Ink Formulation Viscosity Control for Offset Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink-jet recording apparatuses face challenges in maintaining high-speed image formation while preventing ink offset and clogging, particularly in line-head-type systems, due to ink viscosity changes and evaporation, which can lead to image defects and failure to eject ink droplets.
Innovation Solution
An ink formulation containing water, a pigment, a resin with a weight-average molecular weight of 30,000 to 150,000, a humectant combination of glycerol and 1,3-propanediol, and an organic solvent, with specific mass ratios and content percentages to stabilize viscosity and prevent clogging, is used to enhance ink permeability and drying properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the amount of ink ejected is reduced to reduce offset, then offset is reduced, but image density becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the ink by incorporating specific humectants (glycerol and 1,3-propanediol) in controlled ratios, and adjusting resin content (1.5-6.0% by mass) and molecular weight (30,000-150,000). These parameter changes enable the ink to achieve both reduced offset and sufficient image density by optimizing permeability and drying properties without sacrificing ejection reliability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the permeability and drying properties of ink are enhanced to reduce offset, then offset is reduced, but ejection failure occurs due to viscosity change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite humectant system combining glycerol and 1,3-propanediol in specific mass ratios (0.25 to 1.00), along with resin components having controlled molecular weights. This composite material approach creates synergistic effects that maintain ink viscosity stability and ejection reliability while simultaneously improving permeability and drying properties to reduce offset.
Solution Approach 2:
By precisely controlling the molecular weight range of resin (30,000-150,000) and the mass ratio of humectants, the patent optimizes the ink's physical parameters to balance viscosity stability with enhanced permeability, ensuring reliable ejection even after prolonged non-use periods.
3Productivity
If high-speed image formation is achieved with line-head-type apparatus, then productivity is improved, but ink offset occurs due to insufficient permeation time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the ink's chemical composition parameters including resin content (1.5-6.0% by mass), humectant ratios, and molecular weight characteristics to optimize flow and permeation properties. These parameter changes enable the ink to permeate recording media rapidly, supporting high-speed line-head printing while preventing offset.
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 formulation reduces the occurrence of ink offset and clogging, maintains stable viscosity, and ensures reliable ink ejection even after prolonged periods of non-use, enabling high-speed image formation with improved image density and reduced maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
a change in the viscosity of the ink due to the evaporation of water is liable to occur
Implementation Method 2
the permeability of the ink to the recording medium and drying properties of the ink are enhanced
Data Source
AI summary
An ink for an ink-jet recording apparatus contains water, a pigment, a resin, 1,3-propanediol, and an organic solvent. The resin has a weight-average molecular weight of 30,000 to 150,000. The content of the resin is 1.5% to 6.0% by mass with respect to the mass of the ink. The total content (P+Q) of the content of the glycerol (P) and the content of the 1,3-propanediol (Q) in the ink is 15% to 40% by mass with respect to the mass of the ink. The mass ratio (P/Q) is 0.25 to 1.00.