Fluorescent Solvent Ink Composition for High-Speed Reliable Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercially available fluorescent inks for ink jet applications have limited solubility in common solvents, leading to insufficient fluorescence intensity and printer reliability issues, especially at high speeds.
Innovation Solution
Invisible fluorescent solvent ink jet ink compositions comprising a coumarin, a solvent, a binder resin, and a conductive agent, which enhance solubility and allow for higher dye concentrations, improving fluorescence intensity and printer reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the amount of fluorescent dye in commercially available ink is increased beyond 0.2% by weight to improve fluorescence intensity, then fluorescence intensity is improved, but printer reliability is noticeably and negatively impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the ink composition by introducing specific solvent blends (MEK, ethanol, isopropanol in optimized ratios), binder resins, and conductive agents to enable higher fluorescent dye concentrations (0.3-5% by weight) while maintaining printer reliability. This resolves the contradiction by modifying the chemical environment to support higher dye loads without compromising printer performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite ink formulation combining fluorescent dye, multiple solvents (MEK, ethanol, isopropanol), binder resin, and conductive agent in specific proportions. This composite material approach allows the system to achieve both high fluorescence intensity and printer reliability by distributing functions across multiple components rather than relying on a single substance.
2Reliability
If the amount of fluorescent dye is limited to about 0.2% by weight to maintain printer reliability, then printer reliability is maintained, but fluorescent intensity is sometimes not sufficient for sensor detection, especially at high speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the solvent composition parameters (using MEK, ethanol, and isopropanol in specific ratios) and adds binder resin and conductive agent to enable the system to accommodate higher fluorescent dye concentrations (0.3-5% by weight) while maintaining printer reliability, thus resolving the trade-off between reliability and fluorescence intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces binder resin and conductive agent as intermediary substances that mediate between the fluorescent dye and the solvent system. These intermediaries help stabilize the high dye concentration formulation and maintain proper ink flow characteristics, enabling both high fluorescence and reliable printing.
3Productivity
If the size of the printed image is reduced to achieve desired printing speeds, then productivity is improved, but there is less fluorescence for the sensor to detect due to smaller image size and less detection time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fluorescent dye concentration parameter from the conventional 0.2% to a higher range of 0.3-5% by weight, which increases the fluorescence signal strength proportionally. This allows smaller printed images to produce sufficient fluorescence signals for sensor detection even at high printing speeds, resolving the contradiction between productivity and detection capability.
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 compositions achieve up to 3-fold greater fluorescent intensity and maintain printer reliability by optimizing dye concentration and total solids, ensuring effective detection even at high speeds.
Implementation Method 1
Invisible fluorescent dyes are used in applications where an invisible fluorescent ink becomes visible under excitation by UV light
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are invisible fluorescent solvent ink jet ink compositions that include a fluorescent colorant comprising a coumarin, a solvent, a binder resin, and a conductive agent.