Phospholipid-Mediated Ink Jetting Stability and Bleeding Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ink compositions derived from natural products face challenges in achieving improved image quality and jetting stability due to limitations in molecular structures, leading to bleeding and decreased stability in water-soluble and water-insoluble coloring materials.

Innovation Solution

An ink jet ink composition containing water, a phospholipid that forms fine particles incorporating a coloring material, which enhances image quality and stability by protecting the coloring material and improving dispersion in the ink.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a coloring material derived from natural products is used, then environmental load is reduced, but image quality and jetting stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental loadVSAvoidjetting stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A phospholipid is introduced as an intermediary substance between the natural coloring material and the ink composition. The phospholipid forms a complex with the coloring material, improving its dispersibility and stability in the ink while maintaining the natural origin of the coloring material. This mediator resolves the contradiction by enabling natural coloring materials to achieve performance comparable to synthesized materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite ink composition combining water, phospholipid, and natural coloring material. The phospholipid-complexed coloring material forms a stable dispersion within the ink, achieving both environmental benefits and technical performance requirements for jetting stability and image quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a water-soluble coloring material derived from natural products is used, then environmental load is reduced, but bleeding occurs in recorded material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental loadVSAvoidbleeding
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The phospholipid acts as a mediator that binds to the water-soluble natural coloring material, forming a stable complex that reduces the coloring material's affinity for water. This prevents bleeding in the recorded material while maintaining the environmental benefits of using natural coloring materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a water-insoluble coloring material derived from natural products is used, then environmental load is reduced, but jetting stability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental loadVSAvoidjetting stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The phospholipid serves as a mediator that improves the dispersibility of water-insoluble natural coloring materials in the aqueous ink composition. By forming a stable complex, it prevents aggregation and ensures consistent jetting performance while maintaining the environmental advantages of natural coloring materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 effectively improves image quality by reducing bleeding and enhancing jetting stability, ensuring the coloring material remains on the recording medium and maintaining ink flow consistency.

Implementation Method 1

a phospholipid that forms a fine particle, and a coloring material that is incorporated in the fine particle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDispersion: Dispersion (of waves)

Data Source

PatentUS20230085490A1Ink Jet Ink Composition, Recording Method, And Recorded Material
Publication Date: 2023.03.16 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

An ink jet ink composition includes water, a phospholipid that forms a fine particle, and a coloring material that is incorporated in the fine particle.