Microporous Transfer Paper With Thermoplastic Adhesion for Fast Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transfer papers for dye sublimation processes face challenges with slow drying and inadequate adhesion to textiles, particularly at high printing speeds, leading to unsatisfactory print sharpness and transfer quality.
Innovation Solution
A transfer material with a microporous ink-receiving layer and thermoplastic particles applied on top, featuring high air permeability and controlled adhesion, allowing for rapid drying and improved adhesion to textiles without compromising print quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a coated paper with low air permeability is used on the side to be printed, then sublimable dyes are prevented from penetrating the porous interior of the paper during sublimation transfer, but the ink liquid is absorbed very slowly leading to slow drying and ink running on the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the transfer paper into two distinct sides with different properties: the printed side has low air permeability to retain dyes, while the opposite side has high air permeability to enable rapid drying. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by allowing each side to optimize for its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the transfer paper are given different qualities - the printed surface is made non-porous for dye retention while the back side is made porous for fast drying. This local differentiation allows the paper to simultaneously achieve both dye retention and rapid drying performance.
2Strength
If adhesive transfer papers with swellable non-porous layers are used, then adhesion to textiles is improved, but the drying speed becomes very slow
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive function is separated from the drying function by applying thermoplastic particles only on the printed side of the paper, while the back side remains highly porous for rapid moisture evaporation. This segmentation allows adhesion and drying to occur independently without compromising either property.
Solution Approach 2:
The back side of the transfer paper is designed with high porosity to enable rapid drying by facilitating moisture evaporation, while the printed side contains thermoplastic particles for adhesion. The porous structure on the back side does not interfere with the adhesive particles on the front side.
3Strength
If a thermal transfer layer with high binder content (55-80%) and thermoplastic particles is used, then adhesion is optimized, but the drying speed is significantly lower and a large amount of thermoplastic particles is required which affects print quality
Solution Approach 1:
Thermoplastic particles are applied locally only on the printed side where adhesion is needed, while the back side is kept highly porous for rapid drying. This localized application reduces the overall amount of thermoplastic particles required and maintains high drying speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The back side of the transfer paper is designed with high porosity (Bendtsen value > 100 ml/min) to enable rapid drying by facilitating moisture evaporation, compensating for the presence of thermoplastic particles on the front side and maintaining overall fast drying performance.
4Reliability
If low porosity coating is applied to prevent dye penetration, then dye loss is reduced, but ink liquid absorption is very slow leading to unsatisfactory print sharpness
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer paper is segmented into two sides with opposite porosity characteristics: the printed side has low porosity to retain dyes and prevent penetration, while the back side has high porosity to enable rapid moisture absorption and evaporation, thereby maintaining print sharpness through fast drying.
Solution Approach 2:
Different porosity qualities are assigned to different sides of the paper - the printed surface is made non-porous for dye retention while the back side is made highly porous for rapid drying, allowing each side to optimize for its specific function.
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 enables faster drying, enhanced adhesion to both knitted and woven textiles, and independent control of adhesion forces, resulting in superior print and transfer quality with reduced thermoplastic particle usage.
Implementation Method 1
a microporous ink-receiving layer which absorbs the inkjet ink liquid rapidly
Implementation Method 2
thermoplastic particles which are arranged on the ink-receiving layer... the thermoplastic particles have a diameter of 0.3 μm to 5 μm and a melting point of 60 °C to 170 °C
Implementation Method 3
the printed image is transferred from this to the object to be printed... the image to be printed is applied to the transfer material using printing inks, which are evaporated under the influence of heat after the print has dried and are deposited again image-wise on the gas phase on the material to be finally printed
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
A transfer material for the dye sublimation transfer process of an inkjet print image is claimed, comprising a carrier (1) and an ink-receptive layer (2) on the front side of the transfer material, the ink-receptive layer being porous and thermoplastic particles (3) being arranged on the ink-receptive layer.