Treatment formulations for use with intermediate transfer members - Patents.com

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a hydrophilic treatment formulation for use with an intermediate transfer member of an indirect printing system, and a printing method utilizing the same. The present disclosure further relates to an intermediate transfer member having a release layer surface coated with the formulation, and a printed article produced using the formulation.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE This disclosure relates to indirect printing processes and systems, and more particularly to treatment formulations suitable for treating intermediate transfer members utilized in such processes and systems. [Background technology]

[0002] The following patent publications [1]-

[18] to the present applicant provide potentially relevant background material and are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties: [1] WO / 2013 / 132339 (publication of PCT / IB2013 / 000757); [2] WO / 2015 / 036960 (publication of PCT / IB2014 / 064444); [3] WO / 2015 / 036864 (publication of PCT / IB2014 / 002366); [4] WO / 2019 / 111223 (publication of PCT / IB2018 / 059761); [5] WO / 2020 / 141465 (publication of PCT / IB2020 / 050001); [6] WO / 2017 / 208246 (publication of PCT / IL2017 / 050616); [7] WO / 2020 / 003088 (publication of PCT / IB2019 / 055288); [8] WO / 2017 / 208152 (publication of PCT / IB2017 / 053177); [9] WO / 2013 / 132418 (publication of PCT / IB2013 / 051716);

[10] WO / 2013 / 132439 (publication of PCT / IB2013 / 51755);

[11] WO / 2015 / 036865 (publication of PCT / IB2014 / 02395);

[12] WO / 2019 / 012456 (publication of PCT / IB2018 / 055126);

[13] WO / 2020 / 136517 (publication of PCT / IB2019 / 061081);

[14] WO / 2013 / 132420 (publication of PCT / IB2013 / 051718);

[15] WO / 2015 / 036906 (publication of PCT / IB2014 / 064277);

[16] WO / 2021 / 137063 (publication of PCT / IB2020 / 061673);

[17] U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 362,971; and

[18] WO / 2013 / 132345 (publication of PCT / IB2013 / 000840).

[0003] Identification of the above references herein should not be construed as implying that they are in any way relevant to the patentability of the subject matter of the present disclosure. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] WO / 2013 / 132339 (publication of PCT / IB2013 / 000757); [Patent Document 2] WO / 2015 / 036960 (publication of PCT / IB2014 / 064444); [Patent Document 3] WO / 2015 / 036864 (publication of PCT / IB2014 / 002366); [Patent Document 4] WO / 2019 / 111223 (publication of PCT / IB2018 / 059761); [Patent Document 5] WO / 2020 / 141465 (publication of PCT / IB2020 / 050001); [Patent Document 6] WO / 2017 / 208246 (publication of PCT / IL2017 / 050616); [Patent Document 7] WO / 2020 / 003088 (publication of PCT / IB2019 / 055288); [Patent Document 8] WO / 2017 / 208152 (publication of PCT / IB2017 / 053177); [Patent Document 9] WO / 2013 / 132418 (publication of PCT / IB2013 / 051716); [Patent Document 10] WO / 2013 / 132439 (publication of PCT / IB2013 / 51755); [Patent Document 11] WO / 2015 / 036865 (publication of PCT / IB2014 / 02395); [Patent Document 12] WO / 2019 / 012456 (publication of PCT / IB2018 / 055126); [Patent Document 13] WO / 2020 / 136517 (publication of PCT / IB2019 / 061081); [Patent Document 14] WO / 2013 / 132420 (publication of PCT / IB2013 / 051718); [Patent Document 15] WO / 2015 / 036906 (publication of PCT / IB2014 / 064277); [Patent Document 16] WO / 2021 / 137063 (publication of PCT / IB2020 / 061673); [Patent Document 17] U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 362,971; and [Patent Document 18] WO / 2013 / 132345 (Publication of PCT / IB2013 / 000840) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Summary of the Invention The present inventors have developed a treatment formulation for use with an intermediate transfer member (ITM) in an indirect printing system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] As will be described in detail herein below, the treatment formulation of the present invention is a unique formulation that has a unique sweating behavior in the dry state. The treatment formulation of the present invention is substantially free of flocculating agents and / or flocculation inducers, such as water-soluble polymeric binders. The inventors have surprisingly discovered that the removal of such agents impacts the printing process and improves its performance. For example, the number of print cycles of the printing system can be increased due to reduced accumulation of treatment formulation components on the ITM, thus eliminating the need for cleaning and / or polishing of the ITM and other parts of the printing system.

[0007] The treatment formulation also demonstrated reduced filter clogging, phase separation (in wet conditions), and bath contamination, and was found to be beneficial in terms of improved system compatibility. Additionally, the treatment formulation has the benefit of reduced image ghosting (which can be caused by formulation components accumulating on the ITM), and improved print quality (e.g., improved print uniformity, ink wetting on the ITM, dot size, coffee stain, missing nozzle correction, and printhead compatibility). Additionally, the inventors have found that the treatment formulation of the present invention significantly improves image transfer to a variety of substrates.

[0008] In the present invention, the release surface of the intermediate transfer member is pretreated (e.g., coated) with a treatment formulation according to the present invention prior to deposition of an ink image on the release surface. The treatment formulation (also referred to herein as a hydrophilic treatment formulation) is spread (applied) on the surface of the ITM to form a thin wet treatment layer thereon, which is subjected to a drying step on the ITM release surface to leave a thin, dry, non-cohesive treatment layer on the ITM release surface. In contrast to previously disclosed treatment formulations that comprise a water-soluble polymeric binder, and which upon drying form a thin, dry, film treatment layer on the ITM, the non-cohesive treatment layer of the present invention does not form a film on the ITM. The present inventors have surprisingly found that the treatment formulation of the present invention, when dried, i.e., when volatiles such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and water are removed / evaporated from the treatment formulation, forms a non-coalesced layer on the ITM that exhibits sweating behavior, i.e., the treatment formulation forms (and sometimes separates) two phases: a dry solid (or semi-solid) phase and an oily liquid phase. Note that sometimes the oily liquid phase may contain traces (very small amounts) of water and / or another hydrophilic liquid.

[0009] After the dry, thin, non-cohesive treatment layer is formed on the ITM, droplets of a water-based ink are deposited (e.g., by inkjet) onto the layer to form an ink image. It is noted that the ink droplets may be continuous or discontinuous. It is further noted that the ink droplets may cover the entire area of ​​the dry, thin, non-cohesive treatment layer or may cover only a portion of that area (in the latter case, resulting in areas on the layer where no ink is deposited). The formed ink image is then subjected to a drying process, leaving behind an ink residue on the non-cohesive treatment layer. The dried ink image is transferred from the ITM surface to the final print substrate (e.g., foil-based, paper-based, plastic-based).

[0010] Thus, in a first aspect thereof, the present invention provides a hydrophilic treatment formulation for use with an intermediate transfer member of a printing system, said hydrophilic treatment formulation comprising: i. a water-containing liquid, said water-containing liquid comprising from about 5% to about 97.5% by weight (sometimes from about 5% to about 95% by weight) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation; ii. at least one first nonionic surfactant; Including, wherein said hydrophilic treatment formulation optionally comprises: iii. at least one second nonionic surfactant; iv. at least one moisturizer; v. at least one wetting agent, which is optionally a first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent; and vi. at least one antimicrobial agent; and further comprising one or more of: Here, the dry form of the hydrophilic treatment formulation is a non-coagulated form of a solid material (or semi-solid material) that has sweated non-volatile liquid oil.

[0011] In another aspect thereof, the present invention provides a hydrophilic treatment formulation for use with an intermediate transfer member of a printing system, said hydrophilic treatment formulation comprising: i. a water-containing liquid, said water-containing liquid comprising from about 5% to about 97.5% by weight (sometimes from about 5% to about 95% by weight) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation; ii. at least one first nonionic surfactant having a solubility in water of at least about 7% at 25° C., said first nonionic surfactant comprising from about 2.5% to about 95% (sometimes from about 5% to about 95%) by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation; Including, wherein said hydrophilic treatment formulation optionally comprises: iii. at least one second nonionic surfactant having a solubility in water of at least 1% at 25°C; iv. at least one moisturizer; v. at least one wetting agent, which is optionally a first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent; and vi. at least one antimicrobial agent; and further comprising one or more of: Here, the dry form of the hydrophilic treatment formulation is a non-coagulated form of a solid material (or semi-solid material) that has sweated non-volatile liquid oil.

[0012] In a further aspect thereof, the present invention provides a hydrophilic treatment formulation for use with an intermediate transfer member of a printing system, said hydrophilic treatment formulation comprising: i. a water-containing liquid, said water-containing liquid comprising from about 5% to about 97.5% by weight (sometimes from about 5% to about 95% by weight) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation; ii. at least one first nonionic surfactant; Including, wherein said hydrophilic treatment formulation optionally comprises: iii. at least one second nonionic surfactant; iv. at least one moisturizer; v. at least one wetting agent, which is optionally a first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent; and vi. at least one antimicrobial agent; and further comprising one or more of: Here, the hydrophilic treatment formulation is substantially free of film formers.

[0013] In another aspect thereof, the present invention provides: a. providing an intermediate transfer member (ITM) having a release layer surface; b. providing a hydrophilic treatment formulation of the present invention; c. applying a hydrophilic treatment formulation to the release layer surface of the ITM to form a wet treatment layer optionally having a thickness of at most about 5.0 μm (sometimes at most about 4.5, 4.0, 3.5, 3.0, 2.5, 2.0, 1.5, or 1.0 μm); d. drying the wet treatment layer (e.g., by holding the ITM at a temperature sufficient to dry the wet treatment layer, e.g., 90°C to 130°C, and / or by subjecting the wet treatment layer to a drying step), thereby forming a dried, non-cohesive, sweat treatment layer from the wet treatment layer on the release layer surface of the ITM, the dried, non-cohesive, sweat treatment layer optionally having a thickness of at least about 20 nm and at most about 500 nm (sometimes at most about 450, 400, 350, 300, 250, or 200 nm); e. depositing droplets of a water-based ink onto at least a region of the dried non-cohesive sweat management layer to form an ink image on a release layer surface of the ITM, the water-based ink comprising at least one binder and at least one colorant; f. drying the ink image so as to leave an ink image residue on the release layer surface of the ITM; and g. transferring the ink image residue onto the printing substrate by pressure contact between the ITM and the printing substrate; The present invention provides a method for indirect printing, comprising:

[0014] In a further aspect thereof, the present invention provides: a. The following characteristics: (i) the receding contact angle of a drop of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer is at most 60°; and (ii) a dynamic contact angle (DCA) of a droplet of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer for 10 seconds is at most 108°; providing an intermediate transfer member (ITM) having a silicone-based release layer surface having sufficient hydrophilicity to satisfy at least one of the following: b. providing a hydrophilic treatment formulation of the present invention, for example said formulation comprising: i. a water-containing liquid, said water-containing liquid comprising from about 5% to about 97.5% by weight (sometimes from about 5% to about 95% by weight) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation; ii. at least one first non-ionic surfactant (e.g., having a solubility in water of at least about 7% at 25° C.), optionally the first non-ionic surfactant comprising from about 2.5% to about 95% (sometimes from about 5% to about 95%) by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation; Including, wherein said hydrophilic treatment formulation optionally comprises: iii. at least one second non-ionic surfactant (e.g., one having a solubility in water of at least 1% at 25° C.); iv. at least one non-polymeric humectant; v. at least one wetting agent, which is optionally a first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent; and vi. at least one antimicrobial agent; and further comprising one or more of: wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not include a second water-soluble polymer (e.g., one that is a flocculant and / or flocculation-inducing substance), and the second water-soluble polymer is different from the first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent; and wherein said hydrophilic treatment formulation has the following characteristics: i. The static surface tension at 25°C is within the range of 20-40 mN / m; ii. A dynamic viscosity at 25°C of at least 10 cP; and iii. an evaporation load at 60°C of at least about 0.05:1 and at most about 19:1 by weight; Having; c. applying a hydrophilic treatment formulation to the silicone-based release layer surface of the ITM to form a wet treatment layer optionally having a thickness of at most about 5.0 μm (sometimes at most about 4.5, 4.0, 3.5, 3.0, 2.5, 2.0, 1.5, or 1.0 μm); d. drying the wet treatment layer (e.g., by holding the ITM at a temperature sufficient to dry the wet treatment layer, e.g., 90°C-130°C, and / or by subjecting the wet treatment layer to a drying step), thereby forming a dry, non-cohesive treatment layer from the wet treatment layer on the surface of the silicone based release layer, the dry, non-cohesive treatment layer optionally having a thickness of at least about 20 nm and at most about 500 nm (sometimes at most about 450, 400, 350, 300, 250, or 200 nm); e. depositing droplets of an aqueous ink onto at least a region of the dried non-cohesive treatment layer to form an ink image on a surface of the silicone based release layer, the aqueous ink comprising at least one binder and at least one colorant; f. drying the ink image so as to leave an ink image residue on the silicone-based release layer surface; and g. transferring the ink image residue onto the printing substrate by pressure contact between the ITM and the printing substrate; The present invention provides a method for indirect printing, comprising:

[0015] In still a further aspect thereof, the present invention provides a system for indirect printing, said system comprising: a. an intermediate transfer member (ITM) having a release layer surface; b. an amount of a hydrophilic treatment formulation of the present invention; c. a treatment station for applying a hydrophilic treatment formulation to the release layer surface of the ITM to form a wet treatment layer optionally having a thickness of at most about 5.0 μm (sometimes at most about 4.5, 4.0, 3.5, 3.0, 2.5, 2.0, 1.5 or 1.0 μm); d. means for subjecting the wet treatment layer to a drying step to form a dried, non-cohesive, sweat treatment layer from the wet treatment layer on a release layer surface of the ITM, said dried, non-cohesive, sweat treatment layer optionally having a thickness of at least about 20 nm and at most about 500 nm (sometimes at most about 450, 400, 350, 300, 250, or 200 nm); e. at least one inkjet nozzle positioned proximate to the intermediate transfer member and configured to eject droplets of an aqueous ink comprising at least one binder and at least one colorant onto at least a region of the dried, non-cohesive sweat treatment layer formed on the intermediate transfer member; f. a drying station for drying the ink on the dried non-cohesive sweat treatment layer formed on the intermediate transfer member so as to leave an ink image residue on the release layer surface of the ITM; and g. An impression station for transferring the ink image residue onto the print substrate by pressure contact between the ITM and the print substrate.

[0016] In yet a further aspect, the present invention provides a system for indirect printing, said system comprising: a. The following characteristics: (i) the receding contact angle of a drop of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer is at most 60°; and (ii) the dynamic contact angle (DCA) of a drop of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer for 10 seconds is at most 108°; an intermediate transfer member (ITM) having a silicone-based release layer surface having sufficient hydrophilicity to satisfy at least one of the following: b. a quantity of a hydrophilic treatment formulation, i. a water-containing liquid, said water-containing liquid constituting from about 5% to about 97.5% by weight (sometimes from about 5% to about 95% by weight) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation; ii. at least one first non-ionic surfactant (e.g., having a solubility in water of at least about 7% at 25° C.), optionally comprising from about 2.5% to about 95% (sometimes from about 5% to about 95%) by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation; Includes: wherein said hydrophilic treatment formulation optionally comprises: iii. at least one second non-ionic surfactant (e.g., one having a solubility in water of at least 1% at 25° C.); iv. at least one non-polymeric humectant; v. at least one wetting agent, which is optionally a first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent; and vi. at least one antimicrobial agent; and further comprising one or more of: wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not include a second water-soluble polymer (e.g., one that is a flocculant and / or flocculation-inducing substance), and the second water-soluble polymer is different from the first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent; and wherein said hydrophilic treatment formulation has the following characteristics: i. The static surface tension at 25°C is within the range of 20-40 mN / m; ii. A dynamic viscosity at 25°C of at least 10 cP; and iii. have an evaporation load at 60°C of at least about 0.05:1 and at most about 19:1 by weight; The hydrophilic treatment formulation having c. a treatment station for applying a hydrophilic treatment formulation to the silicone based release layer surface of the ITM to form a wet treatment layer optionally having a thickness of at most about 5.0 μm (sometimes at most about 4.5, 4.0, 3.5, 3.0, 2.5, 2.0, 1.5 or 1.0 μm); d. subjecting the wet treatment layer to a drying step to form a dry, non-cohesive treatment layer from the wet treatment layer on the surface of the silicone-based release layer, said dry, non-cohesive treatment layer optionally having a thickness of at least about 20 nm and at most about 500 nm (sometimes at most about 450, 400, 350, 300, 250, or 200 nm); e. at least one ink jet nozzle positioned proximate to the intermediate transfer member and configured to eject droplets of an aqueous ink comprising at least one binder and at least one colorant onto at least a region of the dried, non-cohesive treatment layer formed on the intermediate transfer member; f. a drying station for drying the ink on the dried non-cohesive treatment layer formed on the intermediate transfer member to produce an ink image residue on the surface of the silicone-based release layer; and g. An impression station for transferring the ink image residue onto the print substrate by pressure contact between the ITM and the print substrate.

[0017] In another aspect thereof, the present invention provides a printed article comprising: (i) Substrate; (ii) one or more dots of dry ink fixedly deposited on at least a region of a surface of said substrate; Here, the one or more dots of dry ink comprise at least one binder, at least one colorant, and one or more non-volatile components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation of the present invention.

[0018] In yet another of its aspects, the present invention provides an intermediate transfer member comprising a release layer surface, said surface being substantially covered with a dry non-cohesive sweat-generating layer comprising one or more non-volatile components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation of the present invention, optionally said dry non-cohesive sweat-generating layer having a thickness of at least about 20 nm and at most about 500 nm (sometimes at most about 450, 400, 350, 300, 250 or 200 nm).

[0019] In yet another of its aspects, the present invention provides an intermediate transfer member having a release layer surface, said surface being substantially covered with a hydrophilic treatment formulation of the present invention.

[0020] In a further aspect thereof, the present invention provides an intermediate transfer member having a release layer surface, said surface being substantially covered with a hydrophilic treatment formulation of the present invention, and wherein a dry, non-cohesive, sweat treating layer is formed thereon when said intermediate transfer member is at a temperature of from about 90° C. to about 130° C. (inclusive), and optionally, said dry, non-cohesive, sweat treating layer has a thickness of at least about 20 nm and at most about 500 nm (sometimes at most about 450, 400, 350, 300, 250, or 200 nm).

[0021] In yet a further aspect thereof, the present invention provides an intermediate transfer member comprising a silicone-based release layer surface having sufficient hydrophilicity to satisfy at least one of the following characteristics: (i) the receding contact angle of a drop of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer is at most 60°; and (ii) the dynamic contact angle (DCA) of a droplet of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer for 10 seconds is at most 108°; Here, the surface is substantially covered with a dry non-coalescing layer (non-film layer) comprising one or more components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation of the present invention, and optionally the thickness of the dry non-coalescing layer (non-film layer) is at least about 20 nm and at most about 500 nm (sometimes at most about 450, 400, 350, 300, 250 or 200 nm).

[0022] In another of its aspects, the present invention provides a treatment formulation as disclosed and exemplified herein.

[0023] The present invention in yet another aspect thereof provides an intermediate transfer member as disclosed and exemplified herein.

[0024] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the subject matter disclosed herein may be better understood, and to illustrate how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a flow chart of an indirect printing process according to some embodiments of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a printing system (eg, a digital printing system) according to some embodiments of the present invention. [Diagram 3] 3A-3B show photographs of vials containing dry processed formulations with (prior art) and without (invention) a binder, respectively. [Figure 4] 4A-4C show photographs of vials containing solutions of the treatment formulations of the present invention (FIGS. 4A and 4C) in comparison with a known treatment formulation (FIG. 4B), according to some embodiments of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 5A-5B show printed images utilizing black and magenta inks (FIGS. 5A and 5B, respectively) and the measured dot size utilizing processing formulations of the present invention according to some embodiments of the present invention compared to known processing formulations. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 shows the graininess and percent coverage of magenta ink observed with inventive processing formulations according to some embodiments of the present invention compared to known processing formulations. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows the graininess and percent coverage of black ink observed with inventive processing formulations according to some embodiments of the present invention compared to known processing formulations. [Figure 8] 8A-8B show a printed image utilizing black and magenta inks (FIG. 8A) and the corresponding residual ink on an intermediate transfer member (FIG. 8B) observed with treatment formulations according to some embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] Detailed Description of the Invention Various embodiments are detailed herein in relation to the disclosed invention. It should be noted that one or more of these embodiments may be applicable to one or more aspects of the present invention disclosed herein above and below. It should be further noted that one or more of the embodiments detailed in relation to the processing formulation of the present invention may also be applicable to other aspects of the present invention detailed herein, such as methods, systems, processes, uses, printed articles and ITMs, and vice versa.

[0027] In its first aspect, the present invention provides a hydrophilic treatment formulation for use with an intermediate transfer member of a printing system, the hydrophilic treatment formulation comprising: i. a water-containing liquid, said water-containing liquid comprising from about 5% to about 97.5% by weight (sometimes from about 5% to about 95% by weight) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation; ii. at least one first nonionic surfactant; Including, wherein said hydrophilic treatment formulation optionally comprises: iii. at least one second nonionic surfactant; iv. at least one moisturizer; v. at least one wetting agent, which is optionally a first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent; and vi. at least one antimicrobial agent; and further comprising one or more of: Here, the dried form of the hydrophilic treatment formulation (e.g., when subjected to drying at a temperature of, for example, about 90° C. to about 130° C., inclusive, to substantially evaporate volatile liquids, such as water and VOCs) is a non-coagulated form of a solid or semi-solid material that has sweated non-volatile liquid oils.

[0028] As used herein, the term "dry form" or any linguistic variation thereof is intended to mean a form that is substantially free of volatile liquids such as water, VOCs, etc., for example, trace amounts of said liquids may be present in said form (e.g., at most about 0.1 to about 2% by weight of said form, sometimes at most about 0.1 to about 1% by weight of said form). Sometimes, a dry form may be completely free of volatile liquids such as water, VOCs, etc.

[0029] As used herein, the term "VOC" refers to organic compounds that have a high vapor pressure at room temperature, particularly organic compounds that have a boiling point below the temperature at which the printing process is carried out, e.g., below about 90° C. to about 130° C.

[0030] Thus, in some embodiments, the dry form of the hydrophilic treatment formulation of the present invention is substantially free of water and VOCs, and contains primarily components that have boiling points above the temperatures at which the printing process is carried out, e.g., above 200°C, sometimes above 250°C, and even sometimes above 300°C.

[0031] In some embodiments, the non-volatile liquid oil is substantially free of water and VOCs and is comprised primarily of components that have boiling points above the temperature at which the printing process is carried out, for example above 200°C, sometimes above 250°C, and even sometimes above 300°C.

[0032] As used herein, "non-coagulated form of solid or semi-solid material sweated non-volatile liquid oil" or any linguistic variation thereof is envisaged as a dry form of the processing formulation of the present invention, in which the dry processing formulation forms two phases: a dry solid or semi-solid phase and an oily liquid phase, which may be comprised of one or more oils, and may further contain trace amounts of water and / or another hydrophilic liquid. The two phases may be completely separated or partially separated. For example, the two phases may form a dispersion, in which the oily phase is mixed into the solid phase or dispersed into the semi-solid phase, or vice versa.

[0033] As used herein, the term "semi-solid" is interchangeable with "quasi-solid," "pseudo-solid," or linguistic variations thereof, and refers to a physical term whose state is between that of a solid and a liquid. Although they share some similarities with solids, such as the ability to support their own weight and retain a shape, semi-solids also share some of the properties of liquids, such as the ability to assume a shape when pressure is applied and to flow under pressure.

[0034] In some embodiments, the term semi-solid refers to a gel.

[0035] In some embodiments, the term semi-solid refers to a semi-solid liquid having a relatively high viscosity of greater than about 500 cp, and sometimes between about 500 cp and about 1000 cp.

[0036] In some embodiments, when the semi-solid is a liquid with a relatively high viscosity, it is assumed that the dry form of the treatment formulation of the present invention forms two phases: a semi-solid non-volatile liquid phase and an oily non-volatile liquid phase. In some embodiments, these two phases can be completely separated. In some embodiments, these two phases can be partially separated. In some other embodiments, these two phases can be in the form of a dispersion in which one phase is dispersed in the other phase, depending on its viscosity, its content, temperature, time scale and other parameters.

[0037] It should be noted that the oily liquid may be derived from one or more components of the treatment formulation, which may be provided in a liquid carrier that includes one or more oils.

[0038] In some embodiments of the present invention, the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not include a film former.

[0039] In some embodiments of the present invention, the hydrophilic treatment formulation is substantially free of film formers.

[0040] As used herein, the phrase "substantially free of film formers" contemplates that the hydrophilic treatment formulations of the present invention may contain some film formers, provided that the film formers are present in the formulations at concentrations that do not induce film formation when the treatment formulation is dried, e.g., on an ITM, when utilized in the printing method of the present invention.

[0041] In some embodiments, the film-forming agent is a binder, such as a water-soluble polymeric binder.

[0042] In some embodiments of the present invention, the ITM comprises a silicone-based release layer surface that is sufficiently hydrophilic to satisfy at least one of the following characteristics: (i) the receding contact angle of a drop of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer is at most 60°; and (ii) The dynamic contact angle (DCA) of a droplet of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer for 10 seconds is at most 108°.

[0043] In some embodiments of the present invention, the hydrophilic treatment formulation has the following properties: i. The static surface tension at 25°C is within the range of 20-40 mN / m; ii. A dynamic viscosity at 25°C of at least 10 cP; and iii. The evaporation load at 60°C is at least about 0.05:1 and at most about 19:1 by weight.

[0044] In some embodiments of the present invention, the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not include a second water-soluble polymer, and the second water-soluble polymer is different from the first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent.

[0045] In some embodiments of the invention, the second water-soluble polymer is an aggregating agent and / or an aggregation-inducing agent.

[0046] In some embodiments of the invention, the second water-soluble polymer is a binder.

[0047] In some embodiments of the present invention, the second water-soluble polymer is a water-absorbing polymeric agent.

[0048] Non-limiting examples of water-absorbing polymeric agents not included in the treatment formulations of the present invention include starches including starches selected from corn starch, potato starch, rice starch, wheat flour, rice flour and corn flour.

[0049] In some embodiments of the present invention, the second water-soluble polymer is a water-absorbing polymeric agent whose repeating monomer unit number is 3 or more.

[0050] In some embodiments of the present invention, the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not contain any coagulant and / or coagulation-inducing substances, such that when the hydrophilic treatment formulation dries on the silicone-based release layer surface of the ITM, it does not form a film layer thereon.

[0051] In some embodiments of the present invention, the hydrophilic treatment formulation is substantially free of film formers.

[0052] In some embodiments of the present invention, the film-forming agent is a binder.

[0053] In some embodiments of the present invention, the hydrophilic treatment formulation may include a film former, provided that the film former is present in the formulation of the present invention at a concentration that does not induce film formation when the treatment formulation is dried on the ITM.

[0054] In some embodiments of the present invention, the hydrophilic treatment formulation is substantially free of agglomerating and / or aggregation-inducing substances, i.e., if such substances are present, they are present in such low concentrations that when the hydrophilic treatment formulation is dried on the release layer surface of the ITM, it does not form a film layer thereon.

[0055] In some embodiments of the present invention, the at least one wetting agent is the only polymeric material in the formulation of the present invention.

[0056] In some embodiments of the present invention, one or more of the at least one first and / or second non-ionic surfactants may be polymeric (considered to be polymeric substances). For this reason, such surfactants are not considered to be flocculants and / or flocculation-inducing substances. Further for this purpose, such polymeric surfactants may be water-soluble polymers, which are non-flocculant or non-flocculation-inducing polymers, and are different from the second water-soluble polymer.

[0057] In some embodiments of the present invention, one or more of the at least one first and / or second non-ionic surfactant may be polymeric and are present in the formulations of the present invention at a concentration that does not induce film formation on the ITM when the treatment formulation is dried on the ITM.

[0058] In some embodiments of the present invention, apart from at least one first and / or second non-ionic surfactant, which may be polymeric (considered to be a polymeric material), the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not include a second water-soluble polymer, and the second water-soluble polymer is different from the first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent.

[0059] In some embodiments of the present invention, one or more of the at least one first nonionic surfactant may be polymeric (considered to be a polymeric substance), e.g., having a molecular weight of about 1000-5000 g / mol. For this reason, such surfactants are not considered to be flocculants and / or flocculation-inducing substances. Further for this purpose, such polymeric surfactants may be water-soluble polymers that are non-flocculant or non-flocculation-inducing polymers.

[0060] In some embodiments of the present invention, one or more of the at least one first nonionic surfactant may be polymeric (considered to be a polymeric material) and are present in the formulations of the present invention at a concentration that does not induce film formation on the ITM when the treatment formulation is dried on the ITM.

[0061] In some embodiments of the present invention, apart from at least one first nonionic surfactant, which may be polymeric (considered to be a polymeric material), the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not include a second water-soluble polymer, and the second water-soluble polymer is different from the first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent.

[0062] In some embodiments of the present invention, the at least one wetting agent is a polymeric agent present in the formulation of the present invention at a concentration that does not induce film formation on the ITM when the treatment formulation is dried on the ITM.

[0063] In some embodiments of the present invention, the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not include a second water-soluble polymeric material. Such a water-soluble polymeric material is disclosed in the applicant's patent publication WO / 2020 / 141465 (PCT / IB2020 / 050001) [5], the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0064] In some embodiments of the invention, the second water-soluble polymer is a polymer whose repeating monomer unit number is 3 or greater.

[0065] Non-limiting examples of water-soluble polymeric materials that are excluded are: cellulose ethers, such as at least one modified polysaccharide, such as methylcellulose and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC); binders, such as PVA 6-88 and Metochel K-3; resins; polyvinyl alcohol (PVA); water-soluble cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP); polyethylene oxide, water-soluble acrylates, or any combination thereof.

[0066] Further non-limiting examples of excluded water soluble polymeric materials are polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), oxazoline, carbodiimide, or combinations thereof.

[0067] Additional non-limiting examples of excluded water-soluble polymeric materials are water-soluble resins such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl acetals, polyalkylene oxides, starches; cellulose derivatives such as methyl cellulose, hydroxy cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, and carboxymethyl cellulose, polyamides, various water-soluble resins containing quaternary ammonium salt groups, and derivatives thereof.

[0068] Additional non-limiting examples of excluded water-soluble polymeric materials are vinyl acetate resins, ethylene vinyl acetate resins, acrylic resins, epoxy resins, polyester resins, polyamide resins, urethane resins, synthetic rubbers such as styrene-butadiene resins, acrylonitrile-butadiene resins, and acrylic-butadiene resins.

[0069] In some embodiments of the present invention, the treatment formulation of the present invention does not include Methocel K3.

[0070] In some embodiments of the present invention, the hydrophilic treatment formulation may be wax-free.

[0071] In some embodiments of the present invention, the water-containing liquid of the hydrophilic treatment formulation is water alone or a mixture of water and at least one water-soluble organic solvent, such as ethanol.

[0072] Non-limiting examples of water-containing liquids can include one or more water-soluble organic solvents such as alcohols, glycols, alkylene glycols having an alkylene group containing 2 to 6 carbon atoms, polyethylene glycols (but which are non-polymeric, e.g., have multiple repeat units that are not considered polymers), nitrogen-containing compounds, and sulfur-containing compounds.

[0073] In some embodiments of the present invention, the hydrophilic treatment formulation may further comprise at least one first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent.

[0074] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent is a multiply charged polymer, such as a polycation or a polyanion.

[0075] Non-limiting examples of polycationic first water-soluble polymeric wetting agents are polyethyleneimine (PEI), poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM), poly-l-lysine (PLL) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium) (PDDA).

[0076] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent is PEI.

[0077] In some embodiments of the invention, the PEI is one or more of the following exemplary PEIs: [Table 1]

[0078] In some embodiments of the present invention, the PEI is provided in an aqueous solution (Lupasol® PS, BASF).

[0079] In some embodiments of the present invention, PEI is provided in an aqueous solution (Lupasol® MI 6730).

[0080] In some embodiments of the present invention, the wetting agent is poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride), for example having a charge density of about 6 meq / g and a molecular weight of about 200,000 to 300,000 gr / mol.

[0081] Non-limiting examples of polyanionic first water-soluble polymeric wetting agents include acrylic polymers, polyacrylamides, and poly-DADMAc.

[0082] In some embodiments of the present invention, apart from the first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent (e.g., polyethyleneimine), and sometimes apart from at least one first and / or at least one second non-ionic surfactant, the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not contain any substance with a molecular weight of about 1300 gr / mol or more. For this reason, the hydrophilic treatment formulation may also be referred to as a low molecule-containing treatment formulation.

[0083] Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is noted that small molecules reduce adhesion to the ITM on an approximately 1:1 scale, but their effect on reducing cohesion is exponential. Thus, the presence of small molecule substances in the processing formulation of the present invention allows the adhesion to the ITM to be maintained while avoiding cohesion between the formulation components, and the adhesion to the ITM is still weaker than the adhesion to the final substrate to obtain good transfer performance, and optionally the non-cohesive layer (which is a relatively thick layer compared to the thinner layers of approximately 1-10 nm thickness known in the art, e.g., WO / 2015 / 036960 (PCT / IB2014 / 064444) [2]) is not split upon transfer.

[0084] In some embodiments, one or more of the first and / or second nonionic surfactants can have a molecular weight of about 400 gr / mol to about 5000 gr / mol inclusive, sometimes about 1000 gr / mol to about 5000 gr / mol. Any value within the above ranges is within the scope of the present invention.

[0085] In some embodiments, the one or more first nonionic surfactants can have a molecular weight of about 400 gr / mol to about 5000 gr / mol, inclusive, and sometimes a molecular weight of about 1000 gr / mol to about 5000 gr / mol, inclusive. Any value within the above ranges is within the scope of the present invention.

[0086] It should be noted that, in contrast to small molecules, which may have a unique molecular weight that is easily derived from a chemical formula, generally expressed in grams / mole, polymers and other macromolecules usually exist as a diverse population of discrete molecules and are therefore characterized by an average molecular weight, which may be expressed in Daltons. The molecular weight or average molecular weight of a material is generally provided by the manufacturer or supplier, but can be independently determined by known analytical methods, such as, for example, gel permeation chromatography, high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) or matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The average molecular weight (D50) is determined by the number of particles in the population ("D N 50") or based on the particle volume (D V 50). These measurements can be obtained by a variety of known methods (e.g., DLS, microscopy). Thus, in some embodiments, the molecular weight values ​​of the components of the formulations of the present invention are average molecular weights.

[0087] In some embodiments of the present invention, the at least one wetting agent may be a plasticizer and / or a surfactant and / or an anchoring agent.

[0088] As used herein, the term "anchoring agent" refers to an agent whose chemical nature allows for improved adhesion to a particular surface. Anchoring agents serve, among other things, to improve the fixation of the treatment formulation to the ITM and reduce adhesion between the ITM and the wet treatment coating.

[0089] In some embodiments of the present invention, the hydrophilic treatment formulation further does not include one or more of inorganic salts, inorganic metal compounds (eg, magnesium nitrate hexahydrate), polyvalent metal ions, and metal ions.

[0090] In some embodiments of the present invention, the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not further comprise an acid, such as an organic acid.

[0091] In some embodiments of the present invention, the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not further comprise a resolubilizing agent.

[0092] Non-limiting examples of resolubilizing agents that are excluded include diols, triols, polyols, alcohols, sugars and modified sugars, ethers, polyethers, aminoalcohols, aminosilicones, styrenesulfonates, and combinations thereof.

[0093] Further non-limiting examples of excluded resolubilizing agents include cocoamidodiethanolamine, ethoxylated methyl glucose ether, Glucam™ E-10, Glucam™ E-20, glycerol, pentaerythritol, PEG400, PEG600, poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate), SilSense® Q-Plus silicone, SilSense® A21 silicone, sucrose, triethanolamine, triethylene glycol monomethyl ether, glycerol, and triethanolamine.

[0094] In some embodiments of the present invention, the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not include one or more of the ingredients excluded herein above and below.

[0095] In some embodiments of the invention, the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not include one or more of the following: a second water-soluble polymer; a flocculating substance and / or an flocculation-inducing substance; a substance having a molecular weight of about 1300 gr / mol or more; one or more of an inorganic salt, an inorganic metal compound (e.g., magnesium nitrate hexahydrate), a polyvalent metal ion, and a metal ion; an acid, such as an organic acid; a resolubilizing agent; or any combination thereof.

[0096] In some embodiments of the invention, the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not include one or more of the following: a second water-soluble polymer (as detailed above); a flocculant and / or flocculation-inducing substance; a substance with a molecular weight of about 1300 gr / mol or more (apart from at least one first and / or at least one second non-ionic surfactant, which may sometimes be of higher molecular weight); one or more of inorganic salts, inorganic metal compounds (e.g., magnesium nitrate hexahydrate), polyvalent metal ions and metal ions; an acid, such as an organic acid; a resolubilizing agent; or any combination thereof. In some embodiments of the invention, the weight percent of the total solids of the hydrophilic treatment formulation is at least about 5% by weight, or from about 5% to about 95% by weight, inclusive, particularly from about 27% to about 95% by weight, inclusive, and more particularly from about 35% to about 95% by weight, inclusive. Any value within the above ranges is within the scope of the invention.

[0097] In some embodiments of the present invention, the weight percent of total solids of the hydrophilic treatment formulation is from about 27% to about 40% by weight, inclusive, particularly from about 29% to about 39% by weight, inclusive. Any value within the above ranges is within the scope of the present invention.

[0098] In some embodiments of the present invention, the weight percent of total solids of the hydrophilic treatment formulation is about 29% to 34% by weight.

[0099] In some embodiments of the present invention, the weight percent of total solids of the hydrophilic treatment formulation is 37.83% by weight.

[0100] In some embodiments of the present invention, the weight percent of total solids of the hydrophilic treatment formulation is 34.20% by weight.

[0101] In some embodiments of the present invention, the weight percent of total solids of the hydrophilic treatment formulation is 38.51% by weight.

[0102] In some embodiments of the present invention, the hydrophilic treatment formulation has a 60° C. evaporation load of at least about 1.86:1 by weight.

[0103] In some embodiments of the present invention, the at least one first nonionic surfactant has a solubility in water at 25°C of at least about 7%.

[0104] In some embodiments of the invention, the first non-ionic surfactant is a silicon-containing or non-silicon-containing surfactant (eg, polysorbate 20, or Tween 20).

[0105] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first non-ionic surfactant is a non-silicon containing surfactant. In some embodiments of the present invention, the first non-ionic surfactant is a non-silicon surfactant.

[0106] In some embodiments of the present invention, the at least one first nonionic surfactant comprises from about 0.0% to about 95% by weight, inclusive, of the hydrophilic treatment formulation. To this end, when the concentration of the at least one first nonionic surfactant is 0.0%, i.e., zero, the treatment formulation includes at least one other first nonionic surfactant, and sometimes at least two other first nonionic surfactants.

[0107] In some embodiments of the invention, the at least one first nonionic surfactant comprises from about 2.5% to about 95% by weight (inclusive) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation, sometimes from about 5% to about 95% by weight (inclusive), sometimes from about 10% to about 95% by weight (inclusive), sometimes from about 15% to about 95% by weight (inclusive), sometimes from about 20% to about 95% by weight (inclusive), sometimes from about 25% to about 95% by weight (inclusive), and even sometimes from about 35% to about 95% by weight (inclusive). Any value within the above ranges is within the scope of the invention.

[0108] In some embodiments of the present invention, the at least one first non-ionic surfactant comprises about 24% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

[0109] In some embodiments of the present invention, the at least one first nonionic surfactant comprises from about 2.5% to about 24% by weight (inclusive) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation, any value within the above range being within the scope of the present invention.

[0110] In some embodiments of the present invention, the at least one first nonionic surfactant comprises from about 5.5% to about 24% by weight (inclusive) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation, any value within the above range being within the scope of the present invention.

[0111] In some embodiments of the present invention, the at least one first nonionic surfactant comprises from about 8.0% to about 15% by weight (inclusive) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation, any value within the above range being within the scope of the present invention.

[0112] In some embodiments of the present invention, the at least one first nonionic surfactant comprises from about 8.0% to about 11.6% by weight (inclusive) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation, any value within the above range being within the scope of the present invention.

[0113] In some embodiments of the present invention, the treatment formulation of the present invention may include at least two first non-ionic surfactants, and sometimes at least three first non-ionic surfactants.

[0114] In some embodiments of the invention, when the treatment formulation includes more than one first nonionic surfactant (e.g., at least two first nonionic surfactants, at least three first nonionic surfactants, etc.), the total content of the first nonionic surfactants comprises from about 2.5% to about 95% by weight (inclusive) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation, sometimes from about 5% to about 95% by weight (inclusive), sometimes from about 10% to about 95% by weight (inclusive), sometimes from about 15% to about 95% by weight (inclusive), sometimes from about 20% to about 95% by weight (inclusive), sometimes from about 25% to about 95% by weight (inclusive), and even sometimes from about 35% to about 95% by weight (inclusive). Any value within the above ranges is within the scope of the invention.

[0115] In some embodiments of the present invention, the second nonionic surfactant is a silicon-containing surfactant (e.g., BYK LPX23289) or a non-silicon-containing surfactant.

[0116] In some embodiments of the present invention, the second non-ionic surfactant is a non-silicon containing surfactant.

[0117] Non-limiting examples of the first and second nonionic surfactants are those disclosed in commonly owned patent publication WO / 2019 / 111223 (PCT / IB2018 / 059761)[4], the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0118] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first and second non-ionic surfactants are non-silicon containing surfactants.

[0119] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first and second non-ionic surfactants are non-silicone surfactants.

[0120] In some embodiments of the present invention, one or more of the first non-ionic surfactants is a non-silicon containing surfactant.

[0121] In some embodiments of the present invention, one or more of the second non-ionic surfactants is a non-silicon containing surfactant.

[0122] In some embodiments of the present invention, one or more of the first non-ionic surfactants is a non-silicone surfactant.

[0123] In some embodiments of the present invention, one or more of the second non-ionic surfactants is a non-silicone surfactant.

[0124] In some embodiments, the treatment formulations of the present invention do not include silicon-containing surfactants.

[0125] In some embodiments, the treatment formulations of the present invention are silicone surfactant-free.

[0126] In some embodiments, the treatment formulation of the present invention does not include the silicone surfactant BYK23289.

[0127] In some embodiments, the treatment formulations of the present invention contain at most about 0.25% by weight of a silicon-containing or silicone surfactant, sometimes contain at most about 0.20% by weight of a silicon-containing or silicone surfactant, and sometimes contain at most about 0.10% by weight of a silicon-containing or silicone surfactant.

[0128] Without wishing to be bound by theory, the low or no content of silicone surfactants in the formulations of the present invention is advantageous, at least in that there are fewer silicon sources available on earth. Furthermore, silicone-containing surfactants cause foaming of the formulation, so avoiding this is advantageous for the printing process as well as the resulting printed article.

[0129] In some embodiments of the present invention, the first nonionic surfactant is, comprises primarily, or comprises a polyethoxylated sorbitan ester.

[0130] In some embodiments of the invention, the first non-ionic surfactant is, comprises primarily, or comprises a polyethoxylated sorbitan ester (eg, Tween 20).

[0131] In some embodiments of the invention, the polyethoxylated sorbitan ester comprises at least one or at least two selected from the group consisting of PEG-4 sorbitan monolaurate, PEG-20 sorbitan monolaurate, PEG-20 sorbitan monopalmitate, PEG-20 sorbitan monostearate, and PEG-20 sorbitan monooleate.

[0132] In some embodiments of the invention, the first nonionic surfactant is, comprises primarily, or comprises a polyether, such as poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol) (e.g., Pluronic 10R5).

[0133] In some embodiments of the invention, the first non-ionic surfactant is, comprises primarily, or comprises a glycoside, such as an alkyl polyglycoside C8-10 (eg, Disponil APG215).

[0134] In some embodiments of the invention, the treatment formulation comprises a first non-ionic surfactant selected from a polyethoxylated sorbitan ester (e.g., Tween 20), a polyether (e.g., Pluronic 10R5), a glycoside (e.g., Disponil APG215), or any combination thereof.

[0135] In some embodiments of the invention, the at least one first non-ionic surfactant is Tween 20 and comprises from about 0.0% to about 95% by weight (inclusive), and sometimes from about 2.5% to about 95% by weight (inclusive), of the hydrophilic treatment formulation. Any value within the above ranges is within the scope of the invention.

[0136] In some embodiments of the present invention, the at least one first non-ionic surfactant is Tween 20, which comprises from about 2.5% to about 24% by weight (inclusive) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation. Any value within the above range is within the scope of the present invention.

[0137] In some embodiments of the present invention, the at least one first non-ionic surfactant is Tween 20, which comprises from about 5.5% to about 24% by weight (inclusive) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation. Any value within the above range is within the scope of the present invention.

[0138] In some embodiments of the present invention, the at least one first nonionic surfactant is Pluronic 10R5, which comprises from about 0.0% to about 95% by weight (inclusive) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation, and sometimes from about 2.5% to about 95% by weight (inclusive). Any value within the above range is within the scope of the present invention.

[0139] In some embodiments of the present invention, the at least one first nonionic surfactant is Pluronic 10R5, which comprises from about 8.0% to about 15% by weight, inclusive, of the hydrophilic treatment formulation. Any value within the above range is within the scope of the present invention.

[0140] In some embodiments of the present invention, the at least one first nonionic surfactant is Disponil APG215, which comprises from about 0.0% to about 64% by weight (inclusive) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation, and sometimes from about 2.5% to about 64% by weight (inclusive). Any value within the above ranges is within the scope of the present invention.

[0141] In some embodiments of the present invention, the at least one first nonionic surfactant is Disponil APG215, which comprises from about 8.0% to about 11.6% by weight (inclusive) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation. Any value within the above range is within the scope of the present invention.

[0142] In some embodiments of the invention, the treatment formulation comprises a polyethoxylated sorbitan ester first nonionic surfactant, a polyether first nonionic surfactant, and a glycoside first nonionic surfactant, where the polyethoxylated sorbitan ester comprises from about 2.5% to about 24% by weight (inclusive), sometimes from about 5.5% to about 24% by weight (inclusive), and even sometimes from about 2.5% to about 6.0% by weight (inclusive) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation, the polyether comprises from about 8.0% to about 15% by weight (inclusive) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation, and the glycoside comprises from about 8.0% to about 11.6% by weight (inclusive) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation. Any value within the above ranges is within the scope of the invention.

[0143] In some embodiments of the invention, the treatment formulation comprises the first nonionic surfactants Tween 20, Pluronic 10R5, and Disponil APG215, where the Tween 20 comprises from about 2.5% to about 24% by weight (inclusive), sometimes from about 5.5% to about 24% by weight (inclusive), and even more often from about 2.5% to about 6.0% by weight (inclusive) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation, the Pluronic 10R5 comprises from about 8.0% to about 15% by weight (inclusive) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation, and the Disponil APG215 comprises from about 8.0% to about 11.6% by weight (inclusive) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation. Any value within the above ranges is within the scope of the invention.

[0144] In some embodiments of the present invention, the at least one second nonionic surfactant has a solubility in water at 25°C of at least 1%.

[0145] In some embodiments of the present invention, the second nonionic silicone-containing surfactant comprises a polysiloxane-polyoxyalkylene copolymer.

[0146] In some embodiments of the invention, the second nonionic surfactant comprises at most 10% by weight (inclusive) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation. Any value between 0% and 10% by weight (inclusive), and sometimes between 0% and 5.0% by weight (inclusive), is within the scope of the invention.

[0147] In some embodiments of the present invention, the second non-ionic surfactant comprises about 4% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

[0148] In some embodiments of the present invention, the second non-ionic surfactant comprises about 5% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

[0149] In some embodiments of the invention, the second non-ionic surfactant is, comprises primarily, or comprises a thioether (eg, Dynol 360).

[0150] In some embodiments of the present invention, the second nonionic surfactant is, comprises primarily, or comprises an ethoxylated alcohol, such as an ethoxylated acetylenic diol (e.g., Dynol 604) and / or an ethoxylated 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol (e.g., Surfinol 465).

[0151] In some embodiments of the present invention, the second nonionic surfactant is an ethoxylated alcohol selected from an ethoxylated acetylenic diol (e.g., Dynol 604), an ethoxylated 2,4,7,9-tetramethyl-5-decyne-4,7-diol (e.g., Surfinol 465), or a combination thereof.

[0152] In some embodiments of the present invention, the second nonionic surfactant is selected from a thioether, an ethoxylated alcohol, or any combination thereof.

[0153] In some embodiments of the present invention, the treatment formulation comprises a second non-ionic surfactant selected from at least one thioether, at least one ethoxylated alcohol, or any combination thereof.

[0154] In some embodiments of the invention, the treatment formulation comprises a second non-ionic surfactant selected from Dynol 360, Dynol 604, Surfinol 465, or combinations thereof.

[0155] In some embodiments of the invention, the treatment formulation does not include a second non-ionic surfactant selected from Dynol 360, Dynol 604, Surfinol 465, or combinations thereof.

[0156] In some embodiments of the invention, the at least one second nonionic surfactant is Dynol 360, which comprises from about 0.0% to about 10% by weight (inclusive), and sometimes from about 0.0% to about 5% by weight (inclusive) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation. Any value within the above ranges is within the scope of the invention.

[0157] In some embodiments of the present invention, the at least one second nonionic surfactant is Dynol 604, which comprises from about 0.0% to about 10% by weight (inclusive), and sometimes from about 0.0% to about 5% by weight (inclusive) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation. Any value within the above ranges is within the scope of the present invention.

[0158] In some embodiments of the invention, the at least one second nonionic surfactant is Surfinol 465, which comprises from about 0.0% to about 10% by weight (inclusive), and sometimes from about 0.0% to about 5% by weight (inclusive) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation. Any value within the above ranges is within the scope of the invention.

[0159] In some embodiments of the present invention, the treatment formulation of the present invention may include at least two second non-ionic surfactants, and sometimes at least three non-ionic surfactants.

[0160] In some embodiments of the invention, when the treatment formulation includes more than one second nonionic surfactant (e.g., two second nonionic surfactants, three second nonionic surfactants, etc.), the total content of the second nonionic surfactants comprises from about 0.0% to about 10% by weight (inclusive), and sometimes from about 0.0% to about 5% by weight (inclusive) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation. Any value within the above range is within the scope of the invention.

[0161] In some embodiments of the invention, the treatment formulation comprises a polyethoxylated sorbitan ester first nonionic surfactant, a polyether first nonionic surfactant, and a glycoside first nonionic surfactant, the polyethoxylated sorbitan ester comprising from about 2.5% to about 24% by weight (inclusive), sometimes from about 5.5% to about 24% by weight (inclusive), of the hydrophilic treatment formulation, and the polyether comprising from about 8.0% to about 15% by weight (inclusive), of the hydrophilic treatment formulation. and the treatment formulation may further comprise a second non-ionic surfactant selected from at least one thioether, at least one ethoxylated alcohol, or any combination thereof, the total content of said second non-ionic surfactant comprising from about 0.0% to about 10% by weight, inclusive, and sometimes from about 0.0% to about 5% by weight, inclusive, of the hydrophilic treatment formulation. Any value within the above ranges is within the scope of the present invention.

[0162] In some embodiments of the invention, the treatment formulation comprises a first non-ionic surfactant, Tween 20, Pluronic 10R5, and Disponil APG215, wherein the Tween 20 comprises from about 2.5% to about 24% by weight (inclusive), and sometimes from about 5.5% to about 24% by weight (inclusive), of the hydrophilic treatment formulation, the Pluronic 10R5 comprises from about 8.0% to about 15% by weight (inclusive), and the Disponil APG215 comprises from about 1.5% to about 2.5% by weight (inclusive), of the hydrophilic treatment formulation. APG215 constitutes about 8.0% to about 11.6% by weight, inclusive, of the hydrophilic treatment formulation; and the treatment formulation may further comprise a second non-ionic surfactant selected from Dynol 360, Dynol 604, Surfinol 465, or any combination thereof, wherein the total content of said second non-ionic surfactant constitutes about 0.0% to about 10% by weight, inclusive, and sometimes about 0.0% to about 5% by weight, inclusive, of the hydrophilic treatment formulation. Any value within the above ranges is within the scope of the present invention.

[0163] In some embodiments of the present invention, the hydrophilic treatment formulation may further comprise at least one wetting agent (e.g., polyethyleneimine), which comprises at most about 1% by weight, particularly at most about 0.20% by weight, more particularly 0.20% by weight, of said hydrophilic treatment formulation. Any value between 0 and 1% by weight is within the scope of the present invention.

[0164] In some embodiments of the present invention, the hydrophilic treatment formulation may further comprise at least one humectant, the humectant comprising at most about 30% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation, any value between 0 and 30% by weight being within the scope of the present invention.

[0165] In some embodiments of the present invention, the humectant comprises about 10% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

[0166] In some embodiments of the present invention, the humectant is a sugar that constitutes about 10% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

[0167] In some embodiments of the present invention, at least one humectant is a non-polymeric humectant (eg, sorbitol, xylitol, monosaccharides, disaccharides).

[0168] Thus, in some embodiments of the present invention, the treatment formulation does not include polysaccharides such as starch, cellulose, guar gum, locust bean gum, fenugreek gum, tara gum, curdlan and carrageenan. Also excluded from the treatment formulation of the present invention are cationic polysaccharides such as amine salts and polysaccharides with amino groups attached; natural polysaccharides such as chitosan containing amino groups; quaternary or tertiary nitrogen-containing halogen compounds such as glycidyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, 3-chloropropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride and glycidyl triethyl ammonium chloride; halohydrins; and epoxides.

[0169] In some embodiments of the invention, the HLB number of the first and / or second nonionic surfactant is at least 11, at least 12, at least 13, at least 14, or at least 14.5, and optionally at most 22, at most 21, at most 20, at most 19, at most 18, or at most 17, and further optionally within the ranges of 11-25, 11-23, 11.5-21, 11.5-20, 11.5-18, 12.5-21, 12.5-20, 12.5-18, 13.5-21, 13.5-20, 13.5-18, 14-20.5, 14-18.5, 14.5-20, 14.5-19, 14.5-18, or 14.5-17.5.

[0170] In some embodiments of the present invention, the HLB number of the first and / or second nonionic surfactant is in the range of 11-25.

[0171] In some embodiments of the present invention, the HLB number of the first and / or second nonionic surfactant is in the range of 14.5-20.

[0172] In some embodiments of the present invention, the hydrophilic treatment formulation may further comprise at least one antimicrobial agent (e.g., K12N or other antimicrobial agents known in the art), where the antimicrobial agent comprises at most about 1% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation, any value between 0 and 1% by weight being within the scope of the present invention.

[0173] In some embodiments of the present invention, the antimicrobial agent comprises about 0.20% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

[0174] In some embodiments of the present invention, the hydrophilic treatment formulation comprises one or more of the following: at least one first nonionic surfactant, constituting from about 2.5% to about 95% (sometimes from about 5% to about 95%) by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation; at least one second nonionic surfactant, constituting at most 10% by weight (including end values) of said hydrophilic treatment formulation; at least one wetting agent (e.g., polyethyleneimine), constituting at most about 1% by weight, particularly at most about 0.20% by weight, more particularly 0.20% by weight, of said hydrophilic treatment formulation; At least one humectant, comprising at most about 30% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation; and At least one antimicrobial agent, comprising at most about 1% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

[0175] It should be noted that any value within the ranges of component contents (by weight %) detailed herein above and below is within the scope of the present invention.

[0176] In some embodiments of the present invention, at least one humectant is a non-polymeric humectant, for example, sorbitol, xylitol, monosaccharides, disaccharides.

[0177] In some embodiments of the present invention, the components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation are compatible with each other and with water-containing liquids such that the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not phase separate at 25° C. and results in a stable solution without settling / precipitation.

[0178] In some embodiments of the present invention, the hydrophilic treatment formulation is a clear, colorless solution at 25°C.

[0179] In some embodiments of the present invention, the hydrophilic treatment formulation is a clear solution at 25°C.

[0180] An exemplary, non-limiting list of surfactants that provide clear, colorless solutions (transparent solutions) of the treatment formulations of the present invention include Tween 20, Pluronic 10R5, Disponil APG215, Dynol 360, Dynol 604, and Surfinol 465, either alone or in any combination with each other.

[0181] In some embodiments of the present invention, the components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation do not form aggregates with the colorants of the water-based inks utilized in the printing system / process.

[0182] In some embodiments of the present invention, the treatment formulation of the present invention has the following contents (herein referred to as Formulation A): [Table 2]

[0183] In some embodiments of the present invention, the treatment formulation of the present invention has the following content (referred to herein as Formulation C): [Table 3]

[0184] In some embodiments of the present invention, the treatment formulation of the present invention has the following content (referred to herein as Formulation D): [Table 4]

[0185] In some embodiments of the present invention, the treatment formulation of the present invention has the following content (referred to herein as Formulation E): [Table 5]

[0186] In some embodiments of the present invention, the treatment formulation of the present invention has the following content (referred to herein as Formulation F): [Table 6]

[0187] In some embodiments of the present invention, the treatment formulation of the present invention has the following contents (various concentration ranges of the components are provided): [Table 7]

[0188] Other concentration ranges are within the scope of the invention.

[0189] In a further aspect thereof, the present invention provides a hydrophilic treatment formulation for use with an intermediate transfer member of a printing system, said hydrophilic treatment formulation comprising: i. a water-containing liquid, said water-containing liquid comprising from about 5% to about 97.5% by weight (sometimes from about 5% to about 95% by weight) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation; ii. at least one first nonionic surfactant; Including, wherein said hydrophilic treatment formulation optionally comprises: iii. at least one second nonionic surfactant; iv. at least one moisturizer; v. at least one wetting agent, which is optionally a first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent; and vi. at least one antimicrobial agent; and further comprising one or more of: Here, the hydrophilic treatment formulation is substantially free of film formers.

[0190] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for producing a method of making a semiconductor device comprising the steps of: a. providing an intermediate transfer member (ITM) having a release layer surface; b. providing a hydrophilic treatment formulation of the present invention; c. applying a hydrophilic treatment formulation to the release layer surface of the ITM to form a wet treatment layer optionally having a thickness of at most about 5.0 μm (sometimes at most about 4.5, 4.0, 3.5, 3.0, 2.5, 2.0, 1.5, or 1.0 μm); d. drying the wet treatment layer, thereby forming a dry, non-cohesive, sweat treatment layer from the wet treatment layer on the release layer surface of the ITM, the dry, non-cohesive, sweat treatment layer optionally having a thickness of at least about 20 nm and at most about 500 nm (sometimes at most about 450, 400, 350, 300, 250, or 200 nm); e. depositing droplets of a water-based ink onto at least a region of the dried non-cohesive sweat management layer to form an ink image on a release layer surface of the ITM, the water-based ink comprising at least one binder and at least one colorant; f. drying the ink image so as to leave an ink image residue on the release layer surface of the ITM; and g. transferring the ink image residue onto the printing substrate by pressure contact between the ITM and the printing substrate; The present invention provides a method for indirect printing, comprising:

[0191] In some embodiments of the present invention, the drying in step (d) can be carried out by maintaining the ITM at a temperature sufficient to dry the wet treatment layer, for example a temperature of about 90°C to about 130°C, and / or by subjecting the wet treatment layer to a drying step.

[0192] In some embodiments of the present invention, the drying in step (d) can be carried out by maintaining the ITM at a temperature sufficient to dry the wet treatment layer, for example, a temperature of about 90°C to about 130°C.

[0193] In some embodiments of the present invention, the drying in step (d) can be carried out by subjecting the wet treatment layer to a drying step.

[0194] In some embodiments of the present invention, the ITM comprises a silicone-based release layer surface that is sufficiently hydrophilic to satisfy at least one of the following characteristics: (i) the receding contact angle of a drop of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer is at most 60°; and (ii) The dynamic contact angle (DCA) of a droplet of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer for 10 seconds is at most 108°.

[0195] In some embodiments of the present invention, the hydrophilic treatment formulation is substantially free of coagulant and / or coagulation-inducing substances, such that when said hydrophilic treatment formulation is dried on the release layer surface of the ITM, it does not form a film layer thereon.

[0196] In some embodiments of the present invention, the hydrophilic treatment formulation may contain a concentration of coagulant and / or coagulation-inducing substance that is insufficient to form a film layer on the release layer surface of the ITM when the hydrophilic treatment formulation is dried.

[0197] In some embodiments, in the method of the present invention, the drying in step (d) is carried out at a temperature of about 90° C. to about 130° C., inclusive.

[0198] In some embodiments of the present invention, the dry, non-cohesive sweat management layer is comprised of solid materials that have sweated non-volatile liquid oils.

[0199] In some embodiments of the present invention, the dry, non-cohesive sweat management layer is comprised of a semi-solid material that has sweated non-volatile liquid oil.

[0200] In some embodiments of the present invention, the dry, non-cohesive sweat management layer is colorless.

[0201] In some embodiments of the present invention, the components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation do not form aggregates with the colorants of the water-based inks.

[0202] In some embodiments, in the method of the present invention, in step (g), the dry non-cohesive sweat-wicking treatment layer in both the printed and non-printed areas on the ITM is transferred to the printing substrate along with the ink image residue to some extent, leaving behind a residual dry non-cohesive sweat-wicking treatment layer on the ITM or a residual dry non-cohesive non-sweat-wicking treatment layer on the ITM.

[0203] Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is possible that sometimes the transfer may result in leaving a residual dry, non-cohesive treatment layer that is free of liquid oil, i.e., a non-sweated, dry, non-cohesive treatment layer, which latter comprises only or primarily solids or semi-solids (optionally with trace amounts of an oil phase).

[0204] In some embodiments of the present invention, the method includes multiple cycles (e.g., 1000 cycles) of steps (c)-(g), during each cycle, the freshly applied hydrophilic treatment formulation in step (c) completely dissolves / solubilizes the residual dry non-cohesive sweat treatment layer or the residual dry non-cohesive non-perspirant treatment layer of the previous cycle, so that no build-up of the residual layer occurs during each cycle. This may make the need for a washing station to wash the ITM unnecessary. This may also make it unnecessary to utilize a resolubilizer in the hydrophilic treatment formulation of the present invention.

[0205] In some embodiments, in the method of the present invention, droplets of an aqueous ink are deposited onto a dry non-cohesive sweat treatment layer, and the surface of the dry non-cohesive sweat treatment layer that is in intimate contact with the aqueous ink is capable of dissolving in the aqueous ink and / or mixing and / or fusing with the aqueous ink, optionally forming an interphase comprising one or more components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation and ink components.

[0206] The inventors of the present invention have surprisingly found that the hydrophilic treatment formulation of the present invention, when utilized with a wide range of inks (e.g., Y, M, C, K, O, G, B), provides advantages to the printing process as detailed above, and thus is believed to be universal for all inks, including, for example, R and W, without appearing to cause any detriment to print quality, color gamut, etc.

[0207] The hydrophilic treatment formulations of the present invention can be used with inks having relatively high static surface tension (greater than 25.5 mN / m at room temperature, e.g., about 26 mN / m) as well as inks having low surface tension (about 23.0 to about 25.5 mN / m at room temperature, e.g., about 24 mN / m). Such exemplary inks are disclosed in U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 362,971

[17] , the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Without wishing to be bound by theory, in some embodiments of the present invention, the dry solid / semi-solid and / or oil phases can be dissolved / mixed / fused.

[0208] In some embodiments of the present invention, the ink image residue may comprise one or more components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation, such as at least one liquid oil and / or at least one solid / semi-solid component derived from the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

[0209] In some embodiments of the present invention, the ink image residue is aggregate-free.

[0210] In a further aspect thereof, the present invention provides a method of indirect printing, said method comprising: a. The following characteristics: (i) the receding contact angle of a drop of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer is at most 60°; and (ii) the dynamic contact angle (DCA) of a drop of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer for 10 seconds is at most 108°; providing an intermediate transfer member (ITM) having a silicone-based release layer surface having sufficient hydrophilicity to satisfy at least one of the following: b. providing a hydrophilic treatment formulation of the present invention, for example said formulation comprising: i. a water-containing liquid, said water-containing liquid comprising from about 5% to about 97.5% by weight (sometimes from about 5% to about 95% by weight) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation; ii. at least one first non-ionic surfactant (e.g., having a solubility in water of at least about 7% at 25° C.), optionally comprising from about 2.5% to about 95% (sometimes from about 5% to about 95%) by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation; Including, wherein said hydrophilic treatment formulation optionally comprises: iii. at least one second non-ionic surfactant (e.g., one having a solubility in water of at least 1% at 25° C.); iv. at least one non-polymeric humectant; v. at least one wetting agent, which is optionally a first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent; and vi. at least one antimicrobial agent; and further comprising one or more of: wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not include a second water-soluble polymer (e.g., one that is a flocculant and / or flocculation-inducing substance), and the second water-soluble polymer is different from the first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent; and wherein said hydrophilic treatment formulation has the following characteristics: i. The static surface tension at 25°C is within the range of 20-40 mN / m; ii. A dynamic viscosity at 25°C of at least 10 cP; and iii. have an evaporation load at 60°C of at least about 0.05:1 and at most about 19:1 by weight; having c. applying a hydrophilic treatment formulation to the silicone-based release layer surface of the ITM to form a wet treatment layer optionally having a thickness of at most about 5.0 μm (sometimes at most about 4.5, 4.0, 3.5, 3.0, 2.5, 2.0, 1.5, or 1.0 μm); d. drying the wet treatment layer (e.g., by holding the ITM at a temperature sufficient to dry the wet treatment layer, e.g., 90°C-130°C, and / or by subjecting the wet treatment layer to a drying step), thereby forming a dry, non-cohesive treatment layer from the wet treatment layer on the surface of the silicone based release layer, the dry, non-cohesive treatment layer optionally having a thickness of at least about 20 nm and at most about 500 nm (sometimes at most about 450, 400, 350, 300, 250, or 200 nm); e. depositing droplets of an aqueous ink onto at least a region of the dried non-cohesive treatment layer to form an ink image on a surface of the silicone based release layer, the aqueous ink comprising at least one binder and at least one colorant; f. drying the ink image so as to leave an ink image residue on the silicone-based release layer surface; and g. transferring the ink image residue onto the printing substrate by pressure contact between the ITM and the printing substrate; Includes.

[0211] In yet another aspect thereof, the present invention provides a system for indirect printing, said system comprising: a. an intermediate transfer member (ITM) having a release layer surface; b. an amount of a hydrophilic treatment formulation of the present invention; c. a treatment station for applying a hydrophilic treatment formulation to the release layer surface of the ITM to form a wet treatment layer optionally having a thickness of at most about 5.0 μm (sometimes at most about 4.5, 4.0, 3.5, 3.0, 2.5, 2.0, 1.5 or 1.0 μm); d. means for subjecting the wet treatment layer to a drying step to form a dried, non-cohesive, sweat treatment layer from the wet treatment layer on a release layer surface of the ITM, said dried, non-cohesive, sweat treatment layer optionally having a thickness of at least about 20 nm and at most about 500 nm (sometimes at most about 450, 400, 350, 300, 250, or 200 nm); e. at least one inkjet nozzle positioned proximate to the intermediate transfer member and configured to eject droplets of an aqueous ink comprising at least one binder and at least one colorant onto at least a region of the dried, non-cohesive sweat treatment layer formed on the intermediate transfer member; f. a drying station for drying the ink on the dried non-cohesive sweat treatment layer formed on the intermediate transfer member so as to leave an ink image residue on the release layer surface of the ITM; and g. an impression station for transferring the ink image residue onto the print substrate by pressurized contact between the ITM and the print substrate; Includes.

[0212] In some embodiments of the present invention, the ITM comprises a silicone-based release layer surface that is sufficiently hydrophilic to satisfy at least one of the following characteristics: (i) the receding contact angle of a drop of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer is at most 60°; and (ii) The dynamic contact angle (DCA) of a droplet of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer for 10 seconds is at most 108°.

[0213] In some embodiments, the systems of the invention are configured to carry out the methods of the invention.

[0214] Additionally, in a further aspect, the present invention provides a system for indirect printing, said system comprising: a. The following characteristics: (i) the receding contact angle of a drop of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer is at most 60°; and (ii) the dynamic contact angle (DCA) of a drop of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer for 10 seconds is at most 108°; an intermediate transfer member (ITM) having a silicone-based release layer surface having sufficient hydrophilicity to satisfy at least one of the following: b. an amount of a hydrophilic treatment formulation comprising: i. a water-containing liquid, constituting from about 5% to about 97.5% (sometimes from about 5% to about 95%) by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation; ii. at least one first non-ionic surfactant (e.g., having a solubility in water of at least about 7% at 25° C.), optionally comprising from about 2.5% to about 95% (sometimes from about 5% to about 95%) by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation; the hydrophilic treatment formulation comprising: wherein said hydrophilic treatment formulation optionally comprises: iii. at least one second non-ionic surfactant (e.g., one having a solubility in water of at least 1% at 25° C.); iv. at least one non-polymeric humectant; v. at least one wetting agent, which is optionally a first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent; and vi. at least one antimicrobial agent; and further comprising one or more of: wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not include a second water-soluble polymer (e.g., one that is a flocculant and / or flocculation-inducing substance), and the second water-soluble polymer is different from the first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent; and wherein said hydrophilic treatment formulation has the following characteristics: i. The static surface tension at 25°C is within the range of 20-40 mN / m; ii. A dynamic viscosity at 25°C of at least 10 cP; and iii. have an evaporation load at 60°C of at least about 0.05:1 and at most about 19:1 by weight; having c. a treatment station for applying a hydrophilic treatment formulation to the silicone based release layer surface of the ITM to form a wet treatment layer optionally having a thickness of at most about 5.0 μm (sometimes at most about 4.5, 4.0, 3.5, 3.0, 2.5, 2.0, 1.5 or 1.0 μm); d. subjecting the wet treatment layer to a drying step to form a dry, non-cohesive treatment layer from the wet treatment layer on the surface of the silicone-based release layer, said dry, non-cohesive treatment layer optionally having a thickness of at least about 20 nm and at most about 500 nm (sometimes at most about 450, 400, 350, 300, 250, or 200 nm); e. at least one ink jet nozzle positioned proximate to the intermediate transfer member and configured to eject droplets of an aqueous ink comprising at least one binder and at least one colorant onto at least a region of the dried, non-cohesive treatment layer formed on the intermediate transfer member; f. a drying station for drying the ink on the dried non-cohesive treatment layer formed on the intermediate transfer member to produce an ink image residue on the surface of the silicone-based release layer; and g. An impression station for transferring the ink image residue onto the print substrate by pressure contact between the ITM and the print substrate.

[0215] In a further aspect thereof, the present invention provides a printed article comprising: (i) Substrate; (ii) one or more dry ink dots fixedly deposited on at least a region of a surface of said substrate; Here, the one or more dry ink dots comprise at least one binder, at least one colorant, and one or more non-volatile components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation of the present invention.

[0216] In some embodiments of the present invention, the printed article does not include components that are not included (lack) in the treatment formulation, as detailed hereinabove and below.

[0217] In some embodiments of the present invention, the dried ink dot or dots in the printed article are further covered with a dry non-coalescing layer (which may be a sweat layer) comprising one or more non-volatile components of a hydrophilic treatment formulation.

[0218] In some embodiments of the present invention, the non-printed areas of the substrate in the printed article are covered with a dry, non-coagulant, sweat-wicking layer that includes one or more non-volatile components of a hydrophilic treatment formulation.

[0219] In some embodiments, printed articles of the present invention are made / may be made according to the methods of the present invention.

[0220] In some embodiments, one or more dried ink dots of a printed article of the present invention each have a dimensionless aspect ratio (R aspect ) characterized by: R aspect =D dot / H dot In the formula, D dot is the diameter, characteristic diameter, average diameter, or longest diameter of the dot; and H dot is the thickness, characteristic thickness, or average thickness of the dot, or the height of the top surface of the dot relative to the substrate.

[0221] In some embodiments, R aspect , D dot and H dot The values ​​of are detailed below.

[0222] Additionally, in a further of its aspects, the present invention provides an intermediate transfer member comprising a release layer surface, said surface being substantially covered with a dry non-cohesive sweat-generating layer comprising one or more non-volatile components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation of the present invention, and optionally the thickness of the dry non-cohesive sweat-generating layer is at least about 20 nm and at most about 500 nm (sometimes at most about 450, 400, 350, 300, 250 or 200 nm).

[0223] In some embodiments, the dry non-cohesive sweat-wicking layer covers at least 50%, or at least 75%, or at least 90%, or at least 95%, or at least 99%, or 100% of the release layer surface of the intermediate transfer member.

[0224] In another of its aspects, the present invention provides an intermediate transfer member having a release layer surface, said surface being substantially covered with a hydrophilic treatment formulation of the present invention.

[0225] In a further aspect thereof, the present invention provides an intermediate transfer member having a release layer surface, said surface being substantially covered with a hydrophilic treatment formulation of the present invention, and wherein when said intermediate transfer member is at a temperature of from about 90° C. to about 130° C. (inclusive), a dry, non-cohesive, sweat treating layer is formed thereon, optionally the thickness of said dry, non-cohesive, sweat treating layer is at least about 20 nm and at most about 500 nm.

[0226] In some embodiments of the present invention, the ITM comprises a silicone-based release layer surface that is sufficiently hydrophilic to satisfy at least one of the following characteristics: (i) the receding contact angle of a drop of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer is at most 60°; and (ii) The dynamic contact angle (DCA) of a droplet of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer for 10 seconds is at most 108°.

[0227] In some embodiments of the invention, the wet treatment layer optionally has a thickness of at most about 5.0 μm, sometimes at most about 4.5, 4.0, 3.5, 3.0, 2.5, 2.0, 1.5 or 1.0 μm, and the dry non-coagulating (e.g., sweat) treatment layer optionally has a thickness of at least about 20 nm and at most about 500 nm, sometimes at most about 450, 400, 350, 300, 250 or 200 nm. Any combination between the aforementioned values ​​is within the scope of the invention.

[0228] In some embodiments of the invention, the wet treatment layer has a thickness of about 1.0 μm and the dry, non-coagulating (eg, sweat) treatment layer has a thickness of about 350 nm.

[0229] In yet a further aspect thereof, the present invention provides an intermediate transfer member comprising a silicone-based release layer surface having sufficient hydrophilicity to satisfy at least one of the following characteristics: (i) the receding contact angle of a drop of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer is at most 60°; and (ii) the dynamic contact angle (DCA) of a droplet of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer for 10 seconds is at most 108°; wherein said surface is substantially covered with a dry non-coalescing layer (non-film layer) comprising one or more of the components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation of the present invention, and optionally, said dry non-coalescing layer (non-film layer) has a thickness of at least about 20 nm and at most about 500 nm.

[0230] The printed ink dots produced utilizing the processing formulation of the present invention each have a dimensionless aspect ratio (R aspect ) (as defined above).

[0231] In some embodiments, D dot Or D dot average D may be in the range of 10 to 300 micrometers, 10 to 250 μm, 15 to 250 μm, 15 to 200 μm, 15 to 150 μm, 15 to 120 μm, or 15 to 100 μm. More typically, D dot Or D dot average can be in the range of 20 to 120 μm, 25 to 120 μm, 30 to 120 μm, 30 to 100 μm, 40 to 120 μm, 40 to 100 μm, or 40 to 80 μm.

[0232] In some embodiments, D dot Or D dot average may be at least 10 micrometers, at least 15 μm, or at least 20 μm, at least 30 μm, at least 40 μm, and more typically at least 50 μm, at least 60 μm, or at least 75 μm.

[0233] In some embodiments, D dot Or D dot averagecan be from about 60 μm to about 300 μm inclusive, sometimes from about 60 μm to about 200 μm inclusive, sometimes from about 60 μm to about 150 μm inclusive, and even more often from about 60 μm to about 105 μm inclusive. Any value within the above ranges is within the scope of the present invention.

[0234] In some embodiments, D dot Or D dot average can be from about 75 μm to about 300 μm inclusive, sometimes from about 75 μm to about 200 μm inclusive, sometimes from about 75 μm to about 150 μm inclusive, and even more often from about 75 μm to about 105 μm inclusive. Any value within the above ranges is within the scope of the present invention.

[0235] In some embodiments, D dot Or D dot average may be at most 300 micrometers, at most 250 μm, or at most 200 μm, and more typically at most 175 μm, at most 150 μm, at most 120 μm, or at most 100 μm.

[0236] In some embodiments, this D dot Or D dot average can be 30-50 microns larger than that obtained with known treatment formulations (including binders and silicone surfactants).

[0237] In some embodiments, the aspect ratio R aspect may be at least 15, at least 20, at least 25, or at least 30, at least 40, at least 50, more typically at least 60, at least 75.

[0238] In some embodiments, the aspect ratio R aspect may be at least 95, at least 110, at least 120, at least 150, at least 180, or at least 200.

[0239] In some embodiments, the aspect ratio Raspect can be from about 100 to about 400 (inclusive), sometimes from about 100 to about 350 (inclusive), and more often from about 100 to about 300 (inclusive). Any value within the above ranges is within the scope of the present invention.

[0240] In some embodiments, the aspect ratio R aspect is typically less than 450.

[0241] The printing process of the present invention is an indirect printing process in which the release surface of the ITM is pretreated (e.g., coated) with a treatment formulation according to the present invention prior to depositing an ink image thereon. The treatment formulation is applied to the surface of the ITM where it forms a thin wet treatment layer, which is subjected to a drying step on the ITM release surface, leaving a thin, dry, non-cohesive treatment layer on the ITM release surface. Droplets of an aqueous ink formulation are then deposited by inkjet onto the thin, dry, non-cohesive treatment layer to form an ink image. The formed ink image is then subjected to a drying step, leaving an ink residue on the non-cohesive treatment layer. The dried ink image is then transferred from the ITM surface to the final printing substrate (to some extent together with the non-cohesive treatment layer and / or together with at least one component of the non-cohesive treatment layer (see below)).

[0242] Mutually applicable examples of similar printing processes and systems are disclosed in the Applicant's patent publications WO2017 / 208152 (PCT / IB2017 / 053177) [8] and WO2013 / 132418 (PCT / IB2013 / 051716) [9], the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0243] Figure 1 is a flow chart of a printing process according to some embodiments of the present invention, in which an intermediate transfer member (ITM) is pretreated with a treatment formulation of the present invention prior to depositing ink droplets thereon. In step S1 of Figure 1, a treatment formulation of the present invention (e.g., 100) is applied to a surface of an ITM 110, e.g., a hydrophobic ITM, whereby a wet treatment layer 102, optionally having a thickness of at most 5.0 μm, is formed. In step S2 of Figure 1, the wet treatment layer 102 is dried (e.g., by a drying means and / or by the heat of the ITM and / or by the heat of hot air adjacent to the ITM), forming a dried non-cohesive treatment layer 104 from the wet treatment layer 102 on the surface of the ITM 110, whereby the dried non-cohesive treatment layer 104, optionally having a thickness of at least about 20 nm and at most about 500 nm. In step S3 of Figure 1, droplets of the water-based ink 200 are ink-jetted onto the dried, non-cohesive treatment layer 104 to form a wet ink image 222 on the surface of the ITM 110. In step S4 of Figure 1, the ink image 222 is dried on the ITM surface to form a dried ink image film 224. In step S5 of Figure 1, the dried ink image film 224 is transferred to a printing substrate 226, typically by pressure contact.

[0244] FIGURE 2 is an illustration of an exemplary indirect printing system. In particular, FIGURE 2 is a schematic side view of a digital printing system 10 in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, system 10 includes a rolling flexible blanket 12 that circulates through an imaging station 14, a drying station 16, an impression station 18, and a blanket treatment station 20.

[0245] As used herein, the term "blanket" refers to a flexible transfer member that can be mounted in a printing apparatus to form a belt-like structure over two or more rollers, at least one of which can rotate and move the blanket (e.g., by moving the belt) around the rollers.

[0246] As used herein, the terms "blanket" and "intermediate transfer member" (ITM) are used interchangeably and refer to a flexible member including at least a release layer that is used as an intermediate member configured to receive an ink image and transfer the ink image to a target substrate.

[0247] In an operational mode, the imaging station 14 is configured to form a mirror ink image (also referred to herein as an "ink image") (not shown) of a digital image on a surface of an upper run of the blanket 12. The ink image is then transferred to a target substrate (e.g., paper, a folding carton, or any suitable flexible packaging in the form of a sheet or continuous web) located beneath the lower run of the blanket 12.

[0248] As used herein, the terms "ink image" and "image" are interchangeable. The terms sometimes refer to the image formed on blanket 12 and transferred to a target substrate. Sometimes the terms refer to the printed image on the substrate itself (e.g., paper, folding cartons, any suitable flexible packaging in sheets or in a continuous web). Thus, these terms should be interpreted within the context of the text in which they are used.

[0249] As used herein, the term "run" refers to the length or section of blanket 12 between any two given rollers along which blanket 12 is guided.

[0250] In some embodiments, the installation blanket 12 can be bonded (e.g., seamed) end-to-end to form a continuous blanket loop (not shown). Example methods and systems for seam attachment are described in detail in commonly owned patent publication WO2019 / 012456 (PCT / IB2018 / 055126)

[12] , the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0251] In some embodiments, imaging station 14 typically includes multiple print bars 22 each mounted (e.g., with a slider) on a frame (not shown) positioned at a fixed height above the surface of the top run of blanket 12. In some embodiments, each print bar 22 includes a strip of print heads the same width as the print area on blanket 12, with individually controllable print nozzles.

[0252] In some embodiments, imaging station 14 may include any suitable number of bars 22, and each bar 22 may include a printing fluid, such as a water-based ink formulation, of a different color. The inks typically have visible colors, such as, but not limited to, cyan, magenta, red, green, blue, yellow, black, and white. In the example of FIG. 2, imaging station 14 includes seven print bars 22, but may also include four print bars 22 having any selected color, such as, for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.

[0253] In some embodiments, the print heads are configured to eject ink droplets of different colors onto the surface of blanket 12 so as to form ink images (not shown) on the surface of blanket 12 .

[0254] In some embodiments, the different print bars 22 are spaced apart from one another along the axis of motion of the blanket 12, represented by arrow 24. In this configuration, precise spacing between the bars 22 and synchronization between the direction of the ink droplets of each bar 22 and the motion of the blanket 12 is essential to enable correct placement of the image pattern.

[0255] In some embodiments, the system 10 includes a heater, such as a hot gas or air blower 26 disposed between the print bars 22 and configured to partially dry the ink droplets deposited on the surface of the blanket 12 .

[0256] This hot air flow between the print bars can help, for example, to reduce condensation on the surface of the print head, and / or to deal with satellites (e.g., residue or small droplets distributed around the main ink droplets), and / or to prevent blockage of the inkjet nozzles of the print head, and / or to prevent droplets of different colors of ink on the blanket 12 from undesirably merging with one another. In some embodiments, the system 10 includes a drying station 16 configured to blow hot air (or another gas) onto the surface of the blanket 12. In some embodiments, the drying station includes a blower or any other suitable drying device.

[0257] At drying station 16, the ink image formed on blanket 12 is exposed to radiation and / or hot air to more completely dry the ink, causing most or all of the liquid carrier to evaporate, leaving only a layer of resin and colorant (which is heated until it becomes a tacky ink film).

[0258] In some embodiments, system 10 includes a blanket transport assembly 26' configured to move a rolling ITM, such as blanket 12. In some embodiments, blanket transport / guide assembly 26' includes one or more rollers 28, at least one of which includes an encoder (not shown) configured to record the position of blanket 12 so as to control the position of segments of blanket 12 relative to the respective print bars 22. In some embodiments, the encoder of roller 28 typically includes a rotary encoder configured to generate a rotation-based position signal indicative of the angular displacement of the respective roller.

[0259] Additionally or alternatively, blanket 12 may include an integrated encoder (not shown) for controlling the operation of various modules of system 10. Integrated encoders are described in detail, for example, in commonly owned patent publication WO2020 / 003088 (PCT / IB2019 / 055288) [7], the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0260] In some embodiments, the system 10 includes an impression station 18 where the blanket 12 passes between an impression cylinder 30 and a pressure cylinder 32, which is configured to carry a compressible blanket.

[0261] In some embodiments, the system 10 includes a control console (not shown) configured to control multiple modules and assemblies of the system 10 .

[0262] In some embodiments, the blanket treatment station 20, which may also function as a cooling station, is configured to treat the blanket, for example, by cooling the blanket 12 and / or applying a treatment fluid to the exterior surface of the blanket 12. This treatment may be performed by passing the blanket 12 over one or more rollers or blades configured to apply the cooling and / or treatment fluid to the exterior surface of the blanket.

[0263] In some embodiments, the blanket treatment station 20 is also configured to heat / evaporate / dry the treatment formulation applied onto the ITM.

[0264] In some embodiments, the blanket treatment station 20 may include a cleaning station configured to clean the outer surface of the blanket 12 .

[0265] The cleaning station may form part of the processing station or may be a separate station located between the transfer station and the processing station, for example as described in detail in patent publication WO / 2021 / 137063 (PCT / IB2020 / 061673)

[16] to the present applicant, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0266] However, it should be noted that due to the reduced build-up of components of the treatment formulation on the ITMs, there is little or no need to clean and / or polish the ITMs and other corresponding parts of the printing system.

[0267] In the example of FIG. 2, station 20 is mounted between two rollers 28, however, station 20 may be mounted adjacent blanket 12 at any other suitable location between impression station 18 and imaging station 14.

[0268] In some embodiments, the impression cylinder 30 of the impression station 18 is configured to impress an ink image onto a target substrate, such as an individual sheet 34, which is transported by a substrate transport module 36 (shown diagrammatically) from an input stack 38 through the impression cylinder 30 to an output stack 40. In some embodiments, the target substrate may include any suitable substrate, such as, but not limited to, a flexible substrate, a partially flexible substrate (e.g., having a flexible section and a rigid section), or a rigid substrate.

[0269] In some embodiments, system 10 includes an additional impression station (not shown) to allow for double-sided printing (ie, printing on both sides of sheet 34).

[0270] In alternative embodiments, different configurations of substrate conveyor 36 can be used for printing on continuous web substrates, as disclosed, for example, in PCT International Publication No. WO2020 / 136517 (PCT / IB2019 / 061081)

[13] . Detailed descriptions and various configurations of sheet-fed single and double-sided printing systems and systems for printing on continuous web substrates are provided, for example, in PCT International Publication No. WO2013 / 132420 (PCT / IB2013 / 051718)

[14] and PCT International Publication No. WO2015 / 036906 (PCT / IB2014 / 064277)

[15] , the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0271] The particular configuration of system 10 is provided by way of example, however, embodiments of the invention are in no way limited to this particular type of exemplary system, and the principles described herein may be applied to any other type of printing system as well.

[0272] Non-limiting examples of ink formulations that may be used in the present invention are the ink formulations disclosed in commonly owned patent applications / publications WO2013 / 132439 (PCT / IB2013 / 51755)

[10] , WO2015 / 036865 (PCT / IB2014 / 02395)

[11] , WO2017 / 208152 (PCT / IB2017 / 053177)[8], and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 362,971

[17] , the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0273] In some embodiments, the target substrate (the substrate to be printed on) is selected from the group consisting of uncoated fibrous printing substrates, commodity coated fibrous printing substrates, and plastic printing substrates.

[0274] In some embodiments, the target substrate is a fibrous printing substrate, such as paper.

[0275] In some embodiments, the fibrous printing substrate is a paper selected from the group of papers consisting of bond paper, uncoated offset paper, coated offset paper, copy paper, rough paper, coated rough paper, free sheet paper, coated free sheet paper, and laser paper.

[0276] In some embodiments, the printing substrate is a coated or uncoated offset substrate.

[0277] In some embodiments, the fibrous printing substrate is a commodity coated printing substrate.

[0278] In some embodiments, the target substrate is plastic.

[0279] In some embodiments, the plastic printing substrate is a plastic selected from the group consisting of biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), antistatic polyester, and atactic polypropylene.

[0280] Exemplary non-limiting substrates are uncoated paper 140 gsm and Burgo 130 gsm.

[0281] Further non-limiting exemplary printing substrates are those disclosed in commonly owned patent publication WO2013 / 132345 (PCT / IB2013 / 000840)

[18] , the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0282] The processing formulations of the present invention can affect the graininess behavior of ink images produced using them.

[0283] Graininess (solid-area graininess in a particular color plane) refers to the random variation in density at spatial frequencies below a particular tile size.

[0284] In some embodiments, the graininess behavior of ink images produced utilizing the processing formulations of the present invention is as disclosed and exemplified herein.

[0285] In some embodiments, the treatment formulations of the present invention, when utilized in the printing process of the present invention, provide ink image graininess behavior that is substantially constant from 30 to 80%, e.g., the graininess at 30% coverage is no more than twice the graininess at 80% coverage.

[0286] In some embodiments, the processing formulations of the present invention do not contain a silicane surfactant, and when utilized in the printing process of the present invention, provide a graininess behavior of ink images at ink coverage of 30-80% that has a graininess value at 30% coverage that is no more than 2 times the graininess value at 80% coverage, compared to processing formulations that contain, for example, a silicane surfactant, and have a graininess value at 30% coverage that is 4 times or more (e.g., 5, 6, or 7 times or more) the graininess value at 80% coverage.

[0287] Unless otherwise stated, the term "concentration" refers to w / w, i.e. the weight of an ingredient / component of a formulation per the total weight of the formulation in its wet state before drying.

[0288] As used herein, the term "receding contact angle" or "RCA" refers to a receding contact angle measured using the Drop Shape Method with a Dataphysics OCA15 Pro contact angle measurement device, or an equivalent video-based optical contact angle measurement system. The analogous "advancing contact angle" (ACA) refers to an advancing contact angle measured in substantially the same manner.

[0289] As used herein, the term "advancing contact angle" or "DCA" refers to dynamic contact angle measured at ambient temperature using a Dataphysics OCA15 Pro contact angle measurement device, or an equivalent video-based optical contact angle measurement system, using the method refined by Dr. Roger P. Woodward ("Contact Angle Measurements Using the Drop Shape Method", in particular www.firsttenangstroms.com / pdfdocs / CAPaper.pdf).

[0290] As used herein, the terms "image transfer member" or "intermediate transfer member" or "transfer member" refer to a component of a printing system where ink is first applied by a print head, e.g., an inkjet head, and then the jetted image is transferred to another substrate or substrates, typically the final print substrate.

[0291] As used herein, the term "blanket" refers to a flexible transfer member that can be mounted within a printing apparatus to form a belt-like structure over two or more rollers, at least one of which can rotate and move the blanket (e.g., by moving the belt) around the rollers.

[0292] As used herein, the terms "blanket" and "intermediate transfer member (ITM)" are used interchangeably and refer to a flexible member comprising a stack of layers used as an intermediate member configured to receive a wet hydrophilic treatment formulation, as described herein, that receives an ink image and transfers the dried ink image film to a target substrate.

[0293] As used herein, the term "static surface tension" refers to the static surface tension at 25° C. and atmospheric pressure.

[0294] In some embodiments, the term "thickness" of a wetting layer is defined as follows: if a volume of a material, vol, covers a surface area, SA, of a surface having an area, then the thickness of the wetting layer is assumed to be vol / SA.

[0295] In some embodiments, the term "thickness" of a dry layer is defined as follows: if a volume vol of a liquid material with x wt % wets or covers a surface area SA, and all the liquid evaporates and the wet layer turns into a dry layer, the thickness of the dry layer is assumed to be: vol / ρ wet layer (100-x) / (SA ρ dry layer ) In the formula, ρ wet layer is the specific gravity of the wet layer, and ρ dry layer is the specific gravity of the dry layer.

[0296] In some embodiments, the term "thickness" of the dry layer refers to the total thickness of both the solid (or semi-solid) material and the non-volatile oil.

[0297] In some embodiments of the present invention, the hydrophilic treatment formulation is applied onto the ITM to form a continuous wetting layer. As used herein, the term "continuous wetting layer" or any linguistic variation thereof refers to a continuous wetting layer that covers the convex areas without any exposed small areas within the perimeter of the convex areas.

[0298] In some embodiments of the present invention, the dried hydrophilic treatment formulation on the ITM forms a continuous thin dry layer, particularly a non-coalesced layer. As used herein, the term "continuous thin dry layer" or linguistic variations thereof refers to a continuous dry layer covering the convex areas without discontinuities around the convex areas.

[0299] As used herein, the term "cohesive substance" refers to a substance that is carried along when a construct (e.g., a film) comprising it is peeled off from a surface to which it is adhered. As used herein, the term "cohesion-inducing substance" refers to a substance that induces such behavior. As used herein, the term "non-cohesive layer" refers to a layer that does not exhibit cohesive behavior. A non-cohesive layer is distinct from a "cohesive film." A cohesive film retains its structural integrity and is peeled off as a skin.

[0300] As used herein, terms such as "hydrophobic" and "hydrophilic" can be used in a relative sense and not necessarily in an absolute sense.

[0301] As used herein, the term "treatment formulation" means that the formulation is for use with an intermediate transfer member of a printing system, i.e., for use in treating a release surface of an ITM with said formulation, for example as described and exemplified herein.

[0302] Unless otherwise stated, physical properties such as viscosity and surface tension of liquids (such as treatment formulations) refer to properties at 25°C.

[0303] As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the "percentage of total solids" of a liquid composition is calculated by multiplying the weight of the residue after complete drying at 25°C by 100 and dividing by the weight of the initial liquid composition.

[0304] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control.

[0305] In the specification and claims of this disclosure, the verbs "comprise," "include," and "have," and each of their conjugations, are used to indicate that the object or objects of the verb are not necessarily a complete list of members, components, elements, steps, or parts of the subject or subjects of the verb. These terms include the terms "consisting of" and "consisting essentially of."

[0306] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural references and mean "at least one" or "one or more," unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0307] Unless otherwise stated, the use of the word "and / or" between the last two elements of a list of alternatives for selection indicates that the selection of one or more of the listed alternatives is appropriate and can be made.

[0308] Unless otherwise specified, adjectives such as "substantially" and "about" modifying a condition of one or more features of an embodiment of the present technology or a characteristic relationship thereof are understood to mean that the condition or feature is defined within an acceptable tolerance that will allow the embodiment to function for its intended use.

[0309] Sometimes the term "about" may refer to ±10% of the value to which it refers.

[0310] The evaporation loading at x degrees Celsius is defined as follows: x is a positive number. If a solution has y wt / wt % solids and z wt / wt % liquid at x degrees Celsius, then the "evaporation loading at x degrees Celsius" of the solution is the ratio z / y. The units of "evaporation loading" are "weight of solvent per total weight of solute." In this disclosure, the evaporation loading is always defined at atmospheric pressure. In this disclosure, the default value of "x´" is 60°C, and the term "evaporation loading" without a prefix specifying a temperature refers to the evaporation loading at 60 degrees Celsius at atmospheric pressure.

[0311] It should be noted that embodiments detailed herein in relation to one aspect of the invention are applicable mutatis mutandis to further aspects of the invention.

[0312] Detailed Description of the Embodiments The following examples are not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. EXAMPLES

[0313] Reference is now made to the following examples, which together with the above descriptions illustrate the invention in a non-limiting manner.

[0314] A. Exemplary ITM (Blanket) Release Layer List of materials used: [Table 8] JPEG2025507296000010.jpg58152

[0315] The carrier used as the substrate in the production of the release layer surface includes an antistatic polyester film (Examples 1 to 7).

[0316] Example 1 The ITM release layer of Example 1 has the following composition (wt / wt): [Table 9]

[0317] The release layer was prepared substantially as described in the Blanket Preparation Procedure below.

[0318] Blanket Conditioning Procedure (for release layers cured against a carrier surface) All components of the release layer formulation were thoroughly mixed together. An initial release layer of the desired thickness was coated onto the PET sheet using a rod / knife (other coating methods may be used) and then cured at 150°C for 3 minutes. Siloprene LSR2530 was then coated on top of the release layer using a knife to the desired thickness. Then cured at 150°C for 3 minutes. An additional layer of Siloprene LSR 2530 was then coated on top of the previous (cured) silicone layer and the glass fiber fabric was integrated into this wet new layer, allowing the wet silicone to penetrate the fabric structure. Then cured at 150°C for 3 minutes. A final layer of Siloprene LSR 2530 was then coated onto the glass fiber fabric and again cured at 150°C for 3 minutes. The integrated blanket structure was then cooled to room temperature and the PET was removed.

[0319] Example 2 The ITM release layer of Example 2 has the following composition: [Table 10]

[0320] The blanket was prepared essentially as described in Example 1.

[0321] Example 3 The ITM release layer of Example 3 has the following composition: [Table 11]

[0322] The blanket was prepared essentially as described in Example 1.

[0323] Example 4 The ITM release layer of Example 4 has the following composition: [Table 12]

[0324] The blanket was prepared essentially as described in Example 1.

[0325] Example 5 The ITM release layer of Example 5 was prepared from Silopren® LSR2530 (Momentive Performance Materials Inc., Waterford, NY), a two-component liquid silicone rubber in which the two components are mixed in a 1:1 ratio. The blanket was prepared essentially as described in Example 1.

[0326] Example 6 The ITM release layer of Example 6 has substantially the same composition as that of Example 4, but includes SR545 (Momentive Performance Materials Inc., Waterford, NY), a commercially available silicone-based resin containing polar groups. The polar groups are of the "MQ" type, where "M" stands for Me3SiO and "Q" stands for SiO4. The full composition is provided as follows: [Table 13]

[0327] The blanket was prepared essentially as described in Example 1.

[0328] Example 7 The ITM release layer of Example 7 has substantially the same composition as that of Example 6, but includes polymer RV5000, which includes a vinyl-functional polydimethylsiloxane having a high density of vinyl groups, as described herein above. The full composition is provided as follows: [Table 14]

[0329] The blanket was prepared essentially as described in Example 1.

[0330] B. Treatment Formulations Below is a list of materials used for processing: [Table 15]

[0331] The following treatment formulation was prepared:

[0332] Example 8A - Formulation A - Formulation of the invention - Formulation without flocculant water-soluble polymer [Table 16]

[0333] Example 8B - Comparative Example - Formulation B - Known Formulation - Formulation containing a cohesive water-soluble polymer (binder) This formulation was prepared using the water soluble polymer Methocel K3 and the content of that component was adjusted to give the same viscosity as the treatment formulation of Example 8A. [Table 17]

[0334] The drying behavior of a treatment formulation of the present invention (Formulation A, Example 8A) and a known treatment formulation (Formulation B, Example 8B) was tested.

[0335] Solution samples of both formulations were heated at 90° C. overnight. After heating, the known formulation (prior art) was completely dry material (solid state), while the formulation of the present invention formed two phases, one dry (solid phase) and one liquid. This is clearly shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B. The known formulation in the vial shown in FIG. 3A (Formulation B, Example 8B) resulted in a solid phase (300) with no liquid phase when dried, as shown by the arrows in the figure. The processing formulation of the present invention in the vial shown in FIG. 3B (Formulation A, Example 8A) resulted in a solid phase (302) (shown at the bottom of the vial) when dried, as shown by the arrows in the figure, and a liquid phase (304) (which flows down the side of the vial when the vial is tilted 90°) as shown by the arrows in the figure.

[0336] Without wishing to be bound by theory, the inventors believe that the liquid phase (304) observed in FIG. 3B is an oil phase that does not volatilize at the temperature of the printing process of the present invention. The liquid oil phase may come from one of the components of the treatment formulation, for example a surfactant, e.g. Tween 20. The formation of a solid (sometimes semi-solid) and liquid phase upon drying is referred to herein as the sweating phenomenon. This phenomenon is visualized in the vial in FIG. 3B, which was also examined using tissue paper that can absorb the liquid phase. Tissue paper placed on top of a dry treatment formulation known in the art (FIG. 3A) remained dry, whereas tissue paper placed on top of the dry treatment formulation of the present invention (FIG. 3B) became wet.

[0337] Example 8C - Formulation C - Formulation of the invention - Formulation without flocculating water soluble polymer and silicon containing surfactant [Table 18]

[0338] Further formulations based on the above formulations were prepared as follows: Formulation C, but without Dynol 360 (Formulation E) Formulation C, but containing 14.7 w / w% Pluronic 10R5, 8.8 w / w% Disponil APG 215, and no Dynol 360 (Formulation F).

[0339] Example 8D - Formulation D - Formulation of the invention - Formulation without flocculating water soluble polymer and silicon containing surfactant [Table 19]

[0340] Example 8E - Further formulations of the invention - Formulations without flocculating water-soluble polymers and silicon-containing surfactants Additional formulations were prepared with a range of concentrations of various components, as described below: [Table 20]

[0341] Example 9: Testing the Transparency of Treatment Formulations The clarity of the treatment formulations of the present invention was tested and compared to treatment formulations known in the art. In particular, the solution state color of treatment formulations A and C of the present invention was compared to known treatment formulation B.

[0342] Figures 4A-4C show photographs of vials containing solutions of processing formulations A and C of the present invention (Figures 4A and 4C, respectively) compared to known processing formulation B (Figure 4B). As can be seen, the solution of known formulation B, which contains a binder (a flocculant water-soluble polymer), is colored (yellow colored, not shown in grayscale), while the solution of the present invention's formulation A, which does not contain a binder, is colored less. Formulation C, which does not contain both a binder and a silicon-containing surfactant, is a colorless solution.

[0343] Additional formulations were tested using the following non-ionic and non-silicone surfactants alone or in various combinations with each other: Tween 20, Pluronic 10R5, Disponil APG215, Dynol 360, Dynol 604, Surfinol 465. All resulted in clear, colorless treatment formulations.

[0344] Exemplary concentrations of surfactants tested are detailed below: [Table 21]

[0345] Example 10 - Ink dot size and ink dot aspect ratio testing The ink droplet diameters printed using black and magenta inks on coated paper (burgo 130 gsm) in printing processes using processing formulations A to C were measured.

[0346] Figures 5A-5B show images of dots printed with black and magenta inks (Figures 5A and 5B, respectively), which further detail the ink drop diameter measurements for each of the tested formulations A, B, and C.

[0347] 5A-5B, the printed dots utilizing known process formulation B (containing a binder and silicone surfactant) are the smallest in diameter in both the black and magenta inks, e.g., 8 microns smaller in diameter in the black ink than process formulation A of the present invention (containing no binder). Formulation C of the present invention (containing no binder and no silicone surfactant) has a maximum droplet size in the black ink that is 40 microns larger in diameter than formulation B.

[0348] It should be noted that the aspect ratio measured for the ink obtained with inventive formulation A was 105.587±8.789 (for black ink) and the aspect ratio measured for the ink obtained with inventive formulation C was 177.066±20.710 (for black ink).

[0349] Additionally, standard black ink formulations were tested, yielding aspect ratio values ​​of 300, 363.54, and 371.61 (data not shown).

[0350] Example 11 - Testing the graininess of printed ink images The graininess behavior of the ink images was measured as a function of ink coverage (%) using a PIAS II and a QEA machine, where the latter calculated graininess according to the ISO-13660 international print quality protocol using a tile size of 42.3 μm (see www.qea.com / products / image-analysis / pias-ii).

[0351] In particular, black and magenta inks were used in a printing process utilizing Processing Formulations AC.

[0352] FIG. 6 shows a comparison of the graininess and percent coverage of the magenta ink observed with Processing Formulations A, B, and C.

[0353] FIG. 7 shows a comparison of the graininess and percent coverage of the black ink observed with treatment formulations A, B and C.

[0354] As is evident from Figures 6 and 7, Processing Formulation C has better granularity than Processing Formulation A and the known Processing Formulation B at ink coverages between 30-80%, with Processing Formulation B showing the most granular results. This is reflected in the flat curve granularity behavior (for the magenta ink, the granularity at 30% coverage is 1.0 and at 80% coverage is 0.5 (Figure 6), and for the black ink, the granularity at 30% coverage is 1.2 and at 80% coverage is 0.6 (Figure 7)).

[0355] Without wishing to be bound by theory, the inventors of the present invention believe that treatment type C without silicone surfactant provides better wetting (wettability) compared to treatment formulations containing silicone surfactant. Better wetting results in larger ink dots and improved graininess behavior. Improved graininess behavior is advantageous, for example, in terms of print uniformity providing cleaner and more uniform ink coverage with less non-wetted areas, better coverage of printheads with problems such as scratches, etc.

[0356] Example 12 - Testing the transfer behavior of inks The transfer of ink from the intermediate transfer member (ITM) to the final print substrate was tested with Inventive Treatment Formulation A and Inventive Treatment Formulation C. The ink was transferred to uncoated paper 140 gsm.

[0357] Figure 8A shows images printed on uncoated paper 140 gsm with magenta ink (left side of image, color not shown) and black ink (right side of image) observed for Formulations A and C as shown. Figure 8B shows the corresponding ink remaining on the intermediate transfer member. Both formulations had good transfer of the ink from the ITM to the paper substrate, but Formulation C showed better transfer. This can be clearly seen from the negligible amount of residue on the ITM for Formulation C in Figure 8B. Similar results were obtained with different color inks (data not shown).

[0358] C. Exemplary Ink Compositions Pigment Preparation The pigments used in the examples below are generally supplied with an initial particle size of a few micrometers. Such pigments are milled to the submicron range in the presence of a dispersant, and the two materials are fed as an aqueous mixture to a milling device (bead mill). The progress of the milling is controlled based on particle size measurements (e.g., Malvern or Nanosizer devices). The average particle size (d V 50) The grinding was stopped when the particle size reached 70–100 nm.

[0359] This example describes the preparation of an ink composition: Heliogen® Blue D7079 was ground in a Disperbyk® 190 as described, and the materials were mixed in the following proportions: Heliogen® Blue D7079 30g Disperbyk® 190 (40%) 30g 140g water ==============================A Total 200g

[0360] The milled concentrate has a D of less than 100 nm, typically 70-100 nm. V 50 and was further diluted with 50 g of water to extract from the mill at a pigment concentration of about 12% by weight. The millbase concentrate was subjected to further processing as described below to prepare the ink composition.

[0361] In the first step, 2.4 g of sodium dodecanoate was added to 200 g of the millbase concentrate to obtain the millbase. The mixture was stirred until homogeneous (5' magnetic stirrer, 50 rpm) and incubated at 60°C for 1 day. The mixture was then cooled to ambient temperature.

[0362] In the second stage, the ink ingredients were added to the millbase as follows: Millbase concentrate (from step 1) 202.4 g Joncryl® 538 (46.5%) 154.8g BYK® 349 5g BYK® 333 2g 240g propylene glycol Water 595.8g ============================ Total 1200g

[0363] The mixture was stirred at ambient temperature for 30 minutes to give an ink-jettable ink composition having a viscosity of less than 10 cP.

[0364] Additional inks tested include yellow, magenta, cyan, black, orange, green and blue.

[0365] Exemplary embodiments The following embodiments are illustrative and are not intended to limit the claimed subject matter. Furthermore, any embodiment detailed herein above in relation to other aspects of the invention is deemed to relate mutatis mutandis to the embodiments detailed herein below.

[0366]

[0021] Embodiment 1. A method of indirect printing comprising: a. The following characteristics: (i) the receding contact angle of a drop of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer is at most 60°; and (ii) the dynamic contact angle (DCA) of a drop of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer for 10 seconds is at most 108°; providing an intermediate transfer member (ITM) having a silicone-based release layer surface having sufficient hydrophilicity to satisfy at least one of the following: b. providing an amount of a hydrophilic treatment formulation, said amount of hydrophilic treatment formulation comprising: i. a water-containing liquid, said water-containing liquid constituting from about 5% to about 97.5% by weight (sometimes from about 5% to about 95% by weight) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation; ii. at least one first non-ionic surfactant (e.g., having a solubility in water of at least about 7% at 25° C.), optionally comprising from about 2.5% to about 95% (sometimes from about 5% to about 95%) by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation; Includes: wherein said hydrophilic treatment formulation optionally comprises: iii. at least one second non-ionic surfactant (e.g., one having a solubility in water of at least 1% at 25° C.); iv. at least one non-polymeric humectant; v. at least one wetting agent, which is optionally a first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent; and vi. at least one antimicrobial agent; and further comprising one or more of: wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not include a second water-soluble polymer, the second water-soluble polymer being different from the first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent; and wherein said hydrophilic treatment formulation has the following characteristics: i. The static surface tension at 25°C is within the range of 20-40 mN / m; ii. A dynamic viscosity at 25°C of at least 10 cP; and iii. have an evaporation load at 60°C of at least about 0.05:1 and at most about 19:1 by weight; having c. applying a hydrophilic treatment formulation to the silicone-based release layer surface of the ITM to form a wet treatment layer optionally having a thickness of at most about 5.0 μm (sometimes at most about 4.5, 4.0, 3.5, 3.0, 2.5, 2.0, 1.5, or 1.0 μm); d. drying the wet treatment layer (e.g., by holding the ITM at a temperature sufficient to dry the wet treatment layer, e.g., 90°C-130°C, and / or by subjecting the wet treatment layer to a drying step), thereby forming a dry, non-cohesive treatment layer from the wet treatment layer on the surface of the silicone based release layer, the dry, non-cohesive treatment layer optionally having a thickness of at least about 20 nm and at most about 500 nm (sometimes at most about 450, 400, 350, 300, 250, or 200 nm); e. depositing droplets of an aqueous ink onto at least a region of the dried non-cohesive treatment layer to form an ink image on a surface of the silicone based release layer, the aqueous ink comprising at least one binder and at least one colorant; f. drying the ink image so as to leave an ink image residue on the silicone-based release layer surface; and g. transferring the ink image residue onto the printing substrate by pressure contact between the ITM and the printing substrate; The method comprising:

[0367] Embodiment 2. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation is substantially free of coagulating and / or coagulation-inducing substances, such that when the hydrophilic treatment formulation is dried on the silicone-based release layer surface of the ITM, it does not form a film layer thereon.

[0368] Embodiment 3. The method of embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation, when subjected to drying (e.g., at a temperature of about 90° C. to about 130° C., inclusive), provides a solid material accompanied by sweating of non-volatile liquid oil (i.e., the resulting dried treatment formulation separates into two phases: a dry solid phase and an oily liquid phase, the latter of which may contain trace amounts of water and / or another hydrophilic liquid).

[0369] Embodiment 4 The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the water-containing liquid is water alone or a mixture of water and at least one water-soluble organic solvent, such as ethanol.

[0370] Embodiment 5. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation further comprises at least one first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent.

[0371] Embodiment 6. The method of embodiment 5, wherein the first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent is a multiply charged polymer, such as a polycation or a polyanion.

[0372] Embodiment 7. The method of embodiment 6, wherein the polycation is selected from the group consisting of polyethyleneimine (PEI), poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM), poly-l-lysine (PLL) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium) (PDDA).

[0373] Embodiment 8. The method of embodiment 6, wherein the polyanion is selected from the group consisting of acrylic polymers, polyacrylamides, and poly-DADMAc.

[0374] Embodiment 9. The method of embodiment 5, wherein the first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent is PEI.

[0375] Embodiment 10. The method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 9, wherein apart from the first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent, such as polyethyleneimine, the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not contain any substance having a molecular weight of about 1300 gr / mol or more.

[0376] Embodiment 11. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 10, wherein the second water-soluble polymer is an aggregating agent and / or an aggregation-inducing agent.

[0377] Embodiment 12. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 11, wherein the second water-soluble polymer is a water-absorbing polymeric agent.

[0378] Embodiment 13. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 12, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not further comprise one or more of inorganic salts, inorganic metal compounds (e.g., magnesium nitrate hexahydrate), polyvalent metal ions, and metal ions.

[0379] Embodiment 14. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 13, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not further comprise an acid, such as an organic acid.

[0380] Embodiment 15. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 14, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not further comprise a resolubilizing agent.

[0381] Embodiment 16. The method of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not include one or more of the components described in any one of embodiments 2 and 10-15 or a combination thereof.

[0382] Embodiment 17. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 16, wherein the weight percent of the total solids of the hydrophilic treatment formulation is at least about 5% by weight, or from about 5% to about 95% by weight (inclusive), particularly from about 27% to about 95% by weight (inclusive), and more particularly from about 35% to about 95% by weight (inclusive).

[0383] Embodiment 18. The method of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation has a 60° C. evaporation load of at least about 1.86:1 by weight.

[0384] Embodiment 19. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 18, wherein the first non-ionic surfactant is a silicon-containing surfactant or a non-silicon-containing surfactant (e.g., polysorbate 20, i.e., Tween 20).

[0385] Embodiment 20. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 19, wherein the second nonionic surfactant is a silicon-containing surfactant (e.g., BYK LPX23289) or a non-silicon-containing surfactant.

[0386] Embodiment 21. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 20, wherein the second nonionic surfactant comprises at most 10% by weight (including end values) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

[0387] Embodiment 22. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 21, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation further comprises at least one wetting agent (e.g., polyethyleneimine), the wetting agent (e.g., polyethyleneimine) constituting at most about 1% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation, particularly at most about 0.20% by weight, more particularly 0.20% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

[0388] Embodiment 23. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 22, wherein the non-polymeric humectant (e.g., sorbitol, xylitol, monosaccharides, disaccharides) comprises at most about 30% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

[0389] Embodiment 24. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 23, wherein the antimicrobial agent (e.g., K12N or any other antimicrobial agent known in the art) comprises at most about 1% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

[0390] Embodiment 25. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 24, wherein the components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation are compatible with each other and with the water-containing liquid.

[0391] Embodiment 26. The method of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation is a stable solution at 25° C. without phase separation and without settling / precipitation.

[0392] Embodiment 27. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 26, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation is a clear, colorless solution at 25° C.

[0393]

[0041] Embodiment 28. The method of any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation do not form aggregates with the colorant of the water-based ink.

[0394] Embodiment 29: The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 28, wherein in step (g), the dry non-cohesive treatment layer in both the printed and non-printed areas on the ITM is transferred to some extent to the printing substrate along with the ink image residue, leaving a residual dry non-cohesive treatment layer on the ITM.

[0395] Embodiment 30. The method of embodiment 29, wherein the method comprises repeating steps (c)-(g) multiple times (e.g., 1000 cycles), and during each cycle, the freshly applied hydrophilic treatment formulation of step (c) completely dissolves the residual dry non-cohesive treatment layer of the previous cycle, thereby preventing accumulation of residual dry non-cohesive treatment layer between each cycle.

[0396]

[0023] Embodiment 31. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 30, wherein when the droplets of the aqueous ink are deposited onto the dry non-coagulating treatment layer, the surface of the dry non-coagulating treatment layer that is in intimate contact with the aqueous ink is capable of dissolving in the aqueous ink and / or mixing and / or fusing with the aqueous ink, optionally forming an interphase comprising one or more components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation and ink components.

[0397]

[0036] Embodiment 32. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 31, wherein the ink image residue further comprises one or more components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation (e.g., liquid oil and / or at least one solid component from the treatment formulation).

[0398]

[0041] Embodiment 33. The method of any one of embodiments 1-32, wherein the ink image residue is aggregate-free.

[0399]

[0036] Embodiment 34. A system for indirect printing, comprising: a. The following characteristics: (i) the receding contact angle of a drop of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer is at most 60°; and (ii) the dynamic contact angle (DCA) of a drop of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer for 10 seconds is at most 108°; an intermediate transfer member (ITM) having a silicone-based release layer surface having sufficient hydrophilicity to satisfy at least one of the following: b. a quantity of a hydrophilic treatment formulation, i. a water-containing liquid, said water-containing liquid constituting from about 5% to about 97.5% by weight (sometimes from about 5% to about 95% by weight) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation; ii. at least one first non-ionic surfactant (e.g., having a solubility in water of at least about 7% at 25° C.), optionally comprising from about 2.5% to about 95% (sometimes from about 5% to about 95%) by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation; said amount of a hydrophilic treatment formulation comprising: wherein said hydrophilic treatment formulation optionally comprises: iii. at least one second non-ionic surfactant (e.g., one having a solubility in water of at least 1% at 25° C.); iv. at least one non-polymeric humectant; v. at least one wetting agent, which is optionally a first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent; and vi. at least one antimicrobial agent; and further comprising one or more of: wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not include a second water-soluble polymer, the second water-soluble polymer being different from the first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent; and wherein said hydrophilic treatment formulation has the following characteristics: i. The static surface tension at 25°C is within the range of 20-40 mN / m; ii. A dynamic viscosity at 25°C of at least 10 cP; and iii. have an evaporation load at 60°C of at least about 0.05:1 and at most about 19:1 by weight; having c. a treatment station for applying a hydrophilic treatment formulation to the silicone based release layer surface of the ITM, optionally to form a wet treatment layer thereon having a thickness of at most about 5.0 μm (sometimes at most about 4.5, 4.0, 3.5, 3.0, 2.5, 2.0, 1.5 or 1.0 μm); d. subjecting the wet treatment layer to a drying step to form a dry, non-cohesive treatment layer from the wet treatment layer on the surface of the silicone-based release layer, said dry, non-cohesive treatment layer optionally having a thickness of at least about 20 nm and at most about 500 nm (sometimes at most about 450, 400, 350, 300, 250, or 200 nm); e. at least one ink jet nozzle positioned proximate to the intermediate transfer member and configured to eject droplets of an aqueous ink comprising at least one binder and at least one colorant onto at least a region of the dried, non-cohesive treatment layer formed on the intermediate transfer member; f. a drying station for drying the ink on the dried non-cohesive treatment layer formed on the intermediate transfer member to produce an ink image residue on the surface of the silicone-based release layer; and g. an impression station for transferring the ink image residue onto the print substrate by pressurized contact between the ITM and the print substrate; The system comprising:

[0400] Embodiment 35. A system according to embodiment 34 for carrying out the method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 33.

[0401] Embodiment 36. The system of embodiment 34 or 35, wherein said hydrophilic treatment formulation is as disclosed herein above and below.

[0402] EMBODIMENT 37 (i) Substrate; (ii) one or more dry ink dots fixedly deposited on at least a region of a surface of said substrate; A printed article comprising: wherein said one or more dry ink dots comprise at least one binder, at least one colorant, and one or more non-volatile components of a hydrophilic treatment formulation disclosed hereinabove and hereinafter, The printed article.

[0403] Embodiment 38. The printed article of embodiment 37, wherein the one or more dry ink dots are further covered with a dry non-coalescing layer (non-film layer) comprising one or more non-volatile components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation disclosed hereinabove and below.

[0404] Embodiment 39. The printed article of embodiment 37 or 38, wherein the non-printed areas of the substrate are covered with a dry non-coalescing layer (non-film layer) comprising one or more non-volatile components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation disclosed hereinabove and below.

[0405]

[0081] Embodiment 40. The printed article of any one of embodiments 37-39, produced according to the method of any one of embodiments 1-33.

[0406] Embodiment 41 The following characteristics: (i) the receding contact angle of a drop of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer is at most 60°; and (ii) the dynamic contact angle (DCA) of a droplet of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer for 10 seconds is at most 108°; an intermediate transfer member (ITM) having a silicone-based release layer surface having sufficient hydrophilicity to satisfy at least one of the following: wherein said surface is substantially covered with a dry non-coalescing layer (non-film layer) comprising one or more components of a hydrophilic treatment formulation as disclosed hereinabove and below, and optionally, said dry non-coalescing layer (non-film layer) has a thickness of at least about 20 nm and at most about 500 nm (sometimes at most about 450, 400, 350, 300, 250 or 200 nm).

[0407]

[0081] Embodiment 42. The intermediate transfer member of embodiment 41, wherein the dry non-coalescing layer (non-film layer) is a sweating non-coalescing layer comprising a solid material phase and a non-volatile liquid oil phase.

[0408] Embodiment 43. The intermediate transfer member of embodiment 41 or 42, wherein the dry non-cohesive layer (non-film layer) covers at least 50%, or at least 75%, or at least 90%, or at least 95%, or at least 99%, or 100% of the release layer surface of the intermediate transfer member.

[0409]

[0081] Embodiment 44. An intermediate transfer member (ITM) comprising a release layer surface, said surface being substantially covered with a hydrophilic treatment formulation as disclosed herein above and below.

[0410] EMBODIMENT 1A A hydrophilic treatment formulation for use with an intermediate transfer member (ITM) of a printing system, said hydrophilic treatment formulation comprising: i. a water-containing liquid, said water-containing liquid constituting from about 5% to about 95% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation; ii. at least one first nonionic surfactant; Including, The hydrophilic treatment formulation optionally comprises: iii. at least one second non-ionic surfactant (e.g., one having a solubility in water of at least 1% at 25° C.); iv. at least one moisturizer; v. at least one wetting agent, which is optionally a first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent; and vi. at least one antimicrobial agent; and further comprising one or more of: wherein the dry form of the hydrophilic treatment formulation is a non-coagulated form of solid material that has sweated non-volatile liquid oil; The hydrophilic treatment formulation.

[0411] Embodiment 2A The ITM has the following characteristics: (i) the receding contact angle of a drop of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer is at most 60°; and (ii) the dynamic contact angle (DCA) of a droplet of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer for 10 seconds is at most 108°; The hydrophilic treatment formulation of embodiment 1A, comprising a silicone-based release layer surface having sufficient hydrophilicity to satisfy at least one of the following:

[0412] Embodiment 3A The hydrophilic treatment formulation has the following characteristics: i. The static surface tension at 25°C is within the range of 20-40 mN / m; ii. A dynamic viscosity at 25°C of at least 10 cP; and iii. having an evaporation load at 60°C of at least about 0.05:1 and at most about 19:1 by weight; The hydrophilic treatment formulation of embodiment 1A or embodiment 2A, having

[0413] Embodiment 4A The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of embodiments 1A-3A, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not include a second water-soluble polymer, and the second water-soluble polymer is different from the first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent.

[0414] Embodiment 5A The hydrophilic treatment formulation of embodiment 4A, wherein the second water-soluble polymer is a flocculating and / or flocculation-inducing substance.

[0415] Embodiment 6A The hydrophilic treatment formulation of embodiment 5A, wherein said second water-soluble polymer is a water-absorbing polymeric agent.

[0416] Embodiment 7A The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1A-6A, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation is substantially free of aggregating substances and / or aggregation-inducing substances.

[0417] Embodiment 8A The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of embodiments 1A-7A, wherein the water-containing liquid is water alone or a mixture of water and at least one water-soluble organic solvent, such as ethanol.

[0418] Embodiment 9A The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1A-8A, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation further comprises at least one first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent.

[0419] Embodiment 10A The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1A-9A, wherein the first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent is a multiply charged polymer, such as a polycation or a polyanion.

[0420] Embodiment 11A. The hydrophilic treatment formulation of embodiment 10A, wherein the polycation is selected from the group consisting of polyethyleneimine (PEI), poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM), poly-l-lysine (PLL) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium) (PDDA).

[0421] Embodiment 12A The hydrophilic treatment formulation of embodiment 10A, wherein said polyanion is selected from the group consisting of acrylic polymers, polyacrylamides, and poly-DADMAc.

[0422] Embodiment 13A The hydrophilic treatment formulation of embodiment 10A, wherein said first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent is PEI.

[0423] Embodiment 14A The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of embodiments 1A to 13A, wherein apart from the first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent (e.g., polyethyleneimine), the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not contain any substance having a molecular weight of about 1300 gr / mol or more.

[0424] Embodiment 15A The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of embodiments 1A-14A, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not further comprise one or more of inorganic salts, inorganic metal compounds (e.g., magnesium nitrate hexahydrate), polyvalent metal ions, and metal ions.

[0425] Embodiment 16A The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1A to 15A, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not further comprise an acid, such as an organic acid.

[0426] Embodiment 17A The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1A-16A, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not further comprise a resolubilization agent.

[0427] Embodiment 18A The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of embodiments 1A-17A, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not include one or more of the components detailed in any one of embodiments 4A-7A and embodiments 14A-17A, or a combination thereof.

[0428] Embodiment 19A The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of embodiments 1A to 18A, wherein the weight percent of the total solids of the hydrophilic treatment formulation is at least about 5% by weight, or from about 5% to about 95% by weight (inclusive), particularly from about 27% to about 95% by weight (inclusive), and more particularly from about 35% to about 95% by weight (inclusive).

[0429] Embodiment 20A The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1A-19A, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation has an evaporation load at 60° C. of at least about 1.86:1 by weight.

[0430] Embodiment 21A The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1A-20A, wherein the first nonionic surfactant has a solubility in water at 25° C. of at least about 7%.

[0431] Embodiment 22A The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1A to 21A, wherein the first nonionic surfactant comprises from about 5% to about 95% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

[0432] Embodiment 23A A hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of embodiments 1A to 22A, wherein the first non-ionic surfactant is a silicon-containing surfactant or a non-silicon-containing surfactant (e.g., polysorbate 20, i.e., Tween 20).

[0433] Embodiment 24A The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1A to 23A, wherein the second nonionic surfactant has a solubility in water at 25° C. of at least 1%.

[0434] Embodiment 25A The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of embodiments 1A to 24A, wherein the second nonionic surfactant is a silicon-containing surfactant (e.g., BYK LPX23289) or a non-silicon-containing surfactant.

[0435] Embodiment 26A The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of embodiments 1A to 25A, wherein the second nonionic surfactant comprises at most 10% by weight (inclusive) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

[0436] Embodiment 27A: The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of embodiments 1A to 26A, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation further comprises at least one wetting agent (e.g., polyethyleneimine), the wetting agent (e.g., polyethyleneimine) constituting at most about 1% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation, particularly at most about 0.20% by weight, more particularly 0.20% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

[0437] Embodiment 28A The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1A-27A, wherein the humectant comprises at most about 30% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

[0438] Embodiment 29A The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1A-28A, wherein the at least one humectant is a non-polymeric humectant.

[0439] Embodiment 30A The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1A to 29A, wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises at most about 1% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

[0440] Embodiment 31A The first nonionic surfactant comprises about 5% to about 95% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation; said second nonionic surfactant comprises at most 10% by weight (including such end values) of said hydrophilic treatment formulation; the wetting agent (e.g., polyethyleneimine) comprises at most about 1% by weight, particularly at most about 0.20% by weight, more particularly 0.20% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation; the humectant comprises at most about 30% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation; and The antimicrobial agent comprises at most about 1% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation. A hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of embodiments 1A to 30A.

[0441] Embodiment 32A The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1A-31A, wherein the at least one humectant is a non-polymeric humectant.

[0442] Embodiment 33A The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1A-32A, wherein the components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation are compatible with each other and with the water-containing liquid.

[0443] Embodiment 34A The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1A-33A, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation is a stable solution at 25° C. without phase separation and without settling / precipitation.

[0444] Embodiment 35A The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1A through 34A, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation is a clear, colorless solution at 25°C.

[0445] Embodiment 36A The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1A through 35A, wherein the components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation do not form aggregates with colorants of the water-based inks utilized in the printing system.

[0446] Embodiment 37A A method of indirect printing comprising: a. providing an intermediate transfer member (ITM) having a release layer surface; b. providing a hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of embodiments 1A-36A; c. applying a hydrophilic treatment formulation onto the release layer surface of the ITM to form a wet treatment layer, optionally having a thickness of at most about 5.0 μm; d. drying the wet treatment layer, thereby forming a dried, non-cohesive, sweat treatment layer from the wet treatment layer on the release layer surface of the ITM, the dried, non-cohesive, sweat treatment layer optionally having a thickness of at least about 20 nm and at most about 500 nm; e. depositing droplets of a water-based ink onto at least a region of the dried non-cohesive sweat management layer to form an ink image on a release layer surface of the ITM, said water-based ink comprising at least one binder and at least one colorant; f. drying the ink image so as to leave an ink image residue on the release layer surface of the ITM; and g. transferring the ink image residue onto the printing substrate by pressure contact between the ITM and the printing substrate; The method comprising:

[0447] Embodiment 38A The ITM has the following characteristics: (i) the receding contact angle of a drop of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer is at most 60°; and (ii) the dynamic contact angle (DCA) of a droplet of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer for 10 seconds is at most 108°; The method of embodiment 37A, wherein the silicone-based release layer surface has sufficient hydrophilicity to satisfy at least one of the following:

[0448] Embodiment 39A The method of embodiment 37A or 38A, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation is substantially free of coagulant and / or coagulation-inducing substances, such that when the hydrophilic treatment formulation is dried on the release layer surface of the ITM, it does not form a film layer thereon.

[0449] Embodiment 40A The method of any one of Embodiments 37A to 39A, wherein said drying in step (d) is carried out at a temperature of from about 90° C. to about 130° C., inclusive.

[0450] Embodiment 41A The method of any one of embodiments 37A-40A, wherein the dry, non-cohesive sweat management layer is comprised of a solid material that has sweated a non-volatile liquid oil.

[0451] Embodiment 42A The method of any one of embodiments 37A-41A, wherein the dry, non-cohesive sweat management layer is colorless.

[0452]

[0081] Embodiment 43A The method of any one of Embodiments 37A through 42A, wherein the components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation do not form aggregates with the colorant of the water-based ink.

[0453] Embodiment 44A The method of any one of embodiments 37A to 43A, wherein in step (g), the dry non-cohesive sweat-wicking treatment layer in both the printed and non-printed areas on the ITM is transferred to the printing substrate along with the ink image residue to some extent, leaving a residual dry non-cohesive sweat-wicking treatment layer or a residual dry non-cohesive non-sweat-wicking treatment layer on the ITM.

[0454] Embodiment 45A The method of any one of embodiments 37A to 44A, wherein the method comprises multiple repeated cycles (e.g., 1000 cycles) of steps (c)-(g), and during each cycle, the freshly applied hydrophilic treatment formulation in step (c) completely dissolves the residual dry non-cohesive, non-perspirant treating layer or the residual dry non-cohesive, non-perspirant treating layer of the previous cycle, thereby not causing a build-up of the residual layer(s) during each cycle.

[0455] Embodiment 46A The method of any one of embodiments 37A to 45A, wherein when the droplets of the aqueous ink are deposited on the dry non-cohesive sweat treatment layer, the surface of the dry non-cohesive sweat treatment layer that is in intimate contact with the aqueous ink is capable of dissolving in the aqueous ink and / or mixing and / or fusing with the aqueous ink, optionally forming an interphase comprising one or more components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation and ink components.

[0456] Embodiment 47A The method of any one of Embodiments 37A through 46A, wherein the ink image residue further comprises one or more components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

[0457] Embodiment 48A The method of any one of Embodiments 37A through 47A, wherein the ink image residue is aggregate-free.

[0458] Embodiment 49A A system for indirect printing comprising: a. an intermediate transfer member (ITM) having a release layer surface; b. an amount of a hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of embodiments 1A-36A; c. a treatment station for applying a hydrophilic treatment formulation to the release layer surface of the ITM to form a wet treatment layer, optionally having a thickness of at most 5.0 μm; d. a means for subjecting the wet treatment layer to a drying process to form a dried, non-cohesive, sweat treatment layer from the wet treatment layer on a surface of the release layer of the ITM, said dried, non-cohesive, sweat treatment layer optionally having a thickness of at least about 20 nm and at most about 500 nm; e. at least one inkjet nozzle positioned proximate to the intermediate transfer member and configured to eject droplets of an aqueous ink comprising at least one binder and at least one colorant onto at least a region of the dried, non-cohesive sweat treatment layer formed on the intermediate transfer member; f. a drying station for drying the ink on the dried non-cohesive sweat treatment layer formed on the intermediate transfer member so as to leave an ink image residue on the release layer surface of the ITM; and g. an impression station for transferring the ink image residue onto the print substrate by pressurized contact between the ITM and the print substrate; The system comprising:

[0459] Embodiment 50A The ITM has the following characteristics: (i) the receding contact angle of a drop of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer is at most 60°; and (ii) the dynamic contact angle (DCA) of a droplet of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer for 10 seconds is at most 108°; The system of embodiment 49A, comprising a silicone-based release layer surface having sufficient hydrophilicity to satisfy at least one of the following:

[0460] Embodiment 51A A system described in embodiment 49A or 50A for carrying out the method of any one of embodiments 37A to 48A.

[0461] Embodiment 52A (i) Substrate; (ii) one or more dry ink dots fixedly deposited on at least a region of a surface of said substrate; A printed article comprising: The printed article, wherein the one or more dry ink dots comprise at least one binder, at least one colorant, and one or more non-volatile components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of embodiments 1A-36A.

[0462] Embodiment 53A The printed article of embodiment 52A, wherein the one or more dry ink dots are further covered with a dry non-coalescent sweat-emitigating layer comprising one or more non-volatile components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

[0463] Embodiment 54A The printed article of embodiment 52A or 53A, wherein the non-printed areas of the substrate are covered with a dry non-coagulant sweat-wicking layer comprising one or more non-volatile components of a hydrophilic treatment formulation.

[0464] Embodiment 55A The printed article of any one of embodiments 52A-54A, produced according to the method of any one of embodiments 37A-48A.

[0465] Embodiment 56A An intermediate transfer member comprising a release layer surface, said surface being substantially covered with a dry non-cohesive sweat-producing layer comprising one or more non-volatile components of a hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of embodiments 1A-36A, and optionally, said dry non-cohesive sweat-producing layer having a thickness of at least about 20 nm and at most about 500 nm.

[0466] Embodiment 57A An intermediate transfer member as described in embodiment 56A, wherein the dry non-cohesive sweat-wicking layer covers at least 50%, or at least 75%, or at least 90%, or at least 95%, or at least 95%, or at least 99%, or 100% of the release layer surface of the intermediate transfer member.

[0467] Embodiment 58A An intermediate transfer member comprising a release layer surface, the surface being substantially covered with a hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of embodiments 1A through 36A.

[0468] Embodiment 59A An intermediate transfer member having a release layer surface, the surface being substantially covered with a hydrophilic treatment formulation as described in any one of embodiments 1A-36A, wherein a dry non-cohesive sweat treatment layer is formed thereon when the intermediate transfer member is at a temperature of from about 90° C. to about 130° C., and optionally the thickness of the dry non-cohesive sweat treatment layer is at least about 20 nm and at most about 500 nm.

[0469] Embodiment 60A The following characteristics: (i) the receding contact angle of a drop of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer is at most 60°; and (ii) the dynamic contact angle (DCA) of a droplet of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer for 10 seconds is at most 108°; The intermediate transfer member of any one of embodiments 56A through 59A, comprising a silicone-based release layer surface that is sufficiently hydrophilic to satisfy at least one of the following:

[0470] Embodiment 1B. A hydrophilic treatment formulation for use with an intermediate transfer member (ITM) of a printing system, said hydrophilic treatment formulation comprising: i. a water-containing liquid, said water-containing liquid constituting from about 5% to about 97.5% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation; ii. at least one first nonionic surfactant; Including, wherein said hydrophilic treatment formulation optionally comprises: iii. at least one second non-ionic surfactant (e.g., one having a solubility in water of at least 1% at 25° C.); iv. at least one moisturizer; v. at least one wetting agent, which is optionally a first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent; and vi. at least one antimicrobial agent; and further comprising one or more of: wherein the dry form of said hydrophilic treatment formulation is a non-coagulated form of a solid or semi-solid material that has sweated non-volatile liquid oil.

[0471] Embodiment 2B. The ITM has the following characteristics: (i) the receding contact angle of a drop of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer is at most 60°; and (ii) the dynamic contact angle (DCA) of a droplet of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer for 10 seconds is at most 108°; The hydrophilic treatment formulation of embodiment 1B, comprising a silicone-based release layer surface having sufficient hydrophilicity to satisfy at least one of the following:

[0472] Embodiment 3B The hydrophilic treatment formulation has the following characteristics: i. The static surface tension at 25°C is within the range of 20-40 mN / m; ii. A dynamic viscosity at 25°C of at least 10 cP; and iii. having an evaporation load at 60°C of at least about 0.05:1 and at most about 19:1 by weight; The hydrophilic treatment formulation of embodiment 1B or embodiment 2B, having

[0473] Embodiment 4B. The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of embodiments 1B-3B, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not include a second water-soluble polymer, the second water-soluble polymer is different from the first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent, and the second water-soluble polymer is a flocculant and / or flocculation-inducing substance.

[0474] Embodiment 5B The hydrophilic treatment formulation of embodiment 4B, wherein the second water-soluble polymer is a water-absorbing polymeric agent.

[0475] Embodiment 6B The hydrophilic treatment formulation of embodiment 4B, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation is substantially free of additional flocculating and / or flocculation-inducing substances.

[0476] Embodiment 7B The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1B-6B, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation is substantially free of film formers.

[0477] Embodiment 8B The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of embodiments 1B-7B, wherein the water-containing liquid is water alone or a mixture of water and at least one water-soluble organic solvent, such as ethanol.

[0478] Embodiment 9B The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of embodiments 1B-8B, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation further comprises at least one first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent.

[0479] Embodiment 10B The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1B-9B, wherein the first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent is a multiply charged polymer, such as a polycation or a polyanion.

[0480] Embodiment 11B. The hydrophilic treatment formulation of embodiment 10B, wherein the polycation is selected from the group consisting of polyethyleneimine (PEI), poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM), poly-l-lysine (PLL) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium) (PDDA).

[0481] Embodiment 12B The hydrophilic treatment formulation of embodiment 10B, wherein the polyanion is selected from the group consisting of acrylic polymers, polyacrylamides, and poly-DADMAc.

[0482] Embodiment 13B The hydrophilic treatment formulation of embodiment 10B, wherein said first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent is PEI.

[0483] Embodiment 14B A hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of embodiments 1B to 13B, wherein apart from the first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent (e.g., polyethyleneimine) and / or the at least one first non-ionic surfactant, the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not contain any substance having a molecular weight of about 1300 gr / mol or more.

[0484] Embodiment 15B The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of embodiments 1B-14B, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not further comprise one or more of an inorganic salt, an inorganic metal compound (e.g., magnesium nitrate hexahydrate), a polyvalent metal ion, and a metal ion.

[0485] Embodiment 16B The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of embodiments 1B to 15B, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not further comprise an acid, such as an organic acid.

[0486] Embodiment 17B The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1B-16B, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not further comprise a resolubilizing agent.

[0487] Embodiment 18B: The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of embodiments 1B-17B, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not include one or more of the components detailed in any one of embodiments 4B-7B and embodiments 14B-17B, or a combination thereof.

[0488] Embodiment 19B The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of embodiments 1B to 18B, wherein the weight percent of the total solids of the hydrophilic treatment formulation is at least about 5% by weight, or from about 5% to about 95% by weight (inclusive), particularly from about 27% to about 95% by weight (inclusive), and more particularly from about 35% to about 95% by weight (inclusive).

[0489] Embodiment 20B The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1B-19B, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation has a 60° C. evaporation load of at least about 1.86:1 by weight.

[0490] Embodiment 21B The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of embodiments 1B-20B, wherein the at least one first nonionic surfactant has a solubility in water at 25° C. of at least about 7%.

[0491] Embodiment 22B The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1B to 21B, wherein the at least one first nonionic surfactant comprises from about 2.5% to about 95% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

[0492] Embodiment 23B The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of embodiments 1B to 21B, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation comprises at least two first nonionic surfactants or at least three first nonionic surfactants, the total content of the at least two or at least three first nonionic surfactants comprising from about 2.5% to about 95% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

[0493] Embodiment 24B A hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of embodiments 1B to 23B, wherein the first non-ionic surfactant is a silicon-containing surfactant or a non-silicon-containing surfactant (e.g., polysorbate 20, i.e., Tween 20).

[0494] Embodiment 25B The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1B to 23B, wherein the at least one first nonionic surfactant is a non-silicon containing surfactant.

[0495] Embodiment 26B The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1B to 23B, wherein the one or more first nonionic surfactants are non-silicon containing surfactants.

[0496] Embodiment 27B The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1B to 26B, wherein the at least one second nonionic surfactant has a solubility in water at 25° C. of at least 1%.

[0497] Embodiment 28B. The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of embodiments 1B to 27B, wherein the at least one second nonionic surfactant is a silicon-containing surfactant (e.g., BYK LPX23289) or a non-silicon-containing surfactant.

[0498] Embodiment 29B The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1B to 27B, wherein the at least one second nonionic surfactant is a non-silicon containing surfactant.

[0499] Embodiment 30B The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of embodiments 1B to 29B, wherein the second nonionic surfactant comprises at most 10% by weight (inclusive) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

[0500] Embodiment 31B The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of embodiments 1B to 29B, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation comprises at least two second nonionic surfactants or at least three second nonionic surfactants, the total content of the at least two or at least three second nonionic surfactants constituting at most 10% by weight (end values ​​included) of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

[0501] Embodiment 32B The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1B to 31B, wherein the one or more second nonionic surfactants are non-silicon containing surfactants.

[0502] Embodiment 33B: The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of embodiments 1B to 32B, further comprising at least one wetting agent (e.g., polyethyleneimine), said wetting agent (e.g., polyethyleneimine) constituting at most about 1% by weight, particularly at most about 0.20% by weight, more particularly 0.20% by weight, of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

[0503] Embodiment 34B The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1B-33B, wherein the humectant comprises at most about 30% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

[0504] Embodiment 35B The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1B through 34B, wherein the at least one humectant is a non-polymeric humectant.

[0505] Embodiment 36B The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1B to 35B, wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises at most about 1% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

[0506] Embodiment 37B The at least one first nonionic surfactant comprises about 2.5% to about 95% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation; said at least one second nonionic surfactant comprises at most 10% by weight (including end values) of said hydrophilic treatment formulation; the at least one wetting agent (e.g., polyethyleneimine) comprises at most about 1% by weight, in particular at most about 0.20% by weight, more in particular 0.20% by weight, of the hydrophilic treatment formulation; the at least one humectant comprises at most about 30% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation; and The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of embodiments 1B-36B, wherein the at least one antimicrobial agent comprises at most about 1% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

[0507] Embodiment 38B The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1B through 37B, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not include a silicone surfactant.

[0508] Embodiment 39B The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1B through 38B, wherein the components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation are compatible with each other and with the water-containing liquid.

[0509] Embodiment 40B The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1B-39B, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation is a stable solution at 25° C. with no phase separation and no settling / precipitation.

[0510] Embodiment 41B The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1B through 40B, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation is a clear, colorless solution at 25°C.

[0511] Embodiment 42B The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of Embodiments 1B through 41B, wherein the components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation do not form aggregates with colorants of the water-based inks utilized in the printing system or method.

[0512] Embodiment 43B A method of indirect printing comprising: a. providing an intermediate transfer member (ITM) having a release layer surface; b. providing a hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of embodiments 1B-42B; c. applying a hydrophilic treatment formulation onto the release layer surface of the ITM to form a wet treatment layer, optionally having a thickness of at most about 5.0 μm; d. drying the wet treatment layer, thereby forming a dried, non-cohesive, sweat treatment layer from the wet treatment layer on the release layer surface of the ITM, the dried, non-cohesive, sweat treatment layer optionally having a thickness of at least about 20 nm and at most about 500 nm; e. depositing droplets of a water-based ink onto at least a region of the dried non-cohesive sweat management layer to form an ink image on a release layer surface of the ITM, said water-based ink comprising at least one binder and at least one colorant; f. drying the ink image so as to leave an ink image residue on the release layer surface of the ITM; and g. transferring the ink image residue onto the printing substrate by pressure contact between the ITM and the printing substrate; The method comprising:

[0513] Embodiment 44B. The ITM has the following characteristics: (i) the receding contact angle of a drop of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer is at most 60°; and (ii) the dynamic contact angle (DCA) of a droplet of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer for 10 seconds is at most 108°; The method of embodiment 43B, wherein the silicone-based release layer surface has sufficient hydrophilicity to satisfy at least one of the following:

[0514] Embodiment 45B The method of embodiment 43B or 44B, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation is substantially free of coagulant and / or coagulation-inducing substances, such that when the hydrophilic treatment formulation is dried on the release layer surface of the ITM, it does not form a film layer thereon.

[0515] Embodiment 46B The method of any one of Embodiments 43B to 45B, wherein the drying in step (d) is performed at a temperature of from about 90° C. to about 130° C., inclusive.

[0516] Embodiment 47B The method of any one of embodiments 43B-46B, wherein the dry, non-cohesive sweat management layer is comprised of a solid or semi-solid material that has sweated non-volatile liquid oil.

[0517] Embodiment 48B The method of any one of Embodiments 43B through 47B, wherein the dried, non-cohesive sweat management layer is colorless.

[0518]

[0081] Embodiment 49B The method of any one of embodiments 43B through 48B, wherein the components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation do not form aggregates with the colorant of the water-based ink.

[0519] Embodiment 50B The method of any one of embodiments 43B to 49B, wherein in step (g), the dry non-cohesive sweat-wicking treatment layer in both the printed and non-printed areas on the ITM is transferred to the printing substrate along with the ink image residue to some extent, leaving behind a residual dry non-cohesive sweat-wicking treatment layer on the ITM or a residual dry non-cohesive non-sweat-wicking treatment layer on the ITM.

[0520] Embodiment 51B The method of embodiment 50B, wherein the method comprises multiple repeated cycles (e.g., 1000 cycles) of steps (c)-(g), and during each cycle, the freshly applied hydrophilic treatment formulation in step (c) completely dissolves the residual dry non-cohesive non-perspirant treatment layer or the residual dry non-cohesive non-perspirant treatment layer of the previous cycle, thereby not causing a build-up of the residual layer(s) during each cycle.

[0521] Embodiment 52B The method of any one of embodiments 43B to 51B, wherein when the droplets of the aqueous ink are deposited on the dry non-cohesive sweat treatment layer, the surface of the dry non-cohesive sweat treatment layer in intimate contact with the aqueous ink is capable of dissolving in the aqueous ink, and / or of mixing with the aqueous ink, and / or of fusing with the aqueous ink, optionally forming an interphase comprising one or more components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation and ink components.

[0522] Embodiment 53B The method of any one of embodiments 43B through 52B, wherein the ink image residue further comprises one or more components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

[0523] Embodiment 54B The method of any one of Embodiments 43B through 53B, wherein the ink image residue is aggregate-free.

[0524] Embodiment 55B A system for indirect printing comprising: a. an intermediate transfer member (ITM) having a release layer surface; b. an amount of a hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of embodiments 1B-42B; c. a treatment station for applying a hydrophilic treatment formulation to the release layer surface of the ITM to form a wet treatment layer, optionally having a thickness of up to 5.0 μm; d. a means for subjecting the wet treatment layer to a drying process to form a dried, non-cohesive, sweat treatment layer from the wet treatment layer on the release layer surface of the ITM, said dried, non-cohesive, sweat treatment layer optionally having a thickness of at least about 20 nm and at most about 500 nm; e. at least one inkjet nozzle positioned proximate to the intermediate transfer member and configured to eject droplets of an aqueous ink comprising at least one binder and at least one colorant onto at least a region of the dried, non-cohesive sweat treatment layer formed on the intermediate transfer member; f. a drying station for drying the ink on the dried non-cohesive sweat treatment layer formed on the intermediate transfer member so as to leave an ink image residue on the release layer surface of the ITM; and g. an impression station for transferring the ink image residue onto the print substrate by pressurized contact between the ITM and the print substrate; The system comprising:

[0525] Embodiment 56B. The ITM has the following characteristics: (i) the receding contact angle of a drop of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer is at most 60°; and (ii) the dynamic contact angle (DCA) of a droplet of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer for 10 seconds is at most 108°; The system of embodiment 55B, comprising a silicone-based release layer surface having sufficient hydrophilicity to satisfy at least one of the following:

[0526] Embodiment 57B A system according to embodiment 55B or 56B for carrying out the method according to any one of embodiments 43B to 54B.

[0527] Embodiment 58B (i) Substrate; (ii) one or more dry ink dots fixedly deposited on at least a region of a surface of said substrate; A printed article comprising: The one or more dry ink dots comprise at least one binder, at least one colorant, and one or more non-volatile components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of embodiments 1B to 42B.

[0528] Embodiment 59B The printed article of embodiment 58B, wherein the one or more dry ink dots are further covered with a dry non-coalescing sweat-emitigating layer comprising one or more non-volatile components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

[0529] Embodiment 60B The printed article of embodiment 58B or 59B, wherein the non-printed areas of the substrate are covered with a dry non-coagulant sweat-wicking layer comprising one or more non-volatile components of a hydrophilic treatment formulation.

[0530] Embodiment 61B The printed article of any one of embodiments 58B-60B produced according to the method of any one of embodiments 43B-54B.

[0531] Embodiment 62B An intermediate transfer member having a release layer surface, the surface being substantially covered with a dry non-cohesive sweat-producing layer comprising one or more non-volatile components of a hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of embodiments 1B-42B, and optionally the dry non-cohesive sweat-producing layer having a thickness of at least about 20 nm and at most about 500 nm.

[0532] Embodiment 63B An intermediate transfer member according to embodiment 62B, wherein the dry non-cohesive sweat-wicking layer covers at least 50%, or at least 75%, or at least 90%, or at least 95%, or at least 99%, or 100% of the release layer surface of the intermediate transfer member.

[0533] Embodiment 64B An intermediate transfer member comprising a release layer surface, the surface being substantially covered with the hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of embodiments 1B through 42B.

[0534] Embodiment 65B: An intermediate transfer member having a release layer surface, the surface being substantially covered with a hydrophilic treatment formulation as described in any one of embodiments 1B-42B, wherein a dry, non-cohesive, sweat treatment layer is formed thereon when the intermediate transfer member is at a temperature of from about 90° C. to about 130° C., and optionally the dry, non-cohesive, sweat treatment layer has a thickness of at least about 20 nm and at most about 500 nm.

[0535] Embodiment 66B The following characteristics: (i) the receding contact angle of a drop of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer is at most 60°; and (ii) the dynamic contact angle (DCA) of a droplet of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer for 10 seconds is at most 108°; The intermediate transfer member of any one of embodiments 62B through 65B, comprising a silicone-based release layer surface that is sufficiently hydrophilic to satisfy at least one of the following:

Claims

1. 1. A hydrophilic treatment formulation for use with an intermediate transfer member (ITM) of a printing system, said hydrophilic treatment formulation comprising: i. a water-containing liquid, said water-containing liquid comprising from about 5% to about 97.5% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation; ii. at least one first nonionic surfactant; Including, wherein said hydrophilic treatment formulation optionally comprises: iii. at least one second nonionic surfactant; iv. at least one moisturizer; v. at least one wetting agent, which is optionally a first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent; and vi. at least one antimicrobial agent; and further comprising one or more of: wherein the dry form of said hydrophilic treatment formulation is a non-coagulated form of a solid or semi-solid material that has sweated non-volatile liquid oil.

2. The ITM has the following characteristics: (i) the receding contact angle of a drop of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer is at most 60°; and (ii) a dynamic contact angle (DCA) of a drop of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer for 10 seconds is at most 108°; 10. The hydrophilic treatment formulation of claim 1, comprising a silicone-based release layer surface having sufficient hydrophilicity to satisfy at least one of the following:

3. The hydrophilic treatment formulation has the following properties: i. the static surface tension at 25°C is within the range of 20 to 40 mN / m; ii. A dynamic viscosity at 25°C of at least 10 cP; and iii. a 60° C. evaporation load of at least about 0.05:1 and at most about 19:1 by weight; 3. The hydrophilic treatment formulation of claim 1 or 2, having the formula:

4. 4. The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not comprise a second water-soluble polymer, the second water-soluble polymer is different from the first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent, and the second water-soluble polymer is a flocculating and / or flocculation-inducing substance.

5. 5. The hydrophilic treatment formulation of claim 4, wherein said second water-soluble polymer is a water-absorbing polymeric agent.

6. 5. The hydrophilic treatment formulation of claim 4, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation is substantially free of further flocculating and / or flocculation-inducing substances.

7. A hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation is substantially free of film formers.

8. A hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the water-containing liquid is water alone or a mixture of water and at least one water-soluble organic solvent.

9. A hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation further comprises at least one first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent.

10. A hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent is a multiply charged polymer, such as a polycation or a polyanion.

11. 11. The hydrophilic treatment formulation of claim 10, wherein the polycation is selected from the group consisting of polyethyleneimine (PEI), poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM), poly-l-lysine (PLL) and poly(diallyldimethylammonium) (PDDA).

12. 11. The hydrophilic treatment formulation of claim 10, wherein the polyanion is selected from the group consisting of acrylic polymers, polyacrylamides, and poly-DADMAc.

13. 11. The hydrophilic treatment formulation of claim 10, wherein said first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent is PEI.

14. 14. A hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein apart from the first water-soluble polymeric wetting agent and / or the at least one first non-ionic surfactant, the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not contain any material having a molecular weight of about 1300 gr / mol or more.

15. 15. The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation further does not comprise one or more of inorganic salts, inorganic metal compounds, polyvalent metal ions and metal ions.

16. A hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not further comprise an acid.

17. A hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not further comprise a resolubilisation agent.

18. 18. A hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation does not comprise one or more of the components detailed in any one of claims 4 to 7 and claims 14 to 17 or any combination thereof.

19. 19. A hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the weight percentage of the total solids of the hydrophilic treatment formulation is at least about 5% by weight, or from about 5% to about 95% by weight, particularly from about 27% to about 95% by weight, even more particularly from about 35% to about 95% by weight.

20. 20. The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation has a 60°C evaporation load of at least about 1.86:1 by weight.

21. A hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein said at least one first non-ionic surfactant has a solubility in water at 25°C of at least about 7%.

22. 22. The hydrophilic treatment formulation of any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the at least one first non-ionic surfactant comprises from about 2.5% to about 95% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

23. 22. The hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation comprises at least two first non-ionic surfactants or at least three first non-ionic surfactants, the total content of the at least two or at least three first non-ionic surfactants comprising from about 2.5% to about 95% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

24. A hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein the at least one first non-ionic surfactant is a silicon-containing surfactant or a non-silicon-containing surfactant.

25. A hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 23, wherein said at least one first non-ionic surfactant is a non-silicon containing surfactant.

26. A hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more first non-ionic surfactants are non-silicon containing surfactants.

27. A hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one second non-ionic surfactant has a solubility in water at 25°C of at least 1%.

28. A hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one second non-ionic surfactant is a silicon-containing surfactant or a non-silicon-containing surfactant.

29. A hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one second non-ionic surfactant is a non-silicon containing surfactant.

30. A hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any preceding claim, wherein the second non-ionic surfactant constitutes at most 10% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

31. 30. The hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 29, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation comprises at least two second non-ionic surfactants or at least three second non-ionic surfactants, the total content of the at least two or at least three second non-ionic surfactants constituting at most 10% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

32. A hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more second non-ionic surfactants are non-silicon containing surfactants.

33. 33. A hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one wetting agent, said wetting agent constituting at most about 1% by weight of said hydrophilic treatment formulation, in particular constituting at most about 0.20% by weight, more in particular 0.20% by weight of said hydrophilic treatment formulation.

34. A hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any preceding claim, wherein the humectant comprises at most about 30% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

35. A hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any preceding claim, wherein said at least one humectant is a non-polymeric humectant.

36. A hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 35, wherein the antimicrobial agent comprises at most about 1% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

37. said at least one first nonionic surfactant comprises from about 2.5% to about 95% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation; said at least one second nonionic surfactant comprises at most 10% by weight of said hydrophilic treatment formulation; said at least one wetting agent comprises at most about 1% by weight of said hydrophilic treatment formulation, in particular at most about 0.20% by weight, more in particular 0.20% by weight of said hydrophilic treatment formulation; the at least one humectant comprises at most about 30% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation; and The at least one antimicrobial agent comprises at most about 1% by weight of the hydrophilic treatment formulation. A hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of the preceding claims.

38. A hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any preceding claim, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation is free of silicone surfactants.

39. A hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation are compatible with each other and with the water-containing liquid.

40. A hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 39, wherein said hydrophilic treatment formulation is a stable solution at 25°C without phase separation and without settling / precipitation.

41. A hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 40, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation is a clear, colourless solution at 25°C.

42. A hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 41, wherein the components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation do not form aggregates with colorants of water-based inks utilized in the printing system or method.

43. 1. A method of indirect printing comprising: a. providing an intermediate transfer member (ITM) having a release layer surface; b. providing a hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 42; c. applying a hydrophilic treatment formulation onto the release layer surface of the ITM to form a wet treatment layer, optionally having a thickness of at most about 5.0 μm; d. drying said wet treatment layer, thereby forming a dried, non-cohesive, sweat treatment layer from the wet treatment layer on the release layer surface of the ITM, said dried, non-cohesive, sweat treatment layer optionally having a thickness of at least about 20 nm and at most about 500 nm; e. depositing droplets of a water-based ink onto at least one region of the dried non-cohesive sweat management layer to form an ink image on a release layer surface of the ITM, said water-based ink comprising at least one binder and at least one colorant; f. drying the ink image so as to leave an ink image residue on the release layer surface of the ITM; and g. transferring the ink image residue onto the printing substrate by pressure contact between the ITM and the printing substrate; The method comprising:

44. The ITM has the following characteristics: (i) the receding contact angle of a drop of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer is at most 60°; and (ii) a dynamic contact angle (DCA) of a drop of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer for 10 seconds is at most 108°; 44. The method of claim 43, comprising providing a silicone-based release layer surface having sufficient hydrophilicity to satisfy at least one of the following:

45. 45. The method of claim 43 or 44, wherein the hydrophilic treatment formulation is substantially free of coagulating and / or coagulation-inducing substances, such that when the hydrophilic treatment formulation is dried on the release layer surface of the ITM, it does not form a film layer thereon.

46. 46. ​​The method of any one of claims 43 to 45, wherein the drying in step (d) is carried out at a temperature of from about 90°C to about 130°C, inclusive.

47. 47. The method of any one of claims 43 to 46, wherein the dry, non-cohesive sweat management layer is comprised of a solid or semi-solid material that has sweated non-volatile liquid oil.

48. The method of any one of claims 43 to 47, wherein the dry, non-cohesive sweat management layer is colorless.

49. The method of any one of claims 43 to 48, wherein the components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation do not form aggregates with the colorant of the water-based ink.

50. 50. The method of any one of claims 43 to 49, wherein in step (g), the dry non-cohesive sweat treatment layer in both the printed and non-printed areas on the ITM is transferred to the printing substrate along with the ink image residue to some extent, leaving behind a residual dry non-cohesive sweat treatment layer on the ITM or a residual dry non-cohesive non-perspirant treatment layer on the ITM.

51. 51. The method of claim 50, wherein the method comprises multiple repeated cycles (e.g., 1000 cycles) of steps (c)-(g), and during each cycle, the freshly applied hydrophilic treatment formulation in step (c) completely dissolves the residual dry non-cohesive, non-perspirant treating layer or the residual dry non-cohesive, non-perspirant treating layer of a previous cycle, thereby preventing build-up of the residual layer(s) during each cycle.

52. 52. The method of any one of claims 43 to 51, wherein when the droplets of the water-based ink are deposited on a dry non-cohesive sweat treatment layer, the surface of the dry non-cohesive sweat treatment layer that is in intimate contact with the water-based ink is capable of dissolving in the water-based ink and / or of mixing and / or fusing with the water-based ink, optionally forming an interphase comprising one or more components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation and ink components.

53. The method of any one of claims 43 to 52, wherein the ink image residue further comprises one or more components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

54. The method of any one of claims 43 to 53, wherein the ink image residue is aggregate-free.

55. 1. A system for indirect printing comprising: a. an intermediate transfer member (ITM) having a release layer surface; b. an amount of a hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 42; c. a treatment station for applying a hydrophilic treatment formulation to the release layer surface of the ITM to form a wet treatment layer, optionally having a thickness of at most 5.0 μm; d. a means for subjecting the wet treatment layer to a drying process so as to form a dried, non-cohesive, sweat treatment layer from the wet treatment layer on the release layer surface of the ITM, said dried, non-cohesive, sweat treatment layer optionally having a thickness of at least about 20 nm and at most about 500 nm; e. at least one ink jet nozzle disposed adjacent to the intermediate transfer member and configured to eject droplets of an aqueous ink comprising at least one binder and at least one colorant onto at least a region of the dried, non-cohesive sweat treatment layer formed on the intermediate transfer member; f. a drying station for drying the ink on the dried non-cohesive sweat treatment layer formed on the intermediate transfer member so as to leave an ink image residue on the release layer surface of the ITM; and g. an impression station for transferring the ink image residue onto the print substrate by pressure contact between the ITM and the print substrate; The system comprising:

56. The ITM has the following characteristics: (i) the receding contact angle of a drop of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer is at most 60°; and (ii) a dynamic contact angle (DCA) of a drop of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer for 10 seconds is at most 108°; 56. The system of claim 55, comprising a silicone-based release layer surface having sufficient hydrophilicity to satisfy at least one of the following:

57. A system according to claim 55 or 56 for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 43 to 54.

58. (i) Base material; (ii) one or more dried ink dots fixedly deposited on at least a region of a surface of said substrate; A printed article comprising: The one or more dry ink dots comprise at least one binder, at least one colorant, and one or more non-volatile components of a hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 42.

59. 60. The printed article of claim 58, wherein the one or more dry ink dots are further covered with a dry non-coalescent sweat-wicking layer comprising one or more non-volatile components of the hydrophilic treatment formulation.

60. 60. The printed article of claim 58 or 59, wherein the non-printed areas of the substrate are covered with a dry non-coagulant sweat-wicking layer comprising one or more non-volatile components of a hydrophilic treatment formulation.

61. 61. A printed article according to any one of claims 58 to 60, produced by the method according to any one of claims 43 to 54.

62. 43. An intermediate transfer member comprising a release layer surface, said surface being substantially covered with a dry non-cohesive sweat-generating layer comprising one or more non-volatile components of a hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 42, optionally the thickness of said dry non-cohesive sweat-generating layer being at least about 20 nm and at most about 500 nm.

63. 63. The intermediate transfer member of claim 62, wherein the dry non-cohesive sweat-wicking layer covers at least 50%, or at least 75%, or at least 90%, or at least 95%, or at least 99%, or 100% of the release layer surface of the intermediate transfer member.

64. An intermediate transfer member comprising a release layer surface, said surface being substantially covered with a hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of claims 1-42.

65. 43. An intermediate transfer member comprising a release layer surface, said surface being substantially covered with a hydrophilic treatment formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 42, wherein a dry, non-cohesive, sweat-wicking treatment layer is formed thereon when said intermediate transfer member is at a temperature of from about 90°C to about 130°C, optionally the thickness of said dry, non-cohesive, sweat-wicking layer is at a minimum of about 20 nm and at a maximum of about 500 nm.

66. The following characteristics: (i) the receding contact angle of a drop of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer is at most 60°; and (ii) a dynamic contact angle (DCA) of a drop of distilled water deposited on the surface of the silicone-based release layer for 10 seconds is at most 108°; 66. The intermediate transfer member of any one of claims 62 to 65, comprising a silicone-based release layer surface having sufficient hydrophilicity to satisfy at least one of the following:

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