Surface Protection Layer for High Ink Coverage Printing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inkjet printing is limited by a restricted color space due to the maximum allowable ink coverage per area, which restricts the quantity of colorants or pigments that can be applied, leading to incomplete drying and reduced abrasion resistance, causing damage to prints during processing.

Innovation Solution

Applying a surface protection, such as a transparent coating, to increase the abrasion resistance of the print, allowing for a higher ink coverage without altering drying parameters, thereby expanding the color space and enabling further processing without damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the quantity of colorants or pigments applied per area is increased to expand color space, then the presentable color space is improved, but the drying becomes incomplete and abrasion resistance decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequantity of colorants or pigments applied per areaVSAvoidabrasion resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A surface protection layer is introduced as an intermediary between the colorant layer and the external environment. This protective layer allows high ink coverage (up to 400% TAC) while maintaining complete drying and abrasion resistance, resolving the contradiction between quantity of colorants and reliability of the print.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Quantity of substance

If the applied quantity of ink per area is increased to expand color space, then the color space is improved, but damage to prints during processing occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplied quantity of ink per areaVSAvoiddamage to prints during processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The surface protection layer is applied beforehand to cushion and protect the print from mechanical damage during processing. This enables safe handling and processing of high-ink-coverage prints without deterioration, allowing TAC values up to 400% without compromising print integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Quantity of substance

If the maximum allowable ink coverage per area is increased to expand color space, then the color space is improved, but processing capabilities are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaximum allowable ink coverage per areaVSAvoidprocessing capabilities

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The surface protection layer serves as a mediator that decouples the ink application process from the processing constraints. It enables high ink coverage (400% TAC) while maintaining processing capabilities, as the protective layer prevents damage during handling and subsequent processing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10500885B2Method for printing to a recording medium with a fluid-based colorant transport or pigment transport and a surface protection in fluid-based printing to increase the presentable color space

Publication Date: 2019.12.10 OCE HLDG BV

AI summary

In a method for printing to a recording medium using a fluid-based colorant transport or pigment transport (e.g. via ink or liquid toner), fluid-based printing to the recording medium is performed and a surface protection is applied to increase the robustness (e.g. abrasion resistance) in at least a printed region of the recording medium. The applied quantity per area is configured to provide an increased color space. Further, in a surface protection given fluid-based printing to a recording medium, the presentable color space is increased.