Aqueous Disperse Dye Ink Composition for Non-Clogging Nib Markers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sublimation ink compositions for nib-based markers are often toxic, environmentally unfriendly, prone to clogging, and have high viscosity, making them unsuitable for consumer use, particularly for children, and struggle with maintaining long-term dispersion and stability of pigment-based disperse dyes.
Innovation Solution
A low viscosity, non-clogging, consumer and environmentally friendly heat transfer dye ink composition is developed, comprising 50-90% water, 5-45% water miscible solvent, 0.5-10% disperse or solvent heat transfer dye particles, and additional components like biocides, surfactants, and viscosity modifiers, which are used in a nib-based marker pen to deposit ink onto a substrate and then transferred using heat, pressure, and time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sublimation ink compositions are used in nib-based markers, then the ink can transfer dye to substrates, but the ink is toxic, environmentally unfriendly, and prone to clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the ink by replacing traditional solvent-based disperse dyes with an aqueous formulation containing specific surfactants (0.1-5% by weight) and dispersants. This parameter change eliminates toxic solvents while maintaining dye transfer capability and preventing nib clogging through improved ink stability and flow characteristics
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces surfactants and dispersants as intermediary substances that mediate between the water-based ink vehicle and the disperse dye particles. These intermediaries enable stable dispersion of hydrophobic dyes in aqueous solution, prevent aggregation that would cause clogging, and facilitate controlled ink flow through the nib without requiring toxic organic solvents
2Ease of operation
If high viscosity ink is used in nib-based markers, then the ink can be deposited onto substrates, but the ink clogs the nib and is difficult to dispense
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the viscosity parameter of the ink to a specific range (10-1000 centipoise at 25°C) by adjusting the aqueous formulation composition, including water-miscible solvents and viscosity modifiers. This parameter optimization ensures the ink flows easily through the nib mechanism without clogging while maintaining sufficient depositability on substrates
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses surfactants as intermediary substances that reduce surface tension and improve ink wetting properties, enabling smooth flow through the nib channels. The surfactants prevent ink aggregation and maintain consistent viscosity, ensuring reliable dispensing without clogging while preserving adequate ink deposition on the substrate surface
3Reliability
If pigment-based disperse dyes are used in ink compositions, then the dye can transfer to substrates, but the pigment dispersion becomes unstable over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dispersants as intermediary substances that adsorb onto disperse dye particles and provide steric or electrostatic repulsion, preventing aggregation and sedimentation. This intermediary action maintains stable pigment dispersion in the aqueous ink vehicle over extended periods while preserving the dye's ability to transfer to substrates through sublimation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite ink formulation combining aqueous vehicle, surfactants, dispersants, and disperse dye particles into a stable multi-component system. This composite structure integrates multiple functional materials that work synergistically to maintain dispersion stability while enabling effective dye transfer, resolving the contradiction between stability and transfer capability
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
The solution provides a safe, stable, and efficient method for custom decorating surfaces with sublimation dyes, ensuring the ink does not clog the nib and maintains desired viscosity, meeting safety standards like ASTM-D4236 and EN 71, while allowing for long-term light stability and effective heat transfer.
Implementation Method 1
Disperse dyes are solid at room temperature but vaporize (sublimate) at elevated temperature and then condense back to solid when cooled
Implementation Method 2
the nib functions to wick an ink from a reservoir and dispense the ink onto a substrate or other surface
Implementation Method 3
In the vapor state these dyes are adsorbed into polyester or nylon fibers and form a permanent image when cooled
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a child and environmentally friendly aqueous based heat transfer disperse dye ink compositions suitable for placing an image on an object and processes of their use. The compositions may include a heat transfer disperse dye and a nonsublimable dye or pigment having a hue representative of the hue of the disperse dye when heat transferred onto a substrate, with either or both of the dyes or pigments having a particle size less than 350 nm, and wherein the ink composition may have a viscosity less than 10 cps at room temperature. A process that uses the ink compositions optionally include marking an intermediate substrate, drying the image, optionally heating the intermediate substrate, optionally placing the inked intermediate substrate in contact with a dye receptive surface of a receptive object, and optionally transferring the image to the receptive object by application of sufficient heat and pressure.