Printed Object Ink Receiving Layer Monomer Dissipation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing methods using actinic radiation-curable ink on ink-receiving layers face issues with unreacted monomers remaining in the layer, leading to odor and poor adhesion, and existing solutions either fail to reduce monomer dissipation effectively or compromise film properties like weather resistance.
Innovation Solution
A printed matter is developed with an ink-receiving layer having an ink absorption rate of 100% or less, using a polymerizable compound with a glass transition temperature of -45° C to 25° C, and a monomer dissipation rate of 10.0 μg/m2/hr or less, combined with a surface protecting layer to minimize monomer dissipation and enhance adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If conventional coating materials for receiving layers are used, then the receiving layer can be formed, but unreacted monomers remain in the layer causing odor and poor adhesion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the glass transition temperature parameter of the polymerizable compound from conventional high values to specifically -45°C to 25°C. This parameter change enables the receiving layer to maintain proper adhesion while reducing monomer dissipation, as the lower Tg allows for better molecular mobility and bonding without excessive monomer retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite system combining the receiving layer with specific polymerizable compounds (having Tg of -45°C to 25°C) and actinic radiation-curable ink. This composite approach allows the receiving layer to provide both good adhesion and reduced monomer dissipation simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between these two properties.
2Ease of manufacture
If printing is performed on an absorbent substrate or ink-receiving layer, then the receiving layer can accept the ink, but monomers remain in the receiving layer in uncured state and are dissipated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the glass transition temperature parameter of the polymerizable compound in the receiving layer to -45°C to 25°C. This parameter optimization allows the receiving layer to maintain its ink-receiving functionality while significantly reducing monomer dissipation after curing, as the controlled Tg prevents excessive monomer mobility and dissipation.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If a dense receiving layer is formed to prevent monomer permeation, then monomer dissipation is reduced, but adhesion force due to anchoring effect cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the glass transition temperature parameter to a specific range (-45°C to 25°C) that balances two opposing requirements: it provides sufficient molecular mobility for strong adhesion through anchoring effects, while simultaneously limiting monomer permeation and dissipation. This precise parameter control resolves the contradiction between adhesion strength and monomer retention.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If excessive amount of photopolymerization initiator is used to reduce unreacted monomers, then monomer dissipation is reduced, but film properties such as weather resistance or chromogenic property are deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the approach from controlling photopolymerization initiator amount to controlling the glass transition temperature of the polymerizable compound itself. By optimizing the Tg parameter to -45°C to 25°C, the system achieves complete monomer reaction without requiring excessive initiator, thereby preserving film properties like weather resistance and chromogenic properties while eliminating unreacted monomers.
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 effectively reduces unreacted monomer dissipation and improves adhesion between the ink and receiving layer, while maintaining excellent chromogenic properties and film characteristics like weather resistance.
Implementation Method 1
an ink layer comprising an actinic radiation-curable ink containing a polymerizable compound
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a printed object which, even if using a receptive layer that is difficult for a monomer in an active energy ray curable ink to penetrate, has excellent adhesion between the active energy ray curable ink and the receptive layer, and in which the amount of unreacted monomer dissipated from the printed object is low. This printed object includes an ink receptive layer laminated on a substrate surface and having an ink absorption rate of 100% or less, and an ink layer laminated on a surface of the ink receptive layer and made from an active energy ray curable ink which includes a polymerizable compound, wherein the glass transition temperature of the polymerizable compound is −45-25° C.