Ink Treatment Solution Set for Poorly Absorbable Media

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current ink jet recording methods using water-based ink on poorly absorbable recording media face challenges in achieving improved image quality due to limitations in the interaction between the ink and the recording medium.

Innovation Solution

An ink treatment solution set is developed, comprising a water-based ink composition and a treatment solution with specific dynamic surface tension characteristics, including a coagulant, which are ejected from an ink jet head to adhere to the recording medium, optimizing the ink's adhesion and spreading properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If water-based ink is used on poorly absorbable recording medium, then the ink can be ejected and recorded, but the image quality is insufficient due to poor adhesion and spreading

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidink adhesion and spreading

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A treatment solution containing a coagulant is introduced as an intermediary between the water-based ink and the poorly absorbable recording medium. The treatment solution is ejected together with the ink to promote proper adhesion and spreading of the ink on the recording medium surface, thereby improving image quality without sacrificing ink reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic surface tension of the treatment solution is precisely controlled within the range of 32.0-36.0 mN/m at 10 ms with a specific difference (6.0-10.0 mN/m) between dynamic surface tension at 10 ms and 1000 ms. This parameter optimization enables the treatment solution to effectively promote ink adhesion and spreading on poorly absorbable recording media

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If coagulant-containing treatment solution is added to improve image quality, then adhesion and spreading are enhanced, but coagulation irregularities and pinholes may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidcoagulation irregularities and pinholes

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The treatment solution exhibits dynamic surface tension characteristics that change over time, with the surface tension at 10 ms being lower than at 1000 ms. This dynamic property allows the treatment solution to initially promote ink spreading and adhesion, then stabilize the coagulation process to prevent irregularities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If the dynamic surface tension of the treatment solution is optimized for adhesion, then image quality improves, but the formulation becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidsolution formulation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The treatment solution contains a coagulant (polyvalent metal salt, cationic polymer, or organic acid) and a surfactant, with the dynamic surface tension precisely controlled within 32.0-36.0 mN/m at 10 ms. This parameter optimization achieves effective ink adhesion and spreading improvement while maintaining manageable formulation complexity through the use of conventional chemical components

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

The solution enhances image quality by ensuring proper adhesion and spreading of the ink on poorly absorbable media, reducing coagulation irregularities and pinholes, while maintaining excellent rubbing resistance.

Implementation Method 1

a treatment solution that contains a coagulant, is ejected from an ink jet head

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoagulation: Coagulation

Implementation Method 2

any one of the ink composition and the treatment solution has a dynamic surface tension of greater than 32.0 mN/m and less than 36.0 mN/m at 10 ms and has a difference of equal to or greater than 6.0 mN/m and equal to or less than 10.0 mN/m between the dynamic surface tension at 10 ms and a dynamic surface tension at 1000 ms

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension: Surface Tension

Data Source

PatentUS11414562B2Ink treatment solution set, ink jet recording method, and ink jet recording apparatus

Publication Date: 2022.08.16 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

Provided is an ink treatment solution set including: an ink composition that is water-based ink jet ink containing a coloring material; and a treatment solution that contains a coagulant, is ejected from an ink jet head, and is used for recording, in which any one of the ink composition and the treatment solution has a dynamic surface tension of greater than 32.0 mN/m and less than 36.0 mN/m at 10 ms and has a difference of equal to or greater than 6.0 mN/m and equal to or less than 10.0 mN/m between the dynamic surface tension at 10 ms and a dynamic surface tension at 1000 ms, an other one of the ink composition and the treatment solution has a dynamic surface tension of greater than 34.5 mN/m and less than 36.5 mN/m at 10 ms and has a difference of equal to or greater than 8.0 mN/m and equal to or less than 10.0 mN/m between the dynamic surface tension at 10 ms and a dynamic surface tension at 1000 ms, and the ink treatment solution set is used for recording on a poorly absorbable recording medium.