Ink Composition with High Tg Polymer for Stacker Blocking Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional inkjet recording methods face issues with stacker blocking, where images stick together due to rapid drying and solvent penetration, especially when printing at high speeds or on both sides of recording media, leading to image damage and transfer to the reverse side.
Innovation Solution
An ink composition comprising a pigment coated with a water-insoluble resin, water-insoluble polymer particles with a glass transition temperature of 100°C or higher, a solid moistening agent, a water-soluble organic solvent, and wax particles with a melting point between 40°C and 100°C, which enhances ink stability and prevents blocking during high-speed printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If printing speed is increased for high-speed recording, then productivity is improved, but stacker blocking occurs due to insufficient drying time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the ink composition, specifically using a water-insoluble polymer with glass transition temperature of 100°C or higher, and controlling the content of water-soluble organic solvent to 5-50 mass%, to adjust the drying characteristics and prevent stacker blocking while maintaining high-speed printing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite ink formulation combining multiple components: pigment coated with water-insoluble resin, water-insoluble polymer particles, water-soluble organic solvent, and water. This composite material approach allows optimization of both drying speed and image stability to resolve the contradiction between high-speed printing and prevention of stacker blocking
2Productivity
If number of stacked recording media is increased, then productivity is improved, but solvents are inhibited from evaporating causing images to stick together
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the solvent system parameters by using a water-insoluble polymer with specific glass transition temperature (≥100°C) and controlling the water-soluble organic solvent content (5-50 mass%), which enables faster solvent evaporation rate to prevent image sticking even when multiple recording media are stacked
Solution Approach 2:
The water-insoluble polymer acts as an intermediary substance that facilitates rapid solvent evaporation and forms a protective structure, enabling the system to handle stacked recording media without image transfer or sticking while maintaining high productivity
3Productivity
If recording media are stacked in short time, then productivity is improved, but image areas remain soft causing stacker blocking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates water-insoluble polymer particles with glass transition temperature of 100°C or higher that preliminarily establish a stable matrix structure in the ink, enabling the image areas to maintain sufficient strength and rigidity even during rapid stacking, thus preventing stacker blocking while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the glass transition temperature parameter of the polymer matrix to 100°C or higher, the patent ensures that the image areas maintain adequate strength and stiffness during rapid stacking operations, resolving the contradiction between fast stacking and image area strength
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 ensures excellent ink stability and maintenance, suppressing the occurrence of blocking and maintaining image quality even during high-speed, double-sided printing on coated papers, thereby preventing image damage and transfer.
Implementation Method 1
particles of a water-insoluble polymer having a glass transition temperature of 100° C. or higher
Implementation Method 2
particles of a wax having a melting point of from 40° C. to lower than 100° C.
Implementation Method 3
a solid moistening agent
Data Source
AI summary
An ink composition is disclosed which includes a pigment that is coated with a water-insoluble resin, particles of a water-insoluble polymer having a glass transition temperature of 100° C. or higher, a solid moistening agent, a water-soluble organic solvent, particles of a wax having a melting point of from 40° C. to lower than 100° C., and water.