Ink Jet Ink Composition Suppressing Air Bubbles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet recording technologies face issues with air bubble formation and foreign matter generation due to the use of resin particles and surfactants in ink compositions, leading to clogging and reduced print quality, especially when the ink contains resin particles that are not soluble in water.
Innovation Solution
An aqueous ink jet ink composition incorporating a self-dispersing pigment, a water-soluble resin, and betaine, with specific mass ratios and concentrations, is used to minimize air bubble formation and foreign matter generation, enhancing jetting stability and image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If resin particles are used in ink composition to improve color developability and rub resistance, then image quality is improved, but air bubbles and foreign matter are generated causing clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the ink composition by using self-dispersing pigment with specific surface treatment and controlling the ratio of pigment to resin particles within 4:1 to 20:1. This parameter optimization allows resin particles to be effectively utilized for image quality while minimizing air bubble formation and foreign matter generation that cause clogging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite ink system combining self-dispersing pigment with specifically treated resin particles. The resin particles are surface-treated to be compatible with the self-dispersing pigment mechanism, forming a composite material system where both components work synergistically to provide excellent color developability and rub resistance without the harmful effects of traditional resin particle inks.
2Productivity
If atmosphere open type ink container is used to enable continuous printing, then productivity is improved, but air bubbles form and foreign matter generates at gas-liquid interface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of air contact in atmosphere open containers into a benefit by using self-dispersing pigment technology. The self-dispersing pigment's unique surface properties prevent air bubbles from forming and sticking to pigment particles, and prevent foreign matter generation at the gas-liquid interface, thereby enabling continuous printing without the usual drawbacks of atmosphere open container systems.
3Reliability
If pigment content is increased to improve color developability, then image quality is improved, but viscosity increases causing jetting instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the composition parameters by controlling pigment content at 3.5% to 8.5% and maintaining pigment-to-resin ratio between 4:1 and 20:1. These parameter changes ensure sufficient color developability while preventing excessive viscosity that would compromise jetting stability in piezoelectric inkjet systems.
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 composition effectively suppresses air bubble formation and foreign matter generation, improving clogging resistance and image fastness while maintaining excellent color developability and print quality.
Implementation Method 1
an ink jet ink composition including: a self-dispersing pigment; a water-soluble resin; and a betaine
Implementation Method 2
a betaine, in which the ink jet ink composition is used for an ink jet recording device that includes an ink storage container having an ink filling hole
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an aqueous ink jet ink composition including a self-dispersing pigment, a water-soluble resin, and a betaine, in which the ink jet ink composition is used by an ink jet recording device that includes an ink storage container having an ink filling hole, a content of the self-dispersing pigment is 3.5% by mass or greater and 8.5% by mass or less with respect to a total mass of the ink composition, a mass ratio (self-dispersing pigment/water-soluble resin) of the self-dispersing pigment to the water-soluble resin is 2.8 or greater and less than 30, and a content of the betaine is 2.5% by mass or greater and 9.5% by mass or less with respect to the total mass of the ink composition.