Heat-Sensitive Recording Material with Removable Dyes for Deinking
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing heat-sensitive recording materials face challenges in recyclability and compatibility with food contact, particularly in meeting the standards for deinking and eco-label certifications.
Innovation Solution
A heat-sensitive recording material with a web-like carrier material, a color layer containing removable dyes, and a heat-sensitive layer that becomes translucent upon localized heat exposure, allowing for effective deinking and compliance with food contact regulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional heat-sensitive recording materials are used, then direct thermal printing functionality is achieved, but recyclability and deinking performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the color layer by using specific removable dyes (e.g., direct dyes, reactive dyes, disperse dyes) with defined molecular structures and properties. These dyes are selected to have removable groups that can be detached under deinking conditions, transforming the color layer from non-deinkable to deinkable while maintaining thermal printing functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite color layer system combining removable dyes with specific binders and optional removable groups. This composite structure allows the color layer to function both as a thermal printing medium and as a deinkable component in recycling processes, resolving the contradiction between printing functionality and recyclability
2Ease of operation
If heat-sensitive materials are used for direct thermal printing, then image production capability is improved, but compatibility with food contact standards and eco-label certifications deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical safety parameters by selecting dyes and binders that comply with food contact regulations (e.g., EU Regulation 10/2011). The removable dyes are chosen from classes known to be safe for food contact, and the binder system is designed to prevent migration of harmful substances, thereby achieving both printing functionality and food contact compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable color layer design where the color layer can be completely removed during recycling. This approach allows the use of safe, removable materials that meet food contact standards, as the entire color layer is discarded with the waste stream rather than requiring permanent retention of potentially harmful substances
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 material achieves high recyclability scores and meets the requirements for food contact safety and eco-label certifications, enhancing its cost-effectiveness and environmental sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
a heat-sensitive layer (4) on the color layer (3) so that the color layer (3) is at least partially covered, wherein the heat-sensitive layer (4) is configured in such a way that it becomes translucent when exposed to localized heat
Implementation Method 2
the color layer (3) contains at least one removable dye (2), more particularly at least one dye which can be removed in the waste paper cycle
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a heat-sensitive recording material, wherein the color layer contains at least one removable dye, more particularly a dye that can be removed in the waste paper cycle; to a process for decoloring a heat-sensitive recording material in order to obtain a fibrous material mixture, comprising the steps of providing a mixture of the heat-sensitive recording material and at least one other paper type, more particularly at least one waste paper type, and subsequently decoloring the mixture in a deinking process in order to obtain a fibrous material mixture; to a fibrous material mixture obtained by means of said process; to a process for producing a recycled paper comprising the fibrous material mixture by compressing and dewatering the fibrous material mixture; and to a recycled paper which can be obtained by means of said process.