Processing Fluid for Inkjet Printing on Polyester

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inkjet printing technologies face challenges in producing robust images with excellent coloring on various fabrics, particularly cotton and polyester, due to the need for improved inkjet recording capabilities that enhance image fastness and texture on chemical fibers like polyester.

Innovation Solution

A processing fluid containing a metal ion and an organopolysiloxane is developed, with the metal ion concentration ranging from 0.5 to 50 g/L and the organopolysiloxane having a weight average molecular weight of 5,000 to 500,000, which is used to enhance image fastness and apply soft textures to fabric images.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional inkjet recording is used on polyester fabric, then the printing process is simple, but the image fastness and texture are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage fastnessVSAvoidprocessing fluid composition

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the processing fluid by incorporating metal ions (such as aluminum, calcium, or magnesium ions at concentrations of 0.1-10 g/L) and organopolysiloxane (at concentrations of 0.1-10 g/L with molecular weight 1,000-10,000). These parameter changes enable the ink to achieve excellent fastness on polyester fabric while maintaining a relatively simple processing approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite processing fluid containing multiple components including metal ions, organopolysiloxane, and conventional inkjet ink. This composite formulation combines the penetration ability of conventional ink with the fastness-enhancing properties of metal ions and the texture-improving properties of organopolysiloxane, achieving robust images with excellent coloring on polyester fabric

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Manufacturing precision

If inkjet recording is performed to achieve robust images on cotton and polyester, then the coloring quality improves, but the permeation and wetting properties are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoloring qualityVSAvoidpermeation and wetting properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts the surface tension and viscosity parameters of the processing fluid by adding organopolysiloxane (molecular weight 1,000-10,000 at 0.1-10 g/L). This improves the permeation and wetting properties of the ink on fabric, allowing better penetration into cotton and polyester fibers while maintaining excellent coloring quality and image robustness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 processing fluid effectively improves image fastness and texture on polyester fabrics, ensuring robust and durable prints with enhanced permeation and wetting properties, suitable for Direct to Garment (DTG) printing applications.

Implementation Method 1

enhanced permeation and wetting properties

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWetting: Wetting

Data Source

PatentUS11629263B2Processing fluid, ink set, inkjet printing device, and inkjet printing method

Publication Date: 2023.04.18 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A processing fluid contains a metal ion and an organopolysiloxane, wherein the content of the metal ion in the processing fluid is from 0.5 to 50 g/L and the organopolysiloxane has a weight average molecular of from 5,000 to 500,000.