Abstract A process for making ink jet inks, comprising the steps of: (A) providing an organic pigment dispersion containing a pigment, a carrier for the pigment and a dispersant; (B) mixing the pigment dispersion with rigid milling media having an average particle size less than 100 µm; (C) introducing the mixture of step (B) into a high speed mill; (D) milling the mixture from step (C) until a pigment particle size distribution is obtained wherein 90% by weight of the pigment particles have a size less than 100 nanometers (nm); (E) separating the milling media from the mixture milled in step (D); and (F) diluting the mixture from step (E) to obtain an ink jet ink having a pigment concentration suitable for ink jet printers.
A process for making ink jet inks, comprising the steps of: (A) providing an organic pigment dispersion containing a pigment, a carrier for the pigment and a dispersant; (B) mixing the pigment dispersion with rigid milling media having an average particle size less than 100 µm; (C) introducing the mixture of step (B) into a high speed mill; (D) milling the mixture from step (C) until a pigment particle size distribution is obtained wherein 90% by weight of the pigment particles have a size less than 100 nanometers (nm); (E) separating the milling media from the mixture milled in step (D); and (F) diluting the mixture from step (E) to obtain an ink jet ink having a pigment concentration suitable for ink jet printers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the rigid milling media is polymeric milling media having an average diameter of 50 µm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the dispersant is a polymeric dispersant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the dispersant is sodium N-methyl-N-oleoyl taurate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 1 wherein step (D) is carried out until 90% by weight of the pigments in the mixture have a particle size less than 50 nm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
The process of claim 1 wherein step (D) is carried out until 10% by weight of pigments in the mixture have a particle size less than 15 nm; 50% by weight of said pigments have a particle size less than 25 nm and 90% by weight of said pigments have a particle size less than 50 nm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
An ink jet ink comprising organic pigment particles having a particle size of wherein 90% by weight of the pigment particles have a size less than 100 nanometers (nm).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
An ink jet ink according to claim 7 having a surface tension in the range of 30 to 50 dynes/cm, a viscosity in the range of 1 to 5 centipoise, a pH in the range of 5 to 9 and a total trace metal contamination concentration of less than 100 parts per million of ink containing 2.5% by weight of pigment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The ink of claim 8 wherein 90% by weight of the pigments in the ink have a particle size less than 50 nm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
70 words
An ink jet printing method, comprising the steps of: providing an ink jet printer that is responsive to digital data signals; loading the printer with ink receptive substrates; loading the printer with an ink jet ink comprising organic pigment particles wherein 90% by weight of the pigment particles have a size less than 100 nanometers (nm); and printing on an ink receptive element in response to the digital data signals.