Alcoholic marker ink for transfusion container, and marker pen for transfusion container using the same

Abstract

To provide alcoholic marker ink for a transfusion container which is safe even when being directly written to a plastic transfusion container, and a marker pen for a transfusion container using the same.SOLUTION: Alcoholic marker ink for a transfusion container contains at least lower alcohol as a solvent, a dye, a resin, a surface active agent, and a dry-up preventing agent, wherein a content of the lower alcohol is within a range of 68 mass% to 85 mass%, a content of the dye is within a range of 3 mass% to 12 mass%, a content of the resin is within a range of 5 mass% to 15 mass%, a content of the surface active agent is within a range of 1 mass% to 3 mass%, and a content of the dry-up preventing agent is within a range of 0.5 mass% to 2.0 mass%.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an alcohol-based marker ink, and more particularly to an alcohol-based marker ink for infusion containers that is safe to use even when directly written on plastic infusion containers, and a marker pen for infusion containers that uses the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Marker pens for writing on plastic containers made of polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, PET, etc. have traditionally used oil-based inks in which oil-soluble dyes are dissolved in a solvent. The solvents used for this oil-based ink include aromatic hydrocarbons such as xylene and glycol ethers such as ethylene glycol monoethyl ether. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-21492 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-335612 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when a conventional marker pen is used to write directly on a plastic infusion container such as an infusion bag, the oil-based ink components can permeate the infusion container and contaminate the infusion medication contained within the infusion bag, posing a safety problem.

[0005] On the other hand, when a plastic film label is attached to a plastic infusion container and writing is done on this label, the penetration of oil-based ink components into the infusion container is reduced compared to writing directly on the infusion container. However, the number of components in the plastic infusion container increases, and when attaching the label in a medical setting, there is a problem that the workload of medical staff increases.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its objective is to provide an alcohol-based marker ink for infusion containers that is safe to use when writing directly on plastic infusion containers, and a marker pen for infusion containers using the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] That is, the invention of claim 1 for solving the above problem is an alcohol-based marker ink for infusion containers, comprising at least a lower alcohol as a solvent, a dye, a resin, a surfactant, and a dry-up prevention agent, wherein the content of the lower alcohol is in the range of 68% to 85% by mass, the content of the dye is in the range of 3% to 12% by mass, the content of the resin is in the range of 5% to 15% by mass, the content of the surfactant is in the range of 1% to 3% by mass, and the content of the dry-up prevention agent is in the range of 0.5% to 2.0% by mass.

[0008] In one embodiment, the lower alcohol is n-propyl alcohol.

[0009] In addition, in order to solve the above problem, the invention according to claim 3 is a marker pen for infusion containers comprising a liquid applicator having a cylindrical body, a pen tip located at at least one end of the body, and a cap for protecting the pen tip, and ink contained in the body of the liquid applicator, wherein the ink is any one of the alcohol-based marker inks described above. Effect of the Invention

[0010] The alcohol-based marker ink for infusion containers according to the present invention has the effect of preventing penetration into the infusion container even when writing directly on the plastic infusion container, and is therefore highly safe. Also, the marker pen for infusion containers according to the present invention has the effect of preventing the ink components from penetrating into the infusion container even when writing directly on the plastic infusion container, and is therefore safe to use. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] The alcohol-based marker ink for infusion containers according to the present invention contains at least a lower alcohol as a solvent, a dye, a resin, a surfactant, and a dry-up inhibitor, with the lower alcohol content ranging from 68% to 85% by mass, the dye content ranging from 3% to 12% by mass, the resin content ranging from 5% to 15% by mass, the surfactant content ranging from 1% to 3% by mass, and the dry-up inhibitor content ranging from 0.5% to 2.0% by mass. The alcohol-based marker ink for infusion containers according to the present invention is excellent in safety because it is prevented from penetrating into the infusion container even when directly written on a plastic infusion container.

[0012] The lower alcohol as a solvent, which is a component of the alcohol-based marker ink for infusion containers of the present invention, is at least one of n-propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, and ethyl alcohol. Lower alcohols having 4 or more carbon atoms are not preferred because they may have high permeability to plastic infusion containers. Among the lower alcohols having 3 or less carbon atoms, n-propyl alcohol is preferably used because it has better dye solubility than isopropyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol, has a high concentration of written characters, and has good visibility. In addition, n-propyl alcohol is preferably used because it has a slower evaporation rate than isopropyl alcohol and ethyl alcohol and has excellent resistance to drying up of the pen tip.

[0013] The content of the lower alcohol in the alcohol-based marker ink for infusion containers of the present invention is in the range of 68% by mass to 85% by mass, preferably 78% by mass to 82% by mass. If the content of the lower alcohol is less than 68% by mass, the resin and dye are difficult to dissolve, whereas if it exceeds 85% by mass, it is difficult to adjust the viscosity, and the written lines tend to bleed, which is undesirable.

[0014] The dye, which is a component of the alcohol-based marker ink for infusion containers of the present invention, may be an alcohol-soluble dye, and examples of such dyes include direct dyes, acid dyes, and basic dyes. More specifically, examples of such dyes include Balifast Red 1320, Balifast Yellow 1109, Balifast Violet 1704, Balifast Yellow 1108, Balifast Red 1362, Balifast Violet 1701, Balifast Blue 1623, Balifast Blue 1603, Balifast Black 61F, Balifast Green 1501, and Oil Blue 613 (all of which are product names manufactured by Orient Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.), Aizen Spiron Yellow C-GH, Aizen Spiron Yellow C-GH new, Aizen Spiron Blue C-RH, Aizen Spiron Violet CR-H, Aizen Spiron Red C-GH, Aizen Spiron Red C-BH, Aizen Spiron Violet 555, Aizen Spiron SPT Blue 111, Aizen Spiron Blue 121, and Aizen Spiron Black GMH. special, Aizenspiron SPT Orange 6 (all trade names, manufactured by Hodogaya Chemical Co., Ltd.), Oil Pink 330, Oil Orange 826N, Oil Blue 613, Oil Black SX-34, Alcohol Yellow GSE, Alcohol Blue 1501, Alcohol Red 2308, Rhodamine 6GCP, Sudan Black 141, Oil Black SF (all trade names, manufactured by Chuo Synthetic Chemical Co., Ltd.), etc.

[0015] The dye content in the alcohol-based marker ink for infusion containers of the present invention is in the range of 3% by mass to 12% by mass, preferably 8% by mass to 10% by mass. If the dye content is less than 3% by mass, the visibility of written characters and the like decreases, whereas if it exceeds 12% by mass, the viscosity of the ink composition increases, tending to deteriorate the writing feel, which is undesirable.

[0016] The resin, which is a component of the alcohol-based marker ink for infusion containers of the present invention, is an alcohol-soluble resin used to adjust the viscosity of the ink and improve the fixation of the dye. Examples of the resins used include ketone resins, ketone-formaldehyde resins, amide resins, alkyd resins, rosin-modified resins, rosin-modified phenolic resins, phenolic resins, xylene resins, polyvinylpyrrolidone, α- and β-pinene-phenol polycondensation resins, polyvinyl butyral resins, acrylic resins, styrene-maleic acid copolymers, cellulose derivatives, and polyvinylpyrrolidone.

[0017] The resin content in the alcohol-based marker ink for infusion containers of the present invention is in the range of 5% by mass to 15% by mass, preferably 8% by mass to 10% by mass. If the resin content is less than 5% by mass, it is difficult to adjust the viscosity, the lines may bleed, and the adhesion of the lines may be poor. If the resin content exceeds 15% by mass, it is not preferable because it becomes impossible to blend raw materials other than the resin or the writing feel is adversely affected.

[0018] The surfactant, which is a component of the alcohol-based marker ink for infusion containers of the present invention, is used as a dissolving aid for dyes. Examples of the surfactants used include carboxylate-based surfactants, fatty acid ester-based surfactants, silicone-based surfactants, acetylene glycol-based surfactants, fluorine-based surfactants, and phosphate-based surfactants. More specifically, examples of the surfactants include polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether sulfates, polyoxyalkylene alkyl aryl ether sulfates, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphates, or salts thereof, aliphatic dibasic acid esters, aliphatic monobasic acid esters, and polyalkylene glycol esters.

[0019] The surfactant content in the alcohol-based marker ink for infusion containers of the present invention is in the range of 1% by mass to 3% by mass, preferably 1.5% by mass to 2.5% by mass. If the content is less than 1% by mass, the solubility of the dye is insufficient, which may lead to precipitation, whereas if the content is more than 3% by mass, the water resistance may be poor and the writing lines may dry slowly, which is undesirable.

[0020] Furthermore, examples of the dry-up inhibitor that is a component of the alcohol-based marker ink for infusion containers of the present invention include sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, fatty acid esters, sucrose fatty acid esters, glycerin fatty acid esters, polyglycerin fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, etc. By incorporating such a dry-up inhibitor, even if the marker pen is left with the pen core exposed, a coating is formed on the surface of the pen core, thereby suppressing evaporation of the marker ink.

[0021] The content of the dry-up prevention agent in the alcohol-based marker ink for infusion containers of the present invention is in the range of 0.5% by mass to 2.0% by mass, preferably 0.8% by mass to 1.2% by mass. If the content is less than 0.5% by mass, the effect of the dry-up prevention agent is not fully exerted, and if it exceeds 2.0% by mass, the water resistance tends to deteriorate and the drying speed of the written lines tends to be slow, which is undesirable.

[0022] The alcohol-based marker ink for infusion containers of the present invention may contain other components that have been conventionally used in marker inks, provided that the effects of the present invention are not impaired. Examples of such components include shear thinning agents, antifungal agents, rust inhibitors, lubricants, thickeners, antisettling agents, moisturizers, etc.

[0023] <Liquid applicator> The marker pen for infusion containers of the present invention comprises a liquid applicator having a cylindrical body, a pen core located at at least one end of the body, and a cap for protecting the pen core, and ink contained in the body of the liquid applicator, the ink being the above-mentioned alcohol-based marker ink for infusion containers of the present invention. The marker pen for infusion containers of the present invention can be used safely even when writing directly on a plastic infusion container because the ink components are prevented from penetrating into the infusion container.

[0024] The liquid applicator constituting the infusion container marker pen of the present invention is not particularly limited, and any liquid applicator constituting a known marker pen may be used as long as the pen core does not damage the plastic infusion container when directly written on the plastic infusion container. For example, the liquid applicator may have a cylindrical main body, a pen core disposed at one end of the main body, and a cap that can be attached and detached to the main body to protect the pen core. The main body may be structured to directly contain alcohol-based marker ink, or may have a tank section inside and contain alcohol-based marker ink in the tank section.

[0025] The infusion container marker pen of the present invention may also have a valve mechanism between the main body of the liquid applicator and the pen core. In this case, the valve mechanism may be of a general configuration that opens when the pen core is pushed in, and writing becomes possible by pressing the pen core against the plastic infusion container. The infusion container marker pen of the present invention may also not have a valve mechanism.

[0026] The liquid applicator of the infusion container marker pen of the present invention may have a cylindrical body, a pen core disposed at both ends of the body, and a cap that can be attached and detached to the body to protect the pen core. Furthermore, the liquid applicator may have a padding or the like disposed within the body, or a tank section within the body, and the alcohol-based marker ink may be absorbed in the padding or the like disposed in the tank section.

[0027] The material of the plastic infusion container for which the alcohol-based marker ink for infusion containers of the present invention and the marker pen for infusion containers of the present invention are to be used is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyethylene, polyamide, etc. EXAMPLES

[0028] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0029] [Example 1] <Preparation of Marker Ink for Infusion Containers> An alcohol-based marker ink (Ink Sample 1) was prepared having the following composition: (Composition of Ink Sample 1) ·Dye…9.0% by mass (Oil Black SF, manufactured by Chuo Synthetic Chemical Co., Ltd.) ·Resin…8.6% by mass (Marquid No. 32, manufactured by Arakawa Chemical Industries, Ltd.) Surfactant: 2.0% by mass (Plysurf A207 manufactured by Daiichi Kogyo Seiyaku Co., Ltd.) Dry-up prevention agent: 1.0% by mass (Ryoto Sugar Ester S-970, manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation) Solvent (n-propyl alcohol) … 79.4% by mass

[0030] Furthermore, the composition of ink sample 1 was changed as shown in Table 1 below to prepare nine types of alcohol-based marker inks (ink sample 2 to ink sample 10).

[0031] [Table 1]

[0032] Also, an alcohol-based marker ink (ink sample 11) was prepared in the same manner as ink sample 1, except that the n-propyl alcohol, which is the solvent contained in ink sample 1, was replaced with isopropyl alcohol.

[0033] Also, an alcohol-based marker ink (ink sample 12) was prepared in the same manner as ink sample 1, except that the n-propyl alcohol, which is the solvent contained in ink sample 1, was replaced with ethyl alcohol.

[0034] Also, a marker ink (ink sample 13) was prepared in the same manner as ink sample 1, except that the n-propyl alcohol, which is the solvent contained in ink sample 1, was replaced with xylene.

[0035] Furthermore, a marker ink (ink sample 14) was prepared in the same manner as ink sample 1, except that the n-propyl alcohol, which is the solvent contained in ink sample 1, was replaced with propylene glycol monomethyl ether.

[0036] <Evaluation> An infusion bag (Safemic TPN 500 mL, manufactured by JMS Co., Ltd.) made of polyethylene was prepared as a plastic infusion container.

[0037] The infusion bag was filled with 0.1 g of the 14 types of marker inks (ink samples 1 to 14) prepared as described above, sealed, and left at room temperature for 15 minutes. The weight difference between the initial and 15 minutes was measured, and the weight loss rate was calculated. The results are shown in Table 2 below.

[0038] [Table 2] *In Table 2, Solvent A: n-propyl alcohol Solvent B: Isopropyl alcohol Solvent C: Ethyl alcohol Solvent D: Xylene Solvent E: Propylene glycol monomethyl ether

[0039] As shown in Table 2, when ink samples 1 to 10, in which the solvent is n-propyl alcohol, ink sample 11, in which the solvent is isopropyl alcohol, and ink sample 12, in which the solvent is ethyl alcohol, were injected, the weight of the infusion bag did not decrease after 15 minutes of standing, and the ink components (solvent) were prevented from penetrating the infusion bag from each ink sample and from volatilizing to the outside. This confirmed that ink samples 1 to 12 are prevented from penetrating into a plastic infusion container even when directly written on the container, and are therefore highly safe.

[0040] In contrast, when ink sample 13, which uses xylene as a solvent, and ink sample 14, which uses propylene glycol monomethyl ether as a solvent, were injected, the weight of the infusion bag decreased after being left for 15 minutes, confirming that the ink components (solvent) from each ink sample had penetrated into the infusion bag and volatilized to the outside. From this, it was confirmed that when ink sample 13 and ink sample 14 are used to write directly on a plastic infusion container, the ink components (solvent) penetrate into the infusion bag, and caution is required in terms of safety when used.

[0041] [Example 2] <Preparation of Marker Ink for Infusion Containers> In the same manner as in Example 1, 12 types of marker inks (ink samples 1 to 12) were prepared.

[0042] <Production of marker pen for infusion container> An ink sample 1 was placed in the main body of a liquid applicator equipped with a pen core, which was a rod-shaped fiber bundle made of polyester resin fiber, to prepare a marker pen for an infusion container (pen sample 1). Moreover, marker pens for infusion containers (pen samples 2 to 12) were produced in the same manner as in pen sample 1, using ink samples 2 to 12 prepared as described above.

[0043] <Evaluation> An infusion bag (Safemic TPN 500 mL, manufactured by JMS Co., Ltd.) made of polyethylene was prepared as a plastic infusion container.

[0044] A square filled-in area with a side length of 5 cm was formed on the outer wall surface of this infusion bag using a marker pen for infusion containers (pen samples 1 to 12) (amount of ink used: 100 mg). The drying time of the ink in this filled-in area was measured, and the drying property was evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria, with the results shown in Table 3 below. In addition, the concentration of the filled-in area was visually measured, and the visibility was evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria, with the results shown in Table 3 below.

[0045] In addition, a similar filling-in test was performed on an infusion bag using a marker pen for infusion containers (pen samples 1 to 12). After 30 minutes, the bag was immersed in ion-exchanged water at room temperature for 1 hour, then removed and a test was performed to check the condition of the written line. The water resistance was evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria, and the results are shown in Table 3 below. Furthermore, marker pens for infusion containers (pen samples 1 to 12) were used and left horizontally with the pen tip exposed in an environment of 20°C and 65% humidity. After 30 minutes, 1 hour, 5 hours, and 12 hours, they were written on paper and the condition of the handwriting was visually confirmed. The resistance to dry-up was evaluated according to the following evaluation criteria, and the results are shown in Table 3 below. Incidentally, evaluation of pen sample 7 could not be performed because the dye in ink sample 7 was not dissolved.

[0046] (Evaluation criteria for drying property) ○: Dries in 10 seconds or less, and dries quickly. △: It took longer than 10 seconds, but dried in 30 seconds or less and is usable. ×: Drying took more than 30 seconds, and was not practical. (Visibility evaluation criteria) ○: The writing is very good. △: The handwriting is slightly faint but still visible. ×: Handwriting is not visible. (Water resistance evaluation criteria) ○: No change in handwriting. △: Some discoloration of handwriting is observed. ×: Discoloration is clearly observed and is not visible. (Evaluation criteria for dry-up resistance) ○: Good handwriting is obtained even after 12 hours with the cap off. △: Blurring of handwriting is observed 1 to 5 hours after removing the cap. ×: Blurring of handwriting is observed 30 minutes after capping off.

[0047] [Table 3]

[0048] As shown in Table 3, the ink samples 1 to 4, the ink sample 11, and the pen sample 12 using the ink sample 12 were excellent. It was confirmed that the inks had good drying properties, visibility, and water resistance. In addition, it was confirmed that the inks of the pen samples 1 to 4, which used n-propyl alcohol as the lower alcohol solvent, had even better resistance to drying up.

[0049] On the other hand, pen samples 5 to 10, which used ink samples 5 to 10 in which the content of at least one of the lower alcohol as a solvent, dye, resin, surfactant, and dry-up prevention agent was outside the content range of the present invention, were not practical in at least one of drying properties, visibility, water resistance, and dry-up resistance. [Industrial Applicability]

[0050] The alcohol-based marker ink for infusion containers and the marker pen for infusion containers using the same according to the present invention are safe to use even when writing directly on plastic infusion containers, and are therefore highly applicable in industry.

Claims

1. An alcohol-based marker ink for infusion containers, comprising at least a lower alcohol as a solvent, a dye, a resin, a surfactant, and a dry-up prevention agent, the content of the lower alcohol being in the range of 68% to 85% by mass, the content of the dye being in the range of 3% to 12% by mass, the content of the resin being in the range of 5% to 15% by mass, the content of the surfactant being in the range of 1% to 3% by mass, and the content of the dry-up prevention agent being in the range of 0.5% to 2.0% by mass.

2. 2. The alcohol-based marker ink for an infusion container according to claim 1, wherein the lower alcohol is n-propyl alcohol.

3. A marker pen for an infusion container, comprising: a liquid applicator having a cylindrical body, a pen tip located at at least one end of the body, and a cap for protecting the pen tip; and ink contained in the body of the liquid applicator, wherein the ink is an alcohol-based marker ink as described in claim 1 or claim 2.

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