Ink Jet Recording Ink Segmentation for Plain Paper Density
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current ink jet recording technologies fail to achieve high-speed image formation on plain paper with clear, high-density images that prevent bleeding, strike-through, and maintain sharpness of small characters, while ensuring good water fastness and preventing clogging.
Innovation Solution
An ink jet image-forming method using inks with self-dispersion pigments, specific water-soluble compounds, and a thermal ink jet system, where the ink is applied in a fixed amount of 0.5 pl to 6.0 pl, divided into multiple applications with a duty of 80% or more and a total amount of 5.0 μl/cm2 or less, to inhibit clogging and achieve high image density and water fastness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If ink is applied in large amount to achieve high image density, then image density is improved, but strike through and bleeding occur
Solution Approach 1:
The ink application process is divided into multiple stages: initial application of ink composition, followed by application of a fixative solution. This segmentation allows the ink to be applied in controlled amounts without causing strike through, while the fixative solution subsequently binds the ink particles to achieve high image density without bleeding.
Solution Approach 2:
A fixative solution acts as an intermediary substance between the ink composition and the paper. The fixative solution contains compounds that bind to both the ink particles and the paper fibers, creating a stable connection that prevents strike through and bleeding while maintaining high image density.
2Productivity
If ink is applied quickly to achieve high-speed recording, then productivity is improved, but image quality and fixation become insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The recording process uses continuous ink ejection followed by immediate continuous application of fixative solution. This continuous action ensures that ink is fixed rapidly without compromising image quality, maintaining both high-speed recording and high fixation quality simultaneously.
3Reliability
If conventional ink composition is used to achieve water fastness, then water resistance is improved, but bleeding between colors and poor small character printing remain
Solution Approach 1:
The fixative solution contains compounds with specific molecular weights and chemical properties that change the physical and chemical parameters at the ink-paper interface. These parameter changes create a stable bond that prevents color boundary bleeding and character defacement while maintaining water fastness.
4Quantity of substance
If ink amount is increased to improve image density, then image quality is improved, but clogging of ejection nozzles occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The ink application is segmented into small, controlled droplets applied in rapid succession, rather than using large volumes. This segmentation allows high image density to be achieved through multiple thin layers, preventing clogging of ejection nozzles while maintaining excellent image density.
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 method enables high-speed ink fixation, clear and high-quality image formation, prevention of bleeding and strike-through, and maintains sharpness of small characters, addressing the limitations of prior art by ensuring excellent water fastness and image density.
Implementation Method 1
the ink comprises a self-dispersion pigment, water, a water-soluble compound having a coefficient of hydrophilicity-hydrophobicity of 0.37 or more as defined by the following equation (A) and a water-soluble compound having a coefficient of hydrophilicity-hydrophobicity of 0.25 or less as defined by the following equation (A), and has a surface tension of 34 mN/m or less
Implementation Method 2
a thermal ink jet system, where the ink is applied in a fixed amount of 0.5 pl to 6.0 pl
Data Source
AI summary
An ink jet image-forming method for forming an image by applying an ink in a fixed amount of 0.5 pl or more to 6.0 pl or less to plain paper. The ink contains a self-dispersion pigment, water, a water-soluble compound having a coefficient of hydrophilicity-hydrophobicity of 0.37 or more as defined by the equation (A) stated in the description and a water-soluble compound having a coefficient of hydrophilicity-hydrophobicity of 0.25 or less, and has a surface tension of 34 mN/m or less. The application of the ink is divided into plural times when an image having a portion where the ink is applied in a duty of 80% or more and an amount of 5.0 μl/cm2 or less in total is formed in a basic matrix for forming the image, and the amount of the ink applied at each of the times divided is 0.7 μl/cm2 or less.