Self-dampening ink compositions and method for lithographic printing using the same

Abstract

A self-dampening ink composition and methods for lithographic printing using a single fluid lithographic ink are provided in the invention in which the composition comprises glycerol in an amount greater than 0 to about 10 percent by weight, a nonionic surfactant with an HLB value of about 8 to about 20 in an amount from about 0.25 to about 2 percent by weight, and water in an amount of about 20 to about 50 percent by weight.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A self-dampening single fluid printing ink composition, comprising: 
 (a) glycerol;    (b) a nonionic surfactant having a hydrophilic/lipophilic balance of about 8 to about 20; and    (c) water.    
     
     
         2 . The self-dampening single fluid printing ink composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the amount of the glycerol present is up to about 10 percent by weight.  
     
     
         3 . The self-dampening single fluid printing ink composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the amount of the glycerol present is up to about 6 percent by weight.  
     
     
         4 . The self-dampening single fluid printing ink composition according to  claim 3 , wherein the amount of the gycerol is from about 1 percent to about 3 percent by weight.  
     
     
         5 . The self-dampening single fluid printing ink composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the amount of the nonionic surfactant is from about 0.25 to about 2 percent by weight.  
     
     
         6 . The self-dampening single fluid printing ink composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the amount of the water is from about 20 percent to about 50 percent by weight.  
     
     
         7 . The self-dampening single fluid printing ink composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the nonionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of silicone-derived surfactants, alkyl phenols and polyethylene oxide derivatives thereof, alkyl amines and polyethylene oxide derivatives thereof, fatty acid amides and polyethylene oxide derivatives thereof, block copolymers of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide, fatty acid esters, polyglycosides, polypropylene glycol, oils and fats.  
     
     
         8 . The self-dampening single fluid printing ink composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the nonionic surfactant is an alkyl phenol polyethylene oxide, a polyglycoside or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         9 . The self-dampening single fluid printing ink composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising mineral oil.  
     
     
         10 . The self-dampening single fluid printing ink composition according to  claim 9 , wherein the mineral oil is present in an amount of 20 percent to about 50 percent by weight based on the total weight of the printing composition.  
     
     
         11 . The self-dampening single fluid printing ink composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising a colorant.  
     
     
         12 . The self-dampening single fluid printing ink composition according to  claim 11 , wherein the colorant is a carbon black present in an amount of about 1 to about 20 percent by weight based on the total weight of the printing ink composition.  
     
     
         13 . The self-dampening single fluid printing ink composition according to  claim 1 , further comprising a binder resin.  
     
     
         14 . The self-dampening single fluid printing ink composition according to  claim 13 , wherein the binder resin is present in an amount of about 2 to about 10 weight percent based on the total weight of the printing ink composition.  
     
     
         15 . A method for lithographic printing comprising using a self-dampening lithographic ink composition comprising a glycerol; a nonionic surfactant having a hydrophilic/lipophilic balance of about 8 to about 20; and water.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the self-dampening printing ink composition comprises glycerol in an amount of up to about 10 percent by weight; a nonionic surfactant having a hydrophilic/lipophilic balance of about 8 to about 20 in an amount of about 0.25 percent by weight to about 2 percent by weight; and water in an amount of about 20 to about 50 percent by weight, wherein the weight percentages are based on a total weight of the printing ink composition.