Anti-blocking Stearate Coating for Inkjet Paper Jamming
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-line printing systems face challenges in handling paper sheets printed with non-toner based technologies, such as inkjet, due to high friction between sheets, leading to jamming issues during insertion and processing.
Innovation Solution
A solid anti-blocking composition comprising 75% to 99% weight percent metal salt of stearate and 1% to 25% weight percent stearic acid, optionally with cellulosic materials, is applied to the paper web to reduce adherent properties and improve handling by forming a solid block and applying it to the paper web, either before or after cutting, to facilitate smooth insertion and processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If non-toner based printing technology (inkjet) is used, then printing cost and environmental impact are improved, but friction between sheets increases causing jamming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a lubricant coating as an intermediary substance between paper sheets to reduce friction and prevent jamming. The lubricant composition includes metallic soaps (zinc stearate, calcium stearate), waxes, and oils that create a low-friction surface layer, allowing sheets to slide smoothly during insertion while maintaining the benefits of non-toner printing technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the surface properties of paper by applying a lubricant coating that changes the coefficient of friction between sheets. This parameter change enables smooth handling and insertion of printed sheets without increasing the fundamental printing process complexity, resolving the contradiction between cost-effective printing and reliable sheet handling.
2Productivity
If high-speed printing is implemented, then productivity increases, but paper handling and insertion become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies lubricant coating to paper sheets in advance, before they enter the high-speed printing and insertion process. This preliminary action ensures that the paper surface is pre-conditioned with low-friction properties, enabling smooth handling and insertion at high speeds without requiring complex real-time adjustments during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lubricant coating serves as a mediator that facilitates high-speed paper handling by reducing friction between sheets during insertion. This allows the printing system to maintain high productivity while ensuring easy paper flow through the insertion mechanism, resolving the contradiction between speed and handling ease.
3Ease of operation
If lubricant coating is applied to reduce friction, then sheet handling improves, but coating application complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs coating application methods that leverage the paper's own movement through the printing system to apply the lubricant coating. The coating is applied in a manner that utilizes existing paper flow and positioning mechanisms, avoiding the need for separate complex coating equipment and reducing overall system complexity while still achieving effective friction reduction for improved sheet handling.
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 application of the anti-blocking composition significantly reduces friction between paper sheets, enabling efficient handling and insertion, thereby preventing jamming and ensuring smooth operation of in-line printing systems.
Implementation Method 1
A solid anti-blocking composition comprising 75% to 99% weight percent metal salt of stearate and 1% to 25% weight percent stearic acid is applied to the paper web to reduce adherent properties
Data Source
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AI summary
An anti-blocking composition including about 75% to about 99% weight percent a metal salt of stearate and about 1% to about 25% weight percent stearic acid is provided. In addition, an anti-blocking composition including about 90% to about 99.5% a metal salt of stearate and about 0.5% to about 10% fiber is provided. The anti-blocking compositions may be formed into blocks and applied to a web of paper to reduce adherent properties of the paper. Further, a method of improving the handling properties of paper cut from a web is provided. The method includes the steps of coating a surface of a web of paper with an effective amount of a coating composition of the present disclosure, and cutting the web into sheets of paper.