Oxymethylene Ether Solvents for Safe Printing Inks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial printing ink and varnish compositions face issues with solvents being flammable, irritating, non-carbon dioxide neutral, and ethically critical due to their fossil or nutritional origins, lacking safety and sustainability.
Innovation Solution
The use of oxymethylene ethers as solvents in printing ink and varnish compositions, which are non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, have a high flashpoint, are easily disposable, and can be produced from renewable resources, including biomass, offering suitable viscosity and oxidation resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional solvents (mineral oils, vegetable oils, alcohols) are used in printing ink compositions, then the ink achieves suitable viscosity and dissolution properties, but the solvent becomes flammable, irritating, and environmentally harmful
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the solvent by using oxymethylene ethers with specific molecular structures (formula (I) or (II)) and controlled molecular weights (106-256 g/mol). This parameter change transforms the solvent properties to achieve high flashpoint (>60°C), non-toxicity, and carbon dioxide neutrality while maintaining the required viscosity and dissolution capabilities for offset printing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the previously harmful characteristics of solvents into beneficial ones. Conventional solvents were flammable and irritating, but the oxymethylene ether solvents provide high flashpoint and non-toxicity. The solvents that were environmentally damaging are replaced by carbon dioxide neutral options that can be produced from renewable resources, turning environmental harm into environmental benefit
2Productivity
If fossil-based or nutritional solvents are used, then the ink composition achieves optimal performance, but it becomes unsustainable and ethically problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by producing the solvent (oxymethylene ether) from carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and methanol - resources that are either waste products or renewable. This self-sufficient production method eliminates dependence on fossil resources and nutritional crops, making the printing ink composition environmentally sustainable while maintaining optimal printing performance
Solution Approach 2:
The oxymethylene ether solvent serves multiple functions: it provides suitable viscosity for offset printing, ensures good dissolution of binder components, offers excellent oxidation resistivity, achieves appropriate boiling point, and delivers high safety and environmental compatibility. This multi-functionality replaces the need for multiple different solvents with a single sustainable option
3Reliability
If short-chain oxymethylene ethers are used as solvent, then the composition achieves carbon dioxide neutrality and safety, but the viscosity and dissolution properties must be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent precisely controls the molecular weight parameter of the oxymethylene ether within the range of 106-256 g/mol to optimize both safety and rheological properties. This parameter control ensures the solvent has appropriate viscosity for offset printing while maintaining good dissolution of binder components and excellent oxidation resistivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses oxymethylene ethers with specific molecular structures (formula (I) or (II)) that combine the benefits of short-chain ethers (carbon dioxide neutrality, safety) with optimized molecular weight for proper viscosity and dissolution. This composite approach within the molecular structure achieves both safety and performance requirements
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
Oxymethylene ethers provide a sustainable and safe solvent solution for offset printing, meeting the requirements of high flashpoint, non-toxicity, and carbon neutrality, while being suitable for food packaging substrates.
Implementation Method 1
a good dissolution of those binder components typically included in printing ink/varnish compositions
Implementation Method 2
During the drying of the printing ink, the solvent evaporates or permeates into the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a printing ink composition or varnish composition containing a binder component and a solvent component, wherein the solvent component comprises at least one oxyalkylene dialkylether, preferably at least one oxymethylene ether and more preferably at least one oxymethylene ether according to the general formula (IV) CH3[OCH2]nOCH3, wherein n is an integer of 2 to 7.