| abstract |
A method for making and the composition for an initially erasable ink for a ball point writing instrument which ink is characterized by its initial erasability by ordinary pencil erasers when applied by a ball point writing instrument to an absorbent paper-like writing surface and which thereafter develops permanence. The method includes the steps of: (a) selecting elastomeric material from synthetic rubbers not having the chemical structure of natural rubber, with or without cis-1,4-polyisoprene, and mixtures thereof; (b) masticating the selected elastomeric material by subjecting same to high shear stresses; (c) coloring said masticated elastomeric material by forced impregnation of colored pigments into said elastomeric material while subjecting same to further shear stresses; and (d) mixing the pigmented elastomeric material with a solvent system that includes a volatile component and an essentially non-volatile low viscosity component in the form of a hydrocarbon oil, an essential oil, a petroleum derivative, a plasticizer or mixtures thereof to form an erasable ink composition. The ink composition comprises a pre-pigmented elastomer and a solvent system that contains a volatile component, a non-volatile low viscosity component, and a non-volatile component having a boiling point of 300 DEG or greater. |