Paper-free transfer printing method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing paperless transfer printing methods face challenges with low dye transfer rates, unstable production, and decreased printing quality due to the use of solvent-based inks and the need for surface treatment of metal foils or plastic belts, which leads to volatilization and reduced effectiveness over multiple uses.
Innovation Solution
A paperless transfer printing method using aqueous ink printed on an elastomer polymer temporary carrier with a critical surface tension between 25 mN/m and 45 mN/m, where the ink's surface tension is adjusted to be less than the carrier's, then increased with a surface tension increasing liquid to facilitate transfer onto fabrics, ensuring high precision and quality without residual ink on the carrier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If solvent-based printing ink is used on metal foil or plastic belt, then paperless transfer printing is achieved, but organic solvent volatilization occurs and printing quality decreases after multiple uses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter of the printing ink from solvent-based to aqueous-based, eliminating organic solvents while maintaining printing functionality. This resolves the contradiction by achieving paperless transfer printing without organic solvent volatilization hazards.
2Manufacturing precision
If surface treatment is applied to metal foil or plastic belt, then initial printing quality is improved, but printing quality severely decreases after recycling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an elastomer polymer temporary carrier that can be repeatedly used without surface treatment. The material inherently provides sufficient printing quality across multiple uses, eliminating the need for costly and temporary surface treatments on metal foils or plastic belts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an elastomer polymer material as the temporary carrier, which combines flexibility, surface properties suitable for aqueous ink reception, and durability for repeated use. This composite material approach replaces treated metal or plastic with a inherently suitable polymer material.
3Loss of energy
If aqueous ink is used with elastomer polymer carrier, then printing cost and energy consumption are reduced, but ink transfer efficiency must be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the surface tension parameter of the elastomer polymer carrier to be between 25-45 mN/m, which is higher than the aqueous ink surface tension. This parameter mismatch creates capillary pressure that drives efficient ink transfer from the carrier to the fabric, resolving the contradiction between low energy consumption and high transfer efficiency.
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
This method achieves high precision and quality printing at low costs and energy consumption with high transfer efficiency, overcoming the limitations of existing paperless transfer printing by ensuring complete ink transfer and enabling repeated use of the temporary carrier.
Implementation Method 1
a critical surface tension of the surface of the transfer printing temporary carrier is between 25 mN/m and 45 mN/m, and a surface tension of the aqueous ink is less than the critical surface tension of the transfer printing temporary carrier
Implementation Method 2
the aqueous ink printed on the transfer printing temporary carrier is dissolved or dispersed into the aqueous surface tension increasing liquid to form an aqueous solution or an aqueous dispersion liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A paper-free transfer printing method, comprising: a) printing an aqueous ink on a temporary carrier by means of a printing machine, the surface of the temporary carrier being made out of an elastic high-polymer material and its critical surface tension being 25-45 mN/m, the surface tension of the aqueous ink being less than the critical surface tension; b) drying a pattern to be transferred on the temporary carrier; c) wetting the temporary carrier using an aqueous surface tension improvement solution, so that the aqueous ink printed on the temporary carrier dissolves or disperses in the aqueous surface tension improvement solution to form an aqueous solution or an aqueous dispersion when the temporary carrier and a fabric tightly fit to each other to transfer the pattern, the surface tension of the aqueous solution or aqueous dispersion being greater than the critical surface tension of the temporary carrier and smaller than the surface tension of fabric fibers; and d) separating the aqueous solution or the aqueous dispersion from the temporary carrier at the fitting position between the temporary carrier and the fabric, so that the aqueous ink dye is transferred to the fabric fibers.