Solvent-Tuned Nonaqueous Inkjet Ink Composition for Vinyl Printing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing nonaqueous inkjet ink compositions face challenges in achieving excellent solid filling property, anti-mottling property, ink stability, discharge stability, and scratch resistance, particularly when printed at high speeds on vinyl-based polymers used in large billboards.

Innovation Solution

A nonaqueous inkjet ink composition comprising specific constituents such as acrylic-based resin, organic coloring pigment and/or carbon black, alumina, pigment dispersant, and organic solvent, including propylene carbonate, diethylene glycol dialkyl ether, and dipropylene glycol alkyl ether acetate, with controlled proportions to enhance performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional nonaqueous inkjet ink compositions are used, then the ink can be applied to vinyl-based polymers, but the solid filling property and anti-mottling property are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesolid filling propertyVSAvoidink stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the organic solvent system by incorporating specific proportions of propylene carbonate, diethylene glycol dialkyl ether, and dipropylene glycol alkyl ether acetate. This parameter modification enables the ink to achieve both excellent solid filling property and anti-mottling property while maintaining ink stability on vinyl-based polymer substrates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If conventional nonaqueous inkjet ink compositions are used, then the ink can be applied to vinyl-based polymers, but the discharge stability and scratch resistance are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge stabilityVSAvoidscratch resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite ink formulation by combining acrylic-based resin as the binder with a specifically designed organic solvent system containing propylene carbonate, diethylene glycol dialkyl ether, and dipropylene glycol alkyl ether acetate. This composite material approach achieves both discharge stability and scratch resistance simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If higher printing speeds are implemented, then productivity increases, but fine print reproducibility and solid filling property deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting speedVSAvoidfine print reproducibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the viscosity and surface tension parameters of the ink by adjusting the organic solvent composition. The specific combination of propylene carbonate, diethylene glycol dialkyl ether, and dipropylene glycol alkyl ether acetate creates an ink formulation that maintains stable droplet formation and proper wetting characteristics even at higher printing speeds, thereby preserving fine print reproducibility.

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 composition demonstrates good scratch resistance, fine writing property, solid filling property, anti-mottling property, and discharge stability, ensuring high-quality printing on vinyl-based polymers.

Implementation Method 1

Nonaqueous inkjet ink compositions must use materials having good wettability, drying property, fixing property, etc., on the polyvinyl chloride, ethylene-vinyl acetate-based copolymer, and other vinyl-based polymers being the top face materials of the composite sheets.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWettability: Wetting

Implementation Method 2

Nonaqueous inkjet ink compositions must use materials having good wettability, drying property, fixing property, etc.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS12435232B2Nonaqueous inkjet ink composition
Publication Date: 2025.10.07 SAKATA INX

AI summary

An object is to provide a nonaqueous inkjet ink composition offering excellent solid filling property and anti-mottling property, as well as excellent ink stability, discharge stability, and scratch resistance, even when printed at high speed on printing targets whose printing face is constituted by a polyvinyl chloride, ethylene-vinyl acetate-based copolymer, or other vinyl-based polymer, etc. As a solution, a nonaqueous inkjet ink composition is provided that contains acrylic-based resin, organic coloring pigment and/or carbon black, alumina, pigment dispersant, and organic solvent, wherein the organic solvent comprises propylene carbonate, diethylene glycol dialkyl ether, and dipropylene glycol alkyl ether acetate, and alumina is contained by 5 to 30 parts by mass relative to 100 parts by mass representing the total of organic coloring pigment and carbon black.