MXPA99000763A

MXPA99000763A - Ink follower compositions

Info

Publication number: MXPA99000763A
Application number: MXPA/A/1999/000763A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Wang Aiying; W Chadwick Barry; Banning Jeffrey
Original assignee: Bic Corporation
Priority date: 1996-07-25
Filing date: 1999-01-20
Publication date: 2000-07-01

Abstract

Ink follower compositions include a non-polar liquid, a thickener and a polar additive. The polar additive is preferably selected from the group consisting of non-ionic surfactants, e.g., ethoxylated nonylphenols, and low molecular weight alcohols.

Description

INK-FOLLOWING COMPOSITIONS BACKGROUND 1- Technical Field This description generally refers to ink follower compositions for use in writing instruments; for example in pens. More specifically, this description relates to novel ink-tracking compositions containing polar additives, thickener and / or specific combinations of non-polar fluid components. 2. - Background of the Related Art Ink followers, also known as "fat plugs", are generally used in pens containing low viscosity inks. Typically, the ink followers are composed of a liquid that is thickened to a fat-like consistency by the use of a thickener. The ink server is placed in the ink tube after the ink supply at the opposite end of the pen. The ink server in this way prevents leakage of the ink from the back. Ink followers, in addition to avoiding leakage from the back, also inhibit evaporation of solvents and reduce the risk of interruption by impact (for example the formation of air spaces in the ink tube).

The Patents of the U.S.A. No. 3,526,522 and 3,656,857 disclose ink-tracking compositions containing a liquid carrier and particles or granules solid microscopes of polymer or organic plastic. The U.S. Patent No. 5,348,989 discloses compositions for preventing ink volatilization containing a slightly volatile organic liquid, a gelling agent and a silicone modified with polyether. It would be convenient to provide an ink follower composition which does not adhere too much to the walls of the ink tube when advancing and which reduces the risk of impact breakage within the ink reservoir. COMPENDIUM This description refers to the present ink follower compositions which include a non-polar liquid, a thickener and a polar additive. The polar additive is preferably selected from the group consisting of nonionic surfactants, for example nonyl phenols ethoxylates, and low molecular weight alcohols. The polar additive component of the present ink follower compositions performs a dual function.

Promote the affinity between the ink follower and the ink that follows (many inks are based on water and therefore have a high degree of polarity) and minimize the tendency of the ink follower to adhere to the walls of the tube of ink as it travels or travels through the ink tube. Therefore, the polar additive improves the performance of the present ink-tracking compositions. In another aspect, the ink-tracking compositions are described as including a non-polar liquid containing a mixture of high and low molecular weight polybutenes in a ratio of at least 2: 1. In yet another aspect, this disclosure relates to ink-tracking compositions that include a non-polar liquid containing a mixture of polybutene and mineral oil, to provide a convenient balance of properties. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED MODALITIES The ink follower compositions described herein include a non-polar liquid, a thickener and in some cases, a polar additive. Examples of non-polar liquids that can be employed in the present compositions include mineral oils, animal and vegetable oils, esters, high boiling hydrocarbons, higher fatty acids, higher alcohols and low molecular weight polyolefins. Typical examples include petrolatum, spindle oil, castor oil, olive oil, liquid paraffin and polybutene having an average molecular weight of 300 to 3000. The amount of non-polar liquid to be used is in the range from about 40 to about 90% by weight, preferably 90 to 97% by weight based on the weight of the composition. In particularly useful compositions, combinations of polybutenes of high molecular weight and low molecular weight, they are used as the liquid or polar component. By "high molecular weight polybutene" is meant polybutene having a number average molecular weight greater than about 900. A convenient high molecular weight polybutene is available under the designation "H-100" from Amoco Inc. A convenient low molecular weight polybutene is available. available under the designation "L-100" from Amoco Inc. The high molecular weight ratio should be at least 2: 1. When a polar additive (as described below) is not employed, the ratio of high molecular weight polybutene to low molecular weight polybutene should be at least 3: 1. Alone, the individual polybutenes used to produce the mixture may be too fluid or too waxy. In the above-described proportions, however, it has been found that the mixture of high and low molecular weight polybutenes provides ink-tracking compositions exhibiting desired flow characteristics. In another aspect, the compositions described herein include polybutene in admixture with mineral oil as the liquid in admixture with mineral oil as the liquid not polar. Polybutene can only be somewhat sticky and can stick to the ink tube. However, it has now been discovered that a mixture of polybutene and mineral oil provides a good fat-like consistency while avoiding undesirable adhesion of the ink follower composition to the ink tube. In a particularly useful composition, mineral oil is used in combination with the polybutene mixture. Examples of thickeners that may be employed in the present compositions include silica in microparticles, metal soaps such as magnesium stearate, calcium stearate, aluminum stearate and zinc stearate, inorganic pigments such as benthylite and carbon black, and organic pigments. The amount of the thickener to be used in the range of 0.1 to 15% by weight, preferably 2 to 10% by weight. The third component, which is preferably included in the present ink follower compositions is an additive with high polarity. Suitable polar additives include non-ionic surfactants, and low molecular weight alcohols. When a non-ionic surfactant is chosen as the polar additive, the compatibility of the surfactant with the non-polar liquid (s) in the composition and the temperatures to be used in the composition should be considered. ink follower processing. In this way, for example when aluminum stearate is used as the thickener, temperatures up to 180 ° C may be required during processing. When clay thickeners are used, processing at room temperature is possible. Nonyl phenols ethoxylates are particularly useful nonionic surfactants since they are compatible with a wide variety of non-polar liquids and can withstand a wide range of processing temperatures. An example of a suitable nonionic surfactant is the designation Igepoal RC-52 from Rhone Poulenc, Inc. Cranbury, N.J. Low molecular weight hydroxyl containing compounds can also be employed as the polar additive in the present compositions. Suitable compounds include those of the formula R-OH wherein R is hydrogen or alkyl having 1 to 5 carbon atoms. The selection of the hydroxyl-containing compound will in some cases depend on the thickener used. Thus, for example, when certain clays are used as thickeners, water can serve as the polar additive. Ethanol and isopropanol with a wide variety of thickeners are useful and are the preferred polar additive. Other optional ingredients may also be incorporated into the present follower compositions of ink. By way of example, a silicone oil or silicone wax can be added to the present compositions. The compositions described herein can be prepared by adding the thickener and any polar additives or other ingredients to the non-polar liquid and mixing or kneading to provide a homogeneous mixture. The heating can be used to facilitate mixing when necessary or convenient. The resulting compositions usually have a fat-like consistency. - SJEMPLQS The following examples are presented to illustrate specific embodiments of the present compositions. These examples are not to be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention. Example 1 An ink follower of the following composition is prepared: ep weight Polybutene 47.7 Mineral oil 47.7 Bentone 34 (clay) 2.7 Methanol 95% solution 1.8 Example 2 An ink follower is prepared with the following composition: Weight% Polybutene 97.6 Smoked silica 2.3 Nonyl phenol ethoxylated 0.1 Examples 3 to 6 The ink-follower compositions listed in Table I are prepared using a mixture of high and low molecular weight polybutenes and aluminum stearate as a thickener. All values given in the Examples will be given in percent by weight. Table I * Witco Inc, Akron, Ohio When preparing the compositions of Examples 3-6, the aluminum stearate and polybutene are heated to enough temperature to melt the aluminum stearate and in this way ensure good mixing. By employing, each of the formulations presented in Table I have good fat-like texture. E-Examples 7 to 11 Table II presents further examples of ink follower compositions containing polybutene mixtures according to this description. Table II * Salt alkyl acrylic sulfonate available from ICI Ame. Inc., Willmington DE. Examples 12 v 13 Ink follower compositions containing polybutene and mineral oil (but without polar additive) are prepared with the following formulations: It will be understood that various modifications can be practiced for the modalities described herein. Therefore, the detailed description should not be considered as limiting, but simply as an example of limitations of preferred modalities. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. - An ink follower composition characterized in that it comprises: a non-polar liquid, a thickener and a polar additive, the polar additive is a non-ionic surfactant.
2. The ink follower composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the non-polar liquid is selected from the group consisting of mineral oil, polybutene, polyolefin and combinations thereof.
3. The ink follower composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the thickener is selected from the group consisting of smoked silica, modified clays and metal soaps.
4. - The ink follower composition according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains about 40 to about 98% by weight of non-polar line, from about 0.1 to about 10% by weight of the thickener and from about 0.01 to about 5% in weight of the polar additive.
5. The ink follower composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the polar additive is an ethoxylated nonyl phenol.
6. The ink follower composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the non-polar liquid is polybutene, the thickener is fumed silica and the polar additive is an ethoxylated nonyl phenol.
7. - A ball pen, comprising an ink tube containing ink and an ink follower composition according to claim 1.
8. - An ink follower composition characterized in that it comprises: a non-polar liquid, a thickener and a polar additive, the polar additive is a compound of the formula R-OH, wherein R is hydrogen or alkyl with 1 to 5 carbon atoms.
9. The ink follower composition according to claim 8, characterized in that the non-polar liquid is selected from the group consisting of mineral oil, polyolefin polypropylene, and combinations thereof.
10. The ink follower composition according to claim 8, characterized in that the thickener is selected from the group consisting of smoked silica, modified clays and metal soaps.
11. The ink follower composition according to claim 8, characterized in that it contains about 40 to about 98% by weight of non-polar line, from about 0.1 to about 10% by weight of the thickener and from about 0.01 to about 5% by weight of the polar additive.
12. The ink follower composition according to claim 8, characterized in that the non-polar liquid is polybutene and mineral oil, the thickener is modified clay and the polar additive is ethanol.
13. - The ink follower composition according to claim 8, characterized in that the polar additive is selected from the group consisting of ethanol and isopropanol.
14. Ballpoint pen, comprising a tube with ink containing ink and an ink follower composition according to claim 8.
15. An ink follower composition, characterized in that it comprises: a non-polar liquid, the non-polar liquid includes a mixture of high molecular weight polybutene and low molecular weight polybutene, the ratio of high molecular weight polybutene to low molecular weight polybutene is at least about 2: 1; and a thickener.
16. The ink follower composition according to claim 15, characterized in that it also comprises a polar additive selected from the group consisting of non-ionic surfactants and low molecular weight alcohols.
17. The ink follower composition according to claim 15, characterized in that the thickener is selected from the group consisting of smoked silica, modified clays and metal soaps.
18. The ink follower composition according to claim 15, characterized in that it contains about 40 to about 98% by weight of the non-polar liquid, from about 0.1 to about 10% by weight of the thickener.
19. The ink follower composition according to claim 16, characterized in that the polar additive is ethanol or isopropanol.
20. The ink follower composition according to claim 16, characterized in that the polar additive is ethoxylated nonyl phenol.
21. Ballpoint pen, comprising an ink tube containing an ink and an ink follower composition according to claim 15.
22. Ink follower composition characterized in that it comprises: a non-polar liquid, the non-polar liquid includes a mixture of polybutene and mineral oil; a thickener; and a polar additive selected from the group that It consists of non-ionic surfactants and low molecular weight alcohols.
23. The ink follower composition according to claim 22, characterized in that the thickener is selected from the group consisting of smoked silica, modified clays and metal soaps.
24. - The ink follower composition according to claim 22, characterized in that it contains from about 20 to about 98% by weight of the non-polar liquid, from about 0.1 to about 10% by weight of the thickener and from about 0.01 to about 5% in weight of the polar additive.
25. The ink follower composition according to claim 22, characterized in that the polar additive is ethanol or isopropanol.
26. The ink follower composition according to claim 22, characterized in that the polar additive is ethoxylated nonyl phenol.
27. Ballpoint pen, comprising an ink tube containing ink and an ink follower composition according to claim 22.