Enhanced Cosmetic Ink Composition for Improved Stability, Print Quality, and Safety

Publication ID: 24-11857665_0001_PTD

Published: October 28, 2025

Category:Direct Improvements & Enhancements

Legal Citation

pr1or.art Inc., “Enhanced Cosmetic Ink Composition for Improved Stability, Print Quality, and Safety,” Published Technical Disclosure No. 24-11857665_0001_PTD, Published October 28, 2025, available at https://archive.pr1or.art/24-11857665_0001_PTD

This technical disclosure describes improvements that would be readily apparent to a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art (PHOSITA) when considered in combination with the foundational architecture disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 11,857,665.

Summary of the Inventive Concept

The present invention relates to a novel cosmetic ink composition that exhibits improved stability, print quality, and safety, addressing the limitations of existing ink compositions in thermal and piezo inkjet printing applications.

Background and Problem Solved

The original patent, 'Stable cosmetic ink composition', disclosed an ink composition suitable for high-frequency printing via thermal and/or piezo inkjet printheads. However, the original composition may still exhibit settling and syneresis, compromising print quality and shelf life. Furthermore, the composition may contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that pose safety concerns. The present invention addresses these limitations by introducing novel components and formulations that improve the stability, print quality, and safety of the cosmetic ink composition.

Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept

The enhanced cosmetic ink composition comprises a particulate material having a Particle Size Distribution D50 of about 100 nm to about 2,000 nm, a (meth)acrylic acid homopolymer or salt thereof, and a rheology modifier. The composition exhibits improved stability by maintaining a storage modulus of at least 10 Pa and a loss modulus of at most 5 Pa after 30 days of static storage. Additionally, the composition may include a stabilizing agent selected from surfactants, polymers, and combinations thereof to further improve shelf life. The composition also exhibits improved print quality by reducing the amount of settling and syneresis. In another embodiment, the composition is designed to reduce VOCs to less than 10 ppm, ensuring improved safety. A system for printing cosmetic inks, comprising a printhead, an ink reservoir, and a temperature control unit, may also be employed to maintain a temperature of from about 20°C to about 30°C, preventing degradation of the ink composition.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The present invention introduces novel components and formulations that improve the stability, print quality, and safety of the cosmetic ink composition, distinguishing it from the original patent. The specific combination of a particulate material with a (meth)acrylic acid homopolymer or salt thereof, and a rheology modifier, along with the addition of a stabilizing agent and/or VOC-reducing components, provides an inventive step over the prior art.

Alternative Embodiments and Variations

Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept may include varying the type and amount of particulate material, using different (meth)acrylic acid homopolymers or salts, or incorporating additional additives to further enhance stability and print quality. The composition may also be adapted for use in different printing applications, such as textile or packaging printing.

Potential Commercial Applications and Market

The enhanced cosmetic ink composition has significant commercial potential in the beauty and personal care industry, as well as in other industries where high-quality, safe, and reliable printing is essential. The invention may be particularly attractive to companies seeking to develop innovative, sustainable, and environmentally friendly printing solutions.

CPC Classifications

Section	Class	Group
A	A61	A61K8/8147
A	A61	A61K8/0241
A	A61	A61K8/29
A	A61	A61K8/8152
A	A61	A61Q1/02
C	C09	C09D11/107
C	C09	C09D11/322
A	A61	A61K8/44
A	A61	A61K8/60
A	A61	A61K8/675
A	A61	A61K2800/41
A	A61	A61K2800/412
A	A61	A61K2800/43
A	A61	A61K2800/48
A	A61	A61K2800/524
A	A61	A61K2800/546
A	A61	A61K2800/621
A	A61	A61K2800/87

Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)

▼

Field of Art

Cosmetic formulation chemistry, specifically inkjet printable ink compositions for cosmetic applications, involving materials science, colloidal chemistry, and printing technology

Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile

A chemist or materials scientist with expertise in cosmetic formulations, ink chemistry, particulate material stabilization, and thermal/piezo inkjet printing technologies, holding at least a Master's degree with 3-5 years of industrial research experience

Obviousness Rationale

A PHOSITA would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable engineering modifications to the source patent's cosmetic ink composition, utilizing standard techniques for improving ink stability, print quality, and safety through known additives and process parameters. The disclosed improvements follow standard optimization strategies in ink formulation technology, involving incremental adjustments to particulate material composition, rheological properties, and printing system parameters.

Obvious Combinations & Variations

Source Patent Element

Particulate material with Particle Size Distribution D50 of 100-2000 nm

PTD Variation

Adding stabilizing agents like surfactants and polymers to improve particle suspension stability

Obviousness Reasoning

Particle stabilization is a known technique in colloidal chemistry, and a PHOSITA would recognize that adding stabilizing agents represents a predictable solution to preventing particle settling

Source Patent Element

Titanium dioxide as particulate material

PTD Variation

Reducing VOCs to less than 10 ppm in the ink composition

Obviousness Reasoning

Minimizing volatile organic compounds is a standard safety optimization in cosmetic formulations, representing a routine design choice for improving product safety

Source Patent Element

Thermal and piezo inkjet printing compatibility

PTD Variation

Implementing temperature control unit to maintain 20-30°C printing environment

Obviousness Reasoning

Temperature management is a standard technique for maintaining ink stability and print quality, representing a predictable engineering solution in printing technologies

Source Patent Element

(Meth)acrylic acid homopolymer as ink component

PTD Variation

Modifying rheology modifier to improve storage and loss modulus characteristics

Obviousness Reasoning

Rheological property optimization is a routine approach in ink formulation, involving systematic adjustment of polymer components to achieve desired performance characteristics

Source Patent Element

Cosmetic ink composition for printing applications

PTD Variation

Expanding potential printing applications to textile and packaging sectors

Obviousness Reasoning

Adapting ink compositions across related printing domains represents a standard technological extension driven by market demands and material compatibility

35 U.S.C. § 103 Summary: Based on the teachings of US Patent 11857665, a Person Having Ordinary Skill In The Art would find the variations disclosed in the Published Technical Disclosure to be obvious extensions of the prior art, representing predictable engineering modifications that do not rise to the level of non-obvious invention. The incremental improvements in ink stability, print quality, and safety parameters follow standard optimization strategies in cosmetic ink formulation technology and would be readily conceived by a skilled practitioner without requiring inventive insight.

Original Patent Information

Patent Number	US 11,857,665
Title	Stable cosmetic ink composition
Assignee(s)	The Procter & Gamble Company