Surface Sizing Composition for Digital Print Media

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current digital printing technologies face challenges in maintaining optimal printing attributes such as quality, durability, and speed, particularly in commercial settings, where the use of printing media with high inorganic pigment content is limited by traditional surface sizing compositions that include high amounts of macromolecular materials and inorganic salts.

Innovation Solution

A surface sizing composition with a lower content of macromolecular material and inorganic salt, and a higher content of inorganic pigment is applied directly to cellulose-based paper during the online surface sizing process, using a size press, to create a print medium suitable for digital printing systems like inkjet and electrophotographic technologies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional surface sizing compositions with high macromolecular material and inorganic salt content are used, then the paper surface achieves adequate sizing, but the print quality and printer durability deteriorate when high inorganic pigment content is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprint qualityVSAvoidprinter durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the compositional parameters of the surface sizing composition by reducing macromolecular material to 1-20% and inorganic salt to 1-30%, while dramatically increasing inorganic pigment content to 70-98%. This parameter transformation enables the paper surface to accept high inorganic pigment content (up to 95%) without compromising printer durability or print quality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite surface sizing composition combining macromolecular material, inorganic salt, and inorganic pigment in optimized proportions. This composite approach allows the synergistic interaction between components to achieve both high pigment loading and maintained printer reliability, resolving the contradiction between print quality and printer durability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If high inorganic pigment content is used in printing media, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but printing attributes such as quality and speed deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidprinting speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the surface sizing composition parameters to enable high inorganic pigment content (70-98%) while maintaining optimal printing speed and quality. The reduced macromolecular material (1-20%) and controlled inorganic salt (1-30%) create a surface that accepts pigment without compromising printability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies surface sizing specifically to the paper surface layer, creating a localized functional zone with optimized composition. This local treatment allows high inorganic pigment content in the bulk paper while maintaining a surface layer that preserves printing attributes and enables high-speed digital printing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If high inorganic pigment content is used in printing media, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but print quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidprint quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the surface sizing composition to contain 70-98% inorganic pigment, dramatically reducing the need for expensive macromolecular materials while maintaining or improving print quality. The optimized balance of components ensures high pigment content does not compromise printing performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces expensive macromolecular materials with cheaper inorganic pigments in the surface sizing composition. This substitution reduces material costs while the inorganic pigment provides sufficient surface functionality for high-quality digital printing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 approach enhances print quality, reduces manufacturing costs, and improves printer durability and reliability, while maintaining high printing speeds, by forming a continuous barrier layer on the paper surface, thus addressing the limitations of traditional surface sizing compositions.

Implementation Method 1

forming a continuous barrier layer on the paper surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeposition: Deposition (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS9328463B2Surface sizing composition for print media in digital printing

Publication Date: 2016.05.03 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

A size press (SP) surface sizing composition provides a SP surface sizing for a print medium that is used in a digital printing system. The surface sizing composition includes an aqueous mixture including a macromolecular material in an amount from about 25% to about 75% dry weight; an inorganic metallic salt in an amount from about 3% to about 20% dry weight; and an amount of inorganic pigment ranging from at least 16% to about 60% dry weight, such that a total dry weight equals about 100%.