Ink Jet Recording Undercoating for Uniformity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ink jet recording methods face challenges in achieving uniformity and preventing bleeding or unevenness in line width and color on various recording media, especially when using low-resolution head units or small ink amounts, due to ink droplet coalescence and varying absorption properties of the media.
Innovation Solution
The method involves applying an undercoating liquid containing an oligomer and partially curing it on the recording medium, followed by ejecting ink droplets onto the partially cured layer to prevent coalescence and maintain dot shape, ensuring high density and uniformity across the image.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ink droplets are ejected onto non-absorbing recording medium, then image formation speed is improved, but image bleeding and unevenness occur due to droplet coalescence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a radiation-curable undercoating liquid to the recording medium before ejecting the ink droplets. This undercoating layer is then partially cured by radiation to create a surface that prevents ink droplet coalescence while allowing rapid image formation. The preliminary preparation of the undercoating layer resolves the contradiction by enabling both high-speed printing and image uniformity on non-absorbing media.
Solution Approach 2:
The radiation-curable undercoating liquid serves as an intermediary layer between the ink droplets and the non-absorbing recording medium. This intermediate layer provides the necessary surface properties to prevent droplet coalescence and image bleeding, while allowing the ink to be firmly fixed. The undercoating layer mediates the interaction between ink and substrate, resolving the uniformity issue without sacrificing printing speed.
2Ease of manufacture
If small ink amounts are used with low-resolution head units, then device cost is reduced, but image density and uniformity deteriorate due to dot coalescence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares a radiation-curable undercoating layer on the recording medium before ink ejection. This preliminary treatment creates a surface that allows even distribution and firm fixation of small ink droplets from low-resolution head units. The undercoating layer ensures that dots maintain their shape and do not coalesce, achieving high image density and uniformity despite using cost-effective, low-resolution printing equipment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If ink is ejected onto varying recording media, then adaptability is improved, but image uniformity worsens due to different absorption properties
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation-curable undercoating liquid serves as a universal preparatory layer that can be applied to various types of recording media (absorbing, non-absorbing, transparent, opaque). This undercoating layer provides consistent surface properties across different media types, enabling uniform ink fixation and preventing coalescence regardless of the underlying substrate's absorption characteristics. The multi-functional undercoating layer resolves the contradiction between media adaptability and image uniformity.
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 effectively suppresses image bleeding and unevenness, allowing for high-density, clear image reproduction with low dot density and small ink amounts, particularly effective on non-permeable media and using low-cost, low-resolution head units.
Implementation Method 1
irradiating with actinic energy rays or heat to half-cure the applied undercoating liquid
Implementation Method 2
irradiating with actinic energy rays or heat to half-cure the applied undercoating liquid; the ink droplets contain a polymerizable or crosslinkable material for formation of an image
Data Source
Figure 1A~1D
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An ink jet recording method comprising: applying an undercoating liquid containing an oligomer onto a recording medium; partially curing the undercoating liquid that has been applied onto the recording medium; and recording an image by ejecting an ink that is curable by irradiation of actinic energy onto the partially cured undercoating liquid. According to the invention, an image having excellent uniformity can be recorded on various types of recording media, irrespective of the type thereof, ink bleeding and unevenness in line width or color due to coalescence of ink droplets can be effectively suppressed, and an image with high density and a uniform dot diameter can be recorded when the image has low dot density such as low image resolution or image density.