Aqueous-Triggered Color-Appearing Inks

摘要

The invention describes a color-developing composition that contains at least four major components: (1) a leuco dye or a combination of leuco dyes, (2) an electron-withdrawing color-developer agent or a combination of color-developers that can form colored complexes with the leuco dyes, (3) a separator or combination of separators that when present in sufficient amounts, can prevent the formation of the colored complexes between the color-developer and leuco dyes, all contained within (4) an encapsulation matrix that includes at least one film-forming and one aqueous-insoluble polymer. All of the foregoing components are dissolved together in a volatile organic solvent medium to form a homogeneous solution that can be applied as an ink on substrates, which can be incorporated as part of absorbent articles or personal care products.

主权项

1. A color-changing article comprising:
a substrate; and a film disposed on a surface of the substrate, the film comprising a dried colorless or pale, non-aqueous based, homogeneous solution located in a water-pervious, organic polymeric cage comprising at least one polymer soluble in volatile organic solvents; wherein the solution comprises a) one or more leuco dyes; b) one or more separators that are non-volatile and soluble in both volatile organic solvents and water; and c) one or more electron withdrawing color-developers that cannot form colored complexes with said leuco dyes in the presence of said separators without the presence of water, but can form colored complexes with the leuco dyes in the presence of water; wherein the film manifests a color when contacted by an aqueous medium.