Ray-Curable Inkjet Ink Composition for Low-Migration Film Printing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inkjet ink compositions for food packaging fail to provide sufficient adhesion to resin films and LED curability while preventing migration of unreacted monomers and photopolymerization initiators, and adjusting viscosity for inkjet discharge is difficult.

Innovation Solution

An active energy ray-curable inkjet ink composition containing hydroxy group-containing monofunctional (meth)acrylates, polyfunctional monomers with ether bonds, amine-modified oligomers, ethyl phenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphinate as a polymerization initiator, and polymeric sensitizers, with specific viscosities and component ratios to ensure anti-migration and adhesion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If polymeric initiators and monomers are used to reduce migration, then migration resistance is improved, but viscosity adjustment for inkjet discharge becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemigration resistanceVSAvoidviscosity adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing hydroxy group-containing monofunctional (meth)acrylates (20-60% by mass) and polyfunctional monomers with ether bonds (5-30% by mass) to modify the viscosity and flow characteristics of the ink composition, enabling it to meet inkjet discharge requirements while maintaining migration resistance through the specific combination of low-migration components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite ink composition by combining multiple low-migration components (polymeric initiators, monomers with specific structures, and oligomers) in defined proportions, where the synergistic effect of these components achieves both migration resistance and appropriate viscosity for inkjet printing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If inkjet ink compositions are designed to reduce migration, then migration resistance is improved, but adhesion to resin films becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemigration resistanceVSAvoidadhesion to resin films

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition by incorporating hydroxy group-containing monofunctional (meth)acrylates and polyfunctional monomers with ether bonds in specific amounts, which change the chemical and physical parameters of the ink composition to enhance adhesion to resin films while maintaining migration resistance through the low-migration nature of the components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses polyfunctional monomers with ether bonds as intermediary components that facilitate bonding between the ink composition and resin films, while the hydroxy group-containing monofunctional (meth)acrylates act as mediators to balance adhesion properties with migration resistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If ink compositions are used on food packaging materials, then printing capability is improved, but migration into food becomes a concern

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting capabilityVSAvoidmigration into food

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs ink compositions with low-migration components that are designed to remain stable and non-migrating during the product shelf life, effectively treating the ink as a permanent, non-harmful element that does not transfer to the food, while still providing the necessary printing functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adjusts the chemical composition parameters by using specific low-migration monomers and oligomers in defined proportions, which changes the migration characteristics of the ink composition to be suitable for food packaging applications while maintaining printing capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 ink composition achieves excellent adhesion to resin films, LED curability, and prevents migration, with adjustable viscosity for inkjet printing, making it suitable for food packaging applications.

Implementation Method 1

active energy ray-curable inkjet ink composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

contains polymeric sensitizers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS12480014B2Active energy ray-curable inkjet ink composition

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 SAKATA INX

AI summary

An active energy ray-curable inkjet ink composition contains: (A) hydroxy group-containing monofunctional (meth)acrylates by 20.0 to 60.0% by mass in the total amount of all polymerizable components; (B) polyfunctional monomers having ether bonds; (C) amine-modified oligomers by 10.0 to 50.0% by mass in the total amount of all polymerizable components; (D) ethyl phenyl(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphinate as a polymerization initiator; and (E) polymeric sensitizers. The active energy ray-curable inkjet ink composition allows for printing on films used for food packaging that are subject to more stringent property requirements.