Liquid Bonding Agent Wax Emulsion Thermal Inkjet Nozzle Clogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
In thermal inkjet printing, the incorporation of wax emulsions improves print film durability but leads to nozzle clogging and reliability issues due to agglomerate formation and filter clogging, affecting print quality and operational efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A liquid bonding agent with a specific amount of wax emulsion (less than 1% actives) is digitally printed with thermal inkjet printheads, reducing wax emulsion in the ink to improve nozzle health and reliability by enhancing filterability and agglomerate recoverability, while maintaining print film durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If wax emulsion is incorporated into thermal inkjet ink to improve print film durability, then print film durability is improved, but nozzle clogging and filter clogging occur due to agglomerate formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wax emulsion from the ink formulation and places it in a separate bonding agent formulation. The ink contains minimal wax emulsion (less than 1% actives) to maintain durability while preventing agglomerate formation, while the bonding agent contains the specific amount of wax emulsion (greater than 0% actives to about 2% actives) needed for optimal print film properties. This separation resolves the contradiction by allowing each component to have its wax content optimized independently.
2Strength
If wax emulsion is added to thermal inkjet ink to enhance print durability, then smear and abrasion resistance improve, but filterability deteriorates and manufacturing filters become clogged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wax emulsion from the ink formulation and places it in a separate bonding agent formulation. The ink contains minimal wax emulsion (less than 1% actives) to maintain durability while preventing agglomerate formation, while the bonding agent contains the specific amount of wax emulsion (greater than 0% actives to about 2% actives) needed for optimal print film properties. This separation resolves the contradiction by allowing each component to have its wax content optimized independently.
3Strength
If wax emulsion is incorporated into thermal inkjet ink to improve print film durability, then abrasion resistance is improved, but agglomerate formation increases causing operational downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the wax emulsion from the ink formulation and places it in a separate bonding agent formulation. The ink contains minimal wax emulsion (less than 1% actives) to maintain durability while preventing agglomerate formation, while the bonding agent contains the specific amount of wax emulsion (greater than 0% actives to about 2% actives) needed for optimal print film properties. This separation resolves the contradiction by allowing each component to have its wax content optimized independently.
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 reduces nozzle clogging and improves filterability and agglomerate recoverability, ensuring reliable thermal inkjet printing with acceptable print durability, as demonstrated by improved filterability and reduced agglomerate formation in nozzle health patterns.
Implementation Method 1
During printing, thermal inkjet printhead nozzles are heated and exposed to air, which can cause the evaporation of volatile ink components and the precipitation of agglomerates in the printhead nozzles.
Data Source
Figure 1A~2A
Figure 2B~3B
Figure 4A~5A
AI summary
An example of a liquid bonding agent, for a liquid ink including a wax emulsion in an amount less than 1% actives, includes a calcium salt, the wax emulsion, an acetylenic surfactant, a glycol, and a balance of water. The wax emulsion is present in the liquid bonding agent in an amount ranging from greater than 0% actives to about 2% actives. The liquid bonding agent is to be digitally printed with a thermal inkjet printhead on a substrate under the liquid ink.