Foaming Layer Wettability for Clear 3D Image Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for forming three-dimensional images using thermal expansion sheets and foamable capsules struggle to achieve clear unevenness in the formed images, with limitations in the permeation and spreading of foam-promoting liquids affecting the quality of the three-dimensional image.

Innovation Solution

A recording medium with a foaming layer containing a foaming material and a binder resin, where the contact angle of water and the ratio of water droplet diameters are optimized to enhance the permeation of a foam-promoting liquid in the depth direction, reducing lateral spreading and improving foamability, allowing for clear unevenness in the three-dimensional image formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a thermal expansion sheet or foamable capsules are used to form three-dimensional images, then the image formation process can be completed, but clear unevenness cannot be achieved in the formed image

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclear unevenness in three-dimensional imageVSAvoidfoamability consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the surface energy parameters of the foaming layer by controlling the contact angle of water to be 30° or more and 80° or less, and controlling the diameter ratio of water droplets to be 1.3 times or less. These parameter changes enable the foam-promoting liquid to permeate in the depth direction rather than spreading laterally, achieving clear unevenness in the three-dimensional image while maintaining reliable foamability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If foam-promoting liquid is applied to enhance foaming, then the foaming start temperature is reduced, but the liquid spreads laterally instead of permeating in the depth direction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoaming start temperatureVSAvoidpermeation direction control
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the surface energy parameters of the foaming layer by controlling the contact angle of water to be 30° or more and 80° or less, and controlling the diameter ratio of water droplets to be 1.3 times or less. These parameter changes enable the foam-promoting liquid to permeate in the depth direction rather than spreading laterally, achieving clear unevenness in the three-dimensional image while maintaining reliable foamability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If the contact angle of water to the foaming layer surface is not optimized, then the foam-promoting liquid spreads laterally, but with optimized contact angle the liquid permeates in the depth direction achieving clear unevenness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclear unevennessVSAvoidcontact angle control requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the surface energy parameters of the foaming layer by controlling the contact angle of water to be 30° or more and 80° or less, and controlling the diameter ratio of water droplets to be 1.3 times or less. These parameter changes enable the foam-promoting liquid to permeate in the depth direction rather than spreading laterally, achieving clear unevenness in the three-dimensional image while maintaining reliable foamability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 optimized recording medium and method enable the efficient formation of three-dimensional images with clear unevenness by ensuring the foam-promoting liquid permeates effectively in the depth direction, improving the foamability and adhesion of the foaming material, resulting in enhanced image quality.

Implementation Method 1

a foaming layer being provided on the substrate and containing a foaming material which foams with heat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

a contact angle of water to a surface of the foaming layer 30 seconds after the water is brought into contact with the surface of the foaming layer is 30° or more and 80° or less, and a ratio of a diameter of a water droplet 30 seconds after the water is brought into contact with the surface of the foaming layer to a diameter of a water droplet 0.01 seconds after the water is brought into contact with the surface of the foaming layer is 1.3 times or less

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Data Source

PatentEP4245554A1Recording medium and method for producing recorded matter having three-dimensional image
Publication Date: 2023.09.20 CANON KK
  • EP4245554A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4245554A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP4245554A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A recording medium for producing a recorded matter having a three-dimensional image comprises: a substrate; and a foaming layer being provided on the substrate and containing a foaming material which foams with heat and a binder resin. A contact angle of water to a surface of the foaming layer 30 seconds after the water is brought into contact with the surface of the foaming layer is 30° or more and 80° or less, and a ratio of a diameter of a water droplet 30 seconds after the water is brought into contact with the surface of the foaming layer to a diameter of the water droplet 0.01 seconds after the water is brought into contact with the surface of the foaming layer is 1.3 times or less.