Aqueous dispersion of polymeric capsules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current textile printing inks require additional steaming and washing processes, consume significant water and energy, and use reactive chemistry that can be harmful, especially with blocked isocyanates, which affect the adhesion and stiffness of printed fabrics.
Innovation Solution
Development of an aqueous dispersion of polymeric capsules with a shell comprising vinylogous-urethane, vinylogous-amide, or vinylogous-urea units, which participate in the binding process without the need for reactive chemistry, allowing for effective pigment adhesion to fibers using heat activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If blocked isocyanates are used as reactive chemistry in ink formulations, then pigment adhesion to fibers is improved, but harmful factors increase and fabric stiffness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful blocked isocyanates from the ink formulation and replaces them with encapsulated reactive chemistry consisting of separate isocyanate and hydroxyl/amine groups that are released and react upon thermal treatment, thereby eliminating the harmful effects while maintaining the adhesion function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary encapsulation system where reactive groups are contained within capsules that release them upon heating, acting as a mediator between the pigment and fiber to enable adhesion without direct contact with harmful blocked isocyanates
2Strength
If additional steaming and washing processes are used, then pigment binding to fibers is improved, but energy consumption and water consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating thermal-reactive capsules into the ink formulation that activate upon thermal treatment during or after printing, pre-establishing the pigment-fiber bond without requiring subsequent steaming and washing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous useful action by designing a system where the reactive chemistry occurs in-situ during the printing process or immediate thermal treatment, maintaining the binding action throughout the process without interruption for separate steaming and washing steps
3Strength
If additional steaming and washing processes are used, then pigment binding to fibers is improved, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating thermal-reactive capsules into the ink formulation that activate upon thermal treatment during or after printing, pre-establishing the pigment-fiber bond without requiring subsequent steaming and washing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for water-intensive steaming and washing processes by replacing them with a thermal activation system that achieves pigment binding through controlled release and reaction of encapsulated reactive groups
4Strength
If the shell of capsules does not participate in binding process, then adhesion decreases and fabric stiffness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by designing the capsule shell to serve multiple functions: it protects the reactive groups during storage and application, controls their release upon thermal treatment, and actively participates in the binding process by forming a matrix that adheres to the fiber, thereby improving adhesion without increasing stiffness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining the capsule shell matrix with the released reactive groups and fiber substrate, creating a composite structure where the shell contributes to adhesion through its composition and interaction with the fiber, maintaining fabric flexibility while achieving strong pigment binding
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 enables satisfactory binding of pigments to textile fibers without additional steaming and washing, reducing water and energy consumption and avoiding the use of harmful reactive chemistry, while maintaining the physical properties of the printed fabric.
Implementation Method 1
which participate in the binding process without the need for reactive chemistry, allowing for effective pigment adhesion to fibers using heat activation
Data Source
AI summary
An aqueous dispersion of capsules including a resin having at least one repeating unit of formula I, II, and/or III and which is obtainable by contacting, in a liquid including water, a compound A including at least 2 functional groups selected from the functional groups —X—C(═O)—CHR1-C(═O)—R2, —X—C(═O)—C≡C—R2; or —X—C(═O)—CR1=CR2-NR11R12, with a compound B including at least two of —NH2, —NH3++, or —N═C═O. A method of producing the aqueous dispersion further relates to an aqueous ink jet ink including the resin capsules.