Decorative Printable Paper With Flocculant Ink-Receiver Coating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional analog printing techniques for decorative papers, such as rotogravure and offset printing, require large minimal order quantities and lack flexibility due to long setup times, while digital inkjet printing faces issues with ink absorption and subsequent lacquering complications due to ink receiver coatings that complicate the application of lacquer.
Innovation Solution
A printable paper impregnated with a polymeric binder and an ink receiver coating containing a flocculant salt, which forms a smooth surface for improved lacquering, using a combination of polymeric binder and flocculant to enhance ink absorption and prevent ink penetration, allowing for single-pass inkjet printing and subsequent lacquer application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional analog printing techniques (rotogravure or offset printing) are used, then uniform ink film formation and sealed porosity are achieved, but large minimal order quantities and long setup times are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical analog printing systems (rotogravure or offset printing) with a digital printing system. The digital printing apparatus uses digital data to directly control printing, eliminating the need for physical printing plates and rollers. This substitution enables flexible, on-demand printing of different decors without long setup times while maintaining production efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If inkjet printing is used to enhance flexibility, then digital printing flexibility is improved, but ink absorption causes bleeding and loss of image definition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a preliminary treatment to the paper substrate before digital inkjet printing. The paper is pre-impregnated with a polymeric binder during the paper manufacturing process, creating a prepared surface that controls ink absorption. This preliminary action prevents excessive ink penetration and bleeding, thereby maintaining sharp image definition and color tone while preserving the flexibility benefits of digital printing.
3Ease of manufacture
If ink receiver coating is applied to enable inkjet printing, then ink absorption is improved, but porous structure complicates subsequent lacquering
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the parameter of the paper substrate by pre-impregnating it with a polymeric binder during paper manufacturing. This parameter change creates a surface with controlled absorption properties that enables inkjet printing without requiring an additional porous ink receiver coating. The modified paper surface absorbs ink appropriately while maintaining a structure that is compatible with subsequent lacquering processes, thereby simplifying the overall manufacturing process.
4Quantity of substance
If pre-impregnated paper is used, then binder content is reduced, but absorption capacity is decreased making ink receiver coating application troublesome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ink receiver coating function from the paper manufacturing process itself. Instead of applying an ink receiver coating during paper production (which would be troublesome due to reduced absorption capacity), the patent separates these functions: the paper is pre-impregnated with polymeric binder for structural integrity, and the inkjet printing is performed directly on this modified surface. This extraction eliminates the need for troublesome intermediate coating steps while maintaining both reduced binder content and ease of manufacture.
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 enables flexible, high-quality digital printing with improved ink absorption and retention, maintaining color intensity and glossiness, and facilitates efficient lacquering without porosity issues, suitable for decorative elements.
Implementation Method 1
Because of their higher fluidity, low viscosity and low amount of binder when compared to those used in gravure printing, inks for inkjet printing are deeply absorbed by the paper
Implementation Method 2
said ink receiver coating comprising at least a binder and a flocculant salt
Data Source
AI summary
A printable paper may be provided for being printed by inkjet printing and forming a decorative paper. The printable paper may include a base paper layer being at least partially impregnated with a polymeric binder. The polymeric binder may be substantially free from formaldehyde. An ink receiver coating may be provided on a surface of the base paper layer. The ink receiver coating may include a binder and a flocculant, which may be a cationic metal salt.