Glass Decoration Ink Jet Method Suppressing Turbidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for decorating glass, such as those using ink jet methods with organic polymers and inorganic pigments, often result in unclear images due to landing interference and can cause turbidity in the glass base material after calcination, and the manufacturing processes are inefficient with complex apparatus requirements.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an ink aggregating agent-containing composition with minimal content of elements other than C, O, N, F, and H, applied to a glass base material, followed by an ink composition with inorganic pigments and resin particles, and then heated to form a clear and wear-resistant image with suppressed turbidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If an ink containing organic polymers and inorganic pigments is printed on glass by ink jet method, then the glass can be decorated with color, but a clear and sharp image cannot be obtained due to landing interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the ink by using inorganic pigment suspensions in water or alcohol instead of organic polymer-based inks. This parameter change eliminates the landing interference problem while maintaining color fastness and image clarity on glass surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses disposable ink compositions that are applied and then removed through firing, leaving only the inorganic pigment residue. This approach eliminates the need for durable organic polymer carriers that cause interference, achieving both ease of application and image clarity.
2Stability of the object's composition
If certain inorganic elements are used to disperse inorganic pigments in ink, then the ink can be properly dispersed, but turbidity is generated in the glass base material after calcination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes harmful inorganic elements from the ink composition that cause glass turbidity during calcination. By using pure water or alcohol-based suspensions without these harmful additives, the ink maintains dispersion stability while preventing glass contamination and turbidity formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert chemical environment by using water or alcohol as the suspension medium without reactive inorganic additives. This inert environment prevents harmful chemical interactions between the ink dispersants and the glass base material during high-temperature calcination, eliminating turbidity while maintaining dispersion stability.
3Manufacturing precision
If two kinds of ink compositions are applied and cured separately, then the image can be manufactured with multiple layers, but the manufacturing efficiency is low and the apparatus is complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple ink application steps into a single-step process by using a unified inorganic pigment suspension formulation that can achieve both undercoat and image layer functions. This combination eliminates the need for separate ink applications and curing steps, improving manufacturing efficiency while maintaining multi-layer image quality through the properties of the single ink composition.
4Strength
If hot-melt inorganic powder is used, then the image can be formed with inorganic materials, but turbidity may be generated in the glass base material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the inorganic powder by selecting specific particle sizes, shapes, and compositions that provide wear resistance without causing glass turbidity. The use of fine, pure inorganic pigments suspended in water or alcohol achieves both image durability and glass clarity after calcination.
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 method achieves excellent color reproducibility and wear resistance on glass surfaces while minimizing turbidity and simplifying the manufacturing process by using an ink jet method with aqueous compositions, ensuring efficient image formation and glass transparency.
Implementation Method 1
a step of applying an ink aggregating agent-containing composition, which is an ink aggregating agent-containing composition containing an ink aggregating agent
Implementation Method 2
a step of heating the formed ink image to a melting temperature of glass or higher
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Provided are a method of decorating glass in which an image having excellent color reproducibility and wear resistance can be formed on a glass base material, and generation of turbidity in the glass base material obtained after the image being heated and fixed is suppressed, and a decorated glass. A method of decorating glass includes a step of applying an ink aggregating agent-containing composition that contains water and an ink aggregating agent on a glass base material, a step of forming an ink image by applying an ink composition that contains an inorganic pigment, resin particles, and water by an ink jet method to at least a region on the glass base material, to which the ink aggregating agent-containing composition has been applied, a step of heating the formed ink image to a melting temperature of glass or higher, and in the ink aggregating agent-containing composition, a content of elements other than carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, fluorine, and hydrogen is 1.0% by mass or less with respect to a total solid content of the ink aggregating agent-containing composition.