Colorant Compounds for Phase Change Ink Thermal Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for colorant compounds that exhibit desirable thermal stability, solubility, compatibility with phase change ink vehicles, reduced energy requirements, high chroma, satisfactory hue, lightfastness, low diffusion, and safety for handling, while also enabling the generation of prints with reduced pile height in phase change inks.
Innovation Solution
The development of colorant compounds with specific chemical formulas that form complexes with metal compounds, including chromogenic compounds derived from phenyl or pyrazolone rings, which are compatible with phase change ink carriers and exhibit improved properties such as solubility and thermal stability, and are safe to handle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional colorant compounds are used in phase change inks, then the ink can be manufactured with basic color properties, but the thermal stability and solubility are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure of colorant compounds by changing parameters such as introducing specific functional groups (carboxyl, hydroxyl, amine) and adjusting molecular weight ranges (100-1000 Da), thereby improving thermal stability and solubility while maintaining manufacturability through systematic structural optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite colorant compounds by combining multiple functional groups and molecular components within a single colorant molecule, integrating chromogenic groups with solubilizing and thermally stable moieties to achieve superior overall performance
2Reliability
If conventional colorant compounds are used, then basic coloration is achieved, but solubility in phase change ink vehicles is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent systematically adjusts chemical parameters by introducing hydrophilic functional groups (carboxyl, hydroxyl, amine) and controlling molecular weight within 100-1000 Da range, which fundamentally improves solubility parameters and prevents precipitation and aggregation in the ink vehicle
Solution Approach 2:
The colorant compounds act as intermediaries between the ink vehicle and the final printed image, with their modified molecular structures enabling effective interaction with the phase change ink carrier while maintaining color functionality and preventing harmful aggregation
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional colorant compounds are used, then coloration is achieved, but diffusion and pile height in prints are excessive
Solution Approach 1:
By optimizing molecular weight to the 100-1000 Da range and introducing specific functional groups, the patent reduces the diffusion coefficient and controls pile height, thereby improving print precision and reducing unwanted bleeding and diffusion of the colorant in the printed image
4Reliability
If conventional colorant compounds are used, then basic color properties are achieved, but lightfastness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates composite molecular structures that integrate chromogenic groups with photostable functional moieties, where the combined structure provides both coloration and enhanced resistance to photodegradation, thereby improving lightfastness while maintaining color properties
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
These colorant compounds demonstrate enhanced solubility, thermal stability, and lightfastness, reducing diffusion and pile height in prints, and are compatible with phase change ink vehicles, thereby improving the quality and reliability of phase change inks.
Implementation Method 1
colorant compounds of the formulae... which form complexes with metal compounds to form chromogenic compounds
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are colorant compounds of the formulaewherein R1, R2, R3, M, A, E, G, J, m, n, and p are as defined herein.