Solid Ink Composition Using Tartaric Acid Esters for Coated Paper
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solid ink technologies are not satisfactory for printing on coated paper substrates, lacking the ability to produce high-quality images due to issues with ink migration and nozzle clogging.
Innovation Solution
Development of novel solid ink compositions comprising a blend of crystalline and amorphous components synthesized from tartaric acid esters, which provide a robust phase change ink suitable for ink jet printing on both uncoated and coated paper substrates, with a crystalline component driving rapid crystallization and an amorphous component imparting tackiness and viscosity control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional solid ink technologies are used, then the ink remains solid at room temperature enabling easy handling, but the ink migrates on coated paper substrates and causes nozzle clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining crystalline esters of tartaric acid (providing structural stability and sharp melting point) with amorphous esters of citric acid (providing viscosity control and tackiness). This composite ink composition prevents ink migration on coated paper while maintaining solid-state stability for easy handling and preventing nozzle clogging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes through phase transition - the ink components are selected to have specific melting points and glass transition temperatures that enable the ink to transition from solid to liquid state at controlled temperatures. This allows the ink to remain solid during handling but become liquid for jetting, eliminating migration and clogging issues.
2Manufacturing precision
If the ink composition is designed for sharp phase transition, then the print density and quality are improved, but the viscosity control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials combining crystalline and amorphous components where the crystalline ester provides sharp phase transition for high print density, while the amorphous ester contributes viscosity control and tackiness. The synergistic interaction between these two components resolves the contradiction between achieving sharp phase transition and maintaining manageable viscosity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different functional roles to different components: the crystalline component specifically provides sharp melting behavior for precise phase transition, while the amorphous component specifically provides viscosity control. This division of functional responsibilities allows both requirements to be met simultaneously.
3Speed
If the ink components are selected for rapid crystallization, then the solidification speed on substrate is improved, but the ink formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials where the crystalline ester of tartaric acid provides rapid crystallization for fast solidification on the substrate, while the amorphous ester of citric acid simplifies the overall formulation by providing viscosity control without requiring additional additives. This composite approach achieves fast solidification while maintaining formulation simplicity.
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 blended ink composition achieves excellent robustness and print quality on coated paper, preventing ink migration and enhancing scratch resistance, while maintaining a sharp phase transition and desired viscosity for effective inkjet printing.
Implementation Method 1
solid ink compositions characterized by being solid at room temperature and molten at an elevated temperature at which the molten ink is applied to a substrate
Implementation Method 2
when the ink droplets contact the surface of the recording medium, either directly or via an intermediate heated transfer belt or drum, they quickly solidify to form a predetermined pattern of solidified ink drops
Data Source
AI summary
A solid ink composition comprising an amorphous component, a crystalline component, and optionally, a colorant, which are suitable for ink jet printing, including printing on coated paper substrates. In embodiments, the amorphous component is synthesized from an esterification reaction of tartaric acid.