Inkjet Printable Medium with Opacity-Enhancing Adhesive Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wall covering materials lack sufficient durability and opacity to effectively hide imperfections and previous wall coverings, as they are not designed to meet strength and light-blocking requirements for decorative and display applications.
Innovation Solution
An inkjet printable medium comprising a substrate with two non-woven paper layers and an opacity-enhancing adhesive layer, coated with a visible light-blocking dye or pigment, which provides high opacity and strength for use as durable wallpaper.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional wall covering materials are used, then they can be applied for decoration, but they lack sufficient durability and opacity to hide imperfections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining multiple paper layers (first and second paper layers) with an intermediate adhesive layer containing opacity-enhancing particles. This multi-layer composite structure provides both the required durability through layered construction and sufficient opacity through the embedded particles in the adhesive layer, resolving the contradiction between strength and opacity reliability.
2Reliability
If wall covering materials are made thicker to improve opacity, then light-blocking improves, but mechanical strength and durability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating opacity-enhancing particles specifically in the intermediate adhesive layer between the two paper layers, rather than uniformly thickening the entire material. This localized approach provides sufficient light-blocking where needed while maintaining the overall mechanical strength through the preserved thinness and integrity of the individual paper layers.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-layer composite structure with strategically placed opacity-enhancing particles in the adhesive layer allows the material to achieve high opacity without requiring increased overall thickness, thereby maintaining mechanical strength and durability.
3Strength
If multiple layers are added to improve durability, then strength increases, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single intermediate layer: it serves as both the adhesive bonding layer holding the two paper layers together and as the opacity-enhancing layer containing light-blocking particles. This consolidation achieves improved durability through multi-layer construction while minimizing structural complexity by combining functions rather than adding separate layers.
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 achieves high opacity and strength, enabling effective hiding of imperfections and previous wall coverings, while maintaining durability and mechanical properties suitable for wallpaper applications.
Implementation Method 1
the adhesive layer includes a visible light-blocking dye or pigment
Data Source
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AI summary
An inkjet printable medium includes an opaque substrate having I(x)/I0 equal to or less than 0.05, wherein I(x) is an intensity of light remaining at a distance x, where x is the distance that light travels through the substrate, and wherein I0 is an initial intensity of light at x = 0. The substrate includes at least two non-woven paper layers; and an adhesive, opacity enhancing layer disposed between the at least two non-woven paper layers, the adhesive layer including a visible light-blocking dye or pigment. An image receiving layer is coated on the substrate. The substrate has a basis weight ranging from about 100 gsm to about 500 gsm.