Partial Resin Impregnation for Inkjet Printable Paper

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for inkjet printing on surfaces often require a primer or resin impregnation to achieve satisfactory print quality, which can saturate the surface and alter its absorbency, making it difficult to achieve high-quality patterns on plastic-containing surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a paper web with a resin layer applied only to one side, allowing the surface to remain largely free of synthetic resin, enabling optimal printability and flexibility while maintaining the absorbency required for high-quality inkjet printing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a primer or resin impregnation is applied to plastic-containing surfaces to improve print quality, then the surface becomes more suitable for inkjet printing, but the surface absorbency is altered and saturated, making it difficult to achieve high-quality patterns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprint qualityVSAvoidpattern quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The paper web is divided into two functional sides: one side is resin-impregnated for adhesion to the base body, while the other side remains resin-free to maintain optimal absorbency for inkjet printing. This segmentation allows each side to fulfill its specific function without interfering with the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the paper web are given different properties: the underside is coated with synthetic resin for bonding, while the printable surface remains free of resin to preserve its absorbency and porosity, ensuring optimal inkjet printing characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If resin is applied to the printable surface to improve adhesion, then the surface bonding is enhanced, but the surface absorbency is reduced, making it unsuitable for high-quality inkjet printing

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadhesionVSAvoidprintability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The paper web is divided into two functional sides: one side is resin-impregnated for adhesion to the base body, while the other side remains resin-free to maintain optimal absorbency for inkjet printing. This segmentation allows each side to fulfill its specific function without interfering with the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The paper web acts as an intermediary layer between the base body and the inkjet printing surface. It provides adhesion through resin impregnation on one side while maintaining printing suitability through its resin-free surface on the other side.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If the entire surface is resin-impregnated to ensure uniform adhesion, then the bonding strength is improved, but the flexibility and printability of the surface are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding strengthVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The paper web is divided into two functional sides: one side is resin-impregnated for adhesion to the base body, while the other side remains resin-free to maintain optimal absorbency for inkjet printing. This segmentation allows each side to fulfill its specific function without interfering with the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the paper web are given different properties: the underside is coated with synthetic resin for bonding, while the printable surface remains free of resin to preserve its absorbency and porosity, ensuring optimal inkjet printing characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 approach allows for high-quality inkjet printing on various surfaces without saturating the print side, ensuring the surface remains free of resin and maintains its original absorbency, thereby achieving superior print results.

Implementation Method 1

The physicochemical properties of the base paper surface, which are decisive for the quality of a pattern that can be printed with the inkjet printing process, are influenced by the pigment coat, so that the printability is changed compared to an untreated base paper.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP1749676B1Process and installation for making a printing surface, specially for ink-jet printing, paper sheet and article
Publication Date: 2008.10.15 BAUER JORG R
  • EP1749676B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP1749676B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP1749676B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Production of a printable surface involves impregnating a paper sheet (10), which absorbs liquid synthetic resin over its whole thickness, with the resin (14) from one side (12) of the sheet, so that the resin does not penetrate through the whole of the sheet and the other side (16) remains free of resin. Independent claims are included for: (1) a sheet of paper (10) (specifically with a stretchable structure) having a printable surface (16), obtained by partial impregnation with resin as above; (2) a printable article, at least partially coated with a paper sheet as above; and (3) apparatus for carrying out the process, where the opposite side of the sheet is impregnated with a barrier liquid, consisting of two spaced, opposite liquid application devices between which the sheet passes, liquid synthetic resin being applied to one side of the sheet and barrier fluid to the other.