Ink jet textile-printing ink composition, recording method, and recorded material

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Ink jet textile-printing ink compositions using acidic dyes with high hydrophobicity face issues of nozzle plugging and poor ejection reliability due to low solubility, affecting the formation of predetermined patterns.

Innovation Solution

An ink jet textile-printing ink composition containing an acidic dye with water solubility of 30 g/L or less, combined with a glycol-based and cyclic-amide-based solvent, including ε-caprolactam and N-hydroxyethyl-2-pyrrolidone, to enhance wet color fastness and prevent nozzle plugging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an acidic dye with high hydrophobicity is used, then wet color fastness is improved, but solubility decreases causing nozzle plugging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewet color fastnessVSAvoidsolubility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces glycol-based solvents and cyclic-amide-based solvents as intermediary substances that mediate between the hydrophobic acidic dye and water. These intermediary solvents enhance the solubility of hydrophobic dyes in the aqueous ink formulation, preventing precipitation and nozzle plugging while allowing the dyes to maintain their hydrophobic character for achieving high wet color fastness on fabric

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution ensures excellent ejection reliability and wet color fastness of the recorded material, reducing nozzle plugging and maintaining stable ink jet performance.

Implementation Method 1

an ink jet textile-printing ink composition contains an acidic dye having water solubility of 30 g/L or less at 20° C., a water-soluble organic solvent, and water, wherein a glycol-based solvent and a cyclic-amide-based solvent are contained as the water-soluble organic solvent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS12486415B2Ink jet textile-printing ink composition, recording method, and recorded material
Publication Date: 2025.12.02 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

An ink jet textile-printing ink composition according to the present disclosure contains an acidic dye having water solubility of 30 g/L or less at 20° C., a water-soluble organic solvent, and water, wherein a glycol-based solvent and a cyclic-amide-based solvent are contained as the water-soluble organic solvent, and the cyclic-amide-based solvent contains one or both of ε-caprolactam and N-hydroxyethyl-2-pyrrolidone.