Ink Jet Ink Composition for Non-Absorbing Media
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ink jet inks face challenges in achieving excellent image quality, abrasion resistance, and clogging recovery when used on low-absorbing or non-absorbing recording media, such as plastic films, due to issues with wet spreadability, clogging, and storage stability, particularly with high boiling point solvents like glycerin.
Innovation Solution
A water-based ink jet ink composition incorporating a specific combination of alkylene glycol monoether, alkanediol, and amine, with a mass ratio of 0.2 to 0.9, and a content of 8 to 30% by mass, along with a surfactant and water-dispersible resin, to enhance wet spreadability, abrasion resistance, and storage stability while minimizing clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a water-based ink jet ink composition containing a glycol monoether solvent (3-methoxy-1-butanol) is used to improve image quality on non-absorbing recording media, then wet spreadability is improved, but clogging occurs in the ink jet head and storage stability degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the ink by introducing a specific amine compound (formula 1) with controlled molecular structure and content (0.1-10% by mass), while adjusting the glycol monoether content to 1-20% by mass. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction by finding the optimal balance between wet spreadability enhancement and clogging prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite ink formulation combining water, glycol monoether solvent, specific amine compound, and optional additives in precise proportions. This composite approach allows the synergistic interaction between components to achieve both improved image quality on non-absorbing media and reduced clogging incidence.
2Manufacturing precision
If a glycol monoether solvent (3-methoxy-1-butanol) is contained in the ink to improve wet spreadability, then image quality is improved, but dispersion stability of ink components degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of the amine compound (0.1-10% by mass) and glycol monoether (1-20% by mass) to achieve the optimal balance between wet spreadability and dispersion stability. This controlled parameter adjustment prevents excessive solvent action that would degrade ink component stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The specific amine compound acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between the glycol monoether solvent and other ink components. It provides a bridging function that maintains dispersion stability while allowing the solvent to enhance wet spreadability for improved image quality.
3Stability of the object's composition
If water is used as a primary component in the ink composition, then storage stability is improved, but wet spreadability on non-absorbing recording media degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the ink composition parameters by introducing a specific amine compound with controlled content (0.1-10% by mass) and optimizing the water-glycol monoether-amine ratio. This parameter change enables the ink to achieve both good storage stability and improved wet spreadability on non-absorbing recording media.
Solution Approach 2:
The amine compound serves as an intermediary that facilitates better interaction between water and the non-absorbing recording medium surface. It acts as a bridge that enhances wet spreadability while maintaining the water-based composition's inherent storage stability.
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 achieves improved image quality, abrasion resistance, and storage stability while maintaining a balance between drying properties and clogging recovery, even on non-absorbing media like plastic films.
Implementation Method 1
the water-soluble low molecular weight organic compound contains an alkylene glycol monoether (B) represented by general formula (1) having a standard boiling point of 210° C. or less and an alkanediol (A) having a standard boiling point of 210° C. or less
Implementation Method 2
the water-based ink is not likely to wet-spread on the recording medium, and as a result, an image quality (wet spreadability) is disadvantageously liable to be degraded
Data Source
AI summary
A water-based ink jet ink composition according to the present disclosure includes: a colorant; an amine; and a water-soluble low molecular weight organic compound and is used for recording on a non-absorbing recording medium or a low-absorbing recording medium. The water-soluble low molecular weight organic compound contains an alkylene glycol monoether (B) represented by general formula (1) having a standard boiling point of 210° C. or less and an alkanediol (A) having a standard boiling point of 210° C. or less at a mass ratio (B/A) of 0.2 to 0.9, a content of a water-soluble low molecular weight organic compound having a standard boiling point of 250° C. or less is 8 to 30 percent by mass with respect to a total mass of the ink composition, a water-soluble low molecular weight organic compound which is an alkane polyol having a standard boiling point of more than 250° C. is not contained at a content of more than 3 percent by mass with respect to the total mass of the ink composition, and a content of the amine with respect to the total mass of the ink composition is 5 percent by mass or less.In the general formula (1), R1 represents an alkylene group having 2 to 5 carbon atoms, R2 represents an alkyl group having 1 or 2 carbon atoms, and n represents 1 or 2.