Water-Based Fluorescent Ink for Metered Mail Barcode Reading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Red fluorescent inks used for metered mail require high fluorescence intensity and optical density to accurately identify the front and back sides and read bar codes, but existing formulations do not consistently achieve these properties.
Innovation Solution
An ink composition containing C.I. Acid Red 52, C.I. Acid Red 92, C.I. Direct Yellow 87, water, a water-soluble organic solvent, and specific glycol ethers like tetraethylene glycol monoethylhexyl ether and triethylene glycol monobutyl ether, which improves fluorescence intensity and color developability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional water-based fluorescent ink formulations are used, then the ink composition is simple and easy to manufacture, but the fluorescence intensity and optical density are insufficient for accurate identification and bar code reading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple fluorescent dyes (C.I. Acid Red 52, C.I. Acid Red 92, C.I. Direct Yellow 87) with specific glycol ethers (tetraethylene glycol monoethylhexyl ether, triethylene glycol monobutyl ether) and water-soluble organic solvents to create a composite ink formulation that achieves high fluorescence intensity and optical density while maintaining water-based simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the concentration ratios of specific dyes and glycol ethers in the ink formulation. The precise control of dye concentrations and the selection of specific glycol ether types transform the optical properties of the ink to achieve the required fluorescence intensity and color developability
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional water-based fluorescent ink formulations are used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the color developability and optical density are insufficient for accurate bar code reading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the concentration of C.I. Direct Yellow 87 (0.1-1.0% by weight), C.I. Acid Red 52 (0.01-0.5% by weight), and C.I. Acid Red 92 (0.01-0.5% by weight), along with optimizing glycol ether content (5-50% by weight), to achieve excellent color developability and optical density for accurate bar code reading
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple dyes and glycol ethers to create a composite formulation that enhances color developability. The synergistic interaction between the yellow, red, and glycol ether components produces superior optical properties that enable accurate bar code reading while maintaining 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 ink composition provides printed matters with high fluorescence intensity and excellent color developability, enabling accurate identification of postal items and bar code reading.
Implementation Method 1
Red fluorescent inks have been used in printers for affixing a mark to metered mail... Red fluorescent inks, therefore must have high fluorescence intensity to reduce errors in identifying the front side or the back side of metered mail
Data Source
AI summary
An ink composition includes C.I. Acid Red 52, C.I. Acid Red 92, C.I. Direct Yellow 87, water, a water-soluble organic solvent, tetraethylene glycol monoethylhexyl ether, and triethylene glycol monobutyl ether.