Polyester Ink Polymer for Food Packaging Print Robustness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Polymers used in ink compositions for food packaging require a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 35°C or higher, must be resistant to co-solvents and surfactants, and should be biodegradable to ensure indirect food contact compliance and print robustness.
Innovation Solution
A polyester is prepared from 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, and isophthalic acid, which meets the requirements by forming a polymer with a high Tg, stability in the presence of co-solvents and surfactants, and biodegradability, making it suitable for food packaging applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a polymer with high Tg (≥35°C) is used to ensure print robustness, then the ink provides good print robustness, but the polymer may be negatively influenced by co-solvents and/or surfactants present in the ink composition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the polymer by selecting specific monomers (1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, and isophthalic acid) to achieve a Tg of at least 35°C while maintaining stability in the presence of co-solvents and surfactants. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between achieving high print robustness and maintaining polymer stability in ink composition.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a polymer is used for food packaging printing, then the ink is used for printing food packages, but the polymer and its degradation products must be indirect food contact compliant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the polymer by using specific monomers (1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, and isophthalic acid) that are recognized as safe for indirect food contact. This ensures both the polymer and its degradation products meet food contact compliance requirements while maintaining the desired Tg and print robustness.
3Temperature
If a polymer with high Tg is used to ensure print robustness, then the polymer preferably has a Tg of 35°C or higher, but the Tg should not be negatively influenced by co-solvents and/or surfactants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the chemical composition parameters of the polymer to achieve a Tg of at least 35°C that remains stable in the presence of co-solvents and surfactants. The specific monomer selection (1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, and isophthalic acid) ensures the Tg is not negatively influenced by additives in the ink composition.
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 resulting polyester provides inks with excellent print robustness and safety for food packaging, ensuring that the degradation products are safe for indirect food contact, while maintaining high solubility in low-toxicity solvents and being biodegradable.
Implementation Method 1
the polymer is biodegradable
Implementation Method 2
Polyesters can be prepared by a polycondensation reaction wherein monomers are reacted and volatile molecules, such as water, are released
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 2C
AI summary
The present invention relates to a polymer. In particular, the present invention relates to a polyester polymer. The present invention further relates to a polymer dispersion and an ink composition prepared from said dispersion. The present invention further relates to a method for preparing said polymer, a method for preparing said polymer dispersion as well as a method for preparing said ink composition. In addition, the present invention relates to a printed product. The present invention further relates to a method for printing and to use of a polymer for preparing an ink composition.