Styrene Resin Solid Writing Material Color Stability

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solid writing materials using reversible thermochromic compositions often suffer from inadequate color changing properties and reduced temporal stability due to the use of certain resins, which can adversely affect the color-changing behavior and strength of the writing material.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a styrene-structure-containing polymer as the excipient or resin in the solid writing material, specifically a styrene-based resin, to enhance strength and maintain the color-changing property without interfering with the thermochromic reaction, along with a temperature-sensitive color-changeable composition encapsulated in microcapsules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional resins are used to enhance the strength of solid writing material, then the strength is improved, but the color changing property and temporal stability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrength of solid writing materialVSAvoidcolor changing property and temporal stability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the resin by specifying a styrene-structure-containing polymer with particular molecular weight range (1,000-10,000) and styrene content (30-70 mass%). This parameter optimization allows the resin to provide adequate strength while maintaining compatibility with the thermochromic composition, thus preserving color changing properties and temporal stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system combining styrene-structure-containing polymer with specific excipients (polyolefin wax, sucrose fatty acid ester, dextrin fatty acid ester) and thermochromic composition. This composite approach allows each component to contribute its strengths: the styrene resin provides structural integrity without interfering with thermochromic reactions, while the excipients maintain color changing properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If resin additives are added to enhance strength, then the strength is improved, but the color extinguishing property deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestrength of solid writing materialVSAvoidadverse effect on color extinguishing property

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the molecular weight parameter of the styrene-structure-containing polymer to be within 1,000-10,000, and styrene content to be 30-70 mass%. These specific parameter ranges ensure the resin provides sufficient strength while remaining chemically compatible with the thermochromic system, allowing frictional heat to effectively extinguish colors without resin interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Strength

If strong resins are used to improve impact resistance, then the impact resistance is improved, but the writing feel deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidwriting feel

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies the molecular weight of the styrene-structure-containing polymer within the range of 1,000-10,000, which optimizes the balance between strength and softness. This parameter control ensures adequate impact resistance while maintaining appropriate hardness for comfortable writing, preventing the material from being too hard or too soft.

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 use of styrene-structure-containing polymers ensures that the writing material maintains its color-changing property while providing enhanced strength, impact resistance, and improved writing feel, allowing for effective temperature-induced color changes without re-coloration issues.

Implementation Method 1

a reaction medium effecting reversibly an electron transfer reaction between (a) component and (b) component in a specific temperature range

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReversible electron transfer reaction: Redox Reactions

Implementation Method 2

reversible thermochromic microcapsuled pigment encapsulating a temperature-sensitive color-changeable color-memorizing composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEncapsulation: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 3

said excipient or said resin comprises a styrene-structure-containing polymer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPolymer reinforcement: Composite Materials

Data Source

PatentUS9976043B2Solid writing material

Publication Date: 2018.05.22 PILOT PEN CO LTD

AI summary

The invention aims at providing a solid writing material that does not adversely affect the color changing property of script and can obtain sufficient strength. This aim is achieved by the solid writing material that includes: a reversible thermochromic microcapsuled pigment encapsulating a temperature-sensitive color-changeable color-memorizing composition; an excipient; and a resin; the temperature-sensitive color-changeable color-memorizing composition including at least (a) an electron-donating coloring organic compound, (b) an electron accepting compound and (c) a reaction medium effecting reversibly an electron transfer reaction between the (a) and (b) components in a specific temperature range; wherein the excipient or the resin includes a styrene-structure-containing polymer.