Print Medium Surface Treatment Composition for Ink Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current print media using pigment inks suffer from poor black and color optical density, ink bleeding, extended dry times, and image strike-through issues, and the use of calcium chloride as an ink fixative leads to equipment corrosion, health hazards, and paper stiffness changes, necessitating a solution for improved print quality and properties.
Innovation Solution
A print medium with a surface treatment composition containing a salt mixture of monovalent and multivalent metallic salts, applied to the substrate, which includes starches and water-soluble polymeric materials, to enhance optical density, color gamut, and dry time while reducing bleed, using a combination of magnesium chloride and sodium chloride or calcium chloride and sodium chloride, reducing corrosion and temperature issues associated with calcium chloride.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If calcium chloride is used as an ink fixative in surface sizing processing, then improved print quality and ink fixation are achieved, but equipment corrosion and reduced equipment lifespan occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the sizing agent by incorporating specific ratios of alum, aluminum sulfate, and calcium chloride, along with polymeric additives. This optimized parameter combination achieves effective ink fixation while reducing the corrosive impact on equipment compared to traditional high-concentration calcium chloride formulations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite sizing agent system that combines multiple components: alum (1-10 parts), aluminum sulfate (1-10 parts), calcium chloride (1-5 parts), and polymeric materials (0.1-5 parts). This composite approach distributes the functional requirements across multiple substances, reducing reliance on high concentrations of corrosive calcium chloride while maintaining ink fixation effectiveness
2Manufacturing precision
If large concentration of calcium chloride is used to achieve improved media properties, then ink fixation and print quality improve, but drastic corrosion of paper milling equipment occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters by limiting calcium chloride to 1-5 parts in the sizing agent composition, significantly lower than traditional formulations. This parameter optimization maintains ink fixation effectiveness while reducing chloride-induced corrosion of equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces alum and aluminum sulfate as intermediary substances that work synergistically with calcium chloride to provide ink fixation. These intermediaries help achieve the desired ink binding效果 at lower calcium chloride concentrations, thereby reducing corrosion while maintaining ink fixation performance
3Quantity of substance
If calcium chloride salt solution is prepared in large batches, then sufficient ink fixative is available for production, but exothermic dissolution produces excessive heat and health hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the compositional parameters of the sizing agent to include multiple ink fixation components (alum, aluminum sulfate, calcium chloride) in specific ratios. This diversified composition allows for distributed dissolution processes, preventing excessive heat generation while maintaining sufficient ink fixation capability for large-scale production
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the ink fixation function across multiple chemical components rather than relying on a single high-concentration calcium chloride solution. This segmentation allows each component to dissolve at different rates and heat generation levels, collectively providing ink fixation without excessive temperature rise
4Manufacturing precision
If calcium chloride is used as ink fixative, then print quality improves, but paper stiffness changes and runnability issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the composition parameters by incorporating polymeric materials (0.1-5 parts) that act as stiffness modifiers. These polymers work synergistically with the metal salts to provide ink fixation while maintaining paper flexibility and runnability, counteracting the stiffening effect of calcium chloride
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 surface treatment composition improves print quality by enhancing black optical density, color gamut, and reducing line raggedness and ink dry time, while minimizing equipment corrosion and health hazards, producing crisp and durable prints with improved ink fixation.
Implementation Method 1
A print medium with a surface treatment composition containing a salt mixture of monovalent and multivalent metallic salts, applied to the substrate... to enhance optical density, color gamut, and dry time while reducing bleed
Implementation Method 2
A print medium with a surface treatment composition containing a salt mixture of monovalent and multivalent metallic salts... to enhance optical density, color gamut, and dry time while reducing bleed
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
One or more surface treatment compositions and print mediums are disclosed. The surface treatment compositions may comprise at least one surface sizing agent and at least one monovalent and at least one multivalent metallic salt Also disclosed are methods for the production of the surface treatment composition and print media with the composition.