Polyurethane Coated Paper Ink Anchoring Blocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional papers with special surface treatments for tactile effects, such as 'plastic' or 'silk/leather' effects, suffer from pressure sensitivity leading to blocking and inferior print quality due to ink adhesion and slow drying issues.

Innovation Solution

A high-printability coated paper is developed using a composition of 65-90% polyurethane-based polymeric material, 5-20% latex, and less than 20% talc, applied uniformly to a paper substrate, with a method involving air knife coating and controlled drying to enhance ink anchoring and reduce blocking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a coating layer is applied to provide tactile effects (plastic or silk/leather effect), then the tactile sensation is improved, but the paper becomes extremely sensitive to pressure causing blocking between successive coils or sheets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetactile sensationVSAvoidblocking phenomenon
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the coating layer by incorporating specific polymeric materials (polyurethane, acrylic, vinyl) and inorganic fillers (talc, silica) in controlled proportions. This changes the physical-chemical properties of the coating to reduce pressure sensitivity while maintaining tactile effects. The coating formula is optimized to balance softness with resistance to blocking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite coating material combining organic polymers (polyurethane, acrylic, vinyl) with inorganic fillers (talc, silica, calcium carbonate). This composite structure provides both the desired tactile sensation and reduced blocking by distributing stress across different material phases, preventing adhesive bonding between coated surfaces under pressure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If a coating layer is applied to provide tactile effects, then the tactile sensation is improved, but the print quality deteriorates due to difficulties in ink anchoring and slow drying speed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetactile sensationVSAvoidprint quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts the coating composition parameters including polymer type, filler content, and coating weight to optimize ink interaction. The specific formulation with 20-80% polymeric material and 20-80% inorganic filler creates surface energy characteristics that improve ink anchoring while maintaining tactile effects. The coating thickness and cross-linking density are controlled to enable proper ink drying speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If a coating layer is applied to provide tactile effects, then the aesthetic and tactile properties are improved, but the coating becomes adhesive causing blocking between successive sheets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic and tactile propertiesVSAvoidadhesiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful adhesiveness into a beneficial property by using the same polymeric materials that provide tactile softness also to create a controlled surface energy. The polyurethane, acrylic, and vinyl polymers provide just enough surface adhesion for ink anchoring while their flexible nature prevents permanent sticking between sheets, transforming the blocking problem into a controlled adhesive property.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates inorganic fillers (talc, silica, calcium carbonate) that create a micro-porous surface structure in the coating layer. This porous structure reduces surface contact area between successive coated sheets, thereby reducing adhesiveness and blocking while maintaining the tactile sensation of softness and the aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous 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 solution provides a unique tactile sensation, reduced blocking, and print quality comparable to traditional papers, ensuring effective ink anchoring and visual softness while maintaining packaging and printing capabilities.

Implementation Method 1

The present invention also provides a method for producing coated paper, which consists in depositing, by coating, on at least one face of a paper substrate, a composition comprising a polyurethane-based polymeric material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir knife coating:

Implementation Method 2

the polyurethane-based polymeric material comprises a film-forming bonding agent, which comprises dispersions of anionic urethane polymers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFilm formation:

Implementation Method 3

a lack of sharpness of the print typeset, and what is known as 'setoff' owing to the ink slow drying speed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP2251483B1High-printability coated paper and method for its production
Publication Date: 2012.10.31 FEDRIGONI SPA

AI summary

High-printability coated paper, comprising a paper substrate that has at least one coated face that comprises a layer of substantially uniform thickness of a composition comprising a polyurethane-based polymeric material in a percentage comprised between 65% and 90% by weight of the total weight and latex in a percentage comprised between 5% and 20% by weight of the total weight.