Aqueous Ink Composition Reducing Granularity on Non-Absorbent Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording methods face challenges with aqueous inkjet inks when printing on less-ink-absorbent or non-ink-absorbent recording media, resulting in granular unevenness and insufficient image fastness, especially when transitioning to ink-absorbent media.
Innovation Solution
An aqueous ink composition combining specific pigments and dyes, such as black pigments with black dyes, cyan pigments with blue dyes, magenta pigments with red dyes, and yellow pigments with yellow dyes, along with acid-modified polypropylene resin and oxidized polyethylene wax, to enhance image fastness and reduce granularity across various recording media types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a pigment and a dye are used in combination as a color material, then granularity is reduced, but image fastness becomes insufficient and ink coating peels off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the concentration ratios of pigment to dye within specific ranges (pigment 0.1-5% by mass, dye 0.01-1% by mass) and adjusting pH (6-9) and ionic strength to optimize the interaction between pigment and dye particles, achieving both reduced granularity and maintained image fastness through precise parameter optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining pigment particles and dye molecules in a controlled aqueous medium with specific surfactants and polymers, creating a hybrid color system that leverages the granularity-reducing effect of dyes while maintaining the fastness properties of pigments through synergistic interactions
2Adaptability or versatility
If aqueous inkjet ink is printed on less-ink-absorbent or non-ink-absorbent recording medium, then printing capability is expanded, but ink is repelled causing dots to combine and resulting in granular unevenness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces surfactants and polymers as intermediary substances that mediate between the aqueous ink and the recording medium surface, reducing surface tension and improving wetting properties to prevent ink repulsion and dot combination on less-ink-absorbent media while maintaining coating uniformity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts physical parameters including surface tension (through surfactant selection), viscosity (through polymer additives), and pH to optimize ink behavior across different recording medium types, enabling consistent printing quality from ink-absorbent to non-ink-absorbent surfaces
3Ease of operation
If conventional aqueous inkjet ink is used on ink-absorbent recording medium, then good absorption is achieved, but image fastness is insufficient when subjected to friction and moisture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by combining pigment particles with specific polymers and binders that form a protective matrix, creating an ink formulation that maintains good absorption on ink-absorbent media while providing enhanced resistance to friction and moisture through the composite structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating different functional zones within the ink coating - the pigment particles provide fastness in critical areas subject to friction and moisture, while the polymer matrix ensures good absorption and uniform distribution, with each component performing its specialized function in the appropriate location
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 achieves reduced granularity and improved image fastness on both less-ink-absorbent and ink-absorbent recording media, ensuring even and uniform ink coatings with high printing density and resistance to friction and moisture.
Implementation Method 1
the aqueous ink composition further contains an oxidized polyethylene wax
Implementation Method 2
the aqueous ink composition further contains an acid-modified polypropylene resin
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an aqueous in ink with which the granularity of an ink coating caused in printing on a less-ink-absorbent or non-ink-absorbent recording medium is reduced while sufficient image fastness is achieved even printing on an ink-absorbent recording medium. The present invention relates to an ague-gas ink composition for use in an inkjet recording method. The aqueous ink composition contains an aqueous medium, a pigment, and a dye, and a combination of the pigment and the dye is a predetermined combination.