Coated Media Substrate Inkjet Compatibility Whiteness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Paper manufacturers face challenges in producing high-quality paper suitable for inkjet printing that maintains whiteness and optical density while reducing greenness, as conventional inkjet ink components often compromise these properties.
Innovation Solution
A coated media substrate with an ink-receiving layer containing an optical brightening agent, organic acid salt, binder, and low-molecular weight polymeric carrier is developed, which maintains CIE whiteness and reduces greenness, ensuring acceptable optical density when used with inkjet inks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional inkjet ink components are used, then the paper can be printed with inkjet ink, but the CIE whiteness decreases and greenness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing specific functional components (optical brightening agents, organic acid salts) into the ink-receiving layer to locally counteract the greenness caused by inkjet ink, while maintaining overall compatibility with the printing process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining multiple components (optical brightening agents, organic acid salts, binders, pigments) in the ink-receiving layer to achieve both inkjet compatibility and optical property maintenance, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and whiteness
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional inkjet ink components are used, then the paper can be printed with inkjet ink, but the greenness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful greenness effect into a benefit by using optical brightening agents that specifically target and counteract the green wavelength range, transforming the optical interference caused by inkjet ink into an opportunity for selective optical correction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition parameters of the ink-receiving layer (adding optical brightening agents and organic acid salts) to change the optical properties and reduce greenness while maintaining inkjet compatibility
3Illumination intensity
If optical brightening agents are added to maintain whiteness, then CIE whiteness improves, but the formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single ink-receiving layer formulation that simultaneously provides binding, optical brightening, and greenness reduction through the combined action of organic acid salts and optical brightening agents, reducing formulation complexity
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 coated media substrate achieves CIE whiteness of at least 80% and reduced greenness, maintaining optical density within 5% of comparative substrates, even when printed with black inkjet ink, thereby enhancing the quality of printed images.
Implementation Method 1
The ink-receiving layer can comprise an optical brightening agent
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure is drawn to coated media substrates, as well as related systems and methods. In one example, a coated media substrate for inkjet ink printing can comprise an ink-receiving layer coated on at least one side of a substrate, and can be formulated for accepting an inkjet ink composition. The ink-receiving layer can comprise an optical brightening agent, an organic acid salt, a binder, a pigment, and a low-molecular weight polymeric carrier having a weighted average molecular weight less than 50,000 Mw.