Inkjet compositions and processes for stretchable substrates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing on flexible and absorptive substrates like textiles faces challenges with ink absorption, bleeding, and durability, particularly in creating high-quality, long-lasting images that resist wear and tear, washing, and environmental exposure, while meeting standards like Oeko-Tex and GOTS.
Innovation Solution
A novel ink composition comprising inter-reactive agents that form an elastic film upon contact with the substrate, using a multi-part system where components congeal upon interaction to prevent absorption and ensure durability and adhesion, with specific carriers and crosslinking agents to achieve a low glass transition temperature for flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional inkjet compositions are used on absorptive substrates, then ink absorption occurs, but image durability and wash-fastness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using a pretreatment composition containing crosslinking agents and film-forming polymers that are applied to the substrate before inkjet printing. This pretreatment layer creates a controlled surface that prevents excessive ink absorption into the substrate while maintaining substrate flexibility and wash-fastness of the printed image.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining multiple components in the inkjet composition including crosslinking agents, film-forming polymers, and functional additives that work together to create a durable printed layer. The composite nature of both the pretreatment and ink compositions enables simultaneous achievement of ink retention, flexibility, and wash-fastness.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the printed area is made flexible and stretchable, then substrate adaptability improves, but image integrity and resistance to cracking worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the film-forming polymers in the range of -50°C to 0°C, and adjusting the molecular weight and composition ratios of polymer components. These parameter optimizations enable the printed layer to maintain flexibility and stretchability while resisting cracking and preserving image integrity during substrate deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses flexible shells and thin films by incorporating elastomeric polymers and plasticizers that form a flexible printed layer capable of stretching and bending with the substrate. This flexible film structure prevents cracking while maintaining image integrity during substrate deformation.
3Manufacturing precision
If high concentration of colorants is used, then image quality improves, but bleeding and feathering worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by incorporating surfactants, wetting agents, and viscosity modifiers in the inkjet composition that mediate between the colorant and substrate interaction. These additives control ink flow and distribution, preventing bleeding and feathering while maintaining high colorant concentration for superior image quality.
4Reliability
If the ink composition is optimized for adhesion, then durability improves, but substrate hand-feel and flexibility worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by optimizing the composition and thickness of the printed layer locally on the substrate surface, while maintaining the bulk substrate properties unchanged. The printed layer provides adhesion and durability where needed, while the substrate retains its natural hand-feel and flexibility in non-printed areas and overall structure.
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 enables high-quality, durable, and flexible color images on stretchable substrates with improved wash-fastness and chemical resistance, maintaining image integrity and substrate flexibility, while adhering to regulatory standards.
Implementation Method 1
components congeal upon interaction to prevent absorption and ensure durability and adhesion
Implementation Method 2
specific carriers and crosslinking agents to achieve a low glass transition temperature for flexibility
Implementation Method 3
form an elastic film upon contact with the substrate, maintaining image integrity and substrate flexibility
Data Source
AI summary
Novel inkjet ink compositions for forming an image in a form of an elastic film attached to a surface of a stretchable and/or flexible substrate and processes utilizing same for inkjet printing color images on various substrates such as colored and absorptive or impregnable stretchable materials, which are characterized by heightened efficiency in process time, ink and energy consumption, as well as products having durable, wash-fast and abrasion-fast images printed thereon by the process, are disclosed. The novel ink compositions comprise a first part, which contains a property-adjusting agent and a carrier, and a second part which contains an emulsified property-sensitive proto-elastomeric film-forming agent, a colorant and a carrier, such that the second part congeals upon contact with the property-adjusting agent. The second part is digitally applied to the substrate less than 1 second following the application of the first part to the substrate.