Polyurethane Bisphosphonate Ink Additives for Jetting and Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ink compositions using water-soluble dyes face issues such as moisture sensitivity, smearing, and poor light stability, while pigments can improve durability but may not provide optimal jetting properties in inkjet ink compositions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating polyurethanes with bisphosphonate groups as additives or dispersants in ink compositions to enhance jetting properties and improve image durability and optical density, with the bisphosphonate groups interacting with multivalent cations to stabilize the images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If water-soluble dyes are used in ink compositions, then the ink composition is easy to formulate and apply, but the image durability and resistance to moisture and light deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials by combining pigments with polymer binders to create a durable ink formulation. The polymer matrix encapsulates the pigment particles, providing both ease of application and improved resistance to moisture and light, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and image durability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the ink composition by incorporating specific polymer types and ratios, adjusting molecular weight, functional groups, and composition to optimize both ease of formulation and image durability. This allows the ink to maintain applicability while achieving superior resistance properties
2Reliability
If pigments are used as colorants in ink compositions, then image durability and resistance to moisture and light are improved, but jetting properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces polymer binders as intermediary substances that mediate between the pigment particles and the ink vehicle. These polymers improve jetting properties by adjusting viscosity and flow characteristics while maintaining the durability benefits of pigments, thus resolving the contradiction between image durability and jetting performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes jetting properties by changing physical parameters such as ink viscosity, surface tension, and particle size distribution through selective polymer addition. This allows the ink to achieve proper jetting behavior while preserving the durable pigment-based coloration
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional ink compositions are used, then formulation is simple, but resistance to smearing and rubbing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material systems combining pigments, polymers, and optional binders to create an ink formulation that is both simple to manufacture and highly resistant to smearing and rubbing. The synergistic interaction between components provides enhanced mechanical durability without complicating the formulation process
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 use of polyurethanes with bisphosphonate groups in ink compositions results in improved jetting performance and image durability, maintaining high optical density with minimal trail in highlight smear tests, even when exposed to moisture or light.
Implementation Method 1
the bisphosphonate groups interacting with multivalent cations to stabilize the images
Data Source
AI summary
Polyurethanes containing at least one bisphosphonate group, as well as related compositions, articles, and methods, are disclosed.