Ink Formulation Balancing Defoaming and Storage Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inks struggle to balance defoaming properties with storage stability while achieving high image density and quality across various media types.

Innovation Solution

An ink formulation containing specific acetylene-based compounds and fluorescent brighteners, along with a balanced ratio of water-soluble organic solvents, enhances defoaming properties and storage stability, producing high-density images on diverse media.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional ink formulations are used, then storage stability may be maintained, but defoaming property deteriorates and image density is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage stabilityVSAvoidfoaming
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the HLB values of acetylene-based compounds within specific ranges (3-5 and 8-13) and maintaining a mass ratio between 0.1-2.0. This optimization of chemical parameters enables the ink to achieve both excellent defoaming properties and storage stability simultaneously, resolving the technical contradiction between these two characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by combining multiple acetylene-based compounds with different HLB values (one with HLB 3-5 and another with HLB 8-13) along with fluorescent brighteners and water-soluble organic solvents. This composite formulation creates synergistic effects that improve defoaming performance while maintaining storage stability and image density.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-generated harmful factors

If ink formulations prioritize defoaming properties, then foaming is reduced, but storage stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefoamingVSAvoidstorage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by changing the parameters of acetylene-based compounds to specific HLB ranges (3-5 and 8-13) and controlling their mass ratio between 0.1-2.0. This precise parameter optimization enables the ink to achieve effective defoaming while simultaneously maintaining excellent storage stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by formulating a mixture of acetylene-based compounds with complementary HLB values. The combination of a low-HLB compound (3-5) and a medium-HLB compound (8-13) creates a balanced system that provides both defoaming capability and storage stability without compromising either property.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Quantity of substance

If ink formulations use standard additives, then basic performance is maintained, but image density and quality are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage densityVSAvoidink formulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves high image density by changing the parameters of the ink formulation, specifically incorporating fluorescent brighteners and controlling the HLB values and ratios of acetylene-based compounds. These parameter changes enhance light reflection and image quality without requiring overly complex formulation procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces fluorescent brighteners as intermediary substances that mediate between the ink components and the final image quality. These brighteners enhance image density and visual quality by reflecting light, acting as a mediator that improves output without significantly complicating the core ink formulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 achieves improved defoaming, storage stability, and high image density on various media types, ensuring reliable discharge and image quality.

Implementation Method 1

an acetylene-based compound having an HLB of from 8 to 13, an acetylene-based compound having an HLB of from 3 to 5 or 2,4,7,9-tetramethyldecyne-4,7-diol

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

a fluorescent brightener

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentEP3981845B1Ink, ink set, inkjet printing device, and method of printing
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 RICOH CO LTD
  • EP3981845B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3981845B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3981845B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An ink contains a coloring material, a water-soluble organic solvent, water, an acetylene-based compound having an HLB of from 8 to 13, and a compound represented by Chemical Formula 1 or Chemical Formula 2, where m represents an integer of from 1 to 4, where R1 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, aralkyl group having 7 or 8 carbon atoms, or ally group, 1 represents 0 or an integer of from 1 to 7, and n represents an integer of from 20 to 200.