Antistatic Subbing Layer for Thermal Dye Image Receiver

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Solution Overview

Problem

Thermal dye image receiver elements face challenges with static charge accumulation, leading to print-sticking issues and handling difficulties, as existing antistatic materials are either expensive or humidity-dependent, failing to effectively dissipate static in practical and cost-effective ways.

Innovation Solution

A thermal dye image receiver element with a cellulosic raw base support and an antistatic subbing layer, where the internal electrical resistance of the support is at least 1 log ohm/square greater than the surface electrical resistance of the subbing layer, utilizing electronically conductive materials like tin oxide and electrolytes to balance conductivity effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If electronically conductive materials are used in antistatic layers, then static dissipation effectiveness is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestatic dissipation effectivenessVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different conductivity levels to different layers: the antistatic subbing layer uses electronically conductive materials (metal oxides, conductive polymers) for superior static dissipation, while the bulk cellulosic support maintains lower conductivity to control charge generation. This localized differentiation optimizes both performance and cost by placing expensive conductive materials only where most needed for static control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite structure combining cellulosic paper (providing mechanical support and controlled bulk conductivity) with antistatic coatings containing metal oxides or conductive polymers (providing surface static dissipation). This composite approach allows the system to benefit from both materials' properties while managing overall cost by using thinner layers of expensive conductive materials.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If ionic conductors are used in antistatic layers, then cost is reduced, but performance becomes humidity-dependent

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoidhumidity independence

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces electronically conductive materials (metal oxides, conductive polymers) as an intermediary between the cellulosic support and the dye receiver layer. These materials provide a humidity-independent conductive pathway for static dissipation at the surface, while ionic conductors can still be used in the bulk cellulosic material for cost-effective bulk charge management. The electronically conductive intermediary ensures consistent surface performance regardless of humidity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the internal electrical resistance of the support is much greater than the surface resistance of the antistatic layer, then static dissipation is improved, but charge generation inside the support increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestatic dissipationVSAvoidinternal charge generation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent carefully controls the bulk electrical resistance of the cellulosic support by adjusting composition and processing parameters, maintaining it within a specific range (not too high, not too low). Simultaneously, the antistatic surface layer is engineered with very low surface resistance. This parameter optimization ensures the support generates minimal internal charge while the surface effectively dissipates any charge that does generate, resolving the contradiction between static dissipation and internal charge generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This configuration effectively dissipates static charge, reducing print-sticking issues and improving handling operations by maintaining low polar charge levels, even in varying humidity conditions, while being cost-effective.

Implementation Method 1

an antistatic subbing layer, wherein the cellulosic raw base support has an internal electrical resistance (also known as water electrode resistance or WER) that is at least 1 log ohm/square greater than the surface electrical resistance (SER) of the antistatic subbing layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

A line-type thermal printing head is used to apply heat from the back of the dye-donor sheet. The thermal printing head has many heating elements and is heated up sequentially

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS8222186B2Thermal dye image receiver elements

Publication Date: 2012.07.17 KODAK ALARIS LLC

AI summary

A thermal dye image receiver element has, in order, a cellulosic raw base support, an antistatic subbing layer, and a thermal dye receiving layer. The cellulosic raw base support has an internal electrical resistance (WER) that is at least 1 log ohm/square greater than the surface electrical resistance (SER) of the antistatic subbing layer. This arrangement of antistatic properties overcomes a static problem in the thermal dye image receiver elements by properly balancing the conductivity between the two antistatic locations.