Solvent-Based Ink Composition for Low-Temperature Jetting Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing non-aqueous inkjet inks face challenges in maintaining inkjet discharge stability and long-term stability while ensuring low-temperature fluidity, particularly due to the use of hydrocarbon-based solvents which are hazardous and restricted in some regions, and fatty acid ester-based solvents with high viscosity and poor low-temperature fluidity.

Innovation Solution

An ink composition comprising a saturated fatty acid diester-based solvent and an unsaturated fatty acid monoester-based solvent, with a specific mass ratio, to ensure low-temperature fluidity and stability without hydrocarbon-based solvents, combined with a dispersant and optional additives for improved dispersibility and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a fatty acid ester-based solvent is used to improve stability and pigment dispersibility, then stability and dispersibility are improved, but viscosity increases and low-temperature fluidity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidlow-temperature fluidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two types of solvents: a fatty acid ester-based solvent (providing stability and dispersibility) and a hydrocarbon-based solvent (providing low-temperature fluidity). This merging allows the ink composition to achieve both improved stability and maintained low-temperature fluidity, resolving the contradiction between these two properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Temperature

If a hydrocarbon-based solvent is used to ensure low-temperature fluidity, then low-temperature fluidity is improved, but hazardous effects increase and usage is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelow-temperature fluidityVSAvoidhazardous effects
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using a specific combination of fatty acid ester-based solvent and hydrocarbon-based solvent in controlled proportions. This parameter change allows achieving the desired low-temperature fluidity while minimizing hazardous effects through optimized formulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If a non-volatile solvent is used to prevent nozzle clogging, then reliability is improved, but drying speed decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresistance to nozzle cloggingVSAvoiddrying speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges a non-volatile solvent (fatty acid ester-based) with a volatile hydrocarbon-based solvent. The non-volatile component prevents nozzle clogging and ensures reliability, while the volatile component provides sufficient drying speed by evaporating quickly during the printing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20260035581A1Ink composition for inkjet printing
Publication Date: 2026.02.05 SAKATA INX

AI summary

Provided is an ink composition for solvent-based inkjet printing, including a colorant, a dispersant, and a solvent, in which the colorant includes a pigment and/or a dye, the solvent includes a saturated fatty acid diester-based solvent and an unsaturated fatty acid monoester-based solvent, a total amount of the saturated fatty acid diester-based solvent and the unsaturated fatty acid monoester-based solvent is 50% by mass or greater with respect to a total amount of the ink composition for solvent-based inkjet printing, and a mass ratio of the saturated fatty acid diester-based solvent to the unsaturated fatty acid monoester-based solvent is 2:8 to 8:2.