Aqueous Ink Composition High Solid Loading Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink compositions for direct and indirect printing lack high solid loading with improved stability, jetting performance, and print quality, especially when used on untreated paper or substrates with sacrificial release layers.
Innovation Solution
An aqueous ink composition comprising water, a co-solvent, encapsulated resinous pigment, polymer latex, and a low molecular weight humectant solute, with a total solids content of 2-25% by weight, which enhances jettability, adhesion, and drying properties, and does not require viscosity modifiers for piezo inkjet print heads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high solid loading is used in ink composition, then print quality and stability are improved, but viscosity increases making it unsuitable for piezo inkjet print heads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the ink by incorporating specific polymer latexes with controlled glass transition temperatures (45-100°C) and softening temperatures (60-105°C), along with encapsulated resinous pigments and low molecular weight humectant solutes. This parameter optimization allows high solid loading (2-25% by weight) while maintaining viscosity suitable for piezo inkjet print heads and improving both stability and jetting performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite ink formulation by combining multiple components: polymer latex, encapsulated resinous pigment, co-solvent, and low molecular weight humectant solute in water. This composite material approach allows the ink to achieve high solid loading with improved stability while maintaining appropriate viscosity through synergistic interactions between components.
2Manufacturing precision
If high solid loading is used in ink composition, then adhesion and drying properties are improved, but jetting performance deteriorates due to increased viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes physical parameters by selecting polymer latexes with specific glass transition temperatures (45-100°C) and softening temperatures (60-105°C). This temperature parameter control ensures the ink maintains jettable viscosity at operating conditions while providing sufficient adhesion and drying properties for high-quality printing on various substrates including untreated paper.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by using encapsulated resinous pigments that provide targeted adhesion properties at the pigment-latex interface, while the bulk ink formulation maintains low viscosity for jetting. The encapsulation creates localized high-solid regions with improved adhesion without compromising overall ink flow characteristics.
3Stability of the object's composition
If high solid loading is used in ink composition, then stability is improved, but the ink requires viscosity modifiers adding complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by selecting polymer latexes and encapsulated pigments that inherently provide viscosity control through their physical properties (glass transition temperature, softening temperature) without requiring additional viscosity modifiers. The low molecular weight humectant solute further contributes to viscosity management, allowing the formulation to self-regulate flow properties while maintaining high solid loading and stability.
4Manufacturing precision
If high solid loading is used in ink composition, then print quality on untreated paper is improved, but paper cockle and curl increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by incorporating low molecular weight humectant solutes and optimizing the polymer latex composition. These parameter adjustments control the ink's drying characteristics and moisture retention, allowing high solid loading for improved print quality while minimizing paper cockle and curl through balanced evaporation rates and substrate interaction.
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 ink composition provides improved stability, robustness, and print quality on various substrates, including untreated paper, with enhanced jetting performance and reduced paper cockle and curl, while maintaining low viscosity suitable for piezo inkjet print heads.
Implementation Method 1
The aqueous ink compositions include a low molecular weight humectant solute that binds water and reduces the vapor pressure of water/co-solvent mixture (Raoult's Law)
Implementation Method 2
heating the image to partially or completely remove solvents
Implementation Method 3
The ink wets and spreads on the intermediate receiving member to form a transient image. The ink forming the transient image can then undergo a change in properties such as partial or complete drying, thermal or photo-curing, gelating, etc.
Data Source
AI summary
An aqueous ink composition including water; a co-solvent; an encapsulated resinous pigment; a polymer latex; and a low molecular weight humectant solute; wherein the total solids content of the aqueous ink is from about 2 to about 25 percent by weight based on the total weight of the aqueous ink composition.