Protonatable Intermediate Transfer Members for Aqueous Ink Printing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing intermediate transfer members in printing systems are unsuitable for using ink compositions with aqueous carriers, as they do not effectively retain the flattened shape of ink droplets, leading to suboptimal printing results due to the hydrophobic properties of the image transfer surface.
Innovation Solution
An intermediate transfer member with a release layer having protonatable functional groups with a pKb of not more than about 6, which allows proton-transfer with ink droplets, maintaining a flattened shape and enhancing ink evaporation and residue film distribution, thereby improving printing quality without the need for pre-treatment of the image transfer surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hydrophobic release layers are used, then ink droplet retention is poor, but printing quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameter of the release layer by introducing protonatable functional groups with specific pKb values (1-6), transforming it from hydrophobic to hydrophilic character, thereby enabling effective interaction with aqueous ink carriers and improving both ink droplet retention and printing quality
Solution Approach 2:
The release layer is formulated as a composite material containing polymers with protonatable functional groups (such as amino groups), combining the desirable properties of polymer flexibility with the specific chemical functionality needed to interact with aqueous inks, resolving the contradiction between retention and quality
2Manufacturing precision
If pre-treatment of image transfer surface is applied, then printing quality improves, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The desired protonatable functional groups are incorporated into the release layer formulation during manufacturing, performing the surface modification action in advance during layer creation rather than requiring separate pre-treatment steps before printing, thus improving printing quality without increasing process complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The release layer is designed to be self-sufficient with built-in protonatable functional groups that automatically provide the necessary surface properties for aqueous ink interaction, eliminating the need for external pre-treatment processes and reducing overall system complexity
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 use of protonatable functional groups on the image transfer surface enables superior printing results by retaining a flattened ink droplet shape, leading to better ink-dot sharpness and optical density, and allows for the use of aqueous ink compositions without additional pre-treatment steps.
Implementation Method 1
protonatable functional groups having a pKb of not more than about 6, which allows proton-transfer with ink droplets
Data Source
Figure 1~4
AI summary
Disclosed are intermediate transfer members useful in the art of printing having a release layer with an image transfer surface having protonatable functional groups apparent thereupon. Also disclosed are methods of making such intermediate transfer members.