Composition and method for treating media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Media made from recycled fibers and synthetic fibers used in digital printing applications, such as inkjet printing, suffer from poor performance compared to those made from wood pulp cellulose fibers, exhibiting lower whiteness, brightness, optical density, and color gamut, and are prone to ink over-absorption and bleed, with existing treatments like calcium chloride causing corrosion concerns.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising an organosilane-treated organic acid salt, a chelating agent, and an optical brightening agent (OBA) is applied to improve the performance of media, enhancing whiteness, brightness, optical density, and color gamut while eliminating corrosion risks associated with inorganic anions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If media is made from recycled fibers and synthetic fibers instead of wood pulp cellulose fibers, then environmental friendliness is improved, but printing performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies chemical treatments that modify the physical and chemical parameters of recycled and synthetic fibers. The composition includes organosilane-treated organic acid salts, chelating agents, and optical brightening agents that change the surface properties, porosity, and optical characteristics of the fibers, thereby improving printing performance while maintaining environmental benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite treatment system by combining multiple chemical agents (organosilane, organic acid salt, chelating agent, and optical brightening agent) that work synergistically. This composite approach addresses multiple performance deficiencies simultaneously - ink absorption, optical properties, and fiber bonding - enabling recycled and synthetic fibers to achieve wood pulp-level performance
2Reliability
If calcium chloride treatment is applied to improve inkjet printing performance, then ink absorption is improved, but corrosion risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the corrosive calcium chloride treatment with an organic acid salt-based composition that is less harmful and more environmentally friendly. The organic acid salt provides the necessary calcium ions for inkjet performance without the corrosive chloride ions, effectively substituting a harmful treatment with a safer alternative
Solution Approach 2:
The organosilane treatment acts as an intermediary between the organic acid salt and the fiber substrate. The organosilane modifies the surface properties to enhance the effectiveness of the organic acid salt treatment while reducing potential harmful interactions, thereby achieving good inkjet performance without corrosion
3Illumination intensity
If media is made from recycled fibers, then whiteness and brightness are improved through treatment, but ink penetration and color gamut deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary chemical treatments to the recycled fibers before printing. The organosilane and organic acid salt treatments are applied in advance to modify the fiber surface properties, controlling ink absorption and penetration characteristics before the actual printing process occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment composition changes the physical and chemical parameters of the fiber matrix, including porosity, surface energy, and optical properties. These parameter changes enable the fibers to achieve good whiteness and brightness while maintaining appropriate ink penetration and color gamut characteristics
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 treated media exhibits improved inkjet printing performance with higher optical density, better color gamut, and reduced corrosion, facilitating the transition to environmentally friendly paper made from recycled or synthetic fibers without compromising whiteness or brightness.
Implementation Method 1
One significant drawback is reduced whiteness and/or brightness caused by quenching
Implementation Method 2
an optical brightening agent (OBA)... Media treated with a composition that includes an organosilane treated organic acid salt, a chelating agent, and an OBA exhibit higher whiteness and brightness
Implementation Method 3
a chelating agent
Implementation Method 4
The organosilane treated organic acid salt can be present in the composition for treating media from 0.25% wt. to 3% wt... Media treated with a composition that includes an organosilane treated organic acid salt exhibit higher whiteness and brightness
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a composition that can be used for treating media. The composition includes an organosilane treated water dispersible organic acid salt, a water soluble organic acid salt, a chelating agent, and an optical brightening agent.