Water-immersion indicator indicia and articles bearing such indicia

Abstract

There are described articles bearing indicia applied with an ink composition which comprises two or more color-changing or color-forming components which combine, or become diluted, upon exposure to water for a sufficient period of time to cause a change in the appearance of the indicia. Also described are printing ink compositions for forming such indicia and methods for forming such articles.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An indicia-bearing article, said indicia comprising an ink composition comprising two or more color-changing or color-forming components which cause a change in the appearance of the indicia upon exposure to water for a sufficient period of time.  
     
     
         2 . The article according to  claim 1  which is a golf ball.  
     
     
         3 . The article according to  claim 1  wherein said indicia are initially colored.  
     
     
         4 . The article according to  claim 3  wherein said indicia change to another color upon exposure to water for a sufficient period of time.  
     
     
         5 . The article according to  claim 3  wherein one of said color-changing or color-forming components is an acid-sensitive leuco dye and the other of said components is an acid developer.  
     
     
         6 . The article as defined in  claim 3  wherein said indicia become colorless or substantially colorless upon exposure to water for a sufficient period of time.  
     
     
         7 . The article as defined in  claim 3  wherein said indicia are initially colorless and become colored upon exposure to water for a sufficient period of time.  
     
     
         8 . The article as defined in  claim 1  wherein one of said color-changing or color-forming components is an acid-sensitive indicator dye and the other of said components is a water-soluble or water-diffusible acid.  
     
     
         9 . The article as defined in  claim 1  wherein one of said color-changing or color-forming components is an acid-sensitive water-soluble or water-diffusible dye and the other of said components is an acid.  
     
     
         10 . The article as defined in  claim 1  wherein one of said color-changing or color-forming components is a base-sensitive indicator dye and the other of said components is a water-soluble or water-diffusible base.  
     
     
         11 . A method for forming an indicia-bearing article comprising imprinting on an article indicia comprising an ink composition comprising two or more color-changing or color-forming components which cause a change in the appearance of the indicia upon exposure to water for a sufficient period of time.  
     
     
         12 . The method as defined in  claim 11  wherein said ink composition comprises said two or more components in an organic solvent.  
     
     
         13 . The method as defined in  claim 12  wherein said ink composition further includes a binder material.  
     
     
         14 . The method as defined in  claim 11  wherein said article is a golf ball.  
     
     
         15 . The method as defined in  claim 11  wherein said indicia are initially colored.  
     
     
         16 . The method as defined in  claim 15  wherein said indicia change to another color upon exposure to water for a sufficient period of time.  
     
     
         17 . The method as defined in  claim 15  wherein said indicia become substantially colorless or colorless upon exposure to water for a sufficient period of time.  
     
     
         18 . The method as defined in  claim 11  wherein said indicia are initially colorless and become colored upon exposure to water for a sufficient period of time.  
     
     
         19 . The method as defined in  claim 11  wherein one of said color-changing or color-forming components is an acid-sensitive indicator dye and the other of said components is a water-soluble or water-diffusible acid.  
     
     
         20 . The method as defined in  claim 11  wherein one of said color-changing or color-forming components is an acid-sensitive water-soluble or water-diffusible dye and the other of said components is an acid.  
     
     
         21 . The method as defined in  claim 11  wherein one of said color-changing or color-forming components is a base-sensitive indicator dye and the other of said components is a water-soluble or water-diffusible base.  
     
     
         22 . The method as defined in  claim 15  wherein one of said color-changing or color-forming components is an acid-sensitive leuco dye and the other of said components is an acid developer.  
     
     
         23 . A printing ink composition comprising two or more color-changing or color-forming components in an organic solvent.  
     
     
         24 . The printing ink composition as defined in  claim 23  and further including a binder material.  
     
     
         25 . The printing ink composition as defined in  claim 24  wherein one of said components is an acid-sensitive indicator dye and the other of said components is a water-soluble or water-diffusible acid.  
     
     
         26 . The printing ink composition as defined in  claim 24  wherein one of said components is an acid-sensitive water-soluble or water-diffusible indicator dye and the other of said components is an acid.  
     
     
         27 . The printing ink composition as defined in  claim 24  wherein one of said components is a water-soluble or water-diffusible, base-sensitive indicator dye and the other of said components is a base.  
     
     
         28 . The printing ink composition as defined in  claim 24  wherein one of said components is a base-sensitive indicator dye and the other of said components is a water-soluble or water-diffusible base.