Black Ink Dye Composition for High Optical Density at Low Ink Volume

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing black inks for inkjet printing on polyester fabrics tend to lose intensity and become lighter when less ink is used, leading to suboptimal printing quality and speed.

Innovation Solution

A black ink formulation comprising a mixture of disperse blue 291, disperse red 82, and disperse red 54 dyes, which maintains high optical density even with reduced ink amounts, allowing for increased printing definition and speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If conventional black ink formulations are used, then good color intensity is achieved with large amounts of ink, but the ink rapidly lightens to grey when lower amounts are used

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical densityVSAvoidink amount
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the ink by using a specific mixture of disperse dyes (disperse blue 291 and/or 291:1, disperse red 82, and disperse red 54) in optimized proportions. This chemical parameter change enables the ink to maintain high optical density even at lower concentrations, resolving the contradiction between ink amount and color intensity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite dye system by combining multiple disperse dyes with complementary color properties. The specific combination of blue and red disperse dyes produces a black ink that maintains intensity at lower volumes, solving the problem of rapid lightening when less ink is applied

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Illumination intensity

If larger amounts of ink are deposited to maintain intensity, then good color intensity is achieved, but printing speed and definition decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor intensityVSAvoidprinting speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By changing the chemical composition to a optimized mixture of disperse dyes, the ink achieves higher intensity per unit volume. This allows smaller ink drops to produce the same visual intensity, enabling faster ejection frequencies and higher printing speed while maintaining color intensity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Illumination intensity

If larger amounts of ink are deposited to maintain intensity, then good color intensity is achieved, but printing definition deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor intensityVSAvoidprinting definition
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The changed chemical parameters of the ink formulation allow concentrated color intensity in smaller ink volumes. This enables precise printing with well-defined edges and higher resolution, as smaller drops can be positioned more accurately without requiring large ink amounts to maintain intensity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 set achieves high optical densities at lower printing resolutions and higher ejection frequencies, ensuring intense black coloration without significant lightening, even with smaller ink volumes, thus enhancing printing definition and speed.

Implementation Method 1

A black ink comprising a mixture of the dyes disperse blue 291 and/or 291:1, disperse red 82 and disperse red 54... gives the fabrics a high optical density coloration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS11053402B2Black ink
Publication Date: 2021.07.06 DOVER EUROPE SARL

AI summary

The invention relates to a black ink comprising a black dye dispersion in an aqueous vehicle comprising disperse blue 291 and/or 291:1, disperse red 82 and disperse red 54 and the use of such black ink in a method for digital inkjet-printing of a fabric, preferably on polyester.