Print Treatment Units for Scratch-Resistant Durability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Printed substrates formed with thermoplastic resin are prone to damage from rubbing and scratching, and existing methods require subsequent varnishing or lamination for durability, which can be costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the controlled application of a fluid print agent with thermoplastic resin, followed by heating to fuse the resin, and subsequent irradiation with a narrowband ultraviolet source to re-melt and increase the adhesion of the thermoplastic resin to the substrate, enhancing durability without the need for varnishing or lamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If varnishing or lamination is applied to the printed substrate, then the durability and resistance to rubbing and scratching is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the protective function from separate varnishing or lamination layers and integrates it directly into the print agent formulation. The print agent itself is designed to provide both the printed image and the protective durability, eliminating the need for additional protective coatings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of the printed image and the protective coating into a single integrated layer. The print agent combines the colorant/pigment with the thermoplastic resin in a way that the same material that forms the image also provides the protective durability, eliminating separate varnishing or lamination steps.
2Reliability
If varnishing or lamination is applied to the printed substrate, then the resistance to rubbing and scratching is improved, but the production efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the protective function preliminarily during the printing process itself, rather than as a subsequent step. The print agent is formulated and applied in advance with the protective properties already built-in, eliminating the need for post-printing varnishing or lamination operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the image formation and protective coating application into a single printing operation. The same print agent that deposits the colored image also deposits the protective thermoplastic resin layer, thereby performing two functions in one step and improving production efficiency.
3Strength
If the thermoplastic resin is heated to melt it, then the adhesion to the substrate is improved, but the substrate may be damaged from excessive heat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies heat locally and selectively to the print agent layer containing the thermoplastic resin, rather than heating the entire substrate. The heating is concentrated in the region where the print agent is applied, allowing the resin to melt and adhere to the substrate without excessive heat affecting the substrate itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the print agent layer as an intermediary between the heat source and the substrate. The thermoplastic resin in the print agent absorbs and distributes the heat, melting and adhering to the substrate while protecting the substrate from direct exposure to excessive heat. The print agent acts as a thermal mediator that transfers heat controllably.
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 method provides durable prints resistant to scratching and rubbing by improving the adhesion of the thermoplastic resin to the substrate, eliminating the need for additional treatments like varnishing or lamination, while maintaining the substrate's integrity.
Implementation Method 1
irradiating the printed substrate with a narrowband ultraviolet source so as to cause heating of the fused print agent to melt the thermoplastic resin
Implementation Method 2
heating the fluid print agent on the surface to remove the carrier fluid and to melt the thermoplastic resin
Implementation Method 3
heating the fluid print agent on the surface to remove the carrier fluid and to melt the thermoplastic resin
Data Source
AI summary
A method is disclosed. The method may comprise forming an image on a surface by controlled electrostatic transfer of a fluid print agent comprising thermoplastic resin disposed in a carrier fluid. The method may also comprise heating the fluid print agent on the surface to remove the carrier fluid and to melt the thermoplastic resin and allowing the melted thermoplastic resin in continuous areas on the surface to fuse together to form an image from fused print agent. The method may further involve providing a printed substrate bearing the image formed from fused print agent. The method may further comprise irradiating the printed substrate with an ultraviolet narrowband source so as to cause heating of the fused print agent to melt the thermoplastic resin. A print system and a print apparatus are also disclosed.