic microcapsules incorporating at least one leuco dye, and a thermoplastic binder chosen from the group formed of polyacrylic polyesters, polyurethanes, and copolymers thereof.