Ink Composition with Alkanediol Solvents for Low Tackiness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ink compositions for ink jet recording on low-absorbent or non-absorbent media face challenges in achieving low tackiness and high fixability without using volatile solvents, which can deteriorate the work environment due to odor and toxicity issues.
Innovation Solution
An ink composition containing a combination of a slightly water-soluble 1,2-alkanediol with a carbon number of 7 to 10 and a melting point between 30° C. to 80° C., and a water-soluble symmetrical both-end alkanediol with a melting point of 80° C. or more, along with a carboxy group-containing resin and an oxazoline group-containing resin, to form images with low tackiness and high fixability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a large amount of highly volatile solvent is added to rapidly dry the ink composition, then the tackiness is reduced, but the odor and toxicity deteriorate the work environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the solvent system by selecting alkanediols with specific carbon numbers (6-10) and specific melting points (30-80°C). This parameter optimization allows the ink to achieve low tackiness through controlled crystallization rather than rapid evaporation, eliminating the need for highly volatile solvents and their associated odor and toxicity problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive and harmful highly volatile solvents with cheaper, environmentally friendly alkanediols that have lower volatility. The alkanediols serve as a sustainable alternative that achieves the desired drying effect through phase change at lower temperatures, reducing harm to the work environment.
2Speed
If solvents with low melting points are used to enable rapid drying, then the drying speed is improved, but the tackiness and fixability are insufficient on non-absorbent recording media
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the melting point parameter of the solvent to be in the range of 30-80°C, which is higher than conventional low-melting-point solvents. This parameter change enables the ink to dry at lower temperatures through controlled crystallization, achieving both rapid drying speed and low tackiness while maintaining high fixability on non-absorbent recording media.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition (melting/freezing) of alkanediols with specific melting points (30-80°C) as the core drying mechanism. The ink dries through crystallization rather than evaporation, allowing rapid drying speed without compromising tackiness and fixability. The phase change occurs at controlled temperatures, ensuring proper adhesion to non-absorbent media.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the ink composition is designed for low tackiness without volatile solvents, then the work environment is improved, but achieving high fixability and water fastness becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite ink composition by combining alkanediols with specific carbon numbers (6-10) and melting points (30-80°C) with coloring materials and other ink components. This composite formulation achieves low tackiness through controlled crystallization while simultaneously ensuring high fixability and water fastness, all without using harmful volatile solvents, thus improving the work environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the molecular parameters of the solvent components by selecting alkanediols with specific carbon numbers (6-10) and melting points (30-80°C). These parameter changes enable the ink to achieve proper adhesion and water fastness through controlled phase transition, replacing volatile solvents and improving the work environment while maintaining reliability.
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 ink composition effectively reduces tackiness and enhances fixability on low-absorbent or non-absorbent media while maintaining environmental safety by avoiding highly volatile solvents, ensuring stable storage and improved water fastness of the images.
Implementation Method 1
a slightly water-soluble 1,2-alkanediol having a carbon number of 7 to 10 and a melting point in the range of 30° C. to less than 80° C., and a water-soluble symmetrical both-end alkanediol having a melting point of 80° C. or more
Data Source
AI summary
An ink composition contains water, a coloring material, a surfactant, a slightly water-soluble 1,2-alkanediol having a carbon number of 7 to 10 and a melting point in the range of 30° C. to less than 80° C., and a water-soluble symmetrical both-end alkanediol having a melting point of 80° C. or more.