Malic Acid Derivative Phase Change Ink for Coated Paper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional phase change ink technologies are not satisfactory for printing on coated paper substrates, lacking the ability to provide excellent image quality and are not derived from renewable sources, which limits their application in fast printing environments.
Innovation Solution
Development of novel amorphous components synthesized from malic acid derivatives, which form phase change ink compositions suitable for ink-jet printing on both coated and uncoated substrates, combining ester and non-ester materials with controlled reaction conditions to achieve desired rheological properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional phase change ink technologies are used, then the ink remains solid at room temperature and melts at elevated temperature for printing, but the image quality on coated paper substrates is not satisfactory
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the phase change ink by incorporating specific esters of malic acid with controlled molecular weights and functional groups. This changes the rheological parameters (viscosity, melting point) to achieve optimal performance on coated substrates while maintaining the solid-at-room-temperature property
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite phase change ink system combining malic acid derivatives with other compatible materials to achieve a balanced formulation that provides both the required solid-state stability and improved image quality on challenging coated paper substrates
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional phase change ink compositions are used, then the ink provides adequate viscosity at room temperature, but lacks the desired rheological properties for excellent print quality on coated substrates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent systematically adjusts rheological parameters including viscosity, melting temperature, and glass transition temperature by selecting specific malic acid ester derivatives. This enables the ink to maintain high viscosity at room temperature for stability while achieving low viscosity at printing temperature for excellent substrate compatibility and print quality
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional phase change inks are used, then the ink provides solid-state stability during storage, but is not derived from renewable sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional petroleum-based phase change materials with esters of malic acid, a naturally occurring compound that can be derived from renewable biological sources. The molecular structure and physical properties are carefully selected to match or exceed the storage stability of conventional inks
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 phase change ink compositions demonstrate robustness and improved performance on coated papers, maintaining high viscosity at room temperature and low viscosity at elevated temperatures, ensuring excellent print quality and compatibility with various substrates, while being potentially derived from bio-friendly sources.
Implementation Method 1
phase change ink compositions (or solid inks) characterized by being solid at room temperature and molten at an elevated temperature
Implementation Method 2
The glass transition temperatures (Tg) was 14° C.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a component that is substantially amorphous, the component comprising at least one non-ester material and at least one ester of malic acid having a formula ofwherein R1 and R2 each, independently of the other, is an alkyl group, and further wherein the alkyl portion can be straight, branched or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted, having from 1 to about 40 carbon atoms, an substituted or unsubstituted aromatic or heteroaromatic group, and mixtures thereof.