Inkjet Ink Sets for Consistent Adhesion on Non-Absorbing Substrates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing on a wide variety of substrates, including non-absorbing materials like glass and metal, often results in inconsistent image quality and adhesion issues due to the complexity and cost of adapting inkjet inks and printers, as well as the need for time-consuming changes in ink sets and substrate pre-treatment.
Innovation Solution
The use of inkjet ink sets comprising two or more color inks of the same color and color density but with different compositions, which are mixed prior to printing to achieve consistent spreading and adhesion on various substrates without requiring adjustments to the printer or substrate pre-treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If different ink sets are used for different substrate types, then adhesion and spreading control is improved, but device complexity and operational time increase due to frequent ink changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a universal ink set formulation that can be used across multiple substrate types without requiring ink changes. The ink composition is designed to adapt to different substrate properties (absorbent, non-absorbent, porous, non-porous) while maintaining consistent adhesion and spreading characteristics, eliminating the need for frequent ink set changes between substrate types
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies ink formulation parameters (such as solvent composition, viscosity, surface tension, and drying time) to create a flexible ink system that can accommodate various substrate properties. By adjusting these parameters within a single ink set, the system achieves reliable adhesion control across different substrate types without requiring physical ink changes
2Reliability
If surface treatment (corona or plasma) is applied to substrates, then ink spreading and adhesion are improved, but processing cost and equipment complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the surface treatment function from the substrate preparation process and transfers it to the ink formulation itself. Instead of treating the substrate surface with corona or plasma equipment, the ink contains chemical components that provide adhesion promotion and surface activation, eliminating the need for separate surface treatment equipment and reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces chemical intermediaries (adhesion promoters, coupling agents, or surface-active compounds) into the ink formulation that mediate the interaction between ink and substrate. These intermediaries create a chemical bridge that enhances adhesion on diverse substrate surfaces without requiring physical or electrical surface treatment equipment
3Reliability
If substrate pre-treatment is performed, then ink adhesion on non-absorbing substrates is improved, but processing time and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates adhesion-promoting components and surface-preparation functions directly into the ink formulation during manufacturing. This preliminary action ensures that the ink is pre-conditioned to bond effectively with various substrates upon application, eliminating the need for time-consuming pre-treatment steps and maintaining high processing speeds
4Manufacturing precision
If ink composition is optimized for specific substrates, then image quality is improved, but adaptability to different substrates decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite ink formulation that combines multiple functional components (different solvents, resins, adhesion promoters, and pigments) into a single versatile ink set. This composite structure allows the ink to simultaneously provide high image quality on specific substrates while maintaining adaptability to other substrate types through the synergistic interaction of its components
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
This approach allows for consistent image quality and improved adhesion on diverse substrates without the need for complex printer adaptations or substrate pre-treatment, enhancing productivity and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
water-based, the drying mechanism involving absorption, penetration and evaporation
Implementation Method 2
water-based, the drying mechanism involving absorption, penetration and evaporation
Implementation Method 3
adhesion problems were sometimes observed on using different types of non-absorbing ink-receivers
Data Source
AI summary
An inkjet printing method including, in order, the steps of: a) providing at least two or more color inkjet inks of the same color and color density but having a different composition to an inkjet printer; b) mixing the two or more color inkjet inks in a controlled amount; and c) printing the mixture of the two or more color inkjet inks with the inkjet printer onto an ink-receiver. An inkjet printer and an inkjet ink set include two or more color inkjet inks of the same color and color density but having a different composition.