Solvent-Based Thermal Inkjet Ink for Non-Porous Substrates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermal inkjet printheads are limited to printing on porous and semi-porous substrates due to their reliance on water-based ink formulations, restricting their application to the SOHO market and failing to compete with piezo printheads in wide-format printing on non-porous media.
Innovation Solution
Development of solvent-based ink compositions for thermal inkjet printheads, comprising specific solvent blends that promote adhesion to non-porous surfaces and effective bubble formation without polymers, enabling printing on a wider range of substrates including non-porous materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If water-based ink formulations are used in thermal inkjet printheads, then rapid bubble formation and high-speed printing are achieved, but printing is limited to porous and semi-porous substrates only
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the ink formulation from water-based to solvent-based (specifically using C1-6 alcohols and esters). This parameter change enables the ink to adhere to non-porous substrates while maintaining the thermal bubble formation mechanism for high-speed printing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite solvent system combining C1-6 alcohols (for bubble formation) and esters (for adhesion to non-porous substrates). This composite formulation achieves both rapid bubble formation and effective adhesion to diverse substrates including non-porous materials
2Adaptability or versatility
If solvent-based ink compositions are developed for thermal inkjet printheads, then printing on non-porous substrates is enabled, but bubble formation efficiency must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the solvent composition parameters by selecting specific C1-6 alcohols and esters with appropriate boiling points and volatilities. This ensures reliable and consistent bubble formation in thermal inkjet printheads while maintaining compatibility with non-porous substrates
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 solvent-based ink compositions allow thermal inkjet printheads to print on non-porous and semi-porous substrates, expanding their application beyond the SOHO market and enabling high-resolution, high-speed printing on diverse media, comparable to piezo printers.
Implementation Method 1
Thermal bubble-forming inkjet printheads function by generating a certain amount of heat in the printing fluid contained in a nozzle chamber
Implementation Method 2
This heat causes a bubble to form which eventually collapses as the fluid is forced through a nozzle
Implementation Method 3
solvent-based ink compositions that promote adhesion to non-porous surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
A solvent-based ink composition for a thermal inkjet printhead. The ink composition comprises:(a) 20-80 wt. % of a compound of formula (C);wherein:R7 is a C2-12 alkyl group interrupted with 0, 1, 2 or 3 oxygen atoms;(b) 10-70 wt. % of a C1-6 alcohol; and(c) 0.01-25 wt. % of a colorant.