Textile printing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional textile printing methods are inefficient and often require harmful solvents, lacking in durability and resistance to washing and abrasion, especially when forming images on fabric substrates.

Innovation Solution

Electrophotographic printing with a crosslinked polymer coating applied over the printed image, using an electrophotographic ink composition and a crosslinking agent to create a durable, water-resistant image on textile substrates, reducing solvent use and improving wash resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional textile printing methods are used, then printing can be performed on fabric substrates, but the images lack durability and resistance to washing and abrasion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedurability of printed imageVSAvoidcomplexity of printing process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite ink composition containing charged toner particles in a carrier liquid that can be electrophotographically deposited onto textile substrates. The combination of electrophotographic technology with textile printing creates a composite printing system that achieves both durability and processability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the ink composition by using charged toner particles suspended in a carrier liquid, allowing for electrophotographic deposition. This parameter change enables the ink to be selectively attracted to charged regions on the substrate, improving image durability while maintaining manufacturing ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional textile printing methods are used, then colours can be applied to fabric, but harmful solvents are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuse of harmful solventsVSAvoidbinding effectiveness of colour

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the printing medium by using a carrier liquid instead of harmful solvents. The carrier liquid maintains the necessary fluidity and binding properties while being environmentally friendly, thus reducing harmful factors without sacrificing colorant binding effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of solvent-based printing into a benefit by using a water-based or environmentally friendly carrier liquid system. This substitution maintains the functional properties needed for effective textile printing while eliminating the harmful effects of traditional solvents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Reliability

If electrophotographic printing is used with crosslinked polymer coating, then wash resistance and abrasion resistance are improved, but the process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresistance to washing and abrasionVSAvoidnumber of processing steps

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a crosslinking agent to the printed image before the washing and abrasion processes occur. This preliminary action of crosslinking the polymer coating creates a durable, wash-resistant finish that protects the printed image from degradation during subsequent laundry cycles and abrasion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single processing step by integrating the crosslinking agent application with the drying or curing process. This merging of steps allows the polymer coating to simultaneously dry/cure and crosslink, forming a durable protective layer without requiring separate additional processing steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 method enables efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly textile printing with durable images resistant to laundry cycles and abrasion, maintaining a high percentage of the printed image after multiple washings.

Implementation Method 1

an electrophotographic ink composition, applying a coating composition comprising a polymer and a crosslinking agent to the printed electrophotographic ink

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic attraction: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

crosslinking the applied coating composition

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS10273372B2Textile printing

Publication Date: 2019.04.30 HP INDIGO BV

AI summary

Herein is described a method of printing an image on a textile. The method comprises electrophotographically printing an image onto a textile substrate using an electrophotographic ink composition, applying a coating composition comprising a polymer and a crosslinking agent to the printed electrophotographic ink, and crosslinking the applied coating composition.