Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

An ink preferably used in piezoelectric ink jet devices includes an ink vehicle that includes at least one curable monomer, at least one polymerizable organic gelator, at least one initiator, at least one colorant and optionally at least one low molecular mass non-reactive organic gelator and/or at least one thermal solvent. The use of the curable gelator enables the ink to form a gel state having a viscosity of at least 10.sup.2.5 cps at very low temperatures of about 30.degree. C. to about 50.degree. C. The ink may thus be jetted at low temperatures of about 50.degree. C. to about 90.degree. C. The ink is heated to a first temperature above the gel point of the ink, jetted onto a surface maintained at a second temperature at which the ink forms a gel state, and when on the image receiving substrate, is exposed to radiation energy to polymerize the polymerizable components of the ink.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim