Inkjet Ink Solvents for Coated Paper Drying and Clogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet recording methods face issues with forming high-quality, full-color images on coated papers used in commercial printing due to poor ink absorption, leading to blurred images, low density, and nozzle clogging, while existing solutions either require complex printer structures or environmental pollutants.
Innovation Solution
An image forming method involving a pretreatment liquid, ink with specific organic solvents and surfactants, and an aftertreatment liquid to enhance ink penetration, drying, and rub resistance, using a polyalcohol, amide compound, and sebacic acid dialkylester, which improves ejection stability and drying properties without environmental harm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a water-soluble organic solvent having a high boiling point is added to inkjet ink to prevent nozzle clogging, then nozzle clogging is prevented, but the ink drying time is extended and images remain blurred when rubbed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the ink by incorporating specific polyalcohols (ethylene glycol, propylene glycol) with controlled boiling points and hygroscopic properties. This allows the ink to maintain sufficient drying speed while preventing nozzle clogging, resolving the contradiction between reliability and drying time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite ink formulation combining water, polyalcohols, dyes, and surfactants in specific proportions. This composite material achieves both rapid drying and nozzle protection simultaneously, overcoming the limitation of using single-component solvents
2Manufacturing precision
If coated papers with low ink absorbability are used for commercial printing, then printing quality is maintained, but ink penetration is poor causing blurred images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces surfactants (Tween 80, Triton X-100) as intermediary substances that mediate between the ink and the coated paper surface. These surfactants reduce surface tension and improve wetting, enabling better ink penetration and adhesion without compromising print quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the surface energy parameters of the ink formulation by adding specific surfactants, which changes how the ink interacts with the low-absorbency coated paper. This allows the ink to spread and adhere properly even on papers designed for conventional printing
3Manufacturing precision
If pigment inkjet inks are used on coated papers, then color images similar to commercial printing can be formed, but pigments are not fixed to the paper and images are easily scraped off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses polyalcohols and surfactants as intermediary substances that enhance pigment fixation to the coated paper. These intermediaries create strong adhesion between the pigment particles and the paper surface, preventing scraping while maintaining color quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent formulates a composite ink system where polyalcohols, surfactants, and pigments work together synergistically. The polyalcohols provide film-forming properties that lock pigments in place, while surfactants ensure uniform distribution and adhesion, achieving both color quality and fixation strength
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 method produces high-quality, full-color images with good drying and rub resistance on coated papers, preventing beading, color bleed, and nozzle clogging, while maintaining environmental sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
Since such coated papers cannot absorb a large amount of ink in a short time unlike inkjet recording papers, part of the ink, which is not well absorbed, is spread in the horizontal direction, thereby forming a blurred image
Implementation Method 2
an inkjet recording method (a first method) using a combination of a pigment ink having high penetrating property and a recording medium having low ink absorbability is proposed
Implementation Method 3
an ink including a colorant, an organic solvent, a surfactant and water
Implementation Method 4
adhering a pretreatment liquid to a surface of a recording medium bearing a coat layer thereon
Implementation Method 5
adhering an aftertreatment liquid to the surface of the recording medium, on which the image has been formed, to form a protective layer on at least the surface of the recording medium
Data Source
AI summary
An image forming method including adhering a pretreatment liquid to a surface of a recording medium bearing a coat layer thereon; adhering an ink including a colorant, an organic solvent, a surfactant and water to the surface of the recording medium to form an image of the ink; and adhering an aftertreatment liquid to the image-bearing surface of the recording medium to form a protective layer on at least the image on the recording medium. The organic solvent of the ink includes a polyalcohol having an equilibrium moisture content of not less than 30% by weight at 23° C. and 80% RH; a β-alkoxy-N,N-dimethylpropionamide compound, and at least one compound selected from 1,3-dioxane-4-methanol compounds, oxetane compounds, and sebacic acid dialkylester compounds.