Ink Jet Recording Method for Glossy Output and Clogging Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing ink jet recording methods face issues with poor glossiness and ink jet head clogging stability, particularly when clear ink is applied simultaneously with color ink, leading to adhesion problems and reduced clogging stability.

Innovation Solution

An ink jet recording method involving a two-step process where a color ink composition is first applied to the medium, followed by a clear ink composition without color materials, with distinct drying temperatures to achieve optimal glossiness and clogging stability, using specific resin types like acrylic, urethane, or polyester resins, and avoiding aprotic polar solvents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If clear ink is applied simultaneously with color ink, then printing efficiency is improved, but glossiness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting efficiencyVSAvoidglossiness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The printing process is divided into two separate steps: first printing the color ink, then printing the clear ink as a finishing coat. This segmentation allows each ink type to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between printing efficiency and glossiness by eliminating the interference that occurs when both inks are applied simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The color ink is printed first as a preliminary step before applying the clear ink. This preliminary action ensures that the color layer is properly established and can interact with the clear ink layer to produce the desired glossy effect, which cannot be achieved when both inks are applied at the same time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If clear ink is applied simultaneously with color ink, then printing efficiency is improved, but ink jet head clogging stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting efficiencyVSAvoidink jet head clogging stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The printing process is divided into separate steps for color ink and clear ink, preventing the mixing of incompatible ink formulations. This segmentation eliminates the adhesion problems that occur when clear ink containing resin is mixed with color ink, thereby maintaining ink jet head clogging stability while still achieving efficient printing through sequential processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clear ink serves as an intermediary finishing coat that is applied after the color ink has been deposited. This intermediary approach allows the clear ink to enhance the appearance and protect the color ink without causing adhesion problems, as the two inks are applied in sequence rather than simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If clear ink containing resin is used to enhance glossiness, then image quality is improved, but ink jet head clogging stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveglossinessVSAvoidink jet head clogging stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The color ink is printed first as a preliminary step before applying the clear ink containing resin. This preliminary action ensures that the color layer is properly established and can interact with the clear ink layer to produce the desired glossy effect, which cannot be achieved when both inks are applied at the same time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This method results in a highly glossy and durable recorded object with improved color fastness to rubbing, while minimizing ink jet head clogging and maintaining efficient ink ejection stability.

Implementation Method 1

a heating unit for heating the recorded object; a drying unit for drying an image formed by ejecting the ink composition toward the medium to be recorded

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Implementation Method 2

a drying unit for drying an image formed by ejecting the ink composition toward the medium to be recorded

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS9085173B2Ink jet recording method and recording apparatus

Publication Date: 2015.07.21 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

An ink jet recording method includes using at least a first ink composition containing a color material and a second ink composition containing a resin as well as substantially not containing a color material, including: a first recording step recording the first ink composition onto a medium to be recorded; a second recording step recording the second ink composition onto the image; a second drying step of drying the image at a first temperature, which is performed during execution of the second recording step or thereafter; and a third drying step of drying the image at a second temperature which exceeds the first temperature after the second drying step; in which, the second ink composition does not substantially contain an aprotic polar solvent, and the heat deformation temperature of the resin exceeds the first temperature and is lower than the second temperature.