Stereoscopic Image Formation via Controlled Volatile Solvent Ratio

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing stereoscopic images, such as those using thermally expandable plastic foams, face challenges in achieving uniformity of unevenness and require multiple steps, including the use of release films and heat-absorbing ink layers that become waste, complicating the process.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a recording medium with a foamable layer and a binder resin, where a first liquid composition with a foam promoting or preventing component is applied, followed by an ink and a second liquid composition without this component, allowing for differential ink application and controlled volatile solvent amounts to promote uniform foaming and reduce waste.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a release film and heat-absorbing ink layer are used in the stereoscopic image formation method, then the stereoscopic image can be formed on the foamed resin layer, but the process becomes complex and generates waste materials that need to be peeled off

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestereoscopic image formation qualityVSAvoidprocess steps and waste generation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the release film and heat-absorbing ink layer from the process by using a liquid composition that directly applies foam-promoting or foam-preventing components to the foamed resin layer. This extraction removes the unnecessary steps of applying, heating, and peeling off release films and heat-absorbing ink layers, thereby simplifying the process and eliminating waste generation while maintaining the ability to form stereoscopic images with high precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid composition serves multiple functions: it acts as both the application medium for foam control and the means for forming the stereoscopic image pattern. By combining the foam-promoting/preventing function with the imaging function into a single liquid composition, the invention eliminates the need for separate release films and heat-absorbing ink layers, thereby reducing process complexity and waste while achieving the desired stereoscopic image formation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple liquid compositions with different foam-promoting components are applied to different regions, then uniformity of unevenness height can be achieved, but the process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of unevenness heightVSAvoidnumber of liquid compositions and application steps
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by incorporating foam-promoting or foam-preventing components into the liquid composition that are selectively applied to different regions of the foamed resin layer. This allows different regions to receive appropriate foam control characteristics (promoting or preventing) based on the desired stereoscopic image pattern, thereby achieving uniformity of unevenness height across different regions while maintaining process simplicity through a single multi-functional liquid composition

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local 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

This method simplifies the process by achieving excellent uniformity of unevenness in stereoscopic images with fewer steps and minimizing waste, as the controlled volatile solvent ratio ensures consistent foaming and reduced variation in height, enhancing the efficiency of the image formation.

Implementation Method 1

a foamable layer that is provided on the base material and that contains a foamable particle foamed by heating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

a total of volatile solvents contained in the first liquid composition, the ink, and the second liquid composition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS12172455B2Method of producing recorded matter with stereoscopic image
Publication Date: 2024.12.24 CANON KK

AI summary

A method of producing a recorded matter including a stereoscopic image includes applying, onto a recording medium including a foamable layer, a first liquid composition containing a foam promoting or preventing component, and applying, onto the recording medium, a second liquid composition that does not contain the foam promoting or preventing component and the coloring material. A region to which the ink has been applied includes a first region and a second region in which amounts of ink applied are different, and a total of volatile solvents contained in the first liquid composition, the ink and the second liquid composition, which have been applied to the first region, is 95% by mass or more to 105% by mass or less with respect to a total of volatile solvents contained in the first liquid composition, the ink and the second liquid composition, which have been applied to the second region.