Curable Phase Change Inks Containing Crystalline Polyesters

Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to curable phase change inks, such as radiation curable phase change inks, and their use in forming images, such as by inkjet printing. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to radiation curable phase change inks, such as UV curable phase change inks, comprising an ink vehicle and at least one crystalline polyester resin.

Description

Background technique [0001] The present disclosure generally relates to curable phase change inks, such as radiation curable phase change inks, and their use in forming images, for example by inkjet printing. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to radiation curable phase change inks, such as UV curable phase change inks, comprising a curable gellant and a crystalline polyester resin. [0002] Inkjet printing systems are known in the art, so a detailed description of such devices is not required here. Phase change or "hot melt" inks are desirable for inkjet printers because they can remain in a solid phase at room temperature during shipping, long-term storage, etc. In addition, the problem of nozzle clogging caused by ink evaporation related to liquid ink is largely eliminated, thereby improving the reliability of inkjet printing. Furthermore, in phase change inkjet printers where ink droplets are applied directly onto the final recording substrate (e.g., paper...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0005] However, contact leveling with phase change inks can also be problematic

For example, contact leveling of the ink via contact parts can lead to cracking of the ink layer

Part of the phase change ink may be transferred to the contact part, affecting the printing quality of the subsequent processing image

For example, a portion of ink transferred from a contact part may later be deposited onto media that subsequently comes into contact with the contact part, leaving a ghost image of the previously flattened image

Images