Thermal Ink Jet Ink Composition Fast Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial thermal ink jet systems face issues with long ink dry times and poor adhesion to semi-porous and non-porous substrates due to the limitations of water-based inks, which hinder efficient printing performance.
Innovation Solution
A thermal ink jet ink composition comprising volatile organic solvents, humectants, binder resins, and dyes or pigments, with specific solvents like alcohols, ethers, and esters that penetrate substrates quickly, reducing dry times and improving adhesion, and optionally including plasticizers for enhanced performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If water-based inks are used in thermal ink jet systems, then the inks are compatible with standard TIJ print heads designed for water vaporization, but the ink dry times become long and adhesion to semi-porous and non-porous substrates becomes poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the ink by replacing water-based formulations with organic solvent-based formulations containing specific volatile organic compounds (acetone, ethyl acetate, isopropanol) and humectants in controlled amounts. This parameter change enables faster evaporation rates and improved substrate penetration, resolving the contradiction between print head compatibility and dry time performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite ink formulation combining volatile organic solvents, humectants, binder resins, and dyes in specific proportions. This composite material approach allows the ink to simultaneously achieve fast drying, good adhesion to various substrates, and compatibility with thermal ink jet print heads, resolving the multifaceted performance contradictions.
2Ease of manufacture
If water-based inks are used in thermal ink jet systems, then the inks can be easily formulated and printed, but the adhesion to semi-porous and non-porous substrates becomes poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the ink formulation by introducing organic solvents with specific volatility and penetration characteristics, along with humectants and binder resins in optimized ratios. These parameter changes enable the ink to penetrate semi-porous and non-porous substrates effectively while maintaining ease of formulation and printing processes.
3Loss of time
If volatile organic solvents are used to reduce dry times, then the ink penetrates substrates quickly and dries faster, but the ink may degrade material components of the TIJ cartridge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully selects and balances the parameters of volatile organic solvents, using acetone, ethyl acetate, and isopropanol in specific proportions alongside humectants. This balanced formulation achieves fast drying through volatile solvent evaporation while the humectants and binder resins protect against degradation of TIJ cartridge materials, resolving the contradiction between dry time and material compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces humectants as intermediary substances that mediate between the volatile organic solvents and the TIJ cartridge materials. The humectants reduce the aggressive effects of volatile solvents on cartridge materials while maintaining the fast-drying properties, thus resolving the contradiction between dry time performance and material compatibility.
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 short unassisted dry times, long decap times, and good adhesion to various substrates without requiring heat assist, ensuring reliable and efficient printing on both semi-porous and non-porous surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
one or more volatile organic solvents... The ink composition achieves short unassisted dry times
Implementation Method 2
a resistor is heated rapidly to produce a vapor bubble which subsequently ejects a droplet from the orifice
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal ink jet ink composition comprises one or more volatile organic solvents, wherein the one or more volatile organic solvents are selected from the group consisting of C1-C4 alcohols, C4-C8 ethers, C3-C6 ketones, C3-C6 esters, and mixtures thereof; one or more humectants, wherein the humectants are present in an amount not more than 30% by weight of the ink jet ink composition, wherein the one or more humectants comprises a glycol ether; one or more binder resins, wherein the binder resins are present in an amount from 0.3% to 8% by weight of the ink jet ink composition; and one or more dyes, wherein the ink jet ink composition optionally includes water up to about 5% by weight of the ink jet ink composition.