Stable oil-in-water ink emulsions based upon water-reducible solvent dyes for ink-jet printers and felt-tip and roller-ball pens

摘要

A highly fluid water-based ink composition that comprises a stable oil- in-water emulsion of a water-reducible solvent dye and solvent, preferably citrus solvent, solution homogeneously dispersed as small finely divided dye-containing oil droplets in an aqueous carrier solution containing an emulsion stabilizer of a water-soluble resin. Water- immiscible solvent dyes, including azo, phthalocyanine, and anthraquinone dyes, are mixed with organic solvents and non-ionic surfactants to form emulsifiable water-reducible true solvent dye- containing solutions. The water-reducible solvent dye solutions are stably emulsified as dye- containing oil droplets in aqueous solutions that contain water, water- soluble resins, and optional organic solvent diluents. The stable oil-in- water ink emulsion is suitable to be ejected through ink-jet printer jet nozzles, or through dispensing tips of felt- tip or roller-ball pens, onto a porous substrate, such as paper, to construct a water-fast printed image on the substrate.