Infusion Dye Pad Marking for Room-Temperature Polymer Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for applying markings to articles, such as sublimation printing and infusion dyeing, are unsuitable for post-manufacture customization due to the need for extensive equipment and manufacturing conditions, including high heat and pressure, which are not feasible for end users, and require specialized equipment for full-immersion applications.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using an infusion dyeing kit with a dye pad shaped to correspond to desired markings, where an activation solution is applied to the infusion dye, allowing it to penetrate the article's surface at room temperature and pressure, enabling consumers to customize articles like golf balls with durable, wear-resistant markings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sublimation printing or conventional infusion dyeing is used, then markings are durable and wear-resistant, but extensive equipment and harsh manufacturing conditions (heat and pressure) are required that are not feasible for post-manufacture customization
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameters of the dyeing process by using water-soluble dyes that can penetrate plastic surfaces at room temperature without requiring heat or pressure. The activation solution (water or alcohol) enables the dye to dissolve and infuse into the plastic surface under mild conditions, making the process suitable for post-manufacture customization while maintaining marking durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses simple, inexpensive materials such as water-soluble dyes, cotton pads or cloths as application tools, and basic solvents (water or alcohol). These disposable, low-cost materials eliminate the need for expensive industrial equipment while achieving effective marking application that consumers can perform themselves.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional infusion dyeing with full-immersion methods is used, then dye penetrates the plastic surface effectively, but specialized equipment (dye baths, dipping apparatus) is required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the essential function of infusion dyeing (dye penetration into plastic surface) from the complex full-immersion dye bath process. By applying dye directly to a cotton pad or cloth and then pressing it onto the plastic surface, the method achieves effective dye penetration without requiring dye baths, dipping apparatus, or other specialized equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces cotton pads or cloths as intermediary carriers between the dye and the plastic surface. The cotton material absorbs the water-soluble dye and facilitates its transfer and penetration into the plastic surface through direct contact, eliminating the need for complex immersion equipment while maintaining effective dye infusion.
3Ease of manufacture
If markings are applied as a surface layer (pad printing, ink-jet printing), then application is simple, but markings are susceptible to wear and wear faster than the ball surface
Solution Approach 1:
The invention exploits the porous structure of plastic surfaces to enable dye penetration. The water-soluble dye, when activated by water or alcohol, dissolves and penetrates into the porous structure of the plastic surface, becoming embedded within the material rather than remaining as a surface coating. This provides wear resistance comparable to the plastic surface itself while maintaining relatively simple application procedures.
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
Enables customizable, durable markings that wear at the same rate as the article's surface, allowing for low-volume, post-manufacture personalization without the need for specialized equipment or harsh conditions, providing a cost-effective and user-friendly solution for applying markings.
Implementation Method 1
allow the infusion dye to penetrate the outer surface and form the desired marking within a substrate of the article
Implementation Method 2
the infusion dye to penetrate the outer surface and form the desired marking within a substrate of the article
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for applying markings to an article are disclosed. One aspect comprises providing a dye pad shaped to correspond to a desired marking; applying an infusion dye to the dye pad; applying an activation solution to the infusion dye, thereby forming an infusion dye mixture; placing the dye pad in contact with a discrete area of an outer surface of the article; leaving the dye pad in contact with the outer surface of the article under room temperature and pressure, for a duration sufficient to allow the infusion dye mixture to open a polymeric structure of a material of the outer surface and to allow the infusion dye to penetrate the outer surface and form the desired marking within a substrate of the article; and removing the dye pad from the outer surface. An infusion dyeing kit and method for supplying a kit are also disclosed.