Phase Change Ink Jetting at Low Temperatures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing phase change inks require high energy for jetting and have limitations in thermal stability, reliability, and 'instant-on' capabilities, with a need for improved viscosity at reduced temperatures and enhanced printing characteristics such as transfixing properties and color stability.

Innovation Solution

A phase change ink composition comprising a branched triamide and polyethylene wax with specific molecular weight and polydispersity ranges, allowing for jetting at temperatures below 125°C with reduced energy requirements, improved thermal stability, and enhanced printing performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If conventional phase change inks are used, then jetting can be performed, but high energy is required and thermal stability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy for jettingVSAvoidthermal stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the molecular weight parameters of the polyethylene wax (average peak molecular weight of 350-730) and polydispersity (1.0001-1.500) to achieve optimal jetting performance at reduced temperatures below 125°C, resolving the contradiction between energy consumption and thermal stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The ink composition uses a composite system combining specific polyethylene waxes with branched triamides and colorants, where each component contributes to lowering the melting point while maintaining thermal stability, enabling jetting at reduced energy levels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If conventional phase change inks are used, then printing can be performed, but 'instant-on' capabilities and reliability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstant-on capabilitiesVSAvoidprinting reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By optimizing the molecular weight (350-730) and polydispersity (1.0001-1.500) parameters of the polyethylene wax, the ink achieves rapid melting and flow at low temperatures, enabling instant-on capability while maintaining consistent printing reliability through controlled phase change behavior

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If conventional phase change inks are used, then jetting can be performed, but viscosity is insufficient at reduced temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvejetting temperatureVSAvoidviscosity

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts the molecular weight and polydispersity parameters of the polyethylene wax to achieve a viscosity profile that maintains adequate thickness at room temperature for proper ink handling, while enabling low-viscosity flow at jetting temperatures below 125°C through controlled phase change

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The ink utilizes phase transition of the polyethylene wax from solid to liquid state during heating, where the controlled melting process transforms the viscosity characteristics to enable jetting at reduced temperatures while maintaining composition stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

4Reliability

If conventional phase change inks are used, then printing can be performed, but transfixing properties and color stability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting characteristicsVSAvoidcolor stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The composite ink system combines specific polyethylene waxes with branched triamides and stable colorants, where the synergistic interaction of components enhances transfixing properties through improved adhesion and maintains color stability through the thermally stable matrix structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 ink composition enables efficient jetting with reduced energy, improved thermal stability, and superior printing characteristics, including enhanced viscosity and color stability, facilitating 'instant-on' mode and improved reliability.

Implementation Method 1

Phase change inks for color printing typically comprise a phase change ink carrier composition which is combined with a phase change ink compatible colorant. The subtractive primary colored phase change inks can comprise four component dyes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Implementation Method 2

melting the ink; and (3) causing droplets of the melted ink to be ejected in an imagewise pattern onto a substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMelting: Melting

Data Source

PatentUS7377971B2Phase change inks

Publication Date: 2008.05.27 XEROX CORP

AI summary

Disclosed is a phase change ink comprising (a) a colorant and (b) a phase change ink carrier, said carrier comprising (i) a branched triamide and (ii) a polyethylene wax having an average peak molecular weight of from about 350 to about 730 and a polydispersity of from about 1.05 to about 3.0. Also disclosed is a process which comprises (1) incorporating into an ink jet printing apparatus a phase change ink comprising (a) a colorant and (b) a phase change ink carrier, said carrier comprising (i) a branched triamide and (ii) a polyethylene wax having an average peak molecular weight of from about 350 to about 730 and a polydispersity of from about 1.05 to about 3.0; (2) melting the ink; and (3) causing droplets of the melted ink to be ejected in an imagewise pattern onto a substrate.