Composition for the treatment of fibrous materials for the printing thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current compositions for textile printing, particularly in rotary and flat screen printing and inkjet printing, rely on urea which results in high pollutant loads due to low biodegradability and toxicity, leading to environmental concerns and unacceptable color rendering issues when alternatives are used.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising non-toxic, highly biodegradable hydrotropic and hygroscopic substances, such as cumene sulphonate and ε-caprolactam, that simulate urea's properties to maintain print quality while reducing environmental impact, including the use of mixtures of hydrotropic substances for enhanced solubility and economic benefits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If urea is used in textile printing compositions, then colour rendering and print quality are maintained, but environmental pollution and toxicity increase due to low biodegradability and high nitrogen load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing urea with alternative substances (such as glycine, alanine, or other amino acids) that have different biodegradability and environmental toxicity characteristics, while maintaining the necessary functional properties for print quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs substances that are rapidly biodegradable (short-lived in the environment) compared to urea, allowing the printing composition to fulfill its function and then decompose completely without persistent environmental harm
2Object-generated harmful factors
If alternatives to urea are used in textile printing compositions, then environmental impact is reduced, but colour rendering and print quality deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent systematically adjusts the chemical parameters of alternative substances (molecular structure, functional groups, concentration levels) to match urea's performance characteristics while improving environmental properties, achieving both colour rendering fidelity and reduced ecological harm
Solution Approach 2:
The patent may use combinations or mixtures of alternative substances rather than single replacements, creating composite printing compositions that synergistically achieve both good colour rendering and low environmental impact
3Stability of the object's composition
If urea is replaced in printing compositions, then biodegradability and eco-toxicological profile improve, but the complex chemical-physical system of printing process may be disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent identifies and utilizes intermediary substances that can mediate between the printing paste and fibre, performing the necessary chemical-physical functions (solubilization, fixation, colour development) without the harmful persistent effects of urea
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 composition achieves comparable or improved print quality with minimal environmental impact, maintaining high eco-toxicological standards and energy/water savings, effectively replacing urea in textile printing processes for all classes of dyes.
Implementation Method 1
hydrotropic agents are added to the pastes in order to increase their stability coupled with an increase the strength of printing obtainable and of the speed of fixation of the dye in the fibre
Implementation Method 2
hydrotropic and hygroscopic substances must be provided
Data Source
AI summary
The composition for printing fibrous materials comprises at least one hydrotropic substance, excluding urea or a derivative thereof, and a hygroscopic substance. The composition can be used in the printing of fibrous materials through both silk screen printing, such as rotary or flat screen printing, and inkjet digital printing, with all the classes of reactive and acid dyes.