Polyurethane Printing Ink for Nonwoven Rub Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inks used for printing on non-woven substrates, such as those in incontinence products, lack enhanced color transfer resistance, causing ink to easily transfer onto contact surfaces like clothing and furniture, which is a concern for both decoration and utility purposes.

Innovation Solution

A printing ink composition comprising organic solvent, colorant, and a semi-aliphatic polyurethane resin derived from a mixture of aliphatic and aromatic isocyanates, with optional nitrocellulose resin, providing a rub rating of at least 6, which is designed to maintain colorfastness and resist transfer when printed on non-woven substrates like polyethylene or polypropylene films.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional flexographic or rotogravure printing inks are used on nonwoven substrates, then the printing process is simple and cost-effective, but the printed ink has low color transfer resistance and easily transfers onto contact substrates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor transfer resistanceVSAvoidink composition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple resin components (polyester resin, acrylic resin, and vinyl resin) in specific proportions to create an ink formulation that achieves enhanced color transfer resistance on nonwoven substrates while maintaining compatibility with conventional flexographic and rotogravure printing processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by optimizing the molecular weight ranges, resin ratio proportions, and solvent composition of the ink formulation to achieve the desired balance between color transfer resistance and printing processability on nonwoven substrates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the nonwoven substrate is printed with conventional inks, then the printing process is straightforward, but the printed graphics discolor anything the nonwoven substrate may come into contact with such as clothing, carpet and furniture

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecolorfastnessVSAvoidprinting process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite resin system consisting of polyester resin (30-70 parts), acrylic resin (10-40 parts), and vinyl resin (10-40 parts) in specific proportions to achieve enhanced colorfastness while maintaining compatibility with existing printing processes, avoiding the need for process redesign

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP1954769B1Flexographic and gravure printing inks for nonwoven substrates
Publication Date: 2012.08.22 SUN CHEMICAL CORP

AI summary

A flexographic and/or rotogravure printing ink used on non-woven substrates contains polyurethane resin, solvent, and colorant.