Heating-Settable Overcoat Ink for Blocking Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for protecting printed materials, such as using laminated films or liquid over-coating agents, often result in uneven application, unnecessary consumption of over-coating agents, and maintenance challenges, while ultraviolet curing clear ink may not sufficiently improve the strength of overcoat layers.
Innovation Solution
A printing device configuration that uses ink fixable by heating, such as latex or solvent ink, with a heating mechanism to set the ink layer temperature above the glass-transition point for rapid fixation and a winding mechanism to maintain the temperature below the glass-transition point to prevent blocking, allowing for efficient and even application of overcoat layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If ultraviolet curing type clear ink is used as over-coating agent, then application evenness is improved, but overcoat layer strength is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the clear ink by replacing ultraviolet curing type clear ink with heating-fixable clear ink (latex or solvent-based). This parameter change allows the ink to be fixed through heating rather than UV curing, thereby improving overcoat layer strength while maintaining application evenness through inkjet technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the UV curing mechanism with a thermal fixation mechanism. Instead of using ultraviolet light to harden the ink, the system uses controlled heating to fix the clear ink to the substrate, which fundamentally changes the curing process and improves the mechanical strength of the overcoat layer.
2Productivity
If heating temperature is increased to improve fixation speed, then productivity is improved, but blocking occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic temperature control where the heating temperature is adjusted based on the specific requirements of each processing stage. The system applies higher temperatures for fixation when needed, then reduces temperature before winding to prevent blocking, creating a dynamic thermal management process that balances productivity and defect prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary cooling action before the winding process by reducing the heating temperature in advance. This preliminary temperature reduction prevents the ink from being too soft during winding, thereby avoiding blocking while still achieving rapid fixation during the heating stage.
3Manufacturing precision
If separate over-coating application is performed, then overcoat layer quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the image printing and over-coating application functions into a single integrated inkjet printing device. By combining these functions, the system eliminates the need for separate over-coating equipment, reducing device complexity while maintaining overcoat layer quality through precise digital control of the inkjet application process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional inkjet printing device that can perform both image printing and clear ink over-coating application. This universal device uses the same inkjet mechanism for both functions, thereby reducing overall system complexity while preserving the quality benefits of controlled over-coating application.
4Reliability
If conventional over-coating methods are used, then overcoat layer protection is achieved, but application evenness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical over-coating methods (spray, brush, dipping) with inkjet printing technology. This substitution enables precise digital control of material deposition, achieving uniform application thickness and eliminating the unevenness inherent in mechanical methods, while still providing reliable protection through the formed overcoat layer.
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
This configuration effectively reduces the occurrence of blocking, improves the strength and weather resistance of overcoat layers, and simplifies maintenance by integrating image drawing and overcoat application in a single printing process, suitable for large-sized media.
Implementation Method 1
a heating unit configured to heat the medium, and a medium winding unit configured to wind the heated medium
Implementation Method 2
ink fixable to media by heating means, for example, ink fixable to media by volatilizing some components of the ink by heating
Data Source
AI summary
Problems such as blocking are suppressed and more appropriately perform printing, in a case of using a configuration in which each medium is wound after printing. A printing device for performing printing on a medium includes a printing head configured to form an overcoat layer on the medium, an after-heater configured to heat the medium having the overcoat layer formed thereon, and a winding roller which is a medium winding unit configured to wind the medium heated by the after-heater, and the after-heater heats the medium such that the temperature of the overcoat layer becomes a temperature equal to or higher than a glass-transition point, and the winding roller winds the medium having a state where the temperature of the overcoat layer is a temperature lower than the glass-transition point.