Aromatic Ester Maintenance Liquid for Printer Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Maintenance liquids for printers often form peroxides, are not environmentally friendly, and are aggressive towards printer materials, leading to inefficiencies and potential damage, especially when dealing with radiation-curable inks.
Innovation Solution
A maintenance liquid comprising a low molar weight aromatic ester compound, such as benzyl formate, which is non-peroxide forming, environmentally friendly, and has a high flash point, effectively removing cured or semi-cured ink residues without damaging printer parts, and is used in high concentrations to improve cleaning efficiency and printer productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If resin solvents are used in maintenance liquids, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but peroxides are formed making the liquid unsuitable for radiation curable inks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter by replacing traditional resin solvents with aromatic ester compounds having specific molecular weight ranges (50-200 g/mol). This parameter change eliminates peroxide formation while preserving cleaning efficiency on radiation curable inks.
2Productivity
If high concentrations of resin solvent are used, then cleaning power is increased, but damage to printer materials occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical nature parameter from aggressive resin solvents to milder aromatic ester compounds. This allows use of higher concentrations (5-50% v/v) without damaging printer materials, thereby increasing cleaning power safely.
Solution Approach 2:
The aromatic ester compounds act as mild, consumable cleaning agents that can be used in higher concentrations without causing cumulative damage to printer components, effectively replacing long-lived but aggressive solvent systems.
3Productivity
If aggressive resin solvents are used, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but printer maintenance time increases due to damage and safety concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the safety parameter of the cleaning liquid by using aromatic ester compounds with favorable safety profiles (higher flash points, non-peroxide forming). This reduces safety precautions and handling time, decreasing overall maintenance time while maintaining cleaning efficiency.
4Productivity
If traditional solvents are used, then cleaning capability is achieved, but environmental and safety concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the environmental compatibility parameter by selecting aromatic ester compounds with better environmental profiles. These compounds have higher flash points (>40°C preferably >70°C), do not form peroxides, and are generally more environmentally benign than traditional resin solvents, while maintaining effective cleaning 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 aromatic ester-based maintenance liquid efficiently removes difficult-to-access ink residues, reduces printer downtime, and prevents further polymerization reactions, ensuring safe and efficient printer maintenance with improved productivity and safety.
Implementation Method 1
the maintenance liquid comprises at least one aromatic ester compound... efficiently remove cured or semi-cured radiation (e.g. UV) curing ink residues
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to the use of an aromatic compound having a carbonyl group in a maintenance liquid for use in an ink jet printer, wherein the aromatic compound has a molar weight of below 200 g/mol. Particular examples of aromatic ester compounds are methyl benzoate and benzyl formate. Such maintenance liquids provide efficient cleaning of printer parts that are contaminated with cured or semi-cured ink residues, without damaging the printer parts that have been in contact with the maintenance liquid.