Printing Method Ink Bleeding Control Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In printing technologies that use a background color ink and image forming inks with a reaction liquid, excessive moisture leads to bleeding issues, particularly when large quantities of reaction liquid and white ink are applied, causing image quality problems and potential odor or adhesion issues due to deliquescence.

Innovation Solution

A printing method and apparatus that apply a first reaction liquid to a recording medium, followed by a background color ink, drying the medium, then a second reaction liquid, and finally image forming ink, with an overcoat liquid applied to reduce moisture exposure and minimize bleeding, using a sequence of layers to control liquid application and drying.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a large quantity of white ink is applied to the entire surface of the recording medium to create the background, then the background coverage is improved, but the image forming inks may bleed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebackground coverage areaVSAvoidimage forming ink placement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the printing process into separate stages: first applying background color ink and drying it completely, then applying image forming inks. This segmentation of the printing process prevents mixing between background and image inks, eliminating bleeding while maintaining full background coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies and dries the background color ink before applying the image forming inks. By completing the background layer and removing its moisture in advance, the substrate is prepared in a state that prevents ink bleeding, allowing precise application of image forming inks afterward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stability of the object's composition

If a large quantity of reaction liquid is applied to aggregate the white ink, then the ink aggregation is improved, but the image forming inks may bleed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveink aggregation stabilityVSAvoidimage forming ink placement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent separates the application of reaction liquid into two distinct stages: first applying reaction liquid with background color ink and drying, then applying reaction liquid with image forming inks. This segmentation ensures that sufficient reaction liquid is available for proper ink aggregation without causing bleeding between different ink layers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies and dries the background color ink with reaction liquid before applying image forming inks. By removing moisture from the background layer in advance, the substrate is prepared to receive image forming inks without bleeding, while still providing sufficient reaction liquid for proper aggregation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If image forming inks are applied to a recording medium with large quantities of liquids present, then the printing process is simplified, but the image forming inks may bleed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting process simplicityVSAvoidimage forming ink placement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies and dries the background color ink and reaction liquid before applying image forming inks. By removing moisture from the substrate in advance through drying, the conditions are prepared to prevent bleeding while maintaining process simplicity. The drying step creates an optimal substrate state for subsequent ink application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This approach reduces bleeding of inks, minimizes odor and adhesion issues, and allows for printing with a smaller total quantity of liquids, resulting in higher image quality and reduced risk of deliquescence-related problems.

Implementation Method 1

drying the recording medium coated with the background color ink by heating the recording medium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 2

a reaction liquid containing an aggregating agent capable of causing aggregation of a color material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAggregation: Coagulation

Data Source

PatentUS9573388B2Printing method and printing apparatus

Publication Date: 2017.02.21 SEIKO EPSON CORP

AI summary

A printing method uses a reaction liquid containing an aggregating agent capable of causing the aggregation of a color material. This printing method includes: applying a first reaction liquid to a recording medium; applying a background color ink that contains a color material for a background color to a region of the recording medium which is coated with the first reaction liquid; drying the recording medium coated with the background color ink by heating the recording medium; applying a second reaction liquid to a region of the dried recording medium which is coated with the background color ink; and applying an image forming ink that contains a color material having a color different from that of the background color ink to a region of the recording medium which is coated with the second reaction liquid.