Inkjet Printing Treatment Liquid Distribution for Scratch Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inkjet printing with pigment-based inks on glossy paper faces issues with non-uniform gloss and bronzing, as well as fragility in image fastness, leading to scratch resistance problems due to the ink layer being formed on the surface rather than being absorbed by the ink receiving layer, resulting in increased consumption of treatment liquids for improved scratch resistance.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet printing method that adjusts the proportion of treatment liquid application based on the contact angle of pigment-based inks, applying less treatment liquid to inks with smaller contact angles and more to those with larger contact angles, optimizing the amount needed for effective image performance while reducing overall consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If treatment liquid is applied uniformly to all pigment-based inks, then image performance (scratch resistance) is improved, but treatment liquid consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different treatment liquid amounts to different ink types based on their contact angles. Inks with smaller contact angles (better wettability) receive less treatment liquid, while inks with larger contact angles (poorer wettability) receive more treatment liquid. This local differentiation optimizes scratch resistance where needed while reducing overall treatment liquid consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses contact angle as a parameter to determine treatment liquid application amount. By measuring and comparing contact angles of different pigment-based inks with treatment liquid, the system dynamically adjusts the treatment liquid application proportion for each ink type, achieving optimal performance with reduced consumption.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If pigment-based inks are applied to glossy paper, then high color development and prolonged storage are achieved, but gloss uniformity and bronzing problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a transparent layer formed by treatment liquid as a protective copy over the pigment-based ink layer. This transparent layer uniformizes the surface appearance, eliminating bronzing and gloss non-uniformity while preserving the color development and storage properties of the underlying pigment-based ink.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment liquid forms a thin transparent film over the pigment-based ink layer. This flexible film uniformizes the surface properties, eliminating bronzing and gloss variations, while allowing the underlying ink to maintain its color development and storage characteristics.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If pigment-based inks are applied to glossy paper, then prolonged storage is achieved, but image fragility and scratch resistance problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies treatment liquid before or during the inkjet printing process, allowing it to form a protective transparent layer over the pigment-based ink layer before the image is completed. This preliminary action ensures scratch resistance is built into the image structure from the beginning, while the pigment-based ink provides prolonged storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure combining pigment-based ink (for color and storage) with treatment liquid形成的 transparent layer (for protection). This composite material approach integrates both functions: the pigment-based ink provides prolonged storage, while the transparent layer provides scratch resistance and surface uniformity.
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 enhances image performance by improving scratch resistance and reducing treatment liquid usage, achieving sufficient fastness and image quality with optimized treatment liquid distribution, thereby lowering running costs and water content.
Implementation Method 1
forming a transparent layer 26 on the uppermost surface so as to coat the pigment-based ink layer 25
Implementation Method 2
a proportion of an applying amount of the treatment liquid to that of a pigment-based ink relatively small in contact angle with respect to the treatment liquid is made smaller than a proportion of an applying amount of the treatment liquid to that of a pigment-based ink relatively great in contact angle with respect to the treatment liquid
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an inkjet printing apparatus and an inkjet printing method in which a high-quality image free of peeling of an image face can be printed, while an amount of a treatment liquid consumed is reduced. For that purpose, a group of pigment-based inks excellent in wettability with respect to the treatment liquid (small in contact angle with respect to the treatment liquid) are made relatively small in a proportion of the treatment liquid applied to a position to which the pigment-based ink concerned is applied. In contrast, a group of pigment-based inks poor in wettability (great in contact angle with respect to the treatment liquid) are made relatively great in a proportion of the treatment liquid applied to a position to which the pigment-based ink concerned is applied.