Recording Ink Composition for Dense, Fast-Drying Prints on Plain Paper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inkjet recording technologies face challenges in achieving high-quality image recording on regular paper due to issues like feathering, bleeding, reduced image density, degradation of color gamut, water resistance, light resistance, and ink fixation characteristics, especially when compared to inkjet paper, and existing solutions often compromise on reliability, productivity, or energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A recording ink and ink/media set comprising a water-dispersible colorant, a water-dispersible resin, a wetting agent, and a surfactant, with specific ratios and components that include fluorine resin particulates and a polymer dispersion stabilizer, optimized to provide excellent image density, saturation, and durability, including water and light resistance, while preventing beading and ensuring fast drying on regular paper.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If pigments are used as colorants to improve image density and color gamut, then image quality is improved, but ejection stability and storage stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a polymer emulsion as an intermediary carrier that encapsulates pigment particles. This emulsion system allows the pigment to be delivered reliably through the inkjet nozzle while maintaining high image density upon deposition. The emulsion acts as a mediator between the pigment particles and the recording medium, solving the contradiction between image quality and ejection stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite ink formulation combining polymer emulsion, pigment particles, and surfactants in specific ratios. This composite material integrates the high image density properties of pigments with the reliable ejection characteristics of polymer-based inks, achieving both improved image quality and maintained ejection stability simultaneously.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional ink formulations are used on regular paper, then cost is reduced, but image quality deteriorates due to feathering, bleeding, and poor fixation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies key ink formulation parameters including wetting agent content (20-35% by mass), surfactant content (0.1-5% by mass), and the ratio of polymer emulsion to pigment (specific ratios defined). These parameter changes enable the ink to achieve optimal balance between cost-effectiveness and image quality on regular paper, preventing feathering and bleeding while maintaining good fixation characteristics.
3Speed
If high permeability ink is used to prevent bleeding and improve drying, then drying speed is improved, but feathering occurs and image density reduces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the wetting agent content to 20-35% by mass and surfactant content to 0.1-5% by mass, creating a balanced surface tension profile. This parameter optimization allows the ink to achieve adequate permeability for fast drying while maintaining sufficient surface adhesion to prevent feathering and preserve image density, resolving the contradiction between drying speed and image quality.
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 enables high-quality image recording on regular paper with improved image density, saturation, and durability, preventing beading and ensuring fast drying, while maintaining stable nozzle ejection and energy efficiency, comparable to offset-printed quality.
Implementation Method 1
a wetting agent
Implementation Method 2
a surfactant
Implementation Method 3
the water-dispersible resin contains fluorine resin particulates
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a recording ink which contains at least a water-dispersible colorant, a water-dispersible resin, a wetting agent, a surfactant and water, wherein the content of the wetting agent in the recording ink is in the range of from 20% by mass to 35% by mass, the total solid content of the water-dispersible colorant and the water-dispersible resin in the recording ink is in the range of from 12% by mass to 40% by mass, the water-dispersible resin contains fluorine resin particulates, and the ratio A:B, where A is the solid content of the water-dispersible resin in the recording ink and B is the solid content of a pigment contained in the water-dispersible colorant in the recording ink, is in the range of 0.5 to 8.