Inkjet Recording Medium Intermediate Layer Salt Fixation

Solution Overview

Problem

The presence of salts in the outermost coating layer of inkjet recording mediums can lead to non-uniform distribution of pigment particles, affecting image gloss and integrity, and causing poor smudge performance and image quality due to uneven ink spreading and penetration.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a divalent or multivalent salt as a pigment ink fixing agent in the intermediate layer between the substrate and the top coating layer, which helps to fix pigment particles during printing, improving ink spreading and penetration control and enhancing durability and gloss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If salt is incorporated into the outermost coating layer to enhance ink absorption, then ink absorption is improved, but pigment particle distribution becomes non-uniform and image gloss deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink absorptionVSAvoidpigment particle distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The coating structure is segmented into multiple functional layers: a first coating layer containing salt for ink absorption, and a second coating layer containing pigment for uniform distribution and gloss. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between ink absorption and pigment distribution uniformity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the coating structure are assigned different properties: the first coating layer has high salt content for ink absorption, while the second coating layer has high pigment content for uniform distribution and gloss. This local differentiation of material properties allows simultaneous optimization of both functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If salt is incorporated into the outermost coating layer to enhance ink absorption, then ink absorption is improved, but image gloss and integrity are affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink absorptionVSAvoidimage integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coating structure is segmented into multiple functional layers: a first coating layer containing salt for ink absorption, and a second coating layer containing pigment for uniform distribution and gloss. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between ink absorption and pigment distribution uniformity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the coating structure are assigned different properties: the first coating layer has high salt content for ink absorption, while the second coating layer has high pigment content for uniform distribution and gloss. This local differentiation of material properties allows simultaneous optimization of both functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Quantity of substance

If salt is incorporated into the outermost coating layer to enhance ink absorption, then ink absorption is improved, but smudge performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink absorptionVSAvoidsmudge performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The coating structure is segmented into multiple functional layers: a first coating layer containing salt for ink absorption, and a second coating layer containing pigment for uniform distribution and gloss. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between ink absorption and pigment distribution uniformity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the coating structure are assigned different properties: the first coating layer has high salt content for ink absorption, while the second coating layer has high pigment content for uniform distribution and gloss. This local differentiation of material properties allows simultaneous optimization of both functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 results in improved image quality, resistance to smudging and bleeding, and consistent image gloss by ensuring controlled ink distribution and fixation of pigment particles in the intermediate layer, outperforming single-layer salt incorporation.

Implementation Method 1

the intermediate layer includes a pigment ink fixing agent chosen from a divalent salt, a multivalent salt, and combinations thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPigment ink fixing: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentEP2734380B1Inkjet recording medium

Publication Date: 2016.11.09 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

Figure 1~2

AI summary

An inkjet recording medium includes a substrate, an intermediate layer disposed on the substrate, and an ink receiving layer disposed on the intermediate layer. The intermediate layer includes a binder, an inorganic pigment, and a pigment ink fixing agent chosen from divalent salts, multivalent salts, and combinations thereof. The ink receiving layer includes a non-film forming polymer, a binder chosen from any of water dispersible binders or water soluble binders, and a pigment.