Aqueous Textile Ink Composition for Nozzle Repellency and Wash Fastness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ink compositions for aqueous inkjet textile printing are poor in nozzle plate liquid repellency, contamination protection, discharge property, image density, and fastness to washing.

Innovation Solution

An ink composition comprising a pigment, a water-dispersible resin, a nonionic surfactant with a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of 1.0 to 5.0, and a blocked isocyanate as the crosslinking agent, optimized in concentration to improve nozzle plate liquid repellency, contamination protection, discharge property, and image density while ensuring fastness to washing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a surfactant with high HLB value and urethane resin with low fracture elongation are used, then the ink composition can be formulated for aqueous inkjet textile printing, but nozzle plate liquid repellency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveink composition formulationVSAvoidnozzle plate liquid repellency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the HLB value parameter of the surfactant from conventional high values (typically >10) to a specific low range of 1.0 to 5.0. This parameter change fundamentally alters the surfactant's hydrophile-lipophile balance, improving nozzle plate liquid repellency while maintaining ink composition stability and discharge properties through optimized concentration ranges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent optimizes the concentration of the nonionic surfactant to 0.1 to 3.0% by mass relative to total ink composition, and the blocked isocyanate to 0.1 to 5.0% by mass. These concentration parameters are critical for achieving both nozzle plate liquid repellency and sufficient image density with fastness to washing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional surfactants and resins are used, then ink composition can be prepared, but contamination protection of nozzle plate deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveink composition preparationVSAvoidcontamination protection of nozzle plate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by selecting a nonionic surfactant with HLB value of 1.0 to 5.0, which creates optimal surface tension characteristics that prevent contamination on the nozzle plate while maintaining ink flow and discharge properties during aqueous inkjet textile printing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If conventional ink composition is used, then printing can be performed, but discharge property deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting operationVSAvoiddischarge property
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the concentration parameter of the nonionic surfactant (0.1 to 3.0% by mass) to achieve the optimal balance between surface tension reduction for discharge and maintaining ink composition stability, thereby improving discharge property while ensuring reliable printing operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of operation

If conventional ink composition is used, then printing can be performed, but image density deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting operationVSAvoidimage density
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the concentration of blocked isocyanate (0.1 to 5.0% by mass) to achieve sufficient crosslinking density that enhances pigment binding and image density, while maintaining printing operability through the synergistic effect with the nonionic surfactant system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

5Ease of operation

If conventional ink composition is used, then printing can be performed, but fastness to washing deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting operationVSAvoidfastness to washing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the concentration of blocked isocyanate (0.1 to 5.0% by mass) to achieve sufficient crosslinking density that enhances pigment binding and image density, while maintaining printing operability through the synergistic effect with the nonionic surfactant system.

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 ink composition achieves excellent nozzle plate liquid repellency, contamination protection, discharge property, and sufficient image density with improved fastness to washing, enhancing the overall performance of aqueous inkjet textile printing.

Implementation Method 1

a nonionic surfactant having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of 1.0 to 5.0 is contained by 0.1 to 3.0% by mass relative to a total amount of the ink composition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

a blocked isocyanate is contained by 0.1 to 5.0% by mass relative to the total amount of the ink composition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCrosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS20240166906A1Ink composition for aqueous inkjet textile printing
Publication Date: 2024.05.23 SAKATA INX

AI summary

An object is to achieve an ink composition for aqueous inkjet textile printing excellent in nozzle plate liquid repellency, contamination protection of a nozzle plate, and discharge property, as well as both sufficient image density and fastness to washing. As a solution, an ink composition for aqueous inkjet textile printing is provided that includes a pigment, a water-dispersible resin, a surfactant, a crosslinking agent, and water, wherein as the surfactant, a nonionic surfactant having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of 1.0 to 5.0 is contained by 0.1 to 3.0% by mass relative to a total amount of the ink composition, and as the crosslinking agent, a blocked isocyanate by 0.1 to 5.0% by mass is contained relative to the total amount of the ink composition.