Covalent Polymer Ink for Leaching Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current printing inks, particularly those used in fields like food packaging and medical devices, face challenges in minimizing the leaching of ink components, which is crucial for safety and regulatory compliance.
Innovation Solution
Development of polymers that covalently link photoinitiator and dye moieties, allowing for cross-linking upon curing, reducing the opportunity for leaching and ensuring the ink's stability and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ink components are used separately in conventional printing inks, then the ink can be formulated with standard components, but the components can leach from the ink compromising safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple ink components (dye, photoinitiator, and polymer) into a single polymer molecule through covalent bonding. This merging eliminates the separation between components, preventing leaching while maintaining all necessary functions in one integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite polymer structure that integrates multiple functional moieties (dye for coloration, photoinitiator for curing, and polymer backbone for structure) into a single composite material. This composite approach ensures all components remain bound together, eliminating leaching issues.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If polymer components are covalently linked to form a single polymer structure, then leaching is reduced or eliminated, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates the photoinitiator and dye moieties into the polymer structure during the polymerization process itself, rather than adding them separately afterward. This preliminary incorporation simplifies the overall manufacturing process by eliminating subsequent binding steps while ensuring complete integration of components.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymerization process automatically integrates all components into the polymer structure through chemical bonding. The system self-organizes the dye and photoinitiator moieties into the polymer chains during synthesis, eliminating the need for separate attachment processes and reducing manufacturing 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 solution effectively reduces or eliminates the leaching of ink components, enhancing the safety and regulatory compliance of printed materials by creating a stable, cross-linked polymer structure.
Implementation Method 1
The acryloyl groups are themselves polymerizable under photoinitiated polymerization
Implementation Method 2
the polymer is further cross-linked upon curing
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a polymer (P) comprising at least one photoinitiator moiety (PI) and at least one dye moiety (DYE), wherein said at least one photoinitiator moiety (PI) and at least one dye moiety (DYE) are covalently linked to said polymer (P). Additionally, the invention relates to said polymer (P) being end-functionalized with optionally substituted acryloyi groups. The fact that both of these moieties are tightly bonded within the polymer, and the cross-linked polymer, means that the opportunities for leaching/migration of these components is reduced or even eliminated. Inks comprising at least one of said polymers are also provided. Methods for the manufacture of the polymers, and for printing are provided.