Dual Developer Image Formation for Metallic Color on Fabrics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional image formation apparatuses face challenges in printing high-quality images on special media like fabrics, as they struggle to maintain image quality and prevent scaly patterns due to the uneven surface and thickness of the medium, especially when using large amounts of color developers for metallic color expression.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves an image formation apparatus with a first image formation section using a lustrous developer containing metallic pigment and a second image formation section using a dyeable developer, where the images are stacked and transferred onto a medium, allowing for heat transfer and dyeing, resulting in a high-quality metallic color expression without scaly patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a large amount of color developer is used for metallic color expression, then the metallic color expression is enhanced, but scaly patterns occur and image quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemetallic color expressionVSAvoidimage quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the developer system into two separate sections: a first image formation section using a lustrous developer containing metallic pigment for metallic color expression, and a second image formation section using a dyeing developer for color formation. This segmentation allows each section to use optimized developer compositions and amounts, preventing the scaly patterns that occur when excessive color developer is used while maintaining strong metallic color expression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If the developer layer is made thinner to prevent scaly patterns, then image quality improves, but metallic color expression becomes weaker

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidmetallic color expression

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the metallic pigment application from the color developer application, the invention allows the lustrous developer layer to be kept thin for high image quality while the metallic pigment particles provide strong color expression. The two developers are applied in sequence through separate image formation sections, enabling independent optimization of each layer's thickness and composition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If conventional single developer system is used, then the apparatus structure is simple, but it cannot achieve high-quality metallic color expression on special media

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapparatus structureVSAvoidimage quality on special media

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a segmented developer system with two image formation sections, each handling a different developer type. This structural division enables high-quality metallic color expression on special media by allowing the lustrous developer to deposit metallic pigment particles and the dyeing developer to form color layers, achieving results impossible with a single conventional developer system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses composite developer systems where the lustrous developer contains metallic pigment particles suspended in a carrier, and the dyeing developer contains dye molecules in a separate carrier. These composite material systems enable simultaneous achievement of metallic luster and color fidelity on special media surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

This approach enables the production of high-quality images with metallic color expression on special media by ensuring the lustrous developer is dyed by the dyeable developer, maintaining image quality even with a thinner developer layer, and preventing scaly patterns, thus improving print quality on fabrics.

Implementation Method 1

the developer of the first image can be dyed by the dyeing developer of the second image

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDyeing: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

When performing heat transfer using the first image and the second image stacked to each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

a transfer roller to be supplied with a bias voltage and configured to transfer the first developer image and the second developer image onto a medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic transfer: Electrostatic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11614696B2Image formation apparatus for forming image using metallic developer and sublimation dyeing developer and method of producing coloring medium using same

Publication Date: 2023.03.28 OKI ELECTRIC INDUSTRY CO LTD

AI summary

An image formation apparatus according to an embodiment may include: a first image formation section configured to form a first image of a developer containing a lustrous pigment; a second image formation section configured to form a second image of a dyeing developer; and a transfer section configured to transfer the first image and the second image on a medium such that the first image and the second image are stacked to each other on the medium.