Acidic Polymer Barrier Layer for Inkjet Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image recording methods, such as ink jet recording, face challenges in preventing deformation of recording media like paper due to aqueous ink penetration, leading to curling or cockling, and result in changes in dot diameter and increased glossiness when barrier layers are used.
Innovation Solution
Forming a barrier layer on the recording medium using a solution with an acidic group-containing polymer in a nonaqueous medium, followed by an organic acid-containing layer, to inhibit ink penetration and maintain image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a barrier layer is formed on the recording medium to prevent aqueous ink permeation, then the occurrence of curling or cockling is inhibited, but the degree of glossiness of the image increases and natural color shades are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the barrier layer by incorporating specific polymers with carboxyl groups (such as polyacrylic acid, polyacrylamide, carboxymethyl cellulose) and controlling their molecular weights and concentrations. This allows the barrier layer to prevent ink permeation while maintaining lower glossiness through the specific chemical properties of these polymers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite barrier layer structure combining multiple polymer components with different functions - some polymers provide barrier properties to prevent ink permeation, while others control surface properties to reduce glossiness. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of deformation prevention and natural image appearance
2Reliability
If a barrier layer is formed on the recording medium, then ink permeation is prevented, but the dot diameter changes and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the physical and chemical parameters of the barrier layer including polymer concentration (0.1-10% by mass), molecular weight ranges, and pH levels to create a barrier that is sufficiently dense to prevent ink permeation but sufficiently porous or surface-modified to allow proper ink droplet placement and dot formation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a barrier layer with non-uniform local properties - the bulk provides impermeability while the surface maintains appropriate wettability and dot reception characteristics. This local differentiation allows the barrier to prevent permeation without adversely affecting dot diameter or image quality
3Ease of operation
If aqueous ink is jetted onto the recording medium, then image formation is achieved, but the recording medium deforms due to hydrogen bond cleavage and recombination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the barrier layer to the recording medium before image formation, creating a protective interface that prevents the aqueous ink from directly interacting with the cellulose hydrogen bonds. This preliminary protective action allows subsequent ink jetting to proceed without causing curling or cockling
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Effectively prevents deformation of the recording medium, reduces changes in dot diameter, and inhibits increases in glossiness, resulting in high-quality images.
Implementation Method 1
forming a barrier layer on a recording medium by using a solution containing an acidic group-containing polymer in a nonaqueous medium
Implementation Method 2
forming an organic acid-containing layer on the barrier layer
Data Source
AI summary
The image recording method includes the following steps (a) to (c): (a) forming a barrier layer on a recording medium by using a solution which contains an acidic group-containing polymer in a nonaqueous medium; (b) forming an organic acid-containing layer on the barrier layer; and (c) forming an image by jetting an aqueous ink onto the organic acid-containing layer by an ink jet method.