Inkjet Coating Composition Using Precipitated Calcium Carbonate and Silica
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional coated papers for inkjet printing lack durability and image quality due to issues with dye-based inks and the high cost of specialty media containing high-surface-area pigments, which are necessary for high-speed inkjet printing, leading to increased manufacturing costs and reduced competitiveness with analog and digital printing methods.
Innovation Solution
A novel coating composition for glossy inkjet media using a combination of precipitated calcium carbonate, silica with high surface area, and ground calcium carbonate or clays, with a high solid content and specific particle size distributions, to enhance absorption, durability, and resistance to highlighter smear, while maintaining low manufacturing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional coated papers are used for inkjet printing, then manufacturing cost is low, but image quality and durability are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple pigment types (high-surface-area pigment, extender pigment, and filler) in specific proportions within the coating composition. This composite approach creates a synergistic effect where the high-surface-area pigment provides absorption and durability, the extender pigment enhances image quality and reduces mottling, and the filler provides cost-effectiveness, thereby achieving both high image quality and durability without excessive cost
2Manufacturing precision
If specialty media containing high-surface-area pigments is used, then image quality and absorption are improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the functional roles of different pigments in different regions of the coating layer. The high-surface-area pigment is positioned to provide absorption and durability functions, while extender pigments and fillers are distributed to provide image quality enhancement and cost-effectiveness. This localized functional distribution allows the coating to achieve high performance without requiring expensive high-surface-area pigments throughout the entire coating composition
3Reliability
If high-surface-area pigments are used in coating, then absorption and durability are enhanced, but highlighter smear resistance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the highlighter smear issue by creating a composite coating where extender pigments and fillers are combined with high-surface-area pigments in specific proportions. The extender pigments and fillers create a more robust coating matrix that resists highlighter penetration, while the high-surface-area pigment maintains absorption and durability. This composite structure prevents highlighter-induced damage to the binder-pigment aggregate layer
4Quantity of substance
If traditional coating compositions are used, then manufacturing cost is low, but print mottling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by strategically distributing extender pigments and fillers within the coating composition to address print mottling. These pigments are positioned to provide optical uniformity and reduce mottling effects in the printed image, while the high-surface-area pigment maintains absorption performance. This localized functional distribution achieves print uniformity without requiring expensive specialty pigments throughout the entire coating
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 novel coating composition achieves improved image quality, reduced print mottling, and enhanced durability, including highlighter smear resistance, while maintaining competitiveness with traditional analog and digital printing methods and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The coating composition may find use in connection with inkjet technology, and in particular, with absorption of liquid by the coating composition
Data Source
AI summary
A coated medium for inkjet printing is disclosed. The coated medium includes a coating layer formed on at least one side of a supporting substrate. The coating layer includes precipitated calcium carbonate with an average particle size of less than about 1 micron, silica with a surface area of greater than 100 m2/g, a third inorganic pigment with an average particle size greater than that of precipitated calcium carbonate and selected from the group consisting of ground calcium carbonate (GCC) and clays, and at least one binder, wherein silica is present in an amount of at least 15 parts based on 100 parts of inorganic pigments in total.