Lactic Acid Polyester Resins for Lithographic Inks

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Solution Overview

Problem

High molecular weight poly(lactic acid) is insoluble in common organic solvents and acrylic monomers used in energy curable lithographic inks, limiting the use of sustainable lactic acid-based resins in energy curable compositions and inks, particularly for food packaging applications.

Innovation Solution

Co-condensing lactic acid with 1-30% of a polyol having three or more hydroxyl groups, such as glycerol or pentaerythritol, to enhance solubility in acrylic acid esters, reducing viscosity, and forming lactic acid polyester resins suitable for energy curable inks and coatings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If high molecular weight poly(lactic acid) is used to increase sustainable material content, then the sustainability is improved, but the solubility in acrylic monomers deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesustainabilityVSAvoidsolubility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the molecular weight parameter of poly(lactic acid) to a specific range (500-10,000 g/mol) and changes the compositional parameters by incorporating polyol content (1-30%) and lactic acid content (70-99%) to achieve optimal solubility in acrylic monomers while maintaining sustainability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite polyester material combining poly(lactic acid) with polyols (such as glycerol, pentaerythritol, sorbitol) to produce a resin that exhibits both sustainable properties and improved solubility characteristics in energy curable ink formulations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If high molecular weight poly(lactic acid) is used to increase sustainable material content, then the sustainability is improved, but the viscosity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesustainabilityVSAvoidviscosity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the molecular weight parameter within 500-10,000 g/mol and controls polyol content at 1-30% to achieve the desired viscosity range for energy curable inks while maintaining high sustainable material content

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces branching structures through polyol incorporation (especially trifunctional and tetrafunctional polyols) to create localized structural variations that reduce overall viscosity while preserving the sustainable character of the polyester resin

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If lactic acid oligomers or degraded poly(lactic acid) are used, then the availability from commercial sources is improved, but the solubility in acrylic monomers deteriorates due to crystallinity

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveavailabilityVSAvoidsolubility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies a molecular weight range (500-10,000 g/mol) that avoids the crystalline region associated with degraded poly(lactic acid), and controls polyol content (1-30%) to disrupt crystal formation, thereby achieving solubility in acrylic monomers while using commercially available materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines poly(lactic acid) with polyols to create a composite polyester structure where the polyol components interrupt the regular packing of lactic acid chains, reducing crystallinity and improving solubility while maintaining commercial availability

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

The resulting lactic acid polyester resins exhibit improved solubility and reduced viscosity, enabling the use of more sustainable materials in energy curable inks and coatings for lithographic and flexographic printing, particularly in food packaging, without compromising performance properties.

Implementation Method 1

co-condensed with 1-30% of a polyol, especially a polyol having three or more hydroxyl groups

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEsterification: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

lactic acid polyester resins which are soluble in acrylates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS10689533B2Energy curable lithographic inks containing lactic acid resins

Publication Date: 2020.06.23 SUN CHEMICAL CORP

AI summary

The present invention provides lactic acid polyester resins that are readily soluble in acrylates, and novel acrylated polyester resins thereof. The present invention further provides novel energy curable inks and coating compositions comprising the lactic acid polyester resins, and/or acrylated polyesters. The energy curable inks and coating compositions are especially useful for lithographic and flexographic printing.