Ink Composition Silicate Additive Plain Paper Curling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inkjet recording systems face issues with curling and image deformation on plain paper, particularly due to the interaction between ink and materials like glass or silicon in the printer components, leading to reduced design accuracy and image quality. Additionally, previous ink compositions have limitations in dispersion stability, light resistance, and water resistance.
Innovation Solution
An ink composition comprising water, a water-dispersible pigment, a water-soluble organic solvent with a solubility parameter of 27.5 or less, and a water-soluble silicate, along with a surfactant and resin particles, is developed. This composition includes a water-soluble alkali metal silicate and a pigment coated with a water-insoluble resin having an acidic group, which enhances dispersion stability and suppresses curling and image deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a large amount of ink is provided onto plain paper, then image density is improved, but curling phenomenon occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the ink composition by incorporating specific additives (surfactants, resins, antifungal agents) and adjusting the solvent system. These parameter changes modify the ink's interaction with plain paper, allowing sufficient ink deposition for good image density while controlling drying characteristics to minimize curling.
Solution Approach 2:
The ink composition uses a composite formulation combining multiple components: water-soluble dyes, specific surfactants (nonionic and anionic), resin particles, and antifungal agents. This composite approach balances multiple functions - image formation, paper adhesion, curling control, and storage stability - enabling high image density without excessive curling.
2Shape
If water-based ink containing low polarity solvent is used to suppress curling, then curling is alleviated, but storage stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the polarity parameter of the solvent system by selecting specific water-soluble organic solvents with controlled polarity. This allows the ink to have reduced curling effect while maintaining adequate storage stability through balanced solvent composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces surfactants and resin particles as intermediary substances that mediate between the ink components and plain paper. These intermediaries improve wetting and adhesion without requiring excessive low-polarity solvents, thus suppressing curling while preserving storage stability.
3Ease of manufacture
If glass or silicon members are used in ink jet printer for ease of microfabrication, then manufacturing ease is improved, but material elution into ink occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces antifungal agents and specific surfactants as intermediary substances that form a protective interface between the ink and glass/silicon components. This intermediary layer prevents direct harmful interactions and material elution, maintaining both the manufacturing advantages of glass/silicon and the reliability of the printing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs antifungal agents and protective additives that can be easily replenished or replaced. These short-living protective components continuously shield the glass/silicon members from ink degradation, maintaining design accuracy without requiring complex protective structures.
4Reliability
If conventional ink composition is used to achieve good fixability, then image fixability is improved, but light resistance and water resistance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite ink formulation combining water-soluble dyes with specific surfactants, resin particles, and antifungal agents. This composite structure provides good image fixability through enhanced adhesion while simultaneously improving light and water resistance through the protective and stabilizing properties of the additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the ink composition by incorporating substances that enhance durability. The adjusted formulation maintains good fixability while adding light resistance and water resistance properties through carefully selected additives and their interactions.
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 ink composition effectively reduces curling and image deformation on plain paper, improves discharge reliability, and enhances light resistance and water resistance, ensuring stable inkjet performance and high-quality image formation.
Implementation Method 1
a water-soluble silicate, the water-soluble silicate being comprised in an amount of from 0.0001% by mass to 0.5% by mass with respect to a total mass of the ink composition
Implementation Method 2
a surfactant and a water-soluble silicate
Implementation Method 3
a water-soluble organic solvent including a water-soluble organic solvent having a value of solubility parameter (SP) of 27.5 or less in an amount of 70% by mass or more with respect to a total mass of the water-soluble organic solvent
Implementation Method 4
a pigment coated with a water-insoluble resin having an acidic group
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides an ink composition including water, a colorant, a water-soluble organic solvent, a surfactant and a water-soluble silicate, the water-soluble silicate being comprised in an amount of from 0.0001% by mass to 0.5% by mass with respect to a total mass of the ink composition, and the water-soluble organic solvent including a water-soluble organic solvent having a value of solubility parameter (SP) of 27.5 or less in an amount of 40% by mass or more with respect to a total mass of the water-soluble organic solvent; an ink composition including a water-soluble alkali metal silicate and a pigment coated with a water-insoluble resin, the water-insoluble resin including a structural unit having an acidic group; and an ink composition including a water-soluble alkali metal silicate, self-dispersing polymer particles, and a pigment.