Composite Particles for Inkjet Pre-treatment Fluids
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aqueous substrate pre-treatment formulations for inkjet printing face issues with particulate waxes segregating during storage, making them difficult to re-disperse due to density differences, which affects the durability and quality of inkjet printed images.
Innovation Solution
Aqueous compositions comprising water-soluble salts of multivalent metal cations and composite particles with specific organic polymer domains, where the melting points and weight ratios of the polymers are chosen to achieve a density between 1.0 g/ml and 1.5 g/ml, ensuring the particles remain neutrally buoyant or easily re-dispersible.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If particulate waxes with density less than bulk fluid are used, then they float and assemble into coherent structure, but they are difficult to re-disperse after standing or during storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the density parameter of the composite particles by adjusting the weight ratio of the first and second organic polymers. This parameter change allows the particles to have density matching the bulk fluid, preventing both floating and settling, thereby resolving the contradiction between stability and re-dispersibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite particles by combining domains of a first organic polymer with domains of a second organic polymer having different densities. This composite structure allows tuning of the overall particle density to match the bulk fluid density, solving the segregation problem while maintaining durability and re-dispersibility
2Stability of the object's composition
If particulate waxes with density much greater than bulk fluid are used, then they settle and pack on the bottom of storage containers, but they are also difficult to re-disperse when ready to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the density parameter of the composite particles to match the bulk fluid density by controlling the weight ratio of polymers with different densities. This prevents settling while maintaining the ability to re-disperse, resolving the contradiction between preventing segregation and ensuring re-dispersibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates particles with non-uniform internal structure, having domains of different densities distributed throughout. This local variation in density within composite particles allows the overall particle to have density matching the bulk fluid, preventing segregation while maintaining re-dispersibility
3Reliability
If aqueous substrate pre-treatment formulations are used for inkjet printing, then image quality and durability are improved, but wax segregation during storage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the density parameter of composite particles to match the bulk fluid density, preventing gravitational segregation during storage. This maintains formulation homogeneity while preserving the durability benefits of the pre-treatment formulation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite particles combining polymers of different densities to achieve density matching with the bulk fluid. This composite structure prevents segregation during storage while maintaining the functional properties that provide image durability
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 solution prevents wax segregation and settling, enhancing the durability and re-dispersibility of the pre-treatment fluids, leading to improved image quality and resistance to smearing and abrasion in inkjet printed images.
Implementation Method 1
the weight ratio of the (i) first organic polymer to the (ii) second organic polymer is chosen such that the (b) composite particles have a density of at least 1.0 g/ml and up to and including 1.5 g/ml
Implementation Method 2
ensuring the particles remain neutrally buoyant or easily re-dispersible
Implementation Method 3
the domains of the (ii) second organic polymer are dispersed within the domains of the (i) first organic polymer
Data Source
AI summary
Inkjet receiving medium are prepared by disposing an aqueous composition onto at least one surface of a substrate to provide a topcoat layer. The aqueous composition has: (a) one or more water-soluble salts of a multivalent metal cation; and (b) composite particles having a Rockwell Hardness of less than or equal to R90 and each of the composite particles comprising domains of a (i) first organic polymer and domains of a (ii) second organic polymer. The domains of the (ii) second organic polymer are dispersed within the domains of the (i) first organic polymer. The melting point of the (i) first organic polymer is lower than the melting point of the (ii) second organic polymer. The weight ratio of the (i) first organic polymer to the (ii) second organic polymer is chosen such that the (b) composite particles have a density of 1.0-1.5 g/ml.