Ink Jet Ink Composition for Sublimation Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ink jet inks for sublimation transfer face challenges with limited dye solubility, leading to clogging issues and restricted color options due to high solubility requirements, and high-temperature environments cause crystallization, further exacerbating nozzle clogging.

Innovation Solution

The use of a combination of disperse dyes with different molecular weights, where one dye has an anthraquinone skeleton and a water-soluble group, and another with a higher molecular weight and lower solubility, along with a water-soluble organic solvent, to enhance stability and prevent clogging, allowing for a broader range of hues without nozzle clogging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If disperse dye solubility is limited to 10^-3 or less, then ink stability is improved with less clogging and precipitation, but the kinds of dyes satisfying such solubility are limited making it difficult to obtain desired hue

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveink stabilityVSAvoidhue selection range
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The ink composition is segmented into multiple dye components with different solubility characteristics. Dye A (higher solubility) provides hue variety while Dye B (lower solubility ≤10^-3) provides stability. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function without compromising the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite dye system combining disperse dyes with different molecular weights and solubilities. The composite formulation (Dye A + Dye B) achieves both hue versatility and ink stability that cannot be obtained with a single dye type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If disperse dye has relatively high solubility, then hue can be properly adjusted, but crystallization occurs by leaving ink composition to stand in high-temperature environment causing clogging of ink jet nozzles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehue adjustment capabilityVSAvoiddischarging stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dye system is divided into Dye A (higher solubility, MW ≤380) for hue adjustment and Dye B (lower solubility, MW ≥400) for preventing crystallization. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by assigning different functional roles to each dye component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the molecular weight parameter and solubility characteristics of the dye components. By selecting dyes with specific molecular weights (≤380 and ≥400) and controlling their solubility ratio, the system achieves both hue versatility and thermal stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If ink composition contains dyes with different molecular weights and solubilities, then discharging stability and clogging recoverability are improved, but the composition complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclogging recoverabilityVSAvoidink composition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention establishes specific parameter ranges for the dye components (molecular weight ≤380 and ≥400, solubility ratio Dye A/Dye B > 1, Dye B solubility ≤10^-3). These defined parameters simplify the formulation process despite using multiple dye types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach results in improved discharging stability, clogging recoverability, and the ability to achieve desired hues without limitations, while maintaining ink jet nozzle functionality even after standing in high-temperature environments.

Implementation Method 1

ink jet ink composition for sublimation transfer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSublimation: Sublimation

Implementation Method 2

transferring the disperse dye included in the ink jet ink composition for sublimation transfer to a recording medium by heating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS9534128B2Ink jet ink composition for sublimation transfer, ink set, and method of manufacturing dyed product
Publication Date: 2017.01.03 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

An ink jet ink composition for sublimation transfer includes dye A and a dye B, in which the dye A is a disperse dye which has a molecular weight of 380 or less and an anthraquinone skeleton having a water-soluble group in a molecule, the dye B is a disperse dye which has a molecular weight of 400 or greater, and in the ink jet ink composition for sublimation transfer, dye solubility of the dye A is greater than dye solubility of the dye B.