Electrophoretic Coating for Print Media Ink Adhesion

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing technologies face challenges in enhancing print quality, ink adhesion, rub resistance, and durability, particularly in commercial printing, where coatings are needed to address issues like ink migration and image durability.

Innovation Solution

A standalone coater using a liquid electrophoretic coating composition is employed to provide addressable or uniform coatings on print media, utilizing electrostatic forces to form a coating layer, which can be an overcoat or undercoat, improving print quality and durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a coating is applied to improve ink adhesion and durability, then print quality and rub resistance are improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink adhesion and durabilityVSAvoidprinting engine configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the coating application function with the existing printing engine into a single integrated system. The printing engine is configured to selectively apply both colorant and coating material in one pass, eliminating the need for separate coating devices and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining improved ink adhesion and durability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The printing engine is designed to perform multiple functions: it can selectively apply colorant, coating material, or both simultaneously. This multi-functional capability allows the same device to handle both printing and coating tasks, reducing the need for additional specialized equipment and simplifying the overall system configuration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a coating is applied to enhance print durability, then rub resistance and image protection are improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint durabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the coating application function with the existing printing engine into a single integrated system. The printing engine is configured to selectively apply both colorant and coating material in one pass, eliminating the need for separate coating devices and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining improved ink adhesion and durability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the existing printing engine infrastructure to perform coating application, leveraging already-present components such as the printhead, carrier liquid supply, and processing chamber. This self-service approach avoids the need for additional dedicated coating equipment, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while still achieving enhanced print durability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If a coating is applied to prevent ink migration, then print quality is improved, but processing time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint qualityVSAvoidcoating application process

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coating material is applied to the substrate before the colorant printing process. This preliminary coating creates a prepared surface that prevents ink migration during subsequent printing, ensuring high print quality without requiring additional post-processing steps or complex real-time control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the coating application function with the existing printing engine into a single integrated system. The printing engine is configured to selectively apply both colorant and coating material in one pass, eliminating the need for separate coating devices and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining improved ink adhesion and durability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 cost-effective, high-quality coating applications with improved ink adhesion and rub resistance, allowing for selective coating of specific areas and simplifying the printing engine configuration, thereby reducing costs and enhancing print durability.

Implementation Method 1

A standalone coater using a liquid electrophoretic coating composition is employed to provide addressable or uniform coatings on print media, utilizing electrostatic forces to form a coating layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrophoresis: Electrophoresis

Implementation Method 2

utilizing electrostatic forces to form a coating layer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic deposition: Electrostatic Deposition

Data Source

PatentUS8968974B2Techniques for coating print media

Publication Date: 2015.03.03 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

Techniques for coating print media are described herein. In an example, a photo imaging assembly is to receive a liquid electrophoretic coating composition assembly on a chargeable surface so as to form a coating layer thereon using electrostatic forces. The coating layer is to be transferred to a print medium.