Inkjet Receiving Media Composite Particle Density Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing aqueous substrate pre-treatment formulations for inkjet printing face issues with particulate waxes segregating during storage, making them difficult to re-disperse due to density differences, which affects the durability and image quality of inkjet printed images.

Innovation Solution

The use of composite particles with domains of first and second organic polymers, where the second polymer has a higher melting point and is dispersed within the first, achieving a density between 1.0 and 1.5 g/ml, ensuring the particles remain suspended or neutrally buoyant in the aqueous composition, preventing segregation and improving re-dispersion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If particulate waxes with density less than bulk fluid are used, then they float and assemble into coherent structure, but they are difficult to re-disperse after standing or during storage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of wax particles in aqueous compositionVSAvoidease of re-dispersion of wax particles

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the density parameter of the wax particles by matching it to the bulk fluid density through composite particle formulation. This parameter change eliminates the floating and coherent structure formation, maintaining stable suspension and easy re-dispersion during storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite particles comprising domains of first and second organic polymers with different melting points. This composite structure allows tuning the overall particle density to match the bulk fluid density, resolving the contradiction between stability and re-dispersion ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Stability of the object's composition

If particulate waxes with density much greater than bulk fluid are used, then they settle and pack on the bottom of storage containers, but they are very difficult to re-disperse when ready to use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of wax particles in aqueous compositionVSAvoidease of re-dispersion of wax particles

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the density parameter of the wax particles by matching it to the bulk fluid density through composite particle formulation. This parameter change eliminates the settling and packing behavior, maintaining stable suspension and easy re-dispersion during storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If aqueous substrate pre-treatment formulations are used for inkjet printing, then image quality and durability are improved, but the formulations suffer from wax particle segregation during storage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedurability of inkjet printed imagesVSAvoidstability of aqueous pre-treatment formulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the density parameter of the wax particles to match the bulk fluid density, preventing segregation during storage. This maintains the stability of the aqueous pre-treatment formulation while preserving the durability and image quality benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite particles comprising domains of first and second organic polymers. This composite structure provides the necessary density matching to prevent segregation, ensuring both formulation stability and reliable image durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 solution enhances the durability and image quality of inkjet printed images by maintaining the stability and dispersibility of the wax particles, preventing segregation and settling, thus improving the performance and usability of the inkjet receiving media.

Implementation Method 1

achieving a density between 1.0 and 1.5 g/ml, ensuring the particles remain suspended or neutrally buoyant in the aqueous composition, preventing segregation and settling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentUS10858530B2Inkjet receiving media

Publication Date: 2020.12.08 EASTMAN KODAK CO

AI summary

An inkjet receiving medium having enhanced surface properties has a substrate and a topcoat layer disposed thereon. The topcoat layer has: (a) one or more water-soluble salts of a multivalent metal cation; and (b) composite particles having a Rockwell Hardness of less than or equal to R90 and each of the composite particles comprising domains of a (i) first organic polymer and domains of a (ii) second organic polymer. The domains of the (ii) second organic polymer are dispersed within the domains of the (i) first organic polymer. The melting point of the (i) first organic polymer is lower than the melting point of the (ii) second organic polymer. The weight ratio of the (i) first organic polymer to the (ii) second organic polymer is chosen such that the (b) composite particles have a density of 1.0-1.5 g/ml.