Liquid Ink-Receiving Layer for Direct Ink Jet Printing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current ink jet printing technologies face challenges with storage stability and premature solidification of low-viscous printing inks containing film-forming components that solidify spontaneously or upon chemical, photochemical, or thermal induction, leading to reduced availability and printing quality.

Innovation Solution

A liquid ink-receiving layer that allows low-viscous printing inks to penetrate and solidify on non-absorbent substrates, featuring initiators for spatial fixation and polymerization, enabling stable storage and improved film durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If low-viscous printing inks with film-forming components are used, then printing quality and film formation are improved, but storage stability deteriorates due to premature solidification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting qualityVSAvoidstorage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the ink system into two separate components: a low-viscous printing ink containing film-forming components and a separate initiator solution. This segmentation prevents premature solidification by keeping the initiator separate until application, where it is then mixed with the ink to initiate controlled polymerization and film formation, thereby resolving the contradiction between storage stability and printing quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an initiator solution as an intermediary substance that is mixed with the low-viscous printing ink just before application. This intermediary controls the polymerization process, allowing the ink to remain stable during storage while enabling controlled film formation during printing, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining liquid state for storage and forming solid films for quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If film-forming components are added to printing inks, then film durability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional storage and handling requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilm durabilityVSAvoidstorage and handling requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the film-forming system into a separate initiator solution that is mixed with the printing ink only at the point of application. This reduces device complexity by allowing the printing ink to be stored and handled as a simple low-viscous liquid without the initiator, while still enabling durable film formation when the initiator is added during the printing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If printing inks solidify spontaneously or upon chemical induction, then film formation is improved, but availability at the print head decreases due to premature solidification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilm formationVSAvoidavailability at print head
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by preparing the printing ink with film-forming components but delaying the solidification process until the moment of application. The initiator solution is prepared separately and mixed with the ink just before printing, ensuring the ink remains available and fluid at the print head while still enabling reliable film formation during the printing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 prevents premature solidification and enhances storage stability, ensuring consistent printing quality by allowing controlled ink distribution and film formation on non-absorbent surfaces, improving film durability and adhesion.

Implementation Method 1

featureing initiators for spatial fixation and polymerization

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

allows low-viscous printing inks to penetrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS11338603B2Liquid ink-receiving layers or films for direct ink jet printing or ink printing
Publication Date: 2022.05.24 TRITRON

AI summary

Liquid ink-receiving layers or films (receiving layers) for direct ink jet printing or ink printing, into which low-viscous liquid (highly fluid) printing media (printing inks) can be introduced according to said printing methods, and which solidify or are able to be solidified at a time subsequent to the ink insertion (retarded). The invention eliminates limitations on the usability of raw materials for ink jet printing or ink printing, especially of film-forming agents but also of pigments and other ingredients. Moreover, corresponding compositions and methods for ink jet printing or ink printing are proposed.